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Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Aion, Expansions, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Allods Online, Wings Over Atreia, Guides

If the eeriness of the truce between the Elyos and the Asmodians in Aion's new land of Sarpan wigs you out and makes you long for a good old-fashioned tussle, you can always head on over to Tiamaranta. Although the entire zone is not open for PvP, all four corners and the center are cordoned off for your opponent-bashing pleasure. In fact, Tiamaranta's Eye is often hopping as both sides contest mobs and try to land one of the bosses.

But even if you aren't in the mood for a bloody round of patty-cake, there is plenty of PvE and exploring to be had in this ecologically diverse land with a variety of new mobs to see (and dispatch) and new tasks to accomplish. Not able to make the trip yourself right now? Join Wings over Atreia's guided tour and get a taste of Tiamaranta.

Gallery: Aion: Ascension

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Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Embers of Caerus dev blog talks sieging, Kickstarter

Jef Reahard — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox

Embers of Caerus has been flying under the radar of late (even for an indie sandbox title). Happily, the dev team has broken the silence with a new 20-minute video featuring Forsaken Studios technical director and co-founder Dave Belcher.

Belcher has a lot to say, the main gist of which is that work on EoC is going quite well. That said, funding is an issue as it is for most indie projects, so Belcher and his team have decided to try their hand at Kickstarter. "We're not a greedy bunch, the main thing is making the game and everything else is secondary," Belcher explains. To that end, look for an EoC Kickstarter page over the next few weeks.

In terms of gameplay and systems, Belcher spends a spot of time discussing siege warfare. He does offer a disclaimer in terms of the early nature of a high-level design, but he also describes sieging as "one of our key, killer features," so chances are good that you'll see it in EoC's eventual prototype. Head past the break for the full video.

[Thanks to Sam for the tip!]

Continue reading Embers of Caerus dev blog talks sieging, Kickstarter

Embers of Caerus dev blog talks sieging, Kickstarter originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2012: Bigpoint discusses the Game of Thrones MMO

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Interviews, New titles, PvP, Free-to-play, Browser, Massively Interviews, Massively Event Coverage, Sandbox

The Game is coming.

It had to be said. And for fans of George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, that one little phrase elicits some powerful and mixed emotions: excitement (to actually wander about Westeros) and dread (will it actually be Westeros?). There was even a collective cringe among some Massively staff when the announcement was made that Game of Thrones was becoming an MMORPG. Could such a complex world translate well into the virtual realm? It made the transition to television pretty well in HBO's series, but a free-to-play browser-based MMO is a whole other beast.

We're pleased to say that fans of the books and the series can breathe a little easier and even look forward to the upcoming title becuse it's going to be gritty, it's going to be gory, and power will shift like the winds across the Dothraki Sea. Massively was able to sit down with Jorgen Tharaldsen (Producer at Artplant), Alan Dunton (Public Relations Director at Bigpoint), and Rob Ollett (Executive Producer at Bigpoint) to discuss details about what's coming.

Continue reading GDC 2012: Bigpoint discusses the Game of Thrones MMO

GDC 2012: Bigpoint discusses the Game of Thrones MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArcheAge explores the possibilities of an open world in a new video

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, ArcheAge, Sandbox

Who would have thought that something as mundane as tractors could get us so excited? And yet ArcheAge does exactly that, as a new video from the closed beta shows off the latest model of drivable tractors, useful in both field irrigation and cargo hauling. Players are shown spraying down fields with a forward-facing nozzle, resulting in the quick growth of plants.

In addition to the zen and art of tractor pulling, this video briefly highlights several other aspects of this gorgeous game. It illuminates the creation and use of a trebuchet in castle sieges, underwater exploration, housing decorations, and painstakingly animated dragon-lion mounts.

While the video may not be in English, it's still a drop of cool water in the mouths of fans thirsty for this upcoming MMO. You can check out all of the lush goodness after the break.

[Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]

Continue reading ArcheAge explores the possibilities of an open world in a new video

ArcheAge explores the possibilities of an open world in a new video originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0, second verse

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Expansions, Patches, PvP, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

Encore!

You are my expansion,
My favorite expansion,
You'll make me happy
With a house and more.
You have to know, dear,
How much I want you!
Please hurry the expansion to my door!

Just when I thought I was getting a handle on waiting for Aion's sorta-soon-to-be-released 3.0 patch, NCsoft went and announced a slightly less nebulous launch date of "this spring." Our patch-to-be even has the auspicious privilege of having a name: Ascension. And you know a name means extra special! WOOO! I, of course, started a requisite wing-flapping celebratory dance, but my tune soon changed: As exciting as this news was, I quickly realized that the more concrete the knowledge, the more I wanted it to release already. GAH -- this wait is truly taxing my patience! There is just so much to look forward to.

Last week I regaled you with a stirring, soulful rendition of anticipation for 3.0. Together we explored just a few of the goodies in store for patient and -- luckily for me -- not-so-patient Daevas alike. This week the recital continues, and as promised, Wings Over Atreia takes another peek at more of the features coming our way and highlights some of the more tantalizing additions and changes, including new fortresses with their own unique siege system, XP changes, mounts, and more.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0, second verse

Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0, second verse originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArcheAge besieges us with a new warfare trailer

Matt Daniel — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Previews, PvP, News items, ArcheAge, Sandbox

We have no idea when the Korean-developed ArcheAge is going to see the light of day on North American soil, but that doesn't mean we can't stare at the pretty trailers and hope that it's soon. Today, the official ArcheAge YouTube page has uploaded a new video that gives fans a look at the title's siege warfare. Now, you might think that you have an idea of what a fortress siege is like. A bunch of players group up, zerg rush the fortress, and the last side standing takes the prize, right?

Well, not so much in ArcheAge's case. The video shows plenty of infantry clashing blades, but that's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There are catapults and siege towers and aerial attacks and more, lending a suitable sense of chaos to the entire ordeal. The objective of the madness seems to be the destruction of a crystal nestled deep within the defending fortress, though we don't speak Korean, so don't quote us on that. At any rate, it's certainly an impressive display of the large-scale PvP offered by ArcheAge, so load your trebuchets and click on past the cut for the full video.

Continue reading ArcheAge besieges us with a new warfare trailer

ArcheAge besieges us with a new warfare trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XL releases new ArcheAge combat trailer

Jef Reahard — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, ArcheAge, Sandbox

If you're already looking forward to the start of ArcheAge's fourth Korean closed beta test, XLGAMES has a new gameplay video that will probably launch your excitement level into the stratosphere. Though it's a short clip, it boasts a lot of siege footage (including some spiffy shots from above as player-controlled hang-gliders fly over the action). We also get a brief look at a few of the game's combat spells as well as PvE clashes with a couple of sizable boss monsters.

ArcheAge is a sandpark title being developed in Korea by XLGAMES and Lineage creator Jake Song. Thus far there are no public plans for a western beta or release.

Continue reading XL releases new ArcheAge combat trailer

XL releases new ArcheAge combat trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Anvil of Crom: Thanksgiving leftovers and what's new in Hyboria

Jef Reahard — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Anvil of Crom

What's up, Age of Conan fans? Hopefully all of you had an overindulgent Thanksgiving (I'm picturing clusters of barbarians hunched around roaring campfires, gnawing the blackened meat off the bones of whatever game animal happened to pass by).

For my part, I spent the last couple of days avoiding work, gaining weight, and catching up on recent news from Funcom's Hyboria. I've been a bit distracted with various online shooters lately, but I always find myself coming back to AoC because of its unique fantasy world and rough-and-tumble themepark mechanics. Join me after the break for a few recent tidbits that piqued my interest.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Thanksgiving leftovers and what's new in Hyboria

The Anvil of Crom: Thanksgiving leftovers and what's new in Hyboria originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible

Brendan Drain — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Opinion, EVE Evolved, Sandbox

When EVE Online launched in 2003, it was a barren game without many of the comforts we enjoy today. The user interface was abysmally worse than today's (if you can imagine such a thing), players with cruisers were top dog, and practically the only activities were mining or blowing up miners. The culmination of years of hard work by a small indie studio, EVE Online sold almost entirely on its future potential. When I was introduced to the game by an excited friend in early 2004 during the Castor expansion, he encouraged me to get in on the ground floor because he believed the game was going to be huge. Years later, I find myself introducing the game to thousands of readers on the same premise.

EVE's continual success over the years transformed a fresh-faced CCP Games into a multinational game development giant. And yet, for all that growth and all the updates to EVE over the years, the fact that the game sells largely on future potential is still firmly embedded in both players and developers. Players subscribe not only because they like the game but because they want to support development to reach EVE's true potential. Two years with very little iteration on existing features sent the message that developers weren't trying to reach that potential, but it seems that trend is soon to be completely reversed. With the newly announced Crucible expansion, CCP will be adding countless small features, graphical updates and iterations that put EVE firmly back on the path to reaching its full potential.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at CCP's plans to return EVE to the crucible and reforge it into something awesome. Those waiting for the third part of my look at the new player experience can catch that in next week's column, as Kajatta is enjoying his final week in EVE before delivering his verdict.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible

EVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArcheAge CBT4 will feature new continent, playable race

Jef Reahard — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, ArcheAge

ArcheAge's fourth Korean closed beta phase is less than a month away, and the testing window is shaping up to be both longer (80 days) and more far-reaching than any of the previous three periods.

In advance of the CBT4 kickoff, MMO Culture has released a new interview with XLGAMES head honcho Jake Song that was conducted at last week's G-Star convention in Korea. Song says the main goal of CBT4 is twofold: There is some bug-squashing and optimization left over from CBT3, and testing of the game's new continent should begin in earnest. While Song says that players will be able to occupy portions of the new landmass from the start, they should not expect castle siege functionality right away, as it's still possible that sieging may not make the CBT4 cut.

There's also a bit of info about the new playable race (the Hariharan) and a few other tidbits.

ArcheAge CBT4 will feature new continent, playable race originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual

Jef Reahard — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Sandbox

Yes, yes, Darkfall's getting a new siege system. You've heard this many times before, amirite? Well, today we're happy to report that the details are now public knowledge. Aventurine has jumped the gun on its usual Friday update window and posted the dev notes for the siege patch (as well as a lengthy PDF manual) on the Darkfall website.

