Filed under: Dungeons and Dragons Online

Turbine announces the winners of the Broctober contest

by Rubi Bayer Nov 18th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Contests, Free-to-play

Back in October, DDO Unlimited announced a fun little contest looking for responses to their (in)famous Broccoli vs. Beholder video. First prize was 5,000 Turbine points and the coveted title "Gweater Dwagonmark of Fwiends". (No, seriously. That's a great title.) Second and third place winners received Turbine points and a "Dwagonmark of Fwiends"title as well.

The results are in, with the winning "Broccoli vs. Wraith" video keeping the Turbine staff in stitches with the expressions on Broccoli's face and the farcical chase through the corridor and doorways. Congratulations also to second place winner Korin Geholtz for showing us Broccoli's attack on Stormreach, and Zac C.B./Sioyin Chua for Broccoli vs. Ham with bonus points for great music.

Korin Geholz also gave us an additional treat by giving Tasty Ham his very own Facebook page. Congratulations to all of you from Massively, and thanks for the laughs!

One Shots: Another day in DDO

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 18th 2009 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, One Shots

Know how we know you guys like Dungeons and Dragons Online? You picked it as the current adventure for our very own Shawn Schuster! He's currently working his way through the lands of Dungeons and Dragons Online, to both enlighten and amuse. Of course, if you just want regular everyday amusement, One Shots is glad to step in when players send us funny images -- like this one from Inspecta! He writes in to give us a visual pun: [This is] a screen shot of my friends and I hangin' around the marketplace in DDO. You can almost hear the drum/cymbal on that punch line, can't you?

Have you figured out a way to create your very own visual pun in your favorite game? Think you've got a groaner you'd like to unleash on the world? Don't be shy! Send those funny screenshots in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it out here and let everyone in on the joke.

Gallery: One Shots

Choose my Adventure: Doing you a Favor

by Shawn Schuster Nov 18th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Culture, Free-to-play, Massively meta, Hands-on, Choose my Adventure

In this week's Dungeons and Dragons Online adventures, the Critical Mass guild came across a bit of a challenge, and not in the game. With last week's vote guiding our hero to spend his hard-earned Turbine Points on an adventure pack, not everyone in the group had those same points to spend. So we spent our playing time gaining favor, which can be turned into Turbine Points.

In lieu of an in-character story this week, I'm going to spend some time explaining Favor and the DDO store for anyone who is curious about how this all works. I'll also explain our next poll, as I'd like you to vote on the specific Adventure Pack in which our hard-earned points will be spent. Follow along after the jump for more!

Dungeons and Dragons Online offers eye-catching look at Monks

by Rubi Bayer Nov 12th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Free-to-play

Turbine released a series of beautiful screenshots yesterday showcasing the monk class in Dungeons and Dragons Online. Monks are available to Dungeons and Dragons Online VIPs (those who pay a subscription fee) or those who unlock it with Turbine points, and best suited to players with some experience.

The DDO site gives a brief summary of what monks are about: "Monks use an energy called ki to perform amazing techniques in battle. Usually fighting without weapons and armor, they can assist allies or destroy enemies but take longer to master than the other melee classes." The site continues with an extensive overview of the monk's skills, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as a look at the three paths a monk can choose to follow. The path of shadow offers a more aggressive fighting style, heavier on the damage side than the healing side. The path of light, of course, offers the opposite: more party benefits and less damage over time. And finally, the two-headed heron follows the path of light and benefits its allies, but also delivers damage to enemies as a dual-wielder of monk weapons.

Check out the official site for more information on the monk, and check out our gallery for a more visual look at the class.

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online Monk class

Choose my Adventure: Depths of House d'Deneith

by Shawn Schuster Nov 11th 2009 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Culture, Lore, Free-to-play, Massively meta, Hands-on, Roleplaying, Choose my Adventure

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 the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

Last week, you voted for two things: the Critical Mass guild to hit House of Deneith first, and for me to start using my accrued Turbine Points in the DDO store. We annihilated House of Deneith, but I still haven't found something good to spend my points on.

So this week, as we continue our journey through level 5 and beyond, the poll will seek answers to that pressing concern: How should I spend my money?! Keep reading below for the in-character journal of the adventures, my continued impressions of the game so far, and the polls for this week.

One Shots: A strange summoning

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 6th 2009 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, One Shots

As we visited the lands of Lord of the Rings Online yesterday for a bit of spooky fun, today we thought we'd take a peek in at Dungeons and Dragons Online. While this isn't specifically a Halloween shot, we thought the spooky summons was a nice counterpoint. This image comes to us from Tanek, who writes in to explain: [this] shot was taken during a show in the beta this past summer. I think the show was in the Marketplace, but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure I want to know exactly what is being summoned. Whatever it is, it does not seem happy.

If you're playing a game we only see on occasion -- or have never seen -- we want to hear from you! Show us your favorite areas, tell us a bit about the lore, or maybe just tell us why you like it. Email them to oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name and the name of the game. We'll post them up and give them a chance to shine.

Gallery: One Shots

The Daily Grind: Are you still playing a September MMO?

by Brooke Pilley Nov 6th 2009 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Aion, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Fallen Earth, New titles, The Daily Grind, Champions Online

September 2009 saw the release of Champions Online, Dungeons & Dragons: Eberron Unlimited (an older MMO going F2P), Fallen Earth, and Aion. This was easily the busiest month for MMOs in recent memory and we're sure many of you at least picked up one of them to try out. We're curious to know if you're still playing a September MMO just over a month later. If so or if not, why?

No MMO in the history of MMOs has experienced a perfectly smooth launch and these September titles were no exception. Did the action-packed combat of CO pull you in or did the lack of content push you away? Were you awed by DDO-EU's polished suite of tools or annoyed by the limitations put on free accounts? Was Fallen Earth's post-apocalyptic setting a breath of fresh air or did you choke on a mouthful of radioactive bugs? Did the beauty and smoothness of Aion make your heart beat faster or did its grind and bot infestation crush your soul? Just how impressed were you with September's crop of new MMOs?

Choose my Adventure: The Marketplace

by Shawn Schuster Nov 4th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Culture, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Roleplaying, Choose my Adventure

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 the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

This week, we've made our way through the rest of the Waterworks quests in Dungeons and Dragons Online and into the Marketplace and the Cerulean Hills. Despite our limited time together, the Critical Mass bunch are really making headway through these quests.

We've finally brought back the polls for this week, as you'll have a chance to not only vote on where we go from here, but also enjoy a revisit to the use of Turbine Points earned so far. Follow along after the jump for Fahryn's in-character journal, my impressions and the return of the polls!

DDO: Unlimited Shan-to-Kor adventure pack trailer

by Kyle Horner Nov 4th 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: Video, Dungeons and Dragons Online, News items

Turbine has released a video for the Shan-to-Kor adventure pack, which is aimed at level four and above players. The dungeon -- which lies deep beneath the marketplace -- is nothing too grandiose or epic, certainly not on the level of Dol Guldur, but these videos serve as a nice way for interested DDO: Unlimited players to get a preview of content before they commit to buying it in-game through the DDO Store.

We wonder if there's a way for Turbine to incorporate these videos into the actual game itself, or at the very least to offer an external link for easy viewing. That may be asking too much, although since they keep making these it seems pretty logical to us.

Check out the video after the break.

Dungeons and Dragons Online opening new server

by Rubi Bayer Nov 4th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Game mechanics, News items, Free-to-play

We told you recently about the massive population growth that Dungeons and Dragons Online has experienced since going free-to-play last summer, and Turbine is keeping pace with that growth nicely. Players enjoy a solid, extensive game at the free level, as well as a seemingly endless supply of additional content at either a microtransaction or subscription level -- including the first major content update since the free-to-play model launched in June.

Today they're adding something less on the gameplay side and more on the foundation side: a new server to keep up with the increased player base. Turbine announced the addition of new server world Orien (after the Dragonmarked noble house in Eberron) yesterday. It's only open to new characters -- character transfers are unfortunately not available at the time -- but it will certainly help to spread the server load out a bit as more players head in to see what all the fuss is about.

The new server world opens today.

Massively's DDO developer tour for Update 1

by Rubi Bayer Oct 28th 2009 at 3:30PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Dungeons and Dragons Online has been enjoying a huge surge in popularity since their free-to-play model launched last June. Today marks the introduction of their first major content update since the launch, something everyone has been looking forward to for quite a while. We told you Sunday about the letter to the players from Executive Producer Fernando Paiz, and Monday we had the opportunity to get together with some of the guys from Turbine for a look at what's coming today. Between the gorgeous world Turbine has created and the numerous adventure packs for additional play, new DDO players have no shortage of content to explore and enjoy. Now long time players are getting some love with Update 1.

Follow along after the jump for a look at what to expect from today's content patch.

Choose my Adventure: Leave no Kobold unturned

by Shawn Schuster Oct 28th 2009 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Culture, Lore, Free-to-play, Massively meta, Roleplaying, Choose my Adventure

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 the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

Oh, what a productive week we've had in Dungeons and Dragons Online. After arriving in Stormreach, we made it through the Harbor quests with no problem. And when I say we made it through the Harbor quests, I mean we made it through all of the Harbor quests.

Fahryn is now level 3 and ready for some new challenges, so follow along after the cut for his in-character journal, my impressions of our adventures so far and your chance to let us know where our path should lead us next

Turbine and Xfire think you need a new computer

by Rubi Bayer Oct 26th 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Contests, Giveaways

They want to give you one. No, really. At the beginning of last week Xfire and Turbine announced that they were teaming up to offer prizes for joining the Xfire community and playing Dungeons and Dragons Online.

There's still time to get in on the contest. The requirements for entering are pretty easy: join the Dungeons and Dragons Online Official XFire Community and play DDO while signed into Xfire. The prizes are divided into four categories, and your prize category is determined by how many hours you play between now and November 2nd. Playing 50 hours puts you in the drawing for a 24-inch widescreen monitor and a new computer with a generous helping of bells and whistles or a shiny new graphics card. Playing 25 hours puts you in the prize category for a 23-inch widescreen monitor. If you're short on time, one hour of playtime will put you in a drawing for 1500 Turbine Points, and who doesn't love a virtual gift card?

In all 33 people will be chosen to win, so look here for details, here for those pesky rules, and here for the Xfire DDO community. Good luck!

One Shots: Choose your own adventure

by Krystalle Voecks Oct 25th 2009 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, One Shots

With an Xfire contest, a video contest, and a pumpkin carving contest, there are tons of things going on in Dungeons and Dragons Online right now. We think it's pretty awesome how people are flocking to this beautiful game. Of course, the free-to-play bit doesn't hurt, either! Still, with lovely areas like the one Tanek has captured and sent in to share with us, it's not really a surprise many are taking a second look. To give us a bit more background on this image, Tanek writes in: In honor of the new Choose My Adventure location, I thought I'd send in [one] of my favorite screenshots from Dungeons and Dragons Online. [This] is a shot of the Cerulean Hills wilderness zone at night. The DDO graphics, in my opinion, still hold their own against the newer games out there today. This has been my login background for a few months now and I'm never tired of seeing that great night sky.

Why not join the fun and send in your own screenshots to be featured here on One Shots? We can always use more to pick from. Just email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game its from, and whatever other information you'd like to give us. We'll post it for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots

Fernando Paiz talks game updates for Dungeons and Dragons Online

by Eliot Lefebvre Oct 25th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Business models, Patches, Previews, Leveling

Good times seem to be here for Dungeons and Dragons Online -- the game has been enjoying a huge surge in popularity from its new free-to-play model, not to mention making quite a bit of money as a result. The game's executive producer, Fernando Paiz, mentioned the game's surge of popularity in the opening of his recent letter to the game's players, but that was hardly the end of the letter. Most of the letter discusses the upcoming improvements to the game, including the upcoming and aptly-named Update 1 that's scheduled for release on October 28th.

One of the more interesting large-scale bits of information is the differentiation now being made between software updates and simple content additions. the game previously used a "module" numbering system for major patches, but Paiz points out that the changes made to the game have meant that content can be added independent of a full-on game update. Update 1, for example, will coincide with the release of a new adventure pack. It will also feature new options such as Veteran mode (allowing you to create a character starting at Level 4 instead of Level 1) and an Epic difficulty setting, further exploring the strength of the game's instanced dungeons. If you haven't yet tried Dungeons and Dragons Online -- and now that it's free to play, you don't have much of an excuse -- it might be well worth it to take a look at what the game has to offer in the near future.