Thursday, August 29, 2013

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Wizard101 gives away presents for its birthday

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 10:00 AM PDT

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Wizard101 gives away presents for its birthday
Happy birthday Wizard101! Starting today, the magical kid-friendly title celebrates turning five years old by offering gifts to players. Besides a confetti cannon to put in their houses, players will also receive other mystery gifts based on how old their accounts are; the longer you've been a Wizard101 player, the more gifts you'll receive!

But why have a birthday when you can have a birth month? The festivities will continue all through September. Until the 30th, there will be decorations throughout Wizard City and special sales in the Crown Shop. Additionally, five new hairstyles and a brand now mount, the Arcus Cloud, are also available.

MassivelyWizard101 gives away presents for its birthday originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dragon's Prophet unleashes second SUPER METAL trailer

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 09:30 AM PDT

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Dragon's Prophet unleashes second SUPER METAL trailer
Want to be truly metal? We mean, really Super Metal? The secret to that is: more dragons! Dragon's Prophet released its second #SUPERMETAL trailer today, dubbed Living Metal! In it, players can watch the journey from n00b to Super Metal. Besides the type of music you'd expect (heavy, duh!), Living Metal also offers other tips and hints on how to improve your metal lifestyle in game.

Experience it all for yourself in the video after the break. And if you are in the Seattle area over the weekend, stop by Dragon's Prophet's PAX Prime 2013 booth (#3336), during expo hours to play the game, chat with devs, and win some swag.

[Source: Dragon's Prophet press release]

Continue reading Dragon's Prophet unleashes second SUPER METAL trailer

MassivelyDragon's Prophet unleashes second SUPER METAL trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Ten features Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn needs ASAP

    Posted: 29 Aug 2013 09:00 AM PDT

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    Screenshot -- Final Fantasy XIV
    It's been a long, agonizing wait for die-hard fans of Final Fantasy XIV, but A Realm Reborn finally launched this week. And as with just about any major MMO launch, sheer chaos has ensued. But that's not what I'm here to talk about (though I'm sure someone in the comments will do it for me).

    I'm a big sucker for quality-of-life features in MMOs because as far as I'm concerned, anything that reduces tedium and allows me to focus on the game itself is definitely a good thing. While the folks over at Square Enix have certainly worked wonders bringing Final Fantasy XIV in line with modern MMO design, things still aren't quite perfect. If you've got the time -- and let's face it, the servers are probably under maintenance as you read this -- I'd love for you to join me past the cut as I dish on the 10 features I'd like to added to FFXIV: A Realm Reborn.

    Continue reading Ten features Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn needs ASAP

    MassivelyTen features Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn needs ASAP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      John Smedley takes to Reddit to answer SOE layoff questions

      Posted: 29 Aug 2013 08:30 AM PDT

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      Smed answers SOE layoff questions on his reddit
      In response to the question about how the recent SOE layoffs will affect PlanetSide 2, CEO John Smedley took to Reddit with a few answers. He specifically stated that layoffs will not impact the development of the MMOFPS and that there is still a large team working on it, even though some from that team were let go. "It won't impact the game because we have other people who are going to take the load over. Simple as that... We carefully planned and are distributing tasks appropriately to other people on the team." Smedley also dismissed the idea that devs were let go because of the integration of Player Studio as absurd.

      What about the other games in SOE's portfolio? Smedley announced that a full status report on all games is planned for next week.

      MassivelyJohn Smedley takes to Reddit to answer SOE layoff questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Dragon Con 2013: A guide to the MMO track

      Posted: 29 Aug 2013 08:00 AM PDT

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      Dragon Con 2013 A guide to the MMO track
      This year marks the 27th year of the Dragon Con fan convention, and since it's the largest gathering of its type in the world, we know quite a few of you will be attending this year. So we're rounding up some important info on the conference and its MMORPG track to help you make the most of your experience. Let's go!

      Continue reading Dragon Con 2013: A guide to the MMO track

      MassivelyDragon Con 2013: A guide to the MMO track originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        SMITE introduces Zhong Kui, tweaks Guan Yu

        Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:30 AM PDT

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        SMITE introduces Zhong Kui, tweaks Guan Yu
        It's time for another SMITE update, and you guessed it, Hi-Rez has introduced a new god to its mythology-based MOBA. Zhong Kui, otherwise known as The Demon Queller, is version 0.1.1705's big kahuna.

        His Demon Bag passive allows him to capture demons and gain protection from each subjugated spirit. Zhong Kui also features a DoT called Expose Evil and a couple of other nifty skills that you can view in the video we've embedded after the cut.

        SMITE's latest patch also features significant updates for Guan Yu, including a new 3-D model, effects, animations, and art. Full details are available via the patch notes below.

        Continue reading SMITE introduces Zhong Kui, tweaks Guan Yu

        MassivelySMITE introduces Zhong Kui, tweaks Guan Yu originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Wargaming's Unified Premium Account goes live

        Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:00 AM PDT

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        Wargaming's Unified Premium Account goes live
        Wargaming has announced today the official launch of its Unified Premium Account, connecting players across all current and future Wargaming titles.

        The service, currently live in World of Tanks and World of Warplanes, allows players to pay for all premium services at once, with the added benefit of an increased experience and credit accrual rate in-game.

        You can look for more information on the Unified Premium Account on Wargaming's main page.

        [Source: Wargaming press release]

        MassivelyWargaming's Unified Premium Account goes live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Daily Grind: What's the worst (and best) MMO launch you've experienced?

          Posted: 29 Aug 2013 06:00 AM PDT

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          The mighty turtle head
          So I finally got to log onto the Balmung server in Final Fantasy XIV yesterday afternoon. I'd been trying off and on for a couple of days, only to be thwarted by the 1017 monster. I dusted off my 1.0 character, went through the brief tutorial, and set about exploring the city of Ul'dah and oohing and ahhing over the newest AAA MMO.

          Maybe it's because I'm getting old, but FFXIV's launch problems really didn't bother me. It's not the best I've ever witnessed, that's for sure, but I've seen far, far worse. What about you, Massively readers? What's the worst MMO launch you've experienced? How about the best?

          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!

          MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the worst (and best) MMO launch you've experienced? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Free for All: My top four MMOs for relaxation

            Posted: 28 Aug 2013 06:00 PM PDT

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            Wurm Online screenshot
            Say you come home from a long day's work, dreaming about the vacation that you've yet to take and how nice it would be to turn off your brain for a while, to kick back and watch the wide world walk by. Unfortunately, vacations cost a pile of money. You have to pay someone to watch the dogs and water your plants and work is a real pain about letting you out of the shackles even for a week.

            The good news is that much of the benefit of vacation comes from the mental release. Sure, nothing beats the real, true feeling of pressing your toes into warm water and sand, but it can be fun and relaxing to visit virtual worlds, to take in virtual sights and sounds. MMOs are perfect for blowing off some steam, for taking a moment to realize just how nice it is to have access to such landscapes from the comfort of your desk.

            Here are some of my favorite virtual worlds that bring on that feeling of relaxation.

            Continue reading Free for All: My top four MMOs for relaxation

            MassivelyFree for All: My top four MMOs for relaxation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Part one of Xsyon's resource patch released

              Posted: 28 Aug 2013 04:00 PM PDT

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              Here is a collage of screenshots from Xsyon
              Indie sandbox MMO Xsyon is still alive and kicking, and it's even getting an updated resource distribution system. Developer Notorious Games has localized scavenged materials, increased rares in high danger areas, and even added new crafting materials to the post-apocalyptic game world.

              Xyson is free-to-play, and the game is also looking for your support on Steam's Greenlight initiative. You can see the game's latest update notes via the official website links below.

              MassivelyPart one of Xsyon's resource patch released originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Government bans female League of Legends characters at Iranian tourney

              Posted: 28 Aug 2013 03:30 PM PDT

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              Government bans female League of Legends characters at Iranian tourney
              League of Legends players will be short a few fighters at Iran's World Cyber Games tournament that's scheduled to begin on September 12th. The Iranian government has its knickers in a knot over some of the MOBA's more scantily clad femme fatales, and so tourney participants will have to do without the services of champions including Ahri, Miss Fortune, Lulu, and dozens of others.

              Kotaku reports that WGC Iran may be forced to shut down the tournament altogether if it doesn't comply with the ban, though it's worth noting that a few female avatars are "under consideration for tournament play."

              MassivelyGovernment bans female League of Legends characters at Iranian tourney originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              The Art of Wushu: Talking Mount Hua with Age of Wushu's Peter Kang

              Posted: 28 Aug 2013 02:00 PM PDT

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              The Art of Wushu Talking with Snail's Peter Kang about Mount Hua
              A day or two after writing about the Mount Hua expansion last time, I had the chance to sit down with community manager Peter Kang -- better known to the Age of Wushu playerbase as Earthquake -- and talk about the various changes in the expansion.

              We had a fairly long talk. Like true wuxia fanboys, we derailed quite a bit to talk about Legend of Condor Heroes, but we discussed where Wushu is, where Snail would like it to go, and the relationship between Snail USA and the dev team in China. It was pretty enlightening because he clearly plays the game and is acutely aware of the impact the company's decisions has on players.

              Continue reading The Art of Wushu: Talking Mount Hua with Age of Wushu's Peter Kang

              MassivelyThe Art of Wushu: Talking Mount Hua with Age of Wushu's Peter Kang originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                SOE suffers a 'reduction in workforce' [Updated]

                Posted: 28 Aug 2013 01:25 PM PDT

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                SOE - PS2
                SOE has just announced layoffs to an undetermined number of presumably MMO-related staff. Head of community management Brasse confirmed earlier rumors on the EverQuest II official forums:
                Today we announced a reduction in our workforce at SOE. As a company, our goal is to focus on our core expertise of MMO games and as part of these efforts, we had to make the difficult decision to eliminate positions to help reduce costs, streamline our employee base and strategically align resources towards our current portfolio of games and upcoming slate of MMOs, including EverQuest Next Landmark and EverQuest Next. We deeply value our employees and are grateful for all they've contributed to our company and games. They will be missed by colleagues and friends, and we wish them well in the future.
                We have contacted SOE for clarification on which MMOs are impacted by these layoffs and will update when we know more.

                [Thanks to Jeremy for the tip.]

                [Update: While SOE has declined to officially comment further, an unnamed Gamasutra source claims "the layoffs affect both its San Diego and Austin offices." SOE president John Smedley tweeted his condolences, posting, "Sorry to say that we did have layoffs. We're still moving forward with all our current games and games in development including EverQuest Next and other unannounced titles. The people who got laid off are very good people. Very sorry this happened. Layoffs suck. These are really, really good people who don't deserve this."]

                MassivelySOE suffers a 'reduction in workforce' [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Leaderboard: What's your platform of choice for ESO?

                Posted: 28 Aug 2013 01:00 PM PDT

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                The Elder Scrolls Online - Eastmarch concept art
                The Elder Scrolls Online is coming. It's coming to your PC, and somewhat surprisingly -- to me at least -- it's also coming to your Xbone and your PlayStation 4.

                I've been a fan of the IP since I played through Morrowind in 2002, but aside from an impulse bargain bin buy of Oblivion for the 360 -- which I'd already beaten on a PC -- I've never really experienced Tamriel on a console. It just seemed like a waste, you know? Some of the most epic moments in my personal Elder Scrolls scrapbook were possible only thanks to community mods, and those are of course impossible sans a PC.

                Clearly there's a big audience for consolized Elder Scrolls titles, though. And I'm curious if any Massively commenters will be picking up the Elder Scrolls MMO for something other than a PC. Vote after the cut!

                Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!

                Continue reading Leaderboard: What's your platform of choice for ESO?

                MassivelyLeaderboard: What's your platform of choice for ESO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Project Titan: A brief history of a game that doesn't exist

                  Posted: 28 Aug 2013 12:00 PM PDT

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                  Project Titan
                  For the last several years, the MMO community has been abuzz with rumors regarding Blizzard Entertainment's Project Titan. Long reported to be a brand-new MMO based on an entirely original intellectual property, Titan was a top-secret project discussed only through occasional interviews, job postings, and hearsay. No footage ever slipped through the cracks; no early alpha build accidentally leaked to the web.

                  Unfortunately, Project Titan as we knew it is no more. Rumors broke in May that development on the project had been restarted from scratch, and Blizzard offered comments that didn't so much as confirm those rumors as lend them a hefty amount of credence. Now it seems as though whatever we might have known about Titan may no longer apply, and whatever Blizzard had created so far may never see the light of day.

                  With that in mind, let's take a little adventure through the rumorsphere and look back on the history of Project Titan and the stories surrounding it.

                  Continue reading Project Titan: A brief history of a game that doesn't exist

                  MassivelyProject Titan: A brief history of a game that doesn't exist originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Raptr revives RIFT rewards, Defiance discount

                    Posted: 28 Aug 2013 11:00 AM PDT

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                    Raptr revives RIFT rewards
                    Back in March, Trion partnered with Raptr to introduce a four-tiered reward system to help revitalize RIFT. Three months later, another reward incentive gave folks in-game armor, an exclusive mount, and a special Raptr pet. And now, it's time for another bout of rewards! Raptr has revived those very June rewards for RIFT, offering once again the armor, mount, and pet to those who join the community.

                    The rewards, however, don't end with RIFT. Raptr has also revived the Defiance rewards (30% off the game) and added exclusive limited access to the alpha version of End of Nations.

                    [Source: Raptr press release]

                    [Update: Trion has let us know that part or all of this morning's press release may have been in error. Stand by for clarification from the source!]

                    MassivelyRaptr revives RIFT rewards, Defiance discount originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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