The Daily Grind: What would your ultimate MMO character creator look like?
In the wide field of MMOs, there are great character creators and there are… there are the less-good ones. You know, the ones that give you the choice of three faces (one of which has to be "old crone nobody picks") and two shades of robes. The ones where developers mistakenly think that players will […]
The Stream Team: Getting done with Warframe's Deadlock Protocol, day 3
With Warframe's TennoCon 2020 coming tomorrow, Massively OP's MJ wants to work on completing Deadlock Protocol before the big announcement of what's on the horizon. With luck, she leveled her Xoris enough to help complete this story mission series and find out why she was "summoned" there. And who doesn't want to completely thwart Nef […]
Betawatch: The silence on Squadron 42 was all about a video not being pretty enough
So Star Citizen fans were more than a little miffed that the news on Squadron 42 had slowed from "a crawl" to "did that move or was it just the wind" levels of activity. That makes sense, especially since at one point the persistent universe was supposed to be the optional multiplayer sideline and not […]
Albion Online's Guild Season 10 begins August 22 — here's the schedule of events
It's about that time for the guilds of Albion Online to test their might, prove they're the best, and maybe get their ridiculous guild name on a leaderboard for all to see. Guild Season 10 is looming, kicking off on Saturday, August 22nd, and the devs have posted the schedule of events. The season begins […]
Dual Universe's August beta will also see the end of NDA
Dual Universe is sort of repeating itself in its latest newsletter, but then tooting the horn of an upcoming beta launch is to be expected. What's different in the announcement, however, is confirmation that beta will also spell the end of the game's NDA, which means fans should expect a whole lot more user-created content […]
Fallout 76 enlists the community to build a Brotherhood of Steel base
WoW Classic isn't the only game in town that's throwing massive community construction events these days. Starting early next month, Fallout 76 is enlisting its entire band of vault dwellers to help make a new base. And not just any base — but one for the incoming Brotherhood of Steel. "The Brotherhood of Steel have […]
Animal Crossing New Horizons now lets players trip and fall, create penis-shaped fireworks
There's been a recent update made to the adorable Animal Crossing New Horizons, including the ability to visit a dream version of other players' islands in their sleep, backup their island and save data, and take in fireworks shows every Sunday which can be modified to include custom fireworks designs. So, naturally, everyone started filling […]
Grab a Crossout Beach Buggy code from Gaijin and Massively OP!
Post-apoc MMO action game Crossout has football, and I'm not even kidding! Gaijin has spent the better part of the summer on its Steel Championship series and its new map. In celebration, Gaijin has granted Massively OP a stack of keys to give to our readers – and do note that these giveaways are the only […]
Legends of Aria just announced The Shifting Sands, its fourth season of content
Just a few weeks after leaving early access and finally formally launching, Legends of Aria is already moving on to its next content phase. Season 4: The Shifting Sands is coming August 10th, with fresh dynamic encounters in the Barren Lands. Not so barren anymore! "Journey throughout the Withering Sands and Flat Wilds to discover […]
The summer of no E3 seems to be treating publishers and developers just fine in terms of buzz
This is the year of no E3, the year with no big summer convention in which everyone packs together in a building to see the latest games that can be anticipated for the years to come. Of course, somebody has already speculated that we don't really need trade shows any longer, but this year is […]
Rumor: Halo Infinite leak suggests a free-to-play multiplayer experience
So, who had Halo goes free-to-play on the summer 2020 bingo card? OK, not really, but a leak circulating on the internet today suggests that Halo Infinite will be some sort of free-to-play multiplayer mayhem. The leak comes by way of Smyths Toys Superstore (what), which seems to have accidentally announced the free-to-play status of […]
Here's what to expect from Elder Scrolls Online at QuakeCon 2020
With COVID-19 still raging around the country, Bethesda has turned this year's QuakeCon into a virtual event running August 7th through August 9th. Do the math: That's just a week away! And Bethsoft has posted a full schedule of what to expect and when, including panels for all of its core games. Most notable for […]
The Survivalist: Astroneer's worst mistake was using Nitrado servers
Wonder rant powers, activate! It's been a long while since I have been pushed to the point of activating rant mode. I can be chill and forgiving about quite a bit. But here I am — knit brows, frustrated growls, and all. What could possibly have frustrated me to this point, especially regarding Astroneer, a game […]
Star Citizen shows off the Greycat ROC mining buggy and blows up an Idris
Star Citizen's latest video digest is all about breaking stuff up, whether it's breaking up rocks for materials in the newly revealed Greycat ROC or watching an Idris break up into huge pieces of dead spaceship as it blows apart. In the first half of the video, we're introduced to the Greycat ROC, a little […]
WoW Factor: Ah, yes, the chest of mystery in World of Warcraft's Shadowlands
Am I the only one who feels like there's actually been a bit less news about Shadowlands ever since it opened up beta testing? Or maybe I just haven't been focusing as well. Could be a bit of both. What's definitely the case is that I was paying attention when some of the systems underpinning […]
Amazon's Crucible delays next beta phase
For hopeful fans of Amazon's Crucible, it has not been the most comforting of summers. At the end of June, the studio announced that it would be taking the title back to closed beta for an extensive rework due to its poor reception. It was so abrupt and concerning that the Massively OP team pondered […]
World of Warcraft introduces the ability to switch Covenants in its latest Shadowlands beta build
Testing for World of Warcraft's upcoming Shadowlands expansion just got a little more interesting. The most recent beta build of the expansion has introduced the ability for players to change their chosen Covenant. Players will reportedly have to go through a series of confirmation windows to leave a Covenant, while returning to a Covenant involves […]
Magic Legends' next starting class is the white mana-using Sanctifier
Magic Legends has finally deigned to show off the latest of the multiplayer ARPG's starting classes. Say hello to the Sanctifier, a veritable beacon of white mana light described as a "refreshing take on a more classic, dedicated support class." The Sanctifier wields a long-range Divine Bolt as a primary attack and a massive Wave […]
DC Universe Online's Wonderverse is now available, with its new raid, mission, and alert
As promised, DC Universe Online's Wonderverse episode rolled out after hefty patching last evening. Daybreak's Dimensional Ink Games has delivered a Wonder Woman-centric storyline, or maybe we should say Wonder Women-centric, since Wonder Women from multiple eras and timelines are featured. Don't think about it too hard; this is supposed to be fun! Expect the […]
The Daily Grind: How should MMO end-of-life care play out?
Nonameplease recently sent us a concerned email about the future of MMOs, specifically Star Trek Online. "I have spent a ton of money on rare ships," he told us. "When this game finally shuts down, I'll be SOL…. unless there is an emulator. Even though my previous purchases won't be carried over, I'm guessing the emu […]
The Stream Team: Now we return to our regularly scheduled Neverwinter adventures
With all the festivals lately, it seems like months since Massively OP's MJ has adventured through Neverwinter's story. (Oh, it has been!) Can she even remember where she left off? Oh ya! Tonight, she returns for her meeting with Dying Howl, the primal spirit for the wolf tribe. Sounds totally safe, right? Tune in live […]
Final Fantasy XI's August update includes the first new storyline after Rhapsodies of Vana'diel
It appears that even the claims of Final Fantasy XI's story being finished were greatly exaggerated. That's not news, of course, but it is notable that the game's August version update scheduled for August 6th includes the first part of a new storyline exploring what is said to be a corner of Vana'diel not previously […]
Tree of Savior adds a new raid and some powerful new weapons
Well would you look at that, Tree of Savior is still kicking out the jams. Good for you, you plucky, painterly, pretty little MMOARPG. The game's most recent update has some pretty sizeable new things for max level players, including an all-new raid and some potent weapons for the game's classes. The raid takes place […]
Star Trek Online shows off the game's summer reward ship, the Risian Weather Control Vessel
Risa is a resort planet. That's its whole thing in Star Trek in general and Star Trek Online in specific. It turns out that part of what has made it viable as a resort planet is the Risian Weather Control Vessel, a scientific ship made to manipulate weather patterns that increasingly turned into an ever-more-engineered […]
Path of Exile is launching on Mac in September
If you're an MMO fan and a Mac user and you really want to do those two things together… well, you're a trouper, we'll just say that. Grinding Gear Games will make your MMOARPG funtimes a little easier, however, when it drops a "Mac specific version of Path of Exile" in September. That's it. That's […]
Final Fantasy XIV offers a few more tidbits about patch 5.3 to its special site
Flight! Letting slip the surly bonds of gravity and taking to the skies! Final Fantasy XIV has let players fly in the expansion zones before now, but starting with patch 5.3 players can take flight in the base game zones as well once the initial 1-50 MSQ is completed. And that's one of the bits […]
Torchlight III will celebrate the '12 Days of Wipemas', just later in August
Torchlight III players already knew that there was a wipe incoming as a result of Relic retooling, but developer Echtra Games is apparently looking to "have a little fun with it" by celebrating the 12 Days of Wipemas. The downside is that today PWE and Echtra announced a delay for the wipe and associated festivities: It's […]
New World's first 'density' stress test begins today at 5 p.m. EDT
MMO gamers are gearing up for stress testing in Amazon's New World today and into the weekend. As we previously posted, today's event kicks off at 5 p.m. EDT. Alpha players and Amazon preorder players who bought the game before July 26th should've already gotten their keys and access info, while Steam preorder players will […]
First impressions of Dauntless' new sword and revamped Ramsgate, live today
The old Ramsgate is dead and gone. Destroyed by some sort of cataclysmic event, and with only the mysterious orb from the Umbral Deeps to thank for anyone making it out alive, this event is both the kicking-off point and explanation for why Dauntless has chosen to refresh the long-standing primary hub. I was granted […]
TERA announces 'team-based battle mode' called TERA Battle Arena, launching in 2020
So here's a press release I wasn't expecting to get in my inbox today: En Masse MMORPG TERA is apparently rolling out a "team-based battle mode" called TERA Battle Arena later this year. My first thought was that this is was just a typical MMO PvP mode with an attention-grabbing name, but on closer inspection […]
Red Dead Online's new Naturalist role has also re-introduced extremely hungry predators
The recently added Naturalist role appears to be turning in to a monkey's paw wish for Red Dead Online players that were hungry for some kind of content update. Not only is this new Frontier Pursuit adding more animals to hunt, it's also added more animals that hunt players. Up to this point, finding game […]
World of Warcraft changes how Conduits work and has a new type of weekly chest in Shadowlands
The first version of the Conduit system in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands didn't exactly go over well with players. No one was excited by the prospect of having to farm for various items to slot into soulbinds and then hope for a more powerful one to drop later. This is, thankfully, why the design has […]
First impressions: Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout is a battle royale game for people who hate battle royale games
Is anyone here familiar with Wipeout? It was an obstacle course game show where contestants had to avoid some pretty plush yet hard-hitting goofy obstacles in an elimination format. It was a lot like Ninja Warrior except it didn't take itself quite so seriously, or was like American Gladiators without the '80s fabulousness. I'm bringing […]
The Guild Wars 2 community is debating whether precursors belong in lockboxes
Guild Wars 2 players are busy on Reddit this week debating whether precursors should be even tangentially in the Black Lion chest loot table following a game update that added Gnashblade's Exotic Weapon Grab Bag (which had a remote chance to drop precursors) to the game's lockboxes. ArenaNet has already hotfixed the grab bag to […]
Lost Ark KR launches its second season, teases a new class and future updates
While we're still kind of watching and waiting for the game to arrive to our shores, Korean players of Lost Ark are already deep into the game's second season. In fact, they're even looking ahead to new content and a new class. Season 2 has begun, which MMO Culture reports is bringing a number of […]
Star Wars: The Old Republic begins ranked PvP season 13
Out with the old season and in with the new! Star Wars: The Old Republic kicked off Ranked PvP Season 13 this week — and with it, the reveal of the Season 13 armor set. It also appears that BioWare has lowered tier requirements to make it easier to climb your way to the rewards […]
Lord of the Rings Online previews Rohan housing, re-enables world chat
Life is starting to get back to normal in the bruised and battered Lord of the Rings Online. Following the server troubles of the past two weeks, SSG has re-enabled the game's chat system and even had time to put out a final ranking of the recent Tournament of the Twins server. But perhaps the […]
ArcheAge announces The Ipnysh Sanctuary, coming August 13 [Updated]
ArcheAge is getting another content update in the form of Garden of the Gods: The Ipnysh Sanctuary next month on August 13th. Gamigo's press says players can "score some generous discounts on Garden of the Gods should they choose to purchase one of the most breathtaking expansions in ArcheAge's history." [After publication, Gamigo clarified for […]
Riot Games canceled its League of Legends esports partnership with Saudia Arabia after massive backlash
The League of Legends esports community was set on fire and then partially doused this week thanks to a decision – now rescinded – by Riot Games to partner with Saudi Arabia's controversial Neom project for the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) tournament. Presumably our audience reads the news beyond gaming and is already […]
The Daily Grind: What's one thing you love and hate about your favorite MMO?
Back when I ran youth groups, one question that I liked to kick off our meetings with was to ask the teens what was the absolute best and absolute worst parts of their past week. There's something about examining extremes that gets people talking and sharing, and I hope we can do that today. So […]
Heroes and Villains promises unique narrative features and gameplay that doesn't revolve around combat
Oh look at that, it's been roughly over a year since we had a peek in on Heroes and Villains, so here we are once more with a look at the developing City of Heroes successor's weekly update posts which consist of… promises. Lots and lots of promises. Posts from February to current involve a […]
Dauntless takes a look at the creation of the Thrax Behemoth
It's purple. It's wiggly. It likes to laugh at you when you're in the fight. It's Thrax, the capstone Behemoth that was added in Dauntless' Call of the Void update, and now the folks at Phoenix Labs are offering fans a closer look at its creation. Much like the video that offered a peek at […]
Echo of Soul's EOS The Blue revamp is open for preregistration, kinda
Back in June, we covered the news that Echo of Soul was being revitalized by a coterie of game development companies – welcome news, since the game has a long list of sunsets and classic servers and closures in its relatively short history. Anyhow, Blue Potion Games announced this week that it's begun pre-registration for […]
Fortnite elaborates on the Ventures feature and new missions arriving to Save the World
With Fortnite effectively putting the kibosh on major new updates, there leaves the one final piece of content which will become the only form of regular content: Ventures, a seasonal feature that takes place in a location known as the Blasted Badlands. This area promises to be full of missions to undertake and modifiers to […]
Path of Exile shares the statistics of seeds in the Harvest league
A new challenge league has been running in Path of Exile for about four weeks now, and that means it's time to share statistics. Who doesn't like statistics? Statistics are fun. Have a whole bunch of statistics about challenges and seeds dropped! There have been a lot of seeds dropped, with over 3 billion tier […]
The Stream Team: Ready for AdventureQuest 3D's Ranger
Massively OP's MJ is back to the land of internet for a short spell, and you know the first things she wants to do is? Battle with a bow, baby! She's more than ready for AQ3D's new Ranger class, and she's heading to meet Robina in Greenguard so she can prove herself worthy of wielding […]
Warhammer Online rogue server Return of Reckoning is getting Twitch drops, no kidding
I can't think of a whole lot of rogue servers or player-run emulators that make the leap to Twitch drops, but Return of Reckoning, the player-run Warhammer Online megalith, is doing just that, with an account system that will now allow players to link their game accounts to their Twitch accounts and then watch affiliated […]
Final Fantasy XIV reminds players to finish the Crystal Tower series and get a mount before August 11
The next Final Fantasy XIV patch arrives on August 11th, and you're going to need to do some stuff ahead of time if you want to continue with the MSQ when it arrives. Fortunately, if you've been playing for a while, odds are nearly absolute that you've already done it, but the team behind the […]
PlanetSide 2 releases its massive Escalation update to PS4 today, promises future PC update parity
Nearly eight months' worth of PC updates for PlanetSide 2 will finally arrive to PlayStation 4 players today with the Escalation update in what is being touted as the multiplayer shooter's biggest content release yet. Bastion Fleet Carriers, the Colossus Heavy Tank, the War Assets feature, the Sanctuary social hub; it's all part of this […]
Sea of Thieves introduces the Ashen Lords with today's update
It's all over in Sea of Thieves, because you now have to fight skeletons covered in fire. Yes, the Ashen Lords arrive on the high seas, and that means aside from having to fight off skeleton pirates they're also setting your wooden boat on fire and generally being… you know, on fire. Fire is hot […]
