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Double XP in Aion this weekend
Since we're aware many of you get your MMO time in on the weekends, double XP events are always something we're keen to post about in a timely manner. This is especially true if you're stuck in a level spread that's seemingly impossible to grind past without developing a desire to redistribute objects on your desk in a forceful manner. Double XP weekends can be a real life saver for the jaded MMO gamer. That's why we're here to tell you that Aion is having one starting on Friday, January 22nd -- although make sure to take a gander at the official post, as it contains the starting time for each server timezone. The weekend ends at 8am (server time) the following Monday, so check which timezone your character's server is set to and plan accordingly. [Thanks, AterNox!]
PSA: Uncharted 2 double cash weekend, Santa hats in play
In our rush to the yule late this past week, we nearly forgot to mention that Nathan Drake and Nathan Drake lookalikes (Drakealikes?) have the chance to earn double cash (read: XP) this weekend in Uncharted 2's multiplayer mode. Donning the ubiquitous red cap (and apparently two brand new invisible hands), those taking Drake online will encounter not just jollier looking foes, but also "double for all kills and medals," according to Naughty Dog marketing man Arne Meyer on the PlayStation Blog. The temporary XP boost kicked in on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 10AM PST and goes until tomorrow at 11AM PST, so there are still at least another 24 or so hours to shoot some of those dastardly Drakealikes in multiplayer. %Gallery-51151%
EverQuest offers up double experience for the Labor Day weekend
So you've got a long weekend ahead of you (if you're from the USA) and you're wondering how to spend your time. SOE wants to help make up your mind for you. They've put forward a hefty incentive for you to stop by EverQuest's Norrath at some point during the weekend, offering to make it doubly rewarding to do so. That's right -- the rate of experience will be doubled starting from 10:00AM PDT today, allowing players to speed their characters through the levels, or perhaps just rack up eleventy-million AA points. For the best results, make sure to do your hunting in one of the current Hot Zones that show up on the Welcome Screen; we've been assured that the bonuses do stack.Very generously, the bonus will continue to be applied until 10:00AM PDT on Tuesday. If you pull an all-nighter to catch the tail-end of it and go into work looking like a zombie, at least you'll be able to brag about all the levels you gained.
Gears of War 2 celebrates new DLC with week of double XP
Listen up, COG soldiers! That new 'All Fronts' and 'Dark Corners' DLC isn't the only new development in the war against the Locust, as command has revealed that Gears of War 2 players will receive double XP all week long. This boost in our supply of experience points will be available to all fighting on the Dark Corners public playlist front, as well as in public and private horde skirmishes. You should already see a boost in your supply of XP and HQ has determined that this abundance of points should last us until August 3, so use them wisely. Now get out there and scratch some grubs!
Guerrilla Games taking a break from Killzone 2, turning on double XP this weekend
Now that Killzone 2's latest DLC pack, Napalm & Cordite, has released, Guerrilla Games is ready to take a break from it all. Guerrilla Games described the situation on the EU Playstation blog (it has since been removed), stating that working on the retail release, patches, DLC and official site updates has been tiring work, prompting a break to "reflect on what is actually out there." Uh, disappointed fans who crave new content?In less depressing news, the US PlayStation blog countered the EU team with some happier news, revealing that a double XP weekend is in full effect in celebration of the latest DLC pack, Napalm & Cordite. And, hey, if you haven't picked up any of the new maps yet, maybe the DLC bundle package is for you. Nothing goes better with double the XP than new maps and weapons, after all.Source - Yay! Double XP weekendSource - No! Guerrilla Games "stepping back" from Killzone 2 [Via CVG] [image]
Gears of War 2 hops on the double XP bandwagon
Double XP weekends are usually only reserved for Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and Call of Duty: World at War, but now that's about to change. For every enemy you chainsaw or shred with your precious shotgun (or just kill, frankly) in Gears of War 2 this weekend, you'll receive double the experience points. It all starts on Friday, May 15, at 5 AM EST, when Epic will throw the switch and let the rushing river of XP flow. You'll have until Monday, May 18, at 9 AM EST to take advantage, and the double XP will count across all playlists and match types. So, break out the WD-40, grease that chainsaw up, and get ready to show the Locust what's what.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Double XP in Halo 3's 'Rocket Race' this weekend
For those of you still stuck on that floating ring in space, know that your time spent trying to escape from its parasitic residents in Halo 3 this weekend will earn you double the experience points. That's right, it's another Double XP weekend, and Bungie has dropped word that this weekend's playlist will be Rocket Race and it's open for one and all starting right ... wait for it ... now!More than just a favorite of the Joystiq staff, Rocket Race is a custom playlist that tasks teams of 2 to ride through a series of checkpoints for, uh, points. One person is the driver, and the other has infinite rockets and must try to keep the opposing teams away from the checkpoints.
A Legendary weekend of Halo 3 double EXP
A new Halo 3 double EXP weekend is going on right now through Monday morning, March 16. To participate, make your way into Halo 3's Legendary Brawl Double EXP playlist. But note, the Heroic and Legendary maps are required -- the Mythic maps are not necessary for this weekend's EXP earning, but "don't be surprised" when they show up in a future double EXP event. So, dust off your Mjolnir armor and bring along some extra teabags (for the caffeine boost, of course) because it's gonna be a long and (hopefully) memorable weekend.
World at War offers up double XP all weekend long
In celebration of last week's Makin Map DLC release, Call of Duty: World at War soldiers will receive double XP all weekend long. From Friday through the early morning hours of Monday, March 12, double XP will be enabled on all gaming platforms including PS3 and Xbox 360. Twice the experience points is an added incentive to get online over the weekend, though we doubt hardcore World at War gamers really need convincing. It's still a nice gesture, though, Treyarch.
CoD4: 50% off Variety Maps, new playlist and double XP
Call of Duty 4's own Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling just posted that, all next week, there will be a huge CoD4 celebration. One that's full of money savings, experience earning and new playlist playing.Beginning Tuesday, February 24, the Variety Map Pack will be priced at 50% off the normal 800 / $10 admission fee. Then, on Friday, February 27, Infinity Ward will welcome gamers into the multiplayer mix by flipping the CoD4 double XP switch to the "ON" position. Finally, fourzerotwo himself will be pulling an all-nighter Friday night and adding a new Hardcore Headquarters playlist for the double XP killing shenanigans. It's a week-long Call of Duty 4 party, just without the booze, party streamers and all the post-party cleanup.%Gallery-19521%
World at War: We love the smell of Double-XP in the morning
War is hell ... unless you're getting twice the experience. This weekend, Call of Duty: World at War is once again rewarding players with double experience for all multiplayer modes. Not enough for you? World at War is also introducing two brand new game types into its playlist rotation: Team Tactical and Mercenary TDM. Team Tactical is a 4v4 playlist that pits two teams up against each other in random objective scenarios, while Mercenary TDM does not allow for parties in favor of random team match-ups. New playlists have gone live today for both Xbox 360 and PS3 players. The Double-XP event will run from today, January 30, until February 1. Happy hunting.[Thanks, Rhinosaur]
Making/Money: Double the XP, Double the Funds
A few of weeks ago, there was another double XP weekend in City of Heroes and City of Villains. In fact, not only was it double experience from each "arrest," but it also provided twice the Influence (or Infamy for you villainous folks out there) such that you got double of most everything you might want in the game. And so it was that, after stocking up on caffeinated beverages and microwaveable snacks, we in my house hunkered down in front of our computers for a three day marathon of leveling. I must say that, while I do flit about from game to game, there is something about the additional reward incentive that draws me in for these events. Yet, in all the bustle of leveling, I got to thinking about the economic dynamic in these games and the ways in which they are different from our now-classic MMORPG systems.
Double XP coming soon to City of Heroes
From Friday July 18th through to Sunday July 20th this year, CoX players will be able to enjoy double XP rewards. Double XP is always a dingtastic time in City of Heroes, and since the changes earlier this year that smoothed the XP curve out, characters are leveling faster than ever before. It's the ideal time to level up an alt or five, given that there are now so many character slots available to put alts in.Although it's not always obvious from the publicity, it's not just XP that doubles on events like this. Influence earned is doubled, too, meaning it's the ideal time to stockpile some earnings for the future, or grab some pricier items from the Consignment House. Prestige is also doubled up, so supergroups can afford larger base plots or more gear. Yes, we know there's not much happening with bases right now, but that may well be changing in the future!
Halo 3 celebrates Cinco de Mayo with double XP
Everyone knows that Cinco de Mayo celebrates when Mexican Spartan forces destroyed a batch of French Covenant troops in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. So it seems only fitting that the bravery and sacrifice of those armored soldiers be honored with a Halo 3 Double XP weekend (which has already kicked off) and a new playlist for Fiesta (which spawns players with random weapons) called "Cinco de Mayo."Two words of warning before you begin jamming cervezas and the right trigger: 1. Everyone can get double XP but you need the Heroic and Legendary map packs to play in "Cinco de Mayo." 2. The party only lasts until Tuesday, with the fiesta becomes a siesta.
Halo 3 Double XP Weekend: Legendary Brawl
The Double XP just keeps on coming doesn't it? This week's Halo 3 flavor playlist is known as Legendary Brawl and is a ranked free-for-all playlist that requires the new Legendary Map Pack. While that is a bit unfortunate, most out there bought this pack now that the first one is now free (basically six maps for $10). Since the playlist is both ranked and every man for himself, Bungie notes that it'll be a good opportunity to finish off your achievements. The twelve man games are online now, and will be until 2am Pacific time on Monday.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Another COD4 Double XP Weekend: April 25-27
These things are certainly becoming popular, we guess devs discovered that people like getting twice the reward for normal "work." Last time the event was the release of COD4's first map pack. This time it's the same thing, only for PS3, and since the maps are already out on 360, we get the Double XP Weekend too. The specific start and stop times for North America are from 12:01 AM on Friday, April 25 to 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 27. And for those European gamers the Double XP Weekend is completely different, beginning at 12:01 AM GMT on Friday, May 2 and concluding at 11:59 PM GMT on Sunday, May 4. Mark your calenders gamers!
PotCO does double XP weekend
In the wake of the sad news about the Virtual Magic Kingdom... some yaaarfuly good news! Virtual pirates can double their piratey pleasure in Pirates of the Caribbean Online this weekend!Disney Online is giving Pirates of the Caribbean Online players the chance to earn double experience points and level up their pirate avatars twice as fast during two in-game events. But it's not all weekend so pay attention matey!Both Basic (free-to-play) and Unlimited Access (pay-to-play) players will be able to earn double reputation points in both land and ship battles this Saturday, April 12th... but only between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00 pm (Pacific Time). Pirating for Unlimited Access members will commence again on Sunday, April 13 during the exact same time frame (12:00 - 3:00 pm Pacific Time).Bonus bounty: later this month Disney Online will be be announcing details about new content that will include a bevy of new weapons, quests, and more... so stay tuned!
Bungie brings back the SWAT
Red team go! Bungie has announced that they will be reactivating Team SWAT for Double XP this weekend in Halo 3 social matchmaking after the original playlist was removed last week. Beginning at today at 2PM PST and ending on at 2AM PST on Monday. In order to balance the playlists Team Hardcore has been removed to make way for the upcoming MLG playlist that is set to go live as soon as the Double XP weekend ends on Monday. Time to get tactical folks![Thanks to everyone and their dog for sending this in!]
Team SWAT makes its limited Halo 3 debut
Just a little reminder for our obsessive Halo 3 gamers, right now Bungie just rolled out Team SWAT into Halo 3's search-able matchmaking playlists. The social Team SWAT playlist, a Halo 2 gametype where Spartans are stripped of their motion tracker and shields, will be available through March 23rd and offer up twice as many experience points as part of their previously announced Double XP Weekends. The same type of weekend funnery that the limited Griffball playlist was a part of. So, hop online, practice your headshots and rack up the XP. We know we'll be participating and winning ... often.
CoX Server Cap reminder
As Lighthouse announced on 6 February, NCsoft has made significant investment in the CoX servers to assist with the current concerns for Double XP weekend as well as for future events, but there's still the possibility that servers will reach loads that risk performance degradation. At such times, they may have to lock players out of specific servers until the load lessens. While this is an unpopular decision with players who want to use specific servers, NCsoft feels that it's a necessary step to take in order to ensure game play for all players on the server is not severely negatively impacted.Based on this concern, they have instituted a server cap, and when servers that have reached their maximum allowable capacity they will show as grayed out with a status of Full. Unfortunately, the server load seems to be hitting the West Coast servers particularly hard, as Freedom and Virtue were bouncing between yellow and red most of Friday afternoon and well into the night. Then again, as Lighthouse noted, "The Freedom server is accommodating more players than it, or any other City of Heroes server has, ever has before in recent history. In reviewing the last several years of log files I can't find where we've even been within 30% of the new number." That being said, if you have any issues with, concerns over, or questions about the server cap, please don't hesitate to visit the official forums.
