Filed under: Galleries

Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta

by MJ Guthrie May 21st 2012 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Aion, Expansions, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Allods Online, Wings Over Atreia, Guides

If the eeriness of the truce between the Elyos and the Asmodians in Aion's new land of Sarpan wigs you out and makes you long for a good old-fashioned tussle, you can always head on over to Tiamaranta. Although the entire zone is not open for PvP, all four corners and the center are cordoned off for your opponent-bashing pleasure. In fact, Tiamaranta's Eye is often hopping as both sides contest mobs and try to land one of the bosses.

But even if you aren't in the mood for a bloody round of patty-cake, there is plenty of PvE and exploring to be had in this ecologically diverse land with a variety of new mobs to see (and dispatch) and new tasks to accomplish. Not able to make the trip yourself right now? Join Wings over Atreia's guided tour and get a taste of Tiamaranta.

Aion: Ascension

Aeria Games unveils new multiplayer shooter, Born to Fire

by MJ Guthrie May 21st 2012 at 7:00AM

Filed under: Betas, Real life, Galleries, New titles, PvP, War

Aeria Games, with numerous free-to-play titles already under its belt, just unveiled a new multiplayer first-person shooter called Born to Fire. This character-driven game is set following the Cold War, when rules of engagement are thrown out the window and the world is a free-fire zone.

Director of Publishing Tom Nichols describes the game: "In Born to Fire, players step in the boots of five distinct classes of elite operatives engaged in a global firefight for domination. With the instant gratification of one-click matchmaking and the in-depth analysis provided by elaborate replay tools, Born to Fire represents a new class of character-driven, highly customizable MMOFPS that's easy to get into but nearly impossible to fully master."

The five classes available for play are Rifleman, Duelist, Ranger, Heavy-Hitter, or Warden; each comes with unique backstory, tactics, and a fully customizable arsenal.

Sign-ups for closed beta are going on now! Players can keep informed of the latest news, updates, and contests by "liking" Born To Fire's Facebook page. Also, be sure to check out the screenshots and artwork in the attached gallery.

Gallery: Born to Fire

[Source: Areia Games press release]

One Shots: Lone wolf

by Brianna Royce May 20th 2012 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Galleries, Screenshots, Massively Meta, One Shots, Miscellaneous

Long-time Massively follower but first-time One Shots contributor Ilix sent along today's highlighted screenshot of Fallen Earth, which we think is quite timely, given the PvP revamp soon headed to everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic sandbox. He writes in,

Fallen Earth is my top hard-RP MMO. Ilix, after three decades of isolation, attempted to fit in with a player-run town. But he was too rough-edged, too guarded, and still isolated in his mind, and he could not find joy among others. After several days trying to force himself back into what remains of humanity in the blasted terrain of the apocalypse, he admitted to himself that he could never return because he was too quick to anger, and he wandered off back into the desert. Irradiated scorpions haunt the land he wandered into, so he finds rest on the blade of a ruined helicopter's rotor, just out of reach of stingers. This shot defines the dual beauty and harshness of the life he resigns himself to.

Ilix's gorgeous sunset is tucked behind the break along with two other One Shots shots!

Choose My Adventure: Cruisin' with the gang in City of Heroes

by MJ Guthrie May 16th 2012 at 5:30PM

Filed under: Super-hero, Galleries, Polls, City of Heroes, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure

You've experienced it, right? That magic moment on any trip of significant length when you've been living and breathing the locale long enough that the place starts to feel more familiar and you settle in, that time when you feel less like a tourist and more like a local. After the last few weeks traveling with you all, I have hit that moment in City of Heroes. While I still may not be able to tell one inspiration from another by sight, I can find my way around the 'hood and know the skyline when zipping about -- well, at least in Atlas Park. Oh, and I found a Mexican restaurant! It's almost like a second home now.

It was upon reaching this comfort zone that City of Heroes got better for me; this past week has been more fun than the previous ones during this Choose My Adventure road trip. (And yes, I'd even call the torture of the expansive character creation fun. Exhausting, but fun!) What transpired this week? Buckle up and step on the gas to see.

Gallery: CMA: City of Heroes

New MOBA SmashMuck Champions fights its way into closed beta this month

by Matt Daniel May 14th 2012 at 6:30PM

Filed under: Betas, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, New titles, News items, MOBA

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]

Gallery: SmashMuck Champions

One Shots: Woodland critters

by Brianna Royce May 13th 2012 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Galleries, Screenshots, A Tale in the Desert, EverQuest II, MMO industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, One Shots, RIFT, TERA, Miscellaneous

TERA isn't quite two weeks old, but it's already offering up some spectacular views. Kromic on the Dragonfall server paused while riding on his mount to take this shot. He writes in,

While doing some exploring on my trusty steed in TERA, I found a great view of the capital city Velika.

His screenshot is just after the cut, along with three more images of woodland critters doing their duty to spice up our MMO scenery.

MechWarrior Online unleashes a torrent of new screenshots, plus new teaser trailer

by Matt Daniel May 11th 2012 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, News items, Free-to-play, MechWarrior Online

Piranha Games has spent the last few weeks inundating us with information on the various gameplay mechanics and customization options that players can expect from its upcoming free-to-play 'bot-battling title, MechWarrior Online, but today the studio has unleashed a deluge of screenshots and a new video that shows what the game's really about: big robots and even bigger explosions. Also, lots of lasers. Pew pew!

The screenshots showcase a variety of 'Mechs -- including the first in-game screens of the Dragon -- going at it with everything from lasers to long-range missiles and everything in between, plus there are quite a few showing off the game's MechLab customization features. The video, meanwhile, gives players yet another look at the game's combat, which, judging by the number of lasers flying around, could double as a (potentially fatal) light show. But enough words; go on and click through the gallery below and feast your eyes on all the giant robot goodness.

[Source: Piranha Games press release]

Gallery: MechWarrior Online screenshots

Hands-on with The Secret World's Templar experience

by Jef Reahard May 11th 2012 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Horror, Galleries, Screenshots, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Previews, Opinion, Hands-on, The Secret World, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions

The Secret World - Don't mind this hollow earth portal

Believing in The Secret World takes a certain of amount of... faith. And I'm not just talking about Funcom's less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to bug-free MMO launches. No, the very foundation of this particular title rests on a narrative about things unseen, and that cryptic, otherworldly esoterica informed every moment of my time spent in the press beta over the last couple of days.

The basic premise, of course, is that everything is true. Every myth, legend, and spook story that our rational minds scoff at has a place in this particular riff on reality.

The Secret World is also quite heretical when it comes to gameplay. It eschews the tried and true class-based approach for a complex grimoire of a skill system featuring an ability wheel made of hieroglyphs and higher math (or so it first appears). To come right to the point, though, I bought into the game almost immediately.

Gallery: The Secret World - Press Beta (Templars)

Lord of the Rings Online's Update 7 features new high-level skirmish

by Jef Reahard May 8th 2012 at 11:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Lord of the Rings Online - Update 7 skirmish

Turbine's been pumping out a bunch of screenshots for its Dungeons and Dragons Online expansion lately, so it's only natural that Lord of the Rings Online gets equal treatment. While Update 7 isn't a full-blown expansion, it is a pretty significant content drop that is focused on revamping Moria and Fornost.

Today's gallery features a look at the update's new skirmish, which pits players against a sorceress named Gwyllion at the southern end of the Misty Mountains. The Storm on Methedras instance supports one to 12 players and is designed for levels 70 to 75.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

One Shots: Sequelizin'

by Brianna Royce May 6th 2012 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Events, real-world, Guild Wars 2, Massively Meta, One Shots, Miscellaneous

Massively reader Sharvis, a familiar name throughout our comment section, landed today's One Shots feature with a screenshot from the most recent Guild Wars 2 beta event for pre-purchasers. And it looks like he managed to figure out a way to see the Asura and Sylvari in NPC form, in spite of their absence from the test as playable characters. He writes in,

My Ranger, Leander Delmanos, overlooks the water beyond Lion's Arch in Guild Wars 2. He's accompanied by Snoots, his faithful bear companion, and two NPCs.

We've got more GW2 pics for this special One Shots edition after the cut!

DDO's Menace of the Underdark expansion beta starts May 10th

by Jef Reahard May 3rd 2012 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Expansions, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play

Dungeons and Dragons Online - when dark elves attack

Last week we showed you some screenshots of Eveningstar, a new town in Dungeons and Dragons Online's upcoming Menace of the Underdark expansion. Today Turbine has released four additional shots taken in and around the small settlement that greets players as they transition from Eberron to the Forgotten Realms.

Turbine has also told us that the expansion closed beta will kick off on May 10th. The testing period will be exclusive to pre-order purchasers of MotU, so head to the official DDO site to learn more!

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark

MechWarrior Online reveals the first in-game screens of the Catapult

by Eliot Lefebvre May 3rd 2012 at 7:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, MechWarrior Online

And then you roll a critical hit to the head. Boom.

Battles in MechWarrior Online are not about subtlety; they are about unloading huge amounts of firepower on enemy machines as fast as possible. That is the sole purpose of the Catapult, a 'Mech loaded with long-range missiles to pummel enemy units into submission. But the Catapult has another distinction -- it's the first 'Mech to receive screenshot treatment, showing the heavy support 'Mech off in all its jumping, missile-heavy goodness.

Fans familiar with previous games in the MechWarrior franchise or the BattleTech board game will know the Catapult quite well. It's just barely into the heavier weight class. sporting jump jets and medium lasers to help it move out of dangerous engagements or disable lighter units. And, of course, there are its twin missile banks, effective as a direct-fire weapon or for use as artillery with an assisting spotter unit. The game's screenshots also show off the classic variant replacing the missile banks with PPCs, high-powered energy cannons designed to fry targets at extreme range.

[Source: Piranha Games press release]

Gallery: MechWarrior Online screenshots

Rusty Hearts releases new Leila Vergerius character

by Jef Reahard May 1st 2012 at 8:30AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

If you haven't tried Rusty Hearts yet, this week is as good a time as any since Stairway Games, WindySoft, and Perfect World Entertainment are adding a brand-new playable character to the hack-and-slash free-to-play title.

Leila Vergerius is the younger sibling of Roselle Vergerius, and she's been fighting to escape her older sister's protective shadow for some time. Perfect World tells us that Leila doesn't actually need the protection since she's more than capable of unleashing a dark magic-flavored can of whoop-ass on par with those of big sis.

Leila is also adept with a sword and an axe, both of which are made even more deadly by her propensity for speed, agility, and leap-and-flip aerial attacks. Check her out in the gallery below, and head to the official Rusty Hearts website for more game info. We've also got an interview with Rusty Hearts producer Mark Hill on today's podcast!

[Source: Perfect World press release]

Gallery: Rusty Hearts

One Shots: Warped

by Brianna Royce Apr 29th 2012 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, MMO industry, Vanguard, Massively Meta, One Shots, Humor, Star Wars: The Old Republic, TERA, Miscellaneous

Massively reader Johanis delivered today's One Shots image, which features one of TERA's pegasi in flight. He tells us,

Here is a shot of Honeynut, my TERA Archer, who was exploring during last weekend's open beta. While flying from one destination to another, she suddenly warped through one of many travel gates, and it was gorgeous. She emerged into a beautiful land just waiting to be explored.

Enjoy Johanis' entry alongside a few others past the break!

Iris Online opens the Lost Temple of Atlantis

by Eliot Lefebvre Apr 26th 2012 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Dungeons

Of course, it's not really all that lost any longer when you get right down to it...

Iris Online players are in for a treat today because it's patch day. And not just the small sort of patch with a bunch of bugfixes, either -- this is the big kind, the kind that opens up new areas and expands the level cap. In fact, it's exactly that kind, as today's update opens four new zones and the Lost Temple of Atlantis for player exploration. The temple is meant as the most challenging dungeon in the game and contains a variety of treasures for players braving its depths.

Beyond the temple, the new zones give players new chances to strike back and liberate the land from the Sahar, complete with new quests to enjoy. Those new quests will also help as players head for the new level cap of 75, but if that alone isn't enough, the development team is doubling all EXP and SXP rates until April 29th. Players can also earn special treasure boxes for a limited time, a little extra boost for enjoying the game's new content.

[Source: gPotato press release]

Gallery: Iris Online Screenshots

Massively Features

Events Calendar

Name	Date
Cataclysm Launch	Dec 7, 2010
DCUO Launch	Early 2011

Massively Staff

Name	Title
Shawn Schuster	Editor-in-Chief
Brianna Royce	Senior Editor
Rubi Bayer	Community Manager
Brendan Drain	Contributing Editor
Eliot Lefebvre	Contributing Editor
Jef Reahard	Contributing Editor
Justin Olivetti	Contributing Editor
Krystalle Voecks	Contributing Editor
Larry Everett	Contributing Editor
Beau Hindman	Columnist
Edward Marshall	Columnist
Greg Waller	Columnist
Jeremy Stratton	Columnist
Karen Bryan	Columnist
MJ Guthrie	Columnist
Patrick Mackey	Columnist
Ryan Greene	Columnist
Lisa Poisso	Columnist

More about the Massively staff

Massively Podcast

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