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[MV Guide: February 6-12, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/mv-guide-february-6-12-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/mv-guide-february-6-12-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/mv-guide-february-6-12-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Global Agenda
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 6-12, 2012

MassivelyMV Guide: February 6-12, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-guild-warsbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorccpccp-eveccp-gamescloud-ninecode-clubeaelectronic-artseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineglitchglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezguild-warsguildwarsgwhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiosliden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslivestreamlivestreaminglucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmv-guidemv-tvncsoftnetgamenexusnexus-the-kingdom-of-the-windsrolf-jannsonryzomsecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labsstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictiny-specktwitch-tvvirtual-worldwurmwurm-onlineMon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: January 30-February 5, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/mv-guide-january-30-february-5-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/mv-guide-january-30-february-5-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/mv-guide-january-30-february-5-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Runes of Magic
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: January 30-February 5, 2012

MassivelyMV Guide: January 30-February 5, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardall-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-gameall-points-bulletin-reloadedanetapbapb-eaapb-gameapb-reloadedarenanetarenanet-guild-warsatomic-bluebiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorblizzardccpccp-eveccp-gamesd3dc-universe-onlinedcuodiablo-3diablo-iiidiiieaelectronic-artseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefrogsterfrogster-runes-of-magicglitchglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezguild-warsguildwarsgwhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiosjagexliden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslivestreamlivestreaminglucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmv-guidemv-tvncsoftplaneshiftromrunes-of-magicrunescaperyzomsecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labssoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictiny-specktiny-speck-glitchvirtual-worldMon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: January 23-29, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/mv-guide-january-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/mv-guide-january-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/mv-guide-january-23-29-2012/#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: January 23-29, 2012

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetarenanet-guild-warsbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorbrowser-basedccpccp-eveccp-gamesdisneydisneys-toontowneaelectronic-artseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-romglitchglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezguild-warsguildwarsgwhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiosjagexjagex-game-studiosjagex-runescapeliden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslivestreamlivestreaminglucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgluvinia-onlinemassively-livestreammassively-tvmv-guidemv-tvoutsparkromrunes-of-magicrunescaperyzomsecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labssoesonySony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictiny-specktoontownurban-rivalsvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvirtual-worldMon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: January 16-22, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mv-guide-january-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mv-guide-january-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mv-guide-january-16-22-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

APB: Reloaded
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: January 16-22, 2012

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-gameapb-gamebiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorccpccp-eveccp-gameschampions-onlinecodc-universe-onlinedcuoeaelectronic-artsEVEeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactiveg1gamersfirstglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiosjagexkabamliden-labs-second-lifelinden-labslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmilmommortsmv-guideperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweromrunes-of-magicrunescaperusty-heartssecond-lifesecond-life-linden-labsslsl-liden-labssoesony-online-entertainmentst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicstosw-torswtorthe-old-republicthirst-of-nighttrek-onlinevirtual-worldMon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Previously on MV TV: Week of January 9th, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/previously-on-mv-tv-week-of-january-9th-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/previously-on-mv-tv-week-of-january-9th-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/previously-on-mv-tv-week-of-january-9th-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fallen Earth, aka Good God in Heaven, shoot it!
Welcome to the brand-new Previously on MV TV! Our livestreaming schedule has picked up a lot over the past few weeks, and our readers have busy lives, so we know it's impossible to watch every single streaming event live. Fortunately for you, we save all of our streams all for posterity on Massively's Twitch TV channel, so you can view them at your leisure. Even better, we've got a roundup of a few of last week's MV TV highlights from the livestream team. Follow along after the jump for the best of the best!

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: Week of January 9th, 2012

MassivelyPreviously on MV TV: Week of January 9th, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's healing lightning. Or something.
The gaming industry is pretty morbid when you get right down to it. 2011 has seen several people predicting the death of the MMO market and the death of subscription games, often times in the same sentence. But according to analyst Colin Sebastian, the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic makes it clear that these reports of death have been greatly exaggerated. As Sebastian puts it, the unprecedented growth of SWTOR's player figures indicates that the market still possesses a demand for new games and still responds favorably.

Sebastian goes on to predict that the game will likely move around three million units by March 2012, the end of the fiscal year, although he believes that staying power is a bit more questionable. He believes that predictions of up to two million paying users by the end of 2012 might be overly optimistic. That having been said, the game has certainly come out of the gate with real strength; it only remains to be seen if it can maintain that.

MassivelyAnalyst claims that Star Wars: The Old Republic points to a healthy MMO market originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystanalystsbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcolin-sebastianeaelectronic-artsfinancialgame-industryindustryindustry-opinionslaunchlucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmarketmmo-industrystar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicTue, 27 Dec 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest patch notes Star Wars: The Old Republic highlight bug fixes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/newest-patch-notes-star-wars-the-old-republic-highlight-bug-fix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/newest-patch-notes-star-wars-the-old-republic-highlight-bug-fix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/newest-patch-notes-star-wars-the-old-republic-highlight-bug-fix/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Patches are a lot like starship maintenance, albeit with slightly less vaccuum.
Bugs are frustrating, and inevitably some of them seep through to launch with a new MMO. Star Wars: The Old Republic produced a fairly polished end product, but there were still issues, most notably certain memory problems with Taris and some harvesting nodes that couldn't be harvested. As a result, the game's first patch has been rolled out following this morning's maintenance, and the first set of patch notes have gone live detailing the bugfixes and minor updates provided.

Aside from the two obvious changes, there has been a handful of balance adjustments. Slicing has seen a slight downgrade to bring its rewards more in line with those of other gathering professions, and the Mandalorian Raiders flashpoint has seen several enemies lose their immunity to crowd control. Players can look forward to more steady adjustments as the game continues, but some quick fixes to noteworthy issues are always good to see -- especially so close to the holidays.

MassivelyNewest patch notes Star Wars: The Old Republic highlight bug fixes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorbugfixeseaelectronic-artsgame-updateslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgnewspatchpatchessmall-patchesstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorsystem-updatesthe-old-republicupdatesTue, 27 Dec 2011 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic launches Android authenticator and upcoming test server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-android-authenticator-and-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-android-authenticator-and-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-android-authenticator-and-u/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pictured: not security.
If analyst predictions hold true, Star Wars: The Old Republic is going to be big. And that means that it's going to be heir to the natural problem of account hackings, the sort of thing that goes hand in hand with every major MMO. Luckily, the game has launched with security authenticators already available, with a physical version and an Apple app available right out of the gate. The mobile authenticator for Android devices is also now available, meaning that you have a multitude of ways to ensure that the only threats to your characters are those of the blaster-wielding variety.

Once you've gotten through the authenticator stage, however, perhaps you'd like to see what's coming next for the game? Ask a Jedi reports that it looks like BioWare is in the process of setting up a public test server, giving every subscriber a chance to enjoy the upcoming patches and updates before they go live. While players will not be able to copy characters from the live servers to the test environment at this time, the team behind Star Wars: The Old Republic seems to be polishing up the game on a daily basis even though it's just launched, so that likely won't remain the case for long.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic launches Android authenticator and upcoming test server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-securityauthenticatorbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artslauncheslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmobile-authenticatornewspublic-test-serversecuritysecurity-keystar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtortest-serverthe-old-republicWed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic preps for guild imports, server list takes shape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/star-wars-the-old-republic-prepping-for-guild-imports-server-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/star-wars-the-old-republic-prepping-for-guild-imports-server-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/star-wars-the-old-republic-prepping-for-guild-imports-server-l/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

No word yet on the riots that will ensue for each player who doesn't get an access pass tomorrow.
At 7:00 a.m. EST tomorrow morning, the coveted early access invitations will be sent out for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Some of them, anyway. (Some players will have to wait a little bit longer.) If you're in one of the many guilds that prepared and recruited prior to the game's launch via the on-site recruitment feature, you're also in line to start in on the early guild deployment, which is outlined in detail on the official site. Long story short, you'll be given your guild's server assignment, and if you're unhappy with it, you're going to have to start up on a different server rather than using the automated joining.

Unfortunately, players aren't being given a full preview of servers ahead of time, but based on the deployment messages, a list is taking shape over on Ask a Jedi. The list is, of course, not absolute -- it's simply what servers are known that have been passed along -- but it's certainly extensive, with several different PvE, PvP, and RP servers for both US coasts and Europe. Keep checking back for more information, and keep your eyes on your mailbox early tomorrow morning.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is finally here, and the Force is with Massively! We've prepared a Hutt-sized feast of class introductions, gameplay guides, lore roundups, and hands-on previews to help you navigate the launch period and beyond. And don't forget our weekly SWTOR column, the Hyperspace Beacon!

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic preps for guild imports, server list takes shape originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-austinbioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-mythicbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaearly-accessearly-game-accesselectronic-artsguild-importguild-launchlaunchlauncheslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgnewsserver-listserversstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Consular]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-consular/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-consular/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-consular/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Consular
Peace. Serenity. Harmony. These are some of the touchstones of the Jedi order, and they are the values that the Consular embodies. Where the Jedi Knight is meant to be the military and defensive might of the Jedi Order, the Consular is instead a teacher, a defender, and a scholar of the mysteries of the Force. If a Knight can be seen as a paladin, then the Consular is the gentle monk, teaching others and seeking out new mysteries for spiritual purposes.

Of course, the war against the Sith Empire means that there is no opportunity for these scholars to remain passive, but the Jedi Consular does not act with rash and overt motion. Instead, Consulars remain subtle, either slipping through the shadows or calling upon the raw might of the Force. In battle, they may specialize in a variety of roles, but all Consulars take a more cerebral approach. For them, the war is not their truest focus -- what matters is learning and understanding. This war will end, and afterwards, the Consular will teach those who remain what has been forgotten in the ravages of battle.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Consular

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Consular originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artsfeaturedguideguidesjedi-consularlucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpglucasartspreviewpreviewssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidethe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Sith Warrior
No class embodies the Sith philosophy so completely as the Sith Warrior. Inquisitors hide and scheme, but Warriors let their passion run rampant. It's not that they lack in subtlety, merely that they are capable of channeling their passion into destructive force so effortlessly that careful manipulation is often unnecessary. In the army of the Sith Empire, they are the lords and the commanders, the highest aspirations of those with Force sensitivity, and the natural-born masters of nearly everyone else.

Sith Warriors are correspondingly limited in their options on the field. They can tear apart armies or hold said armies off single-handed, but they certainly can't help patch the wounds of their comrades. But the whole class philosophy is built around the best defense being a strong offense, and the plethora of Force abilities and agile lightsaber strikes in the Warrior's arsenal give you several options while you're breaking everything that stands before you. It's a talent that comes in handy as you progress through the class questline, a story of expectations, betrayal, and the survival instincts necessary for someone to be a true Sith.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtordpseaelectronic-artsfeaturedguideguideslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpglucasartsopinionpreviewpreviewssci-fisithsith-warriorstar-warsstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidetankthe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic approaching the final phase of testing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-wars-the-old-republic-approaching-the-final-phase-of-testi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-wars-the-old-republic-approaching-the-final-phase-of-testi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-wars-the-old-republic-approaching-the-final-phase-of-testi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Republic agents preparing to beta test The Even Older Republic. It's pretty meta.
It's hard to believe that after all this time, Star Wars: The Old Republic is launching in less than a month. As you would expect, the game is making its final testing pushes for players. According to Stephen "Rockjaw" Reid's Twitter feed, players selected for the final testing weekend will be seeing schedules sent out over the next 12 hours, with players allowed to start testing either Friday or Saturday, starting at 11:00 a.m. EST. Existing testers and visitors to the site will also have to contend with some degree of maintenance trouble, as the site is experiencing an understandable groundswell of traffic.

The final push also means that the deadline is approaching for players to get in on the Pre-Launch Guild Program, which ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on December 2nd. This means that players who fulfill all the requirements will be able to transfer their guilds straight into the live game -- but they'll have to finalize everything before the deadline. So if you're a guild leader with a few things left to finish up before launch, the holiday weekend might be an ideal time.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic approaching the final phase of testing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-conclusionbeta-testingbeta-weekendbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-mythicbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgpre-launch-guild-programrockjawstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicstephen-reidstephen-rockjaw-reidsw-torswtortestingtesting-conclusionthe-old-republicWed, 23 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: TORn away]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/wings-over-atreia-torn-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/wings-over-atreia-torn-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/wings-over-atreia-torn-away/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
*suits up in full firefighters gear* Alrighty, now I am ready!

The topic for this week's Wings Over Atreia presented itself when I logged into Aion at prime-time on Thursday night and found the very odd occurrence of both an empty legion list and an empty friends list. Considering how full the latter is (plug for larger lists here), I've never seen both be completely empty simultaneously, even when I pop in during my odd super-late hours. While I saw some life over the rest of the weekend, overall numbers stayed pretty low, even during the hours of the new arena instances. To what do I attribute this? In some cases it was the usual attack of the Real Life (tm) that got ahold of people, but two extra factors contributed to the population insta-decline: the release of Skyrim and more weekend beta invites from Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Now in the case of Skyrim, it can't be helped (but maybe we can have a little spacing between the release of so many games?!). We know that once the game is played through, people will wander back to their MMOs. TOR, however, is another matter: Besides the shininess of of a new game and the fact that it is both Star Wars-based and made by BioWare, does Aion have a future of vast, empty lands to look forward to at the release of the latest OMG-it's-the-second-coming-of-games title? Some are certainly screaming doom-and-gloom, but we hear that from dissenters about nearly every little thing. Is it possible that there is room enough for both games to survive after the initial hype has passed?

*checks and readjusts all gear again* Come on and join me past the cut for some thoughts on the matter.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: TORn away

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: TORn away originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No, Dad, I'm not a psycho killer, I'm an assassin! ...well the difference is that one's a job and the other's mental sickness!
It's been a day for news about Star Wars: The Old Republic as we move still closer to release. The latest character progression video has been unveiled for the Agent, showing both the differences in equipment and abilities players can expect as they level up as one of the subtle hands of the Sith Empire's will. As players grow in power, they can either take the route of the stealthy and aggressive Operative or the resourceful ranged Sniper.

On the Operative route, armors tend toward hooded attire as the character employs a variety of blades, bombs, and short-range blaster attacks to keep enemies pinned. Snipers, meanwhile, are sleekly armored ranged dispensers of death, with their abilities culminating in a large-scale orbital strike to take out inconvenient enemies. If you're itching to play an Agent, you'd be well-served to take a look at the full trailer to see all that the class is capable of doing in the name of the Empire.

Continue reading Agent progression revealed for Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyAgent progression revealed for Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The original Republic flashpoint of Jedi Meditation and Posing has sadly been sent back to the drawing board.
Last weekend's big convention, New York Comic Con, hosted another panel on Star Wars: The Old Republic. And perhaps to the surprise of the fans, this panel was all about numbers. Specifically, it was all about the numbers for upcoming content in the game, such as Flashpoints, Operations, and Warzones. Stephen Reid took his time to lay out what players can expect from this content and how many different areas players can expect, starting with 15 different Flashpoints at launch.

The Flashpoints will not all be story-focused, according to Reid, with some focused more heavily on the puzzle or gameplay aspects. All of them, however, can be replayed at higher difficulties in the endgame. In addition, Reid showed off the upcoming fleet hubs for the game, the central gathering areas for players that feature vendors, auction systems, and a special "VIP Lounge" for people who purchased the Collector's Edition. With only a little over two months remaining until the game's launch, there's not much more time before these promised features become a reality.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic talks instanced regions and hubs at NYCC originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eurogamer Expo
Some of the industry's biggest names were at Eurogamer Expo last week, including BioWare, NCsoft and Trion Worlds. I was on the floor at the expo to get some hands-on experience with several upcoming MMOs and countless singleplayer games. Guild Wars 2 and Star Wars: The Old Republic stole the show, with hands-on gameplay sessions and in-depth developer talks. BioWare also made the bold move of announcing SWTOR's official release date during its talk at the convention. In addition to promoting the heck out of RIFT, Trion showed off upcoming MMORTS End of Nations with a hands-on demo and encouraged attendees to sign up to the End of Nations newsletter.

RIFT and World of Tanks were both playable on the show floor for the entire weekend, but nothing new was being shown. Hack-and-slash adventure RPG Dark Souls and the beautifully zen Journey both demonstrated incredibly innovative multiplayer aspects that I'll likely cover in my weekly Not So Massively column, but neither falls neatly into the MMO box. OnLive had a spectacular showing at the expo, giving away free home consoles to every attendee and demonstrating the system's surprisingly lag-free gameplay on the floor. We discovered that although there are no MMOs in OnLive's current lineup, this isn't due to technical infeasibility, so we may yet see MMOs launched on the service.

Skip past the cut for my in-depth hands-on impressions of Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic and End of Nations from Eurogamer Expo 2011.

Continue reading MMO impressions from Eurogamer Expo 2011

MassivelyMMO impressions from Eurogamer Expo 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetarenanet-guild-wars2betabetasbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorDark SoulsDarkSoulseaelectronic-artsEnd of Nationsend-of-nationsEndOfNationseurogamer-expoEurogamer-Expo-2011featuredfirst-impressionsgallerygameplayguild-wars2guildwars2gw2hands-onlucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgonlivepetroglyphpreviewstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictrion-worldsSat, 01 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Early access pre-order hooray edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/ask-massively-early-access-pre-order-hooray-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/ask-massively-early-access-pre-order-hooray-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/ask-massively-early-access-pre-order-hooray-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We could pretend that the important story of last week was something other than the launch of pre-orders for Star Wars: The Old Republic, but that would be a lie. I know I went straight down to pre-order my copy as soon as I was done with some work in the morning. As usual, it wasn't without controversy -- issues over staggered pre-order releases, limited quantities, and my personal favorite, the fear that it might include some sort of microtransactions in its business model. You know, like every other major subscription game on the market.

Before you ask, I got the regular edition. I'm not paying three times the price for a statue.

Anyway, this week's Ask Massively is pretty heavily tied into the pre-order talk, what with questions about release dates and the state of no-trial launches. As always, you can feel free to ask a question for a future installment of the column via mail to ask@massively.com, or you can just toss your question in the happy comment field below.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Early access pre-order hooray edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Early access pre-order hooray edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcolumneaelectronic-artsfeaturedgame-trialslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgopinionpre-ordersreleaserelease-datesstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictrialsThu, 28 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-bioware-shows-off-the-old-republic-belsavis-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-bioware-shows-off-the-old-republic-belsavis-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-bioware-shows-off-the-old-republic-belsavis-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Are you curious about endgame in Star Wars: The Old Republic? GameTrailers has a couple of E3-related videos that you'll want to check out, both of them focused on raiding content in a galaxy far, far away.

First up is a 10-minute clip featuring an interview with BioWare's Gabe Amatangelo as well as various bits of new footage. Amatangelo tells us about a raid that takes place on the outer rim planet of Belsavis. The clip centers on a prison facility in an icy environment, and we get a good look at the approach as well as some combat inside the complex. Amatangelo also talks a bit about raid difficulty levels before reiterating that SWTOR will release in 2011 (though no firm date is given).

The second video expands on some of the snippets in the interview clip, and BioWare shows us a minute and 20 seconds of action from the Belsavis raid. Check out both trailers after the cut and let us know what you think in the comments!

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid

MassivelyE3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare holds a reputation in the gaming community for consistently releasing polished, high-quality games, especially when it comes to in-depth narratives. Have you ever wondered about the studio's philosophy in regard to game creation? Ever wondered what it is that drives BioWare, and moreover -- since this is Massively, after all -- how it influences the ongoing development of Star Wars: The Old Republic? In a rather lengthy interview with Gamasutra, BioWare's Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk give gamers a peek behind the curtain at what really makes BioWare tick.

There's a plethora of interesting information in the interview, ranging from the company's philosophy of imbuing each game with emotion -- leading to the strong narratives for which BioWare is so renowned -- to the qualities Ray and Greg think will separate The Old Republic from the elephant in the room that is World of Warcraft. The interview itself is far too lengthy to adequately summarize in the length of a news post, but one point that stands out is that, despite being an absolute powerhouse in the gaming industry, BioWare still focuses heavily on humility. Being able to admit when mistakes have been made and learning from the experience is something that many studios could certainly learn from. For the full, information-packed interview, head on over to Gamasutra.

MassivelyInterview with BioWare's Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk details studio philosophy and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artsgreg-zeschukinterviewlucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgray-muzykastar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicThu, 19 May 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic expected launch window confirmed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/the-old-republic-expected-launch-window-confirmed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/the-old-republic-expected-launch-window-confirmed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/the-old-republic-expected-launch-window-confirmed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EA's financial results report was released to the public today, and alongside the various bits of fiscal information is one important tidbit for fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic. On page 17 of the document, we find "The Packaged Goods title release schedule excludes Star Wars: The Old Republic, which is expected to launch in either Q2 FY12 or Q3 FY12," where Q2 FY12 and Q3 FY12 correspond to July through September and October through December, respectively, of this year.

This is obviously excellent news for those who are anticipating The Old Republic's release, and it's aptly timed to boot, coming to light on Intergalactic Star Wars Day. Given that the last piece of information we heard regarding The Old Republic's launch was back in March, we're heartened to see that EA is still holding strong for a 2011 release. If you're the sort of person who likes numbers and financial information for some unholy reason, the document in its entirety is available for your perusal.

Fan site Darth Hater has parsed the earnings call itself, noting that EA has also confirmed that SWTOR will be launched as a "Digital Service" under a subscription model.

MassivelyThe Old Republic expected launch window confirmed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fridays mean new updates for fans eagerly waiting on Star Wars: The Old Republic, and while last week saw the kickoff of PAX East and a hands-on demo (which we played), this Friday sees discussion on a wide range of different aspects. For starters, the latest Fan Friday feature has been posted, showing off new concept art and a fansite spotlight as well as a few new Sith avatars for forumgoers.

A new developer diary is also available, which discusses cinematic animations, one of the major selling points for the game. Certainly the motion capture helps, but as the diary notes, it's not quite as simple as suiting up some capture actors and getting their raw data. Even for a simple scene, there's some fairly elaborate work necessary to make the animation and overall environment feel convincing.

The end of the entry is devoted to several community questions regarding flashpoints, fresh in everyone's mind after the aforementioned demo at PAX East. If you're curious about how loot will be balanced in a dungeon with multiple storyline options, take a look at the full entry to get a clearer picture of how the system will be implemented in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

MassivelyA smattering of topics from Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythic has released the Keg's End live event in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, and this week in Waging WAR, after falling off the wagon and bumping his head, Greg talks about all the things to see and do in-game during this holiday season. Don't worry, though -- we were able to get him to stop singing carols after the swelling went down.

It's that time of year again, and most everyone is celebrating something in some fashion. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Festivus, ultimately, it's a section of the calendar that many of us can appreciate and look forward to. On that note, I would like to extend my warmest and sincerest Season's Greetings to all Massively readers out there, wherever you are. And as fun as it is with the gift giving, merriment and world-peace-wishing, the best part of the season is when we get hammered and smack-talk our families. Wait, you don't smack-talk your family at your house? You mean... the season really is all about warmth, love, and mistletoe mischief? Hmm... well, it seems as though my family missed that memo. Behind-the-back dirt-dishing has been a staple at my house for as long as I can remember. But enough about that, let's talk about Warhammer Online and the Keg End live event -- something I can relate to. Forget about religion, politics, and corporate pan-handling; let's get out the gourds, chug a frothy or two, and loudly proclaim our bravest victories in that barrel-chested manner we're all so accustomed to (OK, maybe not all of us, but play along, will ye?).

Read on after the cut to learn about all the fun things you can look forward to with WAR's Keg End live event.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Tapping the keg

MassivelyWaging WAR: Tapping the keg originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week in Waging WAR, Greg shows off the rather large chip on his shoulder and talks about one particular career in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Despite the following column, Greg wants it to be known that he does indeed love kittens of all kinds and does not condone harming them in any way, unless it involves several Doom Bolts and a few handfuls of Flickering Red Fire, in which case he enthusiastically gives his approval.

For the most part, I consider myself pretty easygoing when it comes to scenario PvP. I don't flip out when I die, I try to not take failure to heart since the next scenario is usually right around the corner, and DPS-healers don't bug me like they bug many other players out there (I used to play one, neener-neener). But recently, I've noticed a particularly aggravating trend growing among Order players on Badlands in the lower tiers. There is an inordinate number of White Lions being rolled, and objectively, it isn't difficult to see why. They're extremely mobile, they can cause outrageous amounts of damage in a very short time, and their pets represent more than mere harassment -- they actually hurt. Sadly, objectivity comes at a pretty hefty price these days. When it has run dry and all I find myself left with is the hot, bitter aftertaste of subjectivity, the result is something like the rant that follows.

Read along after the break and enjoy my rant about White Lions.

Continue reading Waging WAR: White Lions ite domum

MassivelyWaging WAR: White Lions ite domum originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mmorpgbioware-mythiccoordinated-strikeEAea-mythicElectronic-Artsfeaturedmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentopinionopinion-columnopinion-piecepouncerantsundering-chopwaging-warwarWarhammer-Onlinewhite-lionwhite-lion-of-chraceSat, 11 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TOR video talks crew skills and PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/tor-video-talks-crew-skills-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/tor-video-talks-crew-skills-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/tor-video-talks-crew-skills-and-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ready for another look at crew skills and PvP in BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic? If so, G4TV has you covered in the form of a five-minute video featuring Daniel Erickson and extensive in-game footage. Erickson explains the gathering, crafting, and mission components that make up crew skills (which is basically BioWare's catch-all term for traditional MMO crafting).

"Missions are something very different, and for missions to make sense, you have to understand the base concept of crew skills, which is that you are not the one doing this stuff. Your companion characters are the ones who are going hands-on and doing the crafting," Erickson says.

In terms of TOR's PvP implementation, Erickson illustrates BioWare's goal of making the mechanic appropriately contextual to the Star Wars universe (as opposed to the kill-everything-moving-just-because mentality common to many PvP systems). He describes everything from slicing terminals to seeing turrets move in real time, painting a picture of an immersive PvP experience that makes sense within the framework of the license.

Finally, Erickson talks a bit about the recently announced race/class combos, including the Sith pureblood. Check out the video after the cut, or at G4TV.

Continue reading TOR video talks crew skills and PvP

MassivelyTOR video talks crew skills and PvP originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcraftingcrew-skillsdaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artsg4tvgatheringmissionsnpcspvpStar-Warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torswtorvideowar-zonesWed, 08 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TOR dev diary takes a closer look at crew skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/tor-dev-diary-takes-a-closer-look-at-crew-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/tor-dev-diary-takes-a-closer-look-at-crew-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/tor-dev-diary-takes-a-closer-look-at-crew-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Crafting has been something of an afterthought in many of the MMORPGs released over the past half decade. Bucking that trend is BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic, which recently made waves with the reveal of its crew skills system. Today the TOR team brings us a closer look at the mechanics via a new dev diary. Systems Designer Patrick Mallot is our host on this particular tour, and though he spends a good portion of it rehashing things we already know (like NPC companions performing your gathering tasks), there are some interesting nuggets relating to armstech near the end.

Armstech is a crafting discipline that allows players to create blasters, rifles, and assault cannons. The scavenging skill provides the raw materials, and basic alloys and metals will let you get your feet wet immediately. Progression takes the form of both schematic complexity and item quality increases, and eventually vendor-bought materials and rare resources will come into play. Armstech features three quality levels (premium, prototype, and artifact), and Mallot hints at crafters playing an important role in The Old Republic's economy.

"We've worked hard to ensure that crafted items have an important place in The Old Republic's economy, and that crafters will be well-rewarded for the effort they put into the crew skills system," he says. Check out all the details at the official TOR website.

In other TOR news, BioWare also announced that the Jedi Wizard has been officially christened the Jedi Sage via popular fan vote.

MassivelyTOR dev diary takes a closer look at crew skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armstechBioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcrew-skillsdev-diaryeaElectronic-Artspatrick-mallotpatrick-malottscavengingStar-Warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtorFri, 03 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: On the distant horizon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/waging-war-on-the-distant-horizon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/waging-war-on-the-distant-horizon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/waging-war-on-the-distant-horizon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's that time again! Yes, Greg's imagination has escaped its tiny 3x3 cell and is off spreading ruination and ruffling feathers across the countryside, armed with absurd notions and a not-so-surprising lack of reason and logic. This week's Waging WAR attempts to follow along in its wake as we take another look at the potential future of Warhammer Online: The Age of Reckoning.

WAR released with an impressive lineup of playable armies and careers, setting the stage for the Age of Reckoning with a 3v3, two-sided RvR layout. In the summer following the official release of WAR, we got our first free content expansion featuring the Tomb Kings in the Land of the Dead. Just recently, we finally, at long last, got our Skaven wishes granted. In the spirit of the holiday season coming up, I've decided to look ahead at what may come in the future as we approach new horizons in WAR. Even if we discount Brettonia as another flavor of civilized human (akin in many ways to the Empire), the Daemons of Chaos as being already represented in some form or another as a part of Tzeentch's Warhost, and the Ogre Kingdoms (and other assorted Dogs of War) as being more-or-less an NPC army, we're still left with some excellent offerings from Warhammer lore as far as where WAR can go in the foreseeable future.

Follow along after the break as I take another look at what's left on the table to play with for future packs and expansions for WAR.

Continue reading Waging WAR: On the distant horizon

MassivelyWaging WAR: On the distant horizon originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastmenbioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mythicbretonniaconjecturedaemons-of-chaosEAea-mythicElectronic-Artsfeaturedgames-workshophigh-elfkhornelizardmenmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentogre-kingdomsopinionopinion-columnopinion-piecepatch-1.4skavenspeculationtomb-kingstzeentchvampire-countsverminous-hordewaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eawood-elvesSat, 27 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare releases new TOR inhabitants entries]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/bioware-releases-new-tor-inhabitants-entries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/bioware-releases-new-tor-inhabitants-entries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/bioware-releases-new-tor-inhabitants-entries/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It may be the biggest shopping day of the year, but that hasn't stopped BioWare from coming through with its traditional Friday update for The Old Republic. Today's calibrated leak focuses on some new inhabitants made available in the Holonet database: the terentatek, the vine cat, the Sith pureblood, the M3-M1 med droid and the S3-F5 probe droid.

Staying true to our fanboy training, we jumped right to the Sith pureblood page and found out that this humanoid is a descendant of the original Sith species and features a long history of involvement with the dark side of the Force. The rate of Force sensitivity among purebloods is near 100 percent, and these individuals exhibit many of the visual characteristics of the original Sith race. Check out the Holonet inhabitants page for more info.

MassivelyBioWare releases new TOR inhabitants entries originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtordroidseaElectronic-Artsholonetlorem3-m1mobss3-f5sci-fisithsith-pure-bloodSith-Purebloodstar warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStarWarsswtorterentatekvine-catFri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Inside patch 1.4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/waging-war-inside-patch-1-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/waging-war-inside-patch-1-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/waging-war-inside-patch-1-4/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Verminous Horde game update aka patch 1.4 for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is pretty much old news by now. Despite that, Greg takes a look at some of the highlights from the patch as well as the RvR Packs in this week's Waging WAR.

Wow! What a patch! There are so many new little tidbits, toys and tweaks in this patch that it's really sort of hard to describe them all in the space of a single issue of Waging WAR. On top of all the free content in the patch itself, there are also the progression and personality packs available on the EAStore ($10ea/$15combo). In fact, there is so much new content in WAR right now, it's going to take quite a bit of time for us to exhaust it all and start complaining about stagnation again.

Follow along after the break as I talk about some of the highlights from the patch.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Inside patch 1.4

MassivelyWaging WAR: Inside patch 1.4 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With so many awesome things happening for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning lately, with the Verminous Horde expansion, the new store, patch 1.4 and all the rest, Greg has decided to turn his all-seeing eye sideways, to a land called the Badlands, and take Waging WAR along to explore a community-driven event that has been held there for nearly a year now with great success.

Since launch, WAR has enjoyed a great community. With every great community, a great event is inevitable. I've been around the block since WAR was released and have experienced the game on several different servers. I originally rolled my first character, a Swordmaster named Xiimmel, on Iron Rock. Later, I rolled an Archmage named Feiyen on Dark Crag, who I eventually moved back to Iron Rock where she was renamed Veeo. I never did get a chance to explore Phoenix Throne, which was collapsed along with Dark Crag some time ago. Recently, I joined the Badlands community on the side of Destruction with a variety of new characters, and the community there has been good to me so far. Part of that experience the last few weeks has been the opportunity to participate in a community-driven phenomenon known as the Battle for Badlands. Since this is all quite new to me, I decided to do a community spotlight on the event in today's Waging WAR.

Read on past the cut where I play 6Qs and deliver the details about the Battle for Badlands while I try to answer your 5Ws and maybe an H.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Battle for Badlands season 3 finale

MassivelyWaging WAR: Battle for Badlands season 3 finale originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archmagebadlandsbattle-for-badlandsBioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mmorpgbioware-mythiccommunity-eventsdark-age-of-camelotdark-cragdestructionEAea-mythicfeaturedgaiscioch-familymythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentorderphoenix-throneswordmasterwaging-warwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eaSat, 13 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare reveals The Old Republic crew skill details]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/bioware-reveals-the-old-republic-crew-skill-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/bioware-reveals-the-old-republic-crew-skill-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/bioware-reveals-the-old-republic-crew-skill-details/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Curious about crafting in BioWare's upcoming Star Wars MMORPG? We are too. We're so curious in fact, that we're bringing you not one but two crafting-centric stories today. In addition to our exclusive dev interview, BioWare has also updated its official The Old Republic website with a hefty dose of info on crew skills.

In a nutshell, your hero character will have the ability to assign crafting, gathering, and even mission skills to various NPC crew members. While you're out saving the galaxy, chasing attractive Twi'leks, or whatever it is that heroes do these days, your faithful companions will be doing all the grunt work involved in keeping you competitive when it comes to crafting.

Gathering skills include bioanalysis, scavenging, and slicing, while crafting skills break down into armormech, artifice, and biochem categories. Last but not least, mission skills feature diplomacy and treasure hunting. That's not all either, as the web page features a few tantalizing question marks indicating further skill reveals in the future. We'll tell our astromechs and slicers to keep a sharp lookout, and in the meantime, you can view the crew skills video after the cut.

Continue reading BioWare reveals The Old Republic crew skill details

MassivelyBioWare reveals The Old Republic crew skill details originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-star-warsbioware-swtorbreakingcraftingcrewcrew-skillsgatheringmission-skillsmissionsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicFri, 12 Nov 2010 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Warhammer's new online store]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week's Waging WAR catches a whiff of recent happenings on the internet and with Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Greg dives in face-first, grabs a fist-full of the news, and delivers a fast-ball rant on the issue.

Well, apparently the RMT has hit the fan, and the resulting spackle is starting to plaster the proverbial walls of the blogosphere and beyond. Recently, some information was released about what players can expect to buy at EA-Mythic's new store. Although only a few items are actually available now, there's a pretty extensive FAQ on the server transfer service, and we'll have to wait a little longer for the Progression and Personality packs, as they're set to be released along with patch 1.4. Naturally, the drama is building up some nice momentum, and it will be interesting to see how the whine will affect this particular cheese over at the Mythic official forum.

For now, you can read past the break and enjoy my rant.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Warhammer's new online store

MassivelyWaging WAR: Warhammer's new online store originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka recently sat down for a lengthy interview with Eurogamer. The doctors discussed Dragon Age II, Mass Effect 2, and more importantly for MMORPG fans, Star Wars: The Old Republic. In terms of a release window, Muzyka confirmed 2011 for the Star Wars opus but wouldn't commit to the first half, second half, or any other portion of the year.

The interview also addressed the recent rant by EA Louse that, in part, predicted The Old Republic would be "one of the greatest failures in the history of MMOs" and that also decried working conditions at BioWare-Mythic. Zeschuk and Muzyka mentioned the fact that BioWare recently won a top 100 employers award and invests both time and money into bettering the workplace environment for employees. When pressed as to the credibility of the anonymous poster, the doctors dismissed the posting as difficult to act upon. "We sit down and do an open forum with all the employees and get feedback from them. We welcome one-on-one feedback. When we get stuff we can improve and act on we do it," Muzyka said.

Finally, the interview touches on the financial gamble that TOR represents for BioWare and Electronic Arts, and neither founder comes across as particularly concerned. "We know millions and millions of people out there love this universe, and we're delivering a great game experience in that universe," Muzyka said. Head to Eurogamer for the full article text.

MassivelyBioWare doctors "disappointed" in EA Louse originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mythiceaea-louseelectronic-artsgreg-zeschukray-muzykaStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicFri, 05 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Guide to defensive stats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/waging-war-guide-to-defensive-stats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/waging-war-guide-to-defensive-stats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/waging-war-guide-to-defensive-stats/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Greg takes us through to see the dark side of our character sheets, and explains the various defensive stats found in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. He trudges through this week's Waging WAR with the stubborn stoutness of an Ironbreaker, and the cunning pre-determination of Tzeentch's Chosen to bring us this guide...

For every 10 tanks running around with gigantic two-handed weapons and the Focused Offense tactic slotted, there is one tank with a shield. And for every 10 of those tanks, there's that one who will step onto the battlefield and shake its very foundations with his/her ability to soak incredible amounts of damage and survive. What makes those tanks so indomitable? It is their preference for and understanding of defensive statistics. Sure, they may not hit as hard as others, but their ability to stand defiantly in the face of an entire warband is what makes them so fearsome. With confidence, these rare titans stride onto the battlefields knowing they could put up a fight against death itself and stand a chance to win.

Continue after the break as I explain the defensive character statistics of WAR.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Guide to defensive stats

MassivelyWaging WAR: Guide to defensive stats originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week, Waging WAR brings you Greg's hands-on impressions of the new RvR 24v24 instanced dungeon coming soon to Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. With true grit, determination, a staff, sequined robe and his trusty wizard hat, Greg brushes the dust off of his Archmage skills and reviews Thanquol's Incursion.

I was able to put together everything needed on Wednesday evening, so setting up for Friday afternoon's scheduled test of Thanquol's Incursion didn't take long at all. I didn't want to get tied up in learning a new career along with testing completely new content, so I decided to stick with what I know best and roll my Archmage on the PTS. Luckily, I tend to go light in the add-on department, so after getting my keybindings ready and scattering my UI all over the screen in my own (olympically) special way, I flew to Praag and found a warband in no time flat. Friday's event started up right on time, and the testing was under way. The warband headed out to one of the various instance gates and we zoned in.

Follow along after the break as I discuss my first-time hands-on experience with the new RvR gated 24v24 instanced dungeon: Thanquol's Incursion.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Hands-on with Thanquol's Incursion

MassivelyWaging WAR: Hands-on with Thanquol's Incursion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect that of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Well golly, I think it's time for a bit of contrarian opinion regarding The Old Republic. I know, I know, I don't write about TOR aside from the occasional news post, but here is one of the many joys of Massively (and more specifically, the Soapbox). We all play a lot of games and have pretty strong opinions about them regardless of whether or not they're our bread and butter.

So, while my day job consists of covering sword and sorcery titles for our fine website, it's hard to get away from the oncoming repulsorlift hype train that is The Old Republic. Several months back, I wrote a Daily Grind in which I basically said that all the hoopla surrounding the game was getting tiresome. Predictably, crucifixion by comments ensued, all for daring to question the supremacy of both BioWare and Star Wars.

The fact that a minority opinion generated so much rancor (yeah, I went there) got me to thinking about TOR, BioWare, and the unrestrained optimism that often characterizes MMO fandom in general. On a purely personal level, my fire has gone out of the Star Wars universe, the fandom is all but extinct, a couple of posters and a model X-Wing are all that's left of my former religion. Can BioWare rekindle that fire? Do I even want it to?

Make point five past the lightspeed jump for more.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Episode II - A New Hype

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Episode II - A New Hype originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In this week's installment of Waging WAR, Greg returns to the Chaotic Zeal series and peels back another layer or two of the Zealot career in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. He tells us about his experience through tiers 2 and 3 and talks about what makes the zealot stand out in the chaos crowd. If only we could get him to eat his onions with the same fanaticism...

At the end of the first issue of the Chaotic Zeal series, I left off by saying that I was happily looking forward to playing through tiers 2 and 3 and the promise the Zealot would bring. I'll kick off this second article in the series by saying that I wasn't disappointed in the least. The Zealot is an absolute pleasure to play as a PvP healer, despite the settings and circumstances I was presented with. The career's growth is robust and meaningful with a variety of attractive tactics and morale abilities, while the playstyle becomes more and more refined over time. I could fill an entire column with anecdotes and memories of my time with the career through the middle tiers, as the Zealot is a career experience that tends to be quite engaging and memorable. Instead, I'll focus on my impressions of leveling through them. Thus, with my Zealot poised on the precipice of tier 4 at level 30, I'll look back and recall the issues I faced getting there.

Follow along after the cut as I discuss the middle tiers with the Zealot career.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Chaotic zeal, part two

MassivelyWaging WAR: Chaotic zeal, part two originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This past week was an exciting week for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning as the new RvR systems were released for testing on the public test realm of Warpstone. Greg took part in both the Wednesday night and Friday afternoon sessions, and writes about his experiences and impressions in this week's Waging WAR.

When Mythic said that testing would begin in October, I don't think anyone expected to get his hands on the new changes to the RvR system so soon. Wednesday night was the first focused test, and I made it a point to take part. I also took part in the European-friendly session scheduled for Friday afternoon. Both events took place in the Tier 3 (Chaos vs. Empire) pairing across the zones of High Pass and Talabecland. There are certain issues that I feel are important enough to discuss regarding the way the new battlefield dynamics will bring about a golden age for melee careers, but this week, I want to focus on the RvR itself. Things have well and truly been shaken up, and this fresh experience is going to take some serious adjustment for veteran players as well as newcomers to the game.

Continue along after the break for more discussion on the topic.

Continue reading Waging WAR: The new RvR... Are we there yet?

MassivelyWaging WAR: The new RvR... Are we there yet? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We interrupt this week's scheduled career spotlight on Waging WAR to bring you Greg's impressions of the latest and greatest news from the floors of GamesDay: UK regarding Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the new RvR content coming soon to a theatre of WAR near you.

OK. So. Take everything you know about the Tier 4 RvR Campaign in WAR and press the "Delete" button right now. In fact, press it a few times. Actually, keep going. Keep pressing it until all you're left with is three pairings with three zones each, each zone containing four battlefield objectives and two keeps, and two cities as the capstone for each realm. OK. Now access that part of your brain that stores silly words and euphemisms regarding "the problem with WAR." See that entry for "Waithammer?" Delete it. "PvDoor?" Press the button. Actually, just go wild. Take every criticism you've ever had for WAR's endgame and just throw it out. We're talking total tabula rasa here (and not the ill-fated game). OK, stop. That should do. With an open mind and absolutely no knowledge of in-game mechanics, you're now primed to understand what I'm about to describe regarding the changes that are on their way, and more importantly, why I believe those changes are so critical to the glorious future of WAR.

If your curiosity is even remotely piqued, click the "Read more" button.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you

MassivelyWaging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continuing in the tradition of the Nagarythe Chronicles, Waging WAR moves forward this week with the first issue of another multipart career spotlight for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. This time, however, Greg has defected to the velvet darkness of Chaos. Brandishing a skull in one hand and a twisted dagger in the other, Greg rolls a zealot and starts down a road of uncertainty, where the only constant is Change by the will of Tzeentch.

It has been a long time since I've played the game on the side of Destruction. Actually, truth be told, I've never really been serious about any Destruction character I've ever rolled at all, with my highest level being somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 or so on a blackguard when the class was first released. It has also been quite a while since I've done any career spotlights for the column. With those facts in mind, I've decided to do a multipart series for the zealot and to take a look at how they play and what makes them tick through the various tiers of growth up into Tier 4. The reasons I chose the zealot for the series are simple and few. First of all, the last time I had my hands on the zealot career was long before the new Harbinger mechanic was released, and I want to try it out for myself. Second, I have a considerable amount of experience healing (and DPSing) with my archmage, so I have a baseline for comparison. Finally, I thought a defection would be fun as I level and discover new areas, quests and storylines that I never gave myself a chance to become familiar with.

Follow along after the break as I take a look at the zealot through levels 1-11 in Tier 1.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Chaotic zeal, part one

MassivelyWaging WAR: Chaotic zeal, part one originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In this installment of Waging WAR, Greg flips the world all upside-down-like and examines the soft, warm underbelly of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. The PvE side. He holds a mirror to some of the questions he's found himself asking in bad situations involving mean, unforgiving bosses, and he shows us all how not to play The Blame Game. Oh, and HAPPY SECOND ANNIVERSARY, Warhammer Online!!! Ahem, we now return you to our regularly scheduled Waging WAR content.

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is primarily about the RvR. As such, we don't often discuss some of the things in the PvE instances throughout WAR that we've all experienced at least once (or at least most of us, anyway). Whether you're heading into Hunter's Vale in Tier 1, setting up for a boss in the Tomb of the Vulture Lord, or preparing for any number of instances in-between (I can name five major ones off the top of my head), we've all been there and done that. Things have inevitably gone south for all of us at least once. For some of us, things have gone south repeatedly, on the same boss, with the same group, in the same instance. Frustration and enmity start to set in, and people start wondering, "What is going on here?" What follows then is usually a series of questions tracing a certain pattern that we ask ourselves as we try to figure out what the problem is. I guess it is only human nature to enter into this type of internal dialogue when faced with problem solving in social situations.

Follow after the break to see what I'm talking about.

Continue reading Waging WAR: The blame game

MassivelyWaging WAR: The blame game originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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