Jon Shute
Articles by Jon Shute
Global Agenda answer center updated
Hi-Rez Studios have updated their answer center for their upcoming MMO, Global Agenda, which enters beta later this year. The game, which they are describing as spy-fi, is set on a post world war three earth that is ruled by an oppressive global government and promises to feature 3rd person fast-paced combat.Although most of the information has been previously available, the updated site does contain useful information such as reiterating that the game will be subscription based, contains PvE content as well as PvP and will rely heavily on instances in order to provide battles that will allow 10 players on each side. Perhaps most importantly, the site confirms that the game does not feature elves.
Global Agenda fiction: The Utopian
Global Agenda developers, Hi-Rez Studios, has released some fiction for their upcoming game. Global Agenda is a subscription based action MMO that uses the Unreal 3 engine and is currently slated for release at the end of the year, with a beta in Q2 this year. The game is set in the 22nd century and features fast paced PvP action in a world that has been devastated by the third world war and is now governed by a single world order, the Commonwealth.The story chronicles Steven, who is a 17 year old growing up in Commonwealth Prime. This is a city where everybody is controlled down to the level of having a prescribed routine that they must stick to perfectly and without question. Steven tries to break this routine in little ways whenever he can but his actions, however, have consequences.You can read the story over at MMORPG.com, and don't forget to check out our previous coverage of Global Agenda.
MSNBC video interviews STO executive producer Craig Zinkievich
MSNBC have released a video interview with executive producer Craig Zinkievich from Cryptic Studios about their upcoming title, Star Trek Online. The video is released at a time of renewed interest in the Star Trek franchise with the latest film, simply called Star Trek, due for release in May.Star Trek Online is set in the year 2409, which is 30 years after the events of the last Next Generation film, Star Trek: Nemesis, and allows players to take the role of starship captains. In the video Zinkievich explains the basic themes of the title while video showing footage of the game plays alongside footage from the new film. Traditional Star Trek style gameplay is emphasized, with starship combat featuring heavily in the video and Zinkievich focusing on the ability to form away teams of up to four player captains, although if you have less than four then NPCs will take the roles of any slots not taken by other players. These NPCs are bridge officers that you level up and equip who also bring abilities to the space combat side of the game. Finally the fact that Star Trek Online will appeal to all science fiction fans, not just fans of Star Trek is emphasized. You can view the full video over at MSNBC.
Runes of Magic adds spring festival, region event and more
Frogster have released their latest patch for Runes of Magic, their recently released free to play MMO. This patch brought the first seasonal event, the Spring Rain Festival, which introduced an abundance of Easter Egg and Wabbit related quests.Game play changes include an equipment switch system, which allows you to maintain two sets of equipment slots once your secondary class is selected, and new PvP arena equipment sets. A new region event called Attack on Sergarth Outpost was also added, although not to unanimous approval. There are numerous bug fixes and changes to quests and abilities, including the Windrunner race having its entry fee reduced and the rewards adjusted accordingly. The full list of changes can be found on the Runes of Magic forum.
LotRO Book 2.7.2 patch detailed
Turbine have announced the patch notes for the latest updates to Lord of the Ring Online, Volume 2 Book 7 Patch 2. The biggest change for this patch is the new quest guide system is out of beta and now turned on by default for all players. The quest guide is a system to display quest objectives on the map, in a similar way to several other games.An issue with Volume II, Book 2, Chapter 4 that caused it to prematurely complete has also been addressed, which has required any open instances of that quest to be removed from quest journals and the quest must now be restarted.
Wizard 101 announces new update
KingIsle Entertainment has announced its latest update to Wizard 101, its free to play MMO aimed at younger players that also has an option to subscribe or purchase access passes in order to unlock additional content. Wizard 101, which recently passed a million players, has been receiving frequent updates including a new PvP area and the addition of voice to many characters.Highlights of this update include new high end spells available for players when they reach level 48. There is one spell for each of the seven schools of magic in the game, which are available through a quest. Another welcome feature is the ability to buy back a character's training points using Crowns, the game's micro-transaction currency, to allow them to be reused on new spells, which allows players to correct any choices that they are not happy with and try out new ideas. There are also new rewards for PvP, including a new pet to collect, and the friends list has been expanded to allow you to mark friends as "best friends."
DC Universe Online showcases Solomon Grundy
Sony Online Entertainment has released some screenshots of their latest super villain for DC Universe Online, Solomon Grundy, a DC character that first appeared in print back in 1944.In the comics Grundy started life as a wealthy merchant named Cyrus Gold who was murdered in the late 19th century and dumped in a swamp near Gotham City. Fifty years later he rose from the dead and became an immortal who is part plant, part zombie and possesses immense strength. He can only remember snippets of his former life, such as that he was born on a Monday and this gives him his name, which is taken from a 19th Century children's nursery rhyme of the same name which has the line "Solomon Grundy, born on a Monday".The character in DC Universe Online is said to be centuries old and filled with confused anger that causes him to be a rampaging monster at times, but can also be a calculating and cold blooded killer. Sometimes he can also seem almost childlike as he hunts for clues to his identity. He can be found in the swamps, sewers and abandoned buildings in Metropolis and Gotham City.The character has also appeared in various animated DC shows, including The Batman, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, the latter two being voiced by Mark Hamill.%Gallery-50201%%Gallery-34118%