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 Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Hands on with Heroes & Generals
During the first 10 minutes of my time with Heroes & Generals, I killed once, died twice, and drove a tank, a jeep, a half-track, and a bicycle (not necessarily in that order). I also rode shotgun on said tank and said jeep, manning a nifty vehicle-mounted machine gun in the process.

I marveled at the visuals, took way too many screenshots of my squadmates looking at the blow-away badass in-game map (it's the little things, amirite?), and generally had a helluva good time. Did I mention that all of this happened in a browser?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-impressionsfpsfree-to-playgeneralsheroesheroes-and-generalsheroes-and-generals-impressionsimpressionsjesper-kydmmo-shootermmofpsopinionpersistent-shooterpvpreto-motostrategytflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsworld-war-2world-war-iiww2Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks' 7.4 update to feature new game modes, maps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Tanks - French SPG
Two new game modes are coming to World of Tanks. Encounter battle and assault will both debut with the 7.4 patch, as Wargaming.net looks to up the ante in terms of complicated combat assignments.

The patch will also expand the French tank tree as well as add two new maps to the mix. The first map is called Widepark, and it takes place amidst the ruins of a bombed out German town. The second map is called Airfield. It transports players to a Mediterranean location surrounded by temple ruins and rocky hills.

The most noteworthy 7.4 changes, though, are the game modes. Encounter battle "invites two sides to fight for one base," according to a Wargaming.net press release. Assault "sets the players in the roles of attackers and defenders where the former have superior combat capabilities," the company says.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Tanks' 7.4 update to feature new game modes, maps originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7.4-updatef2pfree-to-playhistoricalnew-mapspvptanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-7.4world-of-tanks-assaultworld-of-tanks-encounter-battleworld-of-tanks-game-modeswotWed, 23 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st
If you've been holding out hope for an invite to the World of Warplanes global alpha, take heart. Wargaming.net has just announced that it's moving its aviation shooter into closed beta on May 31st.

The company says its "army of test pilots will be increased drastically" as a result, so be sure to sign up on the official WoWP website. World of Warplanes is a lobby-based flight combat game set during aviation's golden age. It features aircraft ranging from 1930s biplanes to 1950s jets. For more on the game, check out our recent interview with producer Anton Sitnikau.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Age of Empires Online
Gas Powered Games is aiming to take Age of Empires Online out of DLC-supported free-to-play and into a truly free model. That means moving away from what Systems Design Lead Eric Williamson described as "more of a free to try" model and implementing a system through which players can earn points to unlock anything that could be more quickly bought with money. In anticipation of this change, PC Gamer sat down with Williamson and Design Lead Steve Bauman for a chat about some of the philosophy behind the change.

Williams said that their hope is that people who were previously turned off by the imperative that they spend money for full in-game advantage will be willing to give it another go. Players will now be able to earn enough points to unlock a premium civilization in "as short as two or three weeks of daily play," so those who spend the most time in-game will reap the greatest reward. Empire points, the purchase resource that will be gained by either money or in-game achievement, will be earned by players as they complete specific campaign quests, level up, and participate in Alliance Contests.

MassivelyAge of Empires developers talk about free-to-try and free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanAge-of-EmpiresAppleeric-williamsonf1pfree-to-playfttgas-powered-gamesmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrobot-entertainmentsteve-baumantruly-freeFri, 18 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - World of Warplanes producer interview
Last week I talked a bit about a couple of flight sim shooters coming soon to a PC near you. One of them is World of Warplanes, the followup title to Wargaming.net's ubiquitous World of Tanks hit.

The World War II action MMO masters are slipping the surly bonds of earth with a new lobby-based battler that's currently flying through the early phases of its global alpha test. I had a few burning questions for the devs, including specifics on the matchmaking system, progression, and the possibility of historical scenarios. Producer Anton Sitnikau was gracious enough to answer those and more, so head past the break to see what he had to say.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression

MassivelyThe Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anton-sitnikauexclusivef2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playhistoricalinterviewinterviewsmassively-exclusivematchmakingmmofpsopinionplaneplanespvptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.netwargaming.net-matchmakingwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-interviewworld-of-warplanes-matchmakingworld-of-warplanes-producer-interviewwowpwowp-interviewwowp-matchmakingFri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - dev diary title screen
Looking for the latest World of Warplanes news? Wargaming.net has you covered with part two of its developer diary video series.

The clip introduces us to some of the dev personalities working on the game as well as the three main aircraft classes (fighters, heavy fighters, and ground attack planes). "Fighters top the food chain," according to historical consultant Yuri Pasholok. "They are the most widespread, versatile, and -- pound for pound -- the deadliest class in the game."

In comparison, ground attack birds are "slow, clumsy, and very heavy." Pasholok says, "To imagine what flying a ground attack plane is like, think of flying a tank." Why would you want to fly a tank? Well, for the ridiculous amounts of destructive firepower, of course. Finally, heavy fighters are something of a middle ground between the previous two classes. They can take a beating better than their light fighter counterparts, but their main objective is defense and interception. Click past the cut to view the full video, and be sure to check out The Firing Line this Friday for an exclusive World of Warplanes producer interview.

Continue reading World of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryf2pfightersfree-to-playground-attack-planesheavy-fightershistoricalplaneplanespvptrailervideovideo-dev-diarywarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-classeswowpwowp-classeswowp-dev-diarywowp-video-dev-diaryTue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes heavy fighter class revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/world-of-warplanes-heavy-fighter-class-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/world-of-warplanes-heavy-fighter-class-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/world-of-warplanes-heavy-fighter-class-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - heavy fighters
Wargaming.net has taken the wraps off its next World of Warplanes aircraft class. Heavy fighters are the subject of a new teaser video and a new press release, with the former featuring just over a minute of gameplay footage. Right now, the interceptors are confined to the German tech tree, but Wargaming.net promises that they'll be added to other nation rosters as well.

"Their size, power and armament allow heavy fighters to fulfill a great variety of objectives including interception, head-on attacks, and bombing, making them one of the most versatile classes of air forces," the company says.

German heavy fighters include the Fw.57, the Bf.110, the Me.410, and the Me.P.1102. Get a look at the full video clip after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Warplanes heavy fighter class revealed

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes heavy fighter class revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks - French destroyer
One of these days we're going to write a story about how Wargaming.net has colonized another planet and is busy converting its indigenous population into fiendishly addicted action MMO players. Today, though, the company is settling for Korea.

The month of May brings the latest territorial expansion for the firm's ubiquitous World of Tanks brand as well as a new Korean office. "We are proud to announce that Wargaming.net is just a couple of steps away from establishing its Korean presence," says CEO Victor Kislyi. "Now that we're fully prepared to meet [the] high expectations of the Korean gaming community, I don't see any reasons for World of Tanks not to become a success."

Wargaming.net launched World of Tanks in 2011. The company is currently conducting global alpha tests for its World of Warplanes followup as well as developing World of Battleships.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWargaming.net looking to conquer Korea originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playhistoricalpvptanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-koreawotMon, 07 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks appreciates the military with a World of Thanks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/world-of-tanks-appreciates-the-military-with-a-world-of-thanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/world-of-tanks-appreciates-the-military-with-a-world-of-thanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/world-of-tanks-appreciates-the-military-with-a-world-of-thanks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you've actually been shot at in a tank, this game is probably a bit less fun.
When you log in and play World of Tanks, you're playing the entertaining part of war, the part with cool machines wreaking havoc. Real wars obviously aren't fought by logging in and choosing a tank; they're fought by brave men and women willing to lay down their lives for their country if necessary. Thus, in honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Wargaming.net is donating to several charities for American veterans with your purchases.

Four charities -- AMVETS, Homes for our Troops, the Military Families Fund, and Paralyzed Veterans of America -- will be receiving 10% of the proceeds from all American purchases of larger Gold packs and 75% of the proceeds for all American purchases of the T14 package. To help raise awareness of veteran concerns, the company will also be hosting several giveaways through the month. It's a nice nod toward the reality of armed conflicts, and it lets you play at a private little war while still donating to survivors of real battles.

MassivelyWorld of Tanks appreciates the military with a World of Thanks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line - Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend
Oh, Tribes: Ascend, if only you were an MMO.

Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks - burning tank
World of Tanks has some gaudy user numbers. Even though MMO companies and PR firms are known for their Hollywood accounting when it comes to player statistics, 24 million users is a lot any way you slice it.

It's not enough for Wargaming.net, though, so the company is shipping its brand of lobby-based World War II tank action to Southeast Asia this week. The game is coming to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and it's bringing its arsenal of more than 150 armored vehicles with it.

Local support, distribution, marketing, and operational concerns are in the hands of SEA Gaming. World of Tanks originally launched in March of 2011 as the first game in a planned trilogy of World War II-based action titles.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Tanks launches in Southeast Asia this week originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-million-usersf2pfree-to-playhistoricalpvpseasea-gamingtanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-southeast-asiawotThu, 26 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - World of Tanks anniversary retrospective
We've been hearing about World of Tanks for so long that it seems crazy to think the title is just now celebrating its first anniversary. Sure enough, though, Wargaming.net's lobby-based multiplayer title is barely a year old. Well, OK. It's almost two years old if you count its summer 2010 beta release, which we won't since the title up there says first anniversary.

Anyhow, what's even scarier than the passage of time is the fact that World of Tanks (and the company behind it) is showing no signs of slowing down.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective

MassivelyThe Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-anniversaryfpsfree-to-playhistoricalmmofpsopinionpvptanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-anniversaryworld-of-tanks-first-birthdayworld-of-tanks-retrospectivewotwot-anniversaryFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Mount and Blade: Warband - Napoleonic Wars
A Mount & Blade MMO is something we've wanted to see for a long time. While that's not exactly happening, 250-player battles is probably the next best thing. Paradox has just released a new DLC pack for Mount & Blade: Warband called Napoleonic Wars. It brings the game's signature real-time combat to 19th century Europe and gives players the ability to use soldiers, artillery, and even battlefield musicians to wage epic multiplayer battles.

Napoleonic Wars features five nations, a wide range of artillery pieces, over 220 new units, an Engineer class that uses barricades, trenches, and explosives. There's also a new commander battle mode for your squad-leader gameplay needs. The DLC pack will set you back $9.99. Oh, and don't forget to check out the launch trailer after the cut.

[Source: Paradox press release]

Continue reading Mount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles

MassivelyMount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250-player-battlesbattlefield-musiciansdlcengineerfantasyflying-squirrelhistoricalmount-and-blademount-and-blade-dlcmount-and-blade-expansionmount-and-blade-warbandmount-and-blade-warband-napoleonic-warsnapoleonic-warsparadoxParadox-InteractivetaleworldstrailersvideowarFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New World of Warplanes gameplay video showcases fighters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/new-world-of-warplanes-gameplay-video-showcases-fighters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/new-world-of-warplanes-gameplay-video-showcases-fighters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/new-world-of-warplanes-gameplay-video-showcases-fighters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - Bf-109
Wargaming.net has released another brief gameplay video from its upcoming World of Warplanes opus. The footage focuses on fighter-class aircraft, which the firm says are designed for "offensive reconnaissance, engaging in close one-on-one dogfights, and effective attacking in groups of two or three."

Like all of WoWP's aircraft, fighters will feature various engines, ammunition types, and assorted customizable modules that allow players to tune for optimum combat performance.

World of Warplanes is currently in global alpha, but Wargaming.net says that closed beta is "coming soon." In the meantime, check out the clip after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading New World of Warplanes gameplay video showcases fighters

MassivelyNew World of Warplanes gameplay video showcases fighters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphabetaf2pfighters-videofree-to-playglobal-alphahistoricalplaneplanespvpvideowarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-videowowpwowp-fighters-videowowp-videoThu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - Video dev diary #1
Anxious for an update on World of Warplanes? If so, Wargaming.net has just the thing in the form of a new video dev blog that features gameplay footage and talking head interviews with various project principals.

The clip resides on Wargaming.net's YouTube portal (and we've also got it for you after the cut, below). It's entirely in Russian, but fortunately it's also packed with sub-titles for the rest of us. Much of the info is a recap if you've been following the game for some time, but there are some interesting tidbits regarding aircraft prototypes (i.e., avatars that are quite different from the usual Mustang, Spitfire, and Sturmovik suspects found in most flight sims).

The dev diary also tells us that while WoWP will initially ship with 20 planes per nation, the roster will gradually expand up to 100 aircraft for each faction.

Continue reading Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary

MassivelyWargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stronghold Kingdoms screenshot
There are certain designs in the MMORTS genre that have frankly started to burn me out. I was a bit worried that I had reached my tolerance point and would not be able to stomach another city-builder until I had put some time between me and my latest preview or first impressions. It's an amazing genre, and as I have argued before, it's more MMO than most MMOs. As in many genres, successful design is copied. The ironic thing is that all of these copies often dilute the market, making it worse on everyone. As much as I love the genre, I am a bit sick of running into the same design, stereotypical settings, and mechanics. Of course, we cannot take these copies and paint the whole genre with a terrible brush; if we did that, all of MMOdom would be in trouble. Still, I'm sick of it.

Luckily Firefly Worlds, maker of Stronghold Kingdoms, has a very persistent "PR ninja" who made a point to poke at me on Twitter. Usually, we funnel all PR contact to our lead editors for organization purposes, but hey, I can't resist a nice voice and a lovely looking game... and I have a high tolerance for fun people.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Stronghold Kingdoms

MassivelyRise and Shiny: Stronghold Kingdoms originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks anniversary
Bring on the armored confetti! World of Tanks is celebrating its first anniversary, and Wargaming.net is "tankful" for the over 24 million registered players worldwide. Has the growth caused some shell-shock? "Our growth over the last year has been nothing short of amazing. A year ago, no one in the company could possibly imagine that World of Tanks would have skyrocketed like this," said Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi.

So what have all these users been up to over the last 12 months? They have participated in 350 million battles, fired more than 75 billion shells (scoring 48 billion direct hits), and destroyed more than eight billion armored vehicles. On top of that, World of Tanks secured the Guinness World Record for the Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server in January 2011 with 91,311 simultaneous players. The game has even broken that record multiple times, reaching a hefty 450,000 players online at one time.

WoT has no intention of resting on its laurels; Kislyi assures us that "the game isn't slowing down anytime soon." In fact, he says, "We have massive expectations for the upcoming year, and we'll continue to drive game development that will keep our players engaged and excited."

Join in the celebration: Watch the video after the cut and then check out our one-year retrospective in next week's The Firing Line.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Tanks celebrates its first year

MassivelyWorld of Tanks celebrates its first year originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-celebrationf2pfree-to-playGuinness-World-Recordhistoricalpvptanktanksvictor-kislyivideowarwargaming.networld-of-tankswotThu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2012: World of Warplanes impressions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-world-of-warplanes-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-world-of-warplanes-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/pax-east-2012-world-of-warplanes-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is a game about basketball.
Much like its predecessor, World of Warplanes is not a game with an ambiguous title. This is a game about planes, and not the sort that flies cargo from one point on the globe to another. If flying around and getting into aerial dogfights sounds like an unappealing concept to you, well, you can pretty much just exit stage left when you hear the name.

But the lack of subtlety in the name, however noteworthy, doesn't really say much about the game itself. Is it fun to play? Does it succeed in what it sets out to do? Really, is it just World of Tanks up in the air? I can't speak to the last one, but I can say that it definitely delivers on its stated design goals. This is a game all about maximizing the rush of an aerial fight and striking a balance between crafting an in-depth flight simulation and providing accessibility to those new to the genre.

Gallery: World of Warplanes

Continue reading PAX East 2012: World of Warplanes impressions

MassivelyPAX East 2012: World of Warplanes impressions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Relaxed knight
As a player of many MMORTS titles, I have grown to understand that patience is not only a virtue but a necessity. Many titles from the genre are designed to make you spend real time to do anything. It's not that they are boring or tedious; instead, they are representing what it might be like to actually grow an army or trade hub and to explore the often massive world around you. The pacing is meant to be slow. These are not games of instant leveling or non-stop quest grinding. They're meant to be played in as little as a few minutes per day. This explains a lot of their success -- just imagine how popular they are with time-strapped players.

There is a time, however, after months of toiling away at building up various structures, growing a small army, or finally getting to the maxed out level in a certain area, when you can finally settle down for some real gameplay. It might sound silly to have to wait that long for glory, but come on... this is city-building we are talking about. It takes time.

Continue reading MMObility: Reaching the MMORTS sweet-spot, slowly

MassivelyMMObility: Reaching the MMORTS sweet-spot, slowly originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8realmsaeria-gamesbeau-hindmanbrowser-basedcasualfeaturedgolden-ageillyriadjagexmassive-armiesministry-of-warMMObilitymmortsmobilesnail-gamestradingFri, 06 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/world-of-tanks-7-3-patch-revamps-soviet-tech-tree-brings-new-ma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/world-of-tanks-7-3-patch-revamps-soviet-tech-tree-brings-new-ma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/world-of-tanks-7-3-patch-revamps-soviet-tech-tree-brings-new-ma/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

World of Tanks - 7.3 video
It was just last week that Wargaming.net rolled out patch 7.2 for its World of Tanks action title. Today the company has announced the followup, and while we don't have a release date on 7.3 as of yet, we do know that it features quite a lot of new content.

First and foremost is the revamp to the game's Soviet tech tree, which sees heavy tanks split into two separate branches. The 7.3 update also brings a new South Coast battle arena to World of Tanks as well as Dragon's Ridge, the first of the game's maps to be set in Asia.

"We've got loads of exciting new content to share with our players," said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. "The new machines should give players a taste for heavy vehicles, and with the help of the upcoming battle arenas, the game will get a fresh look from both a visual and tactical point of view." You can get a visual preview of 7.3 via the video after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps

MassivelyWorld of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragons-ridgef2pfree-to-playhistoricalpvpsoviet-tech-treetanktankstrailervideowarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-7.3wotFri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST