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Dragon*Con 2009: A look back at the mayhem
Some of us go for the excellent panels featuring stars like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Terry Gilliam, Adam Savage, and so many more. Others of us go for the fun events like concerts by Arc Attack, Faith & The Muse, or the kilt-blowing by Jennie Breeden. Amongst all the comic, fantasy, sci-fi, and other sundry forms of nerditry, there is a steadily growing MMO and video game presence at Dragon*Con. For the last three years, Massively and our sister site WoW.com have been on the ground helping grow this East coast gaming presence either as panelists or staff. Some of the highlights for this year included: Guiness World Record set for 905 people doing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance at the same time. (You haven't lived until you've seen Alien do Thriller, though there's lots of footage.) 2600+ units of blood donated to the Dragon*Con blood drive, with 250+ people being tied to the Alliance vs. Horde World of Warcraft competition we held as part of the D*C MMO track. (Horde won, but just barely.) 40+ different fan tracks, with 50 panels worth of content for MMOs alone! $25,000 raised for charity! So if you missed the fun, here's a gallery of some of the random images from D*C this year. If you're East coast and looking for something fun to do on Labor Day weekend next year, perhaps we'll catch you at Dragon*Con 2010!%Gallery-72473%[Thanks to Ian W., Michael McG., Scott B., Shawn Schuster, and especially Tiffiany M. for contributing pictures!]
Dragon*Con 2009: Costumes, the parade and more!
Didn't get a chance to check out the costumes at Dragon*Con this year? No problem! We spent the last weekend grabbing literally hours of video footage to stuff into a small, digestible 10-minute chunk for our readers. We have some footage of the costumes around the hotels, the mass of people outside and of course, the epic parade that is held every year.Follow along after the jump for just a tidbit of our favorite moments from Dragon*Con 2009, and look for a photo gallery of even more wonderful imagery coming soon.
CEDIA 2009: Super 3D Special Platinum Series Edition
This year for its 20th Anniversary CEDIA shifts from Denver to Atlanta, and we're already on the ground ready to let you know what this show is bringing to the consumer electronics world. Think info on new televisions, receivers, speakers, high end custom install equipment and everything in between is something you'd be interested in? Keep an eye on Engadget HD, though we had to nix the live podcast this week, we'll be bringing booth tours, hands ons as well as live coverage of Microsoft's press conference Wednesday night and any other surprising updates we find out about. Let us know in the comments if you've got a particular point of interest, some time in the next four days we'll be able to swing by and get your questions answered.
Hi-Rez Studios to host all-night Global Agenda LAN party at Dragon*Con
Are you interested in checking out the sci-fi MMOFPS Global Agenda, but didn't get accepted into beta? The team at Hi-Rez Studios has good news for anyone who's going to be in Atlanta during Dragon*Con 2009. They're going to have an all-night LAN party for Global Agenda which anyone can crash, even if you don't have a Dragon*Con pass. Hi-Rez Studios bills this as an "all-you-can play, hands-on experience with the upcoming game, Global Agenda. There will be PvE missions, PvP death matches, and your chance to get an inside look" at the game. Interested? You can check out the details on the Global Agenda site, but the gist of their announcement is that the LAN party will be held on Friday September 4th in the Digital Gaming Area of the Hilton. The Hi-Rez event will be on the 3rd floor, conference rooms 309-312. There's no cost of admission, food and drinks will be provided so gluttony is encouraged, and again you won't even need a Dragon*Con pass to get in. This sounds like a great chance to play the game well in advance of launch.UPDATE: LAN party attendees will, in fact, need a Dragon*Con pass to enter the Digital Gaming Area.
Sprint now reselling WiMAX in Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas
Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas have been lit with Clearwire's CLEAR WiMAX for varying lengths of time now, but throw a Sprint label on there and you've got a whole new party to attend. In what's easily one of the stranger partner relationships in the business world today, Sprint has just announced that it's reselling 4G services in a trio of markets that have actually had the service for months / weeks / days now. So yeah, nothing really new here -- it's the same 4G waves that Clearwire customers have been enjoying for awhile, but if you're more comfortable waltzing into a carrier store, now's your chance. We'll leave you to the read links below for the specifics, but here's the long and short of it: if you've got a 4G-capable device, you can add WiMAX to your plan for an extra $10 per month on top of your 3G data plan.Read - Las VegasRead - PortlandRead - Atlanta
CLEAR WiMAX goes live in Las Vegas, Samsung Mondi ships to take advantage
Looking for one more excuse to stay inside and avoid that sweltering Las Vegas heat this summer? Good news, gamblers -- Clearwire's CLEAR WiMAX service has officially gone live across 638 square miles in the greater Las Vegas area. By the books, that's serving right around 1.7 million residents, not including the influx of tourists from other WiMAX-equipped cities that will undoubtedly take advantage. To coincide with the launch, Samsung has also announced that its QWERTY-packin', DivX-friendly Mondi -- which we toyed with back at CTIA -- will be available in Vegas-area Best Buy and Clearwire outlets starting August 1st. Said MID arrives with 4G support, WiFi, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, a QWERTY keypad, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Opera 9.5 and a customizable set of widgets on top of Windows Mobile. The device is supposedly available now through Samsung's website and "select Samsung authorized distributors," but we're having no lucky hunting one down at present time.Read - CLEAR in Las VegasRead - Samsung Mondi shipping
Clearwire's WiMAX ordained with official Atlanta launch
Sure, Clearwire has actually been running its WiMAX network in Atlanta for six weeks already, but that technicality isn't stopping the company from deciding now is the time to "launch" the service in the metro area, with an appropriately-sized marketing blitz to boot. Portland travelers already using the service should feel at home now with their own personal 4G network to keep them company while they engorge on the recommended dosage of Chik-Fil-A sandwiches and Varsity chili dogs. Prices are identical to what we've already heard and, yes, even though the company just quietly launched the service in Las Vegas, expect to see the delayed red carpet rollout for that city sometime later this Summer.
CCP Games CEO to announce new project in GDC Europe keynote
Hilmar Pétursson, the CEO of CCP Games, will keynote Game Developers Conference Europe 2009 in Cologne, Germany. The event runs from August 17 through the 19th at the Cologne Congress Center East. Hilmar's keynote will focus on how CCP Games rose from being a small Reykjavik-based studio with an obscure niche title to becoming a success story in the MMO industry with the growing popularity of EVE Online, now running studios in Atlanta and Shanghai, as well as their hometown of Reykjavik. Perhaps the biggest news here is the reveal hinted at in the CCP Games press release: "As a testament to the industry's potential for growth despite widespread economic turmoil and as an inspiration for up-and-coming independent studios, Pétursson will give an exclusive first look at the company's latest project, which is currently in pre-production." We can only assume this is the World of Darkness MMO, but it could very well be a closer look at Walking in Stations or any of the other projects CCP announced at last year's Fanfest. Regardless of what this new project is, we won't know for sure until August.
Hi-Rez Studios VP Stew Chisam on what to expect from Global Agenda
The people at Hi-Rez Studios are the creators of Global Agenda, a 'spy-fi' mix of massively multiplayer online game and a shooter. Although Global Agenda is still a ways off from a release date, fan sites have already been established, notably Global Agenda Mission Control. The Mission Control community recently posed some questions to the Global Agenda creators, and Stew Chisam, Hi-Rez Studios Vice President of Game Operations, was happy to respond. Chisam provides updates on Global Agenda's fiction, which is fleshed out in two stories so far -- The Utopian and The Cure for Life. He states that Global Agenda's lore will be there to establish backstory, but the game experience isn't necessarily story-driven. "You'll see that the players themselves drive the drama and action inside of the game," he says. "It's their interactions with each other and the alliances they choose to make that really create the 'history' inside the game and drive your progression forward as a character."
CCP Games boosts productivity with agile development
When CCP Games developed the Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online, it wasn't only the first time that all three studios -- Atlanta, Reykjavik, and Shanghai -- worked in concert on single project, they also created the game's largest expansion to date in record time. EVE Online's lead designer Noah Ward recently explained how CCP was able to accomplish this in an interview with Gamasutra's Christian Nutt and Chris Remo. The company switched from its waterfall development model to agile methods where the game was developed through the collaboration of small teams that showcase their progress to the rest of the developers frequently. Ward says, "Now that we've switched over, we don't have these huge waterfall phases anymore, it's just iterative, agile two week sprints, and we have a demo day at the end [...] and it's just amazing to see how much is actually produced in those two weeks."
Telling more engaging stories in EVE Online
One of the greatest strengths of EVE Online is its lore, which chronicles generations of struggle between New Eden's races and their continual political and ideological upheavals. Not everyone will agree with that opinion, of course, just as not all players seek out immersion in New Eden. For those who do, EVE has been building up short stories to flesh out the lore over the past six years -- all nicely collected on their site -- gritty tales of New Eden's technological heights and moral depths. It's already led to a novel titled Empyrean Age authored by Tony Gonzales, which will hopefully lead to a follow-up work. Given all the attention CCP Games has given to adding these dimensions and layers to the game's backstory, the truth is that EVE is as much a virtual setting as it is a game; as such, there's always a need to expand and refine that setting. A solid backstory is important but it's equally important to EVE's players to be able to interact with it, feel like they're really a part of New Eden in some way. Live events and storyline missions (quests) have been used in the past to this end. However, in the case of missions, a player's role in New Eden's story hasn't quite matched up with what many feel it could be. CCP's efforts to make EVE Online's storylines more engaging is the focus of their latest dev blog, titled "Telling Stories: Evolution of the Atlanta Content Team".
Comcast extending all digital push in Boston and Atlanta
Not to be confused with the OTA switch to digital, Comcast is apparently ready to resume shoving customers off the analog coil and making room for more HD, DOCSIS 3.0 high speed Internet and other things we like, starting with Boston and Atlanta. Termed "Project Cavalry" it's not removing every channel from analog, but about 40 of them, and as the FCC directed giving customers two digital terminal adapters (pictured) and one digital box for free as long as they remain with Comcast. According to Cable Digital News, Chattanooga picked up 22 new high definition networks and 50Mb Internet service after the digital migration, so it really can't happen fast enough.
EVE Online developers discuss Apocrypha expansion's impact on the game
EVE Online's recent deployment of the Apocrypha expansion brought major changes to the game. Apocrypha is the largest expansion they've released to date, incorporating wormhole exploration and modular ship designs, in addition to a new NPC race into the fabric of the game as we know it. BattleClinic, a site best known for its player-built tools, guides, and as a hub for sharing and commenting upon ship setups, caught up with CCP Games at GDC 2009. They spoke with Halldór Fannar Guðjónsson, CTO at CCP Games, and Gabe Mahoney, VP of Engineering. Given how significant Apocrypha has been from the standpoint of the players and CCP alike, the interview focuses on the expansion.
Panasonic again giving tru2way a boost at Cable Show '09
Panasonic has consistently been one of the companies backing tru2way with the most hardware, and this year's Cable Show is no different. First up, its tru2way compatible plasma HDTVs are now on sale in Atlanta, with additional rollouts planned for the rest of '09 -- put host city Washington D.C. on the list for sure, since since Comcast has hooked the booth up to a live feed for demonstrations as previously seen in Denver. Don't have the scratch for a whole new TV just to experience the new tech? Say hello to the PCH2180 Advanced Multi-tuner tru2way set-top receiver (pictured) that's now shipping, an HD-DVR ready for multistream CableCARDs and includes a DOCSIS modem, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1 compatibility plus MoCA networking capabilities. Panasonic's taken the time to tie it to a prototype Easy Touch multitouch remote (video embedded after the break) that we were digging at CEATEC and CES alike, with this kind of investment the NCTA might be able to make us forget January's disappointment.%Gallery-33142%
Sprint unveils WiMAX expansion cities, devices for 2009 and 2010
The XOHM label may be gone, but the potency of Sprint's WiMAX network is still kickin' in and around Baltimore. For those itching for wicked fast mobile broadband outside of The Charm City, Sprint has just unveiled a slew of expansion areas that'll get gifted in 2009 and 2010. As for the rest of this year, folks in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle can expect Sprint 4G rollouts, while residents of Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. can be on the lookout in 2010. In related news, the carrier is also taking this opportunity to reveal that it has "several new 4G devices planned for 2009 and 2010, including a single-mode 4G data card, embedded laptops, a small-office-home-office broadband modem and a tri-mode phone." Lovely.
Atlanta's CBS affiliate transitions newscasts to high-definition
Hotlanta may be feeling the chill of winter right about now, but those looking for one more choice when it comes to watching the evening news in high-def can rejoice. As of this week, the region's CBS affiliate (WGCL) has converted its newscasts to HD, making it the third in Atlanta, Georgia to do so. Also of note, the CBS 46 branding has been trashed in favor of the altogether lovely CBS Atlanta logo you see above, and for those keeping inventory, FOX's WAGA now sits as the only local in the area not broadcasting news in high-definition. Anyone willing to wager that changes soon?[Thanks, Eric]
Comcast readies DOCSIS 3.0 rollouts for Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Ft. Wayne
Comcast promised us all a few months back that it would be bringing its wicked fast DOCSIS 3.0 technology to a handful of other big markets before too long, and today the carrier has chosen to reveal the next four places where said service will be made available. The high-speed internet service, which is capable of hitting 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up, will be launched "over the next several weeks" in Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Don't see your city listed? Hang tight -- the next wave should be announced in the not-too-distant future.
AT&T talks Total Home DVR rollouts in seven new, not so new areas
We already know you love AT&T's Total Home DVR service, but for whatever reason the company's been less than forthcoming about where and when its hitting across the country. Likely spurred on by our coverage (or maybe not) the latest press release breaks down the seven markets currently feeling the joy of multiple HD stream recording and sharing wash over them like rain, or a particularly refreshing soda. U-verse users in Atlanta, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Reno and Sacramento should all have access to the free software upgrade as of today. Press release is after the break, any areas still missing from the official count?
WoW Insider at Dragon*Con 2008!
Perhaps you were one of the myriad people who made it out to the WoW panels at Dragon*Con last year. Maybe you just heard of this raucous, geeky event and decided that since you can't make it to the West coast for BlizzCon, you'd check out Dragon*Con. Whatever your reason, we're heading back again this year along with our sister site Massively with a variety of World of Warcraft related panels for you to enjoy! If you're heading to Hotlanta this weekend to take in all the awesome that is sure to be Dragon*Con 2008, we've prepared a handy guide to some of the MMOG track happenings that may be of interest. Join us after the break for a panel breakdown, or check out the full schedule on Massively for all things MMO going on at D*C 2008!
Massively goes to Dragon*Con: Friday events
All times Eastern. Post will be updated as schedule changes, so be sure to bookmark this and check back! Also of note: frosty adult beverages will be on sale at all night-time ballroom events. Athens Room: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM DC MMO quest registration Be an NPC or PC, it's up to you. If you would like to be an NPC for the weekend-long Dragon*Con MMO quest, sign up to receive your instructions. Participation is free! 1:00 PM Best of MMO videos It's like America's Funniest Home Videos, only for gaming videos. Well, slightly more snarky than AFHV and with significantly less Bob Saget. Hosted by Krystalle Voecks. 2:30 PM EVE Online: Q&A with CCP Meet Scott Holden, Lead Mission Designer for EVE Online. Come discuss all the goings on in New Eden! 4:00 PM Vanguard: Q&A with SOE Alan "Brenlo" Crosby and the good folks at Sony Online Entertainment will be here to answer your questions about Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Come and meet the folks who make it all possible. 5:30 PM Achievements in Machinima What is the current state of the art in Machinima? Christina "Romily" Rollins presents some of the best award-winning machinima from around the globe. Including winners from the Machinima Festival Europe '07, these cutting edge, avant-garde pieces are turning heads and blazing new trails for future machinimists. 12:00 AM Machinima Feature: BloodSpell BloodSpell is Strange Company's first feature length project and is written and directed by Machinima pioneer, Hugh Hancock. Join Christina Rollins (aka Romily) to see BloodSpell, the first feature-length Machinima animated film made using the game Neverwinter Nights. Don't miss this pioneering machinima epic! Augusta Room: 1:00 PM Stargate Worlds: Sneak previewSure, D*C has a Stargate track, but what about the upcoming game? Join some of the D*C crew for discussion and a look at this hot new title. [This panel repeats on Saturday at 11:30 AM in the Athens room.] 2:30 PM Herding cats 101 (aka Guild Management)Sometimes the largest challenge in an MMO isn't the raiding; it's getting a group together in the first place. Find out how leaders of successful large guilds get things done - and manage to stay sane.Trevor Legg from <Lost Order of Akalabeth> and Michael McGreevy from <Children of Midian> share their tips and tricks. 4:00 PM Guild Wars player gatheringCome meet your fellow Guild Wars players. Make some new friends, and share some dreams for GW2! 5:30 PM MMO Etiquette SchoolJoin Mark Crump, Kevin Stallard and Krystalle Voecks (and any other industry folk who decide to pop by) for an old fashioned raucous roundtable of MMOG war stories. Laugh along as the panel and audience swap tales of horror, hilarity and honor in MMOs. For those of you new to MMOGs, this is a great (and funny) object lesson on just what not to do. Sheraton Capital Ballroom: 7:00PM World of Warcraft Q&A and Wrath of the Lich King previewJoin Massively and WoW Insider as we answer questions on everything from "old school" raiding to the latest Wrath of the Lich King information in a "no marketing-speak allowed" throw-down. We will also be showing video footage of your first steps as a Death Knight from the current WotLK beta. Note: big fat Wrath spoilers! 10:00 PM Funcom's Age of Conan partyAccording to Conan, the best things in life involve crushing enemies and "der lamentations of der vomen". We can't promise any of that, but we can promise good music, good fun, and good times with the Funcom crew. Come to this hot Hyborean party for prize giveaways, music, contests, and more. << Main Saturday >>
