Virtual World News
Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Opinion, The Daily Grind, TERA
This last weekend was the first of five closed beta tests for pre-order customers. While our requests for beta keys went ignored, those on the Massively team who did pre-order were plagued by technical problems in the patcher, making the beta weekend unplayable.
So as we sit here cursing the fact that we're not able to write about this particular weekend, we're curious about your thoughts. Did you enjoy yourself? Was it more or less than what you expected? There's no NDA, so spill the beans!
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: Did you participate in TERA's first beta weekend? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 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 our streamed 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, streaming is 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: February 13-19, 2012
MV Guide: February 13-19, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Contests, Events, real-world, Free-to-play, MMOFPS
In the Firefall Battleframe Trailer Challenge, Red 5 Studios is rewarding creative editors with a good eye for taking raw Firefall gameplay footage and shaping it into an exciting commercial for the game. Entrants are instructed to post these on YouTube, as Red 5 will take into account the likes and views of each video when making its final decision.
Videos have to be submitted by March 16th, at which time Red 5 will select the best three trailers for luxurious prizes. The first place winner will get a trip for two to PAX East -- along with hotel accommodations and $500 spending money. Second place nets a spiffy Alienware M14x laptop, and third place will enjoy a Firefall-themed ASTRO gaming headset.
Firefall video contest can get you to PAX East on Red 5's dime originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Contest page
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Free-to-play, Crafting
Update 5.2 isn't just about these lock boxes, of course. Improvements to monster play and two endgames raids are on the docket, as well as a much-needed in-game map to the Pit of Irons. For those who have gotten turned around in the aforementioned pit (such as a Massively staffer or two), this comes as a welcome piece of news. Crafters will rejoice to see that the cooldown on guild crafting recipes has been lowered by six hours and that several recipes, such as the Tome of Wisdom, are now granted automatically.
Word is that the Buried Treasure in-game event has gone live with the update as well.
LotRO's update 5.2 showers players with lock boxes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Update 5.2 patch notes
Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, All Points Bulletin, Crime
The box sells for £20 and features £30 of bonus items including a permanent hi-performance vehicle, weapon, and 30 days of premium access (which in turn provides increased cash and reputation rewards, plus a hefty discount at the cash shop).
APB Reloaded is an open-world third-person shooter set in the crime-ridden streets of San Paro. The game is free-to-play, powered by the Unreal 3 Engine, and features an advanced avatar customization system that allows for personalized symbols, clothing, vehicles, and in-game music.
[Source: GamersFirst press release]
APB now available at European retail stores originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox
This week's test starts tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Eastern and will last about an hour. CCP says you'll be testing "performance improvements to the overview window and other parts of the UI," and your character will receive two million skillpoints to distribute as you see fit.
Further info is available on the (new and improved) EVE web portal.
EVE Singularity UI test coming tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Announcement
Filed under: Polls, Humor, Miscellaneous, Leaderboard
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "This is a chicken-or-egg scenario! How can I choose when both are vital to survival? I love both! Don't make me pick!" Now you're lying on the floor, cradling your head and whimpering.
Seriously, stop being a Charlie Brown and take a side! Are tanks more important due to their scarcity and skill that it takes to juggle aggro and take all the pain meant for others? Are healers the mostly unsung heroes of raids, forced to stare at shrinking green bars instead of getting to eyeball the action?
Let's put this bickering to rest, daddy wants to take a nap. Have it out after the jump: tanks vs. healers. I expect that this will put an end to centuries of violence surrounding the subject.
Continue reading Leaderboard: Tanks vs. healers
Leaderboard: Tanks vs. healers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA, Crafting
Today we've got a trio of introductory videos that show three different aspects of the game. First up is a clip that features the enchanting process, followed by a brief look at the game's crafting mechanics. Finally, TERA Hispano has uploaded some footage of the controversial Elin race. The video covers almost nine minutes on the character creation screen, and you can find it after the break.
[Thanks to Axel for the tip!]
Continue reading TERA beta videos show crafting, enchanting, Elin creation
TERA beta videos show crafting, enchanting, Elin creation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube
Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, PvE, Wings Over Atreia, Guides
Dungeons are a great way to get away from the masses and all the accompanying interruptions that come with sharing the world with others, such as KSing, unwanted PvP ambushes, and mob trains pulled by some idiot next to you. Think of it as an Atreian vacation! And Aion has 19 PvE instanced dungeons ready to whisk you away for a brief respite from the world while simultaneously giving you the chance at some great loot and XP.
Last week we covered dungeons available to Daevas under level 40 as well as solo instances. Of course, in most cases, Daevas don't remain under 40 forever (or even for long if whole months of double-XP weekends crop up!), so there is a need for more places to scratch that dungeon crawl itch. This time around, Wings Over Atreia focuses on the gamut of choices for those advancing in their levels.
Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: The top 19 ways to get your dungeon crawl on, continued
Wings Over Atreia: The top 19 ways to get your dungeon crawl on, continued originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Giveaways
Note that these coupon codes are only available for new players and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis through our giveaway page.
Be sure to read past the cut for complete instructions on how to redeem your code, plus complete descriptions of the in-game prizes. Best of luck!
Continue reading Enjoy more Hellgate Global with a prize pack from Massively
Enjoy more Hellgate Global with a prize pack from Massively originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.