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[EVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/eve-online-releases-17th-expansion-inferno/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - incoming missiles
CCP is a pretty polarizing topic in MMO circles these days. Whether you love or hate the studio's flagship EVE Online title and the community that surrounds it, one thing you can't say is that the devs lack a work ethic. Today marks the release of EVE's 17th expansion, and when we say expansion, we don't mean a glorified content patch that's been dipped in PR sauce.

Inferno boasts a reworked war declaration system, substantial faction warfare updates, a new mercenary marketplace, enhanced graphics, new missile and launcher effects, and a host of other features focusing on everything from inventory to new modules and ship balancing.

CCP has also released a slick new Inferno trailer, which we have for you right after the cut.

[Source: CCP press release]

Continue reading EVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno

MassivelyEVE Online releases 17th expansion, Inferno originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-expansioneve-onlineexpansionexpansionsinfernoinferno-trailerinferno-videointernet-spaceshipsmissile-launcerssandboxsci-fitrailervideowar-declarationTue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases Welcome to New Eden video for DUST 514]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ccp-releases-welcome-to-new-eden-video-for-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ccp-releases-welcome-to-new-eden-video-for-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ccp-releases-welcome-to-new-eden-video-for-dust-514/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - one universe, one war
CCP has released a new DUST 514-focused developer video. The clip is titled Welcome to New Eden, so if you're looking for any new tidbits about the upcoming sci-fi MMOFPS, you probably won't find them here.

If you're a DUST newb, on the other hand, this one's for you, as it gives you a rundown on what sets the game apart from its legions of FPS competitors. In a nutshell, the difference-maker is EVE Online and the way that DUST integrates with a pre-existing game, economy, and playerbase on a scale that is basically unheard of.

As producer Thomas Farrer puts it, "DUST is different pretty much by virtue of what it really is. DUST is a persistent FPS on PlayStation 3. Not only is it directly linked to EVE Online, a PC MMO, it's set directly within the EVE Online universe." Warp past the cut for a look at the full clip.

Continue reading CCP releases Welcome to New Eden video for DUST 514

MassivelyCCP releases Welcome to New Eden video for DUST 514 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterthomas-farrerwelcome-to-new-edenTue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
The Inferno expansion is set to launch on Tuesday May 22nd, promising a complete revamp of EVE Online's war declaration system and a whole host of new modules. If you're in a wardec corp, you'll need to make a few adjustments to the way you operate when the patch goes live. The minimum war fee will increase to 50 million ISK even if you're declaring war on a small corporation, making very small corps less-appealing targets. The fee increases based on the number of members in the target corp, but it doesn't start increasing until around the 130-member mark. If you want to get your money's worth, you'll be best off picking a target corp with 100-150 members or selecting very high-value small targets.

Be very wary of wardeccing large alliances after the patch. While the previous war system swung in favour of the attacker, the new system has gone to the opposite extreme. Large corps and alliances are now significantly more costly and dangerous to declare war on, especially as the defender can now call mercenaries into the war at any time. Players have complained that the increasing war costs could be abused by getting all alliance members to add alts to the corp, but this would be a logistical nightmare to apply in practice and would increase fees by only a few hundred million ISK. If alt padding becomes a problem, CCP will undoubtedly step in and revise the fee structure.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the new modules and gameplay changes coming in Tuesday's Inferno expansion and give some tips on preparing for the patch.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancillaryarchaeologybhaalgornblobblobbingblueprintblueprintsccpccp-gamesdominixeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionexplorationfeaturedfleetganghackinginfernolabsmagnetometricmagsheathneutraliserpvpradarresearchsandboxsci-fishield-boostershield-tankingtanktankingtech-1tech-2wormholeSun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Previously on MV TV: The week of May 12th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-may-12th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-may-12th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-may-12th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Previously On banner
What a week of livestreaming! We've got quite the variety and tons of hours of video to watch. What's that? You had to work and missed half of the cool streams we showed? Don't worry! I gather all of the best streams from the week's collection and list them for you right here. Still, you need to bookmark our livestream page so you can see which videos are going to be shown during the week, but if you miss any, you can check out the recap here. That's why we do it.

This week we had a lot to offer. First we had good old Mike jumping into EVE Online for some space action, then into TERA for some scantily clad combat! He then explores some of the great browser-based game Drakensang Online. MJ brought a ton of goodies to the streaming table, goodies like a run-through in EverQuest II, some base-jumping in City of Heroes, a bit of hardcore survival in Xsyon, and a flight around the beautiful lands of Aion. I rounded out the end by streaming some BatMUD, a cool MUD that has been around since many of you have been in diapers!

Click past the cut and grab some popcorn. Keep the butter light but add some salt. Thanks.

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: The week of May 12th

MassivelyPreviously on MV TV: The week of May 12th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionascensionBatMUDBigpointblueholebluehole-studiosbrowser-basedccpccp-gamescity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdrakensangdrakensang-onlineen-masseen-masse-entertainmenteq-2eq-iiEQ2eqiieveeve-onlineEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedominternet-spaceshipslivestreamingmassively-streamteammassively-tvmudmv-tvmvtvnc-softncsoftnotoriousnotorious-gamesparagonparagon-studiospost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpround-uproundupsandboxsci-fantasysci-fiSOEsonySony-Online-Entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinestreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamsuperherosuperheroesteratruly-freetwitchtwitch-tvvideovideosxsyonSun, 20 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Evil Pair of Ducks v. Pair of Ducks: FIGHT
In a never-ending effort to facilitate the spread of war and destruction, the good folks at CCP have cooked up an Ally System for EVE Online's upcoming Inferno expansion -- a system that will enable players to put their services on hire or find a buddy to join them in a war. In a dev diary update today, the system was brought out into the light and displayed in detail.

Wars you're engaged in will show up in the Our Wars tab (under the Wars tab, under the Corporation tab in your Neocom), as will any wars that you're an ally in. If you're a CEO or Director, you can list yourself as Open For Allies and decide whether or not to accept offers for help -- which you should expect, naturally, to come at a price. Negotiation of prices can be carried out through normal communication channels, as the current UI allows you only to accept or decline the offer.

If trouble hasn't found you and you want to spice things up, the All Wars tab is the place for you: It's a list of, well, all active wars, with information like who's asking for an ally and wars with one or more allies. By default, the list shows the 50 most recent wars, but it's also searchable by corporation/alliance. There's an "Assitance requests only" box that you can check to speed up the sword-selling process. Once you've made an offer, possibly done some negotiating, and been accepted, you'll be counted as an ally, although you'll have to wait 24 hours to start fighting.

The purpose of this system is to give more options to defenders, introduce some risk for attackers, and provide ways for mercenaries to support themselves. There's a whole list of extra rules and explanation over on the blog proper, so be sure to check it out.

MassivelyEVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allyally-systemccpccp-gamesceos-and-directors-have-all-the-fundefenderseveeve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsmercenaryour-warssandboxsci-fisophisticated-war-systemsspreadsheets-onlinewarFri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DUST 514
Did you drop your name into CCP Games' hat as a potential tester for DUST 514? Then tomorrow might be a lovely day for you, as the studio is emailing out the first round of closed beta keys for registered participants after a short delay from its original key-handing-out schedule.

It is unknown how many keys will be sent out and to whom. Last month, CCP told Fanfest attendees that they would be among the first to test the anticipated MMOFPS. The DUST 514 website states that the studio is sending out Fanfest keys first and keys to standard registered players "soon after."

To celebrate the release of the closed beta keys, CCP is holding a "special event" over the weekend. The details of this event are forthcoming.

[Update: CCP has confirmed that beta registration has begun today and that EVE players and Fanfest attendees will get first pick.]

MassivelyDUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-keysccpccp-gamesclosed-betaconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlineeventfanfestfanfest-2012fpsin-game-eventmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3shooterweekend-eventThu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/eve-talks-smack-about-diablo-iiis-login-woes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/eve-talks-smack-about-diablo-iiis-login-woes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/eve-talks-smack-about-diablo-iiis-login-woes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

OH HELL NAW
Oh naw you didn't, girl! EVE Online is letting the trash-talk fly at the newly launched Diablo III by displaying the message "37...3007...315300: It's code for "Play EVE. Servers are up, login is fine" on the game's login screen. This, of course, is making reference to the myriad error codes that Diablo III players experienced over the course of the game's trainwreck of a launch.

We don't know whether the folks at Blizzard will bother to respond to them there fightin' words because they could be too busy rolling around in all the money they made from Diablo III to notice. But if they do deign to issue a retort, we'll be sure to let you know.

MassivelyEVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentccpccp-gamesd3diablo-3diablo-iiieveeve-onlineoh-hell-nawWed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/eve-evolved-risk-vs-reward-in-lowsec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
In EVE Online's early years, one of its core design philosophies was adherence to a strict risk vs. reward balance scheme. There were riches out there to be found, but to get them, you had to put yourself in the firing line. Police ships patrolled high-security space to keep players safe from piracy, but the only resources available there were low-bounty frigate NPCs and inexpensive ores like Veldspar, Scordite and Omber. In the lawless far-reaches of nullsec, huge NPC bounties and rare ores containing Megacyte and Zydrine tempted hundreds of pilots to head out and make their fortunes.

Nullsec offered absolutely no protection against player attacks, and the only safety to be found was in sheer military force. The biggest and best corporations hoarded these gold mines for themselves, locking down the few entrances into the regions and patrolling the skies for unwanted visitors. Low-security space offered a middle-ground between these two extremes, a place where the everyday pilot could enjoy increased income and pirates were easier to spot. At some time in the past nine years, lowsec lost its place in the game and became simply not worth the effort. But how did that happen, and what can be done to fix it?

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at why lowsec systems are now ghost towns and suggest an alternative design philosophy that I think could revitalise these under-used areas.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Risk vs. reward in lowsec originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceblast-miningbooster-manufacturingboostersccpccp-gamesconcordcriminalcriminalitydrug-manufacturingdrugseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedhighsecillegallowsecmission-runningmissionsnullsecopinionrewardriskrisk-vs-rewardsandboxsci-fismugglersmugglingSun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online: Inferno website goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/eve-online-inferno-website-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EVE Online
Pay attention: The universe is going to war on May 22nd. That's awfully nice for the universe to schedule these things and give us a heads up, don't you think? If that isn't enough, the makers of EVE Online: Inferno have given us the official expansion website with an infolicious, nougaty center.

The brand-new website has information on EVE's 17th expansion, including details on the graphics update, the war declaration system, the mercenary marketplace, the unified inventory, and more. According to the website, "Inferno invites new players with a lower barrier to entry, empowers veterans with more control over their wars, and entices combatants of all types with advanced new weaponry."

Our own EVE Online columnist Brendan has been busy covering the expansion, with analysis on Inferno's mining system and the PvP revamp.

MassivelyEVE Online: Inferno website goes live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeve-online-infernoexpansioninfernointernet-spaceshipsofficial-sitesandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinewebsiteFri, 11 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's more fun to read about this stuff than... um... well, I guess playing it still looks like reading about it.
Factional warfare isn't a part of EVE Online you hear about very often, and according to the latest design blog, that's partly because the system itself was a mess. The developers are hard at work overhauling the warfare system so that it will be easier to understand, will be more intuitive to use, and will have more substantial bonuses and penalties for factions actively participating in the war. The usability changes are small but significant, mostly centering around consolidating the system's important details under a unified naming schematic.

Turnaround time for system control is being lengthened to roughly 30 hours, but the penalties for enemy factions are also becoming more severe. Enemy factions cannot dock at stations in occupied systems, and the faction in control will be able to spend Loyalty Points to gain special upgrades so long as the system is controlled. If you like going to war in your internet spaceship but aren't really a fan of the wild frontier devoid of security, it might be worth taking a look at the newest design entry.

MassivelyEVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarieseveeve-onlinefactional-warfaregame-mechanicsinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineupdateswarfareWed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP launching EVE Online drop pod into the stratosphere tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/ccp-launching-eve-online-drop-pod-into-the-stratosphere-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not bad!
EVE Online players are well-accustomed to flitting about the depths of space in internet spaceships, but tomorrow, CCP Games will be taking its first jaunt into real-life space with the launch of a high-altitude balloon from just north of CCP headquarters.

The balloon will carry a replica EVE pod (pictured above) containing the names of EVE Online players high into Earth's stratosphere before landing (hopefully) in the middle of Kleifarvatn, a lake on the Rekhjanes peninsula in Iceland. Iceland Telecom will be providing a live video feed and GPS tracking of the balloon, and three HD cameras aboard the balloon will allow fans to view the entirety of the balloon's journey after the pod is recovered (by the Icelandic Coast Guard, no less). For the full details and links to the live video stream and GPS tracking, just head on over to the official announcement at EVE Insider.

MassivelyCCP launching EVE Online drop pod into the stratosphere tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeventeventshigh-altitude-ballooninternet-spaceshipsmiscreal-world-eventreal-world-eventssandboxsci-fiskyward-spherespreadsheets-onlineTue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/eve-evolved-nine-years-of-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Last week I celebrated the fourth anniversary of the EVE Evolved column with a competition to win one of two 30-day pilot's licenses. Congratulations to winners Dong Yi and Atrameides Denard, whose prizes have been contracted in-game. Today EVE Online itself turns nine years old, and so this week's EVE Evolved column takes a look back at the top EVE stories of the year. It's been a rollercoaster of a year for CCP, with the infamous monoclegate scandal hitting subscriptions hard during the summer and only recently starting to recover.

The drama kicked off as the much-touted Incarna expansion drew close and CCP revealed that it would contain no multiplayer elements and would introduce a microtransaction store for vanity items. Players didn't seem to mind the cash shop as long as it contained only vanity items, and CCP had previously promised that microtransactions would be limited to those types of items. When the Incarna expansion finally launched and players got a first-hand look at the cash shop, however, it became apparent that something was fundamentally wrong.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at the top EVE stories of the year, from the incredible videos and scams to the story of how CCP brought EVE Online back from the brink of disaster.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Nine years of EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayccpccp-gamesconsolecrucibledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfpsincarnainfernommofpsnine-yearnine-year-oldnine-yearsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 06 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - ship trio
The death of the subscription model has been greatly exaggerated, according to CCP. This view isn't terribly surprising if you consider the fact that the company's fortunes ebb and flow with sub-based EVE Online. What is somewhat surprising is the frankness with which EVE producer Jon Lander talks about the free-to-play mania that's gripped western dev studios in recent years.

"You look at the companies who did go free-to-play. They retrofitted it on, and that was because their games were failing. They didn't care about the tiny nugget of players who were still playing, because they knew they would get a huge number of other players and it would be more profitable," Lander told PC Gamer, before going on to explain how such a retrofit would kill EVE's essence.

Overall quality and the desire for long-term play also factor into a title's business model, Lander says. "If you have a really good game [...] and people want to spend a long time playing it, not like a month or two but like EVE players for years at a time, they're prepared to pay a subscription fee for a good quality gaming experience."

He also mentions EVE's PLEX system, which allows for real-world money to be injected into the EVE economy sans shady third-party brokers. And of course, CCP is experimenting with free-to-play via its new DUST 514 shooter, which Lander says was built from the ground up for the new business model. It's not necessarily the future, though. "People say the subscription MMO is dead. I fundamentally disagree with that. It's simply not the case," he says. Hit the jump for video excerpts from the interview.

Continue reading EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable

MassivelyEVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewsjon-landermmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinevideoThu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New CCP interview recaps recent EVE turmoil, looks forward]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/new-ccp-interview-recaps-recent-eve-turmoil-looks-forward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - battlecruiser at warp gate
"It's not our game," says CCP's Jon Lander. He's talking about EVE Online, and he makes no bones about the firm's role in the ongoing internet spaceship drama that is New Eden. "We're the janitors of it; we sweep up and make sure the power's still running and whatever, but it's their game. EVE is the sum history of their personal interactions, and we don't own that. We just look after it."

The "their" Lander refers to is the game's playerbase, of course, and he tells GamesIndustry.biz that despite the turmoil of the last 12 months, the EVE property is none the worse for wear (and in fact it may be getting stronger due to a design re-focus and the imminent arrival of DUST 514).

Ultimately the interview brings no new information to the table, but it does serve as a handy recap of recent EVE events. It also offers up more than a few juicy quotes from both Lander and lead game designer Kristoffer "CCP Soundwave" Touborg.

MassivelyNew CCP interview recaps recent EVE turmoil, looks forward originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-soundwaveconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewjon-landerkristoffer-touborgmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterThu, 03 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![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[CCP analyzes EVE's Jita player event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ccp-analyzes-eves-jita-player-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online - Jita heatmap
If you warped into EVE Online's Jita merchant hub last week, chances are you didn't make it out alive. If you were plying your trade elsewhere in New Eden, the much-hyped "Burn Jita" campaign likely didn't even register on your radar.

It registered on CCP's, though, as shown by the company's latest EVE-focused dev blog. As per usual, there are a bunch of pretty graphs and plenty of tech-speak. There's also some verbiage related to TiDi (time dilation), which is CCP's way of dealing with massive concentrations of players in its single-shard universe. It's worth noting that since the devs had advance warning of this particular player-run event, they were able to beef up EVE's server infrastructure to handle the increased load. You can read all the technical details on the game's official website.

MassivelyCCP analyzes EVE's Jita player event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burn-jitaccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinegriefinginternet-spaceshipsplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsci-fiuser-generated-contentWed, 02 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online celebrates nine years of internet spaceships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/eve-online-celebrates-nine-years-of-internet-spaceships/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online
Break out the cake and presents because EVE Online is turning nine years old on May 6th! That's right, the internet's premier spaceship/spreadsheet simulator is almost a decade old, and CCP Games is doing it up big-time with this year's anniversary gift packages.

Beginning on May 4th, players will have the opportunity to choose one of eight fabulous prize packages that include goodies such as ships, skill books, implants, mining crystals, and more. To take a look at all of the wonderful goodie bags that CCP has prepared for you, just head on over to the EVE Online official dev blog and check out the full announcement.

MassivelyEVE Online celebrates nine years of internet spaceships originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9th-anniversaryanniversaryccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeventeventsgiftgift-packgift-packagegift-packagesgift-packsgiftsinternet-spaceshipsninth-anniversarysandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineMon, 30 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
On April 27th, 2008, I joined the Massively crew and published the first edition of a new weekly column dedicated to the world of EVE Online. It's hard to believe that the EVE Evolved column is now four years old, spanning nine major expansions and predating CCP Games' transformation into an industry giant with three games in development. Since the column's first crude scribbling about shuttles, I've written over 200 in-depth articles, guides, stories, and opinion pieces. With its free expansions and iterative updates, EVE is a rapidly changing game that provides a constant supply of things to write about.

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the column, I'm giving away two 30-day Pilot's License EXtensions to two lucky readers. To enter the competition, leave a comment stating which EVE Evolved article from this year is your favourite, and why it's your favorite, and what topic you'd like to see covered in the coming year. You will need an active EVE account to claim the prize, so be sure to include a character name with your comment if you want to be able to win a prize. If you're not comfortable with giving out your character name, use an alternate character or sign up a new trial account. The winners' names will be revealed in next week's column.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at some of the highlights from the column's fourth year.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryapocryphaccpccp-gamescolumnconsolecontestcrucibledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfour-yearfour-year-anniversaryfour-yearsfpsincarnainfernommofpsnyphurplaystationplaystation-3plexps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/eve-onlines-csm-7-looks-toward-the-future-opens-communication/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online
EVE Online's CSM 7 took office earlier this month on April 4th, and the Council of Stellar Management is now officially in business. Today, the members of the CSM have released a letter outlining their plans and philosophies for the future. They first take the opportunity to announce their CSM officer choices, revealing Seleene as the CSM Chairman, Trebor Daehdoow as Vice-Chairman, Two Step as the CSM Secretary, and Hans Jagerblitzen as Vice-Secretary.

The letter then takes a moment to address the upcoming CSM 7 summit, which will be taking place between May 30th and June 1st. The CSM members note that "the summit will be a major opportunity to provide community input as CCP develops [its] plans for the Winter Expansion," and they encourage players to make their voices heard. But how? Well, the letter states that "one thing that CSM 7 will be doing differently than past CSMs is directly communicating with the players as much as possible" through a variety of media, including in-game chat, the CSM member blog, Twitter, and monthly Town Hall meetings, the first of which will be taking place in-game on May 19th. So get out there, players. Now's your chance to make your voices heard and to shape the future of the EVE Online galaxy.

MassivelyEVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcouncil-of-stellar-management-7csmcsm-7eveeve-onlineinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend
Oh, Tribes: Ascend, if only you were an MMO.

Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendccpccp-gamesconsolecustom-serverscustom-sharddustdust-514e-sportesporteveeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studioshistoricalmmofpsopinionplaneplanesplaystationplaystation-3private-serverprivate-serversprivate-shardsps3pvpraid-and-pillageshootertanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstribestribes-ascendtribes-ascend-raid-and-pillagetribes-clan-servertribes-custom-servertribes-mmotribes-private-servertribes-raid-and-pillagetribes-universewarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-tanksworld-of-warplaneswotwowpFri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redeem your EVE Fanfest code for DUST 514 beta access]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/redeem-your-eve-fanfest-code-for-dust-514-beta-access/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/redeem-your-eve-fanfest-code-for-dust-514-beta-access/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/redeem-your-eve-fanfest-code-for-dust-514-beta-access/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - battlefield concept art
CCP is being rather selective with its invites to DUST 514's ongoing beta test. That said, if you attended Fanfest 2012 last month, you can now redeem a closed beta voucher code and get on with the sci-fi sandbox fragging.

You'll need one of the code cards given out at Fanfest, and you'll need to enter the numbers on the new redeem page at the DUST 514 website. Once you've done so, you'll be placed in a queue to receive your actual beta code via email. CCP says it will begin sending out said codes "very soon, hopefully as early as the week of May 7, 2012."

