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E3 2012: The world of Defiance

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, Previews, MMOFPS, Events (Massively's Coverage), Defiance

Can Defiance work? The cross-media venture between Trion Worlds and Syfy is one of the most interesting projects in the industry right now, if for no other reason than that a TV/MMO crossover has never been done before. At least, not like this.

We hunted down the Trion crew at E3 this week to play the Xbox version of the title and chat with the devs about the setting and specifics of this game. While Jef will have his hands-on impressions of Defiance in the next The Firing Line column, we wanted to share some of the lore and setting that the devs talked about at the expo.

Join us after the jump for a look at the world of Defiance!

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E3 2012: The world of Defiance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game Mechanics, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Roleplaying, Wings Over Atreia

You know me: I'm the lollygagger. In no rush to zoom through games, I tend to wander about just taking a gander at things. I peek into all the nooks and crannies and am easily sidetracked by all the shinies. In the journey vs. destination debate, I am a proud pompom-waving, card-carrying member of "the journey is half the fun" crowd. It's a wonder I progress at all! But progress I do, and in Aion I had been max level for quite some time. Emphasis on "had." Then 3.0 rolled around.

It's actually odd being lower-level again, unable to participate in everything because of level restrictions. Sorry MJ, no dungeon for j00! It's my fault really, since I could level but have been distracted with housing, mentoring, etc. Then I got to thinking about just how many things there are to do even without being max level. Whoa! Sometimes people have the (in my humble opinion, erroneous) idea that Aion doesn't really start until max level, that everything you do before reaching that exalted pinnacle isn't playing. Don't be absurd! The game doesn't start at level 60; it starts at level 1. Remember the part about enjoying the journey? Why worry about reaching some magical number! Just play. After all, experience happens -- before you know it, you will level up.

Previously, Wings Over Atreia discussed some things to do once you reach endgame. Here, in no particular order, are 12 ways to take your eyes off your experience bar and just play with reckless abandon before maxing out.

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Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Rift evolution

Karen Bryan — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, PvE, Opinion, Enter at Your Own Rift

RIFT has seen a great deal of new content and features over the past year, and each update tends to generate a lot of buzz about things like new raid zones, new warzones, world events, and yes, even fishing. But there have been quite a few subtle (and not so subtle) changes to the core of the game -- that is, the rifts themselves. Last summer, Justin wrote a great piece wondering whether rifts were in "danger of collapsing," and his point was that they were a good idea on paper but needed tweaks in order to stay relevant to the game.

It's worth looking back at the evolution of rifts over the past year to see what's changed since launch day. Read on for a look at what's new with rifts!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Rift evolution

Enter at Your Own Rift: Rift evolution originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion releases RIFT Endless Adventure trailer

Jef Reahard — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, RIFT, Dungeons

As we inch closer to some big MMO releases in the latter stage of the year (and on into 2012), Trion is looking to keep RIFT firmly established in the minds of gamers everywhere. To that end, the company has just released a new two-minute trailer called Endless Adventure. The clip highlights all of the big bullet-point features (raids, world events, PvP, etc.), and shows a smattering of gameplay footage from each.

The trailer also focuses on the flexibility afforded by RIFT's soul system, and though the huge, blocky fonts and bright text colors are somewhat distracting when paired with the game's lovely visuals, the clip does a good job of summing up RIFT for the uninitiated (or the unsubscribed). See for yourself after the break.

[Source: Trion press release]

Continue reading Trion releases RIFT Endless Adventure trailer

Trion releases RIFT Endless Adventure trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT's Ashes of History world event begins tomorrow

Brendan Drain — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Events (In-Game), Lore, News Items, PvE, RIFT

Since RIFT's release, the developers at Trion Worlds have staged frequent world events and mini-events to add some variety to the game. A brand-new Ashes of History world event kicks off tomorrow, putting players against the elemental forces of earth and fire. The event begins as disease-spreading Golden Maw cultists discover artifacts in the sea of Telara and begin plotting to use them for their own ends.

The world event opens up new daily quests for players to try out, and participants will be able to collect a rare Magma Opal currency from frequent rift events and invasions. The opals can be spent on rare equipment, companion pets and an exclusive Ash Strider mount.

Gallery: RIFT Ashes of History event

RIFT's Ashes of History world event begins tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PvP, slivers and crocodiles: RIFT outlines patch 1.4

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, PvP, RIFT

While RIFT's patch 1.4 has been on the test servers for a couple weeks now, we've finally received concrete details about Trion Worlds' latest update to this dynamic MMO. Titled "Legacy of the Fallen," 1.4 follows up the recent world event with a new epic quest line and a 10-man instance revolving around the continued threat of the Abyssal.

