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[Design your own robots with upcoming MMO Panzer Pets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/design-your-own-robots-with-upcoming-mmo-panzer-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/design-your-own-robots-with-upcoming-mmo-panzer-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/design-your-own-robots-with-upcoming-mmo-panzer-pets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Panzer Pets image
If you've been desperately hoping for a Pokémon MMO all these years but have been disappointed by Nintendo's unwillingness to release one or let anyone else develop one, you might be interested in upcoming MMO Panzer Pets. Panzer Pets is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which robots have taken over, but robot builders have found a way to build their own pets to fight back. In Panzer Pets, rather than capture creatures, you'll hunt for robot parts and design your own customisable 3-D pet robots.

The game focuses on the exploration opportunities that a post-apocalyptic setting delivers, with a world filled with randomly generated zones, dungeons and towns to explore, and robot parts to collect. Players will be able to trade parts with each other, challenge other players to battles, form guilds, and embark on quests together. As it uses the Unity 3-D engine, the game will be released on iOS, Android, and both PC and Mac web browsers.

New studio Gamundo has been working on Panzer Pets for free so far but now needs support to work on the game full-time and complete it. If you're interested in exploring a post-apocalyptic world with a customised pet robot in tow, you can help Gamundo finish the game by pledging money to its Kickstarter campaign, which launched last night. The estimated date for completion of the game is October 2012, and the team needs to raise $85,000 to make it that far without giving a publisher or investor a controlling interest in the game.

MassivelyDesign your own robots with upcoming MMO Panzer Pets originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customisationexplorationexploregamundokickstarterpanzerpanzer-petspetpet-robotspetspost-apocalypticprocedurally-generatedrobotrobotsSun, 06 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

John Smedley
A week ago I sat here writing up what I thought was going to be the epitaph for EverQuest's odd foray into an Apple-only product, EverQuest Macintosh. The word came down from on high that with the coming of free-to-play, EQMac's diminutive server population would be ushered out the doors as Al'Kabor got sent to the retirement home.

That was a week ago. Boy, what a difference a week makes, right?

Since the writing of that article, we received word that not only did Sony Online Entertainment reverse its decision to kill EQMac but that it will be making the server completely free for its community for the indefinite future. I learned that while under the influence of a 102-degree fever, so I initially thought it was just my brain cooking in my skull. But no, it was the truth. So what happened in the span of that week? Why did SOE do a 180 and keep alive an ancient relic of its flagship MMO?

For the whole, unadulterated truth, I called up SOE President John Smedley to get the full scoop on the wild rollercoaster he's taken this loyal community on these past few weeks. Finding out what he said will only cost you one click. It's worth it, trust me.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classicclassic-mmosclassicseqeq-maceverquesteverquest-macf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-archaelogistinterviewinterviewsjohn-smedleyopinionsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-game-archaeologistTue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It gets knocked down, but it gets up again.
Nothing gold can stay, it seems. EverQuest on the Macintosh, affectionately dubbed EQMac, was announced as facing a shutdown in wake of the game's impending free-to-play transition. John Smedley confirmed this, players mourned, and our own stalwart Game Archaeologist lamented its passing. And so, as the game approaches its final month, Smedley has... apparently rescinded the entire thing via a late-night Twitter post that has taken the entire EQMac community by surprise.

Yes, there is apparently both a Santa Claus and a Tooth Fairy, because John Smedley has stated that not only are the EQMac fans "a wonderful group of players," the game will be left running. Better yet, it will continue to run as-is and with no subscription fees. If you're part of the fanbase, no, you don't need to pinch yourself, this is actually a thing that is happening. Further details are to be announced soon, but just the facts alone should make fans very happy.

