Online Gaming News

Tales of Pirates: New Server Released July 3 @ 8 PM source

To cope with the ever-increasing numbers, Tales of Pirates (http://top.igg.com) has released a new server called Mist Isle at 4:00am on July 3rd. ToP welcome you to join the fun on this new server, and to kick things off, there have three exciting activities to celebrate the launch:
1. Leveling Contest
From the release of the new server Mist Isle until July 9th , the 25 players who reach the highest levels within this week will be recognized as Mist Isle Leveling Heroes, and will be rewarded with the following prizes:

Prizes:
First Prize(3): Level 20 normal pet fairy (players can choose their favorite pet fairy) +Chest of Enigma
Second Prize(5): Level 10 normal pet fairy (players can choose their favorite pet fairy) +Chest of Enigma
Third Prize(12): Chest of Enigma
Lucky prize(20): Chest of Demonic World

2.Double Experience
Double Experience will start from 12:00 a.m. July 3rd to 12:00 a.m. July 14th

3. Who will be the next Newbie King?
At 1:00 pm July 5th, many monsters with high defense and low attack will be roaming around the new server – defeating a monster will bring players considerable experience.

For more information, visit http://top.igg.com/main.php.

Sony PlayStation Site Hacked With 'Scareware' (TechWeb) July 3 @ 7 AM source

TechWeb - InformationWeek - The site runs a script that pretends to do an online security scan of your computer and presents a bogus warning message that your PC is infected with malware, researchers said.

Latest PS3 Firmware Update Requires Hard Disk Wipe to Fix July 3 @ 1 AM source

An anonymous reader writes "Earlier today Sony launched firmware V2.40 for the PS3 which is mandatory for online play. Too my horror after installing the update my console wouldn't boot, and this appears to be a not uncommon problem affecting PS3's of all age and model. Although there is rampant fanboy denial over at the official Playstation forums, the Kotaku article details issue and has a suggested solution if you don't mind yanking your PS3's hard drive."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Predators use gaming consoles to 'get foot in the door' (USATODAY.com) July 2 @ 8 PM source

USATODAY.com - Sexual predators are using gaming consoles such as the Wii, PlayStation and Xbox to meet children online.

'World of Warcraft' to sell token device for added security (CNET) July 1 @ 2 AM source

CNET - The makers of World of Warcraft are offering players of the online role-playing game an optional layer of security in the form of an electronic token device called Blizzard Authenticator designed to prevent unauthorized access to an account.

Microsoft reportedly to cut price of Xbox 360 to $299 (Reuters) July 1 @ 12 AM source

Reuters - Microsoft Corp plans to
cut the price of its best-selling Xbox 360 Pro model by $50, to
$299 in the next few weeks, the Hollywood Reporter reported
citing anonymous sources.

Managing the PlayStation 3 Wi-Fi Network June 27 @ 12 AM source

LinucksGirl writes "In this article Terra Soft show you how to configure and encrypt, step-by-step, the built-in Wi-Fi network that comes with the Cell Broadband Engine-based Sony PlayStation 3. And, as a little bonus, get 16 quick steps that explain how to switch from a wireless network back to a wired network on the PS3."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

LGP To Introduce Game Copy Protection June 25 @ 12 AM source

libredr writes "Phoronix reports that Linux Game Publishing have developed an Internet-based copy protection which will be used in their upcoming commercial game port, such as Sacred: Gold. Any user will be able to install the game, but to launch it he will need to provide a valid key and a password, which are validated against LGP's servers. The key/password combination will allow a user to install the software on different computers. However, an Internet connection will be required even for a single-player game, which might be a hassle for some users. This scheme has enraged some of the beta testers and LGP CEO, Michael Simms, responded he regrets he has to introduce a copy protection scheme, but has to do this since a lot more people download their titles instead of buying them, to the point they even received support requests for pirated version. But will every pirated copy magically transforms into a sale, or will this scheme just annoy legitimate users and be cracked anyway? One really wonders."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Long-awaited game 'Spore' shows first signs of life online (USATODAY.com) June 18 @ 3 PM source

USATODAY.com - The video game Spore begins its life cycle Tuesday. For its first baby step, the game's Spore Creature Creator goes live at www.spore.com. The program, for Windows and Macintosh PCs, lets players design creatures using the game's editing tools. Those creations will populate the world - actually, the galaxies - of Spore when the full game launches Sept. 7. In addition to the free trial download, a $10 retail version is also sold in stores (copies sold at Amazon.com and Target have a $5 rebate for the full game).

Video game sales on winning streak, study projects (Reuters) June 18 @ 10 AM source

Reuters - The video game industry
is expected to shoot from $41.9 billion in global sales last
year to $68.3 billion in 2012, a compound annual growth rate of
10.3 percent and better than all other media sectors except for
online advertising and access.