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 Road to Mordor: The Adventures of Floid & Dewitt in LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor The Adventures of Floid & Dewitt
It's important to get this straight right away: Floid is the horse and Dewitt is the human. And no, I'm not giving you the principle cast of a Saturday morning cartoon; this is one of the more interesting Easter eggs that inhabit Lord of the Rings Online.

Floid the Mighty Steed and Dewitt the Explorer are an adventuring duo in the process of touring all of Middle-earth. Their journeys take them to out-of-the-way places, but if you stumble upon them you'll be given a deed to find the pair in seven different locales. Do so and you'll earn the incredible, the awe-inspiring, the magnificent... title of "the Wanderer." OK, it's just a title, but it's a title and a "Where's Waldo?" hunt for two oddballs. I'll take some time off of plowing through Update 11 to do this, yes sir!

While I've been aware of Floid and Dewitt over the years, I have never taken the time to hunt them down and finish the deed. Well, that ends this week. Come with me as I search high and low until all is revealed!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The Adventures of Floid & Dewitt in LotRO

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The Adventures of Floid & Dewitt in LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dewittf2pfantasyfeaturedfloidfree-to-playguidelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroad-to-mordorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirate101 sets sail for Marleybone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The game is 78% sharks by volume.
One of the bonuses of having Pirate101 set in the same world as Wizard101 is that the former can benefit from some of the latter's layout. KingsIsle has launched a big expansion for the game that includes some old favorites for veteran players, starting by sending pirate captains to the familiar land of Marleybone. Players will be investigating a war zone they helped inadvertently create while working up through another 15 levels of experience.

The update also adds the new region of Aquila, a new Bazaar system for players to trade goods, and a new tutorial to help players get accustomed to the game. There are also new bosses and transport systems to give players more to do while they sail across the oceans. Last but not least, new companions are scattered through the added regions, and old companions are learning some new tricks. Pirate101 players can log in and start enjoying the update immediately.

MassivelyPirate101 sets sail for Marleybone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfamilyfantasyfree-to-playkid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlevel-caplevelinglevelsmajor-patchmajor-updatenew-areaspatchpiratepirate101piratestutorialupdateFri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT removes currency-boosting effects for raids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT removes currency boosting effects for raids
Trion Worlds Lead Game Designer Bill Fisher has announced that RIFT won't be allowing raiders to use item store tokens to boost ultra-rare currency gains.

In a forum thread titled RIFT is officially pay-to-win, Fisher addressed the concern over the upcoming item shop's impact in the raiding game. The specific beef was with item store tokens that offered a substantial boost to all currency gained in the game over a period of time. Trion has since nerfed the token's potency (from 100% currency bonus to 80%) as well as removed the ability to gain extra Frozen Eclipse Stones from it.

Fisher explained that he decided to remove the token effect because he felt it was crossing the line of what is and is not acceptable from a cash shop. "I don't want you to have the perception that to take part in that section of the game you are going to be forced into buying something," Fisher wrote. "RIFT doesn't win the race by trying to be exploitative of any given group -- yes, it has to make money to continue getting updates, and I know everyone out there understands that."

MassivelyRIFT removes currency-boosting effects for raids originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-fisherconquestcurrency-boostersfantasypvpraidraidersraidingriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsFri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

RuneScape 3 screenshot
If you have heard the news about RuneScape 3, you fall into one of two camps. You're either really excited and cannot wait for this new version of one of your favorite games or you really don't see what the fuss is all about. It's possible there is a third category for those who are interested but have played the game only once or twice. I easily fall into the first category, and I think the announcement of RuneScape 3 isn't important because it represents a new version of a long-running and very successful browser-based title; it's important because it will represent a massive shift in mobile technology and in how people perceive MMO gaming on a mobile device.

So many people seem to think that tablet or smartphone gaming is different from gaming on any other device. It is different in the way we interact with the game, in the way that we actually hold the tablet or touch the screen, but the device itself is just a smaller version of the ever-familiar PC, the personal computer. RuneScape 3 could prove that a tablet or smartphone is just as good as any other delivery system -- and in many ways, it might be superior.

Continue reading MMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important

MassivelyMMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedfeaturedIOSjagexmmobilitymobilemobile-gamingmobile-mmoopinionphonerunescaperunescape-3smartphonetablettabletsFri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Tamriel Infinium Elder Scrolls Elves are supposed to be ugly
I don't know if you noticed this, but in the fully rendered trailer for The Elder Scrolls Online, the Aldmeri Dominion elves looked nice. In traditional fantasy lore like Lord of the Rings, elves are some of the most beautiful creatures in the universe. However, I've always seen the Elder Scrolls elves as somewhat alien -- like the grey-men kind of aliens. In fact, the dark elves with their ashy skin really looked like grey men, especially if they were bald. Yet that particular MMO trailer presented a different kind of elf.

Of course, that's just a CGI trailer, and CGI trailers rarely represent what we will see in the game. I can accept that. But more and more screenshots have popped up and more in-game videos have appeared on different websites, and in each of them, it appears to me that the elves -- the "mer" -- have received a makeover. And it's not just the elves; even the Argonians and Khajiit look different. I suspect there's a reason for this.

Continue reading Tamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly

MassivelyTamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftbump-mappingcharacter-modelscolumnelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofeaturedgame-enginehero-enginepaul-sagetamrieltamriel-infiniumtesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinezenimaxzenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosFri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green
Much ado has certainly been made lately about doing something "new and different" in games. Just take a look at all the options coming through Kickstarter lately; even more contenders have thrown their hats into the ring since our roundup last February. But in a large number of these cases, the new ideas are coming from developers within the gaming industry. So what would happen if a game were developed from outside the industry?

Enter TUG. Formally known as The Untitled Game, the game is the brainchild of Nerd Kingdom, a group hailing from the world of academia that happens to have intersected with gaming. Self-described as "a collaboration of video game developers, academic scientists, modders, and gamers," this group wants to move beyond just improving the way games are made "to show[ing] that such games can make us better as individuals and as a society."

I was able to catch up with one of the founders of Nerd Kingdom, Scientist and Researcher of Stuffs Peter Salinas, to talk about the game. We touched on everything from player design input to features (like player books and companions) to making an engine available for others to use. Oh, and of course, Soylent Green.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green

MassivelySome Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfeaturesgame-mechanicsinterviewinterviewsKickstartermassively-exclusivemassively-exclusive-interviewNerd-KingdomopinionPeter-Salinaspgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsarsome-assembly-requiredSoylent-GreenThe-Untitled-GameTUGFri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter State of the Game announces public test shard, raid content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Neverwinter State of the Game announces public test shard, raid content
While still technically beta, Neverwinter joined the rank and file of MMOverse three weeks ago with a soft launch. Since then, the game has experienced its share of issues, bugs, and exploits. To address those, as well as give players a heads-up on what's incoming, Lead Producer Andy Velasquez shared the fantasy game's first State of the Game address.

Velasquez jumped right into discussing the bugs and exploits that have affected the game since open beta started and outlined the fixes that were implemented to squash them. He went on to talk about the top issues that the team was working on currently and then reveal what players can expect to see in the next few weeks. A Public Test Shard is coming to Neverwinter (to hopefully catch bugs and exploits before going live), as is new endgame raid PvE/PvP content called Gauntlgrym. Other new content includes updates in the Foundry and new companions, zones, mounts, mechanics, Paragon Paths, and a new "ranged" class.

MassivelyNeverwinter State of the Game announces public test shard, raid content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoAndy-Velasquezcrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdndf2pfantasyFoundryfree-to-playneverwinternew-contentopen-betaperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpublic-test-serverpublic-test-shardpweraid-contentraidssoft-lunchstate-fo-the-gameFri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 mixes up its WvW matchups]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Invaders from another very similar dimension.
There's a problem in the Guild Wars 2 World vs. World matching system, and it's a subtle one that's almost invisible until you look closer. Because of the way ratings are calculated and how the matchups happen, the net result for each server is always being matched up against the same servers. No matter how well you perform, you wind up locked into a certain tier without any hope of changes. It's a problem that the development team is both aware of and is moving to address.

The short version of how things will work is that servers will be matched up semi-randomly, with ratings taken into account to assure that the spread between opponents isn't too severe. More math beneath the surface takes into account both the current rating of a given world and its overall deviation, producing a "real" rating that will facilitate fair matches. Take a look at the official blog for all the hard details.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 mixes up its WvW matchups originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playdevelopment-blogfantasyguild-wars-2gw2matchesmatchmakingncsoftpvpranking-systemwvwFri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ken Hartsook discusses Ultima Forever from behind the scenes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's already better than Ultima Occasionally, Ultima Every Once In A While, and Ultima Biweekly.
Looking forward to having some nostalgic adventures with Ultima Forever when it releases this summer? Then you might enjoy a trip behind the scenes of development with Ken Hartsook, a software engineer working on the title at Mythic. Hartsook is the subject of a new video detailing some of the programming challenges associated with bringing Ultima Forever to the iOS family of devices as well as his favorite parts of the game as it approaches launch.

According to Hartsook, one of the biggest challenges was finding a control scheme that worked for tablets and smartphones, which meant deviating substantially from classic control models. He also discusses the tilesets in the game and his experience playing a Fighter in the test version of the game. So if your iPad is ready and waiting for a chance to take the jump into Britannia, check out the full interview just past the break.

Continue reading Ken Hartsook discusses Ultima Forever from behind the scenes

MassivelyKen Hartsook discusses Ultima Forever from behind the scenes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-scenesdevelopmenteaelectronic-artsken-hartsookmobilemythicmythic-entertainmenttabletsufultima-forevervideovideosThu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics
If you found yourself impressed when you watched the four-minute cinematic opening for Neverwinter, then address all kudos and praise to Plastic Wax Studios. The company has previously focused on console titles, although it recently stated that it is branching out to provide cinematics for MMOs and mobile titles as well.

Executive Vice President Dane Maddams touts the studio's high fidelity and skill when it comes to these trailers: "We aimed to really push technology and art to compelling and cutting edge realism with our recent release of the Director's Cut cinematic for Perfect World's Neverwinter. The cinematics were carefully designed to enhance the story in a never seen before narrative and build anticipation for the title to new heights."

If you haven't watched the Neverwinter cinematic yet, you can do so after the jump.

[Source: Plastic Wax Studios press release]

Continue reading Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics

MassivelyPlastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmocgicinematiccrypticcryptic-studiosDane-Maddamsdndf2pfantasyfree-to-playneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplastic-wax-studiospwetrailervideoThu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Sheep Online gameplay detailed in new vids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Black Sheep Online screenshot
Neowiz is probably best known to western MMO fans as the publisher behind BLESS, one of those gorgeous big-budget Korean imports that seems to land on our shores once or twice per year. The firm is working on another title called Black Sheep Online, though, and if the gameplay vids and screenshots on display at Steparu.com are any indication, the new title might be worth watching.

The game allows for different limb-focused hit boxes (so targeting arms and legs is a viable strategy), and it also features destructible environments including breakable dungeon walls. Steparu reports that Black Sheep boasts action-style combat and some sort of grappling system. You can check out a gameplay video after the cut, then head to Steparu.com for the full report.

Continue reading Black Sheep Online gameplay detailed in new vids

MassivelyBlack Sheep Online gameplay detailed in new vids originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-combatblack-sheepblack-sheep-onlinedestructible-environmentsfantasyhit-boxesneowizThu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ragnarok Online 2 releases in Europe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ragnarok Online 2 releases in Europe
Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second has been given the keys to Europe, as Gravity Europe announced that the free-to-play title is now available to play across the continent. The game comes with a new English translation, and promises to be "easier to dive into" than the original Ragnarok Online.

Gravity Managing Director Yves Bléhaut said of the launch, "For us, Ragnarok Online 2 represents a major step in the life of a brand with as high a profile as Ragnarok. First and foremost, hosting so many players on two continents simultaneously represents a technical challenge for both us and our American partner, and it's also a major editorial step as two versions of Ragnarok will coexist: RO1 for purists, and one more accessible to the general public, RO2."

Ragnarok Online 2 has been rolling out worldwide over the past few months. Gravity Europe is offering two different goodie packs through "specialized media" to promote the launch.

[Source: Gravity Europe press release]

MassivelyRagnarok Online 2 releases in Europe originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiasoftasiasoft-onlineeuropef2pfantasyfree-to-playfreemiumgravitygravity-europelaunchlaunchesmicrotransactionpromotionragnarok-2ragnarok-onlineragnarok-online-2ragnarok-online-2-legends-of-the-secondragnarok-online-iiro2Yves-BlehautThu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter Days: The great economic collapse of 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Neverwinter Days The great economic collapse of 2013
So funny story: In planning out in advance what I wanted to talk about in this biweekly Neverwinter column, I had selected something that recently caught my eye about the game and made me happy. That something was the Neverwinter Gateway, a web portal that allows out-of-game players the ability to fiddle with their character sheets, auctions, professions, guilds, and mail. I thought -- and I still do -- that this was a nifty service that deserved a day in the sun.

As I was getting set to write that column, Neverwinter's economy exploded and then imploded over the course of a weekend, thanks to a nasty exploit that involved, yup, the Gateway. Suddenly my topic had to shift from "isn't this a neat tool?" to "check out what the tools are doing with this tool." Seeing the economy effectively destroyed in a matter of hours and how Cryptic Studios dealt with this PR nightmare might be old news at this point, but it's definitely worthy of reflection, analysis, and speculation as to how trust can be rebuilt in this fledgling title.

Let's get cracking -- we have a lot of ground to cover!

Continue reading Neverwinter Days: The great economic collapse of 2013

MassivelyNeverwinter Days: The great economic collapse of 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astral-diamondsbugcrypticcryptic-studiosdnddungeons-and-dragonseconomic-collapseeconomic-meltdowneconomyexploitexploitersexploitsf2pfantasyfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playgatewayneverwinterneverwinter-daysneverwinter-gatewayneverwinter-nightsopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentPGCplayer-generated-contentpwethe-foundryThu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27th [Updated with video]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27
Square Enix has announced today that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is set for release on August 27, 2013 on both PC and PS3.

According to previous reports, the third phase of the relaunched game's beta will begin some time next month. This phase will be the first time A Realm Reborn will be open to PS3 players during this beta.

Click past the jump for complete details on pre-order bonuses and the Collector's Edition box contents as well as the new video.

[Source: Square Enix press release]

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27th [Updated with video]

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27th [Updated with video] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-realm-reborncollectors-editionconsoleconsolesfantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivpre-orderpreordersquaresquare-enixtrailertrailersvideovideosThu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Continent: An ArcheAge community guide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lost Continent - ArcheAge Adventures: Community guide
Is it me, or has ArcheAge been a long time coming? I don't think it's me because it was three years and thousands of posts ago that Massively introduced ArcheAge to western gamers. Heck, it was six years ago that Jake Song and company started building XLGAMES' upcoming sandpark.

And it's been two years -- two years! -- since I first got my hands on the game's seemingly endless closed beta. Now, though, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Trion recently and famously signed on to publish ArcheAge in the West, and despite the silence following the announcement, I'm still optimistic about a beta before the end of the year.

Even if it that doesn't happen, we've still got plenty to talk about, which is why I'm taking the wraps off Massively's newest game-specific column. Join me after the cut for the traditional first-issue community roundup.

Continue reading Lost Continent: An ArcheAge community guide

MassivelyLost Continent: An ArcheAge community guide originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaarche-agearcheagearcheage-community-guidearcheage-fansitearcheage-fansitesarcheage-guidecolumnfantasyfeaturedjake-songkorealost-continentlost-continent-guidespvpsandboxsandparktriontrion-worldsxl-gamesxlgamesThu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

ThresholdRPG screenshot
The last time I explored ThresholdRPG, I had a blast. It was one of a batch of MUDs that I used to re-introduce myself to the ancient gaming genre, and I enjoyed its simplicity and friendly community. MUDs can seem to be very similar to each other, so in order to enjoy them, you must be able to pick out the finer details that separate them. In ThresholdRPG, I particularly enjoyed fishing, roleplay, customization, and a free-to-play model that was years ahead of its time when first released 17 years ago.

The game can be a bit odd, like any MUD. During MUD May I've discovered just how confusing many of these titles can be, but I have also grown to enjoy solving the "mystery" of each game's particular set of code-words that unlock actions. ThresholdRPG is like other MUDs and introduces players to basic commands, but once out in the world a player is on her own. The good news is that an out-of-character help chat is always available and sits right on top of the standard roleplay-enforced chat. That juxtaposition of both channels actually helps immerse me in the game, allowing me to see literally where and when I can use out-of-character speech.

I asked Michael Hartman, president and CEO of Frogdice, to talk about MUD development and branching out into other styles of gaming.

Continue reading Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman

MassivelyFree for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achaeabeau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiuminterviewmichael-hartmanmudMUD-MayMUDsopinionthresholdrpgvelvet-ropeWed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Building on the clan experience in Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure Building on the clan experience in Darkfall
Boy, MJ's Misadventureland is really coming along! Hiring a few more hands sure has sped things up; you wouldn't even recognize the project now compared to even just one week ago. But isn't that the whole point of Choose My Adventure -- to watch the adventure that you're building develop and unfold? Well, that and to snicker at your Massively guinea pigs... we know.

Having gone into this particular adventure knowing that Darkfall Unholy Wars was not a game meant for the solo soul, I knew that it was only a matter of time before I found myself in a clan to experience more of the heart of the game, which just so happens to be clan warfare. And trust me, the clan wasted no time throwing me into the thick of things once you put me in one.

Although I do think starting off solo was important to get the real experience Darkfall any new player would (after all, most find a clan after first logging in), this week really has shown me a whole new game. I'd just scratched the surface before, the skin if you will, and now I've peered into the heart and seen the seedy underbelly as well.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure: Darkfall Unholy Wars

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Building on the clan experience in Darkfall

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Building on the clan experience in Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinechoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallchoose-my-adventure-mj-guthrieclanscmadarkfalldarkfall-unholy-warsdffantasyfeaturedguildshands-onopen-pvpopinionpollpollspvpreaders-choicesandboxsiegessiegingunholy-warsvotevotingWed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I believe this man is named Scores. Hi, Scores.
What's in a website? Quite a lot when your game is based in a browser client, as it happens. With RuneScape 3 around the corner, the team at Jagex is hard at work putting together a new and improved website, and a new video from the development team shows off just what players can expect. Which is quite a lot.

For example, one of the centerpieces of the revised design is a series of six buttons front-and-center on the page. The trick is that three of the buttons can be customized by you, allowing you to immediately jump to the most useful parts of the page for your particular playstyle. The team is also revamping the high score pages to incorporate weekly high scores, meaning that newer players can still have a shot at the top. There will even be rewards for people who do well in a given interval. For more details, check out the full video past the break.

Continue reading New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3

MassivelyNew video details the website changes for RuneScape 3 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedclassic-mmof2pfantasyfree-to-playjagexjagex-games-studiorsrunescaperunescape-3sandboxvideovideoswebsitewebsite-improvementsWed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TUG tackles sexiness and diversity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tug-tackles-sexiness-and-diversity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tug-tackles-sexiness-and-diversity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tug-tackles-sexiness-and-diversity/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TUG tackles sexiness and diversity
We're not getting into a real talk about diversity in gaming here. We are, however, talking about The Untitled Game's take on that sort of thing. The latest update on the TUG Kickstarter page is all about Seed diversity. The team is promising to do its best to make sure that players don't have to deal with armors that have a "drastically different appearance" based on gender. Female characters won't get overly sexualized animations, and you're just as likely to find a manly NPC in distress as a lady one. The team is working to avoid stereotypical representations of races and cultures, and wants to be sure that white males aren't portrayed as the default for Seeds.

Some servers will allow users only basic inputs on their Seed's appearance, like gender and skin color, and will automatically assign the rest. All Seed's appearances, regardless of initial input, will grow and change over time as they age. Players will also be able to directly affect their Seed's look with hairstyle changes, tattoos, and other mysterious alterations.

MassivelyTUG tackles sexiness and diversity originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingdiversitygender-disparitykickstarternerd-kingdomrace-disparitysexismthe-untitled-gametugWed, 22 May 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kings and Legends Global melds the TCG with the MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/kings-and-legends-global-melds-the-tcg-with-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/kings-and-legends-global-melds-the-tcg-with-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/kings-and-legends-global-melds-the-tcg-with-the-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Kings and Legends Global melds the CCG with the MMO
Watch out: It's an unholy fusion of addictive trading card games with addictive massively multiplayer online roleplaying games! The clinics will be overrun and crime will run rampant as police will be too captivated by the bleeps and bloops of their computer boxes to do anything about it.

That's the dire future that Kings and Legends Global could usher in. Or it could just be an interesting title that mixes CCGs with MMOs to create a novel experience. The cards themselves can be customized, crafted, and traded by players and then used to battle in PvP and PvE environments. Knights and Legends will have four classes, seven races, an auction house, guild halls, a crafting system, and plenty of deck building to keep folks interested.

GameFuse is tempting potential fans into registering by promising a free starter pack to those who sign up. You can do so on the website and then check out the game trailer after the break.

[Source: GameFuse press release]

Continue reading Kings and Legends Global melds the TCG with the MMO

MassivelyKings and Legends Global melds the TCG with the MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccgcollectable-card-gamegamefuseknights-and-legendsknights-and-legends-globaltcgtrading-card-gametrailervideoWed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST