empire
Latest
EVE Evolved: PvP masterclass - Gang warfare
PvP Masterclass is a series of articles explaining PvP from the bottom up and showing you how to get involved even if you're a new player. In part 1 of this series, I examined the main types of PvP a player can choose in EVE Online and showed the directions players can take their PvP careers. In this second part, I explore how small gang warfare fits into the PvP landscape of EVE and help you decide what avenues you should pursue if small gang warfare is your cup of tea.Numbers game:A complaint I hear all too often today is that small gang warfare in EVE is dead, that PvP is a numbers game and competing on the battlefield means having the biggest blob. It almost always transpires that these people are trying to shoehorn small gang warfare into places it's not suited for like major 0.0 territorial conflicts or that they're neglecting the importance of intel-gathering scouts. Small gang warfare isn't about your gang of five ships trying to take on a blob of two hundred. It's about putting together a small, tight unit of pilots and picking your fights carefully.Whether you're planning to pirate, fight for the Gallente Federation or declare war on your neighbours, small gang warfare is for you. Read on as I examine the small roaming gang, one of EVE's oldest and most fun avenues of PvP.
The Lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic
The hotly anticipated MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) from BioWare has only just been announced, but they've already given us a clear picture of the game's setting and a bit of the lore as well. From what we can tell, you won't need to be a die-hard fan of Star Wars to appreciate the title, which is good news as there's a daunting amount of Star Wars canon out there. That said, it'll certainly help to have at least some grounding in what's going on in Star Wars: The Old Republic. To that end, Massively's put together a brief primer on the lore of SWTOR.Who is this written for? People who've seen the films but may not necessarily have played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) on PC or console, and especially those who haven't read the novels or various comic book lines released over the years. Read on, and we'll introduce you to the backdrop and factions of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Get Educated, Padawan >>
EVE Evolved: PvP masterclass - Introduction
One of the most perplexing things about EVE Online has to be the fact that although the game is essentially designed around PvP, a lot of players avoid it entirely. In this new series of articles, I will explain PvP from the bottom up, with a particular focus on helping anyone that has always wanted to give EVE's high quality PvP a try but wasn't sure what to do. In this first article, I examine the different types of PvP available in EVE Online and suggest ways to get involved in them even if you're just finishing the 14-day trial.Types of PvP:In most MMOs, PvP means organised battleground matches or one versus one player duels. For those games lucky enough to have open world PvP, the options are a lot more varied. In EVE Online, the exact right combination of factors come together to create what on a good day I can only describe as the best PvP experience I have ever had in a computer game. Rather than just being something fun to do, PvP in EVE arises as a natural consequence of normal play, used by players to push forward their own agenda in a harsh, dismal space-borne society.Continue reading as I help you choose which type of PvP suits you the best and suggest ways to get involved in it.
Massively's WAR Camp: Tier 3 Scenario Guides pt. 2
The Talabec Dam scenario may remind some FPS fans of a much older (but still popular) game, as it involves running a bomb or "Powder Keg" to a particular location in order to blow it sky-high. However, no one starts with the bomb in Talabec, and players must fight off the enemy team to have a chance to pick up the sole Powder Keg that lies in the middle of the map. Once this takes place, you'll either be pushing your team towards the bombing site, or trying to assassinate the bomb carrier or run his timer down and prevent the big boom! Click the button below to see our Talabec Dam gallery guide. To Talabec Dam << Previous page: Tor Anroc %Gallery-34148%
Massively's WAR Camp: Tier 2 Scenario Guides pt. 3
Stonetroll Crossing is the Tier 2 scenario for the Empire and Chaos pairing. The stars of this scenario are the Stonetrolls, who toss large chunks of rock all over the map at regular intervals. A Troll Pacifier is located in the center of the scenario, and can be used to pacify the trolls, earning points towards victory for your realm. It's not as easy as it sounds though, with both the trolls and the enemy players interrupting you every step of the way. Click through to our gallery guide below to preview the stomping grounds of these mischievous trolls. To Stonetroll Crossing << Previous page %Gallery-34148%
Massively's WAR Camp: Tier 1 Scenario Guides pt. 3
The last stop on our tour of the Tier 1 scenarios is Nordenwatch. This scenario can be reached from the Nordland and Norsca zones, and is the home turf for the Empire and Chaos races. Similar to the Gates of Ekrund, there is one central objective that both teams will meet up at for an epic clash, almost every time. Our last gallery guide of this series features a closer look at what you can expect to find in Nordenwatch. Do you have a favorite scenario? Is there one that you can't stand and refuse to queue for? Tell us about it in the comments below. To Nordenwatch << Previous page %Gallery-34148%
Massively goes to WAR: Guide to the Empire starting zone
Looking for a quest guide? You won't need it for Warhammer Online. The game holds your hand through every quest through a combination of in-game quest tracking, map marking and recording your every step in the Tome of Knowledge. How about a leveling guide? You won't need one of those either. Run through quests, PvP and hit the Public Quests and before you know it, you're on to the next tier of content.What we offer you here today is a look at the points of interest in the Empire starting zone. From character creation to major quest hubs to Public Quest locations to the first Open RvR area, we have a bird's eye view of where you will be spending the first 8 levels of your fledging adventurer's life. Click to Begin >> %Gallery-31881%
How to get to Altdorf, Ekrund, the Blighted Isle, or Nordland at level 1
You've jumped into Warhammer Online, and you're ready to go. You've picked your class and you're happy with your class mechanics ... but perhaps you don't want to play in your race's assigned tiers. Or maybe you just want to head to the mighty human city of Altdorf. We hear it's lovely this time of year. Heading to the Order capital city or one of the other starting zones is as easy as hiking to the first RvR War Camp in your starting zone ... but where is that? If you've never played before, how do you know?Well, we've got what you need. Click through below the cut for full details and maps on how to get to the first war camps in Nordland, the Blighted Isle, and the zone of Ekrund. Make sure you tell the Dwarven flight masters that Massively sent you!%Gallery-31341%
Massively goes to WAR: An overview of Melee DPS careers for Order
You don't have to side with Destruction to do some damage in Warhammer Online. Order has two melee classes that crank out the dps up close and personal in two distinctly different ways. The Empire Witch Hunter uses a combination of rapier strikes to build up Accusations and then uses them to power a devastating Execution shot from their pistols. The High Elf White Lion wades into the thick of combat with his faithful pet lion by his side using it to distract and ravage his enemies.Read on after the jump for a more in-depth class into these two Order melee dps careers. Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out all of our previous Warhammer Online features, and don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!
Ask a WAR Beta Tester: Greenskins and Chaos and Dark Elves, oh my
The road to Wahammer Online's release has been a lengthy walk for everyone. We've all been through ups and downs, but now that it's almost here we're more than happy to answer whatever questions are floating about your minds. So, in our second installment of Ask a WAR Beta Tester, we offer up some insight into the cut careers, leveling time and other questions of intrigue. All for the sake of satiating your burning desire to know more. Of course, we know that no matter how many answers are given there will be more questions asked. So if you've got something banging around in your brain that we haven't addressed, feel free to post a comment containing your question.
EVE exploit warning affects corp infiltration practices
War declarations are an essential part of EVE Online. They allow corporations and alliances to fight for control over resources, territory, or simply to get revenge on their rivals. Then again, others declare war for the opportunity to grief in Empire space. Perhaps it's this latter tendency that prompted the latest announcement from CCP Games. They're branding the monkeywrenching of rival corporations during wartime as an exploit. GM Grimmi states: "The practice of insta-joining/leaving warring corporations for the purpose of surprising war targets, or getting them in trouble with CONCORD, is considered an exploit from here on. Reports of this will be investigated on a case by case basis and warnings will be issued at the discretion of the GM. Repeated incidents may result in bans on accounts involved." This doesn't seem to apply to 'normal' corp infiltrations, though it does beg the question of why a corporation at war would even be accepting new recruits at all. What's the protocol in your corp, do you continue to accept applicants into the fold during a wardec, or is the risk of alt spying and sabotage too great?
The Digital Continuum: Memoirs of a WAR beta tester
I've given my thoughts on the Dark Elf section of Warhammer Online, but now that the whole NDA is lifted I can finally speak about my experience with the beta as a whole. I've been in it for a long time. A really long time, in fact. We're talking about, well, since the thing started. Which gives me something more to say than the typical tester talking about this game. In my time interacting as a member of the beta community with Mythic -- concerning Warhammer Online, of course -- I think I've seen more progress made on any MMO in the span of about a year than I have in any other in beta. And I've been in a lot of them.So what's the big deal? New MMOs are always facing the issue of going up against World of Warcraft's several years of polishing. Everyone has always wondered what it would take to deal with that issue, too. Mythic seems to have decided it will take raw, unadulterated determination. The kind that a child displays when presented with the opportunity to have a new toy. It also helps to have a license that Blizzard themselves once attempted to acquire because of its depth. Ironic? Only if WAR really does take a big chug out of the World of Warcraft milkshake.
Massively goes to WAR: Character creation video for Order classes
Those who bought the Collector's Edition of Warhammer Online get their preview weekend in a few days. And open beta will start soon after that. But for those who can't wait, we've recorded video of some of the character creation options in the game.After the jump you'll find three videos, each covering one of the races of Order: Dwarves, Empire (Human) and High Elf. We recorded both male and female choices and a number of different random variations to give you an idea of what you can do.Looking forward to playing Destruction instead? Those racial videos are right here.
The freedom of living in EVE Online's lawless space
In EVE Online, there are few things as feared by highsec dwellers as going into 0.0 space. These lawless tracts of New Eden do come with certain perils -- as CONCORD isn't there to protect you -- but there are arguably more benefits to flying in 0.0 than there are drawbacks. Still, there will always be a dichotomy in EVE between players who like the game for the freedom 0.0 offers, and those who prefer the safety of highsec. In 'Living the good life in 0.0,' EVE blogger Xiphos explains his choice to leave Empire space behind. "In 0.0, you are free. Free of Concord, free of hundreds of players, and free to set your own destiny... it is the untamed wild west, where fortune, power, and glory are right for the taking and few have yet to reach out and grasp it," Xiphos writes. Of course, being a member of Agony Unleashed, an EVE corp that provides in-game PvP courses, doesn't hurt in terms of knowing how to handle yourself in 0.0. Have a look at 'Living the good life in 0.0' and see Xiphos' take on the appeal of flying in lawless space. Do you agree with Xiphos' view of the game, and have you largely abandoned highsec in favor of 0.0 and all that comes with it, or simply to experience the most from the game? [Via CrazyKinux]
The Digital Continuum: Diet WAR
Diet Warhammer Online: same great taste, less content. Is it bad that the recently re-branded Mythic Entertainment just cut out a large portion of our Warhammer Online pie and put it in the deep freeze? Well it's certainly not good when a developer cuts content they've been talking about publicly for so long, especially when launch is only three or four months away. I've already written about why this MMO ode to classic tabletop trappings shouldn't be shoved onto shelves half-baked and I still feel like I'd rather see a delay than see so much content cut. While there have been plenty of delays already, that doesn't mean more would have been intolerable. I'm going to try and take an honest look at what the removal of four capital cities and four classes means for Warhammer Online. I will admit that when the news first hit, a vile and seemingly ancient sort of anger began to boil up inside my lungs. It was the onset of some form of draconian rage at the removal of so much content that I'd been personally invested in as a future player. I never really got into Chaos and planned on playing Dark Elves, but now a large part of that content is gone. At first I felt anger and confusion towards Mythic. It wasn't until after that initial knee-jerk anger passed that I was able to give some real thought to their choice and was able to consider the varied consequences.
From Tabletop to Desktop: WAR's Order careers
It's been a month since we last took a look at how Warhammer Online's Destruction classes have made the transition from the old-school tabletop game to a full-fledged MMO experience, and a lot has happened. We've shown you a huge amount of new coverage with our Massively Goes to WAR series, and even got some more hands-on details of each of the game's many classes. We know that the guild beta is practically within our reach, and the open beta never leaves our minds, though it still lies just over the horizon.Since our last look at the WAR's tabletop roots was so well-received, we went back to the drawing board to bring you part two - focusing this time on the races on the side of Order. If you plan on joining the ranks of the Dwarfs, Empire, or High Elves and lack the proper appreciation for how the game's classes came to be, read on! From Tabletop to Desktop: WAR's Order careers >>>>> %Gallery-26491%
Details revealed for Pipe Mania remake in interview
In an interview with Pocket Gamer, game designer Ben Everett and publisher Empire's product manager Rob Lightbody went into detail about their remake of the classic game Pipe Mania (also known as Pipe Dream) on the PSP. The original game, with a simple premise of keeping a usually green liquid (officially known as Flooze) oozing through a list of different pipes of the player's choosing until the next level, has been ported to many systems over the years. The remake will feature new game modes, slightly reduced difficulty, a "leak-meter" to allow you a chance to repair the pipe, different types of Flooze, new characters, "electricity" and uniquely for the PSP, a versus mode.However, we feel the most interesting aspect is the positive things they had to say about the PSP. Lightbody states that he has had "positive experiences" with the PSP, and they are also pleased with the sales of Jackass: The Game and FlatOut. Lightbody also states that respectable software sales are possible even in mainland European territories with a smaller PSP install base but it just requires "a little more of a focused effort." Look for this nostalgic remake coming to you from the PSP-friendly publisher in "mid-September."
New Empire vs Chaos info dump
The official Warhammer Online news hub has posted up a slew of Empire and Chaos information. The article discusses classes and most of their respective mastery paths -- three for each class. The only class that seems completely left out of the mix is the Empire tank, the Knight of The Blazing Sun. There is a chaos correspondence letter and then a ton of lore to chew through -- if you like. Finally, we're treated with tons of new screenshots to obsess over -- including some pretty interesting captures of the Chaos Marauder class.
Pipe Mania bringing the Nineties back to your DS
Remember Pipe Mania (or, as it was known in the U.S., Pipe Dream?). You certainly should do, because Empire Interactive reckons it was "one of the most popular and ported puzzle games of all time" when launched back in the late-Eighties and Nineties on a string of home computers.Even if the name doesn't ring any bells, you'll certainly be familiar with Pipe Mania's premise. It's one of those tile-based puzzle games where you rearrange pipe sections A or B to make sure fluid X or Y is getting to where it needs to be. Similar puzzles have appeared in numerous games, with BioShock one of the more high-profile titles to use the concept.Anyway, now Empire is bringing Pipe Mania back on the DS. As in the original, players are required to construct networks of piping from pre-ordained tile sets to keep the "Flooze" flowing without spillage. It's out later this year, and we've carefully funnelled the first thirteen shots into the gallery below.%Gallery-17917%[Via press release]
Classic puzzle game, Pipe Mania, headed to PSP
Pipe Mania was also popularized by the title of Pipe Dream, the classic version pictured above. Still, the concept in the newly confirmed remake by publisher Empire is the same and should be familiar to almost all of you. You build and connect pipes to outlast the spewing sewage which races through your construction. It's very simple, but outlandishly difficult in the later levels when the sewage starts to fill the pipes almost before you begin to construct a maze for it to go through.The updated version of the classic will feature different game modes, some characters, themes and play mechanics, but the heart is still the same. We're glad the publisher, Empire, is bringing back such a nostalgic puzzle game and will give you a heads up when a release date is confirmed.
