Expansions

It's one of the longest running MMOs in history and this week Turbine announced that their first game, the fantasy MMO Asheron's Call, just had its 100th free content update released to its subscribers. For those who need details, this update adds the beginnings of the much requested (by the game's players) an Elder Games system along with two new PvP controllable towns.

Turbine first released Asheron's Call in November 1999 via publisher Microsoft and made a point to have the game feel like a ongoing storyline was taking place with monthly events and content released. Two commerical expansion packs for the game have been released since the launch and the free content updates have also continued. Turbine took over full control of the game from Microsoft in 2003. The game has even outlasted its graphically improved sequel Asheron's Call 2 which launched in 2002 but shut down completely just three years later.

The Penumbra first person horror action-adventure game series just got an expansion pack. Penumbra: Requiem is now available for download at Gamersgate and Direct2Drive for just $9.99. The expansion from developer Frictional Games requires the installation of Penumbra: Black Plague.

In a note on the Frictional Games web site site, the developers state that this expansion concentrates on the physics puzzles and gameplay more than previous installments. According to the site, "Requiem does its best to deliver a nightmarish and feverish atmosphere. Penumbra: Requiem is an attempt to deliver a fresh and rewarding experience and not just some rehash of previous material." While the expansion is for the moment for the Windows platform Macintosh and Linux users will get their own versions soon, according to the web site.

The folks at Paradox Interactive continue to stay busy. Last week they announced plans to release Hearts of Iron 3, the latest game in their WWII strategy series. Today the publisher announced plans for yet another downloadable expansion pack to a previous historical strategy game, Europa Universalis: Rome.

The expansion is titled Vae Victis and will be available for download via Gamersgate for $9.99 in late 2008. The expansion concentrates on the Roman Senate where you will have to deal with the many members and parties in order to have your goals as leader of the Roman Empire accomplished. You have to make sure the ruling party votes for issues in your favor and have them pass laws that you want to see past. The expansion will also have things like updated military AI and an overhauled interface.

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Last month we first reported on plans by Sony Online to launch an online collectible trading card game based on their long running MMO Star Wars Galaxies. This week the game has officially launched. This is not quite a stand alone game like the Everquest based Legends of Norrath; you must be an active subscriber to the Star Wars Galaxies MMO or a former player in good standing (i.e. you don't owe Sony Online money) to play the trading card game.

The official title for the game is Star Wars Galaxies: Champions of the Force and there are over 250 cards to collect and current and former subscribers will get access to five Booster Packs for free every month. There's a 14 day free trial to the game that you can download at the title's official web site.
[Via Massively]

Da, Comrade? Vat can we help you with? Oh, you haf your new orders? Glorious! Praise to Mother Russia in all her visdom! We heard you will be gettink new weapons to assist in your fight for one of the Amerikanski corporations. While we do not applaud you working for capitalist dogs, we do not question to visdom of the Motherland. So, in celebration of your new orders and weapons, we will give you this document. It details how to acquire your new armaments. Do not misuse it or distribute it to the enemies of Mother Russia, or we will be forced to inform the KGB of your treasonous actions! You may view part one of our guide as well.

NCsoft's super hero MMO City of Heroes has had a number of free expansions released for its subscribers and today the publisher has now revealed the first details on "Issue 13", the latest content released that will be available later this fall. This update, titled Architect, will include the much requested player mission creator which will allow people to make their own missions using an interface that's as simple to use as the game's famed character creator.

The Mission Architech will allow players to make their own missions and story arcs with details like enemies, enviroments and mission objectives with the ability to put in written fiction and character dialogue. If certain folks make good enough missions it could lead to unlocking new rewards for them.

Other new content additions in Issue 13 include Day Jobs which means that locations in the game when players log out determine their secret identity (log out of City Hall and your offline character becomes a city official, for example). Each job can unlock new rewards once you spent enough time at it. The update will also include new power sets (including shields) new missions, costume additions and more.

Blizzard is in the middle of beta testing for their long awaited second expansion pack for their fantasy MMO World of Warcraft but before the expansion. Wrath of the Lich King, ships to stores (hopefully before the end of the year) Blizzard has plans to give the game's subscribers some more free content.

As reported by our sister site WoWinsider.com, Bllizzard will release this new update "in the coming weeks" and that update will have quite a bit of new features and content, including two new Arenas, a new profession (inscription), new class spells and talents and a host of other additions as well as UI improvements. They will even have barbershops. How cool is that? We need a haircut by a Death Knight.

Da, Comrade? Vat can we help you with? Oh, you haf your new orders? Glorious! Praise to Mother Russia in all her visdom! We heard you will be gettink new weapons to assist in your fight for one of the Amerikanski corporations. While we do not applaud you working for capitalist dogs, we do not question to visdom of the Motherland. So, in celebration of your new orders and weapons, we will give you this document. It details how to acquire your new armaments. Do not misuse it or distribute it to the enemies of Mother Russia, or we will be forced to inform the KGB of your treasonous actions!

Atari stayed busy at this week's Games Convention as they showed off their upcoming titles. One of their big fall releases is Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir. Atari released some new screenshots from the game that is once again being developed by Obsidian Entertainment

In case you are not familiar with the title. Storm of Zehir is set to feature items like a non-linear enviroment to explore, party creation, an economic system that you can influence while playing and more. The big question? Will Atari release a third full game in the series at some point? Only time will tell.

Earlier today we reported that Funcom had announced plans for a commercial expansion pack for their fantasy MMO Age of Conan. The developer also announced plans for free content for current subscribers to the game and we now have some screenshots that show off what they have planned.

Along with the free content screenshots, Funcom also released some visuals from the upcoming DirectX10 graphics upgrade, along with some comparison screenshots from the DirectX9 version. Volumetic fog, HDR, specular reflections and other features will be added to the game with the DirectX10 version is released. So far there's no word on when the new content or the graphics upgrade will be available for download.

It's not really a surprise considering the game's high sales, but Funcom announced during a press briefling at Games Convention this week that they will indeed release a commercial expansion pack to their fantasy MMO Age of Conan. No details were revealed on the expansion, partly because Funcom wants fans to speculate on their own; Funcom might even take some of their ideas into consideration.

In the meantime, Funcom showed a piece of concept artwork for th expansio and Gamespy reports that it had "three warriors wearing facemasks encrusted with green stones, wielding curved swords and hooked axes. In the background are standards with dragons rendered on them, and buildings that look vaguely Chinese in design." Funcom does plan to expand the game in the coming months with free updates, including the promised DirectX10 graphical update.

Arguably the best part of waiting for any Blizzard game is getting to see the cinematic trailer, and Wrath of the Lich King does not disappoint. This opening for video for the upcoming expansion shows off high quality and style we expect from Blizzard. It also shows the extent in which Arthus the Lich King's power has grown. Dedicated World of Warcraft players are already beating at the doors to face this challenge.

Download the Wrath of the Lich King HD Cinematic Trailer (98 MB)

SOE announced The Shadow Odyssey, the newest upcoming expansion for EverQuest II, to a huge crowd of fans at the SOE Fan Faire in Las Vegas. The teaser trailer reveals a long list of new dungeons to explore, populated by new creatures to fight. No doubt great fame and fortune will await those who dare traverse these depths.

Download the EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey HD Teaser Trailer (33 MB)

EverQuest expands again. This teaser trailer for Seeds of Destruction reveals glimpses of new areas, new dangers and big rewards. A new feature coming with the expansion will be mercenaries. Judging from the trailer, they'll die a lot.

Download the EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction HD Trailer (12.4 MB)