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MAG 2.0 to add in-game economy, PlayStation Move support, and more

Rubi Bayer — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Patches, News items, War, MAG

MAG's latest patch is so significant that the developers are actually referring to it as MAG 2.0, and it's less than a month away.

The developers have been working with the participants of theMAG Beta program, and a long list of suggested changes and additions have been made and are ready to be implemented.

Of course we knew that integration with the PlayStation Move was coming, but it's exciting to know that it's this close. MAG 2.0 will also add an in-game economy, and you'll be able to earn credits to spend on gear at the Supply Depot. Yes, the depot is also new.

Bug fixes, upgrades, even a news feature that brings you up-to-date on everything when you log in, and much more round out this patch. Check out the notes on the MAG site, and we'll keep an eye out for that patch date!

MAG 2.0 to add in-game economy, PlayStation Move support, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG offers extra character slots, on the cheap

Jef Reahard — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Patches, News items, MMOFPS, MAG

If you're an altoholic playing Zipper Interactive's MAG MMOFPS, chances are you're probably a fan of the recently announced extra character slot promotion. The new service debuted yesterday, and allows players to create two new in-game avatars. For $.99 (US), you can purchase one of the two slots and take it for a 30-day trial run.

After your free month is up, you can opt to subscribe the new characters or keep them for a rainy day, locked up tight in cold storage, where they'll retain any gear and advancements you may have acquired. Check out all the details on the official MAG blog.

MAG offers extra character slots, on the cheap originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG's Escalation 3-way battles revealed

Jef Reahard — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Patches, News items, War, MAG

OK, we should get this out of the way up front, because it comes up every time we cover MAG: yes, it is an MMO. Massively? Well, 256-player battles are about ten times larger than those your average MMO can handle without lagging to hell and back. Multiplayer? Covered that. Online? Duh.

Moving right along, Zipper Interactive's Jeremy Dunham has posted a new entry on the official MAG blog detailing the upcoming Escalation mode. The new game-type, which will be deployed as downloadable content in the near future, is a 96-man three-faction battle royale, the ultimate goal of which is to earn more points than your enemies before time expires. Points are earned by holding objectives, but unlike your standard "run to the flag and stand there for 20 seconds" capture model common to objective-based FPS titles, Escalation features a phased approach that encourages continuous frenetic combat.

You can get your first taste of the new mode by downloading the MAG beta client from the Playstation store on August 24th.

MAG's Escalation 3-way battles revealed originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG patch 1.07 due out next week

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Patches, PvP, MMOFPS, MAG

MAG's next patch, due out next week, will bring some very welcome free updates to players. While the full patch notes aren't available yet, the MAG team has provided a short list of updates to hold fans over for a bit.

MAG v1.07 will bring a number of fixes, content changes, and additions to the game, including a new happy hour feature. Happy hour is a double XP bonus that's applied to the first hour of every player's gaming session in a 24-hour period, giving you a little boost to start off with.

You'll also find better lighting, redesigned maps, a new faction neutral Supression gameplay mode, and new code that allows for faster patching. Check out the current patch notes on the MAG site, and keep an eye out for the complete notes, available nearer the time of the update.

MAG patch 1.07 due out next week originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG releases Interdiction expansion

Jef Reahard — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Expansions, PvP, News items, MMOFPS, MAG

Zipper Interactive's PS3-exclusive MAG MMOFPS has released a couple of small content updates since its debut last January. This month however, the action title kicks off its first proper expansion pack, titled Interdiction, and is available to download from the Playstation Store for $9.99. The pack adds a new game type, unsurprisingly called Interdiction, three new maps (Iron Cree Quarry, Sovot Motorway, and Lake Bayano Spur), as well as a bevy of smaller gameplay additions.

These include new ribbons, medals, and trophies which can be earned both in the new Interdiction mode as well as over the course of your MAG career.

"MAG Interdiction is a brand new game mode built for 128 players. In it, two rival attacking factions fight to gain control of three different command posts while using armored convoys for every squad on the map (that's right, 16 APCs onscreen at once)," writes Zipper Senior Community Manager Jeremy Dunham on the official Playstation blog.

MAG is also featuring a double XP weekend beginning Friday, June 25th, for players with or without the new expansion.

MAG releases Interdiction expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More free DLC coming to PS3's MAG

Jef Reahard — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, MMOFPS, MAG

Zipper Interactive is treating the fans right by offering up another free downloadable content add-on for MAG, their multiplayer-only FPS for the Playstation 3. The latest round of DLC drops on April 29 and is known as the Fast Attack Gear Pack.

Jeremy Dunham, Senior Community Manager at Zipper, brings word of the freebie on the official MAG blog. "Our latest downloadable extra will likely cause marksmen to swoon," he writes.

The Fast Attack Gear Pack will feature three new special edition sniper rifles, each of which will incorporate both visual and performance variations when compared to the game's existing long-range weaponry. New armor types are also included, and Improved Light Armor will be available to all three factions for 400 in-game credits.

Check out the official MAG blog for all the details.

More free DLC coming to PS3's MAG originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First MAG DLC coming next week

Jef Reahard — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, PvP, News items, MMOFPS, MAG

Jeremy Dunham, Senior Community Manager at Zipper Interactive, has dropped a post on the official Playstation blog detailing the first bit of MAG downloadable content coming next week.

Zipper is calling it the "Trooper Gear Pack," and among its features are the Flashbang Grenade, perfect for disorienting and otherwise annoying your opponents, additional Light Machine Guns, and two new trooper uniforms for all of your urban warfare fashion needs. As a bonus, the DLC pack is free of charge, and the MAG team will also be enabling double XP to reward long-time fans; expect that to go live on March 25 at 12:00am Pacific time and continue through 11:59 pm Sunday March 28.

The Trooper Gear Pack will be available for download beginning on March 25.

First MAG DLC coming next week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take aim at big prizes in MAG tournament

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Contests, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

Amidst all the debate about whether or not MAG qualifies as an MMO, not to mention the recent Playstation Network brouhaha, it might be easy to lose sight of the actual game underneath everything. And it'd be a shame if you did, because you'd be missing out on a tournament centering around MAG run by Major League Gaming's Gamebattles site. The prizes? Straight-up cash money. Well, straight-up Sony Style gift cards and Playstation Home items, which is just about as good. (Although you can't rifle through a $1500 gift card like a pack of twenties.)

Here are the details: the tournament will have three phases, with each lasting one full month. Each phase is a contest to earn the highest score in a different area -- MAG XP for March, headshots for April, and total kills for May. There will be leaderboards available on the site, as well, to help track how well you're doing compared to all the entrants. If you think you've got what it takes to make the top of the charts, head on over and take a look at the official entry rules. And no matter what, it couldn't hurt to give it a shot.

Take aim at big prizes in MAG tournament originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG moves to patch 1.03

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Patches, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

For better or worse, most MMOs these days live and die by combat. That goes doubly so for the MMOFPS field, since it's difficult to have a game with "shooter" right in the genre descriptor without some form of lethal ordnance being unloaded. MAG, the massive squad-based shooter on the PS3, has made a major overhaul to its combat system with patch 1.03, designed to address several community concerns and elements that the designers felt were unfair and unfun. A large-scale weapon overhaul has taken place as the centerpiece of the patch, with the effectiveness of several weapons and strategies being re-tuned.

The short version: shorter-range weapons have been toned down in terms of their accuracy at range, sights have been toned down for a similar reason, and both battle rifles and rocket launchers have received notable buffs. There's also greater consistency in firing through thin materials such as tents. With changes to the warnings for charges, faster gear switching, and decreased respec costs, the patch also brings improvements not solely linked to weapon balance. MAG players have the patch available now, and we're hoping that the shifts are keeping players more entertained and less frustrated at someone sniping them from half a map away with a shotgun.

MAG moves to patch 1.03 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG resuscitates their medic class with update, prepares to launch stats on MAG.com

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Patches, MMOFPS, MAG

Medics of the Shadow War, unite! MAG's latest patch did many favors for you, and even those who aren't of the resuscitation persuasion will find some tasty benefits in their latest version, patch 1.02.

The last patch has cleaned up the field support's HUD by removing resuscitation icons from those players who can't be resuscitated, resulting in a much cleaner field of view for medics. Downed players who can be brought back to life also now carry a distance indicator icon on their body, so now you too can GPS your way to help a teammate. The same tracking system has also been given to players who have equipped explosive detectors, pointing out the location of mines. Lastly, medic icons will only be given to soldiers carrying defibulators, so those only holding a healing gun will no longer be medics.

The patch has also improved server performance, resulting in reduced lag during high-end matches, and has made a change to the statistics system to prepare it for integration into MAG.com.

So, if you're going to be jumping into the medic class after this patch, MAG's art director Steve Suhy has some tips for you when playing support. We've got the video embedded for your viewing pleasure right after the break.

Continue reading MAG resuscitates their medic class with update, prepares to launch stats on MAG.com

MAG resuscitates their medic class with update, prepares to launch stats on MAG.com originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS

James Egan — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Reviews, War, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

MAG is a PlayStation 3-exclusive MMOFPS title we've been keeping our eyes on at Massively. The inevitable debate aside about whether Zipper Interactive's title is an MMO or not -- yes, tanks and guns replace dragons and magic spells -- the game accommodates up to 256 players in a zone at a time. The idea of FPS gameplay with that many people at such a high degree of graphical detail is pretty mind-boggling, and it's something we've explored a bit in the MAG beta. Our parent site Joystiq recently sat down with the game now that it's officially launched and wrote a short MAG review.

Joystiq's Griffin McElroy gives a brief overview of MAG's gameplay and his assessment of the title's merits and flaws. That idea of 128 players per side doesn't mean you'll all be charging towards your opponents in one awesome wave, he notes. Rather, you'll typically be interacting with your fellow soldiers on a squad level (4-8 people) to achieve objectives, with multiple squads comprising platoons, and four such platoons forming an army.

Continue reading MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS

MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG's Veteran Mode explained

James Egan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, PvP, War, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

MAG's official launch was only a few days ago, but developer Zipper Interactive is already explaining some of the benefits to having a high level character in the MMOFPS. Players who hit the level cap of 60 can enable "Veteran Mode", which Zipper Interactive has mentioned in the past. Now, they've clarified what exactly the advantages to doing so are in a blog post -- essentially it's an incentive to reroll once you've maxed out your character, and experience more of the game.

If you're looking to try something new, you'll be able to keep your past accomplishments (medals, ribbons, and related stats) when you reset your character to level 1. Even though your experience counter resets to zero, your lifetime experience will show everything you've ever earned -- a permanent record viewable on the stats page of your barracks. Players after trophies for hitting max level in all private military companies (PMCs) in MAG will want to take advantage of Veteran Mode and the experience boost it imparts. Veteran Mode gives players a permanent 10% bonus added to the experience total for each match, provided that players sticks through the entire round. Other players can easily recognize a Veteran by the gold insignia displayed beneath that character's rank. While we suspect it'll be a while before most players hit that level cap, Zipper Interactive detailed MAG's Veteran Mode on the game's official blog.

MAG's Veteran Mode explained originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What MAG faction are you?

Seraphina Brennan — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

It's MAG's launch day! Yaaaaay! The servers are up, the sides are being formed, and the never-ending Shadow War and contract tossing has begun. Another MMO action game has invaded the console realm and that's a good thing, even if you may not be a huge fan of MAG.

Even if MAG isn't your thing, you can still participate in today's question, dear readers! MAG prominently features three different armies -- Raven, VALOR, and S.V.E.R. Each army has its own style and way of getting things done. Raven Industries leans heavily on technology, preferring to use devices and upgrades to carry out the mission in a suave, European style. Meanwhile, across the pond, VALOR Company recruits ex-soldiers from the American military, preferring to win conflict through grit, determination, and large guns. Then, coming from the cold climate of Russia, Seryi Volk Executive Response (S.V.E.R.) is all about finishing the mission with what you have available. They cobble together their weaponry, their uniforms, and whatever they need to get the job done.

Of these three factions, which one are you joining, or would you join in MAG? Why does that army pop out at you over the other two? Take your time, think it through, and then declare your allegiance in the comment threads. Go go go!

The Daily Grind: What MAG faction are you? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Going out to pick up MAG tonight?

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Events, real-world, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

So today's the morning of the 25th, dear Massively readers, and that means tonight is the midnight release of MAG! The PS3 is going to get a little more MMO this evening as thousands of players log in for intense "I don't know where I got shot from" action with 256 players.

So, we'll make this short and sweet for you guys. Are you visiting the midnight release tonight to pick up your copy? If so, how early are you going to be there to take part in the "late night festivities?" Are you going to camp out at 10 PM or are you just going to show up 5 minutes before midnight? Bonus question: If you're getting MAG tonight, are you going to go home and spam it, or are you saving it for Tuesday?

Take your opinion, load it in your keyboard, and then fire it directly into the comment box below. We're waiting, maggots!

The Daily Grind: Going out to pick up MAG tonight? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Impressions: MAG

Seraphina Brennan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Opinion, Hands-on, Consoles, MMOFPS, First Impressions, MAG

It's a technical marvel, really, to be able to shoot at 256 people at once. Very few games have been able to get this many players into one enclosed space, and even fewer have been able to do it without having everything lock down in lag. But Zipper Interactive's MAG is taking the bull by the horns and is following in the footsteps of games like PlanetSide to deliver a true "war" experience to the PS3.

With the impending release of MAG to the shelves of stores everywhere, my editor wanted me to get down to the front lines of combat and find out what the fuss was all about. To that end, I've joined up with Shadow Raven Industries to get a taste of the combat that MAG has to offer. Follow after the break, and let's break down how this "Massive Action Game" plays out.

Continue reading First Impressions: MAG

First Impressions: MAG originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG in open beta until January 10th

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, News items, Consoles, MMOFPS, MAG

It's last minute, we know, but if you're a PS3 owner then you might want to scoot over to the PlayStation Store and download the MAG open beta client. The system's MMOFPS will be online until the 10th, when they take the game off the store and prep it for the official January 26th launch.

Beware you have room on your hard drive and time to leave your PS3 on to download, however, as you'll be looking forward to a 2 GB download. A headset is nice to have too, so you can communicate with your squadmates (they'll appreciate it,) but it's not required to play the game.

So this weekend enjoy conducting a war with 255 other people on the battlefield with you. Try not to get shot too much!

MAG in open beta until January 10th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAG pre-order beta has begun, game to launch on January 26th, 2010

Seraphina Brennan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, MAG

If you've been itching to try out your trigger finger with 127 of your friends, then your wait is pretty much at a close. MAG's public pre-order beta has gone live as of Monday and you can jump in by simply going out to your local GameStop/EB Games and pre-ordering the game.

The beta will be continuing until November 20th for all of the pre-order beta players, while those who got in thanks to their Qore subscriptions will find their play time ending on November 8th.

MAG has been confirmed for a release on January 26th of next year, so there will be some downtime between the beta and the release of the game for Zipper Interactive to do some bug fixing and further polishing.

MAG pre-order beta has begun, game to launch on January 26th, 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wishes do come true, Planetside 2

Kyle Horner — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items

"X game sounds a lot like Planetside. I wish they'd make a sequel to that game." is something we've heard over the years as similar-yet-different titles have been announced and released. Well who says wishes don't come true? As it turns out, SOE is planning to "expand the Planetside universe with another game" and is asking players of the original for their input via survey. Rock Paper Shotgun picked up the scent of impending sequelosity, which is a word we've just made up that describes a sequel revelation of such ferocity that it slaps your jaw to the ground.

There are a lot of games, such as MAG, that are attempting a Planetside-ish experience. However, nothing new has really attempted the scope of the game, so hearing that another is on the way infuses us with a intoxicating blend of hope and curiosity.

Wishes do come true, Planetside 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Is MAG an MMO?

Seraphina Brennan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, New titles, Opinion, The Daily Grind, MMOFPS

It sports 256 players on a map. 8 man squads, 32 man plattoons, and 128 men on one side in their company. It has a "shadow war" online mode where companies compete to win battles, pushing active warzones back and forth on the map, meaning that each battle has an effect on the online gameplay structure. Winning battles means securing contracts for your group, who works for one of the 3 in-game factions that are struggling for dominance.

MAG is, without a doubt, one heck of a first-person shooter. It's players per map rivals PlanetSide's 300 players per continent, coming only 44 players short of the popular MMOFPS's battles. However, with multiple objectives per map and the 256 players being squeezed into smaller battlefields than PlanetSide's continents, one could say that the game is going to be much more chaotic and interesting.

With all of this in mind, we ask you for your opinion on the following: Is Sony's MAG an MMO? It certainly sports the necessary components of persistence, character development, team mechanics, and player count, but we want to hear from you, the readers. Drop your thoughts into the comment box below, and let the discussion begin.

The Daily Grind: Is MAG an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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