SOE is heading off trouble with gold farmers by offering legal Real Money Trading in its new MMO, The Agency. Live Gamer will be handling the transactions for SOE. The company is already regulating real money trade on EverQuest 2.

SOE president John Smedley seemed to hint as much in his comment on the deal. “We are actively exploring free-to-play and other revenue models, and always looking for new ways to engage and entertain gamers,” he said. “Live Gamer is a proven partner that protects and supports our gamers who participate in RMT [real money trading]. We trust them to handle this area of the business for us so that we can focus on creating and growing our games.”

Players that simply must have that special item or a ton of in-game gold can get it legally. At the same time SOE, through Live Gamer, can control the whole process and keep a handle on the game economy. It sounds like a win win situation to me.

via Eurogamer

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The second expansion pack for World of Warcraft is due out in the second half of 2008, according to Vivendi. In financial details released today, Vivendi stated not once, but twice that Wrath of the Lich King will arrive during the second half of 2008.

Still no exact “yes or no” coming from the Blizzard camp on this though, so just sit tight until we get an exact release date.

Two other things were also revealed today, one was that as of March 31, 2008, the WoW subscriber base had grown to 10.7 million since January’s report of just a paltry 10 million.

The other thing that was announced, according to this, was that a Blizzard staffer hinted around that the Wrath of the Lich King expansion will include polar bear mounts. Nice.

Via: Shacknews; Image: Worldofwar.net

If you have been wanting to get in on the Requiem: Bloodymare beta but did not get your chance with the closed beta, now you can be a happy little camper. Today, registration for the Requiem: Bloodymare beta begins and once you have filled out all the correct forms so to speak, you can begin playing it May 15 - which is tomorrow for my date-challenged friends.To download the beta, click on the badge below.

I am a participant in the closed beta for Bloodymare, and while I can’t really talk to much about it, I can say that it is indeed a dark, bloody-horror of a place full of seeping evil. If this is your sort of thing, you will really enjoy it, but if you like a lot of sunshine, bunnies, rainbows and unicorns hopping around your screen, steer clear of it because if those creatures existed in Bloodymare, their heads would be on a spike,the sun would be blown to bits, and any rainbow that surfaced would be quickly corrupted by the sheer amount of grotesque evil that abounds in that place.

While reading Shacknews this morning, I came across this interesting little tidbit from Massively regarding the unheard of idea of putting your MMO experience on a resume. Incredulous as it may sound to you, the author of the piece, Cameron Sorden, makes some very good points and even the Harvard Business Review states that games allow people to “hone the same leadership skills necessary to lead tomorrow’s workforce in an increasingly global and digital business environment”.

According to Sorden:

“Businesses want employees who are punctual, intelligent, analytical, and driven — problem solvers and team players. What’s funny, however, is that those are exactly the same qualities which a guild looks for in its raiders. Good luck trying to explain that to a non-gamer, though.

As an officer in a raiding guild, you’re performing many activities on a daily basis which are directly applicable to a business environment: conflict resolution, organizational tasks, data tracking, long-term planning, and managerial decision-making in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You might not even think of it that way, but it’s true. In case you’re not seeing the parallels, I just described the following activities: settling an argument between two guild members, planning the group composition for a raid, maintaining the DKP spreadsheet, making class recruitment decisions, and giving out orders that require a change in strategy when something goes wrong during a boss fight.

It’s not just the officers who are honing their business skills, either. Every active member of a raiding guild routinely practices time management skills, conducts personal research outside of the game environment, self-manages to optimize their contribution to the group effort, learns effective communication skills, demonstrates patience and persistence in the face of adversity, and proves that they’re willing to be a team player to advance the goals of the guild. These are exactly the same attributes required of business professionals in a structured work environment.”

It never states whether it would be a good idea to include this information on a college application or not, but when I apply to Veterinary School in the Fall, I may just consider adding my LotRO experience to the list of my wonderful extracurricular activities.

I will let you know if they escort me out of the admissions office by an armed guard.

VVia: Shacknews, Massively

Funcom and Eidos have announced some impressive figures powering the Age of Conan launch, and the two companies are happy to reveal that the Age of Conan Beta has passed 1 million sign-ups.

In addition to these incredible beta numbers, Funcom confirms that almost 800,000 gamers have signed up for the ‘Clan of Conan’ newsletter, and last week Funcom registered over 115,000 posts on the official forums, across four languages. This comes in addition to Age of Conan discussions on external forums and in other languages.

In 2008, Funcom has also seen a tremendous growth in the amount of people who visit the official Age of Conan websites. Since January 2008, Funcom has registered more than 5 million unique visitors, from more than 200 countries. Last week alone, over 725,000 unique visitors came to the Age of Conan sites.

To celebrate the amazing community figures surrounding Age of Conan, Funcom and Eidos unveiled a brand new trailer this morning aptly called ‘Femme Fatale’ which you can view here.

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures launches on May 20th in North America and May 23rd in Europe.

Via: Press Release

Aside from World of Warcraft, the biggest MMO of 2007 and so far this year isn’t one you would name off the top of your head. According to the author of an article up on Eurogamer; it’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The piece goes on to defend the position that although CoD4 isn’t an MMO in the strictest sense of the definition, it does share many of the same gameplay elements that typify an MMO.

Call of Duty 4 proves that it’s possible to take some of the things that MMOs do right and distil them for a game that wouldn’t traditionally be seen as an MMO. The potency of the idea, even in this form, is obvious; the drive to play just a little bit more, because there’s a reward waiting just up ahead, is an incredibly powerful and addictive force for players

I can actually agree with the author on most of his points, and the idea isn’t one that hasn’t been presented before. The success of MMOs is changing the way traditional video games are being designed. One of the latest examples of this trend is the multi-player mode in RockStar’s Grand Theft Auto IV. I think we’re going to see the games industry moving ever closer to this formula as gamers demand more of a social element to their gaming experience.

via Eurogamer

Those who make the claim that PC gaming is dying or already dead might want to take a look at some new numbers that the NPD Group have released. The value of online subscriptions in the US from games like World of Warcraft exceed even Dr. Evil’s fantasies, to the tune of more than $1 billion a year. This number is based on data gathered from October 2007 to March 2008, which also reveals that 11 million people subscribe to online games every month.

“Now that NPD can estimate the value of the subscription market, it’s clear that there is a sizable chunk of revenue being generated by PC gaming beyond what is reflected in retail sales,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. Certainly, this bodes well for the PC gaming community and developers who remain interested in the platform. But, success doesn’t come easy; looking at the top PC MMOs in terms of subscribers in Q1 2008 show that there’s some extremely stiff competition at the top.

MMO/PC Games:

1. World of Warcraft
2. RuneScape
3. Lord of the Rings Online
4. Final Fantasy XI
5. City of Heroes

Gaming Websites:

1. Pogo.com
2. Realarcade.com
3. Bigfishgames.com
4. Gametap.com
5. Disney.com

Demographics were another area that was looked at by NPD, which show that MMO players are primarily males under the age of 35, while the majority of those on gaming websites like Pogo are females over the age of 35.

The problem with tapping this market, of course, is the significant investment it takes to even attempt to become a successful MMO. Coupled with the high risk of failure, it’s not likely that you’ll see every developer around trying to tap this market — at least not at this point.

via GI.biz

Flagship Studios has released another trailer for its upcoming Mythos MMO. The project from the original Diablo team is a free to download, free to play MMO that is currently is closed Beta testing.

The Diablo-esque game started out as a test for Hellgate: London and has evolved into a separate entity. This video is the fourth in a series of gameplay videos and heralds the imminent start of the open Beta and the New “Overworld.”

You can view the first three gameplay trailers a trailer on class introduction for Mythos on FileFront.

Virtual Worlds Management has announced that Linden Lab and The Multiverse Network have sign on as eaerly sponsers for Virtual Worlds London. The conference and expo for European companies looking to use virtual world technologies for enterprise or consumer business opportunities is scheduled for October 20-21 2008 at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

“We are pleased to welcome two virtual world technology leaders,” said Christopher Sherman, Executive Director of Virtual Worlds London. “The United Kingdom and Europe are extremely important markets for virtual world technology. Additional sponsors, supporters and exhibitors will be announced shortly.” 

Corey Bridges, co-founder and executive producer of Multiverse, believes this is the breakout year for virtual worlds. “Not only will we finally see deep integration with social networks, which will bring virtual worlds truly into the mainstream, we’ll also see ultra-useful ‘killer apps’ for the enterprise, with measurable ROI,” Bridges said. “The innovators who are building this future will be in attendance at Virtual Worlds London this fall.”

Both companies are also signed for the Virtual Worlds Expo in Los Angeles, California which is scheduled for September 3-4 2008.

The push for the integration of social networks into MMOs is the current trend. These expos are gaining in importance and popularity as the emphasis grows. I think we’re bound to see more of this type of direction in other video game conferences over the next few years.
via Business Wire

According to a recent GamesIndustry interview with Josh Drescher, EA Mythic’s senior designer, Warhammer Online has been built to contain five years of content.In the interview, which will be published in full next week, Dresher discussed the challenges the development team faced when creating Warhammer Online and also discussed the MMORPG’s longevity:

“All the under-the-hood numbers all actually scale through the next five years. What you don’t want is when you launch the game you’ve got 40 levels - and it takes however long it takes to get to level 40. You then launch an expansion and it now takes two weeks to get to level 40 because now we need everyone to spend six months to get from level 40 to 50. So you need to spec the game out in such a way that you actually have those progressions in mind for later - so you don’t wind up trampling all over the earlier experiences every time you expand the game. We have actually five years’ worth of numerology out in front of us in terms of all that.”

Sounds like loads of content can be expected when Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning launches sometime this Fall. No wonder it has taken so long.

Via: GamesIndustry.biz

Turbine and Codemasters Online have announced the launch of “Swig and Toss”, the second mini-game for the Unlock the Mines of Moria website. Registered participants can challenge themselves and their friends to earn special deeds that unlock unique rewards including exclusive videos, images, and in-game items that will aid them on their journey when The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria launches this fall.Swig and Toss is an axe throwing competition with a bit of drinking and wagering to make things more interesting! In this 10-round game, players try to keep a steady aim while attempting to hit a target with their axe. Hit the mark and win, miss and hear the Dwarves around you scoff at your lack of skill. The more you drink, the more you can wager, but be warned - the more you drink, the blurrier things get and it is harder to see the target.

It is loads of fun, but I am afraid that I am not too good at drinking games so I will one of the few who do not get to unlock any special items when the expansion is released. Hopefully, these items will not be “bind on acquire” and I can purchase them at my Kin’s auction house.

Via: Press Release

Hey buddy, want some WoWcrack? You know you do. Its cheap too, and when I say cheap, I mean free. Follow me into this dark alley and I will give you the goods - make sure no one sees you and that you are not followed or else the deal is off. You aren’t packing heat or wearing a wire are you? Ok cool, let’s do this then.

All of my stuff is premo and pure and it is a new strain of WoWcrack sure to please even the most discerning of tastes. It is called Wrath of the Lich King and I have nine different types.

• The first one is an interview with designer J. Kaplan & Producer J. Allen Brack about what World of Warcraft’s upcoming expansion has to offer.
• Next we have the first footage of air-to-air battles featuring vehicle combat.
• I also have an extended look at new zones (Northrend) and more vehicle combat
• Here I have the Howling Fjord which is one of Lich King’s two starter zones, including the Utgarde Keep instance and the new Tuskar race.
• Then I have this sweet bit of stuff that contains footage of the Borean Tundra which is the Lich King’s other starting zone, along with Howling Fjord. This clip shows both the Alliance and Horde towns, and the Nexus level 71-73 instance.
• Dragonblight is some really good stuff too where you can catch a glimpse of Wyrmrest Temple, the Nerubians, and Naxxramas.
• Like trolls? Then you will love Zul’Drak - the former troll empire has fallen on tough times. It’s not just for ice trolls any more.
• Sholazar Basin is the sister zone to Ungoro Crater. That crashed ship? Hemet Nessingwary’s. Good times to be had with this one
• Last but not least I have the Grizzly Hills where the Venture Co. has set up shop in Northrend, and so have the Furbogs (they live in the fallen, mini-world tree).

