Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Defiance
Trion Worlds Europe SVP John Burns stated, "We're delighted to be working with Namco Bandai, a great company with a proven track record in bringing big games successfully to the market thanks to their great distribution network and excellent relationship with both high-street and online retailers."
Trion tabs Namco Bandai for Defiance EU distribution originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Trion press release
Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Age of Conan, Anarchy Online, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, The Secret World
TSW's Joel Bylos notes that the move will cause some "development turbulence," and that the game's DLC and update schedule will slow down temporarily as a result. He has more details on both the game's Issue #6 update and veteran rewards in his letter. AoC's Craig Morrison says that the fantasy title isn't going anywhere, although he also acknowledges some staff turnover due to the relocation. He also notes that having the game's dev team and community team in the same building will be a huge benefit. Finally, Anarchy Online's update echoes the first two, but game director Dave "Ilaliya" Williams writes that the engine upgrade, server migration, and new player experience are all still on the table.
[Update]: Funcom has also published an update on the restructuring process on its main website.
[Thanks to David for the tip!]
Funcom game directors talk relocation, effects on TSW, AoC, and AO development [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: AO update
Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2
Neither company has specified what those features and settings might be, but PS2 creative director Matt Higby and SOE CEO John Smedley have long maintained that the firm was developing its sci-fi shooter sequel with an eye on the competitive gaming arena.
SOE and MLG will also collaborate to create original programming, with a broadcast schedule due "in the coming weeks."
SOE partners with Major League Gaming for PlanetSide 2 e-sports originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: PlanetSide Universe
Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Mobile, Casual, MMORTS, Kids, Post-Apocalyptic, Miscellaneous, MMObility, Sandbox
I also wrote up my wife's take on the Chromebook over at my personal blog. Be sure to check that out. She has been the perfect guinea pig as she pushes devices to their limits, and so the Chromebook has been getting heavy use from her and working wonderfully. Next week, my last installment of this series will be a video and article combo that covers the good and bad of the device, along with my final thoughts.
Until then, though, click past the cut and enjoy my list of pseudo-MMOs. These are games that don't quite fit into the MMO category but have a multiplayer aspect to them!
Continue reading MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten pseudo-MMOs
MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten pseudo-MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, TERA, Second Wind
This is TERA. Launched in the west by En Masse Entertainment back in May, the fantasy MMO promised gorgeous graphics, fast-paced action combat and a different way to experience a now-familiar formula. Lured in by pretty trailers and compelling class descriptions, I picked up the collector's edition of the game just before release. I played for a few weeks, streamed it a couple of times, and promptly forgot it existed. When my initial 30 days expired, I never subscribed for more.
But now TERA is going free-to-play. And since En Masse was kind enough to give me (and everyone else) a couple of free weeks of playtime before the F2P transition, I figured now was as good a time as any to revisit the title and see if removing my wallet from the equation would be enough to keep me engaged.
The answer? Perhaps.
Continue reading Second Wind: Taking another look at TERA
Second Wind: Taking another look at TERA originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Events, in-game, Lore, News items
This year's festival starts at 3:00 p.m. EST on January 31st and runs through February 7th, the start of a new policy for the game that will keep all events running for at least a week on fixed dates every year. Players will be able to aid in the preparation of the celestial animal feast, have their fortunes read, and play games on the Shining Jea Boardwalk. There will also be racing events in the Rollerbeetle Racing Arena and combat events in the Dragon Arena if you prefer. And there are special minipets to unlock as well as the promise of a mystery reward if the Celestial Animals are pleased with their meal. So even if you thought you were done with celebrating another year, you might want to pop back into Guild Wars and get back to the celebration.
Prepare to celebrate the Canthan New Year in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Canthan New Year 2013
Engage Digital is proud to announce it is partnering with kidSAFE® Seal Program to create the first ever Digital Kidsâ„¢ Safety Summit – http://www.DigitalKidsSafety.com/ – taking place Feb. 11 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Summit will be held one day before Engage Digital’s Digital Kids Conference. Both events are co-located with Toy Fair.
Digital Kids Safety Summit provides a detailed understanding of safety and privacy issues for operators of kid-directed virtual worlds, social networks, online games, mobile apps and tablet devices. The Summit will also discuss [...]
Filed under: Super-hero, Expansions, Patches, Previews, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, Crime, DC Universe Online
We sat down with creative director Jens Andersen for a closer look at Home Turf and the many ways in which it deepens and expands upon DC Universe Online's existing content. Put simply, this latest batch of DLC offers more than just a place to hang your cape.
Continue reading Previewing DC Universe Online's Home Turf update
Previewing DC Universe Online's Home Turf update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Launches, MMO industry, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
The studio says that the delay is the result of testing: "Based on player feedback and data from the second closed beta, we have decided to revise the launch timing to spring 2013. This will allow us to better address community feedback and continue to update the game. When a more precise update on the release timing is available, we will share that information."
Age of Wushu delays launch to 'spring 2013' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Delay announcement
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Previews, News items
All six races from the game have character creation extensively displayed, including both genders for the dimorphic races getting separate treatment. Each of the races also has some unique features, ranging from the horns of the Dragon race to the tusks of the Oni race to the spine apparently constructed from flexible tubing of the Fox race. (Or maybe the female model is just posed oddly.) While there's no word yet on release, you can still look longingly at all of the videos and start thinking about what you'd want to play if and when the game comes overseas.
[Thanks to steparu taru for the tip!]
Take a look at character creation for all Asta races in new videos originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Steparu