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Loading... Fan Events and Other Cataclysms - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:48:59 -0400

Details and speculation about what exactly Blizzard has in store for us next week at BlizzCon 2009 are starting to emerge, so we'll do a little detailing and speculating of our own in today's newsletter. If we know most of what we'll find out at these fan events beforehand (and, odds are, we'd know more of what's going on if we were simply sitting at home with a DirectTV or streaming Internet feed from the event) why do we go? Is it the atmosphere? The connections we make with people that enjoy the same hobby we do? Thoughts on fan events in today's Loading... Fan Events and Other Cataclysms.

Loading Live #18 - Fallen Earth Closed Beta Dev Chat - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:03:06 -0400

Lead Game Designer Lee Hammock is the voice of the rugged post-apoc MMORPG Fallen Earth coming later this year from Icarus Studios. Lee's fresh from a fan event in Portland, Oregon and has plenty to report from the game's closed beta, including new details on vehicles (including vehicular combat and how mounts work), the game's economy, graphics performance, combat system, and much more. Encapsulating tough post-apoc realities like Fallout 3 yet inspired by richly enjoyable IPs like the Mad Max movie series, Fallen Earth might be the most affecting MMO done in a dystopian setting yet. This podcast is your ticket to understanding what the excitement is all about. Join Ethec and Machail for the week in MMO news, then listen in as the staff and community toss Lee a variety of questions in this Loading... Live #18 - Fallen Earth dev chat!

Loading Live #17: Jumpgate Evolution Vooncast Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:56:32 -0400

Producer Hermann Peterscheck answers a host of audience questions while Codemasters Mike Rowland reveals new details about Jumpgate Evolution distribution in the seventeenth edition of Loading... Live. Even though JGE's release was delayed indefinitely, there's plenty of excitement and a well established community swirling around the game. After Machail and Ethec review this week in MMO news, the JGE team handles tough questions about the endgame, mining, crafting, smuggling, PvP, exploration and much more in this entertaining 46 minute podcast.

Loading... Live #16 - Aion Dev Chat Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:45:40 -0400

Aion's Lani "Liv" Blazier and Producer Brian Knox and a number of fans joined us for Loading... Live Episode 16 dev chat. We'll review the week in MMO news and jump straight into our dev Q&A. Through the successful launch in Korea, NCSoft has proven that it has a hit on its hands, and Lani and Brian will update us on NCSoft NA's progress on Aion. We'll learn that the localization project has been joined by a team of fantasy authors who aren't just making sure the game isn't just translated correctly from the Korean, but has a style and sense of humor that will distinctly fit English, German, and French audiences when the game launches later this year. That, plus crafting, lore, PvPvE attributes, and many more questions and answers await you in this entertaining 39 minute podcast!

Loading Live #14 - LotRO's Jeffrey Steefel on Book 8 Podcast Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:13:13 -0400

Lord of the Rings Online Senior Producer Jeffrey Steefel joins us for Loading... Live Episode 14, which is all about the fun surrounding LotRO's 2nd anniversary and what we can look forward to in the coming months. Volume 2 Book 8 will take us back into Moria to settle some unfinished business and then into Southern Mirkwood and Sauron's old stomping grounds, Dol Guldur. Plus, Jeffrey fields questions related to the upcoming Skirmish feature (which will allow players to command NPC troops in instances) and more great questions from the audience. It's all in this week's Loading... Live!

DDO Module 9 Loading... Live Podcast - Q&A Transcript Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:45:20 -0400

Ten Ton Hammer and a super knowledgeable audience recently played twenty questions with Dungeons & Dragons Online Senior Producer Kate Paiz regarding the upcoming addition to the game: Module 9. As you'll see, Module 9 has something to offer new and veteran DDO players, and Kate answers questions ranging from an upcoming tribute to the late David Arneson, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, to what the new level 20 cap means for players and classes to what Turbine is considering in future content. This transcript is a must-read (or the podcast is a must-listen- your choice, and you can choose both!) for all current or prospective DDO fans, so have a look and a listen right here at Ten Ton Hammer!

Loading Live #13 - DDO's Kate Paiz on Module 9 - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:23:08 -0400

Dungeons and Dragons Online Senior Producer Kate Paiz joins us for Loading... Live Episode 13, which is all about DDO Module 9. Plenty of new content and features await both new and veteran players with this module, which will raise the level cap to a DnD "natural" 20. After warming up with this week's MMO news, we ask Kate some general questions about the upcoming module before turning the mic over to the audience for in-depth questions about how Module 9 will change DDO for the better. It's all in this week's Loading... Live!

Loading... Live Tonight with Turbine for LotRO 2nd Anniversary and Book 8 - Ten Ton Hammer

B. de la Durantaye — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:35:12 -0400

Tonight on Ten Ton Hammer's weekly live podcast, Loading... Live, we welcome back LotRO Executive Producer, Jeffrey Steefel, to discuss Lord of the Rings Online Second Year Anniversary and the Book 8 content update. Listeners are welcome to join in to hear what Turbine has to say, and will also be given an opportunity to ask their own questions. Join us live on Voon at 7pm EST. The Loading... Live event can be joined directly from the events tab in the Voon client. Download the Voon Voice Client here.

Loading... Live Ep. 12 - GU 51 Dev Chat with EverQuest 2's Bruce Ferguson - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:11:20 -0400

EverQuest 2 Senior Producer Bruce Ferguson joins the twelfth episode of Loading... Live for April 9th, 2009. After our weekly MMO news update, Bruce shares the latest on EverQuest 2 and Game Update 51. We'll learn about how the latest content to hit EverQuest 2, Game Update 51, affected adventuring, crafting, raiding, and gear and get a glimpse of what we can expect with this year's upcoming FanFaire in June. Download or stream it from the Episode 12 show notes page, and feel free to comment below!

Loading... Live Ep. 11 - Dev Chat with Paul Barnett from GDC '09 - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:55:35 -0400

Creative Director Paul Barnett joins our eleventh Loading... Live vooncast from Game Developer's Conference 2009, though not in a Warhammer Online capacity. Instead, after we discuss this week in MMORPG news, Paul delivers his impressions on this year's low-key event and what game developers in general (and MMO designers in particular) need to do to succeed moving forward. If you like snappy, lazer-focused podcasts, this one might not be for you, but if you've seen a WAR presentation you know that one of the things that makes Paul a great communicator is that he speaks in parables. His capativating style is in full effect in this very informal and enjoyable 46-minute vooncast live from GDC 2009. Enjoy Loading... Live #11 - A GDC Dev Chat with Paul Barnett only at Ten Ton Hammer!

Loading Live #10 - Dev Chat with LotRO's Jeffrey Steefel & Xscript - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:15:37 -0400

Our tenth Loading... Live podcast is joined by Lord of the Rings Online Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel just days after the release of Volume 2 Book 7 and our arrival in Lothlorien. After our weekly MMO news report from Ben "Machail" de la Durantaye, host Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle quizzes Jeffrey on what Book 7 and the high reputation required respite will mean to players and where the action will continue in Book 8 and beyond. Afterwards Jeffrey speaks with the audience for a full 20 minutes, fielding questions about such hot topics as PvMP balance, boats, and mounted combat. Tune in for the full 40-minute podcast and be sure to check out the Q&A transcript as well!

Loading Live #9 38 Studios Dev Chat Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:20:46 -0400

For our ninth Loading... Live vooncast and fourth dev chat, we're joined by Curt Schilling and Steve Danuser of 38 Studios, currently deep in development on their super-secret MMORPG project with the working title of Copernicus. While they weren't able to discuss their MMO in particular, Curt and Steve had a number of insights about the MMO industry in general, from working with a new IP compared to an established license, to PvP and storytelling, to a surprisingly simply answer to what made WoW such a success, to Curt's interest in hex gaming and why the success of Copernicus would be good news for war gamers everywhere. Join us for an enjoyable chat with one of the industry's most promising development houses in Loading... Live #10 - A 38 Studios Dev Chat with Curt Schilling and Steve Danuser!

Loading Live #8 EVE Online: Apocrypha Dev Chat Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:35:00 -0400

The eighth Loading Live vooncast is joined by EVE Online Associate Producer Arend Stührmann just before the launch of EVE's tenth expansion, Apocrypha, on March 10th. Arend's a busy guy, and in addition to overseeing EVE China and the CCP side of EVE Voice, Cider and Cedega (the Mac and Linux ports of the game), he's also the product owner of the Wormholes concept. So exploration will be at the top of our questions list following this week in MMO news, and we'll also touch on the epic mission arc, factions, story, and other features of EVE's most revolutionary expansion yet! Check out the podcast and transcript at Ten Ton Hammer!

Loading… Live Episode 8 – EVE Online Dev Chat Transcript - Ten Ton Hammer

Sardu — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:27:47 -0400

Last week Ten Ton Hammer had the opportunity to discuss the recently released Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online with Associate Producer Arend Stührmann for the 8th episode of Loading… Live on Voon. Arend provided some excellent answers to questions posed by Ten Ton Hammer’s Jeff “Ethec” Woleslagle as well members of the audience who were listening in. A broad range of topics was discussed, providing some useful insight into everything from the New Player Experience enhancements and special effects improvements on up to the tactical potential of wormhole space.

For new and veteran EVE players alike, there’s plenty of great information waiting to be discovered in our full transcript of the event!

Loading... Live Ep. 7 - Champions Online Dev Chat Transcript Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:00:48 -0500

Loading... Live #7 brought you an exclusive live dev chat via vooncast with Champions Online Executive Producer Bill Roper and Victoria Voss of Cryptic Studios. Learn the latest about Champions Online, including when we might see the centerpiece of Champions lore, Millenium City, in beta, how customizable powers lead to better gameplay, what perks, ranks, and roles mean to the game, when we might hear a release date announcement, and much more! We'll post the actual podcast tomorrow, but for now enjoy 30 minutes of questions condensed into something you can enjoy without the audio - the Loading... Live #7 Champions Online dev chat transcript, only at Ten Ton Hammer!

Loading... Live Episode 6 - Dev Chat w/ STO's Craig Zinkievich - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:59:49 -0500

Ten Ton Hammer's sixth episode of Loading... Live is joined by Star Trek Online Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich. We didn't have enough time for audience questions at the NY Comic-Con 2009 Star Trek Online panel, so Craig graciously offered to stop by for over twenty minutes of hard-hitting questions from the Ten Ton Hammer crew and the audience. Will the Borg be a playable at launch? Will reptilian and non-human races be available as avatars or bridge crew? How is STO's development progressing? Answers to this and dozens of in-depth questions in this entertaining Loading... Live dev chat with Craig Zinkievich!

Loading... Live Episode 6: Star Trek Online with Craig Zinkievich - Full Transcript - Ten Ton Hammer

Sardu — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:48:04 -0500

Last Thursday we had an excellent opportunity to speak with Craig Zinkievich, executive producer for Star Trek Online for our 6th episode of the weekly Loading… Live Vooncast. Not only did Craig provide some awesome answers to questions posed by the Ten Ton Hammer staff, but we also opened up questions to the fans listening in during the live broadcast. Since many fans weren’t able to attend however, we’ve put together a full transcription of the event for your viewing enjoyment:

Garrett – Cool. The other one that I’m looking at real quick, which is raid-style content. “Do you plan on having any kind of PvE raid content? How many people will be able to go? Will the raids be on the ground, will they be in space?” There’s certainly a lot to mess around with there.

Craig – And that’s one of the things that we’re really iterating on internally right now. There definitely will be raid level content in the game. The full on details – how many people, space or ground – we don’t have all the details worked out, but I mean, we already go in and fight Borg Cubes with 10, 15 of us on the dev team. So I guess that’s what I’d call raid level content.

Click here to read the full transcript of the Loading… Live: Star Trek Online Vooncast!

Loading... Live Episode 5 - NYCC '09 Wrapup Released - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:14:12 -0500

A tired Ten Ton Hammer crew returns from New York Comic-Con (Feb. 6th-7th, 2009) with plenty a-story to tell. We'll review all the news and latest revelations from Warhammer Online, FusionFall, 38 Studios and Copernicus, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and DC Universe Online in this special NYCC '09 wrap-up edition of Loading... Live!

Loading... Live Episode 4 - Web Comics with JoBildo - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:50:31 -0500

Ten Ton Hammer's fourth episode of Loading... Live sees Comics Artist William "JoBildo" Murphy join as a guest. JoBildo has written plenty of Ten Ton Hammer guides and articles for Age of Conan and Warhammer Online, but last summer we found he had a talent that set him apart: web comics. Starting with the Age of Conan-themed "Lost in Hyboria" and \"WAR-Torn" then continuing into WoW's "Gub & Begud" and the MMO news-themed "Geeked", JoBildo traces his journey, names his inspirations, and tells aspiring artists how to get started and then get noticed! Download it, stream it, or otherwise read about it by clicking here, then discuss below!

Loading... Live Vooncast Schedule for Jan. / Feb. Posted - Ten Ton Hammer

Ethec — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:34:04 -0500

Our Loading... Live Vooncast schedule is finally in place for the rest of January and February, and we have a few nice surprises waiting for your live listening and participating pleasure:

ALL EVENTS IN ROOM "TEN TON EVENTS" UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.

(Note: Loading... Live - NY Comic-Con '09 Preview scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5th is cancelled due to time constraints. However, we will be broadcasting the MMO Panels live for Ten Ton Hammer premium members and pre-recorded for all Voon listeners. )

Live streaming audio from Ten Ton Hammer MMO Panels & Presentations from New York Comic Con 2009 - Top developers will be joining Ten Ton Hammer at NY Comic-Con 2009 on Saturday, February 7th, 2009 for a day of quality presentations and a roundtable on Saturday, February 7th, 2009. Live streaming audio in room "Ten Ton Premium" for Premium Members only, recordings will be available after the event for all listeners.
- 11:15 am EST - Mythic Entertainment – Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning with Executive Producer Jeff Hickman and Creative Director Paul Barnett.
- 12:30 pm EST – Cartoon Network – Fusion Fall Online with Exec. Producer Chris Waldron and Content Designer Matt Schwartz
- 1:45 pm EST – 38 Studios with User Interface Expert Irena Pereira, Community Manager Steve Danuser, and Director of Art Thom Ang
- 3:00 pm EST – Cryptic Studios with Star Trek Online's Craig Zinkievich and Champions Online's Bill Roper.
- 4:15 pm – SOE - DC Universe Online with Jim Lee
- 5:30 pm – MMO Roundtable with developers from all five panels and a few special guests.
Loading... Live #5 - Best of NYCC '09 - Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 7 PM EST - Garrett Fuller will return to talk about the highlights and lowlights of our day of panels at New York Comic Con on Feb. 7th!
Loading... Live #6 - Star Trek Online - Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 7 PM EST - STO Exec. Producer Craig Zinkievich stops by to share the latest on the first MMO to take us into the final frontier!
Loading... Live #7 - Champions Online - Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at 7 PM EST - Cryptic Studios devs will be on-hand to share the latest on Champions Online!

Download Voon at http://www.tentonhammer.com/voon , create an account, and tune in!

March is almost complete as well, we'll get the list out as soon as everyone's confirmed. In the meantime, any requests for special guests?