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Hearthstone launches Goblins vs. Gnomes on December 8th
It seems as if it was only a month ago that Hearthstone players learned the title of the game's first expansion, Goblins vs. Gnomes. Probably because it was a month ago. That expansion is launching on December 8th, adding 120 new cards into the card pool and displaying an alacrity that other Blizzard titles could only dream of achieving. The new expansion cards can be crafted, purchased, or earned via the Arena, just like the existing packs except with new cards. If you're interested in having a launch party, Blizzard is also interested in your launch party. If you plan your event, have it registered as a proper gathering by notifying the community team, and then submit pictures and stories about the event by December 22nd, you could win a little Hearthstone care package. Or you could just kick back and enjoy the new expansion by playing. Your call.
Legend of Edda is returning September 24th
You could be completely forgiven for thinking that Legend of Edda had breathed its last when the game shut down at the beginning of this year. It was cute, but it just couldn't sustain itself. But the game is getting another lease on life starting on September 24th, when the game opens up under new publisher JC Planet. The opening will not feature any wipes or resets, apparently skipping public testing in favor of moving straight to launch. Numerous launch events are planned, including bonuses for registering your account before the start of service and for reaching level 20 quickly after the 24th rolls around. If you'd always meant to take a look at the game but never quite managed to, you'll be getting another shot at it in just a little while, hopefully without the issues that made it shut its doors back in January. [Thanks to Evan for the tip!]
Massively Exclusive: Grand Chase goes live on Steam tomorrow
Grand Chase is pursuing its way onto Steam on Thursday, July 17th, and you know what that means: welcome events. After all, when a free-to-play game shows up on a popular digital service, there will be a lot of new arrivals. New players can look forward to the Welcome Heroes event, which provides a free bundle of prizes to any one character on a player's account. They can also take advantage of the Character Jumping event, which allows everyone to kick a character straight to level 70 (the current cap is 85). A Steam-specific stat-boosting title is also available to everyone, along with new item packages. These packages include a new set of equipment with stats and a new pet, both of which have never been available elsewhere. If you're a long-time Grand Chase player or just can't wait to get a free-to-play brawler on your hard drive, take heart because the game will be available tomorrow. [Source: KOG Games press release]
Holy Blade Online begins open beta
Holy Blade Online (best acronym ever!) might not be a game you're aware of until this very second, but despite your ignorance it has gone ahead and started its open beta. PopPace announced that its "first self-developed" MMO starts open beta today. Holy Blade Online is an isometric free-to-play fantasy title that includes battlefields, fashion, and an astrolabe system. As part of its open beta celebration, PopPace has prepared a series of fortunate events for participators. These include gifts for those who buy store currency, discounted "awesome packs," a daily invasion of demons, and a special "star soul" currency that drops from level-30-plus mobs which can be redeemed for gifts.
ASUS Padfone 2 launch event slated for October 16th in both Milan and Tapei
ASUS has sent out invitations for the official launch of the Padfone 2, the follow-up to its hybrid smartphone / laptop / tablet Padfone device. According to an invite nabbed by Notebook Italia, the unveiling will take place simultaneously in Milan and Taipei on October 16th. The picture shows a corner of what is likely the upcoming handset, but we'll have to wait till next month to get a closer look at the full package.
Blizzard unveils launch events for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
If you're a fan of World of Warcraft, you're buying Mists of Pandaria. We all know that. But are you just going to buy the game, or do you want to be part of an entire event surrounding the launch? If it's the latter, you'll be happy to know that the official launch event for the game's fourth expansion release has been confirmed for the 24th near the Blizzard Entertainment offices in Irvine, California. The event starts at 9:00 p.m. PDT and will include stage presentations, special guests, and giveaways for fans in attendance. As with previous launches, even if you can't get out to California for the launch event, several retailers are opening at midnight for retail release of the game as soon as it's possible. It's all heady stuff for the new expansion, and fans will definitely want to take a look at what's going on and attend if possible.
BioWare releases Sith Inquisitor progression video, forums gather launch statistics [Updated]
Star Wars: The Old Republic is just a matter of days from beginning its early start program, but BioWare is continuing the news drip right up to the last minute. Today, the studio released a new video detailing the progression of the wicked Sith Inquisitor. For a lovely display of Force Lightning and other neat Inquisitor tricks, click on past the cut for the full video. But first, we have some interesting launch-time statistics for you folks, courtesy of a massive thread over on the official SWTOR forums. In The Poll to end all Polls, over one million players have reported on the factions, races, and classes they plan to play at launch. Faction balance is surprisingly even, with a slight slant (53.82%) in favor of the Empire. Classes are almost evenly quartered (though the survey doesn't take advanced class into account). For the full statistics, click on over to Disdain Gaming. And one more thing! Don't forget that BioWare will be hosting launch events in New York City, Austin, TX, London, and Paris. So if you're nearby, head on over and join up with your fellow fans to celebrate the launch of The Old Republic. [Update: Continuing its deluge of Friday info, BioWare has also just released a forum post explaining why the Unify Color to Chestpiece system will not make it in for launch. But on a happier note, the SWTOR team just Tweeted that Guild HQ updates are coming Monday!]
Fantasy Earth Zero celebrates launch with special events
It's launch day for Fantasy Earth Zero, the PvP-oriented free-to-play game from Gamepot USA and Square-Enix. The official launch alone would be enough reason for fans to be excited, but there's better yet to come, as the game is running several events to celebrate. The most obvious one is a week of boosted experience and money -- from today until the 25th of May, all players will receive a bonus 50% to both experience and Rings gained. It helps ensure that your time spent leveling now will be on the faster side, allowing players to dive into the high end of the game even faster. Players are also being given five free enchantments to help boost their prowess in battle within the same timeframe. If all that weren't enough, Mission Maps will be updating at a higher clip during the week after launch -- the Mission Maps exist as an alternative to spending money in the cash shop, which makes a higher turnaround help speed up progress further. All players who took part in the second open beta will also receive a New Soldier Set as a present, containing potions as well as an experience-boosting ring. Take a look at our gallery below for some special launch-day screenshots, and if you're curious, take a closer look at Fantasy Earth Zero itself. %Gallery-93240%
Fantasy Earth Zero announces official launch date
Fantasy Earth Zero is an interesting (and long-arriving) import game, originally developed by the inimitable Square-Enix and brought over via Gamepot USA. The game has been moving through its beta testing phase rather smoothly, good news for fans of its action-focused gameplay and PvP territory wars. And now there's even more good news: the game has an official launch date. On May 18th, less than two weeks away, the game is moving out of the beta testing phase and into its full commercial launch. To celebrate, a launch site has been set up specifically for special events, promotions, and other goodies in the days leading up to the launch proper. While there aren't many hints about what will come with the change from open beta to official launch (other than the expected launch of the cash shop), it's promised that there will be new opportunities for players to test their skills. And if you haven't yet gotten a chance to try Fantasy Earth Zero to see if it's a game that you want to stick with... well, what are you waiting for?
One year of Wrath
Rufus on Livejournal reminds us that one year ago as of November 13th, Wrath of the Lich King first came into our lives. That means it's been one full year since we had our launch events, since death knights first became free of the Lich King's control, and since we first stepped foot in Dalaran. It's the one year anniversary of our arrival at Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord, the addition of Inscription to the game, and the first fights in Strand of the Ancients and Wintergrasp. If you add in the pre-Wrath patch 3.0.2, you can add in achievements, barbershops, and a whole bunch of other changes. It's almost unbelievable how much has been added to the game in just the last year, though of course, considering that most of these things were actually announced way back at BlizzCon 2007, we've been living with them a little longer than that. And of course it's not over yet: we're currently standing on the doorstep of Icecrown Citadel, about to finish the fight over Arthas' soul that was started way back in Warcraft III, and there are rumblings under the earth of a whole new threat. Who knows what the World of Warcraft will look like a year from now?
Midnight launch event: your launches edition
Several of you sent in your midnight launch photos, and we managed to get a tiny cross-section of this event from around the world (any players from Europe or Asia care to send your photos? we'll add them in!) -- the US, Canada, and Australia. Click on for some photos from your launch events.[Above photo courtesy of Alec Paden]
