The booth for TERA Online felt a little lonely, small and innocuous and off to the side of Harmonix’s giant hall. It was a simple four-walled structure with five computers all closely packed and a reception desk. One wall featured the trailer seen below, which caught the eye of more than a few passersby. The game is pretty, the trailer shows this and my own time with the game certainly didn’t refute the fact. The real question is: Is there room for a self-proclaimed action-MMORPG in today’s saturated and dominated market? En Masse Entertainment hopes there is, and I can certainly say after my own demo that it plays differently than any MMO I’ve had experience with.

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When Final Fantasy XIV was first announced, I met the news with trepidation and curiosity. I really liked Final Fantasy XI, but couldn’t stick out the massive grind that the first year or so of the game required. I quit and looked back with regret later upon hearing that they’d actually improved things quite a bit over the years. I am a fan of the series to the bitter end. There has not been a game I didn’t love, despite the criticisms levied against the majority of them lately. It was with all this in mind that I sat down at a computer at Square Enix’s massive E3 booth for some hands on time with Final Fantasy XIV. My opinion has changed, but not drastically because I’m still hesitant to endorse the direction it’s headed. However, I also find myself wanting to play more, and have a hunch that this might be the game that brings me back into the MMORPG fold.

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During the EA press conference, more exciting features were revealed for Bioware’s upcoming MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic. Blaine Christine, Producer for The Old Republic, put the new features pretty simply, stating that they will “show ownership for players.”

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It’s a sad day for Australian All Points Bulletin fans. Apparently the crime-themed MMO won’t be reaching its shores any time soon due to a lack of local servers. According to EA, they said that APB won’t be launching in Australia in July because the game is too fast-paced, and a local server would be absolutely essential.

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Starting in the fall, Turbine and Warner Bros. are making the Lord of the Rings Online free-to-play, meaning anyone can choose to download the game and fight in Middle-earth without paying a single dime (well, except the electricity and Internet access). With this move also comes the additions of the LOTRO Store and the VIP program. The change in LOTRO’s pricing model comes from the success of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, which “validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget.”

The LOTRO Store offers exclusive expansions, quest packs, items, and perks that players can choose to individually purchase to enhance their experience. The VIP program is more of a monthly pay model in which players will receive all of that for free. Current monthly subscribers will automatically become VIP members (as long as they keep paying), with lifetime subscribers becoming permanent VIP members. The specific details of it can be found here. That page also offers a fancy chart that compares the different types of membership.

You can sign up for the closed beta (NDAs, people) here.

[Source: Warner Bros. Press Release, The Lord of the Rings Online Official Site]

The galaxy is cold, vast and very, very dangerous. BioWare is aware of this, and if you’ve ever fantasized about flying around with your own Chewie, pay very close attention to Star Wars: The Old Republic. According to the updated Star Wars: The Old Republic site, “these characters complement a player’s strengths or weaknesses, and provide company for the epic journey you will inevitably undertake. Whether they’re combative, friendly, flirtatious, or even just good for a laugh, companions always contribute to your adventure.”

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CCP really out did themselves this time. A few days ago the new EVE Online: Tyrannis trailer was available through an IGN exclusive, and now fans of EVE Online can watch the trailer in all its HD-glory on the official website. Tyrannis, EVE Online’s newest expansion will be available to play on May 18th, and CCP encourages viewers to “loop this video until May 18th to get yourselves ready for EVE Online: Tyrannis. We will be.”

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Recently “Aquilanius”, the NCSoft “Daeva of Journalism” interviewed Chris Hager about Aion’s upcoming 1.9 patch. Today, another interview with Chris Hager is available for your reading pleasure on the official site and announced that the much-anticipated patch 1.9 will be coming in May:

“This week, our Daeva of Journalism, Aquilanius, spoke with Aion Producer Chris “Kinslon” Hager about Two-Handed Armsfusion and the Mist Item Rental system coming to Aion in May with the 1.9 update. That’s right, we said May!”

Patch 1.9 is already live in Korea and until today, Aion fans weren’t sure when the patch would reach western shores. Though there isn’t an exact date announced at the moment, fans still have something to look forward to. In the interview, Chris “Kinslon” Hager discusses The Mist Rental System, which will allow players to rent weapons for 14 days. The weapons are available every 5 levels and are said to be good for players who wish to “power through a weekend or instance instead of completing several daily quests to get the higher stat weapons.” The Mist Rental System is just one of the many new features that will be present in patch 1.9.

To prepare their customers for the upcoming months, the community manager known as “Tamat” released information regarding new veteran rewards for those who have had an Aion account for seven months or longer. Months 7,8,10 and 11 is known as “Honored Daeva” and will reward players with 5 recovery crystals, 5 revival stones and 1 Major Ancient Crown. Month 9 is known as “Guardian Daeva” and will reward players with 5 recovery crystals, 5 revival stones, 1 Major Ancient Crown and 1 expand warehouse ticket. The upcoming patch is a big one, though due to the localization process the notes are not available at this time. With new veteran rewards and a looming patch on the horizon, this could offer previous players an incentive to return to check out all the changes as well as bring in curious new players. Will you be one of them?

[Source: Aion Online]

MMORPG developer Bluehole Studio has officially announced the formation of a new subsidiary company initially formed to help localize and promote their games to Western audiences. Technically formed in 2009, En Masse Entertainment is comprised of several members who have previously worked for companies such as Blizzard, Microsoft, NCSoft, and Electronic Arts, including Warcraft/Starcraft contributor Patrick Wyatt.

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Let’s say you have this friend, and let’s say you haven’t seen this friend in months. Some time ago he (or she) told you he was picking up World of Warcraft because he had heard that it was a pretty cool game. You warned him about the possibilities. You begged, you pleaded, for him not to do it. Alas, he bought it anyway. Now, sad and confused, you still want to include him in your holiday gift list. You’re not quite sure what he even likes anymore since that game has taken over his life. No worries! I, Astrella of Spawn Kill, have the perfect holiday gift solutions for you!

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As the Bethesda versus Interplay legal battle continues, Bethesda seems to have lost the preliminary injunction over rights for the Fallout license, according to No Mutants Allowed. This allows Interplay to continue working on the Fallout MMO, and because of this Interplay has started constructing concept art for the Fallout MMO.

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Blizzard Poster, Daelo, announced the new set of Icecrown raid testing for this week! Don’t forget to leave your feedback on the official PTR forums if you’re going to be raiding Icecrown this week.

You can read the full post below with all the raid test times!

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Do you remember Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness? I sure as hell do. Released first in December 1995 (and subsequently in 1999 with an online multiplayer package, the Battle.net Edition), Warcraft II was the sequel to Blizzard’s highly successful Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. Refining Blizzard’s well-known real-time strategy recipe, Warcraft II became a staple amongst fans of the genre as well as fiercely competitive players. The game went on to earn seven “best game” awards and numerous other accolades from various game media sources, and is still played online today, nearly fourteen years after its original release.

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Touting “MASSIVE PvP combat, awesome mounts, and limitless customization,” Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent serves up two sides to be apart of: a citizen of the Elerd Kingdom or the Republic of Rogwell. One will probably be more dastardly than the other, my bet is on Rogwell because it sounds less full of chivalry. Visit the site to request beta access as they are currently now taking pre-registrations.

Best of all? It will be free.

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