Virtual World News
Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter, Anniversary
What does that have to do with City of Heroes for its next year of development? Almost everything. I've talked about how the game has two obvious and direct competitors in the superhero genre, but now they're all competing with the same business model. They all have the same initial outlay, instead of City of Heroes being the oldest, most respected, and cheapest option. In order for a game to be successful, and it no longer has to convince players that it's worth $15 a month for a few months -- it just has to convince you that downloading it and giving it a shot is worth the effort. That means flash, fun, and a quick dose of what you're looking for.
Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: What City of Heroes needs for its ninth year
A Mild-Mannered Reporter: What City of Heroes needs for its ninth year originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play
Leila Vergerius is the younger sibling of Roselle Vergerius, and she's been fighting to escape her older sister's protective shadow for some time. Perfect World tells us that Leila doesn't actually need the protection since she's more than capable of unleashing a dark magic-flavored can of whoop-ass on par with those of big sis.
Leila is also adept with a sword and an axe, both of which are made even more deadly by her propensity for speed, agility, and leap-and-flip aerial attacks. Check her out in the gallery below, and head to the official Rusty Hearts website for more game info. We've also got an interview with Rusty Hearts producer Mark Hill on today's podcast!
[Source: Perfect World press release]
Rusty Hearts releases new Leila Vergerius character originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind, MMOFPS
Anyway, it was a refreshing change from most of the MMOs nights I've experienced, which are basically MMO days with a blue lens filter. What about you? How dark do you like your MMO nights?
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: How dark do you like your MMO nights? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA
Click past the cut to find a little bit of everything to help you start your Arborean journey off on the right foot. We've got detailed gameplay impressions, video, exclusive lore, and plenty of information about everything from crafting to the endgame political system. If you're playing TERA on launch day, join the discussion in the comments and tell us what you think of the game!
Continue reading TERA launch-day roundup
TERA launch-day roundup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Podcasts, City of Heroes, Interviews, MMO industry, News items, Guild Wars 2, Massively Meta, Massively Speaking, TERA, Neverwinter
Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!
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Continue reading Massively Speaking 199: Rusty Hearts reveal
Massively Speaking 199: Rusty Hearts reveal originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA
Gameranx.com has a list of 10 things En Masse did differently when it appropriated the Korean version of the game, including controller support, quest rewrites, reputation, and daily quests. The firm also made extensive changes to the game's leveling curve to avoid the dreaded "Korean grind-fest" syndrome that supposedly prevents Asian MMOs from finding success in the States.
En Masse also borrowed EVE Online's anti-gold farming PLEX idea, renaming it Chronoscrolls for the world of Arborea. There's more too, but you'll have to click the source link below to read it.
Ten ways En Masse changed TERA for the west originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Gameranx.com
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Flameseeker Chronicles
It was great to be back in the game, it was great to get to talk about stuff with people and stream and share pictures, but mostly it was great to see the world populated the way it really needs to be to feel alive and whole. Beta being beta, that brought its own set of challenges and learning experiences -- mostly for ArenaNet -- but on the whole I hope that most people agree that this was, if not a truly delightful weekend (I can't expect everyone to share my taste in games), then at least a solid and informative one.
Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: After beta action report
Flameseeker Chronicles: After beta action report originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Anniversary
"As with any new business venture in North America, we were both apprehensive and hopeful that online gamers would receive Elsword as well as audiences overseas have," says Kill3rCombo CEO Ben Colayco. "Now, as we celebrate Elsword's first anniversary, we are proud that the game continues to grow and has found its niche within the gaming community."
The firm is not only proud, it's also in a giving mood if the in-game anniversary festivities are any indication. Players can enjoy reward-filled anniversary cubes, hit point recovery cake, limited edition coins, play-time bonuses, and increased drop rates. All of this is ongoing through May 8th, so log in now to join the celebration.
[Source: Kill3rCombo press release]
Elsword celebrates first anniversary with cake originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Business models, Culture, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous
My folks don't really understand my infatuation with video games (and MMORPGs in particular). "How can you sit there and play a game for two or three hours at a time?" my mom is fond of asking. Ironically, this usually happens on a visit that ends where most of our visits do: on the couch in front of the television.
Don't get me wrong; she's no couch potato, and in fact she has the meanest green thumb you'll ever see. When the sun goes down, though, my parents (like most of their generation, I'll wager) park their butts in front of the TV. That I should park my own posterior in front of the computer is exceedingly strange to them even though online gaming is to the 21st century what television was to the 20th.
I wonder, though, if games are starting to become more passive forms of TV-like entertainment.
Continue reading The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming
The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Reddwerks Corporation recently presented iPads to the company’s top five recruited candidates from Tech Career Expo @ SXSW. The company launched its popular iPad giveaway campaign in conjunction with the inaugural event, which drew 71 companies and 2,300 attendees.
“The first Tech Career Expo @ SXSW was a great opportunity to brand our company [...]