The Hi-Rez team really gets into the spirit to celebrate their German Localization along with the Marksman update!
Monthly Archives: September 2012
Elsword Velder’s Hallucination Secret Dungeon Trailer
Elsword releases part 2 of it’s Awakened update this week featuring Velder’s Hallucination.
The Secret World Issue 2 Preview
Funcom previews things to come in The Secret World‘s Issue 2.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online Arctic Pack Available Today
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online Arctic Pack Available Today
Today, Ubisoft announced the first content expansion for the premium online free-to-play shooter, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online. The Arctic Pack is available today, September 12th and features a host of new content including a new Conquest mode map, Tomsk-9, as well as six new weapon variants, three new headgear variants and 2 new body armor variants.
Set in a nuclear reprocessing complex deep within Russia’s Arctic circle, Tomsk-9 is Ghost Recon Online’s largest map. Featuring both indoor and outdoor environments as well as a symmetrical map design, Tomsk-9 will offer players a balanced competitive game play flow.
The GRO community has played a major role in shaping the development of this update, by helping identify the over 300 balance changes, improvements, and bug fixes that have gone into the Arctic Pack along with the new content.

Content includes:
-Tomsk-9 map
-6 Arctic Camouflaged Weapon Variants:
a- L86A1 IW ALP Light Machine Gun
b- MK 16 CQC ALP Assault Rifle
c- P90 SD ALP Sub-Machine Gun
d- M-200 SD ALP Sniper Rifle
e- NC2000 C ALP Shotgun
f- USP 45 ALP Pistol
-3 Arctic Camouflaged Headgear Variants:
a- OCF-FL2 Helmet ALP (for the Assault class)
b- ECW-G5 RS Hood ALP (for the Recon class)
c- CBRN-L4 Headgear ALP (for the Specialist class)
d- HERMES S-03 Mk. II ALP
e- TITAN S-03 MK. II ALP
-2 Arctic Camouflaged Body Armor Variants
The Arctic Pack is available for Ghost Recon Online players Today. All items are available for purchase in-game via both game (Requisition Points) and premium currencies (Ghost Coins). The Arctic weapon variants will be available for a 2 week period, while the Arctic headgear and body armor variants will be available on a permanent basis in the in-game Store.
MetaÂs Verse: The CoH Community Stands Strong
Meta’s Verse: The CoH Community Stands Strong
By Meticulous Meta, OnRPG Paragon Reporter
If you were to go to the City of Heroes forums right now you’d see goodbyes from the developers, goodbyes from players, messages from the #SaveCoH Save City of Heroes campaign and stories. Some of these stories are amusing moments from the game. That’s pretty standard when a game is closing. What stands out though are the stories of the community. The outpouring of support and love when a dev leaves the team, or a member of the community dies. Or reminiscing about the time the developers and gamers got together in secret to help a man propose to his wife in game for a real life wedding. A baby pool when a community member becomes pregnant and helping people come to terms with who they are. City of Heroes has been open for 8 years and in that time the community has become a family.
Births
MiniTurg or Turglet as some call him is an adorable baby that has become somewhat of a mascot in the City of Heroes community. His very proud father has posted pictures and updates on this little future hero’s life. Even people who don’t know Turg enjoy seeing new pictures of the littlest hero in Paragon.
As you read this The MPs are running a baby pool. Madame Pistacio is due to deliver on October 18th. Players from all over the City of Heroes community have offered up their guesses.
Coming To Terms
Community members have come to terms with who they are in City of Heroes for as long as City of Heroes has been around. One of the oldest stories is of a player who, with the help of friends he made in City of Heroes, came to terms with the fact that he was gay and worked up the nerve to ask his crush out. This is a story repeated so many times over I couldn’t find it in my heart to just pick one. Whether gay, transgender, disabled or just uncomfortable with who you are, City of Heroes has been a place where you could come to terms with it, embrace it and be embraced by a collection of people who love you for you.
Weddings
Speaking of love, it has been joked many times that Paragon Studios should open a dating service. Why? City of Heroes has brought together couples from all across the world. Some are dating but there have been many City of Heroes weddings.
One such story is by Mr. Hellcat who took a chance in calling a stranger he had played with that was a friend of a friend. They hit it off so well he moved across the country to be with her and after two years they married.

Proposals
City of Heroes and Paragon Studios don’t stop at setting people up though! Oh no, they offer the full package which includes awesome community wide support for proposals. One such proposal which I was lucky enough to be at was that of Strongwall and Gaia Stormsoul. With the help of several members of the development team, including Melissa “War Witch” Bianco an event was planned in City of Heroes to help set up a real proposal. With the help of members of the community the proposal went fantastically and most importantly Gaia said yes! Not only did she say yes but together their love defeated a God.
Mourning Together
When a member of the City of Heroes community dies it is an incredibly emotional time for the whole community. Last year Madame Pistacio, (yes the same woman from the baby pool.) flew to be at the side of a friend she had made in City of Heroes during his last days battling Hogkins Lymphoma. While there she passed on heart-warming messages of love and support from the community. Even people who had never met DC had messages for him.
Anytime a player is lost the whole community gets behind their family offering support and messages of love as they go through a difficult time. On the server they called hope vigils are held in their memory. Stories are told of the best times people had with those who pass. And though it eventually ends they are never forgotten.
More Than A Job
Working for Paragon Studios is more than just a job. In an industry where changing jobs every two years is perfectly normal, having Melissa Bianco and Matt Miller working on the same project for a decade is amazing. In that time Paragon Studios has hired several players from across the community to do a variety of roles. Giving them opportunities to get into the gaming industry which for those with no previous experience can be quite difficult.
The development team has included players in so much of what they do. And in return the players have included the development team in what they do. Together they form a community unlike any other. A community which now works to save City of Heroes and Paragon Studios. A community which is struggling to stay together no matter what comes their way. They are heroes and this is what they do.
Elsword Launches Phase 2 of Awakened
Elsword Launches Phase 2 of Awakened
This week, Kill3rCombo launches the second of a three-phase gameplay revamp for the free-to-play manga inspired action MMORPG Elsword.
Following the skill rebalance and enhanced PvP updates in Phase One of “Elsword Awakened,” Phase Two focuses on teamwork by adding a brand new secret dungeon and upgrading the gameplay of the existing secret dungeons.
The secret dungeons have long been the ultimate test for players, as they represent fiendishly challenging levels that can only be beaten through teamwork and strategy. The newest secret dungeon, “Velder’s Hallucination,” thrusts players into a nightmarish world filled with titanic bosses that tower over the landscape. Players will also have access to new gameplay tricks to turn back the tide of evil, such as the invulnerability cauldron.
The secret dungeons are also known for supplying some of the most powerful items in the game, and now with the rebalance, crafting materials needed for the most coveted weapons will be three times as plentiful. Level 60 items will also become available with this update. Additionally, enemy intelligence has been overhauled to make teamwork even more crucial when running secret dungeons.
“Elsword Awakened” Phase Two also coincides with a series of community events built around the legendary “Talk like a Pirate Day.” Starting with the September 12 update, players will have access to first-time pirate costumes and can participate in numerous pirate themed events. For two weeks, players will band together to repel hordes of invading pirates, scoring free costumes and accessories for working as a team.
OnRPG Shotgun News 9/12: RIFT, Fallen Earth, FFXIV, and more!
OnRPG Shotgun News 9/12: RIFT, Fallen Earth, FFXIV, and more!
By Shannon Doyle (Leliah), OnRPG Journalist
Autumn Comes to Rift in 1.10
Though as of this moment update 1.10 isn’t live yet we know it is coming later today. And since it isn’t live yet we don’t have the patch notes yet but we do know what’s coming. I wrote an entire article on it in fact! The calm before the storm is on it’s way. And may I be so bold to say, winter is coming. http://www.onrpg.com/MMO/RIFT/review/MEAD-RIFT-110—Calm-Before-the-Storm
Final Fantasy XIV Sunsetted For 2.0
As FFXIV comes to an end to make way for the newer version 2.0 subscription fees are being ended. All billing will be ended on September 29th and will not be picked back up again until the game relaunches. Players who have currently active subscriptions will be able to continue to play until the game shuts down on November 11th.
The Secret World Digs Another Day
I reported yesterday that The Secret World was taking one extra day before releasing Issue 2. Well it seems that it was a good thing they took that day. They’ll be taking another day to work out a problem they discovered. But! They aren’t leaving us hanging with nothing. A detailed preview of all things Issue 2 was released today!
SWTOR To Get 6 Week Update Schedule
As SWTOR prepares to go Free to play General Manager of Bioware Austin committed to a 6 week update schedule during an interview. Saying that they will release major updates like a new warzone, Flashpoint Operation and event on a regular basis.
WoW Hides Information in Screenshots

Players have discovered a watermark in every in game screenshot which contains information like which server it was taken on, player account numbers and a time/date stamp. None of this information can be used to hack into accounts and thus isn’t a security risk, just a little surprising.
Knight Age Developer Discusses the Future
Head Developer of Knight Age, Baek Young Min recently sat down to reveal what can be expected in the future for Knight Age. One such thing is a pvp battle for Excalibur. The sword itself will be able to be freed from the rock it’s wedged in and used by chosen players for an increase in stats. But at the end of the day the sword would return to the rock to be freed once more.
The West 2.0 Wants to Duel

As part of the excitement surrounding the beta for The West 2.0 a contest is being held. Fans are being invited to recreate a duel scene using video, art, audio, or any other medium you can think of. Winners will get Nerf guns so they can be in their own duel and 1,000 premium nuggets for in game gear. Submissions are being accepted until September 27th.
Fallen Earth Gets GORE
A new update to Fallen Earth has brought out some new weapons and an event. Globaltech Ordinance of Rapid Extermination (GORE) weapon plans have been leaked leaving the factions scrambling to be the first to build them. And giving those that do a significant advantage. Three new models have been built to meet diverse combat needs, The Bastard, The Jackal and The Lunatic. LifeNet Technicians are urging people to help discover the location of hidden crates. Completing this mission gives a unique reward and schematics for the GORE weapon of your choice.
WoW Wednesday – WoW Versus Every Game Ever Made
WoW Wednesday – WoW versus every game ever made
By Meredith Watson, OnRPG Journalist
You may have noticed that WoW is a bit dead right now. The realms aren’t their usual jam packed selves. The reason for this is twofold. Players are waiting for Mists of Pandaria and are bored of the current content and/or playing a different game-namely Guild Wars 2. Guild Wars 2 is a perfect game for WoW players to try during this lull as you only have to buy the box unlike WoW which requires a subscription making the player feel as if they have to play. Guild Wars 2 is relatively guilt free. The problem is that when the vast majority of WoW players play other games such as Guild Wars 2 they constantly compare game X with WoW.
I saw a forum post the other day where the response was “Guild Wars 2 is great for the first two hours but I prefer WoW. It is more polished”. I had to laugh. Sure WoW is polished. It is almost eight years old and Blizzard has done enough tinkering around and using things from other games to make it what it is today. It wasn’t always this glossy and it certainly was never as easy as it is now. I can assure you forum poster that WoW was, at one point, anything but polished.

There is a lot of debate right now since the release of GW2 about it being better or worse than WoW or that it will or won’t be a WoW killer. I can settle this debate for everyone right now. Is Guild Wars 2 better than WoW? No, of course not. It is different than WoW. It is a different game, with different mechanics, different lore, different, well, everything. Yes, they are both fantasy MMORPGs but that is where the similarity ends. ArenaNet’s approach to the genre is so far removed from that of Blizzard that there isn’t a holy trinity or even traditional quests for that matter.
Graphically WoW and Guild Wars 2 couldn’t be more dissimilar. There isn’t any use of physics in WoW for starters. WoW uses elements of the proprietary graphics engine originally used in Warcraft III whereas Guild Wars 2 uses a highly modified Guild Wars engine and Havok physics engine. As far as art direction World of Warcraft is very cartoony while Guild Wars 2 veers towards realism. That is like comparing Renaissance art with abstract art. Comparing them cannot be done as both have their own merits and, more importantly, is subjective as to which is “better”. Art like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
There aren’t any similarities as far as combat is concerned either. The combat in WoW doesn’t allow for much movement aside from moving out of whatever has spawned on the ground or if you are like me and just like to jump around to keep things interesting. Guild Wars 2 combat is meant for movement while actively evading being hit. Wow combat is all about spamming of abilities and spells but in GW2 everything but auto attack has a cool down. Combat couldn’t be more different between the two if it tried.
It isn’t just Guild Wars 2 that World of Warcraft gets compared to. Most games since WoWs release have been heralded as the WoW Killer and will be scrutinized and measured against WoW. A prime example was Rift. When Rift came out general chat was chock full of WoW players lamenting how Rift was nothing but a knockoff of WoW. This is where I need to set things straight. Wow is not a unique and beautiful snowflake. What Blizzard has done with WoW over the years is take pieces from other games and incorporated them into WoW. For example and most recently, the guild finder. There was a guild finder in Everquest 2 long before there was one in WoW as well as a Looking for Group interface. Most WoW players now won’t know that because a) they have only just been introduced to MMOs through WoW, most likely during Wrath of the Lich King or b)they have been playing WoW since release and that is all they have ever played.
The WoW Killer is a term that is thrown around a lot especially at the release of a new game. Currently, it is Guild Wars 2 that may or may not be the WoW killer but before that it was Rift and before that it was something else and something else before that. Here is the deal people- there will never be one game that will kill WoW so you can stop with the surmising now. Do people honestly think 9 million subscribers are just going to up stakes and move to game x? Blizzard, time and multiple other games will eventually take their toll on WoW. Even then WoW won’t be killed. It seems very unlikely Blizzard is going to close down the servers anytime soon.
World of Warcraft is a great game with many fine features as is Guild Wars 2, Rift, and all the others games WoW is frequently compared to. It all boils down to preference as to which game is better so I fail to understand why this argument of WoW vs game X even exists. It serves no purpose. Games should be judged on their own merits versus those of another game.
Sevencore Celebrates Launch with Big Prizes
Sevencore Celebrates Launch with Big Prizes
With thousands of mounts raised and dozens of guild battles fought, Sevencore has been officially launched to a worldwide audience! gPotato is celebrating the launch of its newest MMORPG with grand prize giveaways for top of the line gaming gear, exclusive in-game items, and more.
Ensure the best performance when running Sevencore by winning an Alienware gaming laptop! To enter players must take a screenshot of themselves riding their favorite mount while participating in the Obsidian Invasion, one of several in-game events. Once taken, screenshots posted to the official Sevencore fanart section will be entered into a raffle to win one of many fabulous prizes: Sevencore hoodies, a Razer Death Adder mouse, a Sumo bean bag chair, or the ultimate prize, an Alienware M11x laptop!
During the Obsidian Invasion players are tasked with protecting precious crystals from the attacking Obsidian forces, but to succeed they’ll have to utilize Sevencore’s unique mounts. These powerful companions aid in both battle and travel, offering valuable skills and abilities while also making journeys effortless tasks. Raise a common mount, or be the first to defeat a world boss or dungeon quest to earn the rarest and most coveted of Sevencore’s mounts.
To learn more about Sevencore be sure to check out our detailed 2 part write-up on our game profile, or just see the game for yourself!
War of Angels Chapter 1 Trailer
War of Angels has been reborn with improved graphics and plenty of additional features.











