Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Curt Schilling getting tattooed
The closure of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games yesterday sparked a series of interesting events that make me both sad and proud to be a part of the greater gamer community. Job offers were overflowing from current game companies looking to snatch up some of 38's talented designers and a Twitter hash tag was even created to spread the word and get new jobs for those affected by the layoffs. I am proud of the outreach and camaraderie of the game development community, but the hate being thrown at Curt Schilling isn't going to solve anything.

The most important thing we can do at this point is to tape off the crime scene, look at the evidence, and figure out what went wrong.

Continue reading Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

MassivelyEditorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    ]]>    38-studiosbig-huge-gamescurt-schillingeditorialopinionr-a-salvatoretodd-mcFarlanetravis-mcgeathyFri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST    <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Can there be too much community interaction in public?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

    When it's ready!
    There are varying schools of thought on interacting with your community in public, but the two main ones consist of either answering every question or giving the silent treatment. Blizzard was notorious at one time for not responding to any community feedback in public, presumably to keep the trolls at bay, but that studio's opened up considerably in the last few years.

    On the other end of that spectrum is ArenaNet, whose reps answer just about every single question they get on Twitter. This makes for an open line of communication with fans but seems to be ineffective when the same questions are being asked and answered multiple times a day.

    So where do you stand on the issue? Do you think a simple FAQ on the website should be referenced and a support team should answer questions privately, or do you think something like Twitter, Facebook, or even a Reddit Ask Me Anything is the best place to answer questions and address concerns from the community?

    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: Can there be too much community interaction in public? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      ]]>      ask-me-anythingcommunitydaily-grindfacebookinteractionopinionpublicreddittdgthe-daily-grindtwitterFri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST      <![CDATA[Fallen Earth team dwindles further, but the game still lives]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

      Fallen Earth chopper
      Earlier tonight we got word of a rumor regarding Fallen Earth's development team dwindling down to three remaining content designers: a scripter, an artist and a game designer. Concerned over what has turned out to be a horrible week of layoffs, we shot an email to GamersFirst, which quickly responded:
      "We had a large contractor crew on FE and we are focusing on creating our own employee pool to manage the game. We did decide to not renew some of our contractors. As you probably know that we are going to focus on our own home grown IPs like APB Reloaded, Fallen Earth, Hailan Rising and Taikodom. We have already stopped servicing Knight Online and we will be stopping service of War Rock from June 1. As a result we will using our own pool of experienced staff to manage the complete operations of Fallen Earth. Key game design folks like Marie still continue to be at the helm in North Carolina. Fallen Earth has also been licensed in South America and we will close to licensing it in Russia, Turkey and Asia. We are absolutely committed to making it grow across the globe."
      While it appears that the game itself is not in trouble, we'll be sure to keep our eye on the situation for further developments.

      MassivelyFallen Earth team dwindles further, but the game still lives originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        ]]>        f2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstlayoffspost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fiwastelandsTue, 22 May 2012 23:00:00 EST        <![CDATA[MV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

        EverQuest II
        MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

        Every week, the Massively Stream Team logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises each week, so you'll find a variety of titles to watch. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, or simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

        Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule, and let us know if there's a specific game you'd like to see streamed next week!

        Continue reading MV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012

        MassivelyMV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          ]]>          featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 EST          <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What is the unofficial soundtrack to your favorite MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

          Testament
          Official soundtracks are great; don't get me wrong. But sometimes I like to just throw on some of my own music to better mimic my mood at the time of playing. There are still albums from the late '80s that remind me of Wasteland or Pool of Radiance every time I listen to them -- almost 25 years later!

          As talented as our favorite game theme composers are, we don't always want to listen to the default soundtrack every time. So what gets you through your game of choice? Do you enjoy some metal? Classical? Country? Oldies? Dubstep... or whatever the kids listen to these days? Let us know!

          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: What is the unofficial soundtrack to your favorite MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ]]>            daily-grindmusicopinionsoundtrackstdgtestamentthe-daily-grindthemeFri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 EST            <![CDATA[Spend a day as a Fallen Earth Premium Member on us!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

            Fallen Earth - Pitchblende
            Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic MMO that always seems to be on that short list of games that everyone means to try out one day. And when people try it, positive praise usually follows.

            To help celebrate the upcoming 2.4 patch, we're giving you a chance to play the game as a top-tier premium member for one day, complete with massive XP, crafting, and PvP currency buffs, the Commander's Aura stackable buff that allows you to spread the benefits among your party members, a 20% marketplace discount, and more. In addition, we're giving you the Light Slugthrower, an advanced version of the starter rifle, which features higher damage output than its little brother.

            There's no giveaway page and no key codes on this one; if you want to grab this nifty one-day package for yourself, simply enter the promo code "MASSIVEEARTH" either in-game or by clicking the Redeem Code button on the Fallen Earth website. To access the Marketplace in-game, click on the "$" button on the bottom of your minimap. The code expires on June 1st.

            Have fun!

            MassivelySpend a day as a Fallen Earth Premium Member on us! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              ]]>              contestcontestsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstgiveawaygiveawayspatch-2.4post-apocpost-apocalypticpromo-codesandboxsci-fiwastelandsThu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 EST              <![CDATA[MV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

              Lord of the Rings Online - The Shire
              MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

              Every week, the Massively Stream Team logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises each week, so you'll find a variety of titles to watch. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, or simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

              Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule, and let us know if there's a specific game you'd like to see streamed next week!

              Continue reading MV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012

              MassivelyMV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                ]]>                featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 EST                <![CDATA[Lineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/lineage-ii-celebrates-its-eighth-anniversary-with-a-massively-gi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                Lineage II giveaway
                To celebrate the eighth Anniversary of Lineage II, NCsoft and Massively have teamed up to bring you a special in-game item to give away. The item is the two-slot head accessory known as the Warrior's Helmet (pictured above), complete with the Vampiric Rage skill, which increases attack speed by 33% and bestows the ability to recover as HP 9% of the physical damage inflicted upon the enemy for one hour. Reuse delay is four hours, and this item is seven-day use only.

                If you'd like to grab one of these special items for your Lineage II character, head on over to our giveaway page to grab a code. And be sure to visit the item redemption page for complete instructions on how to add the code to your account!

                GET YOUR KEY

                MassivelyLineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  ]]>                  anniversarycontestcontestseighth-anniversaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgiveawaygiveawayslineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftvampiric-ragewarriors-helmetFri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST                  <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should we be disconnected for idling too long?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-daily-grind-should-we-be-disconnected-for-idling-too-long/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-daily-grind-should-we-be-disconnected-for-idling-too-long/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-daily-grind-should-we-be-disconnected-for-idling-too-long/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                  Guild Wars Nine Rings: AFK titles ftw!
                  Are you one of those MMO players who always seems to idle out while tending to real-life issues? I know I am, and it usually results in my finding something else to do once I discover that I've been logged out.

                  I certainly understand why the developers add that feature, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that idling all day in TERA not only is allowed but also grants me the Full Time Job achievement, which tickled me to no end.

                  So what's your opinion on idling out? Should you be allowed to be AFK as long as you'd like, or should idlers always be disconnected after a certain amount of time? How much time should be allowed? Let us know in the comments!

                  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 we be disconnected for idling too long? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  ]]>                  afkdaily-grinddisconnectidleidling-outopiniontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 11 May 2012 08:30:00 EST                  <![CDATA[Wizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                  The Friendly Necromancer logo
                  Tom Purdue, admired owner and operator of The Friendly Necromancer blog and Wizard101 fansite, has announced today that he will be KingsIsle Entertainment's new community manager for the upcoming Pirate101 MMO.

                  As that transition from fan to employee is always a fascinating transformation, we recognize that it's not an easy decision. Massively itself has raised a handful of MMO community managers, so this news is particularly of interest to us. For that reason, we tracked Tom down and asked him some questions about his new role at KingsIsle. Follow along below for the complete interview.

                  Continue reading Wizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager

                  MassivelyWizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    ]]>                    community-managerdream-come-truef2pfamilyfansitefantasyfree-to-playinterviewinterviewskid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentpirate101the-friendly-necromancertom-purduetransitionwizard101Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 EST                    <![CDATA[MV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                    EVE Online
                    MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                    Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                    Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                    Continue reading MV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012

                    MassivelyMV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      ]]>                      featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 EST                      <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you handle random party invites?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-handle-random-party-invites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-handle-random-party-invites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-handle-random-party-invites/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                      Independent woman -- TERA
                      I don't know why, but sometimes I get discouraged when a random person sends me a party invite while I'm in the middle of questing. I know it sounds odd, but when I'm not playing with my regular group of friends or guildies, I like to just play alone. When someone whispers me to ask if he can join me, I usually turn him down (politely!), but if I get a random party invite without so much as a hello, I simply ignore it.

                      My own antisocial issues aside, I want to know how you feel about this topic. Do you think a random invite is a healthy way to find companions and possibly friends, or do you see it as an invasion of privacy while you're trying to quest?

                      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: How do you handle random party invites? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        ]]>                        antisocialdaily-grindgroupingopinionparty-inviterandomsolotdgthe-daily-grindFri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 EST                        <![CDATA[See Guild Wars 2's Lion's Arch for the first time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/see-guild-wars-2s-lions-arch-for-the-first-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/see-guild-wars-2s-lions-arch-for-the-first-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/see-guild-wars-2s-lions-arch-for-the-first-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                        Guild Wars 2: Lion's Arch
                        Lion's Arch was a staple city in the original Guild Wars, so its presence 250 years later in Guild Wars 2 excites many hardcore fans of the lore. In this last weekend's beta event for Guild Wars 2, participants got to see the new Lion's Arch for the first time, answering several questions about its appearance and function in this more modern Tyria.

                        Our own Richie Procopio ventured into Lion's Arch to grab some video footage for those who didn't get a chance to see the city during the crazy weekend. The video shows a walk-through of the major features, including some amazing bird's-eye views and even a bit of the city at night. Click past the cut to watch the entire video.

                        Continue reading See Guild Wars 2's Lion's Arch for the first time

                        MassivelySee Guild Wars 2's Lion's Arch for the first time originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                          ]]>                          anetarenanetfantasyfly-throughguild-wars-2gw2lions-archncsofttourvideoMon, 30 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST                          <![CDATA[MV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                          Image
                          MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                          Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                          Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                          Continue reading MV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012

                          MassivelyMV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                            ]]>                            featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                            <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Did you participate in the Guild Wars 2 beta weekend?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-the-guild-wars-2-beta-we/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-the-guild-wars-2-beta-we/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-the-guild-wars-2-beta-we/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                            Charr ftw
                            For those who pre-purchased Guild Wars 2, participated in previous beta weekends or were lucky enough to be the handful selected from previous sign-ups, this last weekend meant you got your hands on the highly anticipated MMO in (most of) its shiny glory. That is, if you were able to log in.

                            While it's pretty apparent that most (but not all!) of us on the Massively team are in love with Guild Wars 2, that's inevitably not always the case when opinions come into play.

                            So we want to know what you liked or didn't like about the game. If it was your first time playing, was it everything you expected? For those playing again, did your opinion change at all? Were you even able to get past the log-in screen? Let us know!

                            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: Did you participate in the Guild Wars 2 beta weekend? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                              ]]>                              arenanetbeta-eventbeta-weekenddaily-grindguild-wars-2gw2opinionpre-purchase-isnt-preordertdgthe-daily-grindMon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST                              <![CDATA[Celebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

                              Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard
                              Exactly five years ago today, Lord of the Rings Online launched to eager MMO fans, bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's world to life in a persistent land for the first time in a video game. The game has enjoyed consistent success since then, keeping the MMO world on its toes with three expansion packs and a move to free-to-play that earned the game several awards and more success than most MMOs are able to enjoy long after launch.

                              To help celebrate this success after five years, Turbine has teamed up with Massively to offer special prizes for three lucky winners: 5,000 Turbine Points, 10,000 Turbine Points, and a Lifetime account!

                              To be eligible, you must reside in North America (these are for NA accounts) and be over 18 years of age. If that checks out, just head on over to our contest post in our forums and leave a reply to the thread letting us know what your favorite moment was from the last five years of LotRO. Be sure to get your responses in before 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 27th. We'll then randomly select the first-, second-, and third-place winners and notify them by the end of the day Friday.

                              Also be sure to check out the 5th anniversary video just after the cut below. Best of luck to everyone!

                              CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

                              Continue reading Celebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively!

                              MassivelyCelebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                ]]>                                contestcontestsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgiveawaygiveawayslifetime-subscriptionlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsTue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST                                <![CDATA[MV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                Guild Wars 2
                                MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                Continue reading MV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012

                                MassivelyMV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                  ]]>                                  featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                                  <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is there such thing as too much new content?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-daily-grind-is-there-such-thing-as-too-much-new-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-daily-grind-is-there-such-thing-as-too-much-new-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-daily-grind-is-there-such-thing-as-too-much-new-content/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                  Buffet!
                                  Getting the best value for your money has always been a concern with MMOs. As players, we want to see our dollar stretch as much as possible, and developers want to make sure they're creating enough content to keep their hardcore players happy as well as maintaining that early experience to keep new players coming in. But can it ever be just too much?

                                  I've found myself drifting away from a few MMOs after a new expansion or content update makes me feel completely lost. I played the game to max level, thinking I was doing good to finally join my friends in endgame content, only to have a new expansion nullify that feeling.

                                  So tell us your opinions, dear readers. Have you ever experienced content overload in a game, or do you welcome the content avalanche with open arms?

                                  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: Is there such thing as too much new content? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                  ]]>                                  contentcontent-overloaddaily-grindexpansionopiniontdgthe-daily-grindupdateFri, 20 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST                                  <![CDATA[MV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                  Aion
                                  MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                  Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                  Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                  Continue reading MV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012

                                  MassivelyMV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                    ]]>                                    featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                                    <![CDATA[Win a Wizard101 rare mount package from Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/win-a-wizard101-rare-mount-package-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/win-a-wizard101-rare-mount-package-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/win-a-wizard101-rare-mount-package-from-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

                                    Wizard101 Bloodraven
                                    If you haven't had a chance to make your purchase in Wizard101's Mount-a-Palooza sale going on right now, fear not! We're giving you a chance to get the five rarest mounts in the game in one set, all for free!

                                    KingsIsle Entertainment was kind enough to send us 25 codes for these rare mount sets, which we'll be giving away through our Twitter page, our Facebook page, and a random drawing.

                                    Each rare mount set contains: Swift Gryphon, Bone Dragon, Great Hornocerous (2 person), Nightmare, and Blood Raven (2-person). For a chance at your own set, simply send an email to shawn@massively.com with the subject line "Gimme My Wizard101 Mount Code!" before Sunday, April 15th, at 8 p.m. EDT. On Monday, we'll present 15 random winners their very own code. Be sure to copy and paste those exact words into the subject line of your email, or it won't get filtered properly. The remaining 10 codes will be randomly released on our Twitter and/or Facebook pages throughout this entire weekend, so keep your eyes open!

                                    Also be sure to check past the cut below for images of three of the mounts in the package.

                                    Continue reading Win a Wizard101 rare mount package from Massively!

                                    MassivelyWin a Wizard101 rare mount package from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                      ]]>                                      contestcontestsf2pfamilyfantasyfree-to-playgiveawaygiveawayskid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentmountsrare-mountswizard101Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST                                      <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What will be the next big thing for MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-daily-grind-what-will-be-the-next-big-thing-for-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-daily-grind-what-will-be-the-next-big-thing-for-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-daily-grind-what-will-be-the-next-big-thing-for-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                      Dog show!
                                      When MMOs began, they were all about the sword and sorcery. The fantasy genre was such a big part of RPGs that the transition to MMORPGs only made sense for the magic-wielders among us.

                                      When people got sick of fantasy, it was all about sci-fi. Several developers have branched out into other less popular genres from there, but it's no secret that the MMOFPS is settling in to make 2012 its year.

                                      But what happens after that? What do you think will be the next genre-of-choice for MMO developers and/or players?

                                      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: What will be the next big thing for MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                        ]]>                                        and-thenfantasygenremmofpsopinionsci-fitdgthe-daily-grindFri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST                                        <![CDATA[Golf MMO Pangya United celebrates three years with item giveaway]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/golf-mmo-pangya-united-celebrates-three-years-with-item-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/golf-mmo-pangya-united-celebrates-three-years-with-item-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/golf-mmo-pangya-united-celebrates-three-years-with-item-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                        Pangya United
                                        SG Interactive is celebrating the third anniversary of popular golf MMO Pangya United today with giveaways galore, including daily prizes, a scavenger hunt, a golf tournament, store discounts, and double XP bonus weekends.

                                        Players who do nothing more than log in to the game from now until April 25th will receive daily chances to win special gear and outfits that are exclusive to this third anniversary. The double XP weekends will take place from April 14th to 15th and from April 21st to 22nd from 11 a.m. EDT until 5 p.m. EDT each day.

                                        In addition, we've been given a few item codes of our own for 25 interested readers. These codes will unlock a special golf ball in game called the Comet. We have redemption instructions and 10 codes included after the cut, but we'll be giving out the other 15 throughout the rest of the week on our Twitter and Facebook pages, so stay tuned!

                                        Continue reading Golf MMO Pangya United celebrates three years with item giveaway

                                        MassivelyGolf MMO Pangya United celebrates three years with item giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                          ]]>                                          celebrationcontestcontestsgiveawaygiveawaysgolfgolf-mmopangya-unitedsg-interactivethe-cometthird-anniversarythird-birthdayThu, 12 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST                                          <![CDATA[Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/celebrate-the-launch-of-tribes-ascend-with-a-new-weapon-on-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                          Tribes: Ascend Spinfuser
                                          To celebrate the launch of Hi-Rez Studios' Tribes: Ascend today, we're giving away a special in-game weapon that will either help new players gain some ground or act as a boost for current players who have yet to unlock the gun.

                                          This special medium Spinfusor just for the Soldier class. You can check out the full image of the weapon after the cut.

                                          To claim your Spinfusor, simply grab a code from our giveaway page and use the in-game menu to select "Extras" then "Redeem Promotion." Enter in your code and you're all set!

                                          GET YOUR KEY

                                          Continue reading Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

                                          MassivelyCelebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                            ]]>                                            contestcontestsgiveawaygiveawayshi-rezhi-rez-studiossoldierspinfusertribestribes-ascendThu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST                                            <![CDATA[MV Guide: April 9 - 15, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/mv-guide-april-9-15-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/mv-guide-april-9-15-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/mv-guide-april-9-15-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                            Stronghold Kingdoms
                                            MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                            Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                            Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                            Continue reading MV Guide: April 9 - 15, 2012

                                            MassivelyMV Guide: April 9 - 15, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                              ]]>                                              featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 09 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                                              <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is your character modeled after you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-your-character-modeled-after-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-your-character-modeled-after-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-your-character-modeled-after-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                              Everywhere you look
                                              Earlier this week, we ran a story about someone who made celebrity look-alikes in the Guild Wars 2 character creator. While this ability isn't new, we've reached a point in our MMO technology at which our characters can be tweaked to look more easily identifiable as real, recognizable human beings.

                                              With those tools in hand, we may also experiment with our own doppelgangers from time to time, although that may be a little too creepy for some people.

                                              So what do you say? Do you regularly, or have you ever created an MMO character in your image? Or do you tend to steer clear of resemblances in favor of creating a character you'd rather be instead?

                                              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: Is your character modeled after you? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                ]]>                                                character-creationcharacter-creatordaily-grinddopplegangermary-kate-and-ashley-olsenopinionresemblancetdgthe-daily-grindtwinsFri, 06 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST                                                <![CDATA[What's this? A new commenting system on Massively? Is this real life? [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/whats-this-a-new-commenting-system-on-massively-is-this-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/whats-this-a-new-commenting-system-on-massively-is-this-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/whats-this-a-new-commenting-system-on-massively-is-this-real/#commentsFiled under:

                                                Comments
                                                We've augmented the post-post punditry on the Joystiq network with a new conversation platform called Livefyre. You'll see it at the bottom of this post and every news story, review and feature following it. There are a couple of major differences between this new vector for your opinions, and the ancient, rickety thing we optimistically called a commenting system:

                                                1. It's not the worst thing ever!
                                                2. It allows for real-time updates and lets you create and follow nested conversations.
                                                3. You can sign in with any one of six different social network accounts, including Twitter, Facebook and Gmail (just click "Sign in" at the top left of the Livefyre window to get started).
                                                4. You can blast your wittiest comments back out to your friends on Twitter and Facebook, even if they don't read Massively.
                                                5. Feel free to flag comments for being off-topic or inappropriate. You can be more granular with your grievances now, as opposed to the generic "report" function we had before. This will make it much easier for us to ban the true trolls!
                                                6. On-screen bubbles notify you when a new comment has been made above or below the point you're currently reading.
                                                7. By clicking on "Settings" on the upper-right corner of the Livefyre window, you can adjust your personal information and when you'd like to receive email notifications (if any).
                                                If you've been a reader for a very long time, you may be irked to learn that we are not importing your old comments into Livefyre. Rather than delay the upgrade in order to preserve so much content of questionable relevance, we opted to start everything anew.

                                                Provided you're already part of the supported social networks, signing in will be a cinch, and we hope the reduced anonymity will make for friendlier conversation. (Protip: Choose a unique handle and/or a clean Twitter account if you don't wish your posts here to link to your real personae.) We'll be ironing out some bugs too, so let us know if you see anything weird and upsetting throughout the night.

                                                With your help, we'll get this new comment system up and running little by little, and you won't even need to deal with the word "Unverified" anywhere.

                                                Continue reading What's this? A new commenting system on Massively? Is this real life? [Updated]

                                                MassivelyWhat's this? A new commenting system on Massively? Is this real life? [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                  ]]>                                                  commenting-systemcommentsmassively-metametaWed, 04 Apr 2012 20:45:00 EST                                                  <![CDATA[MV Guide: April 1 - 8, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/mv-guide-april-1-8-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/mv-guide-april-1-8-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/mv-guide-april-1-8-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                  Vanguard
                                                  MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                                  Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                                  Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                                  Continue reading MV Guide: April 1 - 8, 2012

                                                  MassivelyMV Guide: April 1 - 8, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                    ]]>                                                    featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 02 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                                                    <![CDATA[One Shots: Can you believe they put that in an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-can-you-believe-they-put-that/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-can-you-believe-they-put-that/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-can-you-believe-they-put-that/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                    Move!
                                                    This is a screenshot of one of the most amazing things ever seen in any MMO. When I first saw it, I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. Is it a glitch? An easter egg? Has some disgruntled developer thrown this in to get back at his boss just before leaving the industry for good?

                                                    Unfortunately, my character stepped in the way at the last second, but that shouldn't matter, right? Oh well. It was amazing, I swear!

                                                    Do you have a picture of the one that got away? The very first thing you should do is not send it in to us at oneshots@massively.com, along with your name, the game, and a description of the scene, and we won't publish it. Bring back One Shots!

                                                    MassivelyOne Shots: Can you believe they put that in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                      ]]>                                                      april-foolsapril-fools-2012april-fools-daybiowarebring-back-one-shotsone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortrooperSun, 01 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST                                                      <![CDATA[One Shots is back! Long live One Shots!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-is-back-long-live-one-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-is-back-long-live-one-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/one-shots-is-back-long-live-one-shots/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                      One Shots is back!
                                                      You made your voices heard and now we're listening. That's right, One Shots is back after enjoying a bit of a self-discovery period in the tropics with its secretary, and we're proud to kick off the screen-shotty goodness for you today.

                                                      Throughout the day today, you'll see several entries from the new One Shots series. Be sure to let us know what you think of the new format!

                                                      MassivelyOne Shots is back! Long live One Shots! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                        ]]>                                                        bring-back-one-shotsmassively-metaone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsSun, 01 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST                                                        <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What originally got you into MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-daily-grind-what-originally-got-you-into-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-daily-grind-what-originally-got-you-into-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-daily-grind-what-originally-got-you-into-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                                        Tron. The original one, not that new-fangled crap. Get off my lawn!
                                                        Do you remember where you were when you first heard about the idea of paying $15 a month for a video game? How about when you finally accepted that it's actually cheaper than most of your other hobbies? Or how about when you signed up for your second concurrent subscription?

                                                        Most of us have changed our game-playing (and paying) habits because of MMOs, and the beginning of that wasn't too far back. The transition usually started with a trusted developer (Blizzard, Sony) or IP (Ultima), but not all of us started at the very beginning.

                                                        So that's where your stories come in. Tell us how you first got into 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: What originally got you into MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                          ]]>                                                          daily-grindogopinionoriginaloriginsstarttdgthe-daily-grindtronSat, 31 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST                                                          <![CDATA[World of Warplanes is adding dragons for that extra kick of historical accuracy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/world-of-warplanes-is-adding-dragons-for-that-extra-kick-of-hist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/world-of-warplanes-is-adding-dragons-for-that-extra-kick-of-hist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/world-of-warplanes-is-adding-dragons-for-that-extra-kick-of-hist/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                                                          Smaus dragon
                                                          In a press release from early this morning, Wargaming.net has announced that it's adding dragons to its upcoming World of Warplanes.

                                                          I'll just let that line sink in a bit before I continue. Yes, the studio is adding dragons; there's a video and everything (included past the cut). According to the release, the "initial tech tree will include 12 dragons and will eventually expand to more than 60 creatures. Each mystical animal will have its own peculiarities and strategic employment. Players can upgrade several key characteristics including fire intensity level, color, number of claws, horns, wingspan and skin thickness."

                                                          Now, I should remind you what this Sunday is, so you can put two and two together, but it's an interesting thought nonetheless.

