Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, MMO industry, News items, Betawatch, Miscellaneous
Of course, that doesn't mean that this week was devoid of betas altogether, with several still running nicely and the upcoming RaiderZ hosting an open stress test for the weekend. Not to mention that this past week saw the annual GDC Online conference, which meant several opportunities to check out titles currently in beta in slightly more detail. So there's still some fine testing afoot if you need it. There's just not a lot of changes.
Of course, if you missed last week, you're probably still unsure of what's in testing and what falls under the dreaded "soft launch" category. (It's assumed that category is dreaded.) So take a look past the jump for our full list, and if we've missed anything, let us know down in the comments!
Continue reading Betawatch: October 6 - 12, 2012
Betawatch: October 6 - 12, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, Classes, Races, Anniversary
With the changes, Albion residents can roll Inconnu Minstrels and Half Ogre Maulers, Midgardians can make Kobold Berserkers and Troll Maulers, and Hibernians can unleash Lurikeen Blademasters and Firbolg Maulers.
Massively is getting ready to celebrate DAoC's 11th anniversary with Rise and Shiny this coming Sunday, so don't miss it!
DAoC celebrates 11th birthday with new race and class pairings originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Happy 11th Birthday
Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV
The overall look is a bit cleaner than the PC version of the UI that players have seen previously, although the graphics are a bit softer around the edges. But it's still recognizably the same game. This batch also includes some concept art for new role-focused chocobo barding, something that's sure to excite fans of the yellow birds. Take a look at the gallery for all of the screenshots and concept art.
[Source: Square-Enix press release]
Final Fantasy XIV shows off A Realm Reborn on the PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play, Allods Online
Are we in an '80s romcom montage or what?
The makeover for the women includes a more detailed character model, improved animations, an additional face, and more hairstyles. The team is also tweaking hair models so that locks of hair will now be seen falling from inside of whatever helm that character is wearing.
To promote the Xadaganian makeover, gPotato released a video diary starring actress Nataliya Zemtsova. Zemtsova was used for the motion capture and voiceovers of the new models and is apparently amazed that you can assign a character a name. Check it out after the jump!
Continue reading Allods Online overhauls female model and animations
Allods Online overhauls female model and animations originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: 3.05 visual improvements
Filed under: Sci-fi, Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous
In an ideal world, I'd love to see Sundog: Frozen Legacy repurposed as an MMO. For one thing, it was the first computer game I ever played. For another, it had a nifty Firefly feel to it a couple of decades prior to Firefly. Finally, there simply aren't many hard sci-fi MMOs out there that blend space combat with trading and planetary action. What about you, morning crew? What old game would you play as an MMO?
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 old game would you play as an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Humor, Dev Diaries, PlanetSide 2
Higby says that the team just did a full wipe in the beta due to the sheer amount of changes and improvements that SOE made. He also said that the population cap has been increased for this next step.
Isaac invites SOE Live attendees to participate in the $10,000 PlanetSide 2 tournament. While online registrations for it are closed, players can sign up in person at the event.
Check out episode six after the break!
Continue reading Planetside 2 Command Center brings a beta update and spotlight on Heavy Assaulters
Planetside 2 Command Center brings a beta update and spotlight on Heavy Assaulters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube
Filed under: Events, real-world, MMO industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, Ask Massively, Community Q&A, Miscellaneous
But this is Ask Massively, the meta column where you ask us weird questions and we give you weird answers. So what else did you wonder about this week?
Continue reading Ask Massively: Forums, edit buttons, and staff change-ups
Ask Massively: Forums, edit buttons, and staff change-ups originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox
Woodward recently gave a talk at GDC Online entitled "The Other White Meat: Design Architecture for Sandbox Games." The presentation focused on the three pillars used by the firm to power its long-running EVE Online MMORPG. Woodward stressed social aspects, goals and goal-driven players, and most importantly, emergent gameplay.
"The big win is that emergence is cheap. A lot of emergent gameplay discussion is about the One Big Moment. In EVE, the big heist that happened six years ago, in Ultima Online, the assassination of Lord British," Woodward explained. "If you do this well, people will play your game forever. People will pay for it forever."
Massively sent two plucky game journalists -- Beau Hindman and Karen Bryan -- to Austin, Texas, for this year's GDC Online, where they'll be reporting back on MMO trends, community theory, old favorites, and new classics. Stay tuned for even more highlights from the show!GDC Online 2012: CCP on keeping players cheaply originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Gamasutra
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
Age of Wushu is a free-to-play sandbox title currently scheduled for a North American release in May of 2013. See the trailer in its entirety after the cut.
Massively sent two plucky game journalists -- Beau Hindman and Karen Bryan -- to Austin, Texas, for this year's GDC Online, where they'll be reporting back on MMO trends, community theory, old favorites, and new classics. Stay tuned for even more highlights from the show!Continue reading GDC Online 2012: Age of Wushu gets a new trailer
GDC Online 2012: Age of Wushu gets a new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Gamespot
Filed under: Anarchy Online, City of Heroes, Dungeons and Dragons Online, EVE Online, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Final Fantasy XI, Lineage 2, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, Humor, RIFT, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous
Homophones aside, Rain of Fear is hardly the worst expansion title I've ever seen. The industry has had its share of bad names, from the confusing to the downright unpronounceable. Sure, we get used to these titles, and perhaps it's nit-picky to lug them out at such a late point in many of their lifespans, but petty is my middle name. My first name is Tom. And these are 10 poorly named expansions. Deal with it.
Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Worst expansion names of all time
The Perfect Ten: Worst expansion names of all time originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.