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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Paramount and Habbo BFF]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/paramount-and-habbo-bff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/paramount-and-habbo-bff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/paramount-and-habbo-bff/#commentsFiled under: ,


In-game advertising is something we've heard a lot about over the last couple of years. Game publishers and advertising companies have fostered close relationships based on the demographics they covet. Though some self-deluded "experts" on the topic like to argue that ads in games actually improve the gameplay experience, it's an extremely precarious rope to walk. The very second the advertising steps over invisible line of bad taste, the player base is liable to rebel.

It's difficult then to tell what to make of this new partnership between Paramount and Habbo, where Habbo players will be able to purchase in-game merchandise branded with new Paramount properties like The Spiderwick Chronicles, Beowulf, and Mean Girls. Now, obviously, the fact that Habbo is more of a social networking game aimed at teens changes the equation a little bit, but people have to actually pay for the privilege of shlocking their in-game advertisements around? I want to say it will never work, but young people always manage to surprise me, so I wouldn't put money on it.

[Via Tech Crunch]

MassivelyParamount and Habbo BFF originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingbeowulfhabbomean-girlsparamountthe-spiderwick-chroniclesWed, 30 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sci-fi MMO, you're my only hope...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/sci-fi-mmo-youre-my-only-hope/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/sci-fi-mmo-youre-my-only-hope/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/sci-fi-mmo-youre-my-only-hope/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The Ancient Gaming Noob wrote a fascinating article about why sci-fi MMOs haven't flourished. It's certainly not a new topic, but the Noob backs his argument up with credible facts and a strict analytical comparison (as opposed to the boisterous blatherings of the typical forum troll) that prove his point.

In Is there hope for a science fiction MMORGP?, the Noob posits that fantasy MMORPGs came about (and became more popular) due to a series of environmental factors that were present for the fantasy genre, but not for sci-fi. He compares four major factors: literature, table top RPGs, computer RPGs, and MUDs (aka Multi-User Dungeons). The body of historical fantasy literature provides the major ground work for the other three categories. While "The Lord of the Rings" might pop into your head first, Tolkien's great novels were not the beginning of the fantasy genre. As illustrated by the Noob, much older works such as Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe," and Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" existed. But the trump card? The 11th century Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem written in the English language. It's a fantasy story. The entire fantasy genre has been ingrained into our collective human psyche for centuries.

And what does science fiction have? Uh, not much. At least not compared to those legendary scripts. Granted there are some "old" science fiction tales, but the genre as we know it today didn't exist until the early part of the 20th century. I don't mean to knock the likes of Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, or Kevin J. Anderson, but in a historical context the space traveling genre is the new kid on the block. And as the Noob so eloquently points out, some of Asimov's own underlying scientific theories haven't held up so well over the years.

Take a gander at Noob's article then come back here and let us know what you think. Are you a fantasy fanatic? Or do you yearn for a great sci-fi game that will even the decidedly lopsided MMO table back in the favor of ray guns and aliens?

MassivelySci-fi MMO, you're my only hope... originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ancient-Gaming-NoobArthur-C-ClarkeBeowulffantasyIsaac-AsimovKevin-J-AndersonMMOMMORPGMUDsRobert-A-Heinleinsci-fiSir-Thomas-MalorySir-Walter-ScottTolkienTue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soloist: Why I do it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/the-soloist-why-i-do-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/the-soloist-why-i-do-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/the-soloist-why-i-do-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

After this post, I had it in mind to think through why I prefer to solo, and whether the reasons why are valid ones, given that I'm playing in a genre meant to provide a social experience. I'm going to try to list as many reasons as I can think of in favor of grouping and playing with buddies, and provide a counter-argument if I can. Bear in mind, this is not me telling you that you should go solo; this is just me trying to 1) explain why I do it, and 2) understand for myself whether my reasons hold water.

Enough said; excelsior!

Continue reading The Soloist: Why I do it

MassivelyThe Soloist: Why I do it originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agroAmericaArnold-SchwartzeneggerBeowulfBuckaroo-BanzaicamaraderieClint-EastwoodConnor-MacLeodconstitutionDae-sudo-it-yourselfEnter-the-DragonEric-DravenexcelsiorgroupmindgruntshealHong-Kong-CavaliersIndiana-JonesJames-BonJason-BourneJohn-McClaneJohn-RamboKing-ArthurKnights-of-the-Round-TableLeelone-wolfmassivelyMerry-MenmilitaryMystery-MenNeoOcean's-ElevenOldboyOnce-Upon-a-Time-In-ChinaOng-BakpresidentraidRbon-HoodRobin-Hoodsecond-life-insiderSnake-Plisskensolothe-Man-with-No-Namethe-MatrixTingwipeWong-Fei-HungMon, 19 Nov 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Beowulf novelisation author interviewed via Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/beowulf-novelisation-author-interviewed-via-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/beowulf-novelisation-author-interviewed-via-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/beowulf-novelisation-author-interviewed-via-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Caitlin Kiernan, who wrote the novel to go with the movie Beowulf, is following in Neil Gaiman's and Roger Avary' s footsteps by being interviewed in Second Life. However the interview with Kiernan will be broadcast on BBC2's 'The Culture Show' at 7pm GMT (11am SL Time) tomorrow.

Caitlin Kiernan already has a Second Life presence, and lives in New Babbage. She found the interview process, something she normally detests, to be interesting and a strong parallel to the storytelling process. In fact she said "for the first time ever I think I was disappointed the interview was over." Although a different take on why Second Life meetings can work so well, an interesting one.

[VIa Art's Place]

MassivelyBeowulf novelisation author interviewed via Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBC2BeowulfCaitlin-KiernanNew-BabbageSecond-LifeThe-Culture-ShowFri, 16 Nov 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary interview in Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/neil-gaiman-and-roger-avary-interview-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/neil-gaiman-and-roger-avary-interview-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/neil-gaiman-and-roger-avary-interview-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under:

To tie in with the launch of the film Beowulf, the writers Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary will be interviewed in Second Life on Saturday 10th November at 11am SL Time. Paramount ran a competition with 40 prizes of tickets to Beowulf Island, which seems to be closed now (sorry, I heard about this rather late), but you can see the interviews live at Eternal Flames Pier, Joysco Community Center, Hollywood Bowl, OnRez Event Center or The Shelter.

Comic geeks everywhere will remember Neil Gaiman from Sandman, and he is now a rather well known fantasy author as well. He was the writer of the original Stardust for example. Roger Avary may be best known as an academy award winner for co-writing Pulp Fiction.

[via Neil's Journal]

MassivelyNeil Gaiman and Roger Avary interview in Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avarybeowulfgaimaninterviewneil-gaimanroger-avarysecond-lifeThu, 08 Nov 2007 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Machinima.com Beowulf trailer and mash-up contests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/machinima-com-beowulf-trailer-and-mash-up-contests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/machinima-com-beowulf-trailer-and-mash-up-contests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/machinima-com-beowulf-trailer-and-mash-up-contests/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Are you over the age of 18 and live in the United States or Canada? Do you love to make movies using your favorite games? Fascinated with 8th century Old English epic poetry? Then you're in luck. Robert Zemeckis has a new movie coming out -- you'll never guess the title -- and he wants you to create the trailer for it. The movie itself is coming out on November 16th, so you have between now and November 4th to create your movie and submit it for judging.

What I like about this particular contest sponsored on Machinima.com is the fact that included in the suggested methods for producing the movie is the use of footage from Lair. Now, I am not sure if this is just a ploy to sell more copies of a failed game, but I do know it's a cool idea. Beowulf itself looks to be made up of some sweet animation, so perhaps the use of footage from Lair isn't so far off from the look of the film.

To be technical, there are two contests running here, one for a trailer and one for a mash-up. First prize for the mash-up is a $500 Best Buy gift certificate, while winner of the trailer contest will receive a $1000 Best Buy gift certificate. Pretty nice rewards, I must say. I would enter, but, well, I only watch movies, I don't know the first thing about making them.

I realize that this isn't MMO news per-se, but it is news about machinima makers, and many of those play MMOs and may very well use their MMOs in creation of their Beowulf trailer. If you enter the contest, be sure to let Massively know so we can highlight your work.

MassivelyMachinima.com Beowulf trailer and mash-up contests originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeowulfLairmachinimamachinima.commachinima.com-contestmash-uptrailerWed, 24 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST