Filed under: Massively meta

WRUP: Who needs to go outside edition

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

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.

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

Massively Exclusive: Fallen Earth dev event transcript (and another party!)

by Krystalle Voecks Oct 27th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fallen Earth, Events, in-game, Interviews, New titles, Massively meta, Massively Interviews

This weekend we had the chance to hang out with a bunch of rough-and-tumble types in the wastelands of Fallen Earth. No, we weren't just doing our typical weekend gaming! We were lucky enough to get to spend some time in-game, hanging out with Marie "Arosei" Croall, Content Team Lead for Fallen Earth. During the evening, we asked her some of the great player submitted questions we solicited last week. She also tossed out a couple of interesting asides to the huge crowd that amassed to take part in the event - and to get some of the free goodies we were handing out!

For those of you who may not have been able to make it - or would just like to check it out without all the cross-chatter - we've transcribed the interview (and some interesting asides) behind the break. Also, remember that we have another Massively Fallen Earth event happening this Wednesday night at the Embry Satellite, starting at 9:00 PM Eastern. This time our very own Shawn Schuster will be dropping by to hold a Massively Reader Meet-up, with - you guessed it - more free stuff, and a special Halloween-themed show on Post Apoc Radio.

WRUP: It's all about EVE. And Aion. And...

by Elizabeth Harper Oct 24th 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Massively meta

As another weekend dawns upon us, we're left with some tough decisions to make. Namely, with countless MMOs (and let's not even get started on the non-MMO options) at our disposal, what should we play this weekend? Decisions, decisions...

Brendan Drain (@nyphur): I've actually been losing a lot of enthusiasm for playing EVE Online lately. I decided not to apply for this term of the Council of Stellar Management and haven't logged in much. I've been spending my spare time playing a little Master of Orion II and another single-player 4X game called Galactic Civilizations II instead.
Brooke Pilley (@Snafzg): Let's just see if I can hit 25 in Aion this weekend. I'm 10-days behind the curve due to vacation, but it was worth it! :P
Eliot Lefebvre: I've got some more DDO to play, but I think much of the weekend will be spent offline with a dear friend -- Final Fantasy XII. All the news about XIV has gotten me in the mood for it again.
James Egan (@jamesegan): I'm gearing up for a Legion Tech III cruiser in EVE Online and should be good to go this week. I might need to liquidate some of my assets to cover the full cost though. EVE will probably be the only MMO I play this weekend, especially as I hear the call of Steam and TF2 once again -- it's been WAY too long. Also my friend headed off to Scotland for a month and loaned me his Xbox 360 game collection so there'll be no small amount of console gaming this weekend for me. Plus, y'know, writing.
Kyle Horner (@Kylehorner): I'm playing the moving game, where you box up all your belongings, shove it all into a vehicle and see how long it takes you to move and unbox everything at your new home. That's right, playing the moving game means you win a new home! At least, if you count still having to pay for everything a new home. Oh, I'll play probably play some Aion on my new laptop. Mmm, maximum settings. /drool
Rubi Bayer: I'm fascinated with DDO, and have been playing it daily as I have time. This weekend, though? Guild Wars. The Halloween events start tomorrow and heaven forbid I don't check out the new quests, visit the collectors, farm trick or treat bags, and hang around LA checking out the decorations. Otherwise? Still grinding that writing title. Love it!
Krystalle Voecks (@Krystalle): Fallen Earth for me!

Now that you know what we're playing this weekend -- it's time to 'fess up. What are you playing this weekend?

Betawatch: October 16th - 23rd, 2009

by Rubi Bayer Oct 23rd 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.

This week brings a few changes to the list -- RAN Online and Soul of the Ultimate Nation have gone live, Heroes of Bestia will enter alpha testing on the 26th, Hello Kitty Online jumps to open beta, and Star Trek Online entered closed beta yesterday.

Follow along after the jump for the complete list.

Massively's exclusive Runes of Magic Halloween item giveaway

by Krystalle Voecks Oct 23rd 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Free-to-play, Massively meta, Runes of Magic, Giveaways

Today we're happy to announce another Runes of Magic item code giveaway, but this time it's for an exclusive in-game Halloween item called the Bat Witch Hat. This hat, as seen here, is strictly a fun holiday event item to help celebrate their Halloween event in style.

Only 1,000 of these hats are available, so you must act quickly! Head on over to our giveaway page to grab yourself a code and more information on applying it to your account. Good luck!

Choose my Adventure: Reaching Stormreach

by Shawn Schuster Oct 21st 2009 at 4:30PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Culture, Events, in-game, Lore, Opinion, 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!

Being the first week with Massively readers in Dungeons and Dragons Online, I'd say we were fairly productive. In the first 15 minutes, we formed the guild -- aptly named "Critical Mass" -- and began the butt-kicking.

With last week's comments focusing on our completion of Korthos Island, we made quick work of that, finishing the main quests and arriving in Stormreach on our third night together. Now we patiently wait for our next adventure as you read through my impressions of the game so far, just after the jump!

WRUP: Old-school gaming edition

by Elizabeth Harper Oct 17th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Massively meta

This weekend, Brendan's breaking out the Amiga and William's going the Super Nintendo route. Back at Massively HQ, we've got to wonder -- were there MMOs for those platforms? (We have trouble recollecting the days before the advent of the internet and the era of massively multiplayer -- though we're vaguely sure that there was a time when these did not exist.) Well, at least some of us are getting our game on this weekend in proper MMO fashion:

Brendan Drain (@nyphur): I've been on something of a retro kick this week, playing old Amiga games like Heimdall 2, K240, and Frontier: Elite II (which are all awesome). Sometimes MMOs have to take a back seat as we connect with our inner twelve-year-olds :D
Dan O'Halloran: My friend turned me on to the Esteldin Bounty Quests in LotRO. Now that I have swift travel in Forochel, I'll be knocking those out for Legendary Item exp. Also, doing Crafting instances to max out my Prospecting before the expansion hits. Joined a new guild so hoping to get in some Turtle groups as well.
Eliot Lefebvre: I've finally caved in and decided to try DDO out, now that I've actually taken a look at how much you can buy in the game. I'm also still on my Mega Man kick, and want to see if I can blow through X5 over the weekend.
Kyle Horner (@kylehorner): More Aion and Champions Online for me this weekend. Just bought a new gaming laptop, too, so by next week I'll be playing them on that!
Tracey John (@TraceyJohn): I decided to roll a new Tauren Shaman in WoW. Because I hate sunlight. I've also got Big Apple Comic-Con in NYC this weekend, where I'll try to see William Shatner. And apparently Naughty By Nature are playing (yeeeaaah, I don't know). I'll try to tweet pics from the show floor!
Seraphina Brennan (@sera_brennan): This weekend is getting some play time with MAG, then perhaps sitting down to play some Aion and get me some more levels. Otherwise, there will be roleplaying, as there is every weekend for me. I <3 mah pen and paper RPGs!
William Dobson: I think I will be totally random this weekend and dust off my Super Nintendo. I suddenly have a craving for some good 16-bit gaming.

So that's what we're playing this weekend. Now chime up for yourselves! What are you playing?

Betawatch: October 9th - October 16th, 2009

by Shawn Schuster Oct 16th 2009 at 3:30PM

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.

This week, a few games have shifted on the list, including Earth Eternal's move to open beta, MAG's pre-order beta announcement and Soul of the Ultimate Nation's very short open beta for their "global version". Plus, and Galaxy Online and Karos Online have both announced their upcoming betas, and we say goodbye to Dragonica Online as it graduates from the list onto launch.

Follow along after the jump for the complete list.

Choose my Adventure: Meet Fahryn Brygo

by Shawn Schuster Oct 14th 2009 at 12:30PM

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

It's always so exciting to get started in a new game with this series, and this week we officially kick off our time with Dungeons and Dragons Online. You voted earlier this week for the elements of my character creation, and I am happy to say that my new character is alive and well, and eager to begin his journey.

I've already discovered that this Choose my Adventure will need to be done a bit differently than the previous two, as I am almost completely unfamiliar with this game. What I have played was back during Module 7, and much of the game has changed since then. The voting will be less reliant on polls, and more on comment discussion. So follow along after the jump for a brief introduction to our newest adventurer, and where he will go from here.