Welcome to the 1,144th Edition of Loading...
Loading... is the premier daily MMORPG news and commentary newsletter, only from Ten Ton Hammer.
Ten Ton Hammer is live on location for the 12th annual Syndicate World Conference, where we'll hang out with the Guiness Book certified longest running guild in existance and a few devs that are stopping by for the occasion. It's all taking place in Austin, Texas, one of the quirkiest yet friendliest venues we've been to this side of the Pacific. A few entertaining stories, plus some great Champions Online content and an Alganon beta key giveaway, to start your weekend right in Loading... Austin City Limits.
Coyote addresses all things geek with his own trademark wit and widom daily with It's All Geek To Me. Today's topic: Wait, GIRLS play GAMES? (AND they can vote?!!?)
The Pulse
You vote with what you view at Ten Ton Hammer, and the result is the Ten Ton Pulse (What is The Pulse?).
Here's today's top 5 Pulse results:
World of Warcraft
Aion
Champions Online
Age of Conan (UP 4)
EverQuest 2
Biggest Movers today :
Jade Dynasty (UP 8 to #16)
Guild Wars (UP 3 to #17)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (UP 2 to #12)
Recent MMO Releases
7/13 - Darkfall NA launch
7/21-
FFXI "Moogle Kupo d'Etat" Addon (release date)
8/4 -
World of Warcraft Update 3.2 (content patch)
Important Dates
8/19 - 8/23 -
Gamescom Cologne
8/21 - 8/22 -
BlizzCon '09
9/4 - 9/6 -
Penny Arcade Expo (PAX)
9/15 - 9/18 -
GDC Austin
Upcoming Releases
8/25 -
CrimeCraft (release date)
9/1 -
Champions Online (release date)
9/9 -
Dungeons & Dragons Online Eberron Unlimited (release date)
9/9 -
Fallen Earth (release date)
9/22 -
Aion (release date)
10/9 -
Cities XL (release date)
Early 2010 -
APB
Loading... Daily
You know you're in the south when you pass a used car lot advertising a daily Bible study. You know you're in Texas when you pass two. We're live in Austin for what should be a fun few days of hanging out with the Guiness Book certified longest-running guild in MMO history, The Syndicate, and a number of devs that are dropping in for the occasion.
First up was a tour of Kingsisle Entertainment's Austin studios which I had to skip due to work, but I hope to brave the hundred-degree heat for the tour of SOE Austin later this afternoon before branching off to see one of Austin's touristy spectacles, the flight of over million bats from the Congress Avenue Bridge every twilight in August. They're said to eat 10,000 - 30,000 insects a night, so considering I've gotten four mosquito bites between the airport and the rental car and the rental car and the hotel, I'm ready to pay homage. After that it's a tour of the downtown to see just why they call this place the live music capital of the world.
I hope you're weekend is just as enjoyable. Maybe you're making your way to GenCon this weekend? If so, why not share your experiences in the forum? Or if you're in the Austin area and might like to meet up for a beer, stop by the Loading... forum or email me.
Shayalyn's Epic Thread of
the Day
From our
Aion
News & Articles Discussion
Exploring
Lore - Understanding the Story Behind Aion
Ooo, I just love
a debate! And I'm pleased that the comment thread for our
Aion lore article
generated such a great one. It started getting heated when one person
commented that the article claimed the Asmodians were at fault for the
Cataclysm that split Atreia (the planet that is home to the two races
of Aion, the Asmodians and the Elyos) into two pieces. Since I wrote
the article, I pointed out that I'd taken great pains to keep
it neutral (aside from explaining the Asmodian perspective and the
Elyos perspective on
page two).
Everything snowballed from there.
Up to this point, we've discussed the difference
between the races' beliefs, what really happened at the peace conference
that ended in the destruction of The Tower of Eternity, and even which
lore hints at future expansion possibilities. It's a fun thread if
you're like me and enjoy both game lore and a heated and even somewhat
philosophical discussion. Check it out, and
jump
into the fray!
==============================
Awesome Quotes from the
Epic Thread
"
Peace was unrealistic, the
Balaur weren't going to stop without achieving Aion's power just
because the Empyrean and humans didn't want to fight anymore,
especially when the Balaur were winning."
- Sko
==============================
Have you spotted an Epic Thread on our forums?
Tell
us!
5 new MMOG hand-crafted articles today! 47 in August! 907 in 2009!
New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today [Thanks Phil Comeau for links and Real World News]
Champions Online Innate Talent Selection Guide
One such means of shaping your hero is the use of Innate Talents, also known as Characteristics. While you have the option to select a pre-defined Framework for your character from the get-go, you may also build a custom framework which includes the ability to choose the exact characteristic you want your new hero to begin their adventures with.To help demystify this process for the would-be heroes among you, we’ve put together a complete guide to the innate talent options in Champions Online, as well as a brief look at the 8 core stats they’ll ultimately affect.
New City of Heroes Issue 16 Developer's Diary and Screenshots Released
City of Heroes coming update, Issue 16: Power Proliferation, will allow players the chance to customize the look of their very own powers. This week NCsoft released several new screenshtots and a new "Developer's Diary" discussing some of the coming changes and modifications to power sets slated for the Issue 16 update.
LOTRO Past to Present: A Look at Books 12 -13
The Lord of the Rings Online has evolved a lot since launch. With several new free content updates and one expansion, we figured it was time to take another look at the game and see how it has come along over the years. This week we examine the changes the game received from the Book 12 and 13 updates in the second part of our "LOTRO - Past to Present" series.
World of Warcraft Emblems and Loot Progression Demystified
The Call of the Crusade has upped the bar yet again on the loot players can garner in the latest update to World of Warcraft. There are now more ways to get better loot through the gathering of emblems or running the new instances. The question really becomes, which loot is better? In our never ending quest for the quickest path to the best loot, today we provide a guide to better see the loot progression from heroic instances to emblems and the current end-game.
World of Warcraft: Herbalism Leveling Guide
Are you trying to level up Herbalism in World of Warcraft but find yourself trying to figure out where to go or when? David "Xerin" Piner finishes off our revamped Herbalism guide with a complete leveling guide for Herbalism. This updated guide is complete with detailed instructions of the best zones to go to and maps to show where the resources are plentiful. Don't spend too much time getting one of the biggest money makers to 450! Check out our leveling guide to breeze through to 450.
Giveaways:
Alganon Private Beta Key Giveaway
Alganon is a player-centric fantasy MMORPG that's been getting a fair amount of buzz, especially for a game so deep in development. What to know what Alganon is all about? You're in luck, because Quest Online, the makers of Alganon, are letting 20 lucky Ten Ton Hammer viewers into their private beta. You're just a few short steps away from securing your chance at one of these 20 keys!
Runes of Magic Item Giveaway
Champions Online Beta Key Giveaway (Premium Members Only)
Aion Closed Beta Test 6 Key Giveaway (Premium Members Only)
Hottest Content:
Guild Wars - Rediscovering Tyria
Star Trek Online Closed Beta to Begin in October?
Champions Online: Exclusive Interview on Sidekicks, Super Groups, and Supervillains
World of Warcraft - New Expansion = New Tamable Pets?
World of Warcraft - Vanity Pet Collecting Checklist
Age of Conan - A Year Later, Part 2
The Hollywood Cycle: Comparing the MMO Industry with the Silver Screen
Flight or Fight: A Look at Advanced Flight and Combat in Aion
The Co-Op PvE side of Global Agenda: A Q&A with Exec. Producer Todd Harris
An Advanced Guide to Crafting in Aion
Real World News
Two Austrians rescued from mailbox
This is not a way to escape the high cost of international travel.
Woman sets herself on fire in Mall of the Americas
Creating your own fire sale just isn't worth it.
Seen news you think I can mangle into a vaguely amusing snippet of text? Send it to me.
Thanks for visiting the Ten Ton Hammer network!
-Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle and the Ten Ton Hammer team