As Blizzard recently announced, player numbers for their MMORPG flagship World of Warcraft increased for the first time in a long while in Q4 2013. The number of players with an active subscription grew from 7.6 million in the fall quarter to 7.8 million in the past winter quarter.
This is surprising, as the title has been on the market for a very long time and has struggled with declining player counts in recent years. Each new low was accompanied by doomsayers claiming that WoW was nearing its end. This is admittedly a rather absurd accusation, as the number one position in player counts was never remotely threatened.
Player numbers typically only recover with the launch of a new expansion, only to decline again throughout the lifespan of an expansion. Given that the last WoW expansion Mists of Pandaria has reached the end of its lifecycle, most experts expected WoW to continuously lose players until the next expansion Warlords of Draenor launched.
Veterans Return at Max Level
The sudden recovery of the player count in the winter quarter is indeed surprising. Explanations include that competing games could not establish themselves in 2013, and that it is the calm before the storm, until later in the year titles like Wildstar or The Elder Scrolls Online hit the market.
Additionally, WoW currently offers players the chance to automatically boost a character to the maximum level of 90, allowing them to participate in the endgame immediately. Perhaps this, along with many small tweaks and fixes, has contributed to an increase in the player base. How much the online trading game Hearthstone plays a role in the current fourth spring of WoW is also not known.
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We at mein-mmo.de suspect that the surge of players in WoW is also due to a lull in competing games and single-player games. Furthermore, many casual players seem to have more time to play during the winter. Naturally, Blizzard’s announcements to put new character models and a highly anticipated retro expansion into the evergreen provide reassurance to players.
As long as a building is regularly repainted and renovated, there is hardly any danger of it being simply torn down. Many players in the ever-changing world of MMORPGs probably long for such a secure home!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
On February 20, 2014, only selected Korean players will unfortunately get to experience the MMORPG graphic bomb Bless Online. The trailer shows what we will probably have to wait much longer for – what a pity!
When the game will be released in Europe is still in the stars – unfortunately, the developer NEOWIZ has yet to find a European or American publisher. Such a video can of course be misleading, but I am still curious about it. The first gameplay scenes definitely look promising, and the whole spectacle seems, at first glance, like a successor to Tera, just in a slightly more serious setting (both are based on the Unreal 3 Engine, by the way).
Since the Closed Beta is very close, it won’t be long until the first opinions from ‘leaky’ testers trickle in. It will be exciting!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the hardcore sci-fi MMO Eve Online, a massive battle has once again erupted between rival alliances. During the combat, spaceships worth $300,000 were destroyed. The game’s developers, CCP, intend to commemorate the battle with a memorial. In keeping with the event, it will be a spaceship graveyard.
Like in the Cold War – but with much more fun!
The sci-fi MMO Eve Online is almost entirely driven by the actions and decisions of the players. They form alliances, fight, barter, and negotiate for power and influence in the different sectors. The political situation between the alliances sometimes resembles the complicated balance of power during the Cold War. However, as an uninvolved spectator, one does not practice hiding under the table when the nuclear bombs come crashing down, but rather keeps both thumbs crossed, hoping the universe ignites in a blaze of glory once again. Recently, it was that time again!
12 Hours of Battle After Escalation
The conflict could serve as a prime example of escalation. Apparently, someone forgot to make a payment; some sort of rent for a star system went unpaid. As a result, the dominant alliance N3/PL lost its claim to the system, and the rival alliance CDF/DFT was immediately on the scene to expand its sphere of influence.
The others, of course, did not find this so great. A space battle erupted. It lasted 12 hours, with 7,600 characters participating, 76 Titans being destroyed (which is the largest and also the most expensive ship class), and approximately $300,000 went up in virtual smoke.
Heroic Tank Decides Space Battle
While the main battle raged over the B-R5RB system, countless skirmishes occurred in neighboring systems, during which pilots from both alliances tried to cut off the enemy’s supply lines. Battle observers report that a tactical misjudgment by the N3/PL alliance led to disaster.
Ship fleets of the N3/PL alliance focused their fire on a Titan, which was able to withstand the fire much longer than expected. In the time the heroic Titan of the CDF/DFT alliance could resist the fire, the aggressors succeeded in significantly thinning out the battle lines of N3/PL.
The battle will go down in history as the bloodbath of B-R5RB.
The special thing about Eve Online is clearly the delicate balance of power in the different areas of the game. The power blocks that collided in the battle have a shared past. No conflict can be viewed in isolation.
What is certain is that there are a bunch of people out there, while they are at work or making a toast, only pondering how they can finally seize world dominance with their alliance and annihilate their arch-enemies!
That’s a comforting thought.
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Since today, it is possible to participate in the galactic 12v12 space battles as a free player in Star Wars: The Old Republic. The trailer “The Galaxy Burns” has just recently been online and showcases the spectacular PvP space battles once again with this change!
In a blog post published just a few minutes ago on the official page for Star Wars: The Old Republic, Senior Producer Bruce Maclean revealed the update plans for 2014. To be precise, the listing of upcoming content goes only until June. To quote him, this is about “the largest update by then.”
Starting with version 2.6, which launches on February 4, we will get new starships and a Flashpoint called Kuat Drive Yards. Furthermore, free-to-play players will finally be able to enjoy Galactic Starfighter. However, we have already known this information for a while. What is new, however, is that players will also be able to access more detailed score lists from tomorrow when using the Galactic Starfighter, allowing for a better overview of their performances.
From March 14 to 17, there will also be a double XP weekend for those who want to progress a bit faster.
2 new expansions in 2014!
But what comes next? We have known about 2.6 for a while now. It will be particularly exciting in April and June. Fans of the Star Wars MMORPG can look forward to new Flashpoints, Nightmare modes, a Huttball warzone, and a brand new battlefield for the Galactic Starfighter.
There are two new Flashpoints on Tython and Korriban, where the Empire and the Republic face each other directly. This develops into a new story that will span several updates throughout the year and culminate in a finale that will shake the galaxy.
The operation ‘The Terror Fortress’ in Nightmare mode and a new tier of equipment.
New Huttball warzone on Quesh
New battlefield for the Galactic Starfighter
June 10: Game Update 2.8
Operation ‘Terror Palace’ in Nightmare mode
New ships and a brand new ship role for the Galactic Starfighter
And much more … This will be the largest update by then. We will reveal more about it before June.
Moreover, in 2014 two new digital expansions will be released, which will be similar in style to the two expansions from last year (Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Galactic Starfighter). I could imagine that the update in June will represent the first expansion. It is said that this year’s big other releases will face a challenge. May the Force be with SW:TOR.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In WildStar, customization is taken seriously. Do you want to be unique in many ways? Then the upcoming Sci-Fi MMORPG might make you happy.
Because a variety of adjustments are meant to provide this – the new DevSpeak video gives a small but worthwhile insight into this.
This doesn’t only refer to the character itself, but rather represents a holistic approach. Throughout various game elements, ‘customization’ runs like a common thread through the planet Nexus. From characters to vehicles and housing, there are many opportunities to stand out from others.
Character Look
It starts right at the class and race choice: Although all of them may look a bit crazy, they not only play quite differently but also look anything but similar. Then comes character creation, where you can design your avatar entirely to your preferences, with a variety such as is found in other modern MMORPGs. What sets WildStar apart at this point is that particularly personal features are not neglected, and to express it a bit more enthusiastically, they even take it a step further!
Does your Aurin need blue skin and cube earrings? No problem! Or do you want to replace your Chua’s ears with mechanical ones? And how wild do you want the horns of your Draken to look? Are you playing a Granok? Then I just have two words: Leaves … mustache. Additionally, we have numerous sliders for facial features that allow you to adjust things like eye size and spacing, nose length, eyebrow position, and much more.
But it doesn’t abruptly stop there. You can also look forward to many armors later on, which you can equip and customize in multiple stages, and with the ‘costume feature’, your desired look is always in the foreground. As the saying goes: Clothes make the person, right?
In WildStar, you receive costume slots that allow you to showcase your awesome outfits without sacrificing the amazing stats of your gear.
Transportation
Pimp my ride? You bet! In WildStar, there’s a strong focus on the so-called ‘mounts,’ as they are referred to in MMORPG jargon. First of all, a wide variety of different transportation methods awaits you at release, whether it’s a fancy motorcycle or a super cool hoverboard (like from ‘Back to the Future’) – in any case, you have multiple paths open to get from A to B – complete with a phenomenal turbo boost.
Particularly because the world has been designed to be limitlessly open and the environment has a physical influence on driving behavior, it’s simply fun to, for instance, plunge down cliffs or create upheaval on ramps – just like Tony Hawk, only without the wheels.
I know you’re expecting something more. In most games, there are also transportation methods, which is not extraordinary per se. The difference is that here the mounts come with multiple modifiable slots, which sounds really cool, especially since the possible objects also vary from mount to mount.
Each vehicle has a modifiable slot on each side, at the head (or the tip, for the more unusual models), and on the back, where you can add all sorts of great gadgets. How about saddlebags for your purple giant lizard or a ramen bowl on your Chua ball?
Do you want to ‘ride’ one of those things right now? Patience, young Padawan – but to ease the wait a bit, I’ll let you know how to obtain such a cool vehicle, pretty beast, or floating snowboard! Fortunately, you don’t get everything for free (that would be boring), so you’ll have to work for it – or, to put it nicely – unlock it by playing. This happens through dungeon drops or PvP, and as usual, also through spending gold or influence (a kind of group reputation). You can modify the mounts starting from level 15.
Overview of Customization Options: Very, very good.
From the visual possibilities alone, it seems that Carbine Studios has taken the right path with WildStar. They recognized that this is among the most essential components of an online role-playing game. Who wouldn’t want to give their game a uniquely personal touch? At least as far as possible. This way, you can identify twice as well with your character, without constantly running into your own head in nearly identical versions!
It’s quite something to be able to distinguish yourself from your perceived trillions of fellow players and represent a hero that there’s SO often not one. Just imagine a Batman movie, where hundreds of Batmen stumble across the movie screen, introducing themselves with the line “I am Batman.” Okay, that’s a bad example – I find that very funny, haha. But you probably know what I’m trying to say.
I will go for a round of flying, see you soon! Where? That’s a secret.
Next, we will report on how the gameplay can be customized. How profound is equipment improvement? Can WildStar also stand out in terms of the skill system from the other competitors? And a special look at housing features is certainly also on the agenda!
http://youtu.be/evNSuKhRpcs
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The developers of The Elder Scrolls Online have released an additional video, this time specifically about the physical version of the Imperial Edition. Some may find it unfair that someone else is spoon-feeding you the information, but on the other hand, it provides a good insight into what you can expect with the purchase. This certainly gets players excited, but it is also useful to see whether the collectibles, including the book and the statue, are really worth the money. 110 euros are certainly not a small sum anymore. However, the contents already seem to make a fine impression on me, and since this version is limited, fans of the Elder Scrolls saga might not want to wait too long to pre-order.
Trekkies, pay attention: In Star Trek Online, things are currently turbulent! But it’s not electrodynamic turbulence hindering your spaceships, rather it’s the fourth birthday of the Sci-Fi MMORPG. As part of the celebrations, an infographic with interesting statistics about past achievements has been released, and an update has been rolled out that expands Season 8 with a anniversary event and improves the game in several areas. Additionally, Cryptic serves us a nice trailer. That’s a much better way to celebrate, right?
To be precise, this is Update 8.5. From now on, the Solanae Dyson Sphere offers an exciting mission for you. At a hidden station, you must eliminate a highly threatening technology before it can be deployed. And do you know which tactical officer will assist you? The Vulcan Tuvok, known from Star Trek: Voyager! But you don’t need to be nervous; after all, you are now a respected person in the universe.
Furthermore, the first Federation missions have been revised and enhanced with new graphics and gameplay improvements; there is a new PvP map for shuttles, and a weekly calendar replaces the hourly events. Additionally, thanks to a new system, you can now switch your ships and equipment faster.
A few words about the infographic, which already shows quite impressive numbers. Infographics are currently very trendy; I feel like they are almost appearing weekly (last time it was World of Warcraft). And now Star Trek Online. Regardless, they look nice and are easy to spread.
Mein-mmo.de wishes Star Trek Online a happy birthday. May the force be with you. Oh wait, that was something else. But now: May the infinite expanses of space grant you many more birthdays!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The gold cap in World of Warcraft is just under 1 million gold pieces. At the end of my active life as a Wolf of Ogrimmar Street, I had 3.5 million gold spread across 4 chars. Or as Gordon Gecko would say (if he were a goblin and not Michael Douglas): Greed, for lack of a better word, is indeed at its best in World of Warcraft.
Here, I will share a few tricks on how you can also become a gold-sprinkled riding wolf, own a really stylish villa in the trendy district of Thunder Bluff, and have your own clip on MTV Cribs: Ogrimmar!
http://youtu.be/9sRNGCybV0Q
Disclaimer: Even though the mentioned tips mostly refer to WoW, they can also be useful for most other MMORPGs with a bit of common sense. However, mein-mmo.de is not liable for any damages that occur if any dilithium bubbles burst or millions of Ewoks become unemployed due to failed mining ventures on Tatooine!
Goblin Acquisition Rule: Distrust is the Mother of Gnaargh!
Recently in Tera: I had just turned 40 when someone kindly contacted me, made small talk about where the best hairdressers in Lumbertown are, whether we should go to an instance together, and how I liked walks on the beach.
I naturally thought: That’s just my charisma; there’s nothing you can do about it. But then the guy dropped the bomb: Whether I had a few of those things from the level loot of level 40. My noob scammer alarm went off.
I said: No, I wouldn’t know. He: Oh, come on, look. I said: Yeah, here’s something. He: And? Are you selling them? I’ll pay you 10,000 for it!
At that time, I only had about 30 gold or so – so 10,000 sounds like a lot. But because my noob scammer alarm went off like nothing good, I checked the auction house in Tera to see what those things are really worth. Answer: Of course, much more than just 10,000, more like 40,000.
The guy wanted to pull one over on me.
What did he do right? He knew that most level 40s in Tera are pretty much noobs. He knew that everyone at level 40 in Tera automatically gets items that are tradable and valuable. What did I do right? I was suspicious. Nothing more. I had no idea how much the items were really worth or anything else (because I am a noob). But I know: If someone wants something from you and thinks you’re a noob, they will try to pull one over on you.
[intense_icon type=”forward” size=”1″ color=”#cf2123″ /]So: Never sell something that you aren’t exactly sure what it’s worth! And never do business with someone who clearly relies on the fact that you have no idea what’s going on.
2. Goblins Acquisition Rule: Greed is great, but don’t let it blind you!
The most valuable items in WoW are the spectral tigers, as everyone knows. They are available through this failed magic clone as “real existing” trading cards – and people are crazy about them. Now, every now and then in Ogrimmar or Stormwind, English-speaking level 1 characters log in and sell the spectral tiger for a relatively low price: Perhaps 180,000 gold or so. If you engage in a conversation with them, it turns out that they don’t have the mount itself but are selling a code.
Now, many an inexperienced greedy guy might have the following movie running through their head: The dollar signs flickering cartoonishly in their eyes, the leap into the gold pool from an 8-meter tall kodo executes with top marks, and they see themselves cruising through the streets of Ogrimmar on a sparkling spectral tiger, while the new hot thing of some goblin boy band blares from the speakers, blood elf women lounge on the kodo front spoiler, and their posse provides escort with goblin trikes.
In reality, however, you would pay a level 1 character 180,000 gold, they log out and never come back. If you receive a code, it won’t work. This is an extreme example. This form of fraud, called scams, exists by the hundreds, and there are dedicated forums where malicious math students concoct such schemes. The worst part is that at some point during the purchasing process, you had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. But the profit is so high that you tell yourself: What the hell? I’ll do it anyway!
If it works, it’s worth it!
In reality, it never works and you kick yourself afterward for not listening to your gut feeling but rather thought there was still a rat on the spit from the day before.
[intense_icon type=”forward” size=”1″ color=”#cf2123″ /]So: Everything that sounds too good to be true: Is a scam!
3. Goblin Recruiter Rule: Many little talbuks produce as much mess as a big kodo!
Most traders dream of that big deal. Buying something for 10,000 gold and selling it for 80,000 gold. In reality, such things happen rarely. The most profit comes in small steps. Whoever manages to buy 40 items for 10 gold and sell them for 180 gold, without sending themselves into click-nirvana, will become rich over time.
The nice thing about it is that these niches often seem unattractive because “it’s not worth it” – hence the chance to make money here is relatively high.
[intense_icon type=”forward” size=”1″ color=”#cf2123″ /]So: Don’t just wait for the big deal; close many little ones.
4. Goblin Acquisition Rule: Know the market, know the clientele, trust their weaknesses!
The most important thing to make a profit: Know the demand! Ask yourself when you buy something from the auction house and when you don’t care about the price. There are 5 concrete cases:
1.) The raid has just ended, you’ve received new items, it’s 11 PM at night, you’re totally exhausted because the raid leader yelled through the last 8 tries, and you just want to log out and go to bed. But wait! Of course, you want to enchant your new item and put a socket in first. You go to the AH, realize that stuff is much more expensive than usual, but buy it nonetheless. This has happened to all of us before. What does one learn from this as a trader?
On the first raid days of a week, when people get new items, they will list gemstones and enchantments. The day after the instance reset, when PVP players also get new items because the pros fill their points on the first day, that is the day when enchantments for items bring in insane amounts of gold.
2.) The raid is about to start. You log in 2 minutes before raid start, and the guild chat is full of “Get here immediately and don’t you dare show up without flasks again!”, you look in your inventory and there’s yawning emptiness, except in the last pocket where there are about 24 possibilities to transform into something else, but you still only ever take Noggenfogger for the skeleton. So, you rush to the auction house and buy ridiculously expensive buff food and flasks. This has happened to all of us before. What does one learn from this as a trader?
On raid days in the evening, list enough buff food and flasks.
3) You have a new twink at max level and have trouble getting into raids and instances because you don’t yet reach the item level. You know exactly how to get quest items and starter gear, but you’ve already gathered that with 3 other chars and this time you don’t feel like doing it again. So, you go to the auction house and buy max-level starter items. Everyone knows this too. What does one learn as a trader?
Exactly these items always sell, especially at the end of an expansion.
4) You log in an old twink you haven’t played in ages. You take him to the starting area of the new expansion, and the yellow pigs kick you in your sweet goblin behind because with the expansion came a new itemization threshold. What do you do?
You know the game; you trudge into the AH with your head down … What do you learn as a trader from this? Items that facilitate the transition between two expansions always sell. These are perennial favorites throughout the entire lifespan of an expansion, especially if they are easily craftable.
5) You made the mistake of telling yourself: Oh … nothing is going on today; I think I’ll try PVP! Only to get your butt kicked and now you sneak to the auction house with your tail between your legs. You know you shouldn’t, but you buy crafted PVP items. What does one learn as a trader from this?
Crafted PVP items always sell and can make you incredibly rich, especially if the supply on the server is low.
[intense_icon type=”forward” size=”1″ color=”#cf2123″ /]So: Know your market by knowing yourself. Observe your behavior: When do you go to the auction house and buy without paying attention to the price? Right there lies your profit!
These were, of course, just the first tips to get you started. Depending on how the response to this is, there may be deeper insights into the beautiful new world of gold later!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
“The Arrival” – the second and explosive cinematic trailer!
One might almost say “WOW”, but “TESO” is more appropriate in this case. Today, the second cinematic trailer “The Arrival” of The Elder Scrolls Online was released and it is truly impressive. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet – well, get going! 😉
Essentially, this teaser is directly the second part of the previous video. The three contenders of the Aldmeri Dominion, of the Daggerfall Covenant, and of the Ebonheart Pact have engaged in combat against each other, fighting for entry into Cyrodiil. But suddenly, what will be a fundamental part of the PVE campaign happens, which was not seen in the first cinematic trailer: a Dark Anchor creates a connection between the realm of the Daedric Prince Molag Bal and Mundus, the world of TESO. Dark figures, even lesser Daedric warriors, enter Tamriel and threaten all three factions equally. Without a word, the three protagonists plunge into battle, which surprisingly and refreshingly will have a completely different ending for everyone. But you’ll have to see that for yourselves.
The Imperial Edition! A must-have for fans!
The second highlight of this day coming from Tamriel is the announcement of the so-called Imperial Edition, that is the Special Edition for The Elder Scrolls Online, which exists for nearly all major titles. As always, the significant added value comes with a price, which amounts to 79.99 Euros for the digital version of TESO – which, I find surprisingly affordable, at least when I think back to SW:TOR *Ouch*. The ultimate collector’s edition, however, costs 109.99 Euros and additionally includes materials like a 30 cm tall statue of Molag Bal and the grand imperial guide to Tamriel, which already looks really stylish. As I said, for fans of the series, this is certainly a must-have; for everyone else, well, listen first to what’s included:
Digital Imperial Edition:
30 days of gameplay (that’s clear)
Imperial white horse
Ability to craft imperial armor pieces
Ability to convert into imperial armors
Mara’s rings (friendship rings that allow you to group with friends for more experience)
Mudcrab as a pet (well, that’s nice)
THE KNOCKOUT!: Play the race “Imperial” for any faction you want! (Wow! That’s really nice!)
Complete version of the Imperial Edition:
Of course, all the contents of the digital edition!
A 30 cm tall Molag Bal statue (also rather standard, but always nice)
Premium map of Tamriel (large printed map including all regions)
The Grand Imperial Guide (224 pages comprehensive and stylishly illustrated guide)
The ability to play any race in any faction (GENIUS!)
A Hopper pet (better than the crab) 😉
AND bonus treasure maps! (Exclusive treasure maps that are supposed to guide the player to chests full of wealth)
The Imperial Edition – large premium map of Tamriel, the Grand Imperial Guide, and the 30 cm statue of Molag Bal.
YEAHA! So, who doesn’t want to at least pre-order the standard version, well, they are just doing themselves a disservice. I, for one, will immediately cancel my pre-order and secure one of the collector’s items – yes, I know I said I wouldn’t do this after SW:TOR, but this really is something completely different! 😀
We hope you find the new teaser as exciting as we do, and who knows, maybe we’ll see each other five days earlier in TESO. So that would be, um, 30.03.2014! Yes! So if you want to pre-order, then get to it. And remember, order through Mein MMO (just click on the Amazon button on the right), then we get a little something from it, you won’t care, and the big guys have to give us a crumb from the cake. Whatever, we say thank you and are happy if you like, share, and recommend the post!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In a few days, Patch 2.6 will be deployed to the servers of SW:TOR, bringing players a new Flashpoint, the “Kuat Drive Yards”. The production facility for warships was previously in the hands of the Republic, but now the Empire is preparing to attack!
The new Flashpoint will be available starting from level 15 and does not require a typical group of healer, tank, and damage dealers, as it is “role-neutral”. No matter what you play, you can dive into the adventure with three friends.
To keep the content fresh for a long time and provide high replayability, BioWare has decided to split the area into five sections; two random ones will be completed during each visit, ultimately leading to one of three final bosses.
Last but not least, the experience also differs depending on whether you represent the Republic or the Empire, as the former seeks to reclaim the station while the Sith fighters must defend it against the Jedi.
As usual, there is a new reputation faction that rewards diligent visitors of the Flashpoint with titles, gear, or special mounts, which can be obtained at your faction’s main fleet – which also gets a new area.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
[intense_lead ]A few months ago, ArenaNet announced that they wanted to solve the problem of full WvW servers with a new map. Intensive stress tests followed, and now the map is nearing completion.[/intense_lead]
One of the problems with Guild Wars 2 is that access to the epic battlefields is not always possible. This is because the capacities of the various maps on which this battle rages eventually become exhausted. In Guild Wars 2, three servers compete against each other on four different maps simultaneously. Each server has a “home” map, and there is also a shared fourth map, where things usually get particularly intense.
But eventually the maps are closed, and a player on a popular server has no opportunity to participate in the large slaughter that for many makes the game appealing.
Months of Development Phase
ArenaNet recognized the problem months ago. However, they did not want to solve it by tinkering with the existing maps, as they are intricate and sophisticated, but instead decided to create a new map. Not as a replacement for the existing ones, but as a complement.
So they prepared a large beta test to ensure that the new map meets the high demands of a WvW map. The challenge is that the map must be fair while also being exciting because it will be used repeatedly by tens of thousands of players. The unique design of Guild Wars 2 further complicates the simple import of existing design patterns from other games.
New Map Expected on February 4
With the storyline surrounding Scarlet Briar reaching a climax, ArenaNet has now reached an ideal point to unleash the new map on players. Because it goes to the Edges of Mist, where the charming lunatic plans to establish a foothold.
The new map, which serves to bridge the waiting time, will consist of floating islands connected by fragile bridges. As is typical in Guild Wars 2, the bridges are destructible. Of course, there are not only rewards but also a whole range of new achievements that can only be completed on this map, and the developers have also provided a new video. Once the waiting time is over, you can switch to the desired WvW map (Borderlands or Eternal Battlegrounds).
[pull_quote_center]Have fun on the Edge of the Mists, it’s better than standing at the Edge of Madness![/pull_quote_center]
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As a result of a Q&A session on Reddit, John Smedley, the President of Sony Online Entertainment, answered several questions from the community – logically, it mainly focused on games from SOE’s portfolio.
It is also not surprising that participants showed particular curiosity regarding the sandbox MMO Everquest Next .
Particularly interesting was the question about the release date for Everquest Next, the next installment of the well-known role-playing series. The answer sounds initially vague, but it provides insight that it will likely be in 2015. John Smedley, President of SOE, said:
Not yet sure. Probably sometime next year.
In addition, he also answered what he believes truly defines EQ Next. He suggested that it is not the destructible environment, but the artificial intelligence that makes the biggest difference and will bring about a revolution in the MMO genre.
Furthermore, John Smedley confirmed that Everquest Next will also be playable on the Playstation 4 . Reactions were quite mixed. Personally, I view this somewhat critically because I feel that role-playing games lose some depth due to ‘console ports’. Perhaps I will be proven wrong.
Update: 8 months later, there was another statement that was somewhat more reserved, so no trace of “probably”. He answered the question about the release in an interview with PCGamer as follows (in the video at about 10:16 minutes): “…not before next year”. That sounds like “Could come in 2015, but at the moment, it is still very far away”.
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For all those who are a little sad about having to wait until next year for Everquest Next, there is good news. The sandbox game with its seemingly endless possibilities, yes, it is about Everquest Next: Landmark, is releasing this year – in 2014 (as Beta)!
Would you like to learn more about the games mentioned here? Then we can recommend you our special on Everquest Next!Everquest Next and Everquest Next: Landmark are, by the way, two different MMOs!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The development team of The Repopulation has released a new trailer showcasing the first gameplay scenes from the upcoming sci-fi sandbox MMORPG (from a very early stage of the game).
The project is additionally listed on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, and it is one of the most popular titles there with over 150,000 dollars pledged. They hope to gain additional resources that will benefit the game in terms of features. However, the investment campaign only has a few hours left.
They are clearly focusing on innovative sandbox features and want to give the player as much freedom as possible. The classics Star Wars Galaxies and Ultima Online (old MMORPG veterans will fondly remember), serve as sources of inspiration for The Repopulation. Do you see potential here?
Dear readers, we are expecting an insane MMORPG year 2014. Seriously, if you compare it to the hibernation in 2013, there are worlds apart. It will be exciting to see which MMO will convince us or maybe even disappoint us.
A whole series of supposedly top-notch online role-playing games will be released, all of which can be called AAA titles:
The Elder Scrolls Online, WildStar, ArcheAge, and Everquest Next (Landmark) – these are probably the greatest MMORPG hopes for 2014, which could not be more different, and from which we will certainly hear a lot. It also looks very much like there will be something for every type of player.
Wait a minute! We forgot someone here. There’s also the genre primus World of Warcraft. He must not be missing, but it’s almost like with Klitschko: Only retirement will make room for a new king – unless the mighty, gigantic, and intimidating WoW has already exceeded its prime. Will a certain frailty become apparent this year?
[intense_table bordered=”1″ columns=”Title,Model,Release” data=”The Elder Scrolls Online,Pay-to-play,04.04.2014,WildStar,Pay-to-play,03.06.2014,ArcheAge,Free-to-play,16.09.2014,Everquest Next (Landmark),Free-to-play,End of 2014,World of Warcraft: WoD,Pay-to-play,13.11.2014″ /]
The Elder Scrolls Online
Let’s start with the ambitious MMO project from Bethesda. Elder Scrolls Online is set to release at the beginning of April and will most likely be the first contender in the ring. TESO’s gameplay is oriented towards the extremely popular single-player RPG Skyrim, which is the absolute mainstay in the genre.
Let’s look back: What do we associate with Skyrim? A distinctive atmosphere with beautiful scenery, an active combat system, and the captivating story. While these are not the only parallels between the two games, they are enough to give you an impression of what you can expect at a similar level here. Also in The Elder Scrolls Online, which takes place about 1000 years before Skyrim.
But since this is an online role-playing game logic dictates that social features also play a significant role. Who wouldn’t want to defeat mighty creatures alongside friends in the Elder Scrolls Saga or face human intelligence in the enemy factions? Exactly, prepare yourselves for group content like dungeons or an exciting PvP spectacle for dominance over Tamriel, in addition to solo missions!
We believe that Elder Scrolls Online will be a major blockbuster simply because of its very famous license. The experienced developers know exactly how to captivate players, as you can practically count on an immersive open world. The open PvP should be anything but trivial, since here DaoC legend Matt Frior pulls the strings.
The question is whether its gameplay, which comes across as somewhat atypical for the genre, will appeal to classic MMO players as well. And was the bold pay-to-play model the right choice here? In less than three months we will know more about whether the perhaps already high expectations can be met!
ESO was released on 04.04.2014, read here how we rated the MMORPG:
Crazy, crazier – WildStar! 8 years, the 200 employees from Carbine have been working on creating an MMORPG that will leave a lasting impression on everyone – probably a disturbing one, but also a positive one at the same time. That sounds a bit paradoxical, but somehow also awesome? Congratulations, then you are already successful.
The list of planned features for the release is very long; they want to offer visitors on the planet Nexus a lot of variety. Whether it’s challenging raids, extensive housing, an innovative combat system, or a sophisticated path and profession system – you definitely won’t get bored quickly here, and that is not just due to the humor but also the game’s quality. By the way, many old WoW developers are on board, who have chosen this sci-fi adventure as a new challenge together. Rumor has it that it could be a good sign to rely partly on successful virtues from back then.
First experiences already show that WildStar could be the ultimate savior. It seems to attract players who long for innovations as well as those who seek something new but do not want to miss classic elements. These are not split personalities; no, that describes this MMORPG hope very well: You feel at home and it is even exciting! It almost reminds you of couples who have been together for 20 years and still find ways to experience wild adventures together, playing with their tongues as if it were the first time. But will everyone warm up to the stylistically exaggerated style and the insane characters?
WildStar was released on 03.06.2014, here you can read how we rated the SF-MMO:
The sandbox adventure Everquest Next goes through as the double Lottchen for us. It almost borders on anti-competitive behavior since Sony wants to create a stir with two titles! Everquest Next and Everquest Next: Landmark. The free MMOs are, however, more different than their titles might suggest, but both could revolutionize the genre in their own way.
Already Everquest Next has set high ambitions. With a fully destructible voxel environment, 40 playable classes, and mob hordes that follow their own agendas, the next-gen MMORPG is setting new standards. Moreover, it is a real beauty and incredibly good-looking. It will also be exciting to finally discover what the Everquest makers have learned from the upheavals in the MMORPG field. After all, Everquest has long been the first address when it comes to fantasy MMORPGs. Perhaps Everquest Next signifies a return to the throne for Sony?
However, things get really crazy with the sandbox game Everquest Landmark, which is set to release this year, compared to the role-playing version. Here, players are to have the opportunity to create their own realm. The player is no longer just a visitor in a world but becomes its creator. Everquest Landmark is not just limited to fantasy elements but is supposed to allow creative players to let their imagination run wild. This marks the dawn of a whole new era in MMORPGs!
ArcheAge
The Asian free-to-play fantasy MMO ArcheAgebuilds literally on numerous sandbox features in a medieval setting that should also find resonance in the West. The almost limitless possibilities are considered the flagship here.
ArcheAge offers many opportunities in an open world to pass the time: Build houses, castles, or farms and breed animals? No problem. With the multifaceted professions, it is also a paradise for crafting enthusiasts, and during the battles at sea, one almost feels like Captain Jack Sparrow. A player-driven economy, gripping besiege wars, and the immensely comprehensive class system round off the list but only reflect a small part of the possible player experiences.
After annoying delays regarding the release, it is finally getting serious! Recently, the CEO of Trion Worlds (publisher for ArcheAge in EU/NA) revealed to us that there is already a playable English version and the release date is approaching rapidly. A reason to rejoice. Since they are opting for a free game model, probably only Everquest Next is a direct competitor – both games are also referred to as sandbox MMOs. In hindsight, it may have been a clever ‘move’ to postpone the release since the Korean version initially faced many problems.
World of Warcraft – Warlords of Draenor
Blizzard wants to remain at the top of the food chain with World of Warcraft also this year. In recent years, many WoW killers have been conjured up and the downfall of the giant has been predicted, but ultimately, it was nothing more than hot air. To ensure that the privilege of being the genre head remains in favor of WoW, they are launching a counterattack with the expansion Warlords of Draenor!
This year, the battle for first place could be more exciting, as never before has the competition been this fierce! The developers’ blog entries are already sounding like a declaration of war, as if they want to say: “We won’t hide this year and will give it our all!”.
To give substance to this indirect promise, they are relying on proven improvements with the latest expansion and also on content that players have been wishing for a long time. The long-awaited housing finally receives its entry into the world of Azeroth after many years. And the fact that character models are getting a major overhaul or the story ties back to old times only clearly shows what the goal is: Keeping active players engaged, winning back former players, and attracting new players with notable modernizations. Whether this can be achieved for another year, we will know at the latest in 2015.
Was there not more?
Certainly, we are fully aware of this – but here, the focus is on the big new releases.
The doomsday MMO shooter The Division was not listed here incidentally because it reportedly only releases in 2015 according to the latest reports. That would have also been a candidate and could have given the whole thing a different title.
Furthermore, many are still hoping that Blade&Soul will eventually release in Europe and America! Since the announcement over a year ago, it has unfortunately been extremely quiet about the very popular Asia MMORPG from NCSoft. Is the focus now on the West entirely on WildStar at least in 2014?
And how does the indie MMO The Repopulation fare, which has gained great popularity on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and also focuses on sandbox elements like Everquest Next and ArcheAge? As soon as we know more, we will definitely report separately on that! Similar is the case with the Ultima Online successor Shroud of the Avatar. These are certainly games with potential, but a soon release is debatable.
Who will take the throne?
Yes, who will win the favor of hungry MMO fans? Ah, we don’t know that yet – we are many things, but not prophets. Only when the games are released on us passionate gamers can we assess how things will likely continue and especially what ratings we will give. And who knows, like in boxing, there are several belts to be proud of. We may even crown several world champions in different categories!
But since we still have something to say, we will do so. If you want to know what the Mein MMO editorial team is particularly looking forward to, then click through the tabs.
What we are eagerly interested in is what you are looking forward to in 2014?
Björn is Excited
As an absolute MMO fan, I’ve actually been looking forward to 2014 for over a year! YAY – this is NOW! Why? Because as a fan of online games and the Elder Scrolls series, I am of course very much looking forward to the combination of both – The Elder Scrolls Online! YEAH!
There’s no question, the combination of both elements will inevitably lead to the loss of certain attributes, but I firmly believe that the game will still captivate me for a longer time. For how long? Well, we will have to see. But the odds are good that I will probably still be engaged during the next Christmas and New Year holidays for you. And while I can’t tell you anything (yet) about the beta, I can at least reveal that my impressions were mostly very positive. 🙂
Almost a bit sad with all the joy could be the release of WildStar this year. Initially not convinced by the colorful world, a somewhat deeper engagement with the content-rich game slowly but surely raised my interest significantly. I fear that TESO will have to endure some occasional breaks. But that might not be a bad thing because it will curb the consumption a bit and I might enjoy my favorite longer.
I’m also curious about the F2P MMO ArcheAge and EverQuest Next (if it comes in 2014). I give both games a very good chance to establish themselves well in the fiercely competitive MMO battlefield. Coming from a completely different theme, MMOTPS Defiance has, to be honest, captivated me with its concept, and I am burning with interest in how it will progress. Moreover, the shooter together with colleague Planetside offers a pleasant change from the otherwise fantasy-rich offerings.
And last, but not least: World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor. I definitely need to try out the latest add-on of the MMO grandpa. Especially due to the strong reference to the good old Burning Crusade, I can imagine that at least one or the other long-lost gamer will hop back into the lap of the original.
On the other hand, the competition this year is extremely fierce, and the enthusiasm for the title is not exactly at its highest level. WHO CARES! 2014 will be really exciting, and I hope I can still get some (extra) sleep with all these great games! 😛
In this sense! See you ON THE LINE!
Your Björn
Schuhmann hopes for Everquest Next and WildStar
I am looking forward to the diversity of different MMOs this year. As someone freshly divorced from WoW, I have the freedom of choice, have no obligations, and want it to stay that way. Because being on the treadmill in a guild with fixed raids often makes an MMORPG feel like an unpaid job – I don’t want to deal with that for the foreseeable future.
But I am definitely looking forward to WildStar. The little I have read so far sounds like a wonderful opportunity to dive in and switch off. I expect a sugar rush from WildStar like from Borderlands 2: Log in, walk two meters, and off you go.
I am still very interested in Guild Wars 2 with its crafting system and the possibility to drop by every now and then to see how the story has progressed. I could well imagine spending my summer vacation in Tyria.
A hardcore trip that I have wanted to indulge in for years leads me to Eve Online. Even in 2014, the game exerts an enormous appeal. But the threshold to really get into it has always been a little too high for me over the years. Perhaps 2014 is finally the year.
Depending on whether it comes out in 2014 or not, the crown jewel for me is also Everquest Next. The philosophy of the game and the ideas behind it simply convince me, and I am eager to dive into the world and establish myself there. And preferably from the beginning, to enjoy that virgin stage where everyone is a bit of a noob. I haven’t had that last time over ten years ago in Dark Age of Camelot, and I miss it a bit.
Cortyn: WoW, Hearthstone, and WildStar are on the list
For me, three games in particular stand out for the year 2014.
Starting with the CCG “Hearthstone”, which should soon enter open beta and has already kept me glued to my computer for many nights. Many additional contents are already announced, so the card game will remain fun for a long time.
Secondly, my list contains the new WoW add-on “Warlords of Draenor”, which will probably lead me back to my MMO roots and ruin one or the other semester paper while I face the iron horde.
However, at the top of my list is WildStar. If the developers manage to present a playable open beta version before the release of “Warlords of Draenor”, all other role-playing games will be dead to me for now since I will probably spend weeks – if not months – setting up my Esper’s house and exploring every corner of Nexus with her.
And as soon as that’s done, I will dive into the promising RP of the world and finally allow myself to get fully immersed in an MMO – farewell, my fellow students! See you during the first maintenance activities!
The Elder Scrolls Online and WildStar are Dawid’s Highlights
I am honestly still a bit torn by the incredible selection, which is why I am quite happy that the games are not all releasing at the same time. This way, I can take my time to examine each highlight in peace.
My starting point will be The Elder Scrolls Online. My first impression is that it will captivate me for a while. Currently, however, I don’t see it as the savior but rather as a great change after a hard day. It remains to be seen whether TESO can bind me in the long term. I am still a bit critical of the ‘end content’. Does a story-heavy game still convince when the story is over? Sure, the PvP mass battles have their appeal, but as mentioned, it’s more for me a change. If I don’t find motivating PvE content that doesn’t come across as generic, it will likely stay that way.
ArcheAge and Everquest Next (Landmark) are of interest for the simple reason of letting one’s creativity run wild. Sandbox games have appealed to me since childhood, and with these sandbox MMOs, I don’t even have to get dirty if I want to build something! Since my free time is quite limited and games of this kind often consume a lot of time, I am first turning to other MMORPGs. One must set priorities!
In summary, it boils down to TESO and WildStar for me. If time permits, I will surely take a quick look at the sandbox variants as well.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
[intense_lead ]Craig Robinson, Senior Art Director at World of Warcraft, has now presented on the WoW website the exact plans on how the often very old player character models are to be renewed.[/intense_lead]
In recent years, it has increasingly become a problem that old models with relatively few polygons looked more and more like foreign bodies in an increasingly stylish environment.
Dwarven beards as fluffy as Pandaren fur!
The goal of the facelift is now to bring the traditional models up to par with the Pandaren, boss mobs, or certain new NPC models like Vol’jin, the leader of the Trolls.
Robinson also provided an insight into how extensive such a seemingly simple task ultimately turns out to be. The number of polygons is significantly increased (sometimes quadrupling), the texture is enhanced, and significantly more bones are used. This is intended to enable updated facial expressions. With 180 animations per character and 10 races with a female and male variant, nearly 3600 animations were needed.
Same Troll, old price – now with 40% more soul!
Robinson emphasized several times how important it is for Blizzard to preserve the soul of the beloved models. A player should definitely feel that they are still playing the same character, just that someone has finally focused the lens.
Some time ago, there was almost a shitstorm when a designer changed the position of the ears on a model during a standard patch and millions of players worldwide no longer recognized their avatar. Blizzard seems to have learned its lessons from that experience.
The first images of human females (feels weird to write that) already look very promising and we are excited to see how the changes ultimately play out in the game and whether we will really recognize our avatars again! It would be strange if there was some other troll in our armor!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The secrets about the next patch are gradually being revealed: In the free-to-play MMORPG Rift, famous for its exceptional gameplay, the upcoming update 2.6 will bring a new crafting profession. The Dreamweaver.
The Dreamweaver will grant players access to a total of 15 new dimensions. However, this won’t happen just like that; it requires the crafting of special keys – it’s easy to guess that some keys will likely pose a challenge. For those wondering about the term dimensions: that refers to the quite extensive housing system in Rift.
In addition to the dimensions, the profession fittingly also allows you to forge items for the accommodations, which, among other things, are supposed to have a special effect due to their fluorescent properties:
Dreamweaving is about bringing players’ imagination to life. As a weaver, you can create visual effects, lighting, and special items that can be used in dimensions. You can create elements like fire, water, particles, and smoke, plus pure, objectless effects that you can place anywhere (and on anything) in your favorite dimensions.
But what if someone doesn’t care about the accommodations? Should these players therefore steer clear of the weaver? The answer is no! Because fortunately, you can also craft powerful dream spheres that can be combined with the current crafting runes. These greatly enhance your equipment!
And since dreams are unpredictable, you won’t know what values you’ll get until after they are completed. I can imagine it will take several attempts before the desired values appear on the runes.
Last but not least: Today from 10:30 PM, there will be a livestream on Twitch, where Rift, Trove, and Defiance will be showcased – you can win some goodies (from the developer personally): http://www.twitch.tv/Trionworlds
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
DC Universe Online, the free-to-play superhero MMO, has recently been enriched by the expansion pack War of the Light Part 1.
Legendary members have been able to fully enjoy the new content for several days now (subscription players generally have free access to all addons). For all other players, it starts on January 28th for those who are free to play – provided they purchase the pack through the shop or switch to a legendary membership, which brings several advantages.
The now ninth addon comes with some interesting new features that we certainly don’t want to withhold from you:
The Rage Power, which is related to the Red Lanterns,forms the now 12th power set and can be used by both good and evil players.
Players can look forward to brand new group content: A 4 and 8 player operation.
Two new Legends PvP characters – the Lanterns Atrocitus and Saint Walker.
Brand new items, collections, and more.
If you also want to embody a hero or even a villain, then go ahead – the action-packed online game isfree to play. Superman and Joker are therefore not so far away.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Players of the American version of the free-to-play MMORPG Aion can look forward to the next big update very soon. On January 29, 2014, client version 4.5 will be deployed, bringing a lot of new features.
The highlight is undoubtedly the new class Ethertech, which is already being touted as the upcoming ‘community favorite’. To shorten the wait a bit, NCSoft has now released a new trailer for the Ethertech. The robot-like figure already comes across as quite impressive, a really nice preview of what awaits us soon in Atreia. Robocop says hello!
In addition to the Ethertech, the patch will also bring new instances, hairstyles, skills, items, weapons, and much more. However, it is still unclear when the European servers will enjoy the new content. However, there has been a first glimmer of hope in the Gameforge Forum that it may not take too long here either:
As I see the plans, 4.5 is being planned directly. So yes, small patches will probably no longer come. But… hopefully it won’t be long now :x. Near future. Man, I wish I could say more :/
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Listening closely pays off – they reveal some character details!
One could say – here presents itself a truly convincing group of high-profile actors or in this case voice actors. Of course, they voice the English-speaking characters, but they also offer some interesting insights into the prominent NPC characters of TESO. Despite the affection for the well-known actors and voice actors, one almost feels like playing the English version. However, you won’t learn that from the video, the German voice actors are impressive as well. We’ve taken the names from the official press release:
The role-playing epic is enriched by a true star ensemble of German voice actors: Otto Mellies (e.g. the German voice of Christopher Lee), Rainer Schöne (e.g. the German voice of Willem Dafoe), Klaus-Dieter Klebsch (e.g. the German voice of Alec Baldwin), Frank Glaubrecht (e.g. the German voice of Al Pacino), Thomas Danneberg (e.g. the German voice of John Cleese), Wolfgang Condrus (e.g. the German voice of Ed Harris), Martin Kessler (e.g. the German voice of Vin Diesel) and Bernd Rumpf (e.g. the German voice of Liam Neeson) along with many other renowned speakers lend their voices to the German version.
And that wasn’t all, the other speakers are also quite notable German-speaking voice actors.
Thomas Danneberg voices Cadwell, a cheerful and loveably crazy runaway slave who embarks on a series of intricate quests in the Empire. Portrayed as High King Emeric, Bernd Rumpf plays a wealthy merchant who was able to ascend to the throne due to luck and determination. Tanja Geke (e.g. the German voice of Zoe Saldana)takes on the role of Ayrenn, the leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and queen of the High Elves, who feels significantly more comfortable wielding the blade than her crown.
Additionally, Klaus-Dieter Klebsch voices the role of Abnur Tharn, a cunning old wizard and politician who leads the Elder Council of the Empire and represents the de-facto power behind the Ruby Throne. Otto Mellies lends his distinctive voice to theProphet, a mysterious blind man who guides players in their search for their soul. Frank Glaubrecht takes on the role of the key figure Molag Bal, an evil Daedric god from another dimension who seeks to enslave the mortal souls of Tamriel.
The Dragon King Jorunn is voiced by Wolfgang Condrus, the renegade High Elf sorcerer (the most powerful necromancer in the world) by Martin Kessler and and and. It’s going to be exciting and the drums are about to sound! Gather your friends and prepare for the battle for Tamriel and against the Daedra Molag Bal! We will also be at the front lines. 😉
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
