I’ve been trying to write about roleplay (RP) from the first Hyrkanian Insight but, as some of you may already know, it’s such a complex subject I was not certain where to start or how. I am aware that there are many ways to approach RP and that every RPer will have a personal and particular view of things, that being one of the main problems but at the same time one of the best things about Roleplay. So I’ll start from the beginning despite the risk of some of you shaking your head at the basic RP concepts we’ll be reviewing today, nonetheless it is not bad at all to be reminded of some facts because, it is not that uncommon to forget this and that after a few (or more than a few) years of RP.

Usually in every MMORPG there is an RP server. This means this server will have special rules in order to encourage and ensure the immersion in the game atmosphere. I was surprised to discover that FunCom’s Age of Conan only offers PvP-RP server for the US servers, while there are PvP-RP and PvE-RP for the EU version of the game. Ride with me after the jump to read more.

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Area 51

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With the DC Universe: Online beta well underway, Sony Online Entertainment is keeping us in the loop with several new screenshots.

New locations are the order of the day (with some new combat styles sprinkled in for good measure), and SOE does not disappoint. New locations include Bane’s Venom Lab, Area 51, Amusement Mile, and the Hall of Doom. I’ve been doing my part in the beta as well, and I can testify to the fast-paced, eye-popping action in this comic-inspired MMO. Moreover, the art direction I’ve experienced so far has been vividly immersive & stylized while remaining faithful to the originals.

Unarmored B&W

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In keeping with their steady information filtering, BioWare has released another set of updates at the SWToR site today. Continue past the jump to dig in on the details.

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Warlock Engineer

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This week, BioWare Mythic has released Patch 1.4 for their PvP oriented MMO, Warhammer Online. At first glance, we can see that Open RvR has been overhauled to include a brand new capture mechanic in Tiers 2-4. BioWare Mythic reiterates that World PvP is where gameplay should ideally be focused, and where the lore of WAR is set to unfold.

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IGG studio is developing a new arcade-style free-to-play MMORPG, called Dreamland Online, as some of you would know. This is another “manga-style” game, that recently made what IGG calls an Alpha Test and they are, apparently, so satisfied about it, as they say it was a complete success.

Now, the company to publish Dreamland Online, announces they will start a closed beta phase next November 21^th at 9:00pm EST (GMT -5) for the joy of all cute “eastern-like” MMOs and they give some notes about it:

1.Character data will be retained in Closed Beta. No more server wipes, everything you do during the Closed Beta will be kept!

2.A limited activation key is required to participate in the Closed Beta. Some Closed Beta keys have already been given out, so if you don’t have yours already, were sorry but you may miss out on this historic event.

3.Some picked hard-core testers who participated fervidly in the Alpha Test do not need a new activation key. They simply need to log in with their registered account (from the Alpha Test) when the Closed Beta starts.

4.Tons of exciting events and rewards await those participating in the Closed Beta. Make sure to check them out!

For more information about Dreamland Online or get a beta key, go to the official site.

And here it comes the “bomb news” of the day. Turbine has announced that next Fall 2011 will be the time when the next Lord of the Rings Online expansion launches. Rise of Isengard will be the first third expansion for this MMO featuring Tolkien’s world and will bring some very interesting additions to the game.

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You’ve signed up for the Wizard 101 “Unlimited Free Play” offer, and you love the little Ravenwood student you’ve created, but today you’re just not in the mood to banish baddies? Never fear, there’s lots more free players can do!

Pet Pavilion: As mentioned in the previous column, all Ravenwood students receive a non-combat, free pet as a quest reward. Once a player reaches Level Seven, Merle Ambrose issues a summons to his office. Without spoiling the storyline, all that can be said is that completing this quest unlocks an area of the game that offers mind-boggling amounts of fun. In addition to the pet rewarded in the level seven quest, pets may also be obtained for gold or through drops from F2P bosses. Pet names can be changed for 500 gold at the Dye Shop in the Shopping District in Wizard City.

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MapleStory is a beloved cornerstone of F2P MMOs, partly because of its accessible atmosphere and creative style. Another source of fans’ admiration is the consistently solid storytelling that takes place within the world of MapleStory.

This is one of those stories.

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On December 3rd, Trion will open the floodgates to Rift: Planes of Telara, signifying the start of the “Rise of the Defiant” beta event. This is the first installation of an exciting beta series that Trion has meticulously tailored to maximize player involvement and feedback. Jump past the cut to see all the relevant details.

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It’s just the human nature… we don’t have patience, we want everything and we want it now. The gaming world is not free of this anxiety for news, releases and information and that’s not bad. Talking about or informing about any MMO you like, is good but, letting yourself fall into the deepest pits of the dark side of hype, is not good.

Publishers need to create some hype about the game they are developing, that is a must if you want your game to be on the media and it’s used as a form of publicity. Sometimes, those games in development release years after we know of them, so what?

Some people rant about Guild Wars 2 developing plans and the way Arenanet is walking the path leading to the final release of its game. Some rant, as well, about turning Guild Wars into a mere “grindy” tool for GW2 hype. To me, the Hall of Monuments system is just a master move to reactivate GW and keep the GW2 “flame” burning. I truly believe that ranting about these kind of things is like ranting about a book, because the author keeps giving you information  through the story  when he wants to, in order to maintain his reader excited about what he is reading and completely ignoring the fact that you want more and more.

Arenanet blog, touches this issue today. Giving some good explanations about the way they manage this issue. It’s a very interesting reading I really recommend everyone interested in the MMO world and its development. You can read the article on the Arenanet Blog.

In the end, we’re all free to play what we want. We have hundreds of choices on the gaming world. The best advice I can give you, if you are desperate for GW2 to launch and you can’t wait, is this: Things come when they come, till then, enjoy the ride. It’s better to wait for years and have an awesome game, when the moment comes, than having an unfinished game, full of bugs. Then is when you must rant about it.

Let the devs work. When Guild Wars 2 launches, I’ll see you in Tyria, but not an unfinished one.