Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MMO Updates

MMO Updates

Choose My Adventure: Final Fantasy XIV's thaumaturgery

Posted: 19 Nov 2014 09:00 AM PST

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FFXIV
One of the more frustrating elements of helming Choose My Adventure is that I start every game with hopeless incompetence and spend four weeks trying desperately to reach some level of understanding with that game's core mechanics. MMO players take for granted the basic masteries they have over the systems they command and forget that the first 20 or so levels of any new game are usually spent in a fog of half-understandings and misconceptions.

Because it's so difficult to continually learn a game's idiosyncrasies, I was a bit wary of last week's Choose My Adventure polls. Having just grown comfortable with our Miqo'te Pugilist and the basic rotations that power her damage, I found the thought of taking on an entirely new class fairly intimidating. Aren't Thaumaturges hard to play? Don't they have confusing ability combos and weird buffs?

Luckily, Final Fantasy XIV understands the challenge in switching classes and isn't afraid to babysit you while you re-learn the ropes.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Final Fantasy XIV's thaumaturgery

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Final Fantasy XIV's thaumaturgery originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is now taking donations through Patreon

    Posted: 19 Nov 2014 08:00 AM PST

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    So is this officially the point when Captain Ahab shows up and says that it's time to let it go?
    Brad McQuaid has apparently started a new Patreon to fund Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, the third crowdfunding source that the game has employed. Let's recap: The game was first announced by the former Vanguard lead with a Kickstarter campaign that failed to meet its target goal. That was followed by an on-site fundraising campaign that abruptly ended when McQuaid admitted (against a backdrop of worrisome rumors) that there was no more money to pay the studio employees, at which point he told fans that development was starting again with an all-volunteer team.

    So what do you get for backing the game's development? Videos. The current funding goals are $1,000 increments for monthly development videos through January; they'll show the volunteer team's progress on the game. Those who donate large amounts of money will also be granted exclusive screenshots of the in-development version of the game (so far those we've seen include placeholder assets) and a spot in the credits of a development video. The page claims that any and all funds raised will fund the team as well as defray hardware and server costs.

    MassivelyPantheon: Rise of the Fallen is now taking donations through Patreon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Hartsman addresses ArcheAge APEX exploit: 'There isn't a dupe bug'

    Posted: 19 Nov 2014 07:00 AM PST

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    Falling with style.
    ArcheAge has been having a bit of trouble with bugs and exploits since its launch, if you haven't noticed. Trion Worlds head Scott Hartsman has weighed in on the APEX bug that has been affecting the game; specifically, he's said that the bug is not a dupe bug. Players were rather upset as soon as this announcement was made, pointing out that the bug is a known issue that has been affecting the game and the playerbase since it was first discovered.

    Community manager Evan "Scapes" Berman clarified that the bug in question is not, strictly speaking, a dupe bug; rather than duplicating an item multiple times, the bug was allowing players to continue to reap the benefits of an item without consuming it as intended. APEX are still unavailable as more hotfixes are put into place to prevent further abuse of exploits, with action already being taken to both patch out the issue and remove funds accumulated by abuses of the exploit.

    MassivelyHartsman addresses ArcheAge APEX exploit: 'There isn't a dupe bug' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Final Fantasy XIV has been besieged by DDoS attacks

    Posted: 19 Nov 2014 06:30 AM PST

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    Stop being immature, kids, some of us have things to do here.
    If you've been playing Final Fantasy XIV over the past few evenings, you've probably noticed some issues: odd disconnections, login difficulties, things like that. Turns out it wasn't just some general server weirdness; apparently the game is being hit by DDoS attacks that are leading to heavy server load and all of the fun that comes along with it.

    The official post states that the attacks are being carried out by a currently unknown third party, with Square-Enix working to try to stop the attacks from all possible angles. It also apologizes for the issues that players are having. So the good news is that it's not just your connection, and the bad news is that someone decided that it's fun to be a jerk. Again.

    MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV has been besieged by DDoS attacks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Guild Wars 2 plans a big PvP patch for December 2nd

    Posted: 19 Nov 2014 06:00 AM PST

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    Aw, right in the face.
    On December 5th, the first World Tournament Series for Guild Wars 2 will conclude with a showdown between the four best teams across the United States, Europe, and China. Right before that, on December 2nd, the Guild Wars 2 team will be deploying several large-scale updates to the game's PvP. So if you've been watching the tournament with rapt interest, you'll have a number of shiny new systems to test out; if you haven't, you can still reap the benefits of an improved PvP system in the game.

    Matchmaking is one of the biggest game mechanics seeing alterations. Players will be sorted by Glicko2 ratings for matchmaking purposes and subjected to a dishonor system that punishes behavior like leaving mid-match. The net result is a full ladder system for the game that will serve as a foundation for large-scale league play, with a test season planned for mid-December to make sure all of the parts work properly. There are more adjustments to be revealed over the next two weeks, but for now, dedicated PvP fans can rest easy knowing that more boosts are coming.

    [Source: ArenaNet press release]

    MassivelyGuild Wars 2 plans a big PvP patch for December 2nd originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Are you still playing WildStar?

      Posted: 19 Nov 2014 05:00 AM PST

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      wildstar
      My name is Justin, and I have a confession: I still play WildStar. I even... like it. I know! Stop spitting on me already!

      It seems as though 2014 is the year of new games getting tarred and feathered (usually justly) after their much-anticipated releases, and WildStar is no different. I won't deny that the studio has a lot of work to be done on the game, but my feelings for the game haven't changed. I still really dig this weird sci-fi romp, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Maybe it's the housing system (the best I've seen, period), the memorable world, the quirky humor, or the variety of activities, but I haven't grown bored of it yet.

      Are you still playing WildStar? Have you been hesitant to say so after reading so much negativity around the internet? Speak up and let me know that I'm not alone!

      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: Are you still playing WildStar? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Stream Team: What really happened to EQII's Isle of Refuge?

        Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:00 PM PST

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        Did you get enough of EverQuest II's new Altar of Malice expansion last week? Neither did Massively's MJ! She was too distracted by nostalgia to do much last time, so this week's she's diving deeper into the story to find out exactly what happened to the island. What dastardly deeds caused such a calamity? Inquiring minds want to know! Join us live at 9:00 p.m. to watch this EverQuest Two-sday adventure unfold.

        Game: EverQuest II
        Host: MJ Guthrie
        Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2014
        Time: 9:00 p.m. EST

        Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

        Continue reading The Stream Team: What really happened to EQII's Isle of Refuge?

        MassivelyThe Stream Team: What really happened to EQII's Isle of Refuge? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          CIG kicks off Star Citizen Meet the Devs video series

          Posted: 18 Nov 2014 05:00 PM PST

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          Cloud Imperium has kicked off a new video series called Meet the CIG Devs. Episode one focuses on production coordinator Darian Vorlick, who is profiled via a question-and-answer vignette that's long on personal info but relatively short on game-specific stuff.

          Still, it might be worth watching if you're curious about the personalities behind the curtain on the largest crowdfunded project of all time. Click past the cut to view Episode 1.

          Continue reading CIG kicks off Star Citizen Meet the Devs video series

          MassivelyCIG kicks off Star Citizen Meet the Devs video series originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Server move delays Age of Wulin Chapter 3 until December 2nd

          Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:00 PM PST

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          European Age of Wulin players may be disappointed to hear that the release of Chapter 3 will be delayed a week until December 2nd -- until they hear the reason why, that is. Webzen has announced that the Golden Dynasty game server will be moving from Ireland to Frankfurt, Germany, on November 25th. The move is to address the issues of server stability that players have long noted, and aims to provide enhanced server security, stability, ping, and server security. Because the server move had to be pushed back a week, the studio also moved the launch of the next chapter in order to ensure better connectivity and stability during the launch period. Webzen invites players to share their thoughts on the server move on the official forums.

          MassivelyServer move delays Age of Wulin Chapter 3 until December 2nd originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Catch a glimpse of Wander in Wednesday's live machinima

          Posted: 18 Nov 2014 03:00 PM PST

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          Wander
          We've been keeping an eye on no-combat, exploration-driven sandbox Wander since its debut at PAX over a year ago. This week, you can keep an eye on it too. Creator Loki Davison says that his studio will be livestreaming the game tomorrow, but it won't be just any ol' gameplay walkthrough; it'll be a "pioneering live streamed drama" set in the gameworld, a piece of live machinima rarely seen in the genre. "Join Sylvania as she explores her dream of flying and realizes that what she is, isn't all she can be," Davison hints. "Azar however, might not approve."

          The stream begins at 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 19th, on the official Wander Twitch channel.

          MassivelyCatch a glimpse of Wander in Wednesday's live machinima originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Das Tal's latest stress test happens this Saturday

          Posted: 18 Nov 2014 02:30 PM PST

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          Fantasy PvP sandbox Das Tal is hosting a pre-alpha stress test this weekend, according to developer Fairytale Distillery's latest press release. The test runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, November 22nd. Das Tal's previous stress test attracted a population nearly three times as large as a normal test, and as a result the devs have increased capacity which means that the "servers will be packed full of PvP."

          To get in on all the killing, you'll need to sign up as an alpha tester and then check your inbox for an invite. There's also a sneak preview available for viewing via the alpha test footage after the break.

          Continue reading Das Tal's latest stress test happens this Saturday

          MassivelyDas Tal's latest stress test happens this Saturday originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Stormthrone strikes open alpha tomorrow

            Posted: 18 Nov 2014 02:00 PM PST

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            stormthorne
            Get ready, get set, and go right into open alpha with Stormthrone tomorrow!

            R2Games recently announced that the isometric browser-based MMO will transition into open alpha testing on Wednesday, November 19th. The official Stormthrone website had been running a series of minigames leading up to the alpha release through which players could earn in-game loot.

            Stormthrone also released a new lore diary today about the birth of Aeos and the war that ensued between the gods.

            [Source: R2Games press release]

            MassivelyStormthrone strikes open alpha tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              DCUO's War of the Light Part II now available

              Posted: 18 Nov 2014 01:30 PM PST

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              SOE wants you to know that War of the Light Part II, the 12th DLC pack for DC Universe Online, is available now.

              The update allows players to travel to Zamaron, otherwise known as the home of the Star Sapphires. New content includes four- and eight-player operations, a four-player alert, a two-player duo, a single-player challenge mode, and new open world solo missions. New gear is available, too, as are six additional skill points, new collections, new feats, and new base items.

              Don't forget the new trailer after the break!

              [Source: SOE press release]

              Continue reading DCUO's War of the Light Part II now available

              MassivelyDCUO's War of the Light Part II now available originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Massively Speaking Episode 322: WarStar

                Posted: 18 Nov 2014 01:00 PM PST

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                wow
                Call it the Week of Expansions. This past week we saw three major expansions release as well as huge news swirling around one of this year's newest MMOs. It's almost too much discussion to cram into a mere hour, but somehow Justin and Bree will make it fit. Justin will probably sit on it to smoosh it down while Bree latches it shut.

                Get all of our opinions and analysis on the most important stories of the past week right here on Massively Speaking, the industry's leading MMO podcast. And if you have a comment, question, or topic for the podcasters, send an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

                Get the podcast:
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                [MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
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                Listen here on the page:



                Read below the cut for the full show notes.

                Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 322: WarStar

                MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 322: WarStar originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  SWTOR's Sentinel, Marauder discipline changes detailed

                  Posted: 18 Nov 2014 12:30 PM PST

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                  No, Sentinels and Marauders, BioWare hasn't forgotten you. Star Wars: The Old Republic's latest class-based dev diary went live today and it's focused on -- you guessed it -- Sentinels and Marauders. More specifically it outlines how your favorite dual-saber class will play after December 9th's Shadow of Revan expansion.

                  Head to the official SWTOR website to read all about the changes.

                  MassivelySWTOR's Sentinel, Marauder discipline changes detailed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Trove gets a sugar high with its Candy Barbarian class

                  Posted: 18 Nov 2014 12:00 PM PST

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                  trove
                  Feed your sweet tooth in your gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane: Trove has added the Candy Barbarian to the game today.

                  The Candy Barbarian is the sixth class added to this quirky sandvox; it stands alongside other characters like the Neon Ninja and the Fae Trickster. It uses twin swords and has a small array of candy-themed attacks, including Vanilla Swirlwind and Sugar Crash.

                  Currently Trove is in open beta and has no plans to wipe progress going forward.

                  MassivelyTrove gets a sugar high with its Candy Barbarian class originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Braben clarifies Elite: Dangerous' lack of an offline mode

                  Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:30 AM PST

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                  Well, this should mollify no one.
                  When fans were told that Elite: Dangerous will not feature an offline mode, they were a little upset, considering it had been one of the explicit promises made during the game's Kickstarter campaign. Head honcho David Braben took the opportunity to clarify the situation, promising that while the game will not have any sort of offline play offered now or (likely) in the future, there will still be single-player options. You'll just have to be online to play them.

                  Braben defended the decision as a fundamental creative decision, an attempt to deliver the best possible version of the game rather than an inferior offline experience. However, Braben also admitted that the team should have communicated more openly with players regarding the state of the offline version of the game. He also said that individual requests for refunds by anyone dissatisfied by this change are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Elite: Dangerous is still on track for an official release on December 18th.

                  MassivelyBraben clarifies Elite: Dangerous' lack of an offline mode originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  World of Warcraft apologizes and compensates for Warlords of Draenor issues

                  Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:15 AM PST

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                  wow
                  Blizzard is so, so sorry for the expansion launch issues -- and it is trying to make things right.

                  This is the word from World of Warcraft Executive Producer J. Allen Brack, who issued a public mea culpa on the forums for the problems with Warlords of Draenor's launch. "The quality of the content does not excuse the subpar launch experience we delivered, and I apologize for that," Brack wrote.

                  He outlined the events and studio response over the past weekend, saying that the team is expanding its instancing tech to reduce queues on realms. To compensate players for their troubles, Brack said that Blizzard is giving five days of game time for all subscribers as of last Friday.

                  MassivelyWorld of Warcraft apologizes and compensates for Warlords of Draenor issues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Enter at Your Own Rift: How to tell a great story in an MMO

                  Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:00 AM PST

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                  rift
                  My character still hasn't (ahem) ascended to Nightmare Tide levels yet, so today's RIFT story will instead be about Storm Legion. I had been working my way through the Eastern Holdings in Brevane when I encountered a quest chain that floored me with brilliant storytelling that showed exactly how MMOs can utilize this platform to tell tales in ways that other mediums cannot. It is audacious, bold, and incredibly dark, especially for RIFT. And I cannot praise it enough, especially in light of long-held claims that RIFT is often weak on story.

                  I have two caveats before we go through what made this quest chain so great. First, I'm going to spoil it from start to finish, so if you haven't played it and want to remain innocent, just bookmark this column to read later on. Second, there are some truly edgy themes in this recap. Got it? Let's go!

                  Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: How to tell a great story in an MMO

                  MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: How to tell a great story in an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Neverwinter: Rise of Tiamat goes live today

                    Posted: 18 Nov 2014 10:30 AM PST

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                    After rising, please immediately sit back down.
                    Who's afraid of the big bad dragon goddess? Wait, scratch that, who isn't afraid? She is a dragon with five heads that can breathe fire, chlorine gas, lightning, acid, and frost. She is enormous. That is scary. Unless you're a player character in Neverwinter, which launches the Rise of Tiamat expansion today; then she's just another target down the inevitable road of dragon-slaying. Technically your goal is to stop her from being summoned altogether, but let's face it, we know how this sort of thing works out.

                    So what else awaits adventurers aside from stopping the Cult of the Dragon and saving the eponymous city of Neverwinter (and by extension the world)? Well, Scourge Warlocks can pick up the new Soulbinder paragon path, and players of all stripes can pick up new artifact equipment for four different slots (neck, belt, main-hand, off-hand). This is, of course, assuming going toe-to-clawed-toe with the queen of dragons herself wasn't motivation enough.

                    [Source: Cryptic Studios press release]

                    MassivelyNeverwinter: Rise of Tiamat goes live today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      NCsoft releases more Project HON trailers for G-Star 2014

                      Posted: 18 Nov 2014 10:00 AM PST

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                      Don't call me hon.
                      As part of its G-Star 2014 push, NCsoft has revealed another set of teasers for mech-happy maybe-MMOFPS Project HON. Steparu reports that Korean media outlets are publishing conflicting descriptions of the game; some say it's a "mecha MMORPG," while others argue it's a "third-person shooter with RPG mechanics." There's no culture divide here, folks; the debate over what constitutes an MMO is in fact the universal language.

                      Check out the new trailers below.

                      Continue reading NCsoft releases more Project HON trailers for G-Star 2014

                      MassivelyNCsoft releases more Project HON trailers for G-Star 2014 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Firefall update 1.2 goes live today, makes facial customizations free for all

                      Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:30 AM PST

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                      Firefall fans are eagerly anticipating the release of new content patch Together Toward Victory later today. Along with more open-world encounters and improvements to the Broken Peninsula PvP continent, this free update includes the shooter's first five-man instance, Operation: Miru. Set in a molten cavern, the operation tasks players with putting a stop to the Chosen's plan to release a colossal monstrosity on the Accord. The open world encounters include battling to protect the supply lines at Accord Skydock and repelling multi-stage enemy assaults on the watchtowers. Broken Peninsula now offers missions via the new job boards so players can contribute to their faction. Need something to help set the mood for battle? Check out the propaganda-style clip below.

                      What's more, Red 5 Studios is changing up basic cosmetics by making all hair, facial hair, and head cosmetic choices available to all players for free. And that's permanently, folks, not just for a limited time. Anyone who's bought any of those cosmetics within the last three months will receive a full Red Bean refund for the purchase price.

                      In addition to all this, players will be able to try out the Rhino Dreadnaught frame -- with its increased mobility and firepower -- for free from Friday, November 21st, at 7:00 p.m. EST until Monday, November 24th, at the same time.

                      Continue reading Firefall update 1.2 goes live today, makes facial customizations free for all

                      MassivelyFirefall update 1.2 goes live today, makes facial customizations free for all originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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