WoW: "Cataclysm" Expansion Details Leaked

I won't post it all for you to see since if it's true--IF--it's pretty radical. Not only is the info coming from MMO-Champion though, but it's also nowhere near Tin Foil Hat April Fool's Day.

I will however reveal one sexy possibility: "Flying in Azeroth!"

So if your heart can take anymore, check it out!

http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=92919.0

We should be hearing something soon from BlizzCon.

TCoS: Free to Play FO YO FACE!

This is from the TCOS Developer's Blog:

It happens sometimes; a really good game will slip through the cracks. There are a lot of reasons why this happens and I know you will have opinions, but I’m not here to talk about that.

I feel like Spellborn was one of those games. A solid MMORPG with a twitch combat interface that meant that player skill actually mattered in PvP. Most of those who played it enjoyed it. And it did pretty well in the reviews online. It was originally a subscription based game with servers in EU and North America, and is now in redevelopment to be converted to a F2P. Acclaim still has servers running the original version and that is why I’m writing this.

We felt like people missed out. They didn’t get to see what Spellborn was really like. And we are going to fix that.

Today, as you read this, Spellborn as it currently exists is now free to play. Keep in mind that there will be no upgrades and no patches. It has become in effect, an Action RPG with superior Multiplayer. The only thing it will cost you to play is the time it takes to download.

So play it. http://www.tcos.com

Now because it is frozen in time, we will be creating events for the players and we will help support any players that want to make their own events. And if you have thoughts on how we might make this version more enjoyable as we wait for the New free to play version, we are glad to listen.

David Historian DeWald
Community Manager
Acclaim Games Inc.
community@acclaim.com

I did get a chance to play Spellborn, and I've got to say, one of the best parts of that game is the character "look" customization. I easily spent an hour making sure I looked spiffy in red and black. But as for the game itself, I didn't get very far because while I enjoyed the FPS like combat system, it just didn't grab me. It might have been me getting ganked by wolves along the road and dying in seconds, but ego aside, I didn't see enough in it to subscribe.

But now that it's free, I may just go back and check it out.

All Points Bulletin: Beta Sign Ups Open!

If you can get on to their website that is.

Looks like http://www.apb.com is experiencing a TON of traffic right now so you may experience some server time outs if you try to apply now.

So if you're impatient, WAIT a few hours and apply (or suffer the, I input everything but the server timed out so I gotta' fill in all that info again problem over and over again). And remember to name your DXDiag file:

firstname.lastname.DxDiag.txt

Don't say I didn't warn you!

And good luck everyone getting in.

Little Title Change

The old name was kinda' weak but I couldn't think of anything better...so ta da, a new name for the same old shitty ass blog. Yay?

I tried to make it SEKSI so I can get free epix in games. Send them nao!

WoW: Onyxia Returns!

Oh sisnaps!!

The Brood Mother Returns

She has lurked in her lair and done battle with the many brave adventurers who travelled to that familiar location over the years. Now, in honor of the World of Warcraft 5-year anniversary, the dreaded brood mother Onyxia is being revamped to make a return to the forefront of Azeroth, as part of our big plans for the upcoming 3.2.2 content patch.

This permanent update to Onyxia will convert the dungeon into 10- and 25-player modes. We will be adding new items to Onyxia’s loot table that have the same model as some of the classic loot from this dungeon, like Tier 2 helms, with stats updated to match the current level of content. There will be a special new item too: a normal drake-sized 310% speed flying mount modeled after Onyxia herself called Brood of Onyxia. We will also be updating the encounter mechanics to be more fitting for modern raiding, but we can guarantee players will get to experience the frightening horror of deep breaths once again.

Then for a limited time, after the 5-year anniversary event officially begins in November, anybody who logs in will receive an Onyxia Brood Whelpling pet.

We’re very excited to bring this classic encounter back to provide a fun new experience for both new and veteran players. Further details will be available in the near future, and we will be setting up the Public Test Realms soon to help test out this fight along with all the new content we have planned for the patch. Keep an eye on the forums for updates!

Sadly, I was advised that I was much harsher as a raid leader. :(

Fallen Earth: Battle Begins August 17 in Open Beta

I haven't heard very good things about it, but a free chance is a free chance!

Battle Begins August 17 in Open Beta

August 12, 2009

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FALLEN EARTH, LLC announced today that the post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online (MMO) game of the same name will begin an Open Beta program August 17. Players who want to get an early glimpse of Fallen Earth on August 17 need only register on FilePlanet beginning Friday, August 14 at 1 p.m. ET (GMT-4).

Taking place in the Grand Canyon, Fallen Earth gives players the choice to rebuild the decaying world or participate in its destruction through use of the classless advancement system, real-time crafting and the seamless integration of first-person shooter and role-playing game mechanics.

“The Open Beta and Pre-Order programs give a much larger group of players the opportunity to experience Fallen Earth,” says Jessica Orr, product manager for Fallen Earth. “We are excited that players want to get a jump on the game, and we are including a little something extra for being among the first to order.”

Those who pre-order Fallen Earth at Direct2Drive get an exclusive in-game mount—the Wasteland Runner—which has four more points of defensive skills, 2500 more Stamina and six more pack slots than other horses. Additionally, pre-orders receive a guaranteed spot in the Open Beta and a five-day head start in the game, beginning September 4.

Keep up to date with all the Fallen Earth action on the Facebook and Twitter pages.

About FALLEN EARTH, LLC

Formed in 2003, FALLEN EARTH, LLC is a special purpose entity born out of Icarus Studios dedicated to the production of the independently produced and published, massively multiplayer online game (MMO) unlike any other, Fallen Earth. Set in the Grand Canyon in 2156 and mixing first-person shooter-style action with role-playing game design, players explore a post-apocalyptic universe in which players must craft, trade, and scavenge through the wastelands of the American Southwest to unravel the mysteries of the deadly Shiva virus. Fallen Earth is co-developed with Icarus Studios using the patented technology xScape™ Platform and available exclusively for the PC.

PUG Life: Why I PUG

Definition:

1. "In RL, a pug is a small, wheezy dog that looks like it had its face smashed in by brick wall."
2. "In online gaming, the acronym PUG stands for "Pick-Up Group," which is a group of players who've gotten together (or been thrown together) in order to accomplish a goal, a quest, or whatever. PUGs are oftentimes mix-and-match, hit-or-miss groups that are less than optimum for achieving a goal." (Courtesy of LagKills, A Glossary of Online Gaming Acronyms.)

Usage:

• As a noun: "Hmm, no one's on. I guess I'll just catch a PUG."
• As a verb: "Why don't I tank, and we can PUG a Healer."
• As an adjective: "No, it's not a Guild group, it's a PUG group."

Signature Examples:

• WoW: The group successfully rolls through the first 2/3s of a Heroic Dungeon. On a trash pull, the healer loses power, disconnects and the group wipes. A minute later, the healer returns, explains the situation, GETS CALLED A "NUB," by the Rogue pulling 800 DPS and the entire group disbands.
• FFXI: The RDM in the group doesn't have Refresh because he wants to be "unique," and not follow the crowd. The WHM decides to teach him a lesson by only using Hexa Strike, you wipe, delevel and the group disbands.
• DDO: You enter the Vault of the Night and notice the Rogue you've picked up to disable the traps is wearing Plate and wielding a Two-Hander. (Because she's also got 5 levels of PALADIN in case someone needs her to Tank--and 1 Level of Cleric for Cure Light Wounds.) The trap kills all the healers, a single, stray kobold kills everyone else and the raid disbands.

**NOTE** You may be thinking, "FFS JOIN A HARD CORE RAIDING GUILD SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUG, R-TARD" as you read through. But I'm done with 48/7 raiding dramz and am currently very very happy in a smaller guild of friends and family. Since we're older and work, not everyone can play every hour of every day, and while we can do 10/12 mans no problem, for bigger raids or off nights, I choose to PUG.**

PUGs get a lot of bad press. There are pages and pages of horror stories littering the Interwebz or announced over Global chat, and surely as a gamer, you have one or two of your own. Hell, you may even have been the culprit of a "fail" PUG when you were first learning. And though the worst possible PUGs can make you tear your hair out and never want to log in again, PUGging, really isn't all snakes and snails and puppy dog tails. It can be suger and spice and everything nice as well with a little bit of skill I call, "luck".

After all, in a group of competent people who know what their doing and are all on the same page, how often do you get in "trouble?" How often are you thinking on your feet rather than following the rote? And how often are you forced into doing something you'd never think of doing before in order to help your group survive? Oh yes, it's easy to be a "good player" when everyone else around you is good. But it's when you're standing at the very edge of the cliff that you either learn to sink or swim and hold your own.

And then there's the the flip side where you end up the low man on the DPS pole. Perhaps you're trying out a new spec, or new Job. PUGs are a great way to meet other folks who can help you with your rotation or guide you through a dungeon you've never visited before. PUGs can teach you new boss strategeries and give you great tips as well about gearing or what not (yes, I have a Warrior and Shadow Priest crush--you know who you are <3).>

Ah yes, no pain, no gain, and sometimes, lots and lots of pain and still no gain. But whether you're in a "WIN" or "FAIL" raid, one things for sure, a PUG can get the adrenalin flowing and the blood pumping...and hopefully not just because you chucked your screen out the window.