MMORPG

Disney has just released it's new free MMORPG called Pirates of the Caribbean Online.  I haven't got a chance to check it out, but it apparently has a lot of references to the movie.  I'm suprised they went with the free model, but it's not all hugs and kisses.  The free version is also the "basic" version.  $10 a month will get you everything.  Here are some of the features:

• Create your own Pirate character - Choose from millions of combinations to fully customize your character (shapes, colors, clothing, names, etc.)!
• Set sail on your own Pirate ship - Purchase and captain your own ship. Recruit your crew and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.
• Quest for adventure and treasure - Embark on ship and land-based missions using secret maps to locate buried treasure. Explore lush jungles, volcanic caves, and vast tropical islands. Keep your wits about you though, as traps, ambushes, and double-crosses are an everyday occurrence when keeping company with pirates.
• Use advanced weaponry - Jump into battle with a variety of weapons, each requiring a unique set of skills to master. Improve your reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with and unlock more powerful weapons.
• Become a legend - Master a variety of skills, including swords, daggers, cannons, and sailing to become the most notorious pirate in the world.
• Work your Voodoo Magic - Voodoo magic is used to heal, travel, cheat in games, and cast curses on enemies.
• Get some Booty - Earn extra loot playing poker and blackjack.
• Build a notorious Band or Guild - Join together with others for expanded adventures and added power. Form your own Band of Pirates for a quick battle or join a Guild for longer term strategy.
• Grow your wealth with money and rare items - Hunt for buried treasure including gold, precious gems, and mysterious artifacts.

It also has PvP modes, which includes Team Battle and Mayhem.  It looks like Mayhem is just a deathmatch mode, and Team Battle is just team deathmatch. 

I've seen several bloggers comment on how this game has went largely unnoticed.  It's really a shame, but there are so many MMORPG's coming out these days, that news sites usually focus on those that are the most anticipated or have the most hype.  A family-safe MMORPG from Disney isn't going to get much blogger media in my opinion, because that's just not what our readers are looking for...most likely.  Maybe some pirate fans out there will check out this game and post some reviews soon. 

Lord of the Rings Online has won the Golden Joystick PC Game of the Year Award (sponsored by PC Gamer).  What does this mean?  Well, basically that more gamers who play LOTRO voted in the Golden Joystick awards than gamers from other games.   Not to mention the fact that these awards are a little confusing with WoW: Burning Crusade winning "Online Game of the Year" (difference?).  One strange thing to me was the fact that they not only promoted the story on the home page, but also asked you to digg it.  This is something I've always thought the smaller MMORPG's should do, but just never do.  I guess they are trying to look professional, but Digg can be a powerful way to get the message out. 

LOTRO has had a lot of updates lately, and I think it's gaining steam.  A lot of MMO's do after about a year, because that's the point where most work out a lot of the bugs.  Before then, it's hit and miss, but don't be suprised if you log in one day and something is missing from your inventory because of a "bug".  Anyway, LOTRO just added over 100 new quests, a new 12-player raid, two new areas in Middle-earth and introduced the player housing system.  Before that, book 10 added new reputation and bartering systems, playing as monsters, and enhanced the user interface. 

Right now, you can play The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar for 7 days for free and if you refer a friend, you can get 30 days free added to your account through their referral program. 

Limax (forum name) on Duels.com has created a Facebook application so that now you can challenge all your friends directly from the popular social media site.   From his Facebook application site, here are a few features, and more about upcoming features to this application:

- Stats are automatically updated every 30min, you don't need to go to the application page to update your stats anymore.
- You can now add several characters to your profile (up to 5).
- I added a 'Invite friends' page, so that you can invite your friends (please do :))

Next updates I'll try to do:
- Display more stats (like badges)
- Display top 10 players on the application page
- Display list of items and link to buy them ingame
These updates will probably need Duels' team to update their widgets. I hope they'll agree to do this.

Hopefully, Duels will work with him on making this application better.  Thanks for taking the iniative to create this Limax. 

Duels Facebook Application

Duels forum discussion about the app

Gamecron's Duels Walkthrough and Tips

I don't report all MMORPG updates, but this happens to be one I recommend in my free alternatives to WoW article.  The major change that I see is minimum PvP level is now 30.  You automatically are PvP enabled at this level and are basically playing on a PvP server at that point.  It used to be 15.  I think this is a good change, because it gives players more time to get used to the game.  Here's the rest of the changes:

-Option Window updated
(For Effect Advanced, skill effect changed to have On/Off instead of High/Med/Low)
(New option added "Loot Item" which turns on Monster loot item names when dropped)
-New Launcher updated (Window Vista compatibility)
-Emotes for German/French version fixed
-Numerous localisation updates
-Archlord skills for German/French version now working
-Catapult deadspots fixed
-PK level restriction changed from 15 to 30
-Items not in game but in AH removed
(Shield items above level 71, Armour set above level 83)
-Rensphere map data changed
-Packet and login process changed
-Level up message changed for PvP
-Guild window text changed (Guild/Guild member information)
-Various collision issues resolved
-Change text on Chantra passport from 'Prohibited Mine’ to 'Forbidden Mine’
-Guild Npcs restored (players will be able to use the various npc features again)

Official Archlord Site

Archlord Review

ZBoard, the customized PC gaming keyboard, is on sale over at GoGamer.com for a low $39.99.  You can usually find it for around $45-$50, but this deal also comes with a World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade keyset, which would normally be an extra $20.  This basically means that keys like targeting friends, looking at maps, and opening bags are already set up and labeled for you.  So you get the gaming keyset, a normal keyboard keyset, and a Burning Crusade keyset in this package.  You can also swap out other keysets made especially for games like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty 2, and Age of Empires 3.  It also has a lot of other features you'd expect in a PC gaming keyboard like:

USB Hub
Your Zboard Base is equipped with 2 USB (BUS powered) connectors. This HUB supports low voltage devices (up to 100mA) such as mice, joystick or memory sticks.

Now you can plug devices directly to your Zboard without the hassle of crawling down to your PC.

Hot Keys
A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as E-Mail, Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return to a pre-selected destination, such as a file, folder, program or web page.

Multimedia Controls
A set of 7 one-touch multimedia control buttons including play and pause, stop, next and previous track, volume and mute.

Additional LED Indicators
In addition to the standard 3 LED (Caps, Scroll and Num lock) Zboard has additional 3 LEDs to indicate Zboard enhanced functionality (Pad Lock, Bar Lock and Enable)

Macro Enabled Keys
Perform multiple actions and reveal emotions like laughing and roaring in victory at the push of a button.

Group Commands into Two Zones
The Game Window Zone and Chat command Zone... yell or whisper, your Spell Book and access to Character interface commands are all within easy reach.

Custom Labeled Commands
Make it easy to interact with a detailed world. Easily select weapons, cast spells and target who will feel your wrath or goodwill.

This offer is only good for this week, so pick yours up today over at GoGamer. 

ZBoard PC Gaming Keyboard Plus Burning Crusade Keyset