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Survival tips for Fallen Earth
Fallen Earth is one of most recent titles to arrive on the MMO scene. If you weren't a beta tester, though, you might have some questions about the best way to progress in the game. Syp over at Bio Break put together some tips to help Fallen Earth players get a handle on the game, and hopefully points out a few overlooked aspects of this post-apocalyptic title. Some of his tips are practical and relate to game mechanics or common mistakes made, others are simply advice from someone who's clearly spent a lot of time wandering the wasteland. Pair Syp's "20 Tips for Fallen Earthers" with Massively's "FAQ That" for Fallen Earth and you should be well on your way to getting the most from the newly released title. Also don't miss our Fallen Earth guides -- A WoW player's guide to Fallen Earth and the Beginner's guide to horse crafting -- for a closer look at what this MMO can offer.
A WoW player's guide to Fallen Earth
At Massively, we like to focus on making more MMOs accessible to more people. That accessibility to other MMOs is initially started by the 800 lb gorilla: World of Warcraft. Without WoW, a large percentage of MMO players would not be enjoying their current game today, even if they haven't stuck by WoW this whole time.So using the fact that so many people know WoW, we're continuing our WoW Player's Guide series with this one for Fallen Earth. I'm just going to get this out of the way right now: Fallen Earth is nothing like World of Warcraft. There. That's done, so now we can move on. However, the purpose of this guide is not to grade comparable features, but to show the average WoW player what they may seek in a game like Fallen Earth. That transition can be quite a scary leap, so we're here to offer a helping hand. Follow along after the jump for our WoW Player's guide to Fallen Earth, and hopefully you may find something that interests you enough to try out this brand new post-apocalyptic MMO.
Join us in-game Tuesday for the launch of Aion and Fallen Earth
We did it in Champions Online, and now we're ready to do it in both Fallen Earth and Aion. In-game launch day events have been quite a hit so far, and we really look forward to a double-header coming this Tuesday, September 22nd.Whether you're looking to get into one or both, we'll be in-game right along with you for those first few levels. Plus, we'll come bearing gifts! In Aion, we'll have some in-game goodies to hand out, and in Fallen Earth we're looking to do a bit of post-apocalyptic trivia to prepare you for the wasteland. We'll have more details on Monday, including exact locations and times for these events. See ya there!
iPhone It In: Dexter
Some iPhone games offer a simplistic getaway for gamers on the move, while others throw everything at you including the kitchen sink. Dexter: The Game manages to combine a lengthy story based on the television program's first season with a slew of mini games, and while some of the tasks are strangely incomprehensible, Dexter's video game debut is a solid overall experience. %Gallery-46227%
One Shots: Ride on
As this post goes up, the servers are supposed to open for Fallen Earth pre-order players. As such, we thought we'd show off this sunset from the tail end of the open beta that was sent in to us by House Decados. He writes in: Here's a shot of the Old Kingman Prison at sunset. At one time it was used by Globaltech to house criminals in the Province, but now it's been taken over by the tyrant Casta Gaunt and his band of thugs. Rumor has it that he's working on some kind of cloning facility inside of it. Just maybe some intrepid heroic types will make it deep inside the labyrinth of cells and passages to find out what this evil man is up to.When the world goes to hell, you can count on One Shots! Published every day, we're all about bringing you interesting views from around the MMOsphere - but we need you to send them in. Just email 'em 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 and give you the credit. %Gallery-9798%
Fallen Earth head start begins today
Despite the fact that the game's official launch has been pushed back to September 22nd, Fallen Earth's pre-order head start begins today at 2pm EST. So for anyone who purchased the game from their website for the special ATV mount, or purchased it through Direct2Drive for the warhorse mount, you get to play almost two weeks before everyone else!According to their official announcement, all special beta and pre-order items (including characters) have been reset, so you'll need to re-enter these codes once the servers go live. This is it, fellow wastelanders! The apocalypse is upon us.
New Dexter trailer pushes iPhone's visual (and moral) boundaries
We use our iPhones for a wide variety of purposes: Keeping our enthralled Twitter audience informed, playing Home Run Derby MMOs, dueling with virtual lightsabers -- those sorts of things. We've never used it to play mobile murder simulators -- but by the look of the above trailer for Icarus Studios' Dexter, we'll be doing just that when the first episode of the game hits the App Store later this summer.Though it still seems to contain the scattershot gameplay that we saw earlier this year at GDC, it looks amazing for an iPhone game. If you're a fan of the show (and by all means, you should be), it might just be worth checking out.
GDC09: Dexter hands-on (iPhone)
A light drama about a heroic serial killer may not seem like the most natural fit for a game adaptation, but Marc Ecko VP Marc Fernandez couldn't ignore the opportunity as he watched Dexter.Fernandez told us at GDC that he felt like the show was almost set up like a game, with the titular murderer researching each kill, setting them up and finally executing on the mission. It's madness, sure. But, as in any good game, there are rules.%Gallery-46227%
Stratics and Fallen Earth team up for beta giveaway
We know some of you out there are dying to get into the Fallen Earth beta, but it might not be as hard to get in as you think, provided you act before March 15th. Stratics is running a contest to win Fallen Earth beta keys. All you need to do to be in the running is email them at contest@irc.stratics.com and tell them what you think about Fallen Earth, and why you deserve a beta key (or at the very least, a Fallen Earth T-shirt.)Stratics will select winners randomly, and the contest runs through March 15, 2009. You can check out the details on the Fallen Earth forums and of course over at the Stratics Chat site.
Fallen Earth dev interview with designer Brandes Stoddard
We're keeping our eyes open for information dealing with the post-apocalyptic MMO title Fallen Earth in development at Icarus Studios. Netherlands-based gaming site MMOZONE got a hold of Fallen Earth systems designer Brandes Stoddard, asking questions ranging from the game's PvP system to design decisions as they relate to the title's ESRB rating. Since there will be no classes in Fallen Earth, Stoddard explains what a typical group will look like -- a mix of melee and ranged combatants, he says, with others using their mutations to heal and buff. Stoddard also goes into how gear specialization will impart advantages tempered with drawbacks specific to those items in question. Mounts will also be a key aspect of Fallen Earth's gameplay. Since teleportation of any sort won't exist, characters will actually have to travel to visit other locations in the game's world. Despite the importance of these means of transportation (or perhaps because of it), it looks like it won't be possible to steal them from other players. Mounts, whether vehicles or animals, will be bound to their owners, and will require either energy or food to maintain. Fallen Earth's vehicles, in general, will only be available through player-crafting efforts. If you're interested in hearing what else Fallen Earth's system designer has to say about the game, check out the MMOZONE interview with Brandes Stoddard.
Upcoming chat with the Fallen Earth devs
There's one thing you really can't deny - the MMO genre has sorely needed some shiny new post-apocalyptic titles for some time now. Thankfully it looks like Fallen Earth's development is proceeding at a solid pace. With any luck we'll be able to jump in and get our post-apocalyptic warfare on before too long. As a way of working with the community to ensure that Fallen Earth is as solid they can possibly make it, the developers from Icarus Studios have been scheduling play-dates with the beta testers, followed by an open chat on Stratics for everyone who is curious - tester and non-tester alike. This month's chat, going on tomorrow at 9:00 PM EDT, should prove to be highly interesting, as not only will there be several developers on hand, but there's been talk of some swag (and beta keys) to be handed out as well! You can get all the details over on the Fallen Earth forums if you're interested in checking out more on this upcoming MMO. [via WarCry]
Fallen Earth interview drops info on factions and storyline
As Fallen Earth gets closer to being released, that previously hazy image of what the game will be like sharpens. The latest bit of info we've come across is an interview with Fallen Earth writer and designer Wes Platt conducted by MMO Gamer's Nate James. In a market rather saturated with fantasy titles, Platt discusses what Fallen Earth brings to the table and how the game will be differentiated from its competitors. The interview also touches upon the background of the six playable factions in the game and their motivations, as well as the storyline element of the Shiva plague. Have a look at MMO Gamer's interview with Wes Platt for more on Fallen Earth's approach to a post-apocalyptic MMO title.[Via WarCry]
Dexter's game debut gets delayed, new images spill out
Showtime's lovable serial killer will have to wait for his video game debut. According to a press release, Dexter for the iPhone has been delayed until the summer -- it was originally expected in February. Unfortunately, no release date details for the PC version, first revealed by Mark Fernandez -- VP of publisher Marc Ecko Entertainment -- at this year's Comic Con, were mentioned. In the game players will take on the role of Dexter (surprise!), Miami Metro Police Department blood splatter analyst by day and serial killer by night -- don't worry, Dex only kills bad guys the system puts back on the streets. The game features puzzle solving, mini-games and the ability to wield your iPhone like a knife -- allowing you to swing it wildly. Dexter features a story from show writer Timothy Schlattmann and recorded dialogue from Michael C. Hall. We'd recommend staying close to home while playing this one, getting your Dexter on during a bus ride may result in punching people in the head -- in the effort of high score stabbing. %Gallery-46227%
Fallen Earth launches national tour
The team at Fallen Earth are trying something a bit different to promote their post-apocalyptic MMO this year. They're actually taking the game on a national tour across key cities in the US to get the word out and let potential players get a better look at what their game has to offer.This tour kicked off at the Triangle International Game Developers Association (IGDA) meeting at Ess Lounge in Raleigh, NC on February 19th. The tour will continue to hit cities such as Baltimore, San Francisco and Houston throughout the spring and summer months. "IGDA is a very important organization in the gaming community, and it was really great to hear and answer questions that our fans had about the game," said Lee Hammock, lead game designer for Fallen Earth. "Player feedback is a critical component to closed beta testing, and we hope fans across the U.S. can join us at our future events."
Fallen Earth lead designer Lee Hammock on game's approach to genre
The post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game Fallen Earth has been getting more frequent mentions in the gaming press, earlier this month at Worlds in Motion and now at Italian gaming site Gamesource. Nolvadex from Gamesource recently caught up with Fallen Earth's lead designer Lee Hammock, who shared a bit about the inspiration that Icarus Studios has drawn from post-apocalyptic games and films. Their aim was to incorporate the best of these elements into a game that can stand on its own. In addition to discussing how Fallen Earth will balance content between PvE and PvP, Hammock addresses the competition the title is likely to get from the other post-apocalyptic MMO on the horizon, Earthrise. The two games are differentiated in ways beyond backstory Hammock says, such as Fallen Earth's 'use what works' approach to found objects and combat, specifically using "non-traditional weapons -- a parking meter or a baker's rolling pin for instance -- to provide more innovative combat and the sense of using whatever means necessary to stay alive." See the Gamesource interview with Lee Hammock for more on what Icarus Studios is doing with Fallen Earth.
Fallen Earth dev chat transcript a glimpse into the game
As the post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game Fallen Earth has now entered closed beta and gets closer to its launch, Icarus Studios is sharing more info about the title. Tiggs, the Fallen Earth Community Director, has posted the latest Stratics HoC Chat Transcript. Quite a number of the Fallen Earth devs were on hand for the chat, not limited to the game's writer and content designer, lead scripter, lead game designer, and the art director. They fielded questions from the Fallen Earth community about the game, hitting upon everything from their choice to create an MMO without classes to the goal-oriented PvP style of the game, where territorial control is key. If you missed this as it was happening, have a look at what the devs and players are saying about Fallen Earth.
Top 10 ways Fallen Earth is different from all other MMOs
According to a recent interview at Worlds in Motion, Fallen Earth's lead designer Lee Hammock discusses everything we know about the game, and more. It could be considered a summary of features, all in one interview, yet there are still a few small exclusive tidbits of info. We get a brief summary of how the faction system will work, based on reputation quests instead of a choice you make at character creation. We also get word of a launch date in Q2 of this year, with an open beta coming just before.But you came here for the top 10 list, didn't you? Follow along after the cut for one of the most nonsensical (but funny) top 10 lists of design features for Fallen Earth that set it apart from other MMOs, according to Mr. Hammock.
Fallen Earth shows its humorous side with dance emote video
Who would have thought you could have so much fun in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Apparently the devs at Fallen Earth are having tons of fun with their new MMO, as they've recently released a short video showing off their in-game dance emotes.This video shows some of the fluid animations and character art from this upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO, currently entering closed beta stage. Some of the dances include the Carlton, the Charleston, the Pee Wee Herman dance, the obligatory Thriller dance and more! We also get a look at the animation team responsible for these character dances and their own characters.
Fallen Earth announces closed beta
As announced in a recent press release, Fallen Earth, LLC will begin closed beta sign-ups for their post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth. Anyone interested in signing up for this closed beta is encouraged to apply at their forums and website. With the recent addition of a comprehensive tutorial and more content added or improved daily, the team feels it's ready to take on more testers to "better observe overall game play, perform system stress tests, and ultimately perfect the Fallen Earth game experience."The game is set in the Grand Canyon, circa 2156, after a plague of disease destroyed most of mankind. It features a classless advancement system, six factions and a powerful crafting system where players create 95 percent of the items for other players. An exact launch date has not been announced, but they're aiming for Q2 of this year.
Chat with the Fallen Earth devs on February 12th
Next month's usual dev chat with the Fallen Earth devs will take place on Thursday, February 12th, 2009. This is an ongoing schedule of chats that have been going on for a few months now, where Alpha participants get to interact through in-game events, and other fans of the game get to chat live with the devs through Stratics.This time around, the in-game event will take place at 1pm EST and involve a team-based takeover of New Gallows, one of the conflict towns in Sector Two. Later that day, at 9pm EST, anyone can join in a live dev chat where the topic will be anything goes with Fallen Earth. The devs attending this one will be Alec Masters, RandomTask, Funslayer, Dst3d, Circatrix, Tiggs, Morgana and Quisno. If you've been following along on their "Meet the Team" features, you probably have a good sense of who these people are already. If not, this would be the perfect opportunity to get to know them (and the game) better.
