Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Interviews, MMO industry, Sandbox
Oh spoke on several topics relating to Black Desert's development, such as why the team decided to create its own game engine instead of licensing an existing one. "We aspired to create an entirely different game from typical MMORPGs available today," Oh said, "including the rendering of art and graphics. So with an abundance of in-house experience in developing game engines gained through previous projects, we made our own."
Details about Black Desert's world were shared over the course of the interview, including the news that all classes are available to both genders and can engage in mounted combat. Oh pontificated on the castle siege system, the limited player housing market, and backstory and setting for the game.
Black Desert shopping for Western publisher, shares more details about its game world originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: MMO Culture
Filed under: Historical, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
Blades are the largest and most savage of these one-handed weapons; they are tools, meant to end lives as quickly as possible without any concern for elegance. Swords, meanwhile, are weapons and statements both, associated with grace and elegance in movement. Or you could opt for the short and concealable dagger, favored by duplicitous fighters everywhere. Even within a fairly narrow range of weapon types, variety abounds if you know the details.
Age of Wushu sharpens up informations on edged weapons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Weapons Revisited
Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Expansions, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Star Wars: The Old Republic
The latest video from the SWTOR development team shares more story setup and design previews from the planet Makeb, centerpiece of the upcoming expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel. If you're looking forward to cascading waterfalls or orbital elevators, you'll want to take a look at the full video just past the break, but if you're just in it for the story, there are a few more tantalizing glimpses in there as well.
[Update: BioWare has also just released a dev blog with some gorgeous concept art for the planet.]
Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic shows off how to make Makeb [Updated]
Star Wars: The Old Republic shows off how to make Makeb [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: YouTube
Filed under: Betas, MMO industry, New titles, Betawatch, Miscellaneous
Of course, sometimes you don't want novelty; you want to know more about familiar games. So perhaps you'd like a hands-on look at Defiance. Or perhaps you'd like to know more about Black Desert as the game seeks a Western publisher. And while ArcheAge has found a Western publisher, you might also like to read a few words of caution before getting too worked up.
Alternatively, it's possible you're just here for the list, which is past the break. If you notice something we've missed, feel free to let us know down in the comments!
Continue reading Betawatch: March 2 - 8, 2013
Betawatch: March 2 - 8, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Super-hero, Events, in-game, Endgame, News items, Free-to-play, Champions Online
The Lemurian forces are trying to summon something enormous to overtake Millennium City, and high-level players will be pitted against the bulk of this army and its ominiously named Bleak Harbinger. Fail, and Millennium City falls. Succeed, and you might be able to pick up a Lemurian hovertank. Oh, and the city won't be destroyed. There are also new hoverbikes available from both the Drifter and the C-Store, helping ensure that heroes who want to take on the invasion will have good equipment to do so before it ends on March 27th.
[Thanks to matixzun for the tip!]
The Lemurian Invasion of Champions Online is going out with a splash originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Lemurian Invasion Conclusion
Filed under: EverQuest, EverQuest II, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, Free-to-play, Giveaways, EverQuest Next, PlanetSide 2, Dragon's Prophet
Representatives from a number of SOE's titles will be there to chat, share stories, and even answer questions about the various games. You could discuss PlanetSide 2 strategies with Community Rep Maggie Krohn, discuss EverQuest's latest expansion with Sr. Community Manger Eric Cleaver, or even corner EQ franchise director Dave Georgeson and see what news about EQ Next he might let slip! Dragon's Prophet Senior Producer Todd Carson will also be on hand to answer your questions about, well, dragons. And rumor has it that the drinks are on Brasse!
What's a con event without swag? Dragon's Prophet priority access beta keys as well as T-shirts will be given out on a first come, first served basis. EQ goodies might be had as well. Folks planning to drop by can RSVP on the official Facebook event page and follow updates on the various games' respective twitter accounts.
SOE meet and greet at PAX East open to everyone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Meet & greet announcement
- Via: Twitter
Filed under: Game mechanics, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Crafting
So, assuming that you don't curl into the fetal position at the thought of needing player-crafted gear, do you think it's possible for it to coexist with loot drops or are the two mutually exclusive in your ideal MMORPG?
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: Can crafted gear coexist with loot drops? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous
It's easy to say, "kick 'em!" but that could backfire and cause even more drama. Dealing with problem players is complicated but not impossible. In today's Guild Counsel, let's look at a few things to consider.
Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Dealing with problem players
The Guild Counsel: Dealing with problem players originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, ArcheAge, Sandbox, Crafting, Housing
While most of the combat complaints can be summarized by the subjectively nebulous it-doesn't-feel-as-polished-as-game-XYZ argument, the sandbox and economic concerns are a bit more concrete. "And like the pirate system that has no reward for serious consequences, the economy has the opposite, high reward with no consequences, except to those who also play the game," the author writes. "Without money sinks and a way to balance out the economy, ArcheAge is heading toward a flatline when it comes to worth."
He also alludes to the possibility that the game's extensive housing and farming systems will be lost in translation from the social gaming culture in Korea to the isolationist achiever mentality prevalent in the West. "When you apply these [housing items] to the real world/game practice you see player-run towns that don't look like towns, but rather more like FarmVille: a homestead of the same resources in bulk, such as goats (which are the most profitable resource) filling every single bit of available space. So you go from being aesthetically pleasing to a resource farm," the writer explains. "The magic of a home and town is lost to min-maxing personal gain. ArcheAge turns into Men Who Stare at Goats."
[Thanks Dengar!]
'Don't believe the ArcheAge hype,' lengthy fan review warns originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: AltTabMe
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Neverwinter
Perfect World and Cryptic are also opening up a bit more of the game's player-generated Foundry functionality for public consumption. Finally, the devs have released a new video teaser which is viewable after the break.
[Source: Perfect World press release]
Continue reading Neverwinter beta weekend features Control Wizard, new zones, Foundry content
Neverwinter beta weekend features Control Wizard, new zones, Foundry content originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.