Halloween-events
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Try Old School RuneScape for free this weekend
Plenty of RuneScape fans -- one million to be exact -- have been enjoying the nostalgia of the Old School servers that opened up last February. And now those who aren't paid members can get in on all the fun; Jagex is offering free access to everyone from now through Monday, November 4th. This event grants players the full member feature set for the duration of the weekend, just in time to participate in the holiday events (like going for the black Halloween mask, the first new one since 2002). All progress made during the weekend will be saved and stored so players can continue their adventures if they purchase a membership anytime in the future. Also on tap this weekend are the RuneFest 3 festivities (which players can catch via livestream) and the launch of the new PvP worlds. [Source: Jagex press release]
It's storytime as Halloween event hits The Secret World
If you'd like to take a break from beating back the Filth in Agartha, take a trip to Solomon Island and delve into The Secret World's new Halloween events. What better place to celebrate this spooky holiday than the island covered in ominous fog and where pumpkins eternally decorate homes as well as try to kill you with chainsaws? In addition to the return of The Cat God (the chain of missions where players can visit ancient Stonehenge), players can participate in the new series based on various urban legends around the island. Those who gather all 10 stories by completing all the new missions will be rewarded with an in-game book of the full collection that can be enjoyed long after the holiday is done. Of course, there are rewards awaiting adventurers other than just a tome of stories; various Halloween-themed goodies are available from loot, quest rewards, and even the item shop. Many items are exclusive to the holiday, however, so if you want to get your bee-blessed hands on them, you have to get in before the event ends on November 8th!
Get in the spirit with TERA's Banquet of Blood trailer
The air is cooling, which means thoughts are turning to pumpkins, ghouls, and fun in-game events. And tomorrow kicks of TERA's Halloween celebration! You can get your fill of tricks and treats in a variety of events, from the Banquet of Blood (don't forget to include your weapon as part of your costume!) to protecting your candy stash with a cannon. With plenty of ghouls and ghosts to dispatch and Halloween-themed rewards to acquire, it's sure to be a spooktacular time. Get a sneak peek of the party in the trailer after the break and the four new images in the gallery below. [Source: En Mass Entertainment press release]
Chaos Theory: Exciting times in The Secret World
Do you feel it? That electric buzzing in the air of The Secret World (not to be confused with the sounds of buzzing heard by the bee-blessed)? I don't know about you, but I sure can. It's a very exciting time to be a fan of this Lovecraftian-horror-conspiracy-flavored game. Why, you ask? I am more than happy to share my reasons with you. It's exciting because things that had been slowly building up have kicked into higher gear and are gathering speed; long-anticipated things are just barely out of reach but will soon be within our grasp. We are also this close to getting Issue #8 with its scenarios, augment systems, and Venice. And there's a new issue cover with a name and date to prove it! We are also inching ever closer to getting -- for the very first time ever -- a whole new region in the game, replete with new missions, new nooks and crannies to explore, and new foes to face. Oh, and new lore! But that's not even all. We have a long-term event going on now as well as the return of a favorite very soon. So if you haven't been in The Secret World lately, now would surely be a good time to jump back in.
Watch Nathan Fillion, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day play Firefall
You can't beat getting some Halloween treats without having to go out in the rain knocking on doors. It's no trick -- Red 5 Studios is giving out plenty of goodies to FireFall fans this week. First up is hours of video featuring famous gamer stars checking out the upcoming shooter. Last week, the studio livestreamed FireFall Fest, an event depicting a number of celebrities -- Nathan Fillion, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day, to name just a few -- playing FireFall along with the community. But even if you missed an episode or two, Red 5 has saved the recordings for your viewing pleasure. Check out the highlight reels of day one and day six after the break, then head to the official site for links to watch the full two-plus-hour videos for each day. FireFall is also offering fans a special Halloween patch. Along with spooky masks and other appropriate decor, beta players will find new monsters to kill and new abilities to use. For a full list of all of the Halloween goodies, head to the patch notes.
The Mad King comes to Guild Wars 2 on October 22nd
Mad King Thorn hasn't been seen in Tyria for over 250 years. Well, lore years, that is. He was actually seen this time about a year ago in the original Guild Wars, which as you know has since given way to its much-heralded sequel. Guild Wars 2's first Halloween event is called Shadow of the Mad King, and ArenaNet has announced that it will go live on October 22nd. Look for "new minigames, new dynamic events, and more," according to the blurb on the GW2 official site. There's even "an epic adventure in four acts" that runs through October 31st!
A haunted Halloween MMO tour [Update]
While many real world holidays receive digital treatments in MMOs, it always seems like Halloween is the most popular. Perhaps it's because MMOs are already into the spirit of the season, with characters dressing up, "trick or treating" mobs for their candy, and tackling spooky, scary areas where doom is sure to lurk. Or perhaps developers just really like pumpkins and haunted houses. Who doesn't? With most MMOs sporting Halloween content, it's a safe bet that there's something for you in your favorite game. So hop on the hayride and get ready for a tour through the most terrifying, cute, and boo-tastic Halloween events in town! [Update: Added more festivals... for justice!]
NCsoft details Lineage 2 Trick or Treat event
Just when you thought we'd brought you all the news that's fit to print about Halloween-themed events in your favorite MMORPGs, NCsoft checks in with their Trick or Treat GM Event for Lineage 2. Kicking off today and running through October 28th, the event requires you to go hunting between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Pacific time. If you see an elpy appear next to you, you'll have 20 seconds to /say or /shout "trick or treat." If successful, a GM will transform you into a werewolf and teleport you to a special instance featuring a ton of loot-bearing elpies waiting to fall on your blade (or your claws). You'll be hauling in a ton of goodies, so you might want to consider clearing your inventory ahead of time. Read up on all the details at the official Lineage 2 website.
Halloween comes to City of Heroes
Most people look forward to Christmas for presents, but City of Heroes players look forward to Halloween. After all, the celebration of all things ghoulish brings with it the opportunity for players to gain that most coveted of rewards -- an extra costume slot. The Halloween Event has run in Paragon CIty and the Rogue Isles for many years, and this year doesn't just bring the event to the new region of Praetoria, it gives all characters a chance to earn some new badges and take part in some new monster-themed activities. The biggest addition to this year's event is a tip mission that sends you on a seasonally-themed mission arc, which can be started by hunting for tips while wearing one of the many costumes offered through the event. (Other costume powers are confirmed to work too, in case you'd rather be a Rikti.) Of course, the classic elements from years past have remained intact, with players getting a chance to collect special Halloween salvage and build themselves an extra costume slot. Take a look at the event page for a rundown of all the new badges and the event features, and log in to City of Heroes before midnight on October 31st to take part in all the festivities.
Final Fantasy XI prepares for a haunted harvest festival
It's time for the events to start rolling in for Halloween, always a favorite holiday for MMOs to celebrate. Final Fantasy XI has been running its own ghoulish take on the occasion for many years now, and the most recent iteration promises to be more of the same. This year's harvest festival has just been announced, complete with the requisite piece of fiction to help ground the holiday in the lore of Vana'diel and its inhabitants. Running from October 19th to November 2nd, this year's festival promises to contain many of the elements seen in years past, such as trick-or-treating and the joy of setting up decorations. Longtime veterans will remember that this event also lets you obtain the desirable Treat Staff II as well as a number of cosmetic items, which makes for a fun experience all around. Take a look at the official announcement, and get ready for another October of rather meddlesome spirits in Final Fantasy XI.
Halloween festivities for NCsoft titles
We already filled you in on CoX getting some Halloween fun underway, but NCsoft has now let 1Up know what their plans are for their other titles.Guild Wars players can expect the return of the infamous Mad King Thorn. This joker typically visits different areas of towns telling people what to do, rewarding those that listen and destroying those that don't. The two cities he will make appearances at are Lion's Arch and Kamadan, and you'll need to be around between October 26th and midnight October 31st to catch him.Lineage II fans will see the "Trick or Transmutation" event for their Halloween celebration. This will involve a treasure hunt for some Alchemist's Chests, to create Philosopher's Stones and unlock rewards. Some of these rewards will reportedly be unique to this event, and if you're interested in trying your hand at the hunt, the event begins October 26th.Finally, NCsoft is even infusing their unreleased MMO Tabula Rasa with Halloween madness. Those who have preordered the game will get to play a few days early, in the headstart promotion, and will be able to go on missions to earn special Halloween masks.If you want to find out about the celebrations already going on in CoX check out our previous coverage, and a link to 1Up's article is provided below.
