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Blizzard's next game is 'Overwatch,' an online superhero shooter
Blizzard is breaking out of its role-playing and strategy niches in a big, big way. The game developer has just unveiled Overwatch, a superhero-focused, team-based multiplayer shooter. Details of how it works are scarce, but it's definitely more lighthearted than the likes of Diablo. Think of it as a cross between Team Fortress 2 and The Incredibles, with an added emphasis on high-tech weaponry. Blizzard isn't talking release dates or platforms, but a release is "nearer than you think." BlizzCon attendees will try an early version of Overwatch, and a beta test is due in 2015 -- unlike Titan, there's a good chance you'll get to play this yourself. Itching for just a little more? Peep the BlizzCon trailer after the break!
BlizzCon 2014: Blizzard takes on superheroes with Overwatch
Blizzard announced its newest game today at BlizzCon -- and it might just make you forget all about Titan. The game is Overwatch, a superhero-themed "team-based multiplayer shooter" that is very reminiscent of Team Fortress 2. The studio revealed the new title with a pair of trailers, one giving a Pixar-esque introduction to the world and the other showing off in-game footage. Blizzard said that Overwatch will be "very approachable" for audiences. So when is Overwatch coming out? "It is nearer than you think," teased Chris Metzen, following that with news that the beta is coming in 2015 and the title will be playable at this week's convention.
DCUO gets new skimming movement power
DC Universe just got a new movement variation, and Skimming represents the first such addition since the superhero MMO's 2011 launch. Skimming allows players to "swoop, glide, and soar on Aero Discs like Mister Miracle," according to SOE's press materials. Skimming also shares a skill tree with Flight, meaning that they both "have the same aerial traits and abilities as well as feats, races, and trophies." Members get Skimming for free, while free-to-play gamers can purchase it in DCUO's cash shop. Game Update 42 is also live, and you can read all that via the official DCUO website. Don't forget to click past the cut to view Skimming in action!
Warner Bros. plans more layoffs through early 2015
The rocky situation for Warner Bros. is far from over. Game Informer is reporting that the conglomerate is planning more layoffs through "most business groups" starting this week and going through early 2015. Variety says that up to 1,000 employees from TV, film, and other divisions will be let go from the cuts. This report stems from a staff memo that discusses this internal, company-wide restructuring. While Turbine was not specifically mentioned, there is concern following the recent bout of layoffs that hit the Lord of the Rings Online developer.
Marvel Heroes' Juggernaut, multi-speccing, and upcoming story content
After a bit of a delay, Marvel Heroes fans saw the release of Juggernaut as a playable hero over the weekend. A new hero alone is enough for many players to dive in and try things out, but Juggernaut also comes with a power system unlike that of any other on the game's roster. To learn a little bit more about this villainous hero, we talked with Ryan Collins, Creative Designer and Community Manager of Gazillion, who also dished some details on the much anticipated multi-spec feature a well as upcoming story content.
The Daily Grind: Do you like beefcake avatars?
Marvel Heroes' new Juggernaut character sounded intriguing. Then I got a look at him and he went from probable purchase to lol-no-way! Despite the intriguing momentum mechanic and the appeal of smashing everything in sight, I really can't stand beefcake character models. It's not just an MMO thing either. I find Gears of War unintentionally funny due to how absurd its cast looks, and Batvillain Bane is one of the silliest comic book baddies I've ever seen. What about you, Massively readers? Do you like beefcake avatars, or do you laugh and steer clear like I do? 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!
Juggernaut is Marvel Heroes' 40th playable character
Marvel Heroes' 40th(!) playable character is Juggernaut, which Gazillion says will give gamers a chance to feel the power of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak while using Cain Marko -- aka, Professor Xavier's stepbrother -- to smash everything in sight. The new baddie's powers aren't limited by a resource, according to Gazillion designer and community manager Ryan Collins. "We wanted you to feel unstoppable and I believe that we've captured that essence with his powers, visual effects, movement speed, and even running animations changing as you build Momentum," Collins says.
