Chris cut his teeth on MMOs in the late 90s with text-based MUDs. He’s written about video games for many different sites but has made MMORPG his home since 2013. Today, he acts as Hardware and Technology Editor, lead tech reviewer, and continues to love and write about games every chance he gets. Follow him on Twitter: @GameByNight
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GameByNight
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Staff
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September 2009
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Last Active
February 2025
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Welcome back to another edition of the RPG Files! Each week we take a look at the latest and greatest in the world of roleplaying games and deliver it fresh with a side of commentary and more than a little snark. This week we’re taking cues MMO part of our site with the news that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be releasing a Revan-centric expansion, a character last seen in Knights of the Old Republic. Will we ever see a KOTOR 3? That and the news of the week in this week’s breakdown!
The next generation of consoles has been out long enough that they have officially transcended their label. The PS4 and Xbox One are current-gen and that means it’s time for us to look at what the current best RPGs are. As luck would have it, virtually every game on this list is cross-platform, so no matter what flag you fly, there’s something here for you. Stay with us and I think you’ll agree, these are the best games for RPG lovers currently on the platform.
Final Fantasy as we know it is dead. Somewhere along the line, developers abandoned fantasy and intrigue for Lincolns and high technology. Is the series better for it? Fans are clamoring for more after the reveal of the Final Fantasy XV trailer at this year’s Tokyo Games Show but our author isn’t so sure it spells good things for the franchise in the long term.
Have you ever wondered just how hardcore you really are? If you could run with the big boys and look down your nose at the rest of the world for not being as cool as you are? How about just whether you’re casual or not? If so, this list is for you! This week, Chris hands the reigns over to Johnny P. Hardcore so he can dig deep into the top 7 signs you might be a filthy casual. You won’t want to miss it.
Now that Tyranny of Dragons has made its way to live servers, we sat down with Chris Matz, Lead Designer on Neverwinter, to talk about the explosive free new class, the Scourge Warlock. Ready to make a pact with a demon?
Welcome back to the RPG Files, the column where roleplay gamers fly their geek flags proud. Our biggest story this goes right to Bioware with their announcement of Shadow Realms. It sounds like they’re going back to their roots with a fresh, modern spin and we couldn’t be more excited. We also have fresh news straight from Gamescom 2014, so gather your party and join us as we adventure through the stories below!
Dragons. They’re not the kindest of creatures. That goes doubly so when evil-doing cultists decide to whisper to them. Thankfully, in Neverwinter, you were born to be a hero for times just such as this. There’s a lot coming with the game’s next module, Tyranny of Dragons, and we were lucky enough to have Executive Producer, Rob Overmeyer, take us on a guided tour. If you’re a current player or a curious newcomer, this is a module you won’t want to miss.
After a couple of slow weeks in RPG news, the presses are back with a vengeance. The most interesting news of the week is easily Undead Labs new RPG, Moonrise. While it’s not exactly Pokemon, it certainly scratches a similar itch and we couldn’t be more excited. In other news, we have a new IP from Bioware, an expansion for Path of Exile, and Ultima: Forever proving that, sadly, nothing is forever. Read on for that and so much more in this week’s RPG Files!
Last week, Trion opened its doors to some of its most dedicated players and invited them in for an inside look at their favorite games. They called the event “Trion Community Day 2014” and attendees have returned with a whole slew of new information on RIFT’s upcoming expansion, Nightmare Tide. This week we’re talking new zones, nightmare rifts, mentoring UP, minions, and more. Read on for all the details.
If you’re an old school RPG fan, this year is likely to go down in your record book. Divinity: Original Sin came out last month and impressed us all with its retro-roots and intense difficulty. Not to be outdone, Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity came out of the gate swinging this week and blew away press with a series of interviews and sneak peeks to leave any CRPG fan salivating. The old is new again.
Amidst the best game communities are modders willing to breathe new life into the games they love, expanding them beyond their original scope, and introducing them to entire new audiences. So long as the publisher is willing to let them, of course. That wasn’t the case this week as Square Enix dropped the boot on a years-long Final Fantasy project, much to the dismay of fans.
It’s no secret that RIFT has a generous business model. The slogan “No Tricks, No Trials, No Traps” has proven true and made the game a beacon for free-to-play design. There is a store, and Trion would sure like it if you used it, but if you don’t, there is still a whole game to explore, all the way through endgame. That raises the question: why exactly would you subscribe and is it even worth it when so much is available for free? That’s the question we’re out to answer today.
It’s Friday and that means it’s time for another edition of The Week in RPGs, your weekly breakdown of all things roleplaying games. This week we’re talking Girls Make Games, new extended gameplay video for Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mass Effect 4, Dark Souls 2’s first DLC, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel invading Borderlands 2, and even a new Final Fantasy game.
Another week has gone by and that means more RPG news is on the offer. Thankfully, the RPG Files is here with all the news that’s fit to print, presented to you in the special, snarky way that only we can. This week we have a victory for gender equality, an extended look at Dragon Age: Inquisition, a new game from one of the producers of The Witcher coming to stores, the many collector’s editions of Bungie’s Destiny, and more. There’s always more.
It has been two weeks since Trion announced RIFT: Nightmare Tide. Since our announcement interview, the development team has taken to the forums and social media to tantalize us with new tidbits of information. A series of behind the scenes articles has gone up, as well as a slew of new screenshots and concept art. With all of these things in mind, it’s time we outline just what we’re hoping for – and what we’re afraid of – in the next expansion.