Thursday, January 3, 2013

New Games

New Games


No more new content planned for Age of Empires Online

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:30 PM PST

No more new content planned for Age of Empires Online screenshot

Bit of disappointing news for those of you actively playing Age of Empires Online, but nothing can last forever. Excluding some finished content scheduled to hit in the next few weeks, Gas Powered Games won't be adding anything else to this free-to-play title.

In a rather candid blog post, it is stressed that the game will continue to exist and actual community and customer support will continue. While bug fixes and balancing may still happen, expect this process to be "slower and, frankly, more difficult for the team. Some may, in fact, be unfixable. We will be watching carefully in case any critical bugs appear."

The reason Gas Powered Games has ceased creating further content is an understandable one: "creating top-tier content, as we have been for the last year and a half, is very expensive -- too expensive to maintain for long, as it turns out. We can no longer afford to keep creating it. AOEO already has a very large amount of high-quality, hand-crafted entertainment, and adding more is no longer cost-effective."

Age of Empires Online ending new content production as it's "no longer cost-effective" [PC Gamer]

EPIX app releasing for PlayStation 3 and Vita this year

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 12:30 PM PST

EPIX app releasing for PlayStation 3 and Vita this year screenshot

Later this year, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita owners in the United States will be able to download the EPIX app which provides streaming access to a library containing some 3,000 movies, concerts, sports, and original programming.

The application itself is going to be free, but viewers will need to be an EPIX subscriber to actually make use of it. If you happen to get the channel from your cable provider or elsewhere, know that the PS3 launch is happening this quarter, followed by the Vita launch sometime this spring.

Crimson Dragon demo accidentally released, recorded

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:30 AM PST

Crimson Dragon demo accidentally released, recorded screenshot

A demo for Panzer Dragoon spiritual successor Crimson Dragon somehow made it on to the Japanese Xbox Live Marketplace and before being removed, YouTube user Draikin1 managed to download it and record a playthrough, viewable above. This slice of gameplay isn't exactly new, having been reportedly playable at PAX East 2012, but its inadvertent release is curious.

I had completely forgotten Crimson Dragon hadn't come out yet. At this point, it could either be one of the last "core" Kinect games or one of the first motion-controlled titles for the next Microsoft console -- either option seems plausible to me. While I don't see a game like this achieving mainstream success as is, it could probably perform well enough given that it was an Xbox Live Arcade title, last we heard. A decent-looking one, at that.

Crimson Dragon demo briefly released in Japan, captured on video [Joystiq]

Trion Worlds opens sign-ups for Defiance beta

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 10:30 AM PST

Trion Worlds opens sign-ups for Defiance beta screenshot

Trion Worlds has a lot to prove with Defiance, its massively multiplayer online shooter which also happens to be an upcoming television show on SyFy. The studio will be running a brief "Advanced Mission Beta 1" this month, giving many players their first real opportunity to play the game.

If you're potentially interested and have the necessary free time to play between 8:00am Pacific on January 18 and 9:00pm Pacific on January 20, sign up for this initial beta event over here. During this period, Trion will provide access to a competitive multiplayer map, Defiance's open-world Shadow War PvP, and cooperative boss battles.

Demon's Souls finally hits PlayStation Network next week

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

Demon's Souls finally hits PlayStation Network next week screenshot

Despite the game being a few years old at this point, people are still going back to experience Demon's Souls thanks to a growing interest in Dark Souls and its direct sequel. As such, it will be a particularly welcome addition to PlayStation Network when it arrives on January 8, 2013 for the reasonable price of $19.99.

Having only recently gotten around to picking up a copy of Demon's Souls and proceeding to spend a literal day beating the darned thing, I was surprised by how lively the online community was from essentially beginning to end. The servers are still very much active, thank goodness. A shout out is in order to the kindhearted person who took down the Blue Dragon for me.

Beyond the intrinsic benefit of summoning other players so you aren't the singular focus of enemies' attacks, the online functionality will offer an extra benefit next week. Atlus has plans for another Pure White World Tendency event beginning January 8 and concluding January 14. If you ever got stuck in Demon's Souls, this will be a good time to try again.

iOS puzzler Hundreds is as good as they say

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST

iOS puzzler Hundreds is as good as they say screenshot

If you've been known to kill time with browser games, Hundreds should immediately click with you. Created by Semi Secret Software, this dead-simple puzzle game for iPhone and iPad tasks players with increasing the size of various circles to accumulate a total of 100 points without letting them bump into other objects while growing in size.

From what I've played so far, that basic premise never really changes, but rest assured, there are plenty of clever mechanics which seek to complicate your path to 100. Some circles have negative point totals, and must be downsized before grown, while certain moving obstacles can be paused and unpaused, allowing you to get them in a prime location (i.e., out of the way.) It's almost terrifying to think about where this gradual progression is headed.

It seems like Hundreds would be best played on iPad, but it is a Universal App. Now through January 10, the game is available for $2.99. If you're in the mood for a great multi-touch puzzle title, consider giving this a shot.

Synesthesia explained with the lovely Gordon Midwood

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 07:00 AM PST

Synesthesia explained with the lovely Gordon Midwood screenshot

Last week's Sup, Holmes? (now available on iTunes) was mired by multiple technical difficulties, but we still had a fine time of it. Did you know that if you create a game in your spare time and it wins an IGF award, you may be able to get the UK's Channel 4 to help finance a PSN game about a shark made of paper? I sure didn't!

Gordon also teased the release of Derrick the Deathfin on another platform for 2013, talked about how he hates steam (the form of water, not the online game distribution service), his plans for a new rhythm game, and a lot more. He also taught me all about synesthesia -- the art of evoking a visual image with a sound, or vice versa. It was with this goal in mind that he created Lilt Line, the game that put him on the map. Speaking of Lilt Line, now that dub step is so fashionable, I wonder how the game would do on the PS Vita and 3DS eShop? Make it happen, Gaijin Games!

Thanks again to Gordon for sharing his insight and amazing sense of humor to the program.Tune in this Sunday at 1pm PST/4pm EST when we welcome Beau Blyth, creator of Samurai Gunn and LA Death Disk to the show. If you like killing your friends in videogames, then Beau is a guy you should get to know.

Razer's new Sabertooth controller has so many buttons

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 06:00 AM PST

Razer's new Sabertooth controller has so many buttons screenshot

Razer's Sabertooth Elite Gaming Controller for Xbox 360 might not look all that different based on its front side, but on the back, there are six extra configurable buttons. Designed with competitive play in mind, this device has a built-in OLED screen for easier profile swapping and a cable which screws into the controller to avoid unwanted disconnects.

At $79.99, the Sabertooth is certainly not going to be for everyone. Assuming it all feels comparable to the standard Xbox 360 controller, I could see this being great for shooters since it would allow you to keep your fingers on the twin sticks at seemingly all times.

To lessen the sting, owners of the Razer Onza or Onza TE can get a coupon for $10 off. We'll have hands-on impressions of the Sabertooth before too long.

Joe Danger Touch is all set for iOS this month

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

Joe Danger Touch is all set for iOS this month screenshot

Two developers at Hello Games made the realization one day that Joe Danger would translate perfectly to the mobile platform. After the well received Special Edition and sequel, it appears as if that dream will finally become a reality this month with Joe Danger Touch.

The game will not be a port, and will feature Gamecenter Challenges, extra characters, and of course, optimized touch controls. Although there will be in-app-purchasing, the developers have stated that it will be possible to earn everything legit.

In addition to the above details, Hello Games' Sean Murray also told us a bit about the philosophy behind an iOS release: "I want it to feel like it could only work on iOS, because we've built it specifically for the device. Towards the end of the game, it gets super difficult, probably more so than the console version. I'm amazed what levels I can handle sometimes, and the subtlety possible with just a touch interface."

I've been playing a near-ready preview build, and I have to say, I'm enjoying it. Stay tuned later this month for a full hands on review of the final version!

Nintendo Download: 1/3/13: New Years Unchained Edition

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:30 AM PST

Nintendo Download: 1/3/13: New Years Unchained Edition screenshot

It's kind of a "meh" week for Nintendo Download fans, but it's far from worthless. Unchained Blades (which came out last year on the PSP in Japan, and this year in the US) leads the way today as the big full retail release on the 3DS eShop, as does Code of Princess, if you can't find the physical version of the game.

Elsewhere on the eShop, you'll also be able to nab the very neat looking downloadable game Gunman Clive, as well as Air Battle Hockey, Galaxy Saver (DSiWare), and Snowboard Xtreme (DSiWare). Once again, there's zero Wii U releases to be found.

If you missed last week's installment, here it is. As for what I'm getting, I'll be checking out Gunman Clive, and pretty much nothing else. Still, the 3DS has been on a roll lately (the eShop has been great for months, actually), and the Wii U...has been utterly asleep at the wheel.

Podtoid 234: The Foot Clan's Poopy Ooze

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:00 AM PST

Podtoid 234: The Foot Clan's Poopy Ooze screenshot

[Thanks to SirTobbii for the image!]

It's a brand new year, and Podtoid is back with a brand new world of delights! We kick off with Jonathan's newest persona, Freaky Constantina, we learn how to properly get crackheads to clean up their habit, and we officially form the Foot Clan of Boston! As if that wasn't enough, Willem Dafoe tackles a town of spiders in his latest movie role. 

Elsewhere, we chat about whether or not 2012 was a bad year for videogames, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct AND the brand new Podtoid Wiki! All this and more, only on Podtoid!

As ever, you can subscribe to us on iTunes and RSSbuy our Android App or download directly!

Go play this cute Mega Man Legends inspired fan game

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 02:30 AM PST

Go play this cute Mega Man Legends inspired fan game screenshot

The "100,000 Strong For Mega Man Legends 3" fan community, despite not getting their wish of a full MML3 release, have accomplished quite a bit. They've inspired thousands of Mega Man fans to create artwork, fan games, and overall, they've revitalized the Mega Man community like no other community has in recent memory.

This week, 100,000 Strong highlighted a new fan game that's worth spending an afternoon with: the browser-based Servbot Roundup. Simply put, the game allows you to drive around Teomo City as Barrett (from the MML3 Prototype) and collect Servbots through three levels, with online leaderboards.

It's a pretty cut and dry affair that only requires the installation of a simple plug-in, but it's decent fan-service for fans of the Legends series. Speaking of the Legends series, I'll be playing a spinoff Quest later this year to go along with my Classic and X Quests, so stay tuned if you're itching to relive those classic Bonne related memories.

MML3 Servbot Roundup [Sky Pirate Arcade via 100,000 Strong]

MMO News

MMO News


Arctic Combat Unleashes First 2013 Update

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:56 PM PST

 

57000  540x400 arcticcombat repair yard 3

 

Webzen has announced new content available for Arctic Combat players, beginning today.

New in the content update is the ‘Repair Yard’ map, set in the mountains of Canada. US led Allied forces are on a mission to recapture the strong points and military facilities constructed by the Russian-based Star Alliance. Meanwhile “Demolition,” a new mode, debuts to combine Search & Destroy and Team Deathmatch aspects in an 8v8 battle to the death over a single bomb.

“Quick Reload” is a new passive skill added that lets players reload magazines at a quicker rate. Meanwhile, the weapon roster expands with the ACR assault rifle and Kriss SV sub-machine gun, plus Multicam weapon paint and Micro T1 scope accessories.

Video Games Blogger

Video Games Blogger


DmC: Devil May Cry System Requirements

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 06:15 AM PST

What kind of computer power do you need to run the DmC: Devil May Cry system requirements? Here you can compare them to your PC specs. We’ve also added a gameplay video. DmC: Devil May Cry comes to PS3 & Xbox 360 worldwide on January 15th, 2013. The PC version follows on January 25th, 2013....

SiNG Party Song List

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:05 AM PST

Here’s the SiNG Party song list that shows the 48 songs that make up the soundtrack for this music-karaoke game exclusively on the Nintendo Wii U. Already released in America, the game including microphone will come to Europe on January 18, 2013. SiNG is a new interactive musical performance game for Wii U that gets...

How To Breed Animals In Minecraft

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:00 AM PST

Here’s how to breed animals in Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition. How to breed lots of adorable baby animals in Minecraft on the Xbox 360. Check out this video for hot farming action, which goes to explain to feed (wheat, etc) to groups of animals to get them into “love mode” (indicated by on-screen hearts) to...

Lego Legends of Chima Games Announced for Browsers, iOS, 3DS, DS & PS Vita

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:19 PM PST

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and The Lego Group today announced three Lego Legends of Chima videogames, scheduled to roar into 2013 for various platforms. The three videogames will each provide an entirely unique and exciting adventure that builds to the next experience and complement the just announced Lego Legends of Chima universe of products, which...

Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt Release Date

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:02 PM PST

Gearbox Software’s latest Borderlands 2 title update and new videos have revealed the first details for the 4th Borderlands 2 DLC — after the Mechromancer Pack, Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty & Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage — called Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt. Which has been given a release date of...

Battlefield 3: End Game Release Date

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:42 PM PST

Developer DICE has confirmed the first details for the 5th Battlefield 3 DLC — after Back to Karkand, Close Quarters, Armored Kill & Aftermath — called Battlefield 3: End Game. Which has been given a release date sometime in March 2013. Description: Battlefield 3: End Game delivers some of the most high-speed warfare to date...

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Ask Massively: Defining MMOs

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

Filed under: , , , ,

that's a lot of games yo
Welcome back to Ask Massively, gamely answering your wacky questions since 1738.

spacejesus3k wrote, "'MMO' is a watered-down term that means nothing more than 'online game' now. But why report on something like World of Tanks and not Call of Duty? They really aren't that different. Even games like World of Warcraft aren't that different in what they offer. They all have 'lobby like' co-op and PvP content; the only real difference is the single-player campaigns vs. the leveling world (which is often soloed). So here is a good question for Ask Massively: How do you pick and choose what online games you report on? Is there a set of criteria they must meet?"

Yes, but I warn you: This is not a scientific process.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Defining MMOs

MassivelyAsk Massively: Defining MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    En Masse names Lee new CEO, hires veteran Nexon exec

    Posted: 03 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST

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    En Masse logo
    En Masse Entertainment may not be switching TERA to a free-to-play model in America just yet, but the firm has hired an executive from F2P giant Nexon. A new press release details the appointment of Soo Min Park, a 12-year Nexon veteran who will serve as En Masse's COO.

    The company has also announced that former VP of Publishing Chris Lee will take over as CEO, while Brian Knox will move into an executive producer role.

    "The additions to our management team are all about building the foundation for a strong future in 2013 and beyond," said Lee. "Publishing games in today's marketplace requires a group of leaders with diverse backgrounds in order to succeed. Now, En Masse is in an even better position to bring fun and innovative games to players."

    [Source: En Masse press release]

    MassivelyEn Masse names Lee new CEO, hires veteran Nexon exec originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      First Defiance beta event coming January 18 for PC players

      Posted: 03 Jan 2013 07:00 AM PST

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      Defiance - Ark hunter concept art
      Trion has revealed that its first beta event for the upcoming open-world shooter Defiance will take place from January 18th through the 20th. The shindig will be PC-only (Defiance will release in April on both consoles and personal computers).

      Advanced Beta Mission 1 will see players transported to a futuristic San Francisco Bay area where they will take on the role of an ark hunter. Ark hunters are genetically enhanced individuals described by Trion as "part treasure hunter, part mercenary." The beta will feature full access to Defiance's tutorial, Mt. Tam, the Waterfront competitive multiplayer map, and the Shadow War and Arkfall open-world boss battles.

      Trion is now accepting beta signups.

      [Source: Trion press release]

      MassivelyFirst Defiance beta event coming January 18 for PC players originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Guild Counsel: Proof that it's more than just a game

        Posted: 03 Jan 2013 06:00 AM PST

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        The Guild Counsel Proof that it's more than just a game
        I'll admit, last week's poll was a surprise for me. For those of you who missed it, I asked which philosophy describes each reader's playstyle: "the brotherhood" or "the game." The former won with a fairly large margin of victory, which I didn't expect given that our community here is one that tends to focus on games as the main topic of conversation. As it turns out, almost 60% of the Massively community loves MMOs but also loves the bonds that come from them.

        Looking back over the past year, I think there were actually many stories that highlighted the player behind the pixel and reaffirmed our belief that we are indeed part of a brotherhood even if we don't always see it in our MMOs. This week's Guild Counsel is a recap of some of those gaming stories, and I believe even the most die-hard "game-focused" player will agree that there are moments when it really is more than just a game.

        Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Proof that it's more than just a game

        MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Proof that it's more than just a game originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Daily Grind: What MMOs do you plan to play in 2013?

          Posted: 03 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

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          The Elder Scrolls Online - Daggerfall concept
          So the new year is upon us, and with it will surely come a new crop of MMOs. With mega-hyped releases like Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars 2 behind us, though, 2013 might be sorta quiet when compared with 2011 and 2012.

          That said, there are plenty of interesting games in the pipeline, not to mention expansions and meaty updates for titles that have already seen the light of day. So, how about it, Massively readers. What MMOs do you plan to play in 2013?

          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 MMOs do you plan to play in 2013? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Choose My Adventure: Have ship, will travel

            Posted: 02 Jan 2013 04:00 PM PST

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            Choose my Adventure Have ship, will travel
            As I wrap up my Imperial Agent's personal story on Dromund Kaas, I can't help but be excited by all the new toys I have at my disposal in Star Wars: The Old Republic. At level 15, I was able to purchase a speeder, which helped travel tremendously, but now, at level 17, I have my very own ship that acts as housing (kinda) and a way to participate in space missions.

            Xel'es is heading to Korriban next, but he needs a bit of guidance. Follow along with his story after the cut and be sure to vote for his next moves!

            Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Have ship, will travel

            MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Have ship, will travel originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              RuneScape adding level 90 boss fight and weapons

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 03:00 PM PST

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              RuneScape adding level 90 boss fight and weapons
              RuneScape's hitting 2013 above and below the belt like a rabid wolverine who has aspirations of being a champion kickboxer. Jagex posted a hefty preview of new and returning content that should hit the game this month, including never-before-seen level 90 weapons.

              These weapons are a reward for defeating a new boss, the Kalphite King. Mr. King comes in his own battle instance so all can participate and loot his quivering remains.

              Apart from that exciting news, the RuneScape team plans to add a task set across the Kharidian Desert, new demon flash mobs (not the dancing variety), more rewards to Squeal of Fortune, and the return of a pair of wolf boss mobs.

              MassivelyRuneScape adding level 90 boss fight and weapons originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Elite: Dangerous is well and truly Kickstarted

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:00 PM PST

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              Elite Dangerous is well and truly Kickstarted
              Elite: Dangerous fans can breathe easy -- the game has hit its £1,250,000 goal with more than two days to spare. While that's excellent news for the folks at Frontier Developments, they're not resting on their laurels. There are two stretch goals, at £1.4 and £1.5 million, that could feasibly be hit in the last 51-ish hours of the project's Kickstarter window. Those stretch goals will add in a Mac version of the game (within three months of the Windows launch) and an extra ten playable ships, respectively.

              In case some people are still on the fence about throwing money at the project, the team has added in a new £25 reward tier that'll give backers a digital copy of the game and 500 credits. Everyone already pledged at a higher tier will also receive those 500 credits.

              MassivelyElite: Dangerous is well and truly Kickstarted originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Ragnarok Online 2 open beta denied to most of the world

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:00 PM PST

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              Ragnarok Online 2 open beta unavailable outside of select Asian countries
              Do you have your heart set on trying out the betalicious Ragnarok Online 2? Well, unless you are reading this from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam, you're fresh out of luck.

              While Ragnarok Online 2's open beta begins tomorrow, Asiasoft posted the news that it will be unavailable outside of those four countries "due to [its] license agreement with the game's developer, Gravity Co., Ltd."

              The open beta was previously scheduled to begin on December 27th of last year but apparently ran into unspecified problems.

              [Thanks to Anthony and Ville for the tip!]

              MassivelyRagnarok Online 2 open beta denied to most of the world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              WildStar Wednesday: Carbine's community team goals for 2013

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:00 PM PST

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              WildStar Wednesday Carbine's community team goals for 2013
              Welcome to 2013, settlers! Carbine Studios' community team has big plans for WildStar this year -- resolutions, if you will.

              To begin with, the team is committed to bringing the conversation to players' turf. That means being active and engaging on social media, gaming forums, "or even your guild's website." The team's second goal is to give players a voice in game design, which will involve stuff like turning livestreams into design discussions. Resolution number three is to experiment with new ways to interact with an MMO community. That will mean, to be specific, "trying new things." Finally, the team's planning to use beta testing as a safe environment for useful feedback, rather than releasing a beta when the game's too late in development for meaningful changes.

              We noticed that "launch the game" wasn't among those resolutions, but the team did finish off the post with a call for 2013 to be "the year of WildStar," so maybe all hope is not lost.

              MassivelyWildStar Wednesday: Carbine's community team goals for 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Star Wars: The Old Republic confirms same-gender romance, more endgame content

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 11:30 AM PST

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              Star Wars The Old Republic confirms samegender romance, promises more endgame content
              Executive Producer Jeff Hickman is riding in the new year with a bold state of the game letter for Star Wars: The Old Republic. In it, he not only trumpets the benefits of free-to-play but addresses several pressing questions from the community and gives a few hints at Update 1.7 and the Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion.

              Hickman says that F2P has done well by SWTOR, although he doesn't deliver specific numbers: "The game is incredibly healthy with an ever increasing number of players who are actively playing (the servers are rocking!)."

              He also said that players will soon see changes to "a special PvP area," a lot more content for endgame customers, improvements to Ilum, and the ability to copy characters to the test server. Regarding PvP, Hickman indicated that pure open-world PvP will not be coming to the game any time soon.

              Finally, the state of the game address confirms that same-gender romance will be added to SWTOR in the expansion, although it will initially be confined to interactions with NPCs and not companions. "I want to reveal today that we are adding SGR with some NPCs on Makeb and do intend on pursuing more SGR options in the future," Hickman said.

              MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic confirms same-gender romance, more endgame content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Free for All: The second annual Frindie Awards

              Posted: 02 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST

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              Frindie Awards logo
              It's time once again for the Frindie Awards, my attempt to shine some light on the best indie, browser-based, free-to-play, and unusual MMOs that are all-too-often ignored by press -- and players. This one is for the little guys! Well, mostly. It's also for those games that seem to have passed under the collective radar of Massively readers or that seem to be very misunderstood.

              Picking the winners this year is just as hard as it was last year, maybe even harder. 2012 was an incredible year for MMOs, so I would rather have just put together an article that highlights every single favorite. In the end, it's more helpful to make myself pick out a winner. It's a rare thing for some of these games to even receive a nod on a major website, something I still can't figure out. Either way, it's best to think of all of the MMOs on this list as my favorites from 2012.

              Anyway, let's get to the awards!

              Continue reading Free for All: The second annual Frindie Awards

              MassivelyFree for All: The second annual Frindie Awards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Farewell for now, Champions Online

                Posted: 02 Jan 2013 10:00 AM PST

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                I'm fond of this header.  So fond of it that I'm using it twice.
                So I've spent a month in Champions Online, and I've taken enough time to understand most of how the game fits together on a conceptual level. This is from equal parts playing and reading about the game in various places because I just do that for fun. Those of you who were here for my first outing will remember that I was pleased with the game as a whole. Upon further play, though, my impression has... well, remained pretty darn positive. This is not one of those twist endings.

                Of course, I can also see why the game never quite hit the level of widespread popularity that City of Heroes managed, and some of the problems that plague it are a direct result of what I like about it. So with my first outing in the game out of the way, I'm going to offer a more complete look at the game, starting with the bad and ending with the good.

                Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Farewell for now, Champions Online

                MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Farewell for now, Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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