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Wings Over Atreia: You are what you play
Have you ever noticed how some people just gravitate toward certain archetypes when it comes to choosing a class to play in-game? That some players just seem to really fit their role? It doesn't matter if it is the first class they dive into the moment that character selection screen pops up or the one they always end up with no matter how many times they try something different. Not only have I seen this play out repeatedly in Aion, but I have experienced it firsthand. It's quite fascinating, really -- certain personality traits are simply drawn to certain classes. More so than any other aspect of gaming, character class is a reflection of some of our core traits and beliefs; character creation is rarely just random but rather is guided by conscious and unconscious desires. Don't believe me? Take a look around Atreia -- it is demonstrated time and time again. Warriors, scouts, mages, priests... each has idiosyncrasies that are unique to the archetype and are fitting for the gamers who play them. And don't think others' opinions aren't colored by your class; each also subtly alludes to these specific traits. So what does your class say about you (or your legionmates)? Step past the cut into my office and we can delve into these personality profiles within Aion.
A look at Luvinia Online's Berserker and Watchman
As Luvinia Online's heading toward closed beta testing here in the states, Outspark is trying to pump up interest in the title by highlighting the game's classes. Two of the revealed classes are the Berserker and Watchman, subsets of the Fighter and Scout roles. The Berserker is your typical barbarian-who-unleashes-his-inner-Hulk character, utilizing rage to increase his damage, hit multiple targets, and pump up critical strikes. As Outspark says, "The heavens hath no fury like a Berserker scorned!" On the flip side of rage is the Watchman's cool, collected poise. She uses ranged skills, traps and tricks to frustrate and kill enemies from afar, preferring the use of a bow over melee weapons. An interesting mechanic to the class is that the farther the Watchman is from her target, the more damage she does. You can take a peek at the many classes of Luvinia Online, including the class grid, in the gallery below! %Gallery-126599%
The educational potential of class-based achievements
Early this morning, a player by the name of Koosh posted an idea to the official achievements forum: Why not add class- or role-specific achievements? If implemented, could these achievements be used to help players learn the specifics of their class? Koosh uses Team Fortress 2 as an example, and I think it's an excellent one. If you're unfamiliar with the game, Team Fortress 2 is a competitive (but light-hearted), class-based first-person shooter. Here are some examples of Team Fortress 2 class achievements: Scout Brushback: Stun 50 enemies while they are capturing a point or pushing the cart. Pyro Hot Potato: Reflect 100 projectiles with your compressed air blast. Soldier Death from Above: Rocket jump and kill 2 enemies before you land. Achievements like this push you to learn how to play your class and how to play it well. It might be a very strong tool for training players in World of Warcraft. Interrupt 1,000 spells as a rogue? Use Anti-Magic Shell to absorb 1,000,000 damage? Replenish 150,000 points of other players' mana with Innervate, as Koosh suggests? Readers, do you think this would be a viable way to teach players how to use all of the tools at their disposal? What achievements do you think your class should have?
NOX Audio Scout headset review
Earbuds: love 'em or hate 'em it's hard to argue with their eminent practicality if you're the sort who finds him or herself going from point A to point B on a regular basis. They fit comfortably in a pocket, don't screw up your 'do and, if you get a decent pair, offer some surprisingly good sound. The $80 Scout headset from NOX Audio promises to do all that and act as a hands-free microphone for your phone. Plus it has a cable that looks so much like an al dente piece of linguini we couldn't resist trying it. How does it taste in a white clam sauce and, more importantly, how does it act as a headset? Read on to find out. %Gallery-111577%
Nox Audio Scout mini headset on sale now, boasts world's smallest mic button and some decent sound
NOX Audio sprang out of obscurity this year with two pairs of stylish 'phones -- the moderately disappointing Specialist supra-aural cans with a retractable, flexible mic, and the promising Scout earbud headset pictured immediately above, now on sale. Even at first glance the Scout's not your average pair of in-line earbuds, connected to your phone of choice via a piece of rubber linguini that acts as a no-tangle cord, but they also have balanced armature drivers that delivered some surprisingly good sound even in the bustle of a busy trade show. (They've also got a ludicrously tiny send/end button for the headset buried in the cord's joint, if you're fond of playing spy.) We haven't had a chance to put our review unit through its paces quite yet, but if you want to give NOX the benefit of the doubt, you'll find the Scout at "select retailers" and the company's online store for $80 right now.
Rise and Shiny recap: Istaria
Each week Rise and Shiny asks you to download and try a different free-to-play, indie or unusual game, chosen by me, Beau Hindman. Some of the games will be far out of your gaming comfort zone, and some will pleasantly surprise you. We will meet each Tuesday and Friday night at 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT), followed by this column the Sunday after. I welcome any suggestions for games, either in the comments or at beau@massively.com. Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted is not a new game, by any means. You probably remember it being called Horizons. I have tried this game probably several times over the last few years. Despite having a decent enough time with each attempt, I never had as much fun as I have during this last week of playing. Let this advice stick: give a game several chances, if you can. Don't let a developer's financial woes dissuade you from giving it a go again. Most of the time you can try it again without spending a dime. I'm glad I returned to Istaria. Everything seemed to click for me, more than it did before. It could be that I never took the time to really get to know the quests or the abilities my character gained, and it could be that I played mostly solo during that time. Over this last week I adventured with an elf and a few dragons, and found a world, game, and community that was pretty darn inviting.
Nox Audio explores audiophile options with Scout mini headset, we go ears-on
When the Scout in-ear headset launches this fall, it'll actually be Nox Audio's second debut product -- the first is the Specialist we just reviewed -- but unlike that pair of supra-aural cans, these little devils may actually have quality sound. Even in the hustle and bustle of the E3 2010 floor, we were able to make out clear, nuanced audio from their balanced armature drivers, and were impressed by the build quality as well. The silicone tab attached to each phone kept them more easily affixed to the ears, and both the in-line microphone and send / end button for calls were so tiny a Nox rep had to point them out -- at first, we thought they were part of the cord. At an estimated $70, though, we'll be eager to see how they compete with Klipsch, not to mention Apple's model. %Gallery-95517%
Typing 'cadence' used to identify authorized database users, lock everyone else out
We'll admit to having shared a few login credentials amongst friends here and there in our younger days, but it sounds like the party might soon be over: a company called Scout Analytics has developed a way of identifying a user's "typing cadence," and matching it to how a username and password are entered. It only takes 5 login attempts of around 12 characters for Scout to nab your cadence, and although 1 in 20,000 people will share the same cadence, combining the data with browser info and IP addresses makes it accurate enough for general usage. No word on what sites are using this technique, but we won't be surprised if it starts popping up rapidly -- and sniffing typing cadences becomes the next great malware scourge. P.S.- Yes, we just wanted to run the picture of the keyboard pants again. Seriously, can someone please hook us up with those?
Delving into the archetypes and specialty classes of Aion
The folks over at Ten Ton Hammer have been cranking out a number of features that examine the various class archetypes and specialty classes of Aion. So far, they've produced two game guides showcasing the Priest and Mage archetypes and had four interviews with NCsoft discussing the Gladiator, Templar, Ranger, and Assassin specialty classes.When creating a character in Aion, you must initially choose one of four available archetypes. Anyone who has played a fantasy MMO or RPG in the past decade or so will find them quite familiar. They are the Warrior, Scout, Priest, and Mage.Once you reach level 9, you're sent on a quest to discover your true identity and ascend to daevahood. The quest is like Red Bull - it gives you wings. At this point you must choose a specialty class defined by your original archetype. Warriors become Gladiators or Templars. Scouts become Rangers or Assassins. Priests become Clerics or Chanters. Mages become Sorcerers(esses) or Spiritmasters.By our count, TTH has covered half the archetypes and specialty classes so far, so keep your eyes peeled for the second half coming soon. We'll also bring you our own impressions of these classes when beta permits. So far, we've been limited to testing some pretty low level characters.
E3 2009: Global Agenda hands-on with executive producer Todd Harris
Global Agenda is coming right along nicely -- we last saw the game in action at GDC, and today at E3, executive producer Todd Harris was nice enough to sit down and show us a never-before-seen part of the game: PvE gameplay.We started off by checking out the character creator, which has come along quite a bit. They've built a very in-depth face creator -- there are about eight or ten different factors to switch between (eyes, mouth, and so on), and for each one, there are seven or eight sliders to adjust and tweak. Which allows for quite a few different variations, as you might imagine. Hair and skin color can also be edited, but Harris told us that body shape will generally be determined by the armor you wear (which is more or less determined by the class you choose).%Gallery-35351% Massively is on the ground in Los Angeles this week and covering all the latest E3 MMO news coming from the convention. Check out our breaking coverage (or all the Joystiq network E3 reporting) and keep your eye on Massively's front page for the latest developments.
TF2 Scout update live, game on sale this week on Steam
Now that we've seen that hot new shotgun, it's about time we got a chance to use it. Well, we're glad to report that the Scout update has gone live, bringing with it a host of new achievements and items for the fleet-footed character class. And don't forget about those new maps, either!If all of this is piquing your interest, yet you haven't played the game, know that Steam is offering Team Fortress 2 for only $10 up until Friday. You'd be crazy not to check it out at that price.%Gallery-45255%Source - Scout update detailsSource - Team Fortress 2 for only $10
TF2 Scout update includes new bat, energy drink, 3 additional maps
In the days preceding this Tuesday's highly anticipated Team Fortress 2 Scout update, Valve's been releasing a slow trickle of news regarding exactly what goodies players will be getting in the download. So far, the pot's pretty sweet -- TF2's hyperactive class will now be able to unlock "The Sandman", a new bat which hits baseballs that are capable of stunning even the most tank-ish opponents. Scouts can also pick up the "Bonk Energy Drink", which will give the already expedient class an extra burst of speed for a few seconds.The update will also introduce a few new maps to the TF2 mix -- Arena_Watchtower, an expansive map with a focus on long, sniper-friendly sightlines; CP_Junction, a tight-quarters map that's more suited for the game's explosive classes; and CP_Egypt, a "visually striking", Dustbowl-esque control point map. The update will also patch in some gameplay tweaks to the pre-existing CP_Fastlane map.Oh, and the newly updated Scouts will also be able to unlock their 35 new class-specific achievements, which we've posted after the jump. Valve should be dropping further info on the pending patch tomorrow -- we'll keep our single-earphone-covered ear to the ground to let you know when the final tease drops. Gallery: Team Fortress 2 Scout Update
Team Fortress 2: Meet the original Scout
Hopping into the Way Back Machine reminds us that Team Fortress 2 originally sported a traditional art style. One of the first classes to get a redesign was everyone's favorite Boston southie, the Scout. Although concept artist Dhabih Eng promised to harm people if the original concept art for the Scout was ever released, Valve has nevertheless added the art to its blog. From a military look (as seen above) to a track-suit wearing delivery boy, the Scout has seen his fair share of edits. Those of you interested in the evolution of Team Fortress 2's Scout should check out Valve's blog.
Meet the Team Fortress 2 Scout ... again
We absolutely loved the short vignettes put together by Valve to advertise the different classes featured in The Orange Box's online multiplayer offering, Team Fortress 2. The scotch-slurping demoman, the six-string pluckin' engineer -- not only did they get us hyped up for one of our favorite first person shooters of last year, they brightened our otherwise dreary existences. Now, we know that most of you are familiar with the whole crew since the release of Orange Box, but in honor of last week's release of a standalone version of TF2 for the PC, Valve released what we assume will be the last of their advertisements for the game -- introducing the Scout, who apparently has the social graces and equipoise of a Real World cast member. Enjoy!
Merian rolls out 3.7-inch Scout Navigator for Europe
As the flood of new gizmos continues to pour out of IFA, a new GPS handheld has emerged for the European market. Merian's Scout Navigator touts a 3.7-inch VGA touchscreen, four to eight hours of battery life, NAVTEQ maps of Europe, and traffic notification support. Most notable, however, are the built in AudioGuides, which "automatically play when you pass by any one of more than 800 places of interest in Germany, be it in a vehicle or on foot." For those intrigued, watch for it to land next month for a staggering €779 ($1,047).[Via Messe-Berlin]
Austin-area Scouts aim to smear model rocket launching record
The 1,000 hand-painted model rockets that Austin-area Cub Scout Pack 990 and Boy Scout Troop 990 are aiming to launch some 500 to 1,000-feet in the sky today aren't as technically sophisticated as some we've seen, but raising over $8,000 in an attempt to obliterate the current record of 399 is something to salute. Rather than pocketing the funds and heading off to Philmont or using this fine weekend to complete that 50-miler via canoe, these two crews have their sights set on deploying a full thousand rockets (shown again after the jump) within five seconds of each other in order to firmly establish a new world record. Interestingly enough, the event has drawn such buzz around the area that Congressman Michael McCaul and Austin City Council Member Lee Leffingwell will actually be speaking at the venue before watching the fireworks -- and if any of you just happen to be in the area with a few extra frames left on your digicam, grab a few shots, will ya? Oh, and we recognize that true Scouts already know the motto, but considering the pyrotechnics you're playing with on this one, we're really stressing that "be prepared" bit.
Clifford's Scout 355B personal navigator
Following the oh-so-soft steps of its highly elusive Scout 420 brethren, the forthcoming Scout 355B is taking the quiet approach to bursting on the (admittedly crowded) 3.5-inch GPS scene. According to NaviGadget, the newfangled navigator has just been spotted in FCC filings, and looks to be a fairly respectable run-of-the-mill GPS with its built-in MP3 player, 266MHz Samsung S3C2410 processor, SiRF Star III receiver, and removable Li-ion battery. Additionally, the unit will boast NAVTEQ maps, a QVGA touchscreen, photo viewer, SD card slot, handsfree calling via Bluetooth, and will be powered by Windows CE .NET 4.2. As expected, there's no hints as to when the 355B will be headed to store shelves, but it will reportedly cost around three Benjamins whenever it does.[Via MobileWhack]
Clifford Scout 420 navigation unit / PMP to land at CES
It looks like Directed Electronics has switched more than a CFO in the past couple weeks, as its once self-branded NAV420 conglomerate has apparently been shifted to the Clifford brand, which typically holds down the remote start / security system side of the multifaceted company. Currently, all we truly know is that the Scout 420 has received a nod as a top honoree at next week's CES, that the website is currently nothing more than a JPEG teaser, and that it bears a striking resemblance to Sony's PSP. If we're to believe that nothing except the labeling has changed, however, it will purportedly include a 20GB hard drive, built-in GPS / navigation functionality, and music / video playback; judging solely by the control layout, we have to wonder if we'll see some sort of gaming / homebrew abilities bundled in as well, as the oddball (albeit very welcome) feature is its reported ability to tune into Sirius satellite radio broadcasts while navigating your routes. Sadly, there's no word on pricing just yet, but hopefully we'll get a clearer understanding of just what this do-it-all device is about in a few days.[Via GPSLodge]
Azentek planning ruggedized, longevous "Scout" UMPC
While the UMPC in general hasn't had the appeal manufacturers surely hoped for, they're still hanging in there, and apparently Azentek sees an opening in the less-than-attractive market. Diverting from its traditional "carputer" (i.e. in-car PC) offerings, the firm has announced a forthcoming UMPC built to military specifications to handle any dropkicks it may receive once the battery craps out after an hour or two, and will be based on its "Scout" platform. Beneath the hood, the device will be built around Intel's second generation "UMPC ultra low voltage platform," and feature up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 30 to 160GB standard / hybrid hard drives, and a rotatable webcam to boot. The 6.5-inch touchscreen will sport 500 cd/m2 brightness, and the battery will supposedly last "six to eight hours," which seems mighty liberal considering how pitiful most UMPCs are at sipping juice. Nevertheless, it'll also boast a biometric scanner, PC card / SD slot, and a pair of USB ports. While no concrete information was given on future availability, the outfit is aiming for a $1,500 pricetag at launch, which wouldn't be all that bad if the battery lives up to the admittedly lofty promises behind it.[Via Carrypad]
BallFinder SCOUT tracks down golf balls with scanning camera
It's been a while since we found anything worth covering on the golf beat, but that doesn't mean that labs full of green-vested engineers haven't been slaving over the next big thing in links technology. And it looks like they've come up with it. The BallFinder SCOUT works with ordinary white golf balls, and uses a scanning digital camera to track them down as long as at least 1% of the ball is exposed. The device can apparently scan 600 square feet per second, and works in almost any terrain. Of course, at a price of over $260, you could buy quite a few new balls, but where's the fun in that?[Via Gizmag]
