new-build
Latest
Patch, entirely new build in the works for Basement Crawl
Our stay with the launch build of Basement Crawl was brief - attempts to join online games were mostly futile, but successful connections just led to laggy rounds or matches that refused to read controller input entirely. Developer Bloober Team is aware of Basement Crawl's damaged reputation, but Marc Colhoun assured GameSpot in a recent interview that the team is working to improve the situation. Though a patch is planned for the existing build, Colhoun explained that the new version is being built "completely from scratch" and "on a new engine." Colhoun added that Bloober views it as an opportunity to "regain the trust of gamers," an intention aided by plans to distribute the build for free to anyone that bought the original version. Colhoun mentioned plans to address technical issues, the absence of a tutorial, sparse game types and general AI in the new version. It sounds like a nice gesture, but it's hard to be anything but skeptical until the patch and rebuilt version are available, considering the game's current state. Still, the situation reminds us of Hydrophobia, a XBLA title that was updated with a massive patch after a lukewarm reception from critics and fans. Let's just hope that the Basement Crawl rebuild goes better for Bloober than it did for Hydrophobia developer Dark Energy Digital. [Image: Bloober Team]
Jeweled Panther mounts datamined on the Mists of Pandaria beta
Last night, MMO-Champion datamined a new beta build, complete with a plethora of new class changes and profession updates. One of the coolest changes is what looks to be four new mounts, craftable through jewelcrafting. The Emerald, Dawnstone, Sapphire, and Ruby Panther mounts do not seem to have any restrictions on them, making them more similar to the engineering Mechano-Hog than the Turbo-Charged Flying Machine. We have no word yet on what the actual cost will be to make one of these beauties, but chances are a mount made from jewels torn from the earth itself will most likely be very expensive. And MMO-Champion's datamining seems to confirm that idea, as the recipe currently calls for five placeholder items called Something Expensive. These expensive somethings cost a pretty 25,000 gold apiece, but we don't know if that will be the end price. In case it is, I suggest reading up on your Gold Capped and possibly becoming best friends with Basil Berntsen and Fox Van Allen, as a full set will set you back 500,000 gold. It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!
Wings Over Atreia: Out with the old, in with the new
New year, new rig. Yup, you got it folks. I had the lucky chance to start the new year in Aion with a spiffylicious new gaming computer. As a disclaimer, it is very possible to play and enjoy Aion on lower-end machines; I know, because I have friends who play on laptops (although most do not participate in sieges) and I myself enjoyed the game using my less-than-stellar rig with the graphics set to just one notch below max. However, in order to participate in large-scale PvP and sieges, I was forced to lower all settings to rock-bottom and use shift+F12 to remove all enemy and ally rendering (remember folks, when you do this always have enemy names turned on!). Even with these measures, I would often still have difficulty moving -- not the best situation for an assassin who depends on quick strikes and even quicker evasions. I could still sorta do my job (scouting was best) and enjoy the fights, although I would often find myself dead before I even knew I was being hit. I have experienced Atreia this way for the past year, but there just comes a time in a Daeva's life when you want to participate more fully in sieges -- to see the battles as well as fight. After saving, I came to the conclusion last fall that I was able to go ahead and put together a new gaming rig (and yes folks, a girl can build her own machine!). While not top-of-the-line, it was a still a decent upgrade and would provide a new gaming experience. In true gamer's style, I sat down New Year's Eve and assembled my new toy. So, what difference does the new rig make while playing? Jump past the cut to see what I have pulsing in my case and just how much of a difference it has made.
Dungeon Runners getting a frosty mug o' new content
If you've been running through the zany-filled dungeons of NCsoft's free-to-play homage to hack-n-slash, listen up! Dungeon Runners is getting some new toys! Sometime in early February (if it doesn't happen don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger!) a new build full of new content will hit the public test server. What kind of goodies?Along with 51 new Embercore quests, a special event has been added to Townston. We've all helped ole Frosty the Snowman a time or two in real life, right? Weeeeell, now we'll be able to help his cousin - Shivery the Incorrigible Snowman - get his dungeon back. "Balzack's Burrow" is a brand spankin' new dungeon that's being added. It sits off Shadow's Embrace and is designed for high levels (55 and up). It'll house a hoary host of new creatures and a "sweet new boss fight." What would new content be with out new summoning skills? Soon you'll be able to "Build a Snowman" (by the name of Chill Bill), and put him "On the Rocks" (turns Bill into a block of ice that chills everything within 6 meters). "Snow Globe "provides a sudden Max Health increase of 50% that will last for 60 seconds. Lastly, "Nippy Twigs" boosts Bill's girly-man twig hands with Ice Magic. ROFLMAO! For all you PvP-ers out there, don't ya hate just standing around twiddling your... whatever, waiting for a match to start? Now you won't have to. All PvE content will be available while you're waiting. There's more... much more. So head on over to the official DR blog and check out what's comin' down the pipe!
