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Champions Online: State of the Game: Roper Out, Poz In

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:54:44 -0500

Bill Roper has just put out his final State of the Game letter for Champions Online, bringing news that he will be moving on to "other design responsibilities within Cryptic Studios." Shannon Posniewski aka Poz, will be taking Bill's place as Executive Producer on Champions Online going forward.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:46:45 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...Out-Poz-In
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited: Half Orcs, Guild Housing Announced

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:22:32 -0500

A new State of the Game letter for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited has revealed some interesting information on the future of DDO. With regards to the near future, Update 4, which contains a new adventure pack called "Sentinels" is now available for preview on the Lamannia test server. But how about the rest of 2010? Turbine has some plans that are sure to excite DDO fans, namely the introduction of guild housing and a new playable race: the Half Orc!

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:58:06 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...-Announced
Author: news@mmorpg.com

General: Need for Speed World: Beta Announced

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:22:32 -0500

Electronic Arts blew the doors open on Need for Speed World today. Need for Speed World is, of course, their upcoming MMO racer based on the Need for Speed IP.

The game's website is replete with new screenshots, as well as a trailer. But we know what you're really after -- beta! And EA doesn't support here, as you can also sign up for beta beginning today! What're you waiting for? Start your engines!

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:28:14 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...-Announced
Author: news@mmorpg.com

General: Five MMO Misconceptions

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:34:27 -0500

MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy counts down five popular miconceptions about MMORPGs.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:13:11 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16467
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Back on the map

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:34:27 -0500

How an invisible country rocked the world

EARTHQUAKES are a horrible way of changing the physical landscape—but geopolitical ones can have marvellous results. Lithuania has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of its declaration of renewed independence, when late in the evening of March 11th 1990, deputies of the “Supreme Soviet” of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic voted unanimously to dump the symbols of Soviet rule and to restore their country’s independence.

...

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:41 GMT at http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cf...3&fsrc=rss

While stocks last

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:34:27 -0500

Some ivory sales are a good idea. This one isn’t

IN 1989 the signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreed to ban the ivory trade, and banned it has remained. Except, that is, for when CITES chooses to allow it—as it has done now and then since 1997, when specific countries have some well-sourced ivory to get rid of. Most recently, in 2008, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe were allowed to make such sales to China and Japan. Now, as the triennial CITES meeting gets under way in Doha, both Tanzania and Zambia say they want to do something similar.

Those in favour of such sales (most notably, the countries which seek to make them) say they allow countries to benefit from having elephants, and help to finance elephant conservation and protection. Those against them (some conservation charities and some academics in the field) argue that any sale of ivory will lead to an increase in poaching by stimulating demand, and that little of the money raised actually goes to elephants. ...

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:27:51 GMT at http://www.economist.com/world/internati...2&fsrc=rss

General: Vindictus First Look Preview

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:22:38 -0500

MMORPG.com's Jon Wood recently sat in on an introductory demo of the upcoming MMORPG from Nexon, Vindictus. Vindictus is perhaps better known as Mabinogi Heroes to players in the East.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:46:55 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16466
Author: news@mmorpg.com

General: Mabinogi Heroes Goes West as Vindictus

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:22:38 -0500

Nexon announced at this year's GDC that Mabinogi Heroes, their incredibly popular action-MMORPG from Korea, will be getting a Western release in Q4 of this year, however, the game will bear the new title of "Vindictus" here in the West.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:32:54 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16465
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Corporate candidates

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:22:38 -0500

What role should corporate citizens play in politics?

THE effort to elect Murray Hill to Congress is a political campaign unlike any other. It is rare for an election candidate to pledge to “put people second, or even third”, instead of the habitual first, but then the aspiring representative for Maryland’s 8th District is not a person but a company. According to its YouTube advert, Murray Hill, a public-relations firm, is taking advantage of a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted corporations full first-amendment political rights as people, to help create “the best democracy money can buy.”

This candidacy has its attractions. After all, it would become the first elected official truly available to constituents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nor is it alone: according to the Washington Post, a firm called Computer Umbrella is now running for Congress in Virginia. ...

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:11:29 GMT at http://www.economist.com/businessfinance...2&fsrc=rss

Global Agenda: Version 1.2 Now Live; 1.3 Details

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:34:03 -0500

Hi-Rez Studios will be releasing update 1.2 for Global Agenda today, which includes city chat, 4v4 Arena queues, Theft missions, a No Facility mission type, as well as a number of tweaks and adjustments to game rules and various maps.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:06:35 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16464
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Champions Online: Special "Thank You" Perks for Lifers

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:34:03 -0500

Cryptic Studios has announced special "Thank You" perks for Lifetime Subscribers of Champions Online. The new perks, which will be released later this month, include:an exclusive in-game chat channel, front-of-queue support, an in-game title, an in-game VIP lounge, and a unique costume piece.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:43:04 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16463
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Become a TreePeople Reforestation Supervisor

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:34:03 -0500

If you’ve always wanted to help out with reforestation in our local mountains – and also want to have the title of “Supervisor” at some point in your life – you might be interested to know that the TreePeople will be hosting a Reforestation Supervisor training session this Saturday, March 20th in Calabasas.

This training will get you up to speed on the art of planting native trees and acorns and spotting and removing invasive species, and by the end of the day you’ll be ready to lead a team of volunteers in the Santa Monica Mountains.

I recently did this training for burn areas in the San Bernardino National Forest, and I can honestly say the training is fun and rewarding in and of itself, and I’m really looking forward to taking volunteers up into the mountains later this Spring. If the Santa Monica training is anything like the San Bernardino one, you’ll also get fed and plant a few sprouts yourself.

photo by Kolby Kirk

Reforestation in the Station Fire burn area is probably still a ways away, but getting your hands dirty in the Santa Monica or San Bernardino Mountains will not only make you feel great about giving something back to the forests you enjoy, but it will also mean when the Angeles does open up, you’ll be ready to lead a team in right away!

Supervisor Training is free, but you do have to sign up ahead of time. If you’d like to help out, but don’t want to be put in charge of anyone else, you can just volunteer at one of the many, many plantings scheduled on the TreePeople Calendar.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:10:18 +0000 at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/modernhik...RBltFUkes/
Comments: http://www.modernhiker.com/2010/03/16/be.../#comments

General: Janitor on the Death Star

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:41:19 -0500

MMORPG.com's Justin Webb returns to his regular column day with this look at making players feel more heroic in MMOs.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:10:41 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16462
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Fallen Earth: Introducting the iPhone App

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:41:19 -0500

While at the 2010 Game Developers Conference, MMORPG.com's Garrett Fuller got a look at the new iPhone app being developed by Icarus Studios as a companion to their post-apocalyptic MMORPG, Fallen Earth.

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:41:42 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/loadNews/16461
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Great claims

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:41:19 -0500

Insurance losses from catastrophes

THE final bill in terms of the death toll and economic loss is still being calculated after massive earthquakes hit Haiti and Chile this year and will far outweigh the 15,000 people who died or went missing as a result of natural and man-made catastrophes in 2009. Last year, the total losses from catastrophes hit $62 billion, of which only $26 billion was covered by insurance, according to Swiss Re. (The insurance firm considers events “catastrophes” if insured claims, total economic losses or casualties exceed a certain threshold.) Insured natural catastrophes accounted for $22 billion and man-made disasters $4 billion. The most disastrous year for insurance companies was 2005. Insurance losses totalled some $117 billion after Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita struck America. Hurricane Katrina alone claimed 1,836 lives and resulted in insured losses of some $71 billion.

...

Posted on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:24:45 GMT at http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgall...6&fsrc=rss

Star Trek Online: Novelization Cover Art, Details

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:23:45 -0500

Cover art for the first official Star Trek Online novel, The Needs of the Many, has surfaced.

Posted on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:52:22 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...rt-Details
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Star Trek Online: State of the Game: 3/12/10

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:46:33 -0500

The latest State of the Game letter for Star Trek Online is now available. In the letter, Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich discusses the recent release of Special Task Force: Infected, Engineering Reports, the newly announced Season 1: Common Ground update, the launch of the Tribble test server, and some details on Cryptic Studios' plans for increased transparency with players going forward.

Posted on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:34:59 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...Game-31210
Author: news@mmorpg.com

Mortal Online: Launching this Month

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:46:33 -0500

Some pretty exciting news for Mortal Online fans today! StarVault has announced that Mortal Online is set to launch sometime this month.

Posted on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:13:22 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...this-Month
Author: news@mmorpg.com

New in the Store – CLIF Shot BLOKS

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:20:51 -0500

I’m in the process of adding a few new items to my OpenSky storefront, and I’m happy to announce that you’re now able to purchase a variety of CLIF Shot BLOKS directly from the Modern Hiker Shop.

In case you haven’t had the chance to try these yet, they’re lightweight gummies that act as electrolyte replacements and energy boosts. You pop a few, drink some water, and it’s like chugging a sports drink – except you don’t have to worry about mixing anything into your water or cleaning out that water container later. Obviously, these are also a lot easier and less messy than gels, too.

They come in a variety of flavors, from the traditional-tasting Mountain Berry to the caffeine boosted Cola and cramp-busting Margarita (which is really tasty!), and they keep pretty well if you don’t end up eating an entire pack on a single hike.

If you’re looking for an easy, simple energy or electrolyte replacement, these guys are probably right up your alley. I’ve used them on long backpacks in the San Bernardinos, after intense workouts, and while tramping up steep mountainsides in New Zealand. Pick up a box to keep yourself going on the trail – and to help support Modern Hiker, too!

Posted on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:33:16 +0000 at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/modernhik...VLNu5GLHI/
Comments: http://www.modernhiker.com/2010/03/15/ne.../#comments

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Spoilers and Information

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:29:59 -0500

MMO Champion has discovered some new information on Cataclysm from the April edition of PC Gamer, as well as a few scattered Blue posts.

Posted on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:11:02 GMT at http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadN...nformation
Author: news@mmorpg.com