Highlights include a breakdown of the new attacker/defender roles for clans, information on initiating and progressing challenges, and a bit about the new wager system. It's clear that Aventurine has completely rewritten the old siege mechanics, and the manual document touches on why such a huge change was necessary. "The key reason for this was to remove any hard limits imposed by the system, and make this whole aspect of the game much more open and free for all players to enjoy."

Aventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall under siege as of tomorrow

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Patches, PvP

Darkfall players, better stock up on Twinkies and Red Bull, because you might well be under siege by tomorrow! Massively recommends a hearty defense of pillow fortifications and cootie barriers to keep the enemy at bay.

In preparation for the much-anticipated siege update, Aventurine is deploying a small patch today to counter any sneaky players looking to initiate sieges before the team is ready. On Thursday, September 14th, Darkfall will go offline for an extended period of maintenance, after which the game will be brought back up with the new siege system in place.

Patch notes will be available tomorrow as well. The new siege system is designed to replace the issues with the old one while allowing the team to respond and tweak it as needed.

Darkfall under siege as of tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall update talks sieges, again

Jef Reahard — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, Lore, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Sandbox

Darkfall's much-hyped new siege system may actually see the light of day next week according to the latest Aventurine dev blog. We say much-hyped here in terms of the number of times it's been mentioned in one of Darkfall's traditional Friday updates. Players and fans of the FFA PvP sandbox are no doubt more interested in when Darkfall 2.0 is coming out as well as who these mysterious partners are that producer Tasos Flambouras occasionally hints at in the weekly news blurbs.

Alas, this week's announcement steers clear of reveals and instead offers a few more specifics on the new siege mechanics as well as a new concept art sketch of the revamped Khamset monster family. Finally, there's a short lore blurb to go along with a ton of unanswered questions.

Darkfall update talks sieges, again originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: Talking with Josef Hall and Todd Coleman, part 2

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Interviews, MMO industry, Shadowbane, Free-to-play, The Game Archaeologist

Don't miss the first part of this interview with the makers of Shadowbane, which we posted last week! And now for the thrilling conclusion...

The Game Archaeologist: What was the reason behind the free-to-play switch in 2006? Did this help the game's population any?

Josef Hall: Todd and I left Wolfpack shortly after it was acquired by Ubisoft, so we don't really have insight into the decision-making process behind the switch.

Todd Coleman: From what I have heard, it had a very positive impact on the size of the player population -- but yeah, I have no idea what it meant to the game monetarily.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: Talking with Josef Hall and Todd Coleman, part 2

The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: Talking with Josef Hall and Todd Coleman, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall blog talks crafting update, forthcoming relaunch timeline

Jef Reahard — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Sandbox

There may be a little light at the end of the Darkfall 2.0 tunnel if the latest Aventurine blog update is any indication. The entry bills itself as a crafting system update, but it spends the first paragraph or so giving fans an update on the revamped siege system (which is now scheduled to be done in about a week). After that, producer Tasos Flambouras says, "We'll go into more detail about more relaunch features and the production schedule."

So anyway, crafting.

In a nutshell, the new Darkfall tradeskilling system places greater importance on rare ore, unique item appearance, more customization options, and "more opportunities to excel as a crafter." The new system will offer mastery skills as well as a choice between six distinctive base designs for each weapon type. You can read all about it at the game's official website, linked below.

Darkfall blog talks crafting update, forthcoming relaunch timeline originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArcheAge videos show off PvP

Jef Reahard — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, ArcheAge, Sandbox

Following ArcheAge here in the West often involves copious use of Google Translate as well as wading through tons of difficult-to-decipher web postings. Fortunately, the player community likes to post gameplay videos from the sandpark title's various Korean closed betas, and today we've stumbled across a couple of noteworthy clips that aren't subject to the whims of online translation.

Both clips center around PvP, and though ArcheAge will feature world PvP in certain areas, the game also boasts battlegrounds for those who prefer less randomness. The first video features a Mage/Bard/Archer player in a skirmish against an invading pirate guild. The second clip takes place inside a battleground and features the same class combo again. There's quite a bit more footage on this one, though, and the 13-minute running time gives us a pretty good look at what it's like to siege a castle. You'll find both videos after the cut.

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ArcheAge videos show off PvP originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor

Jef Reahard — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Darkfall, MMO industry, News items

Aventurine snuck in a couple of quick Darkfall updates while we weren't looking, and though there's still no definitive word on Darkfall 2.0, there is an armor video and some nifty screenshots to sort of make up for it.

This week's Darkfall blog update is a short one, and basically pays a bit of lip service to the siege system that's still in progress (and that Aventurine hopes to have in final testing next week). As for the screenshots, they feature some closeups of the new "intricate leather armor" that took a bow in Thursday's short video release. The set is a bit of a departure from the game's grungy medieval aesthetic, with clean lines and some appealing sleekness but for the giant spikes protruding from the helmet and and limbs. Head past the cut to get a look at the video.

Continue reading Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor

Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Darkfall siege mechanics detailed

Jef Reahard — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items

Aventurine has spilled the beans on Darkfall's new siege mechanics in a lengthy blog entry posted over the weekend. Producer Tasos Flambouras writes that the "new system brings substantial changes to how sieges work, and will not only eliminate issues like self-sieging, but will also make sieges a lot more strategic, profitable and interesting."

How so?

Well, for starters there's the fact that clan size now affects your ability to initiate a siege, and actions against a rival clan city will require more members than actions against a hamlet (and trial accounts won't count towards your clan size). All attacking clans will also need to pay a wager, the amount of which is affected by several variables. First up is the target city's power level, which is derived from how many buildings are in evidence. Your clan's wager will also change according to how many clans are already sieging by the time you join.

These tweaks are the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and there's much more reading material at the official Darkfall Epic Blog.

New Darkfall siege mechanics detailed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aventurine talks Darkfall 2.0, character wipes, and more

Jef Reahard — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Expansions, MMO industry, New titles, Patches, News items, Dev Diaries

Last week we told you about an Aventurine blog entry that touted Darkfall's forthcoming update as a "new game." This week, producer Tasos Flambouras sheds a wee bit more light on the Darkfall 2.0 situation, but readers of his latest blog post will likely be left with more questions than answers.

To summarize, the new game is not a sequel but rather an iteration on all the lessons learned after two-plus years of operating and updating Darkfall. Aventurine now boasts a much larger dev team than the one that shipped the original game in 2009, and "no aspect of the game has been left untouched" when it comes to the revamp and relaunch.

Speaking of relaunches, Flambouras addresses the seemingly odd decision to incorporate Darkfall 2.0's extensive siege mechanic changes into the current game. As it turns out, Aventurine is planning some sort of epic end-of-1.0 event before transitioning to the new game, and sieges will play a part in the action. Finally, those of you who have already purchased Darkfall will not be charged again for the 2.0 client.

What about character transfers and/or wipes? That's a bit murkier, and though Flambouras says "it would not be necessary to wipe" in the new version, he also says that the topic is still under discussion. Head to the Darkfall Epic Blog to read this week's activity report.

Aventurine talks Darkfall 2.0, character wipes, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Upcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game'

Jef Reahard — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items

How does a fresh start in the world of Agon grab you? The devs at Aventurine have been making noises about relaunching Darkfall for a while now, but in a new dev blog released earlier today, producer Tasos Flambouras gives us a hint at just how significant the changes are going to be.

"This relaunch is not an expansion. It's a new game we've been developing in parallel with the current version of Darkfall. The scope is massive, and it has been difficult to stay on schedule after several unexpected issues," Flambouras writes.

So, yeah. Whoa. In our best Keanu Reeves voice.

The blog features some further discussion about a new siege system and a political map for the current version of Darkfall, but frankly we're still recovering from the previous paragraph and unsure as to how it all fits together. Is this Darkfall II? Is the current version going away when the relaunch hits? Inquiring minds want to know, and we'll bring you the latest on this story as we learn more.

Upcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Bribing for Balance

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST

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

Nope, this isn't a new game show on a cable network but rather the idea behind the latest program from NCsoft to help increase and balance the populations of the servers in Aion. In a game heralded for its PvPvE, keeping enough enemies around to ensure PvP is more than just a passing fancy -- it's vital to the welfare of the game. And of late, on some servers it almost seems as if Asmodians are just mythical creatures that Elyos tell stories about.

Although I won't speculate (here at least) on the decline, Asmodian populations have dwindled across many servers as has their participation in PvP. Besides the universal events that celebrated the release of patch 2.5, Aion has aimed some new (or revamped) events specifically at reversing this population trend. The basic premise is this: If you bribe them, they will come. The plan, unveiled in May, would encourage players to return to their furry-backed roots or even try some claws on for the first time by offering special faction incentives. Couple this with the free trial and the hope was that servers would see an influx of Asmodians and a return to the days of faction warfare glory.

Just what exactly are the incentives and -- more importantly -- how well are they working? Glide past the cut for details and to join in a discussion on the matter.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Bribing for Balance

Wings Over Atreia: Bribing for Balance originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city

Jef Reahard — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

GamersFirst is getting a lot of press lately due to its resurrection project on APB: Reloaded, but it bears mentioning that San Paro isn't the only city receiving some love from the free-to-play company.

Knight Online's capital city of Moradon "has risen from the ashes to be completely redesigned," according to a new GamersFirst press blurb. Moradon's architecture has been permanently redone, and the questing hub boasts a graphical revamp that reflects the city's rebuilding efforts following the destructive machinations of the god Pathos in Knight Online's chapter eight update.

Knight Online is a PvP- and story-centric MMO that allows players to fight for lands and castles in the kingdom of Carnac. Four character classes are available, and you can learn more about the Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage at the game's official web destination.

GamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp

Jef Reahard — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, News items

Aventurine is in the process of revamping Darkfall's siege system, and the devs are in need of your assistance. A new entry at the Darkfall Epic Blog fills in the details, and perennial coolest dev name contest winner Tasos Flambouras has published a snippet of an internal design document in order to give players a better understanding of why some changes are necessary.

Flambouras lays out four key points of particular interest to Darkfall's devs, and interested players are invited to leave feedback via the blog's comment system. Topics up for discussion include minimum numbers of active clan players, win conditions, timer issues, and automatic vulnerability. Head to the official Darkfall blog to make your voice heard.

Aventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall siege revisions, dungeon reworking, and more

Matt Daniel — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, News items

Aventurine has posted its most recent Darkfall activity report, and it covers quite a bit of ground.

The first highlight is on the studio's worldbuilder team and its recent work remaking dungeons and clan cities and testing a new lighting system which should allow you to see yourself getting ganked in a brand-new light (rimshot).

The art team, meanwhile, has completed numerous new assets including some truly towering trees, flags and banners, and ruins. On top of this, Darkfall players will have some new enemies to slay in the form of newly created monsters like the Imp. To finish this off, players will soon be able to pretty up their characters with the addition of fabulous new hairstyles.

The key piece of information offered is about the new siege system, which has been entirely revamped and is ready for testing.

For the full onslaught of information on all this and more -- including interactive map changes, blood spatter behavior (oh boy!) and racial/capital quests -- head on over to the full piece on Darkfall's official site.

Darkfall siege revisions, dungeon reworking, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hold the gates: Dawn of Fantasy dev diary gives an overview of stronghold defense

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, MMORTS, Dev Diaries

We haven't heard from 505 Games' Dawn of Fantasy for a while, but it looks as though the MMORTS is coming along quite nicely. In a first of hopefully several developer diaries, Lead Writer and Associate Producer Gordon Farrell shows one of the game's modes: stronghold defense.

Dawn of Fantasy players will be encouraged to take control of pre-built villages, towns, and castle fortresses and defend them from the enemy as the situation warrants. In the video, Farrell shows how these strongholds can be built up and defenses laid out prior to the enemy's assault.

The diary goes on to show a sample scenario of a player attempting to hold on to a multi-tiered fortress against the combined assault of Elves and Orcs. Each faction looks to have its own style and special units -- for example, the Elves wield giant Treants as siege weapons, whereas the Orcs have mobile towers and battering rams.

Even though the cavalry comes to the rescue, the defending player is soon overwhelmed. However, Farrell speculates about what you might have done differently instead. You can watch the full dev diary after the jump!

Continue reading Hold the gates: Dawn of Fantasy dev diary gives an overview of stronghold defense

Hold the gates: Dawn of Fantasy dev diary gives an overview of stronghold defense originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: As the Forts Turn

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:30:00 EST

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

Today's episode is brought to you by the letter QQ.

The remnants of battle could be seen wafting in the currents of the Abyss -- feathers both dark and light tumbling about. The victors shouted, drunk on the energy of conquest. The defeated limped off the battlefield, returning home to mend their wounds. Meanwhile, safely back in town, eyes glance at the chat box...

"OMG!1! We lost our fort! The world is ending, there is nothing for me to live for -- I am canceling my subscription!" Speedylips throws herself to the floor, body convulsing with sobs as she cries out in utter agony at the unfairness, the pure torture of it all, while all around her others are kicking and screaming. "WAAHHHHHH!"*

Not to be confused with Warhammer Online's trademark cry of battle "Waaaaaaggghhh," this cry* is the sound of desperation among the Daevas of Aion. Or -- in truer words -- infantile tantrums. Yes, tantrums. What else would you call it when people bemoan the change of fort ownership with vicious verbal attacks on others, excessive blame-placing, and numerous announcements of quitting that scroll by in LFG so quickly your head spins trying to catch the actual snippets of relevant chat? Yet this is the common sight whenever one faction starts losing some Abyss real estate to the enemy. And to be perfectly honest, I don't get it. In a game that is built on the give and take of battle, why do people get so put out when they suffer a setback? This is exactly what Aion needs to thrive.

I will admit, I cheer when the opposing faction turns out and succeeds in conquering a fortress. Why? Before you brand me a traitor, cut a swath past the cut and I will explain.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: As the Forts Turn

Wings Over Atreia: As the Forts Turn originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: What's in it for me?

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

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

That does it. No more Ms. Nice Wings. This time I am just going to unleash! Let my rant all hang out. Admittedly, I am not normally one to complain; I can see the good in most every situation, and I can roll with the punches like it's an Olympic event. But even my feathers get ruffled sometimes. It's true! And sometimes you just can't bite your tongue anymore or all you will have is a very sore tongue.

Now I know I am not a rant-master like Jef, but even fledgling ranters must begin somewhere. And this week, I found just such a place: immature, self-serving, can't-pull-their-thumbs-outta-their-ears-unless-there-is-something-in-it-for-them-gamers in Aion. You know the type -- those who think the world revolves around them. Those whose spoiled-rotten antics ruin groups and legions alike and who are the reason why many a block list is so full. They without whom drama would die a quick death and be a forgotten plague. They're the bane of chat channels everywhere -- they are the trolls.

Throw yourself past the cut for a look at some recent Aion tantrums and sure-fire ways to minimize the effects of blatant immaturity. Careful, though -- I cannot be held responsible for any resemblance to gamers near you.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: What's in it for me?

Wings Over Atreia: What's in it for me? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: AP bakery

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST

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

Get yer hot, fresh, AP cookies folks, right here! MMmm mm.

For those who are not as familiar with Aion or haven't participated in much PvP combat, AP (Abyss Points) are the currency by which special gear and items can be bought. AP can be gathered a number of ways, through both PvP and PvE. This week, Wings Over Atreia takes a stroll through the AP bakery to share with you many of the tasty morsels available.

While I had already planned on discussing AP this week, NCsoft's introduction of two new events (For War and Glory and Behind Enemy Lines) brought a new angle to it -- specifically, more enthusiasm and enjoyment! I've got to say that of all the recent events that have been held, these two more fully capture the essence of Aion and encourage participation in core elements of the game; small-scale skirmishes are cropping up all over. This is what the game is about -- clashes of light and dark wings throughout all of Atreia. I haven't had more fun in PvP in a very long time, and I am not even a PvPer!

How can you, too, take advantage of these great events and fill up your AP coffers? Grab a plate, join me past the cut to check out the selection, and prepare to gorge on some yummy AP goodness!

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: AP bakery

Wings Over Atreia: AP bakery originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Daevas of Our Lives -- The siege

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

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

The battle was sore. The sound of wings beating the hot air of the Abyss filled the ears of all of us, soldier and commander alike. Singed feathers, both black and white, floated about, as fireballs flew between factions, pelting any who could not dodge fast enough. Shadowy forms dove, weaving between the raining arrows, looking for targets. Sounds of steel clashing rang out as spies tried to sneak past enemy lines in search of kisks. The battle was immense, a sea of red crashing against us, trying to claim what was rightfully ours! We knew we must give our all to repel the enemy onslaught.

In the heat of battle, immediate decisions had long-reaching consequences; the tide of battle could turn on a single kinah. All voices hushed as the Commander, MrAwesumPants, issued the order that would bring victory, that would bring us closer to eradicating this threat upon true Daeva. One force was dispatched to take the artifact and activate it. "Do it. Do it now. Do it. Do it. Do it now. Do it do it do it do it now do it do it do it now... now... now... now... get it. DO IT NOW... come ON! Are you paying attention? NOW NOW NOW!! DO IT DO IT DO IT! NOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOW!!! Do it. Don't do it. OMG you *expletive* I can't believe you just did that!"

Everyone could hear the spittle dripping from his mic, spraying against his monitor. The hush continued.

Have you ever sat in a faction Ventrilo server and heard the siege leader repeat an order like a rapid-fire machine gun for what seemed like five minutes straight, then right as it is being accomplished, immediately rescind the order, demand his followers stop, then totally berate whoever followed the order? No joke -- true story. If you thought drama was just for individuals or legions in Aion, think again! There is a seemingly endless supply of siege drama to keep Daevas entertained -- or disgusted.

Settle back and tune in past the cut for the latest episode of Daevas of Our Lives.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Daevas of Our Lives -- The siege

Wings Over Atreia: Daevas of Our Lives -- The siege originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you

Greg Waller — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Waging WAR

We interrupt this week's scheduled career spotlight on Waging WAR to bring you Greg's impressions of the latest and greatest news from the floors of GamesDay: UK regarding Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the new RvR content coming soon to a theatre of WAR near you.

OK. So. Take everything you know about the Tier 4 RvR Campaign in WAR and press the "Delete" button right now. In fact, press it a few times. Actually, keep going. Keep pressing it until all you're left with is three pairings with three zones each, each zone containing four battlefield objectives and two keeps, and two cities as the capstone for each realm. OK. Now access that part of your brain that stores silly words and euphemisms regarding "the problem with WAR." See that entry for "Waithammer?" Delete it. "PvDoor?" Press the button. Actually, just go wild. Take every criticism you've ever had for WAR's endgame and just throw it out. We're talking total tabula rasa here (and not the ill-fated game). OK, stop. That should do. With an open mind and absolutely no knowledge of in-game mechanics, you're now primed to understand what I'm about to describe regarding the changes that are on their way, and more importantly, why I believe those changes are so critical to the glorious future of WAR.

If your curiosity is even remotely piqued, click the "Read more" button.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you

Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros

MJ Guthrie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Aion, Expansions, Interviews, Previews

Last week, NCsoft gave us a peek at one of the new zones in Aion's upcoming Assault on Balaurea expansion; today, we tour the Asmodian occupied land -- Gelkmaros. With fissures ripped in the very land itself and areas devastated by ancient battles (including the ancient city of Maravas), the Asmodians will find their stronghold treacherous, but not without surprising new allies.

Stranded in Balaurea since before the Cataclysm, the Reian tribe knew nothing of the war between the Asmodians and the Elyos until recently. These Daevas who stand watch over Subterranea, home of the evil Dragonbound, enter into a tentative alliance with their lost brothers and sisters from Asmodae.

As hostile as the land and creatures may be, the Asmodians must be ever vigilant to defend both the Vorgaltem Citadel and Crimson Temple against the assaults of the Balaur and Elyos forces, lest they lose the ability to travel with in their enemy's stronghold.

Once again, Massively asked Chris Hager, Producer of Aion, NCsoft West, a few questions about this new area.

Fly past the cut and through a video tour of Gelkmaros, then check out Chris' answers.

Continue reading Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros

Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Your journeys

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, Opinion, The Game Archaeologist

These days just about everyone thinks he has what it takes to be a Knight of the Round Table. It takes more than a shiny shield and a sharp sword, as the Game Archaeologist discovered. It also requires a $14.95 credit card charge.

Former and current knights poured out of the woodwork to offer up some of their very favorite memories of Dark Age of Camelot. It is, in a way, a better testimony to the game than an objective history and developers' opinions. For some, DAoC was their first MMO love, and more than a couple people said it was the single best MMO experience they've ever had. While many players have moved on, these memories burn bright, and it didn't take much prompting for DAoC vets to wing a quick word of praise our way.

Blink twice to clear out any eye irritants, and prepare yourself for a marvelous trip back in time to an era of hodgepodge PvP and fierce realm rivalries.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Your journeys

The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Your journeys originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST

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

Mergers have come and gone in Aion; the fabric of existence was ripped asunder, then rewoven. In North America, five new worlds now sit where once there were fourteen, and eight replace eighteen in Europe. Using the mergers as a springboard for their apocalyptic rants, naysayers cried out that the end of Aion was nigh, fervently waving their assertions and jeering at current players. NCsoft, on the other hand, quietly offered promises of a better world, catering to the desires of players for more conflict. To my knowledge, there were no Daevas flinging themselves from the spires of Pandaemonium or Sanctum, nor did any economy crumble and collapse. Fatalities were nil -- well, not counting any local qooqoo sacrifices made in the name of server harmony and stability.

So, here we are now at "doomsday plus five." How did things fare? Let's glide past the cut and take a look at the aftermath.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta

Wings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What's the one feature you can't live without?

Seraphina Brennan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind

So many different systems in MMOs, so little time. From crafting to combat, PvP to PvE, housing to sieging, many MMOs offer a wide variety of features to their players.

Yet, there's always that one feature that really makes us love our game of choice. It's that one thing that we all read on the back of the box that really ignited our imaginations and made us stick the game on the counter and pull out our wallets. Today's question is quite simple: What's the one feature that you can't live without in your MMOs?

When you narrow it down to one, throw it into the comment box below and share it with your fellow readers. Now, discuss!

The Daily Grind: What's the one feature you can't live without? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk pt. 2

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Darkfall, Culture, Game mechanics, PvP, Opinion

The keep, the keep!

"Fall back to the keep! Fall back to the keep!" called General Zodd Drow over Ventrilo. The outer walls were abandoned as everyone began rushing back to the keep to make a stand. While this would normally sound like suicide, as we'd leave our citystone undefended, we had placed the keep perfectly next to the stone. From there, people on the roof of the keep could easily fire downwards and destroy anyone who would come close to the stone, while the stairs inside served as the world's best choke point. Think 300, only with less spartans, more lolz, and inside of a keep.

From there our most armored men began to hold the steps while I stayed up top, picking off people's mounts and keeping casters at bay with my bow. We had an impressive grouping of archers and spellcasters, all doing their part to keep people below at bay or injured as they entered the keep.

Meanwhile, in the keep, the enemy losses accelerated while our losses dropped. Fighting was packed into close quarters with shields and one-handed weaponry becoming the focus. I peeked my head down to see what was going on and only found chaos. Attempting to shoot a bow in all of that was more dangerous than good, so I found myself back up top firing downwards.

Then, oddly, people began spilling out. Enemies began to retreat, firing one last wave of spells as they left. Our forces ran out after them, chasing for the moment as they left our city. Everyone relaxed on Ventrilo, happy over our win for the time being.

The second assault -- not as interesting as the first

Sinister relayed a message to us -- "We don't like to retreat." I'd feel that way too if I had just gotten halted inside of a keep and I was paid lots of money by a clan to make sure they won the battle. Plus then there's that whole reputation thing... eh... yeah, I'd be angry.

Half an hour later, they came again. There was one hour left in the battle as they came up the hill, and we were better prepared for what they had to offer this time. We also had a plan -- do the same thing we did before, but now in complete unison instead of panic.

They rounded the walls and started in on the wall towers, but we held faster this time around than last time. The force seemed smaller to me, but I couldn't truly tell with all of the insanity going on. When the walls looked too overrun, we moved back inside the keep again, doing what we did before. It worked a second time, and perhaps even better than the first. The attackers backed out of the keep, fearing a repeat, and began to stick to the towers.

That was, until, our forces rushed the towers. It was a bit silly to watch from my archery perch above. Three of our people ran in, then 10 of theirs would all rush out the other side. I filed it under, "things that made me laugh and shake my head."

Soon enough, they were driven back for the second time. It was at this point that our generals got word from Sinister that they wished to thank us for the challenge and the fun battle. The other clans stayed silent, for the time being. There was still 45 minutes left in the challenge, and we still remained prepared.

Finally, the clock slowly rode down. Our guards began to loosen up and joke -- more talking over Ventrilo and silly conversation. Then, as the clock hit zero and the game displayed "DRAW" in huge letters on our screens, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Air guitars were played (you can type /air_guitar to make your avatar play the electric guitar, yay anachronism) and congratulations were swapped over Ventrilo. The siege was done.

One final look back

I sat atop the keep for a while more as everyone disappeared, talking with some of the others about writing this up as a final feature for Massively on my time in Darkfall. I was trying to get a handle on the whole moment, as it came so unexpectedly, and I was still trying to decide if I liked it or not. The siege felt like a giant game of deathmatch, not really a siege. It felt uneven at times, as when I got caught in a fire AoE I almost died via that one spell. It felt fun, of course, as everyone dodged around and was being assaulted on all sides. There wasn't any lag or hangups, save for a few spikes here and there.

The game performed to expectations regarding performance, but I'm just not sure how I felt. I didn't stand up and cheer, I didn't feel awe struck. I felt successful, but I didn't feel like a winner. It's hard to explain, so I don't think I will attempt it.

I will simply leave the question, "Is it fun?" to you, the readers, as I have in the last column. It's not my place to tell you what you enjoy, and I don't think I'm about to start now. As for me... I owe Kend Drow some warbanding, so if you see Seraphina Azureveil, have the decency to wave before shooting an arrow through my heart.

Update: Apparently, Scarce Xrul has uploaded parts of the siege in his YouTube video, convincing his friends to join Darkfall. You want to watch exactly what happened? Well, now you can, and in HD!

The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Darkfall, Culture, Game mechanics, PvP, Opinion

So I thought I was done with my whole "month long investigation of Darkfall." Best way to end out the series was to include some PvP being lead by Wardragon Drow (*gasp*, a last name, and I'll get to that in a second) and then close it off there.

Well, sadly, Darkfall had one more surprise left for me. Or, should I say, the Blackrock Clan had one more surprise for me. A siege.

A complete accident lead me to logging on during the first contestation of our city, the orc themed Andruk. A siege stone had finally been dropped, sides were quickly formed, and our first war was on. No more drills, no more pathetic defense attempts -- this one was for real. We liked our city and we were not interested in losing it.

But with the siege came a conundrum. If I report the siege, it will be pretty obvious who I've joined up with. It doesn't take a genius to look at all of the sieges and come up with, "Which one was at an orc city?" So, as this is truly the last article in the Daze of Darkfall series -- the one where I get to participate in what many say is the capstone of the Darkfall experience -- I think it's time to drop the worries and be specific. This is my view of the Battle of Andruk that took place between the Blackrock Clan and the Brotherhood of the Spider.

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk

The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise reveals information on building damage and offensive structures

Seraphina Brennan — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, New titles, PvP, Earthrise

A small note of neat news has come out of the Earthrise camp regarding building defensive structures for your guild and the options available to attackers who might wish to destroy said defensive structures.

In the forum's question of the week, the developers have revealed that base structures will have durability meters, as buildings just don't "break apart" the minute they're hit by something. However, these durability meters will slowly decline over time, representing wear and tear from the elements. This will require guilds to make sure that they upkeep their buildings, much like a real mechanic needs to check up on a building's machinery every so often. This "durability decrease" is currently set to a very infrequent amount, so busy guilds don't have to be repairing buildings constantly.

Attackers will also have combat options, but these will come in the form of mechs and temporary structures that can be placed on the map. These options have nowhere near the permanence of what defenders can produce, and that makes a large amount of sense to us, at least.

Earthrise reveals information on building damage and offensive structures originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den

Brendan Drain — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Guilds, Lore, PvP, Endgame, Hands-on, Politics, EVE Evolved

Following last week's reassuringly popular article "Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers", our little expeditionary alliance has had an extremely action-packed week. In addition to several PvP encounters with roaming gangs, there's been a POS siege, a system invasion and a lot of drama. At the end of it all, I'm left with a renewed sense of awe for the unique experiences EVE Online can deliver if you're just willing to seek them out and actively involve yourself. At times I can truly immerse myself in EVE and feel like I'm taking an actor's part in a kind of intergalactic play scene, an experience I've never come close to in any other MMO. Taking part in these events is almost like being painted into an illustrative chapter of some historic record. In this article, I hope to solidify that record and share a glimpse of what it's like to immerse yourself in this part of EVE.

What follows is a storytold account of Total Comfort alliance's deadly week in the Sleeper's den.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den

EVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Siren server breaks 2,000 Aht Urhgan defenses on Final Fantasy XI

Seraphina Brennan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Culture, Events, in-game, PvE, Consoles

The city of Al Zahbi, the jewel of the East, is besieged on all sides. Her enemies build their reinforcements, storm through the outlying regions, and then beset their rage upon the walls of the city itself. But there is one hardened group of adventurers who will not let them pass -- who will not let the city fall. The Siren server.

Congratulations to the Siren server of Final Fantasy XI for having over 2,000 successful defenses of Al Zahbi without losing the city once! Yes, that's right, Siren is undefeated when it comes to stopping the hordes of beastmen from tearing the city apart. In fact, out of all of FFXI's 32 servers, they are the only undefeated server.

This also means that Siren has never lost the city in over three years of gameplay. Al Zahbi was released in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion pack, which arrived to all territories in 2006. So cheers to you, Siren, for three years and 2,000 defenses of Al Zahbi. Keep that Astral Candescence safe!

Siren server breaks 2,000 Aht Urhgan defenses on Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Siege jeopardy in Darkfall

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Bugs, Culture, Events, in-game, PvP

Nobody likes server crashes. They always seem to come at the most inopportune times. However, there is no greater inopportune time than during a city siege in Darkfall.

Sadly, an ill-timed server crash right after a city siege finalized in Darkfall. This lead to data not being properly saved inside all of the systems, putting the siege result into jeopardy.

Tasos Flambouras, Darkfall's producer, took a moment to relate the announcement to the community, and outline that the siege results will be corrected during the server maintenance. As a result, the city ownership will be finalized during the maintenance, and the game will move forward from that point.

For Tasos's full remarks, check out his post on the official Darkfall forums.

[Via MMORPG.com]

Siege jeopardy in Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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