Virtual World News
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Horror, Business models, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Opinion, The Secret World
Funcom stock has risen dramatically on the Norwegian Stock Exchange since last summer, and analysts expect further growth leading up to The Secret World's release. After that, though, the predictions aren't as clear given the significant fluctuations in Funcom's stock price since its 2005 introduction.
MCV notes that shares peaked with 2008's Age of Conan release, but prices dropped significantly soon after as the game "didn't make the expected sales impact." Nonetheless, analysts are enthusiastic about prospects for post-Secret World performance. "Funcom is one of the stocks that could double or triple in value. If Funcom's next game is a success, they will definitely end up as the stock of the year," Carnegie's Espen Torgersen says.
Funcom stock price could 'double or triple' depending on success of The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: MCV
The recent release of the FTC’s highly publicized Kids App Report suggest wide ranging implications to companies providing products and services to digitally connected kids and youth. With this in mind, Engage Digital’s Digital Kids Conference is offering an all-day workshop providing detailed strategies on how to create secure online and mobile experiences for [...]
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play
As world-builders Bobby Ross and Nick Keith explain, the game's jetpacks allow players to traverse vast distances and explore every little nook and cranny to their hearts' content. One example of Firefall's breadth comes courtesy of "Mushroom Island," a huge rock formation that's initially visible on your first drop-ship ride. Ross says that scaling the enormous formation is a reward in and of itself, with a spectacular view of the game's newbie area waiting at the top of the path.
Keith goes on to explain how Firefall integrates its PvP maps into the rest of the open-world design, primarily by giving non-combatants the option to stop over and watch arena matches and various conflicts in certain designated cities. Check out this and more via the full video after the break.
[Source: Red 5 press release]
Continue reading Firefall video diary talks open-world design, shows pretty vistas
Firefall video diary talks open-world design, shows pretty vistas originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, News items, Free-to-play
Meanwhile, in the blue corner, we have the Xelor class, which brings the power of chronomancy to the table. Thanks to their ability to expertly manipulate the flow of time, the disciples of Xelor are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. To see the Sacrier and Xelor classes in action, check out both new videos after the cut.
Continue reading Have a bloody good time with Wakfu's Sacrier and Xelor classes
Have a bloody good time with Wakfu's Sacrier and Xelor classes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Wakfu official YouTube
Filed under: Polls, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure, Miscellaneous
It's a scary thought, putting the fate of my gaming time into your hands, but so be it. Life is about getting out of your comfort zones, then realizing why those zones were so comfortable in the first place and racing right back to them. But before I reclaim my own destiny, I must navigate this dark valley of capricious voters.
I guess it's tradition to kick off a new series by giving y'all the chance to pick my new game of choice, and so until Sunday, you can attempt to dictate to me which title you'd like to see in the spotlight for the next couple of months. I thought long and hard about what games I was OK with trying and ended up with a list that fell into one of three categories: the old-school, the modern F2P wave, and the promising Asian imports. Read on to see the possible paths for my future, and choose wisely -- I'm counting on you!
Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Insert cartridge
Choose My Adventure: Insert cartridge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Patches, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries
The Beast Master's pets, which range from a swarm of stinging insects up to a dire wolf, have limited ranged attacks but are potent in close-quarter combat. To make up for that, the Beast Mastery power set includes three blast attacks that can help Masterminds take control of the battlefield. Secondary powers can help define the way that a Beast Master interacts with summoned pets. A more defensive or supportive secondary power set will allow players to heal or buff their pets through battle, while Storm Summoning and other potent offensive power sets will help weaken foes before they become too much of a threat.
Along with some tasty abilities, Beast Mastery also brings a new mechanic to the game: Pack Mentality. This buff can stack up to 10 times and boosts Beast Mastery pets' damage by 2% each time it's applied. Additionally, Pack Mentality fuels Fortify Pack, a player-based AoE Defense and Regeneration buff that helps protect offense-oriented pets. This allows players to decide when their pets need to go into all-out damage mode or play it safe to get through a tough battle.
The Beast Mastery power set has been a long-time request from fans of the game, so start cooking up an origin story and taste the sweet, sweet reward for all your patience!
City of Heroes goes beastmode originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: The Intrepid Informer
Filed under: Betas, Podcasts, PlanetSide, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, MMOFPS, Massively Event Coverage, Massively Speaking, Miscellaneous, PlanetSide 2
Stay tuned for tomorrow, when the pair will be joined by fellow Massively staffers MJ Guthrie and Karen Bryan. Our ground crew will be reporting back on DUST 514, Trion Worlds, MechWarrior Online, and more over the next few days. (And don't worry; the Justin and Bree show will return next week.)
Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!
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Read below the cut for the full show notes.
Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 189: GDC Tuesday
Massively Speaking Episode 189: GDC Tuesday originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Business models, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Humor, Free for All
The discussions have been open, frank, and sometimes infuriating. It's easy for me to write so simply that it can seem as though I am attempting to make a larger point, and it's much easier to make much more of the term "free-to-play" than is necessary. I have seen the lines being drawn by many players who feel that free-to-play is a sort of scary neighbor who threatens the peaceful existence of their neighborhood, while many others couldn't care less.
Like I said, I have learned a lot.
Continue reading Free for All: Two years and counting
Free for All: Two years and counting originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Dev Diaries, MechWarrior Online
This is why Piranha Games has launched Mech Warfare Month on the official MWO site, giving us a full run-down of how movement and combat is handled in the game. Concepts such as 'Mech "torso twists," jump jets, environmental obstacles, and heat management have to be taken into account from the onset. To bring down the hammer on enemy 'Mechs, players will use a balance of energy, projectile, and ballistic weapons -- and they have to keep track of ammo while doing so.
Piranha wraps up the post with a lengthy list of keyboard and mouse commands that will be necessary to learn for safe 'Mech operation. While the full list of controls and HUD details may send some running for their nearest touch-screen device, this level of detail is exactly what attracts such a devoted fanbase to the franchise.
We're speaking with Piranha Games at GDC this week, so stay tuned for an in-depth interview as to how this game is shaping up!
[Thanks to Nimsy for the tip!]
MechWarrior Online kicks off Mech Warfare Month originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Mech Warfare Part I
Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries
Today's dev diary discusses the fleshing out of the Instance Finder, which will now offer players tailored rewards and the ability to pick specific dungeons and skirmishes. The diary goes into detail about how the rewards work, but the basic version is that players get better currency, power, and morale bonuses when they sign up for more skirmishes and instances at a time. This gives players an incentive to look for a wide range of instances while at the same time it facilitates match-ups between interested parties.
We've also got several new screencaps from Update 6 for your viewing pleasure, including four exclusive pictures and many more showing off the new "soldiers on landscape" feature. You can scope them out in the gallery below.
LotRO prepares for imminent Update 6 release originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: Instance Finder Dev Diary