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The Elder Scrolls Online pushes players to Upper Craglorn in Update 4
You've been to Craglorn? Pff, that's boring now. Upper Craglorn is where the real action is these days. And by complete coincidence, Upper Craglorn is now open on The Elder Scrolls Online's servers, as the game's fourth major update has just dropped. The zone will wrap up the Celestial storyline as your character takes on the Scaled Court. That also ties into the new trial, Sanctum Ophidia, which is a direct strike against the heart of the Court; players will take on the minions and end up fighting the Celestial Serpent. The new Dragonstar Arena also debuts with this patch, asking players to fight against waves of oncoming enemies. Plus there's a new crafting trait available, improved grouping mechanics, various bugfixes, the usual assortment. So if you can't wait to go knife up a really important snake and check out the places that all the hip new kids are heading for, go check out the update.
The Road to Mordor: A guide for returning players
Coming back to an MMO that you used to play is a whole different ball of wax than getting into it for the first time. While you have less to do and absorb than beginners, it can be just as overwhelming in its own way. What are all these skills again? Why do I owe some Hobbit mortgage company a zillion gold to unlock my house? Why is the screen throwing a fit with a non-stop parade of deed announcements? Recently, I returned to another MMO after a half-year or so absence (it's RIFT, if you must know), and I was almost frozen with apprehension over all the changes. Because the world I used to know had changed in so many ways, I didn't know how much to rely on my memories and where to go to figure out what these changes were. Fortunately, an enterprising member of the dev team created a wonderfully handy post that quickly outlined all of the changes over the past year so that returners could get caught up quickly. I like this idea so much that I decided to do the same for Lord of the Rings Online. Ever since free-to-play hit, it's become so much easier to drift in and out of this game, and as Turbine's been ramping up the changes, it's possible to feel the same apprehension upon reentry that I did with RIFT. Freak not, fair friend, for I am here to guide the way.
New DDO screenshot gives first look at Update 6
Dungeons and Dragons Online's next update will bring more content to the game, and the excitement for Update 6 has been high in the DDO community, thanks to one little detail: underwater combat. That's right, the next update will not only bring a new wilderness area -- the Red Fens -- but it adds underwater combat to DDO. We'll meet up with our old friends the Sahuagin and take to the waters. It's an exciting addition to the game, and if you feel you simply can't wait until Update 6 drops, maybe you don't have to. VIP players can copy characters onto the Lamannia server and try it out for themselves right away!
DDO releases zombified Update 4 patch notes
My Uncle Ben once told me that with great power comes great responsibility. He also was fond of saying that with Update 4 comes great zombie pirates, but we always just assumed he was a bit senile when he'd go on about that. Apparently not, as Turbine just released the DDO patch notes for the imminent Update 4, and players of all levels look to be in for a treat. "Adventure steals in from the sea!" they promise, citing a new adventure pack entitled "Sentinels." This pack includes a series of zombie pirate adventures for players levels 6-8, as well as an epic difficulty version for level 20 powerhouses. At PAX East we got to experience this adventure up close and personal, and walked away impressed with the epic feel of the module.
Scheduled Zune maintenance could last for up to 24 hours
Regular Zune users may have already noticed the alert warning of some impending downtime, but those that haven't should know that Microsoft is advising folks that some maintenance scheduled for tomorrow could last for as long as 24 hours. That will begin at 10PM PST on January 25th, and will affect all Zune services, including Zune Pass, Zune Marketplace, Zune.net streaming and Zune video on Xbox Live. Once the service is back up, users will also have to update their PC software, and users of Zunes other than the Zune HD will also have to update their device's firmware. This scheduled maintenance is also apparently just that, maintenance -- although Microsoft is promising that things like Smart DJ and other features announced at CES, as well some as "unannounced features," will be rolling out in another update sometime this Spring.
Age of Conan launches new patch, introduces Xibaluku
By Crom indeed! A literal tidal wave of patch notes has hit the Age of Conan boards this morning, giving all of the gritty details of Conan's next major patch.Of special note in this patch are all of the new dungeons being added to the game for high level players and mid level players alike. Xibaluku, which you may remember us mentioning before, is launching with this patch. This dungeon is targeted towards level 80 endgame raiders, but can only be accessed by performing a prerequisite quest chain that sends the player through another brand new area, The Slaughterhouse Cellar. The Cellar is a single player instance, so be warned that you can't take your friends on casual decapitation fests through the opening quest chain.If you don't feel like going to run Xibaluku, then you can make your way over to Black Ring Citadel and challenge those evil dark sorcerers to the new third wing of their dungeon. Players in the area of level 43 will be happy to know that the Cradle of Decay is a brand new dungeon added just for them. If you're looking for the entrance, just stop by the Fields of the Dead and you should be able to find it.All of the above is just a small sample of what's been included in this patch. For the full, 4 post long set of patch notes, check them out on the Conan forums. Having fun in Conan's homeland? Make sure to check out all of our previous Age of Conan coverage, and stick with Massively for more news from the Hyborian Age!
Clan of Conan previews Update 4 and Xibaluku
We've already had a look inside the latest Clan of Conan newsletter, finding that there were shiny Kosalan talismans for everyone these holidays. Free jewelery aside, the newsletter also contains a great deal of information about what's coming in Age of Conan's Update 4, and a video of the new dungeon Xibaluku to boot. Xibaluku is intended for a full group of max-level players, and will be situated in the Thunder River area. After reading about it in the newsletter, you can click the "read more" link for an in-depth writeup of the dungeon.Players won't just be free to walk into Xibaluku. They'll first need to complete a new solo dungeon called The Slaughterhouse Cellar, also located in Thunder River and to be released in Update 4. Those that venture deep enough into Xibaluku might find one of two new Undead social pets that are being introduced to the game, which are good for "spreading gloom and dreadfulness", and probably scaring newbies in town. Expect the PvP system to receive some tweaking in Update 4 too, with the "PvP resources" system set to debut. If you're holding PvP resources to bring to an architect and get player-killed, you have a chance of them being looted by your assassin. Architects will need the resources to build and repair battlekeeps, and the hope is that epic battles will take place over the humble gathering nodes.
Vanguard update four goes live!
The fourth giant update to Vanguard: Saga of Heroes has gone live on the official servers! The test realm cooked this one for a good long time before they released it. Now adventurers can enjoy a whole new pile of goodies like the beautiful flying mount pictured above. You can also get Wyverns! Here's an abbreviated features list: A revamp to the game's teleportation system, called the Riftway. Player-wearable helmets, and changes to the facial features you can modify on your character. Updates to the Druid, Dread Knight, and Paladin classes! Lots more, including veteran rewards, bug fixes, and a whole new overland raid. The official Vanguard site has a whole feature up on the vet rewards you can receive just by logging in. For firsthand impressions of the new content, make sure to check out the writing over at MMO Quests. Sounds like there are still some kinks to work out with the mount quests, and a bit of balancing yet to do with economic concerns. Plus, are helms ever that cool? Make sure to check out the full patch notes and log in to snag your vet reward!
