Daily News: 01/21/13

Monday, January 21, 2013

Review Candidate: ArcheAge

ArcheAge by XLGAMES:
http://www.archeage.com/

Pros:

Very deep endgame crafting/building options.
Unique feature: Boat construction, customization and combat.
Open world PVP is emphasized.
Targeted at casual players.

Cons:

Relatively high system requirements for certain markets.
Basic/standard combat system.
Currently tuned for subscription revenue.
Excessively quest-based until maximum level.
Game systems may encourage trolling/griefing behavior.

Atari U.S. Files Chapter 11

Atari U.S. Files Chapter 11: The US arm seeks to be independent of French parent company

Review Candidate: Arcane Legends

Arcane Legends by Spacetime Studios:
http://www.arcanelegendsgame.com/

Pros:

Very easy to pick up and play.
Deep combat gameplay (not just auto-attack) compared to other mobile games.
Pet system adds some depth to the game experience.
Attractive, stylized mobile graphics.
Synchronous, cross-platform (iOS, Android, browser, client) multiplayer.

Cons:

Lacks the amount of content of a "full" PC MMO.
Weak character customization.
Weak social features.
Limited PVP options (recently added by the developer).
Nothing innovative when it comes to monetization (mostly time-limited boosts).
Developer is already fairly successful and game is already out for iOS and Android, they may be more inclined to stay independent.

Reviews/Previews:
http://www.slidetoplay.com/review/arcane-legends-review/
http://www.touchgen.net/arcane-legends-review
http://www.androidcentral.com/arcane-legends-review

Previous News:
http://luidailynews.blogspot.com/2013/01/december-21-arcane-legends-old-jul.html
http://luidailynews.blogspot.com/2013/01/december-31-arcane-legends-totally.html
http://luidailynews.blogspot.com/2013/01/arcane-legends-gets-its-first-taste-of.html

Top 10 Most Anticipated MMOs for 2013

Top 10 Most Anticipated MMOs for 2013:

It is always easy for a new MMO to draw gamers' attention, but what makes things hard for a new MMO is to make itself to live up to their expectation after they play it. Typically, reading about games under development is always more exciting than actually playing them. However, some new MMOs turn out to be different. They do not let gamers down after they are launched, as well as they provide them with much potential and possibility when Pre-launch. Therefore, check out the MMOSITE Top 10 Most Anticipated MMOs for 2013.

Continue reading Top 10 Most Anticipated MMOs for 2013.

More League of Legends Players Banned For "Toxic Behaviour"

More League of Legends Players Banned For "Toxic Behaviour":

Click here to read More <em>League of Legends</em> Players Banned For "Toxic Behaviour"

Continuing a recent crackdown on the kind of behaviour that gives the game a bad rap (at least amongst those who don't play it religiously), League of Legends developers Riot have permanently banned two prominent eSports players for their "toxic behavior in-game". More »

Closers Online Unveils English Website

Closers Online Unveils English Website:

I clearly remember how you guys love Closers Online at this month's New MMO Collection, now something really exciting has come to Closers Online for us. Following ArcheAge's launch of English website, NADDIC Games also released a new website for Closers Online on three languages: English, Korean and Japanese. Can't wait to check it out? Head for the site to take a look!

Continue reading Closers Online Unveils English Website.

Click-click-click: Massively's double-dose of Path of Exile impressions

Click-click-click: Massively's double-dose of Path of Exile impressions:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, real-world, Opinion, Massively Hands-on, Massively Event Coverage, Miscellaneous

New Zealand-based Grinding Gear Games has a challenge ahead of it: to convince a jaded gaming audience that its online action RPG Path of Exile can be more than just another Diablo III clone. Our Not So Massively crew has been following the game with great interest, zeroing in on its generously sprawling skill tree and item-customization systems in particular. And this Wednesday will see the launch of open beta, leaving only one question left to answer: click-click-click?

Well, maybe a few other questions too, like how does it play and is it worth my time? To get some first-hand experience with the latest edition of the game, Massively sent two freelancers -- Gavin Townsley and Jeffery Wright -- to two different Path of Exile developer events last week, one in San Francisco and the other in Los Angeles. Which city won in the quest for the coolest demo? You'll just have to read both to find out.

Click-click-click: Massively's double-dose of Path of Exile impressions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Studios Play launches with 15 games

Microsoft Studios Play launches with 15 games: Microsoft Studios has announced the launch of Microsoft Studios Play. The initiative brings 15 games to Windows 8 as well as...

Rumor: Xbox 720 may feature a device that 'blocks' used games

Rumor: Xbox 720 may feature a device that 'blocks' used games: Can we be frank? Used games are in jeopardy, especially when it comes to next-generation console talk. We’ve already...

Left 4 Dead 2 Workshop goes live

Left 4 Dead 2 Workshop goes live: The Left 4 Dead 2 Workshop has moved out of beta and is now live for anyone to add campaigns, items, clothing, weapons,...

MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten standard MMOs

MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten standard MMOs:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Real life, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Previews, PvP, PvE, Opinion, War, Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Virtual worlds, MMORTS, Kids, Family, Miscellaneous, MMObility, Sandbox

It's time for another installment of my month-long look at the Samsung Chromebook, the newest in the line of all-in-one devices brought to us by Google. Everything has worked pretty well so far, but the light notebook does have its issues. I'm so used to using my Google Nexus 7 tablet for reading emails and now reading articles and magazines that I am having a hard time without the pinch-to-zoom. I love the instant zooming; it's much easier when I am reading or surfing the net. (Wait, do we still say "surfing the net"?) In fact, the main issue with the Samsung Chromebook is its size. I have to hit ctrl-+ to zoom in pages often.

Other than the smaller fonts, few other issues have cropped up -- I've found gaming has been really fun on this little guy. I've noticed that everyone who reads of gaming on the device is sort of perplexed. Why would I want to game on such a non-gaming machine? It's simple, really. As the title says, this is another attempt of mine to find the perfect device for doing all that I do using only the browser: writing, gaming, gaming, writing, watching videos, writing, and playing games.

This week, I have 10 "standard" MMOs for you. These are games that act more like a common, client-based MMOs than the MMORTS titles I covered last week, but with some exceptions. The desktop browser can handle amazing, 3-D graphics, but a Chromebook does not allow downloads like Unity or Java. Keep that in mind.
Continue reading MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten standard MMOs

MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - Ten standard MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massive Layoffs Crush Gas Powered Games Just Days After Launch Of $1.1 Million Kickstarter [Update]

Massive Layoffs Crush Gas Powered Games Just Days After Launch Of $1.1 Million Kickstarter [Update]:

We've heard from two sources that there have been big layoffs at Gas Powered Games, the company that just launched a Kickstarter for $1.1 million to make their next game, Wildman. More »

Zynga Elite Slots review

Zynga Elite Slots review:
Zynga Elite Slots is Zynga’s latest game for Facebook, and an attempt to shake up the slot machine genre — a style of social game which, while popular and profitable, tends to consistently play it safe and not try anything new.

DOTA 2 Introduces a "Least Played" Mode to Get Players Out of Their Comfort Zones

DOTA 2 Introduces a "Least Played" Mode to Get Players Out of Their Comfort Zones:

Click here to read <em>DOTA 2</em> Introduces a "Least Played" Mode to Get Players Out of Their Comfort Zones

The latest update for DOTA 2's beta now delivers a "Least Played" mode, which will match players who are forced to use characters other the 20 that have given them the most wins. It's meant to get players in the game's closed beta to explore the game's full roster, which now runs 96 character deep. More »

Match-Three Plus Multi-Touch Makes My Brain Hurt (In a Good Way)

Match-Three Plus Multi-Touch Makes My Brain Hurt (In a Good Way):

Swapping colorful objects to create rows of three or more is about as simple as a puzzle game can get. After years of playing titles like Bejeweled and Candy Crush Saga, seeing the patterns that make the best matches is almost second nature to me. Match-three games have become a mindless relaxing pursuit. Then came CocoaChina's 7 Elements, changing everything by adding two more fingers to the mix. More »

Arcane Legends Gets Its First Taste of Player Versus Player Combat

Arcane Legends Gets Its First Taste of Player Versus Player Combat:

Click here to read <em>Arcane Legends</em> Gets Its First Taste of Player Versus Player Combat

The latest browser/mobile MMO from Spacetime Studios gets a bit more competitive today with the release of the first small taste of player-on-player violence. Who's ready for a little Capture the Flag? More »

Orbis unmasked: what to expect from the next-gen PlayStation

Orbis unmasked: what to expect from the next-gen PlayStation: Digital Foundry presents hard data on the technology inside Sony's new console... and its upcoming Xbox rival

Temple Run 2 review

Temple Run 2 review:

Temple Run 2 is a new mobile game from Imangi, out now on iOS and due next week on Android. It’s a sequel to the developer’s previous runaway (no pun intended) success, but the “endless runner” genre has become increasingly crowded since the first game’s release, so can Imangi still keep pace?

World of Warcraft: PTR Patch Notes & Upcoming Changes to PvP Gear Detailed

World of Warcraft: PTR Patch Notes & Upcoming Changes to PvP Gear Detailed:

The World of Warcraft community site has been updated with a pair of articles about forthcoming changes to the game. The first lays out the current patch notes (v5.2) on the Public Test Realm. The second is a blog article about changes coming to PvP gear in the future.

Heroes, Castles, And One Janky Tower Defense Game

Heroes, Castles, And One Janky Tower Defense Game:

The iTunes description for Heroes & Castles, a new third-person tower defense game that hit iOS yesterday, says it has "incredible console quality graphics." More »

Trials sells 4 million

Trials sells 4 million: Ubisoft motorcycle stunt series hits another milestone, PC package launching in March

PS4 abandoning DualShock controller in favor of LCD touch screen

PS4 abandoning DualShock controller in favor of LCD touch screen: After 16 years, Sony may finally be parting with its DualShock controller. New reports indicate that Sony's next console...

Vostok aiming for Survarium beta by the end of 2013

Vostok aiming for Survarium beta by the end of 2013:
Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, PvE, Post-Apocalyptic

Vostok Games has updated its website with a 2013 development timeline for Survarium, an online shooter said to feature PvE, factions, and task and auction systems. Vostok, which is staffed by veterans of the much-loved Stalker series, says that the title will go into open beta before the end of the year.

The timeline also mentions an alpha due in Q2 of 2013. The build will feature PvP, four game maps, and two playable factions.

Survarium is something of a spiritual sequel to the post-apocalyptic Stalker games, and the new title will incorporate concepts planned for the defunct Stalker 2 project.

Vostok aiming for Survarium beta by the end of 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Timeline
Via: Eurogamer

GameStop Pulls Metro: Last Light From Its Downloadable Service, Citing THQ's Uncertain Future

GameStop Pulls Metro: Last Light From Its Downloadable Service, Citing THQ's Uncertain Future:

Click here to read GameStop Pulls <em>Metro: Last Light</em> From Its Downloadable Service, Citing THQ's Uncertain Future

GameStop pulled Metro: Last Light from its Impulse digital download service, telling GameSpot that the uncertain fate of its publisher, THQ, is the reason. More »

This Week's iPad Charts: Temple Run 2 and the NRA Practice Range

This Week's iPad Charts: Temple Run 2 and the NRA Practice Range:

Click here to read This Week's iPad Charts: <em>Temple Run 2</em> and the <em>NRA Practice Range</em>

On one side we have the sequel to one of the most beloved mobile games in the world. On the other, an app mainly being downloaded due to controversy, morbid curiosity and irony. There's room for everyone in the weekly free iPad app charts! More »

SimCity's Four-Day Beta is Jan. 25; Here's the Tutorial Level

SimCity's Four-Day Beta is Jan. 25; Here's the Tutorial Level:

Click here to read <em>SimCity</em>'s Four-Day Beta is Jan. 25; Here's the Tutorial Level

The SimCity beta will be from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28, and registration is underway now on the game's official page, the SimCity Twitter feed said this morning. More »

Vendetta using Kickstarter to fund new expansion, iOS client

Vendetta using Kickstarter to fund new expansion, iOS client:
Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Business models, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox, Crowdfunding

There's no shortage of sandbox MMO projects on Kickstarter these days, but how would you feel about a fundraiser for a game that's been live since 2002?

That's the reality for Vendetta Online, as Guild Software has just announced a new pledge drive to help the game conquer Apple's iPad platform. Vendetta is already playable on PC, Mac, Linux, Android, and WinRT (and all of those space pilots play seamlessly on the same server, too), so Guild's next goal is integrating iOS users into its sprawling space-based sandbox.

"We'll be thrilled to bring our intense brand of multiplayer space gaming to the iPad family of devices," says John Bergman, Guild CEO. "Our game offers a seamless transition between desktop and mobile, so players can easily switch back and forth between their iPad and their Mac without limitation."

If successful, the game's Kickstarter project will also help fund a major expansion, which promises "enhanced player-owned capital ships and territorial conquest." Vendetta is a subscription-based MMO that features twitch-based space combat, extensive mining, trading, and exploration options, and a player-generated content system. You can check out an eight-minute gameplay video after the break, then head to the official website to sign up for a free trial.
Continue reading Vendetta using Kickstarter to fund new expansion, iOS client

Vendetta using Kickstarter to fund new expansion, iOS client originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Kickstarter

Rumor: Monster Hunter 4 Is Headed to the PS Vita

Rumor: Monster Hunter 4 Is Headed to the PS Vita:

Click here to read Rumor: <em>Monster Hunter 4</em> Is Headed to the PS Vita

Oh boy. If this is true (big if!), the PS Vita could be poised for, ahem, a monster comeback. More »

Kunio Neo joins Capcom Europe

Kunio Neo joins Capcom Europe: Ex-president of Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH takes role at publisher

Codemasters facing redundancies

Codemasters facing redundancies: Digital and publishing teams affected, reports suggest 80 jobs could go

Dragon Nest (EU) Closed Beta Will Start on Feb. 27

Dragon Nest (EU) Closed Beta Will Start on Feb. 27:

Dragon Nest, as the most popular MMORPG in our site, most of you won't feel familiar with this game. Yet it is the time European gamers to join the Dragon fighting journey. eFusion MMOG GmbH, the European publisher of Dragon Nest, has announced today that the Dragon Nest Europe Closed Beta will start on the 27th of February, 2013.

Continue reading Dragon Nest (EU) Closed Beta Will Start on Feb. 27.

Sony sells its U.S. headquarters for $1.1 billion

Sony sells its U.S. headquarters for $1.1 billion:

As part of its efforts to turn its ongoing money troubles around, Sony has sold its New York City headquarters to a commercial properties consortium for $1.1 billion. ...