Last week, Obsidian Entertainment of Neverwinter Nights 2 fame, announced that it had entered into a partnership with Mail.ru and the Allods Online team to bring Skyforge to the MMO space. In today's Free Zone, we opine as to whether or not that was a good decision. See what we think before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

For some time now, I've also been curious if Obsidian would get involved in the MMOG space. That was answered last Friday by the announcement that it will work on one called Skyforge. While I've yet to see any specifics as to what duties are involved, I've been aware of the title since was revealed around two years ago. The developer is the studio that created Allods Online. Originally part of Nival, it went through a couple of ownership changes and is now part of Mail.Ru, the leading provider of Internet services in the Russian-speaking region. The latter is one of the top online game publishers there, but apparently not with the dominant position it had a few years ago when it laid claim to half the market. 

Read more of Richard Aihoshi's The Free Zone: Has Obsidian's Future Become Brighter or Darker?

With today's announcement that ArenaNet would be dropping the price of Guild Wars 2, lots of players have expressed interesting in knowing some of the reasons behind that decision. We participated in a conference call with Colin Johanson to find out more about the decision and more about Guild Wars 2 going forward. 

"Guild Wars 2 is in a solid place. The drop in price aligns almost exactly with what we did with Guild Wars 1. It held its value over a long period of time and we feel that Guild Wars 2 will do the same. We don't feel we need a big price drop. The game is in a really good place with consistent, steady growth."

Read more of Suzie Ford's Guild Wars 2: 'Consistent Steady Growth Puts Us in a Good Place'.

The Elder Scrolls Online team has made some interesting decisions when it comes to the game's PvP content. In our latest ESO column, we take a look at the pros and cons of those decisions. See if you agree (or disagree) with our thinking before joining the discussion in the comments.

As I said above, I’m pretty excited that a lot of the folks who once worked on Dark Age of Camelot’s RvR are heading up the team working on Elder Scrolls Online AvA. Brian Wheeler was one of the ingredients that made the magic happen in DAOC.  He was also part of the WAR team, but we can’t put that game’s failings on one man’s shoulders, so we’ll just sidestep it and chalk it up as a learning process.  At least we know ESO will have three factions as opposed to the inherently broken two.

Read more of Bill Murphy's Elder Scrolls Online: On Cyrodiil as World PvP.

In this bi-weekly comic, artist Blaz Klaric brings us his irreverent look into the foibles of the MMO worlds we love, and love to hate. Check out this week's installment, Farming!

Sony Online Entertainment has announced that this year's SOE Live event will feature the first information about EverQuest Next. After the keynote address, fans will have the opportunity to learn much more about the game via several panels featuring the development team.

On Friday, August 2nd, attendees at SOE Live will witness the unveiling of the highly anticipated EverQuest Next! Be among the first to see game features and development plans during a keynote address by Director of Development Dave Georgeson and members of the EverQuest Next team. Following the keynote, SOE Live passholders will be able to ask questions and learn more in-depth information from the developers during a number of panels.

Whether you're a long-time EverQuest enthusiast or just curious about the next big thing in gaming, don't miss this exciting chance to get your first look at EverQuest Next. SOE Live is the only place for all the insider information, so register today! 

Source: SOE Live site.

ArenaNet has announced that pricing for Guild Wars 2 will permanently be reduced in order to bring new players into the aggressively updated game at unprecedented levels. From now on, players can purchase Guild Wars 2 for $49.99 for the standard edition and $69.99 for the digital deluxe edition.

ArenaNet planned the announcement for 11:00 a.m. EDT today but other sites have broken the embargo set by the development and publishing teams.

In a game that has become the new standard in MMO game development and with the new price points, we expect the world of Tyria will become the new online destination for new role players and those looking for an ever-changing gaming experience.

More information will be available on the Guild Wars 2 site after the embargo officially lifts at 11:00 a.m. EDT.

Perfect World and Cryptic Studios have revealed the "Caturday Survivor Pack" gift that players will receive in compensation for this past weekend's Astral Diamond exploit. The package is filled with useful and interesting items including a Stone of Health, a Dwarven Mask and much more.

Case in point: this past weekend, the Neverwinter community helped us to identify a major exploit involving the Auction House and Astral Diamond Exchange, which we promptly addressed through a number of corrective actions, including permanent bans on exploitative accounts and a necessary rollback to the time before the exploit was initiated.  We realize the frustration that the rollback and related downtime may have caused and are deeply sorry for this inconvenience.  We’re also overwhelmed by your positive support and patience during the downtime, as well as your assistance in identifying the issue and helping us to develop and implement a solution as quickly as possible.

We’d like to thank you in the best way possible: by giving you some fun free stuff in-game to recognize your support throughout the Neverwinter Open Beta period.

Check out the full details on the Neverwinter site.

Sony Online Entertainment has announced that the open beta for Dragon's Prophet will begin on May 30th. In addition to this announcement, SOE has lifted the non-disclosure agreement for current closed beta testers who can now reveal their thoughts about the game.

Players will be transported to the dragon-filled, beautiful world of Auratia, where they can capture, train, ride, and fight hundreds of unique dragons. Dragon's Prophet features an action-based combat system that gives players visceral battle action gameplay. Set in a realm where dragons roam the land, sea and air, the game lets players band together to battle a variety of dragons as they work to restore order to the land from the evil Black Dragon that has escaped his eternal prison, and is more dangerous than ever. 

Learn more about the game on the Dragon's Prophet site.

Today is a big for Star Trek Online with the release of the Legacy of Romulus expansion. We managed to catch up to Daniel Stahl to talk more about LoR and it's an interview you won't want to miss. Check it out before heading to the comments to weigh in on the discussion.

MMORPG.com: How will the expansion affect the Foundry, if at all?

Daniel Stahl: This update has very little impact on the Foundry other than it opens the door for future updates where Foundry authors will be able to create mission designed exclusively for Romulan characters. We will be updating the Foundry later this year with this ability along with other Romulan assets.

Read more of Garrett Fuller's Star Trek Online: Daniel Stahl Talks Legacy of Romulus.

Wargaming has revealed some of the big changes coming to World of Tanks with the next update. Artillery will feel more balanced to players after the update, something they have been asking about for a long while.

Current tier 8 SPGs will be promoted to tier X, while the newly introduced SPGs in Update 8.6 will take their place in the middle tiers. The American tech tree will be bolstered with M44 and M53/55 artillery units, while the Soviet line will be filled out with SU-122A and SU-14-1. The German tech line will be strengthened with three machines: 10.5 GW Mk.IV(e), Pz.Sfl.IVb, and G.W.Tiger (P). Lastly, the French will receive AMX Obusier automoteur de 105 and Bat.Chatillon155 (55) artilleries.

Keep an eye on the World of Tanks for more information.

Sony Online Entertainment is inviting all former PlanetSide subscribers to come back for a tenth anniversary celebration. As an enticement, all paying players of the past will receive a complimentary six-month subscription.

In addition, SOE's John Smedley has announced that PlanetSide will be going F2P in the future.

It's been ten years since the Terran Republic, Vanu Sovereignty, and New Conglomerate first fought viciously over terrain in PlanetSide 1, a tradition that continues as conflict rages across Indar, Esamir, and Amerish in PlanetSide 2. Join us in celebrating this anniversary by remembering your service in PlanetSide 1.

Visit the PlanetSide site for more information.

Some of the folks who pledged for the development of Star Citizen will be receiving an in-game ship that can be customized and inspected via a new mobile application currently in development. The team has created a video to show off the work in progress that is pretty awesome. Check it out!

The state of Rhode Island has announced that it will be selling off the assets from the now-defunct 38 Studios in an effort to recoup losses from the loan the company defaulted on last year. Of most interest to potential buyers are the assets from 38's only game, Kingdoms of Amalur.

"Who knows what the value ultimately will be," said Providence lawyer Richard J. Land. "But there is interest in the assets."

The company's most-valuable assets were its intellectual property -- the drawings, designs and work related to its video games and the computer software supporting the games.

Read more at ProvidenceJournal.com.

After a tiny teaser image appeared on the Guild Wars 2 site last week, a lot of speculation began about what it would mean to the game. This week, the answers are revealed by ArenaNet in a new teaser page and press information about the second content update for the month of May, scheduled to hit servers at the end of the month.

• New Improved World XP: ArenaNet has improved the award system for World XP in World vs. World, allowing players to gain rewards for a much wider range of activities in the Mists – everything from destroying siege weapons, repairing walls, escort missions and more.
• Greater Variety and More Rewards in WvW: Earn World XP for playing the way you want with WvW daily achievements. Each time players gain a new World rank, they’ll earn a bonus chest with WvW loot.
• New WvW Abilities and Matchup Changes: Choose to become even deadlier in The Mists with new abilities like Burning Oil Mastery or new ranks in Defense Against Guards. WvW matches allow players to face new opponents in new matchups and test their world’s skill against more foes.
• Custom PvP Arenas and Spectator Mode Beta: Based on feedback from beta players, ArenaNet has been able to fix bugs and further improve these new features. Now players can extend the time of their favorite custom arenas with added Custom Arena Time Tokens in the Gem Store.
• Introducing Infusions and Ascended Gear in WvW: ArenaNet has introduced the ability to purchase Ascended rings and amulets and to upgrade WvW abilities with six new Infusions that give players’ characters special WvW bonuses. Just speak to the new Laurel and Badge Merchants on each map.
• New Southsun Cove Rewards: Players can find their very own Mini Reef Rider – a loyal floating friend available only until June 11. Dedicated defenders of the Southsun settlers can also earn rare new limited-edition rewards from creatures and chests in Southsun Cove, and by playing Crab Toss.
• Exclusive Southsun Items: Players who help keep the peace during the Secret of Southsun can earn two exclusive new back items, the floral Fervid Censer and the writhing Sclerite Karka Shell. 

Read more on the Guild Wars 2 site.

The latest in the "Ask Us Anything" series of articles by the Elder Scrolls Online team has been published on the official site. This time, players asked questions and received answers all about gathering and exploration. 

Which crafting professions will be in ESO and what do they allow me to create? – By Jara Schlemm

In The Elder Scrolls Online, you can choose from five crafting professions which allow you to make a variety of useful items, enhancements, and equipment. Each of the crafting professions are reminiscent of ones you’ve seen in previous Elder Scrolls games. They are:

• Weaponsmith – Weapons of all types
• Armorsmith – Armors of all types
• Enchantments – Staffs, Jewelry and Glyphs (enchantments)
• Alchemist – Potions
• Provisioner – Food and Drink

Read the full Q&A on the Elder Scrolls Online site.

Now that the Guild Wars 2 Live Story is moving on with the arrival of The Secret of Southsun, we wanted to give the new content an in depth look. See what we think before leaving your impressions of Southsun in the comments.

Dynamic events have always littered the island of Southsun Cove.  But new ones have been added to help expand on the new event’s story.  You’ll see some riots break out, and things get pretty crazy.  You’ll have to hold refugees back from causing mischief.  I felt bad beating them up.  These new events are far too few.  While Crab Toss will add some life to the event, I felt like the refugees and consortium would butt heads way more than what we see. The build it made it sound like things were way worse than they are. 

Read more of David North's Guild Wars 2: Uncovering the Secret of Southsun.

If nothing else, your character might enjoy relaxing on the beach.

The next World of Warcraft patch is looming large on the horizon with tons of new information released about it recently. In our latest WoW Factor, we take a deeper look at what v5.3: Escalation will mean for players. Check it out and then leave us your thoughts about the next update in the comments.

Whether you fight for the Alliance or the Horde the objective for both factions remains the same: Remove Garrosh from his seat of power in Orgrimmar. The Barrens in Kalimdor serve as the focus of a new set of daily and weekly quests where those who have not sided with Garrosh will make preparations for the inevitable assault on the heavily fortified Horde city. In the Northern Barrens, a weekly quest will have players hunting for four different resources: oil, wood, meat and stone. These resources can be found in various locations including the Caravan Escort missions that I discussed in my last 5.3 preview article. 

Read more of Reza Lackey's The WoW Factor: A Deep Look at Patch 5.3.

Welcome to another episode of Game On: Epic Slant Press Edition! This week we’re joined by Liore of RIFT Junkies, the Herding Cats blog, and Cat Context podcast for our RIFT F2P Special! Each of the hosts has a long history with the game and an extensive knowledge of the community that loves it. Join us as we talk about the big announcement and what it might mean for the future of the game!

Check it out on our Game On page!

One of the most popular of any MMO's features is the dungeon system. In our latest Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn column, we take a look at a dungeon run through the eyes of a beta tester. Check it out before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

Tam Tara Deepcroft is the first dungeon available to beta players.  It is located in the central shroud, just south of Bentbranch Meadows.  The dungeon is designed for a “light party” of four players (full parties are eight players) and is tuned for players in the 15-19 level range.  At least for the present, entry into dungeons requires at least one player to run out to the dungeon entrance to talk to a gatekeeper NPC.  The remainder of the party need only be in the same zone as the instance.

Read more of Ryahl Smith's Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn - Dungeons in Final Fantasy XIV.