Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Previews, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Massively Event Coverage, MOBA
Players who visit booth 962 can check out a new preview release build of Tribes: Ascend before the game launches later this month. The demo contains a new game mode, Capture & Hold, which is a fast-paced experience that requires the mastery of vehicles and teamwork. Players will also get to see the return of a classic 1998 Tribes map revamped for modern times: Raindance.
Hi-Rez's other PAX East offering is its MOBA SMITE, which is in closed alpha testing. Here attendees can choose from one of 15 deities and head out on to 5v5 battleground maps for serious smackdown. New to the public are six of these playable deities and the first look at the Fire Giant mob.
[Source: Hi-Rez press release]
Hi-Rez Studios offering exclusive Tribes and SMITE demos at PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Entropia Universe, Business models, Economy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play
In a nutshell, the system allows players to amass weekly profits directly from the game after an initial investment of $100 for a single land deed. Investment opportunities are open to anyone with an Entropia avatar, and MinkArk also reports that the game features over one million registered accounts and over $400 million in annual user-to-user transactions.
[Source: MinkArk press release]
Entropia Universe player drops $2.5 million on virtual land deeds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Business models, Expansions, News items, Free-to-play
Starting today, players will be able to log into the new Kahrun server to create characters and reserve names; however, actual play will not be possible until the launch on April 11th. Catering to the Central Time Zone, all sieges, arena timers, and the like will be based on CST.
All accounts are also changing from subscriptions to the Truly Free model, eliminating all billing. Still have a month, three months, or even a year of time left? In compensation, NCsoft is crediting players by converting all remaining game time to NCoin at a ratio of 40 NCoin per remaining day. Don't panic if you don't see the credit immediately; it might take a couple days to process everything.
On top of all this, all inactive accounts in good standing are reactivating today to give Daevas a chance to prepare for 3.0. So dust off those wings and jump back in!
Aion opens a new server, eliminates subs, and reactivates accounts today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Aion official news
Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic
BioWare lead interface artist Michael Voigt walks us through the particulars of TOR's HUD in a new video just posted to the game's official website. Players will be pleased to note that both the placement and size of each UI element can be adjusted, and accessing the layout mode is as easy as clicking the plus button on the top left of your hotbar.
BioWare has also included three pre-made layouts: the default mode, an extended quickbar setup, and a retro look that moves the target and map circle to the top of the screen (and the chat window to the bottom). Head past the break to watch the clip.
Continue reading BioWare shows off SWTOR's customizable UI in new video
BioWare shows off SWTOR's customizable UI in new video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: UI video
Filed under: Betas, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMORTS, Miscellaneous
SemiFormal bills the game as "the world's first MMORTS," and the company says that it allows you to "tactically control territory, harvest resources, and build buildings anywhere on an expansive, real-time, never-ending map." The game doesn't limit where you can build, either, and there are no text-based battles (nor do you lose your progress when you log out).
If that's piqued your interest, head to the official site to learn more about the game, and don't forget to check out the Ensemble Kickstarter page to contribute.
Ensemble Online gears up for beta, launches Kickstarter drive originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Kickstarter
Filed under: Real life, Culture, Game mechanics, Opinion, Second Life, Free-to-play, Casual, Virtual worlds, Free for All
Also, I have an obsession with minimizing my life. I hate physical stuff. It takes up room, collects dust, and just sits there. Sure, I maintain all of my art if I can and some other important items like pictures and cute little knick-knacks, but otherwise, if I don't use it, it gets tossed, sold, or set on the curb for the junk-people to grab.
I feel the same way about Second Life. There's a mental burden that years of junk presses onto someone, digital representation or not. It's no wonder those people in that Hoarders show look so down; it's a hard life to lose the ability to throw anything away, ever.
I am making a stand, slowly. I am going to get this inventory under control by coming up with some ideas to help me along.
Continue reading Free for All: I got the Second Life inventory management blues
Free for All: I got the Second Life inventory management blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, PvP, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure
But with all of you as my puppet masters, I have the added pressure of not wanting to let any of you down. I know that last week some of you were disappointed with my progress (or lack thereof) and could identify dozens of things I was just doing flat-out wrong. That's another layer to this experience, I think: It gives experienced vets the chance to see the game through virgin eyes and to pass down sage advice that they themselves wish they had gotten right out of the gate.
So this past week was all about taking in your advice and attempting to execute it to the best of my ability. Some of it worked, and some did not, but the end result was a series of Dark Age of Camelot play sessions that were far less frustrating -- and even, dare I say, intriguing?
Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week four
Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week four originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds, Miscellaneous
The study found that by doing away with the limitations of face-to-face meetings (and easing the minds of participants who are uncomfortable in real-world group settings), virtual worlds can foster more relaxing and healthy experiences. The study featured 24 individuals who were divided into three groups and subjected to eight weeks of online sessions in Second Life.
Researchers found that participants "showed reductions in depression- and anxiety-related symptoms," though it's also important to note that participants had prior experiences with virtual worlds.
Second Life used to teach relaxation techniques originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Medical News Today
- Via: Game Politics
Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, Lore, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox
Sony Online Entertainment has put together a three-minute piece detailing the NC's Scope 4X (and no, we're not kidding -- it really is a video about a rifle scope). While the 4X may seem like an odd choice for a dev diary clip, it's actually indicative of the amount of work SOE is pouring into its open-world MMOFPS.
SOE senior artist Patrick Ho steps us through the complete design process, and we get a long look at thumbnail sketches, 3-D modeling, painting, and the fine details that typify PlanetSide 2's gear.
Continue reading SOE time-lapse video shows PlanetSide 2's Scope 4X
SOE time-lapse video shows PlanetSide 2's Scope 4X originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, Guild Wars 2
In under three minutes, this player whisks us through pages of sliders, hairstyles, and facial details to create Guild Wars 2 lookalikes of Liam Neeson, Clint Eastwood, Megan Fox, and Scarlett Johansson. Apart from its value as amusement, the video highlights the range of looks and styles that the character creator can be coaxed into generating.
Check it out after the break and see just how uncanny these avatars ended up being compared to the real deal!
Continue reading Guild Wars 2's character creator brings celebrities to Tyria
Guild Wars 2's character creator brings celebrities to Tyria originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube