30 January 09 - 00:50Gold Selling RMT is Worth a Lot of Cash

Despite the best efforts of MMORPG developers like Blizzard, gold farming services continue to rake in serious dough in exchange for virtual currency. There's probably no better example of that than My MMO Shop -- a seller of in-game money that, Yahoo Finance reports, was just purchased for a cool $10 million.

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26 January 09 - 23:58Open Betas

Monato Esprit: Open beta

Reality Gap announced open beta for this game back in August of last year, but according to its website, it is still ongoing. The official release date is scheduled for sometime this year.

In Monato Esprit, you must fight the forces of the Nightmares in order to free your land from the darkness that has covered it. There are six different classes to choose from, and while four are the standards for RPGs (warrior, paladin, mage, cleric - but under different names), two of them sound different enough to be tempting (harlequin and sherriff). The style of the game is more cutesy than realistic, but their concept and character art is beautiful.

Overall this seems like a standard MMORPG, but the art and the two unique classes give me reason enough to want to try it.

Official website: http://www.monatoesprit.com/default.aspx

Destiny Online: Open beta

Open beta for Destiny Online began on January 13th. Judging from their website, the game is constantly being updated and new things are being added.

While the characters themselves (both the in-game avatars, and the classes) don't look too impressive, the environment art is pretty and pleasing to look at. Destiny Online's main features seem to be their weapon upgrades and their pet system. This might be worth a look since the developers (Net Game Digital Technology) are very involved and always updating the game.

Official website: http://destiny.enjoymmo.com/index.php

Freaky Creatures: Closed beta

According to its developers, Abandon Interactive Entertainment, the game is ready for launch, and is just working out the last bugs before releasing it to the world.

Freaky Creatures is certainly... different. This game is like tamagotchi meets Soul Calibur. You create a creature - you choose everything from what they look like, to what their powers are. You must care for this creature, feeding it, playing mini-games with it, and even giving your pet a pet.. It all builds up to the fun part - battling.

Freaky Creatures is not exactly a typical level-up-do-quests RPG, but its unique gameplay makes me curious enough to give it a shot.

Official website: http://myfreakycreatures.com/index.html

Aurora Blade: Closed beta (?)

Aurora Blade is a browser-based MMORPG. Closed beta began on December 3rd, though the website is unclear on whether they are still accepting participants.

The graphics of Aurora Blade are definitely not its strong point. But there is something about the point and click simplicity of the game and the sprites that is reminiscent of the SNES days. The game is not too exciting but it's worth a quick look. However, I am a bit put off by IGG's recycling of Nexon's Maple Story icons for its classes. There is also a lack of variety, but in IGG's defense, the game is still in development.

I would say give this a try if you want to be taken back quite a number of years. Don't expect too much though - I doubt this game will hold my interest for very long.

Official website: http://ab.igg.com/main.php

Wind Slayer: Open beta coming soon

The closed beta for Wind Slayer ended on January 14th, and now players are awaiting the open beta (scheduled to come soon).

In Wind Slayer, you are on a quest to become the greatest adventurer in your land. The classes are standard RPG classes, nothing new there. This game looks similar to Maple Story, both in gameplay and style. Almost too similar, I would say. However, as the developer is Outspark, I would have to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Official website: http://windslayer.outspark.com/?src=windslayer

Concerto Gate: Uncertain

It seems that the fate of Concerto Gate is currently unknown, as everyone is waiting for news on the second closed beta. However, the game looks very cute and cartoon-like, so I'll be keeping an eye out for any news.

Official website: http://concertogate.gamescampus.com/index.asp

Don't wait for these games to come out - get a sneak peak as a beta tester. This is just a small selection - there are so many more game out there for you to browse through, and many more coming out.

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26 January 09 - 01:09EverQuest makes post Secret

PostSecret: Sunday Secrets

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22 January 09 - 14:48%9RazgPsfkk%

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22 January 09 - 14:48Battlestar Galactica Get In To It!

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22 January 09 - 04:01Why Having Windows on Your PC is an Open Invitation to Hackers

January 21, 2009 (Computerworld) The computer worm responsible for the biggest attack in years has infected at least one out of every 16 PCs worldwide, a security company said today, and it may have managed to compromise as many as nearly one in three.

According to Panda Security, almost 6% of the Windows systems scanned with its antivirus technology were found to be infected with "Downadup," a worm that began aggressive attacks just over a week ago. Panda was one of the first security firms to sound an alarm over Downadup when it raised its security threat level on Jan. 12 as reports of attacks mounted.

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Windows will never be secure.  The best hackers in the world are attacking Windows day and night.  There is just no safe way to use Windows over the Internet.

Your choices are Mac or a Linux build.  Chose one. 

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22 January 09 - 03:56More MMO Games to Come...

Capcom has revealed an agreement signed with UK developer Monumental Games, under which the firm will develop an unnamed multiplatform game to be publisher by Capcom later this year.

If you're unfamiliar with Monumental, don't worry: It is relatively unknown. The developer was formed in 2005 "with the objective of producing [MMO games] that would redefine the industry," according to today's statement.

According to the developer's website, the company has only officially released sports MMO Football Superstars, though it has also created the Monumental Technology Suite, an online gaming development platform that is licensed to other firms.

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19 January 09 - 23:54Games You'll Want to Follow Up On

Alpha Protocol (Summer. For PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3): In this role-playing game, which takes place in a modern-day espionage setting, you mold CIA agent Michael Thorton into the spy you've always wanted to be. Will you be the savvy James Bond, operative-on-the run Jason Bourne or junior secret agent Cody Banks?

Brütal Legend (Fall. For Xbox 360 and PS3): Tim Schafer has developed some of the greatest games that no one played, including Grim Fandango and Psychonauts. Brütal Legend, an action-adventure game heavily influenced by heavy metal album art, should be epic. (Motörhead's Lemmy does some vocal work!)

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (Spring. For Xbox 360, PS3 and PC): The follow-up to arguably the greatest movie-based video game ever made - and one of the most underrated Xbox titles - looks appropriately gritty and violent.

Dragon Age: Origins (March for PC; November for Xbox 360, PS3): BioWare returns to its origins with a high fantasy role-playing game. Although without the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, Dragon Age is the "spiritual successor" to Baldur's Gate, the decade-old classic. Mixing old-school storytelling and party-based adventuring with new-school visuals spells magic.

Heavy Rain (TBA. For PS3): Quantic Dream is attempting what could be a disaster: an entire game of interactive cutscenes (think Dragon's Lair), populated with characters said to traverse the uncanny valley. But we're intrigued at how it plays out if this bold experiment succeeds.

Infamous (Spring. For PS3): Traces of Sly Cooper's nimble platforming can be seen in this take on sandboxes and superheroes. Plus, shooting electricity from your hands seems like a lot of fun in what seems like a spiritual successor to Crackdown.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade (July. For Wii): From Vanillaware, which crafted the absolutely gorgeous Odin Sphere on PS2. This action role-playing game looks like more of the same, only with a decidedly Japanese bent. One more reason to finally upgrade to component cables on the Wii.

Resident Evil 5 (March. For Xbox 360 and PS3): Resident Evil 4 was the ultimate statement in horror video games. Hopefully the next installment, which takes place in Africa, will be just as well made and action packed.

StarCraft II (TBA. For PC): The epic struggle continues with humans versus insectoid aliens versus psionic aliens for space dominance in a trilogy of sequels, focusing on each faction respectively for rich and lengthy storylines with stunning 3-D graphics engine and a revision to Battle.net, Blizzard's online gaming community.

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19 January 09 - 23:52Fighting the Lag Monster

1. Shut down all PC downloads and sharing apps.2. Cable internet beats DSL every single time. 3. With Wi-Fi, placement is everything. 4. Hardwire it! 5. Choose top-quality int
5. Choose top-quality internet hardware.

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19 January 09 - 05:19SOE Fails. Buys Successful Team to Solve Trading Card & Online Hook.

SAN DIEGO, and TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) now owns the ground-breaking, critically acclaimed PoxNora online collectible strategy game and the other key assets for future game development from Tucson-based Octopi, LLC. As part of the acquisition, members of the Octopi development team will form the core of SOE's new Tucson studio, focusing on the continuing support of PoxNora as well as working with SOE's Denver studio on new trading card and strategy game projects. The transaction closed Friday, January 16, 2009.

"Our strategy and trading card games have been successful beyond our wildest dreams," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "Expanding with a great product like PoxNora and the outstanding development team from Octopi gives us a chance to extend our strategy game offerings and enhance the ones we already field."

"We could not be more excited about becoming part of the Sony Online Entertainment family," said Dan Kopycienski, president of Octopi. "We have always been passionate about developing unique and creative games for our customers, and now with the support of SOE, we will have the opportunity to take our products to that next level."

Based in Tucson, Arizona, Octopi, LLC. are the developers of PoxNora, a successful online game that combines aspects of traditional card games with turn-based strategy games to give players a unique game experience. Seven successful expansions provide a strong base for current success, as well as building a sturdy foundation for the future.

The new SOE Tucson studio will work closely with SOE's Denver studio on maintaining and expanding SOE's lineup of strategy games, as well as pushing into new genres and developing new projects. More information on Octopi and its titles can be found at www.octopi.com.

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15 January 09 - 16:50Um, Um, O.K.

Now Jolt Online Gaming is dusting off the franchise--dormant since 1997's Zork Grand Inquisitor--and reviving it as a Web browser-based massively multiplayer casual online game (casual MMO).

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15 January 09 - 16:48Um, O.K.

North American Gamers Can Now Play "Nostale: Global" at Uforia.com

Redwood City, Calif. - January 12, 2009 - Uforia, Inc., a new online game publisher specializing in massively multiplayer online games, today announced that they will bring popular MMORPG Nostale: Global to the North American market. From January 2009, gamers in North America can play the free MMORPG by going to Uforia's website at http://www.uforia.com.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring Nostale: Global to the North American market," said JK Kim, CEO of Uforia. "Nostale is a unique MMORPG with easy-to-access events which allow players to interact with other players in PvP and survival objectives. We are thrilled and honored that this is our first title as a newly formed publisher."

"Though they are a new publisher, the team at Uforia has a great deal of expertise and experience to bring to our partnership," said Kevin Song at Servex. "We have complete faith that Uforia will build and bring a strong Nostale community to Nostale: Global, which will lead us to great success in the US market."

Nostale is a free-to-play casual MMORPG which takes gamers through seventy exciting levels of the wonderful world of East Mile. Gamers can choose from one of four character classes, each with unique powers and features. The ultimate goal is to fight Dark Horn and his legion of demons in the land of death. On their way to the top, players have the choice of completing a variety of raids and acquiring a large selection of specialty cards which transform your character into one of over twenty specialty classes.

The game has its own unique sense of ownership. Each player has their own Mini-Land with a virtual player housing area where they can build their house, decorate their homes and environments to match their personality, store their pets and items and invite friends over to take a break and visit.

Nostale features a unique character progression system where characters progress to one of three classes and then are allowed to progress to specialized classes through class cards.

The game also includes an attractive set of comic-style characters that range from cute to fearsome. Players can capture monsters to fight alongside them as well as make friends with NPCs that will follow you around and be your ally in battle.

For the latest screenshots, please visit:

http://www.clevercomm.com/NostaleGlobal

About Uforia, Inc.

Uforia, Inc. is an online game publisher specializing in massively multiplayer online games and integrated marketing solutions to provide English speaking gamers worldwide with the best online experience possible. Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, Uforia also has members based in Seoul, Korea who work directly with leading game development studios. In order to provide excellent 24-hour customer service, Uforia utilizes industry experienced Customer Service agents based in the Silicon Valley.

Contact:

Mika Kelly

Clever Communications

(408) 693-0176

mika@clevercomm.com

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14 January 09 - 00:40Atlantica? Really?

The list of honors for Atlantica recently expanded to include the title of“Best Game” at the Korea Game Awards, hosted by the Game Industries Association on Dec. 16. Kim Tae Gon, the game’s head producer, received commendation as an“Excellent Developer” at the KGA for his work on Atlantica. These awards follow the Golden Plume trophy that Atlantica took home for“Best Foreign Online Game” at the ChinaJoy Conference in November 2008.

Despite launching in the fourth quarter of 2008, Atlantica Online quickly made up for lost time by being nominated as one of the“Best New Games of 2008” by the editors at the genre leading website MMORPG.com, visited by over 1 million MMO-playing readers every month.

Atlantica Online’s free-to-play business model was one of the reasons that popular MMO site Ten Ton Hammer bestowed the game with the title of“Best Free-to-Play Game of 2008.” Ten Ton Hammer also cited the fact that Atlantica was“smoother and more fun than anything I had played in a long time,” in their decision to give the game a nearly perfect review score of“4.5/5 Hammers.” With such praise as“easily the best game I have played and… more fun than many subscription games I have tried” from Ten Ton Hammer, it is no wonder that the game has found success among a surprisingly diverse crowd of players.

One of the winners of Atlantica’s recent“No Atlantian Left Behind” contest was 73-year-old Mary Martinez, a grandmother from Quitman, Texas. After her grandson, an avid player himself, introduced Mary to the game, she became hooked on the social connectivity that Atlantica Online offers her.“I don’t get out and around like I used to, so playing games where you interact with others is a way for me to have a more social life,” said Martinez. Mary’s dedication to the game was rewarded when she became one of the winners of the contest, taking home a new Nintendo Wii.

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13 January 09 - 01:07Do They Have Halo 3 In Prison? No. Just Rapists.

AP – Daniel Petric, left, 17, talks with his defense attorney James Kersey, after Lorain County Common Pleas …

ELYRIA, Ohio – Although a teenager's obsession with a violent video game may have warped his sense of reality, the boy is guilty of murdering his mother and wounding his father after they took "Halo 3" away from him, a judge ruled Monday.

"I firmly believe that Daniel Petric had no idea at the time he hatched this plot that if he killed his parents they would be dead forever," Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge said.

Nonetheless, Burge rejected the defense attorneys' argument that Petric, 17, was not guilty by reason of insanity.

The defense didn't contest that Petric shot his parents in October 2007 after they took the game away from him, but insisted that the teen's youth and addiction made him less responsible.

Petric may have been addicted, but the evidence also showed he planned the crime for weeks, said Burge, who found the teenager guilty of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and other charges.

Tried as an adult, Petric faces a maximum possible penalty of life in prison without parole. The judge didn't set a sentencing date.

The teen's mother, Susan Petric, 43, died of a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband, Mark Petric, a minister at New Life Assembly of God in Wellington, also was shot in the head but survived.

After the verdict was announced, Petric turned to look at his father seated behind him in the courtroom. Mark Petric, who previously said he has forgiven his son, gave an encouraging nod.

Mark Petric and other relatives left the court without comment.

Prosecutors said Petric planned to kill his parents because he was angry that his father would not allow him to play the video game, in which players shoot alien monsters that have taken over the Earth.

On the night of the shooting, Petric used his father's key to open a lockbox and remove a 9 mm handgun and the game.

Mark Petric testified that his son came into the room and asked: "Would you guys close your eyes? I have a surprise for you." He testified that he expected a pleasant surprise. Then his head went numb from the gunshot.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Anthony Cillo argued during the trial that the teenager had planned to make it appear to be a murder-suicide by putting the gun in his father's hand.

Defense Attorney James Kersey said that when the teenager fled the grisly scene, he only took one item with him: the "Halo 3" game.

Bungie LLC, once part of Microsoft, developed the Xbox 360-exclusive Halo 3, and Microsoft owns the game's intellectual property. Microsoft declined to comment beyond a statement: "We are aware of the situation and it is a tragic case."

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13 January 09 - 00:52Age of Connan Go PLONK!

The primary target for cuts appears to be North America, as the original 25 launch servers are being cut to six. Elsewhere in the world, 13 European servers will become four, 6 German servers will become three, and four French servers will become three.

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09 January 09 - 08:24SOE Calls Losing 80% of their customers "Thriving and Vibrant"

Joe Shoopack did hint at what's to come in the franchise's future. "We haven't solidified what our plans are, but we definitely have plans for the future of the franchise."

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 "The Everquest and Everquest II communities are thriving and vibrant; it's definitely not the end of the Everquest franchise, but we're not prepared to announce anything just yet."Though the current iterations of Everquest have become a bit dated, it's unlikely that SOE will surrender its marquee franchise. While the company may be struggling to keep the aging franchise up to date with its competitors.
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Dear Joe,
Your game is ten fucking years old and you don't have a "solid" plan?   Guess what?  No plan, means you can close your remaining servers and call it a day right now.  Which you might as well do because, with fewer than 250K paying accounts across your entire SOE service, spread across five games, you're pretty much hosed in today's market.

Everquest has been declining in player base since 2003.  From a peak of ~400K players to an estimated less than 50K players of EQ today.   EQII is actually the flag ship of SOE with an estimated 100K players. 

That isn't thriving or vibrant, that's called terminally ill.  You aren't announcing anything yet because SOE is going to close/merge several EQ servers this year and if things do not improve by December 2009, EQ as an online game is done.  Several other games, most notably Vanguard SoH, are going to be closed in August of 2009. 

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09 January 09 - 07:58SOE to Merge with Evolution

Two of the biggest names in the gaming world Sony and Evolution, are merging studios in Liverpool to create one of the largest computer entertainment developments in Europe.

The move comes after Christmas sales of the Sony PlayStation 3 console (PS3) fell short of expectations due to the credit crunch.

Game sales have also taken a slight fall making the merger good business for both companies.

Sony bosses have said they will be restructuring numerous areas of the company in a bid to make the PS3 more profitable and Liverpool is the first step.
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This is a very interesting move on SOE and Evolution's part.  Lay offs are sure to occur but will the company be profitable?

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07 January 09 - 07:07Study discovers that SOE could give a rats ass about their customers privacy rights

Along with colleagues from the University of Southern California and the Palo Alto Research Center, Caplan studied 7,000 players of the online game EverQuest 2.

Sony Online Entertainment gave researchers access to proprietary information about its customers. Caplan and his colleagues believe Sony is the first major game company to share data.

The gamers' average BMI is 25.1, where a lower number is more desirable than a higher one.

The gamers reported higher-than-average rates of substance abuse and depression.
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Study discovers that SOE could give a rats ass about their customers' privacy rights, and EQ2 players are ~31 years old, nearly half of them are ugly, old, fat, depressed, alcoholic women (40%), the remaining 60% are depressed, drug abusing alcoholic, men who are also fat.

This fits my stereotypical view of an EQ2 player to a fucking T. 

Now, what would happen if they studied the population of a successful MMRPG rather than a failed one?  For example, I doubt the World of Warcraft customer base is made up of fat, depressed, substance abusing, people. 

Oh wait, Blizzard cares about their customers privacy.... Never mind.

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07 January 09 - 06:43CAPCOM Moving in to China...

Capcom will modify its action game "Monster Hunter Frontier", which it currently offers domestically, to meet China's local format. The license for the game will be given to a Chinese firm, with Capcom to receive a commission based on sales. The Chinese company is likely to handle operations, billing and other functions on behalf of Capcom.

Rival company Koei Co. (TSE:9654), which launched three online games in China in 2007 and 2008, is scheduled to unveil an online role-playing game this year through a tie-up with a local firm. Sega Corp. joined forces with two Chinese companies last May to enter the market, while Tecmo Ltd. (TSE:9650) also plans to introduce an online fighting game this month.

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China is the place to be!  Seriously, China has a $2.67 Billion market for online games!

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