All Posts by GFulls

Funcom names Craig Morrison as the new Game Director of Anarchy Online. Craig comes with plenty of experience, we here at MMORPG.com certainly wish him luck.

Funcom announces that 'Anarchy Online', the award-winning massively multiplayer online game set in a sprawling science fiction universe, is now under new leadership. Long-time 'Anarchy Online' devotee and Funcom Community Manager Craig Morrison has been appointed as the game's new Game Director, picking up the torch passed on by previous Game Director Morten Byom who will occupy a new position at Funcom.

Morrison has been following 'Anarchy Online' for years. Besides playing the game since before launch in 2001, Morrison has written hundreds of guides and operated one of the game's largest fan sites. For the past few years he has been employed at Funcom as a Community Manager, working closely with the players of 'Anarchy Online' and the potential players of 'Age of Conan', and he also been extensively involved in the planning and development of 'Anarchy Online' as part of the game's management team.

"It is a true joy for me to be working on 'Anarchy Online', and I am very eager to begin the job building on the remarkable success that the game has had for the last five years," said Craig Morrison. "The game is still a top priority for Funcom, and we aim to provide both new and existing players with an abundance of new and exciting content in the years to come."

While Morrison picks up the reins on 'Anarchy Online', previous Game Director Morten Byom takes on the role as Assistant Game Director for 'Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures'. Byom, who is tremendously experienced with developing online games, will be leading the team that is already well into the development of the Xbox 360 version of the game. Funcom is putting a considerable amount of focus on the console title, and is aiming to provide a completely new massively multiplayer experience for console players. The PC version is scheduled for release in October 2007, while the Xbox 360 release will happen later though no specific date is set.

'Anarchy Online' have won numerous awards since its launch in 2001, and over a million people have logged in and taken part in the science fiction-based online universe. The game holds four expansion packs to its name; 'Notum Wars', 'Shadowlands', 'Alien Invasion' and 'Lost Eden'. Players can download the game and play the entire classic version for free, and a paid subscription is only required if the player chooses to download and play the expansion packs.

Read more here.

Lord of the Rings Online updates their class pages with new skill descriptions. With classes that are specific to Middle Earth you may find some skills not typical to your normal MMO.

We've just added new skill descriptions to each of our Classes pages!

Read more here.

EvE Online delays Feb. 20 patch. It seems like further testing is needed.

The patch deployment scheduled for Tuesday, 20 February has been delayed. The patch will undergo further QA and be deployed in the near future. We apologize for any inconvenience the delayed deployment will cause.

Read more here.

Age of Conan announces January contest winners.

In the January newsletter we asked you to send in your contact information and be a part of a sweepstakes that could possibly land you a bunch of nice Age of Conan loot. Here are the winners!

Hundreds upon hundreds of loyal Age of Conan followers have submitted their contact information hoping they will be one of the three chosen this month to receive some of the fantastic swag that Funcom happily sends out.

The winners have been chosen, and all of them will receive the Dreamfall PC game, a full-colored Age of Conan comic book and an inflatable Age of Conan toy sword. They will also receive one guaranteed beta spot each! One of participants will also receive a printed concept art signed by the art team. The winners of the January sweepstakes are:

Jimmy Kao

Canada

Christopher Rowe

USA

Sean Mossey

USA

Funcom will host another sweepstakes in the upcoming February newsletter. Be sure to check it out when it arrives in your inbox very soon. All members of the official Age of Conan fanclub, the Clan of Conan, will receive the monthly newsletter.

Read more here.

EverQuest II gives us a look at Game Update 32. Lots of changes seem to be in store for players.

Welcome to the official preview for Game Update 32! As we close the doors on the Erollisi Day celebrations, it's time to look forward and see what's coming with the next update to EverQuest II. As always, there are a great number of changes that come with any Game Update. This week we are stopping to focus on a few of the highlights, including:

* The Estate of Unrest

* New Enemy Masteries

* Leaving Kelethin

* Changes for the Petition System

Read more here.

Guild Wars latest State of the Game looks at the changes made to Heroes' Ascent.

With the recent testing of changes to Heroes' Ascent, there is much to report, analyze, and reveal about this PvP area as it moves closer to being permanently updated. Our State of the Game article provides insight into the current state of HA, and offers strategies for use during this transitional period.

Read more here.

World of Warcraft Arena Tournament is not live. Read up on this new additional form of PvP added for Warcraft players.

The World of Warcraft Arena Tournament is now live -- gather your allies, defeat your enemies, and prove that the prowess and skill of your team are unparalleled. The tournament will allow players to battle through the ranks for a chance to compete at live events, win prizes, and obtain the honor of being the best World of Warcraft PvP team in the world. For more information or questions regarding the tournament, please review the Tournament FAQ. Let the games begin!

Read more here.

Lord of the Rings Online Announces Open Stress Test on February 23rd.

Ready to get a first-hand look at The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™? Visit GameSpot.com to get your Stress Test Product Key for the next LOTRO Stress Test Event starting Friday February 23rd, 2007! This stress test event is open to residents of North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Please visit http://lotro.turbine.com/stresstest for more information!

Read more here.

The latest Dungeons & Dragins Online Developer Diary looks intot he Wilderness Quests coming with the launch of Module 4.

Learn all about the new Wilderness Quests coming out with Module 4! Check out the latest Dev Diary here.

Read more here.

Guild Wars offers us the latest issue of the Scribe.

In anticipation of an upcoming celebration in his homeland, our roving reporter is traveling back to Shing Jea Monastery as fast as his sandaled feet will carry him. However, he has taken the time to jot down a few notes about the upcoming Canthan New Year's Festival and to acknowledge a few kind citizens he met during his journey.

Read more here.

Age of Conan gives us a look at the unique Herald of Xotli class. This mage is so mixed up with demons, he actually BECOMES ONE! Read us on this new and interesting class from Age of Conan.

Some of those who meddle in the demonic arts are either too weak-minded or venture too far down the path of demonology to remain untainted for long. The Heralds are those who with an insatiable lust for power regardless of the cost have bargained with the demon god Xotli and paid the ultimate price.

They become a host to true demonic forces, allowing their very flesh and blood to be twisted and shaped to the purposes of their master.

The arcane and twisted pacts that have allowed the Herald to call upon the power of Xotli mean that they are powerful and dreaded foes in combat. Whereas other priests or students of the demonic arts can call upon the servants or blessing of their respective deities the Herald actually transforms themselves into a walking incarnation of Xotli's wrath.

In battle, the Herald transforms into a demon, preferring to melee opponents and feel the enemy's flesh tear rather than rely on spells, although they retain a powerful arsenal of spells to call upon as needed. With their frenzied appearance and blood soaked muscles rippling with demonic strength the Herald becomes one of the most fearsome sights on the battlefield.

While many of the Herald's abilities concentrate on strengthening themselves and their allies they can also call upon the primordial forces of fire and brimstone, hewn from the demonic depths, to smite their foes.

'Hellfire Breath', that the Herald can cast from level 25 onwards, deals instant fire damage to enemies in a cone in front of the caster. Likewise from 55 onwards, their 'Hellflare' spell blasts the enemies around the caster with an intense searing wall of heat, lowering their damage output and causing them to take more damage from physical attacks.

When combined with spells like their 'Inferno Curse' these attacks can be even more lethal. 'Inferno Curse' is available from level 40 onwards and allows the Herald to curse enemies in his near vicinity so that they take increased damage from fire based attacks.

So while the demonic flames might be their specialty the Herald is usually in the thick of the action and uses spells like 'The Exultation of Xotli', which is available from level 45 onwards, to increase their melee damage for a short period of time but with a period of reduced damage for a short while afterwards.

At higher levels the Herald gets access to the ability to not just strike fear in their opponents but can actually force them to run away in terror through their 'Dread Visage' ability. So the Herald is not only a fearsome foe at close quarters on the battlefield but their demonic powers can actually instill dread and make even the most hardened of opponents flee from them in stark fear.

Read more here.

Dreamlords Goes Live! Check out the details below on how to join the first RTS/MMORPG.

Release version of RTS-client and patch is now available!

At last the final release version of the RTS-client is now available for download.

Click here to get to the download section

You will also need to download a patch and apply it after installing the release version of the RTS-client. This patch will insure that future patching works with both the online RTS-client as well as the boxed Collectors Edition (not yet available) as well as adding some new sounds to the game.

So head over to the download section and prepare for battle!

Remember that Dreamlords will be released tomorrow, February 15th at 17:45 CET (Central European Time).

Read more here.

Voyage Century announces upcoming in game World War for players.

World War soon will breakout in Voyage Century. The warriors all around the world coming here for the common target they are gonna to strive themselves for their country, for the justice and their truly dream.

But how can this World War happen? It could turn back to the Great Continent in 15 century when English establish the eastern India Company. The turkey monopolizes the only land way to the East. In this situation, who control the water way, and who will monopolize the economy on the sea? The European countries, like Netherlands, France, Spain and England are all eager for it. An extensive world war is underway.... In Voyage Century the time goes back and the history reappears. Voyage Century is the first 3D nautical online game. It uses many advanced technology and then create a 3D online game engine which is first-class in the world. It owns an integrate world sea map, setting on the real world of 16th century. It reappears the magnificent situation of the great geography discovery of the navigation age, when the European naval forces looked for century for a commercial route to the mysterious continent in the east.

Then the World War siege war is unavoidable. Due to years of management in Voyage Century, guilds all over the world grew stronger and stronger. Some guilds even exceeded the king's power so that the king became a puppet and didn't have the ability to protect his country. How to solve this problem? The king decided to entrust some big guilds in Voyage Century to control and protect his city. To the big guild in Voyage Century, this is a great opportunity for them. They can control the city and obtain important military materials from the country. So, Siege War is crucial to the development of guilds. The kings of other countries also realize the cabal and follow. Thus, an age of cabal, opportunity and chaos befalls. Your join will make a difference to the war. In Voyage Century the World War is coming around the corner. Do you want to join this war and devote yourself to your country? Do you want to fight in the line with your compatriots at the frontier or join the strategy-making? Maybe you miss the first city launching,but it doesn't matter. You can join the war at any time for other cities. You may miss the election for the main force, but you can also become the stronger backup force, the indispensable part in the war. Also, it is the amount of the membership that a very important aspect in appraising the war results. So hurry on join us in Voyage Century.

Every individual must hold himself responsible for the prosperity of his country. War is the catalyzer of human civilization. War makes individual brave. World War in Voyage Century is not a singe battle but the war of justice, the war of patriotism. For the honor of your country, warriors go fight!

Read more here.

The Art Institute Online opens a student campus in Second Life. The student campus will be the fourm for a new Business Communications course. Reading this story, I really wish they had this when I was in college.

The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, has opened a student campus in Second Life, a virtual online community, which will be the forum for a new Business Communications course. The faculty, realizing the potential for a rewarding learning experience, credits student interest in Second Life as the source for the course's development.

Developed by San Francisco-based Linden Lab, Second Life is a rapidly growing and constantly changing 3D MUVE (multi-user virtual environment) where residents can discover a world of exploration, socializing, creativity, self-expression, and learning. The online society uses real-time 3D streaming technology and runs on proprietary software that students can download from the Second Life web site at www.secondlife.com.

Second Life allows The Art Institute Online students and faculty to create avatars - or cartoon-like characters - that interact with one another and are controlled via keyboard and mouse. The course will be primarily asynchronous and students will have the opportunity to communicate in an environment that lends itself to socialization.

The course will involve both constructivism (learning by doing) and simulation-based learning. By providing real-world objects, structures, and scenarios, student 'players' will be able to apply knowledge of business processes and techniques associated with the real world to this virtual environment.

"An environment such as this takes advantage of lateral and community-based learning," said Jeannie Novak, Academic Program Director, Game Art & Design/Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute Online. "We are always striving to create that within our current 2D online courses and this certainly takes lateral learning to the next level."

"We are very excited to be a part of something so revolutionary," said Kate Kelleher, VP of The Art Institute Online. "Our venture into Second Life is a wonderful complement to our creative online education and is sure to provide our students with an innovative and quality learning experience."

Instructors say the Second Life class experience is particularly enhanced for online learners. In Second Life, classmates and instructors don't just communicate in chat rooms; they can actually see one another -- or, at least, digital alter egos -- on screen.

"Students will always know they're taking a course," said Novak. "But they'll be playing a game in the process, which is what serious gaming is all about."

The Art Institute Online joins other colleges and universities that have set up campuses on virtual islands, where classes meet and students interact in real time. "I believe The Art Institute Online is truly revolutionizing online learning by developing this innovative course," said Novak.

Read more here.

Curt Schilling announces new leader of his entertainment development company. Brett Close is appointed President.

GMG, LLC, a company dedicated to producing innovative, massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), is proud to announce the appointment of Brett Close as company president. Close has had a substantial influence on the gaming industry by bringing exceptionally successful products to market for Midway, Electronic Arts, and VR1 Entertainment, while at the same time changing the game design environment to encourage work-life balance.

"The caliber of talent within GMG is rivaled only by the strength of our ever-expanding roster of strategic partners," Close said from corporate headquarters today. "GMG's exceptional quality of life is critical to sustaining this talent. The unique convergence of these energies will translate into groundbreaking entertainment, which is what this company is all about. I'm eager to showcase our culture and products."

Among the numerous products Close has delivered are Medal of Honor: Rising Sun, Medal of Honor: Frontline , and Nightcaster: Defeat the Darkness for Xbox launch . This dynamic leader is assembling an impressive team and has everyone fired up with passion for their product.

"World Championship teams have, at their core, the world's best leaders," says Curt Schilling, GMG founder and CEO. "Brett brings a resume of results and achievement to GMG. My commitment right now must be on the field helping the Red Sox win another World Championship, and to do that to the best of my ability I need to know that the person in charge possesses the same thoughts, beliefs, integrity, and accountability that I feel I do, and Brett does just that. The challenge here is in becoming the best in the world, and Brett Close as our president gives us an incredible opportunity to do just that."

Close's first announcement is the appointment of Mary Kirchoff as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development. A game industry veteran, Kirchoff was responsible for the branding, business development, and publishing of many popular titles at Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, including the Dungeons & Dragons, Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance brands. In addition to discovering best-selling author R.A. Salvatore in 1987, she has authored twelve best-selling fantasy novels.

"Curt and Brett have assembled a dream team of experienced, extremely creative people of the highest integrity," says Kirchoff. "I've been on some pretty amazing game development teams, but GMG is an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm honored and excited to contribute to all that will unfold."

Close also welcomes Chaz Sutherland as Art Director. Sutherland comes to the company from Shiny Entertainment and has most recently worked on Matrix: Path of Neo, Medal of Honor : Rising Sun , and Allied Assault: Spearhead , Golden Eye 2 as a Visual Effects artist and visual effects animator. He's also provided concept art and assisted in environments with games as far back as the Nightcaster series for the Xbox.

Employees will be working from the company's Maynard , MA headquarters.

Read more here.

Lord Of the Rings gives a look at Tuckborough.

In the area of the Westfarthing known as Tookland, the most prominent village is Tuckborough. Those who reside here amongst the hills, trees, and meadows, as the name of the village might suggest, are mostly Tooks, or cousins, relatives, or close acquaintances of Tooks, and are a friendly lot who welcome visitors from all parts of Middle-earth. It is here that travelers will find the Great Smials of the Tooks, an underground dwelling of immense proportions, and one which is still growing to this day, with a seemingly endless series of rooms and tunnels which have been continuously excavated for nearly 400 years.

Tuckborough is located at the western end of the Stock Road, as it makes its way across the Green Hill Country from Woodhall in the Eastfarthing. Hills perfect for Hobbit-holes feature prominently to the village's north and east, while to the west and south, the lands flatten considerably into broad meadows and green farms toward Michel Delving, Hardbottle, and the Shire's outlying villages.

Roads to and from Tuckborough are not many, so those who wish to travel to this region of the Shire had best be ready for some cross-country hiking, which will likely include steep hills thick with trees and rolling valleys with swiftly flowing streams, although such travel in this peaceful part of Middle-earth tends to be a decidedly pleasant journey.

Read more here.

World of Warcraft Arena Tournament to begin tomorrow, Friday, February 16th.

We're pleased to announce our plans for the inaugural World of Warcraft Arena Tournament, scheduled to begin on February 16 in Europe and North America and March 3 in Korea. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade players in these regions who consider themselves to be among the best in the game at player-vs.-player (PvP) combat will soon be able to prove it to the rest of the world. Will you and the rest of your team be up to the challenge? If so, gather your cohorts and begin preparing for the largest World of Warcraft competition ever held.

Read more here.

Bigfoot Networks introduces the Killer K1.

Bigfoot Networks, Inc., a research and development company, today introduced the Killer™ K1, a new, more affordable version of its flagship gaming product, the KillerTM NIC. The Killer K1 is available for a limited time from selected e-tailers for a price as low as $149.99 after rebates. Powered by Lag and Latency Reduction (LLR™) Technology, Killer K1 uses Bigfoot Network's 333 MHz Network Processing Unit (NPU) and 64 Megabytes of dedicated DDR RAM to offer gamers a faster online gaming experience.

"We often hear gamers saying that they believe in the power of LLR Technology but that the Killer NIC is too expensive for their budget," said Harlan Beverly, co-founder and CEO of Bigfoot Networks. "The new Killer K1 is exactly what they are asking for - LLR Technology at a price they can afford. Killer K1 offers the same great gaming performance of the Killer NIC and works with all games including popular titles like World of Warcraft and Battlefield 2."

Unlike the original Killer NIC, the Killer K1 does not require a heat sink and does not come standard with Flexible Network Architecture (FNA™) enabled. This means the FNA BitTorrent clients and firewalls and other cool FNApps designed to run on the Killer NIC will not work with the Killer K1 out of the box. Gamers who purchase the Killer K1 can at any time purchase a $30 upgrade from KillerNIC.com to enable the Flexible Network Architecture and start running FNApps on their Killer.

Additional Killer K1 technical specifications are as follows:

• 10/100/1000 PCI Network Interface Card

• 333 MHz Network Processing Unit

• 64MB RAM

• Full NIC functionality

Read more here.