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[Planet Calypso debuts their new mission system with a bang]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A literal bang, actually. Not only has Planet Calypso updated to version 2010|01 (their new system uses the year and update number, rather than version number) but they've also had a small volcanic eruption that's changed part of the map. Blizzard, eat your cataclysmic heart out.

While the newly re-terraformed area of Cyclops has been visually improved by the team and patched in under the 'guise of a volcanic explosion, the version update also brings the anticipated mission system to Calypso.

The mission system, which is in a public beta, more or less, is only currently offering 5 tutorial missions to newbies landing on Calypso for the first time. Once you complete those five missions, be sure to offer your feedback in the survey that pops up at the end. That information will be used to make more missions for higher level players, so don't be stingy!

Also, there's fish. Remember those fish we showed last time? Yeah, those fish. If you value your ankles, you'll watch where you swim.

MassivelyPlanet Calypso debuts their new mission system with a bang originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryenginecyclopsfirst-planet-companyfishfishingmission-systemmissionsperformanceplanet-calypsopublic-betare-designterraformingtutorialversion2010-01Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MAG in open beta until January 10th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/mag-in-open-beta-until-january-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/mag-in-open-beta-until-january-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/mag-in-open-beta-until-january-10th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's last minute, we know, but if you're a PS3 owner then you might want to scoot over to the PlayStation Store and download the MAG open beta client. The system's MMOFPS will be online until the 10th, when they take the game off the store and prep it for the official January 26th launch.

Beware you have room on your hard drive and time to leave your PS3 on to download, however, as you'll be looking forward to a 2 GB download. A headset is nice to have too, so you can communicate with your squadmates (they'll appreciate it,) but it's not required to play the game.

So this weekend enjoy conducting a war with 255 other people on the battlefield with you. Try not to get shot too much!

MassivelyMAG in open beta until January 10th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>256-playermagmassive-action-gamemmofpsopen-betaplaystation3ps3psnpsn-storepublic-betazipper-interactiveFri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MAG pre-order beta has begun, game to launch on January 26th, 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/mag-pre-order-beta-has-begun-game-to-launch-on-january-26th-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/mag-pre-order-beta-has-begun-game-to-launch-on-january-26th-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/mag-pre-order-beta-has-begun-game-to-launch-on-january-26th-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you've been itching to try out your trigger finger with 127 of your friends, then your wait is pretty much at a close. MAG's public pre-order beta has gone live as of Monday and you can jump in by simply going out to your local GameStop/EB Games and pre-ordering the game.

The beta will be continuing until November 20th for all of the pre-order beta players, while those who got in thanks to their Qore subscriptions will find their play time ending on November 8th.

MAG has been confirmed for a release on January 26th of next year, so there will be some downtime between the beta and the release of the game for Zipper Interactive to do some bug fixing and further polishing.

MassivelyMAG pre-order beta has begun, game to launch on January 26th, 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabreakingfirst-person-shootermagmmofpsopen-betaplaystation3pre-order-keysps3public-betasceasony-computer-entertainment-americazipper-interactiveThu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/rumor-blue-mars-to-go-into-open-beta-on-september-2nd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/rumor-blue-mars-to-go-into-open-beta-on-september-2nd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/rumor-blue-mars-to-go-into-open-beta-on-september-2nd/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


According to an anonymous source, the new virtual world game on the block, Blue Mars, might be entering into open beta on September 2nd. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that another CryEngine 2 MMO might be making an appearance soon to do battle with Planet Calypso.

Currently we are unable to confirm the exact time of the opening of the Blue Mars open beta, but we can confirm that the game has been shut down and is being prepared for the "public beta" according to posts on the forums.

Blue Mars is the middle ground between Second Life and Planet Calypso. Where Planet Calypso acts as a game with a real money economy and Second Life allows all users to create content and change the world to their preferences, Blue Mars signs up and approves select developers to create content for their world. Standard users will have the ability to open up small shops and/or purchase living quarters (at the developer's preference) as well as interact with the games and events the ruling developer sets up for their players.

Continue reading Rumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd?

MassivelyRumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-realityblue-marsbreakingcitycryengine-2cryengine2open-betaplanet-calypsopublic-betasecond-lifevirtual-worldFri, 28 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: No beta, no thanks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/the-daily-grind-no-beta-no-thanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/the-daily-grind-no-beta-no-thanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/the-daily-grind-no-beta-no-thanks/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's pretty much impossible for a development team to thoroughly test an MMO solely with in-house QA. Because of this, they involve the community in the testing process, giving the keenest fans a chance to try a game early and play a small part in shaping its future. However, not all games will offer a truly "open" beta, where anyone can sign up and play during that phase of testing. What we're noticing is that many folks are not willing to pick up an MMO at launch these days if they don't get this unofficial free trial beforehand.

This attitude is quite understandable, given a few factors of the current climate. The economic turmoil of late has caused a lot of people to think a bit harder about how they spend their entertainment budget, but beyond that, we've also seen a lot of MMOs launch in a state that many would consider "less than ready". If folks don't have a chance to get in-game and make that call themselves before launch, many are happy to cross that game off their lists (at least until they hear more about it post-launch, either good or bad). Today, readers, we wanted to find out if you have taken this stance towards upcoming MMOs. Is it "No beta, no thanks"? Even if you had high hopes for the game?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: No beta, no thanks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-testno-beta-no-thanksopen-betapublic-betathe-daily-grindTue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fantasy MMORPG Alganon to hold public beta in September]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/fantasy-mmorpg-alganon-to-hold-public-beta-in-september/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/fantasy-mmorpg-alganon-to-hold-public-beta-in-september/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/fantasy-mmorpg-alganon-to-hold-public-beta-in-september/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


This is our first post about Alganon, so we've gone and done a bit of digging to find out more about it. If the game has flown under your radar too, the results of our research might be of some interest to you:

  • It's a fantasy MMORPG with seven classes of the sort you might expect, but each class will be able to slightly alter their capabilities at will to better fit different group situations. This is known as the "Dual Role System".
  • The "Studies" system will allow for offline progression, to make it easier for casual players to keep up with those that are more active.
  • MyAlganon is a social networking site linked to the game for in-game data, communication with other players, guild hosting and (currently) beta information. It also links to "The Library", which is a repository of game knowledge and a place to view various leaderboards.
  • The game is currently planning to use a subscription business model but this may change later on.
These are but a few of the features that Alganon has -- you can see more on their About page (you also might want to have a look at their FAQ). If you've read through the information and think you might want to get involved with the game, you'll be pleased to know that a private beta test is currently underway and a public beta is scheduled to launch in September. To get into the tests, register at MyAlganon and then make a post in this thread.

MassivelyFantasy MMORPG Alganon to hold public beta in September originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonclosed-betadual-role-systemmyalganonopen-betaprivate-betapublic-betasocial-networkingstudiesstudies-systemthe-libraryTue, 28 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ether Saga Online enters open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ether-saga-online-enters-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ether-saga-online-enters-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ether-saga-online-enters-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you need a game that's sugary and saccharin-y cute to the point of inducing cavities via the internet, then look no further than Ether Saga Online, the latest game from the people who brought you Perfect World International.

Ether Saga has just entered their open public beta, meaning you can mosey on over to the website and sign up to try the game. Like Perfect World, Ether Saga will be a free to play game, supported by the usual cash transactions from an item shop.

The game does have some interesting features, including the ability to level up your character's affinity to the various elements in the game, adding a new dimension to each class beyond how the class normally functions. Past that, skills can be learned on the fly in the field without the need to visit a trainer, and characters get skills relating to their "birthday," the day of the week that they were born.

For all the information about Ether Saga Online, check out their website at http://eso.perfectworld.com.

MassivelyEther Saga Online enters open beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabirthday-skillsdownloadesoether-saga-onlineethyrfree-to-playnascentopen-betaperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentperfect-world-internationalpublic-betaskillsTue, 17 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Freaky Creatures offers limited public beta on July 15th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/freaky-creatures-offers-limited-public-on-july-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/freaky-creatures-offers-limited-public-on-july-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/freaky-creatures-offers-limited-public-on-july-15th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Players craving hot hybrid monster-on-hybrid-monster action can rejoice in the news that Freaky Creatures will be hitting shelves on July 15th. The will be the public beta launch, so it's open to all and sundry, but there is a limited number of spaces available, so fans are encouraged to go to the Freaky Creatures site and sign up early.

A few more reminders to whet your appetites: You'll be able to customize your creature to the tune of over three billion possible combinations; you can play against opponents PC-to-PC or PC-to-phone; and to support the launch of the title, Alienware is holding a contest that will win some lucky player an Area-51 m15x Notebook. Sign up now, before it's too late!

MassivelyFreaky Creatures offers limited public beta on July 15th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienwarearea-51-m15xcontestfreaky-creatureslaunchpc-to-phonepublic-betaFri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Members of APB-Evolved.com "guaranteed beta access"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/members-of-apb-evolved-com-guaranteed-beta-access/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/members-of-apb-evolved-com-guaranteed-beta-access/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/members-of-apb-evolved-com-guaranteed-beta-access/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hot on the heels of the announcement that an APB public beta is in the foreseeable future comes this message from fansite APB-Evolved.com to its forum members: "Whilst I can't give you any more specific info on the beta at this time, I did come over to give you one bit of information exclusive to you guys. Everyone who is a member of APB-evolved as of the time and date of this post, is guaranteed beta access as soon as we reach a suitable stage."

Now, it's assumed that the "suitable stage" the poster, Ulric, is referring to belongs to Realtime Worlds, and not APB-evolved; he's saying that as soon as the game is ready for beta, members will get first crack at it. It's also assumed that he's worked out some sort of deal with Realtime to provide this promise, else why bother announcing it? But there's been no mention of this on apb.com, even as a possibility, so until the actual day arrives, we'll just have to potentially envy the forum-goers of this site.

[Thanks, Tom!]

MassivelyMembers of APB-Evolved.com "guaranteed beta access" originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-evolvedforum-membersguaranteed-accesspublic-betarealtime-worldsThu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fully public APB beta on its way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/fully-public-apb-beta-on-its-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/fully-public-apb-beta-on-its-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/fully-public-apb-beta-on-its-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We haven't heard too much in the past month about the cops and robbers MMO All Points Bulletin from developer Realtime Worlds. At least not until recently, we haven't. While gameplay information may still be scare at least we now know that APB is entering its Alpha stage with an eventual fully public beta on the horizon. This information all comes from Mario Rizzo, Realtime Worlds' business development manager.

While it's no official announcement, it is the next best thing. We can certainly understand why a public beta would do a game like All Points Bulletin a lot of good -- it's not exactly your typical MMO or sandbox action game. Heck, it's very likely that many players will simply be enamored with the character creation process that was such a smash hit at GDC this year. You can count on us spending the first hour or two of our time with the game's beta making an awesome character.

MassivelyFully public APB beta on its way originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinalphaapbbetagdc08mario-rizzoopen-betapublic-betarealtime-worldsWed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dreamlords: The Reawakening now in public beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/dreamlords-the-reawakening-now-in-public-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/dreamlords-the-reawakening-now-in-public-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/dreamlords-the-reawakening-now-in-public-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dreamlords: The Reawakening has been in closed beta since April, and according to a new press release has entered "public beta". At the time of this writing, the official website has not been updated with any information relating to this update. Do we dare assume that "public beta" means "open beta"?

While at the site, however, notice the latest news regarding the server move on the 9th of June to "prepare for launch". So, we might be in open beta right now, and we might be seeing a full launch of the game fairly soon. We can't take this tension! When we know anything for sure, we'll let you know.

[Thanks, Marcus!]

MassivelyDreamlords: The Reawakening now in public beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betasclosed-betadreamlordslaunchopen-betapublic-betaThu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Requiem: Bloodymare slashes its way to open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/requiem-bloodymare-slashes-its-way-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/requiem-bloodymare-slashes-its-way-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/requiem-bloodymare-slashes-its-way-to-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Temperions to arms! The battle against the darkness of Ethergia has begun again as Gravity announces the start of the open beta for their newest title, Requiem: Bloodymare. The doors to Ethergia will open up once again starting this Thursday, May 15th, at 7 PM PDT (10 PM EST) and will stay open for an undisclosed amount of time.

This phase of the beta will be open to everyone, both closed beta players and the public. All that's required is the new Requiem client, which can be downloaded from the playrequiem.com website, and a Requiem account. All prior accounts will be reset, and all new characters will start off in a totally new tutorial space called Turba Island.

This change already addresses one of the large gripes from the previous test - the lack of a decent tutorial space. It seems that Gravity has been listening to all of the feedback they've received about Requiem during the closed beta, and are working to improve upon their game. However, only time will tell as to what else has been changed and added to by the Requiem team.

MassivelyRequiem: Bloodymare slashes its way to open beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gravity-interactivehorroropen-betapublic-betarequiemrequiem-bloodymaretutorialTue, 13 May 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WeGame records their way into my heart]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/wegame-records-their-way-into-my-heart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/wegame-records-their-way-into-my-heart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/wegame-records-their-way-into-my-heart/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Having to find quality Machinima for two blog posts daily can be torture. Most people won't spring for a paid copy of Fraps or gamecam, so I'm stuck looking at watermarks. That's almost an instant disqualification for consideration.

Enter WeGame, which would be just like any other video sharing site if it didn't have one major difference. They offer free, easy to use recording software to their users. As a matter of fact, it's so simple that I was able to record six quick videos, review them, and choose one to upload within 30 minutes of downloading the program. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.

Read on after the jump to find out more about WeGame ...

Continue reading WeGame records their way into my heart

MassivelyWeGame records their way into my heart originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardflagship-studiosfrapsgamecamguild-warshellgate-londonjared-kimjason-calacanislinden-labmachinimapublic-betasecondlifesilkroad-onlineslweblogs-incwegamewindlightworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 11 Jan 2008 07:30:00 EST