Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.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/<![CDATA[PlanetSide 1 appears to be going free-to-play... eventually]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/planetside-1-appears-to-be-going-free-to-play-eventually/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/planetside-1-appears-to-be-going-free-to-play-eventually/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/planetside-1-appears-to-be-going-free-to-play-eventually/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PS1
In a series of tweets earlier this evening, SOE's John Smedley hinted that classic PlanetSide 1 will at some future date be converted into a free-to-play MMO. He wrote,
We did a mass grant of anyone who has ever played ps1 or ps2 with free time in ps1. We weren't ready to announce it yet because the database grant is still ongoing and won't be done till tmw morning. So please if you didn't get flagged chill. We are trying to do something cool for everyone and we were going to tell people when it's done. But people saw it and others broadcast the info. Please don't complain :) we aren't raising your taxes we are making a game free. This also gives us more time to make it f2p. So enjoy starting tmw late morning.
This news comes just as PlanetSide 1 is celebrating its 10th birthday. Smedley's tweet refers to a new SOE promotion that will grant PlanetSide 2 players six free months of PS1 play.

MassivelyPlanetSide 1 appears to be going free-to-play... eventually originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 May 2013 00:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>classic-mmofpsmmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2psps1ps2sandboxsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentTue, 21 May 2013 00:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: When are rollbacks and wipes absolutely necessary?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-daily-grind-when-are-rollbacks-absolutely-necessary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-daily-grind-when-are-rollbacks-absolutely-necessary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-daily-grind-when-are-rollbacks-absolutely-necessary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When are rollbacks absolutely necessary
In the last few weeks, two big games we cover on Massively have been slammed with exploits that have injured their respective economies: Diablo III and Neverwinter. In Diablo III's case, a gold duping bug apparently pumped insane amounts of cash into the economy. Neverwinter's exploits run the gamut from Foundry abuses to negative auction hall bids that don't consume gold to classes that can one-shot bosses making farming trivial. According to these claims, NW exploiters are making off with thousands of real-life dollars when cashing out their ill-gotten funds.

In both cases, players called for characters wipes and rollbacks, believing each exploit severe enough to merit a clean slate. But in Diablo III's case, while the studio dealt harshly with the exploiters, the developers disagreed with the need for wipes and do-overs, presumably having concluded that such drastic measures would impact the legit playerbase far more than would a dented economy. Neverwinter, on the other hand, chose to roll back the servers, causing widespread uproar.

That brings us to today's question: Which studio was right? How bad does an exploit have to be before character wipes and server rollbacks are absolutely necessary?

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: When are rollbacks and wipes absolutely necessary? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    ]]>    Blizzardbrianna-royce-tdgcharacter-wipecryptic-studiosdaily-grinddiablo-3diablo-iiieconomyexploitexploitsneverwinteropinionperfect-world-entertainmentpwerollbackrollbacksserver-wipetdgthe-daily-grindwipewipesMon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST    <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Trion's tribulations and DUST's launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/mmo-week-in-review-trions-tribulations-and-dusts-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/mmo-week-in-review-trions-tribulations-and-dusts-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/mmo-week-in-review-trions-tribulations-and-dusts-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

    RIFT
    At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

    This week, Trion Worlds' announcement that RIFT will transition to a free-to-play MMO in less than a month was tempered by news that the studio was forced to lay off a large portion of its staff, though the RIFT team itself was unaffected. Meanwhile, CCP's console shooter DUST 514 officially launched; Massively's Jef Reahard delivered tepid impressions of the game.

    Read on for a look at the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

    Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Trion's tribulations and DUST's launch

    MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Trion's tribulations and DUST's launch originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      ]]>      featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 EST      <![CDATA[Exploits plague Neverwinter economy, PWE responds [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

      Neverwinter
      Multiple Massively sources and forum users are reporting that a serious auction hall exploit involving negative bids has turned the fledgling economy of Neverwinter on its head. Perfect World/Cryptic appear to be locking down forum threads on the topic and have posted the following in response to the exploits:
      We currently are in the process of taking action against a subset of accounts that were confirmed to have utilized exploits that affected the game balance or economy. These accounts may be banned, temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of exploit utilization. Anyone who is affected by this will receive notification via email. [...] Thank you for your patience and support while we continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Neverwinter remains a fair and balanced game experience.
      The post also encourages anyone banned unfairly to contact customer support for resolution. A followup post by a Cryptic moderator from last night tells players that "there are no plans for another wipe at this time." And a message on the Neverwinter's German-language Facebook page suggests that the Neverwinter Gateway has been taken offline while the issue is investigated. We'll keep you posted as the story develops. [Thanks to Dan, J, Ehra, David, Dixa, Mike, xpac, Jan, and Zaph for the tips!]

      [Update: Cryptic has posted a new response to the latest exploit: "The Astral Diamond Exchange and the Auction House have been temporarily taken offline to resolve a high priority bug. At this time we are still investigating the details regarding the issue and will post more information as the situation progresses. As the issue involves in-game currency, we understand that there may be questions regarding the follow up actions needed to ensure that the economy remains fair and balanced. At this time we are still in the process of collecting the data, but plan to share details regarding follow up actions once the investigation concludes. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we continually smooth out issues during open beta."]

      MassivelyExploits plague Neverwinter economy, PWE responds [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      ]]>      action-mmobugbugscrypticcryptic-studiosdndeconomyexploitexploitsf2pfantasyfree-to-playneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweSun, 19 May 2013 13:00:00 EST      <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do Kickstarter perks put you off from MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-daily-grind-do-kickstarter-perks-put-you-off-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-daily-grind-do-kickstarter-perks-put-you-off-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-daily-grind-do-kickstarter-perks-put-you-off-from-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

      Star Citizen art
      Last week, drama swirled around Chris Roberts' Star Citizen pseudo-MMO when he announced and then clarified that certain early crowdfunders will receive lifetime insurance on their ships once the game launches. Potential players rightfully worried that such a move could taint the economy and create a special class of characters with pay-to-win perks that place everyone else at a serious disadvantage.

      MMO players are becoming inured to the idea that Kickstarting a game might land them a poster or tattoo or title or even beta access, but non-cosmetic advantages seem to rile everyone up. It's one thing when Camelot Unchained offers special chat and another altogether when it promises big-time donors their own in-game islands. Then again, without such generous Kickstarter pledges, the games might never be made for the rest of us to play at all, so maybe the trade-off is worth it.

      What do you think? Does it bother you that gamers with money can buy their way into godhood before a game is even made? Are there Kickstarter perks that put you off from future MMOs?

      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 Kickstarter perks put you off from MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        ]]>        brianna-royce-tdgcamelot-unchainedchris-robertscrowdfundingdaily-grindislandkickstarteropinionpay-to-winship-insurancestar-citizentdgthe-daily-grindwhalesFri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST        <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Quarterly financials]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/mmo-week-in-review-quarterly-financials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/mmo-week-in-review-quarterly-financials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/mmo-week-in-review-quarterly-financials/#commentsFiled under: , ,

        SWTOR
        At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

        Every three months, we gawk at the revealed financial health of various gaming companies, collectively cheering and jeering and sometimes both. This week, we fixated on NCsoft's mixed fortunes, Star Wars: The Old Republic's vindicating free-to-play success, and World of Warcraft's 1.3 million subscriber losses.

        Blizzard was further vexed this week by a duping bug that saw the Diablo III auction house taken offline for several days before its restoration sans rollback.

        Read on for a roundup of the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

        Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Quarterly financials

        MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Quarterly financials originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          ]]>          blizzardfeaturedjoystiqmassively-metametancsoftroundupstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupWorld-of-Warcraftwowwow-insiderSun, 12 May 2013 20:00:00 EST          <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should World of Warcraft go free-to-play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-daily-grind-should-world-of-warcraft-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-daily-grind-should-world-of-warcraft-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-daily-grind-should-world-of-warcraft-go-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

          World of Warcraft
          There's only one Western subscription MMO that can stand to lose 1.3 million subs in three months and shrug it off: World of Warcraft. But shrug it off doesn't appear to what Activision-Blizzard is doing. During the investor call that revealed the heavy sub losses, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick acknowledged the changing market and his plans to adapt with speedier content. "It's important to note that the nature of online games has changed," he said, "and [that] the environment [is] becoming far more competitive, especially with free-to-play games." And Blizzard president Mike Morhaime suggested the company is "studying" the comings and goings of players and how to entice former players to return.

          Well, we don't have to look much further than Star Wars: The Old Republic's recent rejuvenation to figure out that free-to-play is one of the better ways to entice gamers to return (and open their wallets). Surely, Blizzard has to be wondering whether F2P might be a huge boost to the game as it's approaching its ninth birthday later this year. What do you think -- will World of Warcraft eventually go free-to-play, and more importantly, should it?

          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: Should World of Warcraft go free-to-play? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            ]]>            activisionActivision-Blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbobby-kotickbrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindf2pfantasyfree-to-playinvestor-callMike-Morhaimeopinionreturning-playersstar-wars-the-old-republicsub-lossessubscriptionswtortdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 10 May 2013 08:00:00 EST            <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Trailers, emulators, and 'skill caps']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/ask-massively-trailers-emulators-and-skill-caps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/ask-massively-trailers-emulators-and-skill-caps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/ask-massively-trailers-emulators-and-skill-caps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

            Dragon Sword
            It's time for a grab bag edition of Ask Massively! A reader named Nicholas is up first:
            I was wondering if you could help me remember a game studio that was developing a new Korean action- MMORPG game engine (and it wasn't Bless, Blade and Soul, or ArcheAge). In the tech demo, no environment was being shown; it focused on the combat aspect of the engine. All the combat took place against a white background, and it was combo-based and reactive to hits. I remember a slow motion scene with an NPC being punched in the face and the face distorting. At the time, there were no announced games using the engine; the video was just showing what tech the game studio had developed. If it helps any, I remember the comments saying that the engine was just going to be vaporware.
            I think we might! Massively's Lis pegged it as NetEase's Dragon Sword trailer. +1 to Lis.

            Continue reading Ask Massively: Trailers, emulators, and 'skill caps'

            MassivelyAsk Massively: Trailers, emulators, and 'skill caps' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

              ]]>              ablegamersadviceadvice-columnage-of-wushuask-massivelybeau-hindmanbrianna-royce-ask-massivelydifferently-ableddisableddmcadragon-swordemulatoreulaeula-violationfeaturedgames-in-developmentguild-wars-2gw2humorin-developmentkickstartermassively-metametaopinionprivate-emulatorsprivate-shardRichie-Procopiotrailertrailersultima-onlineThu, 09 May 2013 14:00:00 EST              <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Neverwinter is... well, actually, it's here]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/mmo-week-in-review-neverwinter-is-well-actually-its-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/mmo-week-in-review-neverwinter-is-well-actually-its-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/mmo-week-in-review-neverwinter-is-well-actually-its-here/#commentsFiled under: , ,

              Neverwinter
              At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

              Dungeons and Dragons-flavored action-MMO Neverwinter soft-launched into open beta this week, free-to-play for all comers except for the inconvenient parts where you're probably going to pay. Massively was prepared, if lacking in pants, with a two-part hands-on launch diary and a formal (if irreverent) first impressions piece.

              Read on for a look at this week's other top MMO stories.

              Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Neverwinter is... well, actually, it's here

              MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Neverwinter is... well, actually, it's here originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                ]]>                featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 05 May 2013 20:00:00 EST                <![CDATA[A guide to Guild Wars 2's Molten Weapon Facility dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/a-guide-to-guild-wars-2s-molten-weapon-facility-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/a-guide-to-guild-wars-2s-molten-weapon-facility-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/a-guide-to-guild-wars-2s-molten-weapon-facility-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                ]]>                anetarenanetbuy-to-playdungeonfantasyflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-retributionguild-wars-2gw2living-storymolten-weapon-facilityncsoftretributionRichie-ProcopiotrailertrailersvideovideosFri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 EST                <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do sandboxes overwhelm you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/the-daily-grind-do-sandboxes-overwhelm-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/the-daily-grind-do-sandboxes-overwhelm-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/the-daily-grind-do-sandboxes-overwhelm-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                Glitch
                You've probably heard of the paradox of choice, the idea that the human brain can't really process more than a dozen or so choices at a time under certain circumstances. We get overwhelmed by too many choices, and sometimes we withdraw from choosing altogether. It's not always true -- Ben and Jerry's offers over a hundred flavors and seems to do just fine -- but I wonder whether it's the reason that some MMO gamers just do not get sandboxes.

                An MMO sandbox dumps you in and is indifferent to what you do next. It won't hold your hand; it won't tell you where to go, what to be, or how to progress. In short, it presents hundreds of choices to you with no guidance and sometimes no context. I love this style of game, but given the sandbox struggles of the past few years, I admit it's potentially a problem. Glitch, for example, shut down in part because players, according to the devs, just didn't know what to do. And how many times have I read that someone quit Skyrim because he'd finished the main questline and thought it was over?

                But then I'll bump into a blog about how someone spent 300 hours collecting all the cheese in Skyrim to build cheese mountain. Clearly, this problem is not universal.

                So are you also building cheese mountain? Or do sandboxes overwhelm you with too many choices?

                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 sandboxes overwhelm you? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  ]]>                  brianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindglitchopinionparadox-of-choicesandboxsandboxesskyrimtdgthe-daily-grindFri, 03 May 2013 08:00:00 EST                  <![CDATA[Ask Massively: A new era of soft launches]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/ask-massively-a-new-era-of-soft-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/ask-massively-a-new-era-of-soft-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/ask-massively-a-new-era-of-soft-launches/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

                  Neverwinter. It's blue.
                  Neverwinter soft launched this week. What's a soft launch? It's when a game really shouldn't be launching yet and knows it and yet has to launch anyway for reasons probably involving money. Soft launches are incredibly confusing to old school gamers who are used to a certain kind of testing and release cycle, the uncomplicated kind that involves, you know, some testing and a release. Soft launches make games writers uncomfortable too. Why won't your weird special snowflake of a game launch fit into our perfectly planned box?

                  Massively reader zmeul expressed his annoyance with us thusly: "I can't understand why some games get this 'soft launch' from you and others do not, even if the criteria are met."

                  It's a brave new world out there, zmeul!

                  Continue reading Ask Massively: A new era of soft launches

                  MassivelyAsk Massively: A new era of soft launches originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    ]]>                    adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybetabrianna-royce-ask-massivelycrypticcryptic-studiosfeaturedhumorlaunchlaunchesmassively-metametaneverwinteropen-betaopinionperfect-world-entertainmentpwesoft-launchstar-conflicttestingwar-thunderwarframeThu, 02 May 2013 09:00:00 EST                    <![CDATA[MMO sandbox TUG launches its Kickstarter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-sandbox-tug-launches-its-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-sandbox-tug-launches-its-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-sandbox-tug-launches-its-kickstarter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

                    MMO sandbox TUG launches on Kickstarter
                    If you're the sort of sandbox aficionado who's more into crafting and exploration than griefing, then this post is for you. Brand-new to Kickstarter today is an MMO called, well, The Untitled Game, or TUG for short. Inspired by the likes of Minecraft, Zelda, and EVE Online, TUG promises an immersion-driven, "massive procedurally generated world to explore" along with such features as combat, crafting, building, an organic UI, modding tools, hidden civilizations, animal taming, "logic engineering," day/season cycles, realistic weights, support for roleplayers, and no DRM. Like rival Shroud of the Avatar, TUG will be playable solo, on a private server, and on the official MMO server.

                    Developer Nerd Kingdom styles itself as "a collective of scientists, researchers, technologists, economists, content creators, artists, modders, and gamers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds" with a "deep passion for the nerdery of academic sciences, art, and technology," but in spite of its academic background, the studio promises a survival sandbox/multiplayer RPG hybrid without all the associated spreadsheets and number-crunching.

                    The game is targeting 2015 for launch with an alpha this coming July; the digital download edition of the game can be secured for as little as 10 bucks on Kickstarter now. See whether the videos behind the break don't convince you.

                    Continue reading MMO sandbox TUG launches its Kickstarter

                    MassivelyMMO sandbox TUG launches its Kickstarter originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    ]]>                    craftingcrowdfundingeve-onlinekickstarterminecraftnerd-kingdomprocedural-generationprocedurally-generatedsandboxthe-untitled-gametrailertrailerstugvideovideosWed, 01 May 2013 17:00:00 EST                    <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: EVE Fanfest 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/mmo-week-in-review-eve-fanfest-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/mmo-week-in-review-eve-fanfest-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/mmo-week-in-review-eve-fanfest-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                    EVE Fanfest
                    At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                    Every spring for the last 10 years, EVE Online fans from around the globe have journeyed to their MMO Mecca in Reykjavik, Iceland, for EVE Fanfest. This year, Massively's Brendan Drain attended the event to report not just on EVE but on CCP's other inbound titles, console shooter DUST 514 and vampire sandbox World of Darkness. From Brendan, we heard about EVE's virtual reality demo and revamp plans, DUST's launch date, EVE's anniversary collector's edition and TV series, and of course, World of Darkness' early development.

                    Read on for a peek at the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

                    Continue reading MMO Week in Review: EVE Fanfest 2013

                    MassivelyMMO Week in Review: EVE Fanfest 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                      ]]>                      eveeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2013eve-onlineeve-online-fanfesteve-online-fanfest-2013eventevent-coveragefanfestfeaturedicelandjoystiqmassively-event-coveragemassively-metametareykjavikrounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 28 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST                      <![CDATA[DUST 514 launches on May 14]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launches-on-may-14/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launches-on-may-14/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launches-on-may-14/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

                      DUST 514 launches on May 14
                      CCP Games has just announced at this weekend's EVE Fanfest that the wait for DUST 514 will soon be over: DUST 514 is launching on May 14th.

                      The free-to-play PlayStation 3 shooter is built to connect with CCP's sci-fi MMORPG sandbox, EVE Online; players in one game can directly influence the players in the other.

                      "Gamers can look forward to an ever-progressing game, built on the experience CCP has gathered over the past decade, as new features and upgrades are rolled out for years to come," declares the press release posted today. Massively published a hands-on with the game in January.

                      [Source: CCP press release]

                      Gallery: DUST 514

                      Continue reading DUST 514 launches on May 14

                      MassivelyDUST 514 launches on May 14 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                      Permalink | Email this | Comments

                        ]]>                        ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2013eve-onlineeve-online-fanfesteve-online-fanfest-2013eventevent-coveragefanfestfpsgalleriesgalleryicelandlaunchlaunch-datemassively-event-coveragemmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3rekyjaviksandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsshooterSat, 27 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST                        <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Has an MMO ever implemented your idea?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/the-daily-grind-has-an-mmo-ever-implemented-your-idea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/the-daily-grind-has-an-mmo-ever-implemented-your-idea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/the-daily-grind-has-an-mmo-ever-implemented-your-idea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

                        City of Steam
                        Earlier this month, Massively's MJ sat down with the City of Steam devs and discovered that you, the Massively readers, had actually influenced one of the game mechanics. Wrote MJ,
                        There is one new feature that was put into game specifically because of Massively fans: jumping! That's right. You made it clear you wanted jumping in game, and the devs listened. Who says you don't have the power to change things?
                        Leaving aside the implication that we spent one of our precious wishes on jumping, I thought this was really cool, and I tried to think of other examples of players coming up with amazing (or not) design ideas that were subsequently implemented in a game. I can think of certain demands that were met in classic MMOs. World of Warcraft is infamous for implementing the most popular player mods as official features, and in more recent news, there are Guild Wars 2's efforts to split reset times for different continents after much player protest.

                        How about you? Has an MMO ever implemented your idea or the ideas of a fellow player?

                        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: Has an MMO ever implemented your idea? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                        Permalink | Email this | Comments

                          ]]>                          brianna-royce-tdgbring-back-precastingcity-of-steamdaily-grindgame-designGuild-Wars-2gw2ideaideasjumpingopinionplayer-ideastdgthe-daily-grindultima-onlineuoWorld-of-WarcraftwowFri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST                          <![CDATA[Darkfall Unholy Wars hits Steam as Valve introduces new subscription service]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/darkfall-unholy-wars-hits-steam-as-valve-introduces-new-subscrip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/darkfall-unholy-wars-hits-steam-as-valve-introduces-new-subscrip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/darkfall-unholy-wars-hits-steam-as-valve-introduces-new-subscrip/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

                          Darkfall
                          In a press release issued on Steam today, Valve announced that it now offers something of particular value to MMOs on the platform: subscription plans. Gamers can now subscribe to MMOs on Steam and manage recurring payments to those games using Steam itself.
                          With Subscription Plans, Steam offers gamers the ability to sign up and manage payments for subscription-based games on Steam. [...] Steam customers may now sign-up for, manage, cancel or renew game Subscription Plans at any time, online directly through Steam.
                          On the front lines of this new Steam feature is none other than subscription-based sandbox MMO Darkfall Unholy Wars, which relaunched just last week.

                          Valve promises that "additional subscription-based games [will] follow" and posted a lengthy FAQ to ward off the tinfoil hat crowd.

                          MassivelyDarkfall Unholy Wars hits Steam as Valve introduces new subscription service originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                          Permalink | Email this | Comments

                          ]]>                          agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-unholy-warsdffantasyopen-pvppvpsandboxsteamsubsubscriptionsubscriptionsunholy-warsvalveThu, 25 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST                          <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Why we cover what we do, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                          State of Decay
                          Last week, I promised you a second round of questions and answers regarding the types of calls Massively makes on which games and stories it will cover and why. Let's get to it.

                          Mike9 wrote, "I will play [State of Decay] because it looks awesome, but I never understand why Massively covers it; it is a single-player game, not an MMO by even the loosest of definitions, not unless Super Mario World is also considered an MMO now (well, I guess that did allow two players)."

                          I assume you're looking for a better answer than braaaaaiiiiinnnnsssssss!

                          Continue reading Ask Massively: Why we cover what we do, part two

                          MassivelyAsk Massively: Why we cover what we do, part two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                          Permalink | Email this | Comments

                            ]]>                            adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyBrainsssbrianna-royce-ask-massivelyesofeaturedhumorleakleaksmassively-metametaopinionstate-of-decaytesothe-elder-scrolls-onlineundead-labszombiesThu, 25 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST                            <![CDATA[The Turbine billing system has attained sentience (not really)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/the-turbine-billing-system-has-attained-sentience-not-really/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                            Turbine
                            We hope you've got a little extra money squirreled away in your bank account because the Turbine billing system is hungry. It seems that some players were charged a bit more than usual for their Dungeons and Dragons Online accounts this week, some of them as many as 100 times their normal VIP fee.

                            TurbineTolero took to the forums to clarify the issue:
                            This impacted a limited number of players after the maintenance work, and we have a list of the affected users. We're working with our partners to make sure that over charges are reversed. You do not need to contact us to receive help, but if you have any questions you are welcome to call or send a ticket (phone is 1-855-WBGAMES and tickets contact can be done via http://support.turbine.com).
                            Our sympathies extend to those affected more than passingly by the bug.

                            [Thanks to Marc for the tip!]

                            MassivelyThe Turbine billing system has attained sentience (not really) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                            Permalink | Email this | Comments

                            ]]>                            billingbugbugsddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playtoleroturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-tolerovipWed, 24 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST                            <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Expansions and revamps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/mmo-week-in-review-expansions-and-revamps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/mmo-week-in-review-expansions-and-revamps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/mmo-week-in-review-expansions-and-revamps/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                            SWTOR
                            At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                            This week, Massively was focused on two MMO expansion releases whose status was once in question. First, Darkfall's Unholy Wars revamp finally launched, after repeated delays that turned the game into a punchline for many months during its extended beta. We sent in Darkfall veteran Jef Reahard to investigate; he was impressed by its immersive world, PvE, and crafting but not so impressed with its animations, UI, and economy.

                            Second, Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion officially launched. We posted a general impressions piece to complement our critique of the update's daily quests, while BioWare contented itself with explaining reworks of all eight of the game's classes.

                            Read on for a look at the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

                            Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Expansions and revamps

                            MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Expansions and revamps originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                            Permalink | Email this | Comments

                              ]]>                              featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 21 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST                              <![CDATA[Building the perfect fortress in Camelot Unchained [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/building-the-perfect-fortress-in-camelot-unchained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/building-the-perfect-fortress-in-camelot-unchained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/building-the-perfect-fortress-in-camelot-unchained/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

                              Camelot Unchained's housing, building, and mining revealed
                              The Camelot Unchained team has just released a new video dev blog for Kickstarter backers outlining some fairly ambitious plans for mining and construction in the upcoming PvE-free sandbox. The system will involve combinations of custom and prefab cells in which players so inclined can build up the empires and trading posts and fortifications of their dreams. And in a nod to games like Minecraft, the construction mechanics are built on a foundation of supplies procured through co-op mining gameplay.

                              Ahead of the reveal, we asked City State Entertainment's Mark Jacobs a few questions about the systems he's proposing, from the influence of Mojang's popular sandbox to whether mining will become my new part-time job. Read on for the complete interview!

                              [Update: As of Monday, CSE has also released the document form of the housing plans.]

                              Continue reading Building the perfect fortress in Camelot Unchained [Updated]

                              MassivelyBuilding the perfect fortress in Camelot Unchained [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                              ]]>                              blueprintsbuildersbuildingcamelotcamelot-unchainedcellscity-statecity-state-entertainmentconstructioncsefeaturedgriefinghousinginterviewinterviewsmaintenancemark-jacobsmineminecraftminesminingprefabpvprentrvrscuttlingstructuresupkeepSat, 20 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST                              <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like moddable MMORPGs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-moddable-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-moddable-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-moddable-mmorpgs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                              WildStar
                              WildStar's announcement this week that closed beta players have already started modding the game's UI to their personal preferences got me wondering once again about whether MMO gamers have been influenced by games like World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic when it comes to acceptance of modding.

                              As recently as last November, when SOE outlawed all mods in PlanetSide 2 -- including benign mods that enhanced graphics and FPS -- our commenters seemed split over whether mods were a good thing. One, who specifically singled out Diablo III and Guild Wars 2 as key offenders, argued that developers' "play it how we made it because we know best" attitude stifles player freedom. Another wrote that on the contrary, Guild Wars 2's anti-mod approach was the right one; he liked that everyone is made to play with the same interface because "the fact [that] you almost need different UIs and addons for endgame in WoW" is a turn off.

                              So let's take this topic's current temperature: Do you like moddable MMORPGs? Why or why not?

                              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 like moddable MMORPGs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                ]]>                                addonaddonsbrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindmodmoddingmodsopinionplanetside-2tdgthe-daily-grindwildstarFri, 19 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST                                <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Why we cover what we do, part one]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/ask-massively-why-we-cover-what-we-do-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

                                Scarlet Blade. I'd like to say the word 'cover' in the title is a clever pun, but it really was unintended, and now I can't unsee it.
                                Welcome back to Ask Massively. We're all aboard the yacht this week, answering your questions while dressed like characters in Scarlet Blade. Because that's pretty much what the characters in Scarlet Blade should be doing rather than, you know, mortal combat in a thong.

                                Yes, today we're talking Scarlet Blade. In between all the crazed commenter ranting, several of you guys posed legit questions about why we covered it in the first place. Let me try to answer you without turning this into a debate about sexism. Why? Because it's not really about any one specific -ism.

                                Continue reading Ask Massively: Why we cover what we do, part one

                                MassivelyAsk Massively: Why we cover what we do, part one originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                  ]]>                                  adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybrianna-royce-ask-massivelycommenterscommentsfeaturedhumormassively-metametaopinionscarlet-bladesexismThu, 18 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST                                  <![CDATA[WildStar chronicles closed beta metrics and milestones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/wildstar-chronicles-closed-beta-metrics-and-milestones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/wildstar-chronicles-closed-beta-metrics-and-milestones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/wildstar-chronicles-closed-beta-metrics-and-milestones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

                                  wildstar dev blog
                                  Last night, WildStar's Jeremy Gaffney posted up a dev blog recapping the first days of the game's closed beta, which you are likely not in. We feel for you; we're not in either. Who is in? An Aurin by the name of Poptart, who became the first closed beta tester to make her way through character creation and set foot on Nexus. The first player-created UI mod, a friend-finding tool, was also whipped up within 24 hours. (Massively broke the news on how WildStar's modding system will work back in February.) And apparently, the Algoroc zone is a nasty place; it boasts four of the nine mobs most responsible for player death.

                                  Gaffney offers up these metrics for humor, but he's actually serious business about data parsing and player feedback even as he wants the early invitees to enjoy themselves:
                                  We're tracking almost everything that goes on in the game. Combat timings, level timings, movement, you name it. The players' actions matter to us. Betas aren't always fun per se (there's often a big difference between "playing" and "testing"), so we've tried hard to make sure the game is actually fun even in this, our very first round of external testing.
                                  Tester feedback, he says, is funneled to straight to a rapid response team to deal with on a daily and weekly basis. And if testers don't submit that feedback? "One player actually found that some taxi drivers in a fit of generosity would give you money for flying to your destination instead of taking it and spent four hours riding back and forth," Gaffney admits. "We left him with 50 copper of the 14 gold he farmed as thanks for making us laugh."

                                  MassivelyWildStar chronicles closed beta metrics and milestones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                  ]]>                                  betabeta-testingcarbinecarbine-studiosclosed-betadev-blogJeremy-Gaffneymetricsncsoftpoptartsandparksci-fantasysci-fitestingwildstarwsThu, 18 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST                                  <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: The return of the sandbox]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/mmo-week-in-review-the-return-of-the-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/mmo-week-in-review-the-return-of-the-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/mmo-week-in-review-the-return-of-the-sandbox/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                  Age of Wushu
                                  At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                  This week, wuxia-themed Age of Wushu launched officially, turning loose a hardcore, Chinese-flavored, martial arts sandbox in the MMORPG space. Persistent-world junkies are hoping the game marks the first of the big-budget sandboxes aiming to revamp the genre in the next few years. What sandboxes are those? I'm glad you asked. Massively's Jef recently prepped a guide to the bigguns, including ArcheAge, EverQuest Next, and Star Citizen.

                                  Read on for a peek at the rest of our top MMO stories.

                                  Continue reading MMO Week in Review: The return of the sandbox

                                  MassivelyMMO Week in Review: The return of the sandbox originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                    ]]>                                    featuredjoystiqmassively-metametaroundupsandboxtop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 14 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST                                    <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does Steam influence your MMO habits?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/the-daily-grind-does-steam-influence-your-mmo-habits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/the-daily-grind-does-steam-influence-your-mmo-habits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/the-daily-grind-does-steam-influence-your-mmo-habits/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                                    Does Steam influence your MMO habits
                                    A few weeks ago, our sister site Joystiq posted a story about Incredipede, an indie game whose slow sales over a four-month period were eclipsed by a single day's worth of sales on Steam. And when I looked back through our coverage of MMOs on Steam, I realized that the platform has quietly become a big deal for our genre, too; MMO publishers clearly believe Steam is a place they need to be. Final Fantasy XI's expansion landed there in recent memory, as did The War Z, Age of Conan, APB Reloaded, and dozens more. My own Steam account shows EVE Online, Champions Online, Lord of the Rings Online, and Spiral Knights, just to name a few.

                                    The convenience of Steam and the fact that my friends congregate there is the key draw for me, in spite of my lingering distrust for such services, so today, I'm wondering whether I'm alone. Are you guys more likely to download and try an MMO, F2P or otherwise, if it's on Steam?

                                    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: Does Steam influence your MMO habits? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                      ]]>                                      brianna-royce-tdgclouddaily-grindincredipedemmos-on-steamopinionplatformsteamsteam-mmostdgthe-daily-grindFri, 12 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST                                      <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Defiance's launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/mmo-week-in-review-defiances-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/mmo-week-in-review-defiances-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/mmo-week-in-review-defiances-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                      Defiance
                                      At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                      Trion's trans-media-synergy MMOTPS Defiance launched Tuesday -- just ahead of its TV show debut next week -- to the usual smattering of launch-day bugs and issues. But on the whole, Massively's Jef found the game moderately appealing and potentially worth the dough for some light but brief MMO-shooter fun, as chronicled in his four-part launch impressions piece.

                                      Read on for a look at the rest of Massively's top MMO stories from the past week.

                                      Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Defiance's launch

                                      MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Defiance's launch originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                      Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                        ]]>                                        featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 07 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST                                        <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Feeds and faceplustweets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/ask-massively-feeds-and-faceplustweets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/ask-massively-feeds-and-faceplustweets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/ask-massively-feeds-and-faceplustweets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                        Feedly
                                        Google Reader might be on its way out, but old-school RSS is here to stay. If you haven't jumped to Feedly or some other RSS platform yet, July 1st is your doomsday. How is this relevant to your interests and why am I telling you this in Ask Massively? Well, many of you readers probably don't camp our front page, and if you're not into social media and the latest faceplustweet craze, RSS can help you keep up with the parts of Massively you want to read (and avoid the ones you don't).

                                        Continue reading Ask Massively: Feeds and faceplustweets

                                        MassivelyAsk Massively: Feeds and faceplustweets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                        Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                          ]]>                                          adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybooleanbrianna-royce-ask-massivelycategoriescommunityfacebookfaceplustweetsfeaturedfeedfeedsgoogle-plusgoogle-readerhumormassively-metamassively-rssmetaopinionrsssocial-mediasteamtagstwitchtwitterThu, 04 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST                                          <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: GDC 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/31/week-in-review-gdc-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/31/week-in-review-gdc-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/31/week-in-review-gdc-2013/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                          Dragon's Prophet
                                          At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                          This week, we're building on our PAX East 2013 roundup from last Sunday to present even more of our PAX coverage combined with what we've released so far from our GDC 2013 recon. Dragon's Prophet demo? Check. How F2P saved SWTOR? Yeppers. Infinite Crisis hands-on? Roger that. Star Citizen's crafting system reveal? Yup, nabbed that too. All that and the rest of Massively's top MMO stories from the past week await beyond the break.

                                          Continue reading MMO Week in Review: GDC 2013

                                          MassivelyMMO Week in Review: GDC 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                          Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                            ]]>                                            featuredgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2013gdcgdc-2013joystiqmassively-event-coveragemassively-metametapaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-exporounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 31 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST                                            <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: If SimCity is an MMO, what should we call actual MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/the-daily-grind-if-simcity-is-an-mmo-what-should-we-call-actua/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/the-daily-grind-if-simcity-is-an-mmo-what-should-we-call-actua/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/the-daily-grind-if-simcity-is-an-mmo-what-should-we-call-actua/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                            If SimCity is an MMO, what should we call actual MMOs?
                                            Earlier this week, EA president Frank Gibeau doubled-down on his company's earlier claims about SimCity's MMOness, suggesting the game was built as a "massively multiplayer experience" from the beginning. Rather than pick on Gibeau's comments (already done), I want to consider what would happen if we admitted defeat. What if we just accepted that the term MMO has been utterly co-opted for online singleplayer games -- what should we call "real" MMOs instead?

                                            My colleagues suggest "persistent massively multiplayer online" -- PMMO, I suppose (would we have to change our name to "Persistently"?). While I like the idea of bringing back an old-school term like "persistent," and while it would certainly separate games like EverQuest from games like Diablo III, I worry it also excludes MMORPGs that make heavy use of instancing (and therefore aren't as persistent as they seem) even as it includes games with persistent characters but not worlds.

                                            What do you think -- is it time to give up on the term MMO and adopt something else? Do we retreat to the imperfect label "MMORPG" or begin the hunt for a brand-new acronym?

                                            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: If SimCity is an MMO, what should we call actual MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                            Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                              ]]>                                              brianna-royce-tdgdaily-grinddiablo-iiieaeqeverquestFrank-Gibeaumassively-singleplayer-onlinemmommorpgopinionpersistencepersistentpersistent-mmopersistent-worldpersistentlypmmosimcitytdgterminologythe-daily-grindFri, 29 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST                                              <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Whitebackgroundgate, image captions, and sockpuppets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/ask-massively-whitebackgroundgate-image-captions-and-sockpupp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/ask-massively-whitebackgroundgate-image-captions-and-sockpupp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/ask-massively-whitebackgroundgate-image-captions-and-sockpupp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                                              2010 was adorbz
                                              OK, AndyMonahan. You win. You broke me. This Ask Massively is for you.

                                              AndyMonahan asked (approximately eight million times): It doesn't matter what games you cover as I can't spend more than five minutes on the site before my eyes bleed. Any news on a choice of background colour?

                                              Do you really think you're going to like the only answer you know I can give?!

                                              Continue reading Ask Massively: Whitebackgroundgate, image captions, and sockpuppets

                                              MassivelyAsk Massively: Whitebackgroundgate, image captions, and sockpuppets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                ]]>                                                adviceadvice-columnaltalt-textask-massivelybrianna-royce-ask-massivelyfeaturedhumorimagesmassively-metametaopinionsite-overhaulsite-redesignSockPuppetswhitebackgroundgateWhiteBackgroundsThu, 28 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST                                                <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: PAX East 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/mmo-week-in-review-pax-east-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/mmo-week-in-review-pax-east-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/mmo-week-in-review-pax-east-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                                Boston's red light district
                                                At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                                This week, Massively's Eliot Lefebvre, Karen Bryan, and Matt Daniel descended on PAX East 2013 in Boston (shown above) prepared to chew bubblegum and play video games, and they were all out of bubblegum. They've been regaling you with tales of their exploits in WildStar, Elder Scrolls Online, and Hearthstone all weekend, and now we've rounded up the rest of their coverage (so far!) and our non-PAX MMO coverage from the last seven days just beyond the break... just in time for GDC to begin.

                                                Continue reading MMO Week in Review: PAX East 2013

                                                MassivelyMMO Week in Review: PAX East 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                  ]]>                                                  conconventioneventevent-coverageeventsexpofeaturedjoystiqmassively-event-coveragemassively-metametapaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-exporounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 24 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST                                                  <![CDATA[PAX East 2013: EVE Online Odyssey expansion announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/pax-east-2013-eve-online-odyssey-expansion-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/pax-east-2013-eve-online-odyssey-expansion-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/pax-east-2013-eve-online-odyssey-expansion-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

                                                  PAX East 2013 EVE Online Odyssey expansion announced
                                                  CCP Games has just announced at PAX East that EVE Online's next expansion will be called Odyssey and will hit the live servers this summer on June 4th. CCP told convention attendees that the focus of the expansion will be on exploration and shaking up the status quo of the classic space sandbox.

                                                  The studio has simultaneously unveiled an official website for the expansion; it promises, among other features, "a re-imagined scanning system, intuitive navigation and new exploration modules" that "will aid you as you search the heavens for your next conquest."

                                                  [This story is developing -- stay tuned as our PAX attendees post more info!]

                                                  Gallery: EVE Online PAX Prime 2013 Gallery

                                                  Continue reading PAX East 2013: EVE Online Odyssey expansion announced

                                                  MassivelyPAX East 2013: EVE Online Odyssey expansion announced originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                    ]]>                                                    breakingccpccp-gamesconconventioneveeve-onlineeventevent-coverageeventsexpansionexpogalleriesgalleryinternet-spaceshipsmassively-event-coverageodysseypaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-exposandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsspreadsheets-onlineSat, 23 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST                                                    <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you use in-game guild-finding tools?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-in-game-guild-finding-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-in-game-guild-finding-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-in-game-guild-finding-tools/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                                                    SWTOR - with thanks to Karen for the awesome pic :D
                                                    Massively's sister site WoW Insider recently ran a poll asking its readers about the use of World of Warcraft's looking-for-guild tools. Approximately 56.9% of the respondents said they'd never used the tool, but a whopping 17.5% said they had. That 17.5% seems a staggering number to me, but then, I know my experience is abnormal; I've been in basically the same guild with the same core group of people for my entire MMO career. I just can't imagine treating a guild the same way I'd treat a group or a raid -- opening up a looking-for-guild panel and ticking all the right boxes until the tool found me a guild that at least on paper met my specifications. It just seems artificial and ephemeral to me. But clearly, it's been of value to almost a fifth of WoW Insider's readership, and since finding a good guild these days is apparently a pain in the rear, I'm calling that a good thing.

                                                    So now I'd like to pose the same question to the broader MMO community. Have you guys ever used a looking-for-guild tool in any of the MMOs you play? If not, do you stick to traditional methods like ads on forums or chatting up people you meet in person? And if so, has the guild-finder ever led you to a permanent home?

                                                    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 use in-game guild-finding tools? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                      ]]>                                                      brianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindguildguild-finderguildsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindwow-insiderFri, 22 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST                                                      <![CDATA[Ask Massively: The moving goalposts of MMO reviews]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/ask-massively-the-moving-goalposts-of-mmo-reviews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/ask-massively-the-moving-goalposts-of-mmo-reviews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/ask-massively-the-moving-goalposts-of-mmo-reviews/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                                                      TESO
                                                      Last week, Massively streamteamer Richie Procopio sat down to play Elder Scrolls Online at a press demo. Like most such "all-day" media events, the press demo was approximately four hours long -- four hours for Richie to see as much as he could and take notes to transform into articles worth reading.

                                                      "It must be so hard to write an MMO article based on four hours of gameplay," remarked a reader named Dularr.

                                                      It is and it isn't. Four hours is more than enough time to grok the basics. Of course, if you're expecting a detailed endgame critique after four hours, you're in for disappointment.

                                                      Continue reading Ask Massively: The moving goalposts of MMO reviews

                                                      MassivelyAsk Massively: The moving goalposts of MMO reviews originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                      Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                        ]]>                                                        adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybrianna-royce-ask-massivelyfeaturedfirst-impressionshands-onhumorimpressionsjournalismmassively-metametamoving-goalpostmoving-goalpostsopinionpreviewpreviewsreviewreviewsThu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST                                                        <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: You keep using that word]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/mmo-week-in-review-you-keep-using-that-word/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/mmo-week-in-review-you-keep-using-that-word/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/mmo-week-in-review-you-keep-using-that-word/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                                        SimCity
                                                        At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                                        MMO gamers are used to studios applying the words "massively multiplayer online" to games that are barely online, only optionally multiplayer, and certainly not "massive" in any way, but this week, Maxis' Lucy Bradshaw took our acronym to new lows by suggesting that EA's beleaguered SimCity is effectively an MMO. Perhaps Bradshaw meant to frame her game's release fiasco as just another clownshoes MMO launch, but I think the MMO industry is perfectly capable of watering down its own terminology, thanks.

                                                        Read on for a roundup of the rest of our top MMO stories from the past week.

                                                        Continue reading MMO Week in Review: You keep using that word

                                                        MassivelyMMO Week in Review: You keep using that word originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                        Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                          ]]>                                                          featuredjoystiqmassively-metametaroundupsimcitysimcity-2013top-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 17 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST                                                          <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you still play your first MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-play-your-first-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-play-your-first-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-play-your-first-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

                                                          With thanks to Brad for the classic Ultima Online pic
                                                          With Brad McQuaid's return to EverQuest in the news this week, nostalgia has invaded our comment section. The most veteran of our MMO commenters mused about the days of meditating into spellbooks, losing levels on death, embarking on corpse runs, and waiting on the boat. No one even mentioned camping for jboots, begging to be put on a list for a spot in a dungeon group, or having your raid planejumped right before your eyes!

                                                          I think old-schoolers know that the old days had more than their fair share of problems, which is why most of them are probably playing Guild Wars 2 or The Secret World and not Asheron's Call or Anarchy Online. Or are they? Are more people living in classic MMOs than they let on?

                                                          My first was Ultima Online, and yes, I do poke my nose in once or twice a year, but it hasn't been my "main game" in a truly long time. What about you guys? Do you still play your first MMO? And if you've ever gone back, was it as you remembered?

                                                          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 still play your first MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                          Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                          ]]>                                                          brad-mcquaidbrianna-royce-tdgclassic-mmoclassic-mmosdaily-grindeqeverquestfirstfirst-mmonostalgiaopiniontdgthe-daily-grindUltima-OnlineuoFri, 15 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST                                                          <![CDATA[Ask Massively: Ruining the internet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/ask-massively-ruining-the-internet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/ask-massively-ruining-the-internet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/ask-massively-ruining-the-internet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

                                                          Mike scores one internet-ruining point for every minute he is not wearing a cowboy hat.
                                                          Last week, Massively's Larry Everett finished off a miniseries of articles designed to help interested readers learn to livestream. Streaming has become a major part of Massively's purview; we stream about 20 hours a week. So why not use our expertise to help friends and potential future colleagues learn how to play for fun and profit?

                                                          Not everyone shares our idealism, apparently. In fact, one commenter told us we are ruining the internet.

                                                          Continue reading Ask Massively: Ruining the internet

                                                          MassivelyAsk Massively: Ruining the internet originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                          Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                            ]]>                                                            adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybrianna-royce-ask-massivelyfeaturedgooglehumorinternetinternetslets-playlivestreammassively-metametaopinionstreamstream-teamtwitchvalue-addedyoutubeThu, 14 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST                                                            <![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Revising the F2P model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/mmo-week-in-review-revising-the-f2p-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/mmo-week-in-review-revising-the-f2p-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/mmo-week-in-review-revising-the-f2p-model/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                                            EQII, courtesy of Jef's screenshot button
                                                            At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

                                                            Its flagship franchise might be turning 14 this month, but SOE is working hard to ensure its business model isn't as ancient as its first MMO. The company revealed this week that it plans to overhaul the F2P models of both EverQuest and EverQuest II (yes, again). Specifically, SOE is eliminating some of the more draconian restrictions on quests, bag slots, shared bank space, and most importantly, race and class selection, which is welcomed more by newcomers than by highbies, who will still be saddled with gear and spell tier constraints.

                                                            Read on for a roundup of the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

                                                            Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Revising the F2P model

                                                            MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Revising the F2P model originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                            Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                              ]]>                                                              featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 10 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST                                                              <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are /follow commands taboo?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-daily-grind-are-follow-commands-taboo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-daily-grind-are-follow-commands-taboo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-daily-grind-are-follow-commands-taboo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

                                                              Are follow commands taboo?
                                                              Earlier this week, World of Warcraft patched out a surprising mechanic present in the game for a very long time: the /follow command in battlegrounds. Blizzard community guru Bashiok explained that the primary goal was to curb botting in PvP, although apparently the team isn't too sad about the detrimental effect the change will have on at-the-keyboard multiboxing, either. What Blizzard doesn't appear to have anticipated was the effect the tweak would have on visually impaired players who rely on /follow commands to kick butt.

                                                              World of Warcraft isn't alone in shunning the /follow command; Guild Wars 1 famously limits following, and Guild Wars 2, to the delight of some players, omits it entirely, which is sort of a pain in the butt when I need to go AFK and can't just follow on my guildies for 30 seconds as we run to the next orangie. I'm annoyed at that, so I can only imagine how upset people awesome enough to PvP blind feel at having their lifeline to fun stripped away after so many years.

                                                              So what do you guys think? Is this a good change for WoW and other MMOs? Do you think the potential for harm to blind players or legitimate AFKers should outweigh the potential for harm by botters and multiboxers?

                                                              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: Are /follow commands taboo? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                                                              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                                                                ]]>                                                                bashiokblindBlizzardbottersbottingbrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindfollowfollow-commandfollowingguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gw1gw2multiboxermultiboxingopinionpvptdgthe-daily-grindvisually-impairedWorld-of-WarcraftwowFri, 08 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST