Category: Editorials

DUST 514 Not Impeded By Sony Certification, Says CCP


Being an MMOFPS, the idea that CCP is releasing DUST 514 on the Playstation 3 understandably has some users worried. How would an ever-expanding and changing world react on a console where updates are notoriously held up in Sony’s certification system? CCP Senior Producer Jon Lander wants you to know that Sony’s certification will not be a problem. In fact, the developer plans on bypassing it entirely.

In an interview with Eurogamer, Jon Lander points out that the game is built with multiple systems in place to allow the addition of new items, or swapping servers around without requiring a client update.

“But if we want to do major client updates to the PS3, then we go through Sony’s usual submission process. But we do have ways of just being able to change other parts of the infrastructure as we need to.”

Additionally, this means that while DUST 514 and Eve Online may exist in the same universe (and servers), Eve Online’s updates also will not affect DUST 514 users.

DUST 514 launches (hopefully) sometime in 2012, although CCP has noted that the game will not launch until the team is satisfied.

(Source: Eurogamer)

Phantasy Star Universe Sunsetting For Good In September


While Playstation and PC users already had their experience cut short two years ago, 360 gamers who enjoy a bit of Phantasy Star Universe will be sorely disappointed to hear that the game will be shutting its last doors later this year. In an announcement on the Sega forums, Edward@Sega detailed that servers will come down September 7th, 2012, and that while “network mode” will no longer be available, Phantasy Star Universe will still be playable in single player.

This was not an easy decision but there comes a time when we must consider the level of service and support we can provide for an ongoing game, and balance those concerns against preparing for the future, and providing you with new opportunities and new experiences.

Players with subscriptions extending past September will be refunded by Microsoft on a pro-rated basis. You can read Edward’s notes and his eulogy at the link below. Phantasy Star Online 2 is due for release in Summer 2012 as a free to play title for PC, with versions out for the iOS and Android devices by the end of 2012, and a version for Playstation Vita coming in early 2013.

(Source: SCEA Forums)

Raptr 50% Off TERA Coming Soon


Raptr is a gaming service similar to Xfire, that tracks time played, achievements, and occasionally offers some great reward coupons including in-game items and coupons for peripherals and other game items. To obtain the rewards, players simply have to reach certain levels of play on a set list of games.

Last week, I mentioned that Raptr was giving away 10,000 copies of Rift as well as digital upgrades to the collector’s edition and other items. Raptr would like to remind everyone this week that a current coupon is ending soon and to get on board before it does.

If you haven’t yet picked up TERA, you can do so with a 50% coupon for the standard or collector’s edition with Raptr. To qualify, you simply need to obtain “Amateur” rating on one of the following games with the Raptr desktop client:

  • Dungeons and Dragons Online
  • Eve Online
  • Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  • Aion
  • Everquest 2
  • Diablo III
  • World of Tanks
  • Guild Wars 2
  • World of Warcraft
  • The Witcher 2
  • League of Legends
  • Starcraft II
  • Everquest
  • Rift
  • The Secret World
  • The Old Republic
  • Perfect World International
  • Lord of the Rings Online

The offer is only for players in Canada and the US. The codes will only be available until June 21st, after which any claimed code must be used before June 30th. Head over to Raptr.com to get more information:

(Source: Raptr Press Release)

Allods Online Merges To One Server


When Allods Online was running through its beta period back in 2009/2010, it was praised for the amazingly high quality of gameplay, stability, wealth of content, and prospects for future expansion. Many of us in the press were referring to it as the free to play World of Warcraft, standing high above its brethren. When the game was in beta, there was nothing short of praise from themepark fans of the game’s high quality and deep prospects for success.

Unfortunately, gPotato shot themselves in the foot early on with poor decisions in cash shop items that required players to spend money (and a considerable amount) in order to play the game properly or be able to stay competitive later on in PvP or participating in raid content.

The perfume was later removed and replaced with another, equally unpopular cash shop item which was later made free. Judging by the latest news out of Allods Online, the community has not been so forgiving. gPotato announced the merger of the last two remaining servers in North America, to one.

With one server left in North America, the future presence of Allods Online on the continent is in question. gPotato will need nothing short of a miracle (or perhaps a marketing campaign) to bring this title back from the ditch.

(Source: Allods Online)

ROBLOX Continues To Impress, Water Physics


Roblox is a game that never ends, because the community continues to find new games to create and the developers over at Roblox Corp continue to add new toys for them to play with. Roblox’s world creator allows players to create their own game types, enhanced by lua scripting and an ever-increasing number of tools.

In itself, this is more than impressive, even more so considering that the game is free. The folks at Roblox Corp sent over a press release detailing the latest tool to add to the arsenal: Water.

Roblox’s physics teram focused its implementation of water physics on clean architecture. By unifying all the relevant forces- buoyancy, water viscosity, water-flow, gravity, and other external forces – the behavior of objects and characters in water looks and feels like a natural extension of Roblox’s existing physics system.

For a kid’s game, Roblox offers a very complex and enjoyable experience.

If you would like to see our latest gallery of Roblox creations, check them out here.

38 Studios Being Investigated


It appears that dead horses just can’t go unbeaten. Not to anyone’s surprise, but 38 Studios (amidst layoffs and defaulting on payments) has formally declared bankruptcy and the story of Project Copernicus can finally come to an end, no? Wrong.

According to the Providence Journal, Col. Steve G. O’Donnell of the Rhode Island State Police made a statement that his agency, along with the FBI, US Attorney General, and the Rhode Island Attorney General are in the process of investigating 38 Studios due to activities that have recently come to light, according to the statement. The report doesn’t go into any more details.

O’Donnell was referencing the $75 million loan to 38 Studios as well as another $8 million loan from Bank RI from earlier this year.

So it seems the lid isn’t closed on 38 Studios just yet.

(Source: Providence Journal)

Kickstarter: The Repopulation


The Repopulation currently has 27 days to go (until July 2nd) and has reached nearly nine thousand of its twenty five thousand dollar goal. Sandbox MMO? You have my attention. Player-created cities ala Star Wars Galaxies? You have my money. Three faction PvP with territory conquest ala Dark Age of Camelot? You have my pledge.

The Repopulation displays itself as all about the players. Quests are generated, tailored specific to each player, with branching outcomes that alter how the world reacts to the player. Cities elect their own mayor, advancement is accomplished through a skill based system rather than overall levels, and the game has equal focus on crafting and combat.

The game will also feature engagements, similar to what you may have seen in Tabula Rasa, where (for example) enemy mobs may raze a village and burn it to the ground, resulting in the quest givers and merchants not being available.

There is a lot more to this MMO than I can explain here, and you can read up about it on the Kickstarter website.

(source: Kickstarter)

Darkfall Suspends Client Cost


Darkfall 2.0 may still be far off in the distance, but Aventurine is still working hard to bring new players into the community. In a few weeks, players will be able to get into Darkfall for the easy price of $14.99. Similar to Warhammer Online a couple years back, Aventurine is dropping the client cost in favor of simply paying for the subscription once the trial runs out.

This promotion comes with both purchasing and game play relayed changes and it will last until the launch of Darkfall 2.0. We will be removing the client purchase fee and to start playing Darkfall you will only need to pay the monthly fee. We are also preparing something that has to do with skill gains.

More in a few weeks.

(source: Darkfall Website)

Preview Upcoming RuneScape Combat Update


The beta for RuneScape’s upcoming combat change is just a few weeks away, but you can get a short preview by watching the above video. The combat preview starts about one and a half minutes into the video, and does not show any of the new interfaces or the combat ability bar, but does showcase several moves players will be able to unleash once the update goes live.

Check it out above. If you haven’t had a chance, sign up for the RuneScape combat beta, set to begin later this month.

Sony Online Entertainment Picking Up Wizardry Online


Did you ever think you’d hear the words “hardcore,” “permadeath” and “Sony Online Entertainment” in the same sentence? Hold on to your boot straps, folks, you’re in for a wild ride. Gamepot is developing Wizardry Online, a hardcore MMO featuring no less than permadeath, non-instanced dungeons, friendly fire, and player killing. What more, Gamepot is being published by Sony Online Entertainment.

Hopefully Sony will include Wizardry Online in the all access pass. More to come.