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[The Secret World reaches one million beta signups]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-secret-world-reaches-one-million-beta-signups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-secret-world-reaches-one-million-beta-signups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-secret-world-reaches-one-million-beta-signups/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Secret World
It's hard to fathom how you can have "secret" societies when over a million new people know about them, but somehow we don't think Funcom's sweating the security breach. In fact, the studio seems quite proud of the fact that a million players have signed up to test The Secret World. The Facebook tie-in is also getting record views, with almost two million visits over the past few weeks.

Senior Vice President Morten Larssen sees this as a shining omen for a dark world: "Shattering our previous beta records gives us great hope for The Secret World's launch and its future. Combining this positive number with the excellent feedback we have received from both beta testers and the press that have played the game, make us very optimistic for a successful launch of The Secret World."

Anyone who's pre-ordered The Secret World can get in on tomorrow's beta weekend, the first of several that Funcom's planning in the lead up to release. This beta weekend will be focused on the Templar starting experience and the area of Solomon Island.

MassivelyThe Secret World reaches one million beta signups originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-signupsbeta-weekendfacebookfactionfantasyfuncomhorrorMorten-Larssenmythologyone-millionpre-orderpublic-betasci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedsolomon-islandtemplarthe-secret-worldtswThu, 10 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 2 available for pre-purchase on Steam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/torchlight-2-available-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/torchlight-2-available-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/torchlight-2-available-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Treasure chests. Sweet, sweet treasure chests.
With all the buzz around a certain well-known third installment of a franchise, you could be forgiven for momentarily forgetting about Torchlight 2. However, the game is now available for pre-purchase on Steam, which should serve as something of a reminder. The game doesn't yet have a firm release date other than this summer, but you can still drop your $20 and have the game ready to play on launch day.

The original Torchlight was hailed by many as the spiritual sequel to Diablo II (and some assumed it would also be the closest we'd ever get to an actual sequel). Torchlight 2 boasts more character customization, more pet customization, improved fishing and pet management, a new set of classes, and of course all of the same hack-and-slash gameplay that the first game featured. If you're a fan of the genre, that third installment likely has your eye for the moment, but you might want to see how the other half lives as well.

MassivelyTorchlight 2 available for pre-purchase on Steam originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>launchesnew-titlespre-orderpre-purchaserunic-gamessteamtltl2torchlighttorchlight-2upcoming-titlesWed, 25 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/not-so-massively-pax-east-d3-unlocks-and-moba-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/not-so-massively-pax-east-d3-unlocks-and-moba-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/not-so-massively-pax-east-d3-unlocks-and-moba-news/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
With just less than a month until Diablo III hits the shelves, Blizzard released another 275,000 beta keys into the wild. The share meter on the game's social media microsite also reached 30% this week and unlocked the first three pieces of exclusive content. Meanwhile, Path of Exile celebrated an incredibly successful pre-order campaign, netting over $200,000 in just six days and selling 13 of its $1,000 diamond packages.

In the land of MOBAs, League of Legends looked back on PAX East this week and celebrated some of the incredible costumes that fans turned up in. Dota 2 fixed a few behavioural problems with bots, added the ability to skip straight to kills in a game replay, and brought back the popular Random Draft game mode. Bloodline Champions revealed its new bloodline Dryad, and Rise of Immortals revealed its new crystalline tank immortal Shard. Heroes of Newerth released its third ranged agility hero in a row this week, the unfortunately named Artillery.

Continue reading Not So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news

MassivelyNot So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoaction-rpgannieartillerybarbarianbattlenetbeta-keybeta-keysblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbloodline-championsbook-of-caincompetitive-gamingd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidiablo-iii-betadotadryade-sporte-sportsesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomgothic-fantasygrinding-geargrinding-gear-gamesheroes-of-newerthhonleague-of-legendslolluxmobamultiplayernewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-multiplayeroriannapath-of-exilepaxpax-eastpax-east-2012petroglyphpetroglyph-gamespoepre-orderpvprandom-draftriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprpgs2s2-gamesshardstunlockstunlock-studiosunlockvideoMon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 is now available for pre-purchase, still no launch date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/guild-wars-2-is-now-available-for-pre-purchase/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/guild-wars-2-is-now-available-for-pre-purchase/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/guild-wars-2-is-now-available-for-pre-purchase/#commentsFiled under: , ,

GW2
Saddle up, Tyrians -- it's going to be one heck of a ride! As of this morning, Guild Wars 2 is available for pre-purchase from a variety of vendors. The digital versions of the standard and deluxe editions can be purchased on Guild Wars 2's website, although ArenaNet has also posted a list of retailers that are selling the game. It's only through these retailers that physical copies of the standard and collector's edition can be obtained.

As of the time of this writing, many tipsters have reported that GW2 collector's editions have been sold out at several retailers. ArenaNet said it will have an update in a few hours on Twitter.

By pre-purchasing Guild Wars 2, players not only get the game itself and any goodies that edition contains but will secure access into beta weekend events and the game's three-day headstart prior to launch. The standard edition is $59.99, the deluxe digital edition is $79.99, and the collector's edition is $149.99.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 is now available for pre-purchase, still no launch date originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetacecollectors-editiondigital-deluxe-editionfantasyguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpre-orderpre-purchaseretailersstandard-editionvendorvendorsTue, 10 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 adds Best Buy to CE pre-purchase retailer list, releases new video [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/best-buy-us-stocks-up-on-guild-wars-2-collectors-editions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/best-buy-us-stocks-up-on-guild-wars-2-collectors-editions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/best-buy-us-stocks-up-on-guild-wars-2-collectors-editions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Best Buy
Preparing to run out and snag your Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition tomorrow? For avid fans in the US, you used to have only one option: Gamestop. However, now it appears that ArenaNet is shipping the coveted CEs to Best Buy as well.

According to the ArenaNet-authored pre-purchase retailers list on the Guild Wars 2 wiki, Best Buy has joined Gamestop, which makes them the only two brick-and-mortar outlets in the US that are selling physical copies of the standard edition and Collector's Edition. US players also have the option of pre-purchasing a boxed standard edition through Amazon.

ArenaNet will open the doors for Guild Wars 2's pre-purchases and pre-orders tomorrow, April 10th, and will post the pre-purchase list on the official website at that time. President Mike O'Brien recently clarified some of the finer points regarding the pre-purchase program.

[Thanks to Ravious for the tip!]

[Updated: ArenaNet has also released a Collector's Edition video to celebrate the impending pre-purchase date! We've embedded it after the cut.]

[Updated on April 10th: Tipster Mcguffn has pointed us to a thread in which Best Buy representatives posted that the retailer will not be participating in the promotion, but ArenaNet has since Tweeted that "Best Buy is participating in the pre-purchase program, and will have copies soon. Forum poster was misinformed." We'll update this post if we learn more.]

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 adds Best Buy to CE pre-purchase retailer list, releases new video [Updated]

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 adds Best Buy to CE pre-purchase retailer list, releases new video [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comanetarenanetbest-buybetacecollectors-editionfantasygamestopguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpre-orderpre-purchasestandard-editiontrailertrailersvideovideosMon, 09 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon offers exclusive mount for TERA pre-orders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/amazon-offers-exclusive-mount-for-tera-pre-orders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/amazon-offers-exclusive-mount-for-tera-pre-orders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/amazon-offers-exclusive-mount-for-tera-pre-orders/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA
With TERA's May launch coming up in under a month, the window to pre-order the action MMO is shrinking daily. Those who are loyal members of the En Masse Army have a tough decision to make at this juncture: Where should you pre-order? Amazon hopes that you'll choose it, of course, and has a unique bonus to tip your favor in its direction.

Amazon has worked out a special deal with En Masse to entice players to its store. Those who pre-order with Amazon.com will be guaranteed an in-game horse mount that's decked out in all manner of wicked-looking armor (note that the armor appearance gives no armor bonuses.) It's called the Pinto, and it won't be found anywhere else. In addition to this special mount, pre-orders guarantee a three-day head start to the game, name reservations, and in-game gear.

There's added incentive to getting in on any of TERA's pre-orders if you haven't already, as they'll secure your spot in the next beta test, which is scheduled for April 20th. Also be sure to check out a new teaser trailer after the jump that was released exclusively for Amazon for those looking to learn a bit more about the game.

Continue reading Amazon offers exclusive mount for TERA pre-orders

MassivelyAmazon offers exclusive mount for TERA pre-orders originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comarmored-pintobetabeta-testbeta-weekendblueholebluehole-studiosen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasymountopen-beta-testpre-orderpre-order-bonusesteratrailerunique-mountvideoFri, 06 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion opens the BlackCloud Marketplace, adds eternal weapon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/aion-opens-the-blackcloud-marketplace-adds-eternal-weapon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/aion-opens-the-blackcloud-marketplace-adds-eternal-weapon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/aion-opens-the-blackcloud-marketplace-adds-eternal-weapon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

BlackCloud Marketplace image
As part of Aion's conversion to the Truly Free model, NCsoft finally opened the doors of the new cash shop. Dubbed the BlackCloud Marketplace, Daevas can immediately begin purchasing in-game items with NCoin either singularly or in bundles. What exactly is stocking the shelves? We finally have the answer for you!

Besides the expected pets, consumables, emotion cards, and appearance items, the marketplace also offers XP amulets and special boost packs including immunity from XP loss upon death, boosted AP, and boosted Empyrean Crucible points.

From now until 6:30 a.m EDT April 11th, Daevas will receive a bonus pre-order gift for purchasing a large C.U.B.E. -- a level-50 eternal-grade Tahabata weapon. After this time, only the appearance skins will be sold. The weapon type will be class-appropriate for the character the player chooses when first purchasing the C.U.B.E. Other than the restrictions that characters must be level 30 or above, players can buy as many large C.U.B.E.s as they wish during this time to obtain multiple weapons. Once purchased, the weapons will be delivered after server maintenance on the 11th and will be soul-bound.

To get your special deal or even just window shop, check out the BlackCloud Marketplace today.

MassivelyAion opens the BlackCloud Marketplace, adds eternal weapon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionascensionBlackCloud-Marketplacecash-shopcash-shop-itemscash-shop-priceseternal-weaponf2pfantasyfree-to-playncsoftpetspre-orderpre-order-bonustruly-freeweaponThu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What would make you cancel a pre-order?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GW2 CE
These days, MMO pre-orders are commonplace. They're used to allow early access to the game so you can grab that Legolas or Lord Stark name before anyone else. Throwing your money down is a risk we must take in order to secure that early status, and the developers usually mix in some extra goodies to sweeten the deal.

But sometimes we get word of a before-the-bell game mechanic or design implementation that ruins the game for us and makes us cancel the pre-order on the spot without giving the game a chance to speak for itself when we've finally gotten our hands on it.

So let's get specific here. What could a game developer do to ruin a game for you before it launches? And have you ever canceled a pre-order? Why or why not?

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 would make you cancel a pre-order? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceldaily-grindearly-accesshead-startopinionpre-ordertdgthe-daily-grindFri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 pre-purchase details announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/guild-wars-2-pre-purchase-details-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/guild-wars-2-pre-purchase-details-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/guild-wars-2-pre-purchase-details-announced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Guild Wars 2 - Collector's Edition
Things are just getting more and more exciting for Guild Wars 2 fans. Since ArenaNet's blog post confirming a 2012 launch, things seem to be warming up: We've had a press beta, an intensely busy beta signup period, the promise of another late March beta, and now an announcement about Guild Wars 2 pre-purchase. NCsoft sent out a press release today with some juicy details regarding the game's Collector's Edition and the benefits of purchasing early.

From April 10th onward, pre-purchasers of any of the editions (Collector's, Digital Deluxe, or Standard) will be guaranteed access into beta weekend events and a three-day head start for launch, which is awesome if you want to reserve a cool name so you're not stuck with being xLegolasXx. An additional benefit to any pre-purchase is the somewhat mysterious Hero's Band, which will apparently give characters a variety of power boosts to speed them on their way.

The Collector's Edition is going to cost you $149.99, but ArenaNet certainly seems to be providing bang for your buck: a 10-inch statue of the iconic Rytlock Brimstone and his sword Sohothin, a custom frame with five Guild Wars 2 art prints, a book on the making of Guild Wars 2, a soundtrack CD, and five in-game items (including a mini Rytlock), all of which should make this a pretty tempting order for super fans of the game. The Digital Deluxe pre-purchase is only going to run you $79.99, and the Standard Edition will be $59.99 -- again, any three of those will secure you the Hero's Band, a place in beta events, and a three-day head start. Pre-ordering Guild Wars 2 from select retailers will reserve you a copy of the game at launch and entitle you to a one-day head start.

[Source: NCsoft press release]

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 pre-purchase details announced originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbeta-weekendce-goodiesce-owners-get-a-rytlock-brimstone-minicollectors-editionfantasyguild-wars-2gw2headstartheros-bandncsoftpre-orderpre-purchaserytlockrytlock-brimstoneTue, 13 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO's Menace of the Underdark releasing June 25th, opens up pre-orders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/going-inside-dungeons-and-dragons-online-menace-of-the-underdar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/going-inside-dungeons-and-dragons-online-menace-of-the-underdar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/going-inside-dungeons-and-dragons-online-menace-of-the-underdar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

DDO Menace of the Underdark
Speaking of Guinness World Records for video games, I wonder whether Dungeons and Dragons Online would be eligible for "Longest time between game release and launch of its first expansion?" Six years may just be the longest we've ever witnessed, as DDO released in 2006, and it wasn't until 2012 that Menace of the Underdark was revealed. The good news is that come June 25th, the drought will be over.

We asked Turbine why now seemed like a good time for an expansion. The devs said that Atari had made some noise back in the day about one, but it never came to fruition. With the success of free-to-play, Turbine wanted to see whether the expansion model was still viable, so Lord of the Rings Online was chosen as a test subject. When Rise of Isengard became the best-selling expansion for the company, the company felt secure letting DDO have a chance, although there was quite a lot of wrangling with Wizards of the Coast about the details and permissions.

Record or no, it's an exciting event for DDO players, and the today, Turbine has announced the two biggest details for the expansion's schedule. The first is that Menace of the Underdark has a release date, and the second is the opening of pre-orders. Read on to get all of the juicy infos.

Continue reading DDO's Menace of the Underdark releasing June 25th, opens up pre-orders

MassivelyDDO's Menace of the Underdark releasing June 25th, opens up pre-orders originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baldurs-gateddodruiddruid-classdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeberronepic-destiniesf2pfeaturedFernando-Paizforgotten-realmsfree-to-playmenace-of-the-underdarkneverwinter-nightspre-orderpreorderra-Salvatoretome-of-learningturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-12update-13update-14wizards-of-the-coastwotcMon, 27 Feb 2012 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA's store experiences massive failure, En Masse sending out beta invites by hand]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/teras-store-experiences-massive-failure-en-masse-sending-out-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/teras-store-experiences-massive-failure-en-masse-sending-out-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/teras-store-experiences-massive-failure-en-masse-sending-out-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA
While TERA's second closed beta event is in full swing right this very second, plenty of potential testers are raging at the heavens because the online store won't complete pre-order purchases and deliver the codes. Pre-ordering the title was the guaranteed path to beta, so it's understandable that players who had hoped to be giving this title a test drive are disappointed.

En Masse responded with an explanation and solution for the store snafu. According to the studio, the store provider experienced a "massive systems failure" yesterday, which caused the issues with saving purchases to the hard drives. The vendor is attempting to fix it, but there is no ETA on when the task might be completed.

The good news is that En Masse is watching the purchase logs and will be sending out game codes manually every two hours to pre-order customers. The studio assures everyone that his purchase will be recognized when the system is fixed and that if anyone accidentally purchased more than one copy by accident, the additional copies will be fully refunded.

MassivelyTERA's store experiences massive failure, En Masse sending out beta invites by hand originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-codesbeta-weekendclosed-beta-testclosed-beta-test-2closed-beta-test-weekenden-masseen-masse-entertainmenten-masse-storemassive-systems-failureonline-storepre-ordersnafuteratera-storetesting-weekendFri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA brings more pre-order customers into the beta process]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/tera-trying-to-get-pre-order-customers-into-the-beta-process/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/tera-trying-to-get-pre-order-customers-into-the-beta-process/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/tera-trying-to-get-pre-order-customers-into-the-beta-process/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Test how swordproof that thing is!
TERA has hit a few snags of late, including some woes with the whole system of getting pre-order beta access for appropriately pre-ordered customers. Luckily for some fans of the game, it looks like things are moving forward for players hoping to get into beta testing this weekend. An official announcement on the forums earlier today confirmed that GameStop has received valid beta codes and should be distributing said codes to customers via receipt or via phone.

Any players who preordered from Amazon or Best Buy and still haven't received a code are asked to send in a letter to the customer service staff before 9:00 a.m. PST on February 10th. Players are all warned that the game's download is currently clocking in at 17 GB, which means that you'll need plenty of time to get the client installed on your computer. A lengthy download is preferable to ambiguity as to whether or not you'll even get your beta access, though.

MassivelyTERA brings more pre-order customers into the beta process originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.combest-buybetabeta-accessbeta-testen-masseen-masse-entertainmentgamestoppre-orderteratera-onlineweekend-betaThu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA EU gearing up for second system test]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/tera-eu-gearing-up-for-second-system-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/tera-eu-gearing-up-for-second-system-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/tera-eu-gearing-up-for-second-system-test/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

TERA - high elf sorcerer
TERA's European client will undergo another round of testing today at 2:00 p.m. Central Europe time. According to a post on the official boards, this is another "special functional test of [TERA's] systems," much like the one that went awry over the weekend.

The testing period will run for approximately four hours, and it is open to everyone who has redeemed a sneak peek or pre-order key for the European client. TERA EU community manager Raven says that this test is actually a test, unlike the marketing beta events we've grown accustomed to in recent years. "Remember this is not a test to enjoy the game, but rather to test our server infrastructure," she writes.

MassivelyTERA EU gearing up for second system test originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arboreabetabeta-testblueholebluehole-studioclosed-betafantasyfrogsterpre-orderpre-order-betasneak-peekteratera-europetera-pre-ordertera-sneak-peektest-eventWed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAKFU puts out a call for (paying) pioneers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/wakfu-puts-out-a-call-for-paying-pioneers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/wakfu-puts-out-a-call-for-paying-pioneers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/wakfu-puts-out-a-call-for-paying-pioneers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

WAKFU
With WAKFU's launch rapidly approaching later this month, the information is pouring forth fast and furious from this free-to-play title. One of the biggest questions that players have at this stage is just how a game is going to make its money, and in the case of WAKFU, Ankama is certainly hoping that the experience is fun enough to warrant a regular subscription.

If you're already on board with the WAKFU philosophy and wish to subscribe for a premium membership, then Ankama has a few great pre-launch offers for you. By signing up for three, six, or 12-month plans, you can net yourself plenty of in-game items as well as the esteemed title of "WAKFU Pioneer."

Ankama has also published a helpful chart illustrating the differences between the F2P and subscription plans -- such as whether or not you can become an eco-terrorist (we kid you not). Other differences include the ability to own a home vs. set up an in-game shop, how many professions you can master (six vs. 16), and whether or not you can run for office.

[Thanks to Derek for the tip!]

MassivelyWAKFU puts out a call for (paying) pioneers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamabonusbusiness-modeleco-terrorismeco-terroristsf2pf2p-matrixfree-to-playlaunchofficepioneerpoliticspre-launchpre-launch-offerpre-orderpre-order-bonuspre-order-plansubsubscriptionsubscription-bonussubscription-chartwakfuwakfu-pioneerFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frogster releases TERA Europe pre-order and beta info, new video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/frogster-releases-tera-europe-pre-order-and-beta-info-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/frogster-releases-tera-europe-pre-order-and-beta-info-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/frogster-releases-tera-europe-pre-order-and-beta-info-new-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TERA - high elf in combat formal wear
Yesterday we told you about TERA's North American pre-order program and the associated closed beta dates. Today Frogster has released similar info for the European version of Arborea. Various Euro media outlets will be distributing beta keys over the next couple of days, and lucky fans will get a sneak peek at the game between 3:00 p.m. CET and midnight this Saturday and Sunday.

Euro closed beta tests begin on February 17th, and you can either take your chances by registering on the game's official website, or pre-order and get guaranteed access to all five events. Pre-ordering also gives you head-start access on May 3rd, name reservation privileges, and various special items depending on your retailer of choice.

The retail collector's edition features the game soundtrack, a world map, an art book, and more, and you can learn all about it at TERA's European website. Note that En Masse and Frogster are redirecting traffic based on your IP address, so if you're in America and you click on the links below, you'll be taken to the En Masse site. Before you go, click past the cut and have a look at the spiffy new pre-order trailer.

Continue reading Frogster releases TERA Europe pre-order and beta info, new video

MassivelyFrogster releases TERA Europe pre-order and beta info, new video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arboreabetabeta-accessclosed-betaen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyfrogsterip-redirectpre-orderpre-order-bonusesteratera-betatera-europetrailervideoThu, 02 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA pre-orders available, closed beta access included]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/tera-pre-orders-available-closed-beta-access-included/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/tera-pre-orders-available-closed-beta-access-included/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/tera-pre-orders-available-closed-beta-access-included/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA - Amani warrior
TERA news is coming fast and furious lately, and luckily for En Masse, today's blurb is a good one. The game is officially available for pre-order, and as you would expect, there are all kinds of options relating to various gifts and gadgets depending on where (and what version) you purchase. There's also a bit of beta bribery in the form of automatic access to all five of the closed testing phases that begin this month and continue through April.

What about the editions?

Well, you can choose between standard, digital collector's, and physical collector's version, and the latter two come with an in-game mount and a couple of unique necklace items. The physical collector's edition justifies its $79.99 price point with a cloth map, a soundtrack CD, a handbook, a compass, and a letter of marque. En Masse is also offering a couple of exclusives for purchasing directly through its online store.

MassivelyTERA pre-orders available, closed beta access included originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-briberycollectors-editiondigital-downloaddo-we-get-a-refund-if-they-lose-the-lawsuiten-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasypre-orderretailretail-boxteraWed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Keen Software House announces pre-order deals for Miner Wars MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/keen-software-house-announces-pre-order-deals-for-miner-wars-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/keen-software-house-announces-pre-order-deals-for-miner-wars-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/keen-software-house-announces-pre-order-deals-for-miner-wars-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Miner Wars MMO logo
Czech studio Keen Software House has announced a pre-order sale for its in-development title, Miner Wars MMO. The game is described on its official site as taking place in "a post-apocalyptic inner Solar System, approximately 10 years after the destruction of Earth." Players must learn to deal with life in space with limited resources. All players control mining spaceships and can explore the galaxy, harvest valuable resources, upgrade their ships, engage in epic-scale battles, and more.

If this catches your fancy, the title is currently on pre-sale for $19.99 US. But wait, just like a good informercial, there's more. If you purchase the game as part of this early presale package, "you can play the game for at least two years (guaranteed) without any subscription fees." That's right, the studio is offering to nix subscription fees for two years for anyone who throws down cash on the game right here, right now. Why, though? Well, for one, it will allow the studio to gauge interest in the project (as compared to the MMO's single-player counterpart, Miner Wars 2081) while also providing the studio with funds to "hire a larger team [to] make the game earlier and better." For the full details on the pre-order deals, just head on over to the title's official site.

[Source: Keen Software House press release]

MassivelyKeen Software House announces pre-order deals for Miner Wars MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6dofdealdealskeen-software-houseminer-warsminer-wars-2081miner-wars-mmomore-internet-spaceshipspew-pewpre-orderpreordersix-degrees-of-freedomspacespaceshipsWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's third novel dropping ship in January]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/eve-onlines-third-novel-dropping-ship-in-january/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/eve-onlines-third-novel-dropping-ship-in-january/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/eve-onlines-third-novel-dropping-ship-in-january/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EVE Templar One
CCP's Tony Gonzales is set to unveil his latest EVE Online novel, titled EVE: Templar One, this January 3rd. But for Gonzales, it is a bittersweet moment, as it marks his final contribution to the game world: "EVE: Templar One is a labor of love that began in 2009. For now, it is my last contribution to EVE's fiction as I was amongst the casualties of the recent difficult times CCP endured."

EVE: Templar One should prove of particular interest to DUST 514 followers, as the novel reveals the backstory of the immortal soldiers who will make up the game. Gonzales also says that it will follow up on the events of his previous book, EVE: The Empyrean Age. Readers who want to beef up on the lore of both games will appreciate the explanations of how the immortals work and some of the many mysteries that have popped up in the EVE universe.

Gonzales concludes the announcement of the novel's impending release with heartfelt appreciation to fans: "Your support over the years has been overwhelming, and I'll never forget it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything."

Currently the novel is available for pre-order through Amazon.com.

MassivelyEVE Online's third novel dropping ship in January originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.combackstorybookccpccp-gamesdust-514eveeve-onlineeve-templar-oneEVE-The-Empyrean-Ageimmortalslorenovelpre-ordertemplar-oneThe-Empyrean-AgeTony-GonzalesFri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic opens up pre-loading for early players [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-pre-loading-for-early-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-pre-loading-for-early-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-pre-loading-for-early-playe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wait in line politely, everyone will have a chance.
It's almost the time that many players have been waiting for -- the opening of the gates for Star Wars: The Old Republic. According to the most recent news posts, mail will be sent out starting on December 13th to notify players of when their early access period will begin. But why wait that long when you can download the client now, making sure that you're patched up and ready to go when your early access goes live?

The pre-order page for player accounts now includes a link to download and install the client, assuming that you've entered the code you received when you ordered. Curiously, this latest announcement says that players can receive up to seven days of early access, although that may well be a typo. If you'd missed previous announcements, players who took part in a beta weekend prior to November 24th will need to reinstall the game, so go ahead and download the updated client and get ready for the early launch in a few days.

[Update: Darth Hater has collected several forum and Twitter posts that confirm the December 13th date is not a typo and is "different from previously advertised." Early-early-access, here we come!]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic opens up pre-loading for early players [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebreakingea-biowareearly-accesselectronic-artsnewspre-loadpre-orderpreloadpreorderstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 07 Dec 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lock and (re)load: BioWare preps us for The Old Republic's launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/lock-and-re-load-bioware-preps-us-for-the-old-republics-launc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/lock-and-re-load-bioware-preps-us-for-the-old-republics-launc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/lock-and-re-load-bioware-preps-us-for-the-old-republics-launc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SWTOR
With 15 days to go before Star Wars: The Old Republic's launch, it doesn't seem like there's much time to get everything stocked and ready before the year's biggest release happens. Fortunately, BioWare's helping us to run down the preparation list with a series of informative forum posts.

First on the list is to make sure that SWTOR players have the latest version of the client installed on their computers. BioWare says that if you played the game prior to November 25th, you'll probably need to install a completely new client; if you played since, you should be good. There are instructions on the forums as to how you can check which version you have.

Pre-orders are wondering about early access, which BioWare says is the same between the three editions of the game -- it only matters when you added your pre-order code, not which edition you purchased. More information about the early access program is coming later this week.

Finally, BioWare is preparing to make major changes to SWTOR's forums following a December 10th outage, during which all posts and PMs will be erased (as will infractions!). New forums, including those covering crew skills, story, lore and PvP, will be added, and guild forums will be expanded significantly. Those just starting to learn about the game will appreciate the new player help forum and community blog that's coming with the update.

MassivelyLock and (re)load: BioWare preps us for The Old Republic's launch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclienteaea-biowareearly-accessforumforum-wipeforumshead-startinstallpre-orderreinstallstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorMon, 05 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GAME announces exclusive SWTOR CE contract, Walmart accidentally cancels 'nearly all' pre-orders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/game-to-exclusively-sell-swtor-ce-in-the-uk-walmart-accidentall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/game-to-exclusively-sell-swtor-ce-in-the-uk-walmart-accidentall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/game-to-exclusively-sell-swtor-ce-in-the-uk-walmart-accidentall/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Walmart
Whenever a major MMO nears launch, tensions and anxieties grow to a fever pitch among players -- particularly in regard to their pre-orders. There are worries that a game won't install right, ship on time, or allow proper access to one's account. Today, there are a few more issues to be concerned with in regard to Star Wars: The Old Republic if you've pre-ordered it.

Over in the UK, GAME (and Gamestation) has announced that it will be the sole retailer for SWTOR's physical Collector's Edition in the region, even though EA previously said that companies such as Amazon, Play.com, Zavvi and ShopTo were going to be selling them as well. UK players can also purchase non-CE versions of the game through EA's Origin service.

In other news, several players who secured their copy of SWTOR through Walmart found that their orders -- both regular and CEs -- were canceled over this past weekend. A Walmart customer service representative appeared on the SWTOR forums to say that this happened due to a "data error" that forced the company to nix most of the pre-orders. SWTOR's Stephen Reid said that BioWare is investigating the situation, but he confirms that any players who have already added their pre-order codes into their accounts will have locked in early access for the launch.

MassivelyGAME announces exclusive SWTOR CE contract, Walmart accidentally cancels 'nearly all' pre-orders originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbiowarecancelcancelleddata-erroreaea-biowareelectronic-artsgamegamestationpre-orderpre-orderspreorderpreordersstar-wars-the-old-republicstephen-reidswtorwalmartwookiee-rageMon, 05 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
Welcome to a very special edition of The Perfect Ten, the column that my two toddlers contribute to with their awe-inspiring counting abilities! With last week's dropping of Star Wars: The Old Republic's NDA, the internet has exploded with information, testimonials, and poorly spelled flamewars between the camps of believers and non-believers alike. It's a good time to be alive, eh?

In the spirit of the NDA drop and the upcoming December 20th launch -- less than a month! -- I've put together a list of 10 excellent ways that a SWTOR fan can prepare him or herself for the coming MMOcalypse. I totally understand that it can be frustrating to be waiting for an anticipated game launch, feeling impotent with your inability to speed up time. However, taking action in other ways can help with the wait and make us feel like we're being productive. That's what I'm here for today.

It's OK, there's no need to thank me. I get Light Side points for this.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-new-hopebetabiowarecomic-bookcomic-booksfeaturedguildknights-of-the-old-republicKnights-of-the-Old-Republic-2kotorlight-sidelistlistsmoviesndanovelizationsnovelsperfect-tenpre-orderreturn-of-the-jedistar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-art-and-making-of-the-old-republicthe-empire-strikes-backthe-perfect-tenThu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII Age of Discovery pre-orders available]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/eqii-age-of-discovery-pre-orders-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/eqii-age-of-discovery-pre-orders-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/eqii-age-of-discovery-pre-orders-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - dark elves dungeon-running
EverQuest II may be gearing up for free-to-play, but Sony Online Entertainment is still charging a premium for the game's latest digital expansion. When Age of Discovery launches next month, the content pack will be available in two flavors: A regular edition for $39.99 and a collector's bundle for $59.99. The catch is that the collector's edition price is actually a discount, and if players fail to pre-order the pack, the price increases to a whopping $89.99.

What do you get for such a princely sum?

In addition to the new AoD content, players will receive a flying mount, a cloak, a robe, a Lavastorm house, a Beastlord pet, two dungeon-maker mob spawners, and a custom dungeon-maker map layout.

SOE has yet to announce an official release date for Age of Discovery, nor does the company's announcement page say when pre-orders will close. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

MassivelyEQII Age of Discovery pre-orders available originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverydungeon-makereq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playnorrathpre-ordersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 11 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic pre-order head start 'up to five days' [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/the-old-republic-pre-order-head-start-up-to-five-days/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/the-old-republic-pre-order-head-start-up-to-five-days/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/the-old-republic-pre-order-head-start-up-to-five-days/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
As The Old Republic's release date draws ever closer, fans are starting to dig into the nitty-gritty of what they can expect from the game's launch. Well, one intrepid investigator over on the official forums has dug up this nugget from the official pre-order page:
CUSTOMERS WHO PRE-ORDER STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY THE GAME BEFORE THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH. EARLY GAME ACCESS IS THE PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE OFFICIAL GAME LAUNCH WHEN PRE-ORDER CUSTOMERS MAY ACCESS THE GAME. EARLY GAME ACCESS MAY BE UP TO 5 DAYS. THE LENGTH OF YOUR EARLY GAME ACCESS DEPENDS ON THE DATE AND ORDER IN WHICH YOU REDEEMED YOUR PRE-ORDER CODE AT THE CODE REDEMPTION CENTER. SEE PRE-ORDER FAQ FOR MORE DETAILS.
So there you have it, folks. You can expect anywhere up to a five-day headstart with your pre-order. Of course, we expect we'll have confirmation on the matter from BioWare soon enough.

[Updated: The official site has updated to confirm the speculation, and we've tucked the full text behind the break. BioWare has also issued an official FAQ and chart to outline which pre-order benefits come with each edition.]

Continue reading The Old Republic pre-order head start 'up to five days' [Updated]

MassivelyThe Old Republic pre-order head start 'up to five days' [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfive-dayshead-startheadstartpre-orderpreorderstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 04 Nov 2011 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest's Veil of Alaris expansion slated for November 15th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/everquests-veil-of-alaris-expansion-slated-for-november-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/everquests-veil-of-alaris-expansion-slated-for-november-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/everquests-veil-of-alaris-expansion-slated-for-november-15th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest - Veil of Alaris logo
EverQuest's graphics aren't the only thing dated when it comes to Norrath! Oooh, yeah, that was cold, but the good news is that we still love dear old EQ, and we'll be checking out expansion number 1,342,756 (actually, number 18) in just a couple of weeks.

We know this because Sony Online Entertainment has announced the official release date for the Veil of Alaris content update, which is November 15th. Pre-orders have already begun, and you'll want to check out the official pre-order page to see if SOE's digital carrots are enough to entice you to part with your hard-earned dollars prior to release day.

MassivelyEverQuest's Veil of Alaris expansion slated for November 15th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-collectors-editioneqeverquestexpansionfantasynew-contentnorrathpatchpre-ordersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentveil-of-alarisWed, 26 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest: Veil of Alaris preorder bonuses announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/everquest-veil-of-alaris-preorder-bonuses-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/everquest-veil-of-alaris-preorder-bonuses-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/everquest-veil-of-alaris-preorder-bonuses-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest: Veil of Alaris
EverQuest's 18th expansion, Veil of Alaris, isn't too far off, and Sony Online Entertainment has announced that preorders are now open. The game comes in two flavors: standard and digital collector's edition. The former includes Veil of Alaris and all previous EverQuest expansions along with an exclusive mount, house decoration items (two paintings and a Resplendent Sword Ornamentation) and a traveler's rucksack.

The collector's edition includes all of that, plus another exclusive mount, another rucksack, and more paintings and house decoration items than you can shake a stick at. If you preorder before November 14th, the standard edition will run you $39.99 while the collector's edition costs $59.99. After the 14th, however, the collector's edition price goes up to a whopping $89.99, so if you're planning on grabbing it, you better act quickly.

MassivelyEverQuest: Veil of Alaris preorder bonuses announced originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonuseseqeverquestexpansionpre-orderpre-order-bonuspre-order-bonusespreorderpreorder-bonuspreorder-bonusessoesony-online-entertainmentveil-of-alarisTue, 18 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Daniel Erickson: 'The mix of anticipation and fear is huge']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/swtors-daniel-erickson-the-mix-of-anticipation-and-fear-is-hu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/swtors-daniel-erickson-the-mix-of-anticipation-and-fear-is-hu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/swtors-daniel-erickson-the-mix-of-anticipation-and-fear-is-hu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic
For most people, having the game you're working on break every pre-order record your parent company has ever seen would be enough to give you a breather and a sigh of relief. Not so with Star Wars: The Old Republic's Daniel Erickson, who admits to being on pins and needles nevertheless. Talking with Videogamer.com, Erickson says, "At least for myself, nothing short of shipping and actually being successful will alleviate that worry. I've watched this game grow since before day one and as with any creative project you pour your heart into, the mix of anticipation and fear is huge. We'll relax after the game is out, running beautifully and our fans are having a blast."

In the interview, Erickson used the opportunity to clear the air over a misquote concerning SWTOR "lasting decades," explain why he doesn't fully trust outside industry analysts, and talk about why the dev team stayed with the tried-and-true hotbar for combat.

Erickson also thinks that the subscription model isn't going anywhere, but will be applied mostly to "top tier" MMOs. "I expect to see a small group of games compete for the subscription dollar," he predicts, "and a larger group take on the F2P market with smaller, faster produced games that try to establish a core market then use the revenue streams created from that small market to improve and expand their game."

MassivelySWTOR's Daniel Erickson: 'The mix of anticipation and fear is huge' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebusiness-modeldaniel-ericksoneaea-biowaref2pfree-to-playhotbarhotbar-combatinterviewlaunchpre-orderpre-order-recordshippingstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscriptionswtorthe-old-republictorvideogamer.comTue, 09 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: Broke and richer for it edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

This week we're looking at all things money: Who has it, who doesn't, and why it makes the world go 'round. Naturally, Massively writers are richer than seven kings of Arabia combined and aren't concerned with such petty matters, but it seems to weigh heavily upon some of your heads. Hit the jump and let's see what the buzz was like in the comments section this past week!

Continue reading Global Chat: Broke and richer for it edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: Broke and richer for it edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commentscrypticglobal-chatgold-buyergold-buyersgold-buyinggold-farmergold-farmersgold-farminggold-sellergold-sellersgold-sellingmoneyopinionpre-orderrmtscott-hartsmanstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-the-old-republicstoswtorthe-old-republictorvisaSun, 24 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Feel like the road trip to Mordor isn't getting there as fast as you'd like? Good news, everyone -- Turbine's about ready to pull out of the gas station and truck toward Isengard! Today the studio announced that the beta program for Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard expansion will begin next Wednesday, July 27th.

Invites will be going out to select players across North America and Europe, although the NDA forbids participants from even mentioning that they're part of the program. Those who have pre-ordered the digital expansion will have "preferred access" to the beta, so that seems like your best bet if you're interested.

Rise of Isengard will release on September 27th, and contains a level cap increase to 75, three new zones and a 24-person raid against the dragon Draigoch. The expansion heads deep into the territory mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers.

MassivelyLotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-man-raid24-person-raidbetaclosed-betadraigochexpansionisengardjrr-tolkienlevel-cap-increaselord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropre-orderpreferred-accessraidrise-of-isengardsarumanthe-two-towerstolkienturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So the year's most inescapable MMORPG has officially made it to the pre-order stage. Not only that, but BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic opus has also pulled the curtain back on its collector's edition treasure hoard (which will dent your wallet for the princely sum of $150.00).

While both the in-game and real world goodies are quite appealing to Star Wars fans, the price tag is one of the most expensive in the history of MMOs. Today's Daily Grind is all about your reaction to said price tag. Are you going to shell out twice what a normal CE costs for SWTOR? If not, what's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?

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 most you'd pay for a collector's edition? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-temsbonusescecollectors-editionearly-accessgame-discussiongamer-discussiongreed-can-be-a-powerful-allyhypein-game-itemsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicspre-ordersci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorFri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic pre-order is live! [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-pre-order-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-pre-order-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-pre-order-is-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

After a few days of speculation, rumor, leaked images, and downright wishful thinking, the real pre-order for Star Wars: The Old Republic has officially gone live early this morning.

Along with the fact that the initial rumors were true (including that Gamestop price for the 150 USD Collector's Edition), we get information on a Digital Deluxe Edition (79.99 USD) and a Standard Edition (59.99 USD), for those who don't really care about the physical extras.

It's important to note that this pre-order is for US/EU players only; nothing for Oceanic players just yet.

So what are you still reading this for? I said the pre-order is live!

[Update: We asked BioWare about the Mac info on the Amazon pre-order page, and they said that's a mistake. It's not available for the Mac at this time.]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic pre-order is live! [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecollectors-editiondigital-deluxe-editionlucasartspre-orderpreorderstandard-editionstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThu, 21 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR pre-order confirmed by Gamestop?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/swtor-preorder-confirmed-by-gamestop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/swtor-preorder-confirmed-by-gamestop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/swtor-preorder-confirmed-by-gamestop/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As if to confirm the rumor from yesterday, GameStop's website briefly displayed a pre-order page for the Star Wars: The Old Republic collector's edition. According to the page, the full collector's edition will be priced at $149.99 US and chock full of CE goodness.

According to the rumor, the full collector's edition will contain these items physically in the box:
  • Exclusive Gentle Giant Darth Malgus statue
  • Star Wars: The Old Republic game disks in collectible metal case
  • The Journal of Master Gnost-Dural annotated by Satele Shan
  • The Old Republic galaxy map
  • Music of Star Wars: The Old Republic CD
  • High-quality Collector's Edition box
Also, when the game goes live your account will be granted these seven additional digital items:
  • Flare Gun: Fire flares into the air
  • Training Droid: Hovers at your side for combat assistance
  • HoloDancer: Project your own holographic dancer
  • HoloCam: Keep visual records of in-game adventures
  • STAP: Sleek and unique in-game vehicle
  • Exclusive Mouse Droid: Spunky Droid to join your adventures
  • Exclusive Collector's Edition Store: Unique in-game vendor with an assortment of items
If that was not enough, Gamestop's pre-order is said to grant early access to the game as well as a crystal that changes the color effect on your weapon. Perhaps tomorrow we will hear the official information at San Diego Comic-con.

MassivelySWTOR pre-order confirmed by Gamestop? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredont-say-that-we-said-it-was-trueEAElectronic-Artsgamestopits-a-rumorLucasArtspre-orderpreorderrumorstar-war-the-old-republicStar-Warsswtorthe-old-republicthis-is-not-officialtorWed, 20 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Digesting E3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/the-road-to-mordor-digesting-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/the-road-to-mordor-digesting-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/the-road-to-mordor-digesting-e3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Instead of being hit by one huge Lord of the Rings Online bombshell at E3, as some predicted, we were treated to a series of smaller yet gripping reveals that are sure to have a major impact on our gameplay in the future. We assumed that E3 would be all about Rise of Isengard for LotRO, and sure enough, it was.

Weeks like this are what we live for as fans. It's crazy to get a glut of information that we're expected to digest all at once, and it's so much fun too. I think Turbine probably has a few more reveals tucked up its sleeve about the expansion -- we still have four months to go, after all -- but this is a good start to the ramping-up period before Isengard releases.

So enough dilly-dallying; let's dig into it! What can we make out of all of these revelations? What does the pre-order mean for you? What were the highlights and what were the disappointments? Hit the jump and we'll take you on a legendary ride all the way to the gates of Orthanc itself!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Digesting E3

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Digesting E3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusescosmeticsdeale3e3-2011featuredlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamonster-playoutfitsphasingpre-orderpromotionpvmppvprelease-daterise-of-isengardsiege-of-mirkwoodstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-road-to-mordortrailerturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtuesFri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The road goes ever on for fans of Lord of the Rings Online, and as of September 27th, that road will lead to Isengard. Turbine has just announced the official launch date for its Rise of Isengard expansion, and the update will add Isengard, Dunland, and the Gap of Rohan to the expanding Middle-earth map.

There's also a new level cap in the offing (75) as well as a new 24-player raid in the works. If September seems far away, take heart. Turbine has also announced that pre-orders are available today, and bonus items including a new cloak, title, mount, and bonus XP will be available in-game immediately after your purchase.

The pre-order comes in three flavors (the Base, Heroic, and Legendary editions), and each includes the full expansion and an escalating array of the bonus items listed above. Head to the official Rise of Isengard website for more and check out the trailer after the cut!

Continue reading Turbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date

MassivelyTurbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-man-raidbreakingdunlandf2pfantasyfree-to-playgap-of-rohanisengardlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthpre-orderpre-order-bonusrise-of-isengardtolkientrailerupdatesvideoTue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second wave of BlizzCon tickets goes on sale tonight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/second-wave-of-blizzcon-tickets-goes-on-sale-tonight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/second-wave-of-blizzcon-tickets-goes-on-sale-tonight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/second-wave-of-blizzcon-tickets-goes-on-sale-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you missed out on picking up a ticket to one of the hottest events of the year, then your last chance is coming up tonight. A second batch of BlizzCon tickets is set to go on sale at 10:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. PDT) later today for the high, high price of $175 a pop.

Each ticket not only gets you into the two-day convention (October 21-22, 2011 in Anaheim, CA) but includes a goody bag and the option to purchase limited-time BlizzCon merchandise before the show.

Once the tickets go on sale tonight, you'll have minutes -- an hour at most -- to head over to the BlizzCon website and place your order. Blizzard is limiting you to only four per household, so if you have a group of friends who want to come, they'll need to coordinate their purchases as well!

This is the sixth BlizzCon since the event started in 2005. Last year's BlizzCon admitted over 27,000 fans to the shindig.

MassivelySecond wave of BlizzCon tickets goes on sale tonight originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentblizzconblizzcon-2011blizzcon-ticketsgoody-bagpre-ordersaleshindigswagswag-bagticketsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 25 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which MMOs have you played since beta?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-daily-grind-which-mmos-have-you-played-since-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-daily-grind-which-mmos-have-you-played-since-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-daily-grind-which-mmos-have-you-played-since-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The excitement of a fresh beta is a wonderful thing. Whether you pre-order the game or just score a beta key, getting that early access can be enlightening for dedicated MMO gamers. But let's face it: Most of us don't exactly do more than use these betas as early access to the game. After all, we want to see whether it's something worthy of a sub commitment at launch, right?

With so many new MMOs launching each year, we're curious to hear stories of the ones you've held on to since their earliest days. If you played an MMO since beta, do you still play it now? Which ones and for how long? Let us know in the comments below!

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: Which MMOs have you played since beta? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaearly-accessopen-betaopinionpre-orderthe-daily-grindThu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks offers pre-order packages that come with your very own toy tank]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/world-of-tanks-offers-pre-order-packages-that-come-with-your-ver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/world-of-tanks-offers-pre-order-packages-that-come-with-your-ver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/world-of-tanks-offers-pre-order-packages-that-come-with-your-ver/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Unless you're very, very rich or a movie kid powered by a montage, chances are you'll never have a tank to call your own in life. Fortunately, Wargaming.net is getting ready to hand us the next best thing: keys to a virtual tank when World of Tanks launches on April 12th.

Fans looking to stock up on goodies for launch should be interested in World of Tanks' pre-purchase program. While the game itself is free-to-play, it will be funded by microtransactions via in-game gold. Until April 12th, players have the opportunity to shell out for one of three pre-order packages to get a good discount on the cost of gold (around 10%) as well as snag a unique tank that comes with special abilities. The "heavy" package will feature the American M6A2E1 tank, the "medium" package has the German Pz. Kpfw. V/IV, and the "light" offers the Soviet A-32 tank.

North American players can look over the pre-order packages here, while the European gamers must travel afar to a completely different website. In the meantime, check out 12 brand-new World of Tanks screenies below!

Gallery: World of Tanks

MassivelyWorld of Tanks offers pre-order packages that come with your very own toy tank originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playgallerygoldlaunchmicrotransactionspre-orderpre-order-packagesscreenshotstanktankswargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-war-iiwotww2wwiiThu, 24 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion Worlds: RIFT has surpassed one million registered accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/trion-worlds-rift-has-surpassed-1-million-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/trion-worlds-rift-has-surpassed-1-million-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/trion-worlds-rift-has-surpassed-1-million-registered-accounts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In case you couldn't tell by now, Trion has officially confirmed that a lot of people are interested in its RIFT fantasy MMORPG. The new title has surpassed one million registered accounts, according to a press release that coincides with today's headstart kickoff.

RIFT officially launches on March 1st in the States (March 3rd in most of Europe and March 4th in the UK). The game will feature 33 opening-day servers to distribute the load of incoming players as well as several ruleset flavors including PvP, PvE, and RP.

Check out our extensive RIFT coverage from the head-start period all the way up to launch day, and head to the game's official website for more info.

MassivelyTrion Worlds: RIFT has surpassed one million registered accounts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-million-accountsfantasyheadstartlaunchone-million-accountsplanes-of-telarapre-orderpress-releaseregistered-accountsrifttelaratriontrion-worldsThu, 24 Feb 2011 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Xsyon release moved to March 15th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/xsyon-release-moved-to-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/xsyon-release-moved-to-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/xsyon-release-moved-to-march-15th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Building sandboxes is hard. So hard, in fact, that not many of them get built. Those that do eventually see the light of day, like the upcoming Xyson from Jordi Grau-Davis' Notorious Games, often go through laborious birthing pains, buggy betas, and delayed releases. In a post on the official Xsyon boards, the game devs have announced the decision to postpone the official release by two weeks (the new date is March 15th) due to "problems with our servers and bandwidth" brought to light by the recent headstart launch and the sudden influx of warm bodies.

The post details the forthcoming fix for the recent lag issues (a new download server) and also puts a positive face on things by bringing up the fact that the lag has caused a few hidden problems to surface. The Xsyon client and installer have also been updated, and pre-order players will have two weeks of free game time comped to their accounts.

MassivelyXsyon release moved to March 15th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadelaydownload-serverjordi-grau-davislaglaunchnotorious-gamespost-apocalypticpre-orderreleasesandboxsci-fixsyonMon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Down to the wire: Trion announces exact time of RIFT's head start]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/down-to-the-wire-trion-announces-exact-time-of-rifts-head-star/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/down-to-the-wire-trion-announces-exact-time-of-rifts-head-star/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/down-to-the-wire-trion-announces-exact-time-of-rifts-head-star/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With three days to go until RIFT's head start kicks off (and a week until the official launch), excited players may be forgiven for running in circles in an attempt to speed up the passage of time. While Trion Worlds can't make Thursday come any quicker, the studio did finally reveal on Facebook the hour that the head start will go live: 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST, 6:00 p.m. GMT).

RIFT just completed its six-day open beta event, and developer Zann has promised more details on the head start as the week progresses (including, presumably, server names): "For everyone who is asking about the head-start client, we will post all the information and instructions before the event kicks off!"

To get in the game on February 24th instead of March 1st, you'll need to pre-order RIFT either online or at a retailer. In the meantime, why not check out our guide to pre-launch preparations?

MassivelyDown to the wire: Trion announces exact time of RIFT's head start originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-eventguidehead-startlaunchopen-betaopen-beta-eventpre-orderriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldszannMon, 21 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST