Matt Daniel
Pensacola, FL -
Matt Firor on The Elder Scrolls Online's '100% solo' personal story
by Matt Daniel 
May 18th 2012 (2 days ago)
Games in the Elder Scrolls series have always been about giving players the opportunity to become the game's hero, and it looks like The Elder Scrolls Online will be no different. The title's game director, Matt Firor, has announced that each character's main storyline in the game will be "100% solo."
Firor points back to the previous entries in the series, stating that "in The Elder Scrolls games, you're always the hero... The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he's stomping across the Imperial City, and you see like 15 guys behind you waiting to kill him." While it's a good point, we can't help but wonder what kind of an impact this design will have on the social aspect of the MMO, but at this point all we can do is wait and see. Firor's full interview over on Game Informer has plenty of extra information as well, so if you're jonesing for more details, just head on over and check it out for yourself.
Firor points back to the previous entries in the series, stating that "in The Elder Scrolls games, you're always the hero... The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he's stomping across the Imperial City, and you see like 15 guys behind you waiting to kill him." While it's a good point, we can't help but wonder what kind of an impact this design will have on the social aspect of the MMO, but at this point all we can do is wait and see. Firor's full interview over on Game Informer has plenty of extra information as well, so if you're jonesing for more details, just head on over and check it out for yourself.
Ragnarok Online update introduces the town of Port Malaya
by Matt Daniel May 16th 2012 (4 days ago)
It's been over a year since we heard anything from Gravity Interactive's long-running title Ragnarok Online, but today, the silence has been broken. The studio has announced the game's newest content update, which will allow players to visit the paradisiacal Port Malaya, where "the water's always warm and the monsters are always dangerous."
Players level 100 and up will find plenty to do in the new port town, such as "dozens of new quests, including an entire suite of daily tasks to perform." New dungeons also await in Port Malaya, and with new dungeons comes new gear and a new tattoo system that will grant players permanent buffs. Players will need all the power they can get to square off against the myriad new MVP Monsters that inhabit the wilds of Port Malaya. More details on the update can be found on Ragnarok Online's official site, so head on over there and set sail for Port Malaya.
[Source: Gravity Interactive press release]
Players level 100 and up will find plenty to do in the new port town, such as "dozens of new quests, including an entire suite of daily tasks to perform." New dungeons also await in Port Malaya, and with new dungeons comes new gear and a new tattoo system that will grant players permanent buffs. Players will need all the power they can get to square off against the myriad new MVP Monsters that inhabit the wilds of Port Malaya. More details on the update can be found on Ragnarok Online's official site, so head on over there and set sail for Port Malaya.
[Source: Gravity Interactive press release]
EVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes
by Matt Daniel May 16th 2012 (4 days ago)
Blizzard
CCP
Oh naw you didn't, girl! EVE Online is letting the trash-talk fly at the newly launched Diablo III by displaying the message "37...3007...315300: It's code for "Play EVE. Servers are up, login is fine" on the game's login screen. This, of course, is making reference to the myriad error codes that Diablo III players experienced over the course of the game's trainwreck of a launch.
We don't know whether the folks at Blizzard will bother to respond to them there fightin' words because they could be too busy rolling around in all the money they made from Diablo III to notice. But if they do deign to issue a retort, we'll be sure to let you know.
We don't know whether the folks at Blizzard will bother to respond to them there fightin' words because they could be too busy rolling around in all the money they made from Diablo III to notice. But if they do deign to issue a retort, we'll be sure to let you know.
Enjin unveils in-game overlay client
by Matt Daniel May 15th 2012 (5 days ago)
Enjin has quickly established itself as a go-to place for players in need of a community site, and now, thanks to a partnership with Overwolf, the site has introduced the Enjin in-game client. The client works similarly to other in-game overlays such as Xfire and Steam, and it's integrated directly with players' Enjin sites, which allows them to use nifty features such as uploading screenshots and videos directly to their profiles.
And hey, if you're part of Massively's awesome Enjin community, you can use the client to keep up with our community as well. The full list of the program's features, as well as a link to download the Enjin in-game client, can be found over at Enjin's official site, so head on over and give it a go. We'll see you folks there.
And hey, if you're part of Massively's awesome Enjin community, you can use the client to keep up with our community as well. The full list of the program's features, as well as a link to download the Enjin in-game client, can be found over at Enjin's official site, so head on over and give it a go. We'll see you folks there.
If 38 Studios goes under, Rhode Island taxpayers will be footing the bill [Updated]
by Matt Daniel May 15th 2012 (5 days ago)
Project Copernicus and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning developer 38 Studios is in some hot water, but it looks like that may be the least of your worries if you're a Rhode Island resident. Rhode Island's WPRI reports that if the studio founders and can't pay back the bonds given to it by the state, then the onus of doing so will fall upon Rhode Island taxpayers.
How much moolah are we talking about? Something to the tune of $112.6 million US. According to Joystiq, "If 38 Studios can't pay, the governor is required to ask the General Assembly to repay bondholders," which means that Rhode Island taxpayers will be responsible for footing the bill by 2020. For now, though, both the studio and the Rhode Island government are tight-lipped on the studio's future, and by association, the future of Project Copernicus, so we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
[Update: Our sister site Joystiq reports that 38 Studios "missed its latest loan payment of $1.125 million to the state of Rhode Island on May 1, effectively defaulting [on] its $75 million loan." Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the situation.]
How much moolah are we talking about? Something to the tune of $112.6 million US. According to Joystiq, "If 38 Studios can't pay, the governor is required to ask the General Assembly to repay bondholders," which means that Rhode Island taxpayers will be responsible for footing the bill by 2020. For now, though, both the studio and the Rhode Island government are tight-lipped on the studio's future, and by association, the future of Project Copernicus, so we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
[Update: Our sister site Joystiq reports that 38 Studios "missed its latest loan payment of $1.125 million to the state of Rhode Island on May 1, effectively defaulting [on] its $75 million loan." Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the situation.]
Fable developer seeking online game designer for 'ambitious new project'
by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 (6 days ago)
Hey guys, since long-standing single-player titles' becoming MMOs is all the rage these days, did you know that the folks at Fable developer Lionhead Studios are looking to hire someone with a deep understanding of online multiplayer games to help them "define the multiplayer levels and experience of [their] ambitious new project"? Because according to the official job listing at Microsoft, they totally are.
Of course, the first thing that came to our minds was could this mean a Fable MMO? Well, it could, but we're not sure yet. All we know right now is that Lionhead is looking for help to design a particularly ambitious (cough) online game, and if you take into consideration that late last year the studio was looking for an MMO-oriented programmer... well, fans of the Fable series or the studio itself should definitely keep their eyes on this one.
Of course, the first thing that came to our minds was could this mean a Fable MMO? Well, it could, but we're not sure yet. All we know right now is that Lionhead is looking for help to design a particularly ambitious (cough) online game, and if you take into consideration that late last year the studio was looking for an MMO-oriented programmer... well, fans of the Fable series or the studio itself should definitely keep their eyes on this one.
RIFT introduces three-faction PvP with Conquest
by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 (6 days ago)
RIFT players have been speculating about what the much-hyped but little-revealed PvP announcement for the title would be, but now it's official: RIFT is bringing out three-faction warfare. In a post on the RIFT official site, Trion Worlds has introduced the Conquest PvP mode, which is a "no-holds-barred, interdimensional battle" in which players can choose from one of three factions (the power-hungry Dominion, the noble Oathsworn, and the knowledge-seeking Nightfall) and take part in a three-way battle to answer one poignant question: "What is the role of the Ascended in the cosmos? To rule, to protect, or to ascend?"
Players eager to become a part of the Conquest won't have to wait long. This Thursday, May 17th, at 7:00 EDT, Trion will be bringing Conquest to the public test server. All you have to do to get on the action yourself is head on over to the game's PTS "getting started" page and follow the instructions, and voila. So get out there and prepare for war, Ascended; it's time to conquer!
[Thanks to Valorith for the tip!]
Players eager to become a part of the Conquest won't have to wait long. This Thursday, May 17th, at 7:00 EDT, Trion will be bringing Conquest to the public test server. All you have to do to get on the action yourself is head on over to the game's PTS "getting started" page and follow the instructions, and voila. So get out there and prepare for war, Ascended; it's time to conquer!
[Thanks to Valorith for the tip!]
New MOBA SmashMuck Champions fights its way into closed beta this month
by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 (6 days ago)
Watch out, MOBA fans: A new challenger has appeared! Indie game developer Kiz Studios announced in a press release today that its upcoming MOBA title, SmashMuck Champions, is set to enter closed beta this month. Of course, if you're anything like us, you're probably wondering what the heck a SmashMuck Champions is.
According to the game's official site, the title is "a free-to-play action/strategy game featuring online multiplayer combat" in which players "build and train their own SmashMuck teams... to do battle in the toughest sport on Planet Muck." Gameplay-wise, the game seems to be your standard MOBA with a few not-so-standard twists. The addition of persistent champion gear plus interesting new mechanics such as stat-boosting training routines aim to put a new spin on the old formula. But hey, you don't have to take our word for it. The game will be entering closed beta testing on May 27th, so if you're a MOBA fan looking for a new thrill, just head on over to the game's official site and sign up for yourself. Oh, and while you're at it, don't forget to check out the game's latest official trailer after the cut.
[Source: Kiz Studios press release]
According to the game's official site, the title is "a free-to-play action/strategy game featuring online multiplayer combat" in which players "build and train their own SmashMuck teams... to do battle in the toughest sport on Planet Muck." Gameplay-wise, the game seems to be your standard MOBA with a few not-so-standard twists. The addition of persistent champion gear plus interesting new mechanics such as stat-boosting training routines aim to put a new spin on the old formula. But hey, you don't have to take our word for it. The game will be entering closed beta testing on May 27th, so if you're a MOBA fan looking for a new thrill, just head on over to the game's official site and sign up for yourself. Oh, and while you're at it, don't forget to check out the game's latest official trailer after the cut.
[Source: Kiz Studios press release]
Storybricks demo and interview with Brian 'Psychochild' Green and Kelly Heckman
by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 (6 days ago)
Follow on past the cut and join me as I try to pinpoint Namaste's goals for the future of Storybricks.
TERA Tome database unleashes the mysteries of Arborea
by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 (6 days ago)
TERA players, have you been spending weeks trying to find that one perfect weapon? Or maybe you just want to know which mob drops the crafting mats you need to pimp out your gear. Either way, the ZAM Network is here to help. En Masse Entertainment has announced on the official TERA site that ZAM's TERA database, alliteratively named TERA Tome, is live and kickin'.
The current version of the site includes all of the nifty features that players have come to expect from ZAM's MMO databases, such as information on quests, items, and abilities as well as helpful forums and comments. Players trying to get a handle on their character's build should also find the site handy thanks to its useful glyph calculator that allows players to survey all currently available glyphs without the need to set foot in the game. Just head on over to the recently launched site to crack open the tome.
The current version of the site includes all of the nifty features that players have come to expect from ZAM's MMO databases, such as information on quests, items, and abilities as well as helpful forums and comments. Players trying to get a handle on their character's build should also find the site handy thanks to its useful glyph calculator that allows players to survey all currently available glyphs without the need to set foot in the game. Just head on over to the recently launched site to crack open the tome.
