Category Archives: NCSoft

ArenaNet has released a small batch of screenhots to celebrate today’s launch of Winds of Change: Part Three. Part of the Guild Wars Beyond series of storylines and events, the content helps bridge the storyline between the original game and Guild Wars 2, which takes place 250 years in the future. Beyond started off with War in Kryta, and then saw the release of Hearts of the North. The story continued with Winds of Change, and part three is the conclusion of the series. Guild Wars 2 will go into public beta this spring and will launch later this year.

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NCSoft has detailed its Spring Fling plans for City of Heroes. On top of the three traditional Spring Fling co-op missions , characters of level 30 or above can take on a quest involving the Red Widow to score the Widow Maker badge, while level 20 and above can access Valentines, which awards players with the Match Maker or Missed Connection badges, and grants one of two temporary abilities, Arrows of Romance and Arrows of Jealousy. The fun kicked off this morning in the US and runs through February 27.

NCsoft has revealed some rather nice figures for Lineage II, which changed over from a subscription-based MMO to free-to-play back in November. According to the firm (via MMORPG), the concurrent player-base in the game has increased 800%, more than 250,000 players have used the “Path to Awakening service” the web-based system which rewards player for game progression and provides free items tofolks level up faster. The firm has had to more than double the number of servers to accommodate the new players, and even better, revenue for NCsoft has “quadrupled” in the last two months. Fans have also “liked” the game’s Facebook page more than 280,000 times and the game’s forums are hopping. Good to hear!

A new interview on the Wildstar website has dropped new info on one of the three main classes introduced in the debut trailer of the Carbine title from gamescom last year, the humans. The interview touches on the lack of a homeland for the human people due to constant roaming, the mission from last summer’s trailer and guns. Lots of guns.

The NCSoft MMO has no date yet. Thanks, Massively.

“We are disappointed that NCsoft is attempting to mar the launch of TERA. Unfortunately we can’t discuss much publicly due to the sensitivity of legal actions, but we do outright reject the NCsoft claims, and we are going to do everything in our power to defend and protect ourselves. To all our supporters who have been anticipating the arrival of TERA – please know that this situation has no impact on our continuing efforts to realize the vision we have for our game. We are committed to making TERA awesome and delivering the game to you on time on May 1. Thank you for your patience and support.” – En Masse VP of publishing Chris Lee responding to NCsoft’s allegations that BlueHole Studios stole software and artwork from the studio to create TERA. Thanks, TenTonHammer.

A new interview on the Wildstar website has shed some light on one of the MMO’s first races. The chat focuses on the Aurin, and features Liara – shown in the game’s first trailer at gamescom last year – talking about why her species has its unique ears and tail, details on her homeland and her role as a scientist. Get that here.

The Carbine-made, NCSoft-published MMO has no date as yet. Get Pat’s impressions of it here. Thanks, Massively.

NCsoft has filed a lawsuit against Bluehole Studio and En Masse Entertainment in the US Court District of New York in an attempt to block the sale of TERA in the US.

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ArenaNet has unveiled the latest race to grace Guild Wars 2, and those familiar with the first game, should recognize there giants.

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ArenaNet’s confirmed it’ll launch Guild Wars 2′s open beta around March and April, as well as a 2012 launch

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It’s “plotting” because the news comes courtesy of one of the game’s writers. Pun level up.

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Lineage II character artist Juno Jeong has returned to NCsoft, as of January 2, to work on the firm’s next MMO. Jeong will be the art director of the unknown MMO project. After finishing work on Lineage II in 2005, Jeong worked for firms such as Gravity, NHN, and Npluto. Speculation on the web suggests the MMO could be Lineage III or Aion 2, the later of which will go free-to-play in February. Thanks, Massively.

ArenaNet’s iconic Mesmer profession returns in Guild Wars 2, but the unique character type isn’t easy to build.

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ArenaNet has said the closed beta for Guild Wars 2 will start today. Speaking on a Reddit thread, system designer Jon Peter said there was no way in for the public, with testers already handpicked by ArenaNet. “We will officially enter Closed Beta Testing this Friday. It will be marked with an increase in our pool of testers. To clarify, this phase of testing is still under NDA and is not open to the public,” he said.

The NCsoft MMO is expected to launch next year. Thanks, IGN.

Yesterday, news leaked out that the mesmer would be the final unrevealed Guild Wars 2 class. Today, NCSoft is going with the flow, and offering more details on the newly announced class.

They’ve released a slew of screenshots and movies which can be found after the break, along with a small but official not on the Guild Wars 2 website. “Introducing the final Guild Wars 2 profession — the mind-bending mesmer! This magical duelist uses deception as a weapon. Look behind the illusion at this formidable new profession right here!”

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NCSoft’s announced it’s to make Aion free-to-play from February next year.

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According to the Guild Wars 2 Twitter, the final class available to Guild Wars 2 players is the Mesmer. NCSoft had embargoed the reveal for this Wednesday, but a video made its way online anyway. Before its removal, the jubilant Mesmer fanbase got word of it, so there’s no stuffing the cat back in the bag. Expect a full reveal with trailer and details laster in the week. The MMORPG is expected to launch in 2012.

Thanks, Massively.

NCSoft European head Véronique Lallier has left the company to head to Warner Bros as its VP of digital publishing in its international arm. Lallier became Managing Director in 2009 after joining the company in a marketing role in 2005. The company will now take a “flat management” approach, according to MCV, with Sarah Rogers in charge of sales, while PR boss Cat Channon heads up corporate communications.

Warner’s also appointed Stefan Lampinen as the company’s Managing Director in Nordic regions, where he joins from Game Advisor.

As promised, Lineage II – NCsoft’s stalwart online fantasy grinder – is now free. Assuming you don’t have anything better to do, you can now hit things with sticks for thousands of hours instead of going outside, pooing in the toilet or even wanking: why would you? You have the stick game. Get yourself a potty. Hit with sticks. Don’t wank. Or move. Stick-hitting for free beats wanking and moving. Poo on the potty and hit with sticks. You don’t even need a real stick. You will need a real potty. Or a real nappy. “Experience the grandest MMO and leave the rest behind!”

ArenaNet has updated the Guild Wars 2 blog with information pertaining to the game’s updated cinematic conversations. In the game, these conversations take place via cutscene between player characters and NPCs during significant parts of the story. According to the blog post, some headway has been made in the lip-synching during these segments and a couple of videos have been posted showing how these conversations will work. Each is posted below. Guild Wars 2 is expected next year sometime. Thanks, Massively.

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The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against NCSoft in its last bid to avoid shelling out $32 million to one-time employee Richard Garriott.

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