So what will it be then? You will take all of them? You are hardcore indeed my friend! Make sure you tell your friends about me, and as long as they are not narcs - I will do my best to supply them with more WoWcrack when it becomes available. In the meantime, if they need more information on my wares, they can check out previous posts on Wrath of the Lich King here. You can also get more of the goods after the break.

Enjoy my friend, but just be careful you don’t OD on all this WoW.

Read the full article

FireSky’s senior VP of strategic operations Joe Ybarra, sees a similarity between television production and game development. FireSky, as you are well aware, is the company who is currently developing the new MMO based upon Stargate Worlds.

Speaking to GamesIndustry, Ybarra stated:

“I think the best way to look at it is that the IP for Stargate Worlds was originally a television series, and what’s really interesting about working on a TV-based property - especially with Stargate - is the fact that it’s an ongoing production and the mentality that they take towards creating the show is very similar to that which we take when building a game.”

FireSky, like other MMOS developers, plan on releasing incremental content on a regular basis which from a developmental standpoint, Ybarra feels is almost the same thing as creating regular content for a television series.

“I think what’s also interesting is that the audiences that consume these products, both from TV with respect to science-fiction programming and gaming, is the same. As we refine our processes, as we start to look into the future of how we can make that relationship between television and gaming even closer than we’ve accomplished already, that’s a really exciting aspect of our business.”

According to GamesIndustry.biz, FireSky will not rely upon a licensed IP but will focus instead on an original IP along with a platform called “Social Networks At Play”, which the company hopes will bring gaming and social networking together.

“…The one thing we have to produce is a great game - and it really doesn’t matter what the property or subject matter is, we have to deliver to the customer a great game,” Ybarra said.

For the complete interview with Joe Ybarra and Rod Nakamoto hit the link below.

Via: GamesIndustry.biz

Masthead Studios has released it first official Earthrise Newsletter. This first offering gives gamers a closer look at what this post-apocalyptic MMO is all about. You’ll find a description as well as some nice screenshots like the one above. If you’re intrigued and would like to know more; the newsletter also has a list of articles, press releases and screenshots published since Earthrise was introduced three months ago. You’ll also find a wide variety of information from the developers on game mechanics as well as links to the Forums.

The screenshots with the newsletter look beautiful… too beautiful for me to reconcile them with a post-apocalyptic setting. I guess I’ll have to wait for more information on the mythos of the world. To get a look at the newsletter for yourself, visit Play Earthrise.

Looking to play an innovative game that blends MMO elements with RTS gameplay? Well, Filefront’s got you covered. We’ve teamed up with the 1UP network and publisher Silverlode to bring you 50,000 copies of the critically acclaimed “MMORTS,” Saga. The game will have players amassing huge armies to fulfill their goals in a world created by the lead programmer for Starcraft: Brood War, Dallan Christensen. You’ll be able to build up an army of human, orcs, elves, dragons, giant mechs, and much more by acquiring booster packs of units. Units and resources can be bought and traded much like items in a traditional MMORPG, and the game’s persistent world will continue to evolve and expand even while you’re offline. Plus, as icing on the “awesome cake,” Saga is completely free to play.

Want your free copy of Saga? Well, then just click on the link below to download the game client. The client will come with a serial key, which you’ll need to use to create an account at the official Saga website. Be sure to check out the file’s description for instructions on creating your own account. You’ll have between now and May 11th to secure your copy of the game, unless we run out before then. We’re seriously giving away $1 million dollars worth of stuff here, people, so be sure not to miss out.

[Update: Some people seem to be having trouble locating their serial key. After following the link below and clicking “Download Now,” the red text near the top of the page will change to display your own personal key so you can register your free copy. Happy gaming!]

The latest devlogs from Pirates of the Burning Seas cover skill changes taking effect in the 1.4 build for the Freetrader and the new Buccaneer class.

As with other classes, the Freetrader will see a big change in skills as tiered skills have been replaced a single skill equivalent. Desperation Fire 1, Repel Grapples 1, Dockyard Contract, Identify Weakness 1 and Before the Wind 1 have all been removed and there are changes to many more including Evasion, Reinforcement and Battle Preparations. Most of the changes made seem to be for the better with a minimum of nerfing.  You can see descriptions of the new skills and the revised skill tree on The Freetrader devlog.

The Buccaneer is a new pirate career debuting in build 1.4. Existing pirates will now be Cutthroats. The Buccaneer is designed to fill the pirate roll in PvP and end game content. It’s an advanced career that promises to be “hard, but fun” to play. Buccaneers can’t capture ships, but they can use captured ship deeds and they receive Scavenge for free as their version of Claim Prize at level 5. You can find the complete skill tree and skill chains available in The Buccaneer devlog.

Warhammer Age of Reckoning has introduced the new High Elf class Swordmaster of Hoeth. This Elven tank has a very strong magical defense. Its the kind of character that can deflect arrows with his sword and the might of magic. Swordmasters prefer two-handed swords and use magic to buff themselves and their allies.

Here’s how the tanks of the side of Order stack up:

• The Dwarf Ironbreaker is a physical tanking dynamo, as you might expect from one of the stout folk.
• The Empire Knight of the Blazing Sun has average physical defences and average magical support.
• The High Elf Swordmaster of Hoeth has lower physical defences but has stronger magical defences.

Which character type you choose is based on your personal play style… or whether you like pointy ears.

via MMORPG

Journalist and MMO commentator Michael Zenke has written an article explaining his theory on why Microsoft has a black thumb when it comes to MMOs. Microsoft has a bad track record with the genre. Marvel Universe Online is the latest title to make the list of its failed games; which include Asheron’s Call 2, Mythica, True Fantasy Online and Vanguard.

Zenke chalks many of the casualties up to poor planning and lack of foresight. He also cites preoccupation with Xbox Live as an obstacle to cashing in on porting MMOs to its console.

Of course Microsoft’s failure has made it that much better for Sony. SOE has very successfully capitalized on the MMO market including porting them to the PS2 and PS3 consoles.

Zenke presents a very simplified theory, but I happen to think it’s a sound one. Take a look at all the evidence and judge for yourself.

via Gamasutra

SOE has a new Audio developer diary up for EverQuest II featuring character animator Steve Kim. Although he’s had no formal training in animation, Kim does 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting in addition to his job character rigging for SOE.

He’s also known for his strange creatures. He credits his unique non traditional perspective and childhood love of anime as inspiration for his creations.

You would think Kim was a gamer, but he’s doesn’t even own a console. He’s only played EQ2 once under company orders. I guess it just goes to show that you don’t have to love to play the game; you just have to love to create.

via EverQuest II 

Eskil Steenberg, a Swedish indie game developer, is single handed developing a program that will create MMOs. The software he calls Love uses procedural game design to create a cooperative sci-fi adventure for up to 50 people where the game generates the content, not the programer.

“It’s a change for a multiplayer game to allow you to really have an impact on the world,” says Steenberg. “With other MMOs, if you kill a dragon, it doesn’t mean the dragon is gone. It just means that you killed him, and other people get to kill him afterward. It’s not like the whole world says, ‘Oh, the dragon’s gone. Now we can live a free and happy life, and that guy’s the hero because he did it.’ That’s the game I want to do.”

As I’ve said before, my biggest criticism of MMOs is that players have no lasting impact on the world. You may slay the ultimate boss or save the village from the invading hordes, but this content will reset as if you had never been there. If Steenburg succeeds with this smaller model and can apply the science to a large scale MMO, he’ll have a massive hit on his hands.

via 1up