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The Daily Grind: How do you learn the game?
MMOs are complicated beasts. In most games you have at least a detailed set of game mechanics and combat systems to learn. That's not even getting into things like Fallen Earth with its maddeningly expansive crafting, or EVE Online and the detailed economy, or Champions Online and a costume creator that some find more engaging than the actual gameplay. There's a reason why most popular games spawn countless websites, forums, chat channels, and so forth -- because there's a great deal to learn, a large number of mysteries, and often a limit to how much useful information the game itself gives you. So how do you learn your game? Do you browse forums and ask questions, building up advice from a community? Do you read the numerous sites devoted to the games, such as databases and wikis? Do you buy print strategy guides and try and adapt to the changes as they come, piece-by-piece? Or do you eschew all of the above, preferring to just let yourself amble along and learn things by example and inference? There are a lot of resources out there, and we all have our preferred ones, but today we want to know about yours.
Fallen Earth offers a new exclusive item via Direct2Drive
Have you still not purchased Fallen Earth? Really? I mean, come on, you've been given special items everywhere you go to buy the game, you can get a discount if you're in the military, and they've just added new social features and gambling. Heck, we even had a piece about why you ought to be playing it, remember? Did all that not convince you? Well, admittedly, all of those other items were fluff and silliness, mildly useful but not exactly overwhelming. But with the latest offer, in partnership with Direct2Drive, they've brought what every apocalyptic survivor wants: brutal efficiency. No t-shirts for you, after all. Fashion is nice, but it's not as nice as a tool that gives a +6 boost to Scavenging skills, without taking up one of your valuable armor slots. Nor is it as nice as having a pair of Experience Boosts on-hand for any and all late-night grinding sessions you'd care to take part in. And if you'd like some backup out in the harsh wastelands, well, that's what the included Buddy Pass covers, letting you invite a friend to join you in Fallen Earth for a free 15-day trial. If all of this hasn't yet enticed you into the game through one of the more popular digital distributors out there, well, we don't know what it will take. Maybe even more hats.
One Shots: Not so chilly holidays
When it comes to the aftermath of the apocalypse, one thing can be inferred: these worlds don't seem to get terribly chilly. Think about it - most of the ones portrayed are deserts or other areas that appear to be warm enough for women to run around in scanty nothings all the time. Today's Fallen Earth One Shots seems to continue that pattern as this extremely toned CHOTA lass struggles to balance between covering herself and not overheating in too much armor. Blakavar caught this image while out roaming in Fallen Earth and writes in: This is Ursula, a CHOTA about to head out to collect blood and weapons from the Human League for the horde. It's a hot summer day up in Fracture. If you're playing an MMO we don't see often (or even one we see regularly) we want to see your screenshots. Who knows -- you may recruit some new players to check out your game! Just email those screens to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game, and whatever you'd like to say about the screenshot. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in.%Gallery-9798%
The Daily Grind: What are you proudest of crafting?
Crafting in MMOs is a fairly impersonal thing most of the time. Even with a complex system such as those found in Fallen Earth, Star Wars Galaxies, or Final Fantasy XI, a larger portion of what you can craft has been determined by the structure and programming of the game before you ever start up your efforts. But that doesn't mean there's nothing personal about what winds up happening, nor does it mean that you don't find yourself attached to the process. The feeling of "I made this" is just as strong, even if all you're talking about are a pair of pants you won't be wearing for more than two levels. Considering the time of year, most of us are probably placing a high premium on craftmanship these days to find the ultimate gift for our loved ones. So today, we ask you: what in-game crafted item are you most proud of? Was it a high-end piece that no one else you knew could craft before you? A silly low-level item that was your first taste of effective crafting? Or something else entirely? Do you still have it, or have you long since sold it or reduced it to component parts?
Serve in the military and get a discount on Fallen Earth
It's a hard time to be serving in the military, even if you're not stationed overseas at the moment. After all, the armed forces don't always get the luxury of having Christmas off. So it's nice to know that the gamers among the armed forces get a little bit extra if they're inspired to pick up Fallen Earth. The company has just announced that the military will receive a 20% discount on the price of the game, plus a free t-shirt with their purchase. And not one of the in-game items the game has been fond of giving out lately -- a real one. The offer is open to members in any one of the US armed branches -- the Coast Guard, Marines, Army, Air Force, or Navy are all eligible. All that's required is a .mil e-mail address to verify that the person ordering is in the military. The one catch is that it's only applied to orders through the official Fallen Earth store, so Steam and similar venues aren't available. But it's an excellent way of compensating the men and women serving their country, so if you are eligible and haven't grabbed the game yet, head on over to pick yourself up a copy.
Fallen Earth adds another distribution point with RealGames
When it comes to creating your own MMO, there are tons of things to think about: storyline, coding the project, what engine to use, writing out all the game's text, play-testing, bug testing, supporting a community and so much more. That's why we're really not surprised to see Icarus Studios & Fallen Earth, LLC embracing the heavy use of digital distribution as a method of getting Fallen Earth out to the public. Add to that their connection to partners like Steam, Direct2Drive and now RealGaming -- part of the RealNetworks group. It's not only cost-effective, but it additionally gets their game out in front of people who may not have seen their indie post-apocalyptic MMO otherwise. Along with their connection to RealNetworks comes a tie to 650 partner sites such as GameStop, PC Gamer, and GameRiot. While it's unlikely we'll ever see Fallen Earth trial CDs roaming counter-tops in the wild, it's nice to know that if they ever get the urge to do so, the partnership that could help make that happen is now there. There's always more room in the apocalypse for fresh new clones!
Fallen Earth arrives on Impulse, offers more exclusive attire
If you play Fallen Earth and are resolutely dedicated to having as many unique pieces of clothing as possible for your character, you probably already have a couple extra copies from your need for faction-centric t-shirts and a really awesome hat. Add another one on to your list as the game moves on to the Impulse digital distribution store, offering two exclusive items for purchase: the Fancy White Boots and the Snazzy White Hat. It's unlikely that you'd purchase the game again just for a pair of boots and a hat, of course, but for new players these both promise to be quite the enticement. The boots are the more durable of the two, offering 31 primary armor, 20 secondary, and 10 tertiary, as well as a 3% bonus on all saving throws. The hat, on the flip side, offers about half of the armor and a bonus to the Scavenging, Nature, and Geology skills, excellent boosts for any new character. The game's array of extra items are all offering roughly the same overall bonus, but they give reason to pay attention as it spreads to different distribution methods, not to mention keeping the game fresh in people's mind. So if you haven't given Fallen Earth a try yet, perhaps the promise of some fancy white dancing shoes with matching hat will get you moving.
One Shots: Billions and billions of stars
When there are things roaming the land that want nothing more than to devour you, it's not too often that one stops to enjoy a starry night in the post-apocalyptic lands of Fallen Earth. As for us, we love it when game designers put this kind of attention to detail in their games. There again, there aren't that many MMOs set on the same planet we inhabit, to be entirely fair. Wonder what we're babbling on about? Check out this note we got from Kitty to go with today's Fallen Earth One Shots: It's astronomically correct! The pointer stars of the Big Dipper point to the North star.If you've noticed some interesting attention to detail in your favorite game, we'd love to see it! All you have to do is snap a screenshot and email it to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it out here and give you the credit. Easy, no?%Gallery-9798%
Order Fallen Earth via Steam and improve your attire
Just because the world has come to an end and society is left to scramble around in the ruins doesn't mean you can't look dashing in the process. Fallen Earth has been on a bit of a kick lately of giving away clothing to purchasers of the game, starting with an astonishingly fetching hat, and now extending via the popular digital service Steam. Until December 3rd, those who purchase the game via Steam will receive a voucher good for a special t-shirt representing one of the game's factions -- CHOTA, Enforcers, Lightbearers, Techs, Travelers or Vistas. Each shirt qualifies as a piece of level 10 armor, with other stats that are appropriate to the faction in question. (Expect the Techs shirt to offer bonuses to crafting rather than combat bonuses, for example.) The vouchers can be turned in at any time, and should the player later decide they'd prefer to represent someone else, a shirt may be turned in and exchanged for another shirt as well. It's nothing game-breaking, but yet another added incentive to pick up Fallen Earth and see what all the fuss is about. Still not quite as good-looking as the hat, of course, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
The Daily Grind: Thanksgiving eating binge edition
Everyone during Thanksgiving Day asks you what you're thankful for. It's a logical if somewhat bland question, given the nature of the holiday. But today, we here at Massively would like to celebrate something equally integral to the holiday -- stuffing yourself until you can no longer move under your own power. Today, we want to know what game you're going to be gorging yourself on today and with any further time off you get in the near future -- what you're going to just play until your eyes roll back in your head. Really, what better way to celebrate a holiday where our biggest tradition is eating in excess? Perhaps you're going to enjoy some Allods Online in the closed beta, being lucky enough to be in the beta and enjoy a game that's getting some good press thus far. Maybe you'd prefer to wander the wastes of Fallen Earth and take in a full helping of niche gameplay and deep systems. Or perhaps you're just taking a spin through an old favorite like EVE Online and taking comfort in the familiar. When you have the time, what game are you devouring?
Fallen Earth screenshot contest winners announced
It's a beautiful day in the badlands, with the sun shining down on you unprotected in the wilderness, surrounded by horrible creatures and with only a few dozen bullets left before you are completely defenseless. What's not to be thankful for? Fallen Earth might not seem like the most appropriate setting for a Thanksgiving celebration, but the game recently held a screenshot contest for either what the player's character is thankful for or a "traditional" celebration in the wasteland. Yesterday, the winners were announced, with the top entries all receiving special in-game food that offers buffs and the essential proper nutrition for surviving the hostile environment. The first-place winner also receives a Fallen Earth t-shirt. A small gallery is also available, with the three winners and the honorable mention available for viewing. It's not every game where appropriate holiday celebration includes heavily-armed men standing on a farm surrounded by corpses, but it works for Fallen Earth and should provide the game's players with some appropriate chuckles. Or, given the context, perhaps "inappropriate" is more apt.
Fallen Earth puts a feather in your hat for purchasing
It's always nice to get a little something extra for what you were planning on doing anyway. It's even nicer when the "little something extra" is something you would want on its own merits, at that. Fallen Earth has decided to give its new players exactly that variety of something extra: if you buy now through the official site, you will receive the lovely and (dare we say it) eminently pimptacular hat displayed to the right. The hat isn't enough reason for you? Well, clearly you aren't looking closely enough at the hat itself. You also might not know that the hat provides your character with Scavenging, Nature, Geology, and Social skill points just by donning it. It's a really nice hat. Lest we get carried away by gushing about the hat, however, it should be duly noted that the hat is also a limited-time offer for purchasers of the game, and is only being distributed by purchasing the game from the official site. So if you've been on the fence, this might be the time to get off the fence and get yourself a truly excellent hat for your troubles.
Fallen Earth car show today!
Are your poor feet sore from running around Fallen Earth's enormous post-apocalyptic Grand Canyon? Sick of getting chomped on by mutated chickens? Just want to check out the latest and greatest when it comes to kludged-together vehicles -- or perhaps show off your own? Then get your convoy rolling for Spider Hill in the northern part of Sector 1 at 3 PM Eastern today! That's the site of the huge Car Show, being put on by Saints Incorporated and The Shop. Aside from seeing all the latest in Fallen Earth automotive awesomeness, players who stop by will be treated to giveaways, a wasteland drag show, and heavens knows what else. Post Apoc Radio will also be on the scene to play some rockin' music and provide colorful RP commentary (as always). So gather up the whole clan and come by the Car show -- make valuable crafting friends, or pick up some excellent prizes!
One Shots: No telling what the future holds
It is a world twisted by the Shiva virus, where countries turned on one another until only a small pocket of humanity is now left. But even facing the adversity of radiation, mutations, sand worms, and enormous cockroaches, the people of Fallen Earth soldier on, moving towards a better future. You know, one involving crafting and rebuilding society and a bunch of butt-kicking. Today's great One Shots comes to us from Dethgar who was traveling through the wastes and sends this postcard back: This is me along the road from Oilville to Embry Crossroads. My computer barely runs the game, but I've been pleasantly surprised by this game since beta. To the future!Can you believe it's been 2 years since we started One Shots? It has! We'd like to take this moment to thank you all for the great images you've sent in over the last two years, which has helped us amass an enormous gallery. If you'd like to be a part of the upcoming year, send in your MMO screenshots to us here at Oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. Excelsior!%Gallery-9798%
Subscribe to Fallen Earth by tonight and get an exclusive Trooper gas mask
If you picked up a Fallen Earth trial key in the recent batch and found yourself falling in love with the barren wastelands of the post-apocalyptic Grand Canyon, then you'll want to listen up. For those of you who decide to make the jump and subscribe to the game by tonight (10/30) at midnight Eastern, you can land yourself a swanky, special-edition Trooper gas mask, as seen to the right. (For those of you who are already subscribed, you'll get this in the mail tomorrow!) Why is this so cool, you ask? Well dustbowlers, this is the absolute must-have fashion accessory of the season - especially when you live in an irradiated, disease-ridden desert. This mask will give you a plethora of bonuses to armor against everything from acid to sonic attacks. In addition to that, it also adds +5 to your Charisma with its rubbery good looks and +6 to a body save since it's such a pain in the arse to hack through this thing and splatter your brains everywhere. So if you've been thinking about subscribing, now is a great time to join those of us who call the barren wastes of Fallen Earth home!
Fallen Earth costume contest winners announced
The apocalypse: place of beat up armor and scavenged and repurposed items galore. While this means you're in great luck for making an outfit in-game, it makes things a bit more difficult when it comes to making a Fallen Earth costume in the real world. Do you stay true to the game and only use things that look the same as existing gear? Or do you get creative in your costume scavenging and let your imagination run wild? Well, this year it would appear that the entries for the second annual Fallen Earth costume contest did both.The three categories awarded for this year's contest winners were Most Original Setting, Most Accurate Game Costume, and Best Inside Joke on Scavenging, which went to Sinoth, blackenedlegions, and spookdi respectively. There were also four honorable mentions (faust, Schipperke, Beorend, jac428) and a shout out to one of our staffers who sent in a costume too. Be sure to go check out the gallery of winners for some pretty cool post-apocalyptic costumes!
Massively Exclusive: Fallen Earth dev event transcript (and another party!)
This weekend we had the chance to hang out with a bunch of rough-and-tumble types in the wastelands of Fallen Earth. No, we weren't just doing our typical weekend gaming! We were lucky enough to get to spend some time in-game, hanging out with Marie "Arosei" Croall, Content Team Lead for Fallen Earth. During the evening, we asked her some of the great player submitted questions we solicited last week. She also tossed out a couple of interesting asides to the huge crowd that amassed to take part in the event - and to get some of the free goodies we were handing out! For those of you who may not have been able to make it - or would just like to check it out without all the cross-chatter - we've transcribed the interview (and some interesting asides) behind the break. Also, remember that we have another Massively Fallen Earth event happening this Wednesday night at the Embry Satellite, starting at 9:00 PM Eastern. This time our very own Shawn Schuster will be dropping by to hold a Massively Reader Meet-up, with - you guessed it - more free stuff, and a special Halloween-themed show on Post Apoc Radio.
Fallen Earth fan: "Don't play Fallen Earth"
You should most definitely not be playing Fallen Earth. How can you tell? Why, because Bio Break recently posted a long article explaining exactly why you shouldn't be playing it. And this isn't coming from a fan who's just disgruntled about a certain update or class rebalancing (though the latter would be pretty funny) -- it's from one of the game's most adamant fans who has no shortage of good things to say about the game. So why would he tell you not to play the game? One of the best things a fan can have is perspective. In his piece, Syp outlines all of the reasons that most players, even if they've been enamoured of the game's press, might want to use extreme caution stepping into Fallen Earth for the first time. Technical problems such as the server instability issues, of course, are likely to be improved -- but the game's unforgiving character-building system, its dwarfing sense of scale when the players get started, and the survivalist attitude that the game tacitly enforces are all part of the charm of the game. Of course, he's not suggesting that the game is bad -- but giving everyone a much-needed dose of perspective on a game that's really not well-suited to everyone.
Upcoming 1.2 details expanded for Fallen Earth
Playing a game like Fallen Earth teaches you the value of hitting the ground running, as it makes it much less likely that something or someone is going to jump you, take your things, and possibly eat you. It's a lesson the developers have clearly taken to heart, as they've been running and working hard at developing their game. Patch 1.2 is scheduled to go live for the game on October 22nd, and the developers have given more information about what players can expect. Chief among the changes is the expansion of the game's tutorial -- with a game that has a very strict philosophy against letting you roll back any changes you make, understanding the importance of each choice becomes vital. Currently, the tutorial covers a number of elements of the game and is supposed to tease the player regarding high-end gameplay. In patch 1.2, there will be an optional expansion that runs an additional 35-40 minutes, covering crafting, scavenging, mounts, and harvesting. It's also slated to help reinforce the game's basic combat system. In addition to these changes, the game is streamlining and improving several of the game's town events. Areas such as Clinton Farm, Boneclaw, and the Embry Crossroads Monster Hunt were a bit more obtuse than the developers liked, and with the feedback from players they're going to be making the missions more understandable and straightforward. There are good things coming soon to Fallen Earth, certainly, although it's still probably not a bad idea to hit the ground running -- tutorials don't last forever, after all.
One Shots: Always darkest before the dawn
With a huge number of changes having rolled out in the last month since the early start, the team at Fallen Earth continue to improve the game for those who are enjoying this post-apocalyptic indie MMO. One such player, Fleendini, wrote in to share a snapshot he got before heading out for another day in the wastes of the Grand Canyon. he writes in: My first sunrise in Fallen Earth. Unfortunately, I need to run at near minimum graphic settings, but it's still a beautifully apocalyptic sight. Hopefully with the graphical changes coming in to help improve memory, you'll be able to crank those settings up before long, Fleendini! If you're playing an MMO, we want to see your screens! From big to small, all of them are welcome. Just drop them in an email to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post them out here and give you the credit. %Gallery-9798%
