- VOTD: Tim Burton’s Weekend At Bernies
- TV News: Vote For Totally 4 Teens to Become a New Adult Swim Show (A /Film Fave!)
- Casting Notes: Zach Galifianakis in Miracle Workers; Mickey Rourke in War of the Gods; Tom Atkins in Drive Angry
- Set Visit Interview: A Nightmare on Elm Street Special Effects Make-Up Artist Andrew Clement
- Emmerich Casts Vanessa Redgrave, David Thewlis and Rhys Ifans in Anonymous, His Shakespeare Film
- Anthony Hopkins Cast in Exorcism Film The Rite
- Who Will Direct Paranormal Activity 2? Here Are Paramount’s Picks
- Early Buzz: 15 More Reviews From Another Test Screening of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
- A Nightmare on Elm Street Movie Trailer #2
- Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds in DreamWorks Animation’s Caveman Comedy The Croods
The soundtrack to Iron Man 2 at least seems novel. According to a new press release, it’s going to feature an awful lot of AC/DC and, presumably, not much else. Pre-orders are open today for the album AC/DC:Iron Man 2, set to shelf on April 19th, 9 days before the movie hits. Below the break you can read the whole press release and full track listing and watch the video for Shoot to Thrill, complete with clips both new and old from Iron Man 2.
A lot of the footage is from the Stark Expo scenes and therefore focuses on dancing girls in skimpy outfits modeled on details of the Iron Man suit. Between those clips and the shots already seen in the trailer, this is hardly dripping with fresh images. But, heck… don’t listen to me being a downer. That’s just my hunger for more talking.
Through a unique collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia Records, AC/DC’s music will be featured in Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2, the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster film. In addition, Columbia Records will release the album AC/DC: Iron Man 2 on Monday, April 19, 2010. AC/DC: Iron Man 2, features 15 classic AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band’s studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008. The complete track listing can be found below.
Pre-orders begin today, January 26th at Walmart.com for the AC/DC: Iron Man 2 CD and at Amazon.com for a deluxe version of AC/DC: Iron Man 2 - CD+DVD and two LP vinyl packages. The film opens internationally beginning on April 28, 2010. In the U.S., the film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.
The debut video from AC/DC: Iron Man 2 is the AC/DC’s classic album cut “Shoot To Thrill,” which was filmed live last month in Buenos Aires during the band’s highly acclaimed Black Ice World Tour, the second highest grossing world tour of 2009 according to concert industry trade publication Pollstar. The video also incorporates exclusive footage from Iron Man 2 and debuts today worldwide. Check ACDC.com and Marvel.com for more information. “Shoot To Thrill” was originally recorded for the band’s 50-million selling album Back In Black, one of the best selling albums of all time.
I'm sure you've heard about them if you're into videogames. Massively mltiplayer onine roleplay games (MMORPGs for short) seem to be everywhere. Everquest, World of Warcraft and even Final Fantasy all have some form of MMORPG experiences available for your gaming pleasure. But what if you don't like the cost-per-cycle that these titles ask for?
Good thing there's plenty of free-to-play alternatives out there. This recent, growing type of MMORPG distribution started building momentum in Pan-Asian regions (particularly in Korea, which is already nuts for MMORPGs in general). As this momentum began to grow, it ultimately found its way to many other parts of the world -- and now finds a home even here in North America.
So where, then, do we find the most-worthy-for-our-tastes MMORPG titles in this growing subcategory of the popular format? Herein, I will highlight some of the biggest names in the free-to-play MMORPG space and let you choose which one meets your needs -- in fact, feel free to try them all as more than one could interest you.
MapleStory
This sensational title, published worldwide by Nexon, is perhaps the one title out there with the most-defining characteristics of the free-to-play model. While I have spent only a small amount of time with it, many more already know what MapleStory has to offer -- in fact, with over 87 million registrations (according to IGN) this game is practically synonymous with the free-to-play format on a global scale, and essentially the biggest one in the United States as of this writing. Developed by Korean game studio Wizet, MapleStory combines old-school 2D platforming with an engaging MMORPG design that rivals some of the established premium titles out there.
What you need to know:
Windows Requirements: 9x/ME/2000 or later (Some issues may be present on Vista/7 systems)
Registration Type: Multi-Title Community Account
What's Free: First in-game avatar, client software download, support forums
Premium Options: Cash Shop
Hardware Support Guidelines: 1.5GB HDD Space, Pentium3 1.0GHz
Hardware Support Recommendation: 3.0GB HDD Space, Pentium4 1.8GHz
Where to Get It: maplestory.nexon.net
Mabinogi
Again, Nexon is the distributor -- but this one is a full-3D adventure more along the lines of the MMORPG norm. Unlike some of the other MMORPGs out there, Mabinogi takes its name and theme fron a definitive real-world source in that much of the experience is built on a central theme adapted from Celtic culture and mythology. Activities are a big part of this MMORPG and involve social gatherings, helping NPC characters on a part-time basis (albeit with some repetitive tasks, and generally tied to their posted hiring periods with deadlines for completion), fishing, hunting, and the requisite exploration party mechanic. Musical composition performance and sharing is also big in Mabinogi (with no limits involved, so feel free to implement popular real-world music adaptations -- I actually heard someone who was strumming the intro to a Coldplay song) and it's not unusual to find a group of players huddled around a virtual campfire, sharing virtual treats and engaging in conversation. There is also a progression across various stories for those who want to get deeper into the mythos of the world of Erinn that comprises the in-game environment, and the dungeon areas evoke a Zelda-inspired design with a color-matching twist.
What you need to know:
Windows Requirements: 9x/ME/2000 or later
Registration Type: Multi-Title Community Account
What's Free: First in-game avatar, client software download, support forums
Premium Options: Additional Characters, Pet Companions, VIP Tier, Cash Shop
Hardware Support Guidelines: DirectX 9, GeForce2MX or Radeon 7000, 1GB HDD Space, Pentium3 800MHz
Hardware Support Recommendation: DirectX 9, GeForce4 or Radeon 9000, 2.5GB HDD Space, Pentium4 1.5GHz
Where to Get It: mabinogi.nexon.net
Dungeon Fighter Online
The third and final of my Nexon picks, Dungeon Fighter Online is perhaps the most ingenious MMORPG design yet. Where Mabinogi applies Celtic mythos to a traditional 3D MMORPG fantasyand MapleStory presents a 2D platformer design, Dungeon Fighter Online is based around a 2.5D beatdown-style interface much like Final Fight or Double Dragon but with some MMORPG twists. Though release isn't scheduled for a while yet, closed testing has already been completed and you should expect the public testing to commence in the coming months. That doesn't mean you don't get a chance to preview it: for those in the Pacific Northwest, you can get a sneak peek at this year's Penny Arcade Expo (which also follows a recent appearance at the San Diego running of Comic-Con).
What you need to know:
Windows Requirements: XP/Vista or later
Registration Type: Multi-Title Community Account
What's Free: TBD
Premium Options: TBD
Hardware Support Guidelines: TBD
Hardware Support Recommendation: TBD
Where to Get It: dungeonfighter.nexon.net
Other Titles
Besides the slate of Nexon titles herein, there are various other places to get your MMORPG fix on the cheap. Frogster, for instance, offers up a convincing take on the World of Warcraft gameplay with its free MMO Runes of Magic. Sony Online, which popularized the MMORPG format with Everquest and it's sequel, offers up a family-friendly outing with Free Realms -- as do the imaginative geniuses at Disney with their Pirates of the Carribean MMO spinoff (from the park attraction and movie franchise, of course). Those who like Tetris or Brain Age will enjoy the brain-busting quirks of Puzzle Pirates, while those who want something off-the-trail but still in traditions will enjoy the browser-based Adventure Quest and its odd twists off from the traditional MMORPG design. All of these titles offer their own twists on premium features, offering their picks between microtransaction funding, VIP features or both, depending on the implementation. Details are available on the respective websites for these MMORPG titles, and a list of various choices in the free-to-play arena can be found in this link from IGN.
And while you're at it, you might want to enjoy a bit of shooter action on the cheap when you've had your MMORPG fill in full: Nexon has you covered in that space with the impressive military FPS Combat Arms. (Not every free-to-play title has to be an MMORPG, you know.)
- VOTD: Tim Burton’s Weekend At Bernies
- TV News: Vote For Totally 4 Teens to Become a New Adult Swim Show (A /Film Fave!)
- Casting Notes: Zach Galifianakis in Miracle Workers; Mickey Rourke in War of the Gods; Tom Atkins in Drive Angry
- Set Visit Interview: A Nightmare on Elm Street Special Effects Make-Up Artist Andrew Clement
- Emmerich Casts Vanessa Redgrave, David Thewlis and Rhys Ifans in Anonymous, His Shakespeare Film
- Anthony Hopkins Cast in Exorcism Film The Rite
- Who Will Direct Paranormal Activity 2? Here Are Paramount’s Picks
- Early Buzz: 15 More Reviews From Another Test Screening of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
- A Nightmare on Elm Street Movie Trailer #2
- Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds in DreamWorks Animation’s Caveman Comedy The Croods
The soundtrack to Iron Man 2 at least seems novel. According to a new press release, it’s going to feature an awful lot of AC/DC and, presumably, not much else. Pre-orders are open today for the album AC/DC:Iron Man 2, set to shelf on April 19th, 9 days before the movie hits. Below the break you can read the whole press release and full track listing and watch the video for Shoot to Thrill, complete with clips both new and old from Iron Man 2.
A lot of the footage is from the Stark Expo scenes and therefore focuses on dancing girls in skimpy outfits modeled on details of the Iron Man suit. Between those clips and the shots already seen in the trailer, this is hardly dripping with fresh images. But, heck… don’t listen to me being a downer. That’s just my hunger for more talking.
Through a unique collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia Records, AC/DC’s music will be featured in Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2, the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster film. In addition, Columbia Records will release the album AC/DC: Iron Man 2 on Monday, April 19, 2010. AC/DC: Iron Man 2, features 15 classic AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band’s studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008. The complete track listing can be found below.
Pre-orders begin today, January 26th at Walmart.com for the AC/DC: Iron Man 2 CD and at Amazon.com for a deluxe version of AC/DC: Iron Man 2 - CD+DVD and two LP vinyl packages. The film opens internationally beginning on April 28, 2010. In the U.S., the film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.
The debut video from AC/DC: Iron Man 2 is the AC/DC’s classic album cut “Shoot To Thrill,” which was filmed live last month in Buenos Aires during the band’s highly acclaimed Black Ice World Tour, the second highest grossing world tour of 2009 according to concert industry trade publication Pollstar. The video also incorporates exclusive footage from Iron Man 2 and debuts today worldwide. Check ACDC.com and Marvel.com for more information. “Shoot To Thrill” was originally recorded for the band’s 50-million selling album Back In Black, one of the best selling albums of all time.
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