Virtual World News
Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Previews, News items, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play
Naturally, there are some restrictions to the process, namely that players are limited in their overall number of characters transferred. Characters will also be updated to the newer game version, meaning several currency changes for Federation characters and a long list of changes for any Klingon characters. The newest entry in the Path to F2P blog series outlines the details, which should be pertinent to any players eager to see what their characters will play like when the business model shifts.
Star Trek Online opens character transfers to the test server originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Path to F2P #13
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, MMO industry, New titles, News items
MMODen has the press release as well as the game's first trailer, and Bless features Eastern MMO staples like skimpy armor, feline anthropomorphs, and slick violence doled out with rather impressive weaponry. There's virtually no information on actual gameplay save that the title will feature 10 races, but we'll keep our eyes peeled and bring you the latest info as it develops.
Prior to Bless, Neowiz was best known for its Cross Fire and Alliance of Valiant Arms MMO shooters, and the new title boasts 150 dedicated developers who've been working on the project since 2009. Check out the trailer after the break.
Continue reading Neowiz partners with Epic Games Korea for new Unreal 3 MMORPG
Neowiz partners with Epic Games Korea for new Unreal 3 MMORPG originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: MMODen
Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Economy, Expansions, News items
The collector's edition includes all of that, plus another exclusive mount, another rucksack, and more paintings and house decoration items than you can shake a stick at. If you preorder before November 14th, the standard edition will run you $39.99 while the collector's edition costs $59.99. After the 14th, however, the collector's edition price goes up to a whopping $89.99, so if you're planning on grabbing it, you better act quickly.
EverQuest: Veil of Alaris preorder bonuses announced originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous
It isn't as though all sequels are failures; EverQuest and EverQuest II are both still around, after all, though EQII has never quite risen to the relative prominence of its predecessor. And Guild Wars 2 is right around the corner ("when it's ready"). But we can certainly point to other sequels that never even made it to launch, like Ultima Online 2 and Ultima X: Odyssey, which were canned specifically because the developer believed they would hurt their big brother, classic Ultima Online. What do you think? Are sequels generally a bad idea, too risky, doomed to fail? Are GW2 and EQII among the few exceptions that prove the rule? Or should we embrace a modern, graphically enhanced "re-envisioning" (as PlanetSide 2 is putting it) of old and beloved games?
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: Are MMO sequels doomed to fail? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Massively meta, Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide
Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During livestream events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, livestream events are subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)
Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!
Continue reading MV Guide: October 17-23, 2011
MV Guide: October 17-23, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox
Ranged and melee combat is evident, as are several different environments. The devs call attention to the game's three-faction PvP elements, and though the brief clips show relatively small groups of combatants, that will eventually change in favor of large-scale engagements.
Pitchblack also says that it's getting ready to release a few official combat videos, so stay tuned to Massively for the latest and greatest Prime: BFD news and views.
[Thanks to Bartillo for the tip!]
Continue reading Pitchblack shows off Prime beta footage in latest dev chat
Pitchblack shows off Prime beta footage in latest dev chat originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube
Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, The Secret World
Several of the questions from the audience related to The Secret World's progression mechanics, and Tornquist stated that despite the fact that the game has no levels, there will be plenty of activities for grind aficionados. The term horizontal progression was mentioned, as were various skills and gear (the latter of which serves as a gate between different bits of the game's content). Check out the rest of the recap, along with a video embed, at MMORPG.com.
Funcom talks The Secret World at NYCC originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: MMORPG.com
Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Previews, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Flashpoints will not all be story-focused, according to Reid, with some focused more heavily on the puzzle or gameplay aspects. All of them, however, can be replayed at higher difficulties in the endgame. In addition, Reid showed off the upcoming fleet hubs for the game, the central gathering areas for players that feature vendors, auction systems, and a special "VIP Lounge" for people who purchased the Collector's Edition. With only a little over two months remaining until the game's launch, there's not much more time before these promised features become a reality.
Star Wars: The Old Republic talks instanced regions and hubs at NYCC originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: NYCC 2011 SWTOR panel recap
Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous
"Benefits of MMO games will be presented with a focus on the social/emotional health of gifted students. Gifted students need opportunities to build social skills and collaborate with others, enhance leadership abilities, roleplay, and problem solve --all of which MMOs provide the framework [for]," Moore says.
Midwestern Conference on Health Games to feature MMO presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: MCHG website
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play
As you would expect, it's all very hush-hush in terms of details, and the release recommends password changes for all LotRO players. While the game itself remains open for business, there is no time table for the restoration of forum services. "We are continuing to investigate and the forums will not reopen until this work is complete," Turbine says.
Turbine addresses LotRO forum security concerns originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Turbine press release