Tagged News: mmorpg

In his latest column, Jim Moreno celebrates the life of the man himself: Gary Gygax. The pen-and-paper legend and Dungeons and Dragons co-creator passed away last week.

The spark that fired my imagination for RP gaming was D&D;, where Gygax shared with me adventures in lands from his own imagination. To depart a bit from the usual RP conversation here, I want to tell you what else I learned from D&D;, things about the real world that were taught to me through a fantasy game, and how they have and are coming full circle.

Read more after the jump.

Star Trek gaming site, Hailing Frequency, reported today an interesting turn around for the recently closed official Star Trek Online site, which returned with a brand new background and a "Coming Soon" underneath the logo. The WhoIs information have not been updated as of yet, but as noted in the HF report, this might change very soon:

This could signify a change in hands of the domain, potentially from perpetual, to whoever may be developing it now, but, attempts to trace the domain back to its new owner do not give any results.

As the recent rumors have indicated, Cryptic Studios might be the secretive new developer, but their lips are tightly shut at the moment. Stay tuned as we continue covering this very possible resurrection of Star Trek Online!

Part of the massive FAQ published today included the system requirements for Age of Conan. Always of interest to potential players, it is hereby extracted for convenience's sake:

Required

OS: Windows Vista/XP
Processor: 3GHz Pentium IV
RAM: 1GB RAM
Video Card: Shader Model 2.0 and 128MB RAM: NVIDIA GeForce 5800 or ATI 9800

Recommended

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz (E6600) or better
Vdeo Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7950GX2 or better
RAM: 2GB or more

Enhanced for: DirectX 10, 64-bit processors, multi-core
Supports Parental Controls on Windows Vista

A lot of virtual ink and angst has been flying around about a possible delay of Warhammer Online. However, Wired.com has the following good news from someone in the "know":

Mythic Entertainment Vice President Mark Jacobs wants all of the Warhammer Online faithful to rest assured that the company is very committed to meeting the game's proposed Q2 2008 release window.

Recently, Gamestop altered its site, changing WAR's release date to Sept. 2. As per standard Internet protocol, the fans immediately burst into an almost apoplectic rage all over the game's official forums.

In response, Jacobs once again reiterated Mythic's Q2 target, but added that the game's release date "is really set in mud, not stone, due to the complexity of these games."

"Worrying about [release dates] or getting worked up over them is a complete waste of time and energy," Jacobs adds, presumably while sighing and rolling his eyes.

It's good news with a caveat....

I quite enjoy PvP, myself, but without any rules to speak of set in place, basically what you've got is a breeding ground for gankers, "griefers", and spawn campers:

"Rules need to be established, and mechanics need to be implemented in order for things to be 'fair game' for all players."

This fortnight, we take a look at how Funcom can take the steps in encouraging fun and mature PvP on their PvP and RPvP servers.

Starr Long, Producer of Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa, penned an update for players on the state of the game, as well as giving a look forward at things to come:

NCsoft has committed a lot of money and resources into continuing post-launch development of Tabula Rasa. We have been putting new content into the game every few weeks, and we will continue doing just that. We have already added more upper level content and new features like Hybrids, and we're working on tons of exciting content, such as Personal Armor Units (mechs and mini-vehicles that players can use and will grant them new abilities).

Click below to read the rest.

SOE programmer Lee "Torsion" Nagar shares a look at the Star Wars Galaxies buff interface system in his first developer diary:

One of the first things I noticed in SWG was a somewhat limited buff interface. So when the lead designer brought me into his office to discuss a buff UI revamp, I was very eager to participate.

The very first task was to allow for more than two rows of displayed buffs. What is the purpose of showing the player what buffs are on them if they aren't visible?

Click below to read the rest.

According to Khatie in this forum post, there is at least ONE way to be considered for early beta entry:

Until there is a beta capture process ready and up on our official website, we ask that anyone wishing to be considered for Early Beta Testing register on these forums. It's as simple as that! We'll be sending out invitations using the emails stored in our forum database as soon as closed beta testing begins over the upcoming months.

We can't wait to see you in the game!

Register today!

From the "Blast from the Past" files:

Everquest and Everquest developers are hosting a new "You're in Our World Now" video contest in honor of EQ's 9th birthday. Here's the skinny:

From Monday, March 3, 2008, (12:01 am, US Pacific Time) through Wednesday, April 3, 2008 at (11:59 pm, US Pacific Time), the EverQuest Team will be hosting "You're in Our World Now" video contest.

Using in game imagery, sounds and their special skills, EverQuest community movie-makers have this opportunity to show us why they enjoying playing EverQuest by participating in this official EverQuest contest.

Create a video that highlights the best of EverQuest!

When filming the video, please keep the following in mind:

1. Include a wide variety of zones, NPCs, and gameplay features.

2. The video should display adventuring as well as highlight the community aspect of the game. (i.e. groups, guilds, raids)

3. This video is to highlight the game, not individual achievement.

4. Make sure you have PC names off. NPC name off is optional.

5. If you add text to the video, be sure to check the spell and grammar.

Check out the rest here.

Titled "CELEBRATIONS, PRANKS AND PINK ELEPHANTS ABUNDANT IN EVERQUEST® II GAME UPDATE #43", it sounds like there is a lot of fun in store for EQII players, according to the official site:

WHAT:
From the third annual Brew Day festival to the traditional Bristlebane Day celebration, EverQuest® II's Game Update #43 will present players with a month chock full of merriment.

In addition to scheduled live events, GU# 43 will bring some new group looting options as well as a change to how players harvest the ever elusive "shiny". Now the shiny will be subject to standard group looting settings however, players will be able to loot them or leave them and, if left, the shiny will remain intact until it is harvested and respawns again.

Brewday Festival:

Grab a stein and celebrate in recognition of Brew Day! Receive a Tumpy Tonic bottle for your in-game house when you complete the quest given out by the Avatar of Below. Keep an eye out for the magical appearance of portals, and listen for the shouts of rowdy patrons who will lead you to The Bar of Brell where adventures await those thirsty enough to enter. For those who can't seem to stop celebrating, you may just run into pink elephants and flying pigs as you embark on quests.

Bristlebane Day:

Fans of mischief are invited to celebrate the King of Thieves and the Grand Prankster himself, Fizzlethrope Bristlebane. Be on the lookout for the Comfort Cube as you never know what laughs and pranks you may come across.

WHEN: Game Update #43 is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.

The Brew Day Festival is expected to run March 14-21 and Bristlebane Day is Tuesday, April 1, 2008.

WHERE: www.everquest2.com

EverQuest II is rated T (for Teen) by the ESRB with content descriptors for suggestive themes, use of alcohol and violence.

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