Virtual World News
Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Game mechanics, Wasteland Diaries, Post-Apocalyptic
One thing is for sure: The new combat system is here to stay. Many of us would like to see them scrap it, go back to the old system and just patch up its imperfections (it was so close). But, I have been told emphatically that it's here to stay. So, instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, I'd like to take a look at all of the new skills and mutations, since they are definitely permanent -- although they may be changing a little bit in the coming days while this brand-new system is tested and balanced.
Mostly what we have now is what we are going be using. Some of them are the same, but by and large, this new system is an entirely different animal. You may recognize some of the names, but most of the abilities (actually, I think all of them) function differently. After the cut, we will take a look at every skill and their associated abilities in the game.
Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: I got skills
Wasteland Diaries: I got skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Aika
Aika players are getting a new zone, a level cap increase (to 75), new mounts, and a few choice pre-launch bonus events. These include triple (yes, triple) XP and play-for-rewards summer events which offer a laundry list of cool prizes just for logging in. As for the new zone, Traband was formerly a temperate and beautiful island but is now a frozen wasteland "where only the most bloodthirsty beasts survive." That's OK, though, because what self-respecting MMO adventurer wants to hang out in a tropical safe zone bereft of killable monsters?
The Aika website has more details on Epic II, and you'll also find the client download front and center on the new splash page.
Aika's Epic II: Exodus expansion debuts August 11th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Previews, News items, Guild Wars 2, Races
So what's the schedule looking like for Sylvari week? Well, things will kick off on Monday with ArenaNet artist Kristen Perry discussing the aesthetic of the Sylvari and explaining how it has evolved over time. Tuesday we get writer Angel McCoy talking about how the writing team intends to bring the race to life through its dialogue. Wednesday, Lore and Continuity Designer Ree Soesbee swings by -- with returning guest Kristen Perry -- the ANet blog to to discuss the roots (Ha Ha! Sylvari are trees.) and development of the Sylvari race. Thursday sees the Sylvari page on the official Guild Wars 2 site updated with buckets of new content, and things finally wrap up on Friday as Ree Soesbee returns with a narrative blog post that expands on the lore of the Sylvari even further.
Make like a tree and check out ArenaNet's Sylvari Week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Classes, New titles, Star Wars: The Old Republic
This keeper of Force tradition is split up into two advanced classes: The Sage and the Shadow. As their names imply, the Sage is a healer and ranged Force wielder, and the Shadow is a stealth and melee class.
As we have seen in past screenshots, the Trandoshan hunter Qyzen Fess will join the Consular on his travels across the galaxy. This reptilian humanoid has hunted all the galaxy's most deadly beasts from the swamps of Belkadan to the Tatooine deserts, according to his bio on the official website.
Witness all the wonder of this class in the screenshots below, and be sure to catch the full Consular trailer after the break!
Continue reading SWTOR's meet the Medic -- er, Consular
SWTOR's meet the Medic -- er, Consular originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic
BioWare's Chris Collins gives us the details on the official SWTOR boards, and you'll need to sign up via email ahead of time if you and your mates want to get in on the action. The warzone matches will feature eight vs. eight teams and will pit Republic forces against their imperial counterparts in the Alderaan Civil War scenario.
Whether your taste runs to the clumsy randomness of a blaster or elegant weapons from a more civilized age, you'll need to get your signups in by Monday, August 8th.
SWTOR Alderaan warzone playable at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: EverQuest II, Contests, Giveaways
All you have to do to enter and win one is leave a comment here letting us know which one you'd like. We'll continue taking comments until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, August 7th. Monday morning we'll choose winners and share codes. Make sure you read our contest rules, leave your comment here, and best of luck!
Win a free EverQuest II mount from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Roleplaying, Storyboard, Miscellaneous
If you haven't read the first part of the column, I advise you to do so first, but let's recap just in case. The goal here is to provide tips to help reduce real-world drama and minimize hurt feelings spilling into the real world. I don't claim that this will be in any way a cure-all, but these tips should at least help reduce the odds of screaming matches that scare you off roleplaying for good. Everyone on the same page? Then let's move on to the second half.
Continue reading Storyboard: Ten tips to avoid drama burnout, part two
Storyboard: Ten tips to avoid drama burnout, part two originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, News items, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries
The team is careful to note that while the overall vibe of the game is decidedly dark and gothic, that by no means insinuates that the world will be dull or muddled. Taking inspiration from popular anime such as Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, Rusty Hearts aims to carve a niche for itself as a "living comic." For the full dev diary, hop on past the cut!
Continue reading New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions
New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Game mechanics, Free-to-play, The Road to Mordor
Yet there's one type of currency that always seems to fly under the radar in my gaming experience: Destiny Points. I'm forever forgetting they're there and I almost never use them. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why they're in the game in the first place.
Destiny Points are a shared currency between your characters that seem to be vitally important to PvMPers (monster play) and vastly less pertinent to your average PvE adventurer. Still, as they exist and offer you an opportunity to get an edge -- however slight -- in the game, I figured it was about time to dive into the subject and see if they're worthwhile or just more junk for the closet.
Continue reading The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points?
The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Massively meta, Miscellaneous
Bounty Hounds Online joins our closed beta list this week, and we've got some beta keys for those of you who'd like to check it out. That's not the only new closed beta, though. Scarlet Legacy has begun closed beta testing as well, and we've got keys for that too!
Tribal Trouble 2 has entered open beta for those who like their MMOs with a side of Viking. Finally, Dungeon Blitz rounds out the week by jumping into open beta.
Follow along after the jump for the updated Betawatch list!
Continue reading Betawatch: August 5-11, 2011
Betawatch: August 5-11, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.