Carbine Preps WildStar For F2P, Improving Systems While Looking To Reward Veterans

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Carbine Preps WildStar For F2P

It still feels a little weird writing about WildStar on MMOBomb, but I suppose that will pass soon enough. In the meantime, NCSoft and Carbine Studios have a lot to say about the changes they’ll be making to the game in the August update that will add lots of content and make the game better for players new and old.

Players who are brand new to the planet Nexus will see a new tutorial, based on their experience level with MMOs, while the starting area, the Arkship, will be revamped to better see to their needs. Stats are also being reworked and pared down to four basic stats, while dungeons will “provide a consistent challenge and make completion times more forgiving.”

The new content includes two new areas, the Alpha Sanctum and the Cryo-Plex PvP arena, and there will be a new focus on player communities, which let groups of up to 20 players combine their housing plots — for defensive purposes only, we’re sure.

There’s also a bit to say on the payment model, including news that should be welcome to long-time players:

WILDSTAR’S NEW REWARDS PROGRAM WILL ENABLE PLAYERS TO EARN REWARDS POINTS BY PURCHASING OR SPENDING NCOIN, ENROLLING IN A SIGNATURE PLAN OR REDEEMING C.R.E.D.D. EARNING POINTS WILL ALSO BE RETROACTIVE, SO ANYONE WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY INVESTED IN WILDSTAR WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF VERY COOL REWARDS WAITING FOR THEM. AS PLAYERS EARN POINTS, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CLIMB THROUGH MULTIPLE TIERS OF REWARDS.

WildStar’s Update Brings Major Game Enhancements and Rewards Program

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Following the announcement that the critically-acclaimed MMO WildStar is going free-to-play, Ncsoft and Carbine Studios have released further information on the game’s new payment model, detailing upcoming improvements to the game experience and outlining a unique rewards program for players who make investments in the game. Coming to players this fall, the update will be the biggest one yet. Additionally, in line with the company’s commitment to expand and grow the game, Carbine and Ncsoft have confirmed that WildStar will launch in China, with initial testing to begin in the coming months.

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“WildStar going free-to-play is so much more than a new business model,” said Mike Donatelli, product director at Carbine Studios. “We’re also introducing a massive game update full of new features and quality of life improvements. It’s going to be a fun environment for new players to join and we’re also going to do right by the players who have been with us since the beginning.”

WildStar’s new rewards program will enable players to earn rewards points by purchasing or spending NCoin, enrolling in a Signature Plan or redeeming C.R.E.D.D. Earning points will also be retroactive, so anyone who has previously invested in WildStar will have a number of very cool rewards waiting for them. As players earn points, they will continue to climb through multiple tiers of rewards. Read More →

E3 2015: Crossout Is Vehicular Combat MMO

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Crossout is all about vehicular destruction on a massive scale. It’s right there in the game’s tagline, “Craft, ride, destroy.” Gaming Blend sat down with Gaijin Entertainment’s Yulia Shveyko during E3 2015 to discuss each of those three facets of the game, as well as see some of the carnage in action.

If you’re familiar with Gaijin Entertainment, it’s likely because you’ve played their hugely popular free-to-play WWII combat game, War Thunder. They’re also the publisher behind Star Conflict, Birds of Steel and Death Track: Resurrection, just to name a few. With Crossout, the publisher is partnering with developer Targem Games to offer up a new kind of MMO that destruction derby fans will almost certainly get a kick out of.

Before spilling the details on Crossout, Shveyko shared a brief trailer for Crossout boasting PC gameplay in the alpha stages of development. Sporting a Mad Max meets Twisted Metal vibe, loads of vehicles parade around pits filled with trenches, open spaces and rolling hill, all the while ramming and blasting their opponents with all manner of projectiles.

“Crossout is an action-packed MMO set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by alien invasion,” Shveyko explained. “Aside from the battles, another big part of the gameplay is the construction and customization process. We do not have any fixed classes or patterns. Players are free to create any kind of video that they want.” Read More →

Heroes and StarCraft II at the PC Gaming Show

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Heroes of the Storm is in full swing after Blizzard’s launch and the wheel in the sky keeps on turning. At their recent “The Mayhem Begins” event on YouTube, they revealed the Butcher playable Hero and the Battlefield of Eternity, and they have more goodies coming your way. Heroes of the Storm will be featured in the upcoming PC Gaming Show, powered by PC Gamer, revealing even more epic surprises coming to the Nexus from The Eternal Conflict.

The StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void closed beta kicked off in March and players have been introduced to a whole new way to play in Archon Mode—an exciting new gameplay mode where two players take control of a single army, sharing the responsibility of commanding troops, managing resources, and base building. Blizzard has also unveiled the new Terran unit, the Liberator. However, it’s been a while since they’ve gotten to share anything related to the storyline. . . .

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Whether you’re interested in StarCraft II, Heroes of the Storm, or both, don’t miss a single moment of what’s sure to be a thrilling event. You can tune in to the show, hosted by Sean “Day[9]” Plott, at Twitch.tv/pcgamer on Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m. PDT. You won’t want to miss this!

Forge of Empires Hits 100 Million Euros Revenue Mark

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Most free to play games and publishers don’t reveal exact numbers when it comes to things like playerbase, revenue, and even subscribers where applicable. Innogames is taking a bit of a different approach when it comes to revenue and announcing to the world exactly where just about all of their titles stand.

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Having initial development costs in the neighborhood of about 1 million Euros (a bit over $1.1 million USD), Forge of Empires has now pulled in over 100 million Euros in revenue over the almost 3 year life of the free to play game. With over 25 million registered accounts, Forge of Empires isn’t likely to slow down now that the iOS and Android versions are hitting their stride.

Armin Busen, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames, attributes the success to “…the combination of high quality content and a well working, sustainable business model. The free-to-play model allows us to reach a large target group of players and earn the revenue over a long period of time. A lot of players enjoy our games for years, which is why long-term motivation is one of the most important goals for all of our games.”

How are other Innogames titles panning out? Released in 2009, Greopolis is set to hit the 100 Million Euro lifetime revenue target itself this fall, and even Tribal Wars has eclipsed the 80 Million Euros mark.

If you want to check out where all the money is coming from, head on over to the official Innogames website.

Aion: Upheaval – Cygnea Flythrough Preview

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The new expansion of Aion, Upheaval will launch on June 17. Two brand-new zones Cygnea and Enshar with equally new creatures & quests, two raid instances, Stonespear Reach & Drakensipre Depths are introduced in this new update. Today let’s take a first look into Cygnea, where one half of the risen island is occupied by Elyos forces.

Cygnea, which until very recently was in the depths of the ocean, still houses its abundance of aquatic life and features. While above land now, you’ll still feel as if you’re below the waves whether you’re fighting the Blackfin tribe or seeking the entrance to the Drakenspire. Read More →

Echo of Soul – The Definitive Soul System Guide

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The Soul system within Echo of Soul is one of the central parts of how the game functions, but it often leads to confusion about how it works (the in-game guide isn’t too clear on everything). So let’s explore what the souls are, what to do with them, and how they are integrated with the rest of the game.

Echo of Soul

What Are Souls?

Souls essentially have two roles in EoS: they are used as a material (for Soul Experts) and as a form of self-buffing. For the former, they help craft various gems, and for the latter there are four different buffs, depending on the soul type: Read More →

Cheap Maplestory2 Mesos For Sale On Maplestory2-Mesos.com

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Maplestory2-Mesos.com is attracting game lovers with its new offer. The famous gaming currency supplier on internet is now presenting cheap Maplestory2 Mesos for sale to its customers.Maplestory2-Mesos also offers live support to all the buyers and gamers who are interested in buying the Maplestory2 Mesos or any other currency from any other games.

Maplestory2 is a free-to-play, 3D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game that is currently under development by NSquare in association with Nexon Inc and are calling the test, ‘ProjectMS.’ Maplestory 2 is currently planned for release the 7th of July.The game takes many of the features of the original game, Maplestory, and applies them to a 3D environment. Most mobs, NPCs, and locations make a return in this sequel, albeit with several changes.

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Maplestory 2 takes place before the events of Maplestory, and the rise of the black mage. The origin of the world’s life, time, and space are kept in balance through the actions of three Sages, who live in Lapenta. Dark forces, however, broke the balance and put the world in crisis.

In order to progress into the different levels and stages of this role playing game, it is important to use the game’s signature currency called Maplestory2 Mesos. Maplestory2-Mesos.com understands how important it can get for players to get unlimited access to this currency. At the same time, it is also crucial that the Maplestory2 Mesos safe buy online option is available. Keeping all these factors in mind, Maplestory2-Mesos has now launched the fast buy Maplestory2 Mesos, which will catapult one’s progress in the game. Read More →

FFXIV Heavensward on Steam: When?

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So by now, most everyone knows that there’s a store page on Steam for Heavensward. What most people also know is that it’s still not purchasable. As of the time I started this post, we’re looking at this:

I received an email regarding my physical PS3 CE stating that they’ll be shipping out soon, with payments starting on June 1.

A couple weeks ago, digital PC codes were sent out for preorders.

So not only have the Steam players been stuck continuing to wait, we have a confirmation of around when PHYSICAL pre-orders will start shipping, and DIGITAL info already sent. You’re getting really close to the wire here, and I’m just wondering when I can throw money at you?

I don’t want to be sitting on my computer on the 20th (yes, the day after pre-order start day) like “please don’t make me play on my PS3,” when I could be Ishgarding it up with a copy that downloaded automatically while I was asleep on like the 18th or something.

Signed,
Violyre Sparkle
Someone who bought a Xbox 360 because FFXI’s Wings of the Goddess expansion was delayed for two days on PC