MMO Updates

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• Norrathian Notebook: Landmark's two-week PvE checkup
• One Shots: Water-walker
• The Daily Grind: Where are all the mobile MMOs?
• Tree of Savior will launch free-to-play, heads toward first closed beta
• The Stream Team: Lost in the layers of Landmark's islands
• Closers Online goes into open beta
• Pathfinder Online opens up early enrollment
• Leaderboard: Are you following Bless or Black Desert?
• Guild Wars 2 looks to the future at PAX South
• Legend of Silkroad shuts down today
• Project Gorgon is coming to Steam

Norrathian Notebook: Landmark's two-week PvE checkup Posted: 01 Jan 2015 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Betas, PvE, Free-to-Play, Sandbox, Norrathian Notebook, Landmark Happy New Year! It makes sense to start this new year off by talking about a new game, right? And let's face it, after the fabled PvE content update, Landmark feels like a new game! This massive addition to the core of the sandbox has been live for two weeks now; that means two weeks of spelunking, salvaging, and more often than not, surviving. While it's true we got a preview of the update back on the day, that peek involved neither the cavern system nor crafting. And it certainly didn't contain nearly enough time! So now that I've had the chance to canvass the caverns, play with particle emitters, kills various critters, and concoct some new crafted items, how is it? How are things in the not-just-about-building game doing? Do these new systems offer more staying power as the closed beta continues on? Let's give Landmark its two-week PvE checkup! Continue reading Norrathian Notebook: Landmark's two-week PvE checkup Norrathian Notebook: Landmark's two-week PvE checkup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: Water-walker Posted: 01 Jan 2015 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Screenshots, Culture, One Shots, Blade & Soul, Miscellaneous What MMOs will be releasing this year in the west? It's hard to say, exactly, although there are those who hold out hope that Blade & Soul might finally make the leap to the Americas and Europe. If pictures like this are any indication, we are missing out. "I've recently stepped back into the game with the Chinese release and while I'm not very far along into the game (it's a little tough when I don't understand the language!) I'm completely in love with the art style and combat mechanics," reader Dynatos said. "I don't usually go the cute fluffy look, but I wanted to create a Summoner character to play with the mechanics of the class. Here he is gliding gracefully through the air after learning the first Qing Gong. Next up -- running on water!" Want to be featured in a future edition of One Shots? Send your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, and don't forget to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of the scene. Large, colorful, UI-free shots that tell a story and really show off the game make for the best images. Look ma, we brought back One Shots! One Shots: Water-walker originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Where are all the mobile MMOs? Posted: 01 Jan 2015 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, MMO Industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, The Daily Grind, Mobile, Miscellaneous So here we are in 2015, several years after the mobile rush that was going to lay waste to all genres everywhere. Everyone's going to mobile! they all said. Desktops are doomed! Angry Birds is the future! Flee your traditional gaming studios; all the money is on phones and tablets! Some of us bemoaned a future in which our favorite MMORPG platform might be supplanted by tiny screens that fit into our jeans' butt pockets. Others embraced the idea of being able to escape to an MMORPG paradise while stuck on grimy public transport. And then... Well, nothing. Pocket Legends and its spinoffs were a thing, true. There was Vendetta Online and Chaos Heroes and Order and Chaos Online, the last of which even had a subscription for a while. A lot of MMORPGs promised mobile integration, at the very least, though most of them haven't yet delivered. But most of the MMORPGs that actually work on mobile are small in either population or scope. They're not really what MMORPG fans would call a core or AAA MMORPG. We're mostly offered online ARPG, TCG, MOBA, ARG, and RTS titles. All of this led our former mobile columnist to declare a year ago that mobile MMOs were at a standstill in the West. So what happened? Is it technically impossible or financial infeasible to run a "real" MMORPG on mobile? Is PC elitism partly to blame? Is the revolution yet to come? Where are all the mobile MMOs? Because I kinda want one. 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: Where are all the mobile MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tree of Savior will launch free-to-play, heads toward first closed beta Posted: 31 Dec 2014 05:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Classes, News Items, Free-to-Play If you had any lingering doubts that Tree of Savior would be launching as a free-to-play title, best to put them out of your head now. The game will indeed be launching free-to-play, at least in Korea, with an undisclosed number of "extra" items in the cash shop (which will be revealed in the future). Recruitment for the first closed beta is already underway, with the first test starting on January 15th, 2015. This early test will be limited to 3,000 participants, and as it's for the Korean version, you'll need a Korean Nexon account. Some clarification regarding the game's class structure has also been posted; it lays out how players can move up to the more advanced classes at regular intervals. The first test features only 28 possible classes rather than the full 80 of the final game, but more options will be made available as the game moves through testing. Tree of Savior will launch free-to-play, heads toward first closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: MMO Culture, CBT Applications open, Class advancement explanation

The Stream Team: Lost in the layers of Landmark's islands Posted: 31 Dec 2014 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Video, PvE, Free-to-Play, Livestream, Sandbox, The Stream Team, Landmark What's more fun than finding treasure? Why, stumbling across ancient ruins while seeking said treasure! It's no longer a matter of just exploring the surface of Landmark; now Massively's MJ can delve deep down into the core of the islands in search of wondrous sights and valuable treasures. The new cavern system is truly an explorer's paradise, with nooks and crannies to poke into and trinkets and baubles to collect. Oh, and plenty of critters to combat as well! MJ waves goodbye to the old year by heading out on an expedition to map out various caverns and collect as much treasure as she can. Join us live at 7:00 p.m. to see if she survives spelunking this final night of 2014. Game: Landmark Host: MJ Guthrie Date: Wednesday, December 31st, 2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. EST Enjoy our Stream Team video below. Continue reading The Stream Team: Lost in the layers of Landmark's islands The Stream Team: Lost in the layers of Landmark's islands originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Closers Online goes into open beta Posted: 31 Dec 2014 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Free-to-Play The "grand opening" of Closers Online's open beta test happened this past week, although it looks as though the game is still just in Korean. Of course, this being beta, not all of the features -- nor all of the game's characters -- are available for play. Steparu.com did all of us a solid by not only pointing us at the new animated trailer but by whipping up a video to show off the various characters for this cel-shaded title. You can check out both after the break! Continue reading Closers Online goes into open beta Closers Online goes into open beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Steparu.com

Pathfinder Online opens up early enrollment Posted: 31 Dec 2014 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Launches, News Items, Sandbox, Pathfinder Online The hour has come at last! Yes, we said that yesterday, but this time we really mean it! Pathfinder Online has entered early enrollment as of today, allowing backers to jump in and play the game in its early state. There are even some new screenshots (exclusive to Massively!) to go along with this stage of the game's slow rollout; they're embedded in the gallery below. A new blog entry has also been posted, stating the game's design philosophy once again and explaining how the earliest stage of deployment will work out. If you really want to get in but aren't already a backer from the game's second Kickstarter, access will set you back $100 with three months of included game time. [Source: Goblinworks press release] Pathfinder Online opens up early enrollment originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Hard is Fun!

Leaderboard: Are you following Bless or Black Desert? Posted: 31 Dec 2014 01:00 PM PST Filed under: MMO Industry, New Titles, Opinion, Leaderboard I'm a big fan of Korean MMOs, and I always look forward to what's next from our friends in the Far East. Since Blade & Soul doesn't seem to be gaining any traction in Europe or North America, that arguably leaves Black Desert and Bless as the primary triple-A Korean titles on the horizon. Black Desert seems to have more of the sandbox features I want, but I'm sure I'll play Bless too at some point. What about you, Leaderboard readers? Are you looking forward to either of these games? Vote after the cut! Continue reading Leaderboard: Are you following Bless or Black Desert? Leaderboard: Are you following Bless or Black Desert? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guild Wars 2 looks to the future at PAX South Posted: 31 Dec 2014 12:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Events (Real-World), Previews, News Items, Guild Wars 2, Buy-to-Play If you're a Guild Wars 2 fan and live in the right region to head to PAX South, you're in for a treat. Director Colin Johanson and ArenaNet president Mike O'Brien will be taking on a panel for the game on January 24th, one ominously titled Beyond the Point of No Return. And what will they be discussing? Waypoints, possibly! Sure, the actual panel description doesn't include any mention of waypoints, but it also doesn't specifically rule out talking about waypoints. Actually, the panel will discuss the framework for the next phase of updates for the game, teasing that "the Living World was just the beginning." There's also the promise of a sneak peek at what comes next, which could mean expansions, new areas, new standalone titles... almost anything. Short version: If you're a fan, you will want to be at that panel next month. [Thanks to Dystopiq for the tip!] Guild Wars 2 looks to the future at PAX South originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: PAX South panel listing

Legend of Silkroad shuts down today Posted: 31 Dec 2014 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, Sunsets On this final day of 2014, the year apparently cannot resist dragging one last body into the abyss. Legend of Silkroad's operation is ceasing as of today, following an announcement made back on December 24th. The forums and website will also be closed, so if you made friends on the boards, they've already given you alternative contact information. The shutdown announcement cites difficulties on the developer's end, thought whether it means that the studio behind the game shut down altogether or there's simply a lack of communication is unclear. Our condolences to fans of the game affected by the shutdown; hopefully you made some good memories in the game. At least it'll be difficult for any other games to shut down in 2014. Legend of Silkroad shuts down today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Shutdown notice

Project Gorgon is coming to Steam Posted: 31 Dec 2014 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Crowdfunding Indie sandbox Project Gorgon finally caught a break this week in the form of Greenlight approval on Steam. Two separate Kickstarter drives failed to fund, one in 2012 and another earlier this year, but former Turbine and Perpetual developer Eric Heimburg continued work on the project and has now announced a forthcoming Steam launch. "There's a lot of work to be done to get the game Steam-ready, and I don't know the exact timeline yet," Heimburg wrote. "But the hard part was getting Greenlit." Gorgon seeks to marry old-school and new-school MMO design; it includes features like player-authored books, exploration without signposts, and additional goodies that you can see in the video past the cut. Continue reading Project Gorgon is coming to Steam Project Gorgon is coming to Steam originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Greenlight Via: MMO Fallout

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