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News By Elisabeth

TUG tackles sexiness and diversity

We're not getting into a real talk about diversity in gaming here. We are, however, talking about The Untitled Game's take on that sort of thing. The latest update on the TUG Kickstarter page is all about Seed diversity. The team is promising to do its best to make sure that players don't have to deal with armors that have a "drastically different appearance" based on gender. Female characters won't get overly sexualized animations, and you're just as likely to find a manly NPC in distress as a lady one. The team is working to avoid stereotypical representations of races and cultures, and wants to be sure that white males aren't portrayed as the default for Seeds. Some servers will allow users only basic inputs on their Seed's appearance, like gender and skin color, and will automatically assign the rest. All Seed's appearances, regardless of initial input, will grow and change over time as they age. Players will also be able to directly affect their Seed's look with hairstyle changes, tattoos, and other mysterious alterations.

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Technology

Technology By Elisabeth

Meet The Elder Scrolls Online's legendary wamasu

Meet the wamasu, ancient terror of Black Marsh! A creature barely hinted at in existing lore, the wamasu is a new addition to the stable of foebeasts in The Elder Scrolls Online. The wamasu, it turns out, are overgrown, electrified lizard-monsters. According to legend, wamasu have "lightning for blood." They're fond of nesting, protecting their eggs, and unleashing lethal tail strikes and lightning beams on anyone who pops their personal space bubble. There's an extra-scary high-voltage boss variant waiting in-game to kill you! Skip below the cut to check out the wamasu in action.

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Entertainment By Elisabeth

MechWarrior Online introduces new map in which players can die painfully

MechWarrior Online's newest map, the Canyon Network, is riddled with slot canyons, steep drops, and high plateaus. As part of MWO's latest update, the Canyon Network is meant to provide a playground for snipers and strategic thinkers. The Blackjack has been named as the new Mech of the Month, with the Jenner donning the mantle of Champion Mech. As part of the content update, new cobra camo patterns and faction cockpit medallions have been added to the store. Skip below the cut to check out videos of the new Canyon Network and the Blackjack in action. [Source: MWO press release]

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Flameseeker Chronicles: Catching crabs in Guild Wars 2

My goodness, that lady's bikini is awfully close to body tone from this far away, isn't it? If the sun and sandy beaches didn't give it away, I've spent most of the last week or so of Guild Wars 2 time in Southsun Cove. Karka Island! Sunny Orr! Whatever you call it, I hope we can all agree that Southsun Cove is a terrible place filled with awful monsters that nobody in their right mind, in-universe or otherwise, would ever want to visit without the lure of titles and shiny -- literally, one of them glows, and the other glistens -- backpieces.

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Gaming By Elisabeth

RIFT introduces loyalty rewards program for dedicated players

RIFT is introducing an innovative new program that allows players to get items for free when they spend money or money-substitutes on other items! The new rewards program will give players Loyalty points as those players purchase or spend credits, subscribe as a Patron, or consume REX (RIFT's tradable currency that can be purchased for real-world money). Since REX is tradable between players, a particularly thrifty player could accrue loyalty points without ever spending a real-world dime in RIFT's store. Current and former subscribers will be awarded some Loyalty points based on how long they have been subscribed. Players will be able to use Loyalty to unlock exclusive costumes, the ability to change target icons, and unique dimensions. This is all part of RIFT's free-to-play initiative and will be going live on June 12th with RIFT 2.3: Empyreal Assault.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

World of Warcraft patch 5.3 goes live today

Another World of Warcraft patch day has come upon us. Patch 5.3, Escalation, is hitting the game today, bringing with it a whole host of changes from loot specialization to increased pet battle accuracy. The patch introduces a new Battleground, Deepwind Gorge, as well as a new Arena called The Tiger's Peak. Four new scenarios are being added, plus six new Heroic difficulties. The Escalation quest campaign adds new tasks for Alliance and Horde members as they prepare to remove Garrosh Hellscream from Orgrimmar. You can read the exhaustive patch notes on the official site, and you can catch up on all the nitty gritty details on patch 5.3 on our sister site, WoW Insider.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Guild Wars 2 developers share APIs, hopes for the future

This morning, ArenaNet dropped the price point of Guild Wars 2 by $10 across all available editions. In a follow-up chat about some of the decisions behind that move, Game Director Colin Johanson talked a bit about community support, the game's regular update cadence, and the company's hopes for bringing Guild Wars 2 into new markets. While a $10 price drop is not an extreme move, Johanson is confident that the change will bring Guild Wars 2 to new people. The company seems to be currently focused on building up community support. Just yesterday, some APIs were made available to the public for the first time. We've already seen them put to use in real-time WvW tracking and event monitors. Johanson also talked about recent efforts to shore up the support for sPvP and how the additions of custom arenas and spectator mode has led to viewers for sPvP streams "more than doubling" in the last few weeks. The game appears to be moving towards a twice-monthly update schedule. Johanson said that while ArenaNet has "not ruled out" the idea of future expansions, the company is committed to the idea of the living story. Johanson mentioned that Guild Wars 2 is sitting solidly at "well over 3,000,000 copies sold" without tapping into the Chinese market. He added that the game just had its first closed beta test in China and that the team is optimistic. ArenaNet hopes to make the Chinese version of the game as similar as possible to the existing one. [Source: ArenaNet conference call]

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

ArenaNet permanently lowers Guild Wars 2's price point

ArenaNet has made the call to permanently lower the price point for Guild Wars 2. The game previously sold for $59.99 for the Digital Edition and $79.99 for the Deluxe Edition. Both of those prices are being lowered by $10. This is not a sale, but the new regular price of the game. ArenaNet expects that this change will bring in new players and make the game more accessible. Content releases in Guild Wars 2 continue apace. Since launch, we've seen a handful of special events alongside one-time content, persistent content, and added features. On the other hand, NCsoft recently reported lower sales for this quarter than the previous one, citing "the reduction in Guild Wars 2 package sales" as part of the cause. We're scheduled for a chat with ArenaNet's Colin Johanson later today; we'll be sure to update you with more information as soon as we can.

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Technology

Technology By Elisabeth

RuneScape 3 dev diary gets serious about audio

RuneScape 3 is coming soon. To get you all excited about it, the devs have released a new video talking about audio improvements in the game. The team recently recorded an orchestral score, but that's apparently just the beginning of its plans for RuneScape 3's audio. A lot of smaller recordings have been done to provide music for menus, incidentals, and poignant story moments. Audio isn't limited to just music, though. Jagex is focusing on strong, believable voice acting to draw players into the world and narrative. Ambient sound effects are also getting some loving polish. Skip below the cut to hear (get it?) all about the upcoming improvements. [Source: Jagex press release]

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PlayStation

PlayStation By Elisabeth

Bungie quashes rumors that Destiny might come to the PlayStation Vita

Some rumors recently started circulating regarding Bungie's upcoming title, Destiny, and the PlayStation Vita. Bungie confirmed that these rumors are false and that Destiny will not be revealed on the PlayStation Vita (despite some previous vague hints to the contrary in the preorder page's source code). The rumors started after the release of an image that hinted at a Bungie game coming to PS Vita in 2014 called Destiny of Spirits. Given that Sony trademarked the name Destiny of Spirits, something may still be afoot there. Destiny officially launches for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation4 some time next year.

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Entertainment By Elisabeth

Champions Online brings back the Bloodmoon event and prepares for space gladiators

Players of Champions Online, rejoice! The Bloodmoon has risen once again, and dark and dire perils threaten Millennium City. From this Thursday at 3:01 p.m. EDT until Tuesday at 2:59 a.m. EDT, you'll be able to hop into the action and bathe in the blood of your ghoulish enemies. Do ghouls have blood? We'll assume so. Did you know that there are aliens hiding on the dark side of the moon? Of course you did! But here's the thing: There are also aliens hiding on the dark side of the moon in Champions Online. They've been kidnapping heroes from earth to fight in their lunar gladiatorial arena. Soon, the Forum Malvanum custom alert will be open to any Earthling brave enough to step up to the challenge. Skip below the cut to catch a bit of history on what the Bloodmoon is all about.

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Entertainment By Elisabeth

Diablo III devs talk about creating console controls

Diablo III, as you (savvy, informed reader that you are) surely know, is being released for the PS3 and PS4 at some point. Bringing the game over to a new platform has been an exciting challenge for the devs, which they discuss in this shiny new dev diary video. The crucial part of porting the experience, they say, is the controller. It acts as your connection to the character and really your agency in the game world. Skip below the cut to hear the devs talk about giving console gamers dodging, a quick equip option, and use of the touchpad.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Flameseeker Chronicles: The matter of alts in Guild Wars 2

As is no secret, I'm something of an altoholic. This is the case in pretty much every game I play that allows for that sort of thing. If I can make multiple characters, I will. While it's not solely responsible for the longevity of my involvement in MMOs, it sure doesn't hurt. I'm presently sitting at four max characters in Guild Wars 2. That'll turn into five fairly soon, and then I've got plans for another six or seven after that. (For those of you keeping score at home, that does involve having more than one max-level character of the same profession. It's a disease.)

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Gaming By Elisabeth

Introducing HEX, the MMOTCG by Cryptozoic

Cryptozoic Entertainment has just revealed the Kickstarter for its upcoming MMO trading card game, HEX: Shards of Fate. Cryptozoic is claiming that the game "combines the amazing community and storytelling aspects" of MMOs with the "compelling collectible and strategic game play" of TCGs. Players will roll a character (from a selection of six classes and eight races), collect gear, explore dungeons and raids, join guilds, and do other stuff that you'd usually associate with an MMORPG. They'll also be able to unlock and utilize more than 350 cards (in the first set), socket those cards for customization, and compete in a manner fairly typical of TCGs. Each card tracks its own leveling bar (the completion of which will transform the card into its foil variant), a trophy case for showing off what you've won while using that card, card-specific achievements, and more. Cards can also be transformed mid-match, giving you the ability to, say, hatch an egg to produce a dragon to help you out during your fight. The Kickstarter project is trying to reach $300,000. Rewards start as low as beta access at the $10 level and go on up to the "producer tier" for the five people who first choose to throw $10,000 or more into the hat.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Flameseeker Chronicles: Thoughts about Guild Wars 2's living story

With Guild Wars 2's first multi-month living story arc drawing to a close, I thought this might be a good time to do a little bit of reflection on how the living story is treating Guild Wars 2 so far. Sure, what we've seen so far isn't necessarily indicative of the way things are always going to be, but it's a good starting point. (In fact, it's our only starting point. Unless, of course, you like rampant and foundless speculation as a starting point. This is, after all, the internet.) To expand the conversation a bit, I think we're including holiday updates as part of the living story. It's seasonal, but it also fits into the grander scheme of providing changing content to keep the world moving and to keep players engaged. That means that what we've seen to date includes all of Flame and Frost, Wintersday, Halloween, and the Lost Shores event. Also, I guess the Super Adventure Box? I mean, it's returning and it had a lore tie-in and stuff. Maybe? I'm not sold.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Darkfall Unholy Wars interview talks sandboxes, mounts, and content updates

The fine folks behind Darkfall Unholy Wars recently sat down with an Italian fansite to chat a bit about the game. They talked about how the new game stemmed from their desire to push the original Darkfall beyond the limits of its systems. There's no reason to scrap a good thing, though, so the developers have brought over a lot of the sandbox features from the original. The Demi-God bosses, naval combat, and mounted combat systems are all making a reappearance in some form, although the team has been trying to improve upon their original implementation. Additionally, the game is meant to support player-generated events, crafting without artificial barriers, a new dye system, and city vendor hubs. Presently, the team is putting in frequent patches with bug fixes while working on adding in features. Once the developers' current wishlist of features has been implemented, the team can focus on planning bigger patches and expansions for the future. You can read the interview for yourself here, but be prepared to scroll to get down to the English bit. Unless you're super pro and read Italian. [Thanks to moxious internetter Festano for the tip!]

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

EVE Online celebrates 10 years of smuggling, intrigue, and the magic of teamwork

There ain't no party like an EVE Online 10-year anniversary party because an EVE Online 10-year anniversary party uses Facebook "likes" to unlock in-game gifts and fireworks. No, really. Every "like" that EVE Online's Facebook page receives will help unlock free gifts for players and hourly firework drops. The gifts will be handed out after downtime on Sunday the 5th of May. There will also be an attempt to break the current PCU record, so the park your accounts and enjoy the display. To keep you entertained, there will be two "Hunt a Dev" roams, prizes, and oodles of player events. You can check out all the details on the official page.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Ragnarok Online 2 is now available at a Steam store near you

Ragnarok Online 2 hit Steam yesterday, to the undoubted delight of Midgardians everywhere. The game brings back some of the mainstays of the original: Familiar classes, pets, cards, and other systems have all been included in the sequel. A lot of what makes Midgard home to players is available; it just happens to be returning in an updated and immersive 3-D world. Ragnarok Online 2 is a free-to-play title and will be supported by item shop transactions. You can catch videos of the game on its Steam page. [Thanks to groovy webizen Eric for the tip!]

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

EVE Online introduces a new way to raise your security status

EVE Online players will soon have a new method by which to raise their security status: New pirate NPCs are being added to asteroid belts in low-security space. Upon death, these pirates drop a new sort of pirate tag, which can be taken into low-sec CONCORD stations and turned in at the Security Office to raise a character's security status. It should be noted that this is a viable method only for raising your security status up to zero. To get a positive status, you'll need to go through more traditional methods. Additionally, the tags can be traded on the market like most goods, giving players different ways to acquire them. You can check out all the details on the dev blog.

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Entertainment By Elisabeth

The Elder Scrolls Online gets a new trailer, Journey to Coldharbour

The Elder Scrolls Online team has a present just for you: a new trailer! ZeniMax just released Journey to Coldharbour, a video showing off some of the Oblivion plane where Molag Bal, the God of Schemes, makes his home. Lead Loremaster Lawrence Schick and Lead Writer Wynne McLaughlin explain that Molag Bal steals players' souls at the very beginning of the game, leaving players to track him down, figure out what makes their souls so desirable, and stop his wicked schemes. Skip below the cut to feast your eyes on the new trailer.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Patch 5.3 is bringing new scenarios and Heroic modes to World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft players, rejoice! Blizzard has released a sneak peek at patch 5.3 and some of the goodies it contains. The incoming patch will include four new scenarios, all with Heroic mode, and add Heroic mode to two scenarios that have already been released. The first of the new scenarios, a story-driven fight to protect the Dwarven capital, will bring players in to teach some warring clans about the magic of friendship and cooperation. Over in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, players will come to the aid of some Goblin engineers who have delved too greedily and too deep. Players will also get to fight alongside the Bilgewater Cartel's elite Gob Squad as it tracks down a mysterious threat in Ragefire. Lastly, players will take to the high seas to prove the naval superiority of their faction. These four new scenarios will come with a Heroic difficult mode; two existing scenarios (Crypt of Forgotten Kings and A Brewing Storm) will also benefit from some Heroicness. You'll need an item level of 480 and some friends to queue for these modes. %Gallery-187397%

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Gaming By Elisabeth

Defiance passes 1,000,000 registered accounts

Defiance, the game half of the TV/MMO entertainment hybrid, has surpassed one million registered user accounts. The game launched a month ago today, and Trion Worlds seems pleased to announce this milestone. How about some nifty statistics to commemorate the joyous occasion? Players have collectively killed more than 500,000,000 hellbugs so far. They've driven their ATVs for more than 50,000,000 miles and triggered 1,000,000 Arkfalls. Mazel tov, Ark Hunters. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]

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Gaming By Elisabeth

Star Trek Online showcases Romulan uniforms

No expansion is complete without its own fashion spread. Star Trek Online is covering its bases with the most recent Legacy of Romulus dev blog, which goes into the process of designing the Romulan Republic uniforms. Romulans have a long history of fabulous fashion in Star Trek. The design team was able to draw on the go-go boots, metal skull caps, and eighties-tastic shoulder pads that defined the Romulans we've all come to know and love. Those design inspirations were mixed in with cues of the current state of Romulans. The Romulan Republic, as we know it in the game, is made up of scattered refugees. Check out all the glamour shots on the official post.

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PC Gaming By Elisabeth

Age of Conan game director talks about server tech, tradeskills, and more

Joel Bylos, the game director for Age of Conan, has put out this month's game director letter. In it, he addresses his team's plan for addressing "most of the concerns and requests" that players have. Through a three-phase process, Age of Conan will come closer to having the same server functionality as The Secret World. Servers will be moved to the same physical place, then servers with the same ruleset will be merged, and then cross-server queues and functionality will be implemented. The tradeskill system is getting a massive revamp. Key changes there include the near removal of quests from tradeskill progression. Dragon's Spine and Unchained content is starting to get scheduled, bit by bit, for release. You can read the full dev letter on the official site.

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Entertainment By Elisabeth

Marvel Heroes gets an open beta weekend in honor of Iron Man 3

Gazillion Entertainment is celebrating the upcoming release of the Iron Man 3 movie by throwing the doors of Marvel Heroes open for a beta weekend. From Friday, May 3rd, until Monday the 6th, players will be able to hop into the game and give it a test. As a special bonus, new players will be able to choose from some of the iconic Avengers as their starting hero. That perk will only last for the weekend. You can take a look at the game in the villains trailer that we've conveniently tucked under the cut. [Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

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