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gPotato prepping Iris Online Tears of Arcana content update
Crafting is often the red-headed step-child of newer MMOs, so it's always a happy event when we can report on a title that adds it, improves it, or otherwise takes it seriously. One such game is Iris Online, and the free-to-play offering from gPotato is gearing up to introduce a new forging system that allows for the crafting of epic items as well as a slew of other features. What kinds of features? How about an accessory upgrading system, flying mounts, three new maps, and an increased level cap (65)? All of these bells and whistles are included in the forthcoming Tears of Arcana update, which is currently scheduled to take a bow in the month of May. In the meantime, gPotato is showering its Iris Online faithful with leveling perks, free items, and various celebratory events. First up is a double XP gig (April 18th through the 22nd) followed by an Easter shindig featuring quests that could lead to exclusive mounts and head pieces. Check out the Iris website for more event details.
Doodle Jump makes deal with Universal, gets movie tie-in
Here's an interesting story out of Macworld this week. Doodle Jump, recently featured as the Top Paid App of all time, is going to Hollywood, but not quite in the way you might think. Rather than a Doodle Jump movie, the movies are instead coming to Doodle Jump, as Universal has announced a deal to put the main character of its upcoming film, Hop, in the popular iOS game as a promotional download. The movie comes out April 1, but in February, Doodle Jump will get an Easter-related level, with the official Universal character in the app as a bonus. Sure, it's probably not the most exciting iOS tie-in -- the film was directed by the same guy who did the recent Alvin and the Chimpmunks movies, and unless you brought kids, it wasn't much to write home about (and even then, we hear it wasn't all that great). But still, this is an iOS title that's making a major deal with a Hollywood studio -- very impressive for the folks over at Lima Sky, and it's probably an indication that we'll see more collaboration between indie iOS developers and other forms of entertainment in the future.
Jabra's CES 2011 extravaganza: Extreme, Cruiser2, Speak 410, and more (hands-on)
With all the madness going on here at CES 2011, we somehow managed to find Jabra's booth and got a hands-on look at its new gear. As you recall from just yesterday, Jabra debuted its line of Skype-certified Bluetooth headsets and speakers. The Extreme (99.99), Easy Go ($59.99), Speak 410 ($159.99) and Chill for PC headphones all play nicely with Skype -- all that's standing between you and VoIP nirvana is a quick and easy install of software preloaded on the USB dongle. Be warned though, the devices only work with Windows PCs, and we didn't get the impression that said fact is apt to change in the near future. The Cruiser2, for $99.99, is a speakerphone system for your automobile that -- surprise, surprise! -- acts as a Bluetooth speakerphone, allows you to play tunes on your connected device via an FM transmitter and even talks to your smartphone's contacts and tells you who's calling. In addition to all the BT goodness, we got to see its new line of wired headphones; Chill, Rhythm, and Active will be priced at $24.99, $34.99 and $49.99, respectively. All of Jabra's gadgets are available now save for the Speak 410, which'll be here in Q1. Head past the fold for the pics! %Gallery-112886%
The Daily Grind: What's your favorite MMO Easter egg?
Easter eggs have always struck me as weird. On one hand, the bunny keeps hiding them, so I guess he doesn't want you to find them. But then he makes them brilliantly colored, which blends in with nature not at all. So which is it, Easter bunny? Do you want us to find your eggs or not? In a similar fashion, some MMO Easter eggs are cleverly hidden, undiscovered by most who run on by. Those eggs tend to reward the observant, the meticulous and the just plain lucky. Then there are the eggs that the developers all but shove in your face as if to say, "Hey! Look at this! It is wacky and out of place and breaks the fourth wall!" Those eggs are available to all, usually whether you want them or not. So what are your favorite Easter eggs in MMOs? Are they oblique references to pop culture hidden in item description text? A remote area that's almost inaccessible unless you know the exact trick to getting there? A secret buried inside a quest that unveils itself if you know just where to look? What makes you gurgle with delight when discovered?
