Virtual World News
WoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated]
March 22, 2012
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Betas, Fantasy, Events, real-world, Expansions, MMO industry, News items
WoW Insider continued updating its news post as the night wore on, and interestingly enough, Mac users were indeed able to download the patch (no such luck for PC folk, though). Blizzard also published a beta character copy page on Battle.net where players got a good look at all the test servers ready and waiting for a slew of avatar imports.
[Updated]: MoP beta is live.
WoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: WoW Insider
CCP shopping EVE Online to cloud gaming services
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Casual, Sandbox
"We are in dialogue with both companies and others," CCP marketing guru David Reid says. "We think it's a really important way to not just play the core Eve Online gameplay -- that you do play today principally on the PC and on the Mac -- but also to add new sorts of experiences."
What sorts of new experiences? Well, Reid mentioned EVE's planetary interaction mechanics, and he said that CCP could see PI finding its way "to tablets and mobile devices." It's still very early in the process, though, and Reid clarified that CCP has nothing to announce as of yet.
CCP shopping EVE Online to cloud gaming services originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Eurogamer
Lord of the Rings Online's Spring Festival rescheduled
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Events, in-game, News items, Free-to-play
Spring is beginning to... well, spring, and for denizens of Middle-earth that generally means that the Spring Festival is just around the corner. This year, however, there's been a small adjustment to the schedule. Since Lord of the Rings Online's fifth anniversary is coming up in April, the Spring Festival is being pushed back until after the anniversary celebrations have concluded.
While we don't have an official start date for the festival, Casual Stroll to Mordor points out that the game's anniversary is April 24th, and celebrations will likely take place the week of said anniversary. Therefore we should probably expect the Spring Festival to kick off sometime in May. As CSTM also notes, this may help bridge the rather sizeable gap between the Spring, Summer, and Fall Festivals as well, so maybe a little schedule-shifting isn't so bad.
While we don't have an official start date for the festival, Casual Stroll to Mordor points out that the game's anniversary is April 24th, and celebrations will likely take place the week of said anniversary. Therefore we should probably expect the Spring Festival to kick off sometime in May. As CSTM also notes, this may help bridge the rather sizeable gap between the Spring, Summer, and Fall Festivals as well, so maybe a little schedule-shifting isn't so bad.
Lord of the Rings Online's Spring Festival rescheduled originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Casual Stroll to Mordor
Leave your legacy with Star Wars: The Old Republic's newest dev dispatch video
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dev Diaries
Star Wars: The Old Republic's patch 1.2 is slowly creeping over the horizon, and that means that players are one step closer to getting to try out the next steps in the game's Legacy progression system for themselves. In light of this, BioWare has released a new video highlighting the inner workings of the Legacy system to give players a look at what exactly they can expect.
For the uninitiated, the Legacy system unlocks after a character completes chapter one of the storyline, and from that point on that character will gain Legacy experience in addition to the normal combat experience. Progressing through the Legacy system will unlock a variety of spiffy treats -- such as special skills, new class-race combinations, account-bound gear, and more -- for all characters on a player's account. Obviously the benefits are greatest for altoholics (whoo!), but even one-character players will be able to benefit from the new abilities and other unlocks. But you don't have to take our word for it; the full developer dispatch video can be seen just past the cut.
For the uninitiated, the Legacy system unlocks after a character completes chapter one of the storyline, and from that point on that character will gain Legacy experience in addition to the normal combat experience. Progressing through the Legacy system will unlock a variety of spiffy treats -- such as special skills, new class-race combinations, account-bound gear, and more -- for all characters on a player's account. Obviously the benefits are greatest for altoholics (whoo!), but even one-character players will be able to benefit from the new abilities and other unlocks. But you don't have to take our word for it; the full developer dispatch video can be seen just past the cut.
Continue reading Leave your legacy with Star Wars: The Old Republic's newest dev dispatch video
Leave your legacy with Star Wars: The Old Republic's newest dev dispatch video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Charge into battle with Lime Odyssey's Warrior class
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, News items, Free-to-play
Aeria Games' latest free-to-play title, Lime Odyssey, is gearing itself up for closed beta, and to get players hyped up for the impending test the studio has released a slew of new information about the Warrior battle class. Fans of the genre should know exactly what to expect: heavy armor, big weapons, and lots of bloodlust.
Warriors can specialize in one of two trees: Attack or Defense. Both trees do exactly what they say on the tin. The Attack tree focuses on brute force and unrelenting offense with abilities that allow the Warrior to cleave, smash, and otherwise brutalize anything that stands between him and his goals. On the flip-side, the Defense tree turns the Warrior into a vigilant protector who can put himself in harm's way to protect his allies. If you want more details on the various classes available in Lime Odyssey, and to get in on the closed beta, just head on over to the game's official site.
