Category: Editorials

Final Fantasy XIV Subscription Ending…Again.


Final Fantasy XIV is a poster boy in just how badly an MMO can launch. It is also a shining example of a developer doing everything in their power to return a game to its intended light, as Square Enix has worked tirelessly these past two years in what will finally come together as FFXIV 2.0: A Realm Reborn. Boy, it sure has been a long two years. As already announced, Final Fantasy XIV will shut down its servers on November 11th in preparation for the launch of 2.0. Afterward, early testing will begin on the release of the MMO’s rebirth.

After September 29th, however, subscription billing will end. Players currently subscribed as of that date will be able to play until November 11th for free, while inactive accounts will not be reactivated.

(More info: FFXIV Website)

Taco Tuesday: Five More Steam Greenlight MMOs


I’m writing on scenic on-campus, and that can only mean one thing: It is Taco Tuesday, inarguably the greatest day of the week in cafeterias all around America and hopefully much of the world. Taco Tuesday is also the day where I get to put some focus on games that I think you should be watching out for, even if I don’t normally have an opportunity to fit them into everyday MMO Fallout life.

Continuing on with the past few weeks, I’d like to expand upon my list of Steam Greenlight and Kickstarter games. The best part about Steam Greenlight is that, generally, a lot of the games I get to talk about are already available to play either as live titles (Perpetuum, Battleground Europe, etc) or in beta (see this list). So even if the games wind up in limbo on Greenlight for the next two years, you can still download them from their respective sources and play now.

1. Dino Storm

Just take a minute to soak in the above image. A cowboy riding a dinosaur wielding a laser gun. With that sort of introduction, Dino Storm has a lot to live up to. From the looks of things, Dino Storm features questing, loot collection, and player vs player combat with territory control and resource collection. Gain recognition and even compete with other players for offices and become the town sheriff.

It may not be sharks with laser beams attached to their heads, but surely this unholy trinity is worthy of some sort of attention. Even better, you can play Dino Storm’s open beta right now.

Official website: http://dinostorm.com
Steam Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=94544410&searchtext=

2. NEStalgia

So I’m a sucker for 8-bit graphics and old school RPGs. Sue me. NEStalgia merges old school RPG mechanics with the trappings of the MMO genre, merging turn based combat with online play, auction housing, and guilds. NEStalgia is free to play without microtransactions, but with an optional subscription which unlocks new classes and ways to customize your character’s appearance.

NEStalgia can be played currently at its website.

Website: http://silkgames.com/nestalgia
Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92588954&searchtext=

3. Dark Blood

I normally wouldn’t consider myself to be easy to please, but show me a game where I can play as an ass-kicking polar bear, and I’m a happy guy. Dark Blood is a beat-em-up arcade brawler along the lines of Dungeon Fighter Online, and the game looks pretty good to boot. Dark Blood is free to play with microtransactions (as you’d expect), and there isn’t really much more to add. You’ll fight through dungeons, massacre all sorts of creatures in large quantities, and fight other players in arena combat.

So if you enjoy games like Dungeon Fighter, why not play the best looking game in the bunch? Dark Blood can already be played at its website below.

Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=94463555&searchtext=
Website: http://darkblood.outspark.com/

4. Heroes & Generals

I love World War II, and there is a particular place in my heart for massively multiplayer games that are set in World War II, even better if the game is a first person shooter. The core of Heroes & Generals is a team-based first person shooter, players taking to the trenches and fighting it out on foot, in planes, or in vehicles. Strategically, both sides must manage resources and territory, sending troops where they are needed and taking command. If this is sounding like a 2012-Battleground Europe, stop me now.

Heroes & Generals is being developed by the founding fathers and core developers of IO Interactive, our dear friends who brought us Hitman and Freedom Fighters. You can sign up for the beta at the website below.

Website: www.HeroesAndGenerals.com
Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=93051095&searchtext=

5. Island Forge

Yes, I’ve talked about Island Forge before, but it wasn’t from this particular computer. Island Forge presents two games in one: One half of the game is a hex-based world creator. Design and publish islands for other players to quest through, creating your own stories and adventures only limited by your creativity. The other half involves, of course, exploring other player’s creations, besting their quests and knocking a few heads together.

Island Forge is quite impressive, seeing as how it was developed by a single person. You can even play the game in its current iteration on the main website below, free for 30 days with a subscription going forward. And since I’m already on track to “this is a sales pitch” comments, you can support Island Forge’s Kickstarter below as well.

Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=93854071&searchtext=
Website: http://islandforge.com/
Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1391235405/island-forge-establishing-a-creative-player-commun

Would You Continue Playing If Your Characters Were Wiped?


I love perma-death in games. For instance, in Minecraft I always play on Hardcore Mode. I do so knowing that I could make a few weeks or even months of progress in the game, only to die because a spider killed me or I was poisoned or surprised and fell to my death. But I have more of an appreciation for the game’s atmosphere and cautious nature, as death is no longer simply a setback.

This article has nothing to do with perma-death. Rather, I want to talk about losing your character in a situation where you did not foresee losing it, but still have access to the game. I recently had to reformat my hard drive, and I had no opportunity to backup my saves for Mass Effect, Eschalon, and other games where my saves are not saved online. Since then I’ve found a gap in enthusiasm has left me unable to play Mass Effect to the point I was at before the crash.

I had this problem with games like ArchLord, Earth Eternal, and Hellgate, where even though I couldn’t wait for the new host to take over, once the game relaunched and I set up my account I found myself unable to force my way through the same progress I had made initially.

And those games were just available for a year or so. If RuneScape, for example, one day told me that my character of nine years would be wiped, the decision would be simple. While the grind wouldn’t be nearly as bad, the time invested in my character would be so enormous that anything short of the game’s death would not justify losing that time. And a lot of people would return simply out of brand loyalty, or to start “on even ground,” as they tell me. I cant count myself as part of the flock.

After eight years, Ryzom is shutting down two of its three servers, and instead of merging characters has decided to wipe all accounts. I always look at late-age wipes as a high stakes game of Phoenix. The baby that is birthed from the flames might go on to live a full life. On the other hand, as history has shown us with a certain MMO whose community would strangle me, it is often a last gasp before death.

Hopefully Ryzom will see its community loyal enough to not only return but grow in its new life.

Planetside 2 Alpha Squad Prepurchase


There seems to be a trend in MMO shooters lately. Both DUST 514 and Tribes: Ascend have offered pre-purchase packages, including benefits from currency to bonuses, and more importantly; beta access. Players intending on playing the game have an opportunity to both nab some exclusive items and gain access to the game early.

For $39.99, Sony Online Entertainment is selling the Alpha Squad package, including $40 worth of Station Cash, exclusive decals and titles, as well as instant beta access. The offer also includes twelve weapon unlocks. This package cannot be purchased with Station Cash. You are not sent a key, so access cannot be transferred.

While early access starts now, it is important to remember that Planetside 2 is still a long way from release. There will be regular server downtime, character wipes, and a whole lot of bugs and balance issues.

(source: Station Website)

Everquest & Everquest II: More Expansions!


As I sat in my chair today, I thought: What does Everquest need more than anything? And like the small statue on the mantle above where I was sitting, the answer struck me like a ton of bricks. Everquest needs a nineteenth expansion. And before I could pull myself out of the concussion and contact Sony to pitch the idea, someone had already stolen and pushed it through.

First up: Everquest. Rain of Fear, the game’s nineteenth expansion, takes place directly after the events of House of Thule. Fresh from destroying a god, players will now find that crystalline shards are raining down on Norrath. If this means nothing to you, the expansion includes a level cap increase to 100, as well as thousands of new items, recipes, and spells. The expansion also includes new quests, raids, zones, and the ability to kill off halflings. And forget the rest of the notes, it’s about time those short demons got what was coming to them.

On to Everquest’s younger brother. Everquest II has unveiled its not-nineteenth expansion, Chains of Eternity. The expansion promises new items, a raised level cap, as well as new quests, a whole lot more loot, and new abilities to boot.

Both expansions are set for a November release.

(Everquest Expansion)
(Everquest II Expansion)

Sony Announces Player Studio: Create Items For Everquest


Sony Online Entertainment has done it again. Last night, John Smedley tweeted that there were two major announcements coming Thursday and Friday. No, they aren’t the shutting down of Planetside (nor are they the acquisition of Paragon Studios, so stop asking). The first major announcement, released today, involves the Everquest games, Vanguard, and Free Realms. Soon enough, players will be able to design their own in-game items, and sell them on the cash shop, and be paid for it!

More information will be revealed at Sony Live in Las Vegas. Players are currently able to play around with a program by Sony to get the feel and perhaps start working on their designs. Players will not be allowed to set the stats for their creations.

(Source: Official Website)

City of Heroes Isn't Going Down Without A Fight


NCSoft may have announced that City of Heroes is shutting down on November 30th, but that doesn’t mean the community (or Paragon Studios for that matter) are going down without a fight. Since the announcement, the community has rallied in multiple ways, from encouraging users to write to NCSoft, setting up rallies in-game and on the official forums, and signing petitions to keep the game running. The petition has so far amassed over thirteen thousand signatures.

And Paragon Studios isn’t going down without a fight either. According to a post on the City of Heroes forum:

Alpha Wolf: Sorry guys but I don’t have any new update. I know Paragon management is having discussion with ncsoft and investors. Continue get people to sign online petitions, post on game forums, and just continue to make noises so ncsoft cannot ignore players.

Naturally this isn’t a guarantee that anything will come of the talks, but it offers hope to Paragon’s longstanding community.

(Source: Titan Network)

City of Heroes Isn’t Going Down Without A Fight


NCSoft may have announced that City of Heroes is shutting down on November 30th, but that doesn’t mean the community (or Paragon Studios for that matter) are going down without a fight. Since the announcement, the community has rallied in multiple ways, from encouraging users to write to NCSoft, setting up rallies in-game and on the official forums, and signing petitions to keep the game running. The petition has so far amassed over thirteen thousand signatures.

And Paragon Studios isn’t going down without a fight either. According to a post on the City of Heroes forum:

Alpha Wolf: Sorry guys but I don’t have any new update. I know Paragon management is having discussion with ncsoft and investors. Continue get people to sign online petitions, post on game forums, and just continue to make noises so ncsoft cannot ignore players.

Naturally this isn’t a guarantee that anything will come of the talks, but it offers hope to Paragon’s longstanding community.

(Source: Titan Network)

More MMO Kickstarters To Watch Out For


Whenever I talk about Kickstarter projects, I always do so with a simple warning: Kickstarter is a crowd-funding tool for projects that may or may not see the light of day. You are acting as investor, and should be aware that the projects you fund may run into problems and never be completed. Whenever you invest, you should be aware that you are taking a risk. With that knowledge, let’s continue:

1. Island Forge

Island Forge features classic (old-school) RPG elements, with a unique (brand-new) game design. Explore player-created islands and stories, fight creatures, craft items, and level up with a unique health-based experience system. You can meet others in town and form party expeditions to explore and fight creatures. You can also go solo to follow stories at your own pace. Choose your level of peril when setting out on each expedition, or even choose no peril. Earn resources to craft weaponry, potions, spells, and other equipment for your character.

Kickstarter Page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1391235405/island-forge-establishing-a-creative-player-commun

2. Forge

FORGE plays like a third person shooter, but with the abilities, strategy and pace of MMO PvP combat. It is built with a focus on fun and accessibility, but with the attention to detail and balance of a deep, competitive game. Whether you’re new to first person shooters and MMOs, or a veteran, FORGE will be easy to pick up yet offer much to learn as you play. FORGE places you into an epic fantasy setting, taking on the role of a warrior from a culture unlike any you’ve seen, fighting for your right to return home. FORGE is built to be enjoyable even if you have only a limited amount of game time available each night, keeping the low time requirements and ease of access of a traditional first-person-shooter (FPS). Skill is the only determining factor between victory and defeat, not whether you were able to grind out a set of armor or weapons better than your opponents.

Kickstarter Page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/166522941/forge?ref=live

3. Sidequest

With SideQuest, we’ve decided to tear down those walls and treat game ideas like they came a la carte, rather than as part of a fixed menu. We’ve taken MMO PvP and endgame elements and married them to a robust single-player campaign; we’ve taken the aesthetic and feel of classic console RPGs and leavened it with modern PC design innovations; we’ve taken Japanese aesthetics and paired them with Western narrative techniques; and we’ve crafted a deep, rich setting and populated it with absurd characters. In short, we believe that it’s possible to have your cake and eat it too.

Kickstarter Page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1460827633/sidequest?ref=live

4. Quest Fallen

Quest Fallen is an upcoming, multi-platform, massive multiplayer online role playing game for browser, Android and the upcoming Ouya console. It will feature classic top down rpg gameplay with mmo features like guilds/clans, chat/messaging and PvP arenas. There will be an extensive map to explore with multiple dungeons in the beginning. New content and quests will be continually added and updated to keep you coming back.

Kickstarter Page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ariahstudios/quest-fallen-a-retro-style-mmorpg-web-android-ouya?ref=live

TERA Merging Down To 3 Servers


Good news, TERA players. Since the MMO launched, you have created two and a half million characters, formed more than fourteen thousand guilds and over a thousand Vanarch candidates, and over three hundred fifty thousand of you newbies died on the starter island. What more, you newbies dying are precisely the reason why En Masse will be merging servers later this year. Of course I’m exaggerating. Due to low population metrics on a large number of servers, En Masse Entertainment has decided to perform a merger this fall.

But they aren’t seeing this as a bad thing:

Where some might look on this as a negative, I feel differently. By combining our servers, we facilitate a more unified community and give players a more full, alive world where finding groups, locating rare items (for lower prices!), and getting into dungeons quickly are the norm. Most importantly, combined servers will allow us to run more regular, player-focused events where we get to interact with our players.

There are plenty of plans for new content on the horizon, with player events and holiday events coming soon. The eleven current servers will be merged down to three: one of each game type (PvE, PvP, RP). Players will be required to delete characters if they have more than 8 on a server post-merge. Names will be offered on a first-come first-serve on who logs in first after the merge.

(Source: TERA)

(Also: Merger FAQ)