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Come back to DDO for the price of free
If you've every had a Dungeons & Dragons Online account, then you'll be interested in this piece of news. Starting this Wednesday on March 5th and continuing through until Tuesday March 11th, previous players will have free access to all the new content added (including all the modules) into DDO over the past two years. We mention two years because of its significance -- this special offer marks the second anniversary of the tabletop inspired massively game and it looks like Turbine plans on celebrating the event in style.
Dungeons and Dragons celebrates second anniversary this weekend
Our favorite D&D fan Schad dropped a note to remind us that the Dungeons and Dragons Online second anniversary celebration is set to go on as scheduled on Sunday. We're not quite sure what that entails, but whatever it is, it'll show up ingame on Sul, Therendor 2nd (that's Sunday, March 2nd for non-nerds -- I kid!), and Schad tells us that there will be cake. We'll believe it when we see it.And in case you've been away from the game, the anniversary celebration will also feature a "welcome back" week, offering old players their characters back and a 25% XP bonus until March 11. Apparently that was nerfed from last year, but more XP is always good XP, right? Plus, if you left the game before Module 6 was introduced, now you can go see all those vidoegame-inspired levels in the Shroud.%Gallery-14446%
One Shots: The cake (is not) a lie!
Where's the cake you say? Kind of what we were wondering too, unless you look really closely at this screenshot -- then you'll see that this isn't about any regular cake. This is the Djinni of the Cake from the Dungeons & Dragons Online second anniversary celebration! Here's what Sevenwind had to say about it: This is from the events for mod 6.1. Everyone gets a cake of wishing which spawns a Dijinni of The Cake and will grant you a wish. From the release notes... -----To celebrate the second anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach, all existing characters have received an anniversary gift in their inventory. NOTE: The Djinni of the birthday cake is very mischievous. We advise all players to pay close attention to the choices he offers, as he may try to trick you. Enjoy! Happy Birthday DDO! Indeed! A very happy birthday/anniversary to the DDO crew and players. And hey -- if you happen to find any Djinni-less cheesecake, feel free to send us a slice! (We wouldn't want to accidentally nom on a Djinni. Might be bad.) For the rest of you, whether cake fiend or pie fiend -- if you've got a cool screenshot of a server event, birthday party, wedding, or the like, send it in to us at oneshots@massively.com! We love screenshots with a bit of story behind them. %Gallery-9798%
Scheduled downtime for Turbine games on Monday
Expect Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online and Asheron's Call to be unavailable for a short while this Monday, as Turbine have made it known that some downtime is scheduled for February 25th, 7:00AM to 11:00AM Eastern. This will include all Turbine services, and may lead to forum and website unavailability between 9:00AM and 11:00AM. Unlike some downtimes, test servers like LotRO's Roheryn will not be left up for you to while away the hours on, so you might just have to rest this one out.
Happy Birthday to Dungeons and Dragons Online
Yesterday marked the second anniversary of Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online! Given the amazing new content they've been rolling out recently, there's certainly a lot to celebrate. A recent newsletter highlighted some of the game's newest projects, including a referral program to get friends and family involved and the very well-received Module 6 content. As a present to the players, the community team has dropped a few select tracks from the official DDO soundtrack onto the players site. (My favorite is the 'Tavern Rock volume 1' track.) I definitely hope they release more of these selections in the future; I love MMO music.They're also offering up a new payment offering to honor the game's anniversary. For a limited time you can up a subscription, or have your subscription switched over, to paying only $9.99 a month. There's always a catch though, right? You have to sign up to pay for six months of service upfront, at a total cost of $59.94. That saves you about $18 that you would have spent on the service otherwise. Kind-of-weak payment offering aside, I heartily respect the work the Turbine folks are doing on that game. Say what you will about its place in the Massive genre, the game has its charms.
Turbine having server and service issues
As of 12:35pm Eastern, Turbine is having some troubles with all of their services. This includes not only Lord of the Rings Online, but all Turbine games as far as we know. It's not such a good time to be having issues since plenty of players are sitting at their computers awaiting the Book 12 update for LotRO today. The problem is hitting not only the game servers, but website services as well -- so be wary if you're thinking of going into your Turbine account right now. They have informed us that people are on-site at their data center and are trying to find a solution to the server problem. Also, there is currently no known time at which this problem will be fixed, but as soon as we have an update we'll be sure to let you know when everything is back to normal.[UPDATE] Turbine has said that this is not caused by the Book 12 update, which was apparently successfully put onto the servers and tested by QA before these issues began. So when the servers finally do go back up, the update will be readily available.[UPDATE 2] The servers are back up and it looks as though everything is now back to normal.
MMOG Podcast Roundup: Jan. 18th - Feb. 1st
Every week, hardworking Massive gaming fans put their voices on the line to bring us news, opinions, and 'critiques' of their favorite games. Podcasts are a staple of many hobbies nowadays, and fans of online worlds are especially fortunate in this regard ... there are a ton out there. As such, every so often we'll try to update you on the podcasting world. Keep your eyes on this space for links to your favorite MMO-commentary celebs. Good and bad, straight-man or blue-mouthed, they all have something to offer about this amazing style of gameplay.This week I want to highlight a podcast that deals with things both reptilian and subterranean. Specifically, DDOcast. These folks are dedicated and connected, and the result is that every episode features some in-depth information you'd only be likely to see if you were embedded into the Dungeons and Dragons Online forums. They consistently have great information from and on the developers, and have a special knack for telegraphing their enthusiasm to the listener; their appreciation for the game is infectious.This week is especially worth listening to, as they have a great interview with tabletop RPG designer Keith Baker. He was the original developer of the Eberron setting, the world in which DDO is set. He unveils some great information on an upcoming project probably quite dear to DDO players, and shares a few of his own thoughts on the game. A great listen, and well worth fitting into your day.
One Shots: Our DM never told us the Catacombs looked cool
Today's image comes from Queinai, who sends us an image of the Catacombs from Dungeons & Dragons Online. While some may not care for the idea of transferring the vista of the imagination to an online game, you have to admit, this is a fantastic-looking place to quest in. (I know my DMs didn't generally describe places half this cool!) Have you ever seen an area in an MMO that just made you stop and stare? Perhaps what gets your eye going isn't a lovely building, but a battlefield full of your enemies! Whatever it is that makes you stop and go "cool" -- We want to see those screenshots! Just send 'em to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com, along with a quick description of what we're looking at, and we'll show them off to the rest of the world for you. %Gallery-9798%
DDO receives +6 Patch of Awesome: Module 6 is live
Dungeons & Dragons Online's Module 6 has quietly gone live! The impressively large update comes with about ten pages worth of patch notes.There are UI improvements, new quests, a ton of new mid-level spells, the ability to bind valuables to your person for a price (thank God), item-making altars, new character creation options and feats for various classes ( including a lot of love for Rangers especially), about a million balance changes and general gameplay enhancements, new encounters, and more.Our own Mike Schramm got his hands some of the new content in Module 6 a few days back and was impressed. In spite of what Penny Arcade's Tycho said about World of Warcraft being the 800 (or 10 million) pound gorilla, the DDO team has produced a quality update that should please the game's player-base.[Thanks, Schad!]
Penny Arcade digs on DDO, encapsulates modern MMO industry
Monday's comic strip and commentary over at the popular Penny Arcade comic site was all about Massively Multiplayer games and the genre in general. They specifically called out Dungeons and Dragons Online for being kind of terrible at launch. A year after Burning Crusade's explosively successful launch, non-players must see DDO's tiny subscriber base as comparatively irrelevant. In analyzing the preview video for the game's sixth module, Tycho describes the views of a jade visage leading to a below-ground adventuring scenario:"Your dungeon entrance says something about you as a subterranean civilization, and this one said that I could avoid it altogether, and not miss much."The problem, as he goes on, is that it doesn't actually matter how good DDO is. With World of Warcraft now having several years of game updates, a highly successful expansion, and (oh yeah) ten MILLION players, any game that will draw away a significant number of players from Blizzard will have to be substantially better than WoW. The thought occurred to me that even then there's a danger if the game's improvements are simply subtle tweaks on the industry standard. If 'feature X' is the big draw for a game, there's absolutely no reason Blizzard couldn't work all or part of X into their game. Then you get "feature X, plus ten million players!" Warhammer Online's RvR-centered gameplay and Age of Conan's unique combat mark them as real competitors ... but will they be good enough?That, as we've talked about again and again, is the real crux of WoW's success: it has reached critical mass. As Mr. Brahe concludes, "They have set up a system that allows me to rent my friends on a monthly basis." It's hard to argue with the convenience of pre-packaged acquaintances.
Looking ahead during Turbine downtime
All Turbine game servers are down today for their once-ever-other-Monday scheduled maintenance. Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online and Asheron's Call players, we hear your pain. What to do until the servers come back up at 2pm EST today? Instead of trolling the official forums, we'd like you to look ahead at what awaits you. For LotRO, Book 12 is now on the test server with its revamps to the Guardian, Burglar and Champion classes as well as the Barbershop and the cosmetic Outfit system and polish pass on the high level solo zone, Angmar. Also, last week's dev chat dropped quite a few hints on post 12 plans.DDO is not to be outdone with its upcoming Module 6 content patch. Our own Mike Schramm got a hands-on tour from the devs. Not only did he get a grand tour of what is to come this week when the Module goes live, but hints of what Turbine is planning throughout the year for this title.And finally, Asheron's Call is looking forward to...um, 9 more years? We'll look into it and get back to you on this one.
Massively goes Hands-on with DDO and the Shroud
It's pretty fair to say that Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online has never been one of the biggest players in the MMO space-- it was released with relatively little fanfare, and though the setting (Wizards of the Coast's Eberron setting from the pen-and-paper D&D game) appealed to a lot of roleplayers, Turbine's choice to make the game a real-time combat experience turned off many of the hardcore D&D crowd.But since release, DDO has definitely forged a small but strong fanbase. In the game's just under two short years of existence, they've already released fourteen major updates. The latest, Module 6, is due out next week, and Turbine offered us a chance to take a spin in the new content, and join Senior Producer Kate Paiz, Lead Designer Stephen Murray, and Quest Designer Joe Barry in a run through the brand new raid instance, The Shroud. Read on to learn where they took me and what it was like to take down a big red demon in the newest raid.%Gallery-14446%
New trial program for Dungeons & Dragons Online
For anyone looking to maybe try out a new MMO or just wanting to kill some time, DDO has a brand spanking new 10 day trial page up and running with some nice screenshots for those of us who enjoy looking at shiny things. Of course, the trial itself is a "limited time" offer according to the website. It's been a couple of years since the game launched, so now may be the perfect time for some people to check back in and see what's happening. In fact, with the upcoming sixth module and live events happening here and there it seems like a great time to investigate the game. It's really always nice to see a game doing well with the community it has. Hopefully this trial will give players who have been giving thought to buying the game a chance to try it out first. Don't forget that the two-year anniversary is coming up in February and it's likely that players can expect some fun and surprising events.
MMOG Podcast Roundup: Dec. 28th - Jan. 18th
Every week, hardworking Massive gaming fans put their voices on the line to bring us news, opinions, and 'critiques' of their favorite games. Podcasts are a staple of many hobbies nowadays, and fans of online worlds are especially fortunate in this regard ... there are a ton out there. As such, every so often we'll try to update you on the podcasting world. Keep your eyes on this space for links to your favorite MMO-commentary celebs. Good and bad, straight-man or blue-mouthed, they all have something to offer about this amazing style of gameplay.Something happened this month that only occurs roughly once a glacial cycle, and I want to make sure to point it out: WoWcast put out a new episode. Not only that, but Alachia (WoWcast host) has updated twice since the beginning of January. I kid cuz I care, you see: the last time Alachia put up a new episode was in September, in the wake of BlizzCon, so it's been a pleasant surprise to hear from her so much in 2008. Her show is well worth listening to, despite the infrequent updates. She has a soulful quality to her solo discussions of in-game events, a contemplative tact that makes for some really thought-provoking stuff. Without a doubt one of the most interesting World of Warcraft podcasts out there.To be honest, she's just a touch emo. But I mean that in the best possible way! Go check out some greatest hits, like her discussion of discussion of the 'realities' of virtual living, a heartfelt discussion of gaming addiction, and a fascinating audio diary celebrating BC's launch day. There's plenty more 'casting goodness below, so make sure to read on.
Codemasters CEO: We're an attractive acquisition
Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens went full-out lady of the night in an MCV interview speaking about industry consolidation, saying his company should be considered attractive to potential suiters. Cousens believes Codemasters is "the fastest growing company in the fastest growing entertainment sector" and believes it is "unrivaled" as a privately-owned company.Well then, wow, that's coming on strong. Codemasters did have an admittedly strong 2007 despite the mixed quality of games like Overlord, Dirt and Jericho. The company is also planning its Codemasters Online convention for Birmingham, England in March. We'll keep an eye on who is checking out Codemasters from the streets and certainly report if anybody puts money down for a good time.
A preview of D&D Online's sixth module
While the focus on much of the MMO community is on the reigning champ or the upcoming hotness, loyal fans keep smaller games not only afloat but flourishing. Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online is one such game tirelessly continuing development , despite the lack of mainstream media attention or general community buzz. Gamespy has coverage of the next release slated for the game, Module Six: "The Thirteenth Eclipse". It should be patched in before the end of the month.The video above nicely encapsulates the highlights of the next publish, which will offer the beginnings of a crafting system and the introduction of a demonic struggle to the continent of Xen'drick. The demon attack is especially interesting for fans of the Eberron setting; the fiends are invading from one of the mysterious outer planes, slipping into the world through a collision between the prime material plane and the Shavarath Battleground. Great stuff, reaching deep into the setting's lore. For a full look at the publish make sure you check out the written article. It's worth noting that this piece is just another in GameSpy's pattern of giving quality coverage to MMOs. Whether it's an interview with the FFXI team or a peak at Project Entropia's 2008 plans, they're doing top-notch work over there.
Codemasters to reveal new MMO in March
Codemasters -- the U.K. company that runs DDO, LotRO, RF Online, and ArchLord in the European market -- has announced a coming announcement. Is that anything like having a meeting to talk about having a meeting?Wisecracks aside, here's what the folks at Codemasters want every one to know: they will be announcing a new MMO at the Connect 2008 event in March. Connect 2008 is Codemasters' own online gaming expo of sorts. It will take place in Birmingham. Oh, and the game will be playable at the event, too. If you're in the U.K. and you're an avid player of one of Codemasters' games, it might be worth a trip.So mark your calendars for March 14th; then and only then will we know what this mysterious European release is! There's a sign-up sheet for event-related news alerts in case you want to be really, really on top of this, but rest assured that we'll bring you all the info as soon as it comes.
WRUP: Dead man's chest edition
It's Friday, which means that not only is the weekend here, but it's time once again for our weekly query: we want to know just What aRe yoU Playing?I know quite a few folks will be headed into the Pirates of the Burning Sea preorder this weekend, as FLS just recently opened the floodgates on their servers. Me, I've just gotten my WoW addiction back into gear, so I'll be back pushing my very first character off into Outland and up towards 70. I'm also planning to head into Dungeons and Dragons Online for the first time-- being that I'm a huge fan of pen and paper D&D, it'll be interesting to see how Turbine has translated Eberron into MMO form.What are you up to in the virtual worlds this weekend?%Gallery-11461%
Codemasters Online launches new consumer event this March in Birmingham, England
Codemasters Online is producing a Blizzcon style event called Codemasters Online Connect 2008 (that's just not a sexy name) featuring its lineup of MMO games. Attendees will log into the real world at Omega Sektor in Birmingham, England on March 14 and 15 to log right back out again on 400 PCs running various Codemaster Online games. Alternatively, they can stick around the real world a little bit for round-table discussions and pose questions to the "Codemasters Online team." Ticket prices have yet to be announced.The event will showcase games already out like Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, and will apparently offer some game announcements. So, if you're looking for a Blizzcon featuring the second tier MMOs currently on the market, get ready to pack your bags for Birmingham.
Codemasters announce "Connect 2008", MMORPG event for Europeans
Codemasters Online are the European distributors of quite a number of MMOs, including Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online, RF Online, and ArchLord. These games and more will feature at a brand new community event hosted by Codemasters in the UK called "Connect 2008", as revealed on LotRO's European site today.The event will span 2 days, from the 14th to the 15th of March this year, and there will be 400 networked PCs to play Codemasters' current and future games, including some that they say are as-of-yet unannounced. There will of course be some gaming swag for attendees, and the chance to talk with some of the people behind the games -- not to mention meeting other people from your game's community.You will be required to purchase a ticket for the event (although they aren't on sale yet) and there is apparently going to be a fairly limited supply. If a trip to England sounds like your cup of tea, then you'll want to keep checking the official Connect 2008 website for updated ticketing info -- or simply to watch the giant countdown clock -- and you can also sign up to a newsletter to stay on top of the latest word. Or, if you want to get really involved, they have even set up Myspace and Facebook profiles.
