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[Guy steals friend's goods in APB, GM offers vigilante justice in return]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

APB
Account theft and compromise are tragic facts of life in all MMOs, as player BlackJackieChan discovered the other day when he logged into APB: Reloaded and realized that he was wiped out.

After posting a tirade on the forums, BlackJackieChan got the attention of a GM, who subsequently investigated the crime. His findings were stunning: BlackJackieChan's in-game friend beef43302 was the culprit. Beef43302 had crept into his friend's account, swiped a number of goods, and then deleted the temporary characters used for the theft. Beef43302 then tried to cover up his wrongdoing by consoling BlackJackieChan with a new car and encouraging him to stick with the game.

Even though BlackJackieChan was accused of not protecting his account (apparently he had shown his password to his friend), GamersFirst restored the stolen items and then offered BlackJackieChan the chance to decide his friend's punishment. "Seeing as this is a relatively unique case," the GM wrote, "we shall let you decide the fate of beef43302."

BlackJackieChan has yet to respond on the thread, but the GM did tell the offender that the company suspended his account "unless BlackJackieChan says otherwise."

MassivelyGuy steals friend's goods in APB, GM offers vigilante justice in return originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-theftall-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrblackjackiechancompromised-accountcrimef2pfree-to-playg1gamersfirsthackhackinghumorpasswordpassword-theftpvptheftvigilante-justiceSat, 19 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated]]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DUST 514
Did you drop your name into CCP Games' hat as a potential tester for DUST 514? Then tomorrow might be a lovely day for you, as the studio is emailing out the first round of closed beta keys for registered participants after a short delay from its original key-handing-out schedule.

It is unknown how many keys will be sent out and to whom. Last month, CCP told Fanfest attendees that they would be among the first to test the anticipated MMOFPS. The DUST 514 website states that the studio is sending out Fanfest keys first and keys to standard registered players "soon after."

To celebrate the release of the closed beta keys, CCP is holding a "special event" over the weekend. The details of this event are forthcoming.

[Update: CCP has confirmed that beta registration has begun today and that EVE players and Fanfest attendees will get first pick.]

MassivelyDUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-keysccpccp-gamesclosed-betaconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlineeventfanfestfanfest-2012fpsin-game-eventmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3shooterweekend-eventThu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/16/free-for-all-planet-cyrene-adds-to-the-high-stakes-worlds-of-en/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/16/free-for-all-planet-cyrene-adds-to-the-high-stakes-worlds-of-en/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/16/free-for-all-planet-cyrene-adds-to-the-high-stakes-worlds-of-en/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Planet Cyrene screenshot
I'm not much of a shooter fan and probably never will be. Sure, I have as much fun blasting my way through monsters as the next gamer, but I rarely have the patience or physical stamina to overcome the pains and frustrations of shooter PvP. After all, my first rule of PvP applies especially well to shooters: There is always someone better than you. Planet Cyrene, the new world being added to the impressive portfolio of Entropia Universe, tasks players tasks similar to those found in Planet Calypso and mixes in PvP arenas that promise to frustrate (or delight) players, depending on their skill level. I sat down with Ed Robles III, lead developer for Planet Cyrene, to see just how nasty and expensive things might get.

Remember, this is the Entropia Universe we are talking about, and that means players will spend real money on bullets, armor, and practically everything else. Fortunately, players can earn items that are worth real money as well. Call it gambling or whatever you want, but it still seems to be a pretty successful formula.

Continue reading Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia

MassivelyFree for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmaned-robles-IIIentropia-universef2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiummmofpsopinionplanet-calypsoplanet-cyrenereal-money-transactionsvelvet-ropeWed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Image
What do War Thunder, World of Warplanes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Tribes: Ascend have in common? Not a whole lot aside from their respective appearances in this week's edition of The Firing Line.

Won't you join me after the cut for a rundown on some recent and notable online shooter news? If you're feeling particularly ornery, you can point and laugh at the fact that I'm still not in the War Thunder beta.

Continue reading The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition

MassivelyThe Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbrideachang-youchangyoudev-diarye-sportesportf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterflight-simfpsfree-to-playgaijingaijin-entertainmenthi-rezhi-rez-studioshinterlands-maphuxleymmofpsopinionpvprenaissance-fpsrenaissance-heroesrenaissance-heroes-trailershootertartarustartarus-maptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstrailertribestribes-ascendtribes-dev-diarytribes-tartarusunreal-engine-3videowar-thunderwar-thunder-bomberswar-thunder-world-of-planesworld-of-planesFri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online unloads six preview videos]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/10/mechwarrior-online-unloads-six-preview-videos/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/10/mechwarrior-online-unloads-six-preview-videos/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/10/mechwarrior-online-unloads-six-preview-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Oh, Medium Lasers, how I still love you.
With all the talk about how MechWarrior Online will play, potential players have no doubt been itching to see the game in full swing. We only recently got a peek at the first in-game screenshots, but today a veritable cascade of new information is available. Not one, not two, but six preview videos have been released, showing off the general gameplay, all four 'Mech weight classes, and the interface for customizing your 'Mech before you march it into battle.

Aside from a variety of gameplay footage (clearly unpolished but still encouraging), the videos give some insight into the game's design goals. Rather than following the route of the classic MechWarrior games that placed the heaviest 'Mechs at the top of the food chain, MechWarrior Online wants all machines to have a place on the battlefield depending on player style and battlefield objectives. But why read about it when you can watch it in action just past the break? After all, that way you're learning the same information and watching giant robots shoot at each other.

Continue reading MechWarrior Online unloads six preview videos

MassivelyMechWarrior Online unloads six preview videos originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemwopiranhapiranha-gamespreviewsci-fitrailertrailersvideovideo-previewvideosThu, 10 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Global Agenda]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Global Agenda screenshot
Among the Massively staff, I'm known as the obsessive competitor who plays every game in a hardcore fashion. It's no surprise that I gravitate toward high-skill, difficult games that test skill instead of the typical MMO grinds. But it should be a bit of a surprise that I don't really like competitive shooters. Shooters take a lot of the elements I really love about competition such as mindgames and positioning and marginalize them in favor of raw aiming and twitch reflexes. I'm fond of saying "You must be this tall to ride this ride" when it comes to shooters that are very twitch-based.

Global Agenda is a different beast than other shooters, though. The competitive shooter market is saturated with class-based shooters whose emphasis is more on teamwork than on aiming, and Global Agenda really takes it to eleven. Aiming is still important, but it's hardly the most important skill in the game, and every class has a way of minimizing the need for aiming skill. In fact, most of the more effective builds in GA don't require aiming. The emphasis in GA is on teamwork, mobility, and good decision-making. Even though it's a shooter, I find it really easy to spend far too much of my time playing it. It's just great fun.

Continue reading Why I Play: Global Agenda

MassivelyWhy I Play: Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncompetitive-gamingcompetitive-shootereditorialf2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgaglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpacksjetpacks-are-awesomemassively-metametammofpsnostalgiaop-edopinionsci-fishooterspy-fithird-person-shootertpswho-doesnt-like-flyingwhy-i-playWed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Hands on with Firefall's beta
I'm dying on the beautiful beach outside Firefall's starter town. As I lay bleeding from a hundred holes and generally making a mess of my shiny new bumble bee-colored battleframe, my avatar collapses to the sand and says the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

"Grandpa!"

This is delivered in his best rural Georgia twang, and it lessens the sting of my latest newbie move. The whole scene is Firefall in a nutshell: It's fun, frustrating, and funny all at once.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-betafirefall-first-impressionsfirefall-hands-onfirefall-impressionsfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playimpressionsis-firefall-an-mmommo-shootermmofpsopinionpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishootertflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarFri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red 5 Studios CEO denounces consoles and publishers]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Firefall
"Who needs publishers any more? I certainly don't. I couldn't care less about them at this stage," said Red 5 Studios CEO Mark Kern. In a candid interview with Eurogamer, Kern ripped into both consoles and publisher-led models as relics on their way out the door.

Kern said that the pressure that publishers put on studios are death to the industry, resulting in either "an indie game or... a massive AAA, IP-backed sequel with derivative gameplay." He thinks that there's no middle ground, and it disturbs him how many studios fire staff right after a game launches.

Instead, the man behind Firefall believes that the free-to-play model puts the power back in the hands of the developers who then can concentrate on making games without having to kowtow to the publishers and distributors. "Look at Riot Games and League of Legends. They have more users than World of Warcraft does. That's crazy. And they don't have a publisher," Kern said.

Citing the expense and sluggish reaction of console development, Kern also predicts that mobile and PC gaming are on their way to take over the field. "Something has to change," he concludes. "Consoles, I believe, are dead."

MassivelyRed 5 Studios CEO denounces consoles and publishers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusiness-modelconsoleconsoles-are-deaddistributordistributorsdotae-sportesporteurogamerf2pfantasyfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playinterviewleagueleague-of-legendslolmark-kernmmo-shootermmofpsmobapublisherpublisherspvpred-5red-5-studiosriotriot-gamessci-fishooterwarwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Matt Higby discusses PlanetSide 2's progression and customization]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/02/matt-higby-discusses-planetside-2s-progression-and-customizatio/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/02/matt-higby-discusses-planetside-2s-progression-and-customizatio/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/02/matt-higby-discusses-planetside-2s-progression-and-customizatio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I'm not actually in the war, I just like riding this ATV.
PlanetSide 2 has but one real game it must live up to, but if you consider the unique elements that its predecessor brought to the table, that's still a tall order. A recent interview with the game's creative director, Matt Higby, highlights the ways that the game is being designed to fulfill the requirements of an engaging MMO and an engaging FPS. That means giving characters plenty of progression without locking out new players who just want to shoot things.

The game's overall progression path is meant to be one of options, not straight power. That's the case for classes as well as advancement; Heavy Assault characters will play distinctly from other classes, but they'll have a variety of unique abilities that players can choose among. The interview also sheds more light on what players can expect from the game's overarching persistent elements, which set the game and its factions apart from standard FPS fare. The game still has a long way to go in development, but what's been shown thus far is definitely an encouraging start.

MassivelyMatt Higby discusses PlanetSide 2's progression and customization originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentfpsinterviewsmatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpsnew-titlesplanetsideplanetside-2previewsps2sci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentupcoming-titlesWed, 02 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How dark do you like your MMO nights?]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Firefall - Kinda hard to see at night
I spent some quality time with the Firefall beta build last weekend. One of the things I noticed is that the game's version of night bears more than a passing resemblance to actual night. As in, it's kinda dark and stuff. Helpfully, the devs at Red 5 Studios have provided flashlight functionality in the form of your X key (because the night is dark and full of terrors, according to the cheekily written patch notes on the launcher).

Anyway, it was a refreshing change from most of the MMOs nights I've experienced, which are basically MMO days with a blue lens filter. What about you? How dark do you like your MMO nights?

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: How dark do you like your MMO nights? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grinddarkf2pfirefallfirefall-nightfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playmmo-nightmmo-nightsmmo-shootermmofpsnightopinionpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishootertdgthe-daily-grindthe-night-is-dark-and-full-of-terrorswarTue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Revenge is sweet, as much the first time as the nine millionth time.
Tribes: Ascend has finally launched, and that means players everywhere can experience the simple joy of logging in, gearing up, and then skiing at high velocity across the ground while firing explosive munitions at distant targets. All right, maybe that joy isn't quite as simple, but the point remains that the game has successfully cleared its beta test. And what better way to celebrate that a bit belatedly than by pulling together some interesting stats on the overall beta experience?

Past the cut, you'll find an official infographic tallying things like total kills, total number of flags captured, and the ever-important question of how many people met their end by falling. In a game with jetpacks and high-speed skiing, that number is a bit higher than you might otherwise think. So take a look at the full collection of stats, sigh wistfully in memory, and then start gearing up for another round.

Continue reading Tribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic

MassivelyTribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbetabeta-feedbackbeta-retrospectivebeta-statsbeta-testculturee-sportesportf2pfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studiospvpshootertribestribes-ascendtribes-mmotribes-universeMon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Strike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/27/strike-like-lightning-with-planetside-2s-latest-vehicle-reveal/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/27/strike-like-lightning-with-planetside-2s-latest-vehicle-reveal/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/27/strike-like-lightning-with-planetside-2s-latest-vehicle-reveal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- PlanetSide 2
In PlanetSide 2, wars are not won by infantry alone. Sometimes you've gotta bring in the big guns, and sometimes you've gotta attach those big guns to even bigger tanks that can turn unwitting enemy foot soldiers into a fine crimson smear on the ground. For those times, Sony Online Entertainment has announced the latest Nanite Systems vehicle, the Lightning.

The lightning is a lightweight 75mm tank that uses its mobility and obscene rate of fire to rain havoc upon the battlefield while avoiding enemy counterattacks. The one-man tank can fire up to six rounds in under three seconds, "allowing the driver to quickly adjust [his] aim after [his] first shot." The modular turret can be swapped out for a variety of other turret types for those times when you just want to mix it up a bit, and the Lightning's Skyguard turret is "the most effective ground-to-air weapon on the battlefield, as it's fitted with 40mm cannons with an elevation range of 80 degrees." To top it all off, the Lightning is one of the fastest ground vehicles, which makes it just as useful for tactical retreats as it is for vehicular manslaughter. The vehicle will be available to all three factions, so no matter which side you're fighting for, you can rest assured that you'll have some speedy firepower at your disposal.

[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

MassivelyStrike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DUST 514 - merc battlefield concept art
Fansite DUST514.org has the best introductory info dump we've seen to date regarding CCP's upcoming DUST 514 MMOFPS.

The sci-fi shooter is, of course, set in EVE Online's New Eden universe, but how exactly does the new player experience look and feel? That question is answered at length on the site's latest blog post. Dropsuits and dropsuit fittings are covered in detail, as is DUST's complex skill system.

Also noteworthy are the tidbits relating to missions and PvP. DUST, like EVE, starts newbs off in high-security space, where there are plenty of NPC corporations willing to hand out mercenary contracts. These aren't just bot matches, though, as you'll go up against other players who have chosen to work for competing corporations. The blog also delves into DUST's version of blueprint originals and blueprint copies as they relate to gear acquisition, not to mention a host of other interesting topics.

MassivelyFansite details DUST 514 newbie experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514dust-514-new-player-experiencedust-new-player-experiencedust-newbiedust-newbseveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxshooterTue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

BOOM!
Last weekend we gave you a look at Red 5 Studios' upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall, and all of its glorious shooter action. What we didn't really take a look at, however, is the lore of the game. After all, why is everyone running around in crazy armor and shooting everyone else? And why is the last bastion of humankind on the planet a Brazilian island resort? The studio intends to answer some of these questions with today's release of the game's introductory cinematic.

And man, is it heavy. From the looks of things, humanity decided it was about time to try its luck with faster-than-light travel and failed miserably, causing a gargantuan starship to come crashing into the Earth... right on top of Brazil. But wait! If the starship crashed on Brazil, then why is it still around? Because the starship's wreckage, and the energy field it generates, is the only thing currently keeping the Melding at bay, leaving the surrounding area as the only currently inhabitable site on Earth. Could have been worse, I say; at least Brazil's pretty even after the apocalypse.

Continue reading Discover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic

MassivelyDiscover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinematicf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playintrointro-cinematicintroductionintroduction-cinematicintroductory-cinematicloremmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterthe-meldingtrailertrailersvideovideoswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Shooter news roundup
Dude, there was a ton of big shooter news this week!

I mean, this isn't terribly unusual, particularly since the genre is expanding at a rapid rate, but when I've got to cut interesting items out of this column for length reasons, you know it's been an eventful few days.

Join me after the break for a recap on everything from Firefall to Defiance to John Romero and beyond.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconconsoleconventioncounter-strike-online-2cso2defiancedefiance-trailerdustdust-514eveeve-onlineexpof2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-cinematicfirefall-opening-cinematicfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhalldor-fannarjohn-romerommo-shootermmofpsnews-roundupopinionpaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-expoplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpred-5red-5-studiosroundupsci-fishootershooter-news-roundupshooter-rounduptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstriontrion-worldswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tribes: Ascend Spinfuser
To celebrate the launch of Hi-Rez Studios' Tribes: Ascend today, we're giving away a special in-game weapon that will either help new players gain some ground or act as a boost for current players who have yet to unlock the gun.

This special medium Spinfusor just for the Soldier class. You can check out the full image of the weapon after the cut.

To claim your Spinfusor, simply grab a code from our giveaway page and use the in-game menu to select "Extras" then "Redeem Promotion." Enter in your code and you're all set!

GET YOUR KEY

Continue reading Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

MassivelyCelebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcontestsgiveawaygiveawayshi-rezhi-rez-studiossoldierspinfusertribestribes-ascendThu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/11/tribes-ascend-releases-tomorrow-mass-casualties-predicted/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/11/tribes-ascend-releases-tomorrow-mass-casualties-predicted/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/11/tribes-ascend-releases-tomorrow-mass-casualties-predicted/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tribes: Ascend
We apologize for giving you only a few hours' notice to call your boss or parental unit and inform him or her that you'll be "sick" tomorrow, but any edge you can get for an early start to Tribes: Ascend is better than none. That's right, Hi-Rez Studios' frantic FPS is releasing first thing in the morning, and you're invited to join the fight.

With jetpacks, skiing, and a strong lineage dating back to the original 1998 game, Tribes: Ascend has a lot going for it. The free-to-play title promises to bring back all of the frantic action that fans loved with a few new twists, such as a capture and hold game mode and the return of the classic map Raindance. Players will log in tomorrow to new social options as well and can test out unowned weapons in a special target practice area.

Wondering if Tribes: Ascend is right for you? Check out Jef's Firing Line column in which he attempts to convince you that this will suck you in and keep you entertained for a long time to come. If you're antsy, you can play tonight, as the game is currently in open beta.

You can watch a new dev diary featuring the Raindance map after the jump!

Continue reading Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted

MassivelyTribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbetae-sportesportf2pfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studioslaunchpvpraindancereleaseshootertribestribes-ascendtribes-mmotribes-universeWed, 11 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Firefall
Last year at PAX Prime, I had the opportunity to get my hands on an early version of Red 5 Studios' upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall. The game's come a long way since then, having gone into closed beta shortly after PAX Prime.

As of Friday, the game's NDA has finally dropped, and I can finally tell you fine folks all about my experiences with the game's beta. For those of you somehow not in the know, Firefall is essentially two games in one. On the one hand, you have the title's open-world PvE content that sees players exploring the lands of New Eden in an attempt to find a way to fight back the destructive alien force known as the Melding. On the other, there's the competitive e-sports-esque PvP, which lets players test their skills against each another to see who's the best shot in New Eden. So how much has Firefall changed between PAX Prime '11 and PAX East '12?

Continue reading Ready, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta

MassivelyReady, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacbtclosed-betaclosed-beta-testconconventionexpof2pfeaturedfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhands-onimpressionsmmo-shootermmofpspaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-expopreviewpreviewspvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterwarSun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2012: A talk with PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-a-talk-with-planetside-2s-matt-higby/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-a-talk-with-planetside-2s-matt-higby/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-a-talk-with-planetside-2s-matt-higby/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
"For me, it's such a compelling genre for anybody who's played it," SOE Creative Director Matt Higby said about PlanetSide 2's niche. "But that's the thing. There's not a lot of people who have played a MMOFPS, but the people who have are addicted."

Hibgy sat down with us at PAX East to promote SOE's upcoming sci-fi shooter, saying that it scratches two itches with one bird (or some other mixed metaphor). "I'm a competitive player; I love shooters," he said, "but I'm also a very social player and love the progression aspect of MMOs."

It's not as if the MMOFPS field is going to remain wide-open for very long. Competitors are rushing to mine this largely untouched market. Still, SOE has an advantage above the rest: It launched one of the first of its kind and has years of experience managing such a game. While we anxiously wait for word on PlanetSide 2's beta, we listened to Higby tell us why this title will continue the company's reign over the genre.

Continue reading PAX East 2012: A talk with PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby

MassivelyPAX East 2012: A talk with PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabiowareclassic-mmoconconventione3eaelectronic-artsexpofpsgdclucasartsmatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpspaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-expoplanetsideplanetside-2psps1ps2sci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorteam-fortress-2the-old-republictorFri, 06 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/blast-into-action-with-defiances-first-ever-combat-trailer/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/blast-into-action-with-defiances-first-ever-combat-trailer/http://www.massively.com/2012/04/06/blast-into-action-with-defiances-first-ever-combat-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Defiance
PAX East is kicking into high-gear today. Studios are all over the floor showing off their latest trailers and demos, and Trion Worlds is no exception. The studio has just released a shiny new trailer focusing on the upcoming Syfy-Trion collaboration known as Defiance. For the first time since the title's announcement, players get to take a look at the game's frantic FPS combat.

The trailer takes players into the land of the United States' Bay Area, which is in the process of being terraformed by alien invaders, and it's up to humankind to stop them before it's too late. The video gives fans a glimpse of large-scale combat as dozens of characters storm a stronghold by foot, ATV, and humvee to bring the fight to the alien scum, guns blazing. Oh, and the aliens look like the kind of fellows you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley... or in a well-lit one, for that matter. Just check out those teeth! Load your weapons and get in the fight past the cut.

Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of April 6-8, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2012. Whether you're dying to know more about TERA or PlanetSide 2 or any MMO in between, we aim to have it covered!

Continue reading PAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer

MassivelyPAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combatconconventiondefianceexpommofpspaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-exposyfytrailertrailerstrion-worldsvideovideosFri, 06 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST