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BlizzCon 2011: Cosplay image gallery
Pandas? Pfft. None of you care about pandas. Nerds in costume? That's where it's at, ladies and gentlemen, and I mean that with all sincerity. The costumes are routinely one of the most fascinating aspects of any convention, and ... uh, I'm sorry, sitting here in front of that costume up above is freaking me right the hell out. Enjoy the pictures. %Gallery-137291% Turn to WoW Insider for all your BlizzCon 2011 news and information. Get ready to kick off the weekend with the WoW Insider Reader Meetup, cohosted by Wowhead and Gamebreaker.tv, and look for our liveblogs of the convention panels, interviews with WoW celebrities -- and of course, lots of pictures of people in costumes. It's all here at WoW Insider!
Champions' Art Corner shows Golden Age costumes, new Powerhouse locales
Cryptic has updated its Champions Online website with an interesting look at what's next for the superhero MMO's costumes and environments. The update is part of the Art Corner miniseries, which is a bi-weekly look behind the curtain at Cryptic's art department. Lead artist Brad Stokan takes us through some new bells and whistles in development for Champions' Powerhouse locale. If you're unfamiliar with the game, the Powerhouse is a type of testing ground where heroes can sample new abilities and work on their builds. This week's Art Corner shows off several new customizable dueling arenas as well as a theater designed to host a variety of in-game events. We also get a glimpse of Champions' new Golden Age costume set, and as the name indicates, the set is all about paying homage to a period in comic book history that featured "edgy anti-heroes who went to war with crime fully decked out with weapons, equipment, straps, pouches, and more pouches!"
The Daily Grind: How important is your look?
Sometimes I'm not entirely sure I play City of Heroes. I definitely log in, and I definitely enter the game world. The thing is that I can enter the gameworld and then start staring at the tailor, and the next thing I know two hours have passed and I'm calling Ms. Lady over to see if the outfit looks better with one shade of cyan or another. I believe there are also elements of the game that involve superhuman antics, but at times it feels that my intersection with those elements is brief and often superfluous. Of course, I know I'm not the only one. There are people who will devote even more time than I will to getting a character's outfit just right, even in games that don't allow costume-customizing free-for-alls. And then there are players who couldn't care less that their RIFT characters appear to have been dressed by a blind MC Hammer as long as their stats are high. So where do you fall on the spectrum? How important is your look? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
The Daily Grind: Have you ever dressed up as a game character?
What to wear... what to wear.... With various conventions like SOE's Fan Faire and DragonCon offering contests with prizes and at least a few minutes of fame, it's no wonder some people harness their creativity and pull out all the stops to create a costume. After all, you love your game, so why not be a part of it? From Ratonga to superheroes, player avatars to mobs, there seems to be no shortage of costume ideas and cosplayers strutting their stuff. Some ideas are elaborate and some are a bit less involved. But really, who needs a reason?! Whether for an actual event, just for your office party, or just in the safety of your own home (with friends carefully sneaking YouTube videos), have you ever dressed up as a character in a game? Which one? Fess up! If you haven't yet, have you considered it? And who/what would you be? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Capcom talks Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 leaks and new features
Capcom held a panel this morning to talk about the recently-announced Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and the company shared a few tidbits about how the game is changing for the new version. It took a total of nine minutes before Capcom lead producer Ryota Niitsuma acknowledged the character leaks, joking that "there's a lot of cool stuff in this game, and I'm sure you know all about it." But while the leaked characters weren't talked about at the panel, Niitsuma did mention a few of the gameplay tweaks. The X-factor move in the game can now be used either on the ground or in the air, and he said that many players would "have to revamp your whole fighting strategy" on that one. Capcom also revealed that each character, including the older ones, will have two new costumes in the game, and they shared some of the special pre-order bonus costumes for the game. Above, you can see the Best Buy bonuses (including "Graceland Modok" -- "nobody here said Elvis," the panelists joked), and the rest are after the break.
Crash the Rusty Hearts beta with style with enhanced keys from Massively!
Rusty Hearts is heading into closed beta on July 27th, something that participants in our last giveaway of beta keys have no doubt zeroed in on. But we've got another batch of keys to give away just before the beta launches, and this time they're coming with a little something extra. Actually, several extras. Players who use one of the Rusty Hearts beta keys from Massively will be entitled to a special costume on the first character created -- the Night Witch costume for Angela, the Bright Uniform for Tude, or the Dark Seal outfit for Frantz. You'll also be granted a seven-day Gold Pass and a smattering of items, which should be enough to kick-start your beta experience nicely. What's that? You already took an entry from our first giveaway? Well, not to worry -- if you grabbed a previous key to the game from us, you'll still get all of the bonuses. But if you haven't yet nabbed a spot in the beta and the latest Perfect World outing interests you, maybe now would be the time to grab a code?
Gamescom 2011: ArenaNet announces Guild Wars costume competition!
ArenaNet always makes an outstanding appearance at the video game fan conventions. Last year at Gamescom, developers allowed players to play Guild Wars 2 for the first time, and fans -- begging to get a bit of swag -- would literally swarm the stage each time the staff would speak. This year will likely be no different. Holding to tradition, ANet is sponsoring a Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 costume contest for those who attend the event in Cologne, Germany. Come to the convention dressed in your best Guild Wars-related outfit on Sunday, August 21st to earn prizes and display your love for all things Guild Wars. ArenaNet is also happy to announce that it will attend the Eurogamer EXPO this year on September 22nd through 25th in London, England. The team promises to have game demonstrations at the NCsoft booth so that you can grab some personal playtime with Guild Wars 2. A full list of convention activities can be found on the Guild Wars 2 official site. [Also, check out some of the amazing Guild Wars costumes, like the one pictured above, by Katerina Maria on DeviantArt.]
PC Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition costume DLC today, patches soon
Two upgrades for the PC version of Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition are coming, one essential for the proper operation of the game, the other essential for, um, making your fighters look their very best. Capcom is working on patches for the PC release of the fighter, fixing three major issues: unrecognized controllers, crashes caused by remapping controls, and the default "Smooth" mode, that drops frames for lag-free online play. The first two issues should be addressed by July 11, while the patch to make smooth mode no longer the default option is expected as a Title Update "on or before July 25." In a more frivolous and costly update, Capcom also announced the release of costume packs for the "non-Steam" version today. Eight different packs are available at prices ranging from $4 to $6, or you can grab them all for $15. If you're playing through Steam, you'll have to wait until July 23.
The winds, they are a-changin' in Guild Wars
It's time for another major event in Guild Wars, one that's been heavily anticipated by the players -- the next installment in Guild Wars Beyond, centering around the lands of Cantha. There are changes afoot for the land, as evidenced by the title of the new multi-part event, Winds of Change. And if you want to start taking part in the history that will shape Guild Wars 2, now is a fine time to see what those winds are bringing. Players can start their newest adventure by speaking with Initiate Zei Ri at Kaineng Center, setting them down the road following the events of Guild Wars Factions. (Needless to say, you have to have finished Factions to take part in the new missions.) As was the case for the previous installment, the update brings with it new costumes for players to purchase so that the battle for Cantha's future can be done in style. Guild Wars players should get to work seeing all that the update has to offer, because the change starts now... and who knows how much will be different when all is said and done.
Long-awaited Final Fantasy VII costumes dated for LittleBigPlanet 2
A LittleBigPlanet Sackboy skin patterned after Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth was first revealed at Tokyo Game Show in 2008. Three years and one LittleBigPlanet sequel (plus two spinoffs) later, a newly redesigned version of Sackiroth is finally on the way to LittleBigPlanet 2, and he's bringing some "friends." The PlayStation Blog revealed that a LittleBigPlanet 2 Final Fantasy VII costume pack will be released on July 13, containing Sackboy garments based on Sephiroth, Cloud, Tifa, and Aeris, who of course is doomed to lose her stuffing at the adorable hands of the vicious Sephiroth Sackboy. If you buy the $5.99 / €5.99 / £4.79 bundle, you'll get a bonus Vincent Valentine costume, allowing you to complete that long-in-progress LBP remake of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Separately, each costume will run $1.99 each (though Vincent is only available in the bundle). Other Sackboy raiment due for release soon includes Infamous 2, Toy Story, and Killzone 3 packs.
Realms Online celebrates the 4th of July in style with zombies and unicorns
The British are coming! The British are coming! And they want to... eat your brains? In perhaps the oddest holiday event we've ever heard of, Realms Online is featuring a Redcoat zombie invasion that starts today. Redcoat zombies are swarming over the warzone, and it's up to you to fight for independence from brain-noshing. Participating in the event will give players the chance to earn special Independence Day costumes until July 15th. Zombie invasions aren't the only things going on during the Dawn of Freedom event -- GMs will be throwing firework shows, banners will be playing the American national anthem, and other fun activities will be available. Realms Online is also selling 4th of July-themed items in its item shop for those with particularly strong patriotic persuasions. And what 4th of July event would be complete without... unicorns? Unicorns? OK, we'll roll with that. GameSamba is going to post a code on the Realms Online Facebook page that will let players use a unicorn for free for a week before it goes on sale in the store.
[Updated] Aion fans: Update your look with free Wonder Girls outfits from Massively!
If you're an Aion player, you've no doubt noticed a new look to some of the players around you. The powers-that-be at NCsoft have released a limited-edition set of Wonder Girls costumes and dance emotes in the NCsoft store, available until June 28th. Has your pocketbook kept you from indulging in some new threads? Well, take heart because as always, we've got you covered here at Massively. We've got codes galore for several of these items: the Disco Pack (both Asmodian and Elyos), the Nobody Retro Dress, the Tell Me Ensemble, and finally, the Wonder Girl Dress Pack. Want to win one of your very own? Entering couldn't be easier. Just leave us a comment telling us which of these items is your favorite and why. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday, June 19th. We'll choose the winners Monday, so read our contest rules and leave your comment before the deadline. Best of luck! [UPDATE: We've found that some of the codes were mislabeled when we received them, and we've contacted NCsoft for clarification. Sorry for the confusion!]
A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Consumerism at its finest
As of today, the Steampunk Pack should be live in City of Heroes. If anyone needs me for the remainder of the evening, I'll probably be logged in and furiously punking some steam or whatever you would call it when one surrounds oneself with clockwork gizmos and dripping oil slicks. Suffice to say that I like this pack a lot even sight unseen -- I've been excited as heck about it since the announcement, and I'm more than ready to purchase this one the day it goes live. It's nice to see that the art department at Paragon Studios is putting a little more emphasis on launching specific theme packs for character costumes -- if you don't have any characters to use the concept, you can pass, but if you do, it's money well-spent. At the same time, I have to admit that I'd like to continue branching pretty far afield from the traditional superhero genre just to keep producing new packs. And hey, that's worth a column, especially as my head fills with visions of new costume pieces with steam and rivets.
Enter at Your Own Rift: A look at Update 1.2
With a rowdy Dwarven "ha ha, YES!" (does anyone else think that cheer was voiced over by Ed McMahon?) and a flash of coin pouches, Update 1.2 arrived in RIFT this past week. It was a rather meaty update, with new content, some well-deserved zone improvements, and the much-discussed looking for group tool. In this week's Enter at Your Own Rift, we'll take a look at a few notable changes that came along with the update -- for better or worse.
WoW Fashionista: Creating that "super" summer look
Patch 4.1 might have just come out, but it's been months now that you've been sporting that same old tier. With the trade chat PUGs finally catching up to you on gear, are you worried about how you're going to get people to inspect you while you fake standing AFK outside the bank? Sure, you could mount up, but you know in your heart that Invincible mount is sooo last expansion. Fortunately for you, WoW Insider is here to get your bags ready for the summer slump with the hottest new look! With Thor already in theaters and several more costume-heavy blockbusters like Captain America and Green Lantern on the way, you can bet your Val'anyr that the superhero look is in. Better start dusting off those classic capes in the bank and hope to Elune you didn't shard that Netherblade Facemask.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 alternate costumes fated for DLC packs
In two weeks' time, no amount of Marvel cologne is going to be able to mask the odor of Marvel vs. Capcom 3's fighters, whose suits will have been drenched and dried in super juices many times over. It's perhaps welcome news, then, that six of the game's heroes will be due for a costume change on Tuesday, March 1, when the first of the (sure to be many) alternate costume packs will be released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. The first pack will provide Team Marvel's Thor, Captain American and Iron Man and Team Capcom's Dante, Ryu and Chris Redfield with fresh garments for $5 total. Additionally, Capcom has confirmed that the first Shadow Mode DLC pack will also be available on March 1 -- a good way to break in the new duds. The Jill Valentine and Shuma-Gorath character pack will follow on March 15 for an undisclosed price, according to a leaflet in the Special Edition of the game (which includes a code to download the pair now). Capcom has yet to announce any DLC beyond these three releases over the next four weeks. %Gallery-116741%
Massively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities
Ah spring! 'Tis the time when young men and women's thoughts turn to love -- or at least scoring some nifty holiday-themed loot! This year there's quite a bit going on. Some events are old familiar ones that have stood the test of time. Others offer new twists and things to do for those who have been there, done that. If you aren't feeling the love bug biting, there's even the odd anti-Valentine's-type event, perfect for those who would rather rain destruction down on the head of anyone foolish enough to approach him with anything heart-shaped or pink. Curious as to what's going on? Check out our listing below -- and feel free to chime in if you know of a fun event others should check out! Rip out your Fallen Earth character's heart for Valentine's Day (February 11th-13th) What's better than surviving a nuclear holocaust and wandering your way across a blasted brown landscape rife with societal collapse? Why, sharing said wanderings with someone you love, of course (or at least, someone you lust after in that we've-got-to-do-this-for-the-future-of-mankind sort of way). In a novel spin on the traditional mid-February holiday, Icarus Studios is presenting Fallen Earth's Valentine's Day Massacre event, and clones everywhere can literally offer their hearts as a sign of affection (and a +3 stamina buff). Vindictus spreads the love with new update and holiday (February 1st-15th) Quirky events have quickly become one of Vindictus' staples. Right now players can participate in V-Day events for special rewards. If fishing and chocolate hunting isn't your bag, you can simply purchase a Valentine's Package at the Supply Depot for "sexy Valentine's themed Inner Armor." Cute undies, in other words. Valentine's events will end after the 15th, so players are encouraged to partake sooner rather than regret it later. Time for love in Final Fantasy XI (February 1st-15th) Valentine's Day is almost here, that special time of year when you attempt to distill the essence of a romantic relationship into chocolate form. And if you were hoping to escape from the day within Vana'diel, your efforts are rather misdirected -- Valentione's Day coincides nicely with the holiday in the real world, with just as much saccharine summation of liaisons in Final Fantasy XI.
More Marvel vs. Capcom 3 alt costumes in the spotlight, including the Mango Sentinel
Marvel's Chris Baker has done his final lap through the various origins of Marvel vs. Capcom 3's alternate costumes for the superheroes in the game and, just like last time, things get geeky fast. Good to see Marvel got the Days of Future Now Deadpool in there, as well as Doom 2099 and the Secret Invasion Super Skrull. Most players who choose the variants might not know where they come from, but you comic book geeks will. Of course, this last round of backstory also reveals that Marvel and Capcom didn't always have a lot of choices for some of the more obscure characters. Sometimes, they just bent things around as much as possible (witness Thor's continuity-breaking "inspired by" costume variants) and sometimes they just look to the New York Knicks.That's right -- the Mango Sentinel is back.
Alter-Ego: Building a better costume
In last week's Alter-Ego column, I went over some of the basics of creating a character as well as my own view on the costume creator. This, in turn, set off a small firestorm of remarks in the comments both for and against the way DC Universe Online's designers have handled costuming. One thing was made fairly clear to me -- there are lot of people out there who don't entirely understand just how costuming and stat-based gear in DC Universe Online actually work. While you do start off with a limited number of options in the creator for costuming choices, a great many open up once you actually start playing the game. As such, I wanted to take some time in this week's column to really dig into how gear and costuming works in the game. Hopefully, it will help to clear up some confusion for people who haven't had a chance to actually play the game as yet. So if you're curious about how to build your super costume choices or how the nuts and bolts of stat gear work for heroes and villains, then join me behind the break for this week's edition of Alter-Ego!
Champions Online: Free for All gets launch date
While DC Universe Online's release is hogging most of the day's superhero MMO headlines, Cryptic's Champions Online is fighting back with an announcement of its own. The game's free-to-play incarnation finally has a street date (January 25th to be precise), and the game's official website has all the details. "It's a genuine pleasure to be able to announce our release date for Champions Online: Free for All. On January 25, 2011, any gamer or would-be superhero can play within the ever-improving world of Champions Online for no cost," says Cryptic CEO John Needham. What exactly does the conversion bring to the F2P table? For starters, most of Champions' content is available for free (the exceptions being Adventure Packs), and there are no play-time restrictions. Check out all the details, as well as a features matrix, at the official website.
