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[The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Generally speaking, when I celebrate anniversaries, I celebrate the point when the game actually came out in a language that I could play it. This is relevant in the case of Final Fantasy XI, since the game took a year and a half to reach the shores of America (also known as "the place I live"). I learned my lesson about trying to learn a language just to muddle through a game back with Final Fantasy III.

However, when one of our eagle-eyed readers pointed out to me the milestone that the game had hit, that made an impact because even if I couldn't understand any of the game's text back when it launched, a decade is a long time for continuous operation of anything. So rather than talking about the Legacy campaign as I'd planned, I think I'd rather talk about the legacy of Final Fantasy XI this week, including where the game has gone from its state at launch. You know, when a Black Mage could make the entire world bow and you still got attacked when riding a chocobo.

Continue reading The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryconsoleconsolesdecadedesigndevelopmentfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilaunch-anniversarymog-logopinionretrospectivesquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logSat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/amazon-to-offer-special-limited-time-deals-on-tera-rift-others/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/amazon-to-offer-special-limited-time-deals-on-tera-rift-others/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/amazon-to-offer-special-limited-time-deals-on-tera-rift-others/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

TERA screenshot
Have you been watching TERA via livestreams and wistfully wishing you could jump in and join but you haven't wanted to plunk down the cash at launch? Well as long as you don't mind not having a box to display on your shelf, your waiting has actually paid off! Amazon is kicking off a 12-day digital "MAYhem" sale today and offering select MMO titles at a significant discount on specific days. Those deals are as follows:
Mark your calendar if you don't want to miss these offers.

[Update: We've added in the TERA sale on May 26th as well.]

[Source: Amazon press release]

MassivelyAmazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comblueholebluehole-studiosconsoleconsolesen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrsquaresquare-enixterathree-faction-pvptriontrion-worldsThu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Over the last couple of months, I've been trying something different. As I mentioned back in my anniversary column, I spent a year trying out a strictly alternating format for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV, but it wasn't working out to my satisfaction for a number of reasons. Backing off and focusing on the game with more activity seems to be working quite well (from my perspective, anyway), but it also means that I haven't really been discussing Final Fantasy XI much.

This isn't entirely by coincidence, as the game itself hasn't changed much over the past several months. In an earlier column, I had mentioned that the roadmap made it pretty clear that if change was on the horizon, we wouldn't be seeing it until the new roadmap finally came out. And here we are, one new roadmap later. So what do I think? Is this the promised vision of the future, the prophecy to lead us all into a new era of joy and light across the game's continents?

Continue reading The Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdevelopmentfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifuture-patchesmog-logopinionpatchesroad-aheadroadmapsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logSat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 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[Lead your Legion into Final Fantasy XI's March version update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XI's March version update has hit the live servers, and it brings with it a few new bits of content as well as a wealth of updates and adjustments to current systems. The big new feature with this content update is the new Legion battle system, which "is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants."

The Legion system seems to play out like a cross between a survival and a time-attack game mode wherein players are tasked with eliminating as many high-level notorious monsters as they can within a 30-minute time limit. Each notorious monster the team successfully defeats will yield valuable items and Legion points that can be redeemed for a number of rewards. This is only a part of the new additions to the game available with the March update, though, so if you're interested in the complete details, just head on over to the Final Fantasy XI official forums and have a look.

MassivelyLead your Legion into Final Fantasy XI's March version update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilegionlegion-battle-systemmarch-updatemarch-version-updatepatchpatchessquaresquare-enixupdateupdatesversion-updateTue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
I like Final Fantasy XI, and not just because it was the game that introduced me to how awesome MMOs could be, although that's certainly a part of it. I like the game because it has a lot of things that are genuinely likable, several elements that are well-designed, and some really excellent parts that stand out even now. So keep in mind that everything I'm about to say is said on behalf of a Final Fantasy XI fan.

Specifically, the rant that's about to ensue about how the idea of remaking it is a terrible idea.

This suggestion crops up pretty regularly, largely among people still disappointed that Final Fantasy XIV was what it was at launch. There's some thought that somehow cloning FFXI with the models from Final Fantasy XIV would lead to a glorious revival. And I can understand the thought process, but there are two very good reasons why that shouldn't happen -- not won't, which is already obvious, but shouldn't.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-ideascolumncolumnsconsoleconsolesdo-overfantasyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmog-logopinionredosremakesremaking-gamessquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 03 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Get together]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Grouping with other players is inconvenient. It can also be a lot of fun, but it takes more work to get a half-dozen people running in the same direction compared to just operating on your lonesome. But you're a lot more likely to stick with a game if you can find other people to play with, and thus both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV have offered different approaches to grouping and encouraging parties.

When I started playing MMOs back when Final Fantasy XI launched, I wound up being soured by the game's insistence on grouping for a long while. These days, I can take a much more objective view of both sides because for all the hiccups that the system brings, Final Fantasy XIV's much more open environment has its own pitfalls -- some a result of basic game design, some a result of the less demanding approach. But why just look at this from the top down?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Get together

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Get together originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsdesignfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroupinggroupslevelingopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: One year, two courses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-mog-log-one-year-two-courses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-mog-log-one-year-two-courses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-mog-log-one-year-two-courses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Today does not quite mark the two-year anniversary of The Mog Log. That was back on January 24th, but I decided to run just a wee bit late with annual retrospectives. We're now close enough to the year mark for argument's sake, which gives me a chance to look back at how the past year of the column has shaken out, what's gone right, and what hasn't. That ties into the issue that one invariably finds when a single column covers two games: There's a split.

Whether or not you like Final Fantasy XIV, you can't argue that the past year has brought an onslaught of changes to the game. On the flip side, there's been less going on in Final Fantasy XI than in any of the game's previous years of operation. As a result, I've had a difficult dilemma to try to juggle: There's one game moving at high speed and one staying rather stagnant, but I don't want to give undue attention to one over the other.

Continue reading The Mog Log: One year, two courses

MassivelyThe Mog Log: One year, two courses originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmeanderingmeta-columnopinionretrospectivesquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 04 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Weakness is strength]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
If you think about characters in the online Final Fantasy games compared to the console-based equivalents, you have to come to a kind of demoralizing conclusion: Your character online is pretty weak. In Final Fantasy XI, you can cap out your Black Mage and you'll still never learn Ultima. In Final Fantasy X, by the time you have your Black Mage using Ultima, you've still got most of the endgame ahead of you. Final Fantasy XIV might move the power scale upward, but at this point your character hasn't even actually mastered being a Paladin, much less summoning anything. Final Fantasy VII, by contrast, gave us three different versions of Bahamut to summon just to keep him relevant, and he was still nowhere near the best.

And you know what? It makes the games much more fun to have these barriers in place.

Players have been clamoring for high-end summons in Final Fantasy XI since forever ago, and the fact that it's not even on the visible horizon for Final Fantasy XIV is disheartening to some. But there's something to be said for a play environment where these touchstones of power remain out of reach, certainly for now and possibly forever.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Weakness is strength

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Weakness is strength originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbackstorycolumncolumnsculturefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsloreopinionpower-levelspowersskillssquaresquare-enixsummonsthe-mog-logSat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation 3 patch to require more disk space for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/playstation-3-patch-to-require-more-disk-space-for-final-fantasy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/playstation-3-patch-to-require-more-disk-space-for-final-fantasy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/playstation-3-patch-to-require-more-disk-space-for-final-fantasy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Final Fantasy XI - Chocobo race
If you're playing Final Fantasy XI on your PlayStation 3, you might want to head to Gamer Escape to get the details on an upcoming hardware tweak.

The website reports that sometime in February, Sony will release a system update for the PS3 that will increase the hard drive space necessary to run the PlayStation 2 version of FFXI. PS3 models that feature 60GB and 20GB drives are the only units being affected, but it's worth noting because the FFXI client will require an additional 9GB of space after the patch (21GB total).

The PS2 version of FFXI isn't changing, nor is the Windows version, so don't sweat it if you're not playing the title on your PS3. If you are, though, the source article is worth a read. As of press time, Square-Enix hasn't divulged a reason for the space increase.

[Thanks to Andrew for the tip!]

MassivelyPlayStation 3 patch to require more disk space for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-mmoconsolesfantasyffxi-ps3-hard-drive-spacefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xihard-drive-spaceplaystation-2playstation-3ps3sonysquaresquare-enixTue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
One of the funny things about writing a regular column is that sometimes, when you start out writing a series of connected columns on a topic, you have a point you want to make. Other times, you find a point making itself as you go, and you realize that it's a pretty good point. After our first three columns covering the various classes in Final Fantasy XI, that effect is on my mind, especially as I move into the fourth installment.

As before, the standard caveats apply. Nothing below is meant to debate relative power levels or overall worth; instead, I'll judge the class solely on its own merits -- how much does it offer other jobs, does it have a unique mechanical identity or not, and how cool is the darn thing. With that in mind, let's round out the advanced jobs from the core game with Beastmaster, Summoner, and Bard!

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bardbeastmasterclassescolumncolumnsdesignfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicsjobsopinionsquaresquare-enixsummonerthe-mog-logSat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
As I've well established both here on Massively and elsewhere, I'm somewhat of a nut for video game music. Whereas others might collect vintage hair metal tracks or the latest Justin Bieber opus, I'm always digging through obscure (and not-so-obscure) official soundtracks to games like Wipeout and Kirby. Video game scores can be right up there with the best that the film industry puts out, and the fact that they tie into personal experiences that we've played through can lend them sentimental weight.

So for the next two Perfect Tens, I scoured all the MMO theme songs that I could get ahold of in an attempt to formulate a list of the very best. It was originally slated to be just one list, but after an hour or so of listening to tracks and having friends and fellow staffers weigh in on the subject, I knew it was impossible to keep it there.

Two important things to note for this list. First, I wanted to keep to just the title/login screen tracks so that I wouldn't be working on this for the next 2.5 years. Second, unlike most past Perfect Tens where there's no significance to the order of the list, in this case we're going to have a genuine countdown to the best MMO theme song of all time. And I expect to take no flak about it, do you hear me? Good. Let's begin.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowareblade-and-souldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiharry-potterlistmabinogimusicNobuo-Uematsuperfect-10perfect-tenpiratespirates-of-the-burning-searunescapescorestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthemetheme-musictitle-musictop-10top-20transformerstwilightwizard101wurm-onlineThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
There's a certain brilliance to the fact that the first six classes in Final Fantasy XI mirror your selections back in the first Final Fantasy game. Once you hit 30, you can start transferring into the more iconic and frequently bonus-laden advanced jobs, but your initial selection is meant to call back to the start of the game. Those are the classes that I've already covered in this column, first with a column on the three physical classes, then the three caster classes. But that's barely the tip of the iceberg.

The core game only offered six advanced choices: Paladin, Dark Knight, Ranger, Beastmaster, Bard, and Summoner. Today, I'm going to be taking a look at the somewhat more physical side of the group, using criteria established way back when I started talking about class design philosophy. Bear in mind that this isn't meant to discuss strict power levels; that's the sort of thing that gets fiddled with easily enough and frequently enough that a unique mechanical identity matters more than who's on top at any given week. On with the first batch of advanced jobs!

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesadvanced-jobsclassescolumncolumnsdark-knightfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xijobsopinionpaladinrangersquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 07 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: A virtual world roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/some-assembly-required-a-virtual-world-round-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

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

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

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: A virtual world roundup

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaionaion-gameAnarchy-Onlineaocccpccp-eveccp-gameschampions-onlinecharacter-creationcharacter-customizationcity-of-heroescocohcraft-of-godscraft-of-the-godscraftingcrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkfalleden-eternaleq-1eq-2eq-ieq-iieveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineever-quest-1ever-quest-2ever-quest-iever-quest-iieverquest-1everquest-2everquest-ieverquest-iifallen-earthfeaturedfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiflyffFuncomglitchguild-housinghousingking-of-kings-3liden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroluna-onlinemabinogimission-architectnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionnotorious-gamesparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioesplanetsideplayer-generated-contentplayer-generated-missionsplayer-housingplayer-run-economyrunescapeRyzomsecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labssoe-eq-1soe-eq-2soe-eq-isoe-eq-iisome-assembly-requiredsony-eq-1sony-eq-2sony-eq-isony-eq-iisquare-enixst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineturbineTurbine-EntertainmentUltima-OnlineUOvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvirtual-worldwar-of-the-immortalswizard-101xbox-360XsyonFri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: The 2012 forecast]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-mog-log-the-2012-forecast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-mog-log-the-2012-forecast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-mog-log-the-2012-forecast/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
As we enter the twilight of 2011, I can say with absolute certainty that my predictions for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV were wrong, which is fine, since when I made them last year I seem to recall saying to myself that I was predicting more on the basis of "should happen" than "will likely happen." I was overly optimistic about several things, overly pessimistic about a couple of others, and going in a completely different direction from the design team on the rest -- which is fine by me, actually.

That having been said, whether proving that I'm not afraid of failure or that I don't know when to quit, I'm coming back for another round of predictions for this coming year. But there's one major variable in the equation that's horrible to try and account for, and that's Final Fantasy XI. I can easily see the game going one of two ways, and while I think one's a bit more likely, there seem to be more divergent futures for it than for Final Fantasy XIV.

Continue reading The Mog Log: The 2012 forecast

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The 2012 forecast originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012-predictionscolumncolumnsdevelopmentexpansionsfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmmo-industryopinionpredictionssquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 lawsuit against Final Fantasy XI dismissed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It would have been $7.5 million, but Leong couldn't beat the court's Lawsuit Limit Break quests.
If you're a longtime player of Final Fantasy XI, you might have some problems with the way that the game's been handled over the years. Those problems are usually complaints about issues such as balance or the way that the game has handled updates, though, and they certainly don't extend to legal action. Yet back in 2009, Esther Leong filed suit against Square-Enix for fraudulent practices and deceptive advertising because of the game's monthly subscription fee. The claim was seeking over five million dollars in damages on behalf of all Final Fantasy XI players, which is probably a bit more than you seek when you feel your White Mage is underpowered.

The 9th District Circuit Court of Appeals has officially dismissed the case, ending its progression for good and establishing a precedent that most likely won't find itself under heavy contest. A deputy general counsel for Square-Enix had called the suit "baseless" when it was first filed, due in no small part to the game's transparent statement that players would be required to pay a subscription fee.

Massively2009 lawsuit against Final Fantasy XI dismissed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dismissalffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xihumorlawsuitslegallegal-battlelitigationsquaresquare-enixTue, 27 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
This has not been a normal year. Not for me, certainly -- I certainly didn't expect back in January that I'd be facing a week without power later in the year -- but not for Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV either. None of us was expecting both games to be shut down for a while in response to a horrible earthquake hitting Japan, for example. But barring something truly bizarre happening over the next week, the year is finally winding down to a close, so we can look back on what's taken place with analytical minds.

Even without the earthquake, though, this hasn't been a usual year for either game. Admittedly, Final Fantasy XIV hasn't had a "usual" year to use as a baseline, but it was certainly a tumultuous one for players and developers. And Final Fantasy XI... well, it's had an unusual year more in terms of what didn't happen. Take a look past the break as I take a look down memory lane.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changescolumnearthquakefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivopinion-the-mog-logpatchesretrospectivesquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 24 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square-Enix says no user info stolen during security breach]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/square-enix-says-no-user-info-stolen-during-security-breach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/square-enix-says-no-user-info-stolen-during-security-breach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/square-enix-says-no-user-info-stolen-during-security-breach/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Square-Enix Members
A week ago we reported that Square-Enix's Members site, a loyalty program for fans of the studio's games, suffered an unwarranted intrusion and was subsequently taken offline as the company conducted an investigation. It turns out that the best possible outcome of this investigation has occurred, as no personal information was stolen. Subsequently, the company plans to bring its Japanese and North American websites back online by the end of the month.

Square-Enix posted the following notice as an update:
As a result of our continuing investigation, we have now confirmed that the database in which we store personal information was NOT accessed during the recent server intrusion. Therefore, your personal information was NOT compromised by an unknown third party.

Square-Enix is planning to restart the Square Enix Members service by the end of December. Details of the schedule will be announced at a later date.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused our customers and fans, and appreciate your patience.

MassivelySquare-Enix says no user info stolen during security breach originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhackhackershackinginformation-theftintrusionpersonal-infopersonal-informationsecuritysecurity-breachsecurity-intrusionsquare-enixsquare-enix-membersunauthorized-accessWed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
It's time for the second batch of Final Fantasy XI classes to be examined under a set of criteria that have absolutely nothing to do with their actual power level. (Those change too often, and frankly I've never been a fan.) The first time around, we took a look at the three physical classes, who generally scored... all right, but not great. Each one had a clear area of expertise and some serious weaknesses in other areas -- which makes sense, being as they're starter classes.

The casters, on the other hand, are a different story. Sure, Warriors wind up later being an ur-type that gets distilled into several other roles, but most of the casters retain their uniqueness far later in the game. So let's take a look at your other three options when starting a new character in Final Fantasy XI, all of which have the same last name.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-mageclass-featuresclassescolumnsfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicsjobsopinionred-magesquaresquare-enixsubjobsthe-mog-logwhite-mageSat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A depiction of an Elvaan as something other than haughty and distant? It's the end of the world!
The end of the year quickly approaches, and if you're a veteran of Final Fantasy XI, you know that means it's time for the Starlight Celebration. The music changes in Jeuno, the snow falls, and players get to enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer in the game as well as out of it. And like most events, this one has a new wrinkle for its newest outing: it seems a handful of Goblins have decided to get involved in the celebration, taking some presents that weren't intended for them and leaving adventurers to recover the missing gifts.

Missed a previous year? That's all right -- you can still obtain one of the many cozy furnishings or festive costume pieces through a variety of event merchants and packages scattered throughout Vana'diel. The event will start on the live servers on December 16th and run through December 31st, plenty of time for everyone in Final Fantasy XI to get a solid dose of some holiday cheer.

MassivelyThe Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas-2011ffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiholidayholiday-eventin-game-eventnewssquaresquare-enixstarlight-celebrationwinter-holidayFri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST