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Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console
Consoles and MMOs do not have the stand-offish relationship that they used to have. In fact, there are so many different MMOs to choose from on consoles that it's seriously tempting to pick up one of the new ones -- the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 -- even though I wasn't planning on it for a long, long time. I enjoy using a controller with MMOs so much that I plan on covering the subject more in the future. So let's get to the list of MMOs that are currently on consoles or that will be coming out on consoles in the near(ish) future. Massively's own Mike Foster put together a fantastic list last summer, but I thought I would update and pass it on. After all, the new consoles are officially here... so be sure to reference the list when you need a new MMO to play on your shiny new console!
Sixteen games that ease the MMO level gap -- and how they do it
There's nothing I hate more than logging into an MMO, running across a friend, and being hit by the wall of levels that separates us. She might act as if she's OK hanging out with a newbie, but the truth is that she'd rather be off doing high-level things with her high-level buddies. If only there were a way for us to jump into combat (or anything else) together from the get-go! In many MMOs, that level gap is not an issue. There are a lot of creative ways to get around the problem, and some MMOs meet players more than halfway. Of course, there are a lot of MMOs that force players into a level-encased tunnel of grind, but today we want to shine some light on some of the ways MMOs help salve the level gap sting.
PlanetSide 2 anniversary contest will turn EU player stories into graphic novels
War has been raging on Auraxis for a year now, and ProSiebenSat.1 is celebrating PlanetSide 2's first birthday with a special contest and an exclusive anniversary bundle. The contest will transform European players' stories of their PS2 adventures into graphic novels, drawn by artist Colin M. Winkler. Players who feel they have compelling "WarStories" can submit them for consideration between now and December 17th, 2013. Three first-place winners (one for each Empire) will have their stories transformed into graphic novels and will earn various other prizes. All finalists, along with six second- and third-place winners, get some goodies. EU players can also purchase a special anniversary bundle that contains camo, decals, weapons, and boosts. Additionally, all PlanetSide 2 players who joined the beta phase, played on the launch day, or played the game anytime in the last year will snag exclusive anniversary decals automatically. [Source: ProSiebenSat.1 Games press release]
SOE president 'can't wait' to see EverQuest Next on PS4
In an interview with GamerHubTV, Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley hinted at a PlayStation 4 release for the studio's next big MMO, EverQuest Next. Smedley was coy on the details, explaining, "We haven't announced technically that we're putting it on the PlayStation 4, but it's fair to say that we're a Sony company, so I say that with a smile on my face. Can't wait to see it on PS4." Smedley cited the PS4's eight gigs of ram and connection to the PlayStation Network as major strengths for the SOE development team, claiming that developing for PS4 is like "developing on a really super high-end PC." SOE is no stranger to console MMOs; the studio brought both DC Universe Online and Free Realms to PlayStation 3 and is porting both DCUO and PlanetSide 2 to PS4 with the former already live.
OMFG: It's a PlanetSide 2 optimization patch
Now that that's out of my system, let's see. SOE has released phase one of Operation: Make Faster Game for PlanetSide 2. The firm's press release bills today's push as the "first major optimization patch" in the MMOFPS title's short history. OMFG includes "optimized UI, physics, sound, player processing, rendering code, and more." Put another way, you should experience significantly improved performance while you're fragging it up all over Auraxis. In fact, SOE says that frame rate gains will top 30 percent in some cases. [Source: SOE press release]
PlanetSide 2 coming to South Korea
PlanetSide 2 is forging in-roads with South Korea as SOE has announced a partnership with Daum Communications to bring the free-to-play MMOFPS to the country. Daum will be handling all of the operations of the title with exclusive publishing rights. Daum Leader of Game Division Sean Hong anticipates a strong response from the country's gamers: "PlanetSide 2 is a groundbreaking MMOFPS, and its competitive nature is a perfect fit for the South Korean audience." The date of the South Korean launch is unknown, but the two companies will be showing PlanetSide 2 off at G-STAR from November 14th through 16th. [Source: SOE press release]
EVE Evolved: What DUST 514 should have been
It's now been almost six months since DUST 514's official release, and I think it's safe to say it hasn't quite lived up to expectations. The game was lauded for its revolutionary realtime link with the EVE Online universe, but so far there's very little back-and-forth between the two titles. Originally intended as an MMO in its own right but also as an integral part of EVE's territorial endgame, DUST now exists largely as a lobby-based first-person shooter with the twist that equipment is lost on death. Even the planetary conquest portion of DUST that could be considered its most MMO-esque element has been abstracted into a series of instanced and scheduled 24v24 battles. DUST's main rival during development was the PC-based PlanetSide 2, and had the two games released on the same platform, I'm sure that rivalry would still be in the media spotlight. I've been playing PlanetSide 2 for just a few days, and I can already see elements that would make it a far better fit for the EVE universe than the current version of DUST. So what could DUST learn from its non-console-only counterpart? In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at how PlanetSide 2 handles issues of persistence, planetary conquest, and vehicle spawning, and why I think DUST 514 should be borrowing a few tricks from its game design.
PlanetSide 2's release on PS4 delayed to 2014, DCUO still set for launch
Although PlanetSide 2 is still coming to the PlayStation 4, the release has been delayed until early 2014. PS2 was noticeably absent from a list of launch games on the PS4's newly released FAQ, and SOE CEO John Smedley confirmed the delay in an interview on Bloomberg TV. According to the FAQ, DC Universe Online is still slated to release as a launch title in North America and also the UK (where the PS4 will launch nearly two weeks later than in NA). As free-to-play titles, neither PS2 nor DCUO will require a PlayStation Plus membership when it does launch on the PS4.
Sony posts net loss in Q2, adjusts profit forecasts down
Sony counterbalanced a profitable first quarter with net loss of ¥19.3 billion in the second, converting to around $197 million. That represents a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase in Q2 net loss, despite a revenue boost attributed to currency exchange gains and increased smartphone sales. Significantly, the company adjusted its net profit forecast for the fiscal year down by 40 percent to ¥30 billion, or $305 million, due to decreased expectations for sales of "certain electronic products." As for the PlayStation division, there's no indication those decreased expectations apply to the PS4. Sony expects to ship a combined total of 15 million PS4 and PS3 units by the end of March 2014. At the Tokyo Game Show, SCE President Andrew House said his company was aiming to sell 5 million PS4 units specifically within that time frame. Regards the PS3, Sony shipped 2 million units worldwide across the three months of July to September. The PlayStation division also benefited from exchange gains, with revenue increasing 5.1 percent year-on-year to ¥155.7 billion, or $1.59 billion. Overall figures for PS3, PS2, and PSP units decreased year-on-year in Q2, although PS3 software shipments did rise. Meanwhile, the Vita price cuts announced in August contributed to an operating loss around ¥800 million, converting to $8 million.
An interview with 2013 SOE G.I.R.L. Scholarship winner Esther Wu
Sony Online Entertainment's G.I.R.L. (short for Gamers in Real Life) scholarship was developed to encourage women to pursue careers in game development and design. The winners are selected via an annual competition and receive a $10,000 scholarship in addition to a valuable in-studio internship working on one of SOE's many games. The submissions, which this year consisted of art design pieces and essays on the topic of women in gaming, are reviewed by a panel of judges from SOE. This year's winner, Esther Wu, spent 10 weeks working with the PlanetSide 2 art team at SOE's San Diego headquarters. We sat down with her to learn more about the G.I.R.L. Scholarship, her internship, and where she hopes to go next.
A look at the PlanetSide 2 World Domination Series
PlanetSide 2 players have been asking for something that gives their favorite game a bit more persistence. Conquering territories is a lot of fun, but it can sometimes become repetitive and less satisfying when those territories simply turn over to the next empire that decides to take it. This is where the World Domination Series has stepped in to give the game and its loyal fanbase even more reason to log in and fight. The World Domination Series hands out points to factions that hold on to an area for longer periods of time and will eventually give out points to individual players. Even though it just finished a first wave of in-game testing Sunday night, it will soon be accessible through a handy scorecard in-game and lists the daily, weekly, and seasonal scores as well as each empire's server- and game-wide performance. Each territory is worth a certain number of points, but holding a territory for longer periods of time is worth even more points. At the end of each week, rewards will be handed out. During the testing, the rewards consisted of experience boosts, but it'll be expanded later. How does this new system affect the rest of the playerbase, and what's in store for it in the future? We asked Matt Higby, Creative Director for PlanetSide 2, to answer some these questions.
PlanetSide 2 is heading to Brazil
PlanetSide 2 is adding another stamp in its passport: It's heading to Brazil! If you happen to live in that neck of the woods, you'll soon be able to jump into the explosive action on local servers thanks to a new partnership announced by SOE today. Brazil's largest game publisher, Gamerica, will bring the free-to-play MMOFPS to the country and another company, UOL BoaCompra, will handle local payment methods. Under this agreement, Gamerica will have exclusive publishing rights for the PC in Brazil and will provide dedicated servers, local customer support, and payment gateways (through UOL BoaCompra). PS2 remains free-to-play and players can make purchases in-game using their preferred payment methods in their country. [Source: SOE press release]
Choose My Adventure: Indecision 2013
My goodness, it's been a long time since I've done Choose My Adventure. I cannot wait to dive into it again. But first, I should probably break down the rules and let you know how my Choose My Adventure will likely differ from those who have come before me. Besides the weekly column that comes out on Wednesday, I will also run a livestream whenever I play the game. Of course, Massively's livestream sessions are abbreviated, so I cannot stream on that channel for the number of hours that it will take me to accurately get a taste of what the game is like. So I will run the regular livestream on my channel, then take over Massively's stream when I can. That also means that some of the choices made during the course of this adventure will be made on the livestream and not in this column. However, I will attempt to let the readers of this column make the major choices. So let's decide what game I'll be playing for you. After the break, I've listed five games that I am interested in revisiting or visiting for the first time. Read the descriptions, then at the end, vote on the game you'd like to see me play. I will have to close the voting on Fridays, so that I will have the weekend to actually implement the choices you make. Happy adventuring!
PlanetSide 2 players hosting 24-hour play-a-thon to raise money for breast cancer research
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, folks are probably seeing pink crop up all over the place in their daily lives. And now that color has landed in the gritty world of PlanetSide 2. A group of outfits on the Connery server has banded together to organize a 24-hour play-a-thon to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to aid in its search for a cure. On October 26th, Genocidal Rampage (CASH), 666th Devil Dogs (666), TRG, and OP4 will be hosting this 24-hour livestream event where players from all factions can unite against "the real Fourth Faction" and donate to the cause. Using the event's GoFundMe site, players can show their support by pledging to support favorite streamers or even placing bets on competitive events during the stream. Of course, just being a part and showing support and solidarity is also welcome! Those wishing to participate in the play-a-thon as streamers should contact MagnmStallion (CASH), LadyShade (666), Oblivion (TRG), orTheLostLenore (OP4).
The Stream Team: Decisionally challenged weather edition, October 7 - 13, 2013
I don't know about you, but in my neck of the woods Mother Nature is suffering some kind of identity crisis. In the span of a single day we have had bone-chilling cold and frost, sun-scorching heat, and monsoon-inspired rainstorms. Every time we have a season-appropriate cold snap, the second I go to remove my air-conditioner, we have a blistering heat wave. People were pumpkin harvesting in shorts for heaven's sakes! Is it fall? Or is it summer? If the weather is any indication, we need to institute a new season. We could call it Summall. Or maybe Falmer. Then people can just expect to employ heavy coats and shorts within hours. Like they do in Colorado! Like the weather of late, I'll admit to being decisionally challenged at times (especially when trying to pick what to do in a game with so many options!). Luckily, for any who suffer that same affliction, your favorite Stream Team hosts will never conflict on the Massively TV schedule. So who's playing what when this week? Check out the schedule and see!
FIFA 14 Legacy Edition has 'no updates to gameplay or game modes'
The updates in the 'Legacy Edition' of FIFA 14 include new kits and rosters, but not anything to do with gameplay, according to a Nintendo press release. Although Nintendo's details are noted for the 3DS version, EA is also releasing the Legacy Edition on Vita, PSP, and PS2, indicating the same lack of update on those platforms. EA previously confirmed to Pocket Gamer that FIFA 14 on Vita is a "reskin" (Pocket Gamer's words) of FIFA 13. This story is itself a reskin of a previous story; FIFA 13 on Vita was a similarly limited update to FIFA Football, as was FIFA 13 to FIFA 12 on the Wii. In short, EA has plenty of previous experience in this particular area. FIFA 14 hits North America tomorrow, and Europe on Friday, September 27. Despite the lack of gameplay additions, Nintendo is charging a full retail price of £40 (around $65) for the eShop version. If you feel that's worth it for new names and shirts, please enjoy.
PlanetSide 2 hosts pre-season territory control event
The competition in PlanetSide 2 is all in good fun, assuming that you consider crushing your opponents in a bid for global dominance to be "good fun." But starting today the game is being ramped up a notch with the World Domination Series pre-season event. It's a contest to see who can actually control the most territory for the longest period, running a weekly competition from now until October 21st. And to the winners go prizes. You might think domination of the world is the prize, but no, the prizes are experience boosters and special decals. How do you win them? You earn more points than the other empires. Fight on the side of the winning empire in a given week to help earn points. A captured small outpost is worth 1 point, a captured large outpost is worth 2 points, a facility is worth 5 points, and a full territory is worth 3 points per hour that it remains under the empire's control. At the end of the week, values will be tallied, and the next week will give everyone a chance to fight it out again.
PlanetSide 2 launches Operation: Make Faster Game
It's easy for most players not to think about optimization. Games run the way they run, and you turn down options until you strike a balance between graphical prettiness and acceptable framerates. But developers spend a lot of time thinking about these things, and that thinking is precisely what's informing the new major development project for PlanetSide 2. Tech director Ryan Elam explains what this means in a letter to the community about what the team is planning to do with the game. Elam explains that at this point the team feels that the core game mechanics are where they need to be. What the game does need is to trim out bits of visual fluff and effects that force the game to run more slowly than it should. So the developers are working on simple ways to do that, like slowing the rate of updates on adjacent players to speed up large battles and simplifying the physics engine to not render changes that players cannot see or interact with. For a full list of the optimization projects, take a look at the letter. [Thanks to Gustavo for the tip!]
Capcom Fighting Evolution hits PSN next week as PS2 Classic
Capcom Fighting Evolution advances to PSN in next week's North American update. Following in the footsteps of Capcom vs. SNK 2, the 2004 crossover is coming as a PS2 Classic, meaning it'll only be playable on PS3 and won't feature any additions like online multiplayer. The news comes via the PlayStation Blogcast, with no details on pricing. CFE's 23 characters stem from Street Fighter 2, SF 3, SF Alpha, the Darkstalkers series, and Red Earth, minus the exception of bow-tied psychic Ingrid who the game introduced.
The Stream Team: Labor Day edition, September 2 - 8, 2013
To the youngsters, Labor Day has always always seemed misnomer since folks actually get to take time off from school and work. So a more appropriate moniker would be Play Day, amirite? But the older crowd knows that the day was meant to honor the hard work and contributions of workers. So in the spirit of honoring hard work, we pay homage to those who tireless toil to entertain us -- The Stream Team! Hats of to you, and a three-BBQ-rib salute to boot! Want to join us in this week-long celebration for our streamers? Then tune in to Massively TV and watch a live show or two and catch a few reruns as well. We've got all you need to know right here. (For the snacks, however, you're on your own.)
