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Digital Extremes celebrates 3 million Warframe space ninjas
The latest update for robot-ninjas-in-space title Warframe went live last week, bringing fancy new weapons and content to all of you would-be interstellar assassins. But the new missions and items aren't the only big news from the launch; Digital Extremes also announced that Warframe has amassed over three million users since hitting open beta in March. Update 9 brought the NOVA warframe, designed by the community's Design Council, along with content expansions to the Orokin Void and Grineer Galleon zones. Additionally, Digital Extremes added five new prime weapon blueprints to discover, 14 new warframe helmets, and a redesigned fight with Captain Vor that ends with an all-new pistol blueprint.
Eternal Saga goes into alpha testing
Browser-based Eternal Saga is heading into alpha testing today, R2Games announced. This testing phase will conclude on July 18th. Eternal Saga may appear like a typical fantasy MMO on the surface, but R2Games says that it has unexpected twists. There's a pet leveling system, weapons can be fed to mounts, and there's even an option to hang out on an AFK map. Players start out with a choice between three classes -- Warrior, Hunter, or Mage -- and will zoom around the world on their first mount, a paper airplane. While all characters will be wiped at the end of the alpha, R2Games is giving players the opportunity to earn rewards during the week that will be carried over to the live game.
The Repopulation gives much love to Rogues
The Repopulation transitioned into its second alpha test last month, and the team has a quite detailed report about all of the tweaks and features that it added to the game during that period. While there's a lot of everything in the patch notes, Rogues got a big piece of the attention pie. Above and Beyond Technologies reported that it improved the quality of life for Rogue characters through a number of changes. The thievery mechanic got an upgrade, pick-pocketing got several missions, and containers got stubbornly locked. As an aside, there are six stealthed Rogues in the above picture. See if you can spot them! Other changes to the game for the second alpha test include mission chains, random missions, 70 new crafting recipes, two new generic den types, and an overhaul of the reputation system.
Fallen Earth recruiting for high-level arena testing
Calling all high-level Fallen Earth players! GamersFirst is looking for some level 55 wastelanders to help alpha-test the new Dome arena. The Dome is a PvE challenge that was previewed in the March State of the Game, and it's now ready for the next step of development with your help. If you're interested, send your forum name, typical hours of play, build, and PvE vs. PvP ratio to DeconLead@gamersfirst.com for review. Take note that involvement in this test doesn't mean you're in the elite Decon testing team, as this is more of a one-off event. Check out the Fallen Earth May State of the Game for more details.
Chinese browser MMO Yitien launches alpha on March 29th
R2Games will be bringing Yitien, a Chinese-themed MMORPG, to browsers starting on March 29th. The developers promise a variety of play, from turn-based battles and multi-player arenas to PvP events and a version of the ever-familiar rock, paper, scissors. In one event, players can sign up at a certain time and enter a zone that transforms every player into a yeti. There will be no way to distinguish players from NPC yetis, but points and treasure are earned as NPCs are defeated and player attacks are successfully repelled. Attacking other players, however, will award you no points. Players will also participate in a simple board game, rolling dice and moving a number of spaces. The first player to reach a certain location on the board wins the game. Players landing on the same square will battle, while players who run into mysterious warriors will have to fight using rock, paper, scissors for the chance to win lucrative trinkets. Already available in China, Yitien has accrued 20 million total registered players with an average of 500,000 users logged on at one time. (How many bots are involved with those numbers, we'll never know.) You can sign up now on the official site. [Source: R2Games press release]%Gallery-184260%
PAX East 2013: Red 5 on Firefall's new gaming TV channel
Red 5 Studios' MMOFPS Firefall is probably familiar to the Massively family, but it presentation Friday at PAX East was a chance to get a look behind the curtain at how far it's come and how far it has to go during testing. CEO Mark Kern and Lead Game Designer Scott Youngblood presented a little history of the game's development so far, with a look to the future. But if that's not enough to get you to gear up and plant a Thumper, maybe their announcement about a brand-new video channel devoted to everything and anything involving gaming will catch your interest.%Gallery-183638%
Arma 3 alpha launches Mar. 5, includes eventual beta access and full game
Gaining entrance to Arma 3's closed alpha will be a simple matter of slappin' down some virtually-represented cash stacks, once the test goes live next Tuesday, March 5. Available through Steam, the alpha will include four missions, a "limited subset of vehicles and weapons," two multiplayer maps, a Scenario Editor and mod support.The size of the requisite cash stack varies depending on which version of the alpha you buy: A standard version for $33 or a Digital Deluxe Edition for $50. The Deluxe Edition features a soundtrack, "digital maps," a "tactical guide" and a Steam copy of Arma: Cold War Assault, all of which will become available when the full version of the game launches in Q3.There will also be a $92 Supporter Edition available directly from the developer's online store, which includes all of the Deluxe Edition bonuses, as well as all future Arma 3 DLC and the "opportunity" to have your name in the credits, whatever that means.All three versions include automatic access to the Arma 3 beta test slated to start in Q2, as well as a copy of the full game when it eventually comes out. Players who purchase access to the alpha can also invite their friends to participate in an even more limited "Lite" version of the test, which does not include multiplayer or modding support.
Earthrise accepting test applications, prepares alpha phase
Earthrise might have gone down hard in February of this year, but a last-minute play by German studio SilentFuture kept it from becoming a permanent addition to the MMO graveyard. Ever since learning that this post-apocalyptic sandbox would be resurrected in a new form, we've kept an eye out for a sign that Earthrise would be, er, rising once more. That day is today. Just in case you were wondering. SilentFuture is taking test applications for what it's now calling Earthrise: First Impact. The site notes that just applying does not guarantee entry into the alpha or beta tests. The studio announced that the alpha will begin soon, although there is a technical issue preventing players from downloading the client. [Thanks to Marc for the tip!]
Massively Exclusive: Gauging the pressure on the City of Steam alpha
City of Steam doesn't look good for a game in alpha; it looks good for a game in beta. And yet you can tell that the game is still in alpha testing if you read through our last tour of the game and compare it with the state of the game players will experience over the weekend. This is a game that's growing by leaps and bounds, making huge strides in development at each turn. And that's all the more impressive when you realize that it's a browser-based title from an independent studio working on what I can only assume is a shoestring budget. If you haven't heard of City of Steam before now, I invite you to take a look at our last tour through the game at the hands of the inimitable Justin Olivetti, who gives an overview of what the game is and how it played during the previous alpha test. But what about now? What's been improved and expanded? I took a brief tour with Mechanist Games' Gabriel Laforge to see the latest client and get a sense of the game for myself.
City of Steam's final alpha weekend begins
City of Steam is waving goodbye to its adolescent phase and preparing for adulthood, as the steampunk MMO heads into its final alpha test weekend. This fourth alpha weekend begins tonight at 10:00 p.m. EDT. Mechanist Games said that its priority for the weekend is to stress test the game, so the team wants as many players as possible to dive in and give it a whirl. You can sign up for testing on the game's website. For this final alpha test, Mechanist Games has spotlighted Orcs in its most recent racial dev journal. The Orcs are former barbarians who are trying hard to integrate into this increasingly civilized world. Massively has a new hands-on tour of City of Steam coming to you shortly, but in the meanwhile, you can check out our pre-alpha visit to this industrial fantasy playground. [Source: Mechanist Games press release]
Alpha begins for The Repopulation, first day captured on video
Many sandbox fans have been eagerly anticipating The Repopulation for a chance to take a personal look at the sci-fi game. For a lucky number of testers, that chance is now: The gates have opened and the first wave of alpha testers have ventured in to experience the world first-hand and help test the game as it moves ever closer to launch. In celebration, Above and Beyond Technologies released a short video highlighting footage from the first day of alpha. What activities do sandbox-hungry players do once they get in? Quite a few dive into structure building, while others light up their screens with firefights as they test combat out on various creatures. At least one decides to take a load off and relax by taking advantage of the ability to sit in chairs. For a taste of the alpha action, check out the video after the cut. And for a chance to participate in the alpha, sign up via the application form. [Source: Above and Beyond Technologies press release]
City of Steam goes into alpha testing this July
City of Steam's been building up some strong word-of-mouth in the community, and we've been quite eager to get our hands on this steampunk MMO. The good news is that we just may have that chance come July, when City of Steam enters alpha testing. Mechanist Games recently announced that work on the game is progressing to the point that it's ready to undergo player testing. While there isn't an exact date yet, it's certainly enough to know that July will be a special month. "We're actually quite pleased that quite a few of those who participated in the sneak peek test told us that the game was already looking like an alpha build," the team writes. "Thanks and we would like to say we're quite proud of that fact."
The Repopulation broadcasts its first public gameplay footage
Drips and drabs of information about the sci-fi sandbox The Repopulation have been coming in, but as with any title in early development, it's never enough to satiate the masses who want the whole scoop. So consider today's bounty of the first gameplay footage and a lore piece as an appetizer to tide you over until the main course. The gameplay video demonstrates one of the core features of The Repopulation: its city-building system. During the 12-and-a-half minutes the video runs, fans can check out how cities are put together piece by piece using a wide variety of tools and fellow player cooperation. The devs also take this opportunity to discuss the UI, controls, and how alliances work in the game. The team also posted a lore piece called Leesa's Story on the site. The vignette introduces the titular character, a cook who also happens to be a cook, and her misguided adventures going duck hunting. The Repopulation is currently accepting signups for its alpha testing, which begins in June. You can watch the full video after the break. [Thanks to J.C. for the tip!]
Stick it to the world in The Missing Ink's open alpha
If you like your MMOs a little bit sandboxy, a little bit quirky, and 100% indie, then RedBedlam's upcoming title The Missing Ink might be right up your alley. The game puts players in control of a 3-D world which they can mold to their liking and also provides MMO mainstays such as combat, PvP, exploration, and more. The game is still in the alpha testing phase, so players should expect more than the occasional bug or glitch. But if you want to help an indie developer iron the kinks out of its Unity-based sandbox MMO, then just head on over to the game's official site to sign up. There's no selection process; just sign up, jump in, and shape the world.
Five phantastic videos from the Phantasy Star Online 2 alpha test
A decade ago, Phantasy Star Online brought the special multiplayer magic of the emerging MMO genre to console gamers around the world. Sega celebrated the game's 10-year anniversary with the announcement of a sequel due to hit the shelves in Japan this year. No word has been given on whether there will be a US or EU release, but that hasn't stopped international fans of the game from getting excited. PSO2 officially launched its second alpha phase yesterday, and foreign game review website Steparu managed to get itself an invite. Fans of the original game's online play will be pleased to know that party gameplay has been given some much-needed improvements. There's no more need to make sure everyone is on the same quest; instead, the party leader picks a mission and the whole party gets it automatically. Mini-quests can pop up randomly during a dungeon, and completing them grants bonus experience. Boss fights are just as deadly and hectic as in the original, with fast-paced action and team members dying repeatedly throughout the fight. Steparu has published a comprehensive review of the early alpha, with videos of everything from dungeons and boss kills to furniture arranging. We've embedded a few of those videos after the cut.
The Firing Line: Tribes impressions and a visit to Hi-Rez
What's up folks, and welcome to The Firing Line. We've been branching out our coverage lately, first with MMO-specific columns and then with Not So Massively and MOBAs. Now we're doing something similar with online shooters. This genre is positively huge, and while there's a lot of room for debate in terms of what constitutes an MMO shooter, there's also no denying that all of the games hovering around the periphery of that designation are a lot of fun. So what will we be talking about in The Firing Line? Well, this is the part where I rub my hands together in anticipation! Naturally we'll spend a lot of time with the genre's big guns (sorry, I had to use that at least once), so I'll be playing huge amounts of PlanetSide 2, DUST 514, Firefall, Global Agenda, and the semi-obscure free-to-play titles crowding the market -- all in an effort to bring you the very best news and views from the world of pew pew.
Ensemble Online wants you for alpha testing!
Longtime Massively readers will remember a giveaway we had last year for Ensemble Online alpha keys. Ensemble Online has been under construction since then, and the small indie studio creating it has grown as well. The developers -- now operating under the SemiFormal Studios moniker -- are preparing for alpha test phase II, and you're invited! SemiFormal has given us 50 alpha test keys to share with you, so if you'd like to see how far the game has come since alpha test phase I, head to our giveaway page and pick up a key for yourself. It's an alpha test, so don't forget to report all those little bugs and glitches. Even more importantly, don't forget to have fun! [Sorry, all codes have been claimed]
'Alphaland' Flash game goes behind the screens
Ever wondered what's going on in the background of your favorite video games, behind all the moving pictures and pretty sounds? A new Flash game from Jonas Kyratzes titled Alphaland answers that very question by placing players in a rough Alpha version of a minimalist platformer, and then placing them deep within said Alpha's metaphysical guts. If it sounds confusing ... well, that's because it is. But it's also pretty short, and pretty sad, and pretty pretty. If you've got a few minutes, give it a play over at Newgrounds!
Phantasy Star Online 2 details revealed, we jump for joy
At a recent Phantasy Star Portable 2 promotional event held in Akihabara, Sega revealed some details for its long-dormant next installment in the multiplayer RPG franchise: Phantasy Star Online 2. The revelation came in the form of a video (a very rough off-screen version of which is posted after the jump), which reveals a few elements like randomly-generated hunting areas, third-person shooter gameplay and -- an entirely new and completely thrilling addition to the franchise -- the ability to jump. We know! It's madness. You can check out a few screenshots of the upcoming action-RPG over on 4Gamer, or check out some translated blurbs from the event on Andriasang. Hopefully, we'll learn more about when we can expect the PC-exclusive title in the near future, as its alpha test is scheduled to begin sometime this summer.
Scrolls newsletter sign up includes alpha tester option
We've got good news for you newsletter collectors: Minecraft dev Mojang isn't just offering an email publication about its second game, Scrolls, but also potential alpha testing access. As Tumblr user Buddyp450 points out, signing up for the newsletter at the bottom of the Scrolls game site includes the choice to "opt-in to become alpha tester." Of course, if you're all anti-newsletter or something, but you're one of the hundreds of thousands who purchased a Minecraft license when that (still unfinished) game was in alpha, you're also guaranteed access to the initial Scrolls preview. Of course, if you miss out on the alpha test, there's always the free public beta after that. And, we imagine, eventually you'll even be able to purchase the full, complete game at some point.
