The latest game master blog at the Star Trek Online site deals with a host of issues that confront both GMs and players. This time, Destra discusses, among other stuff, griefing and restoring items. Check it out!

Griefing

How do we deal with griefing?

 

Players who are found griefing accrue account penalties in the same form they would if they were found harassing another player. However, it’s not always black and white. We look at a few factors to determine if someone is truly at fault.

 The latest EVE Online developer blog is a great treatise about upcoming changes in the works for the Tyrannis expansion to allow players to have interaction with -all- planets in game. Keep reading!

 

 

But before we get into that I would be remiss if I didn’t give a modicum of back story. Interacting with planets is something we’ve always wanted to do. We have even shown a rough prototype of planetary flight at the first FanFest. Well, a lot has changed since that first FanFest but our desire to explore these thousands of worlds has remained unwavering. The EVE universe is such a rich and interesting place it’s been a shame we haven’t been able to immerse ourselves deeper into it. Until today where we are

 Warhammer Online developers will be running another “Weekend Warfront” event from March 5-8, 2010. This time, the event will take place in the High Pass Cemetery. Grab the details below:

 

 

WAAAAGH!!!

 The details for the EVE Online Alliance Tournament VIII have emerged on the official site. The blog post goes over some of the rules changes since Tournament VII. Read more below:

Along with this blog release comes the latest update to the Alliance Tournament section of the site. Cast your eyes a little bit to the left, and a little bit downwards; almost…almost…there we go! Both the rules and the format sections have been updated, so I’d like to explain some of the thought processes behind these updates.

 

Comet Network, a leading publisher and developer of MMORPGs and social games, today announced the very stable version of TransForce titled RockBot. The big updates have gone live together with brand new features – for the Transformers-themed MMORPG such as Instance Exploration, Dependency System, and Bounty Hunt as well.
 
With this move, the TransForce team would change its current community software to enhance the gaming community functionality. Furthermore, the folks at Comet Network have rolled out a handful of new features with wildland digging, Personalized Mission System and Expedition quests and the Arena System.
In Feb 8,2010, the TransForce team integrated this most anticipated browser mmorpg to facebook connect, which doubled their existing users and brought TF to more and more global users. While today’s TF gaming enhancement, and big updates are on the way, TransForce is expected to become one of most popular facebook games and browser games.
 
TransForce is a FREE browser based game that is closely based on the Marvel comic book series and also the Transformers Film. In TransForce, there are two factions–Autobots and Decepticons. Like some mainstream browser-based game, TransForce also requires you to build resource buildings and produce resources like Metal, Crystal, and Matrix. Etc.
Features:
Assemble all alliance members to launch a Joint Attack
Feel free to make Shape-Shifting and Transformations
Make a Free Trading Agreement to trade your resources
Diversified Attacking gameplays: ammunition, armor-piercing, energy, scatter and suicide
Personalized Mission System and Expedition quests
Instance Exploration and Aggressive Tribal War
Bounty Hunt and The Most Wanted System
Player’s Achievement and Whole Server Achievement
Dependency System
Arena System
 
For more information, check its official website http://tf.playcomet.com/

As we ramp up to the Erebus: Travia Reborn closed beta, it’s time for some more info on Outspark’s upcoming free-to-play MMO Action-RPG! This week, we take a look at the game’s four starting classes, and their final advancements.

Over at the Erebus teaser site (http://erebus.outspark.com), people waiting for the game can read about Warriors, Archers, Clerics, and Mages. (And if you don’t want to visit the site, YOU can read about them below!)

Expect more updates next week during GDC, especially as we begin inviting press to try both Erebus and one of our other upcoming titles, Divine Soul. If you’re attending GDC and haven’t made an appointment yet – and want to check the games out or interview someone about Outspark in general – just let me know. And if you won’t be at GDC but still want to take a look at the game(s) (via Skype or some other video chat platform) and interview the producers, we can also try to do that!

Cheers!
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The Warrior – Long before humans discovered magic, they were masters of armed warfare. This rich combat legacy ensures that no other class can dish out or take physical damage like a Warrior. With his superior strength, a Warrior like General Karvion can wield massive two-handed blades and wear the heaviest armor in Travia, but with fewer ranged options, he will need that armor to survive. Veteran Warriors can choose to follow the path of warfare, becoming dreaded Blade Masters, or they can swear service to their god, becoming Paladins.

The Archer – The Elven Archers are unrivaled masters of ranged combat. Elves such as Lady Vestora use their bows and crossbows to pick off targets with deadly accuracy. These defenders of the forest forgo heavy armor, preferring to keep their foes at a distance. Masters of survival, Archers use traps and cunning to keep the battle on favorable terms. As Archers advance through the ranks, they can choose to focus on improving their weapon skills, becoming a Huntress, or they can deepen their bonds with the forest as a Summoner.

The Cleric – When humans were exiled to Travia, many turned to Andara, the Goddess of Light, for guidance and power. Over the years, the devout have deepened their connection to the goddess, gaining the ability to unleash holy magic from afar or heal allies with a touch. Some clerics use mighty staves to smite their foes, while others use cudgels and shields to engage the unrighteous in melee combat. When a Cleric is ready, she can renew her commitment to Andara, ascending to the role of Bishop, or she can turn from the light to Devu, Goddess of Shadows, and become a Necromancer.

The Mage – For a race that only recently discovered magic, humanity has quickly mastered the secrets of the arcane. Now, the Mages of Bitrah are the ultimate damage dealers, with focused spells that can annihilate a single target and magical storms that can devastate foes within a wide area of attack. With this great power comes great risk, for Mages are the most vulnerable of all classes. As Mages grow advanced in their studies,they can rise to the rank of Archmage and specialize in the arts of Fire, Ice or Lightning.

G4BOX Inc., a North American publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment media, announced today that hugely popular military shooter, Cross Fire, has launched a dedicated server in Europe. Due to the high demand from European players, G4box has launched the dedicated server to ensure everyone can enjoy a smooth Cross Fire experience. In addition, the company will introduce a new Rival Factions mission related to its Ghost Mode and also host events and the third official Cross Fire tournament.  Players can go to http://crossfire.z8games.com to download and play the game.

In celebration of the new server, the month of March will be loaded with events and great prizes for Cross Fire players.  The collection of events themed “March of the Ghosts” is in relation to the game’s popular Ghost Mode. The “March of the Ghosts” events will include the Third Official Cross Fire Tournament, a New Rival Factions Mission and a Video & Screenshot contest.  

Registration for the tournament begins March 12^th and the competition will start on March 17^th, with 32 teams battling it out for the top spot and great prizes. Matches will be 5 versus 5 with 3 subs per team.  (for a total of 8 people). 

The New Rival Factions Mission, where players choose to fight for either Global Risk or Black List factions, is expected to start on March 10^th and will take place in one of the Ghost Mode maps. The video and screenshot contests will cap off the Ghost Mode themed events, with submissions being accepted beginning March 19^th. 

Cross Fire is a free online military first-person shooter for Windows PCs supporting Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Players assume the role of either a Black List or Global Risk operative and compete in various modes of play including Free-for-All, Team Death Match, the exclusive stealth-action Ghost Mode, and the brand new Mutation Mode. Cross Fire includes a military ranking system, in-game friends lists, an integrated clan system, and deep character customization options. Cross Fire is part of the Z8Games platform of free-to-play games. 

Cross Fire is free-to-download-and-play. Visit the Cross Fire homepage at: http://crossfire.z8games.com    

For more information about G4BOX visit www.g4box.com.  For more information about the Z8Games lineup of free games please visit www.z8games.com.   

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About Z8Games

Z8Games is the evolution of free to play gaming online. It’s an online destination for gamers to download the very best online games, including online military shooter, Cross Fire and dynamic-action MMORPG, Metin2, as well as access engaging community features and events; all for free! Visit www.z8games.com today to take part in the evolution of free-to-play gaming online.   

About G4BOX INC.

G4BOX INC. is a digital media provider specializing in the publishing and distribution of online video games. The company was founded in 2006 on the principle that online, community-based video games offer unique and compelling gaming experiences with untapped mass market potential and wide social appeal. They currently offer a growing portfolio of successful, massively multiplayer online game properties. 

G4BOX is based in Toronto, Canada, where it employs a staff of widely-talented and culturally diverse employees – headed by an experienced and imaginative management team. Their mission is to become a premier content provider in the online gaming market. 

For more information about G4BOX and its current product offerings, please visit www.g4box.com.

gamigo AG and Reakktor Media GmbH have officially announced that they will be working together on the highly-anticipated space action MMOG Black Prophecy. gamigo owns the global distribution and publishing rights for the game. The Hamburg-based publisher thus lays the foundation for a new focus on becoming a global publisher and producer of free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online Games.

Patrick Streppel, member of the gamigo executive board, is enthusiastic about the new game: “Reakktor’s Black Prophecy will breathe life back into a genre previously forgotten. The game features graphics of the highest quality, a rich and meaningful story, and strong community features. Since we’ve begun collaborating with Reakktor, we have expanded greatly upon the concept of the game and thus are able to offer one of the first top-of-the-line free-to-play MMOGs.”

A lot has happened in the development of Black Prophecy in the past few weeks. The biggest change has been the new direction as a free-to-play online game, previously unheard of for a game of this quality. Among other things, a crafting system was added and the layout of the game world was opened up. In-game dialogue will be recorded by professional voice actors. The one-and-a-half hour long orchestral soundtrack provides a rich and varied score of background music.

Kirk Lenke, CEO of Reakktor Media GmbH, said “We are excited to have found such a strong partner in gamigo for the publishing and distribution of our space action MMOG Black Prophecy. gamigo has the necessary skills and abilities to turn our product into a global MMOG blockbuster.”

Black Prophecy is expected go into closed beta testing in April 2010.

http://www.blackprophecy.com

Darkfall Online is a massive multiplayer online (MMO) fantasy role-playing game featuring a fun, fast-paced, real-time combat system, massive battles, clan warfare and empire building.

Darkfall combines role-playing, action, and strategic gameplay. Darkfall has been designed to create intensely realistic and highly immersive combat and a challenging, realistic environment for a more immersive experience. With full collision detection battle lines really matter and well-aimed spell blasts will send opponents flying. Darkfall’s goal is to provide players with a fun and challenging experience through a seamless and zoneless, non-instanced, “sandbox” game world.

Darkfall Celebrates its 1st year Anniversary by kicking off a Darkfall trial, the “I love Darkfall” contest with a $5000 first prize, and new anniversary quests, in-game events, and special offers.

You can now try Darkfall for a week for a symbolic price: 1Euro (EU servers) or $1 (NA Servers).