Minecraft Server Resurrection

In the wake of Minecraft update 1.8, we have created a new world, "Zombieland", and updated the Minecraft server info here.

The general goal for this map is for players to create their strongholds, explore and collaborate on building projects in a way that best suits everyone. We currently have a community project under way called, "Zombieland Village", where we will erect a village and stock it with villagers to use as a hub of community operations. Contact Eodred to see how you can help!

To keep a sense of adventure in this world, zombies are enabled. However, the game rules on the server allow you to keep your inventory and XP if you die. Creepers and Endermen also cannot destroy blocks. For those of you who like to build fireplaces, fire does not spread in this world either. So feel free to explore, hunt, build, etc.

The general guidelines are:

• Don't mess with other people or their stuff
• Pick an area to build that is out of line of sight from other claims
• Limit what you build to your claim (except for collaborative projects)
• Claim areas can be whatever size, but the Zombieland Village is a good reference for size
• Make as many claims as you want, but the above guidelines apply
• If other people are online at the same time, be mindful of the night, and keep a bed with you

Interested in playing in Zombieland? Good. Just request to be white-listed here. When you log in, look for a tower with a path leading up to it. Inside, there will be a chest with a sign that says "Give a penny, take a penny". This chest will have some tools and maps for you to use to help you get started. From there, you'll notice a road. Follow that road to see various people's claims and Zombieland Village. Once you claim your space and start building, we'll work to get a road out to you as well.

Trove Beta Key Giveaway

The folks over at Trion are almost done making their version of Minecraft/Cube World, named "Trove". They are giving keys away for their beta over at curse's website for one and all. Just sign into your curse account to redeem one! The beta starts tomorrow.

What the heck is Trove?

Trove is a procedurally generated voxel-based multiplayer game with a malleable world, dungeons, loot, resources, crafting, building, sports ball, etc. etc. So it's basically Minecraft with more adventure-game features.

Release the Names! Character Name Reclamation Coming

Blizzard announced that with Warlords of Draenor patch 6.0.2 they are going to release all names that have not been active (logged into) since November 13th 2008.

What this means is, if you have a toon name that you may still want in the future (you know when you come back to play Warlords ;) ) then you need to log on to your character and get back to playing!

Here is the link to Blizz's official announcement:

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/15910697/release-the-names-character-name-reclamation-coming-9-15-2014

Firefall Releases First Post-Release Content Patch: "Elemental Destruction"

Some highlights in this patch-of-plenty are:

• Many new weapons and weapon variants
• Class fixes and balances
• New quests, wandering encounters and dynamic events
• Leveling and progression tweaks for a smoother leveling experience
• Hardcore version of 20-man raid: Kanaloa
• Consistent raid lockout system that allows players to run repeatedly (boss loot only drops on each player's first run)
• Many, many, many bug fixes and quality of life improvements

Full Patch Notes

Destiny Releases Live Action Trailer Pre-Launch

One of the things I love about big title releases is the amount of cool things they can do. Today, Bungie released a live-action short of the three classes kicking butt and taking names.

Another awesome thing they did was to create a google street view of the game's maps. Complete with narration and paused scenes of intense action: https://www.destinyplanetview.com/en/

Destiny's release date is this coming tuesday (9/9/2014), and will launch on PS4, PS3, XBOX ONE and XBOX 360.

Find out more about the game here: http://www.destinythegame.com/?utmcampaign=destiny-us-beta&utmmedium=search&utmsource=google&utmterm=destiny-bungie-bmm

Defiant Guild in Firefall!

A handful of us have started playing Firefall since its official release and have deemed it, "a really fun game". We are working on progressing to end-game content with a raiding focus. As part of this guild/army formation, we held a poll to decide what short code tag we would use. Thanks to all that voted!

The official army name and tag is:

Defiant [DFNT]

For those of you who haven't played Firefall, it's a really fun game, and it's free to play, so try it out by downloading the client and join us for world domination, Defiant style!

If you are not a member of the Defiant army, you'll have to submit an invite request, or find me online and ask for an invite.

Don't know how to send an invite request? That's because the army UI is still being developed. Here's how to do it:

How to get to the army terminal:
Option 1: Go to the western end of Copacabana and interact with the army terminal
Option 2: Push the escape button, then click on Options->Keybindings->Interface. Then select the empty square next to "Army". Push a key that already isn't bound to something (like '\'). Close those menus and then push that key that you bound.

Then, search for "Defiant". Once you find the army, select it and send a request to join. (If you are a member of the Homestarmy, you'll need to leave that army before joining Defiant)

I have been told by a reliable source that the Army UI along with other army features and perks are currently being worked on. No news yet as to what's coming, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, we're gearing up for end-game and raids. See you in game!

Defiant Community Game Server

We are excited to announce our new Kickstarter project: Defiant Community Game Server!!

This Kickstarter project is aimed at replacing our current server and hosting setup with a new, dedicated and fully owned server powered by your donations! Currently we have some good friends who are loaning us hardware and a spot on a rack. This situation is going to change soon, so we'd like to get a jump start on it by moving things over to a permanent solution.

What is the Defiant Community Game Server? Well, it's a server that hosts this website, but it also hosts whatever games and game-related services that you'd like. Our currently hosted services are: Mumble, Minecraft, Cube World and Team Fortress 2. That is not a final list, however. The new server will be equipped to handle a variety of games and services and perform well under load.

If you have a game or game-related service that you would like to be hosted, don't hesitate to post it below.

For more details on the server specs and arrangement, please visit our Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1655346897/defiant-community-game-server

Warlords World Premiere!

Hey everyone, save the date for the Warlords announcement for the next expansion official opening! You can live stream the event if you aren't able to make it. But if you can make it you are guaranteed to get a beta key for Warlords.

Go to the following link for the official announcement: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/15053035/save-the-date-you%E2%80%99re-invited-to-a-warlords-world-premiere-8-4-2014

Or just some general info: When: Thursday, August 14 at 9:30 a.m. PDT Where: Join us on WorldofWarcraft.com to watch the live stream, or attend** the event live at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, located at 929 South Broadway in Los Angeles. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Live Attendee Bonus: Anyone who joins us live and in person in L.A. will also receive a beta key for Warlords of Draenor.*

Firefall officially launches

Today, Firefall has officially launched to the public. You can download and play for free here: http://www.firefallthegame.com/

Launch trailer:

I have played this game for a few hours (got in early before the launch) and I can say that they have brought it back around from that super-long beta and really hit it out of the park! This game is fun!

Firefall goes offline in preparation for live release (and major patch)

For those of you who don't know about Firefall, it's a free-to-play class-based MMOFPS that has been in beta for two years. Firefall is currently offline until July 29th, when they will end the beta and launch their live version.

Here is a high-level list of things to look forward to with the live release:

• Open World PvP (Trailer)
• Combat Vehicles
• Open World Army Bases
• Simplified progression system (byebye constraints purchase)
• Return of the leveling system (for each frame)
• Simplified itemization system (byebye servos, jumpjets and plating)
• Simplified Resources (byebye resource quality rating)
• Simplified Crafting (byebye subcomponents)
• Removed Repair Pool (item decay)
• Item trade through mail
• "Buy Orders" (allow you to specify an item you want and a price you will pay for it, and let people fill it)
• Personal ARES missions
• Hardcore Mode Campaign Instances (End-Game Dungeons/Raids)
• Subscription (VIP Mode): +25% Crystite, XP, Rep; +8 Market slots; Glider pad
• Better daily rewards
• Reputation rewards
• New Zone: Sertao (+ Zone redesign)
• Crystite being replaced by Credits as currency
• Many UI, performance and bug improvements.

More details about the launch can be found in the "path to launch" blog:

• #1 Progression and Itemization
• #2 Resources, Crafting, Professions and More
• #3 ARES Job Boards
• #4 Campaign Difficulty, VIP Program, and Login Rewards
• #5 Sertao and Devil's Tusk
• #6 Introducing Credits
• #7 New Campaign Missions and Open World PvP
• #8 Titans

Edit: Added #7 and #8