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Global Agenda's newest dev blog talks Sandstorm
The development team at Hi-Rez Studios has released a new dev blog focusing on the upcoming changes to their Global Agenda MMOFPS. Codenamed Sandstorm, the updates will begin reaching the live servers in early June. Phase I of the patch, now in public testing, features a host of additions and improvements including new epic weapons, a new loot and token system, new PvP maps, new PvE missions, and new social features. "So if you're looking at the patch notes for 1.3, you're probably saying to yourself 'holy crap they changed every aspect of the game,'" says Executive Producer Todd Harris. "We wanted to preserve all the good balanced combat, but also add a layer of device variety and new variety that our MMO players are looking for." Check out the dev blog over at the official site or embedded after the cut.
Global Agenda on sale at Steam just in time for Sandstorm patch
Hi-Rez Studios has been busy since the launch of Global Agenda -- and they've been even busier preparing the Sandstorm patch. Patch 1.3 is being released in stages, and if the buzz surrounding it was enough to get you interested, then this is the perfect time to buy. Hi-Rez has announced a sale on Global Agenda in anticipation of the patch: The first phase of Global Agenda's major new Sandstorm patch arrives shortly. Get prepared by buying the game on Steam for 25% off (that's $29.99/₤18.74/€22.49). The sale is listed as this week only, so you've got several more days to pick the game up for yourself and convince your friends to join you!
A look at the big changes in Global Agenda's 1.3 patch
The team over at Hi-Rez Studios may have bitten off just a touch more than they could chew with the 1.3 patch for Global Agenda. It's not that the patch is bad, just that they turned out to not quite be able to push some of the originally promised features through at the same time as the main patch. Of course, considering all of the stuff that is in the newest patch, that almost seems less like a drawback and more like an act of mercy. The advertised open zones and 64-person PvP Warzone will be slightly delayed, which only leaves... ...well, it leaves a whole lot of changes, starting with the massive overhauls to weapons and armor that bring the game closer in line with common genre conventions. The previous system has entirely been discarded, and replaced with four grades of quality for weapons and armor: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Epic. All grades can be obtained from vendors in exchange for credits (for common weapons), Mercenary tokens (for rare and epic weapons), or Conquest tokens (for epic special weapons). The weapons also have a chance to drop during PvE missions, with the weapons getting correspondingly stronger as the mission gets more difficult.
Global Agenda's Sandstorm patch arrives to test server tonight
The much-talked-about Sandstorm patch for Global Agenda, also known as patch 1.3 and the Big Patch of Awesome (tm Sera), is set to arrive on the test server late today. Fans of Global Agenda have been scouring the patch notes since they released, anticipating how things will change and looking forward to the day they can experience it firsthand. That day is here -- well, sort of. Patch 1.3 is now being released in four separate stages, which is reflected on the public test server as well. The first stage is scheduled to arrive on the public test server late today in US time. It will be focusing on low level progression and weaponry, so you'll be required to create a new character to work through the tutorial. Plan on the server's availability being a bit uncertain throughout the testing period as Hi-Rez makes changes and updates, but don't worry. The test will go until May 10th, so you will have plenty of time to play. If you'd like to participate, you can find the most current round of patch notes as well as instructions for joining the public test server over at the Global Agenda site. While you wait, watch for our in-depth analysis of the patch later today.
Global Agenda: Three months down, and the best is yet to come
It's been three months since Global Agenda appeared in the thick of the MMO scene, presenting a new way to look at MMO games that many people just didn't agree with. As the debates on its MMO-ness rose, the game seemed to be lost in the thick of things. Everyone was too busy complaining about the 10 vs. 10 battles to actually play those same 10 vs. 10 battles. But much has happened in Global Agenda in three months, and we're not going to let the game go unnoticed! Already the game has seen two large patches with a third huge patch en-route, the company has stood staunchly by not charging the player base until the game was "worthy of your subscription," and the community is still enjoying the content provided by the game. So come along with us as we look at what's happened with Global Agenda, where the game stands now, and what highly-requested features lurk on the horizon. *cough*50 player PvE/PvP zone.*cough*
Mob Scene: Global Agenda, Thursday, 8 PM
Are you guys up for some explosions and laser beams? Well, we can guarantee you that we are! This week we're hosting a community playdate, and what better way to kick off our new line of events than with an action-packed, team-based game? Tomorrow night at 8 PM, we invite you, the Massively.com community, to jump in and play Global Agenda with us. Plus, we're also unveiling our newest community feature -- The Massively Mob! If you're a Steam user who enjoys grouping up, or if you're looking for a few new players to take on some co-op and MMO challenges, we encourage you to join us on the Steam Community. Not only will we be hosting our own official events (which you can follow through our events RSS feed), but you can kick back and play some impromptu games with the many other readers of Massively.com! Need full details on what's going on? No worries! Jump after the break to get the full briefing.
Europe to get boxed retail copies of Global Agenda
Digital distribution is the in thing these days. Steam, in particular, has turned PC games into something that's almost easier to buy at home rather than in the store, with a ridiculously wide selection and the promise of never worrying about lost discs. The biggest drawbacks are the download times and potentially losing your login, and what MMO player doesn't plan for those issues? But there's still something nice about a boxed copy, which is why European gamers can take joy in the fact that Global Agenda will be releasing a boxed retail copy of the game starting in September 2010. Thus far, the game has been using primary distribution through Steam, which has worked well -- but as the official statement explains, a retail box helps improve visibility. The game will launch in an English version in cooperation with Iceberg Interactive, with a German version due out a bit later. No word is given on whether or not an American boxed version will be available. It's a unique opportunity for Global Agenda, which itself is a very unique game, and success with the boxed copies likely will lead to more developing projects and more content for the game's fans.
"I" alliance becomes first to fully win a Global Agenda zone
Global Agenda is enjoying a first on their servers. More specifically, some of their players are enjoying it. (We assume that the conquered agencies and alliances were less pleased.) Last Thursday, the "I" alliance became the first alliance to completely win a Conquest Zone in Global Agenda, and Dome City became party central. It didn't happen overnight, however. Well, it sort of did there at the end, but getting to that final point was a long road for the alliance. The conquering alliance began as a small mercenary-for-hire group and went from there: "After a lot of positioning, hardwork, and great team play we made good on our goal to become the world first winners in Global Agenda. Not so long ago it was just our agency fighting to secure our own base and holding off the CTC alliance onslaught to get our shields up." If you're interested in reading the full story of how it came to be, the alliance has posted the tale on their official site.
Global Agenda offering free trials
You're all our friends here on Massively, or at least we'd like to think so. That's why we're doing what friends who play Global Agenda do for their friends who are curious about the game but don't want to commit. We're sending you along to the link to sign up for a free trial to the game that lets you experience how the game runs for... well... as long as you'd like. Once you have the trial, you have it forever. You can see why Hi-Rez Studios is encouraging people to tell their friends not yet in the game to take a look. Of course, their are limitations -- specifically, there are a limited number of trials available, meaning that if you're interested you need to sign up by April 1st. There are also level and content restrictions, as detailed by the official disclaimer. But none of that should stop the people curious about how the game plays out from signing up in hopes of getting in for free. If there's one thing we've heard over in over in comments about Global Agenda's rapid-fire patches, it's the want for a trial -- and here it is. Isn't that friendly?
The Sandstorm cometh to Global Agenda
What is the Sandstorm? Well, it's the name for the upcoming Patch 1.3 for Global Agenda, which follows in the footsteps of the most recent patches in two ways. The first is that it's coming fast, with the whole thing tentatively scheduled for April. The second is that it's going to be quite large, containing several sweeping upgrades to the way the game plays. Even more so than one might expect, in fact -- one of the major features of the patch as announced today is a plan for large, open areas for players to move through and perform missions. If that sounds remarkably similar to outdoor environments in most MMOs, you're probably on to something. The zones planned are preliminarily going to include a PvE zone and a PvPvE area, allowing somewhere between 30-50 players concurrently in the map. There are also several new weapons and devices being added to facilitate the new "specialization" system. Each class will be able to select one of two specializations at level 30, opening up a range of new abilities and equipment. And that's only the tip of the iceberg, with several additions and upgrades being added to drops, crafting, and token rewards. Take a look at the full announcement for what's planned for patch 1.3, and get ready to experience even more of Global Agenda from a new perspective.
Global Agenda sale on Steam
It's no secret that we're rather fond of Global Agenda. It has a certain je ne sais quoi, which is a French phrase meaning that it's an entertaining shooter in a massive online environment, with a strong dose of strategy on top of that. Oh, and no elves whatsoever. (Probably.) But we can understand if our enjoyment of the game isn't quite enough to convince you that the game is worth checking out. There's no substitute for getting your hands on the game, after all. Luckily, the ever-popular Steam has made it easier to get into the game than ever by lowering the price. The price drop is effective immediately, moving the game down to $39.99 through the online game distribution service. Best of all is that this price drop doesn't appear to be one of the famed Steam sales, but a permanent reduction. Considering the amount of content that has been getting pushed live by the team over the past few weeks, now might be a perfect time to buck up and give Global Agenda a shot. Lower prices are a marvelous inventive like that.
Global Agenda: shame on you, elf
Global Agenda's marketing has always been as much about what they are not as what they are. The fantasy genre is huge in the MMO market, and Global Agenda has always been very clear in their desire to offer something new to those players who are suffering from fantasy burnout. Beginning with the NO ELVES trailer last June and the introduction of their "tired of elves" site, Hi-Rez has put some time and effort into talking about what the game doesn't have: no mounts (jetpacks!), no tab targeting, and of course, no elves. The brand new trailer from Global Agenda continues running with that theme. Follow along after the jump for a look at the pointy-eared freak, and watch out for your sacred meadow.
Global Agenda drops patch 1.2 to the test servers
We're only about a week out from the first patch to Global Agenda, but Hi-Rez Studios has been hard at work in their super-secret laboratory (only slightly less secret than that) producing new content for the game. Patch 1.2 has already gone to the test server for experimentation and stress testing, and it expands the Alliance vs. Alliance gameplay substantially. Instead of forcing you into direct conflict, it opens up the possibility for theft missions to draw resources and hamper production for enemies, as well as letting players take part in battles where their Agency controls no territory. New defense facilities are also being added, allowing those under attack more options to keep themselves safe. There are also options to trade territory to other forces or abandon areas that an Agency can no longer defend confidently. And that's not counting the large list of updates to the game's systems, expanded battle brackets, and re-tuned maps to make the existing gameplay more enjoyable. Take a look at the full list of updates for more of the changes, as well as a sneak peek of what's coming in Global Agenda's subsequent patch -- it might be young, but the game is clearly firing on all cylinders.
Hi-Rez Studios offering sale on Global Agenda
Usually when we fall in love with a new MMO, the first thing we do is start telling our friends how great it is. Global Agenda, one of the most recent additions to the MMO market, may be one of those games for you. If you've been encouraging your friends to pick it up, Hi-Rez Studios just made the package a lot more attractive. This weekend only, you can start filling up your shiny new Global Agenda friends list thanks to special discounted pricing. The discount for a single game is pretty generous, but gets even better if you purchase more. It's a great incentive for several friends to purchase the game together: it's always better when you can start a new game with friends, and even better if doing so gets you a great deal on the game. You can order it here, and remember, the deal ends March 8th.
Global Agenda introduces first patch
Global Agenda's patch 1.1 goes live today, bringing some welcome additions to the game. The list of new features was pretty long, and rounded out with a list of bug fixes and device changes, giving players plenty to look over. Most importantly to many players, a friends list (and ignore list) has been added with this patch - a standard MMO feature that Global Agenda fans will be relieved to see added to the game. The UI has been fleshed out quite a bit as well, adding many new options that allow for more personalized gameplay: the option to choose your map type in the mercenary PvP queue is now available, for example. Crafting got a once-over as well, and you'll also find some new zones here and there. The full patch notes can be seen at the official site, and there's plenty to look over. So read through them, then head into Global Agenda and start filling up that friends list!
Global Agenda to hold another developer chat
It's been about a month since Global Agenda launched, and overall player feedback is pretty positive. Hi-Rez wants to continue the open communication between the developer side and the player side, however, so they'll be holding another developer chat thanks to Vivox Voice chat for Facebook. The chat is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 3, at 9pm US Eastern, 6pm US Pacific (02:00 GMT on Thursday, March 4), and Hi-Rez has a few tips for fans to get the most out of the event. First of all, there are 100 seats available, so if you decide to wander in five minutes after it starts to see what's going on, it's probably not going to happen for you. This isn't an invitation to go all Black Friday and start camping the room right this minute, but you do want to get there a bit early. If the room does fill up and you can't get in, never fear. The session will be recorded and posted as a podcast. If you've got a question you want addressed, submit it in advance. To prevent general chaos and confusion, only the Global Agenda team will have access to the microphone during the event, so to speak. They'll only be answering questions submitted ahead of time. Check out all the details on the event here, and enjoy the chat!
Global Agenda 1.1 patch released on test
Global Agenda isn't necessarily for everyone, but there's no shortage of people it is for, and their reception to the game thus far has been positive. Still, like any new game there are kinks to work out and things not quite ready for launch time. Both are making a showing in the game's 1.1 patch, which has just hit the test servers in anticipation of hitting live servers next week. Among the larger changes are the implementation of a Friend/Ignore list, further queueing improvements, and a widespread overhaul to crafting and blueprints to make upgrades easier to work with. The crafting overhaul is probably the biggest single gameplay-related change, with the randomness of crafting replaced with a more specific set of craftable items. Upgrades have also been streamlined and clarified to make it easier for players to identify what they want rather than manually searching through each item on a list. With a number of bugs also having been squashed, the patch is no doubt going to improve the lives of Global Agenda players significantly, so take a look at the full notes and expect for it to hit the live servers very soon.
Global Agenda multiplayer Conquest Mode launches today
Global Agenda launched yesterday, to the delight of many fans -- including our very own Shawn and Sera. However, that was just the beginning of the launch week festivities. Conquest mode launches today, offering all players free access until March 3rd of this year. This is a great opportunity to explore this massively multiplayer feature, take part in some Agency vs. Agency battles, and see if it's for you or not. The first zones opened today at 12pm US Eastern time, with two open zones (Obelisk and Echelon) in the UK and three (Sovereign, Citadel and Warlord) in the United States. Because the workings of Conquest can feel a bit intimidating and overwhelming to new players, particularly with so much else to learn, Global Agenda is helping players make the most of their free time by offering the developer video diary we showed you earlier in the week with an overview of Conquest. Take a look at it to gain some helpful tips before you dive in, and be sure to check out the new exclusive AvA screenshots in our gallery! %Gallery-35351%
Global Agenda announces launch schedule
We're less than a week away from the launch of Global Agenda, but Hi-Rez is as anxious to get things going as the fans are. Last night they gave a list of launch activities for the week leading up to the big day, and it looks like it's going to be a busy few days. Today is the last day of beta, and the Hi-Rez team will make it interesting by randomly entering certain PvP missions and spawning bots that don't usually show up there. If you're interested in a little extra challenge, keep your eyes peeled for these. Wednesday, you'll want to keep a close eye on this Twitter feed. Global Agenda is expected to be available for download on Steam by the end of the day, and that's where you'll find the announcement. Name reserve begins as well, so take a close look at the instructions on the GA site. Early start begins Friday the 29th, and the servers will be open for limited content until Sunday afternoon. And finally, Monday, February first: launch day. The last few days before launch are typically the ones that find us as players at our most impatient, but in this case, GA fans are likely to be way too busy for that. Check out all the details in the announcement, and have fun!
Global Agenda early start and preorder bonuses detailed
You've gotten all the news and updates, and you've even gotten a handy guide to conquest mode for Global Agenda. If you're ever going to be ready for Hi-Rez Studio's high-action game, it's now. So it's no coincidence that we've gotten news on the game's pre-purchase options, as well as the early start details for all players and the chance to reserve your character name prior to the February 1st launch date. After all, if you've gotten the game via Steam, don't you want to just download and start playing right away? That little grayed-out name is mocking you. The latest newsletter details the early start, which will allow players to reach Level 10, reserve their character name, and unlock special pre-order items. It's also the only chance that pre-order players will have to claim their No Elves Flair and Commonwealth Helmet. Luckily, it's easy to hop in between January 28th and January 31st, and take a little time to start playing the game and forming Agencies. Beta players will also get the option to keep their character name during the transition to Live, although not their levels or data. Good news all around for Global Agenda fans.
