Issue 81: Happy Independence Day, everyone! In celebration of the birthday of our great nation, let’s set aside our political differences. We should be celebrating the fact that we even have the freedom to express our beliefs. Also, be safe when you go out there to blow things up! Just because there are no repercussions when we blow things up in our games doesn’t mean that translates to real life. You can’t game if you lose a hand because you weren’t safe!
This is getting an early posting since I may not be available to provide any additional headlines that appear over the next couple of days. I’ll either be gaming (there is, after all, The Secret World’s anniversary celebration going on), blowing stuff up, or watching other people blow stuff up.
I’m sure the rest of you may also be indulging in similar activities but here are some headlines to read about. We have some MWO and Runescape 3 release date news, a new Blizzard beta product, The Secret World, SWTOR, and much more. Happy 4th!
Elder Scrolls Online Redefining Roles
Posted 7.3.13 – If you have been following the development of the Elder Scrolls Online MMO then you might have seen how they have redefined combat roles. Before you freak out, they are not getting rid of the standard trinity but they are trying to make it more flexible to prevent a wipe in the event, for example, the healer dies. Someone with a healing weapon could essentially swap in said weapon and … BOOM … you’re a healer now. I’m curious how this works in practice; it really is an interesting article.
OXM article
MechWarrior Online Release Date Official!
Posted 7.3.13 – MechWarrior Online has been in beta for so long I thought it had actually gone live and I just missed the announcement. Apparently I was mistaken, it has been in open beta this whole time. Well, Piranha Games has finally set an official launch date for MechWarrior Online, September 17th. I don’t know why its set so far ahead and I really don’t expect much to change between now and then, but who knows? Maybe Piranha has something in mind for the actual go-live date.
Massively post
Battle.net Desktop Client Hits Beta
Posted 7.3.13 – Blizzard is working on a desktop client launcher, similar to Steam or NCSoft. I think it makes sense to have a client like that. The latest version of the beta is now ready for folks to start testing and thus invites are starting to go out. I know its not that big of a deal since its just a client launcher but I think it would be cool to help test it out and offer feedback to try to make it a better tool for gamers. Did you get invited?
WoW Inisder post
Runscape 3 Launching July 22nd
Posted 7.3.13 – A few issues back I found an article where Jagex not only announced that Runescape 3 would be launching in the summer but they would also be launching a mobile version in the fall. Well, true to their word they have set the official launch date to July 22nd. This is a browser based game that has completely transitioned to HTML5 (i.e. No Java! No Plugins!)
Massively post
Age of Wushu’s First Expansion
Posted 7.2.13 – The first expansion for Chinese inspired MMO, Age of Wushu, is scheduled to release August 8th.The expansion is called Legends of Mount Hua and will bring players new martial arts (cool!), new battle arenas and a new PvP competition. I haven’t played this MMO much (who has the time with so many games to play) but I admit that I’m a little curious.
Massively post
TSW Issue #7 Coming July 8th
Posted 7.1.13 – The next issue for The Secret World, called A Dream to Kill, will go live on July 8th. If you recall this is the James Bond inspired content update. Players will be able to use snowmobiles, base jump, use flamethrowers and more. Check out the teaser trailer.
Massively post
SWTOR Content Update 2.3 Patch Notes
Posted 6.28.13 – Darth Hater has provided a great compilation of the upcoming changes in Patch 2.3. There are too many things to mention so I will let you take a look, but there are new level 55 flashpoints, quality of life changes and a new companion. The second link is Larry Everett’s review of this new companion which, I’m sure, will be met with much criticism not only because apparently people hated Ewoks (yes, its an Ewok, but I never had an issue with Ewoks) and because there is a possible deviation from Star Wars Canon, but Everett does help explain the latter. For what its worth, this companion actually seems pretty handy.
Darth Hater 2.3 patch notes | Hyperspace Beacon
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