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[Free for All: My favorite female armor sets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/free-for-all-my-favorite-female-armor-sets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/free-for-all-my-favorite-female-armor-sets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/free-for-all-my-favorite-female-armor-sets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brienne picture
Of all of the crazy characters from HBO's Game of Thrones, Brienne is easily my favorite. Why is she my favorite? It's not because she's just heroic or brave or any of the things that people often attribute to her; it's because she's a survivor. Much of that survival comes from her armor and the fact that she knows well enough to be able to protect herself! The actress Gwendoline Christie has talked about how uncomfortable the armor is to wear. I've heard the producers say that the metal skin is supposed to look sort of mismatched, and I love that. It only makes it stronger.

I often wish MMOs represented armor in better ways, especially for female characters. Some MMOs do a better job than others, and some MMOs do a decent job some of the time. Here are some of my picks for my favorite armor sets for female humans, orcs, goblins or... well, you get the point.

(Please don't post Game of Thrones spoilers in the comments section.)

Continue reading Free for All: My favorite female armor sets

MassivelyFree for All: My favorite female armor sets originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancostumesdesigneverquestEverQuest-2f2pfeaturedfemale-armorffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumgemstone-ivGuild-Wars-2illyriadmudopinionRolePlayingRyzomVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvelvet-ropeWed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: My five favorite MMOs for exploration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/free-for-all-my-five-favorite-mmos-for-exploration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/free-for-all-my-five-favorite-mmos-for-exploration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/free-for-all-my-five-favorite-mmos-for-exploration/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vanguard screenshot
There's nothing more important to me than the ability to freely explore MMOs. Heck, exploration is the reason I got into MMOs. I remember grabbing that box of Ultima Online (man, I wish I still had that box!) from a shelf at the local game store and looking in wonder at just how vast this virtual world seemed to be. I'm still the same way, although after years of doing this, I am a bit more cynical about games. I've heard so many promises that never came true, but I know that even the worst of titles offers the chance to explore a brand-new world.

There are a lot of exploration mechanics out there. Free Realms has an adventurer "job," The Secret World needs players to explore to solve mysteries, Guild Wars 2 offers experience based on discovering new areas, EverQuest II entices people to explore by offering collectible items embedded in the ground, and there are so many MMOs that allow players to gain experience just by approaching areas they haven't before.

But I have my favorites. These are games that just make me feel like an explorer.

Continue reading Free for All: My five favorite MMOs for exploration

MassivelyFree for All: My five favorite MMOs for exploration originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atysbeau-hindmanEverQuest-2explorationexploreexplorerf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumlinden-labopinionrolf-janssonRyzomsecond-lifeSOEvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvelvet-ropewurm-onlineWed, 03 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/jukebox-heroes-eleven-mmo-soundtracks-you-can-get-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free
Collecting MMO soundtracks is a scattered, scavenger-like experience. Releasing video game soundtracks isn't exactly high up on studio and publisher to-do lists (although we're seeing more love from digital stores), so whether or not a title will get a music release is really a crapshoot. What does get released is never in the same place twice: Some game soundtracks are released as special editions only, some only as CDs, some as full MP3 album releases, some directly from the composer, some are buried on websites, and so on.

So I'm constantly looking everywhere trying to beef up my MMO soundtrack library, and as a result I've uncovered several scores that the studios are giving away for free. I'm all over free (legal) music, especially when it's in my area of interest!

If you've been looking to start an MMO soundtrack collection or are looking to add to what you have, I've put together a list of 11 MMO scores that you can get today free of charge. Sound good? It does to me!

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Eleven MMO soundtracks you can get for free originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoatlanticaatlantica-onlinebiowarebrowserbrowser-basedccpccp-gamesclassic-mmocomposercomposersddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaelectronic-artseveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-musicfree-to-playfuncomgagame-musicgiveawayglitchglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosinternet-spaceshipsjagexjagex-games-studiojukeboxjukebox-heroesjustin-olivettilinuxlucasartsmacmmo-jukeboxmmo-musicmmofpsmusicnexonnexon-americanexon-koreaopinionpcplaneshiftrsrunescaperyzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fishootersoundtracksoundtracksspreadsheets-onlinespy-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortactical-mmothe-old-republicthird-person-shootertortpsturbineturbine-entertainmentultima-odysseyultima-xultima-x-odysseywinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateTue, 22 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: The second annual Frindie Awards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/free-for-all-the-second-annual-frindie-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/free-for-all-the-second-annual-frindie-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/free-for-all-the-second-annual-frindie-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Frindie Awards logo
It's time once again for the Frindie Awards, my attempt to shine some light on the best indie, browser-based, free-to-play, and unusual MMOs that are all-too-often ignored by press -- and players. This one is for the little guys! Well, mostly. It's also for those games that seem to have passed under the collective radar of Massively readers or that seem to be very misunderstood.

Picking the winners this year is just as hard as it was last year, maybe even harder. 2012 was an incredible year for MMOs, so I would rather have just put together an article that highlights every single favorite. In the end, it's more helpful to make myself pick out a winner. It's a rare thing for some of these games to even receive a nod on a major website, something I still can't figure out. Either way, it's best to think of all of the MMOs on this list as my favorites from 2012.

Anyway, let's get to the awards!

Continue reading Free for All: The second annual Frindie Awards

MassivelyFree for All: The second annual Frindie Awards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mystical-landalganonarcane-legendsasherons-callbeau-hindmanbrowsercastle-empireclub-penguindeepworldderek-smartdrakensang-onlinef2pfeaturedffaforge-of-empiresfree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumfrindiefrindie-awardsfrindiesgameglobeglitchhabbo-hotelinnogamesistariajagexlife-is-magiclinden-labmilmonadirimopinionrunescapeRyzomsalemSandboxsecond-lifeSOESony-Online-Entertainmentspacetime-studiosSquare-EnixStar-Stablethe-matrix-onlinethe-missing-inkThereThere Will Be Bloodtiny-specktravianturbineVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvelvet-ropewakfuwurm-onlineWed, 02 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Ryzom - when a server merge feels right]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/free-for-all-ryzom-when-a-server-merge-feels-right/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/free-for-all-ryzom-when-a-server-merge-feels-right/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/free-for-all-ryzom-when-a-server-merge-feels-right/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Official Ryzom screenshot from Facebook
I wonder what you readers thought when you read about Ryzom's latest issues. If you've been playing for a long time, you'll feel a sense of deja vu as yet another server merge or account tweak is being forced on the playerbase. If you're not familiar with the game (why haven't you tried it yet?), then it's likely the recent announcement of server merges and character wipes was a sure sign of failure. Ah, failure: the go-to word for those who don't want to investigate the normal goings-on in the MMO world.

MMOs, especially indies, can leap from owner to owner and server to server quite easily. It's not unusual to say the least. Ryzom has been through more of these changes than I care to recall, but the core game and long list of veteran characters have remained -- that is, until the developer announced that, along with the merge, characters would be wiped. Players flipped out. The forums were filled with intense conversations, and even non-players were astonished.

Consider the Darkfall announcement by contrast. Some Darkfall players are apparently looking forward to the character wipe. But Ryzom is not a FFA PvP title. Roleplayers are very happy in Ryzom; I am one of them. Luckily the developers tweaked the decision, and now I have been playing on my old character, back in the world of Atys.

Was the decision a good one? I think so.

Continue reading Free for All: Ryzom - when a server merge feels right

MassivelyFree for All: Ryzom - when a server merge feels right originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumlinuxmacopinionpcRyzomSandboxsci-fantasysci-fiserverserver-mergevelvet-ropewinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateWed, 10 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 216: The economy show]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/massively-speaking-episode-216-the-economy-show/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/massively-speaking-episode-216-the-economy-show/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/massively-speaking-episode-216-the-economy-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 216
The winds of change are blowing, and Justin and Bree have rushed outside to fly their kites because of it. In fact, change is coming not only to the Massively staff but to many of our favorite MMOs as well. Will we survive or throw a snit because we wish that life could've been frozen in time in 1999? You'll just have to listen and see whether any temper tantrums are thrown!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 216: The economy show

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 216: The economy show originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbrantbrianna-roycecarbinecarbine-studiosccpccp-gamesconquestconsoleconsolesdustdust-514eveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfpsfree-to-playguild-wars-2gw2humorinternet-spaceshipsjustin-olivettilinuxmacmassively-speakingmmofpsncsoftopinionpcplaystationplaystation-3podcastpodcastingpodcastsps3pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrryzomsandboxsandparksci-fantasysci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldswildstarwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgatewsTue, 18 Sep 2012 12:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 216Massively.com Staff01:03:53podcasts<![CDATA[MMO Blender: Using older MMOs to build a perfectly paced world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/mmo-blender-using-older-mmos-to-build-a-perfectly-paced-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/mmo-blender-using-older-mmos-to-build-a-perfectly-paced-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/mmo-blender-using-older-mmos-to-build-a-perfectly-paced-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RIFT Sanctum creenshot
One of the issues I have with so many modern AAA titles is that when I play them, I immediately feel forced through a series of noisy and chaotic moments. I know that these tutorials are supposed to make me feel as though I am stepping into a sort of world-on-fire, but to me it just feels like a mess. RIFT is a great game, truly, but every time I want to start a new character or try the game out again, I dread going through the annoying tutorial. It's so demanding. It grabs my hand and pulls me through a linear series of non-discoveries.

Now, this might just be my fading gamer memory, but I distinctly remember how it felt to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere in an MMO. While there are a few modern titles like Wurm Online that basically do the same thing, the mystery and immersion of those first few levels in most major MMOs has been replaced by sheer noise. I don't like it.

Good pacing is a wonderful thing. If it's tweaked just right, players feel immediately invested in a world even while feeling completely lost. I'd like to make this week's dream MMO using those older-game designs. It's time to slow down.

Continue reading MMO Blender: Using older MMOs to build a perfectly paced world

MassivelyMMO Blender: Using older MMOs to build a perfectly paced world originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armchair-game-designbeau-hindmaneverquestfavorite-mmofeaturedgame-designgame-mechanicsGuild-Wars-2Immersionimmersion-rulesimmersivemechanicsmmo-blendermmo-mechanicsmmo-mix-tapemmo-mixologyMythic-Entertainmentopinionriftrolf-janssonRyzomSandboxSOESONYSony-Online-EntertainmenttrekkingtrionUltima-Onlinewurm-onlineFri, 14 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryzom allowing players to keep subbed characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ryzom-allowing-players-to-keep-subbed-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ryzom-allowing-players-to-keep-subbed-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ryzom-allowing-players-to-keep-subbed-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ryzom letting characters keep subbed characters
Folks upset by the announced changes in Ryzom that included complete character wipes will be happy to know that Winchgate has heard your pleas. Players with active subscriptions at the closing of the current servers will be allowed to keep their characters! This includes name, appearance, levels, and skill bricks for all characters on the account. Players who prefer a fresh start instead will also be able to do so.

To facilitate this change and give players more time to win starter packs, the server merge has been postponed for a week and will now occur on Saturday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m. EDT. You can read more about the server merges in Massively's exclusive interview.

MassivelyRyzom allowing players to keep subbed characters originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-wipef2pfree-to-playkeeping-characterslinuxmacpcryzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fiserver-mergestarter-packswinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateWed, 12 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 215: Red sunset]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/massively-speaking-episode-215-red-sunset/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/massively-speaking-episode-215-red-sunset/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/massively-speaking-episode-215-red-sunset/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 215
A warning in advance: There might be a lot of tears on this show. Bree and Justin cope with the upcoming shutdown of City of Heroes, which marks the third of Bree's favorite games cancelled within the past year. Is there still hope from the player population, or is this a done deal? Oh my, fair listeners, we have not begun to fight! Or sing!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 215: Red sunset

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 215: Red sunset originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-desertbrantbrianna-roycecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohconquestcovcoxeqeq-2eq-iieq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-to-playfreedomhumorjustin-olivettilinuxmacmassively-speakingmmo-shootermmofpsncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospcplanetsideplanetside-2podcastpodcastingpodcastsps2pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrryzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperheroesthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptrailertriontrion-worldswinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateTue, 11 Sep 2012 14:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 215Massively.com Staff01:15:19podcasts<![CDATA[Exclusive Ryzom interview details player wipes and server merges]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/exclusive-ryzom-interview-details-player-wipes-and-server-merges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/exclusive-ryzom-interview-details-player-wipes-and-server-merges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/exclusive-ryzom-interview-details-player-wipes-and-server-merges/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ryzom screenshot
If you have been a Ryzom fan as long as I have, you know that the road to Atys has been long and bumpy. Unfortunately, the bumps haven't stopped. Winchgate has just announced that it's planning to merge existing servers and wipe existing characters. That means if you have built characters over these last several years, they will no longer be as they were

Massively interviewed Vianney Lecroart, Ryzom's CTO, to ask about what this means for the game and community, so read on for first the official announcement and then Lecroart's comments.

Continue reading Exclusive Ryzom interview details player wipes and server merges

MassivelyExclusive Ryzom interview details player wipes and server merges originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atysbeau-hindmanclosingf2pfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewInterviewslinuxmacmergepcRyzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fiserver-mergeserver-wipeVianney-Lecroartwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgatewipeFri, 07 Sep 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: The best weather systems in free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/free-for-all-the-best-weather-systems-in-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/free-for-all-the-best-weather-systems-in-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/free-for-all-the-best-weather-systems-in-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Mabinogi screenshot
Perhaps someone can explain my obsession with in-game weather systems. I remember interviewing the lead designer for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes a few years ago. I had to stop him and ask for more details about the weather system the game used. He told me it was on a separate server, a pretty fancy program that ran independently of the rest of the game. It sounded as if he was telling me that there were real storms brewing in the game and the system knew when and where they were happening.

I was fascinated. How cool it is to imagine in-game clouds forming at one point of the world and slowly moving across the land until the sky begins to rain on your character's head? Sadly, in-game weather seems to be either a low priority or a hard system to tackle. I'm guessing it's a combination of both.

So I searched out those few MMOs that feature an impactful weather system. Not coincidentally, they also happen to be some of my favorite MMOs.

Continue reading Free for All: The best weather systems in free-to-play

MassivelyFree for All: The best weather systems in free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumImmersionmabinogiNexonnexon-americaopinionrolf-janssonRyzomSquare-Enixvelvet-ropewakfuweatherweather-systemswurm-onlineWed, 01 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Why the unlimited trials of RIFT, WoW, and Ryzom are perfect for me]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/free-for-all-why-the-unlimited-trials-of-rift-wow-and-ryzom-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/free-for-all-why-the-unlimited-trials-of-rift-wow-and-ryzom-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/free-for-all-why-the-unlimited-trials-of-rift-wow-and-ryzom-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

RIFT screenshot
I think there are some pretty basic but complicated concepts going on behind MMO gaming. There always have been. There's some sort of driving force that makes many of us want to reach that max level or grab every last achievement or (in my case) get to a comfortable level and stay there. I did it in Vanguard: Saga of Heroes: I reached level 32, cast a spell to stop my character from gaining anymore experience, and continued playing and exploring the game. Not only was I tired of leveling, but I knew that if I continued to level, I would probably continue to try to level. Like I said, it's a basic driving force. We all have them inspiring us to play in different ways.

I don't want to reach max level. Not really, anyway. I want to have a unique character, one who is fragile in some ways and strong in others. When I do reach higher levels, I start to feel generic and a bit too powerful. I want to have some force stop my character, to give him his own maximum level while others reach the true maximum level.

Unlimited free trials have shown me just how fun it is to have a sort-of-max-level character within a game filled with other max levels. It's like playing a different race or class, something unique.

Continue reading Free for All: Why the unlimited trials of RIFT, WoW, and Ryzom are perfect for me

MassivelyFree for All: Why the unlimited trials of RIFT, WoW, and Ryzom are perfect for me originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeau-hindmanbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcamelotclassic-mmodaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsf2pfantasyfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfree-trialfreemiumlinuxlord-britishmacmythicMythic-Entertainmentmythologyopinionpcpvpriftrift-litervrRyzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fiultimaultima onlineUltima-Onlineuovelvet-ropewarcraftwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateWorld-of-WarcraftwowWed, 18 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Blender: Beau's portable, accessible, and casually immersive mashup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/mmo-blender-beaus-portable-accessible-and-casually-immersive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/mmo-blender-beaus-portable-accessible-and-casually-immersive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/mmo-blender-beaus-portable-accessible-and-casually-immersive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Die2Nite screenshot
I've been pretty excited to take my turn at the MMO Blender wheel. Sure, we all have ideas about how we would build our dream MMOs by mixing up different parts from favorite games, but honestly, I wanted to use my time here to make a point: MMO gaming needs to climb outside of the box, soon. Since there is more and more emphasis on mobile and casual gaming, my game will take that in into consideration.

But games have to be fun too, right? I think they can be fun, immersive, and casual all at the same time. I'm hoping that my examples will show how other developers have combined the three such that players can access the game from anywhere. It's also important to me that my game be simple to play and accessible for players with disabilities, so let's just say that I have included all of the proper features like adjustable colors for the color-blind, resizable text, and maybe even audio cues to help those with sight issues.

I've been given a budget of one million-billion internet bucks, so let's get to it... this game is not going to build itself!

Continue reading MMO Blender: Beau's portable, accessible, and casually immersive mashup

MassivelyMMO Blender: Beau's portable, accessible, and casually immersive mashup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armchair-game-designbeau-hindmanbrowser-baseddie2nitef2pfavorite-mmofeaturedfree-to-playftpgame-designgame-mechanicsgemstone-ivhtml5illyriadillyriad-gamesmechanicsmmo-blendermmo-mechanicsmmo-mix-tapemmo-mixologymudopinionremanumRyzomryzom-ringspiral-knightsthe-chronicles-of-spellborntraviantravian-gamesFri, 13 Jul 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/free-for-all-ryzom-might-still-be-the-most-original-mmo-there-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/free-for-all-ryzom-might-still-be-the-most-original-mmo-there-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/free-for-all-ryzom-might-still-be-the-most-original-mmo-there-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ryzom screenshot
It seems, even to me, that I tend to dislike more games than I like these days. Not only do I think there's a lack of really good "AAA" titles, but I also find a lot of yucky gameplay in titles from all sizes of developers from all over the world. Yes, I dislike as many indie MMOs, if not more, than AAAs. But the latest title I give the snooty stinkeye to has to be The Secret World. I'm half-kidding and will be reserving much of my opinion for later on after I have played it for longer, but right now, I'm just not blown away by it. I'm not immersed or sucked in as much as I would like to be. That could change, of course.

Then I log back in to a game like Ryzom and see just how far things have come. That is to say, not very far. After all, if you really look at what Ryzom does (and you have no excuse; it's free to play to half max-level now), it will sort of depress you that no other games are being made like it nowadays. At least, not exactly.

Continue reading Free for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is

MassivelyFree for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atysbeau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumlinuxLiveStreammacopinionpcRyzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fitwitch-tvvelvet-ropevideowinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateyoutubeWed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: The coziest places in free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/free-for-all-the-coziest-places-in-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/free-for-all-the-coziest-places-in-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/free-for-all-the-coziest-places-in-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mabinogi screenshot
Cozy. It's a word that seems more at home in a Martha Stewart magazine than in the column for a website about MMORPGs. Cozy can mean quite a few things, but I love the way that the word can instantly make sense to almost anyone. Think about it -- think about what cozy might mean to you. It means a place that makes you feel warm or safe, a place that begs you to stay for a while. The reason I am so attracted to cozier spots in MMOs is because they can be few and far between these days, or they exist but the content pushes you through so fast that you forget to stop and relax for a while.

That speedy content, in my opinion, has helped bring roleplay to its knees. I remember when it was more common to be roleplaying instead of the opposite. These special, inviting spots slow us down and help us remember that we're playing multiplayer games, games with other real people who are experiencing the same places we are at the same time.

So, here is a small list of five of the most coziest places in free-to-play. In my opinion, of course. Feel free to add your own.

Continue reading Free for All: The coziest places in free-to-play

MassivelyFree for All: The coziest places in free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atysbeau-hindmancozyf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumglitchopinionRolePlayingRyzomscenerySOESONYSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-chronicles-of-spellborntiny-speckvelvet-ropewurm-onlineWed, 27 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Before and after]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/one-shots-before-and-after/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/one-shots-before-and-after/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/one-shots-before-and-after/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

One Shots
Massively reader Drannos earns the One Shots spotlight today, having sent in not one but two Lord of the Rings Online screenshots: a before and after shot of Orthanc, the spire at the center of Isengard that's home to Saruman the White in the game's time period. Drannos writes in,
Though I've yet to see the inside of Orthanc, I've been, shall we say, a guest. An involuntary guest. From a distance, it's very impressive, but up close, it's suitably intimidating as well! Having seen it both before and after Saruman's fall, I have to say that it also has an appropriate air of tragedy and despair.
Both shots and two more from other MMOs await behind the break!

Continue reading One Shots: Before and after

MassivelyOne Shots: Before and after originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studiosbrianna-royce-oneshotsbring-back-one-shotsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentf2pfantasyfree-to-playgalleriesgallerylinuxlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromacone-shotspcpics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsryzomsandboxsci-fantasysci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsteraturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-submissionswinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedwinch-gate-property-lldwinchgateSun, 10 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I did get some great screenshots out of Ryzom, I have to say.
Last week, the unthinkable happened. Or at least the unprecedented. Yes, after a dozen or so columns under my belt for Choose My Adventure, one of the "joke" choices finally won a poll. Either everyone thought that the paradise city was actually a thing in Ryzom or the impassioned pleas in the comments the week before had done the trick.

For those of you under the misapprehension that this was, in fact, an actual thing, I apologize for the not particularly elaborate act of deception.

My question to myself, at this point, was what I actually had to do at this point. Did this mean that I had to search through every city in the game to find a paradise, only to discover at the end that paradise had metaphorically been at home the whole time? Was I already in the paradise city, judging by the fact that some people would call the jungle a virtual paradise? The girls were pretty, the grass was green, and by almost any metric you cared to use, Corlede was as close to home as she was getting.

But no, I knew what I had to do. Something I had known since I started playing. I went home.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmacolumncolumnscriticismculturedesigndesign-decisionsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanicsopinionparallelspollpollsryzomsystemsthe-saga-of-ryzomwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedWed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Mainland in black]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/choose-my-adventure-mainland-in-black/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/choose-my-adventure-mainland-in-black/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/choose-my-adventure-mainland-in-black/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

These changing headers worked out well. I'm doing this again next time.
One of the comments from last week's Choose My Adventure suggested that I must not be enjoying Ryzom all that much. That isn't entirely accurate, but it would be accurate to say that the charm of the starter island has worn out its welcome and then some, which wouldn't surprise anyone, given that last week's poll wound up in a decisive victory for leaving the island and heading out to the mainland. And while there may have been some business left unfinished there, I'm not one to ignore the rule of the polls.

And so it was that Corlede obeyed the will of the people and headed off for the Zorai city. Once there, I set about the important business of getting Corlede outfitted, taking some advice, and assembling a team to plant an idea inside the head of a talking lion meant to represent a well-known religious figure. Or something like that.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Mainland in black

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Mainland in black originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorchoose-my-adventurecmacolumnenvironmentsexplorationexploringfeaturedgame-mechanicshands-onjourneyingopinionpollpollsreaders-choiceryzomthe-saga-of-ryzomvotevotingwinch-gate-propertyWed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Quest rhythm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Not pictured: Corlede being tied up by Zorai cavalry and insisting that they call her Dances with Bodoc.
Questing is an essential part of MMOs. You can say that players should be the ones crafting stories in games, not the developers, but quests provide you with structure and guidance. Even if you can create all sorts of stories on your own, it helps to know what the world is supposed to be like and how to set your own objectives. Not to mention the fact that having some sort of pointer is massively useful when you start playing.

So it makes sense to take a good look at the questing in Ryzom, even though the game definitely veers toward the "sandbox" side of the fence. Plus, questing won the poll last week, so even if I thought quests were categorical garbage, that would still be my destination. I can't run you through all of the quests that I've done in the game, but one in particular lent itself to a narrative, albeit in a somewhat disjointed form.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Quest rhythm

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Quest rhythm originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anecdoteschoose-my-adventurecmacolumndesignfeaturedhands-onhumoropinionpollpollsquestquestingquestsreaders-choiceryzomvotevotingwinch-gate-propertyWed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Comparing the payment models of Glitch and Ryzom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/free-for-all-comparing-the-payment-models-of-glitch-and-ryzom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/free-for-all-comparing-the-payment-models-of-glitch-and-ryzom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/free-for-all-comparing-the-payment-models-of-glitch-and-ryzom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Ryzom screenshot
I thought it might be a cool idea to do a comparison of free-to-play models for my next few articles. As free-to-play has become more and more popular, cash shops and tiers of service have become much more important to how a player might enjoy or interact with a game. While the standard free-to-play model, the most popular one by far, is one that allows players to download a free client, has no subscription at all, and tacks on a cash-shop, the freemium variant is quickly becoming widespread. Freemium seems to be the model of choice for many Western games that were previously subscription-only.

The problem is that I do not really like the freemium model. I'm old-school, I guess. I enjoy the model that was imported to the States maybe eight years ago. A free client with a cash shop on top is all I need to steer my fun by. I'd rather skip any sort of tiered service as well.

There are exceptions to the rule, of course.

Continue reading Free for All: Comparing the payment models of Glitch and Ryzom

MassivelyFree for All: Comparing the payment models of Glitch and Ryzom originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowsercash-shopf2pfallen-earthfeaturedfree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumftpgamersfirstglitchMicrotransactionsRyzomSandboxtiny-speckWed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST