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CCP introduces EVE's newest buddy program and rewards
As part of its ongoing initiative to "reduce the barriers for players joining -- and rejoining -- EVE Online," CCP Games has today revealed the latest version of EVE's buddy program, dubbed the Recall Program. Under the new plan, current EVE subbers will be able to send out seven-day game passes to their friends whose accounts have lain dormant for six months. What's in it for existing players, other than the comforting camaraderie of BFFs in a cutthroat space sandbox? If your invitees resub, you can claim not-necessarily-exclusive rewards, up to three per month, including new clothing, a cosmetic ship skin blueprint for the Mackinaw Exhumer, and PLEX.
EVE Online introduces open invites for buddy program
If there's one thing that can be said about EVE Online, it's that it is even better when enjoyed with friends. So to help facilitate getting more friends into the game, CCP Games is expanding on its current buddy program to offer players a way to invite more friends at once. And just like the former one-to-one invite system, both players and anyone who uses the mass invite will net rewards when folks upgrade from a trial to the full version of the game. The new one-to-many buddy system works by giving players a URL to share with friends that can be used repeatedly. Not only that, but if one friend isn't interested in using it, the URL can be forwarded to others who might. Then the player who put out the public invite gets the reward for anyone who uses it and subscribes, regardless of whether they know each other or not. Direct personal invites will still be available for players to use, albeit without the PLEX-for-PLEX reward option. For more details, check out the official dev blog.
EVE offering bonuses to new players [Updated]
There's no better time to take the plunge with EVE Online, as CCP is offering up a new promotion designed to ease the newbie transition into the harsh realm of New Eden. According to a news blurb on the official EVE website, new accounts will receive free cerebral accelerator implants. These doohickeys "are military-grade implants that significantly increase a new pilot's skill development [...] Capsuleer training renders it ineffective after a while; as such, it will cease to function for pilots who have been registered for more than 35 days," according to the website. Pilots will also receive a rare frigate (an Apotheosis) if they can manage to invite a friend via EVE's buddy program and convince said friend to upgrade to a paid account. [Update: CCP has also announced that its Power of 2 special offer is back (through November 28th). Existing players can create an alt account and get 180 days of free game time or three PLEX, for $49.95. Additionally, your character on the new account will receive a cerebral accelerator.]
City of Heroes retires free trials, reopens Winter Chalet
Freedom is coming for City of Heroes fans, and that means the existing free trial for the superhero MMO will soon be redundant. As of August 17th, players will find they can no longer create free trial accounts nor make use of the game's refer-a-friend feature (although Paragon Studios promises to unveil a replacement buddy program in the next few weeks). Free trial accounts opened before the August 17th deadline will last their full duration, so if you want to check out the game before it officially goes free-to-play later this year, the time is now! Current players will find even more reasons to appreciate their subscriptions: As of this morning, Paragon has toggled on a few elements of the game's winter event, including the Winter Chalet and ski slopes. It's more like sledding in August than Christmas in July, but now you have a reason to drag those cold-weather costumes out of storage.
EVE Online interview confirms details of retail release
One of announcements that came out of EVE Online's most recent Fanfest was news that the game will be sold on retail shelves this March, with the release of the Apocrypha expansion. A publishing deal struck between EVE's developer CCP Games and Atari means that the game may well see an influx of players in the coming months. MMORPG.com's Managing Editor Jon Wood caught up with Ryan Dancey, Chief Marketing Officer at CCP Games, and the two discussed how EVE's shift away from being a purely digital product will affect the game. Also notable is that Dancey gives the details of what that $39.95 (€39.99) for the box will buy: Mac and PC versions; a Career Guide for new pilots; 60 days of game time that can be converted into PLEX; automatically have needed standings for factional warfare; a VIP pass which functions like the Buddy Program; and a shuttle with expanded cargo capacity. These extras were previously rumored to be included with the EVE retail purchase, but Ryan Dancey's comments in the MMORPG.com interview would seem to confirm those rumors. Have a look at the rest of the interview focused on EVE Online's retail release for more on how the publishing deal between CCP Games and Atari is shaping up.
Rumors surface of extras included with EVE Online retail release
Some of the biggest news to come out of EVE Fanfest 2008 was the publishing deal struck between CCP Games and Atari. The March retail release will mark the first time the game can be seen on store shelves since EVE Online's launch over five years ago. Players have wondered what benefits there might be in purchasing the game at a store, versus the game most of us have always known, which has been a purely digital distribution. While this is still relegated to the category of "rumor", images of the box and descriptions of its content have begun to turn up on the sites of retailers. One UK game retailer lists the details what's included with the box: 60 days of game time, instant access to factional warfare (i.e. automatic standings via an in-game certificate), a guide to the game's careers, a VIP Pass (essentially the Buddy Program), and a special edition ship -- which, in this case, is listed to be a shuttle with increased cargo space. Fair enough, but is it real? Well if your German isn't too rusty, you can also see details of the retail release as they're listed at Amazon in Germany.
Get your friends and go to WAR: Mythic offers recruit-a-friend program
When Christmas comes and you want to find the very best present, let your friends and family go to WAR with you! Warhammer Online has just thrown open the gates to its own recruit-a-friend program, letting current subscribers send out free 14 day trials to anyone they wish. The only catch to the program is that you get a limited number of invites. Initially you get three for being a subscriber and then you receive one new invite each month to a maximum of six.If your buddy converts his trial account to a full account by buying the game, then you get the standard 30 days free. Mythic's notice has already promised more rewards for recruiting in the future though, so it seems the program will expand beyond the scope of free game time. Although, honestly, none of us are arguing against free game time. It's the gift that keeps on giving, until someone steals your keep. Note: This may sound familiar. Holiday oops.
EVE Online offers free game time incentive to recruit friends
It was just the other day that we noted a 21-day trial for EVE Online through Steam. CCP Games is following suit and offering their own 21-day EVE trial (a jump up from their standard 14-days). But more significant is the new incentive to bring your friends into New Eden: Active subscribers who bring their friends into the game through the Buddy Program (login required) will receive 30 days of game time for each of those trial accounts that become subscribers as well.There are some rules and conditions that apply to the Buddy Program offer, so if this is of interest to you, check out the full announcement from EVE developer CCP Loktofeit, and be advised that this offer will expire on December 1st.
Star Wars Galaxies announces 'galactic buddy' initiative
Ever wonder what it's like to walk around on a planet with two suns? Are you constantly wishing their was someone around to help you fight off angry rancors? Perhaps you've got an empty seat in your T-16 speeder? If any of these are you, Sony Online Entertainment has you covered. Their new Galactic Resettlement Initiative (also known as the buddy program) will ensure that you're standing under the unforgiving suns of Tatooine in no time flat. The program is intended to allow veteran Star Wars Galaxies players to show their friends what the game is like. For a limited time, they can try out a 14-day free trial of the title set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. And what do the vets get out of it? Well, if their new buddy flips to a subscription account before February 15th, they could get fabulous rewards! These include handsome movie posters for their in-game housing, and the possibility of a semi-stealthed speederbike. Nice looking kit, and all for getting someone new interested in a highly under-appreciated game.
