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Character creation benchmark now available for Final Fantasy XIV
You don't know when the next (and final) beta test is starting for Final Fantasy XIV. That's a bad thing, because it means you're going through a fair bit of withdrawal. And while nothing can really fix the fact that you want to be playing but can't, being able to play around with the character creator might at least help take the edge off. Which you can do today, as the newest benchmark and character creator is now available on the official site. Aside from offering another chance to test your computer's performance against the game, the new benchmark will allow you to create a new character. It also allows you to save the appearance data from that new character, which can be loaded up again in the launch version or the benchmark for further tweaking. So you could have your character ready to go the moment the game goes live later this month. [Thanks to Brandon for the tip!]
Returning to Prime World in its English open beta
Back in April, I had the opportunity to explore Prime World in its Russian beta. Now, the game is in open beta for English-speakers, so I wanted to update my impressions. Unfortunately, Prime World has developed less than I had hoped in the interim. For example, the screenshot above shows off my mate's Prime World home in contrast with the one I showed you last time. My friend is a bit of a nature lover, so I told her we'd try the red team this time. It's a lovely layout, but this playthrough marked the first time I've seen it because we couldn't see each other's bases -- just as in the old Russian beta. Playing with other English speakers this time instead of Russian players means I could have chatted about this with them about it but for the game's deafening loading screens (no, really, take off your headset when loading a match; volume control is mute or nothing). A lot of the non-MOBA complaints from my last review sadly still hold true, as do a few issues with the tutorial. While the new additions to the game greatly increased my satisfaction with the combat parts and I want to talk about the new game modes, I still must readdress my issues with the game that haven't changed at all.
Dragon's Prophet update brings Wintertide and new level cap
Sony Online Entertainment's Dragon's Prophet beta has just receive a big update in the form of Wintertide, a snowy, chilly region packed with new content and more than a few bits of lore to discover. The expansion also brings three new dungeons that feature new enemy types and bosses, along with a fourth dungeon recommended only for players confident in their dungeoning abilities. Players can now quest, kill, and loot their way to level 70, and a new feature known as the Dragon Chamber has been added to allow players to keep an additional 96 dragons in their stables. Also new in the beta: a secret floating island housing option, Dragon Sanctuaries for guilds, new achievements and emotes, and guild storage. If you're curious about Wintertide, you can check it out yourself or tune in for the next Scales and Tales livestream on the official Dragon's Prophet Twitch channel at 5 p.m. EDT this Friday.
Digital Extremes celebrates 3 million Warframe space ninjas
The latest update for robot-ninjas-in-space title Warframe went live last week, bringing fancy new weapons and content to all of you would-be interstellar assassins. But the new missions and items aren't the only big news from the launch; Digital Extremes also announced that Warframe has amassed over three million users since hitting open beta in March. Update 9 brought the NOVA warframe, designed by the community's Design Council, along with content expansions to the Orokin Void and Grineer Galleon zones. Additionally, Digital Extremes added five new prime weapon blueprints to discover, 14 new warframe helmets, and a redesigned fight with Captain Vor that ends with an all-new pistol blueprint.
Massively Exclusive: Red 5 talks pay-to-win and Firefall's open beta
If you haven't yet noticed, Red 5's open-world, MMOFPS, action-adventure, jet-boot-featuring Firefall is now in open beta. The sci-fi shooter saw an extended closed beta period marked by major overhauls to core systems and a slow-but-steady trickle of new content, and last week's open beta launch is the next big step in pushing Firefall toward its eventual release. We posed a few questions to Red 5 about the nature of beta testing, the complications brought on by monetizing a game in progress, and the future of Firefall.
Earn your wings at World of Warplanes flight school
If you've been interested in jumping into World of Warplanes now that it's in open beta but didn't want to take off into battle unprepared, we've got just the thing for you. Wargaming is offering a video training series to help new pilots get familiar with the game. In this first installment, players get an overview of all aspects of the game, from training missions to upgrades to research and development. Post-battle statistics and performance tracking are also highlighted. While the first lesson is broad in scope, future ones will delve into more complex strategies to immerse players even more. Watch this first tutorial after the break. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
Gambling MMO Dragon's Tale prepares for beta
Gambling? On the internet? Perish the thought! Or don't perish it, because eGenesis would like to invite you to give it a try. The maker of A Tale in the Desert announced that it will begin the beta for Dragon's Tale on July 12th. Dragon's Tale isn't your traditional internet casino, however. There are quests, leveling, a mentor system, and a political system similar to A Tale in the Desert. It looks as though there will be plenty of minigames that swing between luck and skill, including cow tipping, fishing, and maze running. Players can use credit cards and Bitcoins to gamble, and the client will be available on Windows, Linux, and OSX. Lead Designer Andrew Tepper hopes that Dragon's Tale will create a bonding experience between players: "The first thing that stuck me about online gambling today is that it's a pretty lonely experience, typically one player in a web browser, watching a 2-D slot machine. I've taken what I've learned in the last 15 years building MMOs and for the first time applied that to gambling. I've created an intensely social world where players can explore the game world together, share techniques, and rely on each other as they level up by completing gambling quests." [Source: eGenesis press release]
First major Dragon's Prophet content update coming next week
Sony Online Entertainment's latest free-to-play offering, Dragon's Prophet, has been in open beta for about a month now, and that means it's about time for more content, right? Right. Next week, Dragon's Prophet will be receiving its first major update since the open beta went live, and it looks like there's plenty on offer for players of all kinds. For starters, players will be able to take part in the first annual Shadow Festival, an in-game event hosted "in remembrance of the great Warthorne who sacrificed his life during the Second Dragon War." Of course players might be more interested to know that participating in the festivities will earn them a unique title for their troubles. The update will also add a new zone to the game: the frigid Wintertide. This frosty new area contains three new dungeons in which players can put their skills to the test. And to top all of that off, players will finally be able to take up residence in their very own homes thanks to the introduction of dream islands. Oh, and there's a new level cap (yes, already). Players will now be able to adventure all the way up to level 70. The official post promises more information in the coming days, but in the meantime you can head over to Dragon's Prophet's official site for a peek of what's to come.
MechWarrior Online runs the numbers and announces a launch date
There are a lot of people stomping around in MechWarrior Online right now. More than one million, according to a recent dispatch by Piranha Games, which puts the total number of registered accounts at about 1.1 million. These players have collectively logged 9.6 million hours to the game, destroyed a total of 46 million 'Mechs consisting of 80 billion tons of metal, and fired more than 12.6 billion missiles alone. It's a bit of a violent game, in short. It's also a game about to finally shed the open beta title. Piranha Games has announced an official launch of September 17th, 2013. How much will actually change versus the current open beta is up for debate, but it's good to see a game fixing a launch date and sticking to it. So if you're a die-hard MechWarrior Online fan, get out there and start raising those destructive totals one 50-ton target at a time. [Source: Piranha Games press release]
World of Warplanes takes to the skies in open beta
Virtual pilots who've been waiting for their chance to climb in the cockpit of historical warbirds for some aerial acrobatics and dogfights will find the hanger door opened wide now. Wargaming announced that World of Warplanes launched into open beta today in North America and Russia and will launch in Europe on July 4th. Pilots can choose from 1930s to 1950s era planes from Japan, the Soviet Union, Germany, and the United States to engage in 15v15 PvP matches. The open beta brings some new additions to the game, including a new tutorial, a real-time tactical feedback system, consumables, crew and crew skills, and various types of ammunition. Players who participated in closed beta will receive special prizes. The Unified Premium Account, which allows players from either World of Tanks or World of Warplanes to purchase one premium account for both titles, will launch in the later stages of open beta. [Source: Wargaming press release]%Gallery-130862%
Firefall's final beta milestone and live action trailer [Updated]
The last closed beta milestone for Firefall is live now will be live this Thursday, June 27th, and it's a big one. Closed beta testers can explore the new e-sports-styled PvP game Jetball while taking part in the game's first story-based episode, Blackwater Anomaly. And this is meant as a big thing, big enough that there's even a live-action trailer (starring Tybee Diskin, whom you might recognize from the Nuka Break Fallout fan film) past the cut to help get potential players psyched about just what might be going on. Designed for five-person squads, Blackwater Anomaly sends players out into the storm to examine the eponymous anomaly at Blackwater Marsh, leading to a closer examination of why the Chosen have arrived and what motivates the attack on humanity. If you're intrigued and want to get in on the action before the start of open beta on July 9th, the Founder's Packs will still be available through July 8th. Everyone already in the beta can start enjoying this new content immediately. [Update: Red 5 has contacted us to let us know it has moved the milestone date from today to Thursday.] [Source: Red 5 Studios press release]
City of Steam's Tears of the Oracle patch hails the return of the greenskins
When City of Steam threw open its browser-based beta doors to all players, certain classes and races were noticeably missing from the soirée. But some fan-favorites have finally gotten their invitation and will be rejoining the party when the 1.3 patch Tears of the Oracle hits next week; greenskins, dwarves, and Channelers will once again be available to play. And that's not even the half of it! This next patch will also be raising the level cap, expanding questlines, and adding plenty of new things, including the Founder's Annex suburb, a PvP event, a collection system, rare mobs in dungeons, plenty of cosmetic items, and even a new crafting system. On top of that, levels one through nine can resurrect for free in dungeons and the salvage system got an overhaul. So get ready to get your goblin (or hobbe, or orc) on next week! [Source: Mechanist Games press release]
Turn-based MOBA Arena of Heroes enters open beta
If your primary complaint about MOBAs is that they move too quickly, Arena of Heroes might be something that lands a bit more in your comfort zone. Developed by Sneaky Games, Arena of Heroes is a turn-based, tactical MOBA that focuses more on strategy than on twitch-clicking hard skills. Essentially, you and another player square off in an arena (duh), each controlling a team of four heroes in a battle for supremacy. It's your basic MOBA fare, but with a smaller battle zone and a slower, more deliberate pace. You and your opponent receive two minutes each to make your moves, or you can try the game's asynchronous mode and play several games simultaneously, with up to two days being allotted for turns. Arena of Heroes has officially shifted into open beta, so you're free to check it out at your leisure. You can also read our hands-on with the game for a more detailed look at its inner workings. The free-to-play game will launch on PC, Mac, iOS, and, at some point, Ouya and Android. [Thanks to Venova for the tip]
The Soapbox: The soft launch scam
Back in the golden days of video games, there was no such thing as a soft launch. Nintendo didn't send out test copies of Super Mario World to special "backers," and Sega didn't ship half-finished Sonic games with promises of further content updates. Games, for the most part, were played only after they were finished, printed, packaged, and shipped. Even on PC, beta testing was more of an earned honor exclusive to players that showed dedication to a title and its community. Here in these modern times of Internets and always-ons, however, things are different. It would seem as though developers need only make enough game content to shoot a reasonably convincing trailer before the publishing team can begin collecting money by slapping a "BETA" sticker on the webpage and offering fans early access. Over the last few years soft launches have become increasingly common -- especially for creators of online games. The line between "in testing" and "done" is becoming blurred, and publishers are reaping the benefits while players suffer.
E3 2013: World of Warplanes soars into open beta on July 2nd
After last week's initial open beta details for Wargaming.net's World of Warplanes, today we get a date for that open beta. Beginning on July 2nd, players will not only join the public testing but see several new features, including "in-game tactical tips to help pilots learn the ropes of aerial combat, the implementation of crews and crew skills, access to consumables and premium ammo, a brand-new tutorial, [and] two new in-game maps." For more information on joining the open beta, head on over to the North American or European World of Warplanes websites and check out the brand-new E3 trailer after the jump. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
SpyParty open beta is live, pop some bubbly and lie to your friends now
SpyParty is throwing an early-access beta and you're invited! For $15 get your mitts on SpyParty, or spend $50 or more to get the game and some warm fuzzies for helping a developer make his game great. SpyParty is about subtle behavior and scoping out the real person in a room of fancy robots, and it's been in closed beta since 2011. The game's mechanics and graphics have intrigued us since 2009, when former Spore frontman Chris Hecker announced its development, and today you can finally see what all the fuss is about. SpyParty is a one-on-one, live Turing test with strict rules (if you want to succeed, at least) and a loyal, underground fanbase. Hecker even brought it to EVO 2012's Indie Showcase, giving fighting game players a taste of intense espionage. Hecker hosted a final closed-beta loadtest last night and drew in 170 players, so the SpyParty lobbies should be nice and primed for some fresh blood.
PSA: Scrolls open beta begins today, buy in for $20
Scrolls is available in open beta today, for $20 – also known as £13 or €15, depending on where your banks are located. Scrolls is a digital, collectible card game from Mojang, the people behind Minecraft. And, just like Minecraft, buying Scrolls during the open beta gives players all subsequent game updates for free. In its current form, Scrolls isn't feature-complete, but it includes a deck builder, 25 trials, trading, profiles, the store, and quick, challenge and ranked matches. Scrolls has an in-game currency, gold, and real-money currency, shards, though Mojang promises shards are "completely optional, and will never be required to stay competitive." Check out Scrolls for PC and Mac via the game's official site.
Story trailers spotlight two Dragon's Prophet EU zones
Dragon's Prophet launched into open beta yesterday on both sides of the pond, and players are jumping into the world of Auratia to try their hand at domesticating the various dragon-kind. But there's more to Dragon's Prophet than just taming dragons, there's also a fight against the evil threatening to take over the land. So what's the story on this invading evil? To give players a glimpse of what they are fighting for and against, Infernum Productions has released two videos delving into the story of two zones, Laedis and Satuma. You can catch both trailers after the cut. [Source: Infernum press release]
Dragon's Prophet EU soars into open beta
It's a bird! It's a plane! No -- it's a dragon... and it shall be mine! European players eager to tame their own dragons will finally be able to utter those words as Dragon's Prophet EU launches into open beta tomorrow. Founders can enter the world of Auratia today and get a head start on training, riding, and fighting alongside (or against) the over 300 unique dragons in game. The open beta launch introduces a new starting zone, Puretia. Full of waterfalls and airships fighting in the sky, Puretia gives way to a volcanic landscape and deep canyons as players journey on to the region's capital of Arboran. More updates and expansions are already in the works and will continue to release regularly throughout open beta. If you need something to distract you from the launch count-down timer on the official site, check out this new trailer after the break. [Source: Infernum Productions press release]
Scrolls goes on sale next week with open beta
Scrolls, the next venture from Minecraft creator Mojang, rolls into open beta next week, over two years after it was first announced. The digital collectible card game will be purchasable for PC and Mac on June 3, and unravels at a price of $20/€15/£13. Yes, those are cute little fluffy bunnies in the launch trailer, waiting to be decimated by a giant barrage of projectiles. One of the Scrolls alpha challenges sees you square up against a barrage of bunnies, whose scroll description reads "they're not so cute anymore, when your crops are gone." Still, poor bunnies... couldn't things just be settled amicably?
