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.

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The Summoner's Guidebook Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters
Once upon a time (OK, a few weeks ago), I was playing an ARAM as Diana. I had a fairly bad score (I'm passive and don't chase kills), and we lost. One of my teammates blamed me, claiming my item build was awful. It was largely because I didn't build Rabadon's Deathcap.

Deathcap is one of the perennial caster items in League of Legends. Not only does it give an enormous amount of ability power, but it also increases all of your ability power (including what it grants) by a whopping 30%. This seems so ridiculously powerful! Even though it's expensive, 30% increase in AP is such a huge boost to damage that it can't be beaten.

Is this really the case, though? In Summoner's Rift, I completely agree that Deathcap is a great item. In Twisted Treeline, Wooglet's Witchcap (the replacement item for Deathcap) is also incredible. However, in Dominion and ARAM, the fast-paced action and frequent conflicts change the nature of the wizard hats considerably.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathcapdianaf2pfeaturedfree-to-playglass-cannonglass-cannon-mageleagueleague-of-legendsliandrys-tormentlolmobaopinionrabadons-deathcapriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebooktankmagetanky-magethe-summoners-guidebookThu, 23 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Art of Wushu: Learning the basics of combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-art-of-wushu-learning-the-basics-of-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-art-of-wushu-learning-the-basics-of-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-art-of-wushu-learning-the-basics-of-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Art of Wushu Learning the basics of combat
Many readers balked when I said Age of Wushu had the best combat in an MMO ever back when I did my first impressions piece. I admit, it was a bold claim. However, even after playing Guild Wars 2, TERA, and numerous other games with "deep MMO combat," I stand by what I said back then. Age of Wushu's PvP combat is the best in any MMO.

If you're coming from a mostly MMO background, combat in Age of Wushu is a bit daunting at first. It's really nothing like combat in any other MMO. It has a bit slower pace than a typical action-MMO, but it is the first to really employ tempo control. Attacking recklessly is a patch to a quick defeat, forcing players to make tough tactical decisions.

If you're like me and came to MMOs from a fighting game background, things readily click into place. Baiting common reactions and punishing them, punishing actions on reaction, and getting in the head of your opponent is better-rewarded than in any other MMO combat system. I don't want to badmouth games like GW2 that have great combat, so don't get me wrong; many other games have excellent combat. Age of Wushu's battle system is just even more fantastic. When I win a fight against an even-leveled opponent (or higher level, though that's rare) without taking an unblocked hit, I feel like a total beast.

Continue reading The Art of Wushu: Learning the basics of combat

MassivelyThe Art of Wushu: Learning the basics of combat originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tattered Notebook A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments and new stuff!
Lately, there have been a number of topics all vying for my attention here in Tattered Notebook. In a couple of instances, some of them got a little rough and started pushing the others around to try for a better place in line. Yet all the while, EverQuest II's Moonlight Enchantments has been patiently waiting. So as a reward (we do like to reward good behavior here!), that quiet little topic is getting the spotlight in a special bonus edition. And the timing couldn't be more perfect!

You see, initially this guide was just going to focus on speed to help you get through that short two-day event that comes but once a month on the 20th and 21st in EQII. Now, however, we get to delve into the changes and new things coming to the Enchanted Grottoes, from even more housing items (yes, that's on top of the new additions in March) to two new repeatable quests to earn the tokens to buy the items. And with this month's festival right around the corner, having a game plan ready to get the most out of those two days will benefit new and old players alike.

Continue reading Tattered Notebook: A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)

MassivelyTattered Notebook: A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion
Who says we can't get what we want? I wanted the Shugo Kingdom Adventure event to return to Aion, and I'm getting my wish. Booyah! No, really, it's true: Starting after maintenance on May 22nd, Daevas who've flown over level 50 will again be able to journey for a limited time to the long lost vaults of the Shugo Kingdom in search of great and glorious treasure. And by treasure, I mean a trove of chests filled with AP items, Stormwing armor pieces and weapons, or even rare sets of wings. Of course what you get depends on how many keys you have and a little luck, so there's no harm in starting your sacrifices to Aion's RNG gods now.

Did you miss out on the event last time but are looking forward to it this go around? Or maybe you need a refresher because the trauma of not getting that one item caused you to block all knowledge of the zone from your mind? Either way, this edition of Wings Over Atreia will give you a heads up on what to expect. And as an added bonus, Associate Producer Sean Orlikowski shared his tips and tricks for making the most of your Shugo Kingdom Adventures.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Summoner's Guidebook Teaching ourselves LoL matchups
I'm always looking for things to teach players in the Summoner's Guidebook. We have, however, covered a lot of the low hanging fruit in one way or another. In League of Legends, and virtually every other asymmetric competitive game, matchup knowledge comprises the huge bulk of information that is truly useful to read about. This week was originally going to be a counter-Ryze guide, but then I decided to cover a broader topic to help reach more people.

I don't really like discussing specific character matchups largely because the character you're using matters almost as much as your opponent's. What does Ryze do against Kassadin in lane, for instance? The answer is not a whole lot if the Kassadin is decent. I could write a counter-Kassadin guide, but a lot of it wouldn't be usable by Ryze. Instead, this week we'll discuss how to think about the opponent's kit and develop a strategy to win on your own (or at least survive).

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Teaching ourselves LoL matchups

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Teaching ourselves LoL matchups originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neverwinter Days The 14 guides you need to read
I've had a strange start with Neverwinter, to be honest. While I did get in on the 25th with the early-early crowd, shortly thereafter I had to boogie on off to a vacation that canceled out eight days of soft launch gaming time. So even though I got an early start, I'm probably behind many of you -- even those who started on the 30th.

That's OK; I'm not in a rush. I'm not the type to get into a speed race or feel the compulsion to become an instant expert by the end of week one. My experience so far has been feeling out what Neverwinter has to offer, mostly by going through the solo quest line, participating in skirmishes, and queuing up for dungeon runs when time permits. And I'm enjoying myself so far, although I still have that "slightly lost" feeling that comes with exploring a brand-new MMO. I need to learn how to create Foundry missions and I haven't even touched professions yet.

Maybe you're like me. Maybe you assume that everyone already knows the ins and outs of the game as though he's been playing it for years, while you're an ignorant noob wandering the streets. I don't think you're alone if that's the case, and to help both you and me out, I've done some research to find the top 14 most helpful threads, sites, and articles that all fledgling Neverwinter adventurers should at least skim over.

Continue reading Neverwinter Days: The 14 guides you need to read

MassivelyNeverwinter Days: The 14 guides you need to read originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceclassescompanionscrypticcryptic-studiosdnddungeons-and-dragonsf2pfantasyfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playguideguideshelpneverwinterneverwinter-daysneverwinter-nightsopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentPGCplayer-generated-contentprofessionspwethe-foundrytiptipstricksWed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newbie tips to surviving the DUST 514 experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/newbie-tips-to-surviving-the-dust-514-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/newbie-tips-to-surviving-the-dust-514-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/newbie-tips-to-surviving-the-dust-514-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Newbie tips to surviving the DUST 514 experience
It's DUST 514's launch day, and if you've hit dirt with your face more than your combat boots, then you might need a helping hand with CCP's MMO shooter. PlayStation Universe has posted a pair of guides to help new players get off to a strong start, and since Massively cares about each and every one of you, we wanted to pass them along so that you don't end up a shallow grave on an alien world.

The first guide is a hodge-podge of beginner's tips, and the second has to do with earning much-needed skill points. "In the early days, we think it's wise to hoard ISK and SP until a time when you're ready to decide on your specialization," the author writes. "Until then, the Militia Gear is good enough."

Good luck, soldiers! If you have any DUST 514 tips or tricks that you'd like to pass along to other Massively readers, please do so in the comments.

MassivelyNewbie tips to surviving the DUST 514 experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Art of Wushu Understanding the Meridian System
Age of Wushu is not the most accessible game. It is full of confusing systems that are hard to decipher, and a large part of the "skill" in the game is being able to wade through the mess of gameplay elements and produce an optimized character.

Meridians are one more extremely confusing system to handle. There are nine meridian lines, advanced characters can activate four of them, and even training them at all is pretty confusing. Training the correct ones adds another layer of complexity to an already confusing game.

I'm not a huge fan of the system -- it causes a number of metagame problems, particularly due to the increased HP inherent to everyone who trains a meridian line. However, it's there and we have to make the best use of it. How do we do that? Read on!

Continue reading The Art of Wushu: Understanding the Meridian System

MassivelyThe Art of Wushu: Understanding the Meridian System originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia A guide to Elyos spy quests in Beluslan
Last time we met, we chatted about the spy quests that enticed Elyos to infiltrate Morheim. But even though Morheim is where Aion's spy questing starts for the light-winged, it is certainly not where that questing ends! As Daevas move along the leveling curve, more opportunities to rift into new enemy lands arise. However, unlike the lower-level zone's quests that focused more on introducing players to rifting in Aion, Beluslan spy quests are predominantly specific chains leading players through story arcs and toward a determined goal.

There may not be any rush to complete the spy quests now that Daevas of any level can travel through the rifts, but anyone wanting to get real use out of the resulting rewards before they become obsolete will want jump and and do the quests before moving on to Balaurea. For that reason, Wings Over Atreia brings you the next guide to Elyos rifting: Beluslan.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: A guide to Aion's Elyos spy quests in Beluslan

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: A guide to Aion's Elyos spy quests in Beluslan originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A guide to Guild Wars 2's Molten Weapon Facility dungeon
Massively's Richie "bogotter" Procopio is concerned for you. He's concerned that you might not have tried out Guild Wars 2's Molten Weapon Facility dungeon, the latest installment of the game's "Living Story" arc Flame and Frost: Retribution. He's equally concerned that you might have missed the memo about just how temporary this dungeon really is: It's over on May 12th, meaning you don't have long to check it out before it's gone. Forever.

But it's all good because Richie has put together a brand-new video guide to the dungeon, so you can either watch it and get a jump on playing through the zone yourself this weekend or just live vicariously through him, which would certainly involve less death. Enjoy his walkthrough after the break! (Dead goat sold separately.)

Continue reading A guide to Guild Wars 2's Molten Weapon Facility dungeon

MassivelyA guide to Guild Wars 2's Molten Weapon Facility dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant
I was asked last week why I chose The Ebon Hawk as the server on which to run my Star Wars: The Old Republic free-to-play experiment, especially since it's my home server. Some people believed that the experiment would be flawed because I would have many people to call on to help me out in different areas. This is only partially true. I do have some people to call on if I absolutely need it, but remember that I play on the Imperial side normally; this test character is Republic-side. My guildies and friends do not play Republic characters on a regular basis. And I have already said that I will not take gifts from other characters. The only thing that they can offer me is a partner for leveling, and currently, no one that I know is the same level as my Smuggler. I won't catch up to any of them until I hit level 35.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Perfecting your build in The Secret World
After discussing last week that build creation was on the minds of many a Secret World fan, I promised to provide some hints and tips on how to better maximize your performance in game. It truly is a topic relevant to all players, even those who aren't focused on or interested in endgame. After all, even folks (like yours truly) who are in it mainly for the awesome story may find their ability to continue with said story hampered at some point by an insufficient build.

With a limit of only seven active (eight if you have an auxiliary weapon) and seven passive skills available to use at any time, creating a build in The Secret World is not quite like most other MMOs, so you can't just automatically throw on gear of a higher level and call it good. Sure, you can eventually pound your way through many things, but you can save yourself some time and frustration by understanding a bit about how the gear works together with your skills. That's where today's Chaos Theory comes in.

What better way to inform and entertain you than to open myself up for some theorycrafting by someone who has a better knack for it? Using my little Illuminati as our guinea pig, I've bared her gear for all to see and learn what can be done to improve. With that, I welcome you to the first episode of "What Not to Wear in TSW"!

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Perfecting your build in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Perfecting your build in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Evolved title image
About five years ago, on April 27th, 2008, I joined the Massively team and wrote the very first issue of the EVE Evolved column. Five years later, the column is still going strong and delivering its weekly dose of EVE Online to thousands of readers. I used to worry about running out of ideas to write about, but regular game updates and hilarious player shenanigans mean there's always something interesting going on in New Eden. When EVE hits its 10th anniversary in May, this column will have been running for just over half of the game's lifetime. In that time, I've written over 250 in-depth articles, guides, in-game stories and opinion pieces on EVE Online and a few on DUST 514.

As usual, I'll be celebrating this anniversary by rounding up this year's column highlights and giving away two 30-day Pilot's License Extensions to two lucky readers. To enter the competition, write a comment explaining which EVE Evolved articles from this year you liked best and what topics 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 your character name in your comment if you want to be in with a chance. If you'd rather not give out your character name or don't have an EVE account but would like to give the game a go, you can sign up a new trial account and use the name of your new character.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at the highlights from the column's fifth year!

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Five years of EVE Evolved

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Five years of EVE Evolved originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanniversaryapocryphaasakaibaitingbounty-hunterbounty-huntingccpccp-gamesconsolecrimewatchcruisersdecadedustdust-514eoneveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsexplorationfeaturedfive-year-anniversaryfive-yearsfpsfrigatesgame-designguideguideshistoryhulkinfernolowsecmmofpsnyphurodysseyopinionopinion-piecepiracyplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvepvpretributionrisk-vs-rewardsandboxsci-fiship-fittingship-fittingsship-setupsshooterspeculationstoriesstorystorytellingthe-battle-for-caldari-primewormholewormholesSun, 21 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: A guide to Elyos spy quests in Morheim]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wings-over-atreia-a-guide-to-elyos-spy-quests-in-morheim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wings-over-atreia-a-guide-to-elyos-spy-quests-in-morheim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wings-over-atreia-a-guide-to-elyos-spy-quests-in-morheim/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia A guide to Elyos spy quests in Morheim
When I first thought to make a listing of spy quests in Aion, the idea was that folks could be sure to finish all the parts of the different lines before certain zones became unavailable due to leveling. I can remember on at least one occasion my quest progression was halted when I found myself leveled beyond the rift's parameters. It was a sad time, as I was prevented from obtaining the rewards and titles involved. Even worse, I was left with an incomplete quest in my journal. Oh, the horror! I moved on, but there was always that nagging feeling of something missing.

All that has changed. Once the Fast Track server was introduced, the level limits on the rifts preventing Daevas from returning to enemy lands were removed. Now, any Elyos or Asmodian can return to those lower zones and wrap up any unfinished business. Of course, with so much to keep you occupied at the higher levels in Aion, you probably wouldn't even have time to flit back to the old haunts just to finish up old quests, which makes getting them done early all the more important. So to help you out, here's a guide to the Elyos spy quests in Morheim.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: A guide to Elyos spy quests in Morheim

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: A guide to Elyos spy quests in Morheim originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionascensionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguideMorheimncsoftopinionriftingspy-quest-guideSpy-queststruly-freewings-over-atreiaSat, 20 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Finding a guild with off-peak playtimes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/the-guild-counsel-finding-a-guild-with-off-peak-playtimes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/the-guild-counsel-finding-a-guild-with-off-peak-playtimes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/the-guild-counsel-finding-a-guild-with-off-peak-playtimes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Guild Counsel Finding a guild with offpeak playtimes
One of the things that always makes me grumpy about MMOs is the number of game-imposed barriers to players doing things together. Levels, gear, skill points, group and raid caps, and prerequisites are just a handful of common game designs that make it hard to be social. MMOs are getting a little better at removing those hurdles, but one they can't address is the reality of conflicting playtimes. Everyone has real life responsibilities, and that means we sometimes can't be online when our friends are.

For some players, this is a constant challenge because their work, school, or family responsibilities allow them to log in only during off-peak playtimes. Last week, Massively reader Barachiel1976 brought up this very topic, and it's actually surprisingly common. So in this week's Guild Counsel, let's look at a few options for players who want to be part of a guild but can't play during peak playtimes.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Finding a guild with off-peak playtimes

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Finding a guild with off-peak playtimes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebuilding-an-off-peak-guildfeaturedgraveyard-shift-guildsguildguild-adviceguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguildshow-to-find-an-off-peak-guildleadershipopinionprime-time-guildsrunning-an-off-peak-guildthe-guild-counselThu, 18 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies
Nobody likes doing dailies. Dailies are a grind. Dailies are just something game designers use to keep players occupied until new content comes out. I've heard all those phrases before, and if dailies fall into one of those general categories, I don't do them. It is possible, however, that if doing dailies will help me acquire a significant reward (such as credits to buy that lightsaber hilt I've been eyeing), then I might overlook the grind to do the dailies anyway. But the key factor has to be time. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, time is your biggest investment. Despite what some players will tell you, there's a multitude of things to do at endgame. Unfortunately, a single player cannot do all of them all the time. You have to choose, and time to completion (or better yet, time to fun) weighs heavily in the decision-making process.

Let me help make one of those decisions for you: Don't do the GSI dailies.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredailieseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playGalactic-Solutions-IndustriesGSIguidehutt-cartelhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fiseeker-droidstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 16 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Your guide to MMO sandboxes in 2013 and beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/some-assembly-required-your-guide-to-mmo-sandboxes-in-2013-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/some-assembly-required-your-guide-to-mmo-sandboxes-in-2013-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/some-assembly-required-your-guide-to-mmo-sandboxes-in-2013-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - Massively's guide to sandboxes
Welcome to Massively's guide to MMO sandboxes in 2013 and beyond. I've collected the essential details on all the major sandbox titles releasing this year and in the near future in one easy-to-reference article. If you're wondering whether ArcheAge forces you to PvP, or if you can't tell The Repopulation from Origins of Malu, this is your post.

I'll be updating it as game features are added, removed, or revealed, so be sure to use the comments to let me know if I've overlooked a particularly noteworthy item. Finally, I want to point out that this isn't an exhaustive list because of the sheer number of sandbox projects ongoing. For now, I'm choosing to focus on the ones that will be playable in 2013/2014 as well as the projects that have a big-name developer attached.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Your guide to MMO sandboxes in 2013 and beyond

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Your guide to MMO sandboxes in 2013 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013-sandbox-guide2013-sandboxesaaabove-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesaction-mmoage-of-wulinage-of-wushuagonarche-agearcheageasiaavataraventurinecarbinecarbine-studioschinachinesechinese-mmochris-robertscloud-imperiumcloud-imperium-gamescrowdfundingcrypticcryptic-studiosdangerousdarkfalldavid-brabendfdndeliteelite-dangerouseqeq-nexteqneverquesteverquest-nextf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrontierfrontier-developmentsgame-mechanicsgpotatogvginternet-spaceshipinternet-spaceshipskickstarterkidnappinglord-britishmartial-artsmassivelys-sandbox-guideming-dynastyncsoftneverwinteropen-pvpopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpvppwerepopulationrichard-garriottsandboxsandbox-guidesandparksarsci-fantasysci-fishroudshroud-of-the-avatarsnail-gamessnail-games-usasoesome-assembly-requiredsony-online-entertainmentSOTAspacespaceshipspaceshipsstar-citizenthe-repopulationwildstarwswushuwuxiaxl-gamesxlgamesFri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Wushu launch day roundup [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/age-of-wushu-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/age-of-wushu-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/age-of-wushu-launch-day-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Age of Wushu launch day roundup
Don't let the delicate beauty of Age of Wushu's looks fool you: This is one savage MMO. We've been tracking the progress of Snail Games' localization and tweaks for Western audiences for months now (as well as voting the game our most anticipated of last year's E3 awards), and the day of its launch is finally here.

Age of Wushu is a free-to-play martial arts sandbox that's set in a semi-historical China. On top of several schools of fighting styles, the MMO includes unconventional features such as kidnapping, offline professions, crafting battles, and weddings.

Check out Massively's extensive coverage of Age of Wushu after the jump and stay tuned for Patrick's impressions of the launch!

[Update]: Snail has released an Age of Wushu launch trailer, viewable after the break.

Continue reading Age of Wushu launch day roundup [Updated]

MassivelyAge of Wushu launch day roundup [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-wulinage-of-wushuasiachinachinesechinese-mmogpotatoguidegvgkidnappinglaunchlaunch-guidelaunch-roundupmartial-artsming-dynastypvpreleaserelease-guideround-uproundupsandboxsnail-gamessnail-games-usawushuwuxiaWed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stick and Rudder: A guide to Star Citizen's community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/stick-and-rudder-a-guide-to-star-citizens-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/stick-and-rudder-a-guide-to-star-citizens-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/stick-and-rudder-a-guide-to-star-citizens-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Stick and Rudder: Star Citizen community guide
Welcome aboard pilots, privateers, and pillaging pirate queens; you've found Stick and Rudder, the gaming press' first Star Citizen column! I'm putting all pretenses of objectivity aside today because I'm terribly frackin' excited for this game. That's why we're here, now, talking about it way out in front of its release.

With all of this expectation comes the potential for massive disappointment, of course, but the good news is that Cloud Imperium is being pretty open about its development process. This has the added benefit of giving us lots to chew on while we sit through the agonizing months leading up to launch. Anyway, now that some of my fanboy gushing is out of the way, let's get down to brass tacks and carry on the time-honored Massively tradition of kicking off a new game column with a community guide.

Continue reading Stick and Rudder: A guide to Star Citizen's community

MassivelyStick and Rudder: A guide to Star Citizen's community originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-robertscloud-imperiumcloud-imperium-gamescolumncommunitycommunity-guidecommunity-guide-to-star-citizencrowdfundingeric-petersonfeaturedinternet-spaceshipskickstartersandboxsci-fishipspacespaceshipstar-citizenstar-citizen-guidestar-citizen-podcastsstar-citizen-sountrackstick-and-rudderstick-and-rudder-guidesSun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST