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RIFT's 1.3 update bringing new raid, free transfers, and more
With less than a week remaining until the biggest game update in RIFT's short history, Trion Worlds is upping the excitement ante with a new press release detailing the extensive features coming with Waves of Madness. The official unveiling will happen courtesy of a world event on June 22nd, and RIFT's 1.3 version update will subsequently include guild bank functionality, new item sets, new character accessories, new artifacts, free character transfers, and Hammerknell. This last is a 20-player raid that Trion says "will challenge even the most practiced players." The encounter boasts three wings, 10 bosses, and a gaggle of gross-out monsters designed to make life more fun for Telara's endgame players. If we've piqued your curiosity, have a look at the official website for all the details.
Bigpoint and Mail.Ru partnering for global distribution deal
Bigpoint and Mail.Ru Group have just announced a corporate partnership that aims to bring titles from each publisher to new prospective markets. Bigpoint, a browser MMO specialist most famous for its free-to-play Battlestar Galactica title, will bring its games to Mail.Ru's Russian-speaking audience via the latter's existing portal delivery service. Similarly, Bigpoint users will find Mail.Ru titles like GodsWar Online accessible via the Bigpoint website. Bigpoint games will also be making their way to Mail.Ru's Odnoklassniki and My World social networking services. "As successful browser-game providers, Bigpoint.com and Mail.Ru are a match made in heaven. We're happy to expand both our game portfolio and our international network of partners at the same time," said Bigpoint CEO Nils Holger Henning in a recent press release.
Black Prophecy launches North American open beta
E3 is still in full swing, but Reakktor and gamigo are already looking past the publicity-soaked annual gaming convention and into the future. That future is now for North American fans of Black Prophecy, and today marks the beginning of open beta for the title that launched in Europe last March. Black Prophecy features real-time dogfighting, customizable ships, storylines, and open-world gameplay, all set against an interstellar backdrop punctuated by constant war and lush visuals. You can register for the open beta on the game's official website, as well as download the client. Be sure to check out all our previous coverage to get up to speed.
GamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city
GamersFirst is getting a lot of press lately due to its resurrection project on APB: Reloaded, but it bears mentioning that San Paro isn't the only city receiving some love from the free-to-play company. Knight Online's capital city of Moradon "has risen from the ashes to be completely redesigned," according to a new GamersFirst press blurb. Moradon's architecture has been permanently redone, and the questing hub boasts a graphical revamp that reflects the city's rebuilding efforts following the destructive machinations of the god Pathos in Knight Online's chapter eight update. Knight Online is a PvP- and story-centric MMO that allows players to fight for lands and castles in the kingdom of Carnac. Four character classes are available, and you can learn more about the Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage at the game's official web destination.
Gods & Heroes open beta is here
Friends, Romans, testers: Lend me your ears. It's open beta time for Heatwave Interactive's mythology-inspired Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising MMORPG. Interested fans can sign up today through June 12th and partake of four character classes, personal estates, a minion system, and the first 14 levels of gameplay. You can also pre-order Gods & Heroes and get in on the headstart program for a one-week jump on the launch-day competition. The title officially throws open its doors on June 21st and aims to add a unique setting to the crowded fantasy MMO market. Check out the official website to learn more about the game as well as sign up for the beta, check out the new trailer after the break, and don't forget to peruse Massively's first impressions if you're curious about the gameplay.
Eden Eternal opens second closed beta server
Eden Eternal is apparently more popular than its publisher was expecting, as Aeria Games has issued a press release celebrating the need to open a second server for closed beta testing. The beta phase kicked off yesterday and features a load of events designed to spice up the testing experience with some fun. From mass healing missions to boosted loot hours, there's always something going on. Eden Eternal allows players to freely swap between 15 classes, build sprawling player towns (and charge visitors for town services), and tackle a variety of solo, 3-man, and 5-man dungeons. Head to the game's official website for more detailed info, and if you'd like to check it out pick up a beta key from our giveaway.
Prius Online open beta starts today
Set your alarm clocks for 5:00 p.m. EDT, Prius fans, as today marks the start of the title's open beta. gPotato has issued a press release detailing what players can expect during the final testing phase. First up is a level cap increase from 25 to 50, followed by the introduction of second classes for all races and finally the new female Ayin race. New dungeons are coming, too, as are the bounty system and the ability to summon Gigas at level 30. Explorer types will be happy to note the lifting of various regional access restrictions, and PvP fiends can check out the two new unions in the Coliseum Battle System as well as take part in week-long guild battles. You can learn more about Prius, and download the client, via the official website. Be sure to check out our in-depth coverage from this year's GDC as well.
Frogster hints at expansive new TERA update
TERA's Korean client is getting a big update, and the game's European publisher has issued a press release that details quite a few changes coming to the action fantasy MMORPG. Frogster's press release doesn't mention a date, nor does it mention why the EU publisher is reporting on the Korean client of a title that has yet to launch in Europe (nor why En Masse, the North American publisher, is silent). In terms of the update itself, it boasts a level cap increase from 50 to 58, 10 new zones, a large new city, and four new dungeons. Guildmasters may declare war on opposing guilds and ignite no-holds barred conflicts that last for seven days, and there's also an interesting new skill customization feature that allows players to choose which abilities to connect via combos. You can learn more about TERA at the game's official website.
Perfect World releases Rusty Hearts E3 trailer
We've known for a couple of weeks that Perfect World Entertainment's anime-infused Rusty Hearts MMO is coming to this year's E3. Now we've got video evidence, as PWE has released a new trailer showing off two of the game's spikey-haired warriors and ample evidence of the title's action-centric nature. PWE describes Rusty Hearts as its ultimate hack 'n' slash dungeon crawler, and after seeing the manga-inspired trailer, we're... unsure what to make of the title thus far. Gameplay footage is pretty scarce, but there's atmosphere in spades (along with English voice dubs and an electric guitar-driven soundtrack). We do know that players will take control of pre-existing mercenary characters for both dungeon-crawling excursions and PvP arena battles. Stay tuned to our E3 coverage next week for more info, and while you're waiting, check out the trailer after the cut.
Bounty Bay Online announces new expansion
All those in favor of a new Bounty Bay expansion say yarrrrr! This July, "unknown worlds, grandiose ships, and challenging new adventures" await fans of Frogster's pirate-themed free-to-play title. The last expansion, Atlantis, focused heavily on land engagements, and the as-yet-unnamed July patch will sweep players back out to sea courtesy of three new ships as well as the chance to challenge the encroaching Spanish Armada. Player captains will receive three new ammo types, which incapacitate enemy vessels, deliver huge amounts of damage, or debuff enemy cannon accuracy. The new expansion also brings the Ship Improvement System, which will allow for ship customization via special items. Bounty Bay Online takes players on a journey through the Age of Discovery and immerses them in 15th and 17th century naval combat. Check out the official site for more info.
Mythos readying daily quests for June release
What's better than a smorgasbord of quests in your favorite MMORPG? A smorgasbord of daily quests, of course, and Frogster is gearing up to give Mythos players a smattering of dailies designed to further their enjoyment of the free-to-play hack-and-slash title. The quests will be available to players at level 15 or higher, and the devs are shooting for a June release window. Gamers can claim their dailies via a quest blackboard located in all of Uld's quest hubs, and the tasks will scale to both a player's level and his group size. Completing all of the quests on a particular day will unlock bonuses like 60 minutes worth of double experience and significantly increased currency payouts. Follow the glowing trail to the official Mythos website for more info.
Eden Eternal surpasses 100,000 beta signups
Eden Eternal's beta is picking up a head of steam, and today Aeria Games has announced that the closed testing phase has garnered over 100,000 registrants thus far. You've still got time to sign up, though, as the testing doesn't start until June 2nd. Aeria Games' JT Nguyen says that the game's robust feature set is the main draw. "We credit the high number of sign-ups to the amount of new and innovative features available in Eden Eternal," he explained in a recent press release. What are some of those features? For starters, you can freely swap between any of 15 classes. Players can also work together to build extensive player towns and populate the resulting buildings with handy NPCs. Aeria is also highlighting character customization that includes a wide variety of dyes as well as various skills, talents, and specialization options. Finally, what's an MMORPG without epic dungeons and bosses? Eden Eternal has those too, including solo, 3-man, and 5-man instances. Learn more at the official website.
Black Prophecy stress testing U.S. servers this weekend
Black Prophecy may have debuted in Europe a couple of months back, but the free-to-play sci-fi title is still sitting on the launch pad here in the States. The date is drawing closer, though, as gamigo is gearing up to stress test the game's American servers beginning Thursday, May 26th. The publisher is also offering an unspecified launch-day gift to players who log in and test from May 26th through May 29th. If you were part of the recent closed beta events, you're cordially invited to help break the servers this weekend, and you should be receiving an official email summons if you haven't already. You'll need your closed beta account credentials, which can be looked up under your gamigo master account if you've forgotten. You'll also want to grab the American beta client and have a look at what's changed via the official forums.
Funcom prepping new Age of Conan adventure pack inspired by film reboot
It looks like rumors of new film-related content for Age of Conan were pretty accurate, as Funcom has officially announced The Savage Coast of Turan adventure pack for its fantasy MMORPG. According to a new press release, the pack "includes but is not limited to" content from the forthcoming Conan the Barbarian film reboot and will see players traveling to the lands of Turan some 20 years after the events of the movie. Players will explore the city of Ardashir and take on new quests, encounters, raids, and dungeons, all inspired by the film and on display in the recently released Conan trailer. Conan the Barbarian debuts August 19th, and while there is no firm release date for The Savage Coast of Turan, film producer Fredrik Malmberg says that fans will appreciate the synergy between the movie and Funcom's MMORPG. "Many of the concepts, locations, and designs from the game development were utilized by the film team for consistency," he said. Check out our AoC gallery below for a glimpse of some Ardashir concept art that includes new Turanian armor. %Gallery-9836%
NCsoft looking to bolster Aion's Asmodian population
If you've been considering a walk down Aion's darker path, there's never been a better time. NCsoft's newest web announcement outlines the perks for rolling an Asmodian avatar on all but one of the servers scheduled to undergo the faction incentive program. Benefits include XP amulets, Gateway Getaway events that permit fortress instance entry regardless of the controlling faction, and siege bonuses composed of additional medals. Asmodian players on the North American Zikel and Siel servers are eligible for the bonuses. Across the pond, Asmos are receiving assistance on Spatalos, Telemachus, Thor, and Urtem, while Elyos players on the Perento shard can look forward to a fort siege incentive.
Take-Two signs with XLGames to make existing property into an MMO
How would a Grand Theft Auto MMO grab you? Would you play a Red Dead Redemption or LA Noire massively multiplayer title? While the possibility of said games still falls into the rumor category at this point, we can confirm that Take-Two Interactive has entered into a partnership with XL Games to make one of the former's existing properties into an MMO. XL has been in the news recently due to its upcoming ArcheAge sandpark, and the company founded by noted Lineage developer Jake Song will work on the new title with Take-Two subsidiary 2K Games. Kotaku first reported the rumor to the English-speaking world earlier this morning, while the source is Korean website 4gamer. A press release has also been issued by 2K; CEO Christoph Hartmann hints at the company's desire to broaden its horizons. "Our partnership with XL Games underscores our ongoing commitment to expanding 2K's presence in online gaming and the Asian market," Hartmann explains. XL's Song says that work on the new title is ongoing. "We have already been working together for a year on the game, and I can tell you this is one of the most exciting projects that I've ever undertaken," he said.
NTT DoCoMo announces 24 new mobile wonders (yes, really) to flood its network
So, Japan... want a new mobile device? How about 24? This grandiose announcement comes straight from NTT DoCoMo, which commonly lays its cards on the table for the delight of consumers. Among the selection you'll find eight new Gingerbread phones, six incredibly high-res shooters (ranging between 12.2 and 16.3 megapixels), eight waterproof handsets, and one embedded with Swarovski crystals. We're particularly thrilled to see the mighty Galaxy S II, 3D-capturing Aquos SH-12C, 700-nit Optimus Bright (contrastingly-named but nearly identical to the Optimus Black), ultra-slim MEDIAS WP N-06C, and mobile payment-enabled Xperia Acro. Oh, and don't forget about the LOOX F-07C -- a multi-talented handset that's running Symbian and Windows 7 Home Premium -- while two LTE-enabled WiFi routers are sneaking into DoCoMo's party, too. That's a lot to absorb, so check out the source for individual release timeframes, which begin now and continue through August -- or just check out the PR after the break.
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.
Lord of the Rings Online prepping Update 3: Lost Legends of Eriador
There's a new content update just over the horizon for Lord of the Rings Online. While the new locations aren't exactly a far green country under a swift sunrise, they do look to be fairly spiffy in their own right. First up are two new three-player instances. The Halls of Night boasts content for levels 40 to 65 and takes a cue from Frodo and company's nightmarish trek through the Barrow Downs. The Inn of the Forsaken naturally takes place in the Lone Lands' well-worn stopover and is a proper dungeon-crawl intended for players from levels 20 through 65. New skirmishes are also on the way, including an Esteldin-based romp intended for levels 30 to 65 called Attack at Dawn. Finally, the frozen wastes of Forochel will also be sporting a new instance, and the Icy Crevasse content sees players from levels 40 to 65 tasked with thwarting the evil plans of a nefarious sorcerer. All of these new goodies make up the bulk of LotRO's Update 3: Lost Legends of Eriador and are currently scheduled to go live on May 23rd. Check out our gallery below for three new images from the Halls of Night instance, or take a peek at the dungeons themselves in Justin's hands-on from last week. %Gallery-9579%
Heatwave announces Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising subscription plans
Launch day is coming for Gods & Heroes, and Heatwave Interactive has just announced its introductory subscription options for the North American market. The game, which debuts June 21st, will feature the standard month of free gameplay along with retail or digital download purchases. Subscription deals start at $9.99 for a monthly pass and include three-month ($27.99), six-month ($54.99), 12-month ($99.99), and lifetime options ($199.99). Gods & Heroes allows players to take on the role of heroic demigods battling mythical monsters, commanding squads of minions, and customizing their personal estates, all set against a backdrop of classical Roman mythology. You can learn more about the title, as well as check out pre-order bonuses and sign up for the ongoing beta, at the official website.
