Photo courtesy of Interplay Entertainment

How about some non-E3 news for a change.

Today Interplay launched their beta sign-up and teaser website today for their upcoming Fallout Online MMORPG, or Project V13 if you want to keep calling it that.

Via MMOCrunch

Fallout MMO Beta! is a post from: Thumb Gods

Players begin by choosing a character class, either Dodgebrawler, Emomancer, Slackninja, Cheermonger or Mathemagician. Player classes are based on everyone’s favorite RPG stereotypes, crossed with everyone’s favorite college stereotypes. Next, players select hair and face options from an equally-recognizable list of options, and enroll in classes at FU. I picked a Slackninja (What can I say? I shrug at the idea of combat.), prettied up my hair, and set off to explore campus.

Via Simpson’s Paradox » Fantasy University

Fantasy University Preview is a post from: Thumb Gods

Join the Big Bluff’s open beta!

Think you’re good at trivia? Are you confident in your own knowledge to bet on whether or not you will know the answer against other players? Step into the Open Beta of The Big Bluff, a new game developed by himojo, an entertainment company and social games developer for the Facebook platform, and experience the thrill of online multiplayer trivia that integrates the mechanics of Texas Hold ’Em Poker. Playable within Facebook and on TheBigBluff.com via Facebook Platform, the free-to-play online trivia game stands ready to pit your knowledge against others unlike any other trivia experience to date.

Upon logging in to your account, you will be given a purse of in-game currency to spend on virtual items for your avatar and at the tables. Step into a room and pull up a seat, where games of up to five players will already be in progress, 24/7.

Similar to Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, a dealer will display three cards in the community hand – the first displaying the question category, followed by two hints at the answer. Players will then have the option to match the pot to continue playing based on the cards shown. The fourth card displays another hint, while the fifth and final card displays the question that players must correctly answer. Fold at any point in the game if you’re not confident in the final question and answer, or bluff your way to the end and force your competitor’s hand. Call your opponent’s bluff and win bonus currency if they don’t know the answer.

“We’ve spent months experimenting with ways to combine the best aspects of trivia and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker into one game and are pleased to finally offer early access to the Open Beta of The Big Bluff,” said Eric Arlt, Chief Executive Officer, himojo. “The game offers an online trivia experience through Facebook unlike anything else out there. Poker and Trivia are two huge activities that are beloved around the world and we look forward to everyone experiencing this new hybrid of the two games in a competitive, free-to-play and social environment.”

The Big Bluff Features:
• Facebook Platform – Play the game by logging into your Facebook account on either Facebook.com or on TheBigBluff.com
• Real-time Online Multiplayer – Step into a room for five and watch opponents and friends play you live from across the table
• Chat System – Real-time chat during the game, allowing players to put on their poker face and play their bluff
• Customization – Access the dressing room and customize your avatar from head to toe with publicly available and exclusive items
• Virtual Currency – Earn in-game currency by winning a hand, daily check-ins and by purchasing with real-world money
• Global Leaderboard – Win rounds, build up your purse, unlock high-roller rooms and gain stardom by making it onto a central leaderboard

To start testing your trivia knowledge and betting big on your skill, visit the official The Big Bluff website at www.thebigbluff.com and log in using your Facebook information. Be sure to connect with us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebigbluff and follow us on Twitter @thebigbluff for daily trivia and giveaways.

Beta Signup: The Big Bluff is a post from: Thumb Gods

Jason at the Brick Show reviews the LEGO set 7569 Desert Attack, the fifth and final set in the Prince of Persia collection. The Brick Show works out price per piece, always interesting with a playset, and pre-tests the assembly difficulty and suitability for kids, in case you were thinking of getting this for a little niece or nephew. He rates this one as an 8 for little ones, and a 6 for adult collectors, because we probably won’t be making the Hassassins chase the hero around on the carpet.  (But you never know.)

It’s no secret that we love LEGOs at ThumbGods. And if you haven’t signed up for the beta of Lego Universe, what are you waiting for?

Via the Lego blog BrickShow

LEGO Prince of Persia Sets is a post from: Thumb Gods

You can sign up for the beta here,  or check out Fantasy University’s Facebook info page, or Professor Lackpants’ online lectures to learn more. Edit:  You can also read a preview of FU here.

I’m just waiting for my FU school pride sweatshirt to arrive.

ELANTHIA (a seriously non-fictitious place) Fantasy University, the country’s finest Adventuring College, announces the opening of its new term slated for July.

The University, notorious for its financial troubles, was deemed “too big to fail” by the Elanthian Education Department and was subsequently bailed out with a generous, albeit undisclosed, endowment.

“We’re delighted, simply delighted!” said Thaddeus Lackpants VIII, a professor at the school, at the press conference held earlier today. “The entire faculty and I are committed to our students receiving the finest Adventuring Education that delicious government funding can provide!” he added, a pile of Fubars tumbling out of his beard onto the floor.

The University justifies its new financial stability by touting its record of producing Class-A Adventurers. Many of its alumni have gone on to long, spectacular deaths, such as Dodgebrawler extraordinaire Randy McDandy, who put up a valiant effort against the fabled Badgerdragon before being summarily consumed and digested.

Opponents of the school, however, call the bailout “an affront to common decency,” and refer to F.U. by its initials with a bit more fervor than is socially acceptable.

Press release via VerticalWire, screenshots are my own.

Fantasy University is a post from: Thumb Gods

Hull, UK / TQ Digital have confirmed that their anticipated MMO, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, licensed by renowned publishers Ubisoft, will be entering it’s Asia area closed beta on May 7^th.

Fans of Heroes of Might & Magic, one of the most loved PC-franchises of the last 15 years, can finally take their adventure to the MMO space on May 7^th with Heroes of Might and Magic Online, developed under the careful study of established china-based online games developer, TQ Digital.

With millions of players already habiting their other titles, including such well known names as Eudemons Online and Conqueror Online, TQ Digital have had a wealth of expertise to call on while crafting a playing experience based around the wants and needs of the series’ loyal fans.

Licensed by Ubisoft – who boast a host of mega-franchises, including The Settlers and Assassins Creed – Heroes of Might and Magic (HoMM) Online will take players back to the classic gameplay elements of HoMM III, mixing it with the stunning updated graphics of HoMM V in a 2.5D turn-based massively multiplayer environment.

Though Ubisoft introduced a new universe to the series for HoMM V, their first title after acquiring the franchise from 3DO Company, TQ Digital are finally bringing the popular fantasy setting of Erathia back, which debuted in 1999 releases, HoMM III and Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor.

Gameplay in Heroes of Might and Magic Online is as varied as it is beautiful, with gorgeous graphics complementing your epic quest to prove your valiant leadership.

Chose from a variety of 8 unique factions, develop elaborate castles that dominate the skyline of bustling metropolis Harmondale – epicenter of trade in the sweeping Antagarichean continent – plunder resources in exhilarating missions and fortify your armies against the inevitable wars of domination that lie ahead as you carve out your own legacy like the legions of plucky adventurers before you.

Experience magic based on an innovative in-game star system. Cast a new spell to increase your proficiency or perfect spells through a dynamic online training center.

Randomly generated combat maps, designed with strategic gameplay in mind, ensure you will need to think studiously about unit formations and tactics, while the hundreds of unique campaigns, each with deep storylines and goals, including 10 chapters of battlefield missions, are guaranteed to keep play refreshing throughout.

Develop towns of different races with the unique Town Prestige System, form guilds, gather resources, and prove your worth in the bloody-thirsty Challenging Arena. TQ Digital will be hosting a slew of PK events with HoMM Online: Team PK and Extreme PK are only the tip of the iceberg, with these events providing opportunities to gain priceless honor points and increase faction reputation.

Summary of HoMM Online game features:
• First Persistent World Turn-Based Strategy MMO
• 8 towns, 16 classes and 56 creatures
• Hundreds of campaigns with epic storylines
• Unique Anima and Dragon Scale Forge System
• Glorious Guild Building & Exciting Guild Wars
• Challenging Arena and PK Tournaments
• Heroes can build towns of different factions

The Asia area closed beta for HoMM Online launches on May 7^th. For more information on the game and a chance to register for beta access, visit the game’s official website today: http://homm.91.com/

Asian Beta for Heroes of Might and Magic Online is a post from: Thumb Gods

I mentioned Passionfruit Games‘ new paranormal-romance-novel-turned-adventure-game Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box last month, when I helped with the Tiger Eye beta. The final game is released for PC today (the Mac version will be out in May).

The game is available on Passionfruit’s website, at three different price points. A $6.99 version is just the game download, $9.99 includes the game, strategy guide, Tiger Eye wallpaper and a seven-minute song from the game, and a $12.99 platinum collector’s edition includes all of that, plus more music and the sheet music for the Tiger Eye theme.

Related:

On composing Tiger Eye’s music
Tiger Eye Beta
Tiger Eye: Riddle Box Game Review
Game launch press release

Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box Released is a post from: Thumb Gods

burda:ic, a leading publisher of online games worldwide, today announced the start of registration for the Closed Beta Test of strategic action MMO LOCO – Land of Chaos Online. Interested players have until Monday, May 17 to sign up for their chance to participate in the CBT, and full registration details can be found at: www.loco.alaplaya.net/closedbeta

The Closed Beta Test will feature 12 heroes from LOCO’s 30-character roster, including Octavian, Atin, Foxlady, RandyRozz, and more. Three maps will be available for use in both the Annihilation and Battle Modes: the “Forest of Chaos,” the “Crimson Plains,” and the “Lair of the Ancient Dragons.” The CBT will also feature a first look at LOCO’s Guild and Enchantment systems, so sign up today if you want to be one of the first players to explore the Land of Chaos!

To leaf through the Book of Heroes and learn more about the warriors from LOCO’s two factions, the Army of Hell and the Forces of Nature, visit http://loco.alaplaya.net/chronicles

For more information about Land of Chaos Online and the upcoming Closed Beta Test, head to http://www.loco.alaplaya.net

Beta Opp: Land of Chaos Online is a post from: Thumb Gods

The new All Heroes Die is available at a pre-release discount. Buy the game in beta for $5, and get all the updates afterward for nothing.

Forced by need and honor, the last surviving family of a seafaring people journey half-way around the world in order to end their civil war. Upon landfall, they make a solemn vow to their ancestors – they will turn their backs on the sea until this quest is complete. The spirits of their ancestors hear them… and will be watching.

All Heroes Die is a hybrid strategy/role-playing game where players control a family of heroes over several generations. Players will determine the kind of people their heroes become, how their society develops, and what legacies they will leave the next generation – all while exploring a strange new continent.

Via All Heroes Die | Macguffin Games

‘All Heroes Die’ In Beta is a post from: Thumb Gods

Here’s the press release:

SAN FRANCISCO – March 23, 2010 GameCrush, now available in public beta, introduces an entirely new interactive social gaming experience allowing gamers to meet, match and pay to play online games with other users (PlayDates). GameCrush is the only online service that allows gamers to choose a companion to spice up their favorite online games. Both Players and PlayDates define the experience they want- either “flirty” or “dirty”, choosing from some of the most popular console titles and casual web-based games. To register for free, visit www.gamecrush.com.

On GameCrush, players can find their perfect PlayDate through browsing their profiles and chatting live with them. Players can then purchase a live one-on-one private gaming session, complete with two-way video and text chat.

Designed to appeal to female and male gamers alike, GameCrush offers games to suit a variety of tastes, from casual web-based games to the hottest console titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Halo 3, Gears of War 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV. Initially games are available on GameCrush’s own exclusive video-enabled gaming platform and on Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE network. In addition, GameCrush will soon be available for platforms such as Sony’s PlayStation 3, World of Warcraft, and other online gaming environments.

GameCrush delivers comprehensive social tools that allow PlayDates to post profiles complete with picture galleries, video clips, blogs and text chat.  PlayDates can make up to $30 or more per hour while having fun playing online games.  After a game session is completed, Players rate their gaming experience, and top-rated PlayDates are rewarded with enhanced site promotion and additional benefits.

Obligatory GameCrush Post is a post from: Thumb Gods