Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 is getting a refer-a-friend free trial weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/guild-wars-2-is-getting-a-refer-a-friend-free-trial-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/guild-wars-2-is-getting-a-refer-a-friend-free-trial-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/guild-wars-2-is-getting-a-refer-a-friend-free-trial-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 to get a referafriend free trial weekend
If you have friends that have been on the fence about playing Guild Wars 2 with you, ArenaNet is offering the perfect opportunity to get them in to check out the game for themselves. Starting on Monday, November 12th, players will be able to invite up to three friends to join them in the world of Tyria. The friends can then enjoy a free trial period running Thursday, November 15th through Sunday the 18th, conveniently coinciding with the Lost Shores event.

All accounts in good standing created before 2:59 a.m. EST November 7th are eligible to participate. We'll keep you posted as more details come in.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 is getting a refer-a-friend free trial weekend originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbreakingfantasyfree-trialguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftrefer-a-friendrefer-a-friend-trial-periodtrialtrial-periodtrial-weekendWed, 07 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[En Masse reveals a friendlier free trial with TERA's Discovery Edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/en-masse-reveals-a-friendlier-free-trial-with-teras-discovery-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/en-masse-reveals-a-friendlier-free-trial-with-teras-discovery-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/en-masse-reveals-a-friendlier-free-trial-with-teras-discovery-e/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

En Masse reveals a friendlier free trial with TERA's Discovery Edition
En Masse Entertainment has taken the wraps off a new trial program for its fantasy MMORPG, TERA.The Discovery Edition is an improvement of the previous version that increases the level cap and removes the seven-day restriction.

To sign up, you'll need an En Masse account and not much else. There are some limitations, however, chief among them a 200-gold cap, two characters per server, a level cap of 28, and max gathering and crafting skills of 150 and 100, respectively. There are also a few chat restrictions. You can see them, as well as the rest of the Discovery Edition specifics, at the official TERA website.

[Thanks to Davey for the tip!]

MassivelyEn Masse reveals a friendlier free trial with TERA's Discovery Edition originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studiosdiscovery-editionen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyfree-trialteratera-discovery-editiontera-trialtrialTue, 06 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xsyon opens free trial server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/xsyon-opens-free-trial-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/xsyon-opens-free-trial-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/xsyon-opens-free-trial-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Xsyon opens free trial server
If you've got a hankering for some sandbox action, but find the thought of a subscription up-front is a deal-breaker, then Notorious Games has heard your unspoken plea! The studio announced that a free trial server is now open to the public.

The trial server is the same game as the subscription server, although the separation will certainly protect those investing in the title. All you have to do to access the trial server is sign up on the forums, after which instructions will appear on your account page.

There's one caveat of playing Xsyon for free, however: The team plans to hit the big reset switch on the trial server every Monday. So if you're looking to preserve your hard work, you'll eventually have to subscribe.

[Thanks to UltimateCarl for the tip!]

MassivelyXsyon opens free trial server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfree-trialfree-trial-servernotoriousnotorious-gamespost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpresetsandboxsci-fantasysci-fitrialtrial-serverxsyonWed, 17 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Online welcomes back all former players for a free week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mortal-online-welcomes-back-all-former-players-for-a-free-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mortal-online-welcomes-back-all-former-players-for-a-free-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mortal-online-welcomes-back-all-former-players-for-a-free-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Why did I bring a horse into a cave? What was that all about?
MMOs change at a breakneck pace, but you don't always have time to check back in and see what changes have taken place. Mortal Online has just recently released its second major expansion, and the community staffers want everyone to check in and see how the game has grown, so they're giving you the chance to do just that. Starting today you can hop into the game and experience all of the improvements in Awakening for free if you previously subscribed to Mortal Online.

If you've played in the past but haven't been following the game recently, you might have missed all of the features added by Awakening, including new AI mechanics and a variety of new combat abilities. The free play period will last for the next week, more than enough time to patch the client and take a look at the latest update to the game.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip!]

MassivelyMortal Online welcomes back all former players for a free week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awakeningfantasyfree-trialfree-weekmortal-onlineopen-pvppromotionpvpreturning-playerssandboxstar-vaultstarvaulttrialtrial-periodwelcome-backFri, 21 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World unleashes free trial with earnable perks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/the-secret-world-unleashes-free-trial-with-earnable-perks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/the-secret-world-unleashes-free-trial-with-earnable-perks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/the-secret-world-unleashes-free-trial-with-earnable-perks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Secret World unleashes free trial with earnable perks
Have you been curious about The Secret World, perhaps after hearing about it from a friend or from reading our Chaos Theory column? Well now Funcom's got the scratch for that itch: a three-day free trial of the game.

The free trial allows players to do anything they'd like to in the game during that three-day timeframe, and it comes with special bonuses for the super-ambitious. Participants who complete 30 missions will see their free game time be extended to a total of five days and be treated to 1200 points to spend in the game's store. Additionally, anyone in the trial who tackles and beats the Polaris dungeon will receive a Whispering Demon Ring for free.

The signup for the trial is on the front page of the official website.

MassivelyThe Secret World unleashes free trial with earnable perks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingfactionfantasyfree-trialfuncomhorrormythologyperkperkspolarissci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedthe-secret-worldtrialtswThu, 20 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft won't raise free-to-play above level 20]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/world-of-warcraft-wont-raise-free-to-play-above-level-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/world-of-warcraft-wont-raise-free-to-play-above-level-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/world-of-warcraft-wont-raise-free-to-play-above-level-20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

World of Warcraft won't raise F2P above level 20
If you're holding your breath in hopes that Blizzard will relent and open up World of Warcraft's free trial to the post-level 20 experience, please, please take another breath. You'll die otherwise. The studio confirmed that it has no plans to expand its free-to-play offering past the initial 20 levels.

Producer John Lagrave said in an interview with CVG that the studio is content with the way things are. "[The free trial gives] a good sense of what our game is," he said. "You know, we looked at it lots, we looked at whether level 20 would give you a good sense of what our game is, and we think it does. There's also a lot of things in the game that are special that we want to reserve for our paying customers."

Lagrave pointed out that Blizzard has been beefing up the trial experience by including additional features that were previously reserved for subscribers only.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft won't raise free-to-play above level 20 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentf2pfantasyfreefree-trialinterviewJohn-Lagravelevel-20trialwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 23 Aug 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: EVE Online's new tutorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-new-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-new-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/eve-evolved-eve-onlines-new-tutorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
If you've ever tried EVE Online and couldn't make it through the cumbersome tutorial, you might want to revisit it. The new player experience received a huge update with the recent Inferno 1.2 patch, which visually updated the starter tutorial and revamped the rookie ships and free frigates players are given. The new tutorial is fully up to date, even introducing recent gameplay updates like the "loot all" button on cargo containers and the new interface for accessing agent missions while in space. A lot of effort has been put into the updated tutorial, but has it really made a difference? This week I gave it a try to find out.

Last night at around 6 p.m. EVE time (GMT), there were over 38,000 players online, and only 1,200 were marked as trial accounts. I logged in to find 2,800 players in Rookie Help, a mandatory help channel exclusively for characters under 30 days old. That means just over 7% of characters logged in at the time were either rookies or veterans starting new alternate characters. With only 1,200 of those characters being on trial accounts, a healthy number of the remaining 1,600 must have been recent signups on fully subscribed accounts. Even the most cynical player has to admit that these are encouraging numbers of new players.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I give the new EVE tutorial a spin to find out whether now is a good time for new players to sign up.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: EVE Online's new tutorial

MassivelyEVE Evolved: EVE Online's new tutorial originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>career-agentsccpccp-gameseveeve-career-agentseve-evolvedeve-onlineeve-tutorialfeaturedfree-trialfrigatefrigatesincarnainfernno-1.2infernokajattamissionnew-playernew-player-experiencenew-playersquestsandboxsci-fitooltipstrialtutorialSun, 19 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the difference between an MMO trial and F2P?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/30/the-daily-grind-whats-the-difference-between-an-mmo-trial-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/30/the-daily-grind-whats-the-difference-between-an-mmo-trial-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/30/the-daily-grind-whats-the-difference-between-an-mmo-trial-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Warhammer Online
Back in olden times when I sampled my first MMO trial, free game try-outs were short affairs. You'd usually get to play for a week, and then you were done unless you subscribed (or forgot to strike your credit card info). But modern MMOs are abandoning time-limited trials with increasing frequency. Games like Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft, RIFT, and now Star Wars: The Old Republic all allow gamers to play indefinitely -- but only up to a certain level.

The "endless trial" model has led to some debate among the Massively staffers as we try to suss out what, exactly, sets an endless trial apart from any other F2P game and how we ought to refer to these sorts of titles on the whole. It'd be easy to say the restricted level cap is the red flag, but if we latch on to that definition, then any free-to-play title with a level cap locked behind a paid expansion -- like Lord of the Rings Online -- could itself be deemed an endless trial, albeit one with a very high (but not max) level cap for free players.

Chime in on our debate. What do you think represents the key difference between an MMO that's F2P and an MMO that merely features an endless trial? Is it level caps or content or something else entirely? Or is there not really any difference at all?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the difference between an MMO trial and F2P? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgconquestdaily-grindeaelectronic-artsendless-trialf2pfantasyfree-to-playfree-triallord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmythicmythic-entertainmentopinionpvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republicthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptortrialtriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentwarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 30 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South Korea forces Blizzard to give Diablo III refunds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/south-korea-forces-blizzard-to-give-diablo-iii-refunds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/south-korea-forces-blizzard-to-give-diablo-iii-refunds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/south-korea-forces-blizzard-to-give-diablo-iii-refunds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

South Korea forces Blizzard to give Diablo III refunds
After investigating numerous complaints that Blizzard wasn't granting refunds to dissatisfied South Korean Diablo III players, the government there demanded that the studio do so anyway. The South Korean consumer protection law ensures a refund if there's a problem with the product that isn't related to the customer.

Many South Korean players were angered due to massive server crashes and high latency while playing Diablo III. The Wall Street Journal reports that 66% of Diablo III online traffic in Asia comes from the country.

As for the refund itself, there are a few stipulations. It currently extends to players who haven't reached level 40. If eligible, the customer has to file for a refund between June 25th and July 3rd. Past that date, Blizzard said that it will offer refunds for any players under level 20 within 14 days of their purchasing the game. The studio is also extending an olive branch to upset gamers by handing out 30-day trials to StarCraft II.

MassivelySouth Korea forces Blizzard to give Diablo III refunds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-day-trialaction-rpgbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasygothic-fantasygovernmentlegalmultiplayeronline-multiplayerrefundreturnroguelikerpgsouth-koreasouth-korean-governmentstarcraft-2starcraft-iitrialThu, 21 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Shopping for new computers edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/ask-massively-shopping-for-new-computers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/ask-massively-shopping-for-new-computers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/ask-massively-shopping-for-new-computers-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Well, have you tried turning it off and then turning it back on?
I'm not having a great year for computers. Back in January, my much-loved netbook passed. I'd been having trouble with my desktop for quite some time after I bought it, and I'm pretty sure the processor is the root of the problems, but at this point it's just going to need a replacement. The plus side is that means that I have a large enough budget to afford a much better machine than I could when I bought this one, so it's almost a blessing in disguise.

Of course, I'm writing this installment of Ask Massively on a computer, so clearly I'm capable of using such a device for important duties. Important duties like explaining why Final Fantasy XIV isn't offering players a free trial and why our comment system is experiencing a truly humbling bug. If you've got a question for a future installment, leave it in the comments below or mail it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Shopping for new computers edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Shopping for new computers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycomment-systemconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-trialglitchglitcheshumormassively-metametaopinionsquaresquare-enixtrialThu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA adds free seven-day trials]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/tera-adds-free-seven-day-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/tera-adds-free-seven-day-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/tera-adds-free-seven-day-trials/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TERA adds free sevenday trials
En Masse Vice President of Publishing Chris Lee wants to extend you -- yes, you -- a personal offer to play TERA. Don't you feel special? You totally should. "We want to open up to new players curious about the game with a free one-week TERA trial, as we're confident if you play, you will stay," Lee said in a press release (again, just to you).

Starting today, TERA now has two types of free ways for potential players to experience the game. As we've already reported, the first is the instant-streaming demo with pre-set characters. This second one is a proper trial: Players will get seven days to create their own characters and enjoy the world as much as they want during that time. There is a limit of eight characters on a single server for the trial, and without a subscription, players will be limited to a level 23 cap.

En Masse is confident that trial players will convert to a subscription if given that one-week hit of the sweet life. The studio says that players are currently averaging four-and-a-half hours of game time per day.

[Source: En Masse press release]

MassivelyTERA adds free seven-day trials originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-day-trialblueholebluehole-studioschris-leedemoen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyone-week-trialseven-day-trialteratrialWed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/exclusive-city-of-heroes-dev-diary-design-insights-from-the-mag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/exclusive-city-of-heroes-dev-diary-design-insights-from-the-mag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/exclusive-city-of-heroes-dev-diary-design-insights-from-the-mag/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

City of Heroes
Today the war ends in City of Heroes. Today players are taking up arms (and mutated plant spores) in the final battle of the Praetorian War, and it will be a glorious eruption of particle effects and superheroic feats.

The Magesterium incarnate trial is arguably the centerpiece of Issue 23, and Associate Designer Jeff Hamilton flew in to give us the skinny on this chaotic fight. You can get all the details on the Magisterium as well as an exclusive sneak peek at images from the fight, all after the jump!

Continue reading Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial

MassivelyExclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcontent-updatecovcoxdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playfreedomgoing-rogueincarnateincarnate-trialincarnate-trialsissueissue-23Jeff-HamiltonleagueMagisteriumncsoftnuclear-blastnuclear-craternukeparagonparagon-studiospatchPraetorian-Warraidsuperherosuperheroestrialtyrantupdatewhere-shadows-lieThu, 31 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic developers detail 1.3, free trials, and free transfers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-developers-detail-1-3-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-developers-detail-1-3-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-developers-detail-1-3-free-trials/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You know what would be nice here? Some backup.
Have you been holding off on trying Star Wars: The Old Republic until the game offers a free trial? It looks like your wait is almost over. At the recent London Comic Con, the development team discussed the upcoming addition of a level-limited free trial. You'll be free to adventure up to a certain point, but to get the full game experience, you'll need to subscribe.

That's the smallest part of the game's upcoming additions, however; the improvements for players who wish to play together include upcoming free server transfers as well as a substantial expansion of existing server caps. Patch 1.3 is also bringing the long-awaited group finder to the game to help get players away on party tasks in a timely fashion.

Patch 1.3 won't just be about playing together, however, and the developers also spoke more on the addition of adaptive gear and new Legacy perks for characters. It's plenty to look forward to for players of the game, so if you haven't yet taken a peek at the upcoming changes, you may wish to do so.

[Thanks to The_grand_nagus for the tip!]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic developers detail 1.3, free trials, and free transfers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfree-trialfree-trialsfuture-patchesgroup-playgroupinglucasartsnewspatchpatchespreviewssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.3the-old-republictortrialtrial-programunlimited-trialsupdatesWed, 30 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom - Comparing Age of Conan's free and premium services
As I mentioned last time, I'm currently test-driving the EU servers. As such, my Age of Conan subscription fee is spoken for, and my US server characters are now relegated to free-to-play status. Since I'm still deciding on an EU main (I just rerolled after getting a PoM to 22), I figured I'd use this week's column to take a quick look at my veteran account through the eyes of a free-to-play customer.

When AoC Unchained debuted last summer, I read the account services matrix like everyone else, but to be frank, I didn't pay it much attention because I'd always been a subscriber. In the back of my mind, I figured that anyone who's halfway serious about Age of Conan would want to sub up, and my experiences this weekend have only reinforced that notion.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaa-f2paccount-downgradeage-of-conanage-of-conan-account-downgradeage-of-conan-extended-trialage-of-conan-f2p-matrixage-of-conan-free-vs-premiumage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-account-downgradeaoc-advanced-ridingaoc-downgradeaoc-mountsaoc-unchainedaoc-veteran-rewardsbusiness-modelsconandowngradef2pf2p-conversionsf2p-matrixf2tfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-tryfreemiumfreemium-conversionfuncomgodslayerhyboriakhitaikhitai-f2popinionrise-of-the-godslayerthe-anvil-of-cromtrialunchainedMon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo III Starter Edition lets you play for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-iii-starter-edition-lets-you-play-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-iii-starter-edition-lets-you-play-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-iii-starter-edition-lets-you-play-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Diablo III - Witch Doctor concept
Not sure if you're ready to take the plunge on Diablo III just yet? Not to worry, as Blizzard has announced a trial of sorts for its highly anticipated dungeon crawler. The Diablo III Starter Edition will let you access the first chapter of the game (up to the Skeleton King) for free. You're limited to level 13, though, and matchmaker results are also limited to your fellow tirekickers.

Where can I get my hands on this fine Starter Edition, you ask? You'll need a friend who has bought the full game. Said friend will also need to fork over her Diablo III Guest Pass. If you're fresh out of friends, you'll just have to wait 30 days from the game's release (tomorrow), at which point the Starter Edition will be made available to everyone.

MassivelyDiablo III Starter Edition lets you play for free originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-3-starter-editiondiablo-3-trialdiablo-iidiablo-iiidiablo-iii-starter-editiondiablo-iii-trialfantasygothic-fantasymultiplayeronline-multiplayerroguelikerpgtrialMon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic hosting a weekend trial while plague expands]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-hosting-a-weekend-trial-while-plague/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-hosting-a-weekend-trial-while-plague/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-hosting-a-weekend-trial-while-plague/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Magnificent Seven Physicians? Minus three.
If you're one of the few souls that hasn't yet tried Star Wars: The Old Republic just yet, this weekend is your next chance. With the Rakghoul Plague racing across the galaxy, BioWare is inviting potential new players to take a look at the game from April 19th at 1:01 a.m. EDT until April 23rd at 3:00 a.m. EDT. As in previous weekend events, players will be able to pick up their trial characters and continue leveling them in the event that they purchase the full game afterward.

Of course, if you're already in the game, you're probably less concerned about new players and more concerned with the aforementioned plague. Darth Hater has assembled a guide for players including the latest updates to this ongoing world event running until April 24th, which should be more than enough to help players unlock rewards and see all there is to see during the outbreak. Just be prepared -- there are probably going to be a lot of new people over the weekend not fully versed in containment procedures.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic hosting a weekend trial while plague expands originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfree-triallucasartsrakghoul-plaguesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-rakghoul-plagueswtor-world-eventthe-old-republictortrialweekendweekend-passworld-eventTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare kicks off SWTOR's third weekend free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/bioware-kicks-off-swtors-third-weekend-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/bioware-kicks-off-swtors-third-weekend-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/bioware-kicks-off-swtors-third-weekend-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - agent and bounty hunter
So you still haven't played Star Wars: The Old Republic, eh? Well, BioWare's not giving up on you yet. The company is trotting out its third Weekend Pass Free Trial starting today, and you've got through April 9th to join in the fun.

As in the previous events, there's no payment or credit card required, and you'll get full access to the game's first 15 levels, all eight character classes, all the origin worlds, and your factional capital.

Also as before, your previously canceled account (or your previous Weekend Pass Free Trial account) is not valid, since these events are designed specifically for new blood. More details are available on the official SWTOR website.

MassivelyBioWare kicks off SWTOR's third weekend free trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfree-triallucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-the-old-republic-trialsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-trialthe-old-republictortrialweekend-pass-free-trialThu, 05 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bring your pals to The Old Republic with a newly extended Friends Trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/bring-your-pals-to-the-old-republic-with-a-newly-extended-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/bring-your-pals-to-the-old-republic-with-a-newly-extended-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/bring-your-pals-to-the-old-republic-with-a-newly-extended-friend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
The galaxy can be a big, cold, and lonely place, and BioWare knows it. That's why the studio has decided to increase the number of friends that players can invite to join them in Star Wars: The Old Republic courtesy of a seven-day free trial. Whereas before players were only able to invite a paltry three friends at a time, now burgeoning social butterflies can drag up to 25 of their friends into The Old Republic.

It's worth noting, of course, that the free trial period does come with some limitations. Friends invited for the free trial will only be able to progress to level 15, and trial characters can play only "on their Origin World, Capital World, at the Fleet, [in] a Warzone, and in their first Flashpoint." But if you've got some friends who are on the fence about subscribing to the game, those seven days just might be enough to get them hooked. So get out there, rally your friends, and get to conquering the galaxy.

MassivelyBring your pals to The Old Republic with a newly extended Friends Trial originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-day-free-trial7-day-trialbiowareeaelectronic-artsfree-trialfriendsfriends-triallucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictortrialTue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare: There is another (free TOR weekend trial)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/bioware-there-is-another-free-tor-weekend-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/bioware-there-is-another-free-tor-weekend-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/bioware-there-is-another-free-tor-weekend-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - You wanna buy some MMO story?
Just when you thought last weekend's Star Wars: The Old Republic quickie was your only hope for a free MMO story fix, along comes BioWare to tempt you once again.

The next Weekend Pass Free Trial period begins this Thursday, March 22nd, at 1:01 a.m EDT and ends on Monday, March 26th at 3:00 a.m. EDT. The company says its first open house was a smashing success, and just as they did last time, players will get to explore each class's origin world and faction capital. Pre-existing accounts are ineligible (as are accounts created during the first trial), and you can read all the details at the official SWTOR website.

MassivelyBioWare: There is another (free TOR weekend trial) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredeath-stickseaelectronic-artslucasartsmmo-storysci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-free-trialswtor-free-weekendswtor-trialthe-old-republicthere-is-anothertortrialyou-wanna-buy-some-mmo-storyTue, 20 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare announces free SWTOR weekend pass]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/bioware-announces-free-swtor-weekend-pass/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/bioware-announces-free-swtor-weekend-pass/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/bioware-announces-free-swtor-weekend-pass/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - nightclub district
BioWare has invited the masses in to try its Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO free of charge this weekend. Beginning on Thursday, March 15th, TOR's first Weekend Pass Free Trial will allow newbies who lack a previously active account to jump into the story-heavy online title, and the best part is that there's no payment method required.

The trial includes all eight classes, their starter planets and faction capitals, and PvP warzones and low-level flashpoints. The event kicks off at 1:01 a.m. EDT on Thursday, and it wraps up at 3:00 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 19th.

[Source: BioWare press release]

MassivelyBioWare announces free SWTOR weekend pass originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfree-triallucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-free-trialswtor-free-weekend-passswtor-trialthe-old-republictortrialweekend-passTue, 13 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Guild Summit kicks off -- and lurkers are welcome [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/swtors-guild-summit-kicks-off-and-lurkers-are-welcome/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/swtors-guild-summit-kicks-off-and-lurkers-are-welcome/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/swtors-guild-summit-kicks-off-and-lurkers-are-welcome/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
BioWare has assembled guilds from all across the world this week for a Star Wars: The Old Republic Guild Summit, and proceedings have already begun. Over 160 guilds have assembled in Austin, Texas, from places as far away from Norway, Brazil, and France.

The good news is that even if you're not reading this post from a spot on the summit floor, you can still tune into the panels and discussions via livestream. Today's events include a patch 1.2 presentation (which is coming "soon"), discussions about operations and flashpoints, and panels covering PvP, the Legacy system, the economy, roleplaying, guild features, and the user interface.

BioWare also announced its Friends of Star Wars program, which will give all current players the ability to give three one-week trials to others to check out the game. Finally, BioWare teased a new world events system.

Check out all of the action on SWTOR's Guild Summit livestream right now!

[Update: TORWars managed to record a shaky-cam version of the GU 1.2 Legacy video. It's now tucked behind the cut!]

Continue reading SWTOR's Guild Summit kicks off -- and lurkers are welcome [Updated]

MassivelySWTOR's Guild Summit kicks off -- and lurkers are welcome [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.2-patchbiowareeaelectronic-artsfree-trialfriends-of-star-warsgame-update-1.2guild-banksguild-summitlegacy-systemlivestreamlucasartspatch-1.2sci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictortrialupdate-1.2Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Has a free trial ever blown you away?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I enjoyed Star Trek Online at launch. I'm a little reluctant to play it again because I don't have time and I worry I'd fall back in love.
We all form opinions about games we don't play. That's just good sense -- it lets us figure out what games we're probably going to like or dislike based on what we've heard. But sometimes a game gives us either a free trial or the option to play without a subscription fee. And sometimes just that little bit of play is enough to bring us around from being ambivalent about a game to needing a subscription right now.

Sure, most of the time, the trial just confirms what you already know -- or worse yet, it turns out to be far worse than you had expected. But there's always the chance, however small, that you'll be floored by the game; the designers certainly hope that's what happens. Have you ever experienced that moment? Or have all of the games you've tried for free wound up being the same as you expected from reviews and previews?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Has a free trial ever blown you away? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actually-really-goodculturefree-trialgame-trialgame-trialsopinionsubscription-optionaltdgthe-daily-grindtrialtrial-playSun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT flags more trial servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rift-flags-more-trial-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rift-flags-more-trial-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rift-flags-more-trial-servers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You kids are going to have to get off this server, now! I mean it! I will turn this whole plane around if I have to!
In a rather surprising move for a number of RIFT players, it turns out that several of the game's servers have been converted over to trial servers. Naturally, it makes players instinctively fearful that it's the first step toward server shutdowns and closures.

But that's not quite what's going on. As explained by community manager Elrar quite some time ago, trial servers are lower-population servers that are essentially being put to one side for large-scale trial programs. Character creation for subscribers is disabled on those servers, and there's a message encouraging you to move to another server with a free transfer, but it's not a shutdown, just a ramp-up to a larger trial period for non-subscribers.

According to Rift Junkies, a total of 11 servers are seeing the trial tag applied, and players are encouraged to move off these servers by January 18th. If you've got a character on Belmont, Galena, Atrophinius, Crucia, Alsbeth, Estrael, Shadefallen, Sunrest, Freeholme, Dayblind, or Faemyst, now would be a good time to start planning for greener, non-trial pastures.

[Thanks to Celestial Lord for the tip!]

MassivelyRIFT flags more trial servers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitynewsriftrift-planes-of-telaraserverserver-consolidationserver-mergersserverssurprisetrialtrial-serverstriontrion-worldsThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI goes 11-11-11 wild]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Final Fantasy XI
You totally can't blame Square-Enix for taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime 11/11/11 calendar event to throw a Final Fantasy XI promotion. That's serendipity, right there.

With the "11 on 11-11-11" sale, the company is unleashing a thunderstorm of lightning deals. Starting off, curious players can give Final Fantasy XI a try for free for 14 days with a new account. If the sampling is deemed subscription-worthy, the full Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition can be purchased for 50% off the retail price. This package includes the core game, four expansions, three scenarios, and three Abyssea battle areas.

And while you can't purchase it today on the 11th, Square-Enix wants to let you know that the Final Fantasy XI Plus soundtrack will go on sale on the 15th. This two-disc OST has previously unreleased tunes from the game and PlayOnline. Players who snag a first-edition copy will also get a code for an in-game keyboard that will play a random tune when you enter your house. You can only preorder this right now through the Square-Enix store.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI goes 11-11-11 wild originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-11-11111111dealff11ffxifinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xi-plusofficial-soundtrackostpromotionsalesesoundtracksquaresquare-enixtrialUltimate-Collection-Abyssea-EditionFri, 11 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a walk through the underground in City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/take-a-walk-through-the-underground-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/take-a-walk-through-the-underground-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/take-a-walk-through-the-underground-in-city-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Okay, I am absolutely certain that my keys were down that tunnel. Unless I left them on the dresser.
City of Heroes players are currently getting to enjoy all of the improvements within City of Heroes Freedom prior to the change in business models, but there's more in the update. For example, there's the newest Incarnate Trial, which sends players deep beneath Praetoria to investigate the areas into which Hamidon is creeping despite Cole's best efforts. But this is a collision of more than just Hamidon and Praetoria: Statesman, Desdemona, and the Incarnates of Primal Earth are tied up in a search for Praetoria's Vanessa DeVore.

It can be a bit confusing at first glance, but the official site has just posted a guide to the lore and the process through the trial. Players will join up with Desdemona during the march through the tunnels, which culminates in a fight against one of the Seeds of Hamidon deep beneath the world's surface. Since players have the option to unlock the Alpha Slot or level the other Incarnate Slots via the trial, the guide should come in handy for players diving into the endgame options in the wake of Issue 21.

MassivelyTake a walk through the underground in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcovcoxendgame-contentendgame-systemincarnate-trialincarnatesissue-21lorencsoftparagonparagon-studiospatchespraetoriatrialundergroundupdatesFri, 16 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gods and Heroes entices players with extended trial, lower cost and a new class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/gods-and-heroes-entices-players-with-extended-trial-lower-cost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/gods-and-heroes-entices-players-with-extended-trial-lower-cost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/gods-and-heroes-entices-players-with-extended-trial-lower-cost/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gods and Heroes
Gods & Heroes wants you to play it. Like, really, really bad. So much so, in fact, that the Roman-themed MMO is launching a multi-pronged campaign on potential players in an attempt to rope them into the game.

The first prong of the campaign is an extended free trial. Starting today, players can check out the full game for a week by simply signing up on the site. "By extending the trial period from three to seven days, new players will have a chance to really dig into the heart of the game and we know they'll like what they find," Heatwave's Anthony Castoro said.

The cost of Gods & Heroes is coming down as well, hitting a more reasonable $29.99 for both boxed and digital versions of the game. Castoro hopes that this will help interested parties get past any financial barriers and will widen the playerbase: "The community has spoken and our analytics confirm that players really enjoy Gods & Heroes once they've experienced it."

Finally, Heatwave is adding a chunk of new content to the game, including the ranged Scout class and a free archer minion for loyal subscribers. The undead minion Batillus will be granted to players who subscribed prior to August 1st.

MassivelyGods and Heroes entices players with extended trial, lower cost and a new class originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-day-trialAnthony-CastoroarcherBatillusbonuscostdiscountfree-trialgods-and-heroesheatwaveheatwave-interactiverangedranged-classscoutseven-day-trialtrialThu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/soe-releases-new-war-of-zek-trailer-for-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/soe-releases-new-war-of-zek-trailer-for-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/soe-releases-new-war-of-zek-trailer-for-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - army of Zek
When poet and philosopher George Santayana wrote that only the dead have seen the end of war, it's doubtful he had Rallos Zek in mind. Sony Online Entertainment, on the other hand, has made quite a good living off of the fictional warlord god, and EverQuest II's latest game update bears both his name and the famous quote as its tag line.

The War of Zek debuted on the live servers yesterday, and despite some equipment and AA bugginess, managed to bring a bunch of interesting tweaks to EQII. Today SOE has released a teaser trailer to hype the newly updated game, and it's heavy on high-end content including Zek himself, as well as a cadre of raid-geared players hellbent on bringing him down. Check it out after the cut, and don't forget that EQII has also reinstated its 14-day free trial.

Continue reading SOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II

MassivelySOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eq2-gu-61eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playfree-trialgame-updategame-update-61george-santayanagu-61new-contentonly-the-dead-have-seen-the-end-of-warpatchrallos-zeksoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-war-of-zektrailertrialvideowar-of-zekzekFri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II beefs up its free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/everquest-ii-beefs-up-its-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/everquest-ii-beefs-up-its-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/everquest-ii-beefs-up-its-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EverQuest II
Sony Online Entertainment is going to great lengths to rope in prospective EverQuest II players, as today the company announced that it is vastly improving its free trial for the game. Assuming that you're not interested in EQII's free-to-play version, you might want to check out these changes and see if they're enough to tempt you into a taste or two.

The beefed-up trial includes two weeks -- 14 days -- of commitment-free play in the core game plus the first seven expansions up through the recent Destiny of Velious. In addition, SOE is sweetening the deal by giving trial players a Superior Experience potion that bumps up advancement for two hours as well as a Green Journeyman's Cloak that contains a respectable 25% speed boost.

It's a good of as time as any to give EverQuest II a try, especially since the much-anticipated GU61 lands on the live servers today.

MassivelyEverQuest II beefs up its free trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>14-day-trialdestiny-of-veliouseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifree-trialgreen-journeymans-cloakgu61soesony-online-entertainmentsuperior-experience-potiontrialThu, 25 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heatwave opens free trials for Gods and Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/heatwave-opens-free-trials-for-gods-and-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/heatwave-opens-free-trials-for-gods-and-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/heatwave-opens-free-trials-for-gods-and-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Following fresh on the heels of Gods and Heroes' recent content update, Heatwave Interactive announced today that it is beginning a free trial promotion. The free trial gives three days of access to all of the game's currently available content.

Anthony Castoro, CEO of Heatwave Interactive, states, "The free trial unlocks the Gods & Heroes experience - it's our invitation for anyone passionate about mythology and legend to immerse themselves in this epic adventure of ancient Rome." If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you can access the new trial at the official site.

MassivelyHeatwave opens free trials for Gods and Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-day3-day-trialfree-trialgods-and-heroesgods-and-heroes-rome-risingheatwaveheatwave-interactivemythologyromethree-day-trialtrialTue, 02 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dawntide releasing October 1st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dawntide-releasing-october-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dawntide-releasing-october-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dawntide-releasing-october-1st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While some games seem to be on us before we realize it, others are more of the slow-cooking rotisserie type. Dawntide is much like the latter, having been in open beta for almost a year now and marinating to sweet perfection before it announces dinnertime.

Fortunately, Working as Intended's fantasy sandbox title is nearing the end of its beta period, as the studio announced that it will release Dawntide on October 1st. You'll be able to get the client for free at that point, but after a 10-day trial period, you'll need to subscribe to continue your way in this MMO.

Dawntide's world encompasses over 500 square kilometers of ocean and land to explore and shape. The game is centered around several major systems: Crafting, World, Combat, Sorcery, Factions and Settling, and is rife with open PvP and skill-based leveling. We recently spoke with Working As Intended's CEO, Martin "Wiz" Anward, which you should most definitely check out, and there's a launch trailer for the title after the jump that's the cat's meow!

Continue reading Dawntide releasing October 1st

MassivelyDawntide releasing October 1st originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dawntidefeelaunchlaunch-trailerMartin-Anwardpvpsandboxskill-basedskill-based-levelingsubscriptiontrailertrialvideoworking-as-intendedThu, 28 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft's Rage of the Firelands brings indefinite free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/world-of-warcrafts-rage-of-the-firelands-brings-indefinite-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/world-of-warcrafts-rage-of-the-firelands-brings-indefinite-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/world-of-warcrafts-rage-of-the-firelands-brings-indefinite-free/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a display of what can only be described as showmanship (given the fact that we can probably count on one hand the number of people who haven't dabbled in World of Warcraft at this point), Blizzard has announced that the coming of WoW's patch 4.2 will also herald the arrival of something known as the World of Warcraft Starter Edition.

That's right, now that the Rage of the Firelands is upon Azeroth, the Alliance and Horde are going to need all the help they can get. Thankfully, the free trial -- which previously spanned 14 days -- now lasts indefinitely, though trial players are capped at level 20 until they purchase the full game. Do note that the Starter Edition does not include Cataclysm content but does include some Burning Crusade content such as the ability to roll Blood Elves and Draenei. And for those who decide to upgrade, the World of Warcraft Battle Chest (which includes vanilla WoW and The Burning Crusade expansion) is on sale for a paltry $19.99.

And of course, there's more to patch 4.2 than the Starter Edition, and our sister site WoW Insider has your bases covered.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft's Rage of the Firelands brings indefinite free trial originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-chestblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmfree-trialpatch-4.2rage-of-the-firelandsstarter-editiontrialworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warcraft-free-trialworld-of-warcraft-starter-editionwowwow-free-trialTue, 28 Jun 2011 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Universe going freemium this August]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth? Check. City of Heroes? Check. Which AAA MMORPG act is warming up to take the stage next on the free-to-play 2011 world tour? That would be LEGO Universe, and the LEGO Group has announced via press release that the kid-friendly building-block title will be joining its formerly subscription-based brethren in the freemium ranks as early as this August.

Interestingly, LEGO Universe will continue to make its money via paid memberships, with no microtransactions planned at this time. Free players will have access to a limited selection of game content for an unlimited period of time. If the trial content tickles their fancy, tire-kickers are then free to pony up $10 per month for full access.

LEGO Universe is also doing away with its physical media, as new users will find that the game is transitioning to a download-only model for both paid and free players. Full details on the content available to free players isn't yet available, but check back with us frequently as we bring you all the latest updates.

MassivelyLEGO Universe going freemium this August originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdigital-downloadsf2pfree-to-playfreemiumlegolego-grouplego-universemmo-industrysubscriptionstrialTue, 21 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scott Hartsman: 'Happy customers stick around longer']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/scott-hartsman-happy-customers-stick-around-longer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/scott-hartsman-happy-customers-stick-around-longer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/scott-hartsman-happy-customers-stick-around-longer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"Here's the overall philosophy behind all this: Happy customers stick around longer," Scott Hartsman said in an interview with Gamefront. "That's what we think. That's the beginning and end of it." It may seem like common sense, but for Hartsman and the team at Trion Worlds, it's a lesson they feel is easy to forget.

He cites this as the driving force behind one of the game's major upcoming changes: the ability to transfer characters between servers for free. Trion hopes that the character transfers will help friends connect without the obstacle of separate servers getting in their way. Hartsman said that the tech behind the transfer is impressive -- not to mention "instantaneous" from a customer standpoint.

Hartsman says that the team places a premium on talking frankly and frequently with players. If Trion doesn't always come across as perfect, he hopes that the company makes up for it with communication and sincerity: "We don't want to hide behind a big wall, and we don't want everything to come through a formal mouthpiece. I'd rather have us all out conversing with people and occasionally making a mistake here or there on the assumption that because we are talking to people more means that overall, things are going to be better."

The lengthy interview covers a wide range of pressing topics, from the "bumpy" River of Souls event to the LFG system and the free trial program.

MassivelyScott Hartsman: 'Happy customers stick around longer' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-transfercharacter-transferscustomer-servicegamefronthappinesshappy-customersinterviewlfglfg-systemlfg-toolriftrift-planes-of-telarariver-of-soulsscott-hartsmanserver-transfertrialtriontrion-worldsTue, 07 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion patch 2.5 goes live, free trial program introduced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/aion-patch-2-5-goes-live-free-trial-program-introduced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/aion-patch-2-5-goes-live-free-trial-program-introduced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/aion-patch-2-5-goes-live-free-trial-program-introduced/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's time to spread your wings and take to the skies once again as Aion's patch 2.5 (which we were fortunate enough to personally explore not long ago) goes live today. The new update from NCsoft introduces two new areas of content: the new Esoterrace instance and the Empyrean Crucible. Players will be conquering both of these new areas in style with the addition of stunning graphical updates and new character customization options. New skills and PvP gear will help players to triumph over their enemies with finesse, while the new mentor system allows low-level players to get a helping hand from their elders.

If you're not a current Aion player but you're still dying to take these new features for a spin, then you're in luck -- NCsoft is celebrating the new update by introducing a free trial program. Players in the program will be able to jump into the world of Atreia for 10 days and experience 20 levels' worth of content, all for free. You can choose your side and join the battle at the Aion official site.

MassivelyAion patch 2.5 goes live, free trial program introduced originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-emyprean-callingaion-patchempyrean-callingempyrean-crucibleesoterraceesoterrace-instancefree-trialgraphical-updategraphics-updategraphics-upgradementormentor-systemncsoftpatchpatch-2.5trialWed, 25 May 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perpetuum launches 15-day free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/perpetuum-launches-15-day-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/perpetuum-launches-15-day-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/perpetuum-launches-15-day-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perpetuum's newest expansion officially went live last week, and Terra Incognita brought a bunch of changes to the world of Nia. Chief among them is the doubling of the game world's size, and the extra space makes all the more sense when coupled with the sci-fi sandbox's new free trial.

Said trial gives you 15 days of game time, during which you're free to putter around in your giant mech, exploring six new islands and raining death down on NPCs and your fellow players. The trial does come with a couple of restrictions, namely the inability to trade or join a corporation. Other than that, you can build and fight to your heart's content, as well as check out all the new expansion features like the highway fast travel system, new modules, and a highly customizable event notification system. Head to the official Perpetuum website to sign up!

MassivelyPerpetuum launches 15-day free trial originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-zonesavataravatar-creationsbeta-zonescorporation-recruitmentexpansionsfast-travelfree-trialnew-modulesniaperpetuumsandboxsci-fitrialtrial-restrictionsMon, 09 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bring your friends to RIFT for free this weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/bring-your-friends-to-rift-for-free-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/bring-your-friends-to-rift-for-free-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/bring-your-friends-to-rift-for-free-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You have to hand it to Trion. It's pulling out all the stops to mitigate the dreaded one-month population churn that often accompanies a newly released MMORPG. First it was a series of live events and a smattering of new content for the title's 4-week anniversary, and now comes word of the Allies of the Ascended promotion.

From April 1st through April 4th, current RIFT subscribers can bring a friend, loved one, or any other type of acquaintance to the world of Telara for free. An ally code "will grant new players (excludes existing RIFT subscribers) a digital download of RIFT and access to certain features of this game during the Allies of the Ascended event."

Check the email associated with your RIFT account for further details, or head to the official website to get started.

MassivelyBring your friends to RIFT for free this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allies-of-the-ascendedfantasyfree-trialplanes-of-telarapromotionrift-trialtelaratrialtriontrion-world-networktrion-worldsThu, 31 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Perpetuum doubling world size, offering free trials]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perpetuum-doubling-world-size-offering-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perpetuum-doubling-world-size-offering-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perpetuum-doubling-world-size-offering-free-trials/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What's new in the world of Perpetuum? Well, free trials for starters, as Avatar Creations has officially introduced a 15-day grace period for each newly created account. Trial players will not be able to trade items or currency, and they also will be prevented from joining corporations in order to safeguard the game's economy from exploits.

Perhaps the biggest update in the world of Perpetuum is, well, the world -- or rather, the world as it will look in an upcoming patch. Avatar's official dev blog details plans to effectively double the size of the planet known as Nia in a patch "planned for about a month from now." The new territory will include six new islands (three of them safe zones and three free-for-all areas). All of the zones will boast infrastructure, NPCs, and materials, and Avatar plans on introducing missions shortly after going live with the update.

MassivelyPerpetuum doubling world size, offering free trials originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-creationsfree-trialsgame-world-sizemechmechsperpetuumperpetuum-onlinesand-boxsandboxsci-fitrialtrial-accountworld-sizeMon, 21 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryzom to go freemium on March 9th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ryzom-to-go-freemium-on-march-9th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ryzom-to-go-freemium-on-march-9th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ryzom-to-go-freemium-on-march-9th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you've played Ryzom before, it probably left a very unique taste in your mouth. Even after several years you would be hard-pressed to find an MMO that has such unique features as a weather system that actually affects gameplay, migrating mobs with predator/prey relationships, a skill-based system that allows players to explore many different activities, mounts and pack creatures that can actually be killed in the line of duty, and such a rich landscape, primed for roleplay! Ryzom is easily one of the favorite games of some of the staff at Massively.

For a while, the game featured a trial island on which players could achieve a fraction of the 250 max levels in the game, but that option was put to a time limit. After March 9th, however, it looks like new players will be able to not only leave the trial island but reach a max level of 125 -- after which all experience stops. Also, a player can continue to enjoy the game like this forever -- for free. It's essentially a unlimited free trial option, and it firmly places Ryzom in the freemium category. Don't forget, though, that the game continues to depend on subscriptions to make money, so feel free to use that option to unlock the entire game.

While there are still many questions, keep an eye on Massively or head to the official site to check it out. The discussion has already started on the official forums!

MassivelyRyzom to go freemium on March 9th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbreakingendless-trialf2pfree-to-playfree-trialfreemiumftpRyzomtrialvelvet-rope-modelwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedThu, 03 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lambda Sector trial on deck for preview in City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/lambda-sector-trial-on-deck-for-preview-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/lambda-sector-trial-on-deck-for-preview-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/lambda-sector-trial-on-deck-for-preview-in-city-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So you've got a newly animal-themed hero from last week's Animal Pack launch in City of Heroes and you're just not sure what to do with him. Well, there's good news -- the developers at Paragon Studios will be hosting another preview event for an Issue 20 trial on the test realm. The last preview event covered the previously announced Behavioral Adjustment Facility, but this test wll be centered around the heretofore unseen Lambda Sector trial.

Taking place on the test server, the trial will be running on March 1st on the European test server and March 3rd for the U.S. servers. Both events will also include a random code giveaway for all players in attendance, including new Animal Pack codes and the rare Rikti Mentalist costume. City of Heroes players owe it to themselves to check the times and attend if at all possible, as it promises to be a fun ride for everyone involved.

MassivelyLambda Sector trial on deck for preview in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-issue-20covcoxin-game-eventincarnateincarnate-trialissue-20ncsoftparagonparagon-studiospatchespreviewtesttest-eventtest-servertrialupcoming-patchesSun, 27 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Vault kicks off Mortal Online free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/star-vault-kicks-off-mortal-online-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/star-vault-kicks-off-mortal-online-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/star-vault-kicks-off-mortal-online-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

FFA PvP sandboxes are increasing in number, and with Darkfall hogging the spotlight, Earthrise recently releasing, and Xsyon gearing up for launch, it's easy to forget about Mortal Online. The indie title from Star Vault has recently announced a free trial designed to draw more players to the world of Nave, and you can try out the game for 14 days sans payment (or even credit card information).

Signing up is as easy as visiting the official website, and you'll want to note that trial players are limited to 600 skill points and a skill cap of 60. You can also get a leg up on creating your avatar by taking a look at the community-produced character creation tutorial after the cut.

Continue reading Star Vault kicks off Mortal Online free trial

MassivelyStar Vault kicks off Mortal Online free trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>14-day-trialcharacter-creationfantasyfree-trialmortalmortal-onlinepvpsandboxskill-pointsskillsstar-vaultstarvaulttrailertrialvideoThu, 24 Feb 2011 11:15:00 EST