After we got hands-on with WildStar, which you can read about in our preview article, I was given the chance to sit out down Stephan Frost, the game design producer at Carbine Studios and the narrator of the DevSpeak videos. We go into detail about the Settler player path and how they affect the open world, discuss the Elder Game and PvP leaderboards, before rounding off with some community questions (and a cameo by the site’s own mascot, Toby The Dealspwny.) Watch our exclusive video after the jump.

Platform: PC

Developer: Carbine Studios

Publisher: NCSOFT

If you have been paying attention to my ramblings on the site for the last few years, you’ll already know that I have been keeping a excited eye on WildStar, the upcoming MMORPG from Carbine Studios and NCSOFT. Their Sci-fi-western setting really impressed me back at its unveiling during Gamescom 2011, and while they didn’t plan on “reinventing the wheel” in terms of gameplay mechanics, they were aiming to make it a fun experience, pure and simple.

Now, it’s been quite some time since I last saw the game in person, and we’ve learned a lot more about what will be included in the online experience (such as player housing, warplots, and the introduction of the Dominion faction) but last week I was invited to a press event to finally get some hands-on time with the game. Additionally, I got to chat to game design producer Stephan Frost, but before any of that I sat through a presentation of the two videos that were unleashed online this morning which highlight the player paths system, before being given more information on how the Settler and Scientist paths would impact gameplay.

I also got to build a house with ALL of the pillows, but more on that later.

New DevSpeak & Personality Video About Paths

The momentum for Carbine Studios’ upcoming MMORPG WildStar continues today, as two new videos were released earlier this morning to kick off yet another WildStar Wednesday. The two new videos include a personality video (shown above) that gives a comical overview of the Paths system that will be in the game, and a new instalment of DevSpeak that goes into a bit more detail. You see check out the latter after the jump.

If you've been waiting to get involved with ArenaNet's superb MMO Guild Wars 2, you'll be delighted to learn that NCSOFT have permanently slashed the retail price down to £34.99 (naturally we'll keep an eye out for another £19.99 sale!). As Carl explains in our detailed Guild Wars 2 review, it's a uniquely versatile proposition that blends solo storyline progression with massive-scale co-op and PvP options in an unpredictable world.

And you won't have to pay a subscription fee.

Some special events and updates will also be taking place this week, which you can check out through the link. If you do decide to take the plunge, be sure to hang out with Harry McGarnagle (Carl) and Byskk (me) on the Desolation server!

More Content To Come As A Result

It’s good news for publisher NCSOFT and developer ArenaNet as the in-game microtransaction store for Guild Wars 2 appears to be providing a steady stream of revenue for both companies. As reported on PCGamesN, in the first quarterly earnings call of the year NCSOFT revealed that there had been “consistent and strong performance” in regards to the purchase of Gems, ensuring that development of content for the MMORPG will continue in the future.

Well, with items such as the Quaggan Plush back-pack (of which Jon bought five… allegedly) we’re not overly surprised by this news, but it’s good to see that things are continuing to look positive for one of last year’s best releases. Also, it gives me reason to link this video, because I know Matt loves it so.

Double Jump, Sprint, & Dodge (Oh My!)

More WildStar news for you today, as Carbine have released a new episode in their DevSpeak series. This time we get a look at movement, which by their own admission doesn’t appear to be the most glamorous of topics, but the video points out how WildStar intends on making the gameplay a very mobile affair. See if for yourself after the jump.

“I Challenge You: Come And Break My Servers”

It is common knowledge that the closed beta for WildStar has been in action for the last month, but last night developers Carbine Studios announced that a stress test for the upcoming MMORPG is on its way. Live producer Craig Turner took to the official website to detail his role in the process, explain what exactly would be happening, and issued a challenge for players go and break the game’s servers.

Combats Breach Of Trust With Clarity

It was an unfortunate inevitability, but it appears one of the testers for the Closed Beta of WildStar has either gotten too excited at the prospect of getting in-game or wanted some virtual bragging rights, posting the patch notes for the latest build of the game online. While the culprit is being identified, developers Carbine Studios have taken a rather classy approach by officially publishing the patch notes for everyone to see, continuing their intention of providing transparency for the fans.

First Come, First Served For Keys

ArenaNet announced last night that they would be holding a free weekend for their MMORPG Guild Wars 2 over the coming weekend of April  19^th – 21^st. The promotion is being done in conjunction with several leading MMO website, and you can find which ones, along with details about the free weekend, by heading over to the official website. Act fast if you have any interest in giving it a try though, as once the keys are gone there will be no more to replace them.

We’ve given Guild Wars 2 high praise here on Dealspwn, with it topping our Best MMO category in our 2012 GOTY season thanks to its fresh and fun approach to the genre. If you want to know more about it, you can read our colossal 9/10 review, or you can see the game in action by checking out the dedicated episodes of Dealspwn Playthrough.

If you do decide to give it a go, be sure to join myself (Harry McGarnagle) and Jon (Byskk) over on the Desolation server!

Email Spam Filters Everywhere Now The Enemy

Just a quickie - Last night the time at Carbine Studios let the world know that WildStar, the upcoming Sci-fi-Western MMORPG, has officially begun its Closed Beta stage of testing, proclaiming its arrival through the medium of pictures (show above.) This comes after years of waiting for some applicants, although with it being under the heavy guard of NDAs, it might be some time before we see more of what's in-game.

If you have yet to voice your interest in helping test out the game, you can still apply over on the official website. If you have yet to learn about WildStar (and why we are keeping a very close eye on it) you can check out our previous coverage here.

We were expecting some new information to come out of PAX East this weekend, but despite visitors getting the chance to get hands-on with the game and the numerous panels that were held we sadly didn’t learn anything new about WildStar. However, Carbine have unleashed yet another torrent of new screenshots for us to gaze over covering three areas – player housing, and two new locations in the Crimson Isle and the Halon Ring. We’ve got them labelled for your perusal after the jump.

Player Housing

“Things Are About To Get #%$@!ing Real”

Ahead of their appearance at PAX East this weekend, Carbine Studios have released a new trailer for its upcoming MMORPG WildStar. Acting as a 101 video of sorts, it goes through all of the confirmed aspects of the game, from classes to player paths, from warplots to housing, showing them all in action on the planet Nexus. We heartily recommend you hit the jump and give it a view.

Ahead Of PAX East This Weekend

Those wily folks over at Carbine Studios have stealthily updated last week’s WildStar Wednesday update with some in-game footage, showing off the Dominion starting zone of Deradune in all its pixelated glory. We get to see some of the landscape, the locals, and even get a look at the ferocious Metal Maw, a massive beast that was designed with input from the community. See it for yourself after the jump.

We're back with Dealspwn Playthrough after a lengthy hiatus, and to kick things off we're revisiting ArenaNet's MMORPG Guild Wars 2.

In today's episode, Carl guides Jon, who has only just recently started playing, through his first experience with one of the world encounters - a massive dragon called The Shatterer. We also talk about our current impressions of the game, and touch upon the upcoming March update for the Flame & Frost living story. See it for yourself after the jump.

A Preview Of Jeff Kurtenacker’s Score

Carbine Studios continues the build-up for its upcoming MMORPG WildStar this week by giving us a listen to one of the pieces from its soundtrack. Getting its reveal via Massively, the track in question, composed by Jeff Kurtenacker (whose previous gaming credits include Pirates Of The Burning Sea), will be heard by players during the character creation for the game. We have an embed of the track for you to put in your ear-holes after the jump.

More Shots Of The Dominion In Deradune

NCSOFT have quietly released a new set of screenshots for Carbine Studio's upcoming MMORPG WildStar. Once again featuring the recently revealed Dominion faction in the starter zone of Deradune (which we talked about with lead narrative designer Chad Moore about in an interview earlier this week) we get to see more of the Draken and Mechari races in all their pixelated glory.

We’ve met the Cassians, we’ve met the Draken (and lived), and earlier this afternoon we met lead narrative designer Chad Moore for an exclusive interview. To conclude our week of WildStar-related articles, we bring you the third in-character interview that takes a look at the races that make up the Dominion faction – this time, the mysterious Mechari.

So let’s get to it and learn a little more about these robotic sentient beings.

Character: Agent Voxine

Race: Mechari

Q: Thank you so much for coming. I have to say, it was rather difficult to arrange this interview.

A: I'm certain it was. The Dominion has a strict vetting process when it comes to journalists.

Q: Oh. I'm assuming I passed?

A: Let us just say that your…evaluation…is ongoing.

Q: That sounds ominous. So you're a Mechari! I didn't realize they made robots quite so...shapely.

A: Rest assured, your reaction is perfectly normal. It merely confirms the effect of an appealing physique on those of diminished intelligence. Such as yourself.

Living Story Continues As New Features Make Their Way In-game

The second part of the Flame & Frost living story, titled The Gathering Storm, made its way onto ArenaNet’s MMORPG Guild Wars 2 last night in the latest game update. Continuing the story started last month, which sees Charr and Norn refugees fleeing from strange forces in the north, players will be charged with getting to the heart of the matter.

Release The Draken!

Following on from last week’s introduction to the Cassians of WildStar, today we bring you the in-character look at the fearsome-looking Draken race that is a part of the Dominion faction. Expect plenty of blood-thirsty insight into their ways below, as well as some helpful information on the local wildlife on the planet Nexus.

We’ll have the third and final in-character interview for you on Wednesday, along with our interview with Carbine Studios’ lead narrative designer Chad Moore, so be sure to check back then for more WildStar goodness. For now though, let’s get to know the Draken.

Character: Khuvor

Race: Draken

Q: Welcome, Mr. Khuvor. I am glad you could take the time to speak with us.

A: It is just "Khuvor." A Draken has no need of useless titles or foolish pleasantries!

Q: Sorry. Welcome, Khuvor. Can I offer you a drink? Some refreshment?

A: A drink? You offer a Draken hunter a DRINK? I need nothing to slake my thirst but the blood of my enemies!

Q: Uh, I don’t seem to have any handy. So what can you tell me about the Draken?

A: We are the Draken! Forged in the fires of planet Mikros! For a thousand years we have led the unstoppable war machine of the Dominion military, slaughtering all who dare face us on the field of battle! We are savage! We are UNYIELDING!

Here at Dealspwn we’ve been keeping a very close eye on WildStar, the upcoming MMORPG from Carbine Studios that looks to marry story elements of theme park style MMOs with that of sandbox style play. Recently though, the studio finally pulled back the curtain on the second playable faction in the game – the dastardly, yet highly stylish, Dominion.

We’re kicking of a series of articles that take an inside look at what makes the races of this faction tick, finishing off with an interview with lead narrative designer Chad Moore next week, but today we’re going to begin with an in-character interview with Malvolio Portius, the Cassian leader who made his debut in the Meet The Dominion video that was released last week. If you missed it, here’s another chance to view it:

So, without any further ado, let’s get to know about the Cassians…

Character: Malvolio Portius

Race: Cassian

Q: Hello. Malvolio, isn't it? I'd like to thank for taking the time to speak to me today.

A: Oh, don't mention it. No seriously, it's my pleasure to be here. I mean, what ever else might someone as important and influential as myself have to do other than sit here and talk to you? Ha! I'm mostly joking of course.

Q: I have to admit, you're the first Cassian I've ever met...

A: Congratulations! You must feel very privileged.

Q: Sure. But let's talk a little more about you...

A: My favorite subject.

Q: I can see that. What can you tell me about being a Cassian?

A: Oh, life is challenging when you're a highborn Cassian like myself. Of course, it’s undoubtedly very difficult for normal people to comprehend.