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Ministry of War launches Blood of the Nobles expansion
Strategic minds, rejoice! Today, Snail Games is releasing its Blood of the Nobles expansion for its MMORTS Ministry of War. The game allows players to choose between one of four ancient civilizations: Egypt, China, Persia, or Rome. Players trade, research, raise armies, and of course fight amongst one another for dominance. The new Blood of the Nobles expansion introduces -- rather suitably -- a Nobility system that allows players to become Nobles, which provides them with a "huge collection of exclusive benefits." It also brings the Noble's Work Force, "which provides automatic systems like construction and research, freeing Nobles to focus exclusively on expanding their Empire and defeating enemies." Snail Games has also opened up a brand new server, Triumph, which makes it the perfect time for new players to jump right in, which they can do at the official site! %Gallery-99802%
MMObility: How to real-time-strategize your way into my heart
If there is one thing I can appreciate in my gaming choices, it's flexibility. I want to be able to not only do what I want but do it when I want. If I want to avoid combat or other players, the game should allow me to do that. I don't want to bother with things that annoy me. If I am in the mood for tweaking my character, sure, I'll do that, but I don't want it to be forced on me by a pushy fellow player or virtual progression wall. In other words, give me as many choices as possible and I will love you. Once I discovered the world of browser-based real-time-strategy games, I found a large number of games that provided me with almost everything I needed. While I normally preferred more "immersive" play, I found that the miniature armies and grand scale of most of these newer titles filled in my imagination just fine. In fact, the more I play with them, the more I am reminded of tabletop gaming as a teen. Those were glorious times, despite the fact that I am now, and always have been, horrible at war. Let me tell you all about my recent obsession with browser-based real-time-strategy MMOs. (That's quite a mouthful.) Click past the cut!
Ensemble Online wants you for alpha testing!
Longtime Massively readers will remember a giveaway we had last year for Ensemble Online alpha keys. Ensemble Online has been under construction since then, and the small indie studio creating it has grown as well. The developers -- now operating under the SemiFormal Studios moniker -- are preparing for alpha test phase II, and you're invited! SemiFormal has given us 50 alpha test keys to share with you, so if you'd like to see how far the game has come since alpha test phase I, head to our giveaway page and pick up a key for yourself. It's an alpha test, so don't forget to report all those little bugs and glitches. Even more importantly, don't forget to have fun! [Sorry, all codes have been claimed]
E3 2011: Nival announces Facebook-integrated MMO Prime World
Nival may be a new player in the MMOsphere, but Prime World, its first big push into the fray, is looking to turn a few heads. Developed in the Unity 3D engine and promising an intense PvP experience inspired by Defense of the Ancients, Prime World hopes to break from other, similar games by integrating itself into Facebook. While elements of the social game can be played in a web browser, the PvP combat will require a downloadable client. Players will be able to construct castles and enjoy other social gaming features, and these elements will bleed into the PvP portions of the game and vice-versa. Well-designed castles will provide "meaningful benefits" to the PvP action scenes, and social networks can be exploited, helping players gain strategic advantages. Likewise, the spoils gained from successful PvP victories and other minigames can be used to customize your castle or be gifted to friends. Nival is expecting Prime World to enter closed beta late this year, but it released a teaser trailer to whet our appetites until then. Check it out after the break! Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered! %Gallery-125703%
Trion Worlds releases new End of Nations video feature
The world's economies have crashed, governments are crumbling as a result, and a totalitarian regime is looking to assume control over the chaos. This is the world of End of Nations, the upcoming MMORTS from Trion Worlds and Petroglyph Games. The game sees players rising against the aforementioned tyrannical organization, known as the Order of Nations, in a struggle for control over the world's resources. To tease the new title, Trion Worlds has released a new video that showcases some gameplay clips, fills players in on the game's setting, and includes snippets from the game's developers explaining their goals and hopes for the game. If you're itching for more information on this upcoming addition to the MMORTS genre, Massively has not one but two hands-on previews and a Q&A with the game's developers. If that's not enough for you, the End of Nations official site has gone live as well, and there's sure to be more information to be gleaned there. And lastly, of course, you can jump past the cut for the video itself.
End of Nations preview: Real-time synergy
A few years ago around this time, Trion was suggesting to gamers that despite the overwhelming domination of World of Warcraft, there definitely was room for more than just Blizzard's opus in the MMO market, though the suggestion didn't raise much more than an eyebrow among those interested at the time. A few years later, Rift is out and stealing both players and mindshare, even getting hinted at on a conference call as one reason for WoW's numbers being slightly down. As much as Trion has been able to do with Rift, that game is only the beginning of the company's plan. As we saw at a pre-E3 event last week, the next step is to break ground on a second MMO title, this one built as an "MMORTS" with veteran strategy developers Petroglyph. We only got to play through part of a short match, but what's there showed that Trion is aiming to do with this genre what it did with Rift, even if there's a long way to go. %Gallery-124499%
MMObility: Three new games for your browser or smartphone
Welcome once again to your weekly source for all things mobile, portable, browser and handheld. Some weeks I want to discuss something deeper, something that really gets our blood boiling and our gears cranking. It seems as though there are many of you who think that mobile technology as it is now is going to stay as it is for a long time. With that presumption comes a sort of dismissal of the mobile market as nothing more than a toy right now. To clear up some of the confusion, I want to note that my love for mobile games and devices has almost nothing to do with the technology that exists now. Sure, I love my HTC Inspire and my iPhone. My wife uses her iPad so much (and she's a PC gamer, too) that we need to get her an iPad 2 just for the increased usability. She has an iPhone 4, and I also have a basic laptop that we use the heck out of. It's easy to see that mobility means a lot to us. Even with all the wonderful technology that exists now, I am turned on by the stuff that will exist soon. Mark my words. And then there are weeks like this one, a rough one of migraines, PC issues (another reason I like mobile) and other real-life stuff. So instead of diving into a deep discussion about the meaning of the term MMO or how to pick the best portable device, I decided to just show you three new games that have caught my eye. Click past the cut and check them out!
The world is your oyster: Dawn of Fantasy dev diary demonstrates Kingdom Wars mode
If you liked Dawn of Fantasy's first developer diary showcasing the MMORTS' Stronghold Defense mode, then buckle up, because here we go again! This time, 505 Games' Gordon Farrell and Arielle Parkas up the ante by demonstrating the Kingdom Wars feature. Unlike the hop-in-and-out Stronghold Defense matches, Kingdom Wars challenges you to go on a global crusade to conquer all of the lands. It's here that you'll be building an army from scratch, laying siege to cities for their resources, engaging in diplomacy, and accomplishing quests -- all while fending off feisty computer and player forces. Kingdom Wars offers both single-player and multiplayer options, and players can pick of the three factions to rule. Of course, world-conquering isn't done by feats of martial skill alone; a shrewd king knows that creating a strong economy is a necessary foundation for victory. You can check out the full developer diary for this intriguing Dawn of Fantasy game mode after the jump!
Outspark details Seven Dragons browser MMORTS
There's a new MMO in the Outspark stable, and the creators of Divine Souls and Fiesta are branching out with its latest release. Seven Dragons is a browser-based real-time strategy title built on questing, character development, resource building, and PvP battles. Seven Dragons features three combat modes with wildland monster hunting, player city invasions, and arena combat making up the majority of the game's armed conflict. Being an MMO and RTS hybrid, Seven Dragons also boasts city building, resource management, and of course, the chance to match wits with the titular wyrms. Check out the game guide on the official Outspark website, and start playing for free in the browser of your choice.
New Dawn of Fantasy screenshots and information on races
Dawn of Fantasy seems like it's been in development for an awfully long time, but with a release coming in June, MMORTS fans should be getting excited. The team behind the game has sent along some new screenshots as well as more information on the three most influential races in the game -- Men, Orcs, and Elves. Elves, as most fantasy fans will likely expect, are split between Wood Elves and High Elves, with the former excelling at natural magic and the latter focusing on city building and alchemy. Orcs count a number of savage tribes among their numbers, with Desert Orcs and Swamp Orcs both focusing heavily upon offensive measures. Last but not least, the race of Men encompasses the cities of Rollingplain and Menthorn -- both are united under a single ruler, but Menthorn is filled with unrest and talk of rebellion. MMORTS fans will want to keep their eyes on Dawn of Fantasy as the game approaches release on June 17th. %Gallery-79066%
Free for All: Gaming with Game of Thrones
I have really been enjoying the new series Game of Thrones over on the HBO network. In fact, when I recently changed to a faster internet provider, I deliberately added on the exclusive channel just for the series. Even though I have never read the books, a 15-minute preview of the show was enough to convince me to watch it. While I am truly enjoying the break from fantasy that is chock-full of smart-alec modern-day references (all delivered by smirking hipsters with swords), I admit to still being a little afraid that the series will take a turn for the goofy or overly dramatic. If a single vampire shows up in this one, I am going to turn it all off and go on a long vacation. So far, though, it's been a delightful romp into a cold, realistic world. After I watch a new episode, I avoid the internet for fear of random spoilers or the temptation to look at character bios. I simply do not want to know what's going to happen, so please do not tell me. Since the series has started, I have begun to notice how I enjoy the same basic entertainment in my gaming. I want political intrigue, amazing landscapes, and the occasional epic, bloody fight. Join me past the cut and let's look at some games that provide those three things.
Microsoft reveals 48-hour 'secret access' to Age of Empires Online beta
Yearning for an early look at Age of Empires Online? If so, Microsoft Game Studios has some good news for you. Starting today, you can jump into a 48-hour secret access beta signup session simply by registering for a Windows Live ID (or logging in if you already have one). This is your last chance to get in on some Age of Empires beta action before MGS closes it to the public, so hurry and visit the signup link before Saturday, May 7th. You'll be able to download the beta client immediately and get started testing shortly thereafter. If you missed our beta key giveaway a couple of weeks ago, don't miss what could be your last opportunity to take part in the upcoming MMORTS' testing phase!
Hold the gates: Dawn of Fantasy dev diary gives an overview of stronghold defense
We haven't heard from 505 Games' Dawn of Fantasy for a while, but it looks as though the MMORTS is coming along quite nicely. In a first of hopefully several developer diaries, Lead Writer and Associate Producer Gordon Farrell shows one of the game's modes: stronghold defense. Dawn of Fantasy players will be encouraged to take control of pre-built villages, towns, and castle fortresses and defend them from the enemy as the situation warrants. In the video, Farrell shows how these strongholds can be built up and defenses laid out prior to the enemy's assault. The diary goes on to show a sample scenario of a player attempting to hold on to a multi-tiered fortress against the combined assault of Elves and Orcs. Each faction looks to have its own style and special units -- for example, the Elves wield giant Treants as siege weapons, whereas the Orcs have mobile towers and battering rams. Even though the cavalry comes to the rescue, the defending player is soon overwhelmed. However, Farrell speculates about what you might have done differently instead. You can watch the full dev diary after the jump!
Aeria Games announces Golden Age
A new contender in the field of MMO real-time strategy titles has appeared: Golden Age. If you're all about constructing castles, building up armies, and clashing in epic battles, Aeria Games is hoping that this title will sate your bloodlust. As players commit warfare against each other and computer-controlled enemies, Golden Age allows bystanders to participate as well. Players can vote for their favorite army when a battle convenes, and the army with the most votes gets bonus soldiers for the fight. When not fighting, players will build up their fortresses using over 20 types of structures and also talk to inhabitants of the town to see whether any of them has a quest for you to do. Aeria Games promises that the browser-based Golden Age will be free-to-play and will be released with both English and Spanish translations. You can check out the teaser site and register for the beta now. We give you permission -- just finish your vegetables first.
Massively conquers two Empire and State developers
Massively sat down with Empire and State developer Toby Ragaini not so long ago, and we were excited to see exactly how the team's promised game of political intrigue and power-grabbing would play -- so excited that we nabbed a second interview not only with Toby, Director of Game Development at Novel Inc, but also with Mike Marr, the company's Creative Director. Both of them offer a combined experience from MMOs like Asheron's Call and RTS games like Supreme Commander. We were able to get our hands on the game, as well, and were pretty surprised at what we found. If you are familiar with many browser games, you will not be shocked at how the game is delivered to you. What will catch you off guard is how the game plays and feels, as it combines a lot of different elements from some very popular genres and game styles. Click past the cut to check out some of the details from our interview!
Snag an Age of Empires Online beta key!
If you're an old school Age of Empires player, then you have fond memories of harvesting bushes for berries, scooting your peasants inside the town hall during an attack, and spreading your civilized society by the pointy end of your swords. Those good ol' memories are being made new in Gas Powered Games' Age of Empires Online, which is heading our way good and fast. Assuming that the thought of creating a civilization from scratch to dominate your enemies pleases your sensibilities, you can now grab a free beta key from Curse. Simply nab a key while they last, then head on over to the Age of Empires Online site to redeem it and download the beta client. We're looking forward to hearing how this MMORTS plays, so if you get in, make sure to give us your fair assessment!
Picaroon polishing beta 'questorials'
Picaroon's beta phase is sailing merrily along, and Nice Technology is talking up a few of the MMORTS's features in a new press release. The newbie experience is fresh on the minds of beta testers and developers, and Nice producer Toby Simpson says that the company has come up with "questorials" that are organized into mission groups to effectively communicate the game's basics while avoiding the dreaded need for players to spend time reading a manual. "We know that documentation is the very last thing that anyone reads," Simpson explains, noting that Nice has recently added PvE pirate battle questorials to introduce the game's combat. Picaroon's beta is also gearing up to release new content in the form of a new building called the Technology Centre. In a nutshell, the Centre offers new strategies for defending islands (courtesy of an orbital laser cannon satellite) as well as a new game mode called persistent Picaroon. Head to the official website for more details.
MMObility: Illyriad, a kingdom in your pocket
There are a lot of city-building, army-amassing, crop-growing RTS-style games in the browser market. Heck, I will wager that they probably make up about 70 percent of the games I come across while researching (my fancy word for lurking through game sites). The genre works really well in a browser, though, so I can see the appeal of making such a game. Of course, as in any popular genre, you will have your duds. After seeing my billionth army-builder, I have to say that I'm just not really interested that much anymore. It takes a unique one to grab my eye. In comes Illyriad. It looks pretty similar to other RTS-style browser MMOs, and it plays similarly as well. Something about it was different, though, and I just couldn't put my finger on it. The hand-drawn art was a nice touch, and the world truly felt large, but there was something else. Join me past the cut as I examine what it was. I also fired off some questions to the developer, Stormcrow, to get his take on the game's success.
Gamigo opens the news floodgates
"Cry havoc, and unleash the titles of war" might as well be gamigo's cry, as today it has seen fit to give us what can only be termed as a new title news explosion. Aside from offering up an interesting tidbit on its upcoming space dogfighter, Black Prophecy, the company has released information on a handful of other new titles that should pique the interest of gamers who are looking for something beyond the standard free-to-play MMO fare. Better still, some of these titles will be available in-browser, helping to open up more "jump in and game" free-to-play options. Grimlands offers something for players who have been waiting for a post-apocalyptic title that promises the ability to evolve their own playstyles -- and cities. UFO Online: Fight for Earth features a tactics-heavy browser-based MMO environment where players will battle against each other and enemy NPCs in a world overrun with gobsmackingly enormous amounts of aliens. Magic Campus offers adventure in a turn-based world where players build a powerful cadre of pets and mentor others in the ways of magic -- all in their browsers. Sound intriguing? Join us behind the break for a first look at screenshots and video from these upcoming gamigo titles!
Dreamlords: Resurrection launches, Paradox offering free ducats
MMORTS gamers have reason to celebrate, as Paradox Interactive has announced the (latest) launch of its free-to-play Dreamlords title. A German version of the game was published by gamigo in 2007, while a North American version originally debuted in the summer of 2008 under the name Dreamlords the Reawakening. This time around, Paradox is calling it Dreamlords: Resurrection, and the company is also giving away 1000 Paradox ducats (the game's item shop currency) to anyone and everyone who signs up. Dreamlords: Resurrection was developed by Lockpick Entertainment and puts the player in the role of a titular guardian and tasks him with inspiring followers, building an army, and engaging in various defend-and-conquer excursions against the Nightmares that roam the world. The game features cooperative PvE play where the player can team up with other Dreamlords, as well as fast-paced PvP combat and RTS staples such as troop and technology research. Paradox has released a new gameplay trailer to celebrate the Dreamlords launch, and you can view it after the cut.
