Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The soft launch scam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Neverwinter
Back in the golden days of video games, there was no such thing as a soft launch. Nintendo didn't send out test copies of Super Mario World to special "backers," and Sega didn't ship half-finished Sonic games with promises of further content updates. Games, for the most part, were played only after they were finished, printed, packaged, and shipped. Even on PC, beta testing was more of an earned honor exclusive to players that showed dedication to a title and its community.

Here in these modern times of Internets and always-ons, however, things are different. It would seem as though developers need only make enough game content to shoot a reasonably convincing trailer before the publishing team can begin collecting money by slapping a "BETA" sticker on the webpage and offering fans early access.

Over the last few years soft launches have become increasingly common -- especially for creators of online games. The line between "in testing" and "done" is becoming blurred, and publishers are reaping the benefits while players suffer.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The soft launch scam

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The soft launch scam originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobetacash-shopclosed-betacrypticcryptic-studiosdndeditorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfoundersfree-to-playMicrotransactionsneverwinterop-edopen-betaopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwerantrantsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsoapboxsoft-launchstorystoryboardthe-soapboxTue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: How to run a successful Kickstarter campaign]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/the-soapbox-how-to-run-a-successful-kickstarter-campaign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/the-soapbox-how-to-run-a-successful-kickstarter-campaign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/28/the-soapbox-how-to-run-a-successful-kickstarter-campaign/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Soapbox How to run a successful Kickstarter campaign
The past few years have seen an absolute revolution in the games industry, with an explosion of studios securing funding through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter. In a time when banks worldwide are tightening their belts, Kickstarter represents a lifeline for indie developers and a way for the bigger studios to work on their own projects free from the need for outside investors or publishers. But with the growing number of projects seeking funding each year, developers are facing stiff competition and the rising challenge of running a successful campaign.

Most developers don't release all of their stats or write up advice and insights following a successful crowdfunding campaign, and those who do are often lost on obscure blogs that don't appear when you Google for advice. But I'm in the unusual position of both being a games journalist and having successfully Kickstarted a small game project (unrelated to MMOs and my work on Massively). Six months ago, I ran a campaign for my new sci-fi 4X game Predestination, and in the process I learned some valuable lessons on what works and doesn't work on Kickstarter. We've since published the campaign stats and gone on to help a few other campaigns hit their goals.

In this article, I run down the lessons I learned the hard way during the Predestination Kickstarter campaign and give some advice for developers hoping to get funded.

Continue reading The Soapbox: How to run a successful Kickstarter campaign

MassivelyThe Soapbox: How to run a successful Kickstarter campaign originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backerbackersbrain-and-nerdcamelot-unchainedcrowdfundingcrowdsourcingeditorialfeaturedindependentindieindie-gamesindiegogokickstarterkickstarter-campaignkickstarter-projectskickstarter-rewardskickstarter-uklivestreammarketingmedianyphurop-edopinionphysical-rewardspledgepledgespredestinationrantrantsrewardreward-tiersrewardssoapboxstar-citizenthe-soapboxTue, 28 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Soapbox Diablo III's Auction House ruined the game
After his departure from the Diablo III development team, Game Director Jay Wilson released a statement that the introduction of an auction house "really hurt the game." While players predicted doom the moment the Real Money Auction House was announced, Jay argued that the gold auction house was equally to blame for the game's fall from grace following its absolutely stellar launch sales. I don't normally agree with what Jay has to say on Diablo III, but in this case he does have a very valid point.

Diablo II was consistently popular for over a decade thanks to its immense replayability. At its core, D2 was a game about building new characters and gearing them up by any means necessary. Every enemy in the game was a loot pinata just waiting to be popped, and players farmed endlessly for a few sought-after unique items. You almost never found an item that was ideal for your particular class and build, but you could usually trade for what you needed via trade channels and forums.

Blizzard claimed that the auction house was intended just to streamline this process, but when Diablo III launched, it was clear that the entire game had been designed to make the auction house almost necessary for progress. The fault here lies not just with the concept of an auction house but with the game designers.

That's right: I'm here to argue not only that Jay Wilson was right about the auction house ruining Diablo III but also that it was his own damn fault.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgahauctionauction-housebarbarianbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd2d3demon-hunterdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiieconomicseconomyeditorialfantasyfeaturedgame-designgameplaygeargearinggothic-fantasyinfernoitem-levelitem-rarityitem-valuejay-wilsonladderladder-resetlegendarylegendary-itemslegendary-weaponsmonkmultiplayernyphuronline-multiplayerop-edopinionopinion-piecepverantrantsrarerare-itemsreal-money-auction-housereal-money-tradingrmahroguelikerpgruinedsoapboxstatsthe-soapboxvaluewitch-doctorwizardTue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: MMOs are to kids what MUDs are to us]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/the-soapbox-mmos-are-to-kids-what-muds-are-to-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/the-soapbox-mmos-are-to-kids-what-muds-are-to-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/the-soapbox-mmos-are-to-kids-what-muds-are-to-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Vendetta Online on the iPad
I love MUDs. When I go through a several-hour long MUD session, I feel as if I took part in a greater story, and most of the fun was not based on stats or gear. MUDs let me escape into a world because they are about story first. I think I'm pretty rare, though. I can't find many other writers who seem to write about MUDs unless they are referencing them like some sort of relic from the past. The truth is that MUDs are still being loved, played, and enjoyed by thousands. Covering MUDs is as important as covering any other MMO. They're still part of the bigger picture.

I'm sure many of you reading this now could not care less about MUDs. You might have played one years ago, but generally they are seen as the cute elderly citizens of MMOdom. That's cool if that's how you feel, but now think about this: The new generation, kids between 13 and 20 years old, will look at many of our large PCs and 20 gig MMOs the same way modern gamers look at MUDs.

Continue reading The Soapbox: MMOs are to kids what MUDs are to us

MassivelyThe Soapbox: MMOs are to kids what MUDs are to us originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Heroes
There is no question about it: Bringing games online has fundamentally changed the way we play and interact with one another. Thanks to the web, we can share games with our friends from thousands of miles away. We can hang out with people who live in other countries and learn about human beings who exist in completely different realities. Playing MMOs is an incredible, unique experience that gives players an honest chance at turning their favorite personal hobby into a full-on social engagement.

For any of these experiences to be possible, a game must be connected to the web. Without a server humming away in someone's basement or the cold, dark corridors of an MMO developer's hushed office, the games we talk about here on Massively simply wouldn't exist. The side effect of this online requirement is that every online game, no matter how popular it may be at the moment, has a finite lifespan. Eventually, your favorite game is going to die.

This is a good thing. Here's why.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Your MMO is going to die, and that's OK

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Your MMO is going to die, and that's OK originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesclosuresdeatheditorialfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantsriftsoapboxstar-wars-galaxiessunsetsunsetsthe-soapboxWorld-of-WarcraftTue, 07 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: My lore problem]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
"In the distant forests of El'quen, a dark evil stirs. Marrowgore the Unhunter, imprisoned for a thousand years in Cauldron Lake by the Eye of Son'drak, has broken free. Now, he and his evil BoneSlurpers stage an all-out war on the United Provinces. You, a freshly christened hero known for valorous acts both on and off the battlefield, must take charge of the Sacred Axeblade of Loqtai, harness the power it contains, and send the Unhunter back to his watery prison.

"But first, can you get me nine wolf pelts?"

Continue reading The Soapbox: My lore problem

MassivelyThe Soapbox: My lore problem originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betacutsceneeditorialfeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesloremassively-metammo-loreop-edopen-betaopinionplotrantrantsroundupsoapboxstorystorytellingtestingthe-soapboxtropesTue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: You can't go back again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/the-soapbox-you-cant-go-back-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/the-soapbox-you-cant-go-back-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/the-soapbox-you-cant-go-back-again/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Soapbox You can't go back again
Returning to an old MMO love is a tradition for us vets, isn't it? I see people doing it a lot, and I'm certainly not immune to giving in to these whims. It usually starts out mild: hearing a friend talk about the game, remembering a good time you had in it, or seeing a big chunk of shiny new content come down the pike. Suddenly you've signed up again and logging in like you never left. It feels so familiar.

It feels so alien.

And that's when you realize: You really can't go back again.

It's a dreadful realization, one that makes you lunge for the clock and attempt to turn back time with a sheer force of will. Stages of grief set in: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Sometimes you work in "snack food binge" in there as well. Why, you wonder, can't this be just like last time? It's a game, so why can't you recapture the same magic?

Continue reading The Soapbox: You can't go back again

MassivelyThe Soapbox: You can't go back again originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soapbox Game developers actually are rockstars
Shortly after this column series started, Massively's Shawn "Epic Beard" Schuster planted his feet on the wooden crate to tell us that game developers are not rockstars. And as much as it frightens me to disagree with him, I believe I have a moral obligation to let him know that he was wrong. Sure, his article pointed out that it takes a team to create a spectacular game and that the personalities of the gaming industry cannot do it by themselves. As he put it, even though Sid Meier didn't code all of Civilization and Richard Garriott didn't construct all of Tabula Rasa, their names sat proudly on the box. But just like rockstars, those two names and many more developers' names belong on the covers of their respective games.

Rockstars from Aerosmith to Beyonce are more than the faces on the covers of their albums. In college, I used to create CD covers for local recording artists, so I can tell you first-hand that even though there was only one name on the front, there were many names on the inside jacket, just as there are many names in game credits. So how exactly are game developers like superstar musicians? The analogy fits in nearly every single way.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Game developers actually are rockstars

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Game developers actually are rockstars originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-gontieraerosmithAscapbeyoncebiowarebungieCivilizationdayzdouble-fineeddie-veddereditorialedmund-mcmillenfeaturedgabe-newellhaloindie-game-the-movieJustin-BieberkickstarterKnights-of-the-Old-RepublicKnights-of-the-Old-Republic-2kurt-cobainLucasArtsmatt-walstmicheal-stipeObsidian-Entertainmentop-edopinionrantrantsRichard-Garriottscott-weilandshawn-schustershroud-of-the-avatarSid-Meiersoapboxstone-temple-pilotssuper-meat-boytabula-rasateam-meatthe-soapboxthree-days-graceTim-Schafertommy-refenesUltima-OnlinevalveTue, 02 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Easy Myth
A few weeks ago, I took a nice long look at World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. Then I wrote about it. My impressions, like most things on the internet, were met with both ardent agreement and defiant protest. Everyone has an opinion, especially when it comes to World of Warcraft -- some people love the game, some people hate it, and some give it a resounding "eh."

I don't mind people disagreeing with me. People react to games differently, and what works for me may not work for you. But there was one specific critique that rose, repeatedly, in the great debate raging in that article's comments section. A critique that, frankly, I cannot abide:

"World of Warcraft is too easy."

Continue reading The Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsactivisionaionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommentersdcuoeditorialfantasyfeat-of-strengthfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantsriftsoapboxthe-soapboxthrone-of-thunderwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Be as bad as you like]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/the-soapbox-be-as-bad-as-you-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/the-soapbox-be-as-bad-as-you-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/the-soapbox-be-as-bad-as-you-like/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yes, there are many shades of this that can be toxic.
There are a lot of reasons I love MMOs, but one of the reasons is the fact that there are so many possible goals in any given game and so many different reasons to pursue them. Even in games with more limitations, you've still got a surfeit of character options, moreso than in almost any other genre. I love to roleplay a character who wouldn't normally be the main character of a story, explore what makes her tick, and give her space and the ability to be heroic and skilled as she deserves.

What I'm less enthusiastic about is when someone asks why in the world I'm playing a particular race and class combination because obviously my character is now sub-optimal.

There's an emphasis on optimization in most MMOs, a push to create the best possible version of a character in gameplay terms that I'm not entirely on-board with. It's one with comprehensible origins, but it's unfortunately taken on a lot of ugly dimensions that sometimes short-change what MMOs can be.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Be as bad as you like

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Be as bad as you like originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-playerscultureeditorialfeaturedfungood-playershumorop-edopinionplayer-skillrantrantsskillsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 19 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: No sympathy for cheating]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/the-soapbox-no-sympathy-for-cheating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/the-soapbox-no-sympathy-for-cheating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/the-soapbox-no-sympathy-for-cheating/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Assuming no one can get through a test without cheating because you can't implies that you're the smartest person in the room. Which is invalidated when you're not smart enough to figure out a way to do things without cheating.
Some years ago, a good friend of mine was chatting with me after he had received a three-day suspension from Final Fantasy XI. "I don't see why they suspended me," he said, with what I assume was an exaggerated shrug and a hang-dog expression. "I mean, I was using FleeTool, but I was just hacking my movement to be faster in cities. It's not like I was really cheating."

"So you were using a known cheating tool."

"Yeah, but just in the cities."

What followed were several sentences from my end filled with so much profanity that attempting to type them out here would make it look as if my vocabulary consisted almost solely of the word "redacted." He had been expecting some sympathy from me, some compassion for his plight. As it turned out, I didn't have any. If you get nailed for cheating, you deserve exactly what you get.

Continue reading The Soapbox: No sympathy for cheating

MassivelyThe Soapbox: No sympathy for cheating originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bug-exploitsbugscheaterscheatingculturedirty-filthy-cheaterseditorialexploitsfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Yes, Virginia, sexism still exists]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/the-soapbox-yes-virginia-sexism-still-exists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/the-soapbox-yes-virginia-sexism-still-exists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/the-soapbox-yes-virginia-sexism-still-exists/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is fairer than it could be. That does not make it fair.
About two years ago (two decades in internet years), I wrote a piece about sexism as it pertains to MMOs. I didn't write anything about it for a long while afterward because I would just be reiterating points that were stated in the first article, something I'm not fond of doing. But when I wrote another article praising a game for mostly getting equality right, well...

I'm not fond of rehashing old points. But I'm also not fond of the idea that people have evolved from saying "it's not sexist" to "oh, there's no sexism here in the first place."

As I said two years ago, there's a lot that MMOs get right that gaming in general still gets wrong. But there's also a lot that MMOs get wrong still. So I want to look at the issue, look at some of the common attempts to pretend it's not really an issue, and possibly provide some links of relevant interest. There are a lot of those.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Yes, Virginia, sexism still exists

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Yes, Virginia, sexism still exists originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultural-issuescultureeditorialequalityfeaturedfeminismgendergender-discussioninequalitymisogynyop-edopinionrantrantssexismsexysexy-armorsoapboxsocial-issuesthe-soapboxTue, 05 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: No game is cooler]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-soapbox-no-game-is-cooler/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-soapbox-no-game-is-cooler/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-soapbox-no-game-is-cooler/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Your game is just as cool as this. Yes, right down to the dorky goggles.
I don't think I'm ever going to understand why some people have what seems to be an outright phobia about bright colors. There are people who look down on WildStar and World of Warcraft and Free Realms because the games are colorful, stylized, and uniquely designed. I can't understand it, but I can accept it, even if I disagree with the premise. We've all got our own tastes.

What I can't accept is people who try to argue that as a result, another game is somehow inherently better than these games because it's "not as cartoony."

This is something that crops up time and again in MMO fandom, this sort of never-ending back-and-forth over how one game is cooler than others because of reasons. Here's the skinny, people: Your game is not cooler than anyone else's video game. Your playstyle is not cooler. Your choices in story are not cooler. And if you're trying to play games based on which game is the coolest, you are officially doing this wrong.

Continue reading The Soapbox: No game is cooler

MassivelyThe Soapbox: No game is cooler originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chest-poundingcoolcoolnesscultureeditorialfeaturedhumorop-edopinionposturingrantrantssoapboxstylethe-soapboxyou-are-not-so-coolTue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Commitment issues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/the-soapbox-commitment-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/the-soapbox-commitment-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/the-soapbox-commitment-issues/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Romance is not saying that you could never love anyone else; romance is saying that even with all of your faults, I choose to be with you.
I have friends who have a hard time settling down into just one game. This is not inherently a problem; if you want to jump into many games a month at a time, more power to you. But that's not the case with these folks. They want to be in one place, to stick to just one or two games.

These friends look to me, not because my friends assume I am a font of all wisdom as it pertains to MMOs but because I'm pretty stable in games. Barring my participation in things like Choose My Adventure, the games I play are staples. I've been playing Final Fantasy XIV and Star Wars: The Old Republic since launch, the only thing that stopped me from playing City of Heroes was a shutdown, and even my briefer incursions last four months or more. So how do I do it?

The answer is the same as the answer to how you make a long-term relationship work: You commit.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Commitment issues

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Commitment issues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anchoranchorscommitmentconstancycultureeditorialfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantsreliabilitysoapboxstabilitythe-soapboxvagabondswandererswanderlustTue, 19 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The stuff from the stuff]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/the-soapbox-the-stuff-from-the-stuff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/the-soapbox-the-stuff-from-the-stuff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/the-soapbox-the-stuff-from-the-stuff/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Soapbox The stuff from the stuff
There was a great quote from the second season of the short-lived sitcom Sports Night when one of the characters chastises a friend who's overreacting by saying, "You've got to be able to separate the stuff from the stuff." Translated from Sorkinese, it means you need to stop lumping everything into one generic category to be upset about and instead sift through what's important and what is not.

I think this is quite applicable to the MMO community, as I see countless examples of people who just can't separate the stuff from the stuff. Everything, for some people, is a matter of utmost importance and worthy of a spontaneous riot on the same level as everything else. There are no degrees of importance; a mild nerf to a player's class is equally demanding of a 10-paragraph rant as a studio going back on its word just to screw players.

Not everything is life or death. A sign of maturity is learning to pick your battles and to mellow out the rest of the time. Let's see if we can take some steps together toward that goal.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The stuff from the stuff

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The stuff from the stuff originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteditorialfantasyfeaturedmr-magooop-edopinionpenny-arcadeperspectiverantrantssoapboxsports-nightthe-soapboxwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 12 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Joy in the little things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/the-soapbox-joy-in-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/the-soapbox-joy-in-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/the-soapbox-joy-in-the-little-things/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aion Wings
Some people play MMOs because they love the challenge. Some are there for the social aspects. Still others stick with their favorite titles because they're deeply in love with the content or lore. Every single gamer reading this post has a different reason for logging into their MMO of choice instead of watching television, reading a book or choosing any other type of recreation.

There is no right way to enjoy a game. Despite the fact that our comments section is often filled with people letting others know what they "should" or "shouldn't" be playing based on their affinity for certain in-game functions, having fun is a very personal experience that depends entirely on your tastes and desires. If you're having a good time in a game, you're doing it right.

It's all about the little things.

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MassivelyThe Soapbox: Joy in the little things originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentccpccp-gamescreating-fundesigndetailseditorialeveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playhistoricalinternet-spaceshipsop-edopinionpvprantrantssandboxsci-fisoapboxspreadsheets-onlinetanktanksthe-soapboxwarwarcraftwargaming.netwin-conditionsworld-of-tanksworld-of-warcraftwotwowTue, 29 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Can we reward fun over persistence?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/the-soapbox-can-we-reward-fun-over-persistence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/the-soapbox-can-we-reward-fun-over-persistence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/the-soapbox-can-we-reward-fun-over-persistence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Well, some of us are already having fun.
MMOs are games of repetition. Advancing past a certain point is always a matter of doing the same thing over and over, whether it's repeating raids in World of Warcraft, playing the market in EVE Online, or taking part in the same event to clear daily achievements in Guild Wars 2. Whether or not you enjoy these repeat performances can make the difference between the grind from hell and a pleasant upward climb, but it's still a game of repetition.

It's not exactly the ideal state of being. Nearly every new game seems to recognize this and advertise itself as free from grinding, which at best is true in a very narrow sense. You won't be grinding daily quests, but you'll be grinding events or PvP maps or dungeons. So why don't we have a game out there that rewards fun instead of persistence? Is it possible to create a game that's free of repetition and focused on enjoyable experiences?

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MassivelyThe Soapbox: Can we reward fun over persistence? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceboredomdesign-balanceeditorialenjoymentfeaturedfungrindop-edopinionrantrantsrecreationrepeat-contentrepetitionsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 22 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Stop reminding me that I'm playing a game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/the-soapbox-stop-reminding-me-that-im-playing-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/the-soapbox-stop-reminding-me-that-im-playing-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/the-soapbox-stop-reminding-me-that-im-playing-a-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm clearly in a fantasy world in DC Universe Online, because it's a world where a woman other than Barbara Gordon can wear the bat-symbol.
To me, the most amazing part of a video game is the way that it can steal you away from the real world in a way that nothing else quite can. A good book or film will take your focus for several hours, but you're still aware that there's a layer between you and the media. A good game blurs that, lets you creep into the game world for a while and experience things you never would otherwise. There are moments of wonder and joy that you can feel from a few hours in games that are simply unmatched.

So please, stop ruining it.

MMOs in particular have gotten bad about this. It's ironic, as the genre as a whole lends itself to people taking a step into another world. But what's changed isn't a matter of systems or mechanics, just a sense of what designers feel are completely acceptable breaks between in-game reality and the real world. It's annoying. So stop reminding me that I'm playing a game, will you?

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MassivelyThe Soapbox: Stop reminding me that I'm playing a game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureeditorialescapismfeaturedhumorimmersionop-edopinionpop-culturerantrantsreminderssettingsoapboxthe-soapboxverisimilitudeTue, 08 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The heartbreak of altitis]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/01/the-soapbox-the-heartbreak-of-altitis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/01/the-soapbox-the-heartbreak-of-altitis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/01/the-soapbox-the-heartbreak-of-altitis/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Soapbox The heartbreak of altitis
In the MMO culture, there are those who alt and those who don't. Sometimes there's a hilarious rift between the two factions, as one side can't understand why you wouldn't want to try out all of the game's classes and the other side can't understand why you wouldn't specialize and excel in a single character.

I'm one of those who alt, which is a blessing as much as it is a curse. I blame City of Heroes for starting me out on the path to altoholism. C'mon, it was simply impossible to play that game and not be rolling a new superhero concept every other day. By the time I moved on to more "traditional" titles, I was hooked on the idea of alts.

It's a curse as much as it is a blessing. I'll be the first to advocate that alting can give you a wider perspective in a game, offer you more play flexibility, and perhaps keep you in a title far longer than if you played a single character until you burned out. But there's a darker side to it, a path to heartbreak. For those of us who alt, this is the unspoken danger that lurks in every reroll.

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MassivelyThe Soapbox: The heartbreak of altitis originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltoholicaltscharactercharacterscity-of-heroeseditorialfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantsrerollsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 01 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: What MMOs could learn from social gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/the-soapbox-what-mmos-could-learn-from-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/the-soapbox-what-mmos-could-learn-from-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/the-soapbox-what-mmos-could-learn-from-social-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

So, who wants to hear about my latest plot of land in TyriaWorld?
I mentioned a couple of months ago that social gaming isn't going to destroy MMOs. That's good news for everyone other than Richard Garriott and Zynga stockholders. But I think taking this as a sign that we can ignore social gaming for now and forever as an aberration would be... a mistake, to put it lightly.

See, there are things that social games do even better than MMOs tend to. And the hint is right there in the name. No, I'm not implying that these are better games; I'm saying that social games are generally much better about handling the social side of the equation. And the MMO industry as a whole would do well to pick up on the hints.

Not everything, of course. We all have recurring nightmares about that one person on Facebook whose timeline is nothing but a series of dubious achievements in social games. But there are a lot of elements scattered throughout the games as a whole that could be oddly useful if taken as a whole.

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MassivelyThe Soapbox: What MMOs could learn from social gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designeditorialfeaturedgroupinghelpingmutual-benefitop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxsocial-gamessocial-systemssocializingthe-soapboxworking-togetherTue, 25 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST