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Strike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal

Matt Daniel — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2

In PlanetSide 2, wars are not won by infantry alone. Sometimes you've gotta bring in the big guns, and sometimes you've gotta attach those big guns to even bigger tanks that can turn unwitting enemy foot soldiers into a fine crimson smear on the ground. For those times, Sony Online Entertainment has announced the latest Nanite Systems vehicle, the Lightning.

The lightning is a lightweight 75mm tank that uses its mobility and obscene rate of fire to rain havoc upon the battlefield while avoiding enemy counterattacks. The one-man tank can fire up to six rounds in under three seconds, "allowing the driver to quickly adjust [his] aim after [his] first shot." The modular turret can be swapped out for a variety of other turret types for those times when you just want to mix it up a bit, and the Lightning's Skyguard turret is "the most effective ground-to-air weapon on the battlefield, as it's fitted with 40mm cannons with an elevation range of 80 degrees." To top it all off, the Lightning is one of the fastest ground vehicles, which makes it just as useful for tactical retreats as it is for vehicular manslaughter. The vehicle will be available to all three factions, so no matter which side you're fighting for, you can rest assured that you'll have some speedy firepower at your disposal.

[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

Strike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DUST 514 dev blog details vehicle roles

Jef Reahard — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox

DUST 514 isn't at PAX this weekend, which probably explains CCP's strategic reveal of a new dev blog earlier this afternoon. We knew that the MMOFPS will boast a number of similarities to its EVE Online sibling (like the fitting screens, factions, and lore); one thing we didn't know, though, was that DUST will also repurpose vehicle hulls in a decidedly EVE-like way.

Many EVE ships share the same hull visuals despite having radically different performance envelopes and combat roles, and DUST vehicles will definitely follow that trend, according to CCP's Cmdr Wang.

DUST vehicles will also be powered by a capacitor (which should seem awfully familiar to you capsuleer types). Cap management will therefore play a vital role in the new game just as it does in the old. Finally, DUST's vehicle skill system also takes a page out of EVE's book. Today's dev blog finishes up with a look at a couple of high-level vehicle skills as well as some verbiage on module customization.

DUST 514 dev blog details vehicle roles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlanetSide 2's Higby talks resource costs, business models, and more on Reddit

Jef Reahard — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox

Aside from the big GDC demo earlier this month, mass information dumps regarding PlanetSide 2 have been few and far between. Thankfully, creative director Matt Higby took to Reddit yesterday for an AMA (ask me anything) session that brought a few interesting nuggets to light.

If you're one of the game's hardcore faithful, the talk was more confirmation than revelation, but for casual or newly interested fans, there's a lot of stuff to digest. Among the more interesting bits was the fact that PS2 will use PunkBuster and the fact that all of the game's classes and vehicles will be available from the get-go.

Higby also touched on resource costs for vehicles as well as the fact that the devs want "to create the game first and then build the business model that best services the game, rather than trying to conform the game to some particular business or membership model."

If Reddit's sprawling threads and needle-in-a-haystack nested replies aren't your cup of tea, PlanetSide Universe has collected most of the relevant info on its own discussion boards.

PlanetSide 2's Higby talks resource costs, business models, and more on Reddit originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 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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Leaderboard: Mechanized vs. monster mounts

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, Humor, Miscellaneous, Leaderboard

Unless you're stuck in the invisible wall, no jumping, running-with-your-hands-flopping-about hell of Guild Wars, chances are you've gotten the opportunity to pick up a mount or two in an MMO. It's one of the ways that MMOs are so superior to the real world: There are no driver tests, no insurance policies, no (usually) gas. You just plop down some money and the vendor looks the other way while you go off-roading in a major metropolitan area.

But it wouldn't be a Leaderboard if we didn't force you to choose between your '67 Mustang and your pet Tauntaun, and so it shall be. In the world of mounts, there are two categories: the mechanized and the monsters. Vehicle mounts may be more rare due to fantasy's dominance over the genre, but they're still there and quite popular for the set that doesn't appreciate staring at horse doody all the live-long day. Then again, the fantastic creatures that have served as animal mounts are unceasing in variety as they are in style.

So what shall it be? Will you plug Old Yeller and go with your motorcycle, or will you mothball your favorite dune buggy in favor of Seabiscuit? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Mechanized vs. monster mounts

Leaderboard: Mechanized vs. monster mounts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlanetSide 2 webcast features lengthy community Q&A

Jef Reahard — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2

If you're a PlanetSide 2 fan, you'll want to check out Sony Online Entertainment's latest webcast. The 30-minute affair features creative director Matt Higby, game designer Kevin Moyer, and senior art director Tramell Isaac. The trio field a whole bunch of community questions on the upcoming sci-fi MMOFPS, most of them centered around Nanite Systems vehicles like the Sunderer and the Galaxy.

If you don't have time to watch the whole shebang, PlanetSide Universe has a good breakdown of the new stuff (including some awesome bits on vehicle customizations like hood ornaments, camouflage, racing stripes, and other visual tweaks). Click past the cut for the full video.

Continue reading PlanetSide 2 webcast features lengthy community Q&A

PlanetSide 2 webcast features lengthy community Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Galaxy transport

Jef Reahard — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, PlanetSide 2

Another day, another PlanetSide 2 vehicle reveal. The latest update from Sony Online Entertainment features the venerable Galaxy, and if that doesn't quicken your pulse a little bit, you must've missed the original PlanetSide.

The Galaxy is a heavily armored troop transport designed to "hot drop" 12 soldiers into the heart of enemy territory. What's a hot drop? It's basically the game's sci-fi twist on the traditional parachute, and SOE says that it "automatically encapsulates any soldier or MAX unit that bails out with a protective barrier that slows their fall."

Galaxies are also sturdy enough to serve as mobile infantry bases after landing, and the ships feature respawn tubes, equipment terminals, and four weapon systems that may be operated on the ground.

SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Galaxy transport originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlanetSide 2's Sunderer carries troops, pushes tanks

Jef Reahard — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2

Sony Online Entertainment is continuing its tradition of PlanetSide 2 vehicle reveals in a news blurb on the game's official website. The Sunderer looks like a cross between a tank and a Mack truck, and it's designed to pancake enemy defensive lines and deposit a load of troopers smack dab in the thick of the action.

SOE says the beastly ride can withstand a focused barrage of enemy fire due to its heavy armor, and the Sunderer also features enough mass and horsepower to push other vehicles (including tanks) out of its way. Its cargo hold can carry up to 12 soldiers as well as medical supplies and ammo. PlanetSide 2 is a large-scale persistent world shooter based in a sci-fi setting, and SOE is currently accepting closed beta applications.

PlanetSide 2's Sunderer carries troops, pushes tanks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Quad and Liberator

Jef Reahard — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Lore, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox

What do giant transport vessels like the Galaxy and tiny ATVs like the Quad have in common? They're both built by Nanite Systems, of course. Who the heck is Nanite Systems? You'll have to brush up on your PlanetSide 2 lore to find out, and luckily the official website is here to help.

Today's reveal showcases the Quad, and Sony Online Entertainment tells us that "it has the highest top speed of any ground vehicle and is easy to acquire." As you would expect, the speed comes at a price, and let's just say that you don't want to be riding on a Quad when it takes a hit. Head to the PS2 website for a couple of screenshots and some backstory.

When you're done reading about the Quad, click on over to SOE's Liberator reveal to get the goods on another Nanite Systems product. The Liberator is a gunship, and while it boasts a ton of firepower and decent armor protection, it pays for its bristling bulk by being quite slow in the air.

SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Quad and Liberator originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What would you pay for a fancy ride?

Eliot Lefebvre — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

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

World of Warcraft set the bar at $25 for a shiny horse. EverQuest II followed suit. You can imitate Marty McFly or Aladdin in City of Heroes for about $7.50. And for various amounts of cash in Star Trek Online, you can pimp out your spaceship with all sorts of shiny new nacelles -- or you can ride in a ship with some famous modifications. It's certainly cheaper than a sports car in the real world, but it's still part of a trend of real-world cash buying you a new vehicle. (Or carpet.)

So the question should be obvious -- what would you pay for a fancy in-game ride? Are you willing to drop sparklepony money? Would you not pay more than a dollar for something that doesn't have any functional benefit over other in-game options? Or would you drop even more money on something sufficiently shiny, perhaps a horse-car that could be seen from orbit?

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

The Daily Grind: What would you pay for a fancy ride? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DUST 514 vehicle fitting screens examined

Jef Reahard — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Sandbox

If you haven't managed to snag a spot in the DUST 514 beta, you'll want to have a look at a fan site known as DUST 514 Base. The site posted a detailed look at the game's vehicle fitting interface over the weekend, and it gives a good rundown on many of the options in store for the planet-based mercenaries of New Eden.

If you're an EVE Online veteran, the fitting screens will seem somewhat familiar. If not, at least you can get a leg up on what is likely to be one of the more complex console FPS UIs in the business.

The blog entry contains a fair bit of speculation in terms of the numbers presented on the UI, and there are also plenty of high-quality images augmenting the text. Hit the links below for more info.

DUST 514 vehicle fitting screens examined originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vehicles to play a large role in DUST 514 battles

Jef Reahard — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Sandbox

The PlayStation blog has been updated with a new blurb on DUST 514, and vehicle freaks will be happy to note that we now have a better understanding of how rolling armor works in CCP's EVE-based MMO shooter.

CCP says that vehicles "play a large role" on DUST's battlefields, with heavy armor units delivering long-range concussive attacks "while lighter units emphasize speed and flexibility." Vehicles are also highly configurable, and players will be given a choice of armaments drawn directly from EVE Online's weapon classes.

Finally, the new blog entry gives us a glimpse of various vehicle aesthetics, and long-time New Eden fans will be pleased to note that the selection has a familiar factional feel (though duty compels us to complain about the lack of a Minmatar entry).

Vehicles to play a large role in DUST 514 battles originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion 3.0 trailer details housing, new dungeons, and more

Jef Reahard — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Aion, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items

Aion fans rejoice! The near-mythical 3.0 update is coming to Korea inside of a week (which means it's a few months removed from the American servers, of course). If the new Korean trailer is any indication, though, it should be well worth the wait.

The four-minute clip takes us inside the Promised Land patch's player housing mechanics, not to mention six new instanced areas and a variety of open world locales. You can also glimpse the patch's assorted air and ground mounts. We reported on some early looks at the 3.0 content last month, but the new trailer is even more extensive. Head past the cut to view it in full, and then mosey over to MMO Culture for a few new screenshots.

Continue reading Aion 3.0 trailer details housing, new dungeons, and more

Aion 3.0 trailer details housing, new dungeons, and more originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise releases vehicle patch, reactivates old accounts

Jef Reahard — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Earthrise, Sandbox

Masthead Studios has just informed us of the latest patch for Earthrise. There's good news for former players too, as the company is re-upping all inactive accounts for a free 14-day trial period.

The patch itself includes new vehicles that can be obtained via quest lines, player crafters, or in-game vendors. The mounts are called hoovers, and when coupled with Earthrise's physics model, they allow players to perform drifts, jumps, and various stunts. Speed is a major factor as well, and Masthead says that explorers will appreciate the new vehicles when checking out the various nooks and crannies across the world of Enterra.

Finally, the patch includes "large numbers of strong monsters" designed to provide more of a challenge for PvE players as well as provide greater loot rewards. You can learn more about Earthrise at the game's official website. Also, don't forget to check out the new vehicle concept art in our gallery.

Gallery: Earthrise

[Source: Masthead press release]

Earthrise releases vehicle patch, reactivates old accounts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare talks Star Wars: The Old Republic vehicles and launches

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Previews, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Vehicles are cool. Not that having a trusty steed isn't cool in any game, but Star Wars: The Old Republic is a game emulating films in which every single vehicle was a character unto itself. In the most recent panel for the game at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, it's been made clear that the designers aren't limiting vehicles to simply spaceships for players and for ambient encounters. Landspeeders and speeder bikes will be available for players, with several styles shown off to the attendees.

As always, iconic imagery is at the top of the priority list for development, up to and including the opening text crawl following character creation. A firm release date has still not been announced, but the team has once again reiterated that the game will be out for this year's holiday season. Frustratingly vague? Perhaps, but at least there's plenty of tasty information to chew on despite the insistent lack of clarity elsewhere.

BioWare talks Star Wars: The Old Republic vehicles and launches originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan

Larry Everett — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Events, real-world, New titles, Massively Event Coverage, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Alderaan is known mostly for being the homeworld of Princess Leia and being one of the first victims of the Death Star. However, the planet is rich with history even 3000 years before the events in Star Wars: A New Hope.

The developers at BioWare have mentioned in the past that Alderaan would host one of the PvP Warzones for Star Wars: The Old Republic, but they did not mention anything about the PvE aspects of the world -- until now. A usurper by the name of Bauris Ulgo has forcefully proclaimed himself king of Alderaan, and the Republic has asked you persuade him to leave. Of course, this will not be easy, and it will require that you and your team take it back by force.

Below we have some incredible screenshots of Alderaan, Tatooine, and player vehicles. After the break, we have SWTOR Lead Writer Daniel Erickson's livestream of Tatooine playthrough. And stay tuned here later this week as we bring you more information about the raid on Belsavis called the Eternity Vault and our impressions of playing on the open world of Tatooine.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Gallery: E3 2011: Star Wars The Old Republic Gallery

Continue reading E3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan

E3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR shocks us with a new trailer for E3

Larry Everett — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, New titles, Star Wars: The Old Republic

E3 starts next week, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is more than prepared. In fact, late yesterday evening, the developers at BioWare released a brand-new trailer via GameSpot that teases everything we will see coming out of the expo. Daniel Erickson said this to GameSpot:

We will have stations on the show floor for the first time, giving everyone hands-on [time] with Tatooine, a planet we've never shown. We'll have a first look at some boss fights and will be taking the wraps off our end-game content. We are also going to be debuting the grand conclusion to Blur's amazing CG trilogy and will have a few more surprises thrown in as well.

BioWare is known for producing top-quality story-driven RPGs, but this is the company's first step into the MMO world. Players who have questioned whether SWTOR would be an MMO may be happy to see words like vehicles, social hubs, and raids in this latest trailer.

Watch the full trailer and let us know what you think. I suggest watching 1:03 to 1:05 over and over. Who can get enough of electrocuting Jawas?

SWTOR shocks us with a new trailer for E3 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise patch coming soon, roadmap features delayed

Jef Reahard — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Bugs, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Earthrise

Fans of Masthead Studios' Earthrise MMORPG have waited a long time between patches. According to producer Atanas Atanasov, the wait is almost over. A new post on the official Earthrise boards details what players can expect when the new version goes live toward "the end of this week, or early next week at the latest."

The patch will include fixes for the inventory stacking bug and the problems with party experience gain. The game's shadow renders are also being tweaked, and AI attacks through walls and other solid objects are being addressed. Atanasov also tells us that the previously reported development roadmap has undergone a few revisions, and most of the items on that particular list are being delayed in favor of improving Earthrise's graphical performance.

"Due to changes in our priority list you can expect [a] delay of some roadmap features such as vehicles, inverse kinematics, quest hints on the minimap, and item painting," Atanasov explains. "Our expectations are that you will see them in game in June/July 2011."

Earthrise patch coming soon, roadmap features delayed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Masthead releases Earthrise vehicle concept art

Jef Reahard — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, MMO industry, News items, Earthrise

What's Masthead Studios been up to lately? Aside from bug-fixing and putting out fires on the forums of its newly released sci-fi sandbox called Earthrise, the studio is finding time to iterate on future features for the world of Enterra.

Player vehicles have been an oft-requested addition since the game's early beta days, and if two new pieces of concept art are any indication, the cries haven't gone unnoticed. Masthead has just published preliminary models for two types of single-occupant vehicles, both bearing the sexy lines and sleek stylings of a futuristic hover-bike, swoop, or insert-sci-fi-motorcycle-analog-here.

While there's no word on when we'll see these new pieces of awesome in the game, we'll keep our eyes (and ears) peeled for further details. In the meantime, check out both images in our gallery below.

Gallery: Earthrise

Masthead releases Earthrise vehicle concept art originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Car wars

Edward Marshall — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST

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

Lately, I've been doing a lot of crafting in Fallen Earth. I have a lot of materials stockpiled, and it seems they are just taking up space. So I've been putting together some vehicles (Interceptor Speedsters, to be precise). They take about four days each to make; that's in real time, mind you. There isn't much of a demand for them right now. In fact, they sell very inexpensively on the auction house. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with them, but I guess it can't hurt to have a couple on hand.

Fallen Earth is unique in the sense that you can't purchase a mount from a vendor NPC. You can get them from the rewards merchant or buy them from the Fallen Earth store, but the usual method of acquiring one is to craft it or buy it from the auction house. Some are even quest rewards. But the majority of the mounts out there are provided by the playerbase. In this post, I'll look at the evolution of vehicular combat in Fallen Earth and what we might hope and expect to see in the future. So put the pedal to the metal and zip past the cut for more.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Car wars

Wasteland Diaries: Car wars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist goes PlanetSide: The highlights

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, PlanetSide, PvP, MMOFPS, The Game Archaeologist

Unlike fantasy, the sci-fi genre has had a rocky relationship with MMORPGs. While studios have tried just as hard to make and promote them, there seems to be a curse that hovers over most of these games. From the canceled (Earth & Beyond, The Matrix Online, Tabula Rasa) to the radically retinkered (Star Wars Galaxies) to the relatively niche (Anarchy Online, Star Trek Online), sci-fi struggles to be seen as relevant and embraced as its bigger brother. That isn't to say that these games or the genre is worthless, just that it's a harder sell to both investors and players to throw players into the future than the mythical past. Fortunately, the industry hasn't given up on these games, and some of these titles -- such as EVE Online -- have proven that they're worth pursuing.

And if science fiction is a difficult sell, first-person shooters are doubly difficult in the MMO space. After all, it's not as though the world is suffering a shortage of FPS titles that can be played without a monthly subscription. To convince players to part with a monthly payment, the studio has to make a powerful, compelling case as to why its MMOFPS is worthy of that premium price.

Enter PlanetSide, circa 2003. While sci-fi MMOs, multi-faction PvP and online shooters had been done separately at that point, PlanetSide stepped up to the plate to combine all three into a persistent war on an alien planet. Due to popular demand, this month we'll be setting our sights to the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond as we explore one of the more unique MMOs in existence.

Today let's take a look at what made PlanetSide a unique twinkle in SOE's eyes by counting down the highlights of this futuristic war.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist goes PlanetSide: The highlights

The Game Archaeologist goes PlanetSide: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GamersFirst talks APB core game changes

Jef Reahard — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, All Points Bulletin, Crime, Dev Diaries

Fans of All Points Bulletin are in for a treat this week as GamersFirst has dropped a ton of new info about the game in its latest APB Reloaded blog entry. Zak "Qwentle" Littwin (former QA Lead at Realtime Worlds and current designer at GamersFirst) devotes a lot of virtual ink to APB's closed beta tweaks, and also hints at "much more extensive changes" in store for the game's open beta and release clients. Littwin teases a new game mode called Turf Wars as well as APB's first proper expansion which will feature a new district for the city of San Paro.

First things first though; the meat of the blog entry concerns core gameplay adjustments that GamersFirst wishes to test in the closed beta. These include cheat detection (via Punkbuster as discussed last week), weapon modifications, and sweeping changes to the old game's progression curve. A few of the game's vehicles have also been modified. The original version of APB received a fair bit of criticism related to its driving mechanics, and GamersFirst is looking to rectify this in part by "giv[ing] each vehicle a lot of individual personality and specialisation and unique benefits, rather than everyone rushing straight to the Cisco/Bishada/Jericho/T25."

Finally, Littwin touches on premium accounts and the challenge inherent in differentiating them from free-to-play services without unbalancing the game. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and read all about it at the official APB Reloaded blog.

GamersFirst talks APB core game changes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Free ride

Edward Marshall — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

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

The Grand Canyon Province is where Fallen Earth is set. It is a vast place, and the public transit system is completely obliterated. Most of the towns are separated by kilometers, so walking (or running) from place to place would be sheer folly. Luckily there are alternatives to walking. If you've played Fallen Earth for any length of time, you probably know what I'm getting at. Transportation in the Grand Canyon can cost next to nothing once you get it figured out.

The goal of this post will be to get a new player up and running in the wasteland. Actually, up and driving and/or riding, rather. Once you know what to do, getting around is practically free. There are a number of ways to get yourself a better ride. Some of them involve a bit of work in-game and a good deal of time (mostly while you are offline). But there are shortcuts if your goal is to be tearing up the highways of Fallen Earth on a motorcycle as soon as possible. After the cut, I'll give you a step-by-step method of providing yourself with better transportation right up until you have a bike.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Free ride

Wasteland Diaries: Free ride originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Updated] Earthrise launch roadmap reveals a commitment to continued development

Brendan Drain — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Earthrise

We've known for some time that Masthead Studios' upcoming single-server sci-fi sandbox Earthrise was planned for retail release on February 4th. Until now, however, we haven't known exactly what would be in that initial release and what features won't make the final cut. In an announcement today, Masthead Studios revealed not only a list of key features they'll be guaranteeing to provide at launch, but also a roadmap for further development and releases throughout the year. The announcement confirms Earthrise's release in less than two weeks time on February 4th, with a substantial commitment to continued development on specific features in the following months.

The list of key features promised for launch is as follows:

A unique post-apocalyptic setting where the cloned remnants of mankind battle to survive and rebuild.
Highly customizable characters with over 100 different skills, abilities and tactics.
No artificial imposed "class" restrictions.
Fast-paced, action-packed combat featuring dynamic targeting, adaptive power armor and hundreds of high-tech weapons.
Sophisticated player-versus-player (PvP) mechanics that let players fight for the established order, join the revolutionary underground, or carve their own bloody path as an independent criminal.
Character progression that keeps players advancing in their development with no limits.
An advanced market-based economy with in-game supply and demand based on player activities and interactions.
Deep crafting mechanics that enable players to design and manufacture unique items from blueprints and raw resources.

Skip past the cut for a look at Masthead's development schedule for 2011 and a first look at what we can expect to be introduced throughout the coming year.

Continue reading [Updated] Earthrise launch roadmap reveals a commitment to continued development

[Updated] Earthrise launch roadmap reveals a commitment to continued development originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drivers wanted on Planet Calypso

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Entropia Universe, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Planet Calypso

Planet Calypso is an odd sort of virtual world, a free-to-play game that allows players to exchange in-game money for real cash. It's gearing up for the auction of the new Medusa's Head islands, which contain a variety of services and species for the enterprising landowner. And in anticipation of just that, a new update has offered the perfect vehicles for running through an unspoiled tropical paradise -- high-powered combat tanks, helicopters, and warboats bristling with deadly armaments.

Along with three new Nordic-named vessels -- the Megingjord tank, the Naglfar boat, and the Gungnir helicopter -- the update brings with it a variety of updates to the use of vehicles. Commissioning has been removed, and a weapon mounting system has been added to help facilitate the addition of aforementioned deadly armaments. Even if they're not planning on bidding on the brand-new islands, Planet Calypso players should be able to enjoy the environment in their vehicles of choice.

Drivers wanted on Planet Calypso originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planet Calypso's new content takes players on a wild ride

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Entropia Universe, Events, in-game, Hands-on, Virtual worlds, Planet Calypso

Planet Calypso is one of the more unusual games that we cover here at Massively, mostly thanks to its real cash economy. Massively's Beau Hindman spent some time in the game recently for Rise and Shiny, giving his experience as a new player.

Our newest peek at the game is a bit more advanced and a lot of fun. Planet Calypso is in the middle of the Harbinger event, an ongoing new challenge that introduces players to new areas, new enemies, and some formidable new foes. The Planet Calypso team was kind enough to invite me on a tour of the event, so follow along after the jump for a closer look!

Continue reading Planet Calypso's new content takes players on a wild ride

Planet Calypso's new content takes players on a wild ride originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planet Calypso and Entropia Universe unveiling vehicles

Jef Reahard — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Entropia Universe, Patches, News items

Entropia Universe, the long-running virtual world from MindArk, has announced the introduction of in-game vehicles in their 11.2 patch which is tentatively scheduled for today. Ground-based vehicles are the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as MindArk has plans to implement boats, aircraft, and spacecraft in the near future.

"With this new system, the whole community now has the opportunity to build vehicles. The features included in today's release are just the beginning of the vehicle system content. The development teams are already working with upcoming features [including] boats. It will soon be possible to cruise the lakes and oceans on the planets of Entropia Universe. Several different types of boats will be available," MindArk said in a press release.

Check out the news posting over on the official Entropia Universe website.

Planet Calypso and Entropia Universe unveiling vehicles originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWG producer talks vehicles, no-trade removal

Jef Reahard — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Star Wars Galaxies

The team behind Sony Online Entertainment's Star Wars Galaxies have been busy little bees as of late, and the game has taken on a few significant changes that are neatly summarized in a Producer's Note released yesterday on the official forums.

SOE's Teesquared details two changes to the Galactic Civil War mechanics. "We have two new changes coming out for the GCW. The first change will be ground Factional Presence scaling. We heard the complaint regarding gaining FP when you were not at risk. To prevent this, the amount of FP you gain will scale relative to the "FP eligible" players of either faction around you. The second change will be for player placed GCW bases. We're working on tying player placed GCW bases into the GCW scoring system," he writes.

He goes on to summarize the recent Bonus Everything Weekend and Empire Strikes Back 30th anniversary events before dropping a couple of noteworthy nuggets. First is the possibility of new player vehicles, long rumored (and hoped) to be the traditional AT-ST walkers as well as the AT-XT pictured above.

Finally, Teessquared discusses the removal of the reviled no-trade mechanic (your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough...but it's no trade!) Check out all the details on the official forums.

SWG producer talks vehicles, no-trade removal originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does this mean there will be vehicles in SWTOR?

Larry Everett — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, New titles, Rumors, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Further insight into the wondrous world of Star Wars: The Old Republic whisked its way to us via a teaser trailer GameSpot posted about the Sith Warrior Class.

In this revealing tease, the Sith apprentice relives his training under his master and threatens the Jedi of the galaxy. Wicked lightsabers clash atop a bridge overlooking a glorious rocky canyon calling back to the epic duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Our ominous warrior effortlessly deflects blaster bolts from four enemies, sending the deadly plasma flashing back towards his adversaries. Then in a fit of Force rage the dark apprentice slams full-force into his Jedi opponent, tossing the gallant foe over the edge of the bridge many stories to his death. The armored tank of the Sith Warrior is not one to cross lightly.

As nail-biting as the trailer is, that is not all. Notice at 1:15 of this exciting video trailer, the Sith Warrior is driving a speeder bike. What does this mean? Are players going to have vehicles in SWTOR? We do not have the answer, but given the footage in this trailer, the answer looks positive. Continue after the break and judge for yourself.

[Update] The official site has added more to the Sith Warrior class page. Unfortunately, there is nothing about vehicles.

Continue reading Does this mean there will be vehicles in SWTOR?

Does this mean there will be vehicles in SWTOR? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 May 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: Wasteland travel guide

Edward Marshall — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Guides, Tips and tricks, Wasteland Diaries

Fallen Earth takes place in a vast wasteland. There are a lot of distances involved that you definitely don't want to traverse on foot. That's where mounts come in. "Mounts" are a bit of a misnomer however, because Fallen Earth also has vehicles. I like to refer to them collectively as "go-fasters." But, whatever you call them, they are a necessity.

Each mount is classified by its type: either cargo, combat or alternate fuel. Each fulfills its particular role better than the other types at a sacrifice in the other roles. Read on to learn more about pros and cons of each type.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Wasteland travel guide

Wasteland Diaries: Wasteland travel guide originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Entropia Universe, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items

The team over at First Planet Company, the minds behind the MMO/Second Life hybrid Planet Calypso, have recently welcomed a brand new community manager onto their staff -- Hanne Einan Gulbrandsen. Gulbrandsen is the game's first dedicated community manager, bringing the virtual world in line with the company practices of other MMO companies.

But, while Gulbrandsen settles into his new office and title, First Planet Company has also detailed their development roadmap for this year -- going over future additions such as vehicles, a new questing/mission system, and the addition of fish to the world (as shown above.) The mission system will finally give Calypso MMO style storyline quests, offering players a new way to play the game and experience the planet's lore. How these new quests will impact the game's real money-based economy will be interesting, especially if doing them offers in-game rewards.

Continue reading Planet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future

Planet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Massively previews Huxley: The Dystopia page 2

James Egan — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Huxley, New titles, Previews, Massively Interviews, Massively Event Coverage

Quests and PvP

You can pick up quests in the city. Those are either story quests or instanced quests where you can either go solo or group up to wipe the map of enemy NPCs. Huxley's cities are large and while a player can navigate on foot, it's much faster to take a hoverbike, or travel by tram or train. The quests themselves often bring a player outside of the city (via train) or beneath the city, where they need to fight against the hybrids in the sewers.

While the game's quests can either be handled solo or in squads, players can also advance in Huxley through PvP. "With PvP you earn experience points as with quests, but you also earn rank points which let you level up your rank, such as private, sergeant, lieutenant, and beyond. The benefit of higher rank is access to the most powerful S-type weapons and bragging rights. People see the symbol next to your name and see what rank you are," like a title system, says Hong.

Continue reading GDC09: Massively previews Huxley: The Dystopia page 2

GDC09: Massively previews Huxley: The Dystopia page 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth dev chat answers barrage of player questions

James Egan — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Game mechanics, Guilds, PvP

We don't know about you, but we can feel the era of post-apocalyptic and sci-fi MMOs fast approaching. Definitely on our 'ones to watch' list is Fallen Earth, currently in development at Fallen Earth LLC (formerly known as Icarus Studios). We mentioned the other day that the Fallen Earth devs would participate in a live Stratics 'House of Commons' dev chat, and among the five Fallen Earth team members on-hand was lead game designer Lee Hammock.

The Fallen Earth devs responded to a blitz of questions from the game's future players in the Stratics dev chat, ranging from the benefits of capturing 'conflict towns' in PvP to mounted combat on horses and vehicles. In addition, Lee Hammock stated that game play videos should be released at some point in the next few weeks, and more info about the game will be coming out in tandem with this month's Game Developers Conference.

Be sure to check out the Stratics House of Commons chat transcript for more on the kind of game Fallen Earth is shaping up to be.

Fallen Earth dev chat answers barrage of player questions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lume the Mad tackles Wrath of the Lich King (all of it)

Samuel Axon — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Expansions, Game mechanics, News items

World of Warcraft blogger Lume the Mad wrote up a massive post describing the most important changes in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion which will be released on November 13th. He lists just about everything, and even provides analysis of the expansion's implications.

It's a must-read for WoW players, especially those unfamiliar with the breadth of the changes occuring in the expansion. And for those who already know their stuff, there's some good commentary on the consequences of Blizzard's choices. It'll especially be useful to guild leaders who want to be prepared.

He had some particularly harsh words to say about the changes ("homogenization") to buffs in some classes. He argued that the changes will render some players' characters undesirable to raid leaders. But it's not all high-brow theoretical talk; there are bits about vehicles, siege warfare, and even the barber shop in there.

One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

Lume the Mad tackles Wrath of the Lich King (all of it) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Fallen Earth vehicles revealed

Samuel Axon — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST

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

The latest update to the Fallen Earth website is all about vehicles; it features pictures of five never-before-seen cars and bikes from the game, four of which are actual in-game models.

The article describes what players can use vehicles for. They can, of course, be used for rapid transportation. But they can also be used for item storage -- a portable vault, if you will. Unfortunately, vehicles with more storage capacity will use more fuel, which can be quite costly. Vehicles can also be used in combat, although apparently repairing them will also be very expensive. Visit the site for more details.

Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic MMORPG developed by a studio also called Fallen Earth, which is associated with North Carolina-based Icarus Studios. We've been following the game for a while, but most of what we've seen so far has been info pages just like this one.

[Via MMORPG]

New Fallen Earth vehicles revealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth video showcases lots of gameplay

Kyle Horner — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Fallen Earth, New titles, News items

We've been following Fallen Earth for a while now, so it's very nice to finally see a new official video after waiting patiently for several months since the last. Everything looks like it's running incredibly smoothly too, which is a relief given the nature of the combat system in the game. Speaking of that, the combat looks pretty solid to us, but don't be fooled by the run-and-gun gameplay. Fallen Earth's MMO qualities are littered about in-between all the blazing guns you see in the footage. We do love those details. For instance, if you listen closely to the scene with the sniper scope you'll hear a nice clicking sound as the sharpshooter zooms in slightly.

Beyond the guns, girls and giant mutants in the video, you'll also be seeing some footage of players riding their very own mounts. It's some sort of buggy from what we can gather, some might even consider it to be puma-like. Here's hoping for some mounted gun upgrades so our friends can have something to do while we drive them around the wastelands!

Fallen Earth video showcases lots of gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feedback Friday not as fun

Chris Chester — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Tabula Rasa

It happens to even the best games out there. In the wake of the latest patch release, the next few updates from the developer prove... underwhelming. They've already blown their proverbial wad, so there isn't really much for them to put on offer. In this week's edition of Feedback Friday, the Tabula Rasa team posted to let us know that there are uh... still hybrids! I suppose it's handy to compile all the information for people who don't have the time to comb through the community sites, but it's still a bit of a downer for your average Joe Grenadier.

They also included a short Q&A that outlines some of what we can assume are the more common questions from the player base. They ask such pertinent questions as whether vehicles are in the works, whether they plan to add new paint schemes such as camo, and whether secondary color schemes will ever be something that players can tinker with. Unfortunately, the answers are no, no, and no. Well nyah at you too, Destination Games!

Feedback Friday not as fun originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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