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Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, Leveling, News items

A new patch for an MMO is a bit like a present. At best, it can provide a number of new opportunities for fun and enjoyment. At worst, it can break several things you already liked and now have to replace. Aion has recently deployed the new patch 1.5.1 and, as could be expected, fan reaction is somewhat split on whether it’s a nice present or the immortal pairing of socks and underwear. Certainly there isn’t a major content influx, and the often-requested reduction of the game’s grind has yet to be implemented, but there are still a number of nice updates and additions.

Leaving aside the bugfixes and optimization with only a mention that they should help the game play more smoothly all around, several instanced dungeons have been adjusted somewhat. Nearly all of these changes look beneficial to players — reductions in difficulty and increases in reward, as well as added UI displays for important objectives. They’ve also added stealth-detecting NPCs to starter areas and increased several NPC health totals in an effort to curb destructive PvP tendencies. Quest experience at mid-to-high levels has been adjusted upward, rewards have been slightly improved on several quests, and level-difference experience penalties have been reduced. Last but not least, there’s now more incentive to hold a fortress in the Abyss and work to defend it, as rewards are offered for defending players. Aion’s fans aren’t all happy about the changes, but it’s best if you take a look at the changes yourself. Just remember that even if you don’t like it, this present is unreturnable.

Patch 1.5.1 goes live for Aion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted on November 21st, 2009 at 12:00pm by Eliot Lefebvre
Filed Under: aion, aion-patch-1.5.1, aion-the-tower-of-eternity, game-mechanics, grind, leveling, ncsoft, news-items, patches, pvp

Some may think it hard to figure out what to get that MMO fan in their life. Would they want cases of energy drinks? Maybe a grill so they can cook while raiding like Vork from The Guild? Well never fear as I’ve compiled a list of gifts that you can get for that MMO fan, and I’m not just talking about World of Warcraft! In this MMORPG Holiday Guide we also have ideas for gamers playing Aion, Lord of the Rings Online, Guildwars, Warhammer Online and Age of Conan. I’ll also go into some peripherals that any MMO gamer would love to have. To start off, I’ll focus on some of the other popular MMOs and gifts that you can snag for your friends or family.

An easy start is to get them something new to play! Aion ($46.99) is the newest MMO to be released and has been getting some rave reviews. Released by NCSoft in September 2009, there has been a steady buzz around the game, and I’ve known several people who have given up other MMOs to play this one. From all I’ve seen and read it’s a pretty solid game, and will appeal to most fans of the genre. And if they’re already playing Aion, why not snag them one of the cool shirts that Jinx just released?

If your friends or family are already playing another game, you can always buy them game time via cards or offer to pay for in game items to help them boost their characters or explore new regions. Blizzard sells pre-paid cards for game time in World of Warcraft ($29.99) and so does Warhammer Online($29.99), Age of Conan ($25.99), and Lord of the Rings Online ($29.99). These will give them 60 days of free time to play in their game of choice!

Tactx keyboard from Alienware

For the World of Warcraft fan, I found many things that one could buy, but I’ve narrowed it down to just a few products. First off, from the official store I have to recommend either Murky or Lurky ($15 each) plush dolls for either kids or for adults (My Murky sits on the top of my computer). Also along the kids line, if you have a guildmate or friend who just had a new baby or is expecting, I highly recommend the “My Other Stroller is [Epic]“ onesie from Jinx. For the more grown up WoW fan, you can also get a Horde or Alliance appropriate beanie so that they can show their pride throughout the winter! In general the majority of the WoW collection at Jinx is pretty awesome, and it’s all reasonably priced. There are also the new in game pets you can buy from the pet store: the Pandaren Monk and Lil’ KT who is the most adorable lich!

Now if you want to get your friends some new gaming peripherals, I recommend checking out the latest Alienware line which I have previously covered. The TactX mouse and keyboard are a little more pricey, but they’d be a great gift idea, especially if they’re in need of an upgrade. Also in November, Creative will be releasing special WoW themed headsets that look great and will help show your Horde or Alliance Pride! Another great item that you could get is the Xeno by Bigfoot networks. Cherithe recommended this in our gadget gift guide, and it’s definitely worth repeating! The Xeno is a great plug-and-play card that will prioritize gamng by bypassing your OS which enables smoother playing and voice chatting.

Now the other gift idea that you can do is for those fellow players who want to get something nice for an in-game friend or guildmate. You can save up to get them a vanity pet,  money for a new mount, or some new armor. It’s thoughtful, and something that will surprise them to see in their mailbox or a trade window! There are also the new in game pets that Blizzard released which you can buy from the online pet store: the Pandaren Monk who does some impressive kung fu and Lil’ KT who is the most adorable little lich!

I hope that this guide can help you out with some ideas for that MMO fan in your life. Have a great holiday and spread some /cheer!

Posted on November 21st, 2009 at 1:27am by stealthyslyth
Filed Under: Alienware, Angel Life, Games, Jinx, Massively multiplayer online game, Video Games, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, Xeno, age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures, aion, blizzard, warhammer-online, world-of-warcraft

Where did you buy your last MMO and where will you buy your next? Chances are you’ll be getting it on Steam or so the story goes according to Brad Wardell, head honcho over at Stardock. We’re inclined to agree with his assertion that Valve’s digital distribution platform holds roughly 70% of the PC market as many of us here at Massively have been buying our MMOs — and PC games in general — on the service for some time now.

So is it a good thing or a bad thing for MMO players? Our experience with purchasing games like Aion and Champions Online through the service has been positive, and so long as no complications arise via patches or other client issues we see no reason to stop utilizing the service unless better offers appear.

The only real MMO-related issue we can see is with collector’s editions. Some games offer a different set of bonus material for people who opt out of the physical copy and go for the digital, but certain items like art books, mouse pads and other bric-a-brac can’t be delivered through a wire… at least, not until sometime in the far flung future.

Now, as far as the Steamworks integration issue goes… Well, that’s a whole other sack of fishes.

Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Opinion

Steam estimated at selling to 70% of PC market originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 8:00pm by Kyle Horner
Filed Under: aion, atari, brad-wardell, champions, champions-online, digital-distribution, eurogamer, impulse, ncsoft, opinion, stardock, steam, valve

All right, now that the inflammatory title that makes you look at my column is out of the way, let’s get down to business. This week we got to see a 30-second teaser trailer from the folks at NCsoft about Blade & Soul, a game from NCsoft that has been stealthing in the background, waiting for the right time to strike and jump in front of Aion.

Blade & Soul isn’t a brand new game though. In fact, the game’s artwork has already made a guest appearance on our website. (With subsequent comments on how that woman’s back is going to break in half if she should walk forward.) Plus, if you really want to see what the game has to offer, a quick YouTube search will bring you to the Blade & Soul HD gameplay video which looks, well, simply stunning.

So why am I dedicating my opinion column to a game that’s nowhere close to being released? Well, because I think it has potential, and because it’s my opinion column. So come along after the break, and let’s look at Blade & Soul.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion

Filed under: Fantasy, New titles, Opinion, Anti-Aliased, Blade & Soul

Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 11:00am by Seraphina Brennan
Filed Under: aion, anti-aliased, blade-and-soul, cinematic-combat, combat, cryengine-2, dead-or-alive, fantasy, fighting, martial-arts, ncsoft, opinion, unreal-engine-3

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Aion, One Shots

For some of us, there’s nothing quite as good as getting some gaming time in, save perhaps cracking open a good book. Sometimes you can even get a good book in while getting some MMO time. When you add in being in the lovely lands of Aion, that’s a pretty solid combination — or at least a pretty one as today’s One Shots shows! This great picture comes to us from Steffan A. who writes in: I started a new character on Triniel, and I was wandering through Munihele Forest when I just had to stop and take a screenshot. Aion is one of the best looking MMORPG’s I have ever played, and I think I’ll be staying for awhile.

For some, it’s all about the beauty. For others, it’s all about the play. Others still prefer a bit of both! We’d love to see screens of your favorite MMO, if you’d like to send ‘em on in. Just email them to oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We’ll do the rest. Easy, no?

One Shots: Wonder what he’s reading originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted on November 16th, 2009 at 2:00pm by Krystalle Voecks
Filed Under: aion, ncsoft, one-shots, screenshot, screenshots, steffan-a