[Source: Aeria Games press release]
Warriors can specialize in one of two trees: Attack or Defense. Both trees do exactly what they say on the tin. The Attack tree focuses on brute force and unrelenting offense with abilities that allow the Warrior to cleave, smash, and otherwise brutalize anything that stands between him and his goals. On the flip-side, the Defense tree turns the Warrior into a vigilant protector who can put himself in harm's way to protect his allies. If you want more details on the various classes available in Lime Odyssey, and to get in on the closed beta, just head on over to the game's official site.
[Source: Aeria Games press release]
Charge into battle with Lime Odyssey's Warrior class originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
A tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, News items, RIFT
RIFT players are only a short time away from being able to delve into the depths of the Infernal Dawn raid, where they will be able to confront one of the most destructive of the dragon-gods, Maelforge the Flame Sire. To prepare players to face off against the great fire dragon of the Blood Storm, Trion Worlds has released a new lore snippet that reveals his history, his motivations...
Oh, and the fact that he's absolutely, positively batshit insane. We're talking burn-people-to-death-then-resurrect-them-and-burn-them-again insane. Seriously guys, we can't stress this enough. But hey, if you still wanna go up against a guy who devours worlds and murders gods for funsies, be our guests. Just don't say we didn't warn you. While you attempt to justify the madness of actually trying to kill such a beast, click on past the cut and check out the full lore piece.
Oh, and the fact that he's absolutely, positively batshit insane. We're talking burn-people-to-death-then-resurrect-them-and-burn-them-again insane. Seriously guys, we can't stress this enough. But hey, if you still wanna go up against a guy who devours worlds and murders gods for funsies, be our guests. Just don't say we didn't warn you. While you attempt to justify the madness of actually trying to kill such a beast, click on past the cut and check out the full lore piece.
Continue reading A tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire
A tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Now you don't see him: Meet PlanetSide 2's Infiltrator
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Classes, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2
SOE revealed the Infiltrator today as the game's stealth-user and long-distance sniper. Using advanced technology and camouflage systems, the Infiltrator can get to places that no other class can -- and do a lot of damage once there. Interestingly enough, while the Infiltrator lacks heavy armor, SOE does claim that the class' tactical advantages will prove to be just as protective as a titanium suit.
Infiltrators can use both sniper and scout rifles as well as pistols for close-quarter combat. The sniper rifle boasts the best range, while the scout rifle is better for mobile assault missions. It will, of course, be up to the player to decide whichever is the best to use in which situation.
Now you don't see him: Meet PlanetSide 2's Infiltrator originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Infilitrator intro
World of Warcraft is the new Match.com
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, Humor, Miscellaneous
So how does it look? According to the graphic, World of Warcraft has more than 10 times as many people involved as Match.com, and people sink more time into online gaming than any online dating site. There's also a number of factors that suggest slaughtering virtual trolls as a better way to bond than a cup of coffee. So while it's still probably bad form to hit on your raid leader between pulls, maybe you're not entirely off the mark. Unless she's married.
World of Warcraft is the new Match.com originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Gamers Get Girls
- Via: Kotaku
Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous
In unrelated news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which focuses on the question of raw, unfettered action. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.
Continue reading Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition
Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
WildStar Wednesday highlights the deadly denizens of planet Nexus
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, WildStar
WildStar's planet Nexus is a wild, untamed place full of various flora and fauna. It just so happens that a good chunk of said flora and fauna wants to eat your face. Thankfully, the fine folks over at Carbine Studios have decided to give players a leg-up on the competition by providing them with a bit of insight on some of the savage creatures they'll encounter in the dark corners of the planet.
The spotlight today is on three species of things-you-don't-want-to-meet-in-a-dark-alley. First off, we have masses of sentient fungus known as rootbrutes, and if their name doesn't tell you everything you need to know about 'em, then we're not sure how to help you. If that's not enough to make you think twice about your next vacay to planet Nexus, maybe the Girrok will give you pause. These huge, stocky quadripeds are known to rip boulders from the earth for a rousing game of bowling, except players are their pins. To top it all off, we have the "barely sentient" Skeech. Despite their near complete lack of intellect, the Skeech are apparently accomplished cooks... of people. So if a Skeech says it wants to have you for dinner, it doesn't mean a dinner party.
WildStar Wednesday highlights the deadly denizens of planet Nexus originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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