There’s a strange new MMO that’s hitting the streets later this year, and it’s like nothing else we’ve played before. There’s no dedicated tanking or healing, so combat looks completely different. It doesn’t have any endgame raiding, with everything revolving around PvP combat. It doesn’t even require a monthly subscription in order to play.

You’ve probably heard us talking about how Guild Wars 2 breaks the traditional MMO rule set, but doesn’t that mean it’s setting itself up to fail? ArenaNet doesn’t believe so, and for once we’re inclined to agree with them. The choices they’ve made actually make sense for the game that they’ve built, even though sometimes it’s not immediately obvious. I mean, why does end-game begin at level one?

We’ve done a bit of a thought experiment here at ZAM, collecting the top five most common arguments against Guild Wars 2. We’ve then applied intense scrutiny to these arguments before pulling them apart like delicious cake, all for your pleasure. See which ones stand up to our analysis and which ones crumble like the finest chocolate sponge. Grab yourself a plate as we dig in but remember: no leaving crumbs.

Traversing Telara is an exclusive series of articles from Trion Worlds that explores Rift's lore and gameplay mechanics through the eyes of one intrepid adventurer. It's a great read and a fantastic introduction to the world of Telara. Even if you're a veteran of Rift, you might enjoy hearing about the game from another perspective! Read on for Issue #7: Sanctum and Eliam Fields!

Catch up on all the past issues of Traversing Telara here!

Mixing two parts deadly with two parts beautiful, Tor Exsul's lush oases hides deadly demons and arachnens ready to ambush the unwary explorer. If this sounds like your cup of tea (and really, for everyone playing TERA, mixing gorgeous graphics and deadly encounters is just the way things go), then check out ZAM's exclusive flythrough zone preview of Tor Exsul!

Are you all excited about RIFT's Patch 1.8: Infernal Dawn? Tomorrow Trion Worlds has announced that they will be hosting their first ever live stream event to explore Infernal Dawn, their new 20-person raid coming this week. Throughout the live stream, the team will be exploring the halls of Infernal Dawn, although they stress that they won't be spoiling any fights. They will, however, be highlighting the lore of the dungeon, as well as answering questions where applicable. At least you'll get to see each boss up close!

You can catch the live stream Tuesday, 4/17 @ 11:30am PDT on RIFT's Official Facebook page. See you there!

Game Update 63 is on the horizon, opening up two more adventuring levels (for those with 280+ AAs), two additional crafting levels, new apprentices and mercenaries and, most importantly, new content in the form of an overlands zone and dungeon. The dragon ruler of Skyshrine, Yelinak, united Freeport and Qeynos into a wary alliance named the New Combine Empire, and instructed them on how to break through the storm barrier and reach the Withered Lands.

Upon reaching the Withered Lands, adventurers are greeted by the New Combine Empire, which is having some growing pains as well as trouble progressing through the corrupted forest on its way to Skyshrine. Several times throughout the zone these soldiers call upon players for assistance with new obstacles in the foreign environment.

The Withered Lands were once known as the Wakening Lands; during this time long ago, the Plane of Growth touched this region. Creatures known as the Protectors of Growth were dedicated to preserving the area and would defend it to the death. The corruption of the forest has taken a toll on the Protectors of Growth and their numbers have dwindled. They now welcome help from outsiders within the few sanctuaries that remain.

The Deepwater Circle is present all over the Withered Lands, seeking help with their research. Many of its members are intrigued by the new environment and how the corruption has affected the once lush forests. Other researchers are dedicated to trying to help the various natives of the region with the problems plaguing them.

A final stop before the dragon city of Skyshrine is the Village of Alivan, a dracurion outpost. The denizens here have their own troubles with the legion of the Awakened assaulting them and contact with Skyshrine cut off. Assist the dracurions to pave the way for the New Combine Empire to help the dragon city in its battle against the Awakened.

Game Update 63 is slated to launch on Tuesday, April 17. Check out our Withered Lands Zone Guide and Quest Series Guide!

Later this week, EverQuest II (EQII) players will finally be able to open the second book in the Destiny of Velious expansion, with the release of Game Update 63: Skyshrine. With over a hundred new quests, a level cap raised to 92 and new dungeon and raid content, the update also promises a substantial slice of story for players to feast on.

There’s been a steady build up to Skyshrine, it being the first major release of new content since Sony’s flagship MMO switched to a Free-to-Play model in December 2011. Since then, the development team has been hard at work developing new areas and bringing the continuing Ages End Prophecy saga to life. 

Although much of the Game Update has been available on the Test Server since mid-March, there’s no better way to experience a world than with the people who helped create it. Fortunately, I was invited on a tour of the Withered Lands and Skyshrine with the expert guides of EQII producer Holly Longdale and game designer Carlos Mora at the helm. As well as showing some of the incredible locations, they also shared some of the lore behind the game update.

ZAM is also having a small twitter contest to give away three Tauntaun Fawn mini-pet codes! Just tweet / follow @ZAMOfficial or @Pwyff with a Star Wars: The Old Republic themed haiku, and we'll select three lucky winners by 5pm EST! You may enter one haiku per twitter account for a total of two entries! Be sure to follow us, or we can't directly message you with your winning code!

Yesterday was an exciting day for Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), as its long-awaited game update 1.2 launched, albeit without ranked warzones. Still, there's a lot of content - UI customization, a new warzone, a new operation, the entire legacy system - to be explored, so there don't appear to be too many complaints. At PAX East last week, we got the opportunity to sit down with SWTOR's Game Director, James Ohlen, to discuss some of the philosophical changes coming in 1.2, as well as some of the newly planned content for Update 1.3. Read on!

A group of Rift reviewers from all sorts of MMO sites gathered together on Wednesday to discuss the game’s newest update, Infernal Dawn. Hal Hanlin and Adam Gershowitz started the show, and Scott Hartsman showed up to answer all our questions about patch 1.8, which comes with big changes: a new raid, new auxiliary skills, Leaderboards, the Guild Finder, and more!

Phase 6 of the Carnival of the Ascended is slated to begin on Thursday, April 12. During this phase the denizens of the Earth and Fire planes launch their assault upon Telara, causing both Guardians and Defiants to put aside their differences for the greater good. A new zone event pits the Ascended against the invaders of the Wanton Maw.

Earn your final Pyrite Doubloon during this phase by confronting the Fire and Earth lords in Freemarch or Silverwood. Contribute to the phase goal by defeating Earth and Fire zone events to unlock the Phase 6 title of the Planar Defender. A new Ascended Goods merchant and currency will be introduced, both of which will also be present in the next world event.

This is the final phase that the majority of the carnival event merchants, including the Moneychanger, will be available. Spend your remaining Glass Beads and Prize Tickets before this phase comes to a close. Title collectors should keep a few extra Glass Beads on hand -- the only carnival merchant that will remain after the conclusion of Phase 6 is the Event Title vendor.

Patch 1.8: Infernal Dawn is expected to hit servers later this month and will feature two new tradeskills, Fishing and Survival, a Guild Finder tool, a new world event and more. Take a look as the Ascended face off against Maelforge and Laethys in Trion's latest trailer!