What's one of the most powerful game design positions in the games industry today? Executive Vice President of Game Design at Blizzard Entertainment, and the monumental role is filled by Rob Pardo. In this sit-down interview with PC Gamer, Pardo addresses various topics including why PC Gaming is far from dead. An easy position to take considering World of Warcraft has 11 million active subscribers. But Pardo understands the pressures companies face when developing on the PC platform. His line of thinking is that PC gaming won't die, but that it's evolving.

Rob Pardo's insight on WoW's development and why PC gaming isn't dead originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Jumpgate Evolution combat maneuvers shown in walkthrough videos [updated]

Jumpgate Evolution combat maneuvers shown in walkthrough videos [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Warhammer Online set to release on September 23rd originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Grats on your ding, wait, why are you crying? Not again. That last level really hurt your feelings didn't it. Well, some game developers like Indigo Prophecy creator, David Cage believe there is a missing component in the MMOG leveling experience. Cage's own feeling on the matter is that the interconnection is lacking when it comes to invoking a broader reaction from the player.

Continue reading Would emotional value improve the leveling experience in MMOGs?

Would emotional value improve the leveling experience in MMOGs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cute and scary glimpses from Florensia Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Big Download taps into Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Zero Punctuation reviews Age of Conan

Zero Punctuation reviews Age of Conan originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DCUO ramps up for Comic-Con and additional gameplay details originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not many MMOs take advantage of the DirectX 10 API and its instruction sets but that's not stopping progress on DirectX 11. The new DirectX version will work on Vista and future versions of the Windows operating system dubbed Windows 7. Yesterday, at Gamefest -- Microsft's XNA conference, the conglomerate disclosed some upcoming key components that the new technology will possess.

New DirectX 11 details emerge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Aion character creation video shows impressive customization options

Aion character creation video shows impressive customization options originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading PotBS to close the gap on high level ships and add eleven new ships

PotBS to close the gap on high level ships and add eleven new ships originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Mythos

Mythos is dead but its memory lives on originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading WotlK: Death Knight talent builds showcased in three action clips

WotlK: Death Knight talent builds showcased in three action clips originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Darkfall summer vapors fanned away originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Summer vacation is setting fast. Soon school classrooms will fill back up with eager students looking to display their latest duds and focus on buffing their intelligence. Shopping has to ensue before that big first day back, and Sears and coolness don't go together nor is it the likely first shopping choice. That's not preventing their marketing department from attempting to target teens in the back-to-school spending craze. Sears has a new strategy which is to promote their products and brand name through social networks and virtual worlds frequently inhabited by teens and kids.

Sears uses virtual worlds for back-to-school marketing strategy originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yesterday we asked what deceased MMOG do you miss the most. Let's flip that question around and make it somewhat evil. It could be before the MMOG ever launched essentially erasing it and making it unknown or sometime after it launched. Any MMOG is fair game. What about the reasons for your conclusion. Maybe you played it for hundreds of days on end and that caused a rift in your awesome social life. Perhaps it's the fact that your buddies left you behind and you want to enact revenge to get your old group back. There has to be one MMOG that you don't like, find annoying, whatever the reason. Or maybe you wouldn't pull the plug on any MMOG. That's okay too.

The Daily Grind: What MMOG would you kill off? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Max Schaefer thanks Mythos community

Max Schaefer thanks Mythos community originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Custom-made saddle listed in the patch notes did not make it in. 1 Update: Saddle in game

• Right clicking to someone's name on chat will result in 5-6 duplicate system spam, including the info about that person. 1
• Mouse autowalk with mounts doesn't enable other controls. 1
  

Continue reading Patch report for Age of Conan's July 17th update

Patch report for Age of Conan's July 17th update originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There's nothing like waking up, experimenting with a little magic and unleashing a portal that connects to another world all before lunch. You quickly find out your new transit route is to a planet filled with vicious insect-like species that proceed to invade the world and annihilate civilization. Dereth, the world in Asheron's Call has never been the same since, and you can thank Asheron Realaidain for that genius. The adventures continue as Asheron's Call nears a milestone, the 100th content update is due out soon and the July event is scheduled to deploy Wednesday, July 23rd from 7am-2pm EDT.

Asheron's Call July event date announced originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Icarus Studios has put out another Fallen Earth update, the post-apocalyptic MMOG set in the year 2156. Fallen Earth's graphics underwent a visual facelift back in March and we've been seeing the results from that in before and after images. It's about graphical details that will really set your MMOG apart because visuals, imagery, the user interface it all needs to gel well and look fantastic to make a positive first impression. The more graphical details the better as long as graphical boundaries aren't pushed to a point where gameplay or playability is sacrificed.

Fallen Earth shows off character model improvements originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Exploring and fighting in post-apocalyptic London used to require a subscription but not anymore. Flagship Studios has announced that active Hellgate: London subscribers will not be billed nor will any new subscriptions be accepted. Normally, this would be welcoming news to players, but it's not because there is a chance that Hellgate: London could shutdown operations. Staff went first, and the forums are going next, tonight both the official Mythos and Hellgate: London forums will be pulled offline at 12AM.

Hellgate: London subscriptions suspended originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mythos beta is shutting down tonight originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A few days ago, Bill Roper exclaimed Flagship Studios still has a pulse, but only the founders and core management remain employed. There was no official word on what role the company will encompass now but a focus on casual games is rumored. The statement also noted that Flagship Studios owns the rights to all its technology and intellectual properties, including Hellgate: London and Mythos. HanbitSoft doesn't think so, and the verbal spar is heating up.

HanbitSoft barbs Flagship Studios originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MetaPlace closes in on first beta stage originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Society system planned in 100th Asheron's Call content update originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Wrath of the Lich King alpha is a wrap. Several days ago, WoW informants tipped sister site WoW Insider the news that the Wrath of the Lich King alpha was offline. Yesterday morning the rumorang came full circle as World of Warcraft, Community Manager Eyonix confirmed the fears alpha players had suspected all along. The official notice stated the WotlK alpha had closed down and a message of thanks was left with a reassurance that all alpha testers would be able to participate in the beta which would start soon. The message was leaked on Deathknight.info.

Wrath of the Lich King friends & family alpha concludes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mythos beta testers are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions as they await official word on what will happen to Mythos. The bad news struck Friday, July 11th. It was confirmed that the ranks were culled as layoffs (over 30 confirmed at VE3D's count) occurred at Flagship Studios, developers of Hellgate: London and Mythos. Staff at PingO, an online services subsidiary felt the impact too. To help shed some new light there is a response from Travis Baldree, Lead developer on Mythos.

Continue reading Future of Mythos beta uncertain

Future of Mythos beta uncertain originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Severing proposed and often hyped portions of content this late in beta development left Warhammer Online fans devastated. We learned that the capital cities for the Dark Elf, High Elf, Orc, and Dwarf factions all fell victim to the development cycle. Additionally, four classes also hit the chopping block as they were not up to snuff. Mythic VP and General Manager, Mark Jacobs spoke out earlier assuaging the negative feedback by explaining the positive ramifications as a result from the content loss. Mythic Entertainment's decision was exceedingly difficult but the implemented content received more development resources and otherwise wouldn't have been as outstanding.

With that said and Warhammer: Age of Reckoning nears closer to release with the announcement that the US guild beta invites were sent out earlier this week. And now the European WAR guild beta is ramping up with both guild beta phases to commence at the same time! The official EU Warhammer Online website is reporting that thousands of guild beta invites have been sent out. Invites will continue to flock to various selected inboxes this evening and throughout tomorrow. If your invite doesn't show up immediately there's still some time, at least until tomorrow night. Good luck.

Warhammer Online EU guild beta begins originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

World of Warcraft players are in for a special treat today. The 2.4.3 patch has finally arrived! The live servers have been updated to the latest build and the patch size is 27.2 megabytes. The full patch notes are available after the cut below, but some highlights from the patch notes with some additional commentary include:

• Level 30 Mounts. Yep, characters only need to be level 30 now to qualify for an apprentice mount. Training costs 35 gold.
• For the pet collectors there is a new Nether Ray Fry (non-combat) available from the Skyguard Quartermaster. Exalted faction is required.
• Haris Pilton is still annoying and she has another use now: Gold-digging! Pilton is selling 22-slot designer handbags available for 1,200 gold each in Shattrath's Lower City. Other expensive and so hawt baubles are also available.
  
• Epic gems can be purchased with Arena points and they are not unique-equipped.
• The new in-game loot from the Hunt for Illidan TCG expansion is now claimable. The D.I.S.C.O. ball and the new Ethereal Soul- Pet that doubles as a vendor of fun are just a few of the popular items players will be drooling over soon. Expect these cards to sell for a small fortune on eBay.
• The Rogue's class cheat death ability has been rebalanced -- or in other words -- nerfed.
  
• World Wide Invitational attendees can use their in-game code to claim the new (non-combat) Tyrael archangel pet.
  
• Alcohol cooldowns have been rolled into drinks: All 10-second cooldowns have been removed and replaced with the 1-second drink cooldown. We'll drink to that!

Continue reading World of Warcraft 2.4.3 patch released

World of Warcraft 2.4.3 patch released originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're still reeling over the news that Flagship Studios has met its demise. Seeing any hard working development studio with loads of potential go belly-up isn't easy considering all the real people affected from the fallout. Bill Roper hasn't made a public announcement yet, but the closure of Flagship Studios was confirmed. What will happen to Mythos and Hellgate:London is a question that remains on many minds. The HanbitSoft CEO, Kim Ki-young chips away at that answer in a response to an inquiry by TheGames.co.kr seeking clarification about the situation surrounding Hellgate:London and Mythos.

Continue reading HanbitSoft CEO claims ownership rights to Hellgate:London and Mythos

HanbitSoft CEO claims ownership rights to Hellgate:London and Mythos originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fallen Earth dev update reveals new info on loot drops and more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading NCsoft's upcoming summer tour around the Globe

NCsoft's upcoming summer tour around the Globe originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Square Enix wraps up Concerto Gate's US closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

David Perry, best known as the founder of Shiny Entertainment and Earthworm Jim, believes the way to beat game piracy is by distributing games for free. "The next big thing will be free games," said Perry, speaking in Belfast after being awarded an honorary doctorate by Queen's University. Perry goes on to explain the situation game developers in Asia encounter and how most games there have no entry cost but are supported by a micro-transaction model. A business model Perry believes that will change the industry in the USA and Europe.

How to beat game piracy according to David Perry originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When it comes to any hot juicy tidbits regarding the latest developments US Aion fans are usually left in the dark. Aion Source is a great outlet for the die-hards, but the official NCsoft US channels remain relatively silent. Until now, the US Aion website has announced they will be working closer with NC Korea to keep US fans updated. According to the latest announcement Aion recently entered its third closed beta phase and the Korean patch notes have been translated to English, and what a behemoth this new patch is. The patch notes are chock-full of changes across the board. The largest new addition to the game is a zone called the Abyss, a fully flyable zone which features fortress battles and lots more!

• The Abyss zone includes monsters of levels 25 ~ 40, plus a total of 9 floating island groups and Fortresses.
• Around the Fortresses are 31 artifacts claimable by defeating their guarding Protectors.
• Each artifact has a particular effect that will help you in Fortress Battles and while adventuring in the Abyss.

The full list of patch notes on the CTB 3 Korean beta are available on the website. The US/EU Aion preview event has not been announced yet.

Aion: Korean closed beta patch notes translated to English originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Invisible walls everywhere
• Mapping keys seems to no longer work. [Example: Can't change W to Y]
• Stances getting stuck
• Stamina regeneration decreased
• Rare resource drops increased

Patch report for Age of Conan's July 10th update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

EA Mythic reclaims original Mythic Entertainment name originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

All the scuttlebutt regarding fleeing Hellgate:London developers and programmers didn't stop the 1.3d patch from hitting the servers yesterday. The refreshing patch introduces changes to gameplay, a rebalancing act to the calculations behind rank experience, and further eradications to pesky bugs occurred which will help keep the mean streets of Hellgate:London crash free. The full 1.3d are listed on the official website or you can hit the jump below.

Continue reading Hellgate:London patch update 1.3d now live

Hellgate:London patch update 1.3d now live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No PlayStation, No Nintendo, No Sega. In a sprawling metropolis on the brink of a technological revolution what place would eschew console gaming? It was South Korea, and for the longest time there was an embargo against Japanese made imports. In the embargo's wake an unstoppable PC gaming utopia and a molding of an anomalous social culture evolved. With the government push for broadband access and the proliferation of PC Baangs, online PC-game rooms, a remarkable 70% of South Korean internet users have played some kind of MMOG.

Joystiq looks at South Korea's PC Baang culture originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sneak peak at 38 Studios and Curt Schilling's "Copernicus" this Thursday originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.