MMO Roundup: RIFT referral program, The Old Republic launch confirmed, and more
by Alex Ziebart 
May 10th 2011 at 1:00PM
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Activision Blizzard posts record profits, WoW subs declining Activision Blizzard hasn't just been surviving but thriving, posting a record profit for the first quarter of 2011 -- $503 million in net income, more than $100 million over the year before. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Blizzard Entertainment was responsible for a large portion of that profit, bringing in $170 million all by its lonesome. You may have already read about this on WoW Insider, but it's always worth checking out the perspective of the larger MMO scene. |
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Star Wars: The Old Republic launch window confirmed EA's financial results report was released to the public last week, and alongside the various bits of fiscal information is one important tidbit for fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic. On page 17 of the document, you'll find "The Packaged Goods title release schedule excludes Star Wars: The Old Republic, which is expected to launch in either Q2 FY12 or Q3 FY12," where Q2 FY12 and Q3 FY12 correspond to July through September and October through December, respectively, of this year. |
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RIFT begins Ascend-a-Friend referral promotion Beginning today with the advent of patch 1.2, RIFT subscribers will be able to Ascend-a-Friend into the ranks of the Defiant or Guardians, providing the newly Ascended with a seven-day free trial as well as linking the two players' accounts together. Referral bonuses include an adorable, corgi-like non-combat pet and a badass flaming horse mount. |
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Analyst predicts a Mass Effect MMO could top The Old Republic Still having geek dreams about a Mass Effect MMO? Your flights of fancy have another advocate, as an analyst thinks it could be not only feasible but extremely profitable to boot. In a recent investor's note, Janco Partners' Mike Hickey predicted that a hypothetical Mass Effect MMO could make more money for Electronic Arts than Star Wars: The Old Republic will. |
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Massively Speaking episode 146 Massively Speaking, Massively's MMO podcast, returns this week as Shawn and Rubi discuss the week's MMO news. Topics include APB's open beta date, DCUO's "super servers," more Marvel Online details, SOE's hacker problems, and more! |
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Massively's week in review Don't let WoW Insider do all of the talking when it comes to Massively's best content of the week. The Massively staff themselves have picked out what they think is the best content their site has to offer in their own weekly roundup. |
Filed under: MMO Roundup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RogueJedi86 May 10th 2011 2:17PM
There's also this:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/the-old-republic-dev-blog-outlines-codex-system-exploration-mec/
Hey BioWare fans, like the Codex system from Mass Effect(and its equivalent in Dragon Age)? Well you're getting one for TOR too. You won't have to be inundated with lore dumps in quests, you can read summaries of key locations, races, and characters in a Codex without having to hear them awkwardly expositioned in-game! SW newbies will be filled in within the game thanks to the Codex system! No having to read Wookieepedia to figure out who this person is you're talking to!
And also datacrons, static objects in the world in not-obvious places that will give you both a Codex update and a small permanent stat boost for finding them! A solid reward for players who love to explore. You get a pretty view and the feeling of finding a unique area plus a stat boost that makes you slightly better than everyone else!
(Comparisons to Warhammer Online's "Tome of Knowledge" need not apply since the Codex system started in Mass Effect which came out long before WAR and also called it the Codex. Please see your doctor if you have any adverse reactions to the Codex, including but not limited to rashes, hair loss, knowledge of things you never would've cared about before, itchiness, dry scalp, and a feeling of satisfaction from enriching your gameplay experience.)
Natsumi May 10th 2011 3:20PM
I think Blizz had the right idea about this stuff, make the optional stuff give you non-combat things, like tabards, pets, titles, and mounts. Giving a combat edge for achievements, exploring, or doing random stupid stuff is basically taking them out of the realm of OPTIONAL and putting them into the MANDATORY category. We'll see if this goes through, but I'd have to say BAD IDEA all around.
Patchwork May 10th 2011 4:04PM
Bioware has said that exploration is important to them, but it's mainly for fun.
Really though the datacrons only are giving small stat rewards right now. The starter zone ones that we've heard about only give a +1 stat increase. They will be something the min/maxers go after of course, but if you just hit a few of them as you level it won't be a major game breaking thing.
Narshe May 10th 2011 5:26PM
Whats with the lame ass Wolverine pic?
Looking forward to Old Republic btw, hope they give free trials so I dont have to fork over $40+ just to see if its worth it.
locksoflocks May 10th 2011 7:57PM
ok, some confusion, 2Q FY12, wouldn't that be the 2nd quarter of the fiscal year 12?? if so wouldn't that be next year and not this one?
RogueJedi86 May 10th 2011 10:04PM
Fiscal years are weird like that. Like half of the Fiscal 2012 is actually in 2011. This is why I don't work in business/economics.