Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Character select music]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes Character select music
Character select and creation music has always fascinated me. OK, maybe not fascinated; it's interested me. I've always viewed such themes as the overture of the game, the interlude between the title theme and the game proper to come.

These themes don't tend to be rip-roaring in their presentation because that's not their purpose. They have to be pleasant enough without being annoying when looped endlessly. After all, sometimes players spend a loooong time making their characters or sitting there at the select screen, and the last thing you want is for their ears to become fatigued by the experience.

So here are six MMO character select and character creation themes that I've enjoyed over the years. And if you saw the title graphic up there and immediately started hearing this song in your head, then you and I probably grew up in the same era.

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Character select music

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Character select music originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bree says this header makes her cry.
This is not timed perfectly to coincide with what would have been the ninth anniversary of City of Heroes. It couldn't be, honestly; trying to do so would have resulted in a worse column. There's also the simple fact that the ninth anniversary did not actually happen, the game was gone before then. Sanctifying the date will not bring the game back, nor will it assuage the fact that it's not there any longer.

Despite all of that, I liked the thematic structure put forth on the Titan boards, nine reasons for nine years. But since I'm incapable of doing things any way but the wrong way, I'm approaching this in my own style with my own nine reasons that I wish we'd had a ninth year. Even if the game comes back tomorrow in some form, it's never going to have the life that it should have had, and here's my nine reasons why I wish that weren't the case.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Nine reasons for nine years of City of Heroes

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Nine reasons for nine years of City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteranniversariesanniversary-but-notcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxculturef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedommild-mannered-reporterncsoftnine-yearsopinionparagonparagon-studiossave-cohsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesWed, 08 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Incidentally, I want to visit a screen door factory.
It's been a fairly quiet month on the superhero front, which is the way of things. Some months it seems as if you can't go a day without a new launch; others you realize belatedly that it's the end of the month because another round of bills are due. Possibly including subscription fees. It all ties together.

Of course, the superhero arena has been quiet for a little while now, but we're seeing signs of life cropping up once again. There are titles in development, new content approaching, and a launch in about a month that should really be getting a bit more marketing support. That's a topic for another article.

So as we do once per month at A Mild-Mannered Reporter, it's time to look back over the past month or so and talk about the news stories that have cropped up relating to the genre of men and women in spandex punching robots.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteractionaction-mmocity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohconsoleconsolescovcoxdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgazilliongazillion-entertainmentheroes-and-villainsinfinite-crisismarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemild-mannered-reportermuoncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosplan-z-virtual-studioplaystation-3playstation3ps3secret-identitysoesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heroes and Villains releases trailer, revamps website]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/heroes-and-villains-releases-trailer-revamps-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/heroes-and-villains-releases-trailer-revamps-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/heroes-and-villains-releases-trailer-revamps-website/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Heroes and Villains releases trailer, revamps website
Spiritual successor Heroes and Villains is marking City of Heroes' ninth anniversary with several new updates. These include a revamp of the website and forums and the launch of the game's first teaser trailer and first official screenshot.

Heroes and Villains aims "to create a casual, community-focused game that will allow players with even limited amounts of time to still be able to log in and achieve something, or just hang out with their friends."

Head past the cut to view the teaser trailer.

[Thanks Amanda!]

Continue reading Heroes and Villains releases trailer, revamps website

MassivelyHeroes and Villains releases trailer, revamps website originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Players celebrate City of Heroes' 9th anniversary
While City of Heroes is no longer with us -- you might not have heard, sorry -- the spirit lives on in its former players' hearts. As this week would have been the ninth anniversary of the superhero MMO, the community has decided to celebrate by remembering all of the greatest aspects about it.

On the CoHTitan boards, the call has gone out for players to share specific City of Heroes favorite aspects over a seven-day 10-day span on Twitter. Each day has a particular theme, starting with ways that CoH innovated and going on to include favorite missions, unsolved plots, why players want the game back, and more.

"This isn't a time for negativity," the post's author writes. "This is about celebrating what was and what could have been. Join me in this celebration of love towards our beloved City of Heroes."

MassivelyPlayers commemorate City of Heroes' 9th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten Final moments of MMOs, part 2
LAST TIME ON THE PERFECT TEN: Games were shut down, tears were shed, memories were dragged unwillingly from long-term storage, and videos were shown. Also, Marty totally suckered Biff into driving into a truck full of manure and then got his parents to kiss at a dance so that he wouldn't be erased from the space-time continuum.

AND NOW FOR THE EXCITING CONCLUSION!

Is it completely morbid to want to revisit (or see for the first time) the final moments of MMOs? Yes, but also no. Really, it's just interesting to me, and I have no great agenda at play here. Sometimes seeing how a game goes out can tell you a lot about its community and dev team. So join us now as we hit the second half of 10 videos showing the last few minutes of these online RPGs.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Final moments of MMOs, part 2

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Final moments of MMOs, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrback-to-betabetabrowserbrowser-basedcasualcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohconsoleconsolescovcoxcrimef2pfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivflashfree-to-playfreedomg1gamersfirstglitchhipsterhumorlego-universencsoftopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenpvproundupsandboxsquaresquare-enixsuperherosuperheroesthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentinyspecktop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listunlauncheningThu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Stop digging up the grave]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-stop-digging-up-the-grave/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-stop-digging-up-the-grave/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-stop-digging-up-the-grave/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sometimes you just have to pull off the bandage.
My original plan for this week's column was to discuss themes and tone in superheroic games, but that got pushed to the side when Jack Emmert's comments about City of Heroes lit up the imagination of pretty much everyone still pining for Paragon City. For those who haven't already seen it, here's a helpful link to the video of the PAX East panel wherein Emmert makes a brief statement that the shutdown was not a good thing and that NCsoft should call him.

Friends of mine from the City of Heroes community let me know about this. People I don't know from the City of Heroes community let me know about this. Random strangers let the entire Massively team know about this. Never mind that I was at the PAX East panel where it happened and thereby already knew about this beforehand, that's not really important right now.

You are probably expecting me to join the crowd of the hopefuls, but no. We're long past that point, and even if we weren't, this is not a chance to start hoping that the game will return from the grave. Fact is, it's past time to stop hoping.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Stop digging up the grave

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Stop digging up the grave originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcrypticcryptic-studiosdearly-departedf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedommild-mannered-reporterncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosshutdownssunsetssuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesWed, 10 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview peeks behind the curtain of City of Heroes' final act]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/interview-peeks-behind-the-curtain-of-city-of-heroes-final-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/interview-peeks-behind-the-curtain-of-city-of-heroes-final-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/interview-peeks-behind-the-curtain-of-city-of-heroes-final-act/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Interview peeks behind the curtain of Paragon Studio's of final act
Yes, City of Heroes is gone. And it was as surprising to the Paragon Studios staff as it was to players. A recent interview with Matt Miller, former lead designer, explores the effort that management put into saving the studio and the game right up until the last minute. It also highlights the content that barely missed release.

In speaking about the buyout plan that Paragon management was negotiating, Miller stated, "We all were really working as if things were going to work out... it was business as usual right up until the last day.

"On the night before we all got the notice of the studio shutting down, Brian, Ross, and Destin were in there still trying to work out that deal," Miller continued. "We were a signature away from things going through or not -- and we unfortunately fell on the not side."

But did the team try everything? Miller acknowledged all of the great ideas that fans proposed and he says that each and every avenue was already explored. And what of the fans who'd like to see the developers come together under their own banner? While it's a good idea in theory, Miller says that in reality, many employees had already lined up new jobs by November 1st, and starting a new studio became increasingly impossible as time went on.

MassivelyInterview peeks behind the curtain of City of Heroes' final act originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyout-plancity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxf2pfree-to-playfreedominterviewMatt-Millerncsoftnegotiationsparagonparagon-studiossunsetsuperherosuperheroesWed, 10 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Dancing with my homies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/one-shots-dancing-with-my-homies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/one-shots-dancing-with-my-homies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/one-shots-dancing-with-my-homies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One Shots Dancing with my homies
First of all, thank you guys so much for responding to our One Shots rallying cry and absolutely flooding us with screenshots! My cup overfloweth, and that's a delightful change of pace for this column. Even though we're quite literally set for months now, please keep sending in your favorite old or new screencaps!

To kick us off this week is Jerry, who's showing off how Anarchy Online can party down with the best of them: "This is Yardsale, a level 220 Trader, dancing with his trader pets in Borealis."

At first glance, I almost thought we were in the Matrix. But even with polygons so sharp that you can cut yourself on them, this title definitely has a style all its own. Hit the jump to see this and other wonders of the screenshotted world.

Continue reading One Shots: Dancing with my homies

MassivelyOne Shots: Dancing with my homies originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaobring-back-one-shotsbuy-to-playcity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassic-mmocohcovcoxf2pfactionfantasyfree-to-playfreedomfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivefuncomgalleriesgallerygameforgegameforge-berlinhorrormythologyncsoftone-shotsparagonparagon-studiospics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsci-fantasysci-fiscreenshotscreenshotssecret-worldskill-basedsubscriptionlesssuperherosuperheroestaboreathe-secret-worldtswuser-submissionsSun, 10 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is powergaming via PGC tools acceptable?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/the-daily-grind-is-powergaming-via-pgc-tools-acceptable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/the-daily-grind-is-powergaming-via-pgc-tools-acceptable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/the-daily-grind-is-powergaming-via-pgc-tools-acceptable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

City of Heroes' Mission Architect
Any game that implements a player-generated content system runs the risk of creating a system that's more fun -- or more lucrative -- than the original game itself. Players of the now-sunsetted City of Heroes, for example, were forever finding ways to turn experience and currency gain within the player-content tool known as the Mission Architect to their advantage. Imagine designing a mission with mobs that deal nothing but fire damage, then bringing your fire Tanker with her anti-fire shields to blaze through a group's worth of mobs while soaking up the levels and loot. Overpowered? Most definitely. Fun? Frequently, especially when you just wanted to level up your 50th alt to get to the good powers. Exploitable? Some people did consider such activities to be expoits, and to pacify them, the developers brought so many nerfhammers down on the system that by the end, it was seldom used except by the most diehard storygoers.

This same battle is now being waged on the forums of Neverwinter, which game will also implement a player-generated content system that allows participants to design and play each other's missions. Cryptic plans to curtail potential powergaming by limiting rewards earned through the tool, but there's always a danger of limiting rewards so much they're not worth the bother. Today, let's discuss what you think about the potential dangers of PGC. Are powergaming and farming acceptable uses of PGC tools like the Foundry? Do you prefer studios crack down hard on people who aren't doing it the "right" way? Or do you have a different solution?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is powergaming via PGC tools acceptable? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcity-of-heroescohcrypticcryptic-studiosdaily-grindexploitsfoundrymission-architectneverwinteropinionpgcplayer-generated-contentpowergamingtdgthe-daily-grindthe-foundryFri, 15 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: We don't need another hero]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ask-massively-we-dont-need-another-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ask-massively-we-dont-need-another-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ask-massively-we-dont-need-another-hero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

City of Heroes
Welcome back to Ask Massively. This week, I'd like to address a common gripe about Massively's coverage of sunsetted games -- specifically, City of Heroes. Even before the game closed down, some commenters were expressing annoyance that we were daring to cover the closure. Now that it's gone, these same commenters are irate at the fact that we didn't seal up the coffin and pretend that the whole thing never happened.

That's just not how it works.

Continue reading Ask Massively: We don't need another hero

MassivelyAsk Massively: We don't need another hero originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybrianna-royce-ask-massivelycity-of-heroesfeaturedgriefhumormassively-metametamourningopinionsuperherosuperhero-mmosuperhero-mmostantrumsvitriolThu, 24 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter Extra: Interviews with Champions Online and The Phoenix Project]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-extra-interviews-with-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-extra-interviews-with-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-extra-interviews-with-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Still sad? Still sad.
I promised you that we would be doing interviews next time, but astute readers would note that I did not say "next week." So welcome to our special extra installment of the column looking at two different sides following the City of Heroes shutdown.

We've already seen two projects coming from the ashes of CoH; The Phoenix Project and Heroes and Villains are both currently being assembled by passionate fans of the now-departed game. But we'd be remiss if we failed to note the impact that the game's closure has had on existing games like Champions Online and DC Universe Online. Rather than just speculating on any of this, we decided to just ask.

So today you've got two interviews. One is with Brad Stokan, Executive Producer at Cryptic Studios, about how the City of Heroes shutdown has affected Champions Online and the studio that helped bring the game to life in the first place. The other is with the lead staff at Missing Worlds Media, the team behind The Phoenix Project. So let's take a look behind the scenes, yes?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter Extra: Interviews with Champions Online and The Phoenix Project

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter Extra: Interviews with Champions Online and The Phoenix Project originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportera-mild-mannered-reporter-extrabrad-stokanchampionschampions-onlinechampscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclosurecocohcoh-shutdowncovcoxcrypticcryptic-studioscultureextra-editionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedominterviewinterviewsmild-mannered-reportermild-mannered-reporter-extramissing-worldsmissing-worlds-medancsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentphoenixphoenix-projectpwesave-cohshutdownsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesthe-phoenix-projectThu, 10 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Phoenix Project aims to give a new home to City of Heroes expats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/the-phoenix-project-aims-to-give-a-new-home-to-city-of-heroes-ex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/the-phoenix-project-aims-to-give-a-new-home-to-city-of-heroes-ex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/the-phoenix-project-aims-to-give-a-new-home-to-city-of-heroes-ex/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Audacious. Worth hoping?
In the wake of City of Heroes' closure, one group of fans has decided that it's not enough to move on to a new game. The Phoenix Project aims to become a spiritual sequel and recreation of the game for players and by players, with a new trailer showcasing concept art as well as serving as a statement of purpose.

Formed by several regulars of the Save CoH movement, The Phoenix Project is the work of Missing Worlds Media, a studio composed of several independent designers, programmers, and artists united by their love of the lost game. The game is still very early in the concept stages, but the studio has already announced that it will be built using the powerful CryENGINE 3. If you're looking forward to the prospect of running around in Titan City, check out the trailer past the break, and keep your eyes peeled for an interview with the staff from our regular superheroic column, A Mild-Mannered Reporter.

Continue reading The Phoenix Project aims to give a new home to City of Heroes expats

MassivelyThe Phoenix Project aims to give a new home to City of Heroes expats originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescohcryenginemissing-worlds-medianew-titlesnostalgic-titlesphoenixphoenix-projectsave-cohthe-phoenix-projecttrailertrailersupcoming-titlesvideovideosSat, 05 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anonymous source sounds off on City of Heroes profitability, NCsoft responds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/anonymous-source-sounds-off-on-city-of-heroes-profitability-ncs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/anonymous-source-sounds-off-on-city-of-heroes-profitability-ncs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/anonymous-source-sounds-off-on-city-of-heroes-profitability-ncs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I have only heartbreaking pictures on my current PC's hard drive. Sorry.
The chance to prevent City of Heroes from being shut down may have passed, but the debates about the game's profitability and the merit of that shutdown aren't going anywhere. An anonymous source has come forward reaffirming several previous data points but also elaborating on some of the details surrounding the closure, including Paragon Studios' plan to pull away from NCsoft entirely and why NCsoft wouldn't greenlight a sequel to the game. Surprisingly, NCsoft's Chief of Corporate Communications, Lincoln Davis, responded to the information, denying all claims but still shedding some light on the issue.

Davis mentions repeatedly that Paragon Studios was not profitable, but at no point does he state that City of Heroes itself was not profitable. He also avoids saying that the company was unable to find a buyer for the game but simply that the company was unable to find a buyer that NCsoft thought would support the game "in a manner [players] were accustomed to for years to come." While it won't bring the game back, it certainly sheds some interesting light on the whole situation, albeit light that will likely be of cold comfort to the game's fans.

[Update: We've reached out to NCsoft for a more detailed statement; we'll keep you posted when we hear more.]

MassivelyAnonymous source sounds off on City of Heroes profitability, NCsoft responds originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymous-sourcesbusiness-modelscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcorporatecorporate-decisionscovcoxf2pfree-to-playfreedomlincoln-davisncsoftparagonparagon-studiosprofitprofit-marginsprofitabilityprofitsshutdownsuperherosuperheroesFri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist's top MMO stories of 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/the-game-archaeologists-top-mmo-stories-of-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/the-game-archaeologists-top-mmo-stories-of-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/the-game-archaeologists-top-mmo-stories-of-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Game Archaeologist seals up 2012
As another gaming year spins to a close, we here at the Institute for Digital Interactive Entertainment have been holding our archaeological department hostage with a trained buffy-tufted marmoset until it delivered a final report. After hours of begging and infected monkey bites, the head of that department, Prof. Justin Olivetti, Ph.D., handed us a scrap of urine-soaked paper with the following article inscribed.

While the Institute strongly suggests that you ignore this report and instead work on your button-mashing exercises, the board of directors stated that all such papers must be posted for the public to see.

This report is presented in the Yetbari typeface and contains a sequential series of items that number between 11 and 13.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's top MMO stories of 2012

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist's top MMO stories of 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanarchy-onlineaoasherons-callasherons-call-2blizzardblizzard-entertainmentcity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassicclassic-mmoclassic-mmosclassicscohcovcoxeaelectronic-artseqeq-maceq1eqmaceqoaeverquesteverquest-online-adventuresexpansionf2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifree-to-playfreedomfuncomgame-archaelogistlord-britishmeridian-59mythicmythic-entertainmentncsoftnostalgiaopinionparagonparagon-studiossandboxsci-fiSeekers-of-Adoulinshadowbanesoasoesonysony-online-entertainmentsquaresquare-enixsuperherosuperheroestelonthe-game-archaeologistturbineultimaultima onlineuovanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 29 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes fan videos pay tribute to the game's legacy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/city-of-heroes-fan-videos-pay-tribute-to-the-games-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/city-of-heroes-fan-videos-pay-tribute-to-the-games-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/city-of-heroes-fan-videos-pay-tribute-to-the-games-legacy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

City of Heroes fan videos pay tribute to the end
The game may be cold and gone at this point, but City of Heroes still lives in the warm, beating hearts of its fans. Two players endeavored to create tributes to the game that would endure long past its expiration date, and Massively thinks they should be shared with the larger community.

The first video, City of Heroes Remains, sees Paragon City being pummeled into the ground by a fiery meteor shower, only to be rebuilt by its heroes after the event. It's a movie-quality production full of special effects and stunning views of the city, set to a couple of perfect songs.

The second video, Memories, is a longer, quieter look at the end. In it, a costumed crusader pays a final visit to City Hall where he hangs up his tights for good -- but refuses to let go of a backpack full of memories.

We've got both videos for you after the jump, but be warned: You may need hankies.

Continue reading City of Heroes fan videos pay tribute to the game's legacy

MassivelyCity of Heroes fan videos pay tribute to the game's legacy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxf2pfan-videosfree-to-playfreedomncsoftparagonparagon-studiossunsetsuperherosuperheroesthe-endtributetributesvideovideosFri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: My biggest gaming moments in 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/the-perfect-ten-my-biggest-gaming-moments-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/the-perfect-ten-my-biggest-gaming-moments-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/the-perfect-ten-my-biggest-gaming-moments-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Ten My biggest gaming moments in 2012
I am a complete sucker for three things: novelty soft drink flavors, Tom Servo's singing voice in MST3K, and end-of-the-year lists. Egads, I love the end of the year just for the lists alone. Everyone does them (copycats!), and I like to see how my opinions stack up against them. Plus, often I learn of cool things that happened or came out during the past year that I missed.

So this is my list. My end-of-2012 list. I am devoting the 26th Perfect Ten of 2012 to the top 10 moments in MMO gaming and blogging. It was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and looking back, I don't think I could've predicted half of the major events that happened in this industry. That's what I like about this gig: It keeps me on my toes.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: My biggest gaming moments in 2012

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: My biggest gaming moments in 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosanetarenanetbiowarebuy-to-playcamelotcity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassic-mmocohcovcoxdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artseqeq1eqmaceverquesteverquest-macintoshf2pfactionfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomfuncomguild-wars-2gw2horrorhumorjohn-smedleylucasartsmst3kmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyncsoftopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenproject-copernicuspvprounduprvrsci-fantasysci-fisecret-worldskill-basedsoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscriptionlesssuperherosuperheroesswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthe-secret-worldtom-servotop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortswThu, 20 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Absolutely ridiculous cash shop selections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/the-perfect-ten-absolutely-ridiculous-cash-shop-selections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/the-perfect-ten-absolutely-ridiculous-cash-shop-selections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/the-perfect-ten-absolutely-ridiculous-cash-shop-selections/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Ten Absolutely ridiculous cash shop sales
This past week, the Money Gnomes at Turbine tested the waters with the idea of selling a $50 horse in Lord of the Rings Online. Oh, not just any horse, mind you: It's a toy hobby horse. For $50.

The representative who asked for feedback on the item and price-point probably caused herself internal hemorrhaging by stating, "This is not a joke." The fans responded, "Of course, and the sky is made out of blue cheese." At the very least, it allowed the more creative players to come up with humorous expressions of incredulity. The fun finally came to an end when the studio announced that the "experimental" price point was a failure.

Of course, this is by far not the first time a game studio's attempted to sell a ridiculous item, an item with a ridiculous price point, or both combined. If you sell it, after all, the rubes will come.

So in the spirit of a $50 hobby horse that costs something like $20 in real life to acquire, here are 10 completely ridiculous items that we've seen in MMO cash shops.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Absolutely ridiculous cash shop selections

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Absolutely ridiculous cash shop selections originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoactivisionallodsallods-onlineanetarenanetastrum-nivalbackpackbackpack-backpackbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopccpccp-gamescelestial-steedchampionschampions-onlinechampscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassic-mmococohcovcow-finishercoxcrypticcryptic-studioseaelectronic-artseq-2eq-iieq2eqiieveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomfreeform-character-slotgala-netgpotatoguild-wars-2gw2hobby-horsehumorinner-armorinternet-spaceshipsitem-shopligerlord-britishlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmail-ru-gamesmail.ru-gamesmailru-gamesmonoclemonoclegatemythicmythic-entertainmentncsoftnexonnexon-americanexon-entertainmentopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplayer-wingspwequickbarquickbarsraised-garden-bedroundupsandboxsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentsparkleponyspreadsheets-onlinestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsuperherosuperheroesswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtorturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuovindictuswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 06 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Korea Times quotes Mercedes Lackey calling City of Heroes closure 'unethical']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/korea-times-quotes-mercedes-lackey-calling-city-of-heroes-closur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/korea-times-quotes-mercedes-lackey-calling-city-of-heroes-closur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/korea-times-quotes-mercedes-lackey-calling-city-of-heroes-closur/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hard to believe that it's possible to miss Statesman, but here we are.
NCsoft's recent closure of City of Heroes didn't win the company any fans in the US market, but it looks like the effects are being felt even over in the company's home of Korea. A new article in the Korea Times quotes fantasy author Mercedes Lackey regarding the game's shutdown. Her words on the matter were unambiguous: "I think canceling a game that is making a profit, along with destroying jobs and an online community, is entirely unethical."

The article covers several of the pieces of confusion regarding NCsoft's management of the shutdown and the perceived ambiguity about the financial side of the decision. Lackey also emphasizes in her quotes that she and other City of Heroes fans will not stop until they have exhausted every option to resurrect the game. NCsoft is clearly feeling the pinch considering the news of recent layoffs, but it looks as if the company is losing the image war on several fronts as well.

MassivelyKorea Times quotes Mercedes Lackey calling City of Heroes closure 'unethical' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-decisionscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcommunitycovcoxcultureethicsf2pfree-to-playfreedomkorea-timesmercedes-lackeyncsoftparagonparagon-studiospublic-receptionsuperherosuperheroesTue, 04 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 227: Paragons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/massively-speaking-episode-227-paragons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/massively-speaking-episode-227-paragons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/massively-speaking-episode-227-paragons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 227 Paragons
In this Very Special Edition of Massively Speaking, Bree and Justin hold a wake for a certain superhero MMO that's passed into the night. We were there until the bitter end, my friends, except for Justin who valued sleep and didn't want to stay up until 3:00 in the morning. But he was there in spirit -- oh yes he was!

It's not all tears and booze, of course; we have plenty of other stories to talk about, including the return of a long-lost profession, an expansion launch, a free-to-play conversion, and why MMOs are now being held up as art.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 227: Paragons

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 227: Paragons originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbrantbrianna-royceccpccp-gamescity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxeqeq1eveeve-onlineeverquestf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomhumorinternet-spaceshipsjustin-olivettimassively-speakingncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospodcastpodcastingpodcastsproject-blackstonerain-of-fearsandboxsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesuperherosuperheroesthe-repopulationTue, 04 Dec 2012 12:30:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 227Massively.com Staff00:46:15podcast