Be The Gamer » Turbine http://www.bethegamer.com Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 LotRO struts the runway for Fashion Week http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/09/lotro-struts-the-runway-for-fashion-week/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/09/lotro-struts-the-runway-for-fashion-week/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/lotro-struts-the-runway-for-fashion-week/ Filed under: , , , , ,

Fashion Week
Are you more into looking good in Lord of the Rings Online than defeating the very heart of evil? Then Turbine's got a special week planned just for you. Starting today and going through the 16th, Fashion Week will be blazing through LotRO.

LotRO's cosmetic system allows players to assemble their own outfit looks independent of slotted gear and has become a popular feature in the game ever since its inception. Through Fashion Week, Turbine will call on the best-dressed to strut their stuff in the hopes that in-game CMs will see them and award special titles.

Also included in the week will be fashion-themed lotteries and a screenshot contest in which the best entries will be voted upon by the community. To give players inspiration, Turbine links to three game outfit blogs -- Lotro Fashion, Lotro Stylist, and Cosmetic Lotro -- and has given each of the blogs special codes to hand out for free in-game dyes.

MassivelyLotRO struts the runway for Fashion Week originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/09/lotro-struts-the-runway-for-fashion-week/feed/ 0 Asheron’s Call readies radical February revamp http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp/ Filed under: , , , , ,

Asheron's Call - that shield can't be very useful
When you have an MMORPG that's well into its second decade, there's got to be a strong temptation to simply keep the servers on and let it ride. The community is probably pretty hardcore -- and they're certainly faithful -- and throwing a bunch of changes at them could be a dicey proposition.

Turbine is taking that gamble with its venerable Asheron's Call sandbox, though, as the title's February update is bringing sweeping changes to the world of Auberean. New skills and new systems are the order of the day, and whether you're talking about the removal of racial skills or the ability to have six additional specialization skills, there's probably going to be an adjustment period after the patch. Head to official AC boards for all the details.

[Thanks to Rehlik for the tip!]

MassivelyAsheron's Call readies radical February revamp originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp/feed/ 0 Asheron’s Call readies radical February revamp http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp-2/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp-2/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp/ Filed under: , , , , ,

Asheron's Call - that shield can't be very useful
When you have an MMORPG that's well into its second decade, there's got to be a strong temptation to simply keep the servers on and let it ride. The community is probably pretty hardcore -- and they're certainly faithful -- and throwing a bunch of changes at them could be a dicey proposition.

Turbine is taking that gamble with its venerable Asheron's Call sandbox, though, as the title's February update is bringing sweeping changes to the world of Auberean. New skills and new systems are the order of the day, and whether you're talking about the removal of racial skills or the ability to have six additional specialization skills, there's probably going to be an adjustment period after the patch. Head to official AC boards for all the details.

[Thanks to Rehlik for the tip!]

MassivelyAsheron's Call readies radical February revamp originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/asherons-call-readies-radical-february-revamp-2/feed/ 0 Studios join forces to form Gamer Safety Alliance http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/studios-join-forces-to-form-gamer-safety-alliance/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/studios-join-forces-to-form-gamer-safety-alliance/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/studios-join-forces-to-form-gamer-safety-alliance/ Filed under: , ,

Gamer Safety Alliance logo
This week is Gamer Safety Week, and before you laugh at the thought of getting injured while playing your favorite MMO, we should point out that the safety has more to do with your accounts than your person.

Nine major game companies have joined forces to form the Gamer Safety Alliance, an organization that seeks "to break down traditional competitive barriers and share information and best practices within the computer and video game industry."

Participating firms include Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Turbine, NCsoft, Nexon, Square Enix, Sony Online Entertainment, MindCandy, and En Masse Entertainment. SOE leads things off with a lengthy article on how to protect yourself from account fraud.

MassivelyStudios join forces to form Gamer Safety Alliance originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/07/studios-join-forces-to-form-gamer-safety-alliance/feed/ 0 The Road to Mordor: A fresh start http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/04/the-road-to-mordor-a-fresh-start/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/04/the-road-to-mordor-a-fresh-start/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-road-to-mordor-a-fresh-start/ Filed under: , , , , ,

LotRO
I don't know about you, but sometimes I fall into the trap of forcing myself to do something in a game because I feel internally obliged to do it. Somewhere along the line, "setting a goal" became a Bataan Death March that absolutely had to be accomplished before I'd allow myself to do what I truly wanted. In my case, it was the stubborn determination to get through the remainder of Rise of Isengard's content even though I had slowed to slogging through it, feeling burned out on my Lore-master after well over a year of constant play on the character.

So I sat back and re-evaluated. My reasoning for finishing Isengard was to make sure I was at the top of the game and could evaluate any new high-level content that came along for you guys, which was a noble reason. But the truth was that in so doing, I was playing something that was leeched of enjoyment for the time being and really needed to be put aside. Once I realized that, the solution was obvious.

A fresh start. That's what I wanted: a completely fresh start to the game. Hey, it's still (sort of) a new year, so why not? And once I gave myself permission to do that, my adventures in Lord of the Rings Online brightened up considerably.

I might be weird in this, but I absolutely love starting over from scratch in long-term games from time to time, even though it means scrapping (or putting aside) a whole heap of achievements and the effort spent acquiring them. This week I'm going to look at my fresh start with LotRO and why it has me buzzed to log in for the first time this year.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A fresh start

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A fresh start originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    ]]>     http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/04/the-road-to-mordor-a-fresh-start/feed/ 0     LotRO video rock stars could win fame, glory, and Turbine Points http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/03/lotro-video-rock-stars-could-win-fame-glory-and-turbine-points/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/03/lotro-video-rock-stars-could-win-fame-glory-and-turbine-points/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/lotro-video-rock-stars-could-win-fame-glory-and-turbine-points/ Filed under: , , , , ,

    LotRO
    Do you consider yourself a rock star within your MMO? Do men and women swoon upon your approach? Does a soundtrack ring out exalting your triumphs with every step you take? Do you carry a Sharpie around at all times to autograph body parts? Then you probably have an ego problem or something.

    For everyone else, A Casual Stroll to Mordor is calling on creative talents to come up with fun "I am a rockstar" videos for Lord of the Rings Online -- and the site is willing to pay handsomely for the best efforts. Players are tasked with making a rock star-themed commercial, which can be any shade of serious or funny, and submitting it for a chance to win in-game store cash. Two Turbine Point cards, valued at 2500 and 1500 TP, are up for the first and second place winners.

    Entries for the contest are due by February 17th. There are several rules for prospective video-makers, so head on over to CSTM for the full details.

    MassivelyLotRO video rock stars could win fame, glory, and Turbine Points originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    ]]>     http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/03/lotro-video-rock-stars-could-win-fame-glory-and-turbine-points/feed/ 0     Turbine shows off new locations from DDO’s Web of Chaos http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos/ Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

    Dungeons and Dragons Online - Web of Chaos mobs
    In case you missed it, Dungeons and Dragons Online is trading Eberron for Faerun. Yes, Turbine is introducing a Forgotten Realms-themed expansion to its six-year old fantasy MMO, but first the company is gifting players with a prequel content push called Web of Chaos.

    Update 13 is scheduled to go live later this month, and today we have the first screenshots which focus on a cult called the Lords of Dust. Check out the gallery below for a look at their dungeon base as well as a glimpse of their Rakshasa cult masters.

    The content features new quests, new items, and the ability for veterans to start a character at level seven.

    [Source: Turbine press release]

    Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 13 Preview

    MassivelyTurbine shows off new locations from DDO's Web of Chaos originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      ]]>       http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos/feed/ 0       Turbine shows off new locations from DDO’s Web of Chaos http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos-2/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos-2/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos/ Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

      Dungeons and Dragons Online - Web of Chaos mobs
      In case you missed it, Dungeons and Dragons Online is trading Eberron for Faerun. Yes, Turbine is introducing a Forgotten Realms-themed expansion to its six-year old fantasy MMO, but first the company is gifting players with a prequel content push called Web of Chaos.

      Update 13 is scheduled to go live later this month, and today we have the first screenshots which focus on a cult called the Lords of Dust. Check out the gallery below for a look at their dungeon base as well as a glimpse of their Rakshasa cult masters.

      The content features new quests, new items, and the ability for veterans to start a character at level seven.

      [Source: Turbine press release]

      Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 13 Preview

      MassivelyTurbine shows off new locations from DDO's Web of Chaos originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        ]]>         http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/02/01/turbine-shows-off-new-locations-from-ddos-web-of-chaos-2/feed/ 0         DDO ‘prequel’ update prepping community for the expansion http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/31/ddo-prequel-update-prepping-community-for-the-expansion/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/31/ddo-prequel-update-prepping-community-for-the-expansion/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/ddo-prequel-update-prepping-community-for-the-expansion/ Filed under: , , , ,

        DDO
        Prequels are generally bad, bad things that your mother warned you about but you didn't believe her until you saw The Phantom Menace. Occasionally, however, there is the rare exception, such as Dungeons & Dragons Online's Update 13, which Turbine is billing as the prequel to this summer's Menace of the Underdark expansion pack.

        Update 13: Web of Chaos has a generous portion of goodies for all players in the form of three new free quests. These quests include tackling a uppity cult, freeing a prisoner from captivity, and battling the nefarious Spinner of Shadows itself.

        Also coming with DDO's next update will be a few additional store options, cosmetic pets, and the ability to unlock level 7 veteran status. The latter acquisition will allow you to make a new level 7 adventurer right out of the gate and can either be purchased with real money or in-game favor.

        You can read up on Update 13 and the expansion pack in our recent interview with Turbine.

        MassivelyDDO 'prequel' update prepping community for the expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        ]]>         http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/31/ddo-prequel-update-prepping-community-for-the-expansion/feed/ 0         Turbine: Subscription model isn’t dead http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:30:00 +0000 Jef Reahard http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/ Filed under: , , , , , ,

        Dungeons and Dragons Online - dark elves
        Turbine doesn't think subscription MMOs are dying, which might come as something of a surprise to fans of the pay-as-you-go business model that's spreading like wildfire across the Western MMO landscape.

        "It's probably not right to say the subscription MMO is dying, it's probably more right to say the idea of forcing a player to only have one option for having to consume your content -- that's probably dying," says spokesman Adam Mersky in a piece at Eurogamer.

        Mersky goes on to say that brave new business models are the norm across the entertainment spectrum, and he also claims that Turbine "certainly pioneered" free-to-play in the online gaming space (though it's worth noting that Funcom introduced a F2P option for Anarchy Online in 2004, five years before Dungeons and Dragons Online took the plunge).

        Finally, the Eurogamer piece touches on the upcoming Menace of the Underdark expansion as well as the unnamed "future project" that the company first hinted about in 2009.

        MassivelyTurbine: Subscription model isn't dead originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        ]]>         http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/feed/ 0         EVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play? http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000 Brendan Drain http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/ Filed under: , , , , , , ,

        EVE Online title image
        When EVE Online was released in 2003, the subscription model was the dominant business model for MMOs. Subscriptions have dominated Western MMOs throughout most of EVE's reign, but in the past two years we've seen the market push toward alternative models. Although the Incarna expansion controversially introduced a cash shop for cosmetic items, EVE Online has remained a subscription MMO in the face of tremendous market pressure to change. Although CCP plans to use a free-to-play model for DUST 514 and World of Darkness, no plans for EVE to adopt a similar system have been announced.

        There's no sense in trying to deny it: The market is changing, with microtransaction-supported free-to-play games producing far more money than subscription titles. Hybrid models that give players the choice between microtransactions or a regular subscription have turned the industry on its head. When Turbine first implemented a hybrid model in Dungeons and Dragons Online, not only did profit shoot up from the free players but subscriptions rose. When the studio gave Lord of the Rings Online the same treatment, profits tripled almost overnight. The money is firmly in microtransactions, and it would be disingenuous to assume CCP won't chase that kind of financial reward. But could EVE even support a free-to-play business model, and what alternatives are there?

        In this week's EVE Evolved, I ask whether it would be possible for EVE Online to adopt a free-to-play business model, and I suggest a simple alternative model that could really work.

        Continue reading EVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play?

        MassivelyEVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          ]]>           http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/feed/ 0           The Road to Mordor: Riders of Whoa-han! http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/28/the-road-to-mordor-riders-of-whoa-han/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/28/the-road-to-mordor-riders-of-whoa-han/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-road-to-mordor-riders-of-whoa-han/ Filed under: , , , , ,

          LotRO
          This past week we heard from Turbine about its general plans for Lord of the Rings Online in 2012, and while it may not have hit everything on my personal wish list for the year, it was a good start.

          I was mulling over the question of whether it's better for MMOs to show all of their big cards up front like Turbine or to parcel them out over the course of the year. Both have advantages, of course. Front-loading the year with a broad overview like this gives players long-term reasons to stick with the game, but it also can steal the exciting thunder from these events down the road. On the other hand, measuring the big news out during the year would probably give Turbine more publicity, but it could frustrate players who might feel "in the dark" about the company's plans.

          In any case, we got what we got, and there's a lot to chew over for this week's column: unbound skirmish soldiers, Riders of Rohan, the Great River, and the fifth anniversary. So let's get started!

          Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Riders of Whoa-han!

          MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Riders of Whoa-han! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ]]>             http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/28/the-road-to-mordor-riders-of-whoa-han/feed/ 0             The MMO Report: For realsies edition http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-mmo-report-for-realsies-edition/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-mmo-report-for-realsies-edition/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:00:00 +0000 Brianna Royce http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/the-mmo-report-for-realsies-edition/ Filed under: , , , , ,

            The MMO Report
            This week on The MMO Report, Casey dishes on Marvel Heroes' new engine, Dungeons and Dragons Online's inbound anniversary update and expansion, and RIFT's financial success. He cheers ArenaNet's revelation that Guild Wars 2 will launch in 2012 -- for realsies! -- but then he mourns the lack of BlizzCon this year:

            "But... the fans! The swag! The concert! The cosplay! People getting hurt during the dance contest! How can we go on living without BlizzCon 2012?"

            Finally, Casey dispenses bad advice and Nordic memes from Uncle Casey's Mailbag.

            All this and more in today's edition of The MMO Report, which is tucked behind the break.

            Continue reading The MMO Report: For realsies edition

            MassivelyThe MMO Report: For realsies edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ]]>             http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-mmo-report-for-realsies-edition/feed/ 0             The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part two) http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-two/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-two/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000 Justin Olivetti http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-two/ Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

            Perfect Ten
            The last time on the Perfect Ten, disaster struck the good ship Poseidon and the surviving readers were running out of air as they tried to escape the flipped-over vessel. Also, we were counting down the top 20 MMO themes, but that's of small consolation to the soon-to-be bereaved friends and families, don't you think?

            Because we play these games extensively, it's not uncommon for MMO music -- and themes -- to become vilified by the sheer number of times we've heard them. That's a little unfair to a three-minute piece of soundtrack that slaves every day to feed his wife and kids, doing the best he can in a trying situation. So perhaps we can put aside melodic oversaturation to look at these tracks anew, shall we?

            With half of them out of the way, it's time to look into the elite of the elite: the 10 best MMO themes of all time. According to me. A guy you don't know. You've got goosebumps, don't you?

            Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part two)

            MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part two) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              ]]>               http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/26/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-two/feed/ 0               The Daily Grind: What vanity pet would you like to see in your favorite MMO? http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-favorite-mmo/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-favorite-mmo/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000 Rubi Bayer http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-f/ Filed under: , ,

              Fallen Earth
              Last week Turbine announced all sorts of huge updates for Dungeons and Dragons Online in 2012. Among exciting talk of expansions, Druids, and level cap increases, one little item may have slipped under some folks' radar. Vanity pets are coming to DDO in 2012 -- specifically, "fun and cute DnD critters," according to Executive Producer Fernando Paiz.

              Justin and I chatted a bit about that on this week's Massively Speaking, and Justin put forth the awesome idea of a tiny Beholder pet. I loved the idea and it set me to thinking. Vanity pets in MMOs are such a frivolous little thing, yet they're such fun to so many people, and it seems like everyone has a wish list of "wouldn't it be cool if..." vanity pets.

              So what's yours? Would you love a little Beholder in DDO? Would you love to see Fallen Earth offer a prairie chicken pet to go with your mount? Tell us what vanity pet you'd love to see trailing along behind your character!

              Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

              MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What vanity pet would you like to see in your favorite MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                ]]>                 http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-favorite-mmo/feed/ 0                 The Soapbox: Credible currency http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/24/the-soapbox-credible-currency/ http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/24/the-soapbox-credible-currency/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000 Eliot Lefebvre http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/the-soapbox-credible-currency/ Filed under: , , , ,

                Sometimes the bird flies away, and sometimes you unchain it and smack it in the head and then complain that it left.
                Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

                With all of the other crises hitting the gaming world, it's easy to have missed the fact that Lord of the Rings Online has started selling statted gear in the cash shop. It's not endgame gear, of course, and it's mostly there for low-level players to get a minor boost. Really, as has been said by others, it's not something all that unusual, nor is it game-breaking in the slightest. It's just a convenience thing.

                It's also something that Turbine promised would never be done.

                I don't have an issue with the sale of low-level armor with stats on it, in Lord of the Rings Online or in other games. What I do have an issue with is the matter of credibility, the one currency that every company starts with and loses over time. Credibility is something you have to spend carefully, and every so often, a company spends it wrong. And the results, in the long term, are never pretty.

                Continue reading The Soapbox: Credible currency

                MassivelyThe Soapbox: Credible currency originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  ]]>                   http://www.bethegamer.com/2012/01/24/the-soapbox-credible-currency/feed/ 0