The epic chain, called the Water Saga, not only reveals the truth about the origins of the Abyssal cult, but gives players an opportunity to score high-end loot and a special crocnard mount. Those looking for more group-oriented activities may want to check out the Drowned Halls, a 10-person sliver that presents an alternate view of history where the Abyssal have conquered Telara.

Patch 1.4 has plenty of PvP action as well, including PvP rifts and alternative forms of warfronts. There are plenty of other goodies in store from the RIFT team, including quest item storage, the LFG tool expanding cross-server, and several new crafting options. Currently, there is no date for the patch.

PvP, slivers and crocodiles: RIFT outlines patch 1.4 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT's first State of the Game address floods players with news of the future [Updated]

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, Previews, Interviews (Massively's), RIFT

Trion Worlds has never been shy in talking about RIFT's upcoming content, especially considering how fast and furious said content's been flying down the pipe. However, the studio may have topped itself today as it gave its first State of the Game address, opening up about the title's history to date and both the near and far future of the team's plans.

It's difficult to try to summarize all of this news in a brief paragraph -- so we're not even going to try! Instead, Massively joined a number of other news outlets for a conference call with the RIFT team and Scott Hartsman to clarify all of the exciting content, fixes and features mentioned in this address.

So join us after the jump as we look at quality-of-life improvements, new types of rifts, vastly improved PvP experiences, solo dungeons, and something intriguing called "Instant Adventure."

Continue reading RIFT's first State of the Game address floods players with news of the future [Updated]

RIFT's first State of the Game address floods players with news of the future [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing?

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, Warhammer Online, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

Like many of you, I've been exploring RIFT's Waves of Madness event over the past couple of weeks -- and enjoying it, too. You can really see how Trion Worlds has taken some of the lessons learned from River of Souls and improved its second world event. There just seems like more to do, much more in terms of atmosphere (I love the dripping ceilings in Sanctum), I'm not feeling as rushed, and the event story is coming through loud and clear.

One of the interesting things I've noticed is that the event's daily quests have subtly shifted our focus from single-player activities to group ones. In phase one, it was all about boring solo quests: find hidden invaders, collect eggs, defeat a few underwater baddies. But just when we started to get used to (and bored from) the routine, the successive phases have moved us toward the game's dynamic content. Namely, rifts, rifts and more rifts.

I think this is brilliant, because we're now given a solid reason why we should participate in rifts above the mere rewards. I've been worried that Trion's letting its focus on dynamic content slip as it's been rushing to get other game features and endgame raids out the door, and RIFT without people playing rifts would be sadly ironic.

Today we're going to look at just how much RIFT depends on its titular feature, and what Trion should be doing to ensure that it doesn't become another nice yet abandoned idea.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing?

Enter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, PvE, Enter at Your Own Rift

OK, I know you all probably want to talk about the news that addons are coming to RIFT, but the truth is that it's not that big of an issue for me. My feelings on addons are that I'm for them if they enhance the game and encourage player creativity, but I'm against them if they reduce players to mere statistics in the eyes of others (GearScore) or are absolutely necessary to tackle the game's content.

So if you feel passionate about this topic, I give you leave to vent more about it in the comments below, but as for me and mine, we're going to look at quests today. More specifically, not doing them.

Now, I generally like quests. They give me a feeling of accomplishment (as I am fond of checking off items from my to-do lists in real life), the stories are occasionally interesting, and they give nice boosts to leveling. But I've come to realize something interesting about RIFT that might run under the radar of most: Quests are superfluous to the game. Well, at the very least, they're optional and not the mandatory tasks that most modern MMOs make them out to be.

So I had a thought. What about playing RIFT without questing at all -- taking on a "no-quest challenge" of sorts? Is it not only possible but fun too? Hit the jump and we'll examine this from all the angles.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge

Enter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Evolved: Casual gameplay and public groups

Brendan Drain — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Culture, Game Mechanics, PvP, Endgame, PvE, Opinion, EVE Evolved

I've always held a belief that EVE Online isn't really at its best until I get into a good group. A lot of the most fun gameplay I've experienced over the years has been in a small group of strangers, friends or people who would soon become my friends. The year I spent in faction warfare and the two years I spent on wormhole expeditions with friends were incredibly good times that I look back on fondly. I've even found that the parts of EVE that aren't specifically intended for groups, such as exploration, mission-running, and trading, are a lot more enjoyable if I take a few friends along for the ride. There's no doubt in my mind that EVE is primarily a group game.

Two weeks ago, I talked about how EVE is more of a giant social sandbox than a game and that it's EVE's social nature that really motivates people to keep playing in the long-term. The remarkable ability of social communities in MMOs to self-organise when faced with challenges could be a massive asset to EVE's development if used well. When faction warfare was first released, for example, players rapidly organised themselves into fleets. People who had never met each other, many with no PvP experience at all, were soon practicing core fleet maneuvers together as a cohesive unit and facing off against hostile fleets. With nothing but a war declaration, some cosmic anomalies, and a few medals, EVE turned thousands of newbies into four terrifying fighting forces. That is something I'd definitely like to see repeated.

In this week's opinion-filled EVE Evolved, I delve into the world of casual gameplay and ask whether new public group activities could dramatically broaden EVE's appeal and keep gameplay fresh.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Casual gameplay and public groups

EVE Evolved: Casual gameplay and public groups originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

Earlier this week we were treated to the news that Trion Worlds is going to offer free character transfers between "select servers" once Update 1.3 hits. Now, how useful this will be is anyone's guess -- as some have noted, this may just be a clever ploy to redistribute the population from high-pop servers to low-pop ones -- but generally it's been met with applause from the community. I remain impressed as a consumer with how fast and aggressive Trion is pumping out content, and the fact that this is a free transfer once per week is really cool considering how most other subscription MMOs charge for a similar "premium" service.

Whatever Trion's motive and however it'll play out, I do know this: The company needs to continue to bring the heat to the competition. It's vital that RIFT distinguishes itself from the rest of the pack in some way, whether it be polish, originality, speed, customer service, or innovation.

Today I'd like to make a case for what I think should be high up on Trion's development schedule: player housing. We know it's something the devs have discussed, with some very much for and some very much against, but I'm hoping it's gone past the brainstorming phase. Why should we care about what might seem like fluff? How could housing work in RIFT? Tune in after the jump, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel to find out!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing

Enter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does RIFT want to be a sandbox?

Larry Everett — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game Mechanics, Interviews, RIFT

RIFT's launch was the biggest launch of an MMO in years, and unlike flash-in-the-pan MMOs, RIFT continues to innovate the MMO space. Recently, Trion Worlds hosted a massive event, the River of Souls. Granted, there were issues with server queues and players missing the entire event, but that does not negate its creative intentions. In an interview with Game Reactor, Design Director Simon Ffinch said that the team has learned its lesson from the event. "We made some drastic improvements to the way the servers handle large loads of players during that as we reacted to various things," he says.

But what is the next step for RIFT? Are the designers looking to add more sandbox elements to the themepark RPG? Ffinch says, "There are definitely some plans for [adding more sandbox elements]. That's actually a personal sort of favorite thing of mine, I'm the one who puts all the puzzles and stuff in and stuff for the explorers to find and stuff that is off the beaten path, that is absolutely my passion." In the same interview, he hints about other sandbox staples like housing. "We actually do talk about [player housing], that does come up quite a lot. Not only is there a lot of players that want that, but a lot of us here in design that want that as well."

Catch the latest weather report from Telara after the break, and skip over to Game Reactor to see the whole Simon Ffinch interview.

Continue reading Does RIFT want to be a sandbox?

Does RIFT want to be a sandbox? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

Like some of you, I feel that RIFT's Update 1.2 can't get here soon enough. A good content update, in my opinion, has a little something for everyone, and in talking with Trion Worlds last week, I definitely got that feeling from this patch. The team is catering to endgame players with Slivers, build-enthusiasts with a fifth role, rift-runners with new types of dynamic events, and people who aren't content to merely spam my Twitter feed with accomplishments but must now do so from inside Facebook as well.

I'd be lying if I said I'm not planning on spending huge amounts of time assembling dashing and fashionable outfits for my characters once the wardrobe is in the game, too. I'm all about outfits in Lord of the Rings Online, so it's great to see RIFT bring this type of system into the game (unlike some other stubborn studios, which shall remain nameless). Players like to feel powerful while looking incredible, and this outfit system will hopefully allay some of the complaints of similar-looking toons.

Above all this in Update 1.2 towers one of the biggest changes to the game yet: the Looking for Group (LFG) tool. Designed to assemble teams of players to tackle dungeons and group quests, the LFG tool will certainly change how we play RIFT. Will it be a good change or bad? That's the $1,000,000 question, which I will tackle after these brief messages, by which I mean, "after the jump."

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups

Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT updates River of Souls world event

Justin Olivetti — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Patches, RIFT

RIFT's worldwide River of Souls event, starring the charismatic Alsbeth the Discordant, has been trucking in game for a few days now, but Trion Worlds didn't want to rest on its laurels even so. After evaluating how the event was progressing, the team added a patch yesterday to make a number of improvements and adjustments.

The biggest change is that the game is now spawning event-related rifts at a much-increased rate, to the relief of frustrated players looking for a good death rift and finding none. The update also encourages players to stay in level-appropriate zones by not counting closed rifts for the player if the player is far above that zone's level.

Trion added several new items to the event merchant, including additional pets and death-themed accessories. It's now easier to purchase these items, as the game is handing out Otherworldly Sourcestone -- the currency for the event -- in increased amounts.

The notes also indicate that players will have better chances at big rewards as the River of Souls event progresses, which gives us something to look forward to in the next few weeks! You can read the full patch notes over on the RIFT forums.

RIFT updates River of Souls world event originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion double AP event looks to temporarily revitalize endgame

Jef Reahard — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Events (In-Game), MMO Industry, PvP, News Items

Spend any time at Aion's endgame and you'll quickly realize that everything revolves around Abyss Points (AP). Hitting 55 is really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to PvE progression and the ability to be competitive in PvP, as you'll need plenty of pricey gear and stigmas to stand a chance. AP is so important, in fact, that even PvE mobs in the Abyss and Inggison dole it out.

Unfortunately for Daevas everywhere, the AP gods are undeniably stingy. Acquiring a full set of 55 armor, jewelry, and the weapon of your choice literally takes months (or even years) depending on how much AP you manage to farm on a daily basis. NCsoft is temporarily addressing this problem with a new in-game event dubbed For War and Glory. The event's double AP bonuses (and halved AP losses) kick off today and will run through the server reset on March 30th.

NCsoft is also tweaking the game's rifting mechanic yet again, and defensive buffs in Heiron and Beluslan will be removed until March 23rd (buffs in Eltnen and Morheim remain). Both events are part of the larger Spring 2011 Reactivation Celebration, which runs from March 24th to March 31st and welcomes back Daevas to "train for the greatest battle this planet has seen yet." Check out all the details on the official Aion website.

Aion double AP event looks to temporarily revitalize endgame originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Is dynamic content the wave of the future?

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Game Mechanics, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

With the recent launch of RIFT fresh in our minds, one of the key aspects of the game -- the dynamic rifts and invasions -- has a lot of people talking. For some, it's a breath of fresh air to encounter a virtual world that challenges the status (static?) quo by changing the landscape as mobs erupt onto the scene, fight common enemies, and charge into the local towns with the intent of conquering it all.

Guild Wars 2 is also holding high the torch of dynamic content with its shifting "events" that will change the game world depending on players' actions or inactions. Players seem intrigued by content that responds to their decisions rather than standing in place and expecting imaginations to fill in the gap.

So do you think that dynamic content is the wave of the future for MMOs? Should we expect to see more games develop systems that mold, manipulate and morph the game world around us, or is this just an experiment that will ultimately fall apart?

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: Is dynamic content the wave of the future? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do betas affect your enjoyment at launch?

Jef Reahard — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Opinion, The Daily Grind, RIFT

MMO betas get a lot of press these days, and whether you feel they've devolved into pre-release marketing campaigns or are serving their original testing purposes, one thing almost everyone can agree on is that open betas (and even some late-stage closed betas) offer a pretty accurate representation of the game you'll be playing at release.

This can lead to premature burnout (or at the very least, a bit of boredom once the game goes live), and this phenomenon is particularly noticeable if you play a lot of themepark games where there's a very definite character progression path and an optimum route from zone to zone.

Titles like RIFT can build a lot of positive buzz by inviting tire-kickers in to "test" early and often, but the strategy could conceivably backfire if folks feel they've played their fill prior to release. What about you Massively folk? Do you scale back your beta activities so as not to spoil a game's launch, or do you go all out and play a beta as you would a live game?

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 betas affect your enjoyment at launch? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion releases new RIFT CG cinematic

Jef Reahard — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

If it wasn't already apparent that Trion Worlds is spending a lot of money on its new RIFT MMORPG, one look at the game's newest trailer should erase all doubts. Up to now, the title's teaser videos have featured in-game footage which, while undeniably pretty, frankly pale in comparison to the CG trailer Trion has just released.

The clip features a tense chase and eventual standoff between a pair of Defiants and a Guardian, followed by the activation of an awe-inspiring rift and the arrival of its nasty denizens. As per MMO custom these days, the entire production is liberally laced with over-the-top violence, and serves to amp up the excitement level for fans of fantasy-related combat. Check out all the details after the break and let us know what you think in the comments.

Continue reading Trion releases new RIFT CG cinematic

Trion releases new RIFT CG cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT reveals a new dungeon with The Fall of Lantern Hook

Jef Reahard — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Lore, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

The ooohs and ahhhs continue courtesy of Trion's RIFT, and the fantasy MMO is ramping up for its fifth beta event this week. Along with the recently announced public grouping feature, Trion is also spilling the beans regarding a new dungeon called Lantern Hook.

In a new lore piece released today, we get a taste of how dire the situation on Telara truly is and how the fate of the realm hinges on the actions of the few Ascended brave enough to challenge the fiery depths of the dungeon. Lantern Hook is located in the Droughtlands, and swimming to the bottom of an enchanted well there will transport players to "a nightmare world of endless flame," complete with kobolds and yes, a dragon. This particular dragon is known as Maelforge, and you can read more about his dark designs for Telara's future after the cut.

Continue reading RIFT reveals a new dungeon with The Fall of Lantern Hook

RIFT reveals a new dungeon with The Fall of Lantern Hook originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plan your perfect character with the RIFT soul calculator

Jef Reahard — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Culture, Game Mechanics, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

One of the greatest strengths of any MMORPG is its community. Regardless of the size of a title's playerbase, it's practically a given that the demographics will include folks with the skills (and the goodwill) to make the experience better for everyone. Usually this happens free of charge in the form of web-based tools and analysis, and the latest case in point comes to us courtesy of ZAM and its new RIFT soul calculator.

The tool allows rifters to experiment with builds all the way up to the game's level 50 cap (even though RIFT's current beta phase doesn't allow for endgame play). ZAM's announcement post carries a beta qualifier of its own, as the soul calculator is still under development and may feature a lingering bug or two.

RIFT is a subscription-based fantasy MMO developed by Trion Worlds which launches on March 1st. You can learn more about the game and sign up for beta via the official website.

Plan your perfect character with the RIFT soul calculator originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT reveals Warrior build-your-class video

Jef Reahard — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

The video hits keep on coming for Trion Worlds' RIFT, though this time the video in question is aimed at stat geeks and mechanics aficionados intrigued by the game's build-a-class-for-any-situation marketing angle. The two-minute clip breaks down the game's four base archetypes (Warrior, Cleric, Mage, and Rogue) and lays out the dozens of possible souls and skill trees for the Warrior via some flashy animation.

There's a bit of gameplay footage thrown in for good measure, and you'll glimpse what looks to be some open world combat as well as a good old-fashioned dungeon crawl. The clip also boasts a few of the graphical ooohs and ahhhs we've come to expect from Trion's forthcoming fantasy MMO. Check it out after the break, and hit up the official RIFT website for more info.

Continue reading RIFT reveals Warrior build-your-class video

RIFT reveals Warrior build-your-class video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next RIFT beta event begins January 25th

Jef Reahard — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (In-Game), New Titles, News Items, RIFT

The dust is still settling from last week's "Warfronts" beta event, but Trion Worlds is already gearing up for the next RIFT-related shindig. The latest round of testing will commence on Tuesday, January 25th at 10:00 a.m. PST, with a wrap date of Friday, January 28th (also at 10:00 a.m. PST). For those keeping score, this marks the fifth RIFT beta preview to date, and the new event (titled "Battle of the Ascended") brings several additional features to the world of Telara.

Among them will be a raised level cap (30), the Scarlet Gorge zone, and a new dungeon called Foul Cascade. Trion is also trumpeting the fact that beta players logged over a million hours of playtime during last week's "Warfronts" event, and today's press release also mentions that the Codex PvP warfronts will continue to be available in the next round.

Next RIFT beta event begins January 25th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT looks at Scarwood Reach

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, New Titles, Previews, News Items, RIFT

Whether or not you're looking forward to RIFT, it's hard to deny that the game makes great use of setting. The latest region revealed, Scarwood Reach, is haunting and evocative in both backstory and current events. Once an enchanted forest covered in the majestic granitewood trees, the woods have been logged to their demise, with only scattered pockets of trees remaining as a testament to what once was. But the servants of Greenscale seek to undo the damage in the only way possible -- by opening a portal to the Plane of Life that might swallow Telara whole.

Aside from the abandoned shrines and local creatures harmed by the mad rush for wood and the abandonment of old traditions, the explosion of unfiltered Life at the heart of what was once forest is equally toxic. Even apart from the rifts that occasionally blossom, the forest is beset by creatures unseen in this land, coupled with crawling roots that bring searing and unwelcome new life to the barren landscape. Take a look at the gallery for a quartet of preview images, a fine preparation for the maddening environment that RIFT's damaged forest remnants are poised to deliver.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

RIFT looks at Scarwood Reach originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, MMO Industry, RIFT

"We're not in Azeroth anymore," Trion Worlds' new TV commercial proclaims before a rift gobbles up the words. This 30-second spot for RIFT features a hero opening a rift with a jewel, a dragon roaring, an ogre on the warpath, and adventurers gearing up for the fight. The commercial ends with an invitation to pre-order the game.

This comes hot on the heels of RIFT's launch date announcement and signifies the next step up for Trion Worlds' marketing department. You can watch the new TV spot after the jump!

Continue reading Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW

Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion profiles RIFT's Freemarch zone

Brendan Drain — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lore, News Items, RIFT

Throughout this month, Trion Worlds has been regularly releasing new information on its upcoming fantasy MMO RIFT. With the NDA having been lifted on the first two rounds of closed beta events, excitement has really started to build for what could potentially be a fun and polished MMO. The game's third closed beta event is already underway, allowing selected testers to play through the first 20 levels and explore the new Silverwood and Freemarch zones. For anyone who didn't make it into the third RIFT beta event, Trion has now released several screenshots and pieces of concept art on the Freemarch zone to give us an idea of what we can expect from it.

Freemarch is a zone with a chilling storyline. Home of the Defiant faction, its coasts are ravaged by the slimy monsters that clamber out from dangerous water rifts. Its fertile rolling fields are now ravaged by death rifts, and the once-grand Port Scion is completely overrun with the Deathtouched. "Freemarch is the heart of the Defiant faction," Trion tells us. "Their wondrous city of Meridian stands by the coast, its back to the mountains, sending out waves of Defiant to keep Freemarch free. Yet every day new rifts open, new monsters emerge, and the laughter of cultists grows ever more confident and shrill. Undead claw their way from their graves to feast on the living and raze farmsteads, turning the heartland black."

Stay tuned to Massively's coverage of RIFT for more updates, reveals and impressions from the beta tests.

Gallery: RIFT: Location Reveals

Trion profiles RIFT's Freemarch zone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT beta 3 patch notes show major soul changes and more

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Patches, RIFT

RIFT's third beta event kicks off today, and Trion Worlds has the novel-sized patch notes to prove that the team's been busy. Many fan sites rushed to repost the beta forum notes, which is allowed now that the NDA has dropped.

The biggest change that previous players will see concerns the much-ballyhooed soul system, RIFT's flexible character builder. Previously, players would get only one of three souls at the start, with another at level five, and gain soul points at the rate of one per level. With Beta 3, this has been changed so that you can pick from all of your archetype's souls at the start and will leave the beginner area with three souls instead of two. In addition, Trion is handing out an extra soul point every third level, bringing the total number of soul points for a level 50 character up to 66.

Of course, souls aren't the only focus of this patch. Among the many changes are the inclusion of the rest system, the ability to rename your pets, a preview of the soul trees before you purchase them, and a number of new invader boss encounters for both sides. Read up on the patch notes here, and we'll see you on the battlefield!

RIFT beta 3 patch notes show major soul changes and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Does RIFT give you MMO deja vu?

Jef Reahard — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, EverQuest II, New Titles, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Vanguard, The Daily Grind, RIFT

The RIFT hype-o-meter is exploding, and of course Massively's got you covered with first impressions, level guides, news, and everything else Trion-centric. As we look around the MMOsphere, one thing we've noticed is that a lot of the press reviews and forum posts share a feeling of deja vu. For good or ill, RIFT seems to remind many of us of earlier games, or at the very least, pieces of them. We've heard sentiments ranging from "WoW and WAR had a baby," to "EQ2.5," to "it's like Vanguard."

Vanguard? Really?

In any event, we're curious to know your take, Massively readers. With the recent NDA drop, we're even more curious since we won't get scolded for soliciting your opinions. So let's have them. What game does RIFT remind you of? Is that a good or a bad thing?

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: Does RIFT give you MMO deja vu? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, Interviews, RIFT

This is, by any measure, a busy week for RIFT. Fresh off the second beta event, Trion Worlds has dropped the NDA for the game and announced a third beta to take place over the holidays. As the process speeds exponentially faster toward launch, Scott Hartsman and his team have a white-knuckled grip on RIFT for all the bumps, shimmies, dips and hills that such a high-profile title offers.

Even with a heaping amount of work on its plate, the team has been willing to share its passion for RIFT with the press and community. During this slight lull between betas two and three, Hartsman sat down with us over the phone to jaw about lessons learned from the beta, why Trion has dropped the NDA, how RIFT's already made history, and when we might be seeing this game on the shelves.

Hit the jump and let's do this thing. As Hartsman is fond of saying about the game, "S**t just got real."

Continue reading RIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman

RIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion Worlds reveals RIFT's Plane of Earth

Jef Reahard — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

Trion Worlds is busily prepping its RIFT beta client for another onslaught of tire-kick... er, testers in a few days. Luckily for us, the development studio is still finding the time to release juicy bits of info related to the game's titular rift mechanics. We've already seen reveals covering the Planes of Air and Water, and today we're treated to a look at the Plane of earth.

The Plane of Earth, as the name suggests, is all about the ground. Whether that ground is desert sand, crystalline stone, or gravity-defying rock formations, there's plenty to look at in our gallery below, as well as plenty to read about in the lore-centric text after the cut.

Gallery: RIFT: Location Reveals

Continue reading Trion Worlds reveals RIFT's Plane of Earth

Trion Worlds reveals RIFT's Plane of Earth originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion Worlds v. Palladium lawsuit draws to a close

Jef Reahard — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, News Items, RIFT

The long-running legal skirmish between MMORPG maker Trion Worlds and pen-and-paper RPG publisher Palladium Books is apparently drawing to a close. Trask over at LivingDice.com brings us word that the two parties have submitted a "Joint Stipulation of Dismissal," which in a nutshell, closes all claims and counterclaims and stipulates that both parties will cover their own legal costs.

Trask goes on to speculate that the final settlement may never be known, as the joint filing effectively ends the lawsuit behind closed doors and casts doubt on whether either party would gain much by making the details public. The lawsuit was originally filed last May and centered on trademark infringement regarding the Rifts name as used by Trion in their forthcoming Rift: Planes of Telara MMORPG.

Trion Worlds v. Palladium lawsuit draws to a close originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion Worlds reveals the Plane of Water

Jef Reahard — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Lore, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

What are the rifts? It's one of those burning questions, maybe not quite on the level of what is the Matrix or who is John Galt, but it's up there nonetheless. In an attempt to answer it -- or if you prefer, get people talking -- Trion Worlds has just released a bit of information on the Plane of Water in its upcoming Rift: Planes of Telara MMORPG.

Telara is a world being ripped asunder by various and sundry dimensional corridors called rifts, each of them bringing new challenges, trials, and tribulations to adventurers throughout the realm. "A water rift can take hold even in the driest desert. Salt water rushes from nowhere and spreads into a reeking lake, from which tentacles rise and quiver in frantic rhythm. Toothed tendrils writhe from a rent in the sky, living creatures drown on land, and monsters spill from the rift like rotten fish from a net," Trion says.

Check out the full description as well as a video of a water rift in action after the jump.

Continue reading Trion Worlds reveals the Plane of Water

Trion Worlds reveals the Plane of Water originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft to probe Aion players' thoughts on rifting

Ryan Greene — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game Mechanics, Patches, News Items

Aion's recent expansion, Assault on Balaurea, ushered in a host of welcome changes, ranging from new zones to frightfully cute pets. Rifting, on the other hand, suffered tremendously. But the folks at NCsoft want Aion players to know their cries have not fallen on deaf ears.

In a nutshell, rifts are portals that randomly open between the homelands of the Asmodians and the Elyos, allowing members of each faction to venture into the other's territory for some PvP action. The original system allowed higher level players to pop into lower level enemy zones and gank the heck out of people. Patch 1.9 introduced some restrictions to prevent ganking, but Balaurea just about broke the system by debuffing rifters into oblivion.

