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[The Turbine billing system has attained sentience (not really)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Turbine
We hope you've got a little extra money squirreled away in your bank account because the Turbine billing system is hungry. It seems that some players were charged a bit more than usual for their Dungeons and Dragons Online accounts this week, some of them as many as 100 times their normal VIP fee.

TurbineTolero took to the forums to clarify the issue:
This impacted a limited number of players after the maintenance work, and we have a list of the affected users. We're working with our partners to make sure that over charges are reversed. You do not need to contact us to receive help, but if you have any questions you are welcome to call or send a ticket (phone is 1-855-WBGAMES and tickets contact can be done via http://support.turbine.com).
Our sympathies extend to those affected more than passingly by the bug.

[Thanks to Marc for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Turbine billing system has attained sentience (not really) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots Soggy beginnings
Dungeons and Dragons Online newcomers and veterans alike are quite familiar with the waterlogged Sahuagin and all of their wacky antics. Basically think "level 1 mermaids from hell" and you're right with the rest of us. It's a good thing that the game doesn't have smell-o-vision because the tutorial would be reeking of a fishery, that's all I'm saying.

Reader Sharvis photographed his initial journey through the game and delivered this familiar image of an odd cellar. "Oh great, the Wavecrest Tavern's basement has flooded," he writes. "And who let the Sahuagin in? They're making everything look tacky again!"

We'll get the sump pump working while you check out the rest of today's player-submitted screenshots!

Continue reading One Shots: Soggy beginnings

MassivelyOne Shots: Soggy beginnings originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back-to-betabetabiowarebring-back-one-shotsbrowserbrowser-basedcasualconquestddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaelectronic-artsf2pfantasyflashfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryglitchhipsterlucasartsone-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenpvpreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrsandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptinyspecktortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultima-onlineunlauncheninguouser-submissionsSun, 14 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter Days: The DDO connection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/neverwinter-days-the-ddo-connection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/neverwinter-days-the-ddo-connection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/neverwinter-days-the-ddo-connection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Neverwinter Days The DDO connection
You know what's something I didn't think I'd be saying about Neverwinter prior to getting my hands on the beta? It shares way more in common with Dungeons & Dragons Online than I'd assumed.

Yeah yeah, they're both D&D games and MMOs, and there's bound to be similarities on a basic level. But what I'm talking about is more than that: an uncanny connection between the games and a deliberate design philosophy that both seem to share. As a player who's done a couple of tours of duty in DDO, I think I have enough experience to claim this.

Besides, everyone's already thinking about "the Dice Duel of 2013" as the papers are calling it. Two D&D MMOs will be facing off against each other, one with a new expansion and the other with a game launch, and both are gunning for the same piece of the pie. So let's deal with this situation now rather than later and look at why DDO and Neverwinter are more than kissing cousins.

Continue reading Neverwinter Days: The DDO connection

MassivelyNeverwinter Days: The DDO connection originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacrypticcryptic-studiosddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playneverwinterneverwinter-daysneverwinter-nightsopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentPGCplayer-generated-contentpwethe-foundryturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 20 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eberron and beyond: Seven years of Dungeons and Dragons Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/eberron-and-beyond-seven-years-of-dungeons-and-dragons-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/eberron-and-beyond-seven-years-of-dungeons-and-dragons-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/eberron-and-beyond-seven-years-of-dungeons-and-dragons-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Eberron and beyond 7 years of DDO
Dungeons and Dragons Online has always been a strange creature in the realm of MMOs. Ever since its launch, it decided to veer off in its own direction instead of following the rest of the pack. It brought back complicated character creation, somehow worked the arcane rules of D&D into an MMO format, and put a huge emphasis on group instanced content instead of world exploration.

Then when Turbine turned DDO into an experimental platform for a successful free-to-play model, suddenly the rest of the industry was following DDO instead. Virtually overnight, a small-teetering-on-extinction MMO became a modest hit well into its lifespan.

As DDO celebrates its seventh anniversary and looks back on the past year, let's look at how this odd duck of a game continues to surprise and delight gamers. Join us as we consider the journey that bridged the gap from last February to this one -- and see if, just maybe, DDO is calling you to roll its dice once more.

Continue reading Eberron and beyond: Seven years of Dungeons and Dragons Online

MassivelyEberron and beyond: Seven years of Dungeons and Dragons Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7th-anniversaryanniversaryddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playmenace-of-the-underdarkseventh-anniversaryturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-15update-16update-17Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine announces Shadowfell Conspiracy expansion for DDO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/turbine-announces-shadowfell-conspiracy-expansion-for-ddo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/turbine-announces-shadowfell-conspiracy-expansion-for-ddo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/turbine-announces-shadowfell-conspiracy-expansion-for-ddo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Turbine announces Shadowfell Conspiracy expansion for DDO
In a post wishing Dungeons & Dragons Online a happy anniversary, Senior Producer Erik Boyer did more than just reminisce on how far the game has come in the last seven years. He touched on a new enhancement system and incoming changes to astral diamond shards before slipping in the announcement of DDO's second expansion, which will launch this summer.

Named Shadowfall Conspiracy, the expansion turns attention back toward the Forgotten Realms and will feature new regions, new quests, and an increased level cap (28). Players will also have faster access to the Forgotten Realms thanks to a new prestige character feature called Iconic Heroes that gets you into the action starting at level 15. More information on this feature will be available in the coming months.

Boyer concludes his remarks with a hint about the true reincarnation system that will be focused on later in the year and a promise that "this year is going to be another great year for DDO -- with a big, cool new storyline, new D&D monster varieties, and powerful new character abilities."

MassivelyTurbine announces Shadowfell Conspiracy expansion for DDO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playIconic-Heroesnew-regionsShadowfell-Conspiracyturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 26 Feb 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: DDO vs. Neverwinter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/leaderboard-ddo-vs-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/leaderboard-ddo-vs-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/leaderboard-ddo-vs-neverwinter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - Beholder
By now you've probably had a chance to sample the new Neverwinter MMO, and if not then you've surely availed yourself of all our excellent textual and video coverage during the ongoing beta. You probably also know that Neverwinter marks the second official Dungeons and Dragons-based MMO to grace our favorite genre, the first being 2006's Dungeons and Dragons Online.

While it may not seem fair to pit a seven-year-old game against the new shiny, we're going to do it anyway because there's something to be said for age and experience. So, how about it? DDO vs. Neverwinter, 3.5 vs. 4th edition, Eberron vs. the Forgotten Realms, and Turbine vs. Cryptic. What say you Massively readers? Vote after the cut!

Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!

Continue reading Leaderboard: DDO vs. Neverwinter

MassivelyLeaderboard: DDO vs. Neverwinter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobattle-royalcrypticcryptic-studiosddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playleaderboardneverwinterone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpollpollspweturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 25 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and introduces new Augments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and revokes ghasts' ghoul status
Happy seventh birthday to Dungeons and Dragons Online! Like every good game, DDO is celebrating its anniversary-birthday-thing by giving out presents. Update 17 is live, a gift in its own right, and characters that were created before the patch will find that they've got a giftbox in their inventory.

But wait, there's more! Update 17 is a substantial patch. A whole slew of updates have been made to different bits of the game. On the DDO Store (and free to VIPs) is a new Monster Manual edition that features new deeds and objectives and two new Creature Companions. In what is arguably the most significant update, Restless Bats -- which don't exist and never have existed ever -- have been removed from the manual.

Augments, a new way to customize your equipment, have been added to the game. Items with augment slots can be, well, Augmented. Slotted Augments give their host item an additional effect for as long as they're slotted. People will be able to find named items with augment slots, pick augmentable items up from the DDO Store, or trust their luck to find one of the 5% of randomly generated items to have an augment slot. This system replaces the old Epic and Guild Augments. You can read up about Augments here.

MassivelyDDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and introduces new Augments originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playpatchpatch-notespatchesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-17update-notesupdatesWed, 20 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine gives bonuses to welcome back players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/turbine-gives-bonuses-to-welcome-back-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/turbine-gives-bonuses-to-welcome-back-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/turbine-gives-bonuses-to-welcome-back-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO gives bonuses to welcome back players
It goes without saying that many Turbine players were disheartened by last week's excessive downtime. To make it up to the players, the studio announced that it's turning on the happy bonus switch in some of its games as a way to welcome fans back.

Lord of the Rings Online players will get 100% more XP per monster kill and an increased drop rate for lootboxes until February 26th. These bonuses come on top of the 250 Turbine Points that will be given to established players as compensation for the downtime.

Dungeons and Dragons Online players will see +2 quality loot in chests and receive +25% Heroic and Epic XP. These bonuses last through February 20th.

MassivelyTurbine gives bonuses to welcome back players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusbonus-daysbonus-xpbonusesddodnddowntimedungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 19 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine's servers down 34 hours and counting, studio comps players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/turbines-servers-down-34-hours-and-counting-studio-comps-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/turbines-servers-down-34-hours-and-counting-studio-comps-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/turbines-servers-down-34-hours-and-counting-studio-comps-playe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Turbine's servers down 34 hours and counting, studio comps players
A period of global maintenance for Turbine's servers is now pushing well into its second day of downtime for all of the studio's games. Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, and both Asheron's Call titles have been offline since 6:00 a.m. on February 14th. The servers were scheduled to be brought back online after 24 hours, but as of the time of this writing, they are still down as the studio works on issues that "cropped up during the night."

The downtime was to overhaul the billing system and other back-end projects.

LotRO CM Sapience posted this update at 4:20 p.m. EST:
"We are working to resolve ongoing issues with our system maintenance. At this time we do not have a specific estimate for when the game servers will be available. Our goal is to make the games available as soon as possible. However we would like to advise players that the service may continue to be unavailable this evening. We will continue to provide updates as we have them.

"As a thank you for your understanding and patience during this downtime, all Premium and VIP players who have logged into their account in the past 30 days (as of 6:00 a.m. EST on 2/14/2013) will receive 250 Turbine points. In addition, all VIP players who have logged in during the same period will have their accounts credited one day of VIP time for each day of downtime, plus one additional day. All points and additional time will be granted automatically as soon as our regular service is restored and stable."

MassivelyTurbine's servers down 34 hours and counting, studio comps players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acac2asherons-callasherons-call-2classic-mmoddodnddowntimedungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromaintenancesandboxserversturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 15 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a gander at DDO's Update 17 screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/take-a-gander-at-ddos-update-17-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/take-a-gander-at-ddos-update-17-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/take-a-gander-at-ddos-update-17-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Take a gander at DDO's Update 17 screens
Players will be experiencing the new and improved Gianthold when Dungeons and Dragons Online releases Update 17 this month. Turbine's launched a new page dedicated to the update, and that page contains many, many pretty pictures that convey story and wonder in a digitized format.

Check out 10 of these new screenshots in the gallery below, and while you're at it, why not read up on our recent tour of Update 17?

Gallery: DDO Update 17

MassivelyTake a gander at DDO's Update 17 screens originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerypicturesreturn-to-giantholdscreenshotscreenshotsshinyturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-17Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A tour of DDO Update 17: Return to Gianthold]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/a-tour-of-ddo-update-17-return-to-gianthold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/a-tour-of-ddo-update-17-return-to-gianthold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/a-tour-of-ddo-update-17-return-to-gianthold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A tour of DDO Update 17 Return to Gianthold
Just because Dungeons and Dragons Online has spent the better part of a year fawning all over the Forgotten Realms doesn't mean that Turbine is finished with Eberron. As a matter of fact, the team called us in to check out next month's Update 17, which is all about Eberron and some classic content made fresh and new once more.

Update 17: Return to Gianthold revisits the popular Gianthold content that came out with DDO's second level-cap increase. The devs said that players love to run it for its variety of quests, loot, and experience, which is why they wanted to tweak up the existing content as well as add a brand-new raid for epic-level characters.

Read on as we take a look at Gianthold 2.0 and other exciting additions coming to DDO in February!

Continue reading A tour of DDO Update 17: Return to Gianthold

MassivelyA tour of DDO Update 17: Return to Gianthold originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augment-slotsaugmentsddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineepic-raidf2pfantasyfree-to-playgiantholdmonster-manualpatchpreviewraidreturn-to-giantholdthe-fall-of-truthturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-17Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free
Collecting MMO soundtracks is a scattered, scavenger-like experience. Releasing video game soundtracks isn't exactly high up on studio and publisher to-do lists (although we're seeing more love from digital stores), so whether or not a title will get a music release is really a crapshoot. What does get released is never in the same place twice: Some game soundtracks are released as special editions only, some only as CDs, some as full MP3 album releases, some directly from the composer, some are buried on websites, and so on.

So I'm constantly looking everywhere trying to beef up my MMO soundtrack library, and as a result I've uncovered several scores that the studios are giving away for free. I'm all over free (legal) music, especially when it's in my area of interest!

If you've been looking to start an MMO soundtrack collection or are looking to add to what you have, I've put together a list of 11 MMO scores that you can get today free of charge. Sound good? It does to me!

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoatlanticaatlantica-onlinebiowarebrowserbrowser-basedccpccp-gamesclassic-mmocomposercomposersddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaelectronic-artseveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-musicfree-to-playfuncomgagame-musicgiveawayglitchglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosinternet-spaceshipsjagexjagex-games-studiojukeboxjukebox-heroesjustin-olivettilinuxlucasartsmacmmo-jukeboxmmo-musicmmofpsmusicnexonnexon-americanexon-koreaopinionpcplaneshiftrsrunescaperyzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fishootersoundtracksoundtracksspreadsheets-onlinespy-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortactical-mmothe-old-republicthird-person-shootertortpsturbineturbine-entertainmentultima-odysseyultima-xultima-x-odysseywinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateTue, 22 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online releases Mac client info]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/dungeons-and-dragons-online-announces-mac-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/dungeons-and-dragons-online-announces-mac-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/dungeons-and-dragons-online-announces-mac-client/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online announces Mac client
With Turbine creating a Mac version of Lord of the Rings Online, it probably shouldn't be a surprise that Dungeons and Dragons Online was next on the to-do list. The studio announced that it's developing and testing a Mac client for DDO, and has invited players to give it a try.

DDO's Mac version doesn't require software like Wine or Bootcamp to use, but runs natively on the platform. It currently supports OSX 10.7 and 10.8, and it needs a fresh install if a Mac user was playing on a Windows client.

The beta is available for everyone, and Turbine has posted a short FAQ with system requirements and other pertinent information.

MassivelyDungeons and Dragons Online releases Mac client info originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaddoddo-macdnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfaqfree-to-playmacmac-clientosxtestingturbineturbine-entertainmentMon, 17 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online's Update 16 goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/12/dungeons-and-dragons-onlines-update-16-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/12/dungeons-and-dragons-onlines-update-16-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/12/dungeons-and-dragons-onlines-update-16-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online's Update 16 goes live
Dust off your virtual dice because it's time to go back to Dungeons and Dragons! DDO released Update 16 today, and with it, a host of Forgotten Realms content.

Update 16: The Netherese Legacy includes a wilderness area, five adventures, new DDO store options, and a new epic destiny line for Druids called Primal Avatar. The adventure pack is included with VIP players' subscriptions and requires purchase for free players.

Massively recently talked with Turbine about the story and features of Update 16, so while you're downloading the patch, why not give it a read?

[Source: Turbine press release]

MassivelyDungeons and Dragons Online's Update 16 goes live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineepic-destiniesepic-destinyf2pfantasyfree-to-playpatchprimal-avatarthe-netherese-legacyturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-16Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Taking the high road with DDO's Update 16]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/taking-the-high-road-with-ddos-update-16/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/taking-the-high-road-with-ddos-update-16/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/taking-the-high-road-with-ddos-update-16/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Taking the high road with DDO's Update 16
You know how the saying goes: Neither wind nor rain nor hurricane will keep Turbine from its appointed rounds. While the studio lost power due to this past week's Hurricane Sandy, all of its games kept on ticking. Dungeons and Dragons Online Senior Producer Eric Boyer said the studio is generally hurricane-proof. "The servers are in a secret location powered by magic and are not affected by anything," he laughed. "Well, most anything."

We spoke with Boyer on the phone about DDO's second post-expansion update, which is loosely scheduled to hit the game in a couple of weeks. Update 16: The Netherese Legacy will continue the Forgotten Realms storyline that began with Menace of the Underdark and Update 15. It's an update that takes us down a famous path, introduces a new enemy faction, and gives additional love to the fledgling Druid class.

Gallery: DDO Update 16

Continue reading Taking the high road with DDO's Update 16

MassivelyTaking the high road with DDO's Update 16 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineebberoneric-boyerexpansionf2pfantasyfeaturedforgotten-realmsfree-to-playgalleryinterviewinterviewsmenace-of-the-underdarkneverwinterscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentunderdarkupdate-15update-16update-17Sat, 03 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO unearths upgraded Endless Dead festival]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/ddo-unearths-upgraded-endless-dead-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/ddo-unearths-upgraded-endless-dead-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/ddo-unearths-upgraded-endless-dead-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DDO unearths upgraded Endless Dead festival
Don't be surprised that the Endless Dead are back in Dungeons and Dragons Online; after all, they're endless. We should be grateful that they bother coming only once a year instead of crashing weddings all summer. Turbine's added several improvements to its Halloween event and is excited to show you a good (and spooky) time.

The festival, which begins tomorrow and runs through November 4th, includes a special instance, cool prizes, and plenty of undead bad guys coming up for another round with your sword-and-shield. The team has increased the size of the monsters, added items like night black coffee (mmm), and dangled the possibility of accessing the Summoning Chamber, a special instance created for the event.

Get a bloody eyeful of the scares to come in the gallery below!

Gallery: DDO Endless Night 2012

MassivelyDDO unearths upgraded Endless Dead festival originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineendless-nightendless-night-festivalf2pfantasyfree-to-playgalleryhalloweenhalloween-2012screenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 24 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: You decide the MMO and how I play it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/choose-my-adventure-you-decide-the-mmo-and-how-i-play-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/choose-my-adventure-you-decide-the-mmo-and-how-i-play-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/choose-my-adventure-you-decide-the-mmo-and-how-i-play-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure You decide the MMO and how I play it
It's finally time for my second round of Choose My Adventure. The last time I helmed CMA, Lineage II was top pick, and I had a lot of fun with it. I took tons of screenshots and video to keep you in the loop as to my progress, and you can expect the same, whichever game is chosen this time.

MJ's turn with The Secret World was a lot of fun to read and follow. She even livestreamed some of her shenanigans... I mean, adventures. You can bet I'll be playing with one finger over the PrtScn button and livestreaming some of my adventures as well. I hope to make this a multimedia extravaganza of epic proportions.

Take a look through your choices and vote, vote, vote. And make sure to get those votes in by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday the 21st!

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: You decide the MMO and how I play it

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: You decide the MMO and how I play it originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allodsallods-onlineanetarenanetastrum-nivalchoose-my-adventurecmacode-clubcrypticcryptic-studioseq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfallen-earthfantasyfefeaturedfpsfree-to-playg1gagala-netgamersfirstglobal agendagpotatoguild-wars-2gw2hands-onhi-rezhi-rez-studioshistoricalmail-ru-gamesmail.ru-gamesmailru-gamesmmofpsncsoftopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpollpollspost-apocpost-apocalypticpvppwereaders-choicesandboxsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentspy-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotanktankstelonthird-person-shootertpsvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgvotevotingwarwargaming.netwastelandsworld-of-tankswotwurmwurm-onlineWed, 17 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuit claims patent infringement by Turbine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/lawsuit-claims-patent-infringement-by-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/lawsuit-claims-patent-infringement-by-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/lawsuit-claims-patent-infringement-by-turbine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lawsuit claims patent infringement by Turbine
Ever heard of Treehouse Avatar Technologies? Yeah, neither have we, but a lawsuit filed this week is aiming to get the Canadian-based web services company a little publicity.

After being awarded a patent for the "Method And System For Presenting Data Over A Network Based On Network User Choices And Collecting Real-Time Data Related To Said Choices" on May 15th of this year, Treehouse is going after Turbine for what they consider infringement with both Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons and Dragons Online. The lawyer-speak in the suit itself is not for the faint of heart, but a few of the claims include the fact that LotRO and DDO are "character-enabled" and "have character-attribute data linked with one or more character data."

We can't help but be reminded of the Worlds.com vs. NCsoft lawsuit filed a few years ago claiming an infringement on "scalable chat," but it seems a bit far-fetched that a patent suit can be won over games that came out several years before the patent was even issued. But hey, that's why we write about video games and don't swing a gavel around.

MassivelyLawsuit claims patent infringement by Turbine originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropatenttreehousetreehouse-avatar-technologiesturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 12 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Worst expansion names of all time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-perfect-ten-worst-expansion-names-of-all-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-perfect-ten-worst-expansion-names-of-all-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-perfect-ten-worst-expansion-names-of-all-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Ten Worst expansion names of all time
When SOE announced that EverQuest's 19th expansion would be titled Rain of Fear, I instantly found myself tripping over the name. I shouldn't have -- it's a few simple words that are first round picks for spelling contests -- but it defied the traditional naming conventions for MMO expansions. Many people I talked to kept wanting to write "reign" instead because "rain" seemed like a deliberate misspelling by some intern in Smedley's empire.

Homophones aside, Rain of Fear is hardly the worst expansion title I've ever seen. The industry has had its share of bad names, from the confusing to the downright unpronounceable. Sure, we get used to these titles, and perhaps it's nit-picky to lug them out at such a late point in many of their lifespans, but petty is my middle name. My first name is Tom. And these are 10 poorly named expansions. Deal with it.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Worst expansion names of all time

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Worst expansion names of all time originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoccpccp-gamescity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassic-mmocohconquestcovcoxddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaelectronic-artseqeq-2eq-iieq1eq2eqiieveeve-onlineeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionf2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiforgotten-realmsfree-to-playfreedomFreyafuncomgalaxiesgeorge-lucasgoing-roguehumorinternet-spaceshipsjohn-smedleylineagelineage-2lineage-iilord-britishmenace-of-the-underdarkmythicmythic-entertainmentncsoftopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenpvprage-of-the-wookieesrain-of-fearred-moon-risingriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararounduprvrSamurai-Empiresandboxsarah-palinsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstom-legionsuperherosuperheroesswgswgoThe-Legacy-of-Ykeshathe-notum-warsthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenThe-Splitpaw-Sagathree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listTreasures-of-Aht-Urhgantriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineunderdarkuoThu, 11 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Whimsy and oddity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/jukebox-heroes-whimsy-and-oddity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/jukebox-heroes-whimsy-and-oddity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/jukebox-heroes-whimsy-and-oddity/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes Whimsy and oddity
I have two big announcements today. The first is that Jukebox Heroes is switching from a bi-weekly to a weekly schedule, which should delight my 30 readers and cause an epidemic of indifference elsewhere. The second is that we're going to take a week off examining specific soundtracks to have a little fun with how silly MMO studios can get.

If you haven't figured it out already, this column is kind of a not-so-subtle outlet for sharing my MMO music collection with you. I don't have any firm method of collection other than I just acquire tracks that my ear tells me I'd like to hear again. So along the way, I've acquired a few oddball pieces that you probably won't find on any OST but that are notable enough to share.

In some cases, these tracks represent studios' attempts (successful or otherwise) to let down their hair and be humorous. In others, these songs are parodies or one-time special events. So let's take a sidebar to look at the whimsical and odd songs of gaming.

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Whimsy and oddity

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Whimsy and oddity originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbrowserbrowser-basedchampionschampions-onlinechampscocomposercomposersconsoleconsolescrypticcryptic-studiosddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaelectronic-artsendless-trialf2pfantasyfeaturedfrfree-realmsfree-to-playgame-musicguild-wars-2gw2hello-kittyhello-kitty-onlinehkojukeboxjukebox-heroesjustin-olivettikid-friendlykidskids-mmokiss-my-axemmo-jukeboxmmo-musicmusicmythicmythic-entertainmentncsoftopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplaystation-3playstation3ps3pvppwervrsoesonysony-online-entertainmentsoundtracksoundtrackssuperherosuperheroesthe-guildthe-hamtoucherswarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 02 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST