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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: A virtual world roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required header
If you are perusing this column, chances are you are a fan of virtual worlds and the sandbox genre. Join the club! (Dues will be due on the third Tuesday.) The aspect that compels many aficionados to delve into a game is the ability to make an impact on the world in some small respect instead of making them into Hive Member 1593072 running a static, predetermined gauntlet. How that impact is accomplished, however, varies; there are multiple features that can facilitate it, and which ones are considered most important depends on the player.

With the loss of one of the best sandbox games just last month, some players may be feeling a void. Others still are looking/hoping for the "ultimate" sandbox that contains nearly every virtual world feature. Certainly, there are some upcoming games that make some drool-worthy promises, but what about playing something now? There are actually games out on the market that have at least one aspect of the genre, if not more.

To start off the new year, Some Assembly Required looks at some of the top features of virtual worlds and lists games that incorporate these features. While this list isn't exhaustive (considering the sheer number of games when you include all of the smaller free-to-play titles, I'd run out of column space!), it is a comprehensive enough overview to point you toward some games worth playing that perhaps you hadn't considered before.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: A virtual world roundup

MassivelySome Assembly Required: A virtual world roundup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaionaion-gameAnarchy-Onlineaocccpccp-eveccp-gameschampions-onlinecharacter-creationcharacter-customizationcity-of-heroescocohcraft-of-godscraft-of-the-godscraftingcrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkfalleden-eternaleq-1eq-2eq-ieq-iieveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineever-quest-1ever-quest-2ever-quest-iever-quest-iieverquest-1everquest-2everquest-ieverquest-iifallen-earthfeaturedfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiflyffFuncomglitchguild-housinghousingking-of-kings-3liden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroluna-onlinemabinogimission-architectnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionnotorious-gamesparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioesplanetsideplayer-generated-contentplayer-generated-missionsplayer-housingplayer-run-economyrunescapeRyzomsecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labssoe-eq-1soe-eq-2soe-eq-isoe-eq-iisome-assembly-requiredsony-eq-1sony-eq-2sony-eq-isony-eq-iisquare-enixst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineturbineTurbine-EntertainmentUltima-OnlineUOvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvirtual-worldwar-of-the-immortalswizard-101xbox-360XsyonFri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Non-vanilla server rulesets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/the-perfect-ten-non-vanilla-server-rulesets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/the-perfect-ten-non-vanilla-server-rulesets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/the-perfect-ten-non-vanilla-server-rulesets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
I've always thought that rulesets are a golden opportunity for MMO developers to get creative with their products and try something fresh and exciting. Unfortunately, most every MMO these days, new and old, adheres to the four "vanilla" rulesets that have been in place since Pong. You have your default PvE, your same-as-PvE-except-we-have-a-naming-policy PvE-RP, and the two player vs. player variants: PvP and PvP-RP.

Those are all well and good, but... y'know... couldn't rulesets be used to create fascinating variations on these games? It turns out that yes, yes they can.

While the vanilla rulesets are the vast majority, there does exist a group of fringe rulesets that dared to walk the different patch, er, path and made versions of MMOs that are a bold and refreshing flavor. Like blue! Sometimes these new rulesets were whipped up to inject new life into an aging title, giving players a valid reason to come back and see the game from a different perspective.

In this week's Perfect Ten, we're going to check out just how wild 'n' wacky server rulesets can get!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Non-vanilla server rulesets

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Non-vanilla server rulesets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5150acage-of-conanasherons-callblood-and-glorycity-of-heroescodemasterscohcooperativedaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkfalldofuseqeqiieqmaceveeve-onlineeverquesteverquest-iiexchangefallen-earthfeaturedffafree-for-allheroiclandrovallord-of-the-rings-onlineloreplaylotroperfect-10perfect-tenpermadeathplanes-of-powerprogressionpvproleplay-encouragedrperule-setrulesetrulesetsserverserver-rulesserversshadowbaneshardshardssiege-perilousstation-exchangesubscriber-onlythe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenturbineultima-onlineuovanguardvip-onlyThu, 08 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ankama releases new Vulkania zone for DOFUS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ankama-releases-new-vulkania-zone-for-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ankama-releases-new-vulkania-zone-for-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ankama-releases-new-vulkania-zone-for-dofus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DOFUS, the free-to-play fantasy MMO from Ankama, is embarking on a somewhat novel approach to new zone content. The game's newest map area is an archipelago called Vulkania, and it's only available to players during the months of July and August.

The isle features varying terrain including white sand beaches, tropical jungles, craters, and various caverns, not to mention strange wildlife. Among the new monster species are the sauroshell family and a pet/mount called a madreggon. According to an Ankama press release, "Vulkania is also home to Grozilla and Grasmera, two terrors who are back to shake the World of Twelve once more!"

The release also provides a concise summary of what we can expect from Vulkania aside from its monsters, and amenities include 40 new quests, 13 new equipment items, and 3 new titles. Check out the official DOFUS website for more.

MassivelyAnkama releases new Vulkania zone for DOFUS originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamadofusf2pfantasyfree-to-playgrasmeragrozillamadreggonmountpetpress-releasesauroshellvulkaniaThu, 07 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DOFUS: Battles available in the App Store]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/dofus-battles-available-in-the-app-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/dofus-battles-available-in-the-app-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/dofus-battles-available-in-the-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

What's more fun than using the word DOFUS in a sentence? Using the words DOFUS: Battles, of course. Happily, the devs at Ankama have given us ample reason to do both thanks to the newly released iOS title called, you guessed it, DOFUS: Battles.

The strategy game is available in the App Store today for both iPhones and iPads and is an interesting blend of RPG, RTS, and tower defense mechanics, all tied to the game world of the wildly successful DOFUS MMORPG. Players will manage an army consisting of 12 heroes and a dragon, and the new game borrows 12 classes from its parent MMO and spices things up with 28 levels, three minigames, and more than 170 unique equipment items.

DOFUS: Battles currently comes in four flavors: a free version with battle and class limitations, the full version, and two corresponding HD versions for higher screen resolutions. You can learn more at the game's official site.

MassivelyDOFUS: Battles available in the App Store originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaapp-storedofusdofus-battlesf2pfantasyfree-to-playiosipadiphonemobilepress-releaseFri, 13 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DOFUS introduces Rogue and Masqueraider classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Class-based fantasy games aren't unusual these days; in fact, they're the standard. It's rare that such a title has more than a handful of classes, though. Then there's DOFUS. The six-year-old free-to-play title recently added Masqueraiders and Rogues, bringing the game's class total to a whopping 14.

Rogues function a bit differently than the rascally backstabbers you may be used to from other games. Rogues effectively dictate actions on the battlefield through the use of bombs and walls, which direct enemy movements and function as a form of crowd control.

Masqueraiders take their power from a variety of wearable masks, which allow the player to adopt several fighting styles. Three masks types are available: the cowardly mask (ranged damage), the psychopath mask (close combat damage), and the classic mask (crowd control). Finally, Masqueraiders can also avail themselves of several buff-type spells including plastron, tororuga, and trance. Head to the official DOFUS website for all the details.

MassivelyDOFUS introduces Rogue and Masqueraider classes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamabombsccclassescrowd-controldamagedofusdpsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicsmasqueraidersroguerogue-not-rougerogueswallsMon, 11 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: Dofus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Years ago I had to find a job in my new home state of Texas. Luckily for me, my wife hooked me up with a friend who helped me get hired at Starbucks. At first, I hung my head in shame. Later, though, I enjoyed dealing with customers and the free coffee. I had a co-worker, a real chin-scratching, coffee house wanna-be intellectual who would often spend more time dreaming about some game than about getting people on their breaks. He even brought his Macbook to work to sneak in time in the game.

I glanced over his shoulder one day and was delighted to see an odd-looking, cartoony, turn-based game on his screen. It turned out that the game was Dofus. I tried it immediately and fell in love with it, but that was years ago. I still found time to revisit the game, but once I started working at Massively, most of my time became dedicated to every other game in the world.

Well, it's time to visit it again. During the first part of this week, though, I thought this was going to be a disaster. I stayed strong and battled my way through bot after bot, spam message after spam message, and eventually found the great game I remember. Click past the cut to see exactly what I found!

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Dofus

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Dofus originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesbeau-hindmanbotsDofusdofus-2.0f2pfeaturedflash-basedflash-based-mmofree-to-playftpgames-workshopgold-spamgold-spammerminiaturesmobilenetbooknotebookrise-and-shinyspamspam-botstable-toptable-top-gameswar40kWarhammer-40KSun, 02 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DOFUS brings the holidays to players, then blows them up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/dofus-brings-the-holidays-to-players-then-blows-it-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/dofus-brings-the-holidays-to-players-then-blows-it-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/dofus-brings-the-holidays-to-players-then-blows-it-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The colorful world of DOFUS seems well-suited to a holiday celebration, especially with the amount of character embedded in the game's graphics. And one is taking place on Kwismas Island, beyond a shadow of a doubt. But there's still something else for players to look for, something that's far less merry than the dungeons of the island (whose merriness is already a rather dubious quality). It's the newest class of the game, the Rogue, a class focused on guns, explosives, and the use of both in tandem.

Capable of summoning a variety of elemental bombs as well as making elementally charged pistol attacks, Rogues are the 13th class in the game, available as a premium feature now. All DOFUS players can enjoy Kwismas Island, however, previewed in our gallery just below. Take a look at the Rogue teaser video past the cut, and consider the possible combination of holiday dungeons and heavy explosives. (It beats fruitcake and caroling.)

Gallery: DOFUS Kwismas Island gallery

Continue reading DOFUS brings the holidays to players, then blows them up

MassivelyDOFUS brings the holidays to players, then blows them up originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesclassclassesdofusexplosionsf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryholiday-eventin-game-eventnew-classroguerogue-classteaservideovideoswinter-holiday-2010Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chill out in Frigost with a DOFUS beta key from Massively]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/chill-out-in-frigost-with-a-dofus-beta-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/chill-out-in-frigost-with-a-dofus-beta-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/chill-out-in-frigost-with-a-dofus-beta-key-from-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ankama Games has just updated their DOFUS servers, and are introducing an all new area, Frigost, for players to check out. This chilly area is for those adventurers who have attained level 100 or higher, and offers lots of new challenges in the form of frozen lake dungeons and icy fields of enemies to battle through. There's also shiny new equipment, all new quests, and a new ice DOFUS (or dragon egg for those not familiar) for players to be found among the riches of this new land.

For those readers who have been playing DOFUS for some time, or are just looking for a fun new free-to-play game to check out, we've managed to snag 200 beta keys to get you into the frosty lands of Frigost early. All you have to do to snag one is to head over to our beta code giveaway page, grab a key, then follow the directions there to get signed up!

MassivelyChill out in Frigost with a DOFUS beta key from Massively originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankama-gamesbeta-keybeta-key-giveawaydofusdofus-2.0f2pfree-to-playfrigostFri, 18 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's tour of Dofus 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/massivelys-tour-of-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/massivelys-tour-of-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/massivelys-tour-of-dofus-2-0/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dofus is a game that's been around for a while now, first in its 1.0 form, and now as Dofus 2.0. It's a tactics-based game (many players have pointed out that it has a Final Fantasy feel about it), and while it's not as flashy as many of the graphics-heavy games on the market today, it's got a fair amount of substance to it. Dofus 2.0 offers a nice variety of combat areas, diverse and specialized classes, even crafting if that's your thing. Recently we were lucky enough to take a tour of Dofus 2.0 with Ankama's own Elissa Dukes. Follow along after the jump to see what we found.

Continue reading Massively's tour of Dofus 2.0

MassivelyMassively's tour of Dofus 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesdev-tourdeveloper-tourDofusdofus-2.0elissa-dukesfeaturedfinal-fantasytourThu, 04 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dofus opens their new version, Dofus 2.0, to simultaneous praise and worry]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/dofus-opens-their-new-version-dofus-2-0-to-simultaneous-praise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/dofus-opens-their-new-version-dofus-2-0-to-simultaneous-praise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/dofus-opens-their-new-version-dofus-2-0-to-simultaneous-praise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're a gamer looking for a tactical approach to MMOs, then you're pretty much going to want to play Dofus. Dofus is the MMO that takes a real-time strategy approach to combat, letting characters move in cells and conduct attacks in turns, very similar to the classic combat system of Final Fantasy Tactics.

Recently, the Dofus team has ripped open the packaging on Dofus 2.0, a huge update that gives the game improved graphics, new areas, gameplay, and much more. However, the update hasn't been released without a fair share of criticism. Ankama Games had made the decision to launch Dofus 2.0 while simultaneously keeping Dofus 1.26, the prior version, online on separate servers.

Continue reading Dofus opens their new version, Dofus 2.0, to simultaneous praise and worry

MassivelyDofus opens their new version, Dofus 2.0, to simultaneous praise and worry originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesbreakingdofusdofus-2.0final-fantasy-tacticsgraphics-updatemmortsreal-time-strategyMon, 14 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Move over BlizzCon, here comes AnkamaCon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/move-over-blizzcon-here-comes-ankamacon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/move-over-blizzcon-here-comes-ankamacon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/move-over-blizzcon-here-comes-ankamacon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


If you thought Blizzard had the only MMO convention in town, think again. Ankama Games, the creators of Dofus and Wakfu, have announced their 4th annual convention -- AnkamaCon!

This year AnkamaCon will be in Paris and the theme is Gobbowl, a crazy sport introduced in Wakfu the animated series. Convention goers can expect to enjoy rooms that will be screening the Wakfu series, playable demonstrations of Ankama's games, a first look at Dofus-pocket for mobile phones, a chance to play the Wakfu trading card game before it releases, and much much more.

AnkamaCon will be June 27th and 28th, with weekend passes going for 29 euros in advance or 35 euros at the door. Families also have the option of family passes, which are 37 euros in advance or 45 at the door.

MassivelyMove over BlizzCon, here comes AnkamaCon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankama-gamesankamaconconventiondofusdofus-2.0dofus-arenadofus-pocketpariswakfuwakfu-tcgwakfu-the-tv-seriesThu, 04 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft partners with Ankama Games to bring Wakfu to Xbox Live Arcade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/microsoft-partners-with-ankama-games-to-bring-wakfu-to-xbox-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/microsoft-partners-with-ankama-games-to-bring-wakfu-to-xbox-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/microsoft-partners-with-ankama-games-to-bring-wakfu-to-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you have heard of Dofus or Wakfu, then you've heard of Ankama Games, the people Microsoft has just turned to for a new Xbox MMO-esque game. In their partnership announced today, Ankama will be bringing a new title, Islands of Wakfu, to Xbox Live Arcade late next year. Islands of Wakfu will keep the current cartoon style of Dofus and Wakfu, but utilize a more adventure/beat-'em-up style instead of the top down tactical style. Also, it's going to be more of a team play game, where two players work cooperatively together, rather than a full on MMO. The game promises to be set in the same universe as Ankama's other games and reveal new information about the world itself.

So it's not a full on MMO, but the offer certainly does open the doors of hope. Having a known MMO developer working on Xbox Live Arcade titles with their unique IP may herald other game developers to do the same. Who knows, we might end up with a Wakfu MMO on the arcade anyway!

[via TenTonHammer]

MassivelyMicrosoft partners with Ankama Games to bring Wakfu to Xbox Live Arcade originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesarcadebreakingdofusf2pfree-to-playislands-of-wakfumicrosoftnew-titleswakfuxbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-arcadexbox-mmoxbox360Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[News from the Wider MMO World: September 30th, 2008]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-30th-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-30th-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-30th-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.

Ankama Games launches new Dofus Heroic Server; includes permadeath
As of September 23rd, there's a new server dedicated to Ankama Games' Dofus. Called the Heroic Server, its most notable feature is permanent death for all characters. Once dead, the player's opponent is allowed to take the character's items, and the deceased becomes interred in the Cemetery of Heroes, a worldwide ranking that can be consulted via a dedicated website. To offset the permadeath penalty, all skill and professions leveling will be much easier, allowing players to rise in rank much more quickly. To the brave and the bold: the Heroic Server calls!

Atlantica Online begins open beta; offers prizes
For their open beta launch, Atlantica Online's NDOORS is offering players of its Free Leagues -- the PvP system -- a variety of prizes, including a Nintendo Wii, an iPod Nano, or $10,000 in cash. Interestingly, these prizes become available only once the player population hits certain landmarks: 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; and 30,000. "NDOORS created something unique in the MMO world when we designed the deep turn-based, strategic world of Atlantica Online. So we decided we needed something just as original for our open beta," said Peter Kang, CEO, NDOORS Interactive. "This is going to be unlike anything anyone has seen before."

Continue reading News from the Wider MMO World: September 30th, 2008

MassivelyNews from the Wider MMO World: September 30th, 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantica-onlinechronicles-of-spellborndofusdream-of-mirror-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturesknight-onlinenewsnews-from-the-wider-mmo-worldpirates-of-the-caribbean-onlineTue, 30 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[News from the Wider MMO World: August 19, 2008]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-august-19-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-august-19-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-august-19-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.

Battleground Europe launches new website
Playnet Inc.'s Amy-Lynn Engelbrecht informs us that the destination site for Cornered Rat Software's World War 2 MMO, Battleground Europe, has gotten a significant makeover. With a focus on providing information that's more helpful to members of its strong and active community, the new updated site also features an RSS feed for news, or the option to receive regular updates by Feedburner email. Join up and fight with a 14-day free trial!

Ankama Games announces new Wakfu features
The spiritual and temporal successor to Ankama's previous title Dofus, Wakfu is an up-and-coming 2D MMO with a currently unreleased launch date. However, bits and pieces of news trickle out from time to time, such as the following: There will be an Enchantment profession, in which items are dismantled for their runes, then grafted onto new items for special powers. Taking a page from World of Warcraft?

Secondly, Wakfu will have no NPCs to offer quests. Instead, the game will have "Dynamic Challenges" -- quests that arise when environmental conditions are right, such as time, area, etc. The types of Challenges include Kill, Ecosystem, Social, and Discovery. Each will be available in both solo and team play.

Continue reading News from the Wider MMO World: August 19, 2008

MassivelyNews from the Wider MMO World: August 19, 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbbattleground-europedofusfeaturedfuncomjoystiqfeaturesjumpgate-evolutionnetdevilnewsnews-from-the-wider-mmo-worldnvidiapaxpenny-arcade-expopirates-of-the-burning-searealtime-worldsrunes-of-magicsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-secret-worldwakfuTue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Better, faster, prettier: Dofus 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/better-faster-prettier-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/better-faster-prettier-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/better-faster-prettier-dofus-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Have you played or do you currently play Dofus? If so, Ankama games has something they'd like you to see. They've been in the process of completely upgrading the entire game with the Dofus 2.0 update, as you know. However, now they can finally show you what they've been working on with a video and information page! The game code is being rewritten for improved performance all around and the visuals are -- as you can see -- getting a very nice overhaul as well. Our only complaint is that characters in-game are still incredibly small, which is something of a bother for players who love to customize and stare at their avatars for hours on end.

Ankama is promising more information soon, but they did make it clear that no characters will be reset and no servers will be shut down. This is only a visual and internal upgrade, it's like an MMO version of a face-lift only not as painful and probably more effective overall. If you're really jonesing for more information you can check out the Dofus 2.0 devblog.

MassivelyBetter, faster, prettier: Dofus 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamadevblogdofusdofus-2.0serversupdateupgradeWed, 16 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First North American Dofus server opens Tuesday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/first-north-american-dofus-server-opens-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/first-north-american-dofus-server-opens-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/first-north-american-dofus-server-opens-tuesday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ankama Games' Dofus is something of a cult hit. Since its release in 2005, it has spawned two spin-offs. It's done things a bit differently than other MMOs, with turn-based combat and even hardcore permadeath servers. But the French company behind it is about to journey into a new frontier.

No, we're not talking about Wakfu. It turns out that the first North American Dofus server will be opening Tuesday the 24th of June. It'll be called "SOLAR," and new players on the server will get all sorts of bonus perks for the first week, including daily events, double experience points, and a few in-game gifts. The top ranked players at the end of the week will get even more gifts.

The new server is open only to subscribers, so if you're only playing in a free-to-play capacity, you're out of luck. Oh well. There's so little free content in Dofus now, we've come to think of it as pay-to-play anyway.

MassivelyFirst North American Dofus server opens Tuesday originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankama-gamesdofuseventgiftsnorth-americaserversolarwakfuSun, 22 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Prepare for Dofus 2.0!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/prepare-for-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/prepare-for-dofus-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/prepare-for-dofus-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ankama Games has announced the development of Dofus 2.0, an upgrade to their popular 2D MMO. Far from letting their first game go to seed in favor of the upcoming Wakfu, Ankama has rewritten the Flash-based game in Action Script 3, promising faster, better responsiveness to player commands.

Additionally, over 2,000 animations and 10,000 maps are being entirely redrawn, leading to what will feel like a revitalization of the same-old, same-old haunts you've known for so long. We can't wait to see what it will all look like once the dust has settled, with a beta planned for September.

[Thanks, Sergio!]

MassivelyPrepare for Dofus 2.0! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2daction-script-3ankama-gamesdofusflashupgradewakfuFri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DofusPOCKET to take over cellphones in June]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dofuspocket-to-take-over-cellphones-in-june/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dofuspocket-to-take-over-cellphones-in-june/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dofuspocket-to-take-over-cellphones-in-june/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DOFUS is set to jump into the MMO-wherever-you-go trend, with a recent press release from developer Ankama stating that a cellphone version of the game can be expected in June this year. Called DOFUSPocket, this edition of the game is being tested by a small group of players at the moment, but all DOFUS users should get a chance to try it out before the release.

The CEO of Ankama, Emmanuel Darras, has promised brand new content and features for DOFUSPocket, saying, "We do not wish to simply make a shorter version of DOFUS for mobiles." Some possibilities mentioned in the press release include "user to user" applications between cellphones, and text message alerts for in-game events.

[Via Ten Ton Hammer]

MassivelyDofusPOCKET to take over cellphones in June originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamacellphonedofuspocketemmanuel-darrasmobilemobile-phoneWed, 23 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DOFUS Arena's Cedric Gerard takes his turn at an interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/dofus-arenas-cedric-gerard-takes-his-turn-at-an-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/dofus-arenas-cedric-gerard-takes-his-turn-at-an-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/dofus-arenas-cedric-gerard-takes-his-turn-at-an-interview/#commentsFiled under: , ,

DOFUS Arena poses a problem to us here at Massively because of it's name. On one hand we're completely into a massively game in the vein of turn-based strategy RPGs like Disgaea or Final Fantasy Tactics. While on the other hand, the name of this game makes us want to burn our eyeballs and then bury them. So when we saw this interview with Ankama Game's Cédric Gérard, it was a difficult call to make; burn and bury our eyes or write about the interview?

Continue reading DOFUS Arena's Cedric Gerard takes his turn at an interview

MassivelyDOFUS Arena's Cedric Gerard takes his turn at an interview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankama-gamescedric-gerarddofusdofus-arenaflashjavaThu, 13 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What would you pay for?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daily-grind-what-would-you-pay-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daily-grind-what-would-you-pay-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/the-daily-grind-what-would-you-pay-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

At this year's Game Developer's Conference, a lot of hay was made over the concept of microtransactions and the free-to-play model. Attendees seemed split right down the middle, some for, some against. It wouldn't be a stretch to characterize the Massively readership as similarly split. But for those of you who love your free-to-play MMOs, is there anything that would get you to pay a monthly fee?

Many titles have the option to both play free and pay a monthly; Dofus, for example, and Second Life too, to polarize the offerings. Are there any such models that have shot themselves in the foot by making the paid content not appealing enough to energize users to pay? If not, what will it take?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What would you pay for? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dofusfree-to-playfuture-of-mmosgame-developers-conferencegdc08microtransactionsmonthly-feesecond-lifethe-daily-grindFri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST