MAG has gone gold, and all is on course for its January 26th North American release. Now all Zipper Interactive and Sony have to do is make sure the game doesn't explode on launch day, so they're holding an open beta for the game between January 4th and January 10th. When they say open, they mean extremely open. If you are in a territory with the PlayStation Network, then you're in. Simply log into the PlayStation Network tomorrow, download the MAG open beta demo, start it up, and wait for it to download upwards of 2.3GB of data. You'll want to do this as early as possible, to make sure you aren't stuck waiting when the 4th rolls around.

Consider it Zipper Interactive's way of saying Happy Holidays, please buy our game next month.

MAG is Gold, Beta for Everyone Soon [PlayStation Blog]

Why "pre-season" you ask? The competitive online strategy game uses a seasons model in order to keep gameplay fresh for everyone involved. October 27th sees the start of its pre-season, a period in which players can form teams, learn the game, and formulate strategies in advance of season one, which kicks off in early 2010. The model also allows Riot to cycle content, meaning the set of Champions you have at your disposal and the maps you play on can change with each season, keeping the game fresh and the competition on their toes.

Riot has just opened up the beta for the game, allowing anyone interested to sign up and participate for free, holding on to their accounts once the game launches. The closed beta has been running for awhile, so you're late to the game, but every extra day helps. You've got five. Go play.

The Dragonica Online open beta kicks off this week, running from September 3rd to October 27th. During the open beta, monsters will be dropping special raffle cards, which players can collect and accumulate until they are nearly choking on them. Raffle cards can either be redeemed for an in-game item, horded, or combined in stacks of five to create high-end raffle cards.

So how does one win?

At the end of the beta testing event, every player with raffle cards in their possession is entered into a drawing to win real-world look as well as in-game items. Take a look at what THQ*ICE is offering up:

- A Trip To Korea: Meet the masterminds behind the game, Barunson Interactive, in-person;
- iHome's iP71 iPod Computer Speakers: Charge, play, and sync your iPod and iPhone with iTunes while it's docked securely into the base of the computer speakers;
- 8GB iTouch Video and Music Player: A perfect fit with your iHome speakers;
- Dragonica Online Skinned Laptop: Play Dragonica Online in style while on the go;
- ICE Cash: Customize your character and gameplay experience with ICE Cash, the exclusive THQ*ICE virtual currency;
- In-Game Prize Pack: A collection of useful items every player should have while on their journey;
- Exclusive Dragonica Online Themed Premium Items: Cool wall scrolls & t-shirt

I crave the skinned laptop myself, but given the sheer adorability of Dragonica Online, I don't like the odds. Visit the THQ*ICE registration page to sign up for a free account for the free to play MMO.

Up until now the closed beta events for Aion have all been weekend-only affairs, giving fans a brief taste of gameplay before shutting things down again, so the week-long open beta event NCsoft has planned should be a real treat. It runs from September 6th to the 13th, and will give players in North America and Europe a taste of the Western enhancements made to the title, including new skills and more Westernized character creation options. NCsoft will be maintaining a level cap of 30 throughout the event, so players will still have something to do when the game comes out.

After the open beta closes, players who preordered the game will be able to login on the 18th to pre-select their character name and server, reserving them in advance of the headstart program, which kicks off 2 days later on the 20th.

And that's how any free time I had at the end of September was completely ruined by NCsoft. Hope to see some of you in game!

Right now FilePlanet subscribers and those with preorder codes for Champions Online can download the game and start playing immediately, as long as they don't run into any patching issues. Seems there might be a few of those going around, but Cryptic already has a workaround in place while they iron out the issues.

Other than that issue and a very large download, nothing is keeping you from rolling around in spandex with your fellow caped crusaders leading up to the game's September 1st release! Go play.

Players who preorder Aion receive a code good for access to all closed beta events leading up to the open beta and the game's eventual launch. That means that preorders come with a code good for this weekend, and if you really want to participate, I'd suggest grabbing a code today and getting the download started.

With the game launching on September 22nd, that doesn't leave much time for an open beta. NCsoft will be showing off the 1.5 update for the game at Gamescom in Germany next week, and odds are that's when they'll let us know when they're opening up Aion to the unwashed masses.

Dragonica Online is a 3D game with 2D platforming action, strong enough for a computer but easy enough to play with a wired Xbox 360 controller, which is how I played the demo they had on hand at Comic-Con last month. It's cutesy fun with an interesting skill system, but you can find that out on August 18th, when the open beta goes live. To celebrate the launch of the beta, THQ*ICE will be giving out starter item packs to players during the first week of testing, hosting in-game events, and holding the Dragonica Online Loot Hunt, in which players hunt monsters for a chance to win both in-game and real world prizes.

"We are committed to delivering quality content to the Dragonica Online community and wanted to celebrate the Open Beta Test by rewarding our members with an opportunity to win exciting giveaways and prizes," said Aaron Dean, Marketing Manager for Dragonica Online. "The game has already received high accolades from the gaming community and the Open Beta Test will allow thousands more to enjoy its fast-paced, 3D side-scrolling action."

To participate in the beta you just need to register at http://dragonica.thqice.com/, and soon you'll be smacking about adorable sharks with giant hammers.

CrimeCraft is a third-person shooter that features teams of players fighting against other teams of players or enemy A.I. in a near-future urban setting. It's gang warfare, only with quests, loot drops, and a crafting system. If you've ever played a multiplayer shooter and found yourself wanting to make some stuff, this here is your game.

FilePlanet subscribers are able to sign up for an account right now, pre-loading the game in advance of the 5PM Eastern open beta launch. Non-FilePlanet subscribers can still sign up at the CrimeCraft website, but will have to wait for the download.

The online version of the Shin Megami Tensei series is open to all comers, with gameplay just three short steps away. Just create an account on AeriaGames.com, download the game, and play! Okay, so that middle step might not be as short, but the other two more than make up for it.

Having played the game for longer than I should have, I can say that while I am not exactly in love with the gameplay mechanics, I really enjoy the look and feel, and the community (until now at least) has been one of the most helpful, friendly, and good-natured ones I've yet encountered in an MMO. Perhaps now that open beta is live you guys can go change that.

Interested players should head over to RunesofMagic.com to register and download the client, now available in both English and German flavors. All of the closed beta characters have been done away with in the last big character wipe, with open beta characters carrying on past the game's official launch, so if you were planning to play Runes of Magic, now is the time to start.

In the time-honored tradition of all MMORPGs, Rune of Magic will also be kicking off their Christmas celebration this Thursday, with special events, costumes, quests, and other surprises in store. If you start now you just might be able to download the client and get it updated by then.

RUNES OF MAGIC OPEN BETA BEGINS

Fantasy Online roleplay-Game now open for everybody

Berlin, Germany (December 15th, 2008) - Frogster Interactive today announced that the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game Runes of Magic has now gone into open beta. With over 190,000 players already registered, the client is now available in English and for the first time in German language for download from the official site www.runesofmagic.com.

Players who have not registered yet can download the client for free and are able to create a game account on www.runesofmagic.com. With the start of the open beta, Frogster will activate all implemented content. Even the item-shop, where the players can buy supporting items, will be available in Runes of Magic. At the same time Frogster will remove the NDA so players can communicate their impressions from today on and media can publish their first previews. Since all characters have been deleted at the end of the closed beta event all players will start with level one – regardless of whether they are a novice or a seasoned adventurer. Upon first entering the world of Taborea, players need to decide on the server type: Players who prefer to fight against other players in the game world anywhere and at any time should choose a PvP server. Players, who want to quest in peace and only intend to fight against other players in a controlled surrounding should choose a PvE server. More information about the rules on the PvP and PvE servers can be found during the day on the official website.

On Thursday 19th December shortly after the start of the open beta, Christmas will arrive on Taborea. Special event costumes and quests as well as lots of small surprises will be waiting for all players. The official website www.runesofmagic.com will accompany the events with a competition. Everybody, who gets creative and sends something hand-crafted around Runes of Magic, has the chance to win a rare in game Christmas mount.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story through more than 1000 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose between six main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive
combo attacks and can use mounts. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishings. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more information, pictures and videos on the official website www.runesofmagic.com.

Features
- Free2play: no monthly fees, free download
- Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
- Versatile spell and attack combinations
- Enthralling background story
- More than 1.000 quests and quest series on launch
- No zone boundaries thanks to seamless architecture
- Dungeons: Instanced and tile based as well as persistent
- Individually developed skills and spells
- Armour sets with special bonuses
- Dynamic item system with hundreds of runes for upgrading
- Optional PvP system with arena battles and guild wars
- Ranking system with player-ranking lists
- Multitude of unique mounts
- Epic crafting system with the chance to improve existing items
- Personalisation of player houses through individual furnishings
- Reputation system
- Customisable user interface with the option to use Add-ons
- Map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
- Ingame auction houses for trading items
- Teleport-Runes for instant travel
- Mouse and keyboard controls for movement
- Regular updates with new content
- Cross-server fights in three-server-battle in development
- Guild houses in special zones in development

Time to hop onto your PS3, download Home and start personalizing your gaming hang-out. Best Kotaku club house wins!

UPDATE: Live doesn't necessarily mean up, as at least some PS3 users can attest to.

The game that isn't afraid to take the finer points of more established games and make them its own will be throwing open its doors in mid-December, giving PC gamers something to fiddle around with during the long, dark holidays. Players need only register at www.runesofmagic.com to enter. Characters played in beta will be carrying over to the love live game when it's finally released, so it's also an excellent opportunity to get a leg up.

Players already in closed beta will be treated to a special farewell event starting the 7th and ending the 10th, during which time evil demons will stream into the game world via some sort of dark portal or something. Come on, it's obviously not World of Warcraft - those exclamation points are purple!

"After three years in development, we are very excited to open the game to a mass audience and see how people play. It’s going to be a great process watching players experience the revolutionary concept of creating their own armies and teaming up on a massive scale in RTS," said Volker Wertich, Creative Director.

The game features single player and co-op scenarios, but the real fun is sure to be found in PVP duels, where you can go one on one, two on two, four on four, or participate in massive 12 player battles. Yum.

Phenomic Reveals Open Beta Details for BattleForge

Gamers Worldwide Get Ready for the BattleForge Open Beta on November 7th

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Phenomic™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio, today announced that the open beta for BattleForge™ will begin on November 7th. In the open beta, fans from all over the world will be able to start collecting their favorite cards and experience magically-charged battles online. Players can register for the open beta at www.battleforgecardhunt.com. In North America, players are guaranteed access into the beta by pre-ordering BattleForge from participating retail partners.

Developed in Ingelheim, Germany, BattleForge is an epic real-time strategy (RTS) fantasy game that combines the elegance of RTS gameplay with the collectability of trading cards in an online environment where friends can play together. BattleForge pioneers strategy gaming with its online multiplayer design and robust community. Players can get in the game by purchasing the title at retail in early 2009 and then take their game online to play with the larger BattleForge community.

"After three years in development, we are very excited to open the game to a mass audience and see how people play. It’s going to be a great process watching players experience the revolutionary concept of creating their own armies and teaming up on a massive scale in RTS," said Volker Wertich, Creative Director.

In BattleForge, players use virtual trading cards to build the perfect army and lay waste to their foes. The cards are the tools of war each representing a unit, building or spell that is conjured directly onto the RTS battlefield. They enable you to customise and combine factions, and play with a unique army of your own design. With no base building and production queues BattleForge players are instantly immersed into fast-paced RTS action.

BattleForge features single-player and cooperative scenarios as well as Player vs. Player ranked duels. Co-op battles are played in teams of two or four, or players can hurl themselves into epic 12 player battles for the greatest rewards. Players must work cooperatively to fulfill the mission and be victorious.

Featuring action-packed co-op and PvP, the ability to build your own army, and robust community features like auction hall, direct trade and in-game mail, BattleForge offers unique RTS gameplay that is easy to learn, but hard to master.

Developed at Phenomic, BattleForge will ship in Early 2009 for the PC. This product is not yet rated by PEGI or ESRB. For more information about the BattleForge open beta, visit www.BattleForge.com.

1 Requires online connectivity.

"The IGN and FilePlanet audience has consistently told us that Age of Conan is one of their most anticipated games of the year, and we are very pleased to partner with Funcom and Eidos on the Open Beta," says Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at IGN, Jamie Berger.

Heads Will Roll as Age of Conan Moves into Open Beta - Open Beta exclusively available through FilePlanet.com and partner IGN sites -

- 50,000 aspiring barbarians may enter Hyboria on May 1st -

DURHAM, N.C.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Funcom, Eidos and IGN are proud to announce that Open Beta for Age of Conan will start on May 1. The Open Beta will be hosted exclusively by IGN's popular game download site, FilePlanet.com, as well as being offered through partner IGN sites such as Gamespy.com, Tentonhammer.com and Warcry.com. The application pages at FilePlanet.com are now open for registrations, and gamers from across the world can sign up. As 50,000 gamers prepare their Hyborian assault, rivers of blood are about to flow, and it's exclusively available through FilePlanet and IGN partner sites.

"When we started development of Age of Conan four and a half years ago we truly wanted to move away from the standards of the MMO genre. We wanted to bring something new, exciting and fresh to the gamers," said Gaute Godager, Game Director on Age of Conan. "As we get ready to show everyone what Conan's savage world is all about, we need final stress testing. Teaming up with the Beta Masters at IGN was a perfect opportunity for us! We simply couldn't ask for a better partner for this crucial stage of our Beta."

"The IGN and FilePlanet audience has consistently told us that Age of Conan is one of their most anticipated games of the year, and we are very pleased to partner with Funcom and Eidos on the Open Beta," says Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at IGN, Jamie Berger. "The Funcom team has developed a truly unique, visceral gaming experience that players will have to see to believe."

Funcom would like to point out that the primary function of the Open Beta is to stress test Age of Conan prior to launch. This means that Funcom will not make the entire game available to the Open Beta testers, and a level 13 cap will be applied. The Beta experience will still give hours and hours of entertainment, and complete class and culture variety, while at the same time giving Funcom the needed focus for an Open Beta.

You are required to be a FilePlanet member in order to sign up for the Open Beta. Preloading of the client will start prior to the launch of the Open Beta, and applicants will receive more information should they receive a beta key. The Open Beta will start on the 1st of May at 1500 GMT / 0900 EDT.

Age of Conan is consistently mentioned as one of the most anticipated PC games in development. It has received more than twenty-five covers on high-profile gaming magazines across the globe and more than fifteen major awards, including numerous "Best MMO of E3" awards and the official "Best Online Game" award at the Games Convention 2007. Age of Conan is a key title in Microsoft's Games for Windows line-up, and a showcase title for nVidia. The game is set to launch in several territories on May 20th, 2008.

For more information on Age of Conan - either in English, German, French or Spanish - visit the official website at www.ageofconan.com where you also can access the respective community websites.

Starting August 30th, the Opposing Fronts Open Beta will begin. Anyone with a Fileplanet account can attempt to download and play the Beta. There will be key releases twice a week which will continue throughout the remainder of the Beta.

Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts Open Beta begins August 30, 2007 [Relic]

You can sign up over at the 2moons website and download the client from a couple of sources. And then get to blasting those monsters into chunks of writhing flesh.

When the game enters full release it will be free to play, with booster packs available for purchase that contain random troops and spells to customize your army. It's a strategy MMO with a CCG income structure. I might need to stay away from that for my wallet's sake.

Saga Open Beta Download Locations [PlaySaga.com]

Not me of course.

Okay, totally me. *hides*

Along with frilly dresses and frocks, Granado Espada features a multi-character control system, that lets you basically be your own adventuring party, swapping out your main character on the fly, as well as an intriguing 17th century exploration theme. You can head over to http://www.swordofthenewworld.com/register-beta.php , download the client and get started right away. Make sure you come back here and report your findings, and let me know if they have anything tastefully lacy. Michael Fahey

SWORD OF THE NEW WORLD: GRANADO ESPADA OPEN BETA NOW LIVE

Play K2 Network's Highly-Anticipated MMORPG Now At www.swordofthenewworld.com

IRVINE, Calif. - June 27, 2007 - K2 Network, Inc. (www.k2network.net ), an online game publisher, announced today that the open public beta for its epic MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada is now live and open to the public.

"The growing Sword of The New World community has been waiting for this day and it's finally here," said Grantley Day, Vice President of Development at K2 Network. "Until now gamers could only read about the unique and exciting experience that is Sword of The New World; but now they can experience this truly exceptional game firsthand."

Gamers who are interested in being part of the open beta which is now live and continues through until early July should visit

http://www.swordofthenewworld.com/register-beta.php

to sign up and start playing. In the beta, players will have access to 4 worlds while experiencing the game's extensive costume selection feature and unique multi-character control system, while testing out the deep and compelling character classes.

Licensed to K2 Network by Hanbitsoft, Sword of the New World is developed by imcGAMES. imcGAMES is headed by CEO Hakkyu Kim, the creator of Ragnarok Online, one of the world's most popular MMO's with more than 25 million subscribers. A fantasy MMORPG whose story is modeled after Europe's exploration of the New World, this gorgeous, original title allows players to create and simultaneously control a family of characters utilizing the excusive Multiple Character Control (MCC) system.

This innovative fantasy adventure lavishly unfolds its luscious graphical style through a rich and compelling story comprised of thrilling missions and quests. Swept by an exotic New World fever in the 17 th century, this fictional yet profoundly historical exploration of the new found continent includes features that are all-new and exclusive to the U.S. and European versions of the game.

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Numerous Kotakuites have emailed us, informing that the Phantasy Star Universe demo is now up for download over Xbox Live. But....

No one can play it yet as the servers aren't up. Nice try Sega!!!

The download clocks in at 980 meg, with online multiplayer only, which shocks some of our readers, but we're not sure what they were expecting with an open beta of an MMORPG. These same readers seem to think 980 meg is tiny. Man, I'd love to have their pipe: you could drive a Caddy down it. Florian Eckhardt

First it's on. Then it's off. Now it's on again.

The Phantasy Star Universe Xbox 360 Open Beta will be uploaded to Xbox Live Marketplace this weekend, so get ready to download and play with your friends! In order to give more people the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive free beta, with extended uninterrupted weekend play, the multiplayer open beta will be available for download for two days only, and will be playable through to Oct. 18.

Me? I've stopped caring...

But wait a second. When it was announced to start on the 11th, it was scheduled only to go to the 18th. Now, it's scheduled to start on the 14ths and 15th, and it will still end on the 18th? Seems like a very short window to play if you've got to download a whole friggin' ISO to play. Florian Eckhardt