Virtual World® is your one stop resource for all things virtual, in and around the MMO gaming and online 3D communities. In-depth virtual world and MMO game play reviews, discussion forums and the latest news from around the world. VirtualWorld.com

Virtual World News

The Tattered Notebook: Mercenary or player, which would you choose?
July 23, 2011

Filed under: , ,

If you're an EverQuest II fan, the one big takeaway out of SOE's Fan Faire is that the team is focused on addressing those long-time demands that players have been patiently hoping for. That's why we'll have Beastlords, a class that was so taboo you couldn't even post the name on the official forums. And it's why we're seeing an item revamp that now includes all items from levels 20-90. So you'd think that players would rejoice when they heard the news of mercenaries, an in-game feature designed to make it easier for players to make and fill a viable group, or get things done that they couldn't do alone. The response so far, though, has been the equivalent of a needle being dragged across an LP record at a dance party.

Why the tepid response? In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at why these swords for hire are causing so much trouble.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Mercenary or player, which would you choose?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Mercenary or player, which would you choose? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
One Shots: Original gangsters
July 23, 2011

Filed under: , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies may be going away at the end of the year, but for many of us it will resonate for far longer. One of a thousand seminal moments is captured above courtesy of an action shot inside a Naboo cantina. Naboo was a roleplaying hotspot circa 2004, particularly on the Starsider server where regular events and spontaneous fun could be found at the player cities in Vagabond's Rest, Rauha, Thornhaven, and all points in between. These particular gents are demonstrating their displeasure at a spice deal gone wrong, as well as sporting some old-school weaponry in the form of a laser rifle and two early pistol favorites (the FWG-5 and DX-2).

All this week, Massively writers are spotlighting some of our personal favorite One Shots. What exciting stories revolve around our screenshots? Stay tuned to find out. Next week, after staff picks week, will be free-for-all week for you, our readers. Send any eye-catching, beautiful, scary, or generally epic screenshot to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll pick the best of the best for next week's One Shots!

MassivelyOne Shots: Original gangsters originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
EON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion
July 23, 2011

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Issue 24 of EVE Online's quarterly official magazine EON hit the shelves this month, bringing a fresh dose of internet spaceships to coffee tables and bathrooms everywhere. Produced by MMM Publishing and written by a growing cast of writers from within the EVE community, EON provides something solid for fans of EVE to hold on to and acts as a snapshot in time or record of the game as it evolves. Recent big news stories and nullsec wars are detailed in each issue, along with editorial pieces, fiction, interviews and guides.

The latest issue is a wormhole special, with a huge focus on 2009's incredibly successful Apocrypha expansion and the hidden wormhole systems it brought to EVE. In addition to the second part of Pottsey's background on the ancient Sleeper race locked away in wormhole systems, the magazine contains testflights of the four strategic cruisers produced from materials discovered in wormhole space. A fantastically insightful article on the making of Apocrypha also delves into the gritty details of how CCP put its entire weight behind one incredible expansion during a time of real world economic turmoil.

Skip past the cut for a breakdown of everything in EON Issue 24 and my impressions from reading through it.

Continue reading EON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion

MassivelyEON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
ArcheAge novel penned by popular Korean fantasy author
July 23, 2011

Filed under: , , , , ,

MMO novelizations are pretty common nowadays, what with everything from EVE Online to Guild Wars represented in extra-game lore-centric endeavors. ArcheAge is looking to join the hit parade with its first tie-in novel, a fantasy romp called The Fir and the Hawk that fleshes out the upcoming sandpark's extensive backstory.

When we say extensive, we really mean extensive, as the book chronicles ArcheAge history some 2,000 years prior to the game's timeline. The novel is the work of popular Korean fantasy author Min-Hee Jeon, and fansite ArcheAge Online calls it "ArcheAge's first official tome of lore."

The Fir and the Hawk isn't yet available in the States, but Korean-language fans can pre-order it via the Aladin service.

[Thanks to Mark for the tip!]

MassivelyArcheAge novel penned by popular Korean fantasy author originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , , ,

So the year's most inescapable MMORPG has officially made it to the pre-order stage. Not only that, but BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic opus has also pulled the curtain back on its collector's edition treasure hoard (which will dent your wallet for the princely sum of $150.00).

