Category: Editorials

He Who Snoozes…


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I must admit, I misread the reception to Champions Online. Although I knew the game had a big calling, I didn’t think that players would buy up the game’s $60 six month packages, and $200 lifetime subscriptions so fast, even if they promised a few exclusive costumes, not to mention a guaranteed spot in the Star Trek Online Closed Beta later this year, especially not before the end of the beta today (Yes, I was wrong. The beta was extended one day).

So I’ll start out with my apologies to Cryptic for underestimating such an early reception to the game. Those of you who, after much deliberation, decided upon buying one of the two limited time subscriptions today will find that your limited time has run out. Just yesterday, Cryptic announced that they only had one thousand lifetime and five hundred six month subscriptions available. In less than a day, all of those fifteen hundred subscriptions went flying out the door (One six month to yours truly), much faster than even Cryptic had anticipated.

A word from Cryptic, and more information after the break.

Continue reading “He Who Snoozes…”

Champions Online End-Beta Shots


Overtop view of Mega-Destructoid
Overtop view of Mega-Destructoid

Continue reading “Champions Online End-Beta Shots”

Fallen Earth Shot: Prairie Chickens


Dibs on the hand meat!
Dibs on the hand meat!

This screenshot comes from the Fallen Earth beta, and answer the question: Can your average prairie chicken become more cuddly after being exposed to mutagenics? I’m reminded of the Squig from Warhammer Online, but who can say no to a chicken with working thumbs?

The only question yet to be answered: Who brought the barbecue sauce? I have about 100 chicken legs stashed away in my bank, all of which will go to waste if Icarus doesn’t add barbecue sauce by the time the game goes live.

Champions Online Beta Event


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The Champions Online beta goes down tonight at 11:59pm Pacific, 3am Eastern. As an end of beta even, Cryptic is beaming robots down to Milennium City for players to fight before the servers go down later tonight. Help the fight against Destructoid’s robots, including the massive Mega Destructoids. Players who aid in the fight against Mega Destructoids will receive special perks and items that will be available at launch, including exclusive Mega Destructoid action figures.

As of this publishing, the servers are down in preparation for the event. The beta is open to all, and the game goes live September 1st with a few days head start for preorders from a few stores. Watch out for the Destroyer clones!

Fallen Earth Open Beta Now Open



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If Elves just aren’t cutting it, and the idea of hitting hotkey after hotkey just doesn’t tickle your fancy anymore, you might want to give Fallen Earth a try. In this dismal, postapocalyptic Grand Canyon, it is your job to help the warring factions, find new technology, increase your stats, and fight mutated clones. Fallen Earth is a game with no levels, an in-depth stat system, an action oriented combat system with 3rd and 1st person combat, and a wide variety of enemies, allies, and items. So sit down, grab yourself some delicious rat meat, and go on some last minute bug hunting.

Fallen Earth is now accepting everyone and anyone into its closed beta. Head over to Fileplanet to sign up and receive your key, whether you’re a subscriber of fileplanet or not. Fallen Earth launches on September 15th, with preorders gaining early access on September 9th.

http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/fallen-earth/

Stargate Worlds Continuing Development


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The little MMO that could, Stargate Worlds has gathered quite the following. Not the massive scale of Aion or World of Warcraft, but quite an impressive following. I’ve been somewhat reluctant to talk about the title because, up until this point, it appeared that the prospects for this game were bleaker than the cancelled Halo and Harry Potter MMOs. Last year the company faced lawsuits over unpaid wages, as well as the departure of some key figureheads.

Well it appears Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment will be continuing on with the Stargate ship, as according to a post on MMORPG.com, they have received funding from investors.

“Things are actually very good here right now. We received some funding commitments that will provide financing over time and allow us to move forward with development and start catching up on our past due financial obligations, including some back payroll that we paid last week.”

Unfortunately, I still can’t say I have high hopes for Stargate Worlds coming to completion. When the Executive Producer jumps ship, it’s generally a bad sign. My prediction is that, unless CME becomes acquired by a big name publisher/developer like NCSoft or Sony Online Entertainment, this ship’s going to capsize very quickly.

Stargate Worlds is currently accepting registrants for the closed beta. Check it out at: http://www.stargateworlds.com/

Fallen Earth Delayed


Fallen Earth has been delayed six days to a September 15th launch, in order to iron out more bugs and optimizations, as well as graphics improvements.

“We’ve seen a lot of new beta testers online recently and we’ve gotten insight into things that need to be tweaked,” said Colin Dwan, project manager for Fallen Earth. “Our primary concern is making sure game play experience is as smooth as possible on launch day.”

Those who have preordered will still gain early access on September 9th.

WoW: Cataclysm Trailer


Excuse me while I go and resubscribe.

Final Fantasy XIV: Running, Not Jumping


The more I read about Final Fantasy XIV, the more strange quirks I find in the game. Square certainly looks to stab the conventional MMO in the heart yet again with this title, and changes not only from Final Fantasy XI, but other traditional MMOs leave us with a myriad of thoughts, ranging from cool to…what?  Continue reading “Final Fantasy XIV: Running, Not Jumping”

WoW: Coming Soon To a Mag Rack Near You


500x_magazine_logoThe question: Can Blizzard capitalize even more on the success of World of Warcraft? The Answer: Of course they can!

World of Warcraft: The Magazine will be sold as a quarterly issue with the option of one or two year subscriptions. The first issue will focus on WoW’s upcoming fifth year anniversary.  A panel of journalists will work on the magazine, offering player insights, insider insight, and more.

So when do we start seeing vanity pet codes and other in-game goodies? Look for WoW to be hitting your mailbox possibly later this year.