GAME sold opened games as new during Easter, offers refunds, apology
Customers of UK retailer GAME who say they were sold inferior, former display games as new during the Easter holiday were understandably plenty hacked off -- Cadbury Creme Egg buzz not withstanding. But CVG reports they've not only gotten an apology from the company, but the offer of replacement or refund for any purchase that wasn't in near mint condition. Guys, between you and us, the the next time you want a make a fairly belabored Easter analogy about the resurrection of Jesus, maybe don't go with selling old games as new? We get it, but how about just a poster next time? How about just a nice poster with bunnies and perhaps colorful eggs?
Reminder: Noblegarden ends tonight
Noblegarden ends just before midnight server time tonight. So if you don't have your Noble title yet, you still have time to fight over egg spawns with your fellow procrastinators. See our guide to Noblegarden for help with the holiday achievements, how to get them and egg-collecting strategies. Warning: don't wait until the last minute. Holidays have been known to close up shop a little earlier than the time on the calendar. Have fun and good egg hunting!
Bunny hop through our Easter holiday roundup
As Massively readers everywhere recover from the second-greatest candy holiday of the year, many MMOs have also enticed players with virtual sweetness. Easter may not be the most popular of in-game holidays, but there's something very MMO-ish with "collecting" eggs and hunting down giant, man-eating rabbits wherever they trod. Even future MMOs like TERA are eager to get their own virtual bunny event up and running. Take a gander through our Easter holiday roundup, and let us know what your favorite in-game event is! Final Fantasy XI: An Egg-hunter Is Hatched "Initial eggs" are eggs of avian persuasion that have been inscribed with a single letter of the alphabet. During the Egg Hunt, adventurers can receive a random initial egg from the festival moogles once every Vana'dielian day. Collecting and forming certain combinations of initial eggs will garner you event egg-sclusive prizes. World of Warcraft: Noblegarden 2010 Noblegarden will run this year from Sunday, April 4 (this Sunday) through Sunday, April 11. If you've never done Noblegarden before or only done its fairly low-key, pre-2009 version, it helps to know that Noble Gardener (the holiday's meta) is part of the year-long What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been achievement that rewards the 310% speed Violet Proto-Drake.
Top Terminal easter eggs
Yeah, the headline makes it sound like the eggs are on their deathbed. But no, easter eggs (in software jargon) are little presents or surprises that developers have slipped into an application or operating system. One excellent place to find easter eggs in Mac OS X is in the Terminal. Now technically, these easter eggs aren't part of Mac OS X. The Terminal app is a portal into the UNIX underpinnings of Mac OS X. You can find the Terminal app in the Applications > Utilities folder. Here are four of my favorites: 1. Important dates in history -- Lord of the Rings style At the Terminal prompt paste the following: cat /usr/share/calendar/calendar.history and press return. You'll get a list of famous dates throughout the centuries -- including some that take place in Middle Earth. 2. Snake Game At the Terminal prompt type in emacs, then press enter. You'll see a bunch of text come up. Once it does hold down the ESC key and press X. If you timed your presses right, you'll notice the cursor has moved to the bottom of the page next to the letters M-x. Now type in snake and enjoy! 3. Tetris Follow the same steps as for the Snake game. At the Terminal prompt type in emacs, then press enter. You'll see a bunch of text come up. Once it does hold down the ESC key and press X. If you timed your presses right, you'll notice the cursor has moved to the bottom of the page next to the letters M-x. This time, type in tetris. Use the arrow keys to move and rotate the blocks, and press the space to make the blocks fall. 4. Emacs psychoanalysis Like the previous two, this last easter egg is an extension of the emacs UNIX command. At the Terminal prompt type in emacs, then press enter. You'll see a bunch of text come up. Once it does hold down the ESC key and press X. If you timed your presses right, you'll notice the cursor has moved to the bottom of the page next to the letters M-x. This time, type in psychoanalyze-pinhead. You'll get a speedy conversation between two doctors. Press Ctrl-G to stop the conversation and then read the transcript. All these easter egg tips were taken from The Easter Egg Archive which lists Easter eggs found in movies, TV, books, art, music, and software. Check out the site for many more Mac easter eggs and please post any that you know of in the comments! [Binary egg photo by Rakka]
Happy Easter from TUAW
Reader Chad C. sent us the above picture of the iEgg he and his wife made to wish us a Happy Easter. All of us at TUAW would like to extend that wish onto you and your families. If you can tear yourself away from that new iPad long enough to find some eggs, feel free to send some our way! If not, then you may want to check out these Easter-related iPad/iPhone apps with your kids: The Tale of Peter Rabbit Special Easter Edition (free) -- a narrated version of Beatrix Potter's classic story with musical accompanyment. Be sure to keep an eye out for concealed hidden objects in each of the early 20th Century illustrations. Dress Eggy (free) -- paint and decorate virtual Easter eggs and send them to your friends as e-postcards. Flip Eggs Easter Edition (free) -- a memory matching game with an Easter theme. Happy Easter!