While both the in-game and real world goodies are quite appealing to Star Wars fans, the price tag is one of the most expensive in the history of MMOs. Today's Daily Grind is all about your reaction to said price tag. Are you going to shell out twice what a normal CE costs for SWTOR? If not, what's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?

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!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
BioWare talks Star Wars: The Old Republic vehicles and launches
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , ,

Vehicles are cool. Not that having a trusty steed isn't cool in any game, but Star Wars: The Old Republic is a game emulating films in which every single vehicle was a character unto itself. In the most recent panel for the game at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, it's been made clear that the designers aren't limiting vehicles to simply spaceships for players and for ambient encounters. Landspeeders and speeder bikes will be available for players, with several styles shown off to the attendees.

As always, iconic imagery is at the top of the priority list for development, up to and including the opening text crawl following character creation. A firm release date has still not been announced, but the team has once again reiterated that the game will be out for this year's holiday season. Frustratingly vague? Perhaps, but at least there's plenty of tasty information to chew on despite the insistent lack of clarity elsewhere.

MassivelyBioWare talks Star Wars: The Old Republic vehicles and launches originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , , , ,

While speculation continues to swirl around Darkfall 2.0 and character wipes, Aventurine is staying the course by revealing new tidbits every week that serve as both a teaser for upcoming game goodness and a distraction from the larger issues.

Case in point is the new Yssam dungeon video. As the press release on the game's official blog states, "there's a little bit of new in quite a few things that you will see," including the new lair, a new lighting system, a new AI monster, and a new armor model.

There's still no definitive word on 2.0, though, and the when, why, and how of the huge upcoming reboot is by far the most important 'new' for denizens of Agon.

Continue reading Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video

MassivelyAventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
City of Heroes details new Paragon Rewards program
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Ever since the conversion was announced, City of Heroes players have been looking for new information on the Paragon Rewards program launching with City of Heroes Freedom. The update promises more rewards for players who have been with the game for a while, whether they've remained loyal subscribers or have taken advantage of the free-to-play model. Details have just been released, giving players a look at what can be expected when the new reward system goes live.

When the system launches, existing Veteran Rewards badges will be converted into Paragon Rewards tokens, along with an additional token for each 12 months of subscription time. Further tokens will be earned at a rate of one per month, with an additional token for every year subscribed and for every $15 spent in the Paragon Store. Rewards are unlocked in a tiered structure, with Tier 9 offering the best rewards to veteran VIP players and lower tiers offering account-wide unlocks such as access to Mission Architect. While the details of moving through the tiers haven't been elaborated upon, players should still have quite a bit to look forward to with the rewards unveiled so far.

MassivelyCity of Heroes details new Paragon Rewards program originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
LotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , ,

Feel like the road trip to Mordor isn't getting there as fast as you'd like? Good news, everyone -- Turbine's about ready to pull out of the gas station and truck toward Isengard! Today the studio announced that the beta program for Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard expansion will begin next Wednesday, July 27th.

Invites will be going out to select players across North America and Europe, although the NDA forbids participants from even mentioning that they're part of the program. Those who have pre-ordered the digital expansion will have "preferred access" to the beta, so that seems like your best bet if you're interested.

Rise of Isengard will release on September 27th, and contains a level cap increase to 75, three new zones and a 24-person raid against the dragon Draigoch. The expansion heads deep into the territory mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers.

MassivelyLotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
World of Warcraft coming to Brazil
July 22, 2011

Filed under: , , , ,

A fully localized World of Warcraft is on its way to Brazil, complete with a Portuguese client and customer service platform. This marks Blizzard's ninth officially supported language according to a press blurb on the company's website, and the third supported language in Latin America (following the English and Spanish versions).

Blizzard is providing a full suite of payment options for Brazilian customers, with the base game (plus the Burning Crusade expansion) available for BRL 29.90, while Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm will retail for BRL 99.90 each. If retail boxes aren't your thing, the Brazilian version of WoW will also be available through Battle.net.

Finally, subscription plans come in 30-day, 90-day, and 180-day flavors, and 60-day time cards will be available in retail stores. North American players who wish to play on the dedicated Brazilian realms may install a language pack or purchase the Portuguese client, and Blizzard says that "additional pricing details and an official release date [...] will be announced closer to launch."

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft coming to Brazil originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments