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[MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

ESRB Rating
Quick, what's the ESRB rating symbol of your favorite MMO of choice? And if you know that, what are the content descriptors that account for your game's rating? If you got them right, bravo! According to the ESRB's official poll, 85% of parents with children who play video games are aware of the ratings system. For those not familiar, here's the deal: The Entertainment Software Rating Board began in 1994 with the goal of providing a standard set of ratings and descriptors to help adults choose appropriate games for children.

But the real question is, are ESRB ratings accurate when it comes to MMOs? The poll also claims that 65% of parents regularly check a game's rating before making a purchase, but are those ratings as helpful when choosing an MMO for your children? Read on for a look at why the E, T, and AO symbols might actually deserve an F.

Continue reading MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings?

MassivelyMMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosesrbesrb-ratingseveeverquest-iieverquestiifamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionwizard101wowWed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Daniel Erickson on pulling players' moral strings]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/swtors-daniel-erickson-on-pulling-players-moral-strings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/swtors-daniel-erickson-on-pulling-players-moral-strings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/swtors-daniel-erickson-on-pulling-players-moral-strings/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR
BioWare's Daniel Erickson said that for the writing team, the crunch time came way ahead of everyone else since the script for the game had to be done first. As such, the team has had plenty of time to reflect on how the game's developed while it's moved on to future content. In speaking with GameSpy, the Star Wars: The Old Republic head writer opened up about the difficulties and fun of penning a game with so many personalities, choices, and plot twists.

Probably the most revealing is how Erickson admits that the writers are trying to pull players in multiple directions through a series of moral influences: the game's own light and dark side system, players' own morality, companions' own likes and dislikes, and multiplayer dialogue. Ideally, he said, one of the goals of the writing team was to make quests that would challenge players' set paths to make them want to change. "It's interesting to watch all those dynamic forces affect the player, see how they interact with the storytelling method," he said.

Erickson also says that the project got initial pushback over the notion of centering it on story, because of the past limitations of MMOs and "the expected norm" that had grown over the years: "It was clear, when you played the early MMOs, that they were trying to put as much as they could in for what was there. There were people on each one of these projects that clearly cared passionately about the lore, and were really trying to get it across to the players. So we knew that that was there and we knew from the single-player games what did it."

The interview continues to cover a wide range of writing challenges, including coming up with the script for Huttball, quests that the team was sure would get cut by the ESRB, and how the team enjoyed coming up with intricate stories, connections, and romances for companion characters.

MassivelySWTOR's Daniel Erickson on pulling players' moral strings originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechoicesdaniel-ericksondark-sideeaea-biowareesrbgamespyhuttballlight-sideloremoralmoral-codemoral-decisionsmoralityscriptingscriptsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorvoice-overwritingwriting-teamFri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Zelda about to hit the MMO space?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/is-zelda-about-to-hit-the-mmo-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/is-zelda-about-to-hit-the-mmo-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/is-zelda-about-to-hit-the-mmo-space/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The land of Hyrule may be invading your computer very soon -- or maybe you will be invading it. Nintendo, creator of the console hit the Legend of Zelda, has just registered for an ESRB rating for a game called Zelda Universe. According to the ESRB website, this mysterious game has received an "E" rating with "violence" as the only descriptive text, but the game is listed as "online." Although all other Nintendo games have a console listed along with the rating, this particular title does not. This could very well mean that everyone's favorite adventurer will appear in an MMORPG.

The official website for the Legend of Zelda games is called Zelda Universe, but the Entertainment Software Rating Board is not in the habit of handing out ratings to online content unless that content is also a game. Perhaps this is one of the big announcements Nintendo will reveal in its presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in less than 12 days.

MassivelyIs Zelda about to hit the MMO space? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entertainment-software-ratings-boardesrbgannongannondorfHyrulelegend-of-zeldalinknintendorumorrumorsthe-legend-of-zeldatri-forcezeldazelda-universeThu, 26 May 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Does your child have the emotional levels it takes to tackle certain MMOs? The idea of parents as gaming gatekeepers all too often comes down to simplistic, ESRB ratings-based rulings passed down from on high by relatively disengaged parents. Deciding what and how your child should play is far from a black-or-white decision. Last time in MMO Family, for instance, we looked at how to tell if your child is ready for MMO raiding -- yet far too many commenters missed the point, assuming (from the topic alone, we can only presume) that we advocate a laissez-faire attitude that allows kids to abandon their other activities and strands them in front of a keyboard during every free moment. Come on, folks, it's not a choice between letting kids play to the detriment of the rest of their lives vs. not playing at all. It's about gatekeeping -- and this is where you, the parent, come in.

The truth is, categorically forbidding kids who're interested in video games to play at all is no more thoughtful or balanced an approach than throwing up your hands and letting them log in during every waking moment. Your role is to help children learn to balance their interests and lives, with as light or heavy a hand as may be necessary for your kids. This week, we've brought you some thoughts from a mother and son who've been there, done that -- together.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers

MassivelyMMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-appropriateage-limitschildrenESRBfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedguildsparental-controlsparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementTue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Now that we've established that kids aren't gaming snobs and will dig into a good Flash game with as much relish as we grownups attack any top-rung MMO title, let's look at another up-and-coming Flash title for kids. Fantage (short for "Fantastic Age") has attracted nearly 7 million users since April 2008 almost entirely by word of mouth -- how's that for kid power?

I suspect the reason Fantage tickles my 9-year-old playtester's fancy is tied to the advancements she's been making with her real-life character this summer. The achievements are flowing: she's figured out how to use the Page Up and Page Down buttons to snag [Swimming in the Deep End], she's acquired her first epic mount [Big Brother's Hand-Me-Down Bike] and she's become fascinated with the possibilities of /dance... We're even breaking away from class-specific gear sets to farm all the mats for her [Tier 4 School Supplies] individually via hotly contested minigames all over town. So while she's still utterly captivated by the sparkling magic of a game like Pixie Hollow, this evolving little personality is hooked on Fantage's opportunities to show off her own style and personality via her avatar and accessories. Different game, different flavor -- so let's investigate the attractions.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfantagefeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspixie-hollowsafe-chatTue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

I wasn't planning to include a 2-D Flash game in MMO Family's initial sweep of children's games -- but then my daughter tried Disney's Pixie Hollow. Initially dismissive of the idea of slumming it in 2-D, she found herself utterly captivated by its magpie collection quests and friendly community of players. In the eyes of this 8-year-old road tester, Pixie Hollow delivers an enjoyable, social experience in an online world ... And I was forced to admit that this world suits her own interests as well as deeply immersive MMO worlds hold mine.

We're not going to get into gender wars here. Obviously, some girls won't like the fairies theme, and we're sure grownups will continue their snarky debates over the game's recently added male characters ("sparrow men"). Beyond that, what's most apparent is that Pixie Hollow successfully snares both kids who are enthralled with the Disney Fairies franchise and those who simply enjoy a glittery, web-based spot to flutter and chatter.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenDisneyDisney-FairiesDisney-InteractiveESRBESRB-ratingfairiesfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsPixie-Hollowsparrow-manFri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Kids may not even realize they're playing an MMO (you know, one of those games that Mom and Dad talk about all the time and play after bedtime) when they log in to Toontown Online. All the traditional elements are there -- missions, combat, grouping, pets -- but they're all couched in the incomparable cartoon stylings of Disney. In fact, "couched" is probably the most apt descriptor possible, because Toontown is familiar and welcoming, just like that cozy couch you've been nestling into to watch Saturday morning cartoons for ... well, your whole life.

That's not to say that the action in Toontown is laid back. It's anything but. Kids gobble up the zany, cartoon slapstick approach to "combat" (think cream pies and banana peels) and mini-games. In fact, they'll be so busy squirting the boss in the face with their lapel flowers that they won't even realize they're "working" on levels. This is kid-flavored MMO gaming at its candy-coated best.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-goFri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Wizard101 is the game your youngest gamers have been begging for. With stringent chat filters atop relaxed, turn-based game play, Wizard101 looks almost unbeatable for young players seeking an MMO with traditional fantasy appeal. It plays like a collectible card game with all the MMO trimmings: housing, armor and clothing, player houses, pets, mini-games ... Family subscription plans plus the most complete, well presented web documentation that we've found keep parents as happy as the kids. (And they just might find themselves tempted to start a character and build their own spell decks, too!)

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-gowizard101Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Next in our look at kids' MMOs is Ether Saga Online, winner of a 2009 National Parenting Publications Award for tweens and teens video games. Compared with the freewheeling, open-ended approach of Free Realms, ESO presents a more traditional MMO face. Even so, you probably weren't expecting a work of classic literature -- but that's in fact what you'll get. ESO, which was first developed for Chinese players, is based on Journey to the West (often known in the West as Monkey), considered one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. All that, and it's free to play, too.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animechat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedJourney-to-the-Westkid-friendlykidsMonkeyparental-controlsparentsPerfect-WorldPerfect-World-EntertainmentFri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

This week, MMO Family begins a gaming-savvy look at some of the most popular kid MMOs. You know what you like in an MMO - but what about your kids? And what if you're looking for something the whole family could play together? Today's gaming family can nibble from a whole feast of MMOs: games for grownups (we can help you fence off areas for kids who want to play what Mom and Dad do), games for the little ones, games for tweens and teens, and games for everyone to play together. When it's time to find just the right selection for the kids, we'll help you reticle over the most likely targets.

First up: Free Realms from Sony Online Entertainment.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedFree-Realmskid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsSony-Online-EntertainmentStation-CashFri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

We've talked before about different ways to sniff out if an MMO is a good choice for your kids. What we haven't covered yet are the indicators that a game may not be a good fit for your family. In light of the long hours of freedom stretching before our kids when school's out (and the fact that parental oversight is more likely to be lenient, if not downright indulgent, during the holidays), we decided some yellow-light signals might be in order.

Being a gaming parent sometimes makes it tougher, not simpler, to choose the right games for kids. Constant exposure to gaming news and game names can give us a false sense of familiarity. We build assumptions about games based on what we know about the companies that produce them. What we think we know actually makes it harder to spot what we're not clued into at all.

Continue reading MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game

MassivelyMMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenESRBfamilyfeaturedfree-to-playkidsparentsratingratingsFri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Con your games like a pro]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/#commentsFiled under: ,


MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

When I first started playing MMOs in the very earliest days of EverQuest, I never quite understood my husband's rantings about the con system (i.e. to "consider" a monster's levels in relation to the player's). He can only take on light blues? Say what?! My magician's pet was putting down dark blues and whites while I ran to the kitchen for a drink. What was his problem, anyway?

Unfortunately (for my husband and monks everywhere), no matter what they say, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. And when it comes to choosing MMOs for your family, what's appropriate for one child and one family might be off the rails for another. Like keeping kids safe on the internet, the best strategy for choosing suitable games is a combination of tactics tailored to your family's likes, dislikes and needs. How can you best con the games your kids are begging to bring home?

Continue reading MMO Family: Con your games like a pro

MassivelyMMO Family: Con your games like a pro originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenESRBesrb-ratingfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkidsparentsratingssupervisionFri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What do Second Life's new content ratings actually mean?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/what-do-second-lifes-new-content-ratings-actually-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/what-do-second-lifes-new-content-ratings-actually-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/what-do-second-lifes-new-content-ratings-actually-mean/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

That's the question we've been getting asked since the announcement of the new definitions of PG, Mature, and Adults-Only content for Linden Lab's Second Life. We've been working on that question ever since. Interestingly, the new published definitions allow some content that was previously expressly forbidden.

According to Linden Lab, "Real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depiction of sexual or lewd acts involving or appearing to involve children or minors; real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depictions of sexual violence including rape, real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depictions of extreme or graphic violence, and other broadly offensive content are never allowed or tolerated within Second Life."

Well, until now.

Continue reading What do Second Life's new content ratings actually mean?

MassivelyWhat do Second Life's new content ratings actually mean? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adult-contentcultureesrblinden-labmpaaopinionsecond-lifesl-adult-contentsl-content-ratingssl-policyvirtual-worldsMon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth rated M for Mature by ESRB]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Fallen Earth is the upcoming post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game where players will soon be carving out a living in a world ravaged by viral and nuclear armageddon. Not that we really thought a game where fending off packs of mutated anarchist bikers out in the wasteland Mad Max-style was really going to be "family-oriented entertainment", but Fallen Earth LLC has now made it official.

Circatrix from the Fallen Earth team writes, "Thought you all should be the first to know that we've received our rating from the ESRB board and we're classified as an M (Mature). You'll start to see this in our ads and videos moving forward." We're glad to hear that they're not toning down the game's themes simply to reach a younger audience, and Massively will be keeping an eye on Fallen Earth as it gets closer to launch.

MassivelyFallen Earth rated M for Mature by ESRB originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circatrixentertainment-software-rating-boardesrbfallen-earthfallen-earth-llclegalmad-maxmaturemmo-industrymutantspost-apocalypticratingrating-boardratingssci-fiFri, 10 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


I'm going to hijack my own column this week to cover a topic that I believe is worth spending some space on - Age of Conan and the buzz of negative media attention it has been getting. Age of Conan's controversy spans almost all aspects of the game, from fatalities, to nudity, to even such odd things like race selection.

Now, I've written a few of these articles. I enjoy controversy as the next person and I'm always interested in seeing the opposite viewpoint. It wasn't until I started getting some very, very nice hate mail in my inbox that I began to wonder if anyone understood my own viewpoint on the matter. So, this column is dedicated to other people's opinions, my opinions, controversies and, of course, Age of Conan.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancontroversyESRBfantasyfeaturedfuncommaturemature-contentnudityparentingparentsviolenceTue, 27 May 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is user generated content the future of MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/is-user-generated-content-the-future-of-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/is-user-generated-content-the-future-of-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/is-user-generated-content-the-future-of-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


User generated content. Second Life is built on it. Other games are slowly taking up the banner as well and introducing the ideas of the players into their fold. Are we doing ourselves a favor, or are we starting to completely shoot ourselves in the foot?

MMOCrunch brought up the point that users are looking for a more customizable experience in their games and virtual worlds. They point to applications like Facebook and Unreal Tournament as examples of user generated content bringing in a huge audience and networking people like never before. Their article also goes on to look at why current MMOs don't go to the customizable lengths of these other applications. Problems stem from challenges in programming to the core inability for user generated content to be brought into a world where your actions drive a centralized plot line.

Continue reading Is user generated content the future of MMOs?

MassivelyIs user generated content the future of MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stephen King is "the man." He's one of my favorite authors and a very big reason why I'm a writer today. I've followed the ebb and flow of his career, from his meteoric rise (and eventually perpetual stay) on the New York Time's Best Seller list to the the mostly abysmal adaptations of his books to film. Anytime he talks, I tend to listen.

So you can imagine my intrigue when King, a man who has never tested the virtual waters (F13 doesn't count) with his magnificent worlds - how great would an MMO set in the world of The Dark Tower be? - voiced his opinion about the proposed Massachusetts bill to ban the sale of "violent" video games to anyone under the age of 18.

Continue reading Stephen King goes batty about video games

MassivelyStephen King goes batty about video games originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanconan-the-barbariandisneydisney-onlineentertainment-software-ratings-boardesrbmassachusettsopinionpirates-of-the-carib...prohibitionrobert-e-howardstephen-kingvideo-game-banwar-on-drugsThu, 10 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan ratings for all territories revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Today FunCom received word on the ratings for Age of Conan in each territory and what to expect in each version. Of course, we already know about the US version. The rating subject has been heavily speculated about over on the official forums for a while now. So finally getting to let the Barbarian out of the barracks must have felt good for community manager Pharamond. According to Pharamond these are not design issues, but legal requirements for the ability to sell their game in each territory.

[UPDATE] It looks like nipples will be optional in the US version, according to this post.

Continue reading Age of Conan ratings for all territories revealed

MassivelyAge of Conan ratings for all territories revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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