Lotro celebrates 1 year!
Turbine continues the first anniversary celebration of the award-winning The Lord of the Rings Online with a “Welcome Back Weekend”. Starting Thursday, May 8th until Monday, May 12th Turbine invites all former North American subscribers back to Middle-earth to play for free.
Former subscribers can play their old characters, check out the LOTRO Anniversary celebration events, explore new areas, and tackle new quests. To take part in the Welcome Back Weekend, players can simply log into their LOTRO account from May 8-12, 2008.
Some of the updates & enhancements to The Lord of the Rings Online since launch include:
- New Region - Explore the icy reaches of Forochel
- New Quests - Over 100 new quests
- Hobby System - Feel like going fishing?
- Enhanced Monsterplay - New monster class: the Orc Defiler
- Looking For Fellowship Enhancements - Mustering Horns and UI improvements
- More customization options - cosmetic clothing, traveling clothes, and barbershops!
- New PvMP dungeon - The Delving of Frór
- Return to Angmar - completely overhauled to enhance playability and fun
More information can be found at www.lotro.com/welcomeback.
NEW Show debuting Monday ! ! !
Starting Monday the 5th of May 2008 Online Gaming Radio will be presenting a new Podcast produced by Warhammer Geek.
This new Podcast will air every other week on mondays (time tba) and features all the latest news, interviews, discussion and mayhem revolving around the upcoming Warhammer Online.
Warhammer Geek: Podcast of Reckoning (the shows name) is hosted by Orlock & Svoald, better known by many as Monte and Akira respectively, and will delve into all the furthest reaches of all things credible, incredible and downright insane!
We all look forward to this debut and invite you all to tune in on the live stream or download the podcast.
And just remember…
WAR is coming!
Stargate Worlds Beta Contest
Stargate Worlds is teaming up with Stargate Worlds Game by offering 10 exclusive closed beta slots to high scorers in the Flash game Star Strike!
“SGWGame.com has been approved by FireSky to initially award 10 Stargate Worlds beta slots during their SGW exclusive early closed beta testing,” the site announced.
“Since this testing phase is not yet open to the public, it is phenomenal SGWGame.com can even procure testing slots this early in development. So head on over to the SGWGame Arcade and blast some asteroids in Star Strike…top ten get in…guaranteed.”
You have to be a member of StargateWorldsGame to access the arcade. Registration is fast and free!
The contest will end May 31, 2008 — exactly one month from now!
Double Experience weekend!
Pirates of the Caribbean Online is having a weekend that you seriously shouldn’t miss out on.
Both Basic and Ultimate Access players will have the ability to earn twice the experience points during this weekend when playing between 12(noon) and 3pm Pacific time on both days.
For those of you who haven’t given the game a try, it is absolutely free to try, so if you were looking for something new and fun with really well done cinematography and story arch, you seriously should take a look at this game. The download client is small and quick to download at http://www.piratesonline.com
LotRO and DDO updates
Turbine, Inc. announced today the launch of the next free content update for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings Online. In addition, Turbine is giving players a preview of a new feature for the upcoming Module 7 for Dungeons & Dragons Online.
The Battle of Amon Hen brings a new race (with extra crispy new skills and features) to The Lord of the Rings Online. Players can now unlock the “Fowl-Peoples” of Middle-earth and grow in size by leveling up. By supersizing your chicken, you can crush your foes into 6, 12, or 20 pieces! The Battle of Amon Hen also adds a new epic quest arc, “Crossing the Road,” as well as new housing options where players can visit their local broker to feather their nest, stage a coop, or splurge on a henhouse for their flock. Six new skills have also been added including Oppressive Yolk, Hot Wings, Eggcellent Assault, Scramble, Poach, and Batter. New features include a Drumstick instrument, Nuggets of Wisdom trait, A Pox Upon You fellowship skill, Colonel PvMP rank, and more! Additional info and screenshots can be found here: http://www.lotro.com/amonhen.
Turbine, Inc. has also given players a preview of the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons Online Module 7 feature Pimp My Warforged. Some of the exciting new features to be added include new skills such as Fly and Pneumatics, new feats including Super Fly, new enhancements such as Follower of the Lord of Bling and Slow Your Roll, and new crafted items including Bling, Spinners, Fins, Ground Effects, and Chrome Rims. Additional info and a screenshot of a Warforged with wheels for legs and some other sweet accessories can be found here: http://www.ddo.com/article/966.
LoN - Press Release!
EVERQUEST® FRANCHISE ONLINE STRATEGY GAME
LEGENDS OF NORRATH™ DEALS OUT THIRD SET – INQUISITOR TO GLOBAL MARKET
New Set, Additional Features and Compelling Tournament Format -
DENVER, CO – March 7, 2008 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), the global leader in online gaming, announces today that Inquisitor, the third set for the popular online strategy game Legends of Norrath™ (LoN), is available for purchase via digital download at www.station.com, with localized versions for players in North America, France, Germany and the UK. Based on the legendary MMOs EverQuest® (EQ) and EverQuest® II (EQII), Inquisitor expands upon the immersive Norrathian story arc, high-fantasy art style and thrilling gameplay found at the core of a complete online card gaming experience.
“The development team in Denver is extremely enthusiastic about the new gameplay and artwork that Inquisitor brings to the world of Norrath.”
Says Scott Martins, Director of Development, SOE-Denver.
“With hundreds of new cards and more than 20 new loot items available for both EQ and EQII, the Inquisitor set will enable players to reinforce and expand upon their current strategies for casual play, in single-player scenarios and team-based raids, as well as in competition within any of the three exciting tournament formats, including the Legends of Norrath Championship Series which is set to culminate in Indianapolis, IN at GenCon 2008, with a total prize pool in excess of $100,000!”
For fans of the LoN storyline, Inquisitor’s back story enriches a fluid and compelling gameplay experience, expands upon multiplayer functionality and includes the ability to battle alongside Cyndra the Elven Scout, Eluviel the Dark Priest and other distinguished LoN heroes for the first time!
Developed at SOE’s Denver studio, Legends of Norrath is the only online trading card game based on and playable from within SOE’s popular EverQuest and EverQuest II MMOs, as well as from a free stand-alone client using a free SOE Station Account ID (available at www.station.com). Players can challenge opponents on their game server and across other EQ and EQII servers.
Riding on the Phoenix
Shanghai, March 5, 2008 - Are you tired of walking everywhere? As a Kung Fu hero, don’t you need a cool mount to aid you in your journey? There are already horses, sedan chairs and even a tiger you can ride… But why ride when you can FLY?
A brand new flying mount, called a “Linglong” is now available in the World of Kung Fu Item Mall! Based upon the phoenix in ancient Chinese mythology, it is a symbol of high virtue and grace. It has great speed, and provides an interesting perspective in the game world. Plus, it looks fantastic! You’ll be the envy of your friends when you mount up on to this beautiful creature! Join us today and take a ride on a Linglong! You won’t regret it!
About VestGame Entertainment
VestGame Entertainment is the North American publisher of “World of Kung Fu”, a fully 3D massively multiplayer online game distinguished by its unique gameplay, beautiful graphics, and exotic storyline. VGE is headquartered in Shanghai, China, and it registered in the United States as a Delaware Corporation. More about the company can be found at http://www.vestgame.com.
For much more information about the North American version of “World of Kung Fu” including tutorials, forums, screenshots and downloads, please visit http://www.worldofkungfu.com .
WoW Book Signing with Samwise Didier and Glen Rane
On Saturday, March 1st, Blizzard artists Samwise Didier and Glenn Rane headlined a standing-room-only signing for World of Warcraft®: The Art of the Trading Card Game, a hardcover title released this year by Chronicle Books celebrating the award-winning art and artists of Upper Deck Entertainment’s World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. Held at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Huntington Beach, California, many of the artists featured in the book were also present, shaking hands, signing books and discussing their artistic contributions to the trading card game. Other attendees included Tom Bava, Randy Gallegos, Terese Nielsen and Justin Sweet, along with Ben Thompson, a contributing artist and key participant in the compilation of this deluxe volume of World of Warcraft Trading Card Game artwork.
World of Warcraft®: The Art of the Trading Card Game, a cooperative work from Upper Deck Entertainment and Blizzard Entertainment, features artwork created for the highly popular World of Warcraft Trading Card Game (TCG). Published by Chronicle Books, the 288-page, 11”x9” hardcover book includes more than 300 full-color iconic pieces of art showcased during the first year of release of the World of Warcraft TCG.
Visit UpperDeckStore.com/WoWArtBook for more information.
Based on Blizzard Entertainment®’s hit massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG), the TCG allows players to experience the action and adventure of World of Warcraft in a new format. Released in October 2006, the TCG’s premiere set quickly became the hottest and most sought-after trading card game in the industry, prompting UDE to produce additional quantities to support the overwhelming demand.
World of Warcraft is the most popular MMORPG in the world, with more than 10 million subscribers playing the game in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Europe, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. In World of Warcraft, players assume the roles of legendary heroes and interact with thousands of other players online as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast realm. Whether journeying together or fighting against one another in epic battles, players form friendships, forge alliances, and compete against enemies for power and glory.
Press Release: Sony Online Entertainment Ushers In New Era Of Voice Chat For Online Games With Powerful Suite Of Communication services
Sony Online Entertainment Ushers in New Era OF voice chat
FOR ONLINE GAMES with powerful suite of Communication services
- SOE Gives In-Game Chat an Audio Overhaul in Agreement with Vivox® -
Need standard chat for groups and raids? Check. Don’t want to tie up your own bandwidth? Roger that. Want your voice to sound completely different? Done. Late for your raid but want to take part in the group setup by cell phone? Can do. Dream of having in-game voicemail? There ya go. Playing a non-SOE game but want to use this service, free of charge? Aye.
These powerful community building features and tools are coming to SOE games at no additional cost to players and go far beyond basic real-time chat with the usual headset and microphone setup that is commonly used today.
In an agreement announced Wednesday at the Game Developers Conference between SOE and Vivox Inc., an established provider of high quality voice communications, players will be able to access a suite of voice communication tools including voice mail, voice fonts to synthesize player voices into in-game character voices, and the ability to receive external calls in SOE games.
“We’re proud to offer this level of communication power and flexibility to gamers. These new voice services not only replace many of the voice chat options currently available but add a broad range of capabilities that streamline communication and empower gamers to maintain their online relationships in both the real and virtual worlds,” said John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment. “We are giving gamers the ultimate one-stop shop to stay in touch at all times.”
Beyond voice and guild chat channels, North American players will get a special PIN number to dial in from either a land line or cell phone and connect with fellow guild members. SOE anticipates adding additional features including voicemail, broadcast messages, SMS text messaging and an initial offering of six high-quality voice fonts that replace a player’s actual voice with something completely different.
Lord of the Rings - Press Release - Free Content Update!
TURBINE and Codemasters Online gaming TO UNVEIL BOOK 12: the ashen wastes FOR THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™
2007 MMO of the Year* Introduces New Free Content Update for Subscribers
WESTWOOD, MA – February 13, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online announced the details of the fourth free content update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. Book 12: The Ashen Wastes continues the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online, adds substantial new features that provide players ability to truly personalize their heroes and an inventive new region that blends the challenge of a 12-player raid with the action of player-vs-player combat. Book 12: The Ashen Wastes will be available to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online on February 13, 2007 in North America and February 14, 2007 in Europe.
“The Lord of the Rings Online has taken the world by storm, winning multiple awards and continuing to expand with compelling content updates such as Book 12,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “We’re very excited about the response to the new additions to Monster Play and we know that the ability for players to customize and personalize their characters by using our new outfit system or by visiting one of the many barbershops throughout Middle-earth, will add an entirely new level of fun and enjoyment to the game. We are dedicated to our continued delivery of the best persistent online experience available and we look forward to sharing our plans for the future of this franchise in the coming months.”