MassivelyRedeem your EVE Fanfest code for DUST 514 beta access originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514dust-514-betadust-514-beta-codesdust-betadust-closed-betaeveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3redeem-dust-beta-codesandboxshooterFri, 27 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 dev blog outlines dynamic battlefield mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/dust-514-dev-blog-outlines-dynamic-battlefield-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/dust-514-dev-blog-outlines-dynamic-battlefield-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/dust-514-dev-blog-outlines-dynamic-battlefield-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - Battlefield long shot
Most FPS titles feature static mission areas, says CCP's CmdrWang. Over time, players memorize layouts, spawn locations, and objectives because nothing ever changes. Not so in DUST 514, the upcoming EVE Online-based MMOFPS.

CCP is bringing its sci-fi sandbox design chops to the shooter space, and the company has broken down its dynamic battlefield concept in a new DUST dev blog. Each DUST planet will be divided into separate districts, which are basically large territories that contain resources and infrastructure needed to control the world. While planetary landscapes remain static, these districts can vary quite a bit from one deployment to the next based on what has happened in previous engagements and based on player placement decisions in regard to battlefield equipment.

Memorizing the maps won't give you a huge advantage, CmdrWang says, because you may find a new choke point or structure clogging up your previous short-cut. Read more about DUST's emergent battlefield play at the official PlayStation blog.

MassivelyDUST 514 dev blog outlines dynamic battlefield mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-cmdr-wangccp-gamescmdr-wangcmdrwangconsoledustdust-514dust-battlefield-dynamicsdust-dev-blogdust-dev-diarydynamic-battlefieldseveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3shooterThu, 26 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/eves-escalation-patch-brings-new-status-bar-missile-effects-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - new missile effects
It's patch day in New Eden. Today's Escalation update is the first step on the road to next month's Inferno expansion, so CCP has rolled out a new dev diary video to give all you internet spaceship jockeys a heads-up on the more pertinent changes.

Lead designer CCP Soundwave is today's talking head. He takes us through the changes to the drone regions, which CCP hopes will revitalize EVE Online's mining trade. "Mining will actually be done through mining rather than shooting NPCs," Soundwave deadpans.

Incursion spawns and payouts are also being tweaked, though Soundwave doesn't spend much time on that particular detail in this video. He does show off EVE's new effect bar, though. Prior to the patch, pilots needed to hunt down aggressors via the game's overview, but now there's a little status bar above the hull/armor/shield readout that displays pertinent combat info at a glance.

Finally, CCP has been hard at work revamping EVE's missile effects. The tweaks follow on from last year's turret upgrades to bring even more visual ooohs and ahhhs to EVE's combat. More details are available in the clip after the cut.

[Update: While the missile effects are featured in the video, we've changed the title of the article to reflect the fact that they're not live yet. We've also flogged ourselves accordingly.]

Continue reading EVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated]

MassivelyEVE's Escalation video talks new status bar, missile effects, and more [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-mankillerccp-soundwaveescalationescalation-patcheveeve-effect-bareve-escalationeve-missile-effectseve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsnew-edensandboxsci-fiTue, 24 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/eve-evolved-mining-returns-with-inferno/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Inferno is right around the corner, with the Escalation to Inferno patch due to hit in two days on Tuesday, April 24th. The patch prepares EVE Online for the coming PvP apocalypse with titan balance tweaks, a new interactive status effect bar, and two very important changes to the NPC drop tables: Manufacturable tech 1 modules will be removed from NPC drop tables, and Rogue Drone NPCs will have their mineral drops replaced with ISK bounties. These are changes players have been suggesting for years, and together they have the potential to bring back mining as one of the most profitable professions in EVE.

If someone asked you where all the minerals come from to build the thousands of ships destroyed in EVE on a daily basis, you might say that you assume most of it comes from mined ore. Mining was originally the biggest source of minerals in the game and one of the most profitable professions, but over the years, that's changed. When level 4 missions added an infinite source of battleship-sized NPCs to high-security space, mission-running quickly overtook mining as the most profitable profession, and bizarrely, as a very good source of minerals. When the drone regions were later released, ratting there also became a huge mineral faucet far in excess of that produced through mining.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the problems faced by mining as a source of minerals and speculate on what will happen to mining as a profession when the Inferno expansion hits.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mining returns with Inferno originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesescalationescalation-to-infernoeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedhulkindustrialindustryinfernologisticsmineralsminersminingnullsecopinionorerorqualsandboxsci-fizydrineSun, 22 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In the increasingly diminishing field of subscription-only MMOs, two distinct camps have formed. There is the Old Guard that has its established playerbase and is simply not interested in jumping on board the F2P train, and then there are the New Kids on the Block (which would make an excellent band name, by the way), who argue that their premium features and AAA content warrant a subscription in the F2P age.

A few years ago, doing a list of the final few F2P holdouts would have been a ridiculous proposition, but now it's actually difficult to get to 10 of these. Each company has a different reason that it hasn't given these games more flexible payment options (FPO should replace F2P; pass it on!), and while some have addressed this publicly, others say nothing and leave us to speculate on it.

For today's Perfect Ten, we're going to look at the 10 biggest current F2P holdouts in the industry and muse about what's going on behind the scenes. Will this list be impossible to do in a few years or will subscription-only titles come back in a big way? Hey, I don't predict things; I just make lists.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionAndy-Cataldoasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcamelotccpccp-gamesclassic-mmoconsoleconsolesdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsendless-trialeveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfpsfree-to-playhumorinternet-spaceshipsKai-Schoberlord-britishlucasartsmmofpsmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenplanetsidepsps1pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararounduprvrsandboxsci-fiscott-hartsmansoesony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuowarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP shows off seven years of DUST 514 skill training]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ccp-shows-off-seven-years-of-dust-514-skill-training/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ccp-shows-off-seven-years-of-dust-514-skill-training/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ccp-shows-off-seven-years-of-dust-514-skill-training/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - skill page
CCP recently said that it would take seven years to max out every skill in its DUST 514 MMOFPS. If you want to see what that improbable feat looks like on a DUST character screen, head to fansite DUST514.org (or check out the video clip behind the cut).

"Much like in real life, and in EVE Online, we don't expect that a player will master all of these skills," explains CCP marketing guru David Reid. Specialization is the name of DUST 514's skill game, and Reid says that most players will probably choose a few skills and "get really, really good at them."

DUST isn't just about skills, though. It's an MMO, and an MMO means gear, so the game will launch with upwards of a thousand items (the vast majority of which can be lost in battle). How do you manage and equip these items? Through the fitting screen, of course, and today's video gives us a good look at the system in action.

Continue reading CCP shows off seven years of DUST 514 skill training

MassivelyCCP shows off seven years of DUST 514 skill training originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledavid-reiddustdust-514dust-514-character-skills-videodust-514-videodust-character-skillsdust-fitting-screendust-videoeveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3shootervideoThu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Still arguably a bit less than visceral combat.
If you're playing EVE Online, you are going to lose a ship sooner or later. It's as inevitable as the tides. Sometimes you'll be outnumbered and outgunned, and while that can be frustrating, there's no real shame in it. But when you're having your ship locked in place by an attacker you can't see and you don't actually know what's happening, that is a different matter. It's particularly infuriating, and it's something that the game's next update is aiming to fix.

Starting with the next patch, the new Effects Bar will show a quick overview of all the effects currently in place on your ship as well as the source of same. So if there are two people attacking you, an icon will pop up, and you'll be able to target and counterattack appropriately rather than fumble through more clumsy interface methods. If the blog entry explaining the system isn't clear enough for you, check out the short preview video just past the break.

Continue reading EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship

MassivelyEVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesescalationeveeve-onlinefunctionsgame-mechanicsgame-systemsinterfaceinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinesystemsuiupdatesuser-interfacevideovideosWed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fansite details DUST 514 newbie experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/fansite-details-dust-514-newbie-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/fansite-details-dust-514-newbie-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/fansite-details-dust-514-newbie-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - merc battlefield concept art
Fansite DUST514.org has the best introductory info dump we've seen to date regarding CCP's upcoming DUST 514 MMOFPS.

The sci-fi shooter is, of course, set in EVE Online's New Eden universe, but how exactly does the new player experience look and feel? That question is answered at length on the site's latest blog post. Dropsuits and dropsuit fittings are covered in detail, as is DUST's complex skill system.

Also noteworthy are the tidbits relating to missions and PvP. DUST, like EVE, starts newbs off in high-security space, where there are plenty of NPC corporations willing to hand out mercenary contracts. These aren't just bot matches, though, as you'll go up against other players who have chosen to work for competing corporations. The blog also delves into DUST's version of blueprint originals and blueprint copies as they relate to gear acquisition, not to mention a host of other interesting topics.

MassivelyFansite details DUST 514 newbie experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514dust-514-new-player-experiencedust-new-player-experiencedust-newbiedust-newbseveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxshooterTue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
EVE Online's new Inferno expansion is almost here, bringing with it a massive PvP revamp. CCP will try to resurrect the dead faction warfare system, and new modules will be introduced to significantly shake up the PvP landscape for the first time in several years. The war declaration system is also getting a complete overhaul, with the goal of forcing the aggressor to commit to the war and making wars more structured and meaningful. Unfortunately, the implementation described at Fanfest doesn't look like it will achieve that and doesn't fix any of the system's other problems.

The attacking corp can no longer stop a war mid-week, and the defender can hire mercenaries to join his war, but this doesn't add any risk for the attacking corp and doesn't force it to commit. The attacker can always stop paying the war bill, and the war will then finish at the end of the week. As most empire wardecs are initiated by small shell corps full of PvP alts, the attacking players won't mind logging out for a few days if the war backfires. The current war system is plagued with issues, from a complete lack of victory conditions to the fact that the attacker can pay for the war indefinitely. It allows bizarre asymmetries, like tiny alt corps declaring war on major military alliances, and offers no way for even the most militarily powerful defender to win the war.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I lay out some of the problems with EVE Online's upcoming wardec revamp and propose an alternative system that fixes them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeve-universityexpansionfanfestfeaturedgame-designinfernopvpsandboxsci-fiwarwardecSun, 15 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Internet spaceships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/one-shots-internet-spaceships/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

One Shots
EVE Online is one of those polarizing games that seems to spark debate at every mention, but even if you're not a fan of the game's mechanics, there's no denying that the game's visuals are breathtaking. Infamous EVE pirate Helicity Boson sent in today's highlighted screenshot with this note:
Today I come to you with an amazing screenshot taken during a joint operation with several of Shadow Cartel's friends who happened to have trapped an unsuspecting super capital pilot. The visuals were just... amazing. There are a few more on my site, machine9.net. I hope you'll share this with the world!
Helicity's screenshot and two more starship-themed pics are tucked behind the break!

Continue reading One Shots: Internet spaceships

MassivelyOne Shots: Internet spaceships originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bring-back-one-shotsccpccp-gamescrypticcryptic-studioseveeve-onlinef2pfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryinternet-spaceshipsone-shotsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwereader-screenshotsreader-submissionssandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsspacespaceshipspaceshipsspreadsheets-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestarshipstarshipsstouser-submissionsSun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Shooter news roundup
Dude, there was a ton of big shooter news this week!

I mean, this isn't terribly unusual, particularly since the genre is expanding at a rapid rate, but when I've got to cut interesting items out of this column for length reasons, you know it's been an eventful few days.

Join me after the break for a recap on everything from Firefall to Defiance to John Romero and beyond.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconconsoleconventioncounter-strike-online-2cso2defiancedefiance-trailerdustdust-514eveeve-onlineexpof2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-cinematicfirefall-opening-cinematicfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhalldor-fannarjohn-romerommo-shootermmofpsnews-roundupopinionpaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-expoplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpred-5red-5-studiosroundupsci-fishootershooter-news-roundupshooter-rounduptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstriontrion-worldswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online offers video cards for PLEX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/eve-online-offers-video-cards-for-plex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/eve-online-offers-video-cards-for-plex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/eve-online-offers-video-cards-for-plex/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online
Are you in the market for a video card? Are you an internet spaceship pilot? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then boy are you ever in luck. As you may have already heard at Fanfest 2012, CCP and NVIDIA have teamed up to bring EVE Online players a new initiative that will allow them to trade in their PLEX for new video cards.

That's right, players will be able exchange 20 PLEX for a shiny new GeForce GTX 560 video card, courtesy of NVIDIA. The supplies are limited to 100 video cards for now, and players are limited to a single video card purchase per account. The folks at CCP note that the reason for the limited quantities is because they are "proceeding carefully... to enable [the studio] to evaluate any impacts of this unique and innovative offer on the EVE economy, and understand any challenges arising from this form of exchange of game world currency for real world goods." So get to it, space cowboys, and earn yourself a new shiny.

MassivelyEVE Online offers video cards for PLEX originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinegeforceinternet-spaceshipsnvidiaplexsandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinevideo-cardvideo-cardsWed, 11 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 dev blog details vehicle roles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/dust-514-dev-blog-details-vehicle-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/dust-514-dev-blog-details-vehicle-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/dust-514-dev-blog-details-vehicle-roles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - Jef's Gallente dropship, and no, you can't have one
DUST 514 isn't at PAX this weekend, which probably explains CCP's strategic reveal of a new dev blog earlier this afternoon. We knew that the MMOFPS will boast a number of similarities to its EVE Online sibling (like the fitting screens, factions, and lore); one thing we didn't know, though, was that DUST will also repurpose vehicle hulls in a decidedly EVE-like way.

Many EVE ships share the same hull visuals despite having radically different performance envelopes and combat roles, and DUST vehicles will definitely follow that trend, according to CCP's Cmdr Wang.

DUST vehicles will also be powered by a capacitor (which should seem awfully familiar to you capsuleer types). Cap management will therefore play a vital role in the new game just as it does in the old. Finally, DUST's vehicle skill system also takes a page out of EVE's book. Today's dev blog finishes up with a look at a couple of high-level vehicle skills as well as some verbiage on module customization.

MassivelyDUST 514 dev blog details vehicle roles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cap-managementcapacitor-managementccpccp-gamescmdr-wangconsoledustdust-514dust-vehicle-customizationdust-vehicleseveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishootervehicle-rolesvehiclesFri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Can you hate EVE and love DUST?
Hoo boy, CCP and EVE Online.

Wait, what? Isn't this Massively's shooter column? Well, yes, yes it is, and if you weren't already aware, CCP has made a shooter called DUST 514 set in the EVE universe. I bring this up for two reasons. One, I'm really looking forward to the game (as I might have mentioned last time). Two, CCP has taken some lumps in the PR department over the past couple of weeks primarily because of its annual alcohol-fueled sausage-fest.

I'm not going to rehash cyber-bully scandals today, but since e-thug players will undoubtedly have some sort of DUST presence, and since DUST shares certain unforgiving gameplay tenets with its sister title, should those of you who love sandbox shooters but hate EVE Online even bother with the game?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsolecyber-bullydustdust-514eveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlinefeaturedfiring-linefpsinternet-spaceshipsmittanimittani-cyber-bullymmofpsopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpsandboxsci-fishootersociopaths-in-spacetflthe-firing-linethe-mittanithird-person-shootertpsFri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE launches in Japan, adds multilingual search tool]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/eve-launches-in-japan-adds-multilingual-search-tool/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/eve-launches-in-japan-adds-multilingual-search-tool/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/eve-launches-in-japan-adds-multilingual-search-tool/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online - shieldship wallpaper
Japanese sandbox fans are saying domo arigato this morning as CCP and Nexon have officially launched a localized version of EVE Online in the land of the rising sun.

Japan boasts the world's fourth largest gaming community, and CCP has added it to an impressive list of conquests that include English-, Chinese-, Russian-, and German-speaking markets. The company is handling all of the game-related conversion tasks via its in-house localization system, while Nexon is responsible for various marketing and support initiatives.

CCP has also added a multilingual search tool to the EVE client. The new functionality "helps weld the disparate language groups present in EVE into a more global and unified game experience -- truly demonstrating the impact and value of the single shard server model," says senior producer Jon Lander.

[Source: CCP press release]

MassivelyEVE launches in Japan, adds multilingual search tool originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-japaneve-nexoneve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsjapanese-evejon-landerlocalizationmultilingual-search-toolnew-edennexonnexon-evesandboxsci-fisingle-serversingle-shardTue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/ccp-reiterates-anti-pay-to-win-stance-for-eve-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/ccp-reiterates-anti-pay-to-win-stance-for-eve-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/ccp-reiterates-anti-pay-to-win-stance-for-eve-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CCP's Tori Frans Olafsson
CCP has been pretty quiet on the subject of microtransactions since last summer's monoclegate and the ensuing Jita protests. EVE Online creative director Torfi Frans Olafsson recently spoke up about the trendy new business model, and while he acknowledged that it is popular, he also said that CCP is "very reluctant to do that in EVE because it's so established. It's like changing the DNA of a living organism after it's born. That didn't work in Blade Runner," he tells PC Gamer.

Olafsson also repeats the anti-pay-to-win mantra that comes standard in just about every developer interview these days. He says that CCP will sell cosmetic items in EVE, including makeovers for your avatar, ship, and starbase. Given the fact that players will be purchasing weapons and gear in DUST 514 (which will interface directly with EVE's pre-existing economy), we've no doubt it will be interesting to see how CCP maintains that delicate balance.

"I think we have to be very careful in introducing such mechanics into EVE. And I personally think that we shouldn't be doing it in the near future," Olafsson says, "because it's such a vulnerable little flower in a vulnerable little ecosystem. You make minor changes to an ecosystem and you can introduce hostile things and the whole system breaks down."

Check out the video interview after the cut.

Continue reading CCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions

MassivelyCCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-torfifransconsoledustdust-514economyeveeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2012eve-microtransactionseve-onlineeve-rmtfanfest-2012fpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewmicrotransactionsmmofpsnew-edenplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishootertorfi-frans-olafssonvideoTue, 03 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online fixes boomerang exploit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/eve-online-fixes-boomerang-exploit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/eve-online-fixes-boomerang-exploit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/eve-online-fixes-boomerang-exploit/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EVE Online
Pilots looking to duck the long arm of the law in high-security space will need to find another way to perform their nefarious deeds, as EVE Online released a patch today fixing the so-called "boomerang exploit."

CCP considered it an official and actionable game exploit to avoid CONCORD retaliation in high-security space by attacking a target right after the aggressor warps away or within the same grid in which the player earned a Global Criminal Countdown. Those who used the exploit prior to the fix could have found themselves dealing with a much scarier force than CONCORD: game masters themselves. Now, any player with a GCC will simply be unable to warp away.

Other than keeping boomerangs in the hands of kangaroos where they belong, Crucible patch 1.6.3 contains a few localization fixes, the ability to add a station as a waypoint or destination through the API, and some pesky client crashing issues.

MassivelyEVE Online fixes boomerang exploit originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boomerangboomerang-exploitbugccpccp-gamescruciblecrucible-1.6.3eveeve-onlineexploitexploit-fixfixinternet-spaceshipspatch-1.6.3sandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineMon, 02 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Setting the record straight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/eve-evolved-setting-the-record-straight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/eve-evolved-setting-the-record-straight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/eve-evolved-setting-the-record-straight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
On Monday the story broke that EVE Online's new CSM 7 chairman The Mittani said something extremely controversial during the Fanfest alliance panel. The story rapidly spread across the major games industry blogs, and in true telephone-game-style, it got progressively more bizarre with each version. The most disheartening part of it all was the absolute deluge of comments suggesting that the EVE community is made entirely of sociopaths and griefers. If you think that EVE has a poor community, start a trial and ask random people to help you out. You'll be surprised by what I think is the friendliest and most tightly knit MMO community on the planet.

Jester's Trek wrote an article attributing part of the whole Fanfest debacle to the various different personas that The Mittani embodies. Jester described how The Mittani wears three hats: EVE spymaster and ruthless Goon leader The Mittani, CSM chairman Mittens, and the real-life person Alex. Jester asserts that these three personas clash terribly and may be incompatible and that the alliance panel talk slip-up was made from the perspective of The Mittani and not his CSM persona.

In this week's EVE Evolved opinion piece, I drill down into some of the details of the recent drama, from the proliferation of media coverage to exactly what line was crossed.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Setting the record straight

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Setting the record straight originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogblogsccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedgaming-mediainfernomittanisandboxsci-fithe-mittaniSun, 01 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - DUST 514 Fanfest 2012 highlights
Oh man, this back and forth between PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 is going to be the death of me. I feel like I'm cheating on one game every time I get excited about the other, but I just can't help it since both titles are drawing a bead on my personal sweet spot.

This week's Firing Line is all DUST all the time, thanks to the massive info dump at last weekend's Fanfest 2012 event. I didn't get to go to Iceland for the hands-on, unfortunately, but I did log into PlayStation Home for the keynote livestream (which is archived after the cut in case you missed it).

And I'll go ahead and beg your forgiveness for my fanboy breathlessness in advance this week. I've been an EVE Online player for a number of years now, so I'm already enamored of both the DUST universe and CCP's propensity for sandbox mechanics. What I didn't know prior to Fanfest, though, was just how deep the rabbit hole's going to go.

Continue reading The Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition

MassivelyThe Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-fanfest-2012ccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlinefanfestfanfest-2012featuredfiring-linefpsgame-mechanicsinternet-spaceshipsmmofpsopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpsandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinetflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsFri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online declares war (more efficiently)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/eve-online-declares-war-more-efficiently/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/eve-online-declares-war-more-efficiently/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/eve-online-declares-war-more-efficiently/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online
Team Super Friends is hard at work living up to its name by bringing liberty, justice, and wholesale carnage to the EVE Online community. As the team prepares for May's Inferno expansion, it's tackling a reworking of the War Declaration system.

According to a new EVE dev blog, the system wasn't exactly broken, but it was underutilized and wasn't always working as intended. As a result, the team took the system apart, examined it thoroughly, and put it back together with a few improvements aimed at making the act of declaring and waging war between corps clearer and easier to understand.

These improvements to War Declaration include modifying how costs are calculated, eliminating automatically retracting wars, and putting a time limit on conflicts. Wars will go on for a week, after which the declarer can choose to pay to prolong it or end it right then and there. An informative War Report will help players understand the forces engaged, losses sustained so far, and the history of a corp's past wars.

The blog ends with a FAQ on the changes culled from the recent Fanfest.

MassivelyEVE Online declares war (more efficiently) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdev-blogdev-diaryeveeve-onlinefanfestinfernointernet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineteam-super-friendswar-declarationwar-declaration-systemThu, 29 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST