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Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn surpasses 2 million registrations
This week's PS4 launch of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn helped the MMO pass the 2 million mark for registered accounts. Square Enix didn't reveal any hard figures for how many players are exploring Eorzea on PS4, but we know six months ago the number of registered accounts was at 1.5 million. Meanwhile, a trailer from February proclaimed the second-iteration MMO had "over 1.8 million adventurers." It's worth noting registrations do not equate to active subscribers, although the base game does require a purchase. According to a translated 4Gamer interview with Director Naoki Yoshida, in March around 500,000 people were logging into A Realm Reborn each day. [Image: Square Enix]
Working As Intended: There's nothing wrong with soloing in MMORPGs
A Massively community member recently wrote into the podcast to tell us that he prefers to solo, to craft for himself, to avoid group quests, and to skip guilds. Still, he told us, he loves MMOs and doesn't want to leave them to play single-player RPGs. "What the hell is wrong with me?" he asked. Nothing. Nothing at all. There's nothing wrong with soloing in MMORPGs.
The Elder Scrolls Online launch trailer has trebuchets, lacks mud crabs
The Elder Scrolls Online is now available on PC and Mac, and Bethesda offered up a new trailer today to prove it. The game will arrive on PS4 and Xbox One in June, but those looking to pick up the MMO today should keep our starter guide on hand.
We're giving away Nether closed beta steam keys
Nether's spooky catchphrase is "prey or pray," but you'll be required to do neither to snag a key in today's beta giveaway. The closed-beta post-apoc sandbox is updating today with its Territory Wars patch that allows players to compete to control bases and buildings within the city. The patch also introduces playable female characters, an expanded loot system, and an underwear uniform for the most hardcore survivalists. Seriously. Joystiq and Massively have 2,000 Steam keys for Nether to give away, coinciding with the release of the new update. The Steam passes include closed beta access, 50 Nether gold, a Chosen-only exclusive in-game item, five 72-hour guest keys for your mates, forum access, and a highlighted forum name and rank for your account. Additionally, once the Steam bundles are gone, we've got 18,000 more guest keys that grant 72 hours of beta access without the other goodies. To redeem your Nether Steam key, install and launch the Steam client software and log into your Steam account (the client, not the Steam website!). Click the Games Menu, then Choose Activate a Product on Steam, and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process. You and your friends can redeem your guest keys by creating an account on the Nether website and following the instructions therein to download the game. Steam is required for all keys. Have fun saving the world! Update: We're already out of Steam keys, but there are still guest keys left.
'Stiq Tips: The Elder Scrolls Online Starter Guide
Elder Scrolls Online is a very traditional MMO, so those of you out there who don't play them regularly may have some trouble acclimating initially. But like most games, if you persevere and understand the fundamentals, everything will come in time. Before you even create a character, you should probably understand the basics of the game and how classes work. Though other MMOs rely heavily on the "holy trinity" of tank, damage-dealer, and healer, in ESO, every class is designed to have some competence in anything you want. It's a bit of a different spin on the traditional class system that most MMO players are used to. At first, you can select between four classes -- Dragon Knight, Sorcerer, Nightblade, and Templar. As a general rule, these classes are similar to those in other games respectively -- warrior, mage, thief, and priest. But again, ESO doesn't prescribe to the typical setup, so all four classes can tank, heal, or do damage. The reason this is possible is due to the dynamic weapon and armor experience system, as well as guild and faction skill trees that unlock new adaptive abilities.
Final Fantasy XIV's PlayStation 4 beta is now open to everyone
Fans of online role-playing games haven't had much to do on the PlayStation 4 so far, but that's all changing today. Square Enix has just opened up Final Fantasy XIV's PS4 beta test to everyone; from now until the morning of April 7th, you can battle monsters and ride Chocobos just by grabbing a free download from the PlayStation Store. This new beta phase runs on the same servers that PC and PS3 players use, so you should get a feel for real-world gameplay involving thousands of other adventurers. FFXIV doesn't officially arrive on the PS4 until the 14th, but don't fret about having to wait another week to play again -- if the game enthralls you so much that you've pre-ordered (or already have an account), you can start playing on the 11th.
Nosgoth brings a legacy of pain to Steam Early Access
Square Enix's next entry in the Legacy of Kain universe, Nosgoth, is now available in alpha form on Steam Early Access. The competitive online multiplayer game pits humans against vampires for the entry price of $20, though Square Enix is offering "founders' packs" that range from $35 to $150, each 10 percent off until April 2. Each pack grants players in-game bonuses such as war chests, weapons and character boosts. The game entered closed beta in late February, and developer Psyonix noted that Early Access buyers are gaining entry to the closed test phase. It recommended players on the fence to "wait for Open Beta and play Nosgoth for free" when it reaches Steam's free-to-play section. Once in open beta, the Early Access founders' packs won't be available for purchase, but the content will be valid for previous buyers. This isn't the first time a publisher opted for a low-risk Early Access release on Steam. Kasedo Games brought Hegemony Rome: The Rise of Caesar to Early Access in February and Ubisoft launched alpha versions of Might and Magic X: Legacy in August 2013 and The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot in November. [Image: Square Enix]
Stronghold Kingdoms attracts more than 3 million would-be conquerers
While self-funding a massively multiplayer real-time strategy game such as Stronghold Kingdoms was a risky move for a developer like Firefly Studios, it seems to be paying off as the castle building game has attracted over three million players since its debut on February 27. Firefly cites a passionate player base for the game's success, and notes that the game draws 200,000 users from 100 countries each month. Of course, it helps that Stronghold Kingdoms is free to download and play, and is supported by optional microtransactions, but given the number of other online games available to players with the same "free to play" price of entry, that three million player figure is still an impressive achievement. Those interested in joining the fight can find all the information they need to get up and running on the game's official website or by visiting its page on Steam. [Image: Firefly Studios]
Ubisoft teases more screenshots for The Division
News about the MMO shooter Tom Clancy's The Division hasn't exactly been prolific in recent days. In fact, we haven't heard a peep of official news since December. But thanks to MP1st, we have two new screenshots to to remind us that the game is in development -- and that it looks pretty good. Ubisoft released the latest shot of a soldier hunkered down on a New York City rooftop earlier today; the other shot gives us a glimpse of possible underground adventures. Check them both out beyond the break.
End of Nations development halted
Development on End of Nations has officially stopped. Trion Worlds first halted the game in late 2013, recently telling Video Gamer it is "currently focusing the company's energy and creativity on Rift, Defiance, Trove, ArcheAge, and some new projects that we will be revealing soon." The game's website no longer resolves to any landing page and the last posts on its Facebook and Twitter pages were from August 2013, right around the time Trion Worlds shuttered its San Diego studio. At the time, the publisher opted to move development of End of Nations, along with that of Defiance and ArcheAge, to its Redwood City studio. It also named Scott Hartsman CEO of the company, who left his former role as COO of Trion Worlds in January 2013 before the appointment in August. [Image: Trion Worlds]
Guild Wars 2 dodges subscription fee in China
ArenaNet announced that it will not institute a subscription model or introduce free-to-play elements when its MMORPG Guild Wars 2 launches in China this year, subverting the region's dominant time-based, pay-to-play trends for online games. Guild Wars 2 will launch in China as a one-time purchase supported by frequent free updates, maintaining the same business model supporting the game since its launch in 2012. The upcoming Chinese version, which ArenaNet will produce in a publishing partnership with KongZhong Corporation, will see timely updates that mirror content additions in North America and Europe. The Chinese version of Guild Wars 2 will enter a two-week closed beta test on March 11. [Image: ArenaNet]
Need for Speed: Shift dev's next game is PC racing MMO World of Speed
Slightly Mad Studios announced its new racing game today, World of Speed. The PC racer will be available this year as a free-to-play download published by My.com, with a closed beta program scheduled for the spring. The former Need for Speed: Shift and Shift 2: Unleashed developer described World of Speed as a "massively multiplayer online arcade racing video game," with players having access to an "endless garage of cars" to drive on tracks based in cities across the globe like London and San Francisco. World of Speed will feature team and club-based multiplayer racing along with objectives, missions and live events. [Image: Slightly Mad Studios]
Rust alpha sells 750,000 copies
Rust, the MMO-meets-survival game from Facepunch Studios, sold 750,000 copies in a month and a half since entering Steam early access. The news is courtesy of an update from creator Garry Newman, who described the sales mark as "an amount we never even imagined selling over the game's lifetime." The PC/Mac/Linux game's success has been consistent since its launch, as it reached 250,000 players less than two weeks ago. Newman is the developer of the ever-popular Garry's Mod, a Source engine-based physics sandbox that saw 3.5 million copies sold as of November 2013. As for how Rust compares to Newman's mod, the developer says it "already made us 2/3rds the amount of money that Garry's Mod has made in 8 years." Garry's Mod is priced at $9.99 on Steam, whereas the alpha version of Rust can be purchased for $19.99 on Steam Early Access. Newman described Rust's success as "both a blessing and a curse," citing a "sensory overload" on the behalf of the developer from its popularity. "We see all these amazing things happening, voices from all directions, ideas, bugs, cheaters.. and we're scrambling to catch up with everything," he wrote.
State of Decay developer hires MMO veteran Patrick Wyatt
En Masse Entertainment and NCsoft West alumnus Patrick Wyatt has joined up with State of Decay developer Undead Labs to assist the team with upcoming projects. Previously, Wyatt oversaw design and development of TERA's game publishing platform, helping to launch En Masse's MMORPG in 2012. Wyatt additionally developed core server and network platform technology for Guild Wars during his time with ArenaNet, a studio he co-founded before it was purchased by NCsoft West in 2002. Wyatt's role within Undead Labs has not been disclosed, but he may assist in developing Class4, an MMO project that stalled last year during the studio's negotiations with Microsoft. Undead Labs later signed a multi-year contract with Microsoft Studios, suggesting the project may be back on track.
The Elder Scrolls Online won't require PS Plus, will require Xbox Live Gold
The Elder Scrolls Online will not require a PlayStation Plus membership to play on PS4, ZeniMax Online Studios Game Director Matt Firor wrote in a PlayStation Blog update. Bethesda confirmed to Joystiq that the subscription-based MMORPG will require an Xbox Live Gold membership to play on Xbox One, however. Bethesda was in talks with Microsoft to allow Xbox One owners to play the game online without the Live subscription in August. That was after Firor revealed the developer's decision to go with a monthly subscription for the game instead of moving to a free-to-play format. The Elder Scrolls Online will cost players $14.99 per month when it launches April 4 for PC and Mac with next-gen console versions following in June. The game was recently handed a Mature rating by the ESRB, to which Bethesda said it is "unwilling to change the game's content to achieve a different rating."
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn to gather PS4 parties on April 14
PS4 users can summon Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn to their fancy new consoles on April 14, A Realm Reborn Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida announced during Square Enix's Letter from the Producer Live event. DualShockers reports that Square Enix will also release a collector's edition, which will bundle content from previous PS3 and PC collector's editions with a Fat Chocobo Mount and a Wind-Up Moogle Minion. DualShockers notes that those who purchased A Realm Reborn's collector's editions on previous platforms will receive the new items for free. While we didn't have have a specific date for A Realm Reborn's transition to PS4 until today, we already knew that the PS4 beta will begin on February 22. Those that started on PS3 can also try out the PS4 beta for free before deciding whether or not to double dip. Hopefully interested players can find a group they work with out of the 1.5 million accounts that have been registered for A Realm Reborn. And if not ... well, there's always Final Fantasy 15.
The Elder Scrolls Online tagged with Mature rating by ESRB
The Elder Scrolls Online has been given a Mature rating by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. Bethesda noted on the game's official Facebook page that while it does not agree with the ESRB's rating, intimating that it expected a "Teen" label, it is "unwilling to change the game's content to achieve a different rating." As a result, fans can expect Bethesda to promptly begin age-gating its Elder Scrolls Online materials, such as the game's website and trailers, though it mentioned that "the game we have created is the one we want our fans to be able to play." The Elder Scrolls Online is due out April 4 for PC and Mac with next-gen console launches following in June.
Atomic Poison Ivy vine-whips opponents in Infinite Crisis trailer
Turbine's heroic MOBA Infinite Crisis will include Atomic Poison Ivy as a playable character. The latest trailer explains the newest Champion's skills, which will be showcased when the free-to-play game launches this year. Turbine is still accepting participants in its beta program.
MMO publisher Perfect World Entertainment bringing 'current and future' projects to console
Perfect World Entertainment, publisher of free-to-play games like Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter and Star Trek Online, has announced the creation of a new company division that plans to bring "current and future" games to both current and next-gen consoles. Perfect World Entertainment CEO Alan Chen said in a press release that the studio's move to consoles was a "natural progression," but no details were given on how the company's mostly keyboard-and-mouse-centric games will be translated to the controller-oriented consoles. The press release did, however, tease that more details will be coming sometime next year.
Dynasty Warriors Online shutting down in North America
Aeria Games is not having a good month, apparently. Shortly after the company announced the closure of Lime Odyssey in Korea, it broke the news to the Dynasty Warriors community that the North American servers will be shut down on January 10th, 2014. The company posted its reasons and condolences on the Dynasty Warrior forums: "We know and understand this is both sad and frustrating. The closure of a game is always hardest for us at Aeria as we recognize the community's dedication towards the game but regrettably games can't last forever." Aeria will be giving out 100% rebates to any AP purchased by players from now until the game's sunset. The company also promised that it's working on special events for the title's final days. [Thanks to Mehighlow for the tip!]
