Meet Us In Your Murloc Suit

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Are you looking for the latest industry headlines? Look no further.

Daily Column New MMOG Articles at TenTonHammer Today Hot Content Real World News - You Can't Make This Up

1. Daily Column

Plans for Blizzcon were finalized last night. Jeff, David, Byron and I will be landing in Sunny L.A. on August 2nd and departing the land that traffic planning forgot on August 5th. If you are going to BlizzCON and have an irrational need to meet any of us just let me know and I'll try to set something up. Plying Woleslagle and Mudry with beer might even get you some swag. You just never know.

If you can't wait until August to stalk us then perhaps July is more to your liking. Karen, Cody, Jeff, Phil and I will be touching down in L.A. on July 10th, attending the new E3 and departing again on the 14th. Garrett may even be there, though he isn't on my handy-dandy meeting list of attendees. E3 is industry only and this year "by invite" only, so don't pack your bags thinking you're going to see the latest and greatest game gizmos. We can't invite you. In fact, we're surprised that we were invited after Phil's escapades at the show last year. "But I thought all booth babes worked at Hooters."

There, the invitations have been sent; back to business.

CCP, the good folks behind EVE Online dropped this gem in my mailbox this morning, OK maybe last night. I just didn't get to it until today.

"CCP, the world's largest independent game developer, today announced that their upcoming free expansion, EVE Online®: Revelations II, will be released on the massive Tranquility super-computer cluster on Tuesday, June 19th.Revelations II is the seventh free expansion for EVE Online and includes important improvements and additions. New players will appreciate a completely revamped New Player Experience where rookie pilots begin their adventures in EVE within a protected area to learn the essentials of gameplay within a protected environment at their own pace. For the more seasoned pilots and alliances, the broader Sovereignty scope, improved Corporation and Alliance management and introduction of Heat will be most important.

The most notable features of Revelations II include:

* Heat – Adding a new dimension to space combat in EVE. The ability to boost performance of ship modules can mean the difference between life and death, but not entirely without risk.
* Broader Sovereignty Scope - Sovereignty concept broadened with intermediate goals and four different tiers: Territory, Protectorate, Province and Constellation Capital.
* Revamped New Player Experience – Optimization and streamlining of the tutorial vastly improves how new players are introduced to EVE Online, making it more fun and easier to start their alter ego existence in space.
* Need for Speed – Significant CPU and dogma optimizations that set the groundwork for full Vista support slated to be introduced in a future expansion.
* Structure Warfare Enhancements – A number of new features expand the opportunity for strategic operations.
* Improved Corporation and Alliance Management – The addition of vital tools and roles necessary to command and conquer.
* Agent Mission Improvements – The introduction of Level 5 Agents add the most challenging Player-versus-Environment encounters yet.
* Expanding the Frontiers of Exploration - Rare NPC spawns and other opportunities abound for greater solo exploration as well as increasing the chances of discovering in-space encounters and hidden deadspace pockets.
* Anti-Fleet Warfare – Discover new tactics for dispersing large concentrations of ships.

With so many exciting additions and changes to the game, there’s never been a better time to explore the challenging and expansive universe. A free, 14-day, no obligation trial is available at www.eve-online.com. Stake your claim and set a course for fame and fortune in EVE Online today."

It's Friday, so I'll leave you with a link to a list that is both inaccurate and humorous at the same time. (Much like this column would be if it were humorous)

GigaOM Top 10 Most Popular MMOs

If you want information that should be more accurate then pop by Phil White's site, MMOGdata.com. Phil, you need a fancier site for that information. Drop me a line and we'll hook you up if you like.

Have a great weekend folks!

Comment in the blog (now with direct link goodness) or email me directly.

2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

Dungeons and Dragons Online: The Lyrist of the Bow
"A sorcerous enchanter, many an ogre and giant has heard those words and made, shall we say, the wrong choice. Find out how to make an Dominator with Darkgolem's new build: The Dominator!" EverQuest 2: GU#36 And How It Will Affect You
"With the new patch lurking around the corner like the love child of Jason Vorhees and the Boogeyman, the forums are a hot bed of rumor and speculation. Is this the final nail in the coffin of gameplay? Is YOUR class forever ruined and destroyed? We went to every forum, looked at the data, read the comments, and prepared a honest look at Game Update #36 and how it will affect YOUR class. " Gods and Heroes: Exclusive Screenshot
"Oh yeah! This Friday marks the start of a run of exclusive screenshots, all for us! Every Friday we'll be posting a new present
from the wonderful folks at Perpetual Entertainment, and have some fun along the way, particularly if the picture lets us! This week's entry features the hideous Hydra and a mystery character! Can you guess what class they are?" Gods and Heroes: Character FAQs Released
"Yes, it's the Character FAQ for Gods and Heroes here at Ten Ton Hammer! Be sure to ask your questions on our forums and watch the FAQs grow!" Lord of the Rings Online: Spider Weaver Guide
"Martuk has another new PvP guide for us all today, and this time the spotlight is on the stealthy and sly Spider Weaver." Lord of the Rings Online: Guide To Elves
"Not like the pretty mouthed tree huggers you've seen in the movies, Elves are intelligent, agile, and a powerful race of beings in Middle-earth. Ten Ton Hammer has you complete guide to all things Elven including class choices, racial traits, and much more." MapleStory: New Images
"MapleStory, the record breaking 2D MMOG, is giving some love to the 13,314 in-game married couples that venture around their in-game world. According to the press release, which we have attached below, the next three months will feature the launch of a whole slew of in-game events and gameplay activities for players to enjoy. While married couples get the Amorian Challenge, an exclusive adventure just for them, other new additions include the Mushroom Temple and a weekly "Monster Cookout"! Ten Ton Hammer has received over two dozen screenshots showcasing the new activities, and we urge you to check them out!" Mixmaster Online: Artwork
"Appealing to younger consumers seems to be the way to approach the MMOG market lately. The folks at MixMaster Online are hoping to take advantage of the as-of-yet raw potential of this demographic and have recently announced a new Pay-by-Post payment plan for young adults that don't own a credit card. Along with this announcement, they've released three pieces of artwork, depicting several monsters you can pick up throughout the game. Enjoy! Sword of the New World: Unique Player Character Q&A
"Innovation is the key to bringing attention to your MMOG in the current marketplace, and Sword of the New World has done just that. With the multi-character control system, SotNW introduce new game mechanics that weren't applicable in single character MMOGs, like the introduction of Unique Player Characters (UPCs). Ten Ton Hammer sent some UPC questions to Jonenee Merriex, the Senior Game Master for SotNW, and we have posted his very informative replies for you to view!" Vanguard: Site Guide
"After receiving several emails and some IMs on other forums asking for it, Ralsu brings us a guide that explains how to find the information you are looking for the Vanguard Ten Ton Hammer site." World of Warcraft: Leveling Guide Portal
"We now have our leveling guides organized in one convenient location for you to find them. Whether you're heading out to fight Murlocs in Azerorth or, well, fight Murlocs in Outland we have you covered! World of Warcraft: Horde Power Leveling Guide 20-60 (Level 22)
"Our Horde Power Leveling Guide continues to expand today with a look at blowing through level 22. If your looking for the fastest way to get your character up to level 60 and into the Burning Crusade content, look no further than this guide!"

3. Hot Content

Sword of the New World: Unique Player Character Q&A Gods and Heroes: Exclusive Screenshot EVE Online: Interview With Magnus Bergsson Dungeon Runners: Review Sword of the New World: Preview Free Realms: Preview Straight From SOE Gamer Day The Agency: Preview From SOE Gamer Day Interview With Brian "Psychochild" Green, Founder of Near Death Studios

4. Real World News

Helpful Drug Dealer Calls Cop [Thanks Matt]
...and by 'helpful' they mean 'dumb'. US Prof Plans To Send Message Back In Time [Thanks Matt]
...to remind him to send message back in time. Teenager Speaks For First Time In Ten Years
Rosie rushes forward claiming she has been speaking on his behalf. How To X-Ray An Elephant
With Rosie Pic Goodness

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

John "Boomjack" Hoskin