Massively http://www.massively.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://www.massively.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Warhammer Online developer diary on combat with hackers]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/11/07/warhammer-online-developer-diary-on-combat-with-hackers/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/07/warhammer-online-developer-diary-on-combat-with-hackers/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/07/warhammer-online-developer-diary-on-combat-with-hackers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hackers, as everyone knows, were scheduled to be the mirror class to Choppas... wait, no, that's not right. We're not talking about one of the classes of Warhammer Online, we're talking about that scourge of the paying and fair-playing populace of every MMO. The most recent developer diary on the game's official site is with John Cox, development manager, discussing some of the ways and means that allows Mythic to fight against the scourge of hacking and try and keep the game on the level.

Cox discusses a number of techniques, starting with the most obvious: that several people working on fighting the hacks are part of hacking communities, observing silently and sometimes even testing them internally to develop a response. He also discusses why some of the progress on fighting illegal behavior is a bit slower than the community would like, and why it's not always as possible to shut things down straightaway on the server end. With a discussion of some of the holes in detection, which includes an explanation of why the game briefly had Vista users almost universally flagged as hackers, it's an interesting look behind the scenes at Warhammer Online's efforts to fight the good fight. (That is, the one not involving Order versus Destruction.)

MassivelyWarhammer Online developer diary on combat with hackers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugsdeveloper-diaryeaelectronic-artsexploitshackersjohn-coxmythicmythic-entertainmentwarwarhammer-onlineSat, 07 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online's endless trial now available]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/11/06/warhammer-onlines-endless-trial-now-available/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/06/warhammer-onlines-endless-trial-now-available/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/06/warhammer-onlines-endless-trial-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The endless trial has arrived in the land of Warhammer Online, and it's quite the offer. Of course, we've reported on the actual trial before but as of today (post-maintenance) it's officially enacted within the game. So if you've been waiting to go back and check things out but didn't feel like re-subbing or somehow missed out on all the excitement of the game's launch last year, then now is the perfect time to get in and take a look. If you're not sure what the heck this whole "endless trial" thing is all about, here's a handy official FAQ to peruse.

We think it's a good if not bold concept, especially considering players only have to download 1gig of data before the game will dynamically stream the rest as they play. Hopefully it works out for Mythic, who've been putting much blood, sweat and tears in trying to improve perception since its heady launch days.

MassivelyWarhammer Online's endless trial now available originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendless-trialmythicmythic-entertainmenttrialwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineFri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online interim city siege fixes]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/11/05/warhammer-online-interim-city-siege-fixes/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/05/warhammer-online-interim-city-siege-fixes/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/05/warhammer-online-interim-city-siege-fixes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mythic has been pulling out all stops lately in an effort to improve Warhammer Online. One of their latest changes was to remove fortresses from the RvR campaign equation because many players found them to be a laggy and boring hurdle to be overcome. Doing so, however, had a predictable result: Cities were sieged much more often. While Mythic was acutely aware this would happen, they didn't have measures in place to handle an "all city siege all the time" situation. Today, Andy Belford announced a suite of interim city fixes.

Check out the official forums for the complete run-down. A few notables include: The durations of stage 1 and 2 city siege have been cut in half, many parts of the city are no longer tied to city rank, city rank recovers much more quickly, and the Reikland Factory and Twisting Tower scenarios are making a comeback to provide those not engaged in city siege with something to do.

Many players and bloggers have pointed out that these fixes only address the symptoms and not the core issues related to WAR's RvR campaign. Andy was quick to mention that these are only initial changes and more will be coming (e.g., the Underdog system). Testing of these changes should begin next week so keep your eyes on the Herald.

MassivelyWarhammer Online interim city siege fixes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-belfordcity-siegemythic-entertainmentreikland-factoryrvrrvr-campaignscenariostwisting-towerwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Wary in the woods]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/one-shots-wary-in-the-woods/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/one-shots-wary-in-the-woods/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/one-shots-wary-in-the-woods/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


When traveling alone in the woods, it's generally a good idea to remain on your guard. This is especially true in Warhammer Online, where the forces of Order and Destruction are locked in a never-ending battle for supremacy. Thankfully, this cautious lady happens to have an enormous feline companion at her side, just ready to chow down on anyone or anything interested in attacking her. Today's great Warhammer Online One Shots was sent in to us by Yavvy, who didn't explain what she seems to be defending against, only noting that this is a: Rank 8 White Lion, having just entered Hunter's Vale.

Do you have screenshots of your favorite game that you haven't sent in to us yet? If so, why are you holding back? You should gather those up and send them to us here at oneshots AT massively.com. We can always use more screenshots to show off.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Wary in the woods originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamythicmythic-entertainmentone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotswarwarhammer-onlineyavvyWed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online and the perception turnaround]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/warhammer-online-and-the-perception-turnaround/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/warhammer-online-and-the-perception-turnaround/http://www.massively.com/2009/11/04/warhammer-online-and-the-perception-turnaround/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's a kind of disconcerting time to be a Warhammer Online fan, let's face it. Patch 1.3.2 had a lot of people muttering quietly (or loudly on the comment threads of posts related to it) that the game is floundering for direction and trying to latch on to something to keep it afloat. This is one way to view things, but hardly the only way. Bio Break has an interesting take on it -- they're not floundering for direction, they're working hard to regain their footing. The game that was meant to go toe-to-toe with World of Warcraft didn't quite make it there, but Mythic hasn't been letting the game sink and falter.

The post is specifically addressing the contorversy that came around regarding the shift to unlimited free trials within tier one, the game's introductory content. It sounds a bit fishy, but as pointed out, the shift to "unlimited free trial" has done wonders for Dungeons and Dragons Online, boosting its revenue by a fair amount. While Warhammer Online hasn't yet gone down the same road, it's clear that they're continuing to push forward with the game and find new ways to expand the gameplay experience. If you are one of the many fans whose complaints about recent developments have been less than optimistic, you might want to think about this, as the game hasn't given up the ghost just yet.

MassivelyWarhammer Online and the perception turnaround originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio-breakeaelectronic-artsfree-trialmmo-industrymythicmythic-entertainmentopinionpatcheswarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively wishes you a happy Halloween]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/31/massively-wishes-you-a-happy-halloween/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/31/massively-wishes-you-a-happy-halloween/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/31/massively-wishes-you-a-happy-halloween/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Halloween is probably second only to Christmas in terms of holiday popularity. Ask just about anybody what their favorite holiday is, and they'll probably list one of those two (if it fits the culture). Naturally, as MMO players, we have fun celebrating it in our virtual worlds just like we do in the real world. And boy, this year, do we ever celebrate. Just about every active MMO out there had (or has) something going on. The 2009 lineup included:
Most of these events last a few days into November, so if there's any one in particular you're dying to experience, you might still have a chance if you have a subscription laying around. If you're not able to visit any of these in person, we have screenshots from many of these events in the gallery below. Enjoy!

Gallery: Halloween 2009

EverQuest II CostumeAnother EverQuest II CostumeEverQuest II ScarecrowEverQuest II's Headless HorsemanEverQuest II Skeletons

MassivelyMassively wishes you a happy Halloween originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brraaaaaainsscavern-of-chaosdaemon-moon-risingdays-of-the-deadgalactic-moon-festivalhalloweenhalloween-2009halloween-in-mmosharvest festivalharvest-revelhaunting-of-norrathholidayholidaysmmo-halloweennights-of-lost-soulsnights-of-the-deadpumpkin-festivalroundupspooks-and-scarecrowssuper-spooktacularthe-deadly-apocalypsethe-mad-kings-revelrySat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameX 2009: 1.3.2 decision making, streaming client, and unlimited trials for Warhammer Online]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/gamex-2009-1-3-2-decision-making-streaming-client-and-unlimit/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/gamex-2009-1-3-2-decision-making-streaming-client-and-unlimit/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/gamex-2009-1-3-2-decision-making-streaming-client-and-unlimit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


We saw the Warhammer Online booth at GameX, and we wagggggghed ourselves right into a video interview with James Casey and Matt Shaw from Mythic Entertainment that pulled no punches. We wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes with their decision making in patch 1.3.2, shooting James and Matt the hard questions.

Why were fortresses pulled from the endgame? Why choose 1.3.2 for performance fixes and not fix these things earlier? While we interrogated, Matt and James were also happy to tell us about the new stuff for WAR, including the new-user experience added in 1.3.2, the awesome unlimited trial that starts today, and the new streaming client option that trial users will receive.

So for the answers to some burning WAR questions, jump with us after the break and check out our video interview!

Continue reading GameX 2009: 1.3.2 decision making, streaming client, and unlimited trials for Warhammer Online

MassivelyGameX 2009: 1.3.2 decision making, streaming client, and unlimited trials for Warhammer Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.3.2ea-mythicfortressesgamexgamex-2009james-caseymatt-shawmythicmythic-entertainmentperformance-fixesstreaming-clientunlimited-trialwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineFri, 30 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic removes time limit on WAR free trial]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/mythic-removes-time-limit-on-war-free-trial/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/mythic-removes-time-limit-on-war-free-trial/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/mythic-removes-time-limit-on-war-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Warhammer Online's October newsletter just arrived in our mailboxes and its full of frothy WAAAGH!. Predominantly featured are the 1.3.2 updates, which most of us already know about including the removal of fortresses, a new keep difficulty system, client performance improvements, and of course, the New User Journey. Check out the video podcast with producers Jeff Skalski and Josh Drescher for a full run down.

A couple interesting bits stuck out for us. First, as Werit points out, Mythic has removed the 10-day time limitation on their free trial. Players can now experience all of what tier one has to offer without worrying about a looming deadline. This should work out quite nicely with the New User Journey. We also noticed the release of a new Warhammer-themed living card game by Fantasy Flight Games called Warhammer Invasion. This should be of interest to those who just can't get enough order or destruction in their day.

Finally, you should come back in one hour for our exclusive GameX interview with Matt Shaw and James Casey as they discuss the free trial and explain their decisions behind the 1.3.2 changes.

MassivelyMythic removes time limit on WAR free trial originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jeff-skalskijosh-drescherlcgliving-card-gamemythic-entertainmentnew-user-journeynewsletterwarwar-newsletterwarhammer-invasionwarhammer-onlineweritFri, 30 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online, now with 100% more Mac support]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/29/warhammer-online-now-with-100-more-mac-support/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/29/warhammer-online-now-with-100-more-mac-support/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/29/warhammer-online-now-with-100-more-mac-support/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There have been some big changes in Warhammer Online of late -- that's undeniable. But the game is pressing steadily onward, making a major change that oddly hasn't altered a single element of the gameplay. No, this change is entirely targeted at the players, as the game has now launched the Macintosh version of its client. They've been hinting at it and talking about it for quite some time, but it has gone live and is available, complete with full support for the game's free trial for any Mac gamers still on the fence regarding whether or not they want to dive in.

Certainly there's been some discussion among the game's community about whether or not the Mac client has been necessary or even desirable, with the common statement being "well, everyone can just run Boot Camp for it." But there's no doubt that a native solution is better than a workaround, and it makes the game more appealing to people who would prefer not to fuss around with Boot Camp. Take a look at the official question-and-answer page to see the details about the new client, or if you'd rather be a malcontent, start demanding Warhammer Online for Linux next.

MassivelyWarhammer Online, now with 100% more Mac support originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleboot-campeaelectronic-artslinuxmacmacintoshmythicmythic-entertainmentnews-itemswarwarhammer-onlineThu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nate Levy explains WAR's action point fix]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/27/nate-levy-explains-wars-action-point-fix/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/27/nate-levy-explains-wars-action-point-fix/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/27/nate-levy-explains-wars-action-point-fix/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mythic developers just fixed a major bug that has been in Warhammer Online since launch and it's having a big impact on players. Action points (AP) are the one-size-fits-all resource used to cast spells, perform damage attacks, and tank. Suffice to say, a change to the way AP works affects every class in the game. This bug fix makes it take a little longer for AP to regenerate as originally intended.

Many players claim that the time-to-kill in beta was much higher than it turned out at release, and while a dozen or more variables play a part in this (e.g., better gear, higher crit rates, newer strategies, etc.), AP regen can be counted among them. You see, after the game released game update 1.3.1 came out, players had a nearly limitless AP pool. In fact, AP regen potions were useless aside from getting a quick boost after sprinting. This led to many players getting in the habit of button-mashing their abilities without fearing a complete AP drain.

Now that the issue has been corrected, there's been a bit of an outcry from players who have become accustomed to playing WAR not as intended for over a year. Mythic stresses that this change is for the better but will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. Check out Nate Levy's developer diary for all the details.

Update: This bug was discovered in 1.3.1 but we are unsure of when it originally made its way into the game. We apologize for jumping to conclusions based on our own experiences.

MassivelyNate Levy explains WAR's action point fix originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-pointsbugbug-fixesdev-diaryMythic-Entertainmentnate-levywarwarhammer-onlineTue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online's grab bag full of masks]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/25/warhammer-onlines-grab-bag-full-of-masks/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/25/warhammer-onlines-grab-bag-full-of-masks/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/25/warhammer-onlines-grab-bag-full-of-masks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Warhammer Online has turned once again to the community for their questions, and the result was -- unsurprisingly -- a number of questions about the game's now-live Halloween event, Daemon Moon Rising. That means that the most recent grab bag has slightly fewer questions that are relevant to the game as a whole, but far more that are relevant to the things that every player wants to know at the moment. Namely, how do you get your masks, where do you get them, and what do the masks do?

The downside (for those of us familiar with the setting) is that there will be no Skaven-themed masks this year. On the other hand, nearly everything else in here provides some solid information and a nice confirmation that the only thing recycled from last year's event are some of the masks. The iconic and much-coveted Leather Face Mask can be obtained by winning a Daemonball Rally match, an RvR holiday event similar in execution to football. The question grab bag also offers some teases of the ultimate event reward, which promises to be a notable (if temporary) buff for anyone who takes aim at it. Take a look at what's in the event, and then you might be well-served to log in and take part in the festivities.

MassivelyWarhammer Online's grab bag full of masks originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daemon-moon-risingeagrab-baghalloweenin-game-eventmythicmythic-entertainmentskavenwarwarhammer-onlineSun, 25 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online interview about 1.3.2]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/24/warhammer-online-interview-about-1-3-2/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/24/warhammer-online-interview-about-1-3-2/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/24/warhammer-online-interview-about-1-3-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It can be safely said that every Warhammer Online player was absolutely in love with the changes made in patch 1.3.2, for a given value of "every Warhammer Online player" or a very interesting definition of "absolutely in love." Okay, the patch might not have actually been as well-received as all that. There was some controversy, more so than the usual patch day wailing and gnashing of teeth. Love it or hate it, it's hard to claim that the community team is unaware of the fact that they made some large changes and debated choices, which is no doubt part of the reason that Jeff Skalski gave a short interview to MMORPG.com regarding the changes.

If you didn't like the changes, of course, it's unlikely that you'll like the general tone of the interview. Skalski outlines the reasons behind each change and why he feels they were the right choices for the game as a whole, even if they weren't all received warmly by the existing player base. He is, however, clearly very aware of the criticism and complaints that have been leveled for each change, and does his best to address them in turn with a calm attitude and a touch of humor. Take a look at the full interview for a bit more about the process and the rationale, even if you're still a little miffed about where your Shadow Warrior starts off these days.

MassivelyWarhammer Online interview about 1.3.2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eainterviewjeff-skalskimythicmythic-entertainmentwarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineSat, 24 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Ravaged lands]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/22/one-shots-ravaged-lands/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/22/one-shots-ravaged-lands/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/22/one-shots-ravaged-lands/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While you might initially think that the above is an interesting fall shot on an overcast day, sadly, it is the home of an ever-raging war - Warhammer Online style! Sandwiched between Ostland and Reikland, this region is a contested area, full of the sounds of battle. The smoke in the air and tattered windmill in the distance give the lie to this being a nice, simple fall image. Sent in to us by Deltex, who is on the Karak Norn EU Warhammer Online server, he noted "this is the view of Tabacaland (sic) destroyed by WAR."

One Shots is all about reader submissions, so while you're out running around - grab a screenshot for us. (Please make sure your images are 1024px across, and have no UI in them!) Once you've got one you like, email it to us 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 give you the credit!

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Ravaged lands originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deltexeamythicmythic-entertainmentone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotswarwarhammer-onlineThu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online drops 1.3.2 and looks straight ahead]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-2-and-looks-straight-ahead/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-2-and-looks-straight-ahead/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-2-and-looks-straight-ahead/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Love it or hate it, opinions have been divided, but the changes made to Warhammer Online in the 1.3.2 patch -- most notably the changes to the starting experience -- have certainly gotten people talking. But it's one thing to discuss it in the abstract and another to see how things play out. The opportunity is now in the hands of the game's players, as the patch has gone live and all of its changes are there for everyone to try.

Rather than locking things down and leaving them there, however, producer Jeff Skalski has released an open letter to the community explaining why some of the changes were made and what changes are coming in the game's next patch, 1.3.3. Cosmetic changes include the options to walk and sit (instead of constantly running and standing) and additions to the game's graphical engine. More far-reaching is the implementation of the Underdog System: a series of running handicaps designed to help bring the side that's consistently losing into better parity with their opponents. Skalski explains in brief how such a system will work and how it will avoid unbalancing matches in the other direction, as well as discussing some of the larger issues Warhammer Online plans to address. If you haven't been playing or you took a break, see what has changed and what's coming, since now is the time to give the game a look.

MassivelyWarhammer Online drops 1.3.2 and looks straight ahead originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsjeff-skalskimythicnew-user-journeypatcheswarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineFri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online brings the scary with Daemon Moon Rising]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-brings-the-scary-with-daemon-moon-rising/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-brings-the-scary-with-daemon-moon-rising/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/16/warhammer-online-brings-the-scary-with-daemon-moon-rising/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


"The Moon Rises and Chaos Reigns" begins the announcement over on the Warhammer Online site. Warhammer Online is hosting an in-game event for Halloween from October 23rd until November 2nd.

Mythic Entertainment Executive Producer Jeff Hickman says "This is a terrifying time of year within the world of Warhammer and the Daemon Moon Rising live event is our way of fighting against the darkness that encompasses the land, We call on all players to rise up against the malevolent creatures that threaten the land and keep safe the Realms. But beware, for under the cold, dark madness of the Daemon Moon, anything can happen!"

Sounds good to us. Daemon Moon Rising offers treats throughout the empire, a new Realm vs. Realm scenario, a public quest with the intriguing title of Daemonball Rally, and an event quest that charges players with the task of collecting and defeating daemon-possessed carnival masks. Event participants are offered quite a few souveniers and rewards, so Warhammer fans will want to be sure they don't miss out. After all, who wouldn't want something called the Face-Eater's Mask?

MassivelyWarhammer Online brings the scary with Daemon Moon Rising originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daemon-moon-risinghalloweenhalloween2009mythic-entertainmentwarhammerwarhammer-onlineFri, 16 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online's developers reach into the grab bag]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/14/warhammer-onlines-developers-reach-into-the-grab-bag/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/14/warhammer-onlines-developers-reach-into-the-grab-bag/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/14/warhammer-onlines-developers-reach-into-the-grab-bag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Warhammer Online has been making some big changes with their upcoming patch 1.3.2, which naturally leads to a number of player questions about the finer points of interaction between the changes and the present game state. The developers have sat down for another question grab bag, this one focusing heavily on the changes and how they'll impact both items and abilities, as well as the ongoing issues of class balance.

Unfortunately, a number of answers to rather pressing questions (such as whether or not RvR weapons that match the PvE equivalent-tier weapon will be introduced) is the age-old developer mantra of "we're talking about it, but we have no firm details." Still, there's some useful information for those curious about how the removal of Forts will affect the game and obtaining high-end equipment, some information regarding stacking and tuning abilities, and a few interesting tips regarding communication and transport between players. If you're hungry for more information regarding the latest and greatest changes coming to Warhammer Online, you can take a look at the full grab bag on the official site.

MassivelyWarhammer Online's developers reach into the grab bag originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mythicpatchespvppvp-gearquestion-and-answerwarwarhammer-onlineWed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Further details on Warhammer Online's new user journey]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/07/further-details-on-warhammer-onlines-new-user-journey/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/07/further-details-on-warhammer-onlines-new-user-journey/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/07/further-details-on-warhammer-onlines-new-user-journey/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the features that's been mentioned repeatedly in conjunction with Warhammer Online's upcoming patch 1.3.2 is the New User Journey, an attempt to streamline and consolidate the path of new players. The most recent developer diary outlines in detail the reasons for the revamp as well as the new path of the game's experience, which the article mentions is designed to help the entire playerbase in the long run.

Highlighting the need for accessibility, the entry discusses the change to all players starting in the same location, explaining how it can help ensure other players in the area for the game's public quests. It also allows for the early questing experience to be more thoroughly revamped and improved, with all of the players starting out funneled through a single area. The original starting areas will still be available for players who want to explore them, but will no longer be mandatory.

The diary also points out some of the other new features added, including detailed tutorial windows to help introduce concepts in-play as well as an improvement to pop-up tooltips. Combined with global chat channels to help bolster the community, the focus is clearly on getting players unified and up to speed in the most efficient way possible, helping to diminish the barrier to entry. Take a look at the full article for more in-depth features including a closer look at the tutorial window.

MassivelyFurther details on Warhammer Online's new user journey originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mythicnew-user-journeypatchespublic-questswarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-age-of-reckoningwarhammer-onlineWed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Sneaky]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/05/one-shots-sneaky/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/05/one-shots-sneaky/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/05/one-shots-sneaky/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


With some major mechanics changes going on in terms of RvR in Warhammer Online, we may well see more sneaky attacks like the one depicted in today's One Shots. This image, sent in to us by Khreebis of KEP, shows off a daring band attempting to pull a fast one on the forces of Order. He writes in: [Here is] a Destruction unit attempting to quickly capture a Battlefield Objective before the Order forces come back from their keep siege. Let's hope these upcoming changes to battles - and bringing in new players - will help invigorate Warhammer Online's sieges further.

Taken place in a great battle recently? Managed to pull one over on someone? Get away with something you totally shouldn't have? Just send a screenshot of it to us here at oneshots At massively DOT com along with your name/server/guild and a quick description. We'll post it out here for all the Massively readers to see and give you the credit. (Besides, it's pretty cool to see your own screenshot up here, we think.)

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Sneaky originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eakhreebismythicmythic-entertainmentone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotswarwarhammer-onlineMon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daemon Moon rises over WAR]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/10/04/the-daemon-moon-rises-over-war/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/04/the-daemon-moon-rises-over-war/http://www.massively.com/2009/10/04/the-daemon-moon-rises-over-war/#commentsFiled under: , ,


"Another lovely day begins for ghosts and ghouls with greenish skin, so close your eyes and you will find that you've arrived in Frightenstein!" With Halloween a few short weeks away, Mythic just treated us to a sneak peek of their upcoming Chaos-themed Live Event called Daemon Moon Rising. If you thought they were going to simply dust off last year's Halloween event, Witching Night, the trick's on you! Okay; no more lame puns, we promise.

Warhammer Online's monthly events are something to behold because they're usually done very well and bring some diversity to the otherwise singular purpose of stomping your enemy on the battlefield. We think Live Events are the epitome of horizontal expansion.

From October 23 to November 2, players will put on a number of spooky masks that grant special abilities and complete their event checklists. Of special note is the Daemonball Rally RvR public quest. Think of it as rugby... with decapitation. They're also opening up the Highpass Cemetary scenario to all tiers. You can check out the official video podcast here with all the (pumpkin) spicy details. Oops, we couldn't resist!

MassivelyThe Daemon Moon rises over WAR originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daemon-moon-risingeafrightensteinlive-eventsmythic-entertainmentpublic-questsrvrwarwarhammer-onlineSun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Details on WAR's new user journey and apprentice system]]>http://www.massively.com/2009/09/30/details-on-wars-new-user-journey-and-apprentice-system/http://www.massively.com/2009/09/30/details-on-wars-new-user-journey-and-apprentice-system/http://www.massively.com/2009/09/30/details-on-wars-new-user-journey-and-apprentice-system/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Warhammer Online may have traveled a rocky road this past year but with each new patch, the game gets better and better. The latest patch installment to hit the public test server is 1.3.2, which features a New User Journey, Apprenticeship System, career balance changes, and further improvements to performance, stability, and RvR.

The two biggest items being tested right now are the New User Journey and Apprenticeship System. The former introduces new players to the game much more effectively and efficiently, funneling them into the same starting area (Chaos vs. Empire), auto-adding them to a starter guild, and much more. The latter allows highly ranked players to drop their level (stats and abilities capped formulaically) and lowly ranked players to raise their level in order to play together.

As for RvR, fortresses are being removed from the zone capture system, which should result in more frequent city sieges. Whether this is a good or bad thing is yet to be determined because depending on your timing you may not be able to join your friends due to the current instance mechanic. Keep warfare will now benefit from a new difficulty mechanic as well, which grants more rewards when more combatants are present.

Check out the full 1.3.2 patch notes for all the gory details!

MassivelyDetails on WAR's new user journey and apprentice system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apprenticecity-siegeeafortressmythic-entertainmentnew-user-experiencepublic-test-serverrvrwarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineWed, 30 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST