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Terraria content coming to Edge of Space in cross-over event
Terraria is a 2D sandbox survival adventure game. Edge of Space is a 2D sandbox exploration game. Like peanut butter and jelly, the two will now meet in a tasty cross-over event, bringing Terraria content to Edge of Space, developers Re-Logic and HandyMan Studios announced. Those attending PAX Prime in Seattle this weekend can get their hands on the Terraria-inspired content at Reverb Publishing's booth (#3436). Among the goodies arriving in Edge of Space is a "cybernetically-enhanced version of Terraria's skeletron boss," Omegatron. Edge of Space is available via Steam Early Access for $11.99. Terraria, meanwhile, launches on iOS today for $4.99.
Final Fantasy XIV's Yoshida issues an apology to players
Final Fantasy XIV's Early Access period hasn't been a smooth ride if you're playing in North America or Europe. The server cluster dedicated to these players has had to undergo several periods of maintenance and unexpected downtime, with several players entirely unable to log in on Sunday. Producer/director Naoki Yoshida took to the official forums to issue a personal apology to players affected by these issues, explaining the problems faced by the team and the steps being taken to correct them. Yoshida states that several of the load-related issues are still persisting, so the team is currently placing restrictions on logins to try to relieve some congestion and better identify server failure points. He goes on to apologize to players for any wait experienced and asks for patience as the team strives to deliver the best possible experience for all players. There's no word on how long these restrictions will be in place or what form they will take, but with the official launch tomorrow, we can only hope that the issues are largely sorted out soon.
Get a head start on your FIFA 14 Ultimate Team on September 15
According to a tweet issued by EA Sports' official FIFA Twitter account, early access for FIFA 14's Ultimate Team mode will arrive in web app form on September 15, ahead of the game's release date on September 24. Ultimate Team, the popular card-collecting-style mode in the series, contributed to FIFA 13's $70 million in digital sales in Q1 2014. EA Sports offered a web app last year for FIFA 13 Ultimate Team players prior to the game's launch as well, which allowed players to buy, trade and sell athletes for their teams. It remains to be seen if this year's early access offerings are similar.
The Mog Log: Returning to your Final Fantasy XIV friends
Despite my best efforts, I was unable to throw open the doors and start demonstrating the wonders of Arcanist with my time in Final Fantasy XIV's open beta. I know, I'm disappointed too. I can offer a summary of what I saw from a glance at the abilities of the class, sure, but that's a little more speculation than I want to lay on people in lieu of real playtime. (The short version is that it looks interesting, and yes, there's a cure in there.) Instead, I'm going to offer some advice to my fellow players coming back into the game with older characters. Think of these not as strict guidelines but as suggestions, tips to make the path through beta and early access just a wee bit easier. I spent most of phase 3 preparing for the launch along these lines, and it might make the transition a bit more gentle for everyone.
Audiosurf 2 rides the wave to Steam Early Access in September
Audiosurf 2 will make its debut on Steam through the Early Access program sometime in September. The news comes from a brief blurb over on the game's official site. Previously, the sequel was billed as Audiosurf Air. Creator Dylan Fitterer's studio, Invisible Handlebar, even went so far as to launch a website and solicit beta applicants for Audiosurf Air early last year. Predecessor Audiosurf - a game that builds custom 3D levels from your music library, which you then "surf" in the game - first launched on Steam in February 2008. Audiosurf is often credited as being a pioneer in the modern indie games movement.
Electronic Super Joy is happy to enter Steam Early Access
Electronic Super Joy, the hardcore platformer with a flashy soundtrack, is on its way to Steam Early Access on August 7 for $5, a 35 percent discount from its eventual launch price of $8. Pre-orders get instant access to the beta, and the Steam version will include online leaderboards, achievements and brand new levels (to die in). Electronic Super Joy is a mix of Super Hexagon and Super Meat Boy, and not only because they share a similar word – it stands out at conventions because of its bright colors, high-intensity music, and the crowd around players failing ridiculous platforming levels again and again. Seriously, you will die in these levels, but it will sound so good. Electronic Super Joy is available for pre-order, with beta access, right now for PC, Mac and Linux via developer Michael Todd Games.
Insurgency gameplay video and screens are being dramatic
This gameplay video for Insurgency, a team-based online FPS from New World Interactive, includes some rather dramatic music. We get it, a trailer for a game based on a popular Half-Life 2 mod by the same name deserves a little extra spice. The fact that the game is already available on Steam through the platform's Early Access service for $14.99 says something else to us, though. Given Insurgency's tactical online play for up to 32 players, the game seems more inviting and inclusive than the dramatic music makes it sound. If New World Interactive is stumped while matching music with its trailers in the future, however, we'd recommend something more lighthearted. %Gallery-194176%
The Daily Grind: How many times can a game launch?
We've given Neverwinter a lot of guff for its soft launch followed by an actual launch, but the fact is it's not the only culprit. MechWarrior Online has theoretically been in open beta for some time, but now it has a launch date. Firefall's closed beta at times felt like it was just an open beta in waiting. Some free-to-play games don't even bother officially launching; they just slowly stop calling the game a title in beta while the cash shop quietly opens. And then you have relaunches like Final Fantasy XIV... You'd think that the criteria for a launch would be pretty straightforward, but increasingly we've seen titles that can rack up multiple launch dates with the same amount of fanfare, and that's without considering staggered early access. So today we ask you, dear readers: How many times can a game launch? Do soft launches and full launches count? Relaunches? Business model launches? Major patch launches? What should and shouldn't count? 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!
Dieselpunk turn-based March of War storms Steam
Tired of the same-old World War II video games that seem to add little new to the genre? March of War may be the fresh approach that will revitalize your interest in the era. The multiplayer strategy game is set in an alternate 1940s timeline when dieselpunk powers war machines fight on the front lines for five factions. It's also episodic, free, and available right now through Steam's early access program. The game's isometric view puts you in the commander's seat as you fight against other players in a turn-based format. The first episode, World Aflame, is the core game; further episodes will be released on a monthly basis. Steam players who jump in right now will receive a welcome pack with infantry and special command abilities. March of War will eventually be released on multiple platforms this summer, including PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. We've got the release trailer after the break.
Edge of Space available now, thanks to Steam Early Access
After getting approved by both Kickstarter and the Steam Greenlight program, the indie sandbox survival game, Edge of Space, is playable by the public, thanks to Steam's Early Access program. The game can now be purchased for an early access price of $11.99, just a few bucks off from the eventual $14.99 launch price. Anyone buying the game for early access will also get a set of "First Responder Armor," with some extra bonuses as you leave your crashed spaceship and attempt to survive in an alien world. This release of the game is still in beta, and the developers promise there may be other early adopter rewards beyond encounters with "genetically-evolved polar bears."
RIFT offers early access to a new dimension
If you're enjoying RIFT's free-to-play model, you're probably also enjoying the game's various Dimensions. This means that you're no doubt excited about the upcoming launch of a new Dimension, Three Springs, complete with its own unique Dimension items. But you don't have to wait for its full release, as the development team is offering a select few players a chance to get early access to this Dimension. How do you manage that? By being awesome. On July 9th, the owner of the top weekly rated Dimension on each server will receive a special early access key to Three Springs and the associated items on a character of the owner's choice. That means you'll need to have the most awesome Dimension on your server during voting from July 3rd through the 9th to try it before you can buy it. So what are you waiting for? Crack your knuckles and get decorating -- there's a new space to create!
Pathfinder Online early access begins in 2014
Last January, Pathfinder Online sneaked past its Kickstarter funding goal of a million real-life dollars at what was effectively the last minute. And now, five months after that success, Goblinworks is ready to outline what it is that early backers actually purchased. In a lengthy and detailed blog post, Goblinworks' Ryan Dancey explained what the GW team considers to be Pathfinder Online's "minimum viable product." He also explained that early enrollment users will first gain access to what is effectively a barebones version of the game, with the focus from the team being on building a strong foundation for the content to come. Development will continue in phases from there. Most important for backers is the announcement of a timeline; early enrollment for Pathfinder Online is currently set for the third quarter of 2014 and is expected to run for around 18 months. With that schedule, unrestricted territorial warfare would launch in the first quarter of 2016. Goblinworks is billing the long development pipeline as an opportunity for players to get in on the ground floor and witness MMO development from the inside out. [Thanks to Chrysillis for the tip!]
A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Marvel Heroes' strengths and weakness
Those of you who have followed the column for a while are familiar with the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of Marvel Heroes, though it's more an issue of apathy than malice. Still, early access has started, players are starting to get what they paid for up front with Founder's Packs, and it's time to stop considering what the game could do before testing ends and start considering what it's actually doing. Leaving aside the discussion of whether or not it fully succeeds at its goals, I think Marvel Heroes has a couple of big positives in the current market and one staggeringly dumb decision. So we're going to look at that sandwich-style. And then let's talk about the future of the column at the end -- if we're talking about Marvel, we really need a shocking revelation at the end or it won't ring true.
The Daily Grind: Are head starts worth the hassle?
We're getting into the spring launch season, what with Age of Wushu, Defiance, and Neverwinter (not to mention expansions and whatnot). It's an exciting time of year, kind of the groundhog coming out of his digital hole to break the cold dry spell of winter. As with any launch, there's usually the question of early access and how much you're willing to jump through hoops to get in a couple days before the rest of the crowd. As a player who's done anything he can to get in there on the pre-launch day, I can attest that it's pretty important for me. I like knowing I'm in there right at the start, that I can reserve my names, and that I don't have to twiddle my thumbs while knowing that other players are enjoying the game. But that's just me. What about you? Are head starts worth the extra effort and money to join? Do those extra few days matter in any significant way? 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!
Steam introduces 'Early Access:' Buy and play games still in development
Valve's Steam platform has initiated a new "Early Access" program, which allows players to purchase and immediately begin playing select games that are still in development. The full list of titles currently available under the initiative include Arma 3 and StarForge, among others, though the selection will be increasing "over time," according to the new service's FAQ.Mechanically, purchases through Early Access will function the same as buying a full, completed game, with the only difference being that, you know, the game isn't finished yet. Theoretically, free-to-play games could also become part of Early Access, in which case there would be no purchase price for participation in the pre-launch play time.
Age of Wushu unveils its Deluxe Edition
Is something missing from your life following the end of the last Age of Wushu closed beta? Something like Age of Wushu? If you enjoyed what you saw during testing, you might be interested in picking up the game's Deluxe Edition, available from the official site right now. Priced at $19.99, it's a chance for fans to get in on the game early and pick up several perks, including automatic access to the second closed beta beginning December 20th. Purchasers will also receive a bundle of upgrades worth about $15 if bought piecemeal from the game's cash shop as well as 60 days of VIP status. Anyone who buys the Deluxe Edition will also have access to special events and sweepstakes made available only to purchasers. If you can't wait to lay your hands on the game again, you'd probably best head over and order soon, since December 20th is approaching fast. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Boxee's Early Access program is looking for a few good testers, dangles Cloudee preview
While Boxee's oddly shaped set-top box is still its main claim to fame, it's been testing a cloud-based video hosting / sharing service for several months in closed beta. We got a peek at Cloudee, which could evolve into additional features for the Boxee Box some day, back then but you could get your own peek as Boxee is recruiting new (US-based only, for now) blood for its Early Access program. According to the Facebook posting you could get to test some new things for the Boxee and Cloudee projects, so if you're a fan in need of storage and like living on the cutting edge, hit the source link for a shot at joining in.
Klei Entertainment's next course: 'Don't Starve'
Klei Entertainment, developer of the Shank series and Mark of the Ninja, has another game up its sleeve, this one called Don't Starve.Don't Starve is "an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic," done in a hauntingly charming art style, and it's available now for $6.99 as an early access beta. The beta is browser-based, through the Chrome Web Store, but the full game will be standalone.That price gets players two beta keys – one for a friend – and the full game on Steam once it launches. Check out the above trailer for Don't Starve and hop on the beta train at this stop.
Leaderboard: Launch strategies
With the community facing the reality of a Guild Wars 2 launch this next week and plenty of other releases this fall, launches are on my mind. How we deal with launches, wouldn't you agree, is just as important as how we deal with life? Or botched Braveheart quotes? So when it comes down to a game that you are looking to play, there are really three strategies for launch. There are those who will do anything and everything to get into a head start/early access type of situation, even if it means paying for a premium product or turning their Facebook timelines into a giant ad for the game. Then you have the folks who are OK with just being there on launch day, even though it's really like launch plus three days at that point. Finally, there are the "wait and see-ers" who prefer to let the initial crush of the stampede pass so that they can enjoy the game at their leisure. Which are you? Vote after the jump and let the world know of your idiosyncrasies!
Guild Wars 2 starts up the final countdown to launch [Updated]
It's the final countdown for the Guild Wars 2 launch, and that means that time is becoming very important. If you're desperately trying to get a specific name on launch or just aiming to be ahead of the curve when you play, the exact times that the servers come online will be very relevant, which is why there's a new official post explaining exactly when everything is happening on the road to a full launch on August 28th. Pre-purchasers with access to the headstart will be able to start playing on August 25th at 3:00 a.m. EDT, with the caveat that servers may be brought up three hours early to check stability one last time. Those who pre-ordered the game but didn't fully purchase a copy will have access to a one-day headstart beginning on August 27th at 3:00 a.m. EDT. If you're in either camp and want to get patched up ahead of time, you can download the client now and ensure that your computer is ready to catch every moment of the last two weeks before launch. [Thanks to miattavich for the tip!] [Update: The team has also posted the full server list for launch.]