Florensia invites players to Hanami like there's no tomorrow
Do you Hanami? If not -- all the cool kids are doing it, why aren't you? For those of you in the audience going "Han-whadda?", Hanami is a Japanese custom of cherry blossom viewing. Every year, during a very brief period, cherry blossom trees bloom across the nation, and people turn out in scads to look at them and go "ooh" and "aah." In the sea-themed MMO Florensia, the devs are inviting everyone to participate in Hanami and Easter with their special in-game event. As players enjoy the cherry blossom trees, they're encouraged to collect as many Cherry Blossoms as possible, along with rare Dodo Eggs from these odd birds. These items can be traded in for a bevy of outfits and pets, including fluffy Rabbit Ears, Cherry Blossom Coronets, Mini-Dodos and fuzzy Fox Hats. Another perk of this special holiday is an impressive 50% bump to party XP until the event ends. The Easter and Hanami event in Florensia is going on now through April 6, so snag all of the blossoms and eggs that you can before time runs out! You can check this maritime MMO out here.
Mabinogi's Easter Egg-scavation
If Easter has taught us anything, it's that chicken eggs are an odd but reliable source of candy. This is generally not good press for chickens, as they already suffer from being tasty and associated with cowardice. Nexon's Mabinogi hopes that your Easter egg hunting skills are strong and sharp, as they invite players to participate in an egg hunt to end all egg hunts. It turns out that these aren't ordinary eggs, either. Laid by the fabled hens of Erinn, their eggs occasionally come out (why not) fossilized. It's these fresh-yet-ancient eggs that demand attention, as players will extract their stony yolk in search of an iconic Easter Egg Capsule. These capsules contain (why not) candy, which, when eaten, bestows the adventurous eater with various stat bonuses and unanswered questions as to which came first: the chicken or the petrified egg. Start your egg-scavating by heading over to the Mabinogi website and firing up this colorful MMO.
WonderKing hosting Spring Break events
Sure, while some people's real life Spring Breaks have since passed, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate elsewhere. At least, that's the stance Ndoors Interactive's WonderKing is taking, as the game is holding several in-game Spring Break events now through April 7th. If you're a WonderKing player, the big three events to check out are an Easter Day party, the chance to win fashion items and a big Spring Break-style party. Granted, we expect any of you going in will probably just party most of the time. At least, that's what we'd do... Check out the full, official list of events after the break.
The best of WoW Insider: April 21-28, 2009
What a week in the World of Warcraft -- we've explored even further into the mysteries of Ulduar, we saw Peggle in WoW and WoW on the iPhone, and the Easter holiday of Noblegarden has arrived (even though it is a little late thanks to Blizzard's long testing periods) in Azeroth. But even though all of this is happening at once, there's no need to fear -- Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider is here every single day with news and views about what's going on in Azeroth. Whether you're a complete noob, you left the game at level 60 (boy howdy things have changed since then), or you're currently rolling through the 80 endgame, we've got news for you. News Val'anyr stats discoveredA new legendary mace has been discovered in the game's new Ulduar instance. WoW Insider exclusive: PopCap releases Peggle for WoWInsert joke here about one addictive substance inside another. Video teases iPhone WoW clientBlizzard will likely never let it happen, but a third party says they've gotten WoW running on the iPhone. Today's in-game fixesTwo weeks later, Blizzard is still fixing a few issues from patch 3.1. The OverAchiever: Guide to Noblegarden AchievementsAlbeit a little late, Blizzard is finally celebrating their version of Easter on the live realms. Features Varian Wrynn is rightThe Alliance's latest leader really, really hates the Horde. And here's why he should. The Queue: Raid goes up, boss goes downA little Queue and A about... whatever you want to know. Loot, rationality and The Sunwell EffectA great essay about what drives us to do what we do in-game, and how Blizzard can use that. Lichborne: A Patch 3.1 talent build cookie platter for Death KnightsSo you're a DK and you have no idea what talent build to choose after 3.1. If you're OK with a cookie cutter build, boy do we have a batch for you. Eggsellent Guidance: 30 Noblegarden eggs in 15 minutesThe easiest and quickest way to collect some yolks for the latest holiday achievement.
Throw your own egg hunt with Noblegarden Eggs
I've been looking at the Noblegarden items for awhile now, since they first showed up on the PTR. For some reason, it never hit me until I saw it on live realms how cool one item in particular actually is. For five chocolates you can buy your own Noblegarden Egg, which allows you to lay a Brightly Colored Egg. Yes, that's five eggs for one egg of your own, which is a pretty horrible exchange rate.What's so cool about it? They're the exact same eggs you've been picking up that whole time, except that you can set them out. You can loot them right away for an added chance of whatever loot may be in them, but I'm not sure why you'd do that, except for possibly completing Dressed for the Occasion/Sunday's Finest. What makes it better is that other people can loot them.What makes that so great? If you can get an organized crew (and their alts) together, you can set up your own Noblegarden Hunt for your guild or your friends and family. Laying an egg has a 1 hour cooldown, so each of you will only be able to set out one egg each, but with a sizable group that might not be too terrible. A brief hunt, but you can make it exciting! Feralas, perhaps? Icecrown? The interior of a cleared Ulduar? Just take it far, far away from busy cities or hubs. You don't want to lay an egg out in the Stormwind Trade District. Joe McMullet will loot that thing in a flash, and that's no good.
Runes of Magic Spring Rain Festival underway
Everyone else had their Easter or Spring-themed festivals last week, but the folks at Frogster's Runes of Magic dare to be different with their own Spring Rain Festival happening right now. This event brings with it more quests, special drops and all the wabbits (yes, I said wabbits) you would care to see in your lifetime. These wabbits will be handing out gift parcels to reward special tasks. One of these rewards will actually turn your character into a wabbit themselves."The Spring Rain festival is rooted in ancient legend and is a symbol of the Earth's rebirth," the official press release states. "Legend tells of a traveler named Castor, who, a long time ago, appeared in a village where the inhabitants were suffering from hunger and were in great need since their harvest had failed that year. So, the traveler gave them a gift which was a special rainbow egg. The following spring, the seeds from this brightly colored egg sprouted with lots of trees with leaves and blossoms in the most beautiful rainbow colors and the time of misery came to an end. From this time onward, it then became the custom in Taborea to exchange brightly colored rainbow eggs between adventurers in honor of Castor during the Spring Rain Festival."
Obligatory video game Easter eggs post: 2009 Edition
Yeah, we know. Every Easter, we write up a historical account of well-hidden Easter eggs featured in video games over the years. You've heard them all by now, we're sure -- the guerrilla credits of Adventure, the "Secret Cow Level" in Diablo II, Yoshi's appearance in Super Mario 64, GTA IV's "Heart of the City," A Link to the Past's Chris Houlihan room, and Symphony of the Night's hidden audio track, to name a few. For more info about these tried and true surreptitious extras, we suggest checking out this GameSpot post.However, this past year saw the arrival of a heretofore undiscovered Easter egg in a title you all know and love -- ladies and gentlemen, we present "The Goldeneye Breakdancing Glitch," viewable in the video after the jump. Apparently, tilting the Goldeneye cart in the middle of a game leads to hilarious impromptu b-boying from any and all on-screen characters. You simply must check it out -- and while you're down there, tell us your favorite video game Easter eggs in the comments!
Noblegarden removed from in-game calendar
Thanks to the astute eyes of reader Jadissa, we can report that Noblegarden is no longer present on the in-game calendar. This is likely a clear indicator that the in-game world event is getting pushed back. Based on what we know already (that it will be part of other achievements), it should not be assumed that the event was removed.We've spoke about the upcoming changes to Noblegarden before: it might get delayed, and it will be part of the overall world event achievement What a Long, Strange Trip.There has been no indication from Blizzard when exactly it will start up, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it go live towards the end of the month. We'll have to wait and see when this start date is, and we'll be sure to announce it here on WoW Insider as soon as we know.This is not an April Fools joke.
Spend your weekend partying with Guild Wars
If you're looking for some in-game fun this weekend, look no further than the Guild Wars community. Join Monk of Kindness and Scions of Carver for a community party celebrating an early Easter and 4-year anniversary for the ArenaNet game. Events include a costume contest, trivia contest, screenshot competition, scavenger hunt and a special lottery to win in-game prizes.The festivities start on March 21st in Kamadan, International District 1. If you'd like even more information, be sure to check out two forum threads over at Guild Wars Online and Guild Wars Guru. Hope to see you there!
Noblegarden may get delayed
Well that'll teach us to assume -- earlier this week when mentioning the upcoming Noblegarden holiday, we pointed out that considering it was being tested on the PTR right now, we'd likely see 3.1 hit the live realms by the time Easter came around in the real world. But Kisirani has appeared on the forums saying, "Not so fast." Blizzard has apparently gained the power to cancel Easter, because they say Noblegarden and 3.1 will start when it's ready, not because there are kids hunting for eggs on the White House lawn.So basically, if patch 3.1 isn't done by Easter, we won't see the holiday ingame until it is done. And while it'll be a little strange to be looking for eggs in May (if it comes to that), we have to agree that's the right decision: we all know what happens when Blizzard releases a patch that isn't fully tested.We can wait. Noblegarden might not match up with the real-life holiday this year (if the patch does come late -- Kisirani still says this is a plan, so maybe the patch will be done by April 12th), but hopefully when it does appear, it won't be broken.
Noblegarden will apply to What a Long, Strange Trip
So remember last week, when we reported that, to the tune of relieved sighs from Violet Proto-drake seekers everywhere, the Noblegarden achievements wouldn't apply to the What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been meta-holiday achievement? Not so fast, says Bornakk. While the achievements didn't appear in the meta one on the PTR, they will eventually apply. If you want your Violet Proto-drake, you better start getting your egg-searching eyes ready.Sacco actually posted about this in an update on Saturday, but it was overshadowed by the news about the Brewmaster achievement changes, and it's a pretty big deal: we thought we were getting a break on this one, but apparently not. Though it makes sense that all the holidays should be in there (and this explains, of course, why the holiday was extended to a full week), it still is kind of a bummer that we've suddenly got a whole other holiday to do.But Violet Proto-drakes should be tough to get anyway, and we're sure that, as usual, Blizzard will end up removing any achievements that they figure are unfair (or at least that people whine about until Blizzard doesn't want to hear it any more). And there's one more thought to take away from this: considering that all of this Noblegarden talk is going along with the 3.1 PTR, does that mean we'll see Ulduar on the live realms by Easter?
