Skyrim DLC Content and Release Dates UPDATED

Skyrim has three sets of downloadable content available now but not everything is released on every platform. The first set of DLC is called Dawnguard (it is all about vampires--you can either play as one or be one of the Dawnguard whose job is to kill vamps).  It didn't get great reviews.  Most folks thought $20 was a high price for not much content.  This is available for the PC and xBox 360.  (Sorry, PS3 owners.)

http://www.pcgamer.com/review/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-dawnguard-review/

Here's the Dawnguard trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZqXKZOS2jQ

The second piece of downloadable content is called Hearthfire and is also available only on the xBox 360 and PC.  (Sorry again, PS3 owners!)  It allows you to "build" a house in a limited way and adopt an orphan plus acquire a House Steward.  Here's the review and trailer.  I haven't found the official pricing for this yet but it might be around $5.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/9907-The-Elder-Scrolls-V-Skyrim-Hearthfire-Review

Here's the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOhbP8Tltq4

Dragonborn is getting good word-of-mouth reviews so far, but it is available for xBox 360 players only as of December 4, 2012.  It won't be available on PCs or PS3 until "early 2013." Here's the trailer.  I don't have pricing for this yet.
http://www.bethblog.com/2012/12/04/dragonborn-available-today-on-xbox-live/

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Rift: Patch 1.1 River of Souls World Wide Event

Here's a trailer featuring the star of the event (Can you say "Dominatrix"?) and a link to a podcast focusing on the world event with a Rift employee from the Dungeon and Raid team. Basically the podcast talks about the new raid dungeon River of Souls. There are four main bosses and three mini-bosses (Dark Foci) plus mobs with a higher drop rate than usual. Non-linear and open so you can fight in any order but have to kill every boss to access the final fight with the Dominatrix Alsbeth. Same focus and difficulty (but a bit trickier) as Greenscale although you don't have to have done Greenscale to enter River of Souls.
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/skinny-dipping-in-rifts-river-of-souls/

There's no time released for when this will happen today but the Solo MMO Player is betting around noon Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Here are the items I have collected and published here before.

Trion is planning their first Rift world event for March 30th. Here are some details. It looks like it will last a week, so get ready.

http://www.riftjunkies.com/2011/03/24/rift-erupts-in-worldwide-dynamic-conflict-march-30/

The name of the new raid zone is River of Souls. Apparently unique loot will drop during this "worldwide dynamic conflict." The happening (Patch 1.1) is in alpha now.

http://www.riftjunkies.com/2011/03/24/river-of-souls-world-event-preview-from-the-alpha-server/

Straight from the alpha, here is what Patch 1.1 will change/fix.

http://www.riftjunkies.com/2011/03/23/alpha-1-1-patch-notes/

UPDATE:  Zam has a guide to the River of Souls.
http://rift.zam.com/wiki/River_of_Souls_(Rift_Event)

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Pre-Loading Cataclysm (and Cinematics) Without Purchase

You still have to buy the Cataclysm expansion to play but you can download 700 mg early by following this procedure. http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/want-to-preload-cataclysm-without-pre-ordering-heres-how/

UPDATE:  Blizzard says the Cataclysm and other expansion pack cinematics will be downloaded to current customers with patches.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/blizzard-clarifies-cinematic-download-for-digital-customers/

UPDATE # 2:  When Cataclysm comes out, it will launch at midnight Pacific time for everyone.
http://kotaku.com/5679434/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-goes-live-the-same-time-for-everybody

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Aion and Guild Wars 2 Trailers

Kotaku has a trailer for Aion and a review of the current state of the game. Here is the trailer with a link to the review of changes below it.

http://kotaku.com/5340923/ncsoft-packs-aion-15-into-a-trailer

They also posted a trailer for Guild Wars 2.

http://kotaku.com/5341507/and-this-is-the-guild-wars-2-trailer

Of Tooth and Claws has a summary of the changes and gameplay for Guild Wars 2.

http://teethandclaws.blogspot.com/2009/08/early-guild-wars-2-tidbits.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com