MMO Clerks

Filed under: Patches, Realm Status, Blizzard, News items

Good Morning Azeroth! It’s Tuesday, May 13, 2008, and that means maintenance. As we mentioned earlier, it’s an extended maintenance, from 3 AM to 11 AM PST (That means you have about a half an hour of play time left), and it’s looking rather likely that 2.4.2’s going to drop. Exciting news, but that still means that you’ll have at least 8 hours in which it is impossible to play World of Warcraft.

Of course, this means the perfect thing to do is browse WoW Insider. Since 2.4.2’s probably on it’s way, why not browse all our 2.4.2 news?

• The original patch notes are posted here.
• We break down the Undocumented changes here — including pictures of the new mounts added to the game files.
• You can find the latest test realm page notes here. MMO-Champion points out two new changes: Prince Kael’thas will now drop Primal Nethers in Heroic Magisters Terrace, and the Darkmoon Card: Madness’ buffs will now last 60 seconds.
• Check out our reports on all the Hunter class changes, Including Growl and Scare Beast, the math problems and controversy surrounding the Growl change among the Hunter community, and getting your own flight-formed Druid pet.
• Good News for Weaponsmiths, with the epic one-handers becoming non-unique.

But enough about 2.4.2, what about the big news? First, of course, is the fact that Blizzcon 08 was announced. Check out the details and look back on some old Blizzcon 07 memories in our announcement post.

You may also recall the all the Wrath of the Lich King news that dropped this week. Of course, you know that means we have it all for you on WoW Insider. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading Tuesday Morning: Maintenance time

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Original post by Daniel Whitcomb

Unlike Nintendo of America, Nintendo Europe are giving PAL customers a little time to prepare for WiiWare’s launch, by announcing their first lineup of games for the service a week in advance (European launch is May 20). Europeans will be getting eight games instead of six, and while they won’t be getting Defend Your Castle or VIP Blackjack, they will be getting Dr Mario, Germ Buster, Pirates: The Key of Dreams, Toki Tori and Star Soldier R. Full lineup after the jump.

Dr. Mario & Germ Buster - 1000 Wii Points
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Square Enix) - 1500 Wii Points
LostWinds (Frontier) - 1000 Wii Points
Pirates: The Key of Dreams
Pop (Nnooo) - 700 Wii Points
Star Soldier R (Hudson) - 800 Wii Points
Toki Tori (Two Tribes)
TV Show King (Gameloft) - 1000 Wii Points

European WiiWare launch line-up [Eurogamer]

Original post by Luke Plunkett

That’s what the title on Gamevideos says, in this, the fifth clip to spill out of the post-MGS4 wrap party in Tokyo today. This one’s apparently the game’s opening cinematic, which for anyone high on love of Kojima’s militaristic ponderings but short on patience will be some pretty hot hotcakes about now. Nothing looks terribly spoilerrific, but hey, since some people can’t whisper “MGS4″ without it being tagged a spoiler, consider yourselves warned.

Original post by Luke Plunkett

We know a Warhammer 40K MMO is coming, we know it’s “years away“, and we know I’m terribly excited about the whole thing. Aside from that, though, we don’t really know squat. Do now! Last month’s PC Gamer ran a big feature on the game (of which we’ve already posted some scraps), which finally got us some answers to some of the more burning questions surrounding the game. Like what kind of game it was, exactly. Vigil’s David Adams:

Let me say that this game will be an RPG. That needs to be said, because when someone thinks of a Warhammer 40,000 MMO there is definitely some question as to the style of play: will it be an FPS, an RTS, or some other genre altogether? Relic has the RTS angle covered with the awesome Dawn of War series - we are making an RPG.

Got it? It’s an RPG. Though, thankfully, not a terribly traditional one, as its combat sounds more Brothers In Arms than World of Warcraft, with the use of ranged weapons meaning you’ll have to pay attention to things like cover, suppression fire, etc. Also touched on were the game’s races (”…all of the races important to Warhammer 40,000 lore (not to mention the fans) will be represented”), it’s setting within 40K’s massive storyline and also NPCs and possible vehicle use.

Warhammer 40,000 Online [PC Gamer]

Original post by Luke Plunkett

The MGS4 wrap party in Japan today wasn’t just about motorbikes and posing for photos. It was about new commercials, too! Four new ones were shown off, one the main, badass theatrical trailer (featuring the MOVIE GUY), one featuring energy drinks, one featuring a mobile phone, and the other…a lady, her cat and a strangely dust-free PS3. Theatrical trailer’s above, the other three, after the clicky-click.

Original post by Luke Plunkett

Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Linden Lab is looking for Web developers at all of their offices, particularly at Brighton, Mountain View, and Seattle, as well as remote (telecommute) staff for Operations from all over the world, though particularly from Singapore and Australia.

If you’re interested in working for Linden Lab and can pony-up with the sort of strong skills they’re looking for, you should check out their job pages. From what we’ve been told, Linden Lab pays below market-rates for staff, but prefers top-class people who love their work and would rather have job-satisfaction.

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Original post by Tateru Nino

What about that Metal Gear Solid movie? Before the presser started, I talked to Konami’s Aki Saito, who is handling the film negotiations. According to him, the contract is still being worked out. Kojima will not be directing. However, he will be acting as a producer. Says Saito:

Hollywood has great respect for Mr. Kojima. They want to meet with him. Kojima will be acting as a producer, but we don’t know how involved he’ll be as a producer. Often Hollywood adaptations have the original game creator involved at the beginning, but somewhere along the line they fall out of view. This is why it’s very important for us to carefully pick the studio for this project.

Kojima is a great cineaste, and Konami does seem serious about bringing his vision to the screen. Regarding to potential directors, Saito says, “Paul Thomas Anderson is interested.”

Original post by Brian Ashcraft

A buzzer just sounded! Literally. The lights have gone down and I’m in the dark. Good thing I have an illuminated MacBook Pro, amirite. There’s an ad for Sony phones and now Uniqlo. Just like before a movie. There’s a funny no smoking ad with MGS theme exclamation points. Hahaha, now there are a bunch of phoney MGS themed ads like for guns and stuff. Great stuff.

Watching the MGS4 opening on a huge movie screen in full Dolby Digital sound. Beautiful stuff. It starts with Old Snake wearing a hooded outfit in the back of a truck. The sound is truly amazing. The credits role as it goes from gameplay to unable. Great mix of game play and cut scenes.

If you are thinking of purchasing MGS4, you really ought to play it in a movie theater.
Man, we just watched a killer in-game shootout and credits are STILL GOING.
Fumiaki Tanaka, Konami honcho, has taken the stage, talking about how the game is going on sale in the age of casual games. He’s saying how the game will make its release date.
“MGS4 has great graphics, gameplay and music,” says Tanaka. “Everything.” He’s talking about the power of the PS3. How they want to make more great games. Now he’s talking about the special Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 console.

The game will go on sale as scheduled and there will be big advertising campaigns and tie-ups.
Tanaka just introduced Kojima.

Kojima has taken the stage, saying that the game is finished. “It was a difficult game to make,” he says. “It took a long time to finish.” Since the game was the last in the series, the staff had to deal with that challenge. The PS3 hardware and HD game also presented challenges. Also the worldwide release.

“I thought about giving up,” says Kojima. “But I had to finish it for the fans.”

“Now, there is a casual boom,” he says.

He’s talking about taking risks, how it’s important to take risks. How risks are important for the future of gaming.

“I’m not thinking of a Renaissance,” he says, “but I’d like a return to gaming.” Kojima has left the stage.

Watching the first PS3 MGS4 television ad. It shows scenes from the game. And a kid wrapped on in it, ignoring the phone.

Kaz Hirai has taken the stage, congratulating Konami and Kojima on finishing the game.

Hirai says he ended up playing the game for 2 hours and he didn’t even know that much time had passed. “It’s one of those games that you can get wrapped up in,” says Hirai.

“Konami and Sony are taking this worldwide,” says Hirai. “We are backing up MGS4’s advertising.”

Hirai mentions the special Metal Gear PLAYSTATION 3.

Hirai encourages folks to try out the game and the PS3, congratulations Konami again.

Now there’s a photo opp. I take a pic. I shall post it later!

Oh! The English trailer, complete with MOVIE TRAILER GUY VOICE. Hey, this is pretty neat.

It’s like a mega blockbuster movie trailer, complete with MOVIE VOICE GUY saying “This Summer”…

Now, Kojima is going to play through the game. For forty minutes. On a giant movie screen. Think about that.

Original post by Brian Ashcraft

Minutes away! We’re in a movie theater in swish Roppongi Hills, waiting for the Metal Gear Solid 4 press conference, marking the official completion of the title. Hideo Kojima will be on hand to talk about the game as well as Sony’s Kaz Hirai. Kojima will be playing through MGS4 as well. For forty minutes. On a giant movie screen. Wowzers.

Check out the liveblog for all the action!

Original post by Brian Ashcraft

Minutes away! We’re in a movie theater in a swish Roppongi Hills waiting for the Metal Gear Solid 4 press conference. Kojima will be on hand to talk about the game as well as Sony’s Kaz Hirai. Kojima will be playing through the game as well. For forty minutes. On a giant movie screen. Wowzers.

Original post by Brian Ashcraft