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RIFT introduces three-faction PvP with Conquest

Matt Daniel — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, PvP, News items, RIFT

RIFT players have been speculating about what the much-hyped but little-revealed PvP announcement for the title would be, but now it's official: RIFT is bringing out three-faction warfare. In a post on the RIFT official site, Trion Worlds has introduced the Conquest PvP mode, which is a "no-holds-barred, interdimensional battle" in which players can choose from one of three factions (the power-hungry Dominion, the noble Oathsworn, and the knowledge-seeking Nightfall) and take part in a three-way battle to answer one poignant question: "What is the role of the Ascended in the cosmos? To rule, to protect, or to ascend?"

Players eager to become a part of the Conquest won't have to wait long. This Thursday, May 17th, at 7:00 EDT, Trion will be bringing Conquest to the public test server. All you have to do to get on the action yourself is head on over to the game's PTS "getting started" page and follow the instructions, and voila. So get out there and prepare for war, Ascended; it's time to conquer!

[Thanks to Valorith for the tip!]

RIFT introduces three-faction PvP with Conquest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future

Larry Everett — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, Interviews, Patches, PvP, Endgame, PvE, Massively Interviews, Star Wars: The Old Republic

As the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild leaders lined up to get a taste of the Lost Island flashpoint, I was at BioWare studios getting my hands dirty with deeper PvE and PvP content as well as speaking with developers like Combat Designer Georg Zoeller, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson, Art Director Jeff Dobson, and Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi. However, the best part was at the end of the day when I was able to speak one-on-one with Creative Director James Ohlen.

Ohlen touches nearly every aspect of the game's development. It was important to me to find out why this game is as popular as it is and what BioWare was going to do to retain its current playerbase. The first stop was the latest game update, which should hit test servers really soon.

Continue reading Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future

Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator

Larry Everett — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Bugs, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

When deciding what I want to talk about on the Hyperspace Beacon every week, I check over the buzz from various news outlets, personal experiences, and columns from the community. An internet community will inevitably steer toward the negative -- that's just the nature of the internet. And one of the most common themes out there is bugs. I am not talking about Killiks; I mean parts of the game that are not working as intended.

When we -- the press and other fansites -- gave our impressions of Star Wars: The Old Republic, we were at conventions or at lower levels in the game. Level 28 was the highest I ever reached in any beta, and conventions set us on a predetermined path. At that time, I was completely impressed with the level of polish the game had received. I still believe that this game has fewer bugs than a good chunk of MMOs; however, there are certainly more bugs in this game than I'd expect from a single-player release.

I could probably spend a whole article just listing unintended issues with the game, but I do like to be the voice of reason as well. On top of that, I want to see SWTOR succeed. Therefore, beyond just talking about bugs, let's deal with the overall issue of why these critters pop up in the first place.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator

Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic launches Android authenticator and upcoming test server

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Culture, Patches, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

If analyst predictions hold true, Star Wars: The Old Republic is going to be big. And that means that it's going to be heir to the natural problem of account hackings, the sort of thing that goes hand in hand with every major MMO. Luckily, the game has launched with security authenticators already available, with a physical version and an Apple app available right out of the gate. The mobile authenticator for Android devices is also now available, meaning that you have a multitude of ways to ensure that the only threats to your characters are those of the blaster-wielding variety.

Once you've gotten through the authenticator stage, however, perhaps you'd like to see what's coming next for the game? Ask a Jedi reports that it looks like BioWare is in the process of setting up a public test server, giving every subscriber a chance to enjoy the upcoming patches and updates before they go live. While players will not be able to copy characters from the live servers to the test environment at this time, the team behind Star Wars: The Old Republic seems to be polishing up the game on a daily basis even though it's just launched, so that likely won't remain the case for long.

Star Wars: The Old Republic launches Android authenticator and upcoming test server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: Several reasons edition

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Patches, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

Ladies and gentlemen, I do not subscribe to the notion that there is a singular explanation for everything. Consider the above image. Why was it selected as a header? There are several reasons! For starters, it was the first result in a search on Wikimedia Commons for "several." And... well, actually, I guess that's pretty much it. But I'm going to go ahead and add Dadaist discontent to the list of reasons because that usually sums this up fairly well.

Anyway, I can promise this week's answers in Ask Massively involve a larger number of reasons than does our header image. This week, the questions at hand are the reasons why players might choose to play on the test server and the reasons we're still knee-deep in elves, dwarves, and dragons. As always, if you'd like a question answered in a future edition of the column, just mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Several reasons edition

Ask Massively: Several reasons edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer Online's patch 1.4.4 on the public test server

Matt Daniel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, Warhammer Online, News items

Warhammer Online's patch version 1.4.4 has just hit the public test server, allowing players to partake of some new and exciting features. The Wild Hunt is once again upon the forces of Order and Chaos, and it calls for players to track, hunt, and slay elusive creatures.

A variety of RvR changes have been made as well, such as new Keep Defense mechanics. This new mechanic requires keep defenders to destroy the attacking war party's battering ram, at which point the siege will "briefly shift to a 'Successful Defense' state." The defending troops will then receive a buff, intended to allow them to push back their attackers. Once the defenders push the attackers out of their keep area, however, the buff will quickly fade, putting the battle back on a level playing field.

For all of this and more, players can check out the full patch notes and get a firsthand look on the public test servers.

Warhammer Online's patch 1.4.4 on the public test server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT releases more patch 1.5 details, new features hit the PTS

Matt Daniel — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, PvP, News items, PvE, RIFT

RIFT's patch 1.5 is set to hit the live servers later this month, and boy is it a doozy. RIFT's Community Manager Elrar hit the forums today to drop an information bomb on the players. This bomb exploded into a number of bullet points outlining the latest features that players can expect from patch 1.5 on the public test server.

For starters, we've got the Planar Attunement system. This system is being introduced to allow progression for level 50 players, and it awards attunement experience for any activity that would normally grant you experience points. With each level of attunement experience accrued, players are awarded attunement points that can be spent in attunement trees (each associated with one of the six planes) to grant further bonuses for their characters.

Also coming to the game are the Chronicles of Telara instances, which are one- to two-player instances designed for players just getting started on progression after reaching level 50. For players looking for a bigger challenge, the team is introducing Master mode dungeons, which are much more difficult than the current tier 2 Expert dungeons. Of course, with the greater challenge comes greater rewards, such as Marks of Ascension, which allow players to purchase tier 1 raid gear.

For the PvP-minded, Accolades have been introduced into the game's Warfronts. These Accolades reward exceptional gameplay, such as getting the first kill of a match, killing a number of enemies without dying, or wiping out the entire opposing team.

The full details can be found on the official forum posts, and all of this is up and available for testing on the public test server. So what are you waiting for? Go do your duty to Telara, Ascended!

Thanks to ren54 for the tip!

RIFT releases more patch 1.5 details, new features hit the PTS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview RIFT's Chronicles of Telara solo instance content on the PTS

Matt Daniel — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, News items, PvE, RIFT, Dungeons

RIFT's patch 1.5 is just on the horizon, and to prepare for the patch's release, Trion Worlds has introduced solo dungeons to the game's public test server. This instanced content, known as Chronicles of Telara, provides quick gameplay for players who are craving a little bit of dungeon-flavored action but who don't have the time to gather a group and trudge through the trials and tribulations of a five-man instance.

After the cut, we have a pair of videos showing off the Chronicles of Telara: Hammerknell solo instance. The first video, from ZAM's Nepabrite, takes players on a quick tour of the Dwarven fortress, complete with running commentary. The second video, from Torrac of the guild Result on the Immerwacht server, is devoid of any such commentary and simply allows players to follow along through the entirety of the instance. To feast your eyes upon both of the above, just slip on past the cut.

Continue reading Preview RIFT's Chronicles of Telara solo instance content on the PTS

Preview RIFT's Chronicles of Telara solo instance content on the PTS originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT patch 1.4 arriving on test servers tomorrow

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, RIFT

"The seas have not calmed here at Trion as we continue to bring you more to enjoy with each update," Trion Worlds' James Nichols writes. Why doth the seas continue to roil? Because RIFT's patch 1.4 is landing on test servers tomorrow, July 14th, at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

Patch 1.4 follows 1.3's Waves of Madness world event, Hammerknell raid and guild banks with even more high-profile goodies. Probably one of the most-requested features, the ability to look for groups across servers, will be part of the update. This will allow the LFG tool to draw from a wider range of potential dungeon runners.

Also included in the testing process is an alternative gameplay mode for the Whitefall Steppes PvP warfront. Players will have to collect and hold Sourcestone at their base to activate powerful rune cannons to obliterate the enemy.

Instructions on how to participate in RIFT's public test server can be found over at the site.

RIFT patch 1.4 arriving on test servers tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: This is only a test...

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

BEEEEP! The message you are about to hear is from your local public test server. This is only a test. Had this been an actual server, your XP would have been sliced, your loot drops diced, and your AP slashed. In the event of an actual server, the message you would receive would assure you that your characters would be safe from wipes and safer from bugs and glitches. This is the Aion PTS. Remember, this is only a test... server. BEEEEP!

Public test servers. Just three small words. What thoughts and feelings do these words invoke in MMO gamers? Much like the words "open beta," PTS seems to represent more of a sneak-peek playground for upcoming gaming goodness instead of a place to test and tweak said upcoming features before they go live. Come on, let's admit it: In an age when the philosophy of instant gratification seduces new acolytes by the hour, who can truly deny that desire to see all that is new and shiny? Who doesn't want to take a stroll through new instances, test out new weapons, and try on new gear? New equals exciting. And we test-drive cars, so why not games? And if we test-drive games, then why not game patches?

With this in mind, I think it would not be far-fetched to believe that Daevas flocked to New Atreia (as I have dubbed it, seeing as this world certainly could not be confused with the Atreia I already know) when NCsoft opened Aion's test server to the public on May 12th. After all, many players are eagerly anticipating the features offered in the 2.5 patch. So in order to bring you a taste of what's to come, yours truly ventured forth onto the realm of the PTS. What I found was exciting, fun... and a bit surprising.

Vicariously live the crazy whirlwind life of a PTSian after the break.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: This is only a test...

Wings Over Atreia: This is only a test... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives!

Edward Marshall — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Previews, MMOFPS, Wasteland Diaries, Post-Apocalyptic

To many players of Fallen Earth, the expression "when hell freezes over" has been supplanted by "when Sector 4 is released." At launch, the sector was supposedly largely completed, and it was expected to be released shortly thereafter. After a year had passed and we were still waiting to see it, many players started to believe that it didn't even exist. Well, I am here to tell you that not only does it exist, but I spent a few hours roaming around on the other side of the big wall. Aside from some nice pictures, I got a little bit of insight on what we might expect to see in Alpha County, which will be the first installment in the fourth sector.

It's been quite some time since Fallen Earth's opening day, and we have been waiting quite some time for the new sector. But the team at Fallen Earth, LLC has given us a few things to tide us over: Deadfall and Terminal Woods, which combined have as much content as a full sector. So it's not like we've been stuck in Sector 3 for over a year and a half; the devs have given us some new stuff and made some fundamental changes to the game (some good and some bad, but mostly good). The first bit of S4 we will see was released on the public test server (PTS) earlier this week, so I took the opportunity to do some exploring for you (actually my motivations were entirely selfish). After the cut, I'll tell you a little bit about what I saw (slight spoiler alert!).

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives!

Wasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth lets players take a stroll through Alpha County

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Previews, News items, Post-Apocalyptic

Long-awaited and heavily anticipated, Fallen Earth's Alpha County has long been the game's promised land, an environment that's at once near and far. But the release is just around the corner, and the developers are giving players a chance to peek behind the walls just a little bit early. Starting tomorrow, May 17th, Alpha County is going live on the public test server, giving all of the game's players the chance to wander around in a strange new territory.

For players who want to dive into the story on the actual release and no sooner, fear not -- the announcement promises that the test server won't offer any spoilers as to storyline. But players will be able to explore a new environment and get a feel for the lay of the land, even if they can't get a feel for every new piece of content right out of the gate. Fallen Earth players had best prepare for the test server sneak peek, as it's only a day away.

Fallen Earth lets players take a stroll through Alpha County originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT invites you to test the Spoils of War

Larry Everett — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Patches, RIFT

Many a RIFT fan has been looking forward to the changes coming to the fantasy MMO in the Update 1.2: Spoils of War. Thankfully, the witch Alsbeth has been defeated, but trouble continues on the planes of Telara. Regulos is still bent on destroying the world. So what's next? The developers of RIFT would like to give you an opportunity to see for yourself.

On the RIFT Facebook page, Community Manager Erick "Zann" Adams has invited players to join the devs in a Spoils of War PTS event.

Join us tonight, May 5th, starting at 3:00PM PDT (11:00PM BST) for a final round of testing. We'll have a battle royale around to word, check out the LFG system, and just have a good time playing together and discussing your feedback.

For those living on the east coast of the U.S., the event starts at 6 p.m. EDT this evening. For all the information on how to join the RIFT public test server, jump to the forums to get started.

RIFT invites you to test the Spoils of War originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do you roll on the test server?

Jef Reahard — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aion, Bugs, MMO industry, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

Ah test servers.

They run the gamut from not-ready-for-prime-time mess to "hey cool, content previews." Test shards feature everything from stand-up fights to bug hunts and quite a lot of shenanigans in between. Just about every MMORPG has one, and many game developers publicize the venerable PTS in order to sweet-talk players into providing free testing services for upcoming patches, expansions, and fixes.

A few test servers change the game experience quite radically (Aion's double XP PTS springs to mind), while others are replicas of the live shards and even allow you to port over your existing avatars. For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know your feelings on test servers, and specifically, why you do or don't use them. Do you do it to help out? Are you more interested in getting a leg up on the next patch? Do you avoid them altogether or do you roll on test servers?

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!

The Daily Grind: Do you roll on the test server? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth 1.8 patch on PTS, extensive ability changes incoming

Jef Reahard — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Patches, News items, Post-Apocalyptic

The Fallen Earth public test server (PTS) is the place to be for sneak peeks at upcoming content, and as of right now, said new content is the 1.8 patch. Icarus Studios' Carlin has posted the version notes on the Fallen Earth forums, and a quick glance at them indicates that 1.8 is quite the meaty update.

The biggest change is the forthcoming ability revamp. According to the notes, "almost all abilities have been changed, with the goal of increasing the number and viability of different player roles and play-styles. Some abilities have been removed, and some new abilities have been added." Patch 1.8 also introduces new NPCs and missions in various parts of the wasteland, UI tweaks (including new chat channels), and an adjustment to the rate at which random AP is gained.

If you've never tried the PTS on for size, you can download the client and also pay a visit to the forums to get your bearings.

Fallen Earth 1.8 patch on PTS, extensive ability changes incoming originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Tester-day

Edward Marshall — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Economy, Game mechanics, Previews, MMOFPS, Wasteland Diaries, Post-Apocalyptic

I spent an entire day on the Fallen Earth Public Test Server (PTS). I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with what I saw. The development team over at Fallen Earth, LLC is making some sweeping changes to the game. I wasn't just impressed by the new artwork and the smoother game mechanics; I was also impressed with the amount of communication the Fallen Earth dev team is giving to its testers. And why not? We pay the devs to test their product.

While there is a lot of new stuff to check out, I spent the majority of a day trying to digest as much of this new content as I possibly could, and I didn't really even scratch the surface. I spent a good eight hours on the server, though about four of those hours were devoted to testing the combat system. I did a few bug reports, but aside from grenades being totally broken, most everything seemed to be in order. After the break I'll give you some first-hand accounts of what I've discovered. You could just read the patch notes, but it just isn't the same.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Tester-day

Wasteland Diaries: Tester-day originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waging WAR: The new RvR... Are we there yet?

Greg Waller — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Expansions, Patches, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Hands-on, Waging WAR

This past week was an exciting week for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning as the new RvR systems were released for testing on the public test realm of Warpstone. Greg took part in both the Wednesday night and Friday afternoon sessions, and writes about his experiences and impressions in this week's Waging WAR.

When Mythic said that testing would begin in October, I don't think anyone expected to get his hands on the new changes to the RvR system so soon. Wednesday night was the first focused test, and I made it a point to take part. I also took part in the European-friendly session scheduled for Friday afternoon. Both events took place in the Tier 3 (Chaos vs. Empire) pairing across the zones of High Pass and Talabecland. There are certain issues that I feel are important enough to discuss regarding the way the new battlefield dynamics will bring about a golden age for melee careers, but this week, I want to focus on the RvR itself. Things have well and truly been shaken up, and this fresh experience is going to take some serious adjustment for veteran players as well as newcomers to the game.

Continue along after the break for more discussion on the topic.

Continue reading Waging WAR: The new RvR... Are we there yet?

Waging WAR: The new RvR... Are we there yet? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion's Assault on Balaurea expansion live on PTS

Jef Reahard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Expansions, News items

Ready to get a preview of Aion's forthcoming Assault on Balaurea expansion? You're in luck, as today finds the new content live on the Public Test Server, a couple weeks ahead of its September 7th release date. Pre-existing PTS players will find that their characters have been wiped, which is a small price to pay for the chance to test the new content with accelerated XP and loot drop rates.

Assault on Balaurea features a new pet system as well as new zones, instances, quests, and a level cap increase. Check out the official press release for more information, including how to install and run the PTS client.

Aion's Assault on Balaurea expansion live on PTS originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion's Assault on Balaurea expansion coming to public test server

Jef Reahard — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Expansions, News items

OK, Aion public test server (PTS) fans: would you like the good news first or the bad news? Never mind, here's the bad news: the PTS has been brought down and its database wiped (i.e., your characters and legions are now digital rubble under the NCsoft wrecking ball).

The good news is that all of the destruction, terror, and mayhem is in service to the forthcoming Assault on Balaurea expansion and its eminent appearance on the testing shard. Beginning on August 18th, you can be among the first to experience the new content, in addition to sampling it with the significant XP and drop-rate boosts exclusive to the PTS. The expansion hits the live servers on September 7th, so be sure and read up on how to access the PTS client if you'd like an early start.

Aion's Assault on Balaurea expansion coming to public test server originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: New paint job

Edward Marshall — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fallen Earth, Events, in-game, Patches, PvP, MMOFPS, Wasteland Diaries, Post-Apocalyptic

The Fallen Earth 1.6 patch is a couple days old now, and I've had a chance to check out some of its features. I've painted more vehicles than Earl Scheib this week. I was able to test the respec injectors on the Public Test Server (PTS). I haven't tried them on the live server yet, but I have a few misallocated points that aren't serving much of a purpose. I was able to run through the new, extended tutorial with a brand-new clone. And the Fallen Earth team has given us the ability to flag ourselves for PvP anywhere, anytime. This should prove interesting.

If you have been waiting on the sidelines for the next patch or are wondering what new things are in store for us, I will give you a breakdown of the new stuff I have been able to check out myself after the cut. The patch is only a few days old, but I have been trying to experience the new features to the fullest in that short time.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: New paint job

Wasteland Diaries: New paint job originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage II readies Freya update

Jef Reahard — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Lineage 2, Patches, News items

NCsoft's Aion and City of Heroes may get more press here in the States, but the workhorse of the Korean MMORPG maker's worldwide stable continues to be Lineage II. The long-running fantasy title is gearing up for yet another substantial update, with the much-anticipated Freya patch scheduled to hit the public test server on July 29th.

Lineage II's updates have always been rather meaty (and free of charge, provided you have an active subscription) and Freya is no different. Included in the patch is everything from new weapons, armor, and abilities to entirely new overland and dungeon areas. Small touches aren't left out either, with new social emotes -- including partner dances -- scheduled for inclusion, as well as reduced teleportation fees and an increase in available quest journal space.

The patch notes have yet to be released, but you can get a sneak peek at the projected additions on the Freya wiki page. Additionally, mark your calendar for the Freya reveal festivities and don't forget to read the official press release. Finally, check out some of the new armors after the cut.

[Thanks Justin!]

Continue reading Lineage II readies Freya update

Lineage II readies Freya update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global Agenda's Sandstorm patch arrives to test server tonight

Rubi Bayer — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, News items, MMORTS, Global Agenda

The much-talked-about Sandstorm patch for Global Agenda, also known as patch 1.3 and the Big Patch of Awesome (tm Sera), is set to arrive on the test server late today.

Fans of Global Agenda have been scouring the patch notes since they released, anticipating how things will change and looking forward to the day they can experience it firsthand. That day is here -- well, sort of. Patch 1.3 is now being released in four separate stages, which is reflected on the public test server as well.

The first stage is scheduled to arrive on the public test server late today in US time. It will be focusing on low level progression and weaponry, so you'll be required to create a new character to work through the tutorial. Plan on the server's availability being a bit uncertain throughout the testing period as Hi-Rez makes changes and updates, but don't worry. The test will go until May 10th, so you will have plenty of time to play.

If you'd like to participate, you can find the most current round of patch notes as well as instructions for joining the public test server over at the Global Agenda site. While you wait, watch for our in-depth analysis of the patch later today.

Global Agenda's Sandstorm patch arrives to test server tonight originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion North American Public Test Server live

Jef Reahard — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, News items

NCSoft has opened the doors to its new Aion North American Public Test Server as of yesterday, offering players the opportunity to poke, prod, and probe content and patches before they make their way to the game's live servers.

Testers are free to create both Asmodian and Elyos avatars, both of which will enjoy substantially increased XP gain, crafting, gathering, and item drop rates, and Abyss Point gain. Accessing the test server requires a separate Aion installation on your hard drive, which can be accomplished by duplicating your existing Aion folder or via a fresh install.

NCsoft cautions new testers that character wipes may happen at any time, so don't expect the PTS to feature a persistent version of your main with increased XP. Test server characters also will not count against your character number limit on Aion's live servers.

Check out the installation instructions as well as the technical discussion thread on the official boards. Aion Source has also dedicated a forum to the public test server.

Aion North American Public Test Server live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion test servers to open for NA and EU

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion

This is a test of upcoming content, this is only a test... server, that is. Aion's quality assurance team is proud to announce a pair of bug-stomping, issue-resolving, feedback-spurring test servers -- one for North America and one for Europe. These servers are primed to open on April 29, so that players can preview patches and engage in some winged QA.

Aion testers won't be given a fancy pre-made character, but instead will see a MMO in fast-forward: XP, Abyss Points and drop rates will be jacked through the roof to allow for rapid progress (in the name of testing, of course). The Aion team specifically notes that any test server characters won't be included against character limits.

As public test servers (PTS) are always a great way for studios to involve the playerbase in making the game better, Aion subscribers should be happy to be included in the process. You can read the entire announcement over on the Aion forums.

[Thanks Nick!]

Aion test servers to open for NA and EU originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Fallen Earth's first six months

Edward Marshall — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, MMOFPS, First Impressions, Wasteland Diaries

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a new clone emerging from the LifeNet Pod in Zanesville; it was early access launch day: 9/9/09. I have never, and likely will never again, see Zanesville so crowded. Fallen Earth had been live for only a few hours, so I opened the social window to see how far behind the power curve I was. Someone was already level 8. Egad! Better get moving.

My first goal was to get rid of my LifeNet garb, so I didn't look like such a noob -- not that I didn't fit right in. My second goal was to craft myself a horse bridle, as walking everywhere can be tedious. Back in those days we didn't get an Old Nag, we had to earn our first horse -- uphill, both ways. Fallen Earth, while not an entirely different game, plays out a bit differently than it did then.

These days, new players are brought up to speed in a more instructive manner. They have a new expanded tutorial and new missions in each starter town to get the players acquainted with crafting and other gameplay subtleties. The game has a steep learning curve, so more instruction for new players was a step in the right direction. But some people just aren't cut out for the grim reality of post-apocalyptic life, no matter how easy you try to make it for them. Being a new player in Fallen Earth used to be pretty rough. Now, starting with a Crude Slugthrower, which is essentially a zipgun rifle that shares ammo with your zipgun pistols, makes things a bit simpler. Couple that with a 200% damage bonus for headshots (with a floating text feedback message) and life isn't as rough as it once was. How different is it today?

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Fallen Earth's first six months

Wasteland Diaries: Fallen Earth's first six months originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details on WAR's new user journey and apprentice system

Brooke Pilley — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Warhammer Online, News items

Warhammer Online may have traveled a rocky road this past year but with each new patch, the game gets better and better. The latest patch installment to hit the public test server is 1.3.2, which features a New User Journey, Apprenticeship System, career balance changes, and further improvements to performance, stability, and RvR.

The two biggest items being tested right now are the New User Journey and Apprenticeship System. The former introduces new players to the game much more effectively and efficiently, funneling them into the same starting area (Chaos vs. Empire), auto-adding them to a starter guild, and much more. The latter allows highly ranked players to drop their level (stats and abilities capped formulaically) and lowly ranked players to raise their level in order to play together.

As for RvR, fortresses are being removed from the zone capture system, which should result in more frequent city sieges. Whether this is a good or bad thing is yet to be determined because depending on your timing you may not be able to join your friends due to the current instance mechanic. Keep warfare will now benefit from a new difficulty mechanic as well, which grants more rewards when more combatants are present.

Check out the full 1.3.2 patch notes for all the gory details!

Details on WAR's new user journey and apprentice system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth opens testing server before official launch

Shawn Schuster — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, New titles

If you're the type of player who enjoys testing and reporting bugs, the Fallen Earth team has a project for you. The new Decon Test Shard is a temporary test server that will be running from now until September 21st, as they get the game's final tweaks ready for the official launch on Tuesday, September 22nd.

What's in it for you, you may ask? Well, you'll get the satisfaction of helping the game you love become better. Take a look at the complete FAQ to learn more about the test server and stay with Massively for your complete Fallen Earth launch day coverage.

Fallen Earth opens testing server before official launch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WAR's Call to Arms live expansion wraps up with Land of the Dead

Brooke Pilley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Warhammer Online, News items

We first learned about Warhammer Online's Call to Arms live expansion back in late January 2009. After nearly six months of tests, live events, content updates, monster patches, and an ongoing story arc, the expansion will come to an end some time this month. They have saved the best for last of course and Call to Arms will be sent off in style with the release of the highly anticipated Land of the Dead mega-zone.

This week may be your last chance to test patch 1.3 before it goes live. This (last?) phase will focus on the Tomb Kings zone itself. That's right; testers will finally be unleashed upon the desert of Nehekhara! As a special reward, random testers will be awarded special manticore and griffon mounts akin to those gained from Mythic's recruit-a-friend program.

Many players agree the game has improved by leaps and bounds in the last six months and population has been holding steady quarter to quarter. This new mega-zone may prove to be the extra push that encourages new and past players to hop aboard the WAAAGH! train and give WAR a(nother) try. Interesting times are ahead.

WAR's Call to Arms live expansion wraps up with Land of the Dead originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earn special character customizations for your Slayer and Choppa

Brooke Pilley — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Forums, Patches, Warhammer Online, News items

Remember when Mythic said there would be incentives for being an active contributor on their new official forums for Warhammer Online? Apparently, they're about to give away the first of these in-game incentives we've heard so much about. Say hello to Snorri's Spikes and Chompin' Teef, two new customization options you can earn for your new Slayer and Choppa.

Snorri's Spikes is an especially painful looking mohawk for your dwarf and Chompin' Teef will have you looking like a greenskin version of Jaws from James Bond in no time. You can earn these rewards by logging in to the Public Test Server and playing the heck out of the two new careers (Choppa and Slayer). Report any bugs you find in game or on the forums and provide any useful feedback you can think of. Mythic will reward top contributors with these character customizations. "Top contributor" criteria are unknown, which may promote people trying hard instead of just enough. The Warhammer community is speculating that the 1.2 patch will drop late next week or early the following, so you may want to start soon before you miss out.

Earn special character customizations for your Slayer and Choppa originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer Online opens public test server

James Egan — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Guilds, Patches, Professions, PvP, Warhammer Online, Races

Massively multiplayer online games are continually changing, from the time a game launches to the day the servers shut down. Sure, patch notes spell out most of those changes, but it's always good when an MMO developer opens up a test server for the players. It allows you to check out new game mechanics firsthand, risk-free, and see what works for you and what doesn't. More importantly, it lets the developer know what they need to improve. This is what Mythic Entertainment is doing for Warhammer Online players as of today (Tuesday, February 17th), letting them preview the changes coming to Realm vs. Realm combat as well as Career balance changes on the public test server.

Mythic will be conducting a large scale Tier 4 Open Field Realm vs. Realm test on Wednesday, February 18th at 8pm EST. The dev announcement states: "Bring your friends to the PTS and be amongst the first to experience the new Zone Domination system in a focused player test. Be sure to log on early to join the premade guilds (points of contact for invites will be announced in game) for the night."

Detailed info on how to access the public test server is found in the Warhammer Herald announcement as are the patch notes for the public test of Game Update 1.2.

Mythic has announced the first expansion to Warhammer Online! Check out the announcement itself, the two brand-new classes coming to the game, and the enormous new dungeon/zone slated for a few months away! Plus, don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

Warhammer Online opens public test server originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TR's Mechs have arrived on PTS with Deployment 16

Shawn Schuster — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa's Public Test Server just received a brand new shipment of Mechs, and the AFS recruits are pumped! With the highly-anticipated Deployment 16 hitting the PTS last night, Personal Armor Units are finally here. The CELLAR Arena and the Edmund Range Training Grounds have both been expanded to accommodate the Mechs, as well as some newly available combat technology installed.

This patch also brought about some other goodies, including three new armor sets with level 50 stats that can be worn by any level, new pets, new emote items, hyper-EXP tokens and probably the coolest thing of all time: 40 unique weapons named after some of the game's most involved players. Look for a post later today regarding more on that. In the meantime, if you don't already have the PTS installed, check it out for these latest changes to the game before they go live.

TR's Mechs have arrived on PTS with Deployment 16 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TR's Deployment 13 introduces new Command System

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Patches, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa's Deployment 13 has just hit the Public Test Server, and we think you might be excited to hear about the new Command System being implemented with it. Previously referred to as the Minion System, this enhancement gives better control over AI pets and controllable NPCs, also called subordinates, in the game.

Subordinates now have better control features where you can set their aggressiveness or defensiveness, assign an anchor point, order them to attack or heal a particular target or set them to simply follow you. All of these commands are done through a set of easy commands and hotkeys. To find out more info on the complete Command System, check out today's Feedback Friday.

TR's Deployment 13 introduces new Command System originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa's Progressive Weapon system upgrades

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Patches, Tabula Rasa

In this week's Tabula Rasa Feedback Friday, the Progressive Weapons are explained a bit more for those high-end players looking for something new and exciting with their firepower. Anything from Series 2 up will play by a new set of rules, revolving around better skins, more specified damage types and more damage dealt. Plus, With the upcoming deployment 13, players will have the chance to duel-wield certain Series 2 pistols.

In addition to all of this, there was a new patch today for Deployment 12.4, which is currently on the Public Test Server. This patch was implemented mostly for bug fixes which include many for the COCP map. Check out the complete Feedback Friday and the complete patch notes from Deployment 12.4 for more information.

Tabula Rasa's Progressive Weapon system upgrades originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa's Deployment 12 nears the Public Test Server

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Forums, Game mechanics, Patches, Tabula Rasa

With this week's Feedback Friday, the Tabula Rasa folks let us know about their basic plans for the upcoming Deployment 13, which will bring a brand new map, new v2 and v3 weapons and make some highly-requested UI tweaks.

However, the main focus is on what's coming to the Public Test Server very soon with Deployment 12. This is the deployment that will introduce us to the first iteration of the Clan Owned Control Points on a special prototype map for players to use and abuse to their heart's content. Plus, there's word of the Epic Gauntlet Test Map which is aimed towards the level 50 crowd. This map will be a series of 10 rooms, each with a different assortment of Bane creatures. Things get progressively more difficult throughout the map, so it's aimed more towards the hardcore AFS soldiers: no wimps allowed! Check out the entire feedback notes as well as what the community thinks about the upcoming changes.

Tabula Rasa's Deployment 12 nears the Public Test Server originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Tabula Rasa event brings the pain

Shawn Schuster — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Forums, Game mechanics, Tabula Rasa

When you get invited to an in-game event that consists of the word "pain", you know it has to be good. Kagasumi, one of Tabula Rasa's QA Testers, is looking to test the limits of high-level monster AI with an event called The Pain Train. This event will take place on the Public Test Server on Friday, August 22nd from 2pm to 4pm Central Time (-6 GMT) on the Palisades map.

As Kagasumi says, this event was created to test some very strong monsters against players to see how they fare. Apparently, he says he's been surprised at how players can always come out on top when they're up against large mobs of Bane. So Kagasumi simply wants to test the limits of player/monster combat balance, with your help. He promises lots of giveaway goodies, so even if the thought of high-level Thrax makes you wish you were back in Bootcamp, you'll want to show up and help out as much as you can.

New Tabula Rasa event brings the pain originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa Deployment 11 arrives on the test server

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Patches, Tabula Rasa

Now that Tabula Rasa's Deployment 10 has been unleashed to the world, it's time to start playing around with Deployment 11, which has just hit the Public Test Server today. In it, we get treated to a hefty revamp of both the beginning areas and the advanced areas.

The Bootcamp zone has experienced a total revamp, plus there's the addition of a new level 50 instance entitled Omega Labs. However, one of the biggest changes to gameplay that was introduced with this content update is the changes to Adrenaline. As with any gameplay changes, player opinion is mixed, but NCsoft hopes to gauge player response through the test server and make appropriate changes before it goes live.

Tabula Rasa Deployment 11 arrives on the test server originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deployment 10.6 now on Tabula Rasa public test server

William Dobson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa's Public Test Server has now been fitted with Deployment 10.6. The main feature of this update is a change to Grey Market Vendor items -- their cost has been increased by 500%. The developers felt that the power of the Grey Market Vendor weapons was not proportional to their price, hence the rather drastic increase. They have left Control Point vendor items alone, but they will continue to monitor the equipment situation to make certain that crafted items are better than those bought from NPCs.

if you want to get involved with the testing on TR's PTS, you can visit this guide at the official site to get started.

Deployment 10.6 now on Tabula Rasa public test server originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gracia - Part 1 update now live on Lineage II test server

William Dobson — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Lineage 2, Expansions, Lore

Lineage II players can give Part 1 of the Gracia expansion a go right now on the Public Test Server. Gracia is planned to be a three-part series, and this first installment offers a number of features, such as faster leveling and solo improvements, new hunting areas Kamaloka and Cruma Tower, and some skill and UI changes.

Before diving on to the test server, you can get acquainted with Gracia at the expansion's official preview site. As well as listing the update's features, you can learn more about its back-story, reading straight from a stylish pop-up tome and enjoying some rather mysterious and epic music.

Gracia - Part 1 update now live on Lineage II test server originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa Feedback Friday

Shawn Schuster — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, Patches, Professions, Tabula Rasa

In this week's installment of TR's Feedback Friday, we get some information on a needed improvement to the Public Test Server and a change to the Shredder Ammo skill that players have come to love since the last patch.

For the last few Public Test Server proliferations, a game master has been on-hand to give players an instant boost to level 30 in order to check out the Tier 4 class changes. This only seemed fair since the majority of changes happened to these high-level classes. In the spirit of convenience, the developers have created a PTS Level Command NPC who will do that dirty work for them.

In addition to this, they mention their awareness of the problems with the Sniper's signature weapon -- the Torqueshell Rifle -- and how players have resorted to the Chaingun/Shredder Ammo combo with their Snipers. They state their intentions to re-balance this in order to make the TSR more effective, and lower the extremely unbalanced power of the Chaingun/Shredder combo.

Tabula Rasa Feedback Friday originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Tabula Rasa's next patch: harder enemies good for the game?

Chris Chester — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Forums, Game mechanics, Patches, PvE, Opinion, Tabula Rasa, Hands-on

Tabula Rasa is a peculiar game compared to many in that the difficulty of enemy encounters usually isn't measured by enemy strength, but by their numbers and composition. Man to man, your typical AFS soldier is more than a match for even the toughest units the Bane can throw at them. While that would seem to make the game a cakewalk, this is balanced by the fact that the enemy usually travels in roaming packs, containing enemies of different types that complement and balance each other. The difficulty of the game is largely derived from finding ways to pick apart these units before they can burn you down.

Among the many changes to come to Tabula Rasa in the most recent patch on the public test server is a new, enhanced enemy AI. For whatever reason, the Destination Games team decided to amp up the difficulty of enemy encounters by increasing so-called "aggro sharing" between enemy monsters. Having given the new build some time on the test server, we've got some thoughts and criticisms.

Continue reading Hands-on with Tabula Rasa's next patch: harder enemies good for the game?

Hands-on with Tabula Rasa's next patch: harder enemies good for the game? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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