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MMObility: A look at the location based MMO Life is Magic
December 21, 2012

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Life is Magic screenshot
I've been looking forward to checking out Life is Magic since I first took a peek at it during GDC Online 2012. The art style, slick presentation, and location-based gameplay drew me in, but I've had it for only a short while since then. I've now been able to snag enough time to get a great idea about what the game holds for players, and so far I can say that there's definitely a polish to the game that I haven't found in many mobile MMOs.

So what is so special about this one, especially compared to other location-based MMOs like Fleck or Parallel Kingdom? There are several differences, most of them focused on the art style, unique world map, and cool collectible card game-ish system that ends up being the best part of the game.

Continue reading MMObility: A look at the location based MMO Life is Magic

MassivelyMMObility: A look at the location based MMO Life is Magic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Age of Wushu's Scholar school teaches the art of death
    December 21, 2012

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    The art of death with Age of Wushu's Scholar school
    If you've hopped into Age of Wushu's open closed beta, which started yesterday, you've probably noticed a new school available, one distinct from the previous reveals of beggars, monks, assassins, guards, and such. Folks who prefer a more cultured outlook can join the Scholars, a sect that focuses on the arts. In fact, before joining this school, players must acquire one of the four Cultural professions: Musician, Painter, Calligrapher, or Weiqi. This school is also one of only two neutral sects.

    With an elegant combat style rooted in dance, scholars use flourishing, theatrical moves in swordplay. They also use musical frequencies to cause internal damage; one legend tells of an ultimate song that can deal fatal damage to a foe without spilling a single drop of blood. You can check out the Scholars moves in Massively TV's Age of Wushu stream.

    MassivelyAge of Wushu's Scholar school teaches the art of death originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Some Assembly Required: Six reasons to love sandboxes in 2013
    December 21, 2012

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    Some Assembly Required - Architectual plans
    What a difference a year makes, amirite? This time twelve months ago, I was licking the wounds brought on by Star Wars Galaxies' unceremonious and premature departure from the MMO scene. It was bad enough that a profitable title was sacrificed in order to clear a path for one of 2012's biggest disappointments, but it was worse that said title was the premier sandbox in the genre's history.

    Frankly, the last few years have been abyssmal for fans of non-linear MMOs and player-generated content, but thankfully, 2012 righted the ship and gave us more than a bit of hope for 2013.

    Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Six reasons to love sandboxes in 2013

    MassivelySome Assembly Required: Six reasons to love sandboxes in 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      BioWare: We've 'made some substantial changes' to SWTOR's Cartel Market
      December 21, 2012

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      3rd swtor f2p vid
      BioWare producer Cory Butler is here to deliver a quick recap of Star Wars: The Old Republic's free-to-play preferred status program. He speaks out in episode three of BioWare's F2P preview video series, and he points out several customer-requested changes to preferred status as well as some of the new items available in the game's Cartel Market.

      "We're always listening to player feedback and we've already made some substantial changes," Butler says before going on to mention an increase in the number of available hotbars and character slots. View the vid after the break.

      Continue reading BioWare: We've 'made some substantial changes' to SWTOR's Cartel Market

      MassivelyBioWare: We've 'made some substantial changes' to SWTOR's Cartel Market originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Massively Exclusive: Blacklight: Retribution shows off the end of the world, part 5
      December 21, 2012

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      Incidentally, several of us put down our last payments for our new boats.
      The adventure of the Blacklight team comes to an end today with the last motion comic setting the stage for Blacklight: Retribution's major patch World's End. And after facing no small number of enemy troops and zombified locals, the group finally arrives at its designated target to find something very different from what it had originally planned.

      Remember, if there's one thing worse than failure, it's the success you never knew you didn't want.

      This final video brings the story full circle and explains more of what's out there... but what happens next is up to the players -- unsurprisingly, since this is meant to provide backstory for a game and all. So if you've been following along for the last few installments, you'll want to catch the last one just past the break, and then probably load up your weapon and get to shooting in the game proper.

      Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Blacklight: Retribution shows off the end of the world, part 5

      MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Blacklight: Retribution shows off the end of the world, part 5 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        DC Universe Online producer outlines 2013 updates
        December 21, 2012

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        dcuo producers letter
        There's a new producer's letter up on DC Universe Online's official website. SOE's Larry Liberty checks in to update us on the status of the game's next DLC pack as well as look at what's planned for 2013. Home Turf is still scheduled for "very early in the year," and it will bring with it player bases, lair battles, endgame solo content, and more.

        After that, SOE is eyeing several more DLC packs that will bring league bases to the game as well as new raids, alerts, and power revamps focusing on fire and ice. Liberty says PvP and performance issues are on the agenda as well, so click the link below to get all the details.

        MassivelyDC Universe Online producer outlines 2013 updates originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Bylos's bunker life, the End of Days, and other Secret World news
        December 21, 2012

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        Bylos's bunker life, the End of Days, and other Secret World news
        Last we heard from Joel Bylos, creative director for The Secret World, he had locked himself away in his bunker and hunkered down for the end of the world. But don't think that means we've seen the last of him! In fact, Bylos continued his end of days video log from within that fortified haven. How well did he actually cope being sequestered away from the world with only Zoe, the two-dimensional bunker-mate? Watch and see for yourself in the final video after the break.

        In other news, Bylos also hosted a livestream party today in London's Crusades nightclub and answered questions from fans. We scooped up a few bits of news amid the din of revelers. First, the dev team is currently working on Black Ops, special dynamic PvP events that occur out in the world. In relation to that, Bylos revealed that there won't be multi-faction cabals because the team will be stepping up factional conflict; one way they will do this is by adding PvP XP. Outside of PvP, puzzle raids are also in the works for groups of players to solve together.

        Next, according to Bylos, folks are "guaranteed to see Venice before Tokyo, but it is not a new zone." In response to queries about player housing, Bylos answered that the team has to see where it falls on the list of priorities after things settle down with the new payment model.

        And last but not least, the special End of Days events will run through January 7th. So hop on in and enjoy a world overrun by Mayan zombies!

        Continue reading Bylos's bunker life, the End of Days, and other Secret World news

        MassivelyBylos's bunker life, the End of Days, and other Secret World news originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          SMITE issues doomsday patch with Mayan god
          December 21, 2012

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          SMITE issues doomsday patch
          Everyone's hopping on board the (non-existent) apocalypse bandwagon, and SMITE may have the edge on irony. Today the MOBA has expanded to include the Mayan god Xbalanque as well as a host of new features and additions. These changes include special holiday skins, a jousting map and 1v1 queue, a themed "match of the day," changes to the conquest map, and an improved item store.

          Hi-Rez Studios is participating in a 24-hour "post-apocalyptic" livestream charity event for Child's Play tomorrow, and our very own Patrick will be joining them to cover it.

          Check out Xbalanque's reveal video after the jump, if only to figure out how to pronounce his name!

          [Source: Hi-Rez press release]

          Continue reading SMITE issues doomsday patch with Mayan god

          MassivelySMITE issues doomsday patch with Mayan god originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Marvel Heroes shows off the beginning of gameplay in a new video
          December 21, 2012

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          We are spared Mohawk Storm, which I think is a blessing.
          Looking forward to Marvel Heroes? Want a chance to pit your own impressions against the Massively impressions from earlier in the week? Unfortunately, if you're not in the beta, you're not going to be able to get a hands-on experience with the game for a while longer. But the team at Gazillion Entertainment did the next best thing by posting a new video wherein president David Brevik walks you through the earliest parts of the game.

          Brevik starts off by explaining a bit more about the game for those unfamiliar with its premise, and then dives right into the tutorial mission. Along the way he demonstrates power leveling, hero switching, discovery missions, and all of the combat action you can shake a Marvel-branded stick at. So if you haven't gotten your hands on the game but still want to see what it looks like in action, jump past the break to see the opening play.

          Continue reading Marvel Heroes shows off the beginning of gameplay in a new video

          MassivelyMarvel Heroes shows off the beginning of gameplay in a new video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          MMO Blender: Mike's spaceflight of fancy
          December 21, 2012

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          MMO Blender
          You know what I love? Space. Not real space, so much; real space is a vast expanse of horrors that generally confound and cripple the mind if considered too seriously. I'm talking about "space," as in the setting of some of our favorite movies, games, and cancelled television properties.

          The problem with space, of course, is that it is a setting and not a story. You can't prime an audience by simply shouting, "Space!" The space needs context. Is it "final frontier" space? Is it the space in which your screams go unheard? The greatest space tales have always used the deep black as a backdrop, not a subject.

          My perfect MMO would almost certainly take place in space, but the way in which the space is used is what makes it worth playing.

          Continue reading MMO Blender: Mike's spaceflight of fancy

          MassivelyMMO Blender: Mike's spaceflight of fancy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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