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GhostX Ultimate offers classless gameplay with nanobots
If you've never heard of GameKiss, you're not alone. The company hopes to change that, though, and the first step toward raising its profile is a new MMO called GhostX Ultimate. GameKiss says that the title "delivers a stand-out gameplay experience for gamers with an appetite for a completely different kind of adventure," and that it's unique in "a sea of repetitively-themed MMORPG games." Bold claims, to be sure, but how exactly does GhostX come by its uniqueness? For one thing, there are no classes or jobs. Instead, players develop their own catalogue of nanobot weapons that can instantly change an avatar's combat abilities from melee to short- or long-range styles. GameKiss's latest press release also says that GhostX has a "real storyline," and you can learn more about that, and download the free-to-play title, at the official website.
Angels Online gets new expansion, new equipment
Angels Online's newest expansion is trading the dangerous jungles of primordial paradise for the heat of an Egyptian-style desert. Pharaoh's Lost Treasure is set in and around the city of Basil, and the expansion features new weapons and armor with "some of the best stats the game has to offer." According to a new IGG press release, Angels Online's dev team spent a lot of time getting the look of the new expansion armor sets just right. For Mages, new purple robes offer both offensive and defensive bonuses. Light armor wearers will appreciate new bone designs that offer protection without restricting movement. Plate wearers aren't left out either, as they can acquire new sets that combine "rich culture, style, and durability." Head to the Angels Online website to learn more and to download the game. [Source: IGG press release]
Layoffs hit NCsoft's North American offices
Earlier this morning Massively received an anonymous tip that NCsoft terminated an undisclosed number of employees at its Austin, Brighton, and Seattle offices earlier this month. According to our tipster, "many operations jobs are leaving Austin and being contracted back to Seoul," and there were further layoffs in the quality assurance and billing departments, with "with many more put on 60-day notice." We contacted NCsoft for an official comment and received the following reply: "In an effort to put a greater focus on the success of the Western-developed games from NCsoft, and the long-term services MMOs require, we announced a global restructuring to our Western publishing team. To optimize the streamlining efforts, limited functionality is moving to our headquarters in Seoul, and some publishing support has been reduced. As a result, there has been a reduction in force that has impacted less than 2 percent of our global workforce. We remain committed to fully support the development of games from ArenaNet, Carbine Studios and Paragon Studios." We'll keep you up to date on the situation as it develops and as we learn more.
League of Legends turns two, reskins Fiddlesticks
It's hard to believe that League of Legends is two years old this week, but time marches on and so does the requisite birthday celebration. Riot has updated its website with an anniversary post and the game itself boasts a new legendary skin for Fiddlesticks, also known as "everyone's favorite Harbinger of Doom." The special model will dent your wallet for 975 Riot points (what, you didn't expect to pay for your birthday gift?!) and it boasts "new and sinister" sound effects on all the champion's abilities. Party hats and balloons are also part of the package, as are some "frighteningly festive" spell effects. As always, more info is available on the official League of Legends website.
Rappelz expansion coming in November
Gala Networks Europe wants you to know that a new Rappelz expansion is launching in November. The firm also mentions that you'll be in good company if you check it out, since Rappelz has been enjoyed by over 5 million players worldwide. In terms of new content, Epic VII Part 3: The Trial brings the long-awaited master class quest for players at level 148 and up, and the challenging encounter features battles with Lucian and an evil witch in addition to a foray into the Espoir dungeon. The expansion also boasts the game's first solo dungeon, and the Vulcanus instance is designed for players at level 30 and above. Finally, there's a new Rappelz creature coming with the content update. The Cube is a golem "formed of pure mana crystals that have been brought to life with magic and ancient mysterious technology," according to Gala's press release. You can learn more about the expansion at the official Rappelz website. [Source: Gala Networks Europe press release]
Prius Online releases Stronghold of the North expansion
A couple of weeks ago we told you about Prius Online's new Stronghold of the North expansion. The content was slated to release sometime in October, and today we're finally able to report that it is in fact live and available for you to download. Stronghold adds 500 quests, three new dungeons, two exotic mounts, and a new item upgrade system that "allows players to design their own gear with powerful stats and a unique appearance that suits their character," according to the latest gPotato press release. That's not all, either, as the expansion brings new looted gear and a new city-based venue for guild siege warfare. Finally, gPotato is offering up a double XP weekend to celebrate all the new content. From October 28th through October 30th, players can look forward to XP bonuses, double drop rates, and welcome back bundles for returning players that include combat enhancers and premium item upgrades. Check out some of the new gear (and the two mounts) in our gallery below. [Source: gPotato press release] %Gallery-122493%
Perfect World delays War of the Immortals beta
With all the Perfect World MMOs floating around, it's occasionally hard to keep them straight (especially when they have similar-sounding names like War of the Immortals and Battle of the Immortals). One way to tell these two apart at a glance is by their respective launch dates: One (BoI) launched in 2010 and one (WoI) is getting ready to enter closed beta. Unfortunately there's been a slight delay for said beta, which was originally scheduled to kick off on October 25th. Happily, Perfect World has just updated its WoI news page with a brief blurb announcing the new closed beta start date as November 2nd. Why the delay? The short answer is additional content, and PWE says that "it will add a tremendous amount of value to the game."
King of Kings III's Moon Goddess patch adds dungeons, raises level cap
As cool names go, gamigo's King of Kings III ranks right up there, and the "ultimate PvP MMORPG" is continuing that tradition with its new Moon Goddess update. The patch also brings quite a lot of new content to the free-to-play title, including 200 new skills and 24 new maps. If that's not enough to wet your whistle, how about a level cap increase from 140 to 180? Let's see, there are also four new dungeons, including an Angel Arena wherein players will battle six celestial henchmen before squaring off against the fearsome Gabriel. Daily dungeons are also available, and they offer "big-time action without all the build-up skirmishes." This means you can skip the trash mob grind and go right into a series of boss fights. Head to the official King of Kings III website to learn more and to download the game. [Source: gamigo press release]
Earthrise releases vehicle patch, reactivates old accounts
Masthead Studios has just informed us of the latest patch for Earthrise. There's good news for former players too, as the company is re-upping all inactive accounts for a free 14-day trial period. The patch itself includes new vehicles that can be obtained via quest lines, player crafters, or in-game vendors. The mounts are called hoovers, and when coupled with Earthrise's physics model, they allow players to perform drifts, jumps, and various stunts. Speed is a major factor as well, and Masthead says that explorers will appreciate the new vehicles when checking out the various nooks and crannies across the world of Enterra. Finally, the patch includes "large numbers of strong monsters" designed to provide more of a challenge for PvE players as well as provide greater loot rewards. You can learn more about Earthrise at the game's official website. Also, don't forget to check out the new vehicle concept art in our gallery. %Gallery-48760% [Source: Masthead press release]
KingsIsle teasing new Wizard101 content
Our friends at KingsIsle Entertainment have tipped us off to an exciting bit of news regarding Wizard101. Unfortunately we don't know quite what that news is just yet. Why the posting then? Well, that's where you lot come in. Take a look at the image above and put on your thinking caps. KingsIsle let slip the fact that this picture is the first in a series of three to be released over the next week or so, and there's some sort of message hidden in each image. As we understand it, all three will be needed to decipher the full message, which ultimately has something to do with some "mysterious upcoming new content." [Source: KingsIsle press release]
Spiral Knights adds Shadow Lair boss content
Darkness! Danger! Death! All await you in the latest Spiral Knights content update from Three Rings. More specifically, the game features new Shadow Lair boss zones, which in turn feature big baddies with names like Lord Vanaduke and Snarbolax (yep, that's really his name, Snarbolax). Players who recover iron lockboxes have a chance to find shadow keys which can then be used to unlock one of several express elevators that lead right into the depths of the Shadow Lairs. The bosses themselves will provide "trickier, tougher boss fights [and] will challenge even the bravest, boldest, and best-equipped knights, presenting the greatest challenges the game has seen so far," according to a new Three Rings press release. There's more info available on the official Spiral Knights forums, and you can download the game via the official website.
Digimon Masters launching October 25th
Digimon fans, your wait is almost over. Joymax has just announced that the Digimon Masters Online MMO is scheduled to release on October 25th (which is next week, if you're keeping score at home). The game features "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat," according to the latest Joymax press blurb. DMO will purportedly satisfy fans of the original Digimon television series too, as it features more than 1000 characters who appeared on the show during the first five seasons. Joymax says that Digimon Masters is faithful to both the original art design and the series' storyline, and you can learn more about the pet-centric RPG title at its official website. [Source: Joymax press release]
Aeria reveals new Lime Odyssey website, trailer
Aeria Games' new Lime Odyssey MMO has been in the works for a while now. We first caught wind of the free-to-play fantasy game in late 2010, and since then news pickings have been rather slim. Now, though, Aeria has ponied up a press release that adds a few more details into the mix (including a new website as well as a trailer comprised of the game's opening cinematic). Lime Odyssey: The Chronicles of Orta will feature three races -- Humans, Turga, and Muris -- as well as three adventuring and three crafting classes. Players may choose from traditional Thief, Mage, or Warrior archetypes for the former and Tailor, Chef, and Blacksmith disciplines for the latter. Gameplay revolves around the collection of a sacred substance known as lime, and players will "traverse mountains, deserts, and oceans on [a] quest for peace and harmony (while killing lots of mobs, of course). Hit the jump for the cinematic. [Source: Aeria press release]
Neowiz partners with Epic Games Korea for new Unreal 3 MMORPG
There's a new fantasy MMO in town, and it goes by the name of Bless (for now, at least). And actually, when we say "in town," we mean in Korea, where Neowiz has partnered with Epic Games Korea to develop the former's first Unreal 3-powered MMORPG. MMODen has the press release as well as the game's first trailer, and Bless features Eastern MMO staples like skimpy armor, feline anthropomorphs, and slick violence doled out with rather impressive weaponry. There's virtually no information on actual gameplay save that the title will feature 10 races, but we'll keep our eyes peeled and bring you the latest info as it develops. Prior to Bless, Neowiz was best known for its Cross Fire and Alliance of Valiant Arms MMO shooters, and the new title boasts 150 dedicated developers who've been working on the project since 2009. Check out the trailer after the break.
Turbine addresses LotRO forum security concerns
While it's not quite a conspiracy unmasked, Turbine has officially acknowledged a bit of a security issue with its Lord of the Rings Online-related web applications. Last week we reported on the temporary closure of the game's official forums, and today Turbine has issued a press release that touches on the situation. As you would expect, it's all very hush-hush in terms of details, and the release recommends password changes for all LotRO players. While the game itself remains open for business, there is no time table for the restoration of forum services. "We are continuing to investigate and the forums will not reopen until this work is complete," Turbine says.
New war system coming to Troy Online this week
A new "large-scale" war system is coming to Troy Online this week, and the October 15th update is the biggest yet for ALT1 Games' free-to-play fantasy title. The latest company PR blast touts the Invasion War system, which allow players to sack an opponent's capital city. The new mechanics include the ability for "all users to join the war at the time through the Island of Dispute," and players may then attack various holy relics stored in the opposing capital. The victors will receive both increased experience buffs and improved item drop rates. ALT1 intends to release new Troy content updates on a weekly basis, and the company says that this latest patch will enable players to "enjoy a truly brutal MMORPG" experience. [ALT1 Games press release]
Aeria teases Eden Eternal's Templar class
Eden Eternal is adding features at a rapid clip. The free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games recently announced its player housing implementation and is now following that up with some info about the new Templar class. Actually, scratch that. Today's press release -- and the accompanying video -- doesn't feature much info at all beyond a tease for what Aeria calls "a very important class [for] those who wish to fight their way through all the new dungeons in the new upcoming content." In any event, the Templar is currently scheduled to go live in "early October," and you can watch the teaser clip after the break. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Trion announces Red Door publishing and development platform
Trion is the latest development firm to try its hand at a large-scale publishing platform, according to a new company press release issued this morning. The beast is called Red Door, and it "will consist of a consumer platform and a full-scale publishing and development platform based on the proprietary technology fueling Trion's games." What games are those, you might ask? Well there's RIFT, of course, and the company is also developing End of Nations and Defiance. Red Door aims to allow third-parties to build and run games of similar scope via "fast real-time updates and versatile monetization models." Trion CEO Lars Buttler says that the company's goal is to "revolutionize premium games and help the industry realize its potential in the connected era." [Source: Trion press release]
World of Tanks retail box coming to Europe in November
World of Tanks boxed editions landed in American brick-and-mortar stores last month, and a new press release indicates that European retailers are about to join the party. Deep Silver has secured the publishing rights to Wargaming.net's World War II-based action MMO, and the company will be bringing the game to the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Benelux, and Nordic countries in short order. The package features the game itself plus bonus content in the form of in-game currency, premium account access, and a premium German tank. The World of Tanks box will cost £7.99 and is scheduled for a November 15th release. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
DCUO's latest update takes you to the Fortress of Solitude
We still don't have a date for you with regard to DC Universe Online's impending payment model switcheroo. We do have the latest Sony Online Entertainment press release, though, and it's full of details about the superhero MMO's latest content patch. Listen up, Superman fans, as today's patch brings about the second phase of a three-part raid in which players must stop Brainiac from harnessing Kryptonian technology and using it to destroy the entire planet. The update, appropriately titled The Fate of the Fortress, features Superman's iconic arctic hideout known as the Fortress of Solitude, and the patch allows would-be heroes to team up with Kal-El, Lex Luthor, and their fellow players to tackle a challenging eight-man group combat raid. There's a bunch of new loot to be had as well, and today's update also features a new hard-mode option for the HIVE tier-two alert as well as a new Batcave PvP map. Finally, SOE has incorporated a new dueling mechanic into DCUO, so fire up your launchpads, button up your underoos, and get ready to save Gotham City and Metropolis from the clutches of the megalomaniacal Brainiac. [Source: SOE press release]