The developers know players are upset -- and they have a plan.

Continue reading NCsoft to probe Aion players' thoughts on rifting

NCsoft to probe Aion players' thoughts on rifting originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: To rift, or not to rift, that is the question

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST

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

While discussing first impressions of the expansion and exploring the year in review in previous weeks, we touched on different changes brought about in Aion's Assault on Balaurea. From new lands, to solo instances, to increased kinah and XP rewards from quests, many changes have been heralded as positive and are enjoyed by the majority of Daevas. After all, who doesn't love more money?

However, one specific change stands out as an exception to this happy consensus: rifting. To say players have been expressive about the significant impact of one of the more unique and (dare I say) integral mechanics in Aion is putting it mildly. In game, on legion forums, and on the official boards (where the request for feedback thread stands at 96 pages and counting), Daevas are conveying their delight and their anguish, as well as playing a few rounds of the ever-popular blame game.

Has rifting gone the way of the dodo, or can it be brought back from the brink of extinction? Rift past the cut to see some thoughts and ideas on the matter and chime in with your own.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: To rift, or not to rift, that is the question

Wings Over Atreia: To rift, or not to rift, that is the question originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rift character creation detailed, with HD videos

Jef Reahard — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, New Titles, News Items, Hands-On, RIFT

We here at Massively are becoming ever more excited for Rift: Planes of Telara. The more information that Trion Worlds reveals about the upcoming fantasy MMORPG, the more we crave. Ciovala, webmaster of Riftnexus.com, sends word of a new hands-on review of the title from the recent Gamescom 2010 in Cologne, Germany.

The initial segment of the multi-part article touches on aspects of character creation and the title's user interface, with more to follow on the game world and gameplay in future installments. Much like we did with our own recent Rift hands-on, the reviewer came away impressed. The piece also features two high-definition video segments, both dealing with character customization and both viewable after the cut or on YouTube.

Continue reading Rift character creation detailed, with HD videos

Rift character creation detailed, with HD videos originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

Brianna Royce — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, Opinion, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), RIFT

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newest Rift trailer highlights Telara's Defiant faction

Rubi Bayer — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Lore, RIFT

Opposing factions are a familiar story in the world of MMOs, and the creators of Rift: Planes of Telara are bringing their own world conflict to the forefront with their latest trailer.

The Defiant faction of Telara have grown tired of what they view as sitting around waiting on the gods and their representatives to defend them. "The gods have failed us too many times." The Defiant are taking matters into their own hands, using forbidden technology to take the fight to whatever lies beyond the rifts.

Follow along after the jump for a look at the trailer, and check out the full story of the Defiant (and the opposing Guardian faction) on the official Rift: Planes of Telara page.

Continue reading Newest Rift trailer highlights Telara's Defiant faction

Newest Rift trailer highlights Telara's Defiant faction originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Palladium Books sues Trion Worlds over "Rifts" title

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: News Items, Legal, RIFT

Back at the end of April, we heard a fair amount of news from Trion Worlds, including the name change of Heroes of Telara. The name change came about during testing and development as the game's portals or "rifts" emerged as a central feature of the game, inspiring the new name Rift: Planes of Telara.

Evidently MMO fans weren't the only ones that heard this news. Palladium Books has filed a lawsuit citing trademark infringement of the name of Palladium's popular long-standing RPG, similarly titled "Rifts." If you're unfamiliar with the title, Palladium's version of Rifts is a PnP game centered around rifts that open on earth, exposing the players to monsters and elements from many other lands -- a very familiar concept. Rifts is Palladium's primary and most familiar IP, so they are understandably anxious to protect it.

Not much is known about the lawsuit at this point other than "it was filed." Basic details such as the parties involved and Palladium's sources are available, and we'll keep our eye out for more information over the next few weeks.

Breaking: Palladium Books sues Trion Worlds over "Rifts" title originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, New Titles, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), RIFT

While Trion was happy to announce the name change for Heroes of Telara to Rift: Planes of Telara, we were stoked to be able to get our hands on the game for the first time and really see it in motion. We've heard all this talk about delivering dynamic content, high quality "HD content," a deep back story, and an evolving world. But, could Trion deliver all of the hype they were promising?

Well, if the titular rifts are any indication of how the rest of the game will progress, then this game seems to be in good hands. Join us as we pilot a cleric through the dangers of Telara, take on a rift from the Plane of Life, and learn just what makes Telara tick.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

Continue reading Massively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara

Massively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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