Geektown’s Top 7 Most Anticipated MMORPGs List 2011!
It’s that time of year again when we look over what news of upcoming MMO’s has caught our attention over the last 12 months… Yep, it’s the return of Geektown’s Most Anticipated MMORPGs List!
7. Blizzard’s New MMO: Codenamed ‘Titan’ (position last yr – 6th)
Codenamed: Titan
Well, it’s another year on, and still only tiny slivers of information on Blizzard’s next MMO have worked there way out of Blizz HQ. So, here’s what we know…
- It’s codenamed ‘Titan’ internally.
- It’s a brand new IP and not based on WoW, Starcraft or Diablo.
- We know it’s designed to be a more casual MMO experience.
- It’s possibly some mix of Scifi and Fantasy in it’s setting.
Other rumors are that it’ll could be an MMOFPS, and it could be planned for release at the end of 2013 – So that’ll be an actual release date at some point in 2014…
Blizzard Website | Release Date: At least 2014 (cause when has Blizzard ever hit an intended release date!)
6. Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online (position last yr – 5th)
W40k: Dark Millennium Online
The W40K MMO, now named ‘Dark Millennium Online‘ was first announced in 2007. Then went very quiet. However, in the past year more information has started to come to light.
DMO is set in the 41st Millennium and should include all the races 40k players are familiar with. The only know playable races at the moment are The Imperium and the Eldar, and (this being Warhammer) all the classes will be dedicated to shooting, chainsawing, and generally beating the living snot out of the enemy. There may be some crafting involved, but only if your making more bullets to fire at the enemy!
The control system is likely to be more of like an action game than a traditional MMO, and developers Vigil Games are promising that action will be fast, furious and intense! They are promising DMO will be playable at E3 2012, with a likely release date in 2013.
Dark Millennium Online Website | Release Date: 2013
5. ArcheAge (New Entry)
Build your own ships in ArcheAge
ArcheAge is an MMORPG from Korean developers XL Games using CryEngine 2. It’s based in a fairly standard fantasy setting, but it’s more the gameplay that has piqued my interest than the environment. Like some other games on this list, it’s abandoned the traditional class selection for a far more fluid option. When you create your character, you pick 3 out of a possible 10 abilities, which means you could play as a full blown warrior, or some kind of healer, or take little bits from each and create your own class.
ArcheAge is also a game with some advance crafting, rather than your standard WoW-esque ‘cookie-cutter’ setup. If you want to build a house, go cut down some trees and build one. Same goes for if you want to build a ship. The system works using something called ‘labor power’ which builds up both whilst you are on and offline. If you want to build something really massive, you can get together with friends and pool your labor, allowing the creation of larger and more elaborate structures.
If combat is more your thing, it isn’t just restricted to your character on foot. You can fight on horseback, and in naval combat too. Overall, there’s a whole bunch of interesting things going on in ArcheAge. It’s currently in closed Beta in Korea, and is likely to get released to an eastern market before we get it in the west, so it’s probably going to be a while before we see ArcheAge in the UK.
ArcheAge Website | Release Date: TBA
4. Firefall (New Entry)
Firefall - The new PlanetSide?
There was a game that fellow geektowner D used to rave about… The original MMOFPS – PlanetSide. Ever since then though, MMOFPS’s have rather struggled to really make an impact, despite numerous attempts. Firefall plans to change all that, and what’s more, it plans on doing it on a free-to-play model!
The story is set on a future Earth where overuse of an energy source called Crystite has decimated most of the planet, which is now covered by an energy storm known as the ‘Melding’. You take control of one of the survivors of the human race battling entities called the ‘Chosen’ who have emerged from the ‘Melding’.
Gameplay is split between large pile-in battles, and more organised tournaments & leagues. The classes are actually prescribed by the type of exo-skeletons that you wear, allowing you to play as Engineers, Assault & Recon roles, or as Medics. Unlike the previous 3 games in the list, this one is due out in November this year, so if your an ex-PlanetSide player still looking for a new home, you’ve not long to wait to find out if Firefall is it.
Firefall Website | Release Date: Nov 2011
3. Salem (New Entry)
Salem - Sandbox MMO
Salem is a really interesting little MMO. Set in a fantastical version of New England, you play colonists from the Old World seeking to make lives for themselves in the New. Developers Paradox describe it as a crafting MMO… with open PvP combat and permanent death! Well, sort of… If you do happen to upset your neighbor, so he decides to stab you through the head with a pitchfork, your descendents can pick up where you left off. It’s an interesting take on the idea of perma-death, without the player necessarily losing everything. It also means that your little village may have to band together to police itself from any internal disputes, and also to defend itself from any invading ruffians. Player justice!
Salem is a persistent world which can be altered by the player’s actions, with skills such as crafting, farming and creating your own buildings. There’s also some good ol’ 17th century alchemy & witchcraft thrown in for good measure. Best of all, it’s another MMO using the free-to-play model. In terms of gameplay mechanics, it’s all sounding very open and sandboxy, which is an idea i really like.
Salem Website | Release Date: Nov 2011
2. The Secret World (New Entry)
Funcom's The Secret World
The Secret World is based on the idea that every myth, conspiracy theory and urban legend you’ve ever heard was true. Placed in a modern world setting, with cities such as London and New York, various secret societies (in this case The Templars, The Illuminati, and The Dragon) are at war – not only with each other, but also the various demons, vampires, zombies and other creatures that go bump in the night!
TSW has taken a leaf out of the pre-nge Star Wars Galaxies handbook, and removed all levels and classes. Using a skill based system, you can pick from hundreds of powers to customise your character however you see fit. There’s no set progression path. The skills system is sounding very pre-nge SWG, and that’s a great thing in my book. Developer Funcom are powering TSW using the same engine as Age of Conan, a game which had it’s faults, but the engine wasn’t one of them. The creative director of the game was also the man behind the brilliant adventure ‘The Longest Journey’, so i’m expecting a decent story too.
The Secret World Website | Release Date: TBC 2012
1. Star Wars : The Old Republic (position last yr – 1st)
SWTOR - 1st place again!
We were rather hoping to be playing SWTOR by now, but Bioware have taken a leaf out of Blizzard’s book and gone with a ‘it’ll be done when it’s done’ attitude. Still, it’s the right thing to do. There’s nothing worse than releasing a half finished MMO with no content (*cough*Conan-DCOnline-SWG-etc…*cough*). It’s fair to say Bioware have rather gone out of their way to make sure content is something that SWTOR should most definitely not be lacking in… The currently estimate is that there’s around 200 hrs of gameplay… PER CLASS! Now, we know from experience, that developers always over estimate how many hrs it’ll take for players to get through their content, but if they are even close to being correct, that around 1500 hrs of Star Wars-y goodness to sink your teeth into! It would also rather explains why SWTOR hasn’t been released yet, cause that’s a heck of a lot of code to test.
If your in a relationship or have a family member who is a Star Wars fan, kiss them goodbye when SWTOR is released, cause you won’t be seeing them for a very very long time!
Star Wars : The Old Republic Website | Release Date: Late 2011.
GeekTown’s Top Ten Games of 2010
Usually around this time of year we’d do a run down of our favourite MMO’s of the year. But 2010 was such a sucky year for the MMO we’ve decided to look at all genres of game, and 2010 had some great ones! Here’s our top ten!
10. Mafia II (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Mafia II
Dave: I loved the original Mafia. Well… I loved Mafia apart from the practically impossible to beat car race… But overall it was a brilliantly told, and wonderfully atmospheric game. Mafia II doesn’t quite live up to it’s predecessor for atmosphere, and I would have liked it to be a little more sandbox and a little less linear – It seems a shame that they created such a stunning world, only to be forced down a certain path, rather than allowing you to explore on your own, GTA style. Even so, it’s still an immensely enjoyable action adventure.
9. Medal of Honor (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Medal of Honor
Daryl: Yet another Medal of Honour game is what I first thought when I heard about this title, but as a fan of the FPS genre I thought I would give it a try. What I encountered is a unique and memorable game. While most FPS games in recent years feel like a Michael Bay movie or a Tom Clancy novel, DICE set out to make Medal of Honour as close to reality as possible. There are no soviet super spies, no team of cocky soldiers who can storm an army of thousands with only a few scratches, in fact whenever you do encounter the enemy in large numbers you’ll most likely find yourself running for your life or calling for backup.
Throughout the game you play as various different characters but the one that I grew most attached to was a young Navy Seal who goes by the call-sign Rabbit. The events he goes through are truly engaging and it was only after finishing the game that I learned his story closely follows that of a real Navy Seal known as Neil Roberts. This was a brave decision and DICE’s commitment to making the game absolutely authentic has earned them widespread condemnation, but I’m sure if many of the bandwagon jumpers had played the game they would change their minds. Yes it has its flaws, particularly in a lacklustre and derivative multiplayer offering, but few games feel so sincere, nor so inspiring.
8. Battlefield Bad Company 2 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Battlefield Bad Company 2
Daryl: Yet another game from the DICE studio, but if you played them both you wouldn’t be able to tell. While Medal of Honour focuses almost purely on single player, Bad Company is very much a multiplayer game. The Battlefield games have always had a strong following online but this latest edition stands out and is some of the most fun I’ve had since Call of Duty 4. The vehicle and infrantry combat is perfectly balanced, so you’re as likely to win a match with your rifle as you are with a tank. The building destruction is more than a gimmick, allowing you to demolish the very buildings objectives are housed within, or if that pesky sniper is getting you down simply obliterate the entire room he is standing in. The maps are perfectly sized, allowing you to quickly travel on foot but also hang back far enough away for some old fashioned sniping and the levelling is always interesting as the game offers seemingly endless items and weapons to aim for.
The Battlefield and Bad Company games have always had their strengths, but Bad Company 2 feels like the game where everything came together for DICE, the technology, Battlefield staples and modern FPS trends are blended together to form a truly exceptional online game.
7. Alpha Protocol (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Alpha Protocol
Dave: Alpha Protocol was an original title from the kings of the game sequel Obsidian. A little rough around the edges, but a still a thoroughly enjoyable spy thriller. One of the neatest parts was the Dialogue Stance system, which give you a number of choices, modelled (according to Obsidian) after the 3 JB’s – James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Jack Bauer. So, be suave (Bond), be professional (Bourne), or threaten to cut someones fingers off one by one till they tell you what you want to know (Bauer).
6. Heavy Rain (PS3)
Heavy Rain
Dave: This was a fascinating concept for a game, from the makers of the brilliant Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy – Quantic Dream. On the surface, it’s a straightforward adventure thriller. You start playing Ethan Mars, a father looking for his missing son. However, at various points in the game, it’s possible Ethan may get killed… So you just load your last save, right?.. Not it Heavy Rain. You continue the story, using one of the other characters you’ve met along the way. And if they die, you move to the next one. Each changing the story, and giving you a variety of possible endings. Heavy Rain also has a lot in common with Quantic’s previous releases, from the extremely cinematic feel, to the fairly unique control system, which works by using the controller to mimic the action you want to perform on screen. This has also been modified to work with the PS3′s Move controller.
5. Fallout: New Vegas (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Fallout: New Vegas
Dave: This really had to go into the list, as thanks to Steam, i know it sucked up 49hrs of my life last year (no, it’s not big or clever… ;)). Following on from Fallout 3, development for New Vegas was passed on to Obsidian from Bethesda.
Obsidian is actually the natural home for a Fallout game, as many of the developers now at the studio are ex-employees of Fallout & Fallout 2 developers Black Isle Studios. Yes, New Vegas was basically more of the same (including the same graphics engine, bringing it’s own advantages and problems), but the original Fallout 3 was so good, why rock the boat. What Obsidian did bring is a lot more humour to the script, and a bit more of the essence of the original Fallout. Still… The next character to say ‘Patrolling the mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter’ to me is getting a bullet through the brain…
4. Angry Birds (Smart Phone, Mac)
Angry Birds
Dave: Angry Birds really has everything you want from a moblie game. It’s cheap. It’s silly. It’s easy to control. And most of all, it’s incredibly addictive! The basic premise is that you control a bunch of flightless birds to help them reclaim their eggs from some thieving pigs. This is done by slingshotting them into the pig’s wood, metal or glass forts. As you advance, the birds gain more skills, as you fire them at the pigs to create piggy carnage.
3. Mass Effect 2 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Mass Effect 2
Dave: The original Mass Effect breathed a breath of fresh air into the RPG genre. RPG masters Bioware, produced an epic space opera, with a wonderfully constructed story, fast paced FPS style gameplay, and a stunning galaxy to play in. Mass Effect 2 managed to expand and build on that, even allowing you to import your character and choices from the first game to effect some of the story elements in the second.
Bioware also listened to the criticisms of Mass Effect 1, and managed to make 2 a far more streamlined and pleasurable experience, whilst still keeping the cinematic nature of the original. Mass Effect 3 is due out in a few months, and I for one, can’t wait!
2. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, PS3)
Red Dead Redemption
Dave: So yes, it is basically GTA with horses… but in my book, that’s no bad thing.
Once again. Rockstar not only built one of the move stunning and complete environments for you to play in, they also constructed a great story and characters to play with. From annoying snake oil salesmen, to crazy old grave robbers, Red Dead gives you a world full of interesting a textured people to interact with. The story is well constructed, managing to avoid falling into being an off-the-shelve western cliche (apart from when it intents to for comic effect).
Red Dead, like Mass Effect, is one of those games that proves you don’t need to go to a cinema to find a well crafted script.
1. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (PC)
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
Dave: Well it had to be really. How often do you get an MMO that does something as crazy as destroying half the zones in the game to improve gameplay. Most companies would just decide to launch a WoW2, but not Blizzard. Although Cataclysm is technically an expansion, the massive changes it brings to WoW really does make it seem like a whole new game. Plus there’s the addition of the frankly awesome Goblin race (really the best starting zones they’ve ever made), and the ye olde England style Worgen’s.
There is also a 5 level bump in level cap, a whole new zones for 80-85, and a huge graphic update. Blizzard have once again show why WoW is number one… for now at least… 2011 sees the first truly serious contender for it’s crown, and that’s in the shape of Star Wars:The Old Republic. Whilst the updated to WoW has massively improved levels 1-60, 60-80 now seems a bit of a grind. 2011 could get very interesting for the MMO genre.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – Week 1
Indiana Goblin
It’s been a few week since Azeroth was split into pieces by a rather grumpy dragon, and 4 days since World of Warcraft: Cataclysm fully lanched, so i though i’d write up a bit about my first week (well, 4 days) in the newly reformed world.
Firstly, the graphically update is stunning. Still has that stylised WoW look, but everything has a nice new shine to it. I’m currently playing Horde, so I’ve yet to really have a good look around the Alliance side (that will come in future). For those of you that know World of Warcraft, but haven’t been keeping up, here’s a quick rundown of whats been going on.
The Story So Far (Horde)…
Thrall
Thrall (Warchief of the Horde), has left Orgrimmar to join the Earthen Ring in trying to defeat grumpy ol’ Deathwing, leaving the young upstart Garrosh in charge. Garrosh is a great warrior, but (to use a colloquialism) kinda a dick – so he kicks out all non-orcs from Org. This really annoys Vol’jin - chieftain of the troll Darkspear tribe, and Cairne Bloodhoof - High Chieftan of the Tauren. So much so that Cairne offers out Garrosh in a fight. Garrosh slays Cairne in the duel… Although unknown to either combatant, that’s more to do with the posion Magatha Grimtotem (Cairne’s rival for High Chieftan) has secretly put on Garrosh’s blade, than Garrosh’s skill. Discovering what Magatha has done, Garrosh condems her actions, and refuses to support her. This allows Cairne’s son Baine to claim back the Taurean’s home of Thunder Bluff from Magatha’s attempted coup. Should also note that Dark Lady of the Forsaken, Sylvanas Windrunner, really isn’t a fan of Garrosh either referring to him as an ‘ogre-headed buffoon’ (as I said… Garrosh is kinda a dick).
Little Green Men
Goblin Hunter
With all this going on, there’s a new race that get’s folded into the Horde’s mix – Goblins. Knowing what Garrosh had been up to the past few months, and given his dislike of all things non-orcish, I was quite interested to see how they were going to achieve this, so I started up a Goblin hunter.
The goblin starting area (well… areas actually) are, by far, the most insanely brilliant and ridiculous bits of content i’ve ever seen them put in an update on WoW! From cruising around Kezan (the previously unseen Goblin homeland) in my hot-rod with my ‘crew’; to killing goblin zombies with rocket powered boots; to the new goblin rocket based transport network in Azshara (transformed into the lvl 10-20 goblin zone).
Never has a starting a new toon been so entertaining. Gone are most of the ‘kill 10 rat’s’ quests, and when they are there, it’s usually because you’d have to kill at least 10 of them anyway to reach the goals for a couple of other quests. Every quest is integrated into the narrative, and flows much better than anything i’ve seen in WoW before. One of the key changes I think is the use of the invisible instancing technology Blizzard introduced for the Death Knight starting area. This allows them to have time change around the player, altering the environment depending what stage of the plotline they’re at.
Other Races
Rollin with my homies
Goblins aren’t the only ones get new quest-lines. Pretty much all the starting areas have been altered in someway due to Garrosh’s command and the Cataclysm itself. Trolls now start out on Darkspear Isle, the largest of the Echo Isles, off the southeastern coast of Durotar. Orc, Taurean and Forsaken quest-lines have also all been changed to one degree or another.
As I mentioned at the top of this post, i’m not currently playing any Alliance characters, although given how superbly crafted the Goblin areas are, I do intend to give the Worgen a go. I would also be really interested to hear anyone experiences from that side of the fence – If you’d like to let us know, or have any thoughts on the update, feel free to leave them in the comments or over on the forum. 
[slickr-flickr tag="cataclysm"]
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm coming Dec 7th!
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm coming Dec 7th 2010!
Just a quick update for you WoW people out there (or ex-WoW players!), World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is coming December 7th 2010.
“Cataclysm includes the best content we’ve ever created for World of Warcraft. It’s not just an expansion, but a re-creation of much of the original Azeroth, complete with epic new high-level adventures for current players and a redesigned leveling experience for those just starting out,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With the help of our beta testers, we’re putting on the final polish, and we look forward to welcoming gamers around the world to enjoy it in just a couple of months.”
I know all you ex-players (myself included), are saying your not going back, but really… you know you will… ;)
So what do you think? Are you an ex-WoW player who’s going back to Azeroth? Discuss it in our forum, or leave your thoughts in the comments!
GeekTown’s Top 5 Most Thrilling Moments in PC Gaming
The people over at Mazda have just launched the ‘Mazda Thrillseekers‘ campaign, and it got me thinking… What are the most thrilling moments we’ve had in our years playing PC games? What are the moments that have just taken you breath away, or had you giggling like a excited little kid? These are GeekTown’s top 5 most thrilling moments in PC gaming!
Left 4 Dead
5. The Zombie Apocalypse (Left 4 Dead)
Really, if your going to talk about thrilling experiences in PC gaming, it’s pretty impossible not to mention the awesomeness of fighting of wave after wave of flesh eating zombies in Left 4 Dead/Left 4 Dead 2!
The shear panic the first time your knocked to the ground, desperately trying to survive, praying one of your fellow teammates manages to make it to you in time! Oh… and the first time you meet that witch…
T-Rex
4. Meeting the local wildlife in Un Goro Crater (World of Warcraft)
So there you are… happily wondering around, collecting a few seeds, plants and crystals, plus slaughtering the occasional raptor that decides to cross your path. Sudden the ground appears to shake… Interesting… and probably not good…
You see, what you might not have realised, those lil’ raptors you’ve been bludgeoning, have some rather larger cousins… At this point it’s probably a good idea to check behind you as it’s more than likely there’s a GIANT FREAKING LIZARD running towards you at full pelt!
The Cake Is A Lie
3. Best End Credits Ever (Portal)
You’ve been put through hours of tests by Aperture Science’s deranged computer AI, GLaDOS. You finally reach her core. And after a hard fought battle, she is finally defeated… Or so you think. The end credits roll and… wait… is that GLaDOS? Singing? But, she’s… oh no… nooo…
She’s Still ALIVE!
Quite possibly the most awesome, thrilling end credits anywhere, ever!
KotOR
2. THAT Reveal (Knights of the Old Republic)
Despite being lumbered with Carth Onasi (one of the whiniest little bitches in all gamedom), you’ve managed to battled your way through the galaxy, chasing down the evil sith, Darth Malak. You finally come face to face with your hated enemy, only for KotOR to throw in it’s very own ‘No. I am your father’ moment as (WARNING: SPOILER)…
…you discover you are actually his long lost apprentice Darth Revan!
1. Stepping out of Bestine Spaceport for the first time (Star Wars Galaxies)
Bestine (SWG)
SWG was my first MMO (pre all the NGE debacle). I didn’t really have any idea what to expect, other than the few bits my friends who had suggested I bought the game had told me. So I created my character, and went through the (at the time, pretty basic) training space station, and got a text from my friends to meet them on Tatooine. Bestine was the closest port to their town, so that’s where I told the nice man on the training station to drop me there. So I land on Tatooine… and my inner Star Wars geek, begins to freak out a little… Look! There are Jawas running around! And Wookies waiting to board shuttles! I step outside the port… Hundreds of people running around, training skills and trading good. Selling droids and offering services. I turn a corner and find a freaking AT-ST and a squad of Imperial Stormtroopers!.. Despite all it’s faults (and it did have quite a few), i don’t think i’ve ever found an MMORPG that really felt as much like a living, breathing world as Star Wars Galaxies did the first time i stepped into it.
Geektown’s Top 6 Most Anticipated MMORPGs List 2010!
Yes, it’s that time of year again! Time to take a look into our crystal ball and see what are our most anticipated upcoming MMORPGs are, and see how games from the 2009 MMO list fared. What’s been released, what’s been building up a fan base, and what’s now buried 6 feet under…
Last Year in MMORPGs
2009 saw a number of high profile MMOs take a long walk off a short pier, starting with Richard Garriott’s fun but flawed Tabula Rasa in Feb, and The Matrix Online was turned off in March.
Star Trek Online
Over the last 12 months only 2 of last years MMO list made it out into the world, and they both came from Cryptic Studios. First Cryptic released Champions Online in September 09 to a chorus of indifference. They followed that up by reskinning the Champions Online engine with some shiny Star Trek outfits, and released Star Trek Online in Feb 2010 (more fun than Champions, but still no where near as good as it should have been.)
Other MMO releases last year that weren’t on the ‘Most Anticipated’ list included Fallen Earth (post-apocalyptic MMOFPS), Aion (NCSoft’s fantasy epic developed for Western and Korean markets), and Darkfall (harsh, old school fantasy gameworld, complete with unrestricted PvP and looting). None of them jumped out at us and said ‘buy me’, but if any readers out there have strong opinions on them, and are interested in sending in a review, get in touch.
This years notable exception award goes to…
Just wanted to mention the notable exception of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMO and Firefly MMO from this years list. Although i’d still love to see either (or both of them), I’ve left them off the list due to Multiverse’s inability to produce even a single screenshot of a game that’s been in development since 2008… I did speak to a Multiverse rep about both games who told me that their deal with Fox stops gags them from talking about Firefly, and totally sidestepped the issue with Buffy. I rather suspect both games at this point are staked through the heart…
Top 6 Most Anticipated MMORPGs List 2010
6. Blizzard’s New MMO (position last yr – 6th)
What has Blizzard got up it's sleeve
Still not a lot know about Blizzards ‘next big thing’. We were hearing rumours last year that they might be developing WoW2, although I rather suspect that was the Catacysm update that our source saw. The Blizzard guys have since stated that it will be a brand new IP, which makes sense. Blizzard is unlikely to want to license something, and whatever they do produce, they aren’t going to want it to be something that’s upsets the cash taurean that is World of Warcraft. A number of rumours have it as being an MMOFPS, which would be an interesting shift for the developer. An FPS would be easier to push onto a console, and less likely to cannibalise the WoW player base. All we can do for the moment is wait and speculate. The chances are though, if Blizzard are making it, it’s going to be awesome.
Blizzard’s Website | Release Date: TBA
Warhammer 40k MMORPG
5. Warhammer 40K MMO (new entry)
2007 – Vigil Games announced they were making a Warhammer 40k. Woohoo! Post 2007 – *tumbleweed* *howling wind* i.e. nothing… However at a recent investors call, publisher THQ made reference to the W40k MMO, saying it was still in development, and due to be shown at this years E3. Final release is still a while off (2012), but as old school W40k tabletop gamers, it’ll be one GeekTown will be keeping an eye on.
Vigil Games Website | Release Date: 2012
4. LEGO Universe (new entry)
Lego Universe
We at GeekTown love LEGO. It really is one of the greatest toys ever invented. So the chance to combine our love of LEGO and our love of MMOs has to be jumped at. It’s the first MMO to be solidly aimed at children and parents alike. Although LEGO Universe is made by NetDevil, it’s designed to feel a lot like Traveller’s Tales LEGO Star Wars series. More of an MMO-Platformer than an RPG, it makes an interesting proposition to gamers looking for something new in their MMO. Lots of jumping. smashing and collecting items!
Along with the ‘auto-build’ option that’s utilised in the Traveller’s Tales games that builds pre-defined LEGO models, there also options at various points for the player to ‘free build’ with the LEGO pieces you’ve collected. Any free-build items are then turned into in-game models which can be places around your virtual house. There has also been talk of you being able to order the physical LEGO models of items build in game.
LEGO Universe Website | Release Date: Winter 2010
3. DC Universe Online (position last yr – 4th)
Robin, Batman, Batgirl
With the disappointing Champions Online released, Marvel Universe Online canned, then revived, but stuck in development hell, and the fun but ageing City of Heroes/Villans being the only other kid on the block, the market is wide open for a new superhero MMO. And what better Universe to set it in than DC’s world of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, et al.
I’ve always been more of a DC than a Marvel kid, and a massive Batman fan, so the chance to take on missions from the Dark Knight himself really cannot be missed! Release date is currently set for May 2010, and I really can’t wait. My only real misgiving about this game is it’s being published and developed by $ony Online Entertainment… Yes, your correct, i still haven’t forgiven them for the whole Star Wars Galaxies fiasco…
DC Universe Online Website | Release Date: May 2010
2. Stargate Worlds (position last yr – 1st)
Stargate Worlds
Things were worryingly quiet over at Cheyenne Mountain. Stargate Worlds was originally scheduled for a 2008 release… Then 2009… Then in Feb 2010 they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, although they claimed development on SGW would continue… Then they announced Stargate: Resistance – A third-person shooter. Okay… not exactly what we were expecting, but hopefully it’ll help keep the lights on at Cheyenne Mountain while SGW continues it’s ever delayed development.
It’s such a shame SGW is struggling, as it seems like the perfect setting for an MMO. Lot’s of worlds to visit. Combat focused story environment. Lots of factions and archetypes to pick from. As massive Stargate fans we live in hope that SGW will ride through the rough patch it’s in at the moment, and live to see the light of day.
Stargate Worlds Website | Release Date: UPDATE: Cancelled!
1. Star Wars : The Old Republic (position last yr – 3rd)
SW:tOR
We loved KotOR. Despite it’s missing story lines, we loved KotOR 2. And of course we love Star Wars. We also love Bioware’s games. If you believe the hype, Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the ultimate MMORPG to end all other MMORPGs.
Every class has it’s own unique plot lines. Ever character is fully voiced by real actors (making it the largest voice over project in the history of gaming, radio, tv or cinema). You can be Jedi, Sith, bounty hunter, smuggler, or a number of other Star Warsy archetypes. Each class will support on-the-fly customisation, rather than the tradional MMO tank, healer, Damage dealer etc… making grouping much easier, as your no longer stuck looking for that one specific class to fill the hole in your team.
You’ll have NPC companions (like in KotOR) that stick with you as you level through the game. Some may even become love interests. And NPC interactions won’t be your usual one-way ‘go here, do this’ instructions or just a bunch of text. SW:tOR will utilse a system more akin to Bioware’s Mass Effect/Dragon Age engine, where it’s more of a conversation, and the answers influence your narative.
I think the thing that excites me most about SW:tOR is that Bioware have hit on something that most current developers miss or choose to ignore because it’s hard to do. Just letting a bunch of people play together does not make an MMORPG. An MMO, sure, but not an RPG. Bioware seem determined to put the focus firmly back on the RPG elements. It’s a massive task with some huge hurdles to overcome, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Bioware.
Star Wars : The Old Republic Website | Release Date: Spring 2011.
What do you think?
So that’s our list. What are the MMOs your most looking forward to? Are there any games you feel should really be on the list.
We’d like to know, so just leave your thoughts in the comments, or contact us here!
