News
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Aion buckling under sheer numbers, early access floods the MMO
For those who pre-ordered NCsoft's MMO Aion you're given a head start period before the floodgates open to the public, but right now the damn is already bursting with users.
Queue times to get access to the limited server numbers have ballooned, in some cases to over seven hours, and newbie zones are understandably short on spawned monsters.
Queue times to get access to the limited server numbers have ballooned, in some cases to over seven hours, and newbie zones are understandably short on spawned monsters.
Canned Halo game might have been 'Halo Universe', hint concepts
Posted: 21.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
With Ensemble's fall went with it the Halo MMO project, which may have been called 'Halo Universe' according to contracted movie concept artist Dylan Cole's website.
The two artworks show "a city in the Halo Universe" he writes, noting it was for a scrapped project. Well at least we have a name for it, possibly, and two very pretty Halo arts.
The two artworks show "a city in the Halo Universe" he writes, noting it was for a scrapped project. Well at least we have a name for it, possibly, and two very pretty Halo arts.
CrimeCraft's Vogster reduce dev head count, "unavoidable step"
Posted: 21.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Now that independent developer Vogster's CrimeCraft MMO and work on their DS sequel is complete, the New York-based studio has announced redundancies; fat trimming.
As they're indie and venture-funded they need to be "very strategic" with resources, and they have to switch from launch to live teams to help the "development and growth" of CrimeCraft.
As they're indie and venture-funded they need to be "very strategic" with resources, and they have to switch from launch to live teams to help the "development and growth" of CrimeCraft.
Blizz offer glimpse into WoW operations, more than 5.5m code lines
Posted: 18.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 2
Frank Pearce and J Allen Brack of team Blizz have revealed some big facts behind World of Warcraft, and did so during their GDC Austin speeches. Stuff like WoW's 1.5m assets.
And that's just the art department, which has 51 peeps. Game cinematics alone employ 123 developers, with music now "over 27 hours" worth. The MMO originally had 2600 quests.
And that's just the art department, which has 51 peeps. Game cinematics alone employ 123 developers, with music now "over 27 hours" worth. The MMO originally had 2600 quests.
Dungeon Runners "just isn't profitable," NCsoft to pull the plug
Posted: 18.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
NCsoft will be tripping the kill switch for free-to-play MMO Dungeon Runners on New Year's eve, because frankly it doesn't make any money. Its continuation is "out of the question."
The game is developed by three guys, and they don't have the fiscal clout for "some ideas that could work." They'd cost too much and are "pretty risky" so server death is preferable.
The game is developed by three guys, and they don't have the fiscal clout for "some ideas that could work." They'd cost too much and are "pretty risky" so server death is preferable.
Mythic tell WAR mistakes, "suffered immensely" for "too easy" PvE
Posted: 17.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
Jeff Hickman of developer Mythic, executive producer of Warhammer Online, has told the Austin Game Developers Conference of what they regret the most in launching the MMO.
The three things that have "haunted" Mythic were making it too easy, having "little reason" enough to socialise with others, and for an in-game economy that "just missed the mark."
The three things that have "haunted" Mythic were making it too easy, having "little reason" enough to socialise with others, and for an in-game economy that "just missed the mark."
MMO tech patent suit targets Blizz, Sony, Turbine, NCSoft, Jagex
Posted: 17.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
Once more, another challenger has arisen to joust the law in a U.S. court room. It's over the technology behind the Massively Multiplayer Online game, and how it uses data.
Paltalk are issuing the suit against Turbine. To make matters worse, in 2006 they sued Microsoft over it's Halo multiplayer mechanics, with the giant settling the claim - 'validating' them.
Paltalk are issuing the suit against Turbine. To make matters worse, in 2006 they sued Microsoft over it's Halo multiplayer mechanics, with the giant settling the claim - 'validating' them.
Death Star in range October 15th, Star Wars Galaxies to close some
Posted: 16.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 2
While LucasArts announces that the long-running Star Wars MMO will be getting a touch of zombie later this year, Sony Online Entertainment announces 12 server closures.
Due to the "overwhelming success" of free character transfers to other servers, SOE will be leaving 13 left in operation. Character creation "disabled" on Alderaan-fated realms.
Due to the "overwhelming success" of free character transfers to other servers, SOE will be leaving 13 left in operation. Character creation "disabled" on Alderaan-fated realms.
Kotick says "more broad appeal" in Blizzard's new MMO project
Posted: 15.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has said that the upcoming new MMO project from Blizzard developers will be more broadly appealing, and hints at Battle.net features.
Already Blizz have confirmed numerous times that this isn't some World of Warcraft clone, and is not based on an existing franchise. Battle.net may incorporate "cash play and prize play".
Already Blizz have confirmed numerous times that this isn't some World of Warcraft clone, and is not based on an existing franchise. Battle.net may incorporate "cash play and prize play".
Dead to alarm in Star Wars Galaxies, nod to Death Troopers novel
Posted: 15.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 4
LucasArts has announced that in honour of the upcoming Death Troopers novel, which arrives October 13th, the MMO Star Wars Galaxies will come down with some undeath itself.
Players will be battling "horrific new enemies" that have been turned into zombies, through a whole new quest line series launching this fall. LucasArts pledge continued support for SWG.
Players will be battling "horrific new enemies" that have been turned into zombies, through a whole new quest line series launching this fall. LucasArts pledge continued support for SWG.
Cryptic go live with big Champions Online patch, free "full Retcon"
Posted: 11.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Developer Cryptic Studios took the superhero MMO off for a couple of hours to fire up their jumbo patch. It addresses "hot issues" and gives a free retcon to users if they want it.
A pretty big list of other tweaks have been named on the MMO site, from the mundane to the more practical - "flickering point light shadows" beats "opacity transition time" I think. Agree?
A pretty big list of other tweaks have been named on the MMO site, from the mundane to the more practical - "flickering point light shadows" beats "opacity transition time" I think. Agree?
Developer Turbine detail skirmishes for Lord of the Rings Online
Posted: 10.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
When the latest digital expansion for LOTRO arrives with Siege of Mirkwood, the MMO will be updated with a new Skirmish mode that Turbine hopes will keep replay burning.
Essentially the Skirmish mode has you and friends complete story-led objectives, with randomised secondary tasks for that fresh feeling. Each player has their own NPC soldier.
Essentially the Skirmish mode has you and friends complete story-led objectives, with randomised secondary tasks for that fresh feeling. Each player has their own NPC soldier.
EVE Online's latest injection of real life, CSM had 'insider trading'
Posted: 10.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
One thing you can't take away from CCP's EVE Online is the chance for some real bastardry, some down and dirty politics, real dodgy book keeping. What's the latest drama?
A Council of Steller Management member has 'voluntarily' resigned after having been found guilty of 'insider trading'. Adam Ridgway has been 'condemned' by the CSM, "broke the trust".
A Council of Steller Management member has 'voluntarily' resigned after having been found guilty of 'insider trading'. Adam Ridgway has been 'condemned' by the CSM, "broke the trust".
APB closed beta is "weeks rather than months" away says dev team
Posted: 08.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 3
Realtime Worlds' All-Points Bulletin MMO will be releasing on PC early next year, but not before registrants get their mitts on a closed beta session, in a virtual crime spree.
Community man Chris Collins has said it will begin in a matter of weeks now, and the beta registration process is still open. It's an open-world MMO full of guns, cars and loose morals.
Community man Chris Collins has said it will begin in a matter of weeks now, and the beta registration process is still open. It's an open-world MMO full of guns, cars and loose morals.
Turbine elated over D&D Online Unlimited's success, boon to MMO
Posted: 08.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
Officially the Dungeon's & Dragon's Online Unlimited service doesn't go live to the public until tomorrow, but micro-transactions have been a huge success already.
VIP subscribers were given a "buttload of points" to buy in-game content, but they burnt through them quickly and starting buying up more. Turbine have sold "millions more" already.
VIP subscribers were given a "buttload of points" to buy in-game content, but they burnt through them quickly and starting buying up more. Turbine have sold "millions more" already.
BioWare's Star Wars MMO with regional models, "considering it all"
Posted: 08.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 3
LucasArts' Darrell Rodriguez has given the first indications of the business model Star Wars The Old Republic might adopt, with hints the West will see monthly subscriptions.
However, regions like Asia could see a free-to-play model with micro-transactions. LucasArts see BioWare's MMO continuing "for a very long time" thanks to IP and game quality.
However, regions like Asia could see a free-to-play model with micro-transactions. LucasArts see BioWare's MMO continuing "for a very long time" thanks to IP and game quality.
Rumour-mill: SOE working casual, browser-based Star Wars MMO?
Posted: 08.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
According to "an inside source", Sony and LucasArts are partnering up again to develop a casual MMO powered by the Free Realms engine, SOE's free-to-play onliner.
The setting for this third Star Wars MMO would be the Clone Wars. Free Realms currently has over 4 million registered users, and so obviously has something to offer. Still, it's just rumour.
The setting for this third Star Wars MMO would be the Clone Wars. Free Realms currently has over 4 million registered users, and so obviously has something to offer. Still, it's just rumour.
LOTRO's Siege of Mirkwood unveils, "epic conclusion" to Volume II
Posted: 07.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Developer Turbine has revealed the next digital expansion to MMO Lord of the Rings Online, and has named it the Siege of Mirkwood, which concludes Mines of Moria.
The expansion raises the level cap to 65, has "improved responsiveness" in combat, "create and craft" custom Legendary weapons, with new Legacies and titles on offer too.
The expansion raises the level cap to 65, has "improved responsiveness" in combat, "create and craft" custom Legendary weapons, with new Legacies and titles on offer too.
Atari dismiss Turbine's "frivolous" suit as great D&D "disservice"
Posted: 04.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
No words minced, Atari have come out attacking developer Turbine for launching a suit against them, saying this would "also appear" to divert attention from obligation.
Atari have put forward a "motion to dismiss the entirety" of Turbine's lawsuit, and have filed a separate paper to "recover monies owed" to them by Turbine. They'll "vigorously protect" D&D.
Atari have put forward a "motion to dismiss the entirety" of Turbine's lawsuit, and have filed a separate paper to "recover monies owed" to them by Turbine. They'll "vigorously protect" D&D.
Funcom lift lid on The Secret World's societies, has beta giveaway
Posted: 04.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
The upcoming MMO, set in real world locations like London and New York, has just had some of its secrets spilled by developer Funcom. Plus there's a chance for some beta.
The Secret World is a class-free and level-free MMO, mired in urban myth and shady religious, corporate and political dealings. A personality test could earn you access to beta. Beta!
The Secret World is a class-free and level-free MMO, mired in urban myth and shady religious, corporate and political dealings. A personality test could earn you access to beta. Beta!
Posted: 21.09.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0