loma
Latest
The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010
I have to admit to feeling slightly amazed when I read that someone thought of 2010 as a bad year for MMORPG fans. Then, when I think about it, I realize that he was talking about the year in "AAA" subscription gaming -- something almost alien to me. I just don't get turned on by huge-budget subscription games like I did seven or eight years ago. Well, it might be better to say that I am always suspicious of big-budget gaming. Gaming is a lot like movies, and look at how bad most blockbusters are. They are often silly, over-the-top, special-effects-laden bores. If those movies were the only ones I watched, I might be a little depressed about Hollywood as well. If you pay attention only to what the major publishers are pushing out, you are simply going to have a narrow view of MMO gaming. You will miss too much. The year 2010 offered more than any year before it, and 2011 will top that. Thanks to mobile technologies and the always-dropping price of computers, you will find that smaller or unknown games have much more of a chance of grabbing a gamer's eye than ever before. So, what were some of the high and low points in free-to-play and indie gaming this year? Click past the cut and let's take a look!
Check out Legend of Martial Arts with our closed beta key giveaway!
Legend of Martial Arts has risen from the ashes of Kung Foo!, ready for the next phase of development: closed beta. Kung Foo! caught the attention of much of the Massively staff because of its quirky sense of humor and fun presentation, so we're eager to get a look at the new, improved, and re-named version. The game has maintained its sense of humor, offering sometimes-bizarre weaponry and giving players the ability to transform into things like donkeys and lamp posts. Closed beta of Legend of Martial Arts begins today -- it's time to check out this redesigned free-to-play title for yourself. Are you ready to become the most epic lamp post the MMO world has ever seen? We at Massively have a pile of closed beta keys so you can do just that. Click the link below and grab your key to get started in Legend of Martial Arts! Get your Legend of Martial Arts beta key! > >
Perfect World is back to the Kung Foo! dojo
Back in February (yes, we know it's hard to remember that far back) Perfect World Entertainment announced that it was pulling the highly anticipated martial-arts MMO Kung Foo! out of beta. The game's developers believed the game needed some rehabilitation to recover from some devastating injuries inflicted by the opinions of the beta testers. Today, the game zen masters have announced the free-to-play RPG has re-centered its qi and is now known as Legend of Martial Arts. The game now features an all-new look and feel, not to mention a variety of new quests and content. LOMA is also pleased to announce a new race called the Reavers, who, of course, have a brand new starting zone. Closed beta for the new design starts on November 24th. Each player who who helped out in the Kung Foo! beta will receive not only an automagic invitation to the closed beta but also a Gold Prize -- an item that grants one day of double XP -- for his or her first character created in open beta. For more detail check out the official Legend of Martial Arts website.