                                                          Will we see more early April Fool's jokes today? Stay tuned!

                                                          Gallery: World of Warplanes Dragon Faction

                                                          Continue reading World of Warplanes is adding dragons for that extra kick of historical accuracy

                                                          MassivelyWorld of Warplanes is adding dragons for that extra kick of historical accuracy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                            ]]>                                                            april-foolsApril-fools-daybut-i-wanted-to-ride-on-a-dragondragonsf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryhistoricalplaneplanespvpscreenshotscreenshotswarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplaneswowpFri, 30 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST                                                            <![CDATA[MV Guide: March 26 - April 1, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mv-guide-march-26-april-1-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mv-guide-march-26-april-1-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mv-guide-march-26-april-1-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                            MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                                            Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                                            Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                                            Continue reading MV Guide: March 26 - April 1, 2012

                                                            MassivelyMV Guide: March 26 - April 1, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                              ]]>                                                              featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 26 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST                                                              <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What would make you cancel a pre-order?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-would-make-you-cancel-a-pre-order/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                              GW2 CE
                                                              These days, MMO pre-orders are commonplace. They're used to allow early access to the game so you can grab that Legolas or Lord Stark name before anyone else. Throwing your money down is a risk we must take in order to secure that early status, and the developers usually mix in some extra goodies to sweeten the deal.

                                                              But sometimes we get word of a before-the-bell game mechanic or design implementation that ruins the game for us and makes us cancel the pre-order on the spot without giving the game a chance to speak for itself when we've finally gotten our hands on it.

                                                              So let's get specific here. What could a game developer do to ruin a game for you before it launches? And have you ever canceled a pre-order? 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: What would make you cancel a pre-order? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                ]]>                                                                canceldaily-grindearly-accesshead-startopinionpre-ordertdgthe-daily-grindFri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST                                                                <![CDATA[MV Guide: March 19-25, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/mv-guide-march-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/mv-guide-march-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/mv-guide-march-19-25-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                                                Conan is lost
                                                                MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                                                Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                                                Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                                                Continue reading MV Guide: March 19-25, 2012

                                                                MassivelyMV Guide: March 19-25, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                  ]]>                                                                  featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST                                                                  <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which non-existent MMO genre would you play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-daily-grind-which-non-existent-mmo-genre-would-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-daily-grind-which-non-existent-mmo-genre-would-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-daily-grind-which-non-existent-mmo-genre-would-you-play/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

                                                                  It's difficult to think of a historical or cultural genre that hasn't already been covered by an MMO. We have everything from medieval fantasy to dystopian sci-fi and just about everything in between, but we don't have everything just yet. For example, we don't have a wild west MMO. We don't have an undersea Atlantis MMO. But would anything too quirky or specialized even work as an MMO?

                                                                  More interestingly, what would you like to see in an untapped MMO genre? Certainly not everyone wants to see only fantasy or sci-fi! Right?

                                                                  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: Which non-existent MMO genre would you play? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                    ]]>                                                                    daily-grindgenreopiniontdgthe-daily-grindunder-the-seaFri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST                                                                    <![CDATA[Kickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

                                                                    Wasteland box art
                                                                    When I was 12 years old, my days mainly consisted of one thing: playing games on my Commodore 64. I would set my alarm early to get some gaming in before school, think about the games all day during school, then come home and play as much as I could before my parents made me stop and do homework or chores. Aside from TSR's Gold Box series, the two games that molded my childhood and my love for gaming were Wasteland and The Bard's Tale. Both of these games were made by Interplay Productions, a company founded by Brian Fargo in 1983.

                                                                    Fargo has always been an iconic figure to me. I regularly name my MMO characters Faran Brygo (a name he used for an NPC in the original Wasteland). I'm certainly not alone in my love for Wasteland (which I have labeled for years as my all-time-favorite RPG), but I think it's safe to say that many gamers who enjoyed Wasteland always wondered why there was no sequel. Fallout 1 and 2 were "spiritual successors" to the game, but for copyright reasons, they were never actually labeled as true sequels. Fargo tried to make a true sequel for 20 years but was always met with brick walls from publishers who weren't interested in resurrecting such an old game.

                                                                    Enter Kickstarter. After the wild success of Tim Schafer's Double Fine crowdfunding campaign, Fargo got the idea to try it out for himself. The timing was right with the current nostalgic gaming scene, the popularity of the post-apocalyptic genre, and the fact that most of Interplay's original fans are now in a position of making a tad more income than allowance money from childhood chores.

                                                                    We sat down with Brian Fargo to discuss his views on the potential of Kickstarter, the future of Big Brother game publishers, and Wasteland 2.

                                                                    Continue reading Kickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo

                                                                    MassivelyKickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                      ]]>                                                                      brian-fargofaran-brygointerplayinterviewinterviewskickstarterpublishersrpgtrailertrailersvideovideoswastelandwasteland-2yes-we-know-its-not-an-mmoThu, 15 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST                                                                      <![CDATA[Join the RaiderZ alpha test with a key from Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/join-the-raiderz-alpha-test-with-a-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/join-the-raiderz-alpha-test-with-a-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/join-the-raiderz-alpha-test-with-a-key-from-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

                                                                      Yellow Wolf Mount - RaiderZ
                                                                      Have you been keeping up with the latest info on Perfect World Entertainment's upcoming action MMO RaiderZ? If so, and if you find yourself drooling for a hands-on with the free-to-play title, we have just the thing for you.

                                                                      Starting today, we're giving away 5,000 keys to get you guaranteed access to RaiderZ's alpha and beta testing. The alpha starts this Wednesday, March 14th, so you won't be able to get in before then, but the keys will be available until they're all gone.

                                                                      In addition to this exclusive guaranteed access, these keys grant each recipient a special exclusive yellow wolf mount (shown above), available in the closed beta test. Just click the link below to access the giveaway page, head over to the official RaiderZ website to register or log-in with your Perfect World account, enter your alpha key, and bam, you're all set. You will be notified by email when the client is ready to download.

                                                                      GET YOUR KEY

                                                                      MassivelyJoin the RaiderZ alpha test with a key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                        ]]>                                                                        contestcontestsexclusivefeaturedgiveawaygiveawaysperfect-world-entertainmentpweraiderzyellow-wolf-mountMon, 12 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST                                                                        <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game would you play if it had an alternate gameplay server?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-if-it-had-an-alternate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-if-it-had-an-alternate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-if-it-had-an-alternate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                                                        Darkfall
                                                                        I'm a carebear, I admit. I find that getting ganked while I'm trying to figure out how to have fun in a game is a bit on the frustrating side. I don't mind organized PvP, but free-for-all PvP in an open world just isn't for this old man.

                                                                        At the same time, I love sandbox games, but I can't understand why so many great sandbox games have to also be FFA PvP. Let's take Darkfall, for instance. I would play that game in a second if it had a PvE server, but it doesn't. I also love Wurm Online, but if it were PvP-only, I would never have given it a second look.

                                                                        Whether it's RP, PvE, PvP, or whatever else you fancy, there's probably a game out there that you'd play if it had a ruleset you enjoy. So which one is 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: What game would you play if it had an alternate gameplay server? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                          ]]>                                                                          alternatesalternativecarebeardaily-grindopinionpvepvprpserversshardstdgthe-daily-grindFri, 09 Mar 2012 07:00:00 EST                                                                          <![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What MMO have you recently deleted from your hard drive?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-have-you-recently-deleted-from-your-ha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-have-you-recently-deleted-from-your-ha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-have-you-recently-deleted-from-your-ha/#commentsFiled under: , ,

                                                                          Icons icons everywhere!
                                                                          Maybe that newest big-shiny wasn't all you thought it would be. Maybe that old classic just doesn't hold your interest anymore. Maybe you're tired of looking at icons for 45 different games on your desktop.

                                                                          Whatever the reason, most of us have made that choice to delete MMOs from our hard drive when we no longer play them. With so many choices out there today, the decision to sever ties gets easier and easier. So what's the most recent game you've deleted from your hard drive? Let us know in the comment below!

                                                                          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: What MMO have you recently deleted from your hard drive? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                            ]]>                                                                            binge-and-purgedeletedhard-driveharddriveopiniontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST                                                                            <![CDATA[MV Guide: February 27 - March 4, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/mv-guide-february-27-march-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/mv-guide-february-27-march-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/mv-guide-february-27-march-4-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

                                                                            Wizard101
                                                                            MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

                                                                            Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

                                                                            Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

                                                                            Continue reading MV Guide: February 27 - March 4, 2012

                                                                            MassivelyMV Guide: February 27 - March 4, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                                                              ]]>                                                                              liverstreamerslivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamv-guidestreaming-videotwitchtwitch-tvvideoMon, 27 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST