18 April 2013 | |
iTZKooPA
[Update] Cryptic and Perfect World Entertainment have released details on the Legacy of Romulus pre-order options. $124.99 or $19.99. Pick your poison.
The introduction of the anti-Vulcan Romulan faction to Star Trek Online shook up the game last November. The update included new Borg, the beginning of new itemization for endgame content, the addition of Vesta-class starships and new modes of progression. But it wasn’t called New Romulus for no reason. The patch highlighted the faction, including a new planet for them, and continued the storyline of their previous home world’s destruction.
Changes indeed. Now there’s another one to be tied in with the release of the third faction. The latest Dev Blog reveals that the user interface for Star Trek Online will become more customizable with the release of Legacy of Romulus. To that point, it’ll be up to snuff with what gamers have come to expect from Cryptic Studios, near full customization as seen in Neverwinter and Champions Online.
Interchangeable color schemes, situationally aware and immersive overlays, a new Red Alert mode and an overall “flatter” style are all ready to be testing on the Tribble test servers. Hit the jump for the full gallery of UI changes. Continue Reading
2 April 2010 | |
iTZKooPA
Unless you keep your ear to the ground in the free-to-play scene you probably haven’t heard of Perfect World Entertainment. The company started off by making a game based upon its own name, Perfect World International, before expanding via publishing agreements. PWI was followed up by two other F2P 3D MMORPGs, Ether Saga Online and Jade Dynasty. Both titles are well regarded and continue to thrive. You may have heard of them thanks to one of last year’s most surprising titles, Torchlight. Perfect World Entertainment has signed an agreement to publish the MMORPG version of Torchlight in the near future.
Enough about Perfect World’s past though, what about the present. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Perfect World’s Sam Houston to go over the company’s upcoming line-up during my stint at PAX East 2010. The first thing that was made clear to me is that Perfect World is striving to make solid games. Not good-for-a-F2P-game solid, but solid, period. It was refreshing for me to hear someone from inside the F2P industry admit to that sector’s major stigma. Hopefully Perfect World can meet its goal. Continue Reading
1 April 2010 | |
iTZKooPA
Electronic Arts has been trying to reproduce the success of Ultima Online ever since the behemoth was released onto the unsuspecting masses over a dozen years ago. The publisher has bankrolled numerous MMOs since, from space-faring expeditions to gear-head adventures, and alternate realities. Most of the games did not come close to meeting expectations. Electronic Arts hopes that APB (All Points Bulletin) will get the company back on track in 2010.
All Points Bulletin is being designed by David Jones and the company he founded, Realtime Worlds. You may not have heard of Mr. Jones – no, he didn’t strike up a conversation – but you’ve definitely heard of his games. Jones designed the original two Grand Theft Auto games, and, more recently his company created Crackdown (but not the upcoming sequel Crackdown 2). Even more fascinating is that he created Lemmings years before. Proving that his mind can work its magic across more than one genre.
The booth for APB at the PAX East was split in two, one side representing the criminals, and the other providing law and order in the GTA-style MMO. I gazed upon the relatively sparsely populated world (the game was being shown on the closed beta server) as Chris Collins, the APB Community Manager, launched his spiel about the game. He reiterated time and again that APB is being designed around three pillars, or the “three Cs” as players were told, Creativity, Conflict and Celebrity. Continue Reading
26 March 2010 | |
iTZKooPA
My hotel is fickle about the release of the Internets. First off, there is no free wired access, something many hotels “feature.” There is wireless, but it’s far from reasonable, and it likely sucks. At $13 a day I said “nowai” and decided to grab access to the tubes the fun way, by being a gigantic nerd.
Here’s what’s going on in the above picture. My desktop is tethered to a hacked iPhone, not the most impressive feat. Said iPhone is then connected to a switch, that I had the forward thinking to bring, which links up not one, but two netbooks to the world wide web.
The command center, along with help from those hounds back home, will be delivering you all of the goodies of PAX East with none of the hassle or traveling.
25 March 2010 | |
iTZKooPA
We’ll be covering a wide variety of gaming and MMOG news from PAX East as part of our opening flood of content. I am based out of Philadelphia, so I’ve decided to take a road trip rather than be molested by TSA screeners and forced to take my shoes off. In light of the trip I’ve packed the essentials and avoided bringing the distractions.
Essentials:
- HD Camcorder – I hear viewers these days demand video content. Not just any video content, but of the newfangled “high definition” variety. Lore Hound’s got you covered, and I even remembered a spare battery and memory cards. Heck, there’s even a tripod!
- Camera – I don’t think the cosplayers would like me following them around with said camera. Better to snap a photo and move on.
- Netbook & Desktop – Writing and editing on the go…and stationary!
- Nintendo DS – Complete with a fresh copy of The World Ends With You. A handheld of some kind is a requirement at PAX. Where else have you seen 20+ Pictochat rooms?
- Paper & Pens – Believe it or not people still use those archaic things.
- World of Warcraft: Stormrage – Who knows, maybe I’ll have some downtime.
- Snacks – One thing I have learned about myself at these shows is I hardly make time to eat. I want to see everything, talk to everyone and document everything. Portable snacks, like apples, granola bars and crackers, get me from breakfast to dinner. And second dinner.
- Miscellaneous – Voice recorder, microphone, backup electronics equipment, business cards, hygiene products, hotel reservations and directions to the convention center.
Distractions:
- WoW authenticator – There’s already a dozen companies waiting for me to play games. I shouldn’t have any need – or time – for my WoW authenticator while I take over Boston.
- Non-gaming Girlfriend – Sorry honey. Just like I don’t understand Real Housewives of Local Metropolitan Area, you don’t understand Penny Arcade Expo. We’ve tried to make a go of it before. I have the scars to prove it.
- Costume – I’m only going to be posing for pictures and videos for the Lore Hounds (that’d be you).
Shit, I forgot clothes.
There we go.
