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[Captain's Log: A new perspective on STO's endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/captains-log-a-new-perspective-of-stos-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/captains-log-a-new-perspective-of-stos-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/captains-log-a-new-perspective-of-stos-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

STO
For a veteran Star Trek Online player, it can be very easy to get mired in the game's seemingly soulless endgame. From restricted (time-gated) play to lackluster PvP to grinding strategic task force missions and dailies, sometimes it's difficult to find reason to log in at all, let alone on someone else's schedule.

There are always a few options, however. Of course, these ideas aren't going to be everyone's cup of raktajino, but they're a start, and I want to take some time to discuss two possibilities that may help to provide a distraction while we all wait for fleet starbases, Tholians, and Ferasan (the new cat-like species to be released for the Klingon faction).

Continue reading Captain's Log: A new perspective on STO's endgame

MassivelyCaptain's Log: A new perspective on STO's endgame originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captains-logcrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahlf2pfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestothe-foundryMon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How far would you go for cosmetic gear?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

WoW
Massively's got so many cosmetic-gear gurus and sandbox aficionados on staff that sometimes I suspect no amount of character customization and housing and achievements and titles would ever be enough for us. We'd do just about anything for more ways to distinguish our characters in an MMO.

But what about raiding for cosmetic gear? Enter OpenRaid, a World of Warcraft website that helps players organize cross-server PvE dungeon raids and premade PvP teams for the express purpose of acquiring achievements and gear to transmogrify (i.e., map the skin of something cool onto something with good stats). While I'd hope that needing to run large-scale endgame content for gorgeous weapon skins isn't going to become commonplace in future MMOs, it's still fascinating to see roleplay-oriented players playing content they wouldn't normally touch, just to collect a dress.

So how far would you go -- or have you gone -- to get your hands on a sweet piece of cosmetic gear, title, or achievement?

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: How far would you go for cosmetic gear? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcosmetic-gearcosmetic-itemsdaily-grindfantasyopenraidopinionraidraidingroleplayroleplayingtdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have you ever facerolled MMO content?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-facerolled-mmo-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-facerolled-mmo-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-facerolled-mmo-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Keyboard
I've recently returned to World of Warcraft and was surprised to find a much more complex game than when I left (contrary to popular lore in our comments). Several of the classes have been revamped mechanically to be far more interesting and layered, and new dungeon encounters are frequently among the best in the industry.

At endgame, anyway. I realize that outside of heroics and raids and PvP, WoW (like many MMOs) aims for accessible simplicity, which is nice when you're just happily grinding away or teaming up with weekend warriors not looking for a stressful challenge. One of my mates even bragged about facerolling his way through the dungeon finder, and I had to wonder, do people really do that? Even if content is easy, I still try to play it "right." I'll still make sure I know how to play my character, probably because I'm terrified of being that person in a PUG -- you know, the one who makes people hate PUGs. But I have to admit that the idea of honestly just punching whatever buttons just to see if we'll still win has its own amusing charm (and a strange level of challenge too).

Have you ever facerolled MMO content, literally or figuratively?

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: Have you ever facerolled MMO content? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcomplexitydaily-grinddumbing-downeasymodefacerollfacerollingfantasyheroicsopinionpugpugstdgthat-guythe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Many-winged angel.
The primals are among the greatest forces within Eorzea, something that Final Fantasy XIV players are no doubt acutely aware of after the clash with Ifrit. The second primal battle is coming, pitting players against Garuda, deity of the Ixali. That means another pitched battle against a superior foe in the Howling Eye, a battle which the official site has just recently previewed with a video of the fight in hard mode and a video preview of the new weapon rewards.

According to the lore, the Ixali revere Garuda as the Empress of Birds, a soaring deity who maintains an appetite for the flesh of land-dwelling creatures. She is the incarnate strength of the bird-men as well as a source of great terror. But just as with Ifrit, players who defeat her can expect to have a variety of fantastic weapons, as illustrated in the video just past the break. Just be careful -- if you aren't on the ball when you fight her, you could find yourself completely blown away.

[Thanks to Alex for the tip!]

Continue reading New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight

MassivelyNew preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boss-battlesconsoleconsolesendgamefantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgarudalorenew-contentpreviewprimalprimalssquaresquare-enixvideovideo-previewvideosTue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think gear level should gate content?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

I am a mod-junkie, but I wouldn't shed a tear to see DPS meters and Gearscore disappear.
When I returned to World of Warcraft a few weeks ago, my more hardcore guildies were in a rush to show me the newest sights and latest dungeons. I don't blame them; they didn't want to run regular dungeons when they could be doing the shiniest heroic content and most cutting-edge encounters. But in modern WoW, one thing stood between us and that instant gratification: item level.

Because I'd taken breaks from the game, my max-level Shaman had fallen behind in power as the seasons wore on. And that official item level stamped on her gear was more than just a marker that I wasn't elite; it literally gated the dungeons unless I sacrificed rewards (counterproductive) or got a bunch of new gear fast. It didn't take but a weekend or two to catch up, but it was still an annoyance that slowed everyone down, especially since my guildies were overpowered enough that a few more points on my gear weren't going to make or break our success. And while I understand that item level is a useful shorthand for judging your readiness for content, it's a bit disheartening to realize that gamers are being encouraged by the game to see each other only as a numerical gearscore.

What do you think -- should items and item levels gate dungeons and other content?

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: Do you think gear level should gate content? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grinddungeondungeondendgamefantasygategatedgated-contentgatinggearscoreitem-levelopiniontdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT community team livestreaming Infernal Dawn tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/rift-community-team-livestreaming-infernal-dawn-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/rift-community-team-livestreaming-infernal-dawn-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/rift-community-team-livestreaming-infernal-dawn-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's not really a raid unless there's a ten-minute diversion when the tanks both go out for a smoke.
If you're playing RIFT, odds are good you're looking forward to the next major content update -- and if you're also a raider, so much the better. But it's one thing to read about all of the neat things that will be going on in a new raid and another thing entirely to actually see them. That's why the community team is hosting an official livestream of the new Infernal Dawn raid that's getting released this week.

The run will begin at 11:30 a.m. PDT, moving through the entirety of the raid and showing off all of the bosses without spoiling the fights themselves. The community team will also be explaining the lore behind the area and the bosses and answering community questions when possible. So if you've got the time around noon tomorrow to check it out, head over to the game's Facebook page and get ready for a guided tour of the newest raid.

[Source: Trion Worlds press release]

MassivelyRIFT community team livestreaming Infernal Dawn tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsfacebookfantasyinfernal-dawnlivestreamnew-raidsnewspatchpatchespreviewsraidraidsriftrift-literift-planes-of-telarastreamingtriontrion-worldsvideovideosMon, 16 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A land corrupted and a city under seige: A look at GU63 with the EQII team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-land-corrupted-and-a-city-under-seige-a-look-at-gu63-with-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-land-corrupted-and-a-city-under-seige-a-look-at-gu63-with-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-land-corrupted-and-a-city-under-seige-a-look-at-gu63-with-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Lumpy
This coming Tuesday, EverQuest II will launch Game Update 63, and with it comes a bevy of dragons, new content, a level cap increase, and much more. Recently, EQII Producer Holly "Windstalker" Longdale and Game Designer Carlos "Gninja" Mora took the time to talk about the update and lead a tour of the new zones. Read on for a closer look at the Withered Lands and Skyshrine!

Gallery: EverQuest II Game Update 63

Continue reading A land corrupted and a city under seige: A look at GU63 with the EQII team

MassivelyA land corrupted and a city under seige: A look at GU63 with the EQII team originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygame-update-63honvarinterviewinterviewskval-ruinslendiniarapoets-palace-dungeon-makerpreviewpreviewsscreenshotscreenshotsskyshrinesoesonysony-online-entertainmenttradeskill-apprenticestrailertrailersvideovideosvyksudrawithered-landsyelinakSun, 15 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Interview with Cryptic's Al Rivera, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/captains-log-interview-with-cryptics-al-rivera-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/captains-log-interview-with-cryptics-al-rivera-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/captains-log-interview-with-cryptics-al-rivera-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Today Captain's Log continues with part two of my interview with Al Rivera, Star Trek Online's Lead Designer at Cryptic Studios.

Last week I received a bit of feedback regarding the state of Rivera's desk. I withheld taking pictures of the interior of the office space for fear of inadvertently capturing information that I wasn't free to share. Happily, though, Rivera himself decided to tweet a few photos of the ships and Trek paraphernalia that graced our visit to his office. Yes, it also included a picture of what I had described in my last column as a "funky purple monster." Apparently my comic book naiveté has kept me from recognizing what Rivera informed me is The Maxx.

Sorry, but it will always be that funky purple monster to me.

Continue reading Captain's Log: Interview with Cryptic's Al Rivera, part two

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Interview with Cryptic's Al Rivera, part two originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al-riveracaptains-logcrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewinterviewsopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoMon, 02 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

James Ohlen
As the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild leaders lined up to get a taste of the Lost Island flashpoint, I was at BioWare studios getting my hands dirty with deeper PvE and PvP content as well as speaking with developers like Combat Designer Georg Zoeller, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson, Art Director Jeff Dobson, and Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi. However, the best part was at the end of the day when I was able to speak one-on-one with Creative Director James Ohlen.

Ohlen touches nearly every aspect of the game's development. It was important to me to find out why this game is as popular as it is and what BioWare was going to do to retain its current playerbase. The first stop was the latest game update, which should hit test servers really soon.

Continue reading Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future

MassivelyEpic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksone-sportseaelectronic-artsemmanuel-lusinchiendgameendgame-contentesportsfeaturedgame-testinggeorg-zoellerinterviewinterviewsjames-ohlenjeff-dobsonlevel-50lucasartspublic-test-serverPvPsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2
Goodness, I hope you have heard that Star Wars: The Old Republic is releasing a new patch soon. It's been jokingly dubbed the "Jesus Patch" because it's supposed to contain everything, and incidentally, it may "save" the game. Many critics have written off the game because developers missed some essential MMO ingredients when it launched. Despite that, SWTOR currently stands as the fastest-growing MMO ever and retains the second largest subscription base, according to Electronic Arts' investor calls.

During the recent Guild Summit, while the guild leaders and fan site press were shuttled off, the press made its way to BioWare studios to try out the new content in Update 1.2. Each member was given his or her station to tool around with. Immediately, I noticed that the two Bounty Hunters in the character selection screen wore armor I had never seen before: Black Hole armor and War Hero armor. We were about to step into the new flashpoint called the Lost Island as well as the new Novare Coast warzone.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinbiowareDenovaeaelectronic-artsemmanuel-lusinchifeaturedflashpointguild-summithands-onhyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlost-islandslucasartsnovarenovare-coastopinionpreviewpreviewssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2warzoneTue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: CSM 7 candidate roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/eve-evolved-csm-7-candidate-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/eve-evolved-csm-7-candidate-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/eve-evolved-csm-7-candidate-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online is unique among MMOs, and nowhere is this more evident than in the political struggles that take place every day in New Eden. Just this weekend, I spent long hours negotiating the surrender of a friend's wormhole starbase with an Elysian Empire diplomat, only to have his CEO overrule the decision because he wanted to get the killmail for blowing the starbase up. For EVE's more ambitious political machinists, perhaps the greatest challenge of all is to be part of the democratically elected Council of Stellar Management (CSM).

The council functions as an advisory board to CCP and a mechanism through which players can get their views and ideas across to developers. Last year's CSM was instrumental in forcing CCP's hand and making the company refocus development on EVE Online. With this year's ambitious plans to revamp all ships and forms of PvP, and DUST 514 due for a summer release, the stakes for this year's council are even higher. Voting is now underway to select the team of players who will represent the EVE playerbase to CCP for the coming year.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I round up all of this year's candidates to help you choose whom to vote for.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: CSM 7 candidate roundup

MassivelyEVE Evolved: CSM 7 candidate roundup originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candidateccpccp-gamescouncilcouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmcsm-7csm-chairmancsm-delegatecsm-electioncsm-summitelectioneveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedopinionroundupsandboxsci-fivotevotingSun, 11 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: RIFT's two Adams]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-mmo-report-rifts-two-adams/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-mmo-report-rifts-two-adams/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-mmo-report-rifts-two-adams/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Casey and Adam
This week on The MMO Report, Casey caps off his Trion Worlds tour by chatting up RIFT's Adam Gershowitz and Adam Hetenyi. Backed by enormous screens showing off the game's flashiest scenes, the two Adams discuss RIFT's upcoming 1.8 patch, giving previews of the goodies that will tempt hardcore endgamers in the Infernal Dawn raid (pro tip: Do not invite Maelforge to your birthday party). The pair also discuss the game's new skills -- fishing, trapping, and survival -- before teasing what players can look forward to after 1.8 has come and gone.

The full HD video is behind the cut!

Continue reading The MMO Report: RIFT's two Adams

MassivelyThe MMO Report: RIFT's two Adams originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-gershowitzadam-hetenyicasey-schreinercraftingfantasyhumorinferma-dawnmmo-reportnewsopinionriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararoundupthe-mmo-reporttriontrion-worldsvideovideosThu, 08 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The place is sadly a bit monochrome.
When patch 1.21 goes live for Final Fantasy XIV on Friday, it brings along with it two new instanced raids. The first one, Cutter's Cry, sounds like it won't be a fun time for your character in the first place; after all, it's on the road between Thanalan and Mor Dhona, which isn't going to be a pleasant route. The fact that a powerful chimera was once known to be within the cave only makes things worse. And while a group of adventurers supposedly defeated the beast some 30 years ago, the beast has been heard within the depths again...

The dungeon is meant to be an extremely challenging encounter for players at level 45 and up, and the preview video shows off several characters in full Job regalia tackling its challenges. There are the beasts you'd expect to find within a cave in Thanalan, of course, including the requisite antlings and peistes. And of course, there's something worse waiting at the end -- but you can take a look at the video and see that for yourself.

Continue reading Cutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyCutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryconsoleconsolescutters-crydungeonfantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivinstanced-dungeoninstanced-raidlorepreviewsquaresquare-enixvideovideosWed, 07 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Force Choke, as always, is the best ability in the game.
Yesterday, the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild summit gave players a good idea of what to expect from patch 1.2. But just hearing about things like the new Legacy features and upcoming Operations isn't enough for everyone, which is no doubt part of the reason the development team has put together a trailer for all of the new features. And while the new Operation, Flashpoint, and Warzone might be the most immediately interesting, there's a lot more on display in the trailer.

In fact, the trailer shows off more of the cross-race options for new characters that can be unlocked via the Legacy system as well as the upcoming appearance modification and UI customization that the patch will add. There's also a preview of new minipets, the promise of new daily missions on Corellia, and several other tweaks to improve the game. But why take our word for it when you can jump on down and watch the video for yourself?

[Source: BioWare press release]

Continue reading Peek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system

MassivelyPeek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: One Step Forward...
You might notice that the Hyperspace Beacon changed its face a bit. That's because I'm reporting from the Guild Summit in Austin, Texas -- BioWare's headquarters. Over 250 guilds and fan sites were invited to not only see the team's plans for Star Wars: The Old Republic but also voice their ideas for what they want from the game.

Of course, a game carrying the Star Wars name appeals to a large diverse group of people, and not just because of the Star Wars IP; BioWare has created a name for itself with incredible story-driven games like Mass Effect 3, which released this morning. Among the pre-summit discussion was the question of whether and how much BioWare leans on the Star Wars IP for the success of the game. The consensus among the guild leaders I spoke to was an interesting and surprising one: Although BioWare certainly leaned on Star Wars for the story elements of the game, the lack of huge success for the most recent LucasArts games suggests that the Star Wars IP actually leaned on BioWare's reputation.

When I jumped into Q&A with the guild leaders, I half-expected a bunch of over-enthusiastic fanboys. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, although they were fans, those invited to this summit were very level-headed and oftentimes critical of the game's development. Thankfully, during the course of the summit, the developers were equally willing to address these concerns.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: One step forward...

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: One step forward... originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Force Choke on EVERY class!
Would you like to be able to Force Choke people on your Bounty Hunter? Do you want your orange modifiable gear to be viable in the endgame? Are you looking for a little more variety in your Warzones? The first Guild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic is promising all of these things, with new information coming in a mile a minute. And if you're missing the livestreams due to work or other obligations, there's thankfully a summary available on Darth Hater covering the big points being hit.

The developers are heavily discussing the upcoming patch 1.2 and all that it brings as well as fielding several player questions regarding the design philosophy. Operations are being more finely tuned and polished starting with 1.2, with future Operations meant for two tanks and potentially splitting the group into two teams for two objectives. PvP players will be getting a new set of gear to bridge the gap between fresh 50s and veteran players; there will also be gear with more pure PvP stats to minimize crossover. And if you're more the sort to roll alts, the Legacy system promises more options and combinations than you might have imagined possible. There's a great deal to digest and a lot for Star Wars: The Old Republic players to anticipate, and the event isn't nearly over yet.

MassivelyGuild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic fielding a plethora of revelations originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendgameguild-summitlegacylegacy-systemlucasartspatchpatchesplayer-summitpvepvpsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feesummitswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictorupcoming-patchesMon, 05 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking back at RIFT's first year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-back-at-rifts-first-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-back-at-rifts-first-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-back-at-rifts-first-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Rift carnival
As I ran around smacking loot piñatas (finally, someone acknowledges these things for what they are), I wondered how on earth RIFT's first year went by so fast. The Carnival of the Ascended is just around the corner, and on March 1st, the game officially celebrates its first birthday.

In just one year, RIFT has seen seven game updates, a handful of world events, and all sorts of new additions and improvements to the world of Telara. Rather than being a straight-up retrospective, this week's Enter at Your Own Rift is looking back on the first year with a Justin-style list of highlights and even a glimpse of what's coming in 1.8.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking back at RIFT's first year

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Looking back at RIFT's first year originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50
I see you there -- you've made a name for yourself in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but where do you really fit within these wars? I know what you're thinking: What is this guy trying to sell? Stick with me for a moment; I'm not just a used-speeder salesman (speeders are way over-priced, by the way -- it's 570 thousand creds just for licensing, and the Empire's making a killing on that). I wanna talk to you about what you do after you conquer the galaxy

Of course, you've taken a bit of time to explore this wondrous universe. If you're a space explorer extraordinaire like I am, then you've danced with your share of Twi'leks on Nar Shaddaa. It's a good thing they have enough Twi'leks to balance out the Hutts, amirite? Hoth was cold, of course, but there's nothing like a war and a couple of Wampa battles to warm the blood. And what's up with the Voss? People who wear such funky make-up shouldn't be that stuffy. Still, it does make me think: How many Voss can fit in a speeder?

The galaxy is yours, and you're now a Darth or a Moff or something. Do you sit back and twiddle your thumbs? Of course not! A new game begins. It's a vastly different adventure than the one you just finished, but the features are still shiny.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Finally 50 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The proposal for Super Wimp Raids, where the enemies just stare at you menacingly, was summarily rejected.
If you've been enjoying DC Universe Online ever since the game switched business models, odds are good you're looking toward the endgame by now. Game Update 9, which is coming soon, will make getting into that endgame even easier via the addition of Novice Raids. This new difficulty setting still allows players to experience all the storyline of Fortress of Solitude, Kahndaq, and the Batcave, but the difficulty will be notched down so that players can get a better feel for what they're doing.

Of course, if you're not into the endgame rush, you've still got something to look forward to with the new role-optional alerts system. In essence, players will now be able to queue for Alerts without needing to put together a balanced group; in the event that a role is missing, a team buff will be applied to ensure that the area can still be cleared. That means that even with nothing but Damage characters, you can still explore all of DC Universe Online's group content, something that should allow for some novel player approaches once the update goes live.

[Update: SOE has also issued a statement about plans for the game's PvP in 2012. The full quote is after the cut.]

Continue reading DC Universe Online's upcoming game update is all about easier grouping

MassivelyDC Universe Online's upcoming game update is all about easier grouping originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertsdcdc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoendgamef2pfree-to-playgroup-contentgroupingnovice-raidspatch-previewspatchesraidsrole-optional-alertssoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST