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Connect08 Wrapup: LotRO lowdown, Jumpgate juicies and D&D delights
Codemasters' Connect08, held last Friday and Saturday in Birmingham, was an interesting event in a number of ways. We Europeans rarely feel much love from Stateside publishers -- we're shuttled off on to our own servers, we have to wait longer for patches and news, and we're even not sure we're even being listened to half the time. That's why it was great to see not only an event for European players (I met people who'd travelled from Italy, Holland and Germany to be there) but also a major news announcement on my home turf.Of course, Codemasters aren't the only ones doing this -- NCsoft have a blockbuster event next weekend, and have held others in the past, plus Blizzard occasionally run the odd knees-up in that Gallic pays du vin to the south. Here's hoping we'll see more of the same.Connect08: The coverage you don't want to miss Lord of the Rings Online Volume II, Mines of Moria, was announced; we investigated the teaser site, got you more information (including pixplz) and topped it off with a Q&A and interview with producer Jeffrey Steefel. Jumpgate EvolutionWe previewed this upcoming title from NetDevil and quizzed president Scott Brown on the game. More on its way in coming months! Dungeons & Dragons OnlineAll your burning Monk desires are sated with the player Q&A and preview, which also talks about the crafting changes. Tonsure-tastic! %Gallery-18531%
Jumpgate revelations: Massively interviews NetDevil's Scott Brown
NetDevil were previewing their upcoming game Jumpgate Evolution at Connect08, with a series of gamestations set up to let players experience the game for the first time and give their feedback. Jumpgate Evolution is a space-based action MMO firmly centred around action combat, and we managed to snag some time with NetDevil's president, Scott Brown, to fire off some questions about the game.Development's come some way since our last interview in November; as you may have read, our first impressions weren't too hot, so read on behind the jump to find out what Scott thought and to learn more about the game.%Gallery-18375%
More on Moria: Massively interviews Turbine's Jeffrey Steefel
After last Friday's exciting announcement from Turbine -- the Mines of Moria LotRO expansion -- we were hungry for more. Fortunately, we got it: we managed to sit down with executive producer Jeffrey Steefel, the man behind the news, to quiz him on MoM and all things LotRO. Read on for more on Volume II, nerfbats and an insight into Turbine's development process. For more LotRO coverage don't miss our player Q&A report, teasers and rundown of the teaser site -- and keep your eyes glued to Massively, as we'll bring you all the MoM news we can over the coming months!%Gallery-18340%
DDO Q&A: Mod 7, the Monk and more
Kate Paiz, senior producer of Dungeons and Dragons Online, sat down with players today at Connect08 to demonstrate the new Monk class -- upcoming in Module 7 -- and answer a number of questions about future plans for the game.Photography wasn't permitted so we just managed to grab this quick snap of the character creation screen (above), showing a new armor design to accompany the new class. There's another month of development time left before the module goes into alpha, so expect more polish further down the line.During the demo of the Monk we saw the basic character animations -- they're very much in a martial-arts style (apparently inspired by Shaolin monks) with kicks, punches and even a backflip. The movement is graceful and smooth, and unarmed combat feels natural.
First Impressions: Jumpgate Evolution
At Codemasters' Connect08, we had the chance to sit down for a few minutes with upcoming space MMO Jumpgate Evolution and take it for a wee test drive. "Space MMO?" I hear you cry, "Let me guess, it's spaceships flying around shooting at each other and enemies?"In a nutshell, that's exactly what Jumpgate Evolution is. You pilot a spaceship. You shoot stuff. You get a better spaceship. Repeat. But, as with many MMOs that can be distilled to an equally dull one-line summary, there's far more to the game than that. Read on for our gameplay impressions (bearing in mind this is an alpha pre-release, not the final shipped product). %Gallery-18375%
LotRO poster art and video teaser of new Mines of Moria expansion
The Lord of the Rings Online expansion eye candy just keeps coming. Not only has Turbine released concept art (see gallery below), they've also produced a gorgeous poster and a sweet teaser trailer about what awaits us in depths of the Mines of Moria. Yes, the video just reuses the concept art, but you get that great Gandalf voice over guy and a hint of the lore behind the place that will set the stage for LotRO's first paid expansion. Check out the vid after the jump and keep an eye here for more reports from Connect08. %Gallery-18340%
Connect08: LotRO Q&A with Jeffrey Steefel
Here at Connect08 we've just spent an informative hour participating in a roundtable about all things Lord of the Rings Online. Executive producer Jeffrey Steefel was on hand to answer audience questions covering a wide range of subjects, from technical issues to crafting and kinships. So without further ado, let's get stuck in!Initially Jeffrey showed a demo of some Book 13 content and a quick run-through of existing high-level content that many audience members hadn't seen -- several players were impressed with Jeffrey's deft hand at death-touching and cavalier attitude to barriers ("Since I can't go through this door, because I haven't done the quests, I'll just delete it"). The floor was then opened to the audience.
More Mines of Moria information revealed
Speaking to an assembled crowd of excited gamers this afternoon in Birmingham, Jeffrey Steefel unveiled the first Lord of the Rings Online expansion, Mines of Moria. We've got the lowdown on the expansion, which Jeffrey was visibly excited to announce. Mr. Steefel began with a brief discussion of Book 13 and Book 14, which will be coming soon as live content updates. He went on to discuss the general environment of Moria, which he described as an incredible underground world. There, you'll face the Balrog of Morgoth, go face-to-face with epic encounters, and even take on a PvMP challenge similar to the Ettenmoors. Full details are available below the cut!%Gallery-18340%
First LotRO: Mines of Moria images unveiled
Hot off the press from Connect08, we've snagged a selection of sensational artwork from the first LotRO expansion, Mines of Moria. Click through to the gallery to preview some of the environments and even get a first look at one of the fearsome creatures that you'll encounter in the expansion -- the Mammoth.%Gallery-18340%
LotRO expansion announced: "Mines of Moria"
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/First_Lord_of_the_Rings_Online_Expansion_Announced'; Speaking at Connect08 today, Lord of the Rings Online executive producer Jeffrey Steefel announced the long-awaited news of the game's first expansion. Titled Mines of Moria, it should hit your PC before the end of the year, and is the first of a planned series of annual expansions.The level cap will also be raised from 50 to 60, two new classes (the Warden and Runekeeper) will be introduced, and a new 'legendary' loot system will allow items to develop alongside the character that wields them. There's even a spiffy new site to accompany the expansion. Check below the cut for details on the site, and what it might offer Middle-earth players in the coming weeks!We've already got a whole lot more in the way of details on the site. Click on over to get hints about the expansion, Books 13 and 14, and the bright future of Tolkien's world.%Gallery-18340%
LotRO dev chat reveals Book 13 map
So maybe you weren't able to make it to the dev chat last Monday, or maybe you just didn't know about it. Well, whatever the reason might have been, fear not -- for there is a chat log bursting at the seams with information. A lot gets touched on, but the thing that has us the most excited would have to be the upcoming social upgrades focused on quests -- hopefully making the completion of them a bit more streamlined. We're really happy to hear it, because that would be one of our main complaints with the game currently -- which is saying a lot since we don't have too many complaints about Lord of the Rings Online. We've complied the most interesting bits of information and formatted them in the ever-easy to digest list format. So read on if you'd like to hear about what's in store for Book 13 and even Book 14. Also, remember to check back with us this coming Friday as there's going to be a big Lord of the Rings Online announcement from Connect08. Our guess? We're hoping for a new expansion, but the only way to know for sure is to wait for the big day.
WRUP: In like a lamb edition
Is it just me or has March been pretty slow so far? Guess that means things will get a little crazier in the second half of the month -- with SXSW and Connect08 on the way, that's probably not too far off from the truth.But in the meantime, What aRe yoU Playing this weekend? Me, I've been in Guild Wars more than anything else lately, but I've also been jonesing for Age of Conan more than ever -- May seems like it's a long way away. I've been on an extended break from EVE Online as well, but I may get back in the mining barge this weekend if the urge hits me.What's your game in the world of MMOs this weekend?Previously on WRUP...
Springtime set to invade hearts of LotRO players
It's been just about a year since Lord of the Rings Online launched. Even though there's a lot of interesting stuff happening at Connect08 later this month and a one-year anniversary coming as well, that doesn't mean LotRO players aren't getting a cool, love-filled spring festival. So worry not, players can expect some very interesting events to take their mind off the encroaching evil from the edge of the world. We've got the beef, so to speak, after the break.
Connect '08 attendees to receive in-game LotRO cloak
That's right, more free stuff for those lucky enough to attend Codemasters' Connect '08 on the 14th and 15th of March. The European Lord of the Rings Online website has made it known that everyone attending the event will receive an in-game Ranger cloak for LotRO. This will be the first time this cloak is made available, and it has a unique design and a limited duration 5% speed boost as an effect.The cloak joins the list of other cool swag available to visitors of Connect '08, including exclusive in-game LotRO titles (The Worldly Traveler, Pillar of the Community, Greeter of Kin) and beta invites for Jumpgate Evolution -- and this is only the announced stuff. Who knows what else might get thrown?
Connect08 to have exclusive in-game LotRO titles
Planning on heading to Connect08 this year? If you're going be there, you could claim the title of Worldly Traveler. If that title isn't your particular thing, you could also choose Pillar of the Community or Greeter of Kin. However, there is a one per person limit these babies -- so choose wisely. Turbine and Codemasters are to thank for this one, Also, we should mention that as far as we know these titles are only available at Connect08. Hopefully, we'll get to see something similar from Turbine at other events this year -- we're hoping for PAX08.Whether or not we actually see more of these at another show in the future, it's a very cool -- and free -- extra for those of you heading to the event this year.
