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Archive for February, 2010
Man in the middle attacks circumventing authenticators
Feb 28th
It has been brought to our attention that Blizzard’s technical support department is currently handling a security exploit that is, in a limited capacity, circumventing authenticators. Before we get into the details, please do not panic. This does not make authenticators worthless, and it is not yet a widespread problem. Do not remove your authenticator because of this, and do not base your decision on whether or not to buy an authenticator off of this. They are still very useful, and your account is much safer with an authenticator than it is without one.
This is not the only report of this that we’ve seen, but it is the first time that a Blizzard representative has openly acknowledged that there is something afoot. For a full account of what happened, check the thread on the EU Technical Support forums. To sum up: There is a piece of malware (emcor.dll is what is being reported at the moment) that is being used as a hijacking tool to facilitate Man-in-the-Middle attacks on users.
Kropaclus
After looking into this, it has been escalated, but it is a Man in the Middle attack. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-in-the-middle_attack
This is still perpetrated by key loggers, and no method is always 100% secure. More >
New race/class combos will not be live before Cataclysm
Feb 28th
In a very short answer, the devs confirmed in the recent Twitter developer chat that the new race and class combinations will not go live until Cataclysm itself goes live. In a way, this isn’t too much a surprise. Despite some rumors to the contrary, we didn’t get death knights until the first day of Wrath, and we had to wait for Burning Crusade to play draenei and blood elves. So with that in mind, it makes sense that we have to wait until the last possible moment for yet another new breed of player characters.
That said, it is probably true that the new race/class combinations are a bit different from the examples above. After all, they simply take existing races and existing classes and put them together, so it might seem that it wouldn’t be too hard to just turn them on.
Continue reading New race/class combos will not be live before Cataclysm
Customisation and Party Castle
Feb 28th
Customisation and Party Castle
By Aeskor Aeskor is a games enthusiast with a strong opinion. He has previously worked as a freelance games journalist writing articles.
Character customisation varies a lot from MMO to MMO. Some customisation is truly terrible and limits your options so much that you’re bound to run into about five other characters identical to yours throughout your travels, per hour. This is a total immersion killer, and can really break the bond the player has with their character.
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On the other hand, there are a few games out there (Aion for instance) where the customisation is extremely detailed and allows for a very personal, in-depth portrayal of your character, which is fantastic, however; you’re still limited by the boundaries set in place by the sliders (the bars you slide from left to right to increase your arm/leg/eyebrow size) etc.
Some people like a lot of customisation (like myself), but there are a lot of people who would prefer to just jump into the game with a premade avatar and, that’s fine too. A friend of mine groans and carries on whenever I spend more than five minutes customising my avatar and getting ready to start a new life in an More >
Lo mejor de la semana XXX
Feb 28th
Esta semana que dejamos atrás tiene varias noticias muy interesantes entre ellas el nacimiento de una empresa y la bancarrota de otra, pasando por un buen video del estado de Tera Online, así como numerosas expansiones de contenido para diversos juegos. A continuación los destacados:
- Nuevo video de Tera Online que nos muestra el “Making of..”
- Modo de un jugador para S4League que nos permitirá jugar en los momentos que no tengamos con quién y misiones cooperativas.
- Expansiones para Sword of New World (Granado Espada), Archlord con su nuevo Episodio y Silkroad el cual incluye en su futura expansión el idioma Español.
- Nace una nueva empresa de MMOs, En Masse Entertainment y Cheyenne Mountain se declara en banca rota.
- Lanzado Canaan el nuevo MMO Flash de Gpotato.
- Y para finalizar la beta cerrada de Mytheon y la beta abierta de Dungeon Bandits.
Esperemos que la semana que viene tengamos más y mejores noticias.
Runes of Magic will be at GDC San Francisco
Feb 28th
From March 11th – 13th, Frogster will for the first time give a look at Runes of Magics third chapter at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. The Berlin-based MMO publisher and its North American subsidiary, Frogster America, will be at booth 859 in the Moscone Center presenting first features of Chapter III The Elder Kingdoms which is scheduled for release this May in seven languages. Frogster will also be announcing a new product to expand the RoM universe into a new business field at the international developers conference. The Elder Kingdoms, upcoming extensive expansion of Frogsters successful MMORPG, Runes of Magic, will integrate a new continent into the popular fantasy world based on a new zone concept with unusually vast play areas. In addition to these new regions, a new PvP battleground and challenging new instances in the third chapter, players will be able to push their fighting skills to the limit by taking part in enormous battles between guild castles that include siege weaponry and up to 150 players per side.
Read here all you need to know about Runes of Magic. And visit its official website.
Combat Arms: weapons update
Feb 28th
Combat Arms added some great new weapons to the arsenal for its latest update. The more than three million registered soldiers have three new weapons to choose from – the AA-12 Shotgun, M417 SB machine gun and M93 Hornet Mine. There are also some new features for how players can acquire rare weapons and retain them for longer periods.
Before this update, players would use real money to get NX Cash and purchase weapon-specific supply cases. Now, players can purchase Supply Crates with NX Cash (MYST-N) or with in-game currency, Gear Points (MYST-G). These crates offer soldiers an opportunity to acquire any rare weapon in the game and allow players to bypass rank requirements for weapons. Rare weapons sold for GP can now be unlocked by higher-ranked soldiers, instead of being available only through supply cases.
The game also added a Weapon Renewal Kit, which allows players to extend the duration of their weapon from one day to getting a permanent duration. No longer do players have to worry about their favorite weapon expiring. And to thank players who waited during the extended maintenance, Combat Arms is offering a double EXP event this weekend. Players will also enjoy the celebration of Machine Gun Month during More >
GodsWar: new version details
Feb 28th
When the newest version of GodsWar Online goes live on March 5, players will have plenty to sink their teeth into. Among the additions already announced, are a new mount system, overhauled character graphics and moves, and an extra 10 levels added to the cap. With these improvements and so much more coming, version 2.0 promises to be a hit with new and veteran players alike.
New Mount System In version 2.0, a brand new mount system makes its debut. All players Level 40 and above will be able to ride through the cities of ancient Greece in luxury. Intended to enhance players gameplay experience, whether running errands or during PvP, the mount system offers greater convenience and more than a little bit of fun.
Character Overhaul In the new version, all characters received a makeover. Featuring higher-quality graphics for both a characters appearance and their equipment, players will see the fruits of this overhaul as soon as they log in. With new action moves, combat will feel faster and more exciting.
Level Cap Upgrade The level cap will increase from the current Level 120 to Level 130 in version 2.0. The additional levels allow players to increase their characters Max HP, and more importantly, More >
[Part 2]Tera 3rd Closed Beta Test Updated Details Preview
Feb 28th
Go here for [Part 1]Tera 3rd Closed Beta Test Updated Details Preview
We have previewed the new characters and skills that have been added to Tera’s third closed beta test. Today we will continue to this topic and see more about the 3rd CBT’s new contents.
Some systems will change
In the third CBT, TERA will introduce some new systems, one of which is the auction system.
Like that in most games, this system will allow players to trade through auction and enable players to sell own items or to buy other players’ items instantly.1
Players once complained that it was difficult to team up in the second CBT. In view of this problem, TERA will be added a team matching system. The teaming requirements will be shown on the billboard at the gate of each village and the system will automatically choose qualified players. However, the team matching system which will be released in the third CBT hasn’t been done perfectly, so TERA developers will improve it later.
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The real-time instances will be made available in the third CBT as well, where players have to team up to explore and win rewards through defeating a group of Bosses. Participants will gain extra gaming fun More >
How to Kill an MMOG
Feb 28th
How to Kill an MMOGBy AllanThough a grizzled, old veteran donning war-torn robes and a gnarled staff in the MMOG scene, Allan is more like a level 5 squire in a simple tunic wielding a tin blade when it comes to the realm of writing articles. Nevertheless, he is here to train his typing fingers and bring you news and interesting perspectives on things you might not have known you even cared about.
I think this is something we all fall victim to: there is an MMOG out there that we just want to see die. Their ever-growing success leaves this bitter taste in our mouths, and suddenly everything tastes disgusting in our lives. But to compensate, a near-insatiable urge to kill rises within us, satisfied only by the demise of the source inflicting this desire unto us.
But how to down such a formidable foe? The typical torch and pitchfork approach isn’t enough to topple this beast; first we must understand how it thrives, how it perpetuates its disdainful venture unharmed with age. I believe I have tapped into its source of power. I will offer suggestions to fell this beast and cast it into the depths of obscurity.
Strike From More >
Around Azeroth: We are not amused
Feb 28th
You know, I don’t know what you think is so hilarious here. My horns are within the acceptable range of horn size for male draenei of my age and social status. The appendages you are making your inappropriate comments about are merely an illusion created by my shoulder pads. Now can we please be quiet and go on with our quests, or shall I be forced to smite you about the head with my fists of elemental fury? I swear, it’s like grouping with children these days. (Thanks to Klute of <Loyalty> on Cenarius for the screenshot!)
Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We’d love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next!
Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word “Azeroth” in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing — use alt-Z to remove it. More >