Virtual World News
TERA Europe closed beta weekend starts today
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, in-game, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA
Testers will receive two character slots and they'll have the opportunity to explore content up to and including level 22. Frogster is also enabling guild PvP and a new outlaw mission in the town of Velika. This weekend's test marks the start of five closed beta events leading up to TERA Europe's May 3rd release date.
[Source: Frogster press release]
TERA Europe closed beta weekend starts today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
L.A.W's post-apocalyptic closed beta phase begins
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, MMORTS, Post-Apocalyptic
Luckily for us (and you), L.A.W is gearing up for its first closed beta phase, and the title is available for download at its official website. You'll need a beta key to participate, of course, and if you don't have one yet, you'll need to sign up for an alaplaya account.
L.A.W is described by alaplaya as a PvP-centric MMOG with an RTS mode, and it "also features classic role-playing elements such as a guild system, dungeons, and extensive skill sets."
[Source: alaplaya press release]
L.A.W's post-apocalyptic closed beta phase begins originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, Guides, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous
But it is possible to go from casual to raiding and still maintain a casual, low-key tone. In fact, it's even easier now to do that in many MMOs. In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll look at why we've entered a golden age of raiding, and we'll cover a few handy tips for guilds looking to make the leap.
Continue reading The Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding
The Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
If it looks like an MMO, walks like an MMO, and quacks like an MMO...
February 16, 2012
Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous
Then it might just be an MMO! Indie gaming fans out there are probably already familiar with thatgamecompany, creators of hit PSN titles such as Flower, flOw, and the to-be-released Journey. Journey is going to be the studio's first experience with online interaction between players, but a new job listing from the studio seeking a scalability engineer states that the studio would "like to take it a step further with [its] next game." Taking online interaction a step further, you say? Why, they could be talking about an MMO!
The job listing further corroborates this theory as it continues on to state that "while [thatgamecompany is] pretty experienced making games, [the studio has] never built a full scale online service available to hundreds of thousands of users." Hundreds of thousands of users, you say? Why, that sounds even more like an MMO! Of course, this is all pure conjecture at this point, but surely we're not alone in our belief that an MMO from the minds of the folks that brought us Flower and flOw would be pretty groovy. But the fact remains that Journey won't even be released until next month, so this next project -- whatever it may be -- is still far off the horizon, but stay tuned. Hopefully we'll know more about this new project before too long.
The job listing further corroborates this theory as it continues on to state that "while [thatgamecompany is] pretty experienced making games, [the studio has] never built a full scale online service available to hundreds of thousands of users." Hundreds of thousands of users, you say? Why, that sounds even more like an MMO! Of course, this is all pure conjecture at this point, but surely we're not alone in our belief that an MMO from the minds of the folks that brought us Flower and flOw would be pretty groovy. But the fact remains that Journey won't even be released until next month, so this next project -- whatever it may be -- is still far off the horizon, but stay tuned. Hopefully we'll know more about this new project before too long.
If it looks like an MMO, walks like an MMO, and quacks like an MMO... originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: GameJobsDirect
- Via: Joystiq
RIFT players set record for most in-game weddings in one day
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Events, in-game, News items, RIFT
It wasn't but yesterday that we ran our feature on the gaming achievements of the Guinness Book of World Records: Gamer's Edition 2012, but between then and now, a new MMO-related record has been set. As many of you know, RIFT recently added marriage to its plethora of features, allowing players to make the ultimate commitment in Telara. Well, the ultimate commitment besides joining a raiding guild, at any rate.
A press release today announced that RIFT players banded together with the goal of setting the record for the most in-game marriages in a 24-hour span. We're not certain what the previous record was if there was one at all, but RIFT players managed to set the bar with a staggering 21,879 marriages performed between noon on February 14th and noon on February 15th. RIFT executive producer and Trion Worlds CCO Scott Hartsman is pleased with the outcome, stating in the press release that "Ascended Weddings were a great way to lift the veil on RIFT's new 'Gatherings' feature, social experiences that bring players together in new and interesting ways." He goes on to add that "[the studio] looks forward to expanding this great new gameplay element in the always-evolving world of Telara." So congratulations to all of the lucky couples. Enjoy your new ball-and-chain!
[Source: Trion Worlds press release]
RIFT players set record for most in-game weddings in one day originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
SOE's fifth annual G.I.R.L. competition beckons to future game designers
February 16, 2012
Filed under: EverQuest II, Contests, Events, real-world, MMO industry, Miscellaneous, PlanetSide 2
The program, which is in its fifth year, is designed to promote and inspire female involvement in video game development by helping four talented women through undergraduate studies. Applicants have to currently be enrolled in a gaming-related program, have a 3.0 or higher GPA, be a resident of the US, and be 18 years old or older. If you meet all those standards and have a hankering to apply, you'll need to submit two pieces of original concept art "inspired by" PlanetSide 2 or EverQuest II, captions to go with the art, and a 500-word essay about women in the gaming industry. Applications are due by March 29th.
SOE Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Laura Naviaux hopes that this will be the biggest year ever for the scholarship: "Over the last few years, we have been nothing short of impressed with the hundreds of amazing submissions from talented students nationwide. Now in our fifth year, we can't wait to see the creativity that comes out of the G.I.R.L. program."
SOE's fifth annual G.I.R.L. competition beckons to future game designers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: SOE Announcement
Cyclops joins Marvel Heroes' roster
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Super-hero, Galleries, Screenshots, Classes, Previews, Free-to-play, Marvel Heroes
Gazillion is happy to announce that Cyclops will be a playable character in Marvel Heroes. What he lacks in overall charisma and flying abilities, he makes up for with a facial cannon capable of ruining your day. Cyclops is the on-again, off-again leader of the X-Men, a group of heroes that is also confirmed to be a part of the game.
You can check out a larger picture of Cyclops along with all the other revealed playable characters in Marvel Heroes in our new gallery below!
Cyclops joins Marvel Heroes' roster originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Marvel Heroes Facebook
Lord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Game mechanics, Patches, Previews, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries
The diary explains how Destiny, the previously intended PvMP currency, wound up being bloated and failed to serve its proper purpose. Commendations will be hard-capped at 100,000, and spending this currency will allow players to advance Creeps and acquire new equipment. The preliminary numbers are also included with the diary, with the understanding that there will be some tweaking after the system goes live. While players might be a bit miffed at having to use their Destiny quickly before it goes away, the new reward system will hopefully make advancing via PvMP far more viable.
Lord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Update 6: Commendations
GamersFirst sees a management shakeup
February 16, 2012
Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, All Points Bulletin
The official statements claim that the transition of power was amicable and pre-arranged, but it also comes on the heels of worldwide layoffs from K2 and rumors of a power struggle behind the scenes. Rahul Sandil, the company's public relations chief, claimed that there was no truth to these rumors and that the plan was to move forward from simple localizations of titles developed in foreign markets. Sandil went on to confirm that APB: Reloaded continues to be a large-scale success for the company and that further development will be centered around work that Book-Larsson had already seen during his time as CTO and COO.
GamersFirst sees a management shakeup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Darkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion
February 16, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Expansions, News items, Free-to-play
Y'all better prepare your night-vision goggles because night is swiftly approaching Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play title Forsaken World, and it's all thanks to the game's upcoming expansion, Nightfall. The recently announced update will take players to the far reaches of Eyrda with new quests, shinier shinies, and -- perhaps most interestingly -- the gift of flight. That's right, when Nightfall hits the live servers, players will be able to soar through the skies to experience "new bosses, dungeons, and events designed specifically for flying."
But maybe you've got more of a PvP bent to your playstyle. Don't worry; PWE is on the case. Forsaken World's Immortal Rift, which previously played host to massive guild wars, is being repurposed as "an all-out land conquering system," which will pit guild against guild against guild in a knock-down-drag-out brawl for territorial dominance. But that's enough chatter from us, so how about you click on past the cut for the expansion's teaser trailer, then head on over to Forsaken World's official site to get in on the fun.
Continue reading Darkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion
Darkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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