Virtual World News
Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Diablo III
Where can I get my hands on this fine Starter Edition, you say? You'll need a friend who has bought the full game. Said friend will also need to fork over her Diablo III Guest Pass. If you're fresh out of friends, you'll just have to wait 30 days from the game's release (tomorrow), at which point the Starter Edition will be made available to everyone.
Diablo III Starter Edition lets you play for free originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Kotaku
Filed under: Polls, Aion, EverQuest II, Game mechanics, Opinion, Humor, Miscellaneous, Leaderboard
Well, now that I've dipped into the well of delusion, it's time to emerge with my hair sopping wet and my mind open to the possibility of a player housing revival. With the advent of Aion's 3.0 update, players in this now-free-to-play game can move into a suburban dreamhouse and spend countless hours figuring out the exact decor to match the subtle majesty of the bathroom's toilet.
But is it enough to challenge the de facto leader of player housing, EverQuest II? Mountains of novels have been written on this game's housing system, novels that were then used to construct a giant book fort in the middle of the grand ballroom. Because that's just how flexible that system can be.
So pitted against each other in an interior design contest, which game would emerge triumphant? Cast your vote after the jump!
Continue reading Leaderboard: EverQuest II's housing vs. Aion's housing
Leaderboard: EverQuest II's housing vs. Aion's housing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, News items, TERA, Miscellaneous
The current version of the site includes all of the nifty features that players have come to expect from ZAM's MMO databases, such as information on quests, items, and abilities as well as helpful forums and comments. Players trying to get a handle on their character's build should also find the site handy thanks to its useful glyph calculator that allows players to survey all currently available glyphs without the need to set foot in the game. Just head on over to the recently launched site to crack open the tome.
TERA Tome database unleashes the mysteries of Arborea originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Free-to-play, Wings Over Atreia
Bread
Red Shell Potcrab
Life Leaf
Bulldozer...
You all know the old adage "Never go grocery shopping while hungry," right? It is sound advice for avoiding filling your cart with impulse purchases that might decimate your budget (and your waistline). How many of you have also used the shopping list tactic to try to minimize said impulse purchases? Well, you just might want to put that skill into practice when visiting Aion's BlackCloud Marketplace.
When the BlackCloud Marketplace launched last month, the inventory had pretty slim pickings for a game that needed to make all of its profit from the cash shop. Since all content in Aion is free, we knew more things would appear; it was just a matter of what and when. And even while there was still some trepidation about what items would be introduced over time (how many would play into the whole pay-to-win debate?), Daevas looked forward to new offerings and wondered what would be available next.
Wonder no more! Those little Shugos came in last Wednesday and stocked the marketplace shelves with over 100 new items. Some items were expected, some were not, and some were even clamored for by the masses. To help you construct your shopping list before heading to the store, Wing Over Atreia has perused the aisles for you to find what's new, what's interesting, and what's on special.
Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: This little Daeva went to market...
Wings Over Atreia: This little Daeva went to market... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, PvP, Free-to-play, Allods Online, Dungeons, Crafting
Some of patch 3.0.2's big selling points include a revamp of the Alchemy profession, the ability for pets to do the looting, a neat-sounding mentor system, a new skirmish called The Deserted Farm, a free-for-all treasure hunting space, a new raid boss, and better questing.
Before you head over to see all of the patch changes, make sure to catch up on the latest episode of Troll and Crab after the break!
[Thanks to Alex for the tip!]
Continue reading Allods Online prepares players for patch 3.0.2 with a new mini-site
Allods Online prepares players for patch 3.0.2 with a new mini-site originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Interviews, Previews, Virtual worlds, Miscellaneous, Sandbox
Follow on past the cut and join me as I try to pinpoint Namaste's goals for the future of Storybricks.
Continue reading Storybricks demo and interview with Brian 'Psychochild' Green and Kelly Heckman
Storybricks demo and interview with Brian 'Psychochild' Green and Kelly Heckman originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Not So Massively, MOBA, League of Legends, Diablo III
League of Legends announced its upcoming MSI Beat IT tournament at DreamHack Summer 2012, with a prize fund of $40,000 US and a series of public online qualifiers. Bloodline Champions revealed its own $10,000 DreamHack tournament, with open in-game qualifiers scheduled for next weekend. Valve announced details of the second Dota 2 world championship, a series that started with last year's $1.6 million US tournament.
Blizzard settled its lawsuit with Valve this week, renaming Blizzard DOTA to Blizzard All-Stars but securing the continued non-commercial use of the DotA name for the fan community. Heroes of Newerth released its incredibly successful new Midwars game mode, and Rise of Immortals put forth its official immortal spotlight for new immortal Nauria.
Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III launch and DreamHack Summer 2012
Not So Massively: Diablo III launch and DreamHack Summer 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, New titles, News items, MOBA
According to the game's official site, the title is "a free-to-play action/strategy game featuring online multiplayer combat" in which players "build and train their own SmashMuck teams... to do battle in the toughest sport on Planet Muck." Gameplay-wise, the game seems to be your standard MOBA with a few not-so-standard twists. The addition of persistent champion gear plus interesting new mechanics such as stat-boosting training routines aim to put a new spin on the old formula. But hey, you don't have to take our word for it. The game will be entering closed beta testing on May 27th, so if you're a MOBA fan looking for a new thrill, just head on over to the game's official site and sign up for yourself. Oh, and while you're at it, don't forget to check out the game's latest official trailer after the cut.
[Source: Kiz Studios press release]
Continue reading New MOBA SmashMuck Champions fights its way into closed beta this month
New MOBA SmashMuck Champions fights its way into closed beta this month originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Horror, Events, in-game, News items, The Secret World, Miscellaneous
The new event will feature a number of new areas, quests, and storylines. Players can learn more about the residents of Kingsmouth who have held out despite the town's current state as well as meet representatives of the Orochi Corporation observing the dark occurrences. Plus, all of the previous weekend's content will be available, so if you didn't get a chance to take part in the last test, you'll have plenty to explore within the horror-filled world.
Next beta weekend for The Secret World announced originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Beta weekend announcement
Filed under: Lore, News items, Rumors, Miscellaneous
If you consider that Rhode Island invested about $75 million in the company, it's obvious that the government has an interest in making the company remain viable over the long term. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was a moderate hit, but that might not be enough for the company as it develops. We'll have more on this story as it develops, hopefully with better news.
Rumor: 38 Studios may be having financial trouble originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Providence Journal
- Via: Joystiq