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Enter at Your Own Rift: My 2013 wish list
The end of the year and the beginning of a new one is the traditional time to take stock of the past and make plans for the future, no? I thought RIFT had a banner year, especially in pushing out a great expansion less than two years after launch. Trion Worlds has continued to get those meaty content updates out, fleshing out the now-annual celebrations and growing the game in new and often-surprising ways. Really, we have such a wealth of options and content on which to feast, so you'll really have to excuse me as I ignore everything the studio's done to date and talk about what I'd like to see done, changed, or added in the new year. Yup, it's time for a RIFT wish list in this Fae Yule season, straight from my fingers to Santa Crucia's home at the Death Pole!
MMO Blender: Mike's spaceflight of fancy
You know what I love? Space. Not real space, so much; real space is a vast expanse of horrors that generally confound and cripple the mind if considered too seriously. I'm talking about "space," as in the setting of some of our favorite movies, games, and cancelled television properties. The problem with space, of course, is that it is a setting and not a story. You can't prime an audience by simply shouting, "Space!" The space needs context. Is it "final frontier" space? Is it the space in which your screams go unheard? The greatest space tales have always used the deep black as a backdrop, not a subject. My perfect MMO would almost certainly take place in space, but the way in which the space is used is what makes it worth playing.
Enter at Your Own Rift: What the Trion layoffs mean for RIFT
It's been almost a week since we first heard about the layoffs at Trion, yet there are still more questions than answers about the depth and scope of them. How many people were let go? Were they all from the RIFT team? And why was it timed just a few months after the expansion launched? It's hard to read about the layoffs and not see it as a bad sign for the game, but there may be other factors to consider. So what does this mean for RIFT? Let's consider that question in this week's Enter at your own Rift.
Enter at Your Own Rift: Build to win
We've arrived at the point in RIFT's post-expansion launch cycle when I'm genuinely embarrassed to admit how slowly I've progressed. While many of you are probably 60 and living the high life in the endgame, I'm still (mumbles) 51. I have many excuses for this: a newborn at home, flip-flopping interest between my Rogue and Cleric, a lot of experimentation in Dimensions, and Storm Legion's generally slow leveling pace. But perhaps my greatest excuse stems from one of the core features of the game. I keep making new builds and experimenting with them. Is that my fault? After all, with just one the addition of one new soul per calling a legion of new builds arose. Pun intended. Players on the forums are crunching numbers, fiddling with old builds, and magicking new ones out of thin air. I've become fascinated if not addicted to testing out these player-created builds as of late. Some promise the world and are sadly lacking, while others have shown me synergies that I didn't realize were possible.
RIFT releases Update 2.1, begins Fae Yule
You've gotten a taste of the new festival content, you've seen the huge raid, but nothing will prepare you for RIFT's 2.1 update quite like this post will. Trion Worlds took the curtain off of its first post-Storm Legion update today, triggering the game's seasonal Fae Yule celebration as well. The centerpiece of Update 2.1 is a 20-person raid called Endless Eclipse. The new endgame raid is not the only challenge being added, as Trion's patched in a new expansion-themed chronicle, updated the PvP conquest system for level 60 battles, and added weekly crafting quests for high-level adventurers. With Fae Yule's second round in the game, Trion's shoved in plenty of more activities and rewards. There's a nifty sledding minigame, holiday-themed instant adventures, lots of dailies, and merry decorations for players' dimensions. This update comes out on the heels of Trion's announcement that the studio was suffering layoffs.
Trion Worlds goes through 'workforce reduction'
It's a gloomy day for Trion Worlds, as word has come down that the independent developer is handing out pink slips to some of its staff. The studio confirmed the layoffs in an official statement: As a response to market conditions, product timelines and the natural evolution of our company, we have made some organizational changes, which include a workforce reduction. This was a difficult decision and we wish the best for those affected by these changes. At Trion, we remain focused on delivering top quality online game experiences, and are committed to supporting RIFT and launching our highly anticipated new titles Defiance, Warface, and End of Nations in 2013. Twitter was ablaze over the subject, saying that as many as 30 people were let go. One staff member wrote, "I managed to survive this time. Lots of REALLY good people got let go though." Another indicated which jobs were lost: "Not a good day. If anyone has a lead for a Sr. EQ or Assistant Lead QA job, please let me know." Trion recently brought End of Nations in-house after Petroglyph suffered its own round of layoffs. [Source: Trion Worlds press statement]
Try RIFT's Storm Legion expansion for free
If you're feeling underfunded this holiday season, you'll be happy to know that you can check out RIFT's first expansion for free. There's a catch of course, and it's that you must be a former subscriber. The Storm Legion trial period is only available for a limited time, so mark your calendars for December 14th through the 18th. Trion also wants you to know that RIFT Lite players can now take part in the Fae Yule world event as well as build in private, public, personal, or guild dimensions.
Leaderboard: RIFT vs. EverQuest II
So you're in the market for a fantasy themepark, but you're angry at Aion, leery of Lord of the Rings Online, and weary of World of Warcraft. RIFT and EverQuest II seem pretty interesting, then, but they also seem pretty similar. Both feature high fantasy settings, celebrated housing mechanics, ridiculously deep character development options, and more PvE content than you could consume in two lifetimes. The similarities don't stop there, as the two titles also share composers, producers, and a lengthy list of devs who include both games on their resumes. One major difference is the respective business model. RIFT is firmly in the subscription camp (if you discount its free trial up to level 20), while EverQuest II is fully free-to-play, though you don't have to look very hard to find folks who think it's not free enough. Visuals are also a difference-maker; EQII is eight years old and showing its age, while RIFT is still basking in the equivalent of MMORPG adolescence. So after all of that, how about it? RIFT or EverQuest II? Vote after the break!
The Daily Grind: Do expansions bring you back to games you've sworn off?
This winter is overflowing with MMO expansions, and whether we're talking about the fantasy stylings of RIFT and EverQuest II or the sci-fi sandbox shenanigans on display in EVE Online, there's a little something for everyone. That being said, I've played and grown tired of each of these titles before, a couple of them multiple times, so even though EVE's new bounty mechanics and RIFT's dimensions sound awesome, I'm having a hard time fighting through the been-there-done-that feelings long enough to give one of them another whirl. How about you, Massively readers? Do expansions bring you back to games you've written off, or do you hold fast and stay quit? 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!
One Shots: Battlefield oasis
Even in the midst of bloody war, the resplendent may persist. Even though our MMOs are endless battlefields that have seen no end to death and corpse desecration, they also can be places of stunning sights. Reader Connor, fresh off a tour in PlanetSide 2, found that a particular location made him pause and reach for the screenshot button. "I saw this while maneuvering my Sunderer into position. Beauty on the battlefield!" Check out Connor's oasis as well as plenty of other gorgeous war-torn locales after the jump!
Massively Exclusive: RIFT's 2.1 Eternal Eclipse raid revealed
How would you like to match wits (and weapons) with RIFT's Regulos the Destroyer? You can starting on December 12th courtesy of a new 20-player raid called Eternal Eclipse. The dungeon is part of Trion's 2.1 update, which also includes a new chronicle called A Hero Rises. RIFT's Fae Yule world event is also coming, and you'll have the opportunity to collect seasonal dimension items and sets of special gifts to be revealed throughout the month. Finally, beginning on December 14th, former players may log in and experience the original game plus the entirety of the Storm Legion expansion for free. The promotion runs through December 20th. Click past the cut for our exclusive look at the new Eternal Eclipse raid.
Jukebox Heroes: RIFT's soundtrack
From where I'm sitting, there seems to be a popular conception (at least within the MMO community) that RIFT's score was a letdown. As a player of the game, I actually shared that view for quite some time, as none of the music really popped out at me while I was playing. That all changed, however, when I sat down to listen to the full soundtrack. While it's not uniformly excellent (there are a lot of forgettable songs), several tunes arrested my attention and made me look at the score in a new light. So as we examine the soundtrack this week, I just ask that any of you out there who shared my previous outlook on the score give it another try. Keep an open mind, is all I'm asking. RIFT was composed by industry veteran Inon Zur (check out our interview with him from a couple of months ago). The score was originally released with the collector's edition, although it's recently become available in iTunes and Amazon.
Enter at Your Own Rift: Three terrific player dimensions that have to be seen to be believed
"Oh man, guys, I am going to go flat broke from Dimensions," I whined into guild chat. While it seemed like everyone else in my guild was sprinting through Storm Legion, hitting level 60, and gearing up for the new endgame, I was puttering around at level 51 in my brand-new home, trying to figure out the best place for a kitchen nook. Earlier that day I had blown over 100 plat to purchase a new Dimension and outfit it with one of every item that was on sale in the Tempest Bay canals. If you love player housing, then RIFT has got your next fix. It's flexible, it's insanely easy to use, and the possibilities are just about endless. I'm still fiddling around with ideas -- I think I'd like to make a haunted maze for visitors to enjoy -- so to get inspired, I started hopping around to other players' Dimensions and see what they whipped up. I'm pulling three examples out of the many that are already out there just to show off what this system is capable of doing.
Patch 5.1: Upgrading your gear with valor
What do you do with thousands of Valor points when you already have all the gear that you can buy from the Valor vendors? Coming in with patch 5.1, one of the cool things is the ability to upgrade your own gear. In previous expansions, we'd reach a point where we'd have tons of Valor or Justice points and nothing to buy. Head on over to visit the local ethereals in the major capital cities and look for the item upgrade NPC. The process for upgrading items is simple. Drag the item you wish to upgrade over to the item slot, then hit the upgrade button. Only items that are 458 ilvl or higher can be upgraded. Blue quality items can be upgraded once for an 8 item level increase for 1500 Justice or Honor points. Epic quality items can be upgraded twice with a 4 item level increase per upgrade for 750 Valor or Conquest points. Once an item is upgraded, there's no way to get them refunded. Choose them wisely! If you're not sure what to upgrade first, I would suggest focusing on your weapons and trinkets. For most classes, you should notice a slight increase in your character's performance. Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.
Enter at Your Own Rift: Finally facing the Storm Legion
RIFT's Storm Legion finally arrived last week, and with it came a series of new questions to be answered. Will Crucia succeed in taking over Dusken and Brevane? Will the Guardians and Defiants cooperate to drive back the Storm Legion? And why does it seem as if Queen Miela is in 20 different places at the same time? Armed with a two-handed staff and a foliage disguise, I set off to check things out now that the expansion has gone live. How well did I weather the storm?
EA given best workplace title for LGBT employees
If there's one thing reading Massively's comments has taught me, it's that major big-budget game companies are evil and probably kill kittens. But a recent rating by the Human Rights Campaign might work towards changing your mind about EA a bit. The Human Rights Campaign has given the company a 100 percent rating which has earned it the title of "Best Place to Work for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Equality" for 2013. In addition to providing what they call a welcoming work environment for everyone, EA has also made changes to its medical benefits, involved itself in LGBT community events, and publicly denounced the Defense of Marriage Act. EA currently publishes some of the most popular console and PC games out there, including the MMOs Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Secret World, Warhammer Online, and more.
RIFT going F2P in Korea, courting wage controversy in China
While Trion is basking in the glow of RIFT's successful Storm Legion expansion launch here in the States, things aren't looking as rosy abroad. You might recall that Trion exported its subscription-powered fantasy opus to Korea and China earlier this year, but now the former is offering up the first 49 levels of gameplay for free in an effort to "save sliding player numbers," according to a report at MMO Culture. The free-to-play version of RIFT Korea goes live on November 20th. Meanwhile Chinese publisher Shanda is under fire from a third-party group that performed translation services on RIFT's localized client. The outfit is claiming that the publisher owes it nearly $75,000 in unpaid wages and is staging a protest outside the Shanda office building for the second straight week. MMO Culture says that Shanda has not issued an official reply as of yet, but we'll update the story if and when it does.
The Daily Grind: Do you play similarly themed MMOs simultaneously?
So RIFT and EverQuest II are both expanding this week, and I've got something of a conundrum when it comes to spending my game time. On the one hand, EQII has more features than any other themepark in existence, and I've got a long, fun history with the game. On the other hand, RIFT is newer, shinier, and boasts a nifty riff on player housing that I'd like to experience. Part of my brain balks at the prospect of playing two fantasy MMOs, though, and with so many interesting games out there, I can't help but feel like I'd be missing something. What about you, Massively readers? Do you play similarly themed MMOs simultaneously? 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!
Enter at Your Own Rift: Storm Legion is a go!
Earlier this year I celebrated my 36th birthday. While some of you were negligent in getting me that pony I've always wanted, Trion Worlds stepped up and delivered one of the best presents ever: the announcement of Storm Legion, its first expansion for RIFT. That happily coincided with my return to the game a week earlier and set me on a course of adventure and excitement all summer long. And now it's here. By the time you read this, Storm Legion will have gone live on the servers and Telara as we know will be forever changed. New continents, souls, dungeons, raids, rifts, stories, player housing, dual-faction cities, and more will wash over us and leave us floundering in its wake. What to do first? What to see and experience? I have huge hopes for Storm Legion. Trion's smartly releasing it after the crazy rush of most of the big fall expansions, and if the expansion lives up to even part of the hype, it could cement RIFT's reputation as a premium MMO worth the subscription. Heck, I'll just be happy to see an influx of returning players and new souls (so to speak) because this is a title worth supporting and enjoying. My head is a jumble of thoughts and plans, so excuse me while I gibber about anything and everything in today's column.
RIFT video heralds today's Storm Legion launch
RIFT's long-anticipated Storm Legion expansion has officially launched, and Trion Worlds has also released a new trailer and screenshots to mark the occasion. The update brings with it a host of things for players to enjoy, from new continents to housing to an increased level cap (60). As Ascended prepare to dive into all the new content, Scott Hartsman, RIFT Executive Producer and Trion's Chief Creative Officer, took a moment to thank the players for their part in shaping the expansion. He stated: "Storm Legion is a labor of love, and we dedicate it to our incredibly amazing players. Their feedback and critique throughout the expansion's development really pushed it over the top, making it a truly special experience. Thanks to them, Storm Legion is huge, dynamic, and incredibly fun to play." For even more on Storm Legion, head to Massively's launch day guide. Then check out the new screenshots in the gallery below and watch the trailer after the break. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]%Gallery-161264%