MassivelyReports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreakingeqeqmaceverquesteverquest-macjohn-smedleymacintoshnewsnews-itemsoperating-systemosshutdownssoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you game on a Mac?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-game-on-a-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-game-on-a-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-game-on-a-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

War. War never changes... the platform war, that is. But even those of us who game from the comfort of decked-out PCs can feel sorry for our Mac brethren when one of the Apple MMO offerings, already in short supply, goes dark. That's exactly what's happening to the Mac version of classic EverQuest: SOE is sunsetting the single Mac server due to low population and ancient code. Apple gamers must get a PC or sample one of the other Mac-friendly MMOs like Warhammer Online, Fallen Earth, Ryzom, or Free Realms.

So today we ask: Do you play MMOs on a Mac, and if so, which games? And is it really as bad as PC-loyalists like to think?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you game on a Mac? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindeqeq-maceverquesteverquest-macfallen-earthfree-realmsmacmac-mmoopinionpcplatform-warryzomsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentsunsettdgthe-daily-grindwarhammer-onlineSat, 11 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Conquer Online coming to the Mac on May 3rd]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/conquer-online-coming-to-the-mac-on-may-3rd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/conquer-online-coming-to-the-mac-on-may-3rd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/conquer-online-coming-to-the-mac-on-may-3rd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mac MMORPGs have come a long way. Titles as wide-ranging as World of Warcraft, Fallen Earth, and Free Realms now boast their own native clients, and Conquer Online is set to join the ranks of OS X-flavored MMOs on May 3rd.

TQ Digital has just announced the creation of a new Conquer Online server (dubbed Garden of Eden) exclusively for Mac users. The free-to-play title originally launched way back in 2003 and sports a 2.5D game world set in ancient China. The Mac version of the game is undergoing beta testing through April 26th, and you can download the beta client via a number of sources including FTP and bit torrent. Mac beta testers will be kitted out with equipment, skills, and necessary in-game items according to a TQ press release, and you can learn more at the official Conquer Online website.

MassivelyConquer Online coming to the Mac on May 3rd originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient-chinaapplebetaconquerconquer-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playmacmac-betamac-f2pmac-free-to-playmac-mmomac-serveros-xosxtqtq-digitalWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: Dofus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/rise-and-shiny-recap-dofus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Years ago I had to find a job in my new home state of Texas. Luckily for me, my wife hooked me up with a friend who helped me get hired at Starbucks. At first, I hung my head in shame. Later, though, I enjoyed dealing with customers and the free coffee. I had a co-worker, a real chin-scratching, coffee house wanna-be intellectual who would often spend more time dreaming about some game than about getting people on their breaks. He even brought his Macbook to work to sneak in time in the game.

I glanced over his shoulder one day and was delighted to see an odd-looking, cartoony, turn-based game on his screen. It turned out that the game was Dofus. I tried it immediately and fell in love with it, but that was years ago. I still found time to revisit the game, but once I started working at Massively, most of my time became dedicated to every other game in the world.

Well, it's time to visit it again. During the first part of this week, though, I thought this was going to be a disaster. I stayed strong and battled my way through bot after bot, spam message after spam message, and eventually found the great game I remember. Click past the cut to see exactly what I found!

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Dofus

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Dofus originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesbeau-hindmanbotsDofusdofus-2.0f2pfeaturedflash-basedflash-based-mmofree-to-playftpgames-workshopgold-spamgold-spammerminiaturesmobilenetbooknotebookrise-and-shinyspamspam-botstable-toptable-top-gameswar40kWarhammer-40KSun, 02 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms now available for your Mac]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-realms-now-available-for-your-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-realms-now-available-for-your-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-realms-now-available-for-your-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Mac users rejoice, you've got another option when it comes to MMORPGs thanks to SOE and Free Realms. While OS X fans have seen their list of available titles grow in recent years, AAA games are still fairly scarce, with World of Warcraft, EverQuest, and Fallen Earth being a few of the more notable exceptions.

Free Realms isn't dumping you on a Mac-segregated server either, but rather the same shards inhabited by the free-to-play title's PC users. With fourteen million registered players, you're bound to find someone to hang out with, so head over to the official website to download the client and get started.

Free Realms features a large virtual world, customizable avatars, and a huge variety of minigames designed to provided hours of safe online entertainment for kids and whole families. Check out Massively's in-depth look at the game for more information.

MassivelyFree Realms now available for your Mac originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applef2pfree-realmsfree-to-playmacmacintoshos-xsoeSony-Online-EntertainmentWed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spacetime's Pocket Legends hits Apple's app store]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/04/spacetimes-pocket-legends-hits-apples-app-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/04/spacetimes-pocket-legends-hits-apples-app-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/04/spacetimes-pocket-legends-hits-apples-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While there have been many attempts at reproducing the MMORPG experience on Apple's incredibly popular iPhone and iTouch devices, the limitations in technology and connection speed have kept these applications from hitting the big time. Spacetime Studios hopes to change all that, as they just revealed a new MMO for the app store: Pocket Legends.

Boasting 3D graphics, three classes and accessibility across iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices, Pocket Legends might be considered an "MMO-lite," but it still contains all the necessary ingredients. Players can choose from one of three anthropomorphic animal classes -- a cat sorceress, a bird archer, and a bear tank -- and head off for a career full of dungeon running, chest looting, and stat leveling. Grouping is also possible (and encouraged!), with thousands of players connecting over a server. Spacetime promises that players can not only play Pocket Legends on almost all of Apple's portable devices (except the first edition of the iPhone), but the game can be accessed via WiFi, 3G and even EDGE networks.

Continue reading Spacetime's Pocket Legends hits Apple's app store

MassivelySpacetime's Pocket Legends hits Apple's app store originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappleblackstarempire-of-nightf2pgamasutragary-gattisipadiphoneitouchpocket-legendsspacetime-studiostouch-arcadeSun, 04 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon MMOs not coming to Mac or consoles any time soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nexon-mmos-not-coming-to-mac-or-consoles-any-time-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nexon-mmos-not-coming-to-mac-or-consoles-any-time-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nexon-mmos-not-coming-to-mac-or-consoles-any-time-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There's been quite a bit of talk coming out of Nexon from the time of the GDC -- revealing two games, more news on the venerable MapleStory, and even a developer initiative announced shortly before the conference. But if you were waiting for the other shoe to drop, there is one after a fashion, because the company still has no plans to develop anything for the Mac or for consoles. Both Vindictus and Dragon Nest are apparently popular choices for players to request on consoles, but according to Nexon America vice president Min Kim, neither one is planned for development for the console platform.

Kim went on to explain that his company's base of operations in Korea meant that Mac support was a distant afterthought at best -- the market for non-PC games in Korea is minimal. Of course, in both cases he said that the support is something they would like to expand to eventually, but for now there's just not enough reason to expand. Which is sad news if you're one of the many users who prefer a fruit-based computer, especially with more and more games expanding to be playable on any platform.

[Thanks Tracey!]

MassivelyNexon MMOs not coming to Mac or consoles any time soon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-mmoconsolesdevelopmentdevelopment-plansdragon-nestgdc-2010koreamacmac-mmomaplestorymin-kimnexonnexon-americavindictusMon, 15 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Imprudence 1.2 viewer for Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/imprudence-1-2-viewer-for-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/imprudence-1-2-viewer-for-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/imprudence-1-2-viewer-for-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Imprudence viewer logoThe Imprudence project has released version 1.2 of their Second Life viewer. Imprudence is one of our favorite after-market Second Life viewers, and after some months in beta (and a couple of false starts), the latest release version of this viewer is available.

There are some user-interface changes this time around, the ability to backup and restore your own intellectual property, an improved radar/minimap, improved third-party simulator support, RLVa support, optional vertical IM tabs, double-click go-to and teleports, more world map data and a host of other tweaks and features.

Continue reading Imprudence 1.2 viewer for Second Life

MassivelyImprudence 1.2 viewer for Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alissa-sabreana-lutetiacodebastard-redgraveemerald-viewergeneko-nemethimprudence-viewerinteljacek-antonellikitty-barnettlilly-zenovkalinuxmacmccabe-maxstedmeerkat-vieweropen-sourcepatchessecond-lifesecond-life-viewersource-codetorley-lindenvirtual-worldsFri, 27 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the nicer aspect to EVE Online, in terms of accessibility, is that you can play it across the trinity of operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux. The latter two have been made possible through the CCP Games partnership with TransGaming Technologies, via their Cider and Cedega technology, respectively. Unfortunately, while the Mac client has attracted (and retained) a number of users, the same cannot be said for the EVE Linux client. We received word from affected players over the weekend that CCP is dropping support for the Linux client, but it's official as of this morning.

CCP Whisper stated, "I am sorry to announce that from the 10th of March onwards CCP will no longer be officially supporting the Linux operating system. The low amount of users of the Linux client did not justify the degree of additional complexity having three operating systems imposes on our development and release schedules." He states that he and CCP Games are fully aware of the disappointment this will cause but the resources the company has devoted to Linux support could be put to better use elsewhere, in ways that benefit more players.

Continue reading CCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online

MassivelyCCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arend-stuhrmannccpccp-gamesccp-whispercedegaciderdevdev-blogeveeve-onlinelinuxmacsupporttransgamingtransgaming-technologiesMon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes to get Mac Special Edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/city-of-heroes-to-get-mac-special-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/city-of-heroes-to-get-mac-special-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/city-of-heroes-to-get-mac-special-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


NCsoft just announced that City of Heroes will soon have a Mac client, joining the likes of World of Warcraft and EVE Online as MMOs that can played on OS X. It'll be made possible through partnership with Transgaming, the creators of the Cider portability engine, which acts as a 'wrapper' for the standard PC client, allowing it to run within OS X on an Intel Mac.

While Blizzard's Mac client for World of Warcraft was written from the ground up, NCsoft's newest City of Heroes 'Good vs. Evil edition' client will be playable through Transgaming's Cider, and thus will be the same client gamers are accustomed to on the PC. This method of bringing the PC client to Mac without porting or rewriting is the same avenue CCP Games took with their EVE Online client for OS X. The City of Heroes Mac Special Edition includes two exclusive items:

Continue reading City of Heroes to get Mac Special Edition

MassivelyCity of Heroes to get Mac Special Edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreakingcidercity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclientcohcovexpansionsmacmac-clientmacintoshncsoftos-xosxtransgamingvirtualizationThu, 30 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CrossOver allows MMO gameplay on Mac, free Tuesday only]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/crossover-allows-mmo-gameplay-on-mac-free-tuesday-only/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/crossover-allows-mmo-gameplay-on-mac-free-tuesday-only/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/crossover-allows-mmo-gameplay-on-mac-free-tuesday-only/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Most people don't pick up a Mac to use as their primary gaming machine, but for players of titles like World of Warcraft and EVE Online, the OS X client makes MMO gaming possible for them. But the majority of MMO clients are PC only, requiring Mac users to turn to Boot Camp and dual boot Windows XP or Vista. Another option open to MMO players who use Macs is CrossOver from Codeweavers, which allows virtualization of PC programs and games within OS X (and Linux), with no Windows license required.

Our friends over at TUAW came across a one-day price reduction on CrossOver... that price being 'free'. That's right, all of Codeweavers' products -- CrossOver Mac, CrossOver Games, and CrossOver Linux -- will be free on Tuesday, October 28, but only for that day. There's a bit of a story behind this, which you can read all about over at TUAW, who have all of the details and restrictions related to this offer. But for MMO gamers who are into their Macs, all you really need to know is that CrossOver will allow you to play quite a number of games, MMO and otherwise. Check out the full list of games supported, and get ready to download your free copy. Your 24-hour window to get CrossOver begins at midnight on Tuesday, October 28th. The CrossOver deal is a $40 license giveaway, limited to one license per person, and requires an Intel Mac running either Tiger or Leopard.

MassivelyCrossOver allows MMO gameplay on Mac, free Tuesday only originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleblizzardboot-campccp-gamescross-overcrossoveremulationeveeve-onlinelinuxmacos-xosxtuawvirtualizationworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 27 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TurpsterVision : Bricking It]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/turpstervision-bricking-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/turpstervision-bricking-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/turpstervision-bricking-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The new iT from Apple
First up, great to be back! I wont bore you all with words and phrases strung together to create some form of coherence, instead I will jump right back in! I am extremely proud to invite you once more to join in with the fun right here at Massively that is TurpsterVision!

Howdy Folks! I have returned! When we last left our hero I was battling off legions of lowbies on my quest to become a raid boss of Epic proportions. I have so much to tell you all, as I recently discovered the existence of 'T-chlorians' in all living things (They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the T. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you). I have also proven once and for all that 'Jaffa Cakes' are indeed cakes - so everyone's a winner!

To mark my return I have chosen a controversial game; Aurora Feint The Beginning. An MMO in the making? Or just the reason that I now have RSI and haven't showered in four weeks? There is only one way to find out ... click through below the cut.

Continue reading TurpsterVision : Bricking It

MassivelyTurpsterVision : Bricking It originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleappstoreaurora-feintbejeweleddevelopmentfeaturedfeaturedvideoiphoneipodIpodTouchmmommo-industrymmorpgpuzzle-questtetristhe-tturpsterturpster-visionturpstervisionTue, 12 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lab makes the call: No Panther]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/lab-makes-the-call-no-panther/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/lab-makes-the-call-no-panther/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/lab-makes-the-call-no-panther/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Back in May, Linden Lab said it was considering dropping support for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). Well, the deliberations are over, and the Lab has just announced that that is what is going to happen.

Development for Panther 10.3.9 will cease, and no more QA will be done. If you are one of the few remaining users logging into Second Life with this venerable operating system version, you'll need to stay with the 1.19 viewer series. Eventually, that's going to stop working -- and you won't have access to many new features (like the upcoming Mono).

Support for all other supported systems (Windows XP, Linux, Windows Vista, and later Mac OS X versions) is not planned to change.

MassivelyLab makes the call: No Panther originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linden-labmacosxosx-panthersecond-lifeThu, 17 Jul 2008 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tools of the trade: Scratch for SL]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/tools-of-the-trade-scratch-for-sl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/tools-of-the-trade-scratch-for-sl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/tools-of-the-trade-scratch-for-sl/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MIT Media Lab's Eric Rosenbaum has produced a wonderful little tool called Scratch for Second Life (S4SL). Available for Mac or Windows (but not Linux at present, alas) S4SL allows you to create scripts by assembling simple colorful shapes (a bit like plastic bricks).

S4SL is based on MIT's Scratch, and allows you to put together some useful functionality very simply. S4SL isn't going to make you a star creator of scripts overnight, though -- anyone who knows Second Life's LSL scripting language and has a modicum of programming skill can do much more, but that's not the point here.

Continue reading Tools of the trade: Scratch for SL

MassivelyTools of the trade: Scratch for SL originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric-rosenbaumlogolslmacmitmit-media-labopinions4slscratchscriptingsecond-lifevideoMon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab considers dropping Panther support]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/linden-lab-considers-dropping-panther-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/linden-lab-considers-dropping-panther-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/linden-lab-considers-dropping-panther-support/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Linden Lab is looking for feedback on the matter of dropping support for Mac OSX 10.3 Panther (though retaining support for Tiger and Leopard). According to Linden Lab, this affects 0.25% of "the entire base of Second Life" users. Now assuming they actually mean the entire user-base (as opposed to some lesser figure that we don't have access to), that's just under 34,000 users.

Unfortunately, asking for feedback on a blog entry where only 150 people can comment on the post, and -- moreover -- posting for feedback at a time where much of the Second Life grid had become effectively unusable was perhaps not an ideal way to garner useful feedback on the move. Most of the responding comments are not on the topic of Mac OSX Panther.

If it is decided to drop Panther support, we are told it there will be 60 days notice, though the message is unclear as to whether the clock is already ticking on that 60 days.

MassivelyLinden Lab considers dropping Panther support originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 May 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linden-labmacosxosx-panthersecond-lifeTue, 06 May 2008 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOS X: A roundup of MMOs for the Mac]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/mmos-x-a-roundup-of-mmos-for-the-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/mmos-x-a-roundup-of-mmos-for-the-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/mmos-x-a-roundup-of-mmos-for-the-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

MMOS X is a bi-weekly column dedicated solely to gaming on the Macintosh natively. "Running Boot Camp or Parallels" is not an option here. This column is for people who want to get the most out of their Mac gaming, as meager as it is.

This week's column is a round up of sorts. I'll be talking about what MMOs with Mac clients are out there and links to the developer's site. If I've played them, I'll share any observations. I'm trying for bullet-points this time; some of these may warrant a closer look in a future column. So, most of these are just very brief overviews. For semantic reasons that likely make sense only to me, this time around I'm not mentioning multi-platform browser titles, and am instead focusing on games the developers have created a Macintosh client for.

Continue reading MMOS X: A roundup of MMOs for the Mac

MassivelyMMOS X: A roundup of MMOs for the Mac originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqfeaturesmacmac-mmomacintoshos-xMon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WWII Online: Battleground Europe offers 2-week trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/wwii-online-battleground-europe-offers-2-week-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/wwii-online-battleground-europe-offers-2-week-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/wwii-online-battleground-europe-offers-2-week-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Cornered Rat Software, makers of WWII Online: Battleground Europe, have just created a 14-day trial for those of you who've been on the fence on whether or not to try to fit this kind of action into your busy MMO schedule. To sweeten the deal, the 14-day trial includes (from the site):
  • High Score Wins! Each week during the trial, the highest scoring infantry, tank commander and fighter pilot will be awarded a 1-year free account and a collector's t-shirt.
  • Win a Blu-Ray Drive! You can win a Sony Blu-Ray BD-ROM just by starting your Free Trial today!
  • Bonus! You can become eligible for a rank bonus and unlock new weapons and equipment. This is a limited time offer!
Even better, it's available in both PC and Mac flavors, so this blogger will be happy to get in on the action without having to go through Boot Camp, for a change. Play as the Germans, the French, or the British, but get out there and play -- that's an order, soldier!

[Thanks, Amy-Lynn!]

MassivelyWWII Online: Battleground Europe offers 2-week trial originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>14-day-trialblu-ray-driveboot-campcontestcornered-rat-softwaremacwwiio-battleground-europeSat, 12 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Look: Remnants of Skystone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/first-look-remnants-of-skystone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/first-look-remnants-of-skystone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/first-look-remnants-of-skystone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One particular flavor of science fiction that's gotten short shrift by MMOs is Steampunk, the variant that combines our love of gearwork with mad science. Fortunately, Flipline Studios will redress that omission with its upcoming 2D, side-scrolling adventurer, Remnants of Skystone.

Set in a future wherein an alien race called the Mimics have claimed the Earth as theirs, covering it with a poisonous miasma called the Haze, humans have taken to the skies in the floating city called Nidaria. Players can expect a game experience somewhat in the manner of MapleStory, where players may team up to explore and retake the ground from the alien menace.

No word yet on whether this will be free-to-play or subscription, but it does mention it will be for PCs and Macs. Remnants of Skystone is set to release late this year on kongregate.com. For a full look at how this title's developing, check out the RoS blog. The site also features screenshots and a bit of world history, so whet your appetite and getcher goggles on -- full steam ahead!

[Thanks, Tony!]

MassivelyFirst Look: Remnants of Skystone originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2Dgearsgoggleshazekongregatemaple-storymimicsnew-titlenidariaremnants-of-skystoneside-scrollingsteamsteampunkThu, 03 Apr 2008 20:30:00 EST