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Archive for November, 2009
Blizzard launches WoW Character Race Changer
Nov 25th
Want to change the race of your World of Warcraft characters? No problem, now you can do exactly that for US$ 25. Blizzard launched today the new Race Change service, which, for all intents and purposes, does exactly what its name says it does.
Don’t get all jumpy and excited yet, though. Take note that this can only be performed on an inter-faction basis. So, no, you still cannot resurrect your dead character into human.
Here are the full patch notes for the Race Change Service:
The Race Change service lets you change a character’s race to another race within their faction. The full range of customization options offered by the Character Re-Customization service is included as well. Each race change costs $25.00 USD. Things to know before you start:
- Under normal conditions, a race change should be ready immediately after rendering payment and completing the steps in this process.
- You can select a new character race only from those in the same faction that have the character’s class available. You cannot change a character’s class.
- A character’s current home city reputation level will switch values with their new home city, and their home city racial mounts will convert to those of their new More >
Funcom gives away new content, subscription rates discounted for Age of Conan
Nov 25th
Funcom’s sent out a press release today announcing the discounts they are offering for your Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures subscriptions. You asked for it, you got it.
You have three discount options to choose from: 1) 20% off on three month subscriptions, 2) 30% off on six months subscriptions, and 3) 45% off on one full year subscriptions.
Not only that, but if you take up on this offer right now, you’ll be receiving a free update that gives you three additional new Halloween quests. Here, you can even have the chance to earn a demon pet and a legendary weapon, the "Unholy Backscratcher". Veteran Points system and a high new-level dungeon are thrown in for good measure as well.
These goodies, it’s important to note, are all for free ABSOLUTELY, for all subscribers. So get it while you can. You know it’s a good one.
More info via the source link below.
Related Articles:- Funcom announces layoff, The Secret World ’extended’
Free Trials for Warhammer Online now live and unlimited
Nov 25th
Warhammer Online’s Patch 1.3.2 is out and live, and one big change implemented is that the free trials now run unlimited. It used to be that there’s a 10-day limit for the free trials.
Of course, you’re all still gonna be subject to a level cap, so don’t think you can get past Tier One content (Levels 1-10) without shelling out some dough. Coming along with this patch, too, is the New User Journey, which should streamline the first few hours of new users.
In the New User Journey, better quest rewards, visual tutorials and some other goods are awaiting for you.
WoW China woes continue: Regulatory board issues cease and desist order
Nov 25th
World of Warcraft’s operation finally resumed in China only recently, but it looks like Chinese gamers’ celebration will be short-lived. Reuters reports that a Chinese regulatory authority has filed a cease and desist order upon WoW’s Chinese licensing partner, NetEase, from continuing operations of the said game in the country.
The said regulatory body is the General Administration of Press and Publication, and they are ordering NetEase to suspend account signups. They are also demanding that the licensing company stop charging the patrons, for the reason that NetEase collected fees and allowed registrations while the game was running as an open beta back in July.
If you’ll remember, NetEase took over WoW operations in China from The9 back in July of this year. Liu Ning, a Chinese analyst, said of all this issue, "The chaos is mainly due ot the vague demarcation of responsibilities between GAPP and the Ministry of Culture. It is not yet certain what will happen — to be honest, it depends on who will finally win: GAPP or the Culture Ministry."
It is yet to be determined whether the GAPP has the authority to give a cease and desist order to NetEase in the first place.
Related Articles:
- World of Warcraft now More >
Star Trek Online boldly going to retail in February
Nov 25th
Better practice your Klingon, Star Trek fans. It turns out that "first quarter of 2010" release window that Cryptic Games gave Star Trek Online was right on the money. The upcoming MMO has been confirmed for a February release in both North America and Europe.
Eurogamer reports that Cryptic and Atari have confirmed a February 2, 2010, release for Star Trek Online in North America, which also happens to be the exact date pegged by Amazon and GameStop. Europe will get the game a few days later, on February 5.
Related articles:
NCSoft: Guild Wars 2, Blade & Soul set for 2011
Nov 25th
NCSoft has indicated that fans of its Guild Wars MMORPG may have to wait a couple more years until they get their hands on Guild Wars 2.
Jaeho Lee, NCSoft’s chief financial officer, told investors in a recent conference call that ArenaNet’s Guild Wars 2 is tracking a 2011 release along with the martial arts MMO Blade & Soul.
Lee said that the company probably won’t have any major launches next year, although closed betas for the aforementioned titles are possible.
Related articles:- GC 09: NCSoft and ArenaNet surprise with Guild Wars 2 teaser trailer premiere
Pandaren WoW pet now sold out in the US?
Nov 25th
Just a week after the in-game pets for World of Warcraft were announced, one of the two variations has apparently been sold out, just goes to show how WoW-crazy some people get. The Pandaren Monk, listed for US$ 10 on the Blizzard pet store, has now been "sold out" in the United States.
Now you have to wonder about the "sold out" part – it’s a virtual item for pete’s sake. Blizzard didn’t mention anything about the pet offerings being limited or anything, so how could they possibly run out of it? If this has anything at all to do with the fact that half the proceeds will go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, then you’d think the Pandarens would last until December 31st, when the charitable offer ends.
The Pandaren Monk is still "in stock" in Europe and Korea.
Little Kel’Thuzad is still up, although purchasing the evil Lich won’t be making donations to the Make-a-Wish Foundations. It seems by far that people want to keep beer-guzzling Pandarens as pets over frosty Liches.
Blizzard customer services reps are now looking into the matter. I’ve just checked out the US page for the Pandaren Monk, and everything seems to be fine now and the pet is More >
Subscribe to Age of Conan again and get a spot on the Secret World beta
Nov 25th
Funcom is enticing former Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures players to come back with some free game time and, if they choose to renew their subscription, a guaranteed spot on the open beta test for the upcoming MMO, The Secret World (PC, Xbox 360).
The free game lasts for two weeks and comes with a double experience boost throughout that period. A spot on the Secret World beta test, however, requires previously active players to sign up for a three-month subscription.
Here’s an overview of the different subscription schemes and the extra incentives that come with them:
- Subscribing for 1 month gives 7 days extra game time for no additional cost
- Subscribing for 3 months also guarantees a spot in open beta for The Secret World
- Subscribing for 6 months also gives a level 40 helmet with a 10% XP modifier
- Subscribing for 12 months also gives a free copy of the Rise of the Godslayer expansion
Note that the rewards in the lower-tier subscriptions are also included in the higher tiers, so if you spring for the 12-month subscription you get all of the rewards listed above.
Related articles:- Funcom gives away new content, subscription rates discounted for Age of Conan
- Funcom announces layoff, The Secret World ’extended’
Star Trek Online system specs unveiled
Nov 25th
Cryptic Studios and Atari has released the official recommended system requirements for their upcoming MMO game, Star Trek Online. Based on the specs posted on the official site, the game will require at least 1GB of RAM, 1.8 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor with 8GB disk space.
Here’s the complete list of the minimum and recommended requirements. System Requirements
- OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 Ghz or AMD Athlon X2 3800+
- Memory: 1GB RAM
- Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 / ATI Radeon X1800 / Intel HD Graphics
- Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
- DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
- HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
- Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
- Disc: 6X DVD-ROM
Recommended System Configuration
- OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
- CPU: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 5600+
- Memory: 2GB RAM+
- Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 / ATI Radeon HD 3850+
- Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
- DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
- HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
- Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
- Disc: 6X DVD-ROM
Okay, so it’s not too bad. Star Trek Online is scheduled to arrive on February 2, 2010.
Related article:
- Star Trek Online boldly going to retail in February
More >
Diablo III, unannounced MMO coming in "next few years"
Nov 25th
Although Blizzard has always been one to decline from giving out any release projections unless they’re damn sure they’ll meet it, StarCraft II’s 2010 launch seems to be firmly set in stone. Not so for Diablo III.
Kotaku reports that during an Activision Blizzard presentation in New York today, company CFO Thomas Tippl presented a slide (pic below) that put Diablo III’s release in the "next few years." The last we heard of a release date, it was set for 2011 at the soonest.
Diablo III won’t be alone in that very wide release window, however. Also mentioned in the slide are the StarCraft II expansions and an unannounced MMO.
Related articles:- QJ.NET Special Report: Diablo III PAX 2009 gameplay footage
- StarCraft II beta pushed back to 2010