Ask Mo: Why MMORPGs still need traditional chat

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I dug this intriguing question out of our brimming-over letters-to-the-editor bin, and it's particularly timely given the recent launch of Wander, notable for its curious glyph-based chat and language system. Massively-that-was reader NerdWithABigStick wrote in to ask about MMO chat, calling back the decision made by the devs of Divinity: Original Sin to shut down global chat within a few minutes of launch. This...

DarkEden 2 returns to the vampire war

While you may not have heard of DarkEden, it's actually one of the older continuously running graphical MMORPGs on the market, having started back in 1997. While it's still running in Korea today, the hack-and-slash horror title's North American and Japanese versions have long since gone dark. Maybe it's time for a fresh start? DarkEden 2 is currently under development...

Angel joins Marvel Heroes as a team-up

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One of the core members of the X-Men will be swooping into Marvel Heroes at last -- but only as a team-up character (for now). Angel will join the team-up roster with this week's patch, becoming the 27th companion in the superhero title. He'll be appearing with his classic (non-metal) wings and a costume from the Messiah Complex comic book...
Ice cold.

TERA is getting region-locked on Steam

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If you want to play TERA in Russia, you certainly can, as the game has a Russian publisher. The game is also available on Steam there. However, that's caused a bit of an issue because the version of the game on Steam links up not to the local publisher but to the American version of the game published by...

Albion Online goes to hell

The next time that someone tells you to "Go to hell!" you can respond, "Thank you, I will -- in Albion Online." The upcoming sandbox shone a spotlight on its hellgate system this week as a counter-measure to the habit of zerging in such games. To encourage players to form smaller groups, the devs have limited entry into these small...
Well, I can't object to the theory.

ARK: Survival Evolved has already sold 400,000 copies

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On the surface, you could think of ARK: Survival Evolved as one step removed from zombie survival games except it has dinosaurs instead. But the game is a great deal deeper and more involved than that, explaining why it has already sold 400,000 copies for $10 million in revenue. Yes, this little game is doing quite well for itself;...

The Daily Grind: What’s your favorite unusual MMO weapon?

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Maybe I've been around for a little too long and have become jaded at the same-old weapons that we see in every MMO, but I will jump up and shout praises out of the window of my house if I get to try out something unusual in a game. While I never stuck with WildStar's Medic for terribly long, I...

The Stream Team: EverQuest II’s Rum Cellar housing tour

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Just because you can't get to EverQuest II's Rum Cellar content yet doesn't mean you can't enjoy the atmosphere of that pirate-y cove. MassivelyOP's MJ takes a break from decorating and organizing her inventories to show off the new Rumrunner prestige house and matching decor that is available. Will the new digs be cool enough to seduce her into buying...

Nexon’s Arpiel Online plans closed beta test in June

How many MMOs does Nexon have stirring in its pot right now? Hundreds? Thousands? In any case, the online game publisher is cooking up another tasty treat with Arpiel Online, an anime-styled fantasy title. Arpiel Online is being developed by Ngine Studios and boasts frantic isometric action, plenty of crafting, and even a robust housing and decoration system. The game...

Wargaming is rebooting Master of Orion

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How would you fancy a reimagined version of 4X classic Master of Orion? Wargaming is hoping you'll bite, as the massively successful World of Tanks developer is bankrolling a reboot crafted by Argentine-based NGD Studios. Wargaming's press release says that the dev roster features "key members from the original title's team," though it neglects to mention which ones. Wargaming also...