patch-testing
Latest
Star Wars: The Old Republic uploads patch 2.6 to test servers
Do you like bombs? Do you like team-based deathmatches? Do you like exploring shipyards with randomized combat encounters? Do you like slow walks on the beach with a martini in one hand? Star Wars: The Old Republic's patch 2.6 probably won't help you with that last one, but it will give you plenty to like in the first three categories. And it's available on the test realm right now for anyone who wants to take it for a spin. Patch 2.6 adds in bombers for the Galactic Starfighter expansion so that everyone can enjoy dropping fields of explosive death. It also adds in team-based deathmatches for PvP and the new Kuat Drive Yard, with the former being exactly what it says on the tin and the latter pitting champions of the Empire and the Republic against randomized encounters. Take a look at the official announcement for details on how to use the test realm, and feel free to keep hoping for that slow-beach-walk patch.
Wizard101 brings forth the newest update to the test realm
The newest update for Wizard101 is just around the corner, as evidenced by the update heading to the test realm as of tonight. There's a lot of content to unpack within the official patch notes, including a brand-new area and a variety of additional content for players to explore. Wintertusk, the newest area, is of course the centerpiece of the update, allowing players to continue the story of Grizzleheim. As with most new areas, players may enter with a membership or purchase the new area individually when the update goes live. Players who are at least level 35 or 55 can obtain a pair of new spells, one for utility and one as an upgrade of a prior spell, by undertaking a new quest from Baldur Goldpaws. Lower-level players can also continue the story of Crab Alley, while higher-level characters can delve into a new dungeon in the same area. Wizard101 players can glance at the full patch notes and take a look at the gallery below for some previews of what's en route with this latest patch. %Gallery-23433%
City of Heroes offering a sneak peek of Issue 20 content
The team at Paragon Studios is talking a pretty big game for Issue 20 of City of Heroes. We've already seen a preview of one of the major additions of content, which will also herald several new features to the game, including an auto-team queueing function. Not sure how it will be implemented? Then jump on in for the special sneak preview event on Wednesday, starting at 7:00 p.m. EST, when players on the test server will get to try out the upcoming Behavioral Adjustment Facility for themselves. As this event is taking place on the test servers, the usual caveats that content may change significantly before release do apply. That being said, it's an opportunity to put the major new systems into play, giving players a chance to test out the queue system as well as the League setup, and of course, the Incarnate trial. If that's not incitement enough, the development team will be on-hand to answer questions and take part in the experience. City of Heroes players with a bit of free time on Wednesday are encouraged to head over and adjust some behaviors with extreme prejudice.
Anarchy Online preparing to launch an item shop
An interesting effect of older games like Anarchy Online is that it gets progressively harder to hook new players -- eventually, the established power level of existing players makes it all but impossible for novices to catch up. Funcom is taking an interesting approach to both addressing that and teaching an old dog new tricks in the venerable game with the addition of an item shop. Players can purchase a variety of items, including endgame tokens and experience-accelerating stims. While these items will certainly accelerate progress for new characters, the development team is quick to point out that none of these additions will affect existing top-end characters. There's no need for people already in the endgame to shell out cash to stay competitive, but players who need a little boost will be well-served by the update. Anarchy Online is testing most of the additions now, so players should prepare themselves for what's coming next -- and possibly start shelling out a little extra for anything they're missing.
