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RIFT's Unicornalia returns through July 30
Did you miss out on RIFT's Unicornalia event last May? Well, it's back, according to a post on the fantasy MMO's website. Refugee unicorns from the Plane of Life require your assistance, and you'll need to "find the PRI representatives in your capital city to discover how you can help." Onyx Unicorn mounts are obtainable via rare drops from the Hooves and Horns event in Moonshade Highlands, as a reward for completing the Rainbow in the Dark achievement, or from the game's cash shop. Opal Unicorn mounts can be had from daily quests or the store. Unicornalia runs through July 30th.
Trion Worlds grows to over 12 million players
In an interview with Forbes, Trion Worlds CEO Scott Hartsman revealed that his studio's game portfolio and distribution has resulted in populations that number in the millions. "A year ago we were a company with two games," he said. "This year we are a company with three of our own MMOs, plus our first published MMO, plus 10 other distributed games [through the Glyph digital storefront]. So, we're seeing user numbers in the 12 to 13 million range." For most of the interview, however, Hartsman discussed the positioning of business models in a changing market. If you've ever wondered why MMOs keep launching with a subscription model in this F2P era, Hartsman has a notion: "There are two reasons why companies can't do it from the outset. Number one is that the larger the company, the more public, the more they have to aim for predictable revenue, and there's not a lot of information sharing on free-to-play on the PC and console markets. The other big challenge is the technology it takes to do sales effectively in a free-to-play game -– there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than a lot of people would think, where an initial purchase plus subscription model doesn't take nearly so complex a model to drive sales."
Trion boosts RIFT's subscriber benefits
RIFT subscribers are getting some benefit boosts, according to a new Trion website blurb. Patrons already enjoy extra currency, summons, mount speed, artifact tracking, daily quests, bonus loot, and store discounts. Now, though, they'll also receive 40 percent experience, favor, notoriety, prestige, and token boosts. New benefits also include faster planar ability cooldowns, a fast pass teleport, and more! In other RIFT news, Trion adjusted the Stormcaller soul in yesterday's hotfix.
Trion Worlds' Scott Hartsman: F2P reduces barriers
Trion Worlds CEO Scott Hartsman is preaching the gospel of free-to-play far and wide these days, saying that it makes sense to have games as accessible as possible to players. "If there's one thing we're learned through all of our own prior development, it's that the barrier of having to purchase a thing before getting into a game is proving to be a bigger and bigger barrier as time goes on," Hartsman told MCV. But will F2P backfire by giving away the store for nothing to penny-pinching players? Hartsman doesn't think so: "What we're discovering is that if you take great content and great gameplay and reduce the barriers and take that leap of faith, customers will be there for you and will be there to support you." All of Trion Worlds' game library is free-to-play at this point.
RIFT producer's letter reveals Nightmare Tide expansion
RIFT's latest expansion is called Nightmare Tide, and Trion producer Bill Fisher says that it will release before the end of the year. The new content will take players into the Plane of Water and will feature new open-world zones, new story quest lines, a new rift type, an increased level cap, and more. Fisher also mentions RIFT's ongoing Summerfest as well as the new Blighted Antechamber Warfront. Finally, there's a blurb about auction house changes coming in the pre-expansion 2.8 update. Click through the links below to read all about it!
RIFT to unify Euro region on a single cluster
July 3rd is reunification day for European RIFT players, according to a news blurb posted yesterday on the fantasy MMO's web site. All Euro Ascended will play on a single cluster and will be able to transfer "between European shards to participate in activities on whichever shard they choose." Trion has also increased its player capacity and is merging several shards as a result. Check out the firm's FAQ for full details.
Hellbugs invade RIFT once again
To celebrate the second season of Defiance on TV, Trion Worlds has triggered a new invasion of Hellbugs... in RIFT. Hey, even Telarites watch Syfy when they're not out battling planar forces. These aren't your old Hellbugs, but a different strain that will appear in various rifts, footholds, and new zone events. Players have a shot at earning a Hellbug mount or pet for killing their brethren en masse, so good luck if you're aiming to get one!
RIFT's Temporal Flux returns through June 18
RIFT's Temporal Flux event has returned, and it's brought with it a new quest, vault, and mechanized mount. Players level 30 and up can speak to Planar Research Institute reps in Sanctum, Meridian, and Tempest Bay to pick up daily quests, while players of all levels can scour the game world for Temporal Flux rifts.
RIFT calls players to arms for in-game event
RIFT's Moonshade and Droughtlands zones are under attack, and it's only the courage and bravery of players sitting safely at home behind a computer screen that can save the day! Trion Worlds is hosting a weekend event during which these two areas will see an increased frequency of invasions. From now through June 9th, there will be more rifts, double currency, and the chance of getting a Lavender Hellbug or Sapphire Ki Rin by participating in these zones. Trion reminds players that they might need to mentor down to the zone's level in order to get participation rewards.
RIFT's Unicornalia event runs through May 29
"They're here, they're horned, and they need your help," according to a RIFT' website update. Trion's latest in-game event features unicorn refugees from the Plane of Life, who of course require plenty of assistance from RIFT's ascended players. Trion also wants you to know that you can acquire onyx unicorn mounts as rare drops from the Hooves and Horns zone event in Moonshade Highlands or by completing the Rainbow in the Dark achievement. Alternatively, you can buy them in the game's cash shop. Opal unicorn mounts can be similarly purchased or acquired through daily quests in Sanctum and Meridian. The event runs through May 29th.
RIFT opens up new raids and improves ascend-a-friend program
RIFT's Update 2.7 wasn't released in one giant package; Trion Worlds held some of it back to deliver piece-meal to the community. As such, today we've been treated to the second pair of new tier 3 raids with the Binding of Laethys. Trion also announced that it's improved its ascend-a-friend program with even more goodies than before. Players will earn referral coins when their recruit makes a purchase in the game, while recruits can teleport to their mentor, earn a 25% XP bonus when grouped up with their friend, and pick up several freebie items. These items are a 16-slot bag, a weapon-glowing rune, a cloak, and a title.
RIFT 2.7: Binding of Blood delayed [Update: It's live now!]
Trion has identified a "major issue" with RIFT's 2.7 update and will not be deploying the Binding of Blood patch today as planned. The firm does not have an ETA on either a fix or the revised update as of yet. Update: As of this evening, the patch is now live! Here's what today's part of the overall update includes: Four new souls: Available at the RIFT Store, the four new Souls allow Warriors and Rogues to heal, Mages to tank, and Clerics to support like never before! New Quests: All new multi-chapter Soul Quests (available to everyone) will explore the lore behind the origin of these new souls. UI Upgrades: Crafting, Quests, Macros, Wardrobe, and Achievement Tracking UIs have all been improved for RIFT 2.7. Trion is also adding all new text color options, to grant players full control over text displays.
RIFT concept art contest tainted by copycat design [Updated with Trion's investigation]
The winners of RIFT's Concept Weapons and Cloaks contest were announced this weekend with prizes going out to the best designs in the Swords, Staves, and Cloaks categories. But one particular sword entry (the second place winner) caught the keen eye of a few RIFT fans. As it turns out, the impressive golden sword that won second place is actually copied from Deviant Art user Wen-M, who uploaded the original version in 2004. "LOL, thanks," Wen-M said when a fan congratulated him on his entry. "Unfortunately I did not enter, someone lacking honesty used my work without permission. some friends informed me about it. XD ah...people." You can read more on the other contest entries on the official forum thread. [Thanks to all who sent this in!] Update: Trion has responded with an explanation of its investigation of the accusations. In an email to Massively, the studio wrote, "Thanks to our users we were able to verify that this image was indeed appropriated from another artist. We of course disqualified the entry, and did a more thorough search to make sure that no other entries were also inappropriately submitted. We've reached out to the artist (who does absolutely amazing work, and is definitely worth checking out) both publicly and privately apologizing for this use of his art. We've adjusted the list of winners (viewable here), and congratulate all of the incredibly talented folks who participated in this contest." Congratulations to all of the legitimate winners!
Portions of RIFT's May cash shop proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders
Trion and Doctors Without Borders have partnered to further the latter's humanitarian efforts around the globe. From May 1st through May 31st, purchases of the lab coat or doctor bundle from the RIFT cash shop will trigger a $5.00 donation to the charity organization. [Thanks Zuji!]
RIFT 2.7: Binding of Blood arrives May 7th
RIFT's 2.6.1 patch may have teased the Binding of Blood raid, but now we finally have a solid date for the full 2.7 patch: May 7th. The 2.7 update will initially incorporate the four new souls unveiled over the last few months (Arbiter, Physician, Oracle, and Liberator), new quests, and an upgraded UI. Trion Worlds will roll out additional changes over the span of the including tier 3 raids, the Greenscale warfront, a hellbug promotional tie-in with Defiance, the annual Summerfest, and a unicorn celebration. We're not judging. Every game needs a unicorn celebration.
RIFT sends players back in time to fight dragons
Set your time machines back 1,500 years, RIFT players, because Patch 2.6.1 is flinging Ascended heroes into the past to help round up a few rowdy dragons. The patch, which landed today, opens up a new Tier 3 raid called Bindings of Blood. In this raid, players are experiencing the binding of the dragons from a first-hand perspective, and in so doing they actually change the "present" history of their personal game. Trion Worlds told us on the phone that the 20-person raid contains four portals to four instances, each with its own mini-boss, dragon, and unique theme. The instances are on separate lockout timers, and currently two are open with two more scheduled for next month. The bosses are reworked versions of Greenscale, Akylios, Laethys, and Maelforge, and will drop best-in-slot gear and weapons.
RIFT opens up player PvP dimensions
Do you like instanced PvP but hate being subject to the PvP maps that the game's designers have put together? Maybe you have an idea for an even better map in RIFT, one that would really give even veteran players a run for their money. Good news, then: Now you can go ahead and make that map a reality with the addition of player PvP dimensions to the game's cash shop. PvP dimensions are available as part of two-team or three-team Starter Packs, or they can be purchased individually. These maps also give you access to another personal dimension, but their real purpose is letting you build custom maps with the use of scoreboards, damage areas, invisible tiles, and plenty of other tricks to create a truly memorable experience. If you've ever wanted to design an MMO battleground like an old DOOM deathmatch arena, you can go ahead and get started crafting your ideal arena now.
Four videos of RIFT's new souls in action
RIFT subreddit moderator Seatin has posted to YouTube complete videos of all four of RIFT's upcoming 2.7 souls and how they perform in combat. To recap, the update will deliver: The Arbiter, an elemental tanking soul for the Mage, The Physician, a primary healing soul for the Rogue, The Oracle, a buffing and debuffing soul for the Cleric, and The Liberator, a tank-healer soul for the Warrior. Enjoy the videos after the break!
RIFT's upcoming Arbiter soul melds wizard with tank
Mage-tanks are a source of dreams for some and targets of derision by others (jealous Paladins?), and they will soon be spicing up RIFT with their oddball combo. RIFT posted its official reveal of the Arbiter this week. The new soul is a tanking Mage who shields herself with magic rather than thick metal; she uses primarily water and air spells to weave shields, taunt enemies, and fry the opposition. Trion Worlds promises that the Arbiter will be able to stand "toe-to-toe" with the other callings' tanking souls when it is added to the game in the upcoming 2.7 update.
RIFT's got a new conquest map and a new rogue soul on the way
RIFT's Steppes of Infinity features "all-new objectives and opportunities for exciting PvP action," according to an update on the free-to-play fantasy MMO's website. Combatants may choose to battle for control of the Brevo and Antapo forts or ferry charges between them, and "powerful rewards for the winning team" are at stake, Trion says. The studio also confirmed the next soul reveal: the Physician, a healing-centric soul for Rogues.
