MMO Roundup: Massively's week in review

LotRO goes free-to-play: Massively's interview with Turbine
Turbine dropped a huge surprise on the MMO community this morning with the announcement that Lord of the Rings Online is changing to a free-to-play model. Fan reaction was all over the map, and the announcement predictably spawned a stream of questions from every direction. Everyone was anxious to find out how current accounts would transfer, where the decision came from, what will be free, what won't, and so on.

ArenaNet reveals traits and Warrior class for Guild Wars 2
Since ArenaNet revealed the elementalist class for Guild Wars 2, fans have been clamoring for another class reveal, anxious to more details of that mysterious silhouette image. There was heavy speculation regarding the warrior class, as the ArenaNet blog and Guild Wars 2 site referred repeatedly to warriors.

Jumpgate Evolution reveals playable Octavius faction
Jumpgate Evolution appears to finally be moving forward, as evidenced by the forum post from Lance Robertson, the game's Executive Producer. A new trailer depicting one of three playable factions has surfaced today as well, and our friends at G4TV got the exclusive.

First fully-functional MMO companion app goes live for the iPhone and Droid
Those hard-working wasteland crafters over at Icarus Studios are taking the wraps off their latest creation, as today not only brings the new Patch 1.5, but also marks the launch of the Fallen Earth Companion App for Android and iPhone mobile units. Developed in a partnership with AFK Interactive, the app allows real-time access to the Fallen Earth game server and gives players the ability to perform a number of in-game functions on the go.

Ten canceled MMOs that could've changed history
What if...? Some of the most intriguing questions known to mankind start with those two words, as well as the most maddening. What if...? An entire genre known as "alternate history" is derived from these questions, with scholars and average blokes alike speculating on what might have happened if things went just a little differently. What if Hitler got the bomb first? What if Microsoft developed the iPod instead of Apple? What if Abraham Lincoln decided to see a different play that night?

Massively's interview with Blue Oyster Cult: From rocker to quest writer
Blue Oyster Cult lead singer Eric Bloom has been gaming a long, long time, and been part of a very iconic rock band for even longer. If you are familiar with the More Cowbell sketch on Saturday Night Live, you know B.O.C. I remember their music from my younger days, as my brother and I tried to learn their songs for our band to cover (pro tip: the lead in Don't Fear the Reaper is a killer). In fact, it has to be some kind of fate that I would interview him many years later, since his music also blends in perfectly with the gaming lifestyle.

Sony Online Entertainment announces Vanguard server merges
Remember those rumors of a server merge for Vanguard back at the end of April? The game's Lead Developer made a forum post indicating that server merges were on the horizon, stating that the team was "finalizing the process," and that official word would be out soon. We contacted SOE to clarify and were told that there were no plans on the horizon for server merges.

EVE Online's planets are open for business
When EVE Online's Tyrannis expansion went live last month, its main planetary interaction feature was initially disabled. The command centre structures required for planetary interaction weren't released as more time was needed for testing. This had the unfortunate side-effect of causing havoc with the starbase market. Until now, players were only able to scan planets for resources and train the required skills in preparation for the inevitable planetary gold rush. Today the markets in EVE were seeded with command centres, opening the flood gates on planetary exploitation.

DCUO video shows off new combat
Sony Online Entertainment's Jens Andersen, Creative Director on the studio's forthcoming DC Universe Online title, is featured in a new video over at GameTrailers. The four and a half minute clip, a preview of next week's E3 2010 coverage, highlights a bevy of features for the new superhero title, and also shows off the improved combat animations and mechanics.

Five basics of ground combat in Star Trek Online
It's time again for Captain's Log, where we examine the best and the worst Star Trek Online has to offer -- and everything in between -- each and every Thursday. Or at least until I replace my emotion chip with a dance champion chip. Then I'm off to conquer Dancing with the Stars.

Warner Brothers signs distribution deal for LEGO Universe
Warner Brothers' acquisition of Turbine back in April was big news, but they're not done venturing into MMO territory quite yet. LEGO and Warner Brothers announced today that they have signed a distribution partnership agreement for LEGO Universe. Under the terms of the agreement, Warner Brothers will have exclusive retail distribution rights for the game outside of LEGO channels.