Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox
You'll need one of the code cards given out at Fanfest, and you'll need to enter the numbers on the new redeem page at the DUST 514 website. Once you've done so, you'll be placed in a queue to receive your actual beta code via email. CCP says it will begin sending out said codes "very soon, hopefully as early as the week of May 7, 2012."
Redeem your EVE Fanfest code for DUST 514 beta access originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: EVE website
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Anniversary
This weekend was originally slated to be the end of beer brawling and mass firework displays, but now the tomfoolery will continue through May 9th. If you're a festival newb and in need of some direction, A Casual Stroll to Mordor has a pretty extensive guide to point you on your way. You might also want to check out the LotRO wiki for a complete list of items attainable via the various festival quests and activities.
Turbine extends LotRO anniversary festival originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: A Casual Stroll to Mordor
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA
Beginning today, European pre-order players can jump into the game's head start period and enjoy all of TERA's content through level 38. The North American head start kicks off tomorrow, April 28th, and it also features a level 38 cap. Players can create a maximum of eight characters per server, while any characters made during last week's early character creation and open beta events will carry over to the head start period.
[Source: Frogster press release]
TERA EU head start begins today, US to follow tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Opinion, Massively Event Coverage, Some Assembly Required, Sandbox, Anniversary
Although its major retail distribution was in 2004, Vendetta Online marks its anniversary as the day it was spotlighted in Penny Arcade during the game's completely open and public alpha (which means it basically launched since everyone could dive in and play) and the population exploded! A truly multi-platform MMORPG, Guild Software's game can be played on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Android, giving pilots the freedom to log in when and where they may, even to surreptitiously check the markets or maybe sneak an event in while at work via a smartphone. After all, who wants to miss an event just because employment gets in the way?
Luckily for those of us without an Android, Vendetta Online celebrated its decennial anniversary with some developer-run in-game events over the weekend. Always willing to join the party, Some Assembly Required strapped into a shiny new ship and blasted right into the thick of things in order to share in the festivities.
Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online
Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Super-hero, Video, City of Heroes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Anniversary
Some of the more interesting numbers include 43 million characters created, 500,000 accounts at level 50, 300,000 super groups, and "over 15,000 costume pieces which can be used to create over 10 trecedillion (10^42) costumes." Head past the break for the full text of Clayton's letter as well as a couple of before-and-after videos.
[Source: Paragon Studios press release]
Continue reading City of Heroes anniversary letter features fun facts, videos
City of Heroes anniversary letter features fun facts, videos originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Historical, Sci-fi, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, Opinion, War, Free-to-play, DUST 514, World of Warplanes, The Firing Line
Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.
Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend
The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Roleplaying, Storyboard, Miscellaneous
The exact same thing happens in roleplaying. It's not usually about a girlfriend, although it can be. It's any aspect of a character's plot that grows until it's all-encompassing and grows into the plots of other characters as well. It's a plot tumor. It's a growth bigger than it has any right to be, and it's the sort of thing that can really drive you away from roleplaying whether or not you liked the plot in the beginning.
Continue reading Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor
Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, PvP, Free-to-play, Allods Online
Next on the patch's agenda is the game's second PvP skirmish map: Deserted Farm. Deserted Farm will be a 6v6 skirmish where players will struggle to control a central flag. The twist to the map is that a pair of cannon can focus-fire onto this location, so obtaining one or both of these is mandatory for success.
Finally, 3.0.0.02 (the extra decimals are a secret code that tells you gPotato loves you) will add a new raid boss to the Kingdom of Elements. His name is Gen'ul, Lord of the Volcano, and he'll be very pleased to meet and then wipe the floor with you. Multiple raids can attempt to down him at the same time and then squabble over the huge treasure chest that he drops.
Allods Online to add questing features, new skirmish, and raid boss originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Patch preview #1, Patch preview #2
Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2
The lightning is a lightweight 75mm tank that uses its mobility and obscene rate of fire to rain havoc upon the battlefield while avoiding enemy counterattacks. The one-man tank can fire up to six rounds in under three seconds, "allowing the driver to quickly adjust [his] aim after [his] first shot." The modular turret can be swapped out for a variety of other turret types for those times when you just want to mix it up a bit, and the Lightning's Skyguard turret is "the most effective ground-to-air weapon on the battlefield, as it's fitted with 40mm cannons with an elevation range of 80 degrees." To top it all off, the Lightning is one of the fastest ground vehicles, which makes it just as useful for tactical retreats as it is for vehicular manslaughter. The vehicle will be available to all three factions, so no matter which side you're fighting for, you can rest assured that you'll have some speedy firepower at your disposal.
[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]
Strike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, MOBA, League of Legends
If you just wanna watch your friend's game and see how he does, no problem. All friends' games will be watchable just by right-clicking their names on your friends list. There's a three-minute delay on the playback, though, so don't try any tricky business. If you're jonesin' for some high-level play, the featured games menu will let you watch the games being played by top-ranked League players around the world. If you wanna analyze their matches, you can rewind, slow down, and fast forward previous footage, allowing you to scrutinize every gank in excruciating detail. Riot Games was nice enough to put together some footage of the new feature in action, as well, so you can check that out right here for the full details.
[Source: Riot Games press release]
Continue reading League of Legends announces full release of Spectator Mode
League of Legends announces full release of Spectator Mode originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.