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Massively's Final Fantasy XIV relaunch roundup
Most games don't get a second chance at a first impression, but Final Fantasy XIV is going for precisely that with its revamped version launching today as A Realm Reborn. The original launch was met with notably terrible reception, prompting the complete shutdown of the first version followed by a radically different and redeveloped game. Maybe you're just now hearing about it, or maybe you've been following the game since the first announcement, but today is when everyone can finally access the relaunch. We've put together a collection of both news and useful guides so that old players can be brought up to speed, new players can learn what to do first, and people on the fence can decide whether the game is worth playing in the first place. Enjoy our relaunch roundup past the cut, and if you decide to take part, enjoy your reborn adventures in Final Fantasy XIV!
CCP Games reveals EVE Valkyrie
There's another game on its way to share space with EVE Online and DUST 514. EVE: Valkyrie is the official name for what had been referred to before now as EVE-VR, what was described as a tech demo assembled with the Oculus Rift and a few fighter craft. Yes, that high-speed dogfighting sim in a virtual reality headset turned out to not just be a brief bit of playable speculation but a peek at the next game from CCP Games. CEO Hilmar Petursson stated that as soon as players got their hands on the demo, they wanted to know when the whole thing could be purchased -- and that was when it was just a concept demo developed by a handful of people during some spare moments. No official statements have been issued on what format the game will take or whether or not there will be components other than multiplayer dogfights. But there will be spaceships zooming around and shooting one another, and that's what attracted people in the first place.
Dead Island: Epidemic puts zombies back in MOBAs
What's a ZOMBA? It's not that thing that roams around your floor sucking up dirt but instead an entirely new thing that makes a happy marriage of Dead Island's zombies and MOBAs: a Zombie Online Multiplayer Battle Arena. Trust us, that term will be on everyone's lips come next week. Dead Island: Epidemic is an upcoming free-to-play MOBA set in the same gory world as the PC game. Details about the game are scarce, other than the fact that it'll be for the PC, feature three players, and probably contain a thousand bad "brainssss" references. Developer Deep Silver said that more information about the title will be released at Gamescom in a couple of weeks. [Source: Deep Silver press release]
Dark Relic wants to bring back classic roleplaying
If you're often yearning for the "good old days" when roleplaying actually meant something more than "making hit points disappear," then Triad Game Studios would like to make your acquaintance. The studio is working on bringing the spirit of classic RPGs back to MMOs with its upcoming sandbox Dark Relic. Dark Relic is based on a Dungeons and Dragons campaign called The 6th Aspect from the early 1990s. The developers liken the project to Choose Your Own Adventure books where players can pick the path that interests them the most. Crafting is given a strong emphasis for players who would rather stay at home and tinker instead of venturing out into the world. The project is still on the fourth stage of 12 planned prior to launch. There are currently four classes and four races planned. Dark Relic: Prelude will be the first of a proposed series set in the game universe.
Total Recall Online trades publishers, launches in China
We've followed the strange journey of Total Recall Online over the past few years. The IP was first obtained by SEE Virtual Worlds in 2011. The company announced that it was turning the franchise into a browser-based MMO in time for the movie remake. Well, this didn't happen, and at some point Total Recall Online changed hands to a new developer, UCJOY. UCJOY released it as a browser title in China, where it currently remains exclusive to the region. If you're curious, you can check out the old trailer for the game and think about the halcyon days of Johnny Cab and Kuato. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Making music together: An interview with Anthymn
It's safe to say that many of us on the Massively team were seduced by the promise and potential of Anthymn when we first saw its Kickstarter campaign. The concept of an entire fantasy MMO that revolves around music instead of swords and sorcery is a refreshing approach in this day and age. The folks at String Theory Entertainment are downright passionate about bringing the power of music to online games. While Anthymn is still in an early stage of development, the idea behind it stretches back a decade or so. The developers aren't just using music as a quirky feature for the sheer heck of it, either; this is a studio full of musically talented folks who know how infectious and bonding a song can be. We sat down with the creative leads behind Anthymn to get a better feel for the project and the future of the game, with or without Kickstarter's help. Check it out after the jump!
'Orchestral battle' Anthymn needs money for the music
"For the first time ever, players will shape an online world with music," promises String Theory Entertainment CM Daniel Marrable. He's referring to the MMO-in-progress Anthymn, which is currently in the throes of a Kickstarter campaign. Anthymn is a fantasy MMO that revolves around music for its classes, combat, and way of life. It's set in a land that's divided by musical races that are warring with each other for supremacy. A young maestro wants to create a national anthem that will not only unite his country but bring peace to the land. This quest will fuel players' adventures across the continent. String Theory wants to create a unique feel to the title, including systems such as rhythmic gameplay, apprenticeships, and community collaboration. If the concept art looks a tad familiar, it's because a few of the devs also worked on Guild Wars 2's art. Check out the video pitch after the jump, and drop a few bucks if you feel that Anthymn is a project worth supporting!
The Daily Grind: How far in advance will you get excited about a game?
Following WildStar since its first cinematic trailer way back when has been an interesting experience, partly because I've been so consistently lucky. I started following the game when we knew virtually nothing, and for all I knew then it could easily have turned out to be a game I'd never willingly play. That hasn't been the case, but the earlier you get on board with a game, the more your enthusiasm consists of a thin hope and some vague notions. Of course, Kickstarter projects are based almost entirely on you being a fan without ever playing the game. But for some people, following a game that's only been announced is setting yourself up for disappointment. So how far in advance will you get excited about a game? Do you get psyched from developer diaries and early screenshots, or do you wait until you play a beta build and find out the game is fun? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Arcane Saga launches with Steam bonus packs
Ready to start a new saga? After a brief period of open beta testing, Arcane Saga has officially launched today for players to enjoy a saga all about the arcane. Or a saga that is itself arcane. However you want to dissect the game's title, you can download directly from the official site or pick the title up among Steam's free-to-play offerings. Steam players also have the option of purchasing up exclusive item packs, so that might be an added incentive. Arcane Saga's main selling points are fast leveling, job combinations, and a competitive PvP endgame. The stated design goal is to get players into the meat of the game quickly and provide players ample opportunities to forge their own paths. No events are scheduled to celebrate the game's launch, but considering the number of free-to-play titles that simply add a full cash shop onto an open beta, the official launch is compelling enough. [Source: Netmarble press release]
Fates Forever is MOBA enough for PC but made for a tablet
The MOBA market is pretty full these days, but Hammer & Chisel is trying to find a unique angle with Fates Forever. It's meant to have everything you'd expect from a MOBA, with the game outright calling itself a re-imagining of League of Legends. But you can't play this game on anything less than a tablet. No smartphones, no consoles, no computers, a competitive MOBA designed only for use on tablets. So what makes it uniquely designed for tablets? Fine touch controls, for one thing. Instead of clicking, you can use gestures to direct your heroes, and you can also activate special attacks specifically via the touchscreen. That opens the door for controls that would be tedious or unworkable on a PC and cumbersome on a smartphone. How successful this approach will be remains to be seen, but the game is aimed for a release later this year. [Source: Hammer & Chisel press release]
TUG closes in on its Kickstarter deadline with a new video
It's the final countdown for TUG, with less than a week to go and about $50,000 more needed as of this writing. The development team has penned a penultimate Kickstarter update for fans and would-be fans, compiling several updates and news posts for everyone to read. It covers the care and development of player characters, the use of companions, and the structure of the game servers... all questions to be asked by anyone looking to back the game. There's also a video on the page, one you can watch after the cut to see how the game is being based around science, even more so than the other games that turn your computer into virtual three-dimensional worlds. You can also take a look at our recent interview with the staff behind TUG to learn a bit more about the game's structure. If it piques your interest, now's the time to hop over and give the game a bit more funding.
Turbine Entertainment unveils Infinite Crisis, a DC Universe MOBA
Ready to unleash your own Crisis on Infinite Earths? Warner Bros. Interactive, Turbine Entertainment, and DC Comics are teaming up to let you do just that with the upcoming Infinite Crisis, a MOBA set against the backdrop of the DC multiverse. If you ever wanted to know who would win in a matchup between normal Batman and steampunk Batman, you'll have the opportunity to find out here. Infinite Crisis isn't in beta yet, but the launch trailer (embedded past the break) makes it clear that there are already several alternate versions of iconic heroes planned for inclusion. Players can also look forward to destructible environments, major events, and even an overall story arc. If you're worried about breaking your wallet, the game is already planning on launching as a free-to-play title, so everyone can jump in for all of the DC-related antics. You can sign up for beta testing now on the official site.
PAX East 2013: Hands-on with WildStar's Spellslinger and Warrior
When you start following a game, you always worry that it won't live up to your expectations. It's inevitable, really. I didn't fall in love with WildStar after years of playing; I fell in love based upon a trailer and a design philosophy that appealed to me. The game itself could be far removed from my first impressions, or it could be a cocktail of half-finished systems and unsatisfying gameplay. Without some personal experience in Nexus, all I could to do was wait for the game and hope that it matched my hopes. Of course, WildStar hit the ground running at PAX East 2013. I wrote on Friday about my experiences with the new housing video and some of the game's zones, but that's no substitute for playing the game. So it was with a slight sense of apprehension that I found myself standing behind the demo station controls and jumping in for the first time at PAX. Would I be satisfied, or would this turn out to be a love affair that didn't survive contact with the game itself?
Jagex announces RuneScape 3 for summer 2013
Jagex has announced Runescape 3! A "significant improvement on all fronts," building on the last 12 years of the original game's development and history, RuneScape 3 looks as if it's following in the footsteps of RuneScape 2 by improving on the existing game rather than serving as a standalone title. RuneScape 3 won't require players to create a new account. Players will simply keep using the same avatars they always have. The game will take advantage of the HTML5 engine and web GL to run faster, look better, and suck players in even more deeply, though folks running with older computers will still be able to use the old Java client if they prefer. Jagex is promising more details in the coming weeks. Skip below the cut to check out the announcement video.
Fantasy MMO Eldevin enters closed beta
Last month we introduced you to Eldevin, a new browser-based fantasy MMO being developed by Hunted Cow Studios. If you're looking for a story-driven game filled with quests, PvP, and dungeons, all set in a corrupt fantasy world, Eldevin might be the place for you. And now, you can jump in and experience the world as the game moves into the closed beta stage. Developers are also very eager for player feedback. John Stewart, the studio manager of Hunted Cow, stated: "The closed beta test is a very exciting milestone for us in our development of Eldevin, our goal was to create the best browser-based roleplaying game on the market. Our small studio has been working on Eldevin diligently for the best part of 8 years and we're incredibly proud of what we've accomplished. We hope players enjoy the close beta test and we're looking forward to finding out what they think of the game!" The first wave of invitations for beta testing has already been sent out, but more will be sent over the course of the beta. Players wishing to participate should head on over to the official site to apply. [Source: Hunted Cow Studios]
Petroglyph puts Victory on Kickstarter, hopes for victory
The stack of games made about World War II is pretty thick at this point, but Petroglyph is hoping to add another game to that lineup with its newest Kickstarter project, Victory. Fresh off of its departure from the End of Nations project, the studio is trying something different with the game's formula. It's a strategy game in real-time, but it's not an RTS; rather, it's closer to playing World of Tanks with control over an entire squad. As the project page outlines, players will be given control of a squad of units, which has to either defeat the enemy units or capture and hold key locations. Units that are killed are gone, with no base management or tech trees to worry about in the thick of gameplay. The game is not being designed as a free-to-play title, but it is meant for online competitive play. If this sounds intriguing enough to cut through the fatigue of endless World War II games, take a look at all the details on the Kickstarter page.
The Aurora World closed beta coming in March
Asian import The Aurora World is just minutes away from a closed beta. OK, days. OK, a couple of weeks, but that's the last we'll budge on that line. The tri-faction fantasy title is preparing to launch its North American closed beta on March 7th. We have a good overview of what The Aurora World is in our original announcement post and would hate to try to top that here. Suffice to say that it takes place in a world broken by gods, where players will engage in PvE and PvP to right what once went wrong. Also, there's a nifty pet-slash-mount system. You can watch the full beta announcement video after the jump.
Eldevin is coming to your browser, and it's got the trailer to prove it
So how do you want to try your new games? Do you want them in a separate client or do you want them as something you can just run in your browser? The team at Hunted Cow Studios is aiming at the latter with its upcoming game Eldevin, a large-scale fantasy MMO currently in development for browser play. Eldevin is meant as a story-based game, containing all of the hallmarks you'd expect from a normal MMO -- dungeons, quests, a long-format story, PvP, and so forth. The designers are aiming at content on par with client-based AAA MMOs, but the game will be playable on an operating system and on lower-end machines without a loss in quality. Sound intriguing? Then you can check out some early screenshots of the game and its UI as well as a new trailer just past the break. Closed beta signups are available now, with testing commencing in March and open beta and launch slated to follow later this year. [Source: Hunted Cow Studios press release] %Gallery-177902%
The Phoenix Project aims to give a new home to City of Heroes expats
In the wake of City of Heroes' closure, one group of fans has decided that it's not enough to move on to a new game. The Phoenix Project aims to become a spiritual sequel and recreation of the game for players and by players, with a new trailer showcasing concept art as well as serving as a statement of purpose. Formed by several regulars of the Save CoH movement, The Phoenix Project is the work of Missing Worlds Media, a studio composed of several independent designers, programmers, and artists united by their love of the lost game. The game is still very early in the concept stages, but the studio has already announced that it will be built using the powerful CryENGINE 3. If you're looking forward to the prospect of running around in Titan City, check out the trailer past the break, and keep your eyes peeled for an interview with the staff from our regular superheroic column, A Mild-Mannered Reporter.
Family Guy Online to shut down next month
Get your Quahog gaming fix soon because Family Guy Online is not long for this world. The game announced that it will be shutting down next month on January 18th. Family Guy Online is currently in open beta, which means that it will have never officially launched before spinning down. The game will refund any cash purchases made during the last two months (from October 22nd through December 21st). If you're curious how this interactive version of the TV animated series performed, you can check out Beau's Rise and Shiny expedition. [Thanks to Matthew for the tip!]
