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Global Agenda hints at new Dome Defense mission
Just when you thought it was safe to park your agent in a secluded corner of the dome and troll the city chat, Hi-Rez Studios is hinting at a new Dome Defense mission coming soon to spy-fi shooter Global Agenda. In a series of teaser posts to its Facebook page, Hi-Rez says the mission is "not quite ready for the public test server yet," but is the nonetheless exciting enough to warrant three new screenshots. In keeping with Global Agenda's free-to-play theme, the new mission won't cost game owners a dime, and it will feature attacks from Recursive Colony bots as well as grim-faced NPC Dalton Bancroft in a support role. Check out the new screens in our gallery below and stay tuned for further info. %Gallery-35351%
The Daily Grind: Which in-game item did you work for the longest?
Most MMORPGs are loot-centric games, and whether the gear is required for basic gameplay or relatively meaningless "flair," often times acquiring certain items takes quite a bit of time and effort. Hi-Rez Studios' 12 Drops of Christmas promotion recently concluded with the gifting of an abominable snowman helmet to the Global Agenda die-hards who managed to make it through the lengthy set of challenges. While most of the tasks were pretty easy to accomplish in-game, coordinating the events with hectic holiday schedules took some doing, and I had a couple of close calls when it came to meeting the objectives and squeaking in under the deadlines. Today's Daily Grind asks about your prized rare loot items and the hoops you had to jump through to obtain them. Which item took you the longest time to acquire, and how long did you work for it? 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!
Global Agenda's "Friends with Benefits" promotion returns with an upgrade
Hi-Rez Studios is surfing a perfect wave of holiday sales for Global Agenda, and the team is pushing hard to expand the community for this MMO sci-fi shooter. Because of this, GA's "Friends with Benefits" promotion has returned as a way to incentivize both regular players to recruit their friends and new players to join up. Executive Producer Todd Harris sees this as the ideal way to promote the game: "As our veterans already realize, Global Agenda is most fun when played with friends, and our "Friends With Benefits" (FWB) program supports further community growth through word of mouth." If a current Global Agenda player refers a friend with a special coupon code, the friend can purchase the game for 50% off -- this is an increase from the 30% deal the studio offered last year. This deal is only good for those who buy the game through Global Agenda's own store, which lists the product at $19.99. For each friend who takes the bait, the recruiter earns a series of rewards, including "flair" items and prestige pets.
The Daily Grind: What game do you play even though you suck?
"Bad players." It's a label thrown around quite a lot in global chats, Vent channels, and forums nowadays. With the influx of warm bodies to the online gaming space, there's bound to be some separation (whether it's perceived or actual) between the wheat and the chaff. The funny thing is, a lot of us know that we "suck" in advance of the reminders from folks who feel the need to constantly point it out. What a few of the more vocal "bad players" trolls fail to realize is that enjoyment derived from MMORPGs isn't limited to a game's competitive aspects. As an example, Global Agenda would have to qualify as one of my favorite MMOs from the last half decade, but judging by my ASM score, I'm one of the worst Robos on the North American shard. That doesn't stop me from logging in and thoroughly enjoying myself on a daily basis, though. What about you, Massively readers? What game(s) do you consistently (proudly?) play at a less than proficient level? [Thanks to the Massively IRC channel for inspiring the topic!] 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!
The Anvil of Crom: Time for F2P?
Welcome to the Anvil of Crom, folks, and to the new year. I kicked around a lot of ideas for this initial column, including some raid and endgame commentary, an analysis of Craig Morrison's latest development update, and a look at the new Jhebbal Sag PvP minigame. While all that stuff is worth talking about, it will have to wait, as I stumbled across a thought-provoking thread on the official forums last week that demands attention. The thread addresses, both directly and indirectly, the two most important Age of Conan issues that Funcom needs to fix in the coming year (those being the game's population and its grind). The title of the thread? Time for F2P.
Global Agenda offers crazy one-day-only price drop
If Santa didn't bring you the Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas that you'd been wanting for oh-so-long, well, we have something infinitely better -- and you can reassure your mom that short of a miracle, you'll never shoot your eye out with it. Pushing for one last surge of reinforcements to the join the new holiday recruits, Hi-Rez Studios has dropped the price of Global Agenda a whopping 75% to the ridonkulously low price of $7.49. The only catch to this deal is that this is part of the Steam sale, and that means it's only good until tomorrow, December 29th, at noon EST. It also leaves out those who prefer physical media to digital downloads. But let's be honest -- you can probably find $7.49 between a bit of couch-cushion digging and whatever was left in your pockets after snagging a warming venti mocha frappuccino to keep warm during the holidays. A box would just take up space anyway. In return, you'll get to immerse yourself in fragtastic fun in Global Agenda -- the game where a turkey is a very stylish hat. What are you waiting for? Head on over to Steam and snag your copy before this deal is gone!
Steam offering discounts on MMOs for the holidays
You never get everything you want over the holiday. That's inevitable. That's also why Steam, the digital distribution service that's become all but ubiquitous, always takes the chance to offer steep discounts for players once the holiday season starts up in earnest. This year has already seen the rollout of some big sales, with Final Fantasy XI, Aion, and Global Agenda all available for discounted prices -- prices in excess of 50% off. Final Fantasy XI's complete collection is being offered for $4.99 up through January 3rd. Aion is available for just $10 (a 75% reduction and the steepest discount of the lot) through January 2nd, and Global Agenda can be picked up for a $15 outlay with no subscription fee. It's a wide enough range of games that nearly anyone will find something worth picking up, and on the off chance you don't see your dream game listed, keep your eye on Steam over the next few days. It's better to give than receive, yes, but it's even better to do both.
The Daily Grind: What's your longest journey to the level cap?
So I recently hit the level cap (again) in Age of Conan, and it got me to thinking about how rare an occasion that really is. While I've played a huge number of MMORPGs over the years, I can count the number of times I've managed to reach the mythical endgame on one hand. I came close on a couple of occasions (notably in Aion and Lord of the Rings Online) only to have an expansion come out and bump the cap beyond the reach of an unrepentant game-hopper. Recently I've returned to Atreia for a bit of dabbling, and given the stately pace of NCsoft's updates, it looks like I might possibly max out at 55 in the near future. If and when that momentous occasion occurs, my Sorcerer will be well over a year in the making. Conversely, I'm about to ding 50 on my first Global Agenda character even though I only started playing the game in October. These two titles sit at opposite ends of the MMO progression spectrum. One has been watered down from its grindy roots but still boasts a disheartening 50-to-55 summit, while the other is expressly designed for lighting-fast progression (made even faster by boosts from Hi-Rez's store). Today's Daily Grind is all about leveling speed. What's yours? What is the longest time frame you've ever spent maxing out a character? 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!
Community Detective Issue #15: 2010's best (and worst) case files
Hi kids, it's your friendly neighborhood Community Detective and I'm back with the final issue of 2010. Next year looks to be an exciting and somewhat scary time for MMORPG communities and customer service. Not only are we staring down the barrel of four new hugely anticipated AAA titles (RIFT, TERA, Guild Wars 2, and The Old Republic), but there are also quite a few existing games that I've yet to visit in an official capacity, as well as a couple that have undergone drastic changes and merit another review (the F2P conversion in Lord of the Rings Online and sweeping server merges in Aion and EverQuest II, for example). Prior to moving forward, however, it's always fun to take a look back (particularly at this time of year). Join me after the cut for a year-end recap of 2010's most memorable case studies.
The Daily Grind: How do you like your PvP?
Love it or hate it, PvP is an important factor in most current-gen MMOs and also features prominently in all of the heavy hitters coming in 2011. PvP also comes in several flavors, whether it be the fast and furious team action in Global Agenda, the siege mechanics in Aion or Warhammer Online, or the solo and small-group variety found in just about every title that allows player vs. player combat. Indie titles like EVE, Darkfall, and Mortal Online ramp up the intensity a notch or two by throwing free-for-all and full-loot variations into the mix, and a case can even be made for the viability of economic PvP as a playstyle, particularly in CCP's New Eden. Today's breakfast topic deals with PvP playstyles, and more specifically, yours. Are you a lone wolf type, roaming the countryside looking for targets (or PKers, if you're more hero than villain)? Do you PvP in groups? Do you siege? In a nutshell, how do you like your MMO PvP? 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!
Updated: On the second day of giveaways, Hi-Rez gave to me...
[UPDATE: All winners have been selected and contacted. Congratulations!] On the second day of giveaways, Hi-Rez gave to me... two gift packages! On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP! Today we continue Massively's 12 Days of Giveaways! During this 12-day event, you'll find presents galore, courtesy of some of the best MMOs out there. Every day until December 24th, we'll post a new contest for you to enter. We've got a huge pile of goodies to give away, so they're going to be fast and furious -- you'll have 24 hours from the time the contest is posted to enter. Don't worry, though, because we're going to do our best to accommodate everyone -- you'll simply have to leave a comment to be entered in the random drawing, and we'll be posting each contest at a different time of day. Welcome to day two! Today is all about high-tech armor, jetpacks, and agency vs. agency battles as we look to see how Global Agenda is celebrating the season. You've heard that great minds think alike, right? It holds true in this case, as Hi-Rez is giving players a chance to earn the "12 Drops of Christmas" in Global Agenda. The developers have included us in the fun by offering two Massively readers one of these special drops, well before anyone else in game has access, as well as some bonus gifts! Peek behind the cut to see what they are!
Global Agenda's 1.39 patch is here
Well, technically Global Agenda's latest patch will be here when the servers come back up, which is tentatively scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EST according to Hi-Rez Studio's server status Twitter page. While you're waiting, a run through the extensive patch notes might tide you over. In a nutshell, the update brings four new maps (including Breach and Payload types), new PvP rewards, updates to the /challenge system, tweaks to Dome City, and seasonal flair for the holiday events coming later this month. Don't forget to read up on the new Global Agenda Alienware laptop contest, and also be sure to check out our recent interview with Hi-Rez producer Todd Harris for all the latest info on 1.39 and beyond.
Shoot things up in Global Agenda for a shot at a new laptop
There's quite a lot of impressive new content on deck for Global Agenda's future, and considering how impressive the game's visuals are, it all seems like the sort of thing players will want to experience in style. If you're currently playing the game on an older machine, though, you might have resigned yourself to not getting your full share of visual glory. Lucky for you, Hi-Rez Studios has teamed up with Alienware to provide players a chance at winning a brand-new laptop -- and all you have to do to enter is keep playing. Running from now until December 20th, the promotion requires players to grab a code from the official Alienware Arena site, then either register for the game or apply the code to their existing accounts. Players then must reach level 12 and participate in at least three Mercenary PvP matches to be entered into the drawing. The grand prize is an Alienware M15x Laptop, just the sort of rig to enjoy the game in its full glory. Global Agenda players should check out the rules and get themselves entered, as it's a win-win situation for the game's fans.
Massively Exclusive: Global Agenda's Todd Harris talks 1.39 to 1.5
Massively's got its share of sci-fi shooter freaks on staff, so we jumped at the chance for a virtual sit-down with Hi-Rez Studios producer Todd Harris. Big things are on the horizon for the Atlanta-based indie developer, and no, we're not just talking about Tribes Universe. Global Agenda is soldiering right along, adding PvP and PvE content to satiate the ravenous trigger-happy hordes of super agents that clutter the plasteel and concrete walkways of Dome City. The latest content drop takes the form of version 1.39, a new patch currently in testing and coming to a live server near you sooner rather than later. Join us after to cut as we chat about 1.39 and beyond, including new Mercenary PvP maps, PvE content, rewards, and in-game event listings.
The Daily Grind: Do you rage quit?
Our favorite games provoke a range of emotions, and whether it's love, hate, fear, amusement, or simple relaxation, we usually keep coming back for more. Anger is an emotional response that is pretty common for some folks, so common in fact that the catch phrase "rage quit" is circulated several times daily on many message boards and in-game chat channels. While most emotions make us want to play more, anger often leads to a quick disconnect, and depending on your personality, either a string of expletives or a weary sigh. Whether it's due to failure in the team-based combat scenarios common to Global Agenda, losing your loot (and everything else) in FFA corpse-defiling contests like Lineage II and Darkfall, or dying at the hands of AI in one of the thousands of PvE-focused titles littering the landscape, we're constantly confronted with digital mortality and its emotional effects. The question of the day, Massively folk, is have you, do you, or did you used to rage quit? Why and in what game(s)?
Get your Global Agenda limited edition helms while they last
If you've had your eyes on one of those spiffy Anubis helmets that Hi-Rez devs have been known to wear when rubbing elbows with the Global Agenda faithful, now's your chance to nab one. Queue up for mercenary PvP matches between November 13th and November 20th (and win 25 of them), and you'll be the proud owner of a rather exclusive piece of in-game flair. That's not enough for you, eh? Well in that case, sign up and play 10 /Challenge matches before November 22nd and get your hands on an even rarer piece of flair: the Horus helm. You can view both items and read up on all the promotional details on the official Global Agenda website.
Global Agenda getting new mercenary PvP maps, high level PvE content
If you're concerned that Hi-Rez Studios might abandon its Global Agenda MMO in favor of the recently-announced Tribes Universe, you can rest easy. In an interview with Lorehound, Hi-Rez executive producer Todd Harris announced several exciting additions coming to Global Agenda over the next few months. First up is the 1.39 patch, which will bring several new mercenary PvP maps to the team-based shooter. After that, the game will be getting its first shot of downloadable content which will focus primarily on high-level PvE content. "It will contain some PvE open zone content, new themed weapons, a new PvE defense mission, and our first 10-person PvE offensive aid. A 10-person team will be able to infiltrate a hive colony node and fight new Recursive Colony bots and bosses," Harris said. He goes on to state that Hi-Rez will be releasing similar DLC expansions every four to five months going forward. Check out the good news over at Lorehound.
One Shots: Smashing pumpkins
The other night many Global Agenda players got the chance to celebrate Halloween with the developers from Hi-Rez Studios and our very own Sera and Beau! Since we're bidding goodbye to Sera today, and as we're in the middle of the season for all things spooky, it's a perfect time to showcase this great image that was sent in to us by Destroid. He writes in to tell us about the fun: "There's nothing to be scared of in the Oasis Checkpoint of Doom when you have pumpkin-headed Hi-Rez developers around to keep you safe from the scary androids. That's HiRezColman on the left, who was spawning bosses and elites during our raid to help us survive the night." We would love your screenshots for One Shots! Just email them in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Please make sure your images are at least 1024 pixels wide and try to hide/turn off as much of the UI as possible. Yours could be the next one we feature here on Massively. %Gallery-85937%
How to celebrate Halloween with your local Global Agenda devs
Halloween is a special time of year -- a time of blood, gore, and amazing effects. It is, to many geeks, what Christmas is to your Grandmother. Instead of thick sweaters embroidered with stockings stuffed with kittens, however, we prefer belt clips loaded down with ammo. What better place to celebrate than in a favorite MMOFPS: Global Agenda. It warmed our hearts to coordinate with the developers from Hi-Rez Studios last night, and it thrilled us to hand out Halloween swag in exchange for trivia answers. Granted, some allowances had to be made (skipping questions when they were obviously not going to be answered), but overall the event ran smoothly. In fact, here are some good rules to follow when hosting your next Hi-Rez Global Agenda Trivia Contest (what? It could happen.). And raid -- let's not forget the Raid of DOOM!
Free for All: Thirteen spooky free-to-play Halloween events
Ah, Halloween. The dark Xmas. Around our house, Halloween is king. Despite the fact that we have no kids to dress up and parade around the neighborhood, we will still hand out tons of candy to all the trick-or-treaters. Until that spooky night, however, we love to spend the time exploring different Halloween events in our favorite MMORPGs. MMOs are perfect for such events -- they have the players to fill them out, the ability to host whatever kind of event they want, and a lot of optional blood and gore. Some of the events fit perfectly in their game-world, and some stick out like a stock broker on D&D night. Either way, there is always a lot of fun to be had, and sometimes very cool loot to snag! (Like that sweet ride pictured above -- got it on my first try.) Read on for some of my favorite events -- none of them costing a dime.
