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Earth Eternal beta draws nearer
Furry free-to-play MMO Earth Eternal has hit their fans with a newsletter, and they bring word that a beta phase of testing is not far away now. Even better, they are offering a way for people to get into their beta pre-selection pool. By signing up at the game's website and completing their Earth Eternal Spring 2009 Survey, you'll have a chance of being chosen to participate in the closed beta. The survey closes on the 25th of May, and no further entries will be taken after that point.Website users can also earn community points by posting, taking part in polls, rating art and playing a mini-game called Shroomie's Search. There is a new Race Gallery featuring a staggering 22 playable animal and monster races, and each entry includes a "Creature Info" section revealing the background of said beasties. If this community ever has a get-together, there'll be one heck of a diverse cosplay gallery to show for it.
Huxley: The Dystopia beta signups begin
Huxley: The Dystopia is the re-monikered MMOFPS from Webzen that will be published in the West by NHN USA and ijji. Huxley clearly puts more emphasis on FPS than MMO although elements of the latter are certainly there, and Massively had a chance to see a bit of what the game can offer at GDC 2009. Shortly afterwards, they launched a teaser site counting down to... something. We admit, we must've looked away from that countdown for too long because the teaser site changed today, adding video footage, forums, screenshots, character descriptions and backstory info. The main thing we'd like to mention to our readers is that Huxley: The Dystopia is currently taking closed beta signups. The signup period is May 6 - May 20, and the first round of closed beta testing will last from June 3 - June 14. If you've been looking forward to fragging in Huxley, head on over to the Beta Test Registration page at ijji, and check out all the new info about the game they've added to the site.%Gallery-48874%
Neo Steam kicks off Golden Ticket beta promotion
Atlus Online has just announced their newest promotion, giving its community the chance to get an early look at their steampunk MMO entitled Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent. You may remember our coverage of Neo Steam from GDC earlier this year which revealed quite a bit of information on Atlus Online's first MMO. This Golden Ticket beta promotion offers prizes and exclusive in-game items (such as the goggles shown above) for all community members who register between now and May 12th. Golden Tickets will be randomly distributed each day as the deadline approaches. Since this is only the first round of beta access, additional opportunities will be announced throughout May. Be sure to check out Neo Steam's website to sign up for beta access, and continue right after the jump for the newest official Neo Steam trailer.
Warrior Epic enters closed beta today
Warrior Epic is a free-to-play fantasy MMO in development at the Austin-based studio Possibility Space. It seems that Possibility Space went back to the drawing board on some aspects of the game, hence another iteration of closed beta, but the influx of capital through their new publisher, True Games, has allowed them to add new classes and areas to the game that would not have been seen in earlier beta testing. We do have a sense of déjà vu in making this announcement but to the best of our knowledge, Warrior Epic's closed beta will go live today at 5:00PM PDT.
Massively and Cities XL team up for special closed beta promotion
One of the most popular requests from Massively readers is more coverage for MMOs that break the traditional fantasy or sci-fi mold. How about an MMO based on city building and municipal management? Cities XL from Monte Cristo Multimedia is an upcoming MMO that not only breaks the mold, but it takes the MMO genre into territories not yet explored. To help celebrate today's closed beta announcement for the game, Monte Cristo has joined forces with Massively to provide an exclusive promotional code to help our readers get a better chance at being selected for closed beta access to the game. Keep reading below for more information on what Cities XL actually is, including an exclusive Q&A with the developers. Plus, we have complete details on the promotional code event, video trailers, a screenshot gallery and more!%Gallery-50213%
SOE's Free Realms closed beta now open
As per Sony Online Entertainment's word, the free-to-play MMO unironically named Free Realms has opened the doors of its closed beta to the world. Aside from the kart racing and pet raising, we imagine users will start flooding into the online world and immediately partake in our time-honored tradition of Quincying. (Go, Joystiq Hive Mind!)Like most betas, this one's asking its users to keep quiet on the inner workings of the game, though, ironically, SOE is asking participants to blabber on to their hearts content on the game website's public forums. For those of you looking for hot scoops on Free Realms, now you know where to go. And did we mention we have a tips box that guarantees anonymity?
A witty motto could get you into Champions Online beta
Are you a little squirt that brings the hurt? A freight train that feels no pain? Perhaps you fight for honor, justice, and pepperoni panzarottis? Whatever your hero's motto or creed, it could win you a spot in Champions Online beta.A contest to decide the catchiest creed is running from April 10 - April 17, 2009. Cryptic Studios will pick their top ten favorite entries and then let the public choose a winner in the form of a poll. First place will be awarded a closed beta spot and special forum title. Second and third place finalists will win the forum title. All ten finalists will receive a signed poster.Submissions will be accepted until April 17, 2009 at 11:59PM PDT. The top 10 poll will arrive on April 20 and fans will have only two days to vote and decide the winner, who will be announced April 23, 2009. Hit up the official rules and submission guidelines page for a full a rundown of the contest.
GDC09: Interview with The Secret World's creator, Ragnar Tørnquist
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/GDC09_Interview_with_The_Secret_World_s_creator_Ragnar'; With our unveiling of The Secret World, we were also able to have some time to ourselves with Ragnar Tørnquist, the creator of Dreamfall and, of course, The Secret World. While our look at the videos and basic fact sheets were interesting, we wanted to get to the heart of the matter. What should lure us into this dark, fantastic world? What had Funcom learned since the launch of Anarchy Online and Age of Conan? And how many times can we have one man say the words, "I can't talk about that?"We put Ragnar to the test in our interview, and his responses were certainly enlightening. Interested? Join us as we brave The Secret World with the creator himself.
Gigamedia to launch Warhammer Online closed beta in Taiwan
The WAR is spreading! GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that on April 15, 2009, Gigamedia will be launching Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning closed beta in Taiwan. The game originally launched in North America, Europe, and Australia in September 2008 and Russia in February 2009. This new launch furthers Mythic GM Mark Jacobs' day-one goal of making WAR a "global phenomenon." Much like Mythic's original WAR release, it appears Gigamedia made limited edition preorder versions of the game available. According to their gaming platform's GM, Yautian Chen, they have completely sold out these copies. They are now selling closed beta packs, which we can only assume are similar to the standard edition preorders sold in North America that guaranteed access to closed beta. We have forwarded two questions along to EA/Mythic and are awaiting an official response: Will WAR be subscription-based in Taiwan or use another income model (e.g., time cards)? What other Asian countries are EA and Mythic considering for WAR in the future? We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
A new look around Free Realms
The Free Realms beta is underway, and if any of the people we know who are in it are to be believed, it's a lot of fun getting to explore, swap around your different 'classes' by changing outfits, etc. We're still waiting patiently to be let in on the Free Realms love here at Massively, so whenever a shiny new video comes out, we're glad to see it. This time we're treated to a romp around the various areas, including a look at a new zone called Merry Vale. According to SOE: The land where Merry Vale now sits was once barren, mountainous, and unexplored. One day (and no one can truly pinpoint which day), the mountains erupted, and a bright rainbow sprang forth. Curious travelers and adventurers went to investigate, and found the settlement of Merry Vale - home of the fairies. It was as though the place had been around for ages, but was hidden by magic. Now, there is something sinister going on here, but there are too many pretty lights and cool dances to keep most people distracted. At the center of Merry Vale, the fairies put on an elaborate show around the ever-rainbow. "Mayor" leads the ceremonies, but then vanishes - presumably to his office as there's always more to do to attract more visitors. Really, he is the leader of a secret cult.I'm staying away from the obvious cult-of-MMOs comment here, and will simply invite you to check out the shiny new screens below, and the trailer after the break! %Gallery-12980%
Mortal Online reveals beta signups, new video, and well rendered buffalo
So you guys flooded our in-boxes with requests for us to cover Mortal Online's beta registration opening up. So, without further ado, Mortal Online's beta registration is open. Also, they have some new in-game footage on their front page.What? You were expecting something more? A few paragraphs at least? Ok, ok, you twisted our arms enough. Mortal Online is the new PvP MMO that everyone's squeeing about -- one that's set up to attempt to out Darkfall, well, Darkfall.Sporting game systems very closely related to Darkfall's, such as skill based progression and action based combat, Mortal Online is a PvP, action based, first person MMO being run on the Unreal Engine. From what we've been able to see from the in-game footage, MO will be a bit slower combat-wise when compared to Darkfall, but will feature more interactivity between the user and the environment through well placed camera angles and the ability to see your own body.The video shows horse riding, dungeon crawling with a torch in one hand and sword in the other, mounted combat, and even a peek at siege weaponry through the use of a ballista. If it sounds like something you're interested in, jump on over to their main webpage or download the official video through their torrent.[Thanks, Jonathan, Daniel, Amisch, and Brian!]
Global Agenda announces new fansite kit and beta contest
Are you eagerly awaiting Hi-Rez Studios' new spy-fi MMO Global Agenda? Are you so excited by the game that you'd create a fansite about it? Well, let Hi-Rez help you out a bit with a newly announced fansite kit and beta key contest. Simply download their fansite kit, promote it and enter their fansite contest for a chance to win tons of exciting prizes.The top three sites will be chosen and announced on May 8th, 2009. These sites will win everything from exclusive Global Agenda artwork for their site, beta keys for the site's members, links to the fansite from the official GA site and credit towards the GA T-shirt and merchandise shop. This seems like a fantastic opportunity to give yourself and your fansite community a head start into this popular new MMO which is slated for release later this year.
Freaky Creatures has a spot open for you
Despite having had a chance to preview Abandon Interactive's upcoming kid-friendly MMO, Freaky Creatures, last year at GDC, things have been fairly quiet while they've been working on the game. Recently, however, they've opened up the signups for the beta so that anyone who is interested in checking it out can now get in instantly. Sure, you'll still be under NDA according to the signup, but if it's half as much fun as Akela Talamasca thought it was (his words being "this is like Pokémon, but far, far cooler.") it should be interesting to check out. Besides, how many MMOs can you say you get to be a giant sea-space-Eagle-thing with a fire-breathing laser gun like the one above? Or how about a crazed horse bent on freakish amounts of horseshoe destruction? If it sounds like something that would interest you - or your kids - head on over to the Freaky Creatures beta sign-up site and take advantage of the openings for the beta![Via Virtual Worlds News]
Free Realms closed beta begins, open beta in April
Sony Online Entertainment's free-to-play MMO, Free Realms, has just entered closed beta. Unlike its previous efforts, EverQuest and PlanetSide, SOE is trying to target a very casual market, promising a "kid-safe" experience that offers "something for everyone." Players aren't locked into individual classes, for example, and will be able to partake in a number of non-violent activities, such as pet raising and kart racing.The beta is currently available on PC only, although a PS3 version of Free Realms is also in the works. The closed beta appears to be rather limited, with invites extended to press (you know, the big kids) and "a few selected players." Those that are interested in the open beta, which begins in April, will want to pre-register at freerealms.com.%Gallery-34885%
Free Realms enters closed beta
SOE has just announced in a press release today that their family-friendly virtual world Free Realms has entered the closed beta stage and they're now accepting early registration for open beta, which is set to start in early April. Previously, there were some rumors floating around that the game would actually launch in April, but the official word is that April will begin the open beta process.SOE's president, John Smedley, is getting the word out to everyone for this important stage in the game's development before launch: "The beta testing phase is integral to the success of any video game, and we are asking that kids, parents, video game fans of all ages sign up to help us during these final weeks before Free Realms launches." To register for your own chance to get into the Free Realms beta, head on over to their website for more information, and be sure to click through below for the complete press release.
Global Agenda gears up for closed beta with Internap technology
As the Global Agenda team at Hi-Rez Studios gears up for their closed beta in Q2 of this year, they've made the announcement that their server technology will be in good hands. Internap Network Services Corp will be providing the "breakthrough experience" for Global Agenda with their Performance IP network and Managed Server hosting services."Given our game's fast pace and huge scale, we needed a solution that offers the lowest network latency possible, while giving us great flexibility in managing spikes in demand," said Stewart Chisam, vice president of game operations at Hi-Rez Studios. "The combination of Performance IP and Managed Server from Internap solves that problem for us and offers a scalable, secure and reliable technology platform to support the players of Global Agenda. Just a few years ago, network and server overhead precluded the development of this type of game. That has all changed. Global Agenda is a breakthrough game from both a technology perspective and a gameplay perspective, and we are very excited to bring it to market using Internap's infrastructure services."
Chronicles of Spellborn moves up to 1.02
The European free to play MMO Chronicles of Spellborn has unleashed patch 1.02, entitled "Scroll of the Second Path," bringing some brand new fixes and changes into their world.One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a brand new tutorial that better introduces their combat system. One of the many problems that many players were facing with Spellborn was that it does not play like a traditional MMO. In fact, playing it like a traditional MMO would usually get you killed. This new tutorial better explains how to avoid getting hit, while still dealing damage of your own to the targets around you.The other big change is the introduction of "menaces" -- new elite monsters that wander around outdoor areas. These guys are big and hard to kill, but their existences are also tied into special wanted posters in towns. These wanted posters trigger new quests to take down the menaces, giving players incentive to take on these new challenges.The game is still awaiting a closed beta in the US, but those readers in the UK, France, or Germany will be happy to hop on the Spellborn wagon and give the game a try. The full patch notes for 1.02 are available on the Chronicles of Spellborn forums.[Via A Ding World]
Fallen Earth Valentine's Day cards offer closed beta keys
Have a special someone in your life this Valentine's Day who just isn't into the conventional pink candy hearts, stuffed animals and chocolates? Someone who would enjoy some good old-fashioned post-apocalyptic humor above all else? Well you're in luck because the folks at Fallen Earth have created a Valentine's Day card creator themed for their upcoming MMO.Simply head on over to their forums and fill out the simple form. You'll need to be registered on their forums first, but it will all be worth it when the love of your life reads those special words, "Love means never having to say 'That's Gross'." In addition to the lovely sentiment, one in ten cards will be chosen for the closed beta program, and any forum member who sends ten or more valentines will receive a special "SuperFan" forum award. Feel free to send away as many as you like, but only one per recipient.
Global Agenda releases new batch of screenshots
The good people at Hi-Rez Studios continue to update us eager fans with more screenshots for their upcoming spy-fi MMO Global Agenda. At the end of every week we get a new batch of in-game imagery, and the last few have been exclusives courtesy of MMORPG.com. In them, we see some gorgeous action shots of characters both dishing out and patching up the battle damage.Global Agenda is set to unleash a beta within Q2 of this year, and the studio is naming a launch window towards the end of the year. You can head on over to their website to sign yourself up for a chance at the closed beta, and be one of the first to experience the game first-hand.
Warrior Epic goes into closed beta... again
The Possibility Space powered MMO Warrior Epic is about to open the doors to their closed beta later this month, offering players to visit their website and press the register button to apply for a chance to play the game.And if anyone's deja vu sensors are going off, you are indeed correct -- this is Warrior Epic's second closed beta. The change is the addition True Games Interactive, the brand new publisher backing Warrior Epic. The game has seen some changes since we last looked at it, like the removal of the Dreadnought and Vanisher classes, the addition of an Archer, and some name changing for the old Zambrano. Although, the Dreadnought's face is still lurking on the website (he's the background), so perhaps our tanky friend is just waiting in the wings for some action.The free-to-play title is also sporting a brand new eye-candy filled website, featuring new screenshots, concept art, and desktop backgrounds for the Warrior Epic faithful. We're interested to see how Warrior Epic has evolved from our first impressions on the game last year, and will be keeping up with any new developments with this title.
