Category: News

Derek Smart Explains Line of Defense EA Fees


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3000AD recently revealed that Line of Defense is set to launch under Steam’s early access program at the rather hefty sum of $99 for the package. Derek Smart took to Twitter to explain the pricing as an insurance policy that only those interested in bug testing join, and that “freeloaders” are weeded out.

We’re a SMALL independent game dev making a MASSIVE game in a genre dominated and monopolized by SOE and their popular @planetside2 series. In contrast, from start to finish, LOD was developed by less than ten people. Including third-party contractors. Yeah. And unlike those other guys, we don’t take your money, then plonk you in useless assets (how do you like that hanger now?), a largely unfinished product or a product that may not even see the light of day. I don’t even need to defend against that premise; go look at my game releases. While they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, we still keep making them because we have and know our audience.

Smart also announced that Line of Defense will be adding in playable female characters.

(Source: Twitlonger)

MMOrning Shots: It's Destiny


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Today’s MMOrning Shot comes to us from Bungie, more specifically their upcoming shooter Destiny. You can check out the open alpha or pre-order to get into the open beta starting next month.

Pre-order MMOrning Shots every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Square Enix Posts Fiscal Year Results


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Square Enix has posted their financial results for the fiscal 2014 year ending March 31, 2014. In addition to a nearly five percent rise in net sales over the previous year, Square Enix also reports a 10.5 billion yen operating income ($100 million, approximately) compared to last year’s 6 billion yen loss. The boost in operating income is attributed to favorable sales from the Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, as well as continued success from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

(Source: Polygon)

Old School RuneScape Gets New School Skill


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Old School RuneScape isn’t simply about allowing disgruntled players to relive the golden days of the past, since its introduction earlier this year the offshoot has gone in a rather separate direction from its New School counterpart. Thanks to a content system where updates are suggested and then voted on by the community, with nothing making its way in unless the majority say yes, Old School RuneScape has seen a few content updates from past its time, like optional hud improvements and even the god wars dungeon and godswords. The players even managed to vote in content that never existed back in the day, like new items and interfaces and even a new skill.

Designed by a member of the community and voted on by players, the Artisan skill is a bit like a craftsman’s take on slayer, where a slayer master gives assignments to kill certain creatures. In Artisan, an artisan master gives assignments to craft specific items in return for experience, the benefit being that you level in any related skills simultaneously. Players will be able to craft creature idols which, when burned, offer combat boosts. Players will also be able to learn how to craft special items that boost other skills, like cooking better quality food or new clothing.

You can check it all out at the dev blog below.

(Source: Old School RuneScape)

Line of Defense Early Access Coming July


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As far as the massively multiplayer FPS goes, Planetside pretty much has the market both cornered and monopolized. Happily, that is about to change as 3000AD has announced the first beta phase of Line of Defense will go live next month on PC. Line of Defense will make its debut on Steam early access with only certain features unlocked at the outset. As early access progresses, more features will be added in.

Line of Defense will debut for $99 for the early access package, granting access to the game as well as the Tactical Advancement Level IV pack (a $70 value) as well as other early access perks and a copy of Line of Defense: Tactics, a strategy companion game released earlier this year. If you don’t feel like getting in early, Line of Defense will eventually be available under a free to play hybrid model.

Check it out at the official website.

(Source: 3000AD press release)

E3 2014: FFXIV A Realm In Peril Trailer


Square Enix has revealed the latest trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The trailer details some of the content coming in Patch 2.3, focusing on the return of the primals, summoned by the various beast tribes that inhabit Eorzea. Players will face off against classic primals, including Garuda, Titan, Leviathan, Ramuh, and Shiva. In addition, Naoki Yoshida will be conducting a live show from the E3 floor around 4pm EST today (6/11) to answer questions and details about the upcoming 2.3 patch.

For now, check out the trailer above.

Less Massive: Origin Sale Up To 70% Off


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Electronic Arts has announced a giant sale on Origin with prices up to 70% off. The sale runs until June 16th and covers a wide variety of games and DLC packs, including both Titanfall and Battlefield 4 for 50% off their regular price. You can even get The Secret World for 50% off, so what are you waiting for?

Check it out.

H1Z1 My Evil Ways E3 Trailer


Sony Online Entertainment has released the latest trailer for H1Z1, titled ‘My Evil Ways.’ The animations look a little chunky and are more than likely unfinished. The video explains that H1Z1 will be released in early access on Steam, as well as being released on PS4. Sony’s E3 press conference later today will offer more gameplay.

(Source: SOE Press Release)

Black Watchman ARG Falls Short of Goal


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The Black Watchmen was an experiment set up to become the first permanent ARG, set to launch in September and crowdfunded through MMORPG.com. Unfortunately, the drive came short of its $100,000 goal, and as a result all donations will be refunded.

To all agents,

We managed an incredible mobilization here, we’ve raised $ 54,362 with a common goal: to create the first ever Persistant ARG. Hopes where high when a couple of players, through word of mouth, helped us to get nearer our goal from 35% to 39% in ONLY one night. We had the chance to meet people as dedicated as we were to the project and we wish to give a big thank you to everyone who stood by our side until the end.

We also wish to give a special thanks to Robert Bannon and the Paradigm Symposium; who pledged $5,000 for a real life mission and to also offer a booth so we could recruit player at the next convention
Unfortunately, rules are rules, and we will start the refund of all pledges. In the next 7 to 10 days, you should expect a full refund if you were with Crowdtilt, and a small fee (2.5%) deducted from your refund if you pledged via PayPal.

(Source: MMORPG.com)

Go Back And Revisit Old Events In Guild Wars 2


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To date, Arenanet has introduced more than two dozen living world updates to Guild Wars 2. The feature is great, for those of you who can keep up with it. For others, missing a week or two due to real world obligations or simply taking a hiatus means missing out on rewards and the world’s ongoing evolution. Thankfully this is set to change for (most) affected players. Beginning with the launch of Season 2 on July 1st, as long as a player is able to log in during the two week period, they are able to “bank” the living world to return to at any time after. If you aren’t able to log in during the period, you are still able to access the content for a small fee of in-game currency.

“The Living World exists to drive the story of Guild Wars 2 forward and create a sense of speculation, wonder, and intrigue around the world of Tyria and its characters. We want to create the feeling that anything in Tyria can change and get players looking forward to what might happen next. A natural system that provides story and context for these changes makes sense when we regularly expand the experiences in our game”.

Season 1 will not be included at the launch of the new journal, as it was not built with the journal in mind, but Arenanet hopes to add it in at some point in the future. Season 2 will move away from the concept of meta-achievements entirely, replaced with story-mode achievements accompanied by open world event achievements with each step.

(Source: Arenanet Press Release)