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[EVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - incoming missiles
CCP is a pretty polarizing topic in MMO circles these days. Whether you love or hate the studio's flagship EVE Online title and the community that surrounds it, one thing you can't say is that the devs lack a work ethic. Today marks the release of EVE's 17th expansion, and when we say expansion, we don't mean a glorified content patch that's been dipped in PR sauce.

Inferno boasts a reworked war declaration system, substantial faction warfare updates, a new mercenary marketplace, enhanced graphics, new missile and launcher effects, and a host of other features focusing on everything from inventory to new modules and ship balancing.

CCP has also released a slick new Inferno trailer, which we have for you right after the cut.

[Source: CCP press release]

Continue reading EVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno

MassivelyEVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-expansioneve-onlineexpansionexpansionsinfernoinferno-trailerinferno-videointernet-spaceshipsmissile-launcerssandboxsci-fitrailervideowar-declarationTue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
The Inferno expansion is set to launch on Tuesday May 22nd, promising a complete revamp of EVE Online's war declaration system and a whole host of new modules. If you're in a wardec corp, you'll need to make a few adjustments to the way you operate when the patch goes live. The minimum war fee will increase to 50 million ISK even if you're declaring war on a small corporation, making very small corps less-appealing targets. The fee increases based on the number of members in the target corp, but it doesn't start increasing until around the 130-member mark. If you want to get your money's worth, you'll be best off picking a target corp with 100-150 members or selecting very high-value small targets.

Be very wary of wardeccing large alliances after the patch. While the previous war system swung in favour of the attacker, the new system has gone to the opposite extreme. Large corps and alliances are now significantly more costly and dangerous to declare war on, especially as the defender can now call mercenaries into the war at any time. Players have complained that the increasing war costs could be abused by getting all alliance members to add alts to the corp, but this would be a logistical nightmare to apply in practice and would increase fees by only a few hundred million ISK. If alt padding becomes a problem, CCP will undoubtedly step in and revise the fee structure.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the new modules and gameplay changes coming in Tuesday's Inferno expansion and give some tips on preparing for the patch.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancillaryarchaeologybhaalgornblobblobbingblueprintblueprintsccpccp-gamesdominixeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionexplorationfeaturedfleetganghackinginfernolabsmagnetometricmagsheathneutraliserpvpradarresearchsandboxsci-fishield-boostershield-tankingtanktankingtech-1tech-2wormholeSun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Evil Pair of Ducks v. Pair of Ducks: FIGHT
In a never-ending effort to facilitate the spread of war and destruction, the good folks at CCP have cooked up an Ally System for EVE Online's upcoming Inferno expansion -- a system that will enable players to put their services on hire or find a buddy to join them in a war. In a dev diary update today, the system was brought out into the light and displayed in detail.

Wars you're engaged in will show up in the Our Wars tab (under the Wars tab, under the Corporation tab in your Neocom), as will any wars that you're an ally in. If you're a CEO or Director, you can list yourself as Open For Allies and decide whether or not to accept offers for help -- which you should expect, naturally, to come at a price. Negotiation of prices can be carried out through normal communication channels, as the current UI allows you only to accept or decline the offer.

If trouble hasn't found you and you want to spice things up, the All Wars tab is the place for you: It's a list of, well, all active wars, with information like who's asking for an ally and wars with one or more allies. By default, the list shows the 50 most recent wars, but it's also searchable by corporation/alliance. There's an "Assitance requests only" box that you can check to speed up the sword-selling process. Once you've made an offer, possibly done some negotiating, and been accepted, you'll be counted as an ally, although you'll have to wait 24 hours to start fighting.

The purpose of this system is to give more options to defenders, introduce some risk for attackers, and provide ways for mercenaries to support themselves. There's a whole list of extra rules and explanation over on the blog proper, so be sure to check it out.

MassivelyEVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allyally-systemccpccp-gamesceos-and-directors-have-all-the-fundefenderseveeve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsmercenaryour-warssandboxsci-fisophisticated-war-systemsspreadsheets-onlinewarFri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
In EVE Online's early years, one of its core design philosophies was adherence to a strict risk vs. reward balance scheme. There were riches out there to be found, but to get them, you had to put yourself in the firing line. Police ships patrolled high-security space to keep players safe from piracy, but the only resources available there were low-bounty frigate NPCs and inexpensive ores like Veldspar, Scordite and Omber. In the lawless far-reaches of nullsec, huge NPC bounties and rare ores containing Megacyte and Zydrine tempted hundreds of pilots to head out and make their fortunes.

Nullsec offered absolutely no protection against player attacks, and the only safety to be found was in sheer military force. The biggest and best corporations hoarded these gold mines for themselves, locking down the few entrances into the regions and patrolling the skies for unwanted visitors. Low-security space offered a middle-ground between these two extremes, a place where the everyday pilot could enjoy increased income and pirates were easier to spot. At some time in the past nine years, lowsec lost its place in the game and became simply not worth the effort. But how did that happen, and what can be done to fix it?

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at why lowsec systems are now ghost towns and suggest an alternative design philosophy that I think could revitalise these under-used areas.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceblast-miningbooster-manufacturingboostersccpccp-gamesconcordcriminalcriminalitydrug-manufacturingdrugseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedhighsecillegallowsecmission-runningmissionsnullsecopinionrewardriskrisk-vs-rewardsandboxsci-fismugglersmugglingSun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online: Inferno website goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EVE Online
Pay attention: The universe is going to war on May 22nd. That's awfully nice for the universe to schedule these things and give us a heads up, don't you think? If that isn't enough, the makers of EVE Online: Inferno have given us the official expansion website with an infolicious, nougaty center.

The brand-new website has information on EVE's 17th expansion, including details on the graphics update, the war declaration system, the mercenary marketplace, the unified inventory, and more. According to the website, "Inferno invites new players with a lower barrier to entry, empowers veterans with more control over their wars, and entices combatants of all types with advanced new weaponry."

Our own EVE Online columnist Brendan has been busy covering the expansion, with analysis on Inferno's mining system and the PvP revamp.

MassivelyEVE Online: Inferno website goes live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeve-online-infernoexpansioninfernointernet-spaceshipsofficial-sitesandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinewebsiteFri, 11 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's more fun to read about this stuff than... um... well, I guess playing it still looks like reading about it.
Factional warfare isn't a part of EVE Online you hear about very often, and according to the latest design blog, that's partly because the system itself was a mess. The developers are hard at work overhauling the warfare system so that it will be easier to understand, will be more intuitive to use, and will have more substantial bonuses and penalties for factions actively participating in the war. The usability changes are small but significant, mostly centering around consolidating the system's important details under a unified naming schematic.

Turnaround time for system control is being lengthened to roughly 30 hours, but the penalties for enemy factions are also becoming more severe. Enemy factions cannot dock at stations in occupied systems, and the faction in control will be able to spend Loyalty Points to gain special upgrades so long as the system is controlled. If you like going to war in your internet spaceship but aren't really a fan of the wild frontier devoid of security, it might be worth taking a look at the newest design entry.

MassivelyEVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarieseveeve-onlinefactional-warfaregame-mechanicsinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineupdateswarfareWed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP launching EVE Online drop pod into the stratosphere tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not bad!
EVE Online players are well-accustomed to flitting about the depths of space in internet spaceships, but tomorrow, CCP Games will be taking its first jaunt into real-life space with the launch of a high-altitude balloon from just north of CCP headquarters.

The balloon will carry a replica EVE pod (pictured above) containing the names of EVE Online players high into Earth's stratosphere before landing (hopefully) in the middle of Kleifarvatn, a lake on the Rekhjanes peninsula in Iceland. Iceland Telecom will be providing a live video feed and GPS tracking of the balloon, and three HD cameras aboard the balloon will allow fans to view the entirety of the balloon's journey after the pod is recovered (by the Icelandic Coast Guard, no less). For the full details and links to the live video stream and GPS tracking, just head on over to the official announcement at EVE Insider.

MassivelyCCP launching EVE Online drop pod into the stratosphere tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeventeventshigh-altitude-ballooninternet-spaceshipsmiscreal-world-eventreal-world-eventssandboxsci-fiskyward-spherespreadsheets-onlineTue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Last week I celebrated the fourth anniversary of the EVE Evolved column with a competition to win one of two 30-day pilot's licenses. Congratulations to winners Dong Yi and Atrameides Denard, whose prizes have been contracted in-game. Today EVE Online itself turns nine years old, and so this week's EVE Evolved column takes a look back at the top EVE stories of the year. It's been a rollercoaster of a year for CCP, with the infamous monoclegate scandal hitting subscriptions hard during the summer and only recently starting to recover.

The drama kicked off as the much-touted Incarna expansion drew close and CCP revealed that it would contain no multiplayer elements and would introduce a microtransaction store for vanity items. Players didn't seem to mind the cash shop as long as it contained only vanity items, and CCP had previously promised that microtransactions would be limited to those types of items. When the Incarna expansion finally launched and players got a first-hand look at the cash shop, however, it became apparent that something was fundamentally wrong.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at the top EVE stories of the year, from the incredible videos and scams to the story of how CCP brought EVE Online back from the brink of disaster.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayccpccp-gamesconsolecrucibledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfpsincarnainfernommofpsnine-yearnine-year-oldnine-yearsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 06 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - ship trio
The death of the subscription model has been greatly exaggerated, according to CCP. This view isn't terribly surprising if you consider the fact that the company's fortunes ebb and flow with sub-based EVE Online. What is somewhat surprising is the frankness with which EVE producer Jon Lander talks about the free-to-play mania that's gripped western dev studios in recent years.

"You look at the companies who did go free-to-play. They retrofitted it on, and that was because their games were failing. They didn't care about the tiny nugget of players who were still playing, because they knew they would get a huge number of other players and it would be more profitable," Lander told PC Gamer, before going on to explain how such a retrofit would kill EVE's essence.

Overall quality and the desire for long-term play also factor into a title's business model, Lander says. "If you have a really good game [...] and people want to spend a long time playing it, not like a month or two but like EVE players for years at a time, they're prepared to pay a subscription fee for a good quality gaming experience."

He also mentions EVE's PLEX system, which allows for real-world money to be injected into the EVE economy sans shady third-party brokers. And of course, CCP is experimenting with free-to-play via its new DUST 514 shooter, which Lander says was built from the ground up for the new business model. It's not necessarily the future, though. "People say the subscription MMO is dead. I fundamentally disagree with that. It's simply not the case," he says. Hit the jump for video excerpts from the interview.

Continue reading EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable

MassivelyEVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewsjon-landermmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinevideoThu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New CCP interview recaps recent EVE turmoil, looks forward]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - battlecruiser at warp gate
"It's not our game," says CCP's Jon Lander. He's talking about EVE Online, and he makes no bones about the firm's role in the ongoing internet spaceship drama that is New Eden. "We're the janitors of it; we sweep up and make sure the power's still running and whatever, but it's their game. EVE is the sum history of their personal interactions, and we don't own that. We just look after it."

The "their" Lander refers to is the game's playerbase, of course, and he tells GamesIndustry.biz that despite the turmoil of the last 12 months, the EVE property is none the worse for wear (and in fact it may be getting stronger due to a design re-focus and the imminent arrival of DUST 514).

Ultimately the interview brings no new information to the table, but it does serve as a handy recap of recent EVE events. It also offers up more than a few juicy quotes from both Lander and lead game designer Kristoffer "CCP Soundwave" Touborg.

MassivelyNew CCP interview recaps recent EVE turmoil, looks forward originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-soundwaveconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewjon-landerkristoffer-touborgmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterThu, 03 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP analyzes EVE's Jita player event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online - Jita heatmap
If you warped into EVE Online's Jita merchant hub last week, chances are you didn't make it out alive. If you were plying your trade elsewhere in New Eden, the much-hyped "Burn Jita" campaign likely didn't even register on your radar.

It registered on CCP's, though, as shown by the company's latest EVE-focused dev blog. As per usual, there are a bunch of pretty graphs and plenty of tech-speak. There's also some verbiage related to TiDi (time dilation), which is CCP's way of dealing with massive concentrations of players in its single-shard universe. It's worth noting that since the devs had advance warning of this particular player-run event, they were able to beef up EVE's server infrastructure to handle the increased load. You can read all the technical details on the game's official website.

MassivelyCCP analyzes EVE's Jita player event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burn-jitaccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinegriefinginternet-spaceshipsplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsci-fiuser-generated-contentWed, 02 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online celebrates nine years of internet spaceships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online
Break out the cake and presents because EVE Online is turning nine years old on May 6th! That's right, the internet's premier spaceship/spreadsheet simulator is almost a decade old, and CCP Games is doing it up big-time with this year's anniversary gift packages.

Beginning on May 4th, players will have the opportunity to choose one of eight fabulous prize packages that include goodies such as ships, skill books, implants, mining crystals, and more. To take a look at all of the wonderful goodie bags that CCP has prepared for you, just head on over to the EVE Online official dev blog and check out the full announcement.

MassivelyEVE Online celebrates nine years of internet spaceships originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9th-anniversaryanniversaryccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeventeventsgiftgift-packgift-packagegift-packagesgift-packsgiftsinternet-spaceshipsninth-anniversarysandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineMon, 30 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
On April 27th, 2008, I joined the Massively crew and published the first edition of a new weekly column dedicated to the world of EVE Online. It's hard to believe that the EVE Evolved column is now four years old, spanning nine major expansions and predating CCP Games' transformation into an industry giant with three games in development. Since the column's first crude scribbling about shuttles, I've written over 200 in-depth articles, guides, stories, and opinion pieces. With its free expansions and iterative updates, EVE is a rapidly changing game that provides a constant supply of things to write about.

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the column, I'm giving away two 30-day Pilot's License EXtensions to two lucky readers. To enter the competition, leave a comment stating which EVE Evolved article from this year is your favourite, and why it's your favorite, and what topic you'd like to see covered in the coming year. You will need an active EVE account to claim the prize, so be sure to include a character name with your comment if you want to be able to win a prize. If you're not comfortable with giving out your character name, use an alternate character or sign up a new trial account. The winners' names will be revealed in next week's column.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at some of the highlights from the column's fourth year.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryapocryphaccpccp-gamescolumnconsolecontestcrucibledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfour-yearfour-year-anniversaryfour-yearsfpsincarnainfernommofpsnyphurplaystationplaystation-3plexps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online
EVE Online's CSM 7 took office earlier this month on April 4th, and the Council of Stellar Management is now officially in business. Today, the members of the CSM have released a letter outlining their plans and philosophies for the future. They first take the opportunity to announce their CSM officer choices, revealing Seleene as the CSM Chairman, Trebor Daehdoow as Vice-Chairman, Two Step as the CSM Secretary, and Hans Jagerblitzen as Vice-Secretary.

The letter then takes a moment to address the upcoming CSM 7 summit, which will be taking place between May 30th and June 1st. The CSM members note that "the summit will be a major opportunity to provide community input as CCP develops [its] plans for the Winter Expansion," and they encourage players to make their voices heard. But how? Well, the letter states that "one thing that CSM 7 will be doing differently than past CSMs is directly communicating with the players as much as possible" through a variety of media, including in-game chat, the CSM member blog, Twitter, and monthly Town Hall meetings, the first of which will be taking place in-game on May 19th. So get out there, players. Now's your chance to make your voices heard and to shape the future of the EVE Online galaxy.

MassivelyEVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcouncil-of-stellar-management-7csmcsm-7eveeve-onlineinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - new missile effects
It's patch day in New Eden. Today's Escalation update is the first step on the road to next month's Inferno expansion, so CCP has rolled out a new dev diary video to give all you internet spaceship jockeys a heads-up on the more pertinent changes.

Lead designer CCP Soundwave is today's talking head. He takes us through the changes to the drone regions, which CCP hopes will revitalize EVE Online's mining trade. "Mining will actually be done through mining rather than shooting NPCs," Soundwave deadpans.

Incursion spawns and payouts are also being tweaked, though Soundwave doesn't spend much time on that particular detail in this video. He does show off EVE's new effect bar, though. Prior to the patch, pilots needed to hunt down aggressors via the game's overview, but now there's a little status bar above the hull/armor/shield readout that displays pertinent combat info at a glance.

Finally, CCP has been hard at work revamping EVE's missile effects. The tweaks follow on from last year's turret upgrades to bring even more visual ooohs and ahhhs to EVE's combat. More details are available in the clip after the cut.

[Update: While the missile effects are featured in the video, we've changed the title of the article to reflect the fact that they're not live yet. We've also flogged ourselves accordingly.]

Continue reading EVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated]

MassivelyEVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-mankillerccp-soundwaveescalationescalation-patcheveeve-effect-bareve-escalationeve-missile-effectseve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsnew-edensandboxsci-fiTue, 24 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Inferno is right around the corner, with the Escalation to Inferno patch due to hit in two days on Tuesday, April 24th. The patch prepares EVE Online for the coming PvP apocalypse with titan balance tweaks, a new interactive status effect bar, and two very important changes to the NPC drop tables: Manufacturable tech 1 modules will be removed from NPC drop tables, and Rogue Drone NPCs will have their mineral drops replaced with ISK bounties. These are changes players have been suggesting for years, and together they have the potential to bring back mining as one of the most profitable professions in EVE.

If someone asked you where all the minerals come from to build the thousands of ships destroyed in EVE on a daily basis, you might say that you assume most of it comes from mined ore. Mining was originally the biggest source of minerals in the game and one of the most profitable professions, but over the years, that's changed. When level 4 missions added an infinite source of battleship-sized NPCs to high-security space, mission-running quickly overtook mining as the most profitable profession, and bizarrely, as a very good source of minerals. When the drone regions were later released, ratting there also became a huge mineral faucet far in excess of that produced through mining.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the problems faced by mining as a source of minerals and speculate on what will happen to mining as a profession when the Inferno expansion hits.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesescalationescalation-to-infernoeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedhulkindustrialindustryinfernologisticsmineralsminersminingnullsecopinionorerorqualsandboxsci-fizydrineSun, 22 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In the increasingly diminishing field of subscription-only MMOs, two distinct camps have formed. There is the Old Guard that has its established playerbase and is simply not interested in jumping on board the F2P train, and then there are the New Kids on the Block (which would make an excellent band name, by the way), who argue that their premium features and AAA content warrant a subscription in the F2P age.

A few years ago, doing a list of the final few F2P holdouts would have been a ridiculous proposition, but now it's actually difficult to get to 10 of these. Each company has a different reason that it hasn't given these games more flexible payment options (FPO should replace F2P; pass it on!), and while some have addressed this publicly, others say nothing and leave us to speculate on it.

For today's Perfect Ten, we're going to look at the 10 biggest current F2P holdouts in the industry and muse about what's going on behind the scenes. Will this list be impossible to do in a few years or will subscription-only titles come back in a big way? Hey, I don't predict things; I just make lists.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionAndy-Cataldoasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcamelotccpccp-gamesclassic-mmoconsoleconsolesdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsendless-trialeveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfpsfree-to-playhumorinternet-spaceshipsKai-Schoberlord-britishlucasartsmmofpsmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenplanetsidepsps1pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararounduprvrsandboxsci-fiscott-hartsmansoesony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuowarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Still arguably a bit less than visceral combat.
If you're playing EVE Online, you are going to lose a ship sooner or later. It's as inevitable as the tides. Sometimes you'll be outnumbered and outgunned, and while that can be frustrating, there's no real shame in it. But when you're having your ship locked in place by an attacker you can't see and you don't actually know what's happening, that is a different matter. It's particularly infuriating, and it's something that the game's next update is aiming to fix.

Starting with the next patch, the new Effects Bar will show a quick overview of all the effects currently in place on your ship as well as the source of same. So if there are two people attacking you, an icon will pop up, and you'll be able to target and counterattack appropriately rather than fumble through more clumsy interface methods. If the blog entry explaining the system isn't clear enough for you, check out the short preview video just past the break.

Continue reading EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship

MassivelyEVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesescalationeveeve-onlinefunctionsgame-mechanicsgame-systemsinterfaceinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinesystemsuiupdatesuser-interfacevideovideosWed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
EVE Online's new Inferno expansion is almost here, bringing with it a massive PvP revamp. CCP will try to resurrect the dead faction warfare system, and new modules will be introduced to significantly shake up the PvP landscape for the first time in several years. The war declaration system is also getting a complete overhaul, with the goal of forcing the aggressor to commit to the war and making wars more structured and meaningful. Unfortunately, the implementation described at Fanfest doesn't look like it will achieve that and doesn't fix any of the system's other problems.

The attacking corp can no longer stop a war mid-week, and the defender can hire mercenaries to join his war, but this doesn't add any risk for the attacking corp and doesn't force it to commit. The attacker can always stop paying the war bill, and the war will then finish at the end of the week. As most empire wardecs are initiated by small shell corps full of PvP alts, the attacking players won't mind logging out for a few days if the war backfires. The current war system is plagued with issues, from a complete lack of victory conditions to the fact that the attacker can pay for the war indefinitely. It allows bizarre asymmetries, like tiny alt corps declaring war on major military alliances, and offers no way for even the most militarily powerful defender to win the war.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I lay out some of the problems with EVE Online's upcoming wardec revamp and propose an alternative system that fixes them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeve-universityexpansionfanfestfeaturedgame-designinfernopvpsandboxsci-fiwarwardecSun, 15 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Internet spaceships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

One Shots
EVE Online is one of those polarizing games that seems to spark debate at every mention, but even if you're not a fan of the game's mechanics, there's no denying that the game's visuals are breathtaking. Infamous EVE pirate Helicity Boson sent in today's highlighted screenshot with this note:
Today I come to you with an amazing screenshot taken during a joint operation with several of Shadow Cartel's friends who happened to have trapped an unsuspecting super capital pilot. The visuals were just... amazing. There are a few more on my site, machine9.net. I hope you'll share this with the world!
Helicity's screenshot and two more starship-themed pics are tucked behind the break!

Continue reading One Shots: Internet spaceships

MassivelyOne Shots: Internet spaceships originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bring-back-one-shotsccpccp-gamescrypticcryptic-studioseveeve-onlinef2pfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryinternet-spaceshipsone-shotsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwereader-screenshotsreader-submissionssandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsspacespaceshipspaceshipsspreadsheets-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestarshipstarshipsstouser-submissionsSun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST