Filed under: Massively meta

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

by Shawn Schuster Nov 25th 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, Free-to-play, Massively meta, Giveaways, Allods Online

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!]

WRUP: Who wants to be a superhero edition

by Elizabeth Harper Nov 21st 2009 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Massively meta

Has another week come and gone already? Oh how the days fly by -- sometimes literally, with super-speed. But it's all for the best, really, because the weekend is a time where we can game peacefully and undisturbed. (Well, at least sometimes, depending on the current state of spouses/children/friends/pets.) So, without any further delays, let's talk about what the Massively team has gotten into playing this weekend. And, if you'd rather just talk about yourself -- well, that's okay, too. Just drop a note in the comments and tell us (and your fellow readers) what you're playing this weekend.

Betawatch: November 20th - 27th, 2009

by Rubi Bayer Nov 20th 2009 at 10:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Massively meta, Betawatch

Welcome to Betawatch, Massively's weekly report on the state of MMO betas. In each installment, we'll report everything from the latest open betas, closed betas and even alphas in one convenient place. Plus, we'll make sure to include as much info on each game's current status, including projected release dates (if known) and links to the sign-up forms to get yourself into that beta you've been seeking.

Several changes on Betawatch this week: Alganon made the leap to the open beta list, Dragon's Call and Allods Online (EU) began their closed beta, and Star Trek Online announced their open beta dates. (January 12th through the 26th)

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!

WRUP: Fresh guts roasting on an open fire

by Krystalle Voecks Nov 14th 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Massively meta

Once again, the weekend is here. Perfect for relaxing over a cheery... zombie fire? It appears that most of the team here at Massively are splitting time between their regularly scheduled MMOs and the slew of new titles that have come out recently. With great titles like Torchlight, Dragon Age Origins, and the tasty Left 4 Dead 2 demo, can you blame us? Rest assured we're still getting our full helping of MMOs in the mix so we can grow up big and strong. If you're curious just who is up to what this weekend, join us behind the break for a little WRUP - and be sure to leave your own list in the comments!

Betawatch: November 13th - 20th, 2009

by Rubi Bayer Nov 13th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Massively meta, Betawatch

Welcome to Betawatch, Massively's weekly report on the state of MMO betas. In each installment, we'll report everything from the latest open betas, closed betas and even alphas in one convenient place. Plus, we'll make sure to include as much info on each game's current status, including projected release dates (if known) and links to the sign-up forms to get yourself into that beta you've been seeking.

We bid farewell and good luck to Bright Shadow -- they launched on Wednesday. Alganon makes the jump to the open beta list, and Allods Online and APB move to the closed beta list. (Check out our First Impressions of Allods Online!)

Follow along after the jump for the complete list.

Age of Conan community interview: Your questions answered!

by Shawn Schuster Nov 13th 2009 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Interviews, MMO industry, Massively meta, Community Q&A

Earlier this week, we asked for your Age of Conan questions, and you delivered. Although we only received seven usable questions (some were duplicates and two we combined), the answers given by Game Director Craig Morrison are candid and to-the-point. Funcom's steady push for new content and poised ear to the community shows that they're on board to keep AoC going strong for a long time.

Follow along after the jump for Craig's answers on changing Tortage, more PvP, opening the forums to everyone and more.

First Impressions: Allods Online

by Shawn Schuster Nov 13th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: At a glance, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Video, New titles, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-play, Massively meta, First Impressions, Allods Online

Because we don't do straight reviews on this site, a First Impressions piece is the closest you're going to get. In First Impressions, we run through the first 5 to 10 levels of a game and let you know what we thought.

In this one for gPotato's upcoming free-to-play Allods Online, we did something a bit different. Instead of just a write-up, we've also done a short video to show the visual side of our impressions. Why? Because Allods Online deserves it, in our opinion. Keep reading after the jump for the embedded video and a brief run-down of what we thought.

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.

WRUP: Who needs to go outside edition

by Elizabeth Harper Nov 7th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Massively meta

With so many delicious gaming options available, we have to agree with Tracey's conclusion: who needs to go outside? Virtual life is often by far the more exciting -- though we are all curious about this RL outdoor instance Krystalle is talking about. Either way, it's safe to say that this weekend the Massively staff is getting into as much trouble (virtually, of course) as is possible in the space of two tiny days. So, without further ado, read onward to see what the Massively team is playing -- and to tell us what you're playing!

Massively's Allods Online closed beta key giveaway

by Shawn Schuster Nov 5th 2009 at 1:30PM

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, News items, Massively meta, Giveaways, Allods Online

North American Closed Beta Test 1 is beginning on November 10th for Allods Online, and we're happy to throw a few keys out to our loyal readers. We have 500 to give out, thanks to our friends at gPotato, so they may go quickly. Simply head on over to our giveaway page and follow the directions there.

You can download the game from this link, but it won't be available until 2pm EDT today. You can also take a look at their main website to find out some interesting tidbits about the expansiveness of the game and its award-winning development team.

[Update: Make sure to only enter the numbers after the comma in the beta code you receive. Thanks!]

GameX 2009: The expo in photos

by Seraphina Brennan Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Galleries, Massively meta, Massively Event Coverage

Did we have a good time at this year's GameX in Philadelphia? Well, if you can't tell by all of our coverage, we certainly did. But there was certainly more to the expo than just interviewing people and checking out Warhammer Online and Global Agenda running on the show floor! There were, gasp, other games there!

We got many neat photos of the various things on the show floor, from robots to steampunk to Egyptian statues, and we collected them all in one gallery for you guys to ogle. If you were interested in Bayonetta or Dante's Inferno, then also look no further, as we got some pictures of those booths in action as well.

So enjoy the photos as tomorrow we wrap up our coverage of GameX 2009. Hope you enjoyed reading/watching it as much as we enjoyed writing/recording it!

Gallery: GameX 2009: Photos from on the floor

Welcome to Massively's third year!

by Shawn Schuster Nov 2nd 2009 at 6:30PM

Filed under: Events, real-world, News items, Massively meta, Massively Event Coverage

Massively.com officially turns two years old today, and while that may be quite young for an MMO news site, we'd like to think we've really made a name for ourselves in that time. Starting out as the secret love child of Second Life Insider, WoW Insider (now WoW.com) and the rest of the Joystiq network, we've come a long way in our 730 days.

As we fondly reminisce about the good times we've had, we thought it would be best to not only compile our own favorite content, but also reach out to our readers for their own favorites. After all, without you, we would be nothing. Literally. No, seriously, we love you all. Even Graill and Mr. Angry!

So we reached out to our Twitter followers earlier today to grab a few opinions and combine them with our own. Follow along in the gallery below for our showcase of best content, and feel free to add your favorites in the comments below.

Gallery: Two years of Massively features

WRUP: What we are (and aren't) playing edition

by Elizabeth Harper Oct 31st 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Massively meta

Pre-WRUP disclaimer: The Star Trek Online screenshot above is unrelated to what any of us are playing this weekend. (Sad but true.) But it is what we all wish we were playing in our heart of hearts -- and the latest game screenshots are just so pretty that who can really fault us for wanting to stare at them again and again?

But now, without further aside, let's get back on-topic and talk about what the Massively team is playing this weekend.

Betawatch: October 23rd - 30th, 2009

by Rubi Bayer Oct 30th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Massively meta, Betawatch

Welcome to Betawatch, Massively's weekly report on the state of MMO betas. In each installment, we'll report everything from the latest open betas, closed betas and even alphas in one convenient place. Plus, we'll make sure to include as much info on each game's current status, including projected release dates (if known) and links to the sign-up forms to get yourself into that beta you've been seeking.

Lots of changes this week: Ys Online announced that they'll be leaving the open beta list, but not to go live. They'll be going out of service November 30th. Alganon will be staying in closed beta a while longer, having pushed their launch date to December 1st. The latest closed beta phase for Karos Online has ended. Bright Shadow and Galaxy Online make the leap to open beta, and Soul of the Ultimate Nation leaves the list to go live.

Follow along after the jump for the complete list.