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Rise and Shiny: Habbo Hotel
This week I had the pleasure of testing out Habbo Hotel, a social MMO that takes its art design cues from the world of 8bit and tries to attract a younger audience with bright, accessible gameplay. Really the only thing separating Habbo Hotel from a serious "adult" MMO is how it looks. The systems in-game are no different than those in other social MMOs I have found, and in fact, much of the no-frills gameplay reminds me just how bloated many standard MMOs are. You might have heard of Habbo Hotel because of a recent controversy that resulted in major backers pulling out of the game and forced the developers to literally shut down public chat, but it seems that the worst of the controversy is behind us. I found a few examples of players trying to navigate around chat filters or rules, but that's standard behavior for younger players. Just ask Wizard101's KingsIsle about the difficulty of maintaining clean chat in a "kid's" MMO.
MMObility: How Facebook's recent changes affect MMOs
As you might be aware, Facebook is officially changing its policy on how an embedded MMO interacts with the famous social network. I'm no fan of reading through lines of policy changes and attempting to interpret them exactly, namely because reading about changes and fully experiencing them are two different things. Both can lead to different conclusions, as well. I want to know how these changes affect MMO developers. I would also like to clear up what Facebook is. I've covered it many times before, but there is always a section of players and readers who have no idea or have only heard what Facebook is and what it does. To many of them, Facebook is FarmVille and spam, period. While I will not deny the existence of either of those things, I'd rather take this week to break down what Facebook is to developers, how it actually works, and how recent changes might affect players like yours truly who enjoy playing games through, on, or by utilizing Facebook.
Trion Worlds taking over End of Nations development
With End of Nations' development in trouble due to mass layoffs at Petroglyph Studios, Trion Worlds has decided to step in to save the day -- or at least finish the game. The End of Nations team announced last night that the game's being brought in-house to its publisher for the final stretch of development prior to launch. "We are committed to delivering the top-notch product we know this game can be," the team wrote, "and we are looking forward to welcoming you back into the testing phase of the game to help get it there." Trion promised that it was making changes due to player feedback from the beta and has plans to make the learning curve more friendly, update the user interface, and put a nice coat of polish over the entire game.
Petroglyph lays off End of Nations developers
Petroglyph Games has laid off 30 staffers from its Las Vegas-based studio. "Well, it appears this winter break will be extended indefinitely," tweeted End of Nations designer Adam Stevens. "Layoffs at Petroglyph. Looking like I'll be leaving Las Vegas." Last week we reported on End of Nations' open beta postponement, and publisher Trion Worlds also began refunding purchases made by the MMORTS title's closed beta participants. According to Gamasutra, Petroglyph stated that it had "identified several key areas of the game which need polish and improvement," and even went so far as to remove a link to End of Nations from the company's official forums. Late last month, community manager Myell Erik noted that "End of Nations has not been cancelled," but the game's latest delay means that sci-fi real-time strategy aficionados won't see it until 2013 at the earliest.
Trion postpones End of Nations open beta 'until further notice'
This morning we received a reader tip alerting us to the fact that Trion has put the brakes on its End of Nations MMORTS. Our tipster reported that the game's open beta is on hold indefinitely and that Trion has notified closed beta customers that they'll be getting refunds. We contacted Trion to confirm, and the studio noted that it posted a blurb on Facebook last Wednesday (i.e., the day before Thanksgiving; we see what you did there!). Trion offered no further comment, but we'll keep you informed about End of Nations' fate as we learn more. [Thanks to Grim for the tip.]
Kingz blends RTS, MMO, and collectible card game elements
The latest MMO to jump on the z-powered name bandwagon is Kingz, a LogiWorks title that looks to blend RTS, MMO, and collectible card game mechanics. Steparu has a quick preview and a gameplay trailer from G-Star that introduces the game's instanced kingdoms and kingdom management. That takes care of the RTS aspects mentioned above, but what about the MMO part? Well, apparently players can leave their private kingdom at any time and adventure in the wider world, encountering traditional MMO mobs, resources, and other players. PvP is also an option, though you can only attack another player's kingdom if he's actually online. The card game elements are broken down into three distinct phases. The first card type boosts your kingdom resources, harvesting abilities, etc. The second card type is equipped on your player character and affects individual combat abilities. The third and final card type is used during siege warfare. Get a look at all this and more via the gameplay trailer after the cut.
Saga Kingdoms MMO and movie rev up dual Kickstarter projects
Gnome Templar, the maker of Saga and Captains of Darktide, is hard at work on the next step of its franchise with Saga Kingdoms. That the studio is looking to fund the project via Kickstarter might not surprise you in this day and age, but the fact that its also running a second fundraiser to finish its film based on the same IP might. Saga Kingdoms is a persistent MMORTS in which players customize a hero avatar and look to expand their island nation through quests and conflict. One of its most interesting features is that it connects to a mobile RPG that acts as a two-way street for experience and loot. The devs love the world they've created so much that they are also wrapping up a film in that universe called The Shadow Cabal. They claim that the movie's scenes have been fully shot, but it still needs about $20,000 for additional special effects and editing. Watch the trailer after the jump and let us know whether this is worth a few bucks or not!
Fourth and final End of Nations closed beta event starts October 4th
Trion's fourth and final End of Nations closed beta event kicks off Thursday, October 4th, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The festivities run through Sunday, October 9th, and an NDA drop is in the cards as well. New features for the fourth beta weekend include the Full Boar map, the Panzer Hulk unit, and the 56-player Deep Freeze map. A new tutorial mode is on tap as well for those of you who might new to testing the forthcoming MMORTS. If you haven't received a beta invite yet, be sure to sign up on the game's official website. [Source: Trion press release]
Previously on MV TV: The week of September 1st
This week I have quite the selection of tasty video tidbits for you to enjoy. What better way to spend the weekend than staying inside away from the nasty pollen and wasps, watching amazing gameplay videos hosted by yours truly and his band of fellow pixel-heads? That's right! You don't even have to buy MMOs anymore! By simply clicking on the "continue reading" link below, you step into an expansive world of MMO exploration, teeming with sights and sounds unlike you have ever seen or installed before! Why should you go through the trouble of standing in line, purchasing a box, spending two days installing it on your massive PC, pulling up that huge plastic chair, waiting for the game to patch, and attempting to make a character who doesn't look like a 17 year-old pop-punk band member only to find that you suck at PvP? The simple answer to your problem is to watch us play ALL OF THE GAMES! Which games, you might ask? Well, this week I have some Piggy action as he streams Fallen Earth, followed by Richie with some Guild Wars 2, Mike with some more EVE Online, World of Tanks and Tribes: Ascend. And I follow it all up with a trip through Wurm Online to view the mystery behind the Puzzles deed and then chat with Illyriad CEO James Niesewand about his game's new patch! Check it out!
Ironfell MMORTS releases gameplay trailer
Good news, everybody! Ironfell is in open beta, which means you can hop in-game right now and get a feel for it! What's that, you say? You don't know about Ironfell? Well, luckily for you, there's a new gameplay trailer out to introduce you to the game! Ironfell is a 2-D, hex-based MMORTS. Its developer, David Colquhoun, touts Ironfell as "an indie MMORTS with an unfair approach to balance," saying that you can "gather stockpiles of resources to gain an unfair advantage over your enemies" and bring that advantage to bear in a massive and persistent world. Right now, the game has about 50 units and buildings, with plans for tremendous expansion -- eventually players will be able to create time machines and elevators to help them explore beyond the world. The game is free-to-play, and Colquhoun promises "to make every game item and resource available in the game without payment," although he's not sure what the game's exact business model will look like at this point. Skip below the cut for the new gameplay video. [Source: DataSmugglers press release]
PAX Prime 2012: Our first look at MMORTS Novus Aeterno
The MMORTS genre is a relatively unexplored one, generally relegated to free-to-play titles that tend to be mediocre at best and warcrimes at worst. It's beginning to pick up some steam these days, though, with titles like Trion Worlds' upcoming End of Nations. But I'm not here to talk about Trion or other big AAA studios; I'm here to talk about one guy who got bored and decided he'd make the game he wanted to play. That's Nick Nieuwoudt, the mastermind behind in-development MMORTS Novus Aeterno. As a hardcore StarCraft II player, he realized that he enjoyed the RTS playstyle but was left wanting something more. So as any sensible person would do, he gathered together a team and got to work creating the game he wanted to play. Many months of work later, TAITALE Studios has put together the foundation of Novus Aeterno. And as luck would have it, I had the opportunity to take a look at the game at PAX Prime 2012, so if you'd like to take a look behind the curtain at a potentially promising new MMORTS, follow on with me and I'll give you all the details.
Third End of Nations closed beta event starts September 7th
What's that? You were wondering when Trion was going to host its third End of Nations closed beta event? Well, wonder no more, MMORTS fans. Mark Friday, September 7th on your calendar because that's when participants can log back in and try out new features like elite companies. These are basically private armies that may be purchased and deployed for a specific purpose, according to Trion's latest press blurb. The beta event runs through Sunday, September 9th at 11:59 p.m. EDT, so you've got a full three days to kick the tires and light the fires when it comes to large-scale MMORTS action. If you don't have a beta key yet, check the Trion Facebook page and Twitter account, or purchase the Founder's Edition. [Source: Trion press release]
Gamescom 2012: Behind closed doors with Trion Worlds
Germany is crazy about MMOs. Proof of this was the Gamescom attendance of almost all major players in the genre, showing off what they had in store. Trion Worlds -- known well to fans of RIFT, Defiance, and End of Nations -- was no exception. The studio gave us a closer look at some of what it's got in store for us: RIFT's first real expansion, Storm Legion, and brand-new third-person sci-fi shooter Defiance. Jump past the break to read all about them.
Trion to stream RIFT, Defiance, and End of Nations live from PAX
If you're a RIFT fan who can't make it to PAX next weekend, we've got some good news. Trion is going to be streaming live from the show floor beginning on Friday, August 31st. The RIFT website says that "the latest in Storm Legion with interviews, playtests, and more" will be available for viewing via Trion's Twitch TV channel. Trion devs will also be accepting questions via the Twitch page, and the company will be showing its Defiance MMOFPS and its End of Nations MMORTS throughout the show.
Gamescom 2012: End of Nations trailer spotlights customization
Whether they're sporting traditional or tie-dye or polka-dots, players meeting on the battlefield in End of Nations won't have to worry about blending in with the crowd thanks to the variety of customization options available in the Armory. Trion Worlds released a trailer at Gamescom 2012 showcasing some of these available customizations in the upcoming free-to-play MMORTS. The customization in the Armory, however, goes beyond just a colorful outer shell; players also use this feature to set load outs, design and create companies, and modify units. Want different armaments? The Armory is where you get them. Check out the variety of options as well as some in-game footage in the trailer after the break. And players interested in experiencing the feature for themselves can sign up for the beta on the official site.
Trion showing off RIFT expansion, Defiance PvP at Gamescom
Gamescom is coming next week, and most major publishers are gearing up to make the trip. The latest announcement comes to us from Trion, which is showing its stable of games including RIFT, End of Nations, Defiance, and Warface. Next week's convention will mark the "consumer debut" of RIFT's Storm Legion expansion, and MMORTS End of Nations will be playable on a massive 24-PC setup. Defiance is bringing "previously unseen PvP gameplay" to the table, while Warface will be presented inside a giant helicopter-themed display arena. [Source: Trion press release]
End of Nations outlines Heroes and Mercenaries in a new video
End of Nations has a large number of units, and each of them has a relatively fixed role. You know at a glance what any given unit is meant to do and how it works with other units in the game. And then there are hero units, which are specifically meant to throw that balance off. Heroes possess multiple special abilities, generally ones that synergize well with other units, allowing you to pull out an unexpected set of abilities on an unsuspecting opponent. Some Heroes are willing to work for any side in a conflict, and these Mercenaries are arguably even more powerful. When you hire a company of Mercenaries, you acquire both a Hero unit and several sidekick units specifically tuned to complement the Hero's abilities. That means a full strike force tuned for maximum impact, one that might enable a strategy not normally available to your faction. Jump on past the break for the full video explaining Heroes and showing these powerful units in action. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
Catch another End of Nations beta livestream tonight
End of Nations' second closed beta kicked off in the wee hours of this morning. To celebrate, Trion is hosting another livestream event designed to show off the MMORTS title's gameplay (and the changes that have been made since the first closed beta). The beta event itself happens today through Sunday, August 5th, while the livestream goes down tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT on the EoN TwitchTV channel. Devs will be showing off new content, including a 4v4 base assault map called Blue Water and a 4v4 domination map called Resource Hog. [Source: Trion press release]
Dawn of Fantasy's been invaded by Dwarves
Things may have seemed quiet for the siege-based Dawn of Fantasy until now, but the thundering sound of cannon fire and Dwarven boots marching on the three realms is breaking that silence. Reverie World Studios has announced The Dwarven Invasion, a new game-changing mini-expansion event that will shake things up. Although the Dwarves visited for a brief time once before, this time they are bringing a new technology: gunpowder. Luckily, not all of the invading horde is about conquering; although players will face Dwarven foes on the battlefield, there will also be select mercenaries joining the fray as friends. Some mercenaries are free of charge, but others can hired from the Online Kingdom Market for a discount. The game also offers a new Dwarven menu design and soundtrack. As a special promotion, from now until August 7th, all games purchased through the official site will include two bonus codes (worth $20 US) redeemable for additional free Dwarven units as well as a Haunter Dragon. Check out some screenshots of the invasion in the gallery below. [Source: Reverie Worlds Studios press release]%Gallery-79066%
Trion selling End of Nations CE for $70, with special subscription and perks
Trion has revealed Collector's Edition details for its upcoming free-to-play MMORTS End of Nations. For $70 you'll essentially get a head start in the game, including a Black Dragons company with special units for your army, the chance to start out two commanders at level 5, two extra commander slots, and a 50% boost on in-game cash for five days.You'll also get a three-month VIP membership, with perks like an in-game store discount, extra in-game credits, and a 90 game XP boost. If you don't want to take the plunge on the CE, Trion's also offering a Founder's Edition, with different skins and fewer perks, for $30, which you can upgrade later if you so choose.Or, because the game is free-to-play, you could, you know, just wait until it comes out and see what you think for without cracking your wallet. Trion is having another closed beta event this weekend, and rolling towards an open release later on this year.
