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DC Universe Online: Update 9: Assemble for Battle Detailed
Jan 30th
The DC Universe Online team has posted an outline of Update 9: Assemble for Battle. The date for the update's deployment is not available but it looks to bring some great new content and features into the game.
- Novice Raids: Raids featuring the Fortress of Solitude, the Batcave, and the Kahndaq raids that will be available for players of all gear and skill levels.
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Role Optional Alerts: In order to get players into raids as quickly as possible, players can opt to be informed about raid groups forming that do not require specific roles. These groups will be treated to a Team Buff:
- If you don't have a Tank, everyone will take less damage overall. That doesn't mean you're all tanks – you'll have to work together to survive – but you'll have a fighting chance.
- If you don't have a Healer, any Controller or Damage character will trigger a small amount of regeneration when your health dips below a certain point. If you're a Tank, you'll always have some regeneration.
- If you don't have a Controller, everyone will get varying amounts of additional power periodically.
You can read the full Update 9 details on the DC Universe Online site.
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Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning: New Version Goes Live
Jan 30th
The Warhammer Online team has announced that v1.4.5 has been deployed. The Warhammer Herald has a highlights list that goes into detail about the most significant changes.
- Relics: Players can search tunnels under fortresses to find arcane relics.
- Fortresses have, because of the new relics, become "strategic footholds for realms to invade and defend.
- Grovod Cavern has returned to the game. Players duke it out underground.
- Scenario Shake Up: Some scenarios are headed into the vault for now while others have had a tier change and yet others are returning to the game with some minor changes. All of the alterations to the scenarios were made in response to player feedback.
Read the full post on the Warhammer Online site.
Warhammer Online: Version 1.4.5 Goes Live – 01/31
Jan 30th
Greetings! We will be bringing all North American and European servers offline tomorrow, January 31st 2012, at 8:00 AM EST (14:00 CET) for the deployment of Game Update 1.4.5. At this time we anticipate that all servers will be back online no later than 3:00 PM EST (21:00 CET).
As always, please be sure to check the Herald for updates regarding this downtime.
Highlights of 1.4.5 include:Relics
The impact of the recent Skaven invasion has been felt far and wide across the land. The increased tunneling and incursions have uncovered a series of hidden tunnels below the Fortresses in all of the home lands. Within these forgotten tunnels laid Relics of a bygone era, imparted with a power that can affect the entire realm. These relics represent a force that neither side wish for the other to hold and as such they have been locked up tight within their respective fortresses. New deployments and camps of defenders are available to assist the stalwart in guarding their relics. With the hint of power and whispers of how the Relics call out to each other across the land, the race is on to capture and hold these objects of power!
Fortresses
With the discovery of relics of More >
Rift: Big Changes to PvP with 1.7
Jan 30th
The Rift dev team has posted a new blog article outlining some of the most significant changes coming to PvP when v1.7 is deployed.
Here are the things the blog post details:
- Prestige ranks will increase from 8 to 40. The length of time to get to 40 will remain the same but the team says that this streamlines the progression and rewards gained for each level. As players progress through the levels, players will receive wardrobe pieces to keep their armor looking good through all 39 levels.
- All level 45+ items prior to Hammerknell/Rank 8 are receiving an upgrade in stats, check out the full details here.
- Bolstering will boost player stats to the minimum a PvP battle requires. In the event that a player's stats are higher than the minimum, the higher stat number will rule.
- The Mercenary system will be introduced where player can participate in PvP battles as a member of the opposing faction's team IF there are not enough members of its own faction to fill a full team. This will reduce wait times and get players into PvP battles faster. Mercenary players will receive a special Mercenary buff and on-screen callout.
Check out the full details on the Rift site.
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EverQuest: F2P Coming in March
Jan 30th
Sony Online Entertainment and the EverQuest team have announced that the game will be going free to play beginning in early March, just in time for its 13th anniversary.
Also at the free-to-play launch, all players will receive a Welcome Pack containing items to add to your gameplay experience. You'll be able to summon a unique Mercenary to fight by your side and we're including some Bayle Marks to help pay for the services of your newly summoned Mercenary. A couple of Experience Potions are also included to help you increase your experience gained while adventuring. For all the collectors that like to show off all the great wares to your friends, we're giving you an item to display in your home and add to your collection. And finally, you'll be able to customize the appearance of one of your weapons with a Weapon Ornamentation – also included in the Welcome Pack. So be sure to check the claim window for your free gifts.
Read the full announcement letter by Thom Terrazas on the EverQuest site.
UPDATE: As part of the F2P push, Sony has also announced the closure of the Mac version of Everquest.
Thanks to Xexv for the link and heads up!
More >TERA: Website Overhauled
Jan 30th
En Masse Entertainment has officially launched the reworked website for TERA Online. According to devs, the site has been retooled in order to "provide an easy and intuitive all-in-one system where users can create, access, and manage web and game features."
Check out the new TERA site.
Guild Wars 2: The Beta Wait is Almost Over
Jan 30th
Last week, Arena.Net announced that the beta for Guild Wars 2 would be coming in the near future. That's got us excited and we've got lots to say about it…if we can calm down long enough to write! Read on and then tell us why you're anticipating the GW2 beta in the comments.
Remember a few years ago when ArenaNet announced that they were working on Guild Wars 2? I sure do. I jumped around with excitement, told everyone I knew, and fantasized about how the game would turn out. Over the past couple years, bits and pieces of information were let out. Sometimes it was some info about the game’s features, or ideas that ArenaNet planned to implement to change the way MMOs are played. All the information has been building up, and it’s made us want to play even more. Well, from the information we received last week, our chance to finally get into the new Tyria is right around the corner. That’s right folks, last week it was announced that a series of beta events would take place starting next month.
Read more of David North's Guild Wars 2: The Beta Wait is Almost Over.
I was super happy to More >
Xsyon Earth 2012: Prelude: Architecture Contest Announced
Jan 30th
Xsyon players with an architectural bent will want to check out and participate in the forthcoming contest. Beginning February 1st and running through March 1st, players are invited to overhaul their Tribes. Once finished, players submit their work to the dev team which will be looking for winners in originality, design, layout, beautification and uniqueness. Work will be judged in two categories: Small Tribes and Large Tribes.
Grab all of the details on the Xsyon site.
Star Trek Online: Second Anniversary Fete Around the Corner
Jan 30th
Star Trek Online will be celebrating its second anniversary beginning February 2nd. The team has four days of fun planned for all Trekkies starting the 2nd and continuing through the 6th. "Q" will be handing out special requests each day during the event so players should seek him out. Don't count on being sent on important tasks either as he loves to watch people run around.
Players of level 5 and above will have a new ship to 'trek' through the universe in. The Odyssey class cruiser is a special gift to players who head to Officer Kani.
KDF officers of level 21 and above will be gifted the new 'Bortas' class (Vengeance) ship after visiting with Engineer Tum'era.
Both ships will be given to players regardless of level or rank but can only be used once the appropriate level is reached.
Read the full letter on the Star Trek Online site.
Thanks to Rohn for the tip!
Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited: Screenshot of the Week: DDO Edition! Win 1,000 Turbine Pts!
Jan 30th
Everyone loves to take screenshots of their favorite games, and we want you to share them with us and the rest of the MMORPG.com community! To that end, we're back with our latest Screenshot of the Week feature this week, and we're looking to give out some cool swag. Some of our SOTWs will be themed to a specific game, and this week is one of 'em! This week, we'll be focusing on Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited.
Participating in our Screenshot of the Week is pretty simple. All you need to do is post your favorite DDO screenshot in the comments below (please use sensible dimensions and don't break the thread!) between now and Thursday, February 2. We'll select our favorite shot on Friday, February 3. Make sure to tell us what we are looking at, too!
Why should you bother sharing your screenshots with us? The answer is simple: SWAG! Who doesn't love swag? This week, we'll be giving away a 1,000 Turbine Points key code (for DDO) to our lucky winner!
Please only post a single screenshot. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.