Tag: Turbine

Dungeons and Dragons Online Going Free To Play August


Just replace September with August.

I know what you’re asking: Omali! Dungeons and Dragons Online is already free to play! To which I answer: Not in Europe. No, for the past ten months or so North American players have been enjoying the freshly free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online, while our compatriots over the ocean have not. When Turbine’s title went into cash-shop-freemium mode this past September, the dungeon crawler saw an enormous revival both in players and revenue. Since then, Turbine has added yet another server, and has seen increases in revenue in the triple digits.

This fall, not to be out of line with a few other developers, Turbine is taking back Dungeons and Dragons Online in Europe, from the current publisher Codemasters (this is not the first time Codemasters has lost their rights to an MMO), where the title will be reworked and re-released under the Eberron Unlimited title. I don’t think many people should be surprised at this, given the recent introduction of Warner Bros. into the workplace, as well as Europe’s transition being in the cards for some time now.

Turbine is promising that the transition will go as smoothly as possible, hopefully even more smoothly since the transition has already happened once. Dungeons and Dragons Online is currently the third most played MMO in the US, according to NPD Group.

More on Dungeons and Dragons Online as it appears.

Checking In On The BBB


A Bureau For Better Business

Earlier this year I started Checking In With The Better Business Bureau, a segment talking about the consumer protection group with no authority. Back in February I checked up on a few MMO developers to see their scores, and this time I want to go more in depth on each company and their score.

For those of you who have forgotten or do not live in the United States, the Better Business Bureau is an independent organization that fields complaints and offers the company a chance to respond. The idea is to create a web of trusted businesses where people can check what is being complained about and how the company reacts to those complaints. When it comes to your score, a business can maintain a good score if they respond in a way that pleases the BBB.

Blizzard: B

  • Blizzard’s score has plummeted from February’s A+ rating. The BBB’s explanation is as follows:
  • “Recent complainants allege the company closed accounts on 130,000 users without providing notice, and accused them of using “hack” techniques to cheat on gaming. Most of these complainants deny any illegal usage, and in some cases, they challenge the company to provide them some proof of the alleged violation. The company responds in some cases concerning faulty servers by advising that new servers installed should remedy the problem. The company addressed a few complaints regarding account terminations by issuing the same letter in each instance of complaint, accusing the complainant of cheating, lying or using hack programs.”

Cryptic Studios: C+

  • Cryptic’s rating has remained steady since April, and the BBB has some kinder words for them than Blizzard.
  • “Our complaint history for this company shows that the company responded to and gave proper consideration to most complaints. However, more than one complaint is unresolved meaning the company failed to properly address the complaint allegations or their response was inadequate.”

EA/Mythic/Bioware: A

  • Technically lumped into EA, the BBB scores Electronic Arts with an A.
  • “When considering complaint information, please take into account the company’s size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm’s responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.”

Funcom: A+

  • Funcom is maintaining their A+, with surprisingly few complaints in the past year. The BBB had this to say:
  • “BBB had previously identified a pattern of complaints concerningcustomer service issues. The company discussed with BBB in October 2008 ways to correct the cause of the customer complaints. Complaints have decreased in volume since the meeting.”

Gala-Net: F

  • For those of you unaware, Gala-Net is gPotato, publisher for such games as Allods Online and Aika Online.
  • “Our complaint history for this company shows that the company responded to and gave proper consideration to most complaints. However, more than one complaint is unresolved meaning the company failed to properly address the complaint allegations or their response was inadequate.”

Jagex: C-

  • This is based off of one complaint.

NCsoft: B-

  • NCsoft is up, from a C- to a B-. According to the BBB, this is due to a few unanswered complaints:
  • Based on BBB files, NCsoft Corporation has a BBB Rating of B- on ascale from A+ to F.
  • Reasons for this rating include:
  • Failure to respond to 5 complaints filed against business.

Sony Online Entertainment: A

  • Most of the complaints, according to the BBB, are from people who forget to cancel their trial accounts.
  • “Consumer complaints received by the BBB allege difficulty in using this company’s online gaming service and being over billed or billed after they cancel the trial offer. In response to these consumer complaints, Sony indicates that some of their games may come with a limited number of days of game-play with purchase of the game software…”

Square Enix: A

  • Along with Sony, score remains in place.
  • “Our complaint history for this company shows the company gave proper consideration to complaints presented by the Bureau.”

Turbine Inc. : A+

  • Technically now part of Warner Brothers.
  • The BBB had nothing of interest to note.

A few companies on the list slipped in the past couple of months, most notably Blizzard over that mass ban. I guess it depends on how these companies view the non-authority of the BBB that dictates their reactions.

More on the BBB in three months when I follow up this article.

Twisted Pixel MMO: Not Really That Hush Hush

An upcoming Turbine MMO is inconspicuously referenced by contractor Twisted Pixel Games.


I thought you said Twisted Pixel...

Dear Twisted Pixel,

Saying that you are working on a secret MMO for Turbine, on your list of games no less, qualifies it as “no longer a secret.” Over on their website, Twisted Pixel Games has listed that they have just finished a contract with Turbine over a console-based MMO of no specific genre or IP. I’ve talked before about Turbine’s stated interest in a console MMO, despite a lack of information whatsoever other than Turbine’s interest in a console MMO.

Well at least we know that the Turbine Console MMO is official. Only thing to wait for now is a name, a theme, a genre, a payment model, a release date, cash shop, control scheme, which consoles, and a few other minor details. My only question is: I wonder what part TPG had in the development, and how far it is from release?

Looking forward to more news on the Turbine Console MMO.

Double The Turbine Points: In Plain English


Very Important Player

If you are, or have been, a VIP player on Dungeons and Dragons Online, you already know how the system works: In addition to the normal perks of being a VIP player, you are given 500 Turbine points a month as something of an allowance. These extra points can go towards anything that the VIP program itself does not give, be it mercenaries or other perks.

From now until August 10th, VIP’ers will receive double the monthly alloted, one thousand points, to spend on their liking, and I found a number of people were confused as to how this will work out.

I receive my points on:

  • Before June 11th: You will receive your double points in July and in August. Your points for June will have already been deposited.
  • After June 11th: You will receive double your points this month, double your points next month, and August will be back to normal.

So those of you with current subscriptions will receive two months worth of double points, no matter what part of the month your subscription renews.

If you are not a VIP member of Dungeons and Dragons Online, you have until July 11th to enjoy two months of VIP, otherwise those who subscribe after July 11th will only receive one month.

Hopefully when Lord of the Rings Online goes free to play this year, we may see a similar promotion. This promotion does not include regular players buying their points.

Play Lord of the Rings Online, Free Forever…


Defeat Sauron my lord.

Get your defibrillator and heart medication out, and take a seat. In a move that will no doubt send shock-waves through the industry, Turbine has announced that Lord of the Rings Online is going free-to-play, following the system of Dungeons and Dragons Online. Starting this fall, players in Europe and North America will have access to the game for free, no subscription.

“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise’s expansive adventure story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO free-to-play, giving a wide range of players the opportunity to experience the game, We are focused on expanding our game franchises onto new digital platforms to maximize quality experiences for gamers worldwide and LOTRO’s new model is a great leading example of this.”
-Jeff Junge, Warner Bros

From my understanding, the original Lord of the Rings game will be available for free, with expansions sold much like Dungeons and Dragons Online’s adventure packs, alongside convenience items, quest packs, and more. Or, buy VIP access and get hold of everything plus a nominal allowance of Turbine points, for a flat monthly fee! According to the announcement, up to level 50 is free.

More on Lord of the Rings Online as it appears.

Put Your Money Episode #1: ________ Station Pass


Back in January I asked a pretty simple question: Since Sony has had so much success with the Station Pass, an offer where players can pay the fee of two MMOs to gain access to eight (previously nine) MMOs, why don’t we see more packages where developers or publishers bundle together MMOs to increase subscriber numbers and population?

Put Your Money is my response to people who have been asking me just that: Put my money where my mouth is. If I’m soooo smart, then maybe I should come up with some deals. And deals I have come up with. I give to you, my ideal picks for what individual Turbine, Mythic, Cryptic (above), NCsoft, and Funcom. My goal was to hit a price with reasonable savings, while at the same time reasonable cost, with regards to number of games and their individual subscription price (as not all games have the same price). I did not include any upcoming games.

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Asheron's Call Graphics Upgrade: Terrain!


Turbine may just be the master of aloof announcements. In a thread titled “Oh by the way…” Community Manager Frelorn simply had this to say:

“Guess what?”

followed by three pictures of an upcoming graphics update to the ten year old Asheron’s Call, one of which you see above.

An important note to remember is that the engine is not being changed, and a lot of limitations are still in place, namely the inability to have moving water (water will still be a static texture).

Turbine is aiming for before November for the update, before the big November update, with the idea that ‘sooner is better.’ Asheron’s Call continues to have a small, yet relatively healthy community, despite being one of the oldest MMOs still remaining on the market, and still receives regular large updates.

Despite its limitations, Asheron’s Call is still worth a look, and a two week trial can be enjoyed, with the client costing approximately ten dollars.

More on Asheron’s Call as it appears.

Asheron’s Call Graphics Upgrade: Terrain!


Turbine may just be the master of aloof announcements. In a thread titled “Oh by the way…” Community Manager Frelorn simply had this to say:

“Guess what?”

followed by three pictures of an upcoming graphics update to the ten year old Asheron’s Call, one of which you see above.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

An important note to remember is that the engine is not being changed, and a lot of limitations are still in place, namely the inability to have moving water (water will still be a static texture).

Turbine is aiming for before November for the update, before the big November update, with the idea that ‘sooner is better.’ Asheron’s Call continues to have a small, yet relatively healthy community, despite being one of the oldest MMOs still remaining on the market, and still receives regular large updates.

Despite its limitations, Asheron’s Call is still worth a look, and a two week trial can be enjoyed, with the client costing approximately ten dollars.

More on Asheron’s Call as it appears.

Dungeons and Dragons Online: TV Advertisement


Quick, Someone Get This Demon 3D Glasses!

Television advertisement is a barrier that few MMOs break if their names are not World of Warcraft, so it’s good to see Turbine’s Dungeons and Dragons on the semi-big screen.

Warner Brothers Owns Turbine Now


Not just a slang term.

Warner Brothers has been on a spending spree this week, and their latest acquisition? Turbine Inc, in case you didn’t read the title. I won’t say much about Warner Brothers, considering they own virtually my entire childhood, but my favorite part of acquisitions always comes from the press releases, where both the purchaser and the purchased have a chance to perform the introductory sniffing.

“Turbine is a leader in online entertainment and a strong strategic fit for Warner Bros. as we continue to broaden our games portfolio and development capabilities,” said Kevin Tsujihara, president, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “Turbine’s renowned online game development and publishing expertise will help us develop additional online product offerings, while also providing us with new and innovative ways to market and communicate with our consumers.”

And…Turbine?

“We have been looking to expand access to our online worlds to more players and more markets,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO, Turbine, Inc. “This acquisition is very exciting because it allows us to expand globally while continuing to focus on creating spectacular online games that our loyal fans and players have come to expect.”

The technically-no-longer-independent studio has a point! According to the press release, Warner Bros hopes to utilize Turbine’s experience in a pay-wall free cash shop to introduce new features to give people incentives to hold on to their games, such as charging people for upgrades to movie-themed games to update the title to correspond with the movie. Yes, what they are proposing is essentially a new name on DLC, but it is the thought that counts.

“The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online have both been an enormous success for Turbine and we look forward to working with their talented development team to continue creating award-winning online games.”

Yes, thank you Warner Bros! By the way, how much did Warner Bros pay for Turbine? You guessed it, $160 million, including sums to be paid to shareholders if they meet financial requirements over the next few years.