Massively

Space combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers

by Kyle Horner Nov 25th 2009 (25 minutes ago)

STO

Cryptic

It's a little late due to the impending Thanksgiving day gorging, but we've got your second wave of community answers for space combat in Star Trek Online! As this week lands us on a holiday, we'll be putting up the next post for your third wave of questions on Monday, November 30th. For now, we hope you enjoy the answers given by Al Rivera, senior game designer on Star Trek Online.

Choose my Adventure: Sorrowdusk Isle

by Shawn Schuster Nov 25th 2009 (1 hour ago)

Turbine

Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months is up, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

With a new Adventure Pack to explore, the Critical Mass guild faced their newest challenge head-on. Your votes last week chose the Sorrowdusk Isle Adventure Pack (400 Turbine Points) for us, and in this installment of Choose my Adventure, I'm happy to report back on my impressions.

Follow along after the jump for those impressions, Fahryn Brygo's in-character journal, another poll for next week and more!

Massively's Thanksgiving 2009 MMO wrapup

by Rubi Bayer Nov 25th 2009 (2 hours ago)

Champions Online

It's that time of year again -- Thanksgiving is tomorrow and all things turkey related have invaded the MMO world: hunting turkeys, eating turkeys, exchanging turkey parts for rewards, wielding turkey weapons, and even wearing turkeys on your head. Sending yourself into a tryptophan coma isn't the only thing to do, though. You'll find some non-turkey related PvP here and there, opportunities to spread Thanksgiving blessings, and even some new content. And of course, Thanksgiving bonuses, treats, and souvenirs are everywhere. Follow along after the jump for a look at what's going on for Thanksgiving.

Allods Online enters second closed beta, and we have keys for you!

by Shawn Schuster Nov 25th 2009 (3 hours ago)

Looking for something else to be thankful for this holiday weekend (in the US)? Allods Online is set to enter its second closed beta stage of testing for North American players on December 1st at 2pm EST, and we have 2,000 keys to give out to the Massively readers. To grab your own key, head on over to our giveaway page and follow the directions posted there.

This closed beta stage will run from December 1st through the 15th and feature six new zones: two new zones for the League, three new zones for the Empire, plus an exclusive zone only available to the Warden archetype. There will also be a new diverse set of enemies (Massive Drakes, Harpies, Scorpions, and Arctic Yetis), and an increased level cap to Level 20. Also be sure to check out our First Impressions video on the game to see what we thought about it in this early stage.

[Reminder: This stage of beta won't start until December 1st, so hold onto your keys until then!]

New EVE Online trailer shows the glory of Dominion

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 25th 2009 (3 hours ago)

EVE

CCP

In just a matter of days -- December 1st to be exact -- Dominion will be launching, bringing an early holiday gift for EVE Online players around the world. For those not familiar, Dominion, the 12th free expansion in CCP's ever-evolving interstellar game of life, will bring enormous changes to the sovereignty system and ship re-balancing -- aspects of what many consider EVE Online's "endgame." Along with the change to sov, pilots in New Eden can look forward to Pirate faction epic story-arcs, a fleet finder, refinement to the new player experience, and even long-needed but less obvious tweaks like an improved mail system and in-game browser.

Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that CCP are also increasing the beauty of New Eden once again by introducing new procedurally-generated planet textures -- a welcome addition for those who may not spend all their time in 0.0. After all, while the huge battles are awesome to watch, empires can be toppled by one person quietly flying around, minding their own business -- and yours. Be sure to check out the full Dominion site for all the juicy details of what's to come on the first. Alternately, if you just like enormous space battles made of 100% unadulterated ass-kicking awesome, then check behind the break for the new Dominion trailer. You won't be disappointed!

One Shots: Everybody (no) pants now

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 25th 2009 (4 hours ago)

Champions Online

Cryptic

When we opened up this email originally, we wondered what would cause so many heroes to strip down to their undies. Then when we read it was part of a party being held by the StormRadio crew from Champions Online, we understood. Those crazy radio people seem to inspire naked wherever they go. Today's scantily-clad screenshot of event fun comes to us from The Gentleman, who DJs with StormRadio. He writes in to tell us a bit more: This is a picture from our latest theme show event, with DJ Distraction's Drama Free Debauchery! Everyone was in their skivvies for the event. Although cold, we had a great time, and I think everyone who was there did too.

Calling all people enjoying holiday or role-play events -- we want your screenshots! So send your snaps in to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name/group/game and a quick description of what we're seeing in the image. That way everyone can check out what's so cool about your favorite game's holiday events -- or rp community -- too!

Gallery: One Shots

CloudNine open beta starts today

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 25th 2009 (5 hours ago)

Looking for a new game to pass the hours while pre-cooking all the treats for your Thanksgiving feast? Perhaps you're just looking for a shiny new free-to-play title to check out since you're saving your pennies for Christmas. If you're all about the fantasy genre and dig the idea of special monster systems like Monster Card collection, Monster Taming/Riding, and some mysterious thing they call the "Monster Transformation system" then this may well be a game worth checking out. CloudNine, the MMO that touts all these monstrous new ideas, is entering open beta today.

NETGAME, the US distributor of this MGame MMO describe the world as being "based on the conflicts between two nations; Primus Union who fights for loyalty and Ganav Libero who fights for freedom." Also, they note that they'll be starting with a wide range of in-game events and items beginning November 25th, which sounds promising for those of us who love live beta events. So if the idea of spending all day tomorrow staring at Great Aunt Bertha over a plate of dry turkey and gelatinous can-shaped cranberry sauce doesn't appeal, then get your client download started and head over to the CloudNine site to sign up.

Thanksgiving surprise: Four free days in Champions Online

by Kyle Horner Nov 25th 2009 (5 hours ago)

Champions Online

Cryptic

This ain't no ordinary free weekend. Cryptic is offering a full four days worth of free time in Champions Online starting Thanksgiving day at 10am PST -- or Thursday, November 26th to the American holiday challenged. The free time will go on until the following Monday and end at precisely 10am PST. The timing isn't too surprising, as returning players will be able to check out the recent Nemesis Confrontation update that went live just yesterday.

Hopefully things go much more smoothly than the last time there was a free weekend. Although, we're curious as to who'll be watching the servers on Thursday. We expect a vast majority of people to be lined with food and edging on the precipice of nap time. Maybe Cryptic is employing robots or Canadians to run their servers for a day. Unless... unless they're the same thing...

Second annual Linden Prize announced

by Tateru Nino Nov 25th 2009 (6 hours ago)

Linden Lab has announced that applications have opened for the 2010 Linden Prize, and submissions will be taken until 15 January 2010. The Linden Prize is awarded for Second Life projects that improve the way people work, learn and communicate in their daily lives outside of the virtual world. This annual award is intended to align with Linden Lab's company mission, which is to connect all people to an online world that advances the human condition.

There are a couple of changes this year, one being that the $10,000USD prize will be definitely be paid in US Dollars, not in Linden Dollars, "with the aim of giving the winner some more options in the rough real world economy" according to a spokesperson for Linden Lab.

Massively Speaking Episode 78: An interview with Jeffrey Steefel

by Shawn Schuster Nov 25th 2009 (7 hours ago)

Massively Speaking Episode 78 is back with Rubi, Shawn and special guest Jeffrey Steefel, executive producer for Lord of the Rings Online. They talk about Siege of Mirkwood, LotRO's future, Jeffrey's past and much more!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to podcast AT massively DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.