DC Universe adds Green Arrow to Legends PvP
SOE has plucked Oliver Queen from the mean streets of Star City and plunked him down in DC Universe Online's Legends PvP mode. That's right, you can now fight as Green Arrow and if you're keeping score at home, this release marks the first time a bow user has been made available for Legends play. You can see Green Arrow in action via a recent SOE livestream that we've embedded past the cut. [Source: SOE press release]
Infinite Crisis reveals creepy alien starfish Starro
Crowd-control fans, listen up: Turbine MOBA Infinite Crisis has today announced Starro, a new playable controller champion going live on November 5th. For those not up on their DC lore, the short version is "creepy alien starfish." Long version? Starro is a Star Conqueror. These nomadic and parasitic creatures roam the cosmos in two forms: motherstars and parasites. Motherstars are sentient, while parasites are extensions of the motherstar's consciousness. A parasite attaches itself to other sentient creatures, allowing the motherstar to control that creature's mind. Once controlled, the victims work toward growing more motherstars to go out and bring universal harmony to other planets-by conquering them. Little did the Star Conqueror who came to be known as Starro know how difficult carrying that plan out on Earth would be! Starro has little concern for what happens to the individuals it controls. They're a tiny part of the whole. When Starro speaks to creatures it doesn't control, it does so telepathically, urging them to join in universal harmony. We've got some pics and a video below to finish out Starro's reveal.
DCUO's 12th DLC pack coming 'later this year'
SOE has announced the 12th DLC pack for DC Universe Online. It's called War of the Light Part II, and it "unites Green Lantern Hal Jordan with his rival Sinestro, as the two must set aside their differences to save the Emotional Spectrum." There's no release date yet, but SOE's PR says you'll see it on PC, PS3, and PS4 "later this year." Gameplay additions include: Players continue to unravel the mystery behind the loss of the emotional entities and their connection to the Emotional Spectrum in the second part of the War of the Light trilogy. Carol Ferris and the Star Sapphires make their DC Universe Online debut in War of the Light Part II. The DLC introduces six new adventures: new Daily and Solo Missions, one Duo, one 4-player Alert, and 4- and 8-player Operations, which will take place throughout Metropolis as well as Oa, Qward, and the home world of the Star Sapphires, Zamaron. This is the first time players will be able to travel to Zamaron and Qward in DCUO. Six new skill points will be available to earn, and players will have access to a host of new Collections, Feats, new gear and Base items. You can read more about the DLC at the official DCUO website. Don't forget to check out the latest letter from the creative director, too!
Infinite Crisis reveals Stargirl, complete with pink stars
Turbine has today previewed Infinite Crisis' latest playable MOBA hero, the youthful Stargirl, who fell into her sidekick role after discovering and donning her stepfather's old costume. In her heroic form, she's a blaster who wields a glowing staff to damage and crowd control enemies. Her skills include a cutesy buff called Family Heirlooms and a even-more-cutesy nuke that beams pink stars at her enemies; her ultimate, however, is a powerful nuke, slow, debuff, and shield all in one. Stargirl goes live on October 15th. We've included new screenies and her intro video below.
SOE previews new DCUO UI
DC Universe Online is getting a UI makeover, and SOE has released a new nine-minute video that serves as a sneak preview of what you can expect from the superhero MMO in the near future. For starters, there's a new PDA featuring transparent layers that allow players to observe game action while managing their stuff. SOE says that it also achieved a "more consistent and better organized" menu flow as well as improved performance. Click past the cut to see if you agree.
Marvel Heroes adding Blade and a bunch of other badasses
Gazillion has announced the next batch of playable supes for its Marvel Heroes online action RPG. Upcoming characters include Doctor Doom, Iceman, Winter Soldier, Iron Fist, Blade, Black Cat, She-Hulk, Vision, War Machine, and Kitty Pryde. The firm hasn't said when the heroes will be available, but it is dangling a couple of pre-order deals which you can read about in the press release past the cut. [Source: Gazillion press release]
Infinite Crisis recruits Nightmare Robin and Atomic Joker
An absolutely massive update for Infinite Crisis has landed, boasting over 6,000 changes and tweaks, not to mention the addition of a pair of new champions: Nightmare Robin and Atomic Joker. Nightmare Robin is actually Bruce Wayne's son Damian, who got infected with the vampiric curse and is a little miffed at being one of the undead. At least he has two large knives and a lot of bleeding-edge training to compensate. Atomic Joker is a bit more lighthearted, what with being a head in a jar who is trying to rebuild civilization in his image. The September release overhauled the launcher, improved the new player experience, polished many of the map visuals, tweaked animations, and added a Crime Alley map where champions can test out skills against the computer. You can check out Atomic Joker and Nightmare Robin in the gallery below and in the videos after the break.
Champions' Steel Crusade now live with new instances and more
Champions Online's newest content update is now available. Steel Crusade finds Millennium City under attack by Mechanon, "a robot supervillain determined to eradicate all organic life." The drop includes three new instances, a new mission hub (the United Nations Tribunal on International Law space station), and a Reawakened Automaton Archetype. [Source: Perfect World press release]
The first chunk of Champions Online's Steel Crusade is live
As we previewed back in August, the first leg of Champions Online's Steel Crusade update went live last week. Your task in the update? Stop people from spontaneously bursting into flames. No, really. The Steel Crusade update begins in Millennium City, where things are really heating up as citizens are spontaneously bursting into flame. With the help of Professor Silverback, you'll need to help save citizens by shrinking down to microscopic size to enter the human brain and investigate the cause of the malady. The update introduces a new archetype for max level characters (Reawakened Automaton), new missions to combat Mechanon, and yeah, a new lockbox with a chance at new costumes and a vehicle. The second and final part of the update launches this Thursday with a "space-station showdown."
Marvel Heroes welcomes Rogue into its fold
There's a new addition to Marvel Heroes' roster, but this one might be a total game-changer. Added to the game yesterday, Rogue is a superhero who not only possesses super strength and flight but can steal powers from enemies to customize a unique powerset. You can get your first look at Rogue in a trailer after the jump and see whether this absorbant lass is the hero for you!
The Daily Grind: What game needs (better) tutorials?
Let me state up front that I thoroughly enjoy Marvel Heroes. That said, I find some of its mechanics pretty obscure. Like, costume cores. What the heck am I supposed to do with those? To be fair, I could probably find the answer on the game's labyrinthine forum, but since I play it ultra-casually and somewhat infrequently, I'm usually too busy enjoying the clickfest to tab out and search. TLDR, this game needs a tutorial or two, in my opinion. What do you think, Massively readers? Is there an MMO or an MMO-lite in your rotation that needs some in-game explanation? 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 did you accomplish in your games this weekend?
This past weekend I played a little Marvel Heroes, a lot of Space Engineers, a bit of War Thunder, and a few other things that I can't justify writing about on an MMO site. I gained some Storm levels in MH and got a few nice drops, but I had the most fun building up my outpost in SE and inviting a friend into my game to serve as my mining slave help me design and craft a few essentials. What about you, Massively readers? What did you accomplish in your MMOs or multiplayer games over the weekend? 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: Have you branched out beyond traditional MMOs lately?
As I mentioned in this space last week, I've been suffering a bit of MMO burnout. I've still been gaming, though, mostly via single-player stuff but also a smidge of Marvel Heroes. I was never much for Diablo, which is why my ongoing MH fixation is somewhat surprising. Maybe I'm just an action RPG late-bloomer, and I'm curious to see if I might enjoy something like Path of Exile now, too. What about you, Massively readers? Have you branched out beyond traditional MMOs recently? How so? 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!
