Rift Update 1.5: Ashes of History is scheduled to launch next week (no, there's not an official date yet), and we had the opportunity to attend a press conference with Executive Producer Scott Hartsman and Design Producer Hal Hanlin to learn all about the new features that are being added to the six-month-old MMO.

The duo began the press conference by outlining the major features of Update 1.5. “For Ashes of History, we are beginning to herald the rumored area that's over the water. Part of that will be a world event where we start rebuilding some traveling stones,” Hanlin said. To be clear, the event won't start next week with the launch of the update. He then mentioned that the new Chronicles duo instances have everyone buzzing, as well as the solo Chronicles of Attunement. As Hartsman put it, that's the ceremony that “takes you from a level 50 to making you a super Ascended.”

Of course, there's more to the Ashes of History update than the world event and the Chronicles. They both mentioned the Planar Attunement post-50 advancement feature, the new Library of the Runemasters Warfront, Veteran Rewards, the Master Dungeon mode and the beginning of AddOns. Keep reading after the jump for all of the details on the patch!

If you had asked me a year ago what Final Fantasy XIV would be like at its one-year anniversary, my prediction would have been glowing.

Like many people, I ignored the warning signs – the lag and problems throughout alpha and beta testing, the surprisingly early release date just ahead of a World of Warcraft expansion, even the lack of attention devoted to Final Fantasy XI during the previous couple of years.

Now, here we are. Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary in Eorzea for those of us who bought the collector’s edition. A week later, people who saved money on the standard edition will notch their one-year marks. While most anniversaries are events to be celebrated – and while there is much to be happy about regarding the recent updates to the game – I can’t help but wonder whether we should be celebrating at all.

Discuss this in the ZAM forums!

Patch 1.5 is on the horizon, but in the meantime some of us still have raids to conquer!  We're pleased to bring you the another installment of ZAM Rift's series of raid mob guides: River of Souls.

You can start with our River of Souls zone page or go right to any of the bosses: 

• Warmaster Galenir
• Dark Focus
• Herald Gaurath
• Plutonus the Immortal
• Alsbeth the Discordant

Attention Han Solo fans! BioWare just released its character progression video for the Smuggler in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Check it out below to get a glimpse at the Republic class in action, including the Scoundrel and Gunslinger advanced classes.

If that's not enough to cure your SW:TOR itch, then you may want to read through a new blog entry by Senior Writer Alexander Freed about the game's story in comics and novels. You can also watch BioWare's PAX Prime highlights video.

Greenscale's Blight is the second dungeon in the Chronicles of Telara. It's on the Public Test Shard, and scheduled for release with Update 1.5 in late September. This instance covers all the bosses of the raid instance.

In this newest chapter in the Chronicles of Telara, small bands of Telarans are called to the nameless temple under Stillmoor where Thorvin Sternhammer and his allies defeated and imprisoned Lord Greenscale. The most feared of the Blood Storm, Lord Greenscale once wrought destruction upon Telara the like of which had never seen. Every forest turned into an aggressive force at his command, entangling the world in vines which devoured entire cities.

Those who dare enter will encounter the House Aelfwar, assisted by the treasonous Prince Hylas and his senior followers, who now seek to dispel the magic holding Lord Greenscale and send his wretched path of poison and destruction once more against Telara. Only upon reaching the antechamber will the Heroes of Telara find the respite of alliance with those whose destiny is to end the terror of Lord Greenscale once and for all.

Join us on a video preview of Chronicles of Telara: Greenscale's Blight after the jump!

Trion announced at Gamesom that Patch 1.5 would contain a new level of dungeons: Master Mode. Intended to be a step up in difficulty from the Expert Mode dungeons, they require gearing comparable to being able to participate in Tier 1 raiding, as well as a high level of coordination and communication. On the Public Test Shard the loot was all of Tier 1 raid quality and included Marks of Ascension.

Below you'll see ZAM's video preview of Darkening Deeps in Master Mode. This includes a new, extra boss encounter, and various additions to traditional mechanics. Standard disclaimer: remember, anything on PTS may change before it goes live.

SOE's "Back to School Bonanza" is still in effect until 11:59pm PDT tonight, September 5th. Players can enjoy double Station Cash on all purchases, excluding SMS, as well as double experience in-game. Qualifying inactive accounts are also invited back to play for free until the bonanza ends tonight.

The Far Seas caravans rolled into Darklight Wood on September 1st, bringing their wares for the monthly City Festival. Neriak is proud to feature three new local specialties: Blue Marble Pedestal Table, Winged Blue Streetlamp and Winged Purple Streetlamp. The Flying Freebooters have joined the festivities and a new Aether Racing course is also available this month. The Aether Race and City Festival run concurrently and both end at 11:59pm PDT on September 7th.

On the 20th of this month, the phases of the moon will once again be aligned, revealing the secret grottos. Moonlight Enchantments will begin on 12:01am PDT on September 20th and will conclude at 11:59pm PDT on September 21st. No new items are expected to be on the grotto merchants.

The Velious Transportation Event, which focuses on the reactivation of the Dragon Ring and Wizard Spires, is still underway. According to the event's creator, Gninja, "The merchant will remain for all servers regardless of completion or not but the ground spawns will stop spawning once the event is completed on each server respectively (took effect after GU61). The ground spawns will remain for servers that have not completed the event until the event is completed."

Today ZAM was fortunate to interview Benjamin "Foghladha" Foley, event host and leader of the Gaiscioch Family, about the upcoming season of the Telara Saga, a live-action introduction to the lore of Telara.

Foghladha told ZAM, "The Telara Saga is a community event where we tell a story through action; by living rather than reading. What we do is tell a story, and then put people into that story. There is no roleplay required, although it's completely welcome. This is more an event where people can learn about Telara and build lasting memories, as well as bringing the community together."

"What I want to do is show people there is a lot more to the game than raiding," Foghladha said. "If you're out there chasing gear, it's going to come to an end sometime.  There will always be that max each tier of best-in-slot.  And then there's nowhere to go. When you're out there chasing memories, the game never stops.”

Here at ZAM Rift Nepabrite's been working hard to update our boss mob pages with strategies and videos.  We're proud to bring you the first in a series of raid mob guides, starting with Drowned Halls.

You can start with our Drowned Halls zone page or go right to any of the bosses: 

• Assault Commander Jorb
• Joloral Ragetide
• Isskal
• High Priestess Hydriss

With Rift Patch 1.5, expected around the end of September, Trion is adding Chronicles of Telara solo dungeon content to Rift.  This week on the Public Test Shard we got to check out Chronicles of Telara: Hammerknell.

In the Chronicles of Telara: Hammerknell the individual Telaran is challenged to fight alongside the Runeguard in the epic battle for the future of Telara. It's a beautiful zone; a lot of work has gone into the art and music.  You'll also learn a little more about the history of Hammerknell Fortress and have a chance at some nice gear.

Those who dare enter the gates will encounter the Runeguard Commander and the remnants of what had once been a formidable military force.  With these new allies and the craftsmanship of the now-fallen Dwarves, you will champion against the maniacal monarchy as it bids to gain a foothold in Telara.

Today we bring you not one but two preview videos of Chronicles of Telara: Hammerknell. The first is from ZAM's own Nepabrite, who also does our boss strategy videos.  The second was submitted by Torrac of the guild Result on Immerwacht.

See both preview videos after the jump!