Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Massively's Valentine's Day roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/massivelys-valentines-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/massivelys-valentines-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/massivelys-valentines-day-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When a mob hits your eye with a big sharpened spike... that's not really amore! In fact, it's downright painful. But it's February -- a time when love is in the air, hearts are aflutter everywhere, and pink and red festoon your favorite MMOs. So in the spirit of the season, go ahead and give that mob an extra-hard love tap, right from... er, to the heart! And don't forget to collect whatever treasures it had for you because we all know Valentine's Day isn't all about the love; no, it's about the loot!

Want to know where to get your hands on something special for this holiday? There are plenty of celebrations throughout the MMOverse offering a plethora of events and goodies. Check out some of the various Valentine's events and specials going on now.

Continue reading Massively's Valentine's Day roundup

MassivelyMassively's Valentine's Day roundup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Because this worked so well last time.
Some weeks, there's so much going on with beta testing you can barely account for all of it. This week was not one of those weeks. Heck, the biggest news remotely related to betas was Funcom's dipping into LEGO MMO waters. It's not in testing, but it should provide a test to look forward to for LEGO Universe fans.

However, that has given us time to scour the list of a few games with live cash shops, games that have effectively soft-launched. So we can wave farewell to Anno Online, Dragon's Prophet, Eternal Saga, The Missing Ink, and Legend of Edda: Vengeance. Ambiguously launching-but-not-launching games is all the rage these days, apparently.

Despite these removals, the list past the break still promotes a variety of titles that we could not conclusively identify as having functioning cash shops, so they still count as betas. Check out the list past the break, and if we've missed something, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Continue reading Betawatch: August 24 - 30, 2013

MassivelyBetawatch: August 24 - 30, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Aug 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasanno-onlinebetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betadragons-propheteternal-sagafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlauncheslegend-of-edda-vengeancemassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingthe-missing-inkFri, 30 Aug 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny: Anno Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/rise-and-shiny-anno-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/rise-and-shiny-anno-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/rise-and-shiny-anno-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Anno Online screenshot
At first, Anno Online reminded me of The Settlers Online, a similar title that was brought to us by Ubisoft, the same publisher. Both games look good and mostly avoid hardcore combat, and both move slowly and concentrate on proper building placement and trade. I have to admit that I grew tired of The Settlers Online because it was hard to keep up with influence from local bandits and the constant destruction of the environment. In Anno Online I don't have to worry about trees or mines or running out of goods, and there are no enemies.

The pace of play is slow for sure, but I enjoy it. I can keep the game running all day in my browser with no performance hit and I can even play it on my Samsung Chromebook. It's a game of slow growth and trade, and it's more of a pseudo-MMO that allows players to connect with friends loosely. Still, it's wonderful to look at and it's a quality game.

But let's get to the details.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Anno Online

MassivelyRise and Shiny: Anno Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-onlinebeau-hindmancity-builderf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhands-onlivestreammassively-tvrise-and-shinystreamthe-settlers-onlineThe-Simsthe-sims-3twitchtwitch-tvUbisoftvideoSun, 02 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Day off edition, May 27 - June 2, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/27/the-stream-team-day-off-edition-may-27-june-2-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/27/the-stream-team-day-off-edition-may-27-june-2-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/27/the-stream-team-day-off-edition-may-27-june-2-2013/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Stream Team Day off edition, May 27 June 2, 2013
Oh, glorious day! With the exception of those chaps (and chapettes) working in emergency services and the like, many folks all over the U.S. get the chance this week to experience that all-too-rare phenomenon: the Extra Day Off. And all I can say is Hallelujah!

Extra days off are free time to sit back and do nothing without a care in the world... oh, whom are we kidding? They are often filled with all those chores and tasks you just don't have time to get to during the work week and are too exhausted to deal with during the weekend. And in the case of holidays with special meaning, perhaps your thoughts and activities are turned toward some type of special observance.

Whether your day is filled with frolicking and festivities, food and family, some combination thereof, or even none of the above, Massively TV will be right here when you have a spare moment. With plenty of live shows and lively reruns, The Stream Team will help you make the most of your day off, not to mention help you get through the rest of the week as well!

Continue reading The Stream Team: Day off edition, May 27 - June 2, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Day off edition, May 27 - June 2, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Stream Team Monocle day edition, May 20 26, 2013
Two weeks ago, y'all had the chance to select a new holiday to help add some cheer to the otherwise bland weeks in the middle of May. The choices teased and tantalized you, but you're a discriminating crowd. In a race fraught with nail-biting suspense, only one ultimately prevailed. And so it is with further ado we bring to you: Monocle Day!

This Tuesday, May 21st, has been selected to be the auspicious day of this most storied celebration. Why? Because 5/21 splits into 5 + 2 + 1, which of course = 8, and we all know that 8 is just two monocles stacked on top of each other! And as always, Massively TV is here to help you ring in the new holiday, with special shows throughout the entire week. Check out the full schedule of celebratory events hosted by The Stream Team after the break. Then let us know if you'll be wearing your own monocle in honor of the festivities.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Monocle Day edition, May 20 - 26, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Monocle Day edition, May 20 - 26, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DragonRealms website artwork
As a part of MUD May, I just had to play at least one MUD for Rise and Shiny. I have a handful of favorite MUDs, like GemStone IV, BatMUD, and Achaea, but I have never really given DragonRealms a chance. Until now. I've poked into it here and there, but every time I found myself on the Simutronics website, I always logged into GemStone IV. I heard that DragonRealms was a lot different, more hardcore, and filled with PvP, and after spending an initial week with the game and the killer community, I can say that it is different, but mainly in a few outstanding ways. Of course I might find much more that sets the game apart if I played it for several years like some of the people I met in game, but for now I'll settle with telling you what I've learned so far.

The usual embedded video in this article serves two purposes. First, it's an interview piece I did with Eric Latham, Producer at Simutronics. Next, it's a glance at DragonRealms, from character creation to a bit of gameplay. It's not as in-depth as my other videos, but it keeps in the greater theme of MUD May.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: DragonRealms

MassivelyRise and Shiny: DragonRealms originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-onlinebeau-hindmanDragonrealmseric-lathamf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgemstone-ivhands-onlivestreammassively-tvmudMUD-MayMUDsmulti-user-domainmulti-user-dungeonrise-and-shinysimutronicsstreamthe-settlers-onlinetwitchtwitch-tvvideoSun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 11 - 17, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/betawatch-may-11-17-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/betawatch-may-11-17-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/betawatch-may-11-17-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

But Iron Man 3, amirite?
Early access for Marvel Heroes is just around the corner, if you consider 11 days to be a corner. It'll be a chance for everyone to get started on the process of hitting the level cap... or at least getting halfway there before grinding dailies. Your mileage may vary. DUST 514 finally ended its testing earlier this week, meaning that you can go be obliterated by an orbital strike right now if you own a PS3.

Elsewhere in the testing world, Anno Online quietly went into open beta (keep an eye out for our own Beau Hindman's look at the game later this month). There are games preparing for a beta in the future, as well, and more information about popular titles still in beta. It's been a quiet week otherwise.

That doesn't mean there isn't a list past the break. There's always a list. As always, if you see something odd on there, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Continue reading Betawatch: May 11 - 17, 2013

MassivelyBetawatch: May 11 - 17, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasanno-onlinebetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betadust-514featuredgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmarvel-heroesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anno Online goes into closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/anno-online-goes-into-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/anno-online-goes-into-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/anno-online-goes-into-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Anno Online goes into closed beta
City-builders rejoice, for Anno Online has gone into closed beta for its English version. The title is an MMO sequel to the Anno 1404 single-player strategy game and will be playable entirely within your browser. The goal is to build up medieval cities over time, establish trade routes, and expand one's empire over multiple islands.

As the beta testing progresses, Ubisoft has plans to implement a guild system next month. Each guild can hold up to 25 people and construct guild halls for gatherings.

You can check out the trailer for Anno Online after the jump!

[Source: Ubisoft press release]

Continue reading Anno Online goes into closed beta

MassivelyAnno Online goes into closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annoanno-1404anno-onlinebetabrowserclosed-betaf2pfree-to-playtrailerubisoftvideoTue, 23 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is Ubisoft cashing in with Silent Hunter and Anno Online?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/the-daily-grind-is-ubisoft-cashing-in-with-silent-hunter-and-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/the-daily-grind-is-ubisoft-cashing-in-with-silent-hunter-and-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/19/the-daily-grind-is-ubisoft-cashing-in-with-silent-hunter-and-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Daily Grind - Is Ubisoft cashing in with Silent Hunter and Anno OnlineLast week's Gamescom saw publishing giant Ubisoft dip its toe into the free-to-play browser game market. It did so with a pair of titles based on ancient, beloved franchises. First up was Silent Hunter Online, a riff on the submarine sim that's been playable on your PC since 1996.

Ubisoft followed that up with Anno Online, a simplified version of the long-running Anno real-time strategy series that debuted in 1998 (if you've never heard of Anno, you might be an American who played it under the Dawn of Discovery moniker).

A cynic might say that Ubisoft is looking to milk the nostalgia factor by taking a couple of complex titles and turning them into accessible MMO-lite affairs. An optimist might say that this is the logical next step if franchises are to remain relevant in the age of casual gaming. What do you think? Is Ubisoft cashing in, or will Silent Hunter Online and Anno Online be worthy of their names?

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 Ubisoft cashing in with Silent Hunter and Anno Online? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-onlinebrowserbrowser-gamecash-incasual-gamingdaily-grindgamescom-2012nostalgiaopinionsilent-hunter-onlinetdgthe-daily-grindubisoftSun, 19 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST