Update 17 in the press!

[Cordovan]

I thought you might enjoy reading a few of the previews that have been put together for Update 17, in case you haven't seen them yet. I'll add to this list when I have more links to share:

Massively (http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/a-tour-of-ddo-update-17-return-to-gianthold/)
Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/ddo/update-17-playsession)
Massively (http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/take-a-gander-at-ddos-update-17-screens/) has some cool screenshots!
MMORPG (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/163/feature/7099/Dungeons-Dragons-Online-Return-to-Gianthold-Preview.html) looks at Update 17!
Gamersaurs (http://gamersaurs.com/index.php/article/item/619-dungeons-and-dragons-online-news-update-17-return-to-gianthold)
MMOReporter (http://mmoreporter.com/2013/02/18/dungeons-and-dragons-online-update-17-preview/) video preview!
Also, don't forget to check out our preview of Return to Gianthold here! (http://www.ddo.com/update17)

NOTE: Story and raid spoiler alerts within!

[Gkar]

February release date confirmed...nice to know.

[Crazyfruit]

Additionally, the team is updating the in-game Monster Manual with a third installment, so completionists will want to hunt one of everything for that.

Yaybies :)

[knightgf]

Man, the more I read this, the more I want to get Gianthold. I hope it goes on sale before the update comes out so I can buy it with my hard-earned Turbine Points...

But, im probably just being too hopeful.

[Grosbeak07]

Nice move not giving an exact release date yet. That way if it needs an extra week (or 2) to get a good polish on it, you guys can without feeling like it has to go live.

[ThreeEyedBob]

Well its supposed to be released before the birthday event (February 23rd from what I gather).

Really looking forward to this update.

[GeneralDiomedes]

10 ton hammer always does a great job with its screenshots.

[UurlockYgmeov]

Man, the more I read this, the more I want to get Gianthold.

this is confirmed: if you own GH you will also have access to eGH (or Return to Gianthold)

[Gkar]

Nice move not giving an exact release date yet. That way if it needs an extra week (or 2) to get a good polish on it, you guys can without feeling like it has to go live.

I assume they are releasing it on Feb 28 as a birthday present to me.

[Cauthey]

No mention of performance improvements.

Not really surprised.

[Krelar]

I assume they are releasing it on Feb 28 as a birthday present to me.

So you wanted downtime of indeterminate length as a birthday gift? :D

[Gkar]

So you wanted downtime of indeterminate length as a birthday gift? :D

Kind of. You see normally I take my Bday off work but this year I can't. So, by releasing it that day it should be up for March 1-3 when I have my bday weekend "I have an excuse to play as much as I want" time.

[Silverleafeon]

Woot, looking forward to update 17, thanks for the preview.

[gphysalis]

I assume they are releasing it on Feb 28 as a birthday present to me.

Probably the 25th, then they'll hotfix it on your birthday.
They always update on Monday, and sometimes give the hamsters more vitamins later that week.

[fco-karatekid]

10 ton hammer always does a great job with its screenshots.

Yah, but holy cow does that writer need remedial training.

[WanderingGrump]

The 10 Ton article stated that the new raid replaces the existing one. Is this correct? Does this mean that the original Reaver's Fate is being removed from the game? Or does this mean there will be two raids for GH, one heroic, the second epic?

[MrkGrismer]

The 10 Ton article stated that the new raid replaces the existing one. Is this correct? Does this mean that the original Reaver's Fate is being removed from the game? Or does this mean there will be two raids for GH, one heroic, the second epic?

It does not replace, it is 'in addition to'. According to the Lammania threads.

Also, I assume the wilderness area you can choose between the Heroic and Epic version via the entrance dialog, just as you can for quests that have both versions. This would be the first wilderness area with a choice of both heroic and epic.

(I don't see anything in the 10 ton article alluding to a replacement).

[Miow]

Man, the more I read this, the more I want to get Gianthold. I hope it goes on sale before the update comes out so I can buy it with my hard-earned Turbine Points...

But, im probably just being too hopeful.

If i was you i'd buy it now because chances are it's going to to go up in price.

[Ginarrbrik]

It does not replace, it is 'in addition to'. According to the Lammania threads.

Also, I assume the wilderness area you can choose between the Heroic and Epic version via the entrance dialog, just as you can for quests that have both versions. This would be the first wilderness area with a choice of both heroic and epic.

(I don't see anything in the 10 ton article alluding to a replacement).

Correct. These articles were kinda misleading. I mean, one said that old augment slots were only found on raid loot -_-

[WanderingGrump]

It does not replace, it is 'in addition to'. According to the Lammania threads.

Also, I assume the wilderness area you can choose between the Heroic and Epic version via the entrance dialog, just as you can for quests that have both versions. This would be the first wilderness area with a choice of both heroic and epic.

(I don't see anything in the 10 ton article alluding to a replacement).

From the Ten Ton Hammer article:

Update 17 gives this area a bit of a rework, ramping up the content to the epic levels and replacing the end raid with a brand new one. Players who already have the Gianthold adventure pack will have automatic access to the content.

Note that it says "replacing the end raid" not being an in addition to. I haven't read the Lammania threads so I had to ask. I would take the Lamma thread answers though far over the press articles any day.

[GeneralDiomedes]

Yah, but holy cow does that writer need remedial training.

I thought the Massively one was a lot worse .. they couldn't even get the boss name right 'The Truthful'

[ddobard1]

Monster manual III too

[zarthak]

u 17 is a mess

[patang01]

From the Ten Ton Hammer article:


Note that it says "replacing the end raid" not being an in addition to. I haven't read the Lammania threads so I had to ask. I would take the Lamma thread answers though far over the press articles any day.

Heroic and Epic wilderness (choice at 'door') and Heroic and Epic quests and raid. The heroic raid continues the story line and the epic raid ends it.

[die]

Im not one for re-hashed quest. But some were in side the little kid is looking forward too this.

[Bimbelbo]

Ok my log-in screen says I should come to 'DDO.com' to find out more about the upcoming U17. So ... where exactly can I find this info?

----

Found it! Looks like you have to wait several seconds, before the random banner on top changes to gianthold, then you have to click it fast before the pic changes again.

hehehe seriously...

[Cordovan]

I've updated the first post with some new links, including Massively, MMORPG and our own preview page. Thanks!

[fco-karatekid]

I thought the Massively one was a lot worse .. they couldn't even get the boss name right 'The Truthful'

oh... good thing I didn't read that one. I assumed since it was just a normal press release in disguise, one would say the same as the other - just in a different format.

[knightgf]

I've updated the first post with some new links, including Massively, MMORPG and our own preview page. Thanks!

What's with the moving purple crystals at the bottom of the page?

Oh wait, I know what it must be! The return of crystal cove! Of course! None of the review sites even mentioned it if I recall correctly...

[Krelar]

What's with the moving purple crystals at the bottom of the page?

Oh wait, I know what it must be! The return of crystal cove! Of course! None of the review sites even mentioned it if I recall correctly...

Or, you know, the massive purple crystals all over gianthold..... :D

[Silverleafeon]

I wonder what would happen if the Crystal Cove Kobolds accidently discovered
all those purple crystals in Gianthold :o)

[Coldest]

Interesting comment at the end of the TenTon article.

"Submitted by Athermal on Wed, 02/06/2013 - 16:32.
Buyer beware. Some serious character effecting bugs are happening with poor customer service."

Has Turbine fixed and amended the ED missing xp bug?

[Cordovan]

Updated with a link to the video preview by MMO Reporter.

[Ape_Man]

I saw that video laset night . . . would it kill you to get some people playing in the demos who are better players? That looked like really poor advertising for the game.

[Hendrik]

Updated with a link to the video preview by MMO Reporter.

Thank Jerry.

My only question is;

Still on track for a release this week?

[Kalari]

Thanks for the shout out to Gamersaurs Cordovan I am looking forward to my in depth review of update 17 once I play I hate doing spoilers so like MOTU I will be writing this up after I experience it live :)