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Getting Christmas right was never this hard for my parents
The most my parents generally had to do for a Christmas present was remember to buy batteries. Okay, maybe I'm underselling their role. One year they got me a bike, and somehow kept it hidden from me until the big day. I would've been five at the time, and it was worth it, I'm sure. I don't actually recall my reaction but it was probably joy interrupted by despair at being told I couldn't ride it indoors. Some 25 years later, and I've spent what seems like a lifetime setting up Christmas presents this year.
Lord of the Rings Online turns seven
Happy birthday Lord of the Rings Online! Today marks the seventh anniversary for LotRO, and as such, Turbine is handing out presents. All players who log in today will get fireworks, with premium and VIP players receiving extra gifts. The new seven-year gifts include a new portrait frame, a shield-cloak, a loot box key, and a dancing emote for your monster play character. LotRO's in-game anniversary festival begins tomorrow, April 16th, and will continue through April 29th.
Last day to open Greatfather Winter's gifts
Greatfather Winter may have packed his great wintry bags and left town for another year, taking his tree and his decorations with him, but he's been good enough to leave his six presents behind for another day to help out the slowpoke recipient. Wowhead's guide states that, while they're here today, these gifts will be gone tomorrow, so grab your last chance to get the Winter's Helper pets, the Mechanical Greench, the Snowman Kit or Jingling Bell. There's also some eggnog, cookies, wands, and roast dinners to be had, amongst other surprises. And, how could I forget, the achievements that go with them. Of course, any of these items that are limited to Winter Veil only have a day left in them, so make haste, don't tarry, open a present today! You can only enjoy the Mechanical Greench for so long. So if you're missing just one part of the Winter Veil achievement set for your Long Strange Trip, today's the day. It's back to just being plain old January tomorrow. No wonder that Overseer looks so glum.
Add your new toys to your Engadget profile
Throw out all the wrapping paper, finish eating the leftover turkey and have the last of the eggnog, because Christmas has come and gone. It's time to take stock of all your fancy new loot. Yesterday, you told us what you received. Today, you should show all of it off. Head over to your Engadget profile and add the new gear to your have list. If you're not sure how to do that, check out this helpful primer on the new Engadget.
So, what did you get?
Everything unwrapped? Everything you ever wanted? We'll admit, our own present pile has a certain tech trend, but how did you fare? Did you manage to snag one of those next-generation consoles? Perhaps you've landed your first ever tablet. Happy? Excited? A little confused that your micro-USB cable doesn't fit? Let us know what you found under the Christmas tree in our forum -- or in the comments below. And if your gifted gadget isn't quite working how it should, have you tried turning it off and on again?
The Daily Grind: What are you getting that MMO fan on your Christmas list?
If you're a Massively reader, there's a good chance that you have an MMO fan on your Christmas list. Other than yourself, hopefully. With that in mind, are you giving the gift of gaming this year? If so, what sorts of surprises does your giftee have waiting under the virtual tree? Game time? Cash shop goodies? Something else? 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!
LotRO hands out daily 'Hobbit presents'
Hobbits love getting gifts, and Turbine loves players being in its game, so now everyone will be rewarded with daily and weekly presents for logging into Lord of the Rings Online. The so-called Hobbit Presents will be awarded daily, with VIP players getting a better version once a week. Each present is held only for 24 hours, after which it is gone forever (but don't cry, Argentina; a new day brings a new present). The Hobbit Presents will drop a variety of goods, including gear, gold, boosts, and food. The weekly presents have a higher chance of dropping rare rewards. Turbine says that the system will factor in a character's class and level when generating the reward and that only one free present per account will be given daily. A double-XP weekend began today to celebrate the game's sixth anniversary, and Update 11 is scheduled to go on the test server tomorrow.
The Daily Grind: Did you get yourself a gift this season?
When I was a kid, I always thought it was strange that my mother would get herself Christmas presents. It wasn't until sometime later that I realized that she did this so she'd open something she'd actually use instead of just another macaroni plate or a misshapen ash tray. Since then, I've been pretty lenient on folks who tell me that they purchased themselves a present during the holidays. So if you want to brag about what you got yesterday or this month, feel free in the comments below. However, I'm genuinely curious if you've decided to treat yourself to an MMO nicety for the holiday. Maybe you're giving yourself a marathon gaming session, that cash shop item you've always wanted, or a game that nobody thought to get you. It's okay to share, I give you permission! 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!
The Daily Grind: What's on your MMO gift wish list?
With the holiday season in full swing, plenty of birthdays going on, Wookiee Life Day approaching, and the apocalypse looming over it all, it's definitely a time to be giving and getting lots of presents. As members of a particular and peculiar subset of gamers, it stands to reason that our gift desires might be a tad different than those of Muggles. So what's on your MMO gift wish list this month? Is there a game that you'd love to find in your stocking? Have you had your eye on a particular cash shop item -- and dropped enough hints to your friends that this is your heart's desire? Would you love to get MMO-themed clothes, toys, or other physical objects to show off your hobby to the world? Lay it on us: What does your wish list look like? While Massively writers might not be so rich as to get you everything on your list, you never know when a secret admirer might be reading the comments looking for ideas to make your day. 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!
Facebook opens Gifts service to all US users, now includes a bottle of red (or white)
Previously a limited run by invite-only, Facebook's decided to open its Gifts feature to all of itsUS users. As it stands, present choices are focused around food and soft toys, but today's launch also added a core new option -- wine. According to AllThingsD, there will be different offerings from 16 different winemakers and all with the necessary age-verification checks you'd expect from a responsible social network, naturally. While options are still a little narrow, we'd expect Facebook to seriously ramp up its retail partners and gift choice through 2013 -- and hopefully no more virtual presents.
The Daily Grind: Would you want an MMO for a gift?
We're into the part of the year when everyone's thinking about giving gifts. But for all that I like receiving games as gifts, I'm not all that happy at the thought of getting an MMO for a gift. It's kind of like someone buying you a pet -- sure, it's a nice gesture, but it's also going to ask for a lot of your time and effort in the future. This isn't something you pick up and leave alone for an extended period of time. On the other hand, sometimes MMOs can make wonderful gifts. I bought a friend a copy of City of Heroes in years past to help introduce him to one of my favorite games. Several of my friends wound up in World of Warcraft because I originally volunteered to purchase the game. So what do you think? Would you like to get an MMO for a gift this holiday season? Or do you think MMOs are really something you should buy for yourself? 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!
Find my iPad saves Christmas
Here's a nice story thanks to Apple's Find my iPad feature. A family in California had their Christmas gifts stolen last week, along with several other items in the home. Seemingly unrelatedly, another man had his iPad stolen soon after, and he called the police to report the theft. He was able to track his iPad via Apple's Find My iPad service, and when the cops went to the home where it was being tracked from, they not only found the stolen iPad and the thief, but the family's Christmas presents as well. According to the police report, the family had already purchased replacement presents, but that didn't make them any less happy to hear that the original gifts had been found. The iPad was also returned to its owner, making for a happy ending for everybody. Everybody except the thief, that is. He's currently in jail on a $20,000 bond and will presumably face trial for the theft. Serves him right.
The Daily Grind: Are you giving the gift of games this year?
If you've got a gamer on your Christmas list, congratulations. With the proliferation of digital download titles and services like Steam and Good Old Games, it's never been easier to put a smile on the face of your favorite geek. Digital gifting does have a dark side, though, or at least a hmm-that's-kind-of-impersonal side. While most of us would never turn down a virtual copy of Skyrim or a few funny bucks to spend in an MMO cash shop, it is nice to get (and give) an actual present that someone's taken the time to wrap and deliver. What about you, Massively crew? Are you giving the gift of digital gaming this year? 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!
Holiday Gift Guide: Buying an iPod
There's something to be said for gifting a loved one with the stalwart iPod. Ranging from the no-frills iPod shuffle to the hardy iPod classic to the app-capable iPod touch, here's what you should consider before buying an iPod. How will I use it? It is possible to get a different iPod for any niche of your life. The first thing to consider is whether or not you want the ability to use apps -- essentially, most of the advantages of the iPhone without the phone part (or other extras such as Siri and a better camera.) If so, the iPod touch is automatically your choice. If you're not-so-keen on the apps, then you have three other lines to choose from -- the $US49 iPod shuffle, the iPod nano that starts at $129 and the $249 iPod classic. Here's a description of each of these models and how they can be used. iPod shuffle This is the most basic of the music players, and as such, also has the least capacity. The iPod shuffle lacks any sort of screen, which means while you can have playlists on there, some might consider it to be a hassle to navigate. The shuffle has 2GB of space which will hold several hundred songs and a 15-hour battery life. It's ideal for when you want a hardy little player and don't want to tote your entire library around. Think of this as an introductory music player for a child or an excellent workout companion. If you're wanting a slimmed down iPod for your car, this also is a cheap way to go. iPod nano The current iPod nano is a marriage of the form factor of an iPod shuffle and the touchscreen interface of the iPod touch. These are $129 for 8 GB and $149 for 16 GB. If you're going for a nano, pay the extra $20 and spring for the 16 GB. There's a few more features in here that aren't found on the other iPods, like a built-in FM radio and different clock faces. You also can buy a band and turn the nano into a watch. The nano is integrated with Nike +, so if you're wanting to use that feature for a workout, this is one of the models to consider. This is a good player for someone wanting a more capacity, but a small footprint. iPod classic The granddaddy of iPods is still around and has 160 GB ready for your music for $249. This is the iPod you want if you have a large music library and want to take it all with you. While it can play video, and does a fairly good job at it, the primary goal of this iPod is to handle large chunks of music. It's the only iPod still using a traditional hard drive. All the others are Flash memory. It's also the only member of the iPod family which still uses a click wheel. iPod touch Starting at $199 for 8 GB, in addition to apps, the iPod touch is the iPod you want if you plan to stuff it with a lot of video. It's worth paying the extra $100 for the leap from 8 GB to 32 GB. Those wanting even more capacity can do 64 GB for $399, but I find 32 GB to be the sweet spot between price and capacity here. Should I buy used? What about refurbished? Apple has a number of refurbished units from its more recent lines available, usually the current and the previous generation iPods. This could net a savings from anywhere between $20 to $120 depending on the type and model you choose. All of the refurbished units are certified and include a year of AppleCare with the option to extend it, just like with a new iPod. Don't discount older iPods. There's still a lot of life left in older music players, even if the batteries have gone sour. My 5th generation iPod nano -- the one with the video camera -- now has a permanent home in my car where it's hooked up to the stereo system. I still see the fatboy nanos -- 3rd generation -- still in use. If you prefer the form factor of an older iPod, hit up eBay and see if you can score a good deal.
Land of Chaos Online celebrates first anniversary with free stuff
Like presents? If so, Alaplaya is betting you'll like Land of Chaos Online, not to mention the one-year anniversary party that's going on right now. The festivities run through August 30th and include special anniversary gifts for all players as well as free hero cards from the AP shop. LOCO blends action, real-time strategy, and traditional MMORPG progression together with third-person shooter elements and a matchmaking format similar to Defense of the Ancients. The formula is apparently working pretty well, as the game has attracted over 530,000 registered players in the past year, according to a new press release. More info on the game is available at the official website, and you can also download the client and start playing for free.
So, what'd you get?
Let's just call it what it is: the best Christmas ever. Why? Well, for starters, it's December 25th. Secondly, it's a Saturday in much of the world. How often does that happen? The technology outfits 'round the globe have managed to deliver a rather insane stack of wares to consider this year -- from terrifically desirable goods to rubbish that we wouldn't wish on our worst enemy's enemies -- and now it's our turn to pry into your business and find out what Santa Claus dumped (or didn't dump) under your tree overnight. Hit us up with your scores in comments below, and be sure to cast your vote as to whether or not the kid on the right is feigning excitement over his newfound laptop. Oh, the kid in the video just past the break -- that's probably useful information. When you're done, check out what people got jazzed about in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Aion surveys feature in-game presents
Looking for some free loot to welcome you back to Aion? Look no further than the new Solorius festival and the 10-day account reactivation promotion recently begun by NCsoft. Whether you're a loyal veteran or you've just returned to the fight, be sure to fill out the random in-game surveys that the Aion team will be sending your way at various times throughout the day. In addition to doing your civic duty and providing valuable game feedback, you'll receive a present with your survey. Possible presents include boxes of enchantment stones, colored dyes (including rare blacks and whites), candies and food, a Watchful Ailu pet egg, swimwear, and more. Check out the full announcement on the official website for all the details.
The Daily Grind: So what did you get for the holidays?
You know, we put off this question for far too long. It's such an obvious breakfast question, really, because we know that all of you want to talk about the phat-lewt that appeared under your Christmas tree, or menorah, or what you expect to get for Kwanza, or what you got for any gift giving occasion.So did you get that new MMO that you were lusting after? Did you get perhaps some time cards for your favorite subscription game or points for your favorite free-to-play title? Or did you just get a nice wad of cash which you promptly blew on Steam or at GameStop? These are important questions because inquiring minds want to know.So what are you waiting for, an invitation? Get down to that comment box, bang out a sentence or two, and let it rip onto our webby-site. Holiday loot, go!
The Daily Grind: Last chance at presents
The celebrations are over, the dinner is eaten, and the underside of the tree is cleared. It's the end of the holiday season, and if you want to be morbid it's also the furthest possible point until more Christmas. But the day after the event is usually all but an extension of the holiday -- we return unwanted gifts, meet up with more distant relations, and start using our various gift cards. In a way, the holiday doesn't end until the day after, and you've got one last shot at getting all the things you want. So what's your last-minute addition to your stash? Most holiday events in MMOs last for a little longer than the day itself, which gives us an extra chance at picking up any holiday rewards. Of course, you might have your eyes on a new game entirely, maybe with a gift certificate or two. Or you might just be working on crafting a difficult item and can justify the price of buying some of the materials, or perhaps you just want a new rig to explore your favorite games on. Whatever it is, what's your last-minute addition to your overall gift basket?
The Guild sells out for Christmas
It was just on Sunday that we first heard about a Guild Christmas special, and now here it is. The Guild gang have decided that the web series thing isn't really happening with the money, so they're taking the advice of commenters and selling out with six different pieces of merchandise, one for each Guild member. They're actually pretty funny, from a Codex "answer Orb" to a talking Tinkerballa doll to a Vork unbreakable bank (unfortunately, all of the items have been recalled for various reasons). There's some cool guest stars in the mix as well -- see if you can spot Heroes' James Kyson Lee (in a Delorean!) and our buddy Alex Albrecht, along with a few other familiar faces. Good stuff, and man, The Guild crew is getting really good at making some quality video. No word whether these will show up on Xbox Live at all (they're actually out now on YouTube, so this may just be something the guys did for fun, outside of the Microsoft agreement), but you can watch them all right now above. Merry Christmas, guildies! All I really want for Christmas is a Vork unbreakable bank -- in these troubled times, it's really the safest thing to do with your hard earned money. Like The Guild? We do, too! We've got all the episodes of season 3 posted: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and episode 12 above. We've also chatted with all of the folks at BlizzCon, including Felicia Day, Sandeep Parikh, and Jeff Lewis and Michele Boyd. And as if that wasn't enough Guild, here's the liveblog of their panel, and the guys were nice enough to stop by our meetup as well. Stay tuned for more Guild here on WoW.com!
