Massively http://www.massively.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://www.massively.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lineage II giveaway
To celebrate the eighth Anniversary of Lineage II, NCsoft and Massively have teamed up to bring you a special in-game item to give away. The item is the two-slot head accessory known as the Warrior's Helmet (pictured above), complete with the Vampiric Rage skill, which increases attack speed by 33% and bestows the ability to recover as HP 9% of the physical damage inflicted upon the enemy for one hour. Reuse delay is four hours, and this item is seven-day use only.

If you'd like to grab one of these special items for your Lineage II character, head on over to our giveaway page to grab a code. And be sure to visit the item redemption page for complete instructions on how to add the code to your account!

GET YOUR KEY

MassivelyLineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycontestcontestseighth-anniversaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgiveawaygiveawayslineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftvampiric-ragewarriors-helmetFri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II brings a full update of Harmony]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/http://www.massively.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/http://www.massively.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not sure if the big dude is Kartia or he just hangs out at the labyrinth. Could go either way.
Harmony is a good thing wherever you can find it. It's true in work, it's true in friendship, and it seems to be true in Lineage II as well. The latest patch, Harmony, will be launching on March 7th and bringing a number of improvements to the upper tiers of leveling: new quests, a new dungeon, and several updates for skills. If you're already near the top of the leveling game, the new dungeon of Kartia's Labyrinth is your primary destination, with the option to enter solo or in a party at level 85, 90, or 95.

There are also a variety of new quests introduced, starting at level 76 and moving up. For lower-level characters, new Campaigns have been added; Campaigns are special zone-wide events that happen on a regular schedule and give everyone a chance at some bonus experience and Marks. New mentoring skills are also available to help low-level characters reach their full potential, the sort of thing that really inspires some harmonious behavior among players.

MassivelyLineage II brings a full update of Harmony originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playharmony-patchl2liilineagelineage-2lineage-iilineage-ii-harmony-patchncsoftpatchpatchesquestingquestsupdatesMon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II boasts increased revenue and playerbase following free-to-play transition]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/http://www.massively.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/http://www.massively.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Lineage II
It's been a little over two months now since NCsoft's Lineage II adopted a free-to-play business model that the studio has taken to calling "Truly Free." It would appear the transition went over well for the long-running title, as a new press release boasts that since the change, "[the game] has almost quadrupled its revenue and increased its concurrent player base by more than 800 per cent." Not a bad resurgence for a game that's been kicking around for the better part of eight years now. The studio attributes the success -- at least in part -- to the newly added Path to Awakening feature, "which provides helpful buffs, items and advice to accelerate new characters towards the level cap." If you'd like to get in the game and experience the freshly reinvigorated world of Lineage II for yourself, just click on through to the official site.

[Source: NCsoft press release]

MassivelyLineage II boasts increased revenue and playerbase following free-to-play transition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelbusiness-modelseconomyf2pfree-to-playgoddess-of-destructionindustryl2lineage-2lineage-iimmo-industryncsoftpath-to-awakeningtruly-freeWed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot Lineage 2
I'm here at the end of the line. Six weeks and 48 levels brings me to the close of my time on Choose My Adventure with Lineage II. It became a little grindy toward the end, but that's due to my inability to find a group, something that's important in order to experience some of the content. When I began this little adventure, I knew nothing of Lineage II. I'm walking away a regular player who's looking forward to trying out the numerous PvP options. I wanted to finish this ride with a bang, and I was lucky enough to be ending after a siege weekend.

Lineage II has some rather involved sieges and other PvP content that should please many players at mid- to high-level. I was a litle confused at first, but I was able to use the broadcast crystal to watch some siege gameplay. This final farewell covers a lot of PvP in the game, so buckle up!

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonlineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2 screenshot
We're down to the wire for Lineage II's Choose My Adventure, with one more week to go. My Abyss Walker quickly rushed to the 40s, at which point leveling has slowed down considerably. I've talked about pets, explored (only a fraction of) the countryside, and touched on crafting and other features. What else could we possibly talk about?

I haven't really shared a lot of my experiences with my character class or how the class-transfers and skills affect my overall enjoyment of Lineage II. My third class-transfer is set in stone thanks to your poll choices and the game mechanics; now that I'm an Abyss Walker, I'm locked-in to become a Ghost Hunter, which makes sense. Ghost Hunter is melee, like my Abyss Walker. I can't really jump ship at this point and go ranged. So let's look a little more at my character, what the future could hold for him in terms of more class-transfers, and my opinions on non-situational combat and how that makes the game feel to me.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonlineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Lineage II artist returns to NCsoft for new MMO project]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/01/03/former-lineage-ii-artist-returns-to-ncsoft-for-new-mmo-project/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/03/former-lineage-ii-artist-returns-to-ncsoft-for-new-mmo-project/http://www.massively.com/2012/01/03/former-lineage-ii-artist-returns-to-ncsoft-for-new-mmo-project/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lineage II

NCsoft's prodigal son has returned, and with him the hopes and dreams of the future of gaming. Well that might be a smidge melodramatic, but fans of the company's games certainly have a good reason to celebrate today as former Lineage II artist Juno Jeong has come back to the fold.

Jeong signed back on with NCsoft as of yesterday to be the art director of an unknown MMO project. This is a marked step up from his previous role in the company as a member of the character production team, and those who know Jeong's art style are already expressing excitement with his current role. Following his stint on Lineage II, Jeong worked for several other game companies including Gravity, NHN, and Npluto.

While speculation is swirling over the exact nature of the project to which he's been assigned, the most common assumptions are either that he's working on another Lineage or Aion title.

MassivelyFormer Lineage II artist returns to NCsoft for new MMO project originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-2art-directionart-directorartistcharacter-artistgravityillustratorjuno-jeongjuno-junglineagelineage-2lineage-3lineage-iincsoftnhnnplutoTue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A turkey and ham coma, family soiree, and the biggest calendar holiday of the year have left my Lineage II escapades a wee bit smaller this week, but not without some fun happenings. Speaking of holidays, I hope everyone had a terrific one!

Random events, miraculously revived dead pets, more amazing scenery, and lots of killing are on deck in today's Choose My Adventure. It turns out that I am terrible at raising my pet wolf and even got into an accidental scuffle with another player that left her pet dead and me even deader. I returned to the Path to Awakening because that's what you voted for last week. I've also neared the end of the uber-fast leveling cycle via quests and am turning to grinding for the majority of my experience gain. The fun-level has yet to dip for me; there's higher level gameplay I'm really hoping to dip my dagger into, and I'm curious to see what level I can reach by the end of this trip. As always, check out the extensive gallery and livestreams, and tune in to MV Guide to see when my next livestream will be.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurechristmascmacraftingf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonl2lineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Exploration week]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2 screenshot
From desert wastelands and salty shorelines to plateaus and ocean floors, I've been busy traveling in Aden, and I've seen but a glimpse of the entire continent. Last week, you voted for me to stray from the Path to Awakening and explore the world in Lineage II, and I've been having a blast doing just that.

I discovered a monster racetrack, ran into raid bosses in the middle of nowhere, discovered a vast undersea temple, and so much more. I've also added 47 more screenshots to the gallery, uploaded a walkabout video, and have another livestream this week. We still aren't done yet. There are more chances for you to decide my fate in this week's Choose My Adventure.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Exploration week

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Exploration week originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonl2lineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvideovideosvotevotingWed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[[Updated] On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me...]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkmane Pacer
[UPDATE: All winners have been selected and contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered!]

On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories!
On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs!
On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes!
On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items!
On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years!
On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions!
On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!

We're carrying on with the 12 Days of Giveaways! Day seven has arrived, bringing seven years of history, development, and memories. That's right: Lineage II. While free-to-play games are a dime a dozen these days, it's much more rare to be handed a free-to-play game that already has seven years of content, polish, and updates behind it.

NCsoft has given us a great Lineage II item to celebrate those seven years and the transition to free-to-play: a Darkmane Pacer mount bracelet. We've got 12 of those to hand out to some lucky Lineage II fans. Even better, the Darkmane Pacer comes bundled with a sampling of awesome items from the rest of NCsoft's lineup: a digital copy of Guild Wars: Eye of the North, a Guild Wars mercenary hero, 30 days of City of Heroes VIP status, an Aion Collector's Edition upgrade, and a pack of five True White dyes for an Aion character. Enjoy the mount in Lineage 2 and treat your gamer friends to some holiday goodies or enjoy a sampling of the NCsoft lineup all for yourself!

In either case, enter by telling us about your Lineage 2 gameplay: Are you a longtime adventurer, a returning player, or just now setting foot in Aden for the first time? Let us know before the entry deadline: tomorrow, December 20th, at 3:00 p.m. EST. Check out the contest rules for eligibility, and best of luck!

CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

Massively[Updated] On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-giveaways-2011aioncity-of-heroesCity-of-Villainscohcontestcontestscovcoxeotneye-of-the-northfree-darkmane-pacer-mountgiveawaygiveawaysguild-warsgwl2lineage-2lineage-iincsoftMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II goes F2P in Europe tomorrow]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lineage II girl
"What about meeeee," said a bunch of European Lineage II fans as NCsoft's long-running fantasy MMORPG went free-to-play in America a couple of weeks ago. Happily, publisher Innova is stepping up to bring the free version of Aden to the old world beginning on December 16th.

Innova CEO Gevork Sarkisyan says that there's big demand for the PvP-centric fantasy title in Europe. "We have already seen our Lineage II community grow significantly during the beta phases, and we are looking forward to opening the full service to everyone tomorrow," he said via press release.

Lineage II recently launched the largest expansion in its history, and NCsoft is advertising the game as the first "truly free" free-to-play MMORPG on the market.

[Source: Innova press release]

MassivelyLineage II goes F2P in Europe tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adenbusiness-modelseuropean-releasef2pfantasyfree-to-playgevork-sarkisyaninnovalineage-2lineage-iincsoftpvptruly-freeThu, 15 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft adding new Lineage II shard, server-first competitions abound]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-adding-new-lineage-ii-shard-server-first-competitions-ab/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-adding-new-lineage-ii-shard-server-first-competitions-ab/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-adding-new-lineage-ii-shard-server-first-competitions-ab/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lineage II - steampunk bike
Lineage II's "truly free" gamble seems to be paying dividends, as NCsoft has just announced plans to roll out a new server to cope with the overwhelming demand.

The shard is open for business as of today, and it's been christened Bartz as a nod to an older (and extremely popular) server that was merged earlier in the game's lengthy lifespan. NCsoft is not allowing transfers to the new shard, so you'll have to create a new toon if you want to check it out. On the plus side, there are several server-first rewards up for grabs, all of which will result in immortality via the Lineage II website.

Competitions include forming the first party, defeating the Queen Ant raid, being the first clan to reach level five, and being the first player to complete the first and second class transfer quests. Finally, NCsoft has announced a spiffy exclusive for denizens of the Shilen server. The first character who completes his or her awakening quest will receive a jet bike mount bracelet that grants a permanent skill transformation and the appearance of riding on a huge steampunk bike (pictured above).

MassivelyNCsoft adding new Lineage II shard, server-first competitions abound originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartzbartz-servercompetitionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playlineage-2lineage-iincsoftnew-serverpress-releasesteampunk-bikeWed, 14 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Lineage II screenshot
Last week in Choose My Adventure, you voted for what kind of character I should make. I dutifully rolled him up and set off for fantastical adventures in Lineage II. Today, I bring you a dungeon video, many screenshots, first impressions, and even a livestream. It's a multi-media extravaganza! And we're also on to the next round of voting for what direction my character takes.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. I had to start out at the bottom of the barrel. For the first 20 levels, I called Talking Island Village home, until I was transported to the mainland and a little town called Gludio. I discovered, among other things, that there are many tantalizing spots to see in the game -- if you are willing to travel off the beaten path. These spots are well worth the layover, especially if you have a powerful-enough machine. As old as Lineage II is, it's strikingly gorgeous. I didn't dawdle for too long, as I had some leveling to do, and I made a few discoveries along the way.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmadark-elfdungeonf2pfantasyfeaturedfighterfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygold-sellersjeremy-strattonl2l2trulyfreelevelinglineage-2Lineage-iilineage2lineageIIlivestreamlivestreamsncsoftpetpetspollpollsvideovideosWed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in MMO: Ohmigod SWTOR is almost here edition]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/09/this-week-in-mmo-ohmigod-swtor-is-almost-here-edition/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/09/this-week-in-mmo-ohmigod-swtor-is-almost-here-edition/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/09/this-week-in-mmo-ohmigod-swtor-is-almost-here-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

This Week In MMO 73
In this week's edition of This Week In MMO, Gary Gannon and Mike B. are all about Star Wars: The Old Republic. OK, well, maybe not all about it, but the game's head start begins in less than a week, so you can expect plenty of SWTOR commentary. The pair also take some time to talk about Funcom's newly announced zone for The Secret World, the Scorched Desert.

The duo also spends some time ruminating on whether or not SWTOR may be the last subscription game we see as more and more games (such as Lineage II) go F2P. TERA's glyph system gets some air time as well, as does the announcement that Final Fantasy XIV is once again levying subscription fees from players. For the full video, click on past the cut.

Continue reading This Week in MMO: Ohmigod SWTOR is almost here edition

MassivelyThis Week in MMO: Ohmigod SWTOR is almost here edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaearly-startelectronic-artsff14ffxivfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfuncomgary-gannonhead-startheadstarthumorlineage-2lineage-iimike-bmike-b.star-wars-the-old-republicswtorterathe-scorched-desertthe-secret-worldthis-week-in-mmothis-week-in-mmo-73tswtwimmotwimmo-73videovideosFri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/http://www.massively.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2
It was no contest from the get-go. Lineage II took an early lead in last week's poll and firmly held on to it. Color me shocked. I really thought that a few of the entries would be closely tied. Some contestants recently added some juicy content releases, but Lineage II crushed them, and all the others, by getting 1,320 votes. The runner-up, Black Prophecy, only managed to secure 299 votes.

All its servers going F2P and the release of Age of Discovery weren't enough to put EverQuest II in the running. The F2P population boom in DC Universe Online's and its recent Lightning Strikes update weren't enough to create competition. Nope. The allure of Lineage II's F2P mode and the launch of the Goddess of Destruction expansion were just too much for voters to pass up.

Now it's your turn to start steering my course in the lands of Lineage II. Race, class, gender and my first class-transfer are all on the table.

I've tried to make voting as easy and clear as possible, but given how each race, and gender determine which classes you can choose from, you should make an effort to understand how all the choices work. Here's one example: Voting Dwarf and then Mystic is wasting a vote because Dwarves can only be Fighters, and it skews the results for those who are voting for a race that can be Mystics. You'll see what I mean.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventureclassclassescmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgendergoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonkamaellineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftopinionpollpollsraceracesreaders-choicetruly-freevotevotingWed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II awakens to free-to-play today]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/11/30/lineage-ii-awakens-to-free-to-play-today/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/30/lineage-ii-awakens-to-free-to-play-today/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/30/lineage-ii-awakens-to-free-to-play-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lineage II
Got room in your stomach for another free-to-play adaptation? If so, NCsoft has a plump and willing Lineage II that it would like you to nibble upon, if you're so willing.

The company announced that it was adopting a hybrid F2P/subscription model a month ago, and things have certainly picked up speed since then. Players can level all the way up to 99 without spending any money if they choose, and NCsoft has implemented a "Path to Awakening" system that will dole out new rewards for players going through this journey.

Normally, a F2P transition would be a major update in and of itself, but NCsoft is coupling Lineage II's relaunch with the Goddess of Destruction update. It's even opened up a new server, Shilen, to handle the influx of freebies. This update comes packaged with additional zones, eight new classes, an auction house system, and more.

A new website awaits those interested in Lineage II's next evolutionary stage. For players who don't mind investing some cash into the game, NCsoft is selling Exploration Packs starting at $5 to open up more of the game for funzies.

MassivelyLineage II awakens to free-to-play today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploration-packsf2pfree-to-playfree-to-play-launchgoddess-of-destructionlineage-2lineage-iincsoftnew-websitepatchpath-to-awakeningrevamped-websiteupdateWed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II Goddess of Destruction and Truly Free transition coming November 30th]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/11/14/lineage-ii-goddess-of-destruction-and-truly-free-transition-comi/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/14/lineage-ii-goddess-of-destruction-and-truly-free-transition-comi/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/14/lineage-ii-goddess-of-destruction-and-truly-free-transition-comi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Lineage II
Last month, NCsoft announced that Lineage II would be making the transition to free-to-play (or, as the company likes to call it, Truly Free), but the studio has remained tight-lipped on when the transition will take place. Until now, that is. On November 30th, Lineage II's newest and largest content update, Goddess of Destruction, will be hitting the live servers. As soon as the update is live, players will be able to play for free, with "no zone, level, or player interaction restrictions."

The update also introduces a new feature known as Path to Awakening. Path to Awakening is "an exclusive leveling guide designed specifically for Lineage II," and it will provide leveling players with "buffs, time limited gear enabling accelerated progression through the game," and interactive maps to point players to the optimal leveling locations. For the full details, head on over to the new Truly Free Lineage II site.

[Source: NCsoft press release]

MassivelyLineage II Goddess of Destruction and Truly Free transition coming November 30th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playgoddess-of-destructionl2launch-datelineage-2lineage-iincsoftpath-to-awakeningrelease-datetruly-free-Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you tempted by Lineage II's 'truly free' model?]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lineage II - Shilien elder in Blue Wolf armor
NCsoft recently announced its new "truly free" free-to-play model for Lineage II. This is interesting for two reasons. One, the title insinuates that all those other free-to-play games aren't actually free. And two, well, I just ran out of excuses for not returning to the world of Aden.

The new press materials highlighted some 400 hours worth of content, and as a former player, I'd say this estimate is probably a bit on the conservative side. L2 is truly a massive title, and getting to endgame is really the halfway point since you've still got all kinds of EVE-like territorial PvP and metagaming shenanigans waiting for you after you've maxed out a character.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know if the recent announcement piqued your interest. Will you be checking out Lineage II when it goes free-to-play?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you tempted by Lineage II's 'truly free' model? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionl2lineage-2lineage-iimmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtruly-freeThu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft releases brief Lineage II F2P trailer]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/11/01/ncsoft-releases-brief-lineage-ii-f2p-trailer/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/01/ncsoft-releases-brief-lineage-ii-f2p-trailer/http://www.massively.com/2011/11/01/ncsoft-releases-brief-lineage-ii-f2p-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lineage II - skimpy armor
Lineage II is going free-to-play. This isn't news (or rather, it's old news at this point, amirite?). We wish we could tell you when the stalwart fantasy title is flipping the free-to-play switch, but unfortunately NCsoft's big announcement earlier this afternoon made no mention of a release date.

The company did unveil a new trailer that clocks in at just under a minute in length, and it boasts of 400 hours' worth of gameplay and optional leveling and quality-of-life enhancements from the L2 store. There's also a new section of the Lineage II website devoted to the "truly free" marketing campaign. Other than that, though, there are still more questions than answers, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to release dates for the long-awaited Goddess of Destruction content and the business-model switcheroo.

In terms of additional info, ZAM recently interviewed NCsoft bigwigs and wrangled some pricing-related details out of them (most items are in the one dollar range, with some as high as $15 depending on whether or not they're time-limited). We'll keep you update with more L2 F2P news bits as they happen.

MassivelyNCsoft releases brief Lineage II F2P trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adenbusiness-modelsexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgoddess-of-destructionlineage-2lineage-iincsoftpress-releasetruly-freeTue, 01 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II celebrates Play Your Way with October Bonanza]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/10/13/lineage-ii-celebrates-play-your-way-with-october-bonanza/http://www.massively.com/2011/10/13/lineage-ii-celebrates-play-your-way-with-october-bonanza/http://www.massively.com/2011/10/13/lineage-ii-celebrates-play-your-way-with-october-bonanza/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lineage II -- October Bonanza banner
Lineage II players, are you ready for a bonanza!? If you said no, then too bad! To celebrate the game's new Play Your Way business model, NCSoft is throwing an October Bonanza that players surely don't want to miss.

It all kicked off on October 12th with new Loyalty Subscription Gifts. Any player who purchases a new subscription between now and the 31st of October will receive some fine gifts, including a Dynasty Weapon Box and five Birthday Present Packs.

On top of that, from October 19th until November 2nd, players will be receiving weekly thank-you gifts from NCSoft to show the studio's gratification to them for their loyalty. These gifts are Potion Support Packs, a Supplies Support Pack, and a Dimensional Support Pack.

And last up, NCSoft's Player Commendation event will be beginning on the 19th and continuing until November 9th. During this event, players will receive a 50% XP bonus and a 100% Fame boost, a buffing blessing, and the ability to gain Player Commendation points, or PC points. PC Points are points earned just for being logged into the game, which accumulate over time and can be exchanged for a variety of useful items.

For the full details on the upcoming event, check out Lineage II's official site.

MassivelyLineage II celebrates Play Your Way with October Bonanza originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonanzalineage-2lineage-iiloyaltyncsoftoctober-bonanzaplayer-commendationpromotionrewardrewardsThu, 13 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II adopting a hybrid business model]]>http://www.massively.com/2011/10/11/lineage-ii-adopting-a-hybrid-business-model/http://www.massively.com/2011/10/11/lineage-ii-adopting-a-hybrid-business-model/http://www.massively.com/2011/10/11/lineage-ii-adopting-a-hybrid-business-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Like Aion, but no flying.
Lineage II is in the minority among NCsoft's US offerings in that it requires a subscription fee -- but now even that is going away. According to an announcement from the company, the game will be adopting a hybrid business model in the near future to allow players to enjoy the game for free, in a similar vein to the recent City of Heroes conversion. This comes hand-in-hand with the announcement that the game will be receiving a Russian launch in the near future.

While specific details regarding the new model have yet to be announced, the press release promises that it will allow players of all varieties to enjoy the game's several years of content. Considering the game's latest expansion, Goddess of Destruction, is promised for later this year, this seems like good news for anyone looking for a new title to try out in the near future.

[Source: NCsoft press release]

MassivelyLineage II adopting a hybrid business model originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementsbusiness-modelsf2pfree-to-playgoddess-of-destructionhybridl2lIIlineage-2lineage-IIncsoftupdatesTue, 11 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST