Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[WildStar launches the Protogames Initiative]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/03/wildstar-launches-the-protogames-initiative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/03/wildstar-launches-the-protogames-initiative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/03/wildstar-launches-the-protogames-initiative/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I would have liked to see how this played out.
WildStar players have fought off the machinations of the Entity, the depravities of their enemy faction, and the vicious wildlife of Nexus. Yet they've never had to face the centerpiece of the newest patch, the Protostar Corporation. Admittedly, taking part in the all-new Protogames isn't quite the same as taking on an ancient evil, but the two new dungeons added with this patch are both meant to test player abilities, with a low-level run through Protogames Academy conveying gameplay concepts while the Ultimate Protogames provide an assortment of new challenges.

Not that there aren't plenty of other things for players to experience as well. The patch also contains new housing options, allowing you to edit the terrain of your home, and the character chop shop to let you re-edit facial details and the like. Players can also take on a brand-new Shiphand mission or run the Veteran difficulties of existing Shiphand missions, earning valuable Renown to take to the new Renown vendor. There's plenty to be done with the latest patch, so get in there and enjoy the games.

Continue reading WildStar launches the Protogames Initiative

MassivelyWildStar launches the Protogames Initiative originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Feb 2015 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A memorial to a site that's waving goodbye would be nice, guys.
There are a lot of holiday events in World of Warcraft this month. February contains the Lunar Festival, Love is in the Air, the Darkmoon Faire... heck, it's also going to be the month that the next major raid opens up. Luckily for avid World of Warcraft players, the official site has put together a comprehensive schedule of the month's festivities, starting with the Valentine's Day event and the new raid opening tomorrow.

Astute readers will note that Blizzard suggests players prepare for patch 6.1 with no hints about when it's coming out. Whether this means it's going to be later in the month or won't be dropping until March remains to be seen. Then again, the raiding crowd will have plenty to do through the month with Blackrock Foundry, and if you like holiday events, you've got several of those coming around as well.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft outlines February's events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ravagers
Last last week, BioWare community manager Eric Musco wrote a detailed post regarding a recent exploit that's plagued the PvE endgame for Star Wars: The Old Republic, explaining the planned punishments and the team's reasoning behind them.

"We didn't take these actions lightly," Musco posts, "and reviewed every account to determine where we could be lenient. From our end, this was a no win situation. We feel responsible for allowing the exploit to occur and remain in the game for an unreasonable length of time, but we also cannot and will not condone cheating."

Penalties applied to the affected accounts ranged from a warning and one day ban to even full and permanent suspensions. Musco finished up the post by encouraging players to continue to report potential exploits as soon as they are found.

MassivelySWTOR dishes out punishment for a major exploit originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Being the champion after all.
I mentioned a while back that it was kind of neat how the whole setup of Final Fantasy XIV had come full circle. At the start of the 2.0 patch cycle we were scurrying away from tonberries and bashing our heads against Demon Wall; in the final patch, we're back to both of those spots, along with the oft-seen and never-explored Keeper of the Lake in the midst of Mor Dhona's wreckage. It's a neat counterpoint.

Having played through all of the dungeons now, well, you get to rescue tonberries. That alone makes the last set of dungeons worthy.

As in every set of dungeons, there are winners and losers amidst the bosses, good points and bad ones. The dungeons as a whole are very reluctant to let you do much speeding through, with pulls being pretty aggressively gated. So let's talk mechanics, let's talk atmosphere, and let's carefully coach you through the process of kicking the crap out of your final expert roulette competitors.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV 2.5 dungeons

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV 2.5 dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdungeondungeon-guidedungeon-mechanicsdungeonsendgameendgame-dungeonsfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivguideguidesmog-logopinionsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logMon, 26 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar explores the design of Veteran Shiphand missions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/wildstar-explores-the-design-of-veteran-shiphand-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/wildstar-explores-the-design-of-veteran-shiphand-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/wildstar-explores-the-design-of-veteran-shiphand-missions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Better late than never, although better earlier than now.
Veteran Shiphand missions are coming to WildStar, and that's great, but their design also posed a lot of unique challenges to the design team. Those challenges are outlined in the game's most recent development diary, starting with a core set of assumptions that had to be true for these missions: They had to remain scalable, they had to still be soloable, and they had to offer appropriate rewards. This meant making challenging combat that could scale up or down for party sizes and didn't require tanks, healers, or pre-made groups.

To settle nicely into the gap between other solo content and Veteran Adventures, the Shiphand missions reward Renown even for solo play, as well as various appropriate bells and whistles for higher medal performance. Renown vendors will soon sell variety of gear as well as social items to ensure that playing through feels rewarding. Veteran difficulty will also offer remixed elements of the missions to give players a taste of something novel even if they've been through the base mission before. If you've been looking for more scaling content in the game, this one's for you.

MassivelyWildStar explores the design of Veteran Shiphand missions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We dominated the endgame for months and all we got was captured by Mamool Ja.
The day that Final Fantasy XIV players have waited for is finally here. Patch 2.5 has gone live, and it brings with it a host of improvements and additions to the game. The full patch notes also contain no shortage of items that had previously been held back from the preliminary notes, including new crafting recipes, new vendor wares, and new items available for quick exploration ventures.

While this is only the first part of the game's 2.5 patch series, it includes three new dungeons, the new World of Darkness raid, three new trials, and the first half of the pre-Heavensward story conclusion. The servers are up and running, so if you have the day off or just don't have to go to work yet, you can get a jump on all of the new endgame content and start working your way through everything that's been added. Otherwise you can console yourself with the patch notes.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV patch 2.5 is live originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the wake of WildStar's rocky first half year, some players have defended the game's self-destructive gameplay decisions by declaring traditional gameplay tropes "niche." It's meant to be a niche game for that tiny niche of hardcore raiders, defenders argue, and therefore criticism is unwarranted. And in the sense that apparently a very small proportion of MMORPG fans actually participate in raiding (unless forced?), they're right. But that hasn't stopped most themepark MMOs since EverQuest from brandishing raids as a mostly inadequate talisman to ward off playerbase churn. Even if we outright refuse to raid, most of the MMOs we play are designed around raiders and raiding. It's easy to not raid, but raiding is hard to ignore because it's not being treated as niche by so many of the biggest titles and studios.

The disconnect between development plans and playerbase desires is reflected in this same disconnect between what we think of as a niche MMO feature and what actually is niche by the numbers. How would you sort it out? If raids, one of the core and defining features of so many themeparks, are niche, then what isn't niche? What exactly constitutes a niche MMO feature?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What constitutes a 'niche' MMO feature? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These preliminary patch notes are a blessing and a curse.
Ladies, gentlemen, and those who fall into neither category: The end approaches swiftly. Final Fantasy XIV's last pre-expansion patch is about to drop, and just like the bass, it won't be the same afterward. Tomorrow you've got a whole lot of new content to play through, enough to probably keep you well occupied for the next three months. The fact that the second portion of the patch will be dropping in about a month just makes it all the more occupying.

As we've done many times before, today's column is meant chiefly to take apart the patch elements we know of and get you up to speed so you can start playing without any issues once you can log in again. So let's start in on the first part of Before the Fall, complete with its new mystery trial and the promise of many revelations. Even if the big fireworks are coming in March.

Continue reading The Mog Log: A primer for Final Fantasy XIV patch 2.5

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A primer for Final Fantasy XIV patch 2.5 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdungeondungeonsendgamefantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-2.5final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsloremog-logopinionpatchpatchessquaresquare-enixsquenixstorythe-mog-logupdateupdatesMon, 19 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV drops the preliminary patch notes for patch 2.5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/final-fantasy-xiv-drops-the-preliminary-patch-notes-for-patch-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/final-fantasy-xiv-drops-the-preliminary-patch-notes-for-patch-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/final-fantasy-xiv-drops-the-preliminary-patch-notes-for-patch-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's coming down.
The patch notes for Final Fantasy XIV always include a surprise or two. Yes, the preliminary patch notes for patch 2.5 are out, and they contain lots of things that players had known to expect. But aside from the three new dungeons, the World of Darkness, the previewed trials, the new quests -- whew! -- there's even more new stuff tucked away into the patch.

For example, there's a new form of PvP match added to the game, which pits alliances against one another in a straight deathmatch. There's a new mystery trial unlocked through the main storyline. There's the new Aetherial Wheel furnishing, which allows free companies to charge up their company credits through alternate means. That's not even counting system adjustments or usability improvements or the items not previewed but expected such as new hairstyles. Take a look at the preliminary patch notes to get an idea of what's coming around once the patch goes live on January 20th.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV drops the preliminary patch notes for patch 2.5 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elder Scrolls Online's Update 6 will introduce the Champion System, which is a "new way to continue your character's growth and customization" at endgame. Once you reach Veteran Rank 1, the system unlocks across your account and allows you to gain Champion Points for participating in activities that normally grant experience.

Only VR-level characters can earn the new points, but once earned the points are available to any of your avatars.

There's also a new account-wide mechanic called Enlightenment that builds over time regardless of whether you're logged in or not and grants a bonus to Champion Point progression. More details on the new system are available on the official ESO website.

MassivelyElder Scrolls' new Champion Point progression system detailed originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-pointschampion-systemdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineendgameesoeso-champion-systemfactionsgrindmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 15 Jan 2015 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV shows off story content and trials for 2.5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-story-content-and-trials-for-2-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-story-content-and-trials-for-2-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-story-content-and-trials-for-2-5/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Run on, for a long time; Run on, ducking and dodging; Run on, for a long time; Let me tell you, child, Odin gonna cut you down.
The last pre-expansion patch for Final Fantasy XIV is titled Before the Fall, not That Time When The Heroes Fixed Everything. There needs to be a fall, doesn't there? And there's a lot of stuff that can start falling, as demonstrated in today's preview from the official site. Ul'dah can fall. The Scions can fall. Ishgard can fall. Eorzea can fall. Or if you decide to face off against the Dark Divinity himself, you can fall.

Players not confronting the dread primal directly will still have plenty of opportunities for pratfalls, as the Hildibrand storyline is wrapping up with the final confrontation between the Gentleman Inspector and his thieving rival. There's also a second confrontation with Gilgamesh Greg in the Battle at the Big Keep, with the victor winning the Treaty-Blade... which sounds like pretty good loot, but Greg carries a lot of weapons, so it seems rather natural.

Patch 2.5 drops on January 20th.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV shows off story content and trials for 2.5 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You can see this as something to be repaired or something beyond repair, you're going to argue about it in the comments either way.
Where does WildStar go from here? That's the question that director Mike Donatelli seeks to answer with his latest address to the community. Donatelli says this morning that while he's thankful for the praise the game received toward the end of 2014, there are several areas where the game needs to improve, and thus the team is working on making a better game experience for everyone moving forward. He lays out three chief foci for the team over the next year: listen to feedback to make the game more fun and "less grindy"; support "a multitude of playstyles," group sizes, and levels; and invest, expand, and improve the existing game.

Donatelli targets for these plans the first half of 2015, which will contain better-tuned endgame reward systems to fight fatigue along with a wider breadth of content for solo and small-group players. Over the rest of the year, the team plans to introduce a new Contract system to support different playstyles, continue tuning the rewards, and greatly expand the game's customization options. It's a lot of changes, but the Carbine team seems dedicated to making them work.

MassivelyWildStar will reduce grind, focus on 'a multitude of playstyles' in 2015 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh, good, two decades of dragon corpse can still move around and fight us. Super.
The last pre-expansion patch for Final Fantasy XIV is going to be a big one. So big, in fact, that the game is dropping 12 hours of maintenance for the first part. Servers will go down at 6:00 p.m. EST on January 19th before coming back online at 6:00 a.m. EST on January 20th. As always, exact completion time is subject to change.

If you missed yesterday's trailer, you can get an idea of some of the fuss by checking out today's dungeon preview, which shows off the Keeper of the Lake, Amdapor Keep (Hard), Wanderer's Palace (Hard), and the World of Darkness. While the exact item level requirements for these dungeons are hidden, it is clear that the Keeper of the Lake will once again be part of the main scenario quests like Snowcloak was in patch 2.4. So get ready to fight a dragon corpse, slaughter various voidsent, and most importantly rescue a whole lot of far-less-rancorous Tonberries.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy previews dungeons and plans maintenance for patch 2.5 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although since it's coming out in the winter, it's more like AFTER the fall! Haha! Seriously, though, every single part of Eorzea is getting wrecked.
The final patch before Final Fantasy XIV's first expansion is a week away, and it's got plenty going on, so much that it's being split into three parts. A new trailer for the patch has been unleashed today, showing off bits and pieces of the whole thing but focusing chiefly on the content that will be going live on January 20th. You can view the whole thing just past the break, assuming you have 10 minutes to see all of the various hints and spoilers.

Patch 2.5 brings with it more main scenario quests, three new dungeons (Keeper of the Late, Amdapor Keep Hard, and Wanderer's Palace Hard), the World of Darkness raid, a battle against the primal Odin, and a continuation of the Hildibrand storyline. Patch 2.51 is confirmed in the trailer for late February and will include the Manderville Gold Saucer, while part 2 of Before the Fall will wrap up the main scenario and set up the story of Heavensward in late March.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV drops a trailer for patch 2.5, Before the Fall

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV drops a trailer for patch 2.5, Before the Fall originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here it comes.
We've got patch 2.5 around the corner, but Final Fantasy XIV's first expansion isn't all that far away either. And that, of course, brings with it no end of speculation about what players will find because so little is certain right now. What previews we've had have been vague by design, just enough to set our minds aflame with possibility without nailing down exactly what we'll find when we start venturing northward.

Lucky for me, I love speculating.

There are several ideas I've already seen regarding what we're getting in Heavensward, some of which are so far out of left field that I tend to think it's a pipe dream of the speculator and some of which seem to be logical predictions about the future of Final Fantasy XIV. So here's a bit of talk about those before we start hearing tons of expansion news and it's all proven transparently true or false. (Midway through the week, maybe.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: Speculating on Final Fantasy XIV's Heavensward

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Speculating on Final Fantasy XIV's Heavensward originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eso
The new endgame champion system coming to Elder Scrolls Online in Update 6 is the talk of Tamriel, and ZeniMax is evaluating feedback carefully to make sure that it launches without a hitch. The studio announced on Friday that it will be making a change to how it will convert veteran ranks to champion points.

Originally, the studio was going to give a blanket 30 champion points to any player who had at least one veteran rank on a character. Based on feedback, ZeniMax will now be converting veteran ranks to champion points at the rate of 200,000 XP per point at the moment of Update 6's release, for a maximum of 70 potential champion points for one's entire account.

The studio made it clear that champion points will not cost 200,000 XP after Update 6; this conversion rate is specifically for veteran ranks pre-release.

MassivelyElder Scrolls Online tweaks champion points conversion rate originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-pointschampion-systemchampions-onlinedaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineendgameesofactionsfeedbackmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpveteran-rankszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSat, 10 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Destiny development blog discusses updates and guns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/destiny-development-blog-discusses-updates-and-guns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/destiny-development-blog-discusses-updates-and-guns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/destiny-development-blog-discusses-updates-and-guns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

And the winner for this year's weapon of choice is... GUN! Thanks for playing.
The holiday break is over now, and the team behind Destiny is slowly returning from the collective bacchanalia and getting back to what really matters: giving players guns so that they can shoot aliens in the face and then get better guns to shoot bigger aliens. If you've already gone through Crota's End and are waiting for the hard mode, for example, you should know that it's almost done and should be going on to the live servers soon, although there's not a concrete date yet. It's all in the game's most recent developer blog.

Players can look forward to loot updates in Vault of Glass and system changes in Crota's End as soon as January 13th, which should help soften the delay. The blog also contains information on guns, specifically on the most popular sorts of weapons that players are toting around to use during their alien-shooting sorties. Check out the full update for more details on the patch adjustments and future PvP rotations.

MassivelyDestiny development blog discusses updates and guns originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebungieconsoledestinyendgamegame-mechanicsnewsnews-itemspatchpatch-previewpatchesraidraidssci-fishooterupdateupdate-previewupdatesFri, 09 Jan 2015 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So it's don't stand in the bad, volume twenty? Great.
We realize that there are a couple of different ways to treat that title, so let's be clear: This video guide will teach you how to beat all of the bosses in Highmaul in 60 seconds. It will not teach you how to take 60 seconds to defeat all of them. Yes, it could go either way, but did you really think you could drop World of Warcraft's raid in a minute of playtime? Nope, it's all about length of tutelage, not length of execution.

The even shorter version is the universal raid guide for the game, of course: Move out of the thing, stack up if you see everyone else stacking up, and kill the little things. But it's the fine details where everything is really decided. click on past the break and get a minute-long dose of how to not be the one responsible for wiping the group.

Continue reading Learn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds

MassivelyLearn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdungeondungeonsendgamefantasyguideguideshighmaulhumornewsnews-itemsraidraidsstay-out-of-the-badvideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's year in review]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-year-in-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-year-in-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-year-in-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Landing stuck.
A year ago, Final Fantasy XIV was in a weird place. The game had already done the impossible one time around, taking a title that had failed badly and re-launching to actual attention from the world at large. Barring a slight misstep with housing, it had done all right. But a year ago, it had to do the hard part: sticking the landing.

Sure, re-launching was rough. But at that point it had to bank on that goodwill and shape itself into a respectable game within the MMO space. And it managed that.

What still astonishes me about the game's year of history is that despite making mistakes and bad choices, the game has continued to earn praise from players and onlookers, more so as each month rolls on and it continues to not collapse. That alone seems surprising, especially after a year like 2014. So let's look back over the year, see what the game did right, and look forward to the new year as well.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's year in review

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's year in review originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is where it ends.
With all the cool stuff we heard about Final Fantasy XIV's first expansion, it's easy to forget that we also heard a bunch of stuff about the last patch of the current patch cycle. I think that's kind of intentional, not just because the expansion is a bit more eye-catching, but because things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. 2.5 is titled "Before the Fall," the Heavensward trailer does not predict sunny times for Ishgard, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what happens next.

There's no actual release date for 2.5 just yet, although I imagine it's fairly soon, especially given the two-part structure and the proximity of the proposed expansion launch. So let's talk about what we know so far to look forward to before everything comes crashing down. (I'm betting around the end of January, although I'll admit to being a bit less anxious than I was with 2.4's release.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: What we know thus far about Final Fantasy XIV 2.5

MassivelyThe Mog Log: What we know thus far about Final Fantasy XIV 2.5 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-ishgardconsoleconsolesdungeondungeonsendgamefantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-2.5final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivloremog-logopinionpatchpatchesspeculationsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logupcoming-contentupdateupdatesMon, 29 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part three]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-thr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-thr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-thr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a climb we can make, if we try.
Today marks the last entry in my better models for MMO endgame progression series, the follow-up to my series on why MMO studios should abandon raiding. And that means providing two more possible models along with something of a thesis statement. But it also means that at this point I'm far more willing to wander off into the woods with these ideas. The first part had slight twists on standard formulas, the second had ideas that was a bit further afield, and this one features two ideas that are still almost entirely unrefined.

More specifically, today's concepts are more about tackling the very principle that progress has to be tied past a certain point to things that you get. You earn a thing and then you're better. But there's no reason that progress can't be oriented the other way, with the gear (etc.) just being a gating mechanism for your actual forward motion.

The funny part is that a lot of these systems aren't really at odds with one another; they can coexist without too much trouble. But then, that's the nature of the beast.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part three

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part three originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebetter-models-for-endgame-progressioncraftcraftingcraftseditorialendgameendgame-contentendgame-modelendgame-progressionendgamesfeaturedgame-balancegame-mechanicshigh-level-contentlevellevelsop-edopinionprogressprogressionprogression-modelrantrantssoapboxspeculationthe-soapboxWed, 24 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, there must be a better way. And there are better ways.
If you read yesterday's Soapbox, the first in my Better models for MMO endgame progression series, with a fair bit of awareness, you probably noticed that the models I presented were, well... safe. Normal. Not too far outside of the realm of what we already have in some games, in other words. Oh, sure, they were functional and expanded compared to what you normally see in games, and they weren't reliant on high-end raiding, but they were still derived from the same space, which is part of the point.

But that's not nearly as far as the rabbit hole goes. So let's start moving further beyond what's already common. Let's start heading into stranger territory.

As before, the models presented here are not super-refined balanced labyrinths of systems; they're the outline, the skeletons, the fundamentals of how these concepts could work. And even at this stage, they're able to go in directions you don't find in numerous MMO endgames. So let's jump right into it, shall we?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part two

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part two originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better-models-for-endgame-progressioncraftcraftingcraftseditorialendgameendgame-contentendgame-modelendgame-progressionfeaturedgame-mechanicsop-edopinionprogressionprogression-modelrantrantssoapboxspeculationthe-soapboxTue, 23 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part one]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-soapbox-better-models-for-mmo-endgame-progression-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I don't think the all-bear model is sustainable, though.
Last month, my three-part Soapbox series on reasons studios should abandon raiding as the core mechanic of their MMOs produced no shortage of comments. One of the persistent refrains from the pro-raid side was, as expected, "if you're so smart, why aren't you proposing alternatives?!"

The obvious answer would be that it wasn't the point of the articles. The series was about reasons to drop raiding, after all. But it's also not as simple as "here's what games should be doing" because there are countless alternatives. Tons of alternatives. I can think of at least six off the top of my head.

So for this new series, let's consider models that don't rely upon raiding as an endgame progression model. Some of these are close cousins to endgame models found in games currently on the market, some of them are not, and none of them has been designed with fine details or lore or what-not in mind. They're drag-and-drop, as it were. The point here is explaining the multitude of options available for an MMO's endgame that don't rely upon raiding for their focus. Today's article will cover the first two of six I have in mind.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part one

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Better models for MMO endgame progression, part one originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>better-models-for-endgame-progressioneditorialendgameendgame-contentendgame-progressionfeaturedgame-mechanicsop-edopinionprogressionrantrantssoapboxspeculationthe-soapboxMon, 22 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's big fanfest reveals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-big-fanfest-reveals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-big-fanfest-reveals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-big-fanfest-reveals/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

This is, what, five whole months away? I can't wait that long!
Christmas came early for the forward-looking Final Fantasy XIV player this year. I know some people are upset at the fact that there were more revelations in the Japanese fan festival than in the ones in Vegas or London, but the timing is different. (I'd also point out that the expansion was announced in Las Vegas.) We've gone from having only a dim view of what's coming to having a pretty clear picture of what awaits through the next few month.

One of the things that awaits is, of course, endless yelling about Machinist. Because boy.

So let's start unpacking the stuff we learned from Tokyo. I say "start" because there is no way to get everything in one column, certainly not with deadlines and other considerations to take center stage. It's going to be a few months, but there's a lot to chew on just about 2.5, even if we ignore all of the expansion stuff, which I have no intention of doing.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's big fanfest reveals

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's big fanfest reveals originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now if you'd jut say that Glory is available from shiphands, we'd be moving somewhere!
The first major WildStar update of 2015 is available on the test servers now. Yes, there's a little time before it actually goes live for everyone. Creative Director Chad Moore took the opportunity today to explain to the community everything contained within the new update, starting with the addition of two new dungeons (the Protostar Academy and the Ultimate Protogames), a new Shiphand mission, and the addition of veteran-level Shiphand missions that can still be cleared solo or in a group as you'd like.

This update also includes new housing options, cosmetic options for characters (including the ability to edit your appearance post-character creation), and the addition of the new Glory currency for completing dungeons and raids, which can be exchanged for high-end equipment. Last but not least, it's the update that includes the long-discussed drop of the Datascape raid down to 20 players, making it less of a challenge to assemble a roster for this content. While it remains to be seen how well the update actually plays, it looks to be filled with a number of positive changes for the game.

In other WildStar news today, the studio is running holiday promotion during December. "Carbine wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and spread some cheer by giving out 12 Days of Boom Boxes," wrote Community Manager Tony Rey yesterday. "Everyone that has logged into WildStar during the month of December (12/1-12/15) will receive these sweet little bundles of potential."

MassivelyWildStar's next big update and holiday surprise originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdungeondungeonsendgameendgamesgame-mechanicsncsoftnewsnews-itemspatchpatch-previewpatchesraidraidssandparksci-fantasysci-fiupdateupdateswildstarwsTue, 16 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/26/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/26/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/26/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sometimes you just need to cut away the disease.
In parts one and two of this Soapbox miniseries, I tackled four of the reasons the MMO genre should abandon raiding as a central gameplay element, but one key argument has been left out until now: The social aspect of raiding.

Whatever else is true of raiding, it is definitely social. Communities spring up and keep going largely based on that raiding community, to the point that it's easy to assume that everyone in a game's population raids. There are lengthy discussions about raiding, about how to raid, about tips and tricks for clearing raids. The social aspect of raids is what I think has kept them around so long; it's easy for a designer to look at that sort of engagement and see it as vital.

Yet there's more to the story than might be available at a glance, and the social aspect is not without steep costs. Those social elements do not carry the weight of everything else... mostly because they aren't as strong as they appear.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 3

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 3 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abandon-raiding-soapbox-seriesdesigndesign-conceptsdungeondungeonseditorialendgameendgamesfeaturedgame-mechanicsop-edopinionraidraidingraidsrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxWed, 26 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Time to take on the stock.
In yesterday's Soapbox, I had some things to say about why it's time to dump raiding. I'm writing this before I've seen the comment responses, but I'm willing to bet that a fair amount of angry shouting was involved in the comments because that's what I usually expect. But I wasn't done, as suggested by the whole "part 1" thing in the title header.

For those don't feel like reading the whole thing, the short version is that raiding is too expensive to develop for too small a portion of the players. This is a solid argument, but it's standard: You hear it every time this debate comes up. In some ways, it's the foundation of the argument against raiding beyond the reality that most people say they just don't like raiding.

There's more to be said, though, and there are more serious issues up for discussion. Raiding isn't just expensive in terms of development. It's expensive in lots of ways.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 2

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't worry, if you're in Mythic, you still get to feel superior to everyone else. If you get lucky, anyway.
With the first raid of World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor right around the corner, Blizzard has released a preview of the Tier 17 armor sets in all their glory. There are three variants of each set: the Mythic version (which has a unique skin compared to the others), the Heroic version, and the Normal version. Raid Finder raids no longer drop tier sets, thus reducing the overall number of available sets by one from the end of Mists of Pandaria.

Player opinion seems to be somewhat split on whether or not the sets are good matches for the aesthetic of the expansion and the individual classes, as well as the split between the Mythic versions and the other versions of each set. The raid that drops these pieces, Highmaul, will be available starting on December 2nd for Normal and Heroic, with Mythic launching a week later on December 9th.

MassivelyHere are the tier 17 armor sets non-PUG WoW raiders can loot in Highmaul originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionarmorarmor-previewarmor-setsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentendgamefantasynewsnews-itemspreviewraidraidingraidsvisualvisualswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 25 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/24/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/24/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/24/the-soapbox-six-reasons-mmos-should-abandon-raiding-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sorry, Truce. You deserve better, but you get this.
Raiding is no longer doing MMOs any favors.

I've compared raiding to open PvP in the past, and the comparison still holds up. It's something that a lot of games developed in response to a specific genre-defining game have featured. But it's not doing those games any favors, and it might be time to take a hard look at this gameplay element that games survive in spite of rather than because of. If we learn nothing else from WildStar's issues when it launched into what should have been an ideal environment, it's that raiding certainly isn't driving players into a game's waiting arms.

But I don't want to just say that and let it roll around on the floor. Let's actually break the argument down across a couple of articles this week. Why does raiding need to shuffle off of the main stage, definitely as the default endgame model, perhaps altogether? I can give you six good reasons.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 1

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Six reasons MMOs should abandon raiding, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And this time, slightly less than a year between updates!
Are you ready to start in on the raid cycle of Warlords of Draenor? Yes you are; that's what you do here. You can start by checking out the latest World of Warcraft development blog that shows off Highmaul in all its glory. The raid's release will be staggered into four parts, with Normal and Heroic releasing on December 2nd, Mythic and the first part of the Raid Finder difficulty releasing on December 9th, and the final two wings being added to the Raid Finder on December 16th and January 6th.

Highmaul contains seven bosses, three of which are optional and two of which are mandatory. Players will take on Kargath Bladefist to kick off the raid experience, while the ultimate encounter leads players against Imperator Mar'gok, the pinnacle of ogre power in the region. You can also take the time to play around with the game's new Twitter hashtag campaign while you wait. That won't help you with the raid at all, really, but it will help pass the time.

In other WoW news, Blizzard will be kicking off its previously announced anniversary events today. Both the 40-man, level 100 version of Molten Core and the Southshore vs. Tarren Mill battleground will become available to players through the raid finder and battlemaster queue, respectively. Everyone who logs in will receive a molten corgi pet as a happy birthday present from the team. The events end January 6th.

MassivelyWoW previews Highmaul raid, kicks off anniversary events today originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbackstoryblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdraenorendgameexpansionfantasyhighmaullorenewsnews-itemspreviewpreviewsraidraidingraidswarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 21 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Nexus Telegraph: Is WildStar's raid size change too late?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/17/the-nexus-telegraph-is-wildstars-raid-size-change-too-late/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/17/the-nexus-telegraph-is-wildstars-raid-size-change-too-late/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/17/the-nexus-telegraph-is-wildstars-raid-size-change-too-late/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

You cannot play potential. You cannot enjoy what could be fun. You can only play the game that there is, and a pile of wasted potential does not make a game worth caring about.
Very few people are going to contest that scaling WildStar's biggest raid down to 20 people is a good move. Some will, yes, but when 400 players are working on content five months after release, that's a good sign that it's not doing the most basic job of getting people to play it. Bringing Datascape's size down is an indisputable good thing.

The question, of course, isn't about that. It's about whether it's too small a change too late in the game.

Make no mistake, this is a change that is significant enough to merit an announcement, but it's one that just missed the big patch we finally received not too long ago. (My initial reaction to that is middling, for the record, neither bad nor really a break from form or something that justifies its long delay.) I would be surprised if we see this change actually live in the game before next year. And it's a change of more conceptual significance than anything else because unless someone very quietly managed to clear Datascape without telling anyone, the end of that raid has gone unseen.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: Is WildStar's raid size change too late?

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: Is WildStar's raid size change too late? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studioscolumndungeondungeonsendgamefeaturedncsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionprogressprogressionprogression-modelsraidraid-sizeraidssandparksci-fantasysci-fithe-nexus-telegraphwildstarMon, 17 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar is scaling Datascape down to 20 players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/wildstar-is-scaling-datascape-down-to-20-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/wildstar-is-scaling-datascape-down-to-20-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/wildstar-is-scaling-datascape-down-to-20-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Yeah, it's all right to just comment with LOL to this one.
WildStar brought 40-player raids back to the forefront. The game is now pushing said raid size back away from the forefront, as the game's 40-person raid pinnacle is getting scaled down to 20 players. The official post on the subject notes that the number of people entering was far too low and the attrition rate far too high, so the raid is being rebalanced (but not nerfed) to account for having only half of its originally designed population inside.

Several reasons are cited for the changed, such as the game's combat working best with a smaller number of people, the lowered demands on computers, and a consistent raid size for future raid content which will hopefully make guild management easier. While the topic stops shy of saying that the 40-player versions are never coming back, that is certainly the implication. So it'll at least be marginally easier to form a group for Datascape soon if you're able to get through the first raid successfully.

MassivelyWildStar is scaling Datascape down to 20 players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosendgamegreat-jobncsoftnewsnews-itemsraidraid-sizeraidsreductionssandparkscalingsci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwsFri, 14 Nov 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape's Lost City of the Elves expands further]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/runescapes-lost-city-of-the-elves-expands-further/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/runescapes-lost-city-of-the-elves-expands-further/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/runescapes-lost-city-of-the-elves-expands-further/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

runescape
RuneScape's been going gaga over the unveiling of its Lost City of the Elves since it opened its doors for business back in September. However, that release was only part of the Lost City, since Jagex "found" more of it to put out the door today.

After much anticipation, the second half of Prifddinas is now live in RuneScape. The city was "designed for and by the high-level community" and now includes four new clans with specialized offerings. Jagex said that there are eight additional skills for players to learn and plenty of secrets tucked away in nooks and crannies.

We've got a video of the Lost City that you can check out after the break!

Continue reading RuneScape's Lost City of the Elves expands further

MassivelyRuneScape's Lost City of the Elves expands further originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Nov 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcityclassic-mmoendgamef2pfantasyfree-to-playjagexjagex-games-studiolost-city-of-the-elvespatchPrifddinasrsrunescapesandboxthe-lost-city-of-the-elvesupdateTue, 11 Nov 2014 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Finally taking the first steps on ArcheAge's Auroria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/the-stream-team-finally-taking-the-first-steps-on-archeages-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/the-stream-team-finally-taking-the-first-steps-on-archeages-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/the-stream-team-finally-taking-the-first-steps-on-archeages-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Stream Team: Finally taking the first on ArcheAge's Auroria
Auroria is here, and that means there are fresh new lands to explore in ArcheAge -- if you are lucky enough to be able to log in! Massively's MJ can finally log in, so what more of an invitation does she need to explore? Sure, death may really be waiting around every corner, but that won't stop MJ from prowling around the new continent and poking into everything interesting she can find. With any luck she can dodge enough PvP to check out where the new castles will soon go. Join us live at 3:00 p.m. for this peek at the new shinies of Auroria.

Game: ArcheAge
Host: MJ Guthrie
Date: Wednesday, November 5th, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Finally taking the first steps on ArcheAge's Auroria

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Finally taking the first steps on ArcheAge's Auroria originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaarche-agearcheageauroriaendgamefantasylivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmassively-metamassively-tvMJ-Guthrie-livestreammv-tvmvtvnew-contentnew-landpvpsandboxsandparkstreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtriontrion-worldstwitchtwitch-tvxl-gamesxlgamesWed, 05 Nov 2014 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall teases update 1.2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/firefall-teases-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/firefall-teases-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/firefall-teases-update-1-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Just a shot in the dark.
An update is coming to Firefall, and it promises to be a big one. A brief overview of the game's next major update has been posted on the official site to show off some of what players can expect, starting with the new Operation: Miru. This is endgame instanced content designed for five players at level 40, featuring a combination of mechanics and gunfights that heretofore have not been present in the game.

The update will also feature a new piece of open-world content via the Accord Skydock, a new form of watchtower content, and a new live event. Broken Peninsula has also received updates to make it less broken from a mechanical standpoint rather than a geographical one. You can read up on all the sketchy details here, and keep your eyes peeled for more hard information as it becomes available.

MassivelyFirefall teases update 1.2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeondungeonsendgamef2pfirefallfpsfree-to-playgame-mechanicsinstanceinstancedinstancesmmo-shooternewsnews-itemspatchpatch-previewpatchespvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterthird-person-shooterupcoming-patchesupdateupdateswarWed, 05 Nov 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Exploring Final Fantasy XIV's 2.4 dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/the-mog-log-exploring-final-fantasy-xivs-2-4-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/the-mog-log-exploring-final-fantasy-xivs-2-4-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/the-mog-log-exploring-final-fantasy-xivs-2-4-dungeons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

I told you that story so I could tell you this one.
The first time I ran the new dungeons added to Final Fantasy XIV in patch 2.4, I was kind of surprised. They seemed a lot harder, and I hit more wipes on the way to the end than I had while learning the 2.3 dungeons. After a couple of additional runs, though, I don't think they're really all that bad, just replete with mechanics that are sort of designed to trip groups up and with more than a few nasty surprises.

It also helped that I was running with Ninja after the first runs, so that felt more natural.

As it's been less than a week since the dungeons were added, it seems like a fine time to give you lovely folks a guide to what's going on in here and what needs to be done. So let's chatter about the new dungeons you'll be running in Expert roulettes for that beautiful poetics armor.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Exploring Final Fantasy XIV's 2.4 dungeons

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Exploring Final Fantasy XIV's 2.4 dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdungeondungeon-guidesdungeonsendgamefantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-2.4final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivguideguidesmog-logopinionsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logMon, 03 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV posts preliminary notes for Patch 2.4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/24/final-fantasy-xiv-posts-preliminary-notes-for-patch-2-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/24/final-fantasy-xiv-posts-preliminary-notes-for-patch-2-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/24/final-fantasy-xiv-posts-preliminary-notes-for-patch-2-4/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

First Naruto reference gets you kicked from the server.
Ready to take on the lady of ice, twist down the last coil of Bahamut, and start stabbing from the shadows? Final Fantasy XIV's next patch won't drop until October 28th, but you can finish any last-minute preparations you need now with the release of preliminary patch notes. The patch includes new sidequests, new main story quests, new trials and dungeons, and of course the new Rogue and Ninja.

This patch also adds in the Allagan Tomestones of Poetics, several new recipes for both Rogue/Ninja gear as well as other high-level options, and the usual assortment of bugfixes and balance improvements. Whether you're making sure to grab everything you'll need for Ninja before the patch goes live or just want to know how far you must progress before fighting Shiva, the patch notes hold a wealth of information.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV posts preliminary notes for Patch 2.4 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclassesconsoleconsolesendgamefantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-2.4final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivnewsnews-itemspatchpatch-notespatch-previewpatchessquaresquare-enixupdateupdatesFri, 24 Oct 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you play an all-endgame MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/17/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-all-endgame-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/17/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-all-endgame-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/17/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-all-endgame-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'm hard on MMOs with endgames, especially endgames that focus on a single repetitive activity. The problem isn't so much what that activity is but that MMOs spend so much time making you do something else before you can get to that activity -- instead of just letting you just do that presumably ideal and fun activity from the start. That's prompted some clever players to wonder, why not just make an all-endgame -- an all-raiding -- MMO?

To be clear, I'm not talking about sandboxes or persistent PvP games that can be perceived as entirely endgame. I'm talking about a classic themepark experience with the levels and questing ripped out -- just endgame dungeons and raids, pure PvE group challenge, from the moment you log in to the moment you log out. If raiding really is about the challenge and the thrill of big group PvE, such a game would be welcomed by hardcore raiders... right?

And more importantly: Would you play it?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you play an all-endgame MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-endgame-mmobrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindendgameendgame-mmohardcoreopinionraidraidingraidstdgthe-daily-grindthemeparkFri, 17 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carbine's Donatelli and Moore on WildStar's population and philosophy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/14/carbines-donatelli-and-moore-on-wildstars-population-and-philo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/14/carbines-donatelli-and-moore-on-wildstars-population-and-philo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/14/carbines-donatelli-and-moore-on-wildstars-population-and-philo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

No comment.
Two weeks ago, Carbine Studios offered us the opportunity to interview product director Mike Donatelli and creative director Chad Moore regarding the state of WildStar and what future updates would bring to the game. We have their thorough answers in their entirety for you today; Carbine assures us that there was no animosity or conspiracy in the delay, and we thank the studio for that. So let's get to it: Read on as the duo discuss WildStar's current population, business model, development strategy, and plans for the near future.

Continue reading Carbine's Donatelli and Moore on WildStar's population and philosophy

MassivelyCarbine's Donatelli and Moore on WildStar's population and philosophy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebalance-adjustmentscarbinecarbine-studioschad-moorecontentdifficultyendgamefeaturedgame-balancegame-mechanicsinterviewinterviewsjeremy-gaffneymechanicsmike-donatellinewsnews-itemspatchpatchesraidraidssolostephan-frostupdateupdateswildstarwsTue, 14 Oct 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Predictions for Final Fantasy XIV's fanfest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/13/the-mog-log-predictions-for-final-fantasy-xivs-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/13/the-mog-log-predictions-for-final-fantasy-xivs-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/13/the-mog-log-predictions-for-final-fantasy-xivs-fanfest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Someone said to me at one point that they were sorry I had to go on an anniversary trip with my wife instead of going to fanfest. I can't begin to explain the degree of wrong involved in that statement.
There's less than a week to go now. Final Fantasy XIV players nationwide will congregate in Las Vegas for the fanfest starting on October 17th, and I... will be nowhere near there. I'll be on a trip with my wife celebrating a year since our wedding. But it's not as if I could talk about the revelations from the festival now anyway, since it's not for another several days. I'm going into this just as blind as you are.

But we can still speculate, can't we? Of course we can. In fact, there's some stuff that's almost a certainty going into the fanfest and some stuff that remains a bit more speculative. So I'm going to make some guesses about what we'll see at the festival and shortly thereafter, and next week we can all either laugh at my guesses or not. I won't be watching all of it in purely real-time, but I'm pretty sure we'll see the following.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Predictions for Final Fantasy XIV's fanfest

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Predictions for Final Fantasy XIV's fanfest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclassescolumncolumnscommunityendgamefanfestfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-fanfestffxiv-patch-2.4ffxiv-patch-2.5final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgearninjaopinionreal-world-eventsrogueshivasquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logMon, 13 Oct 2014 12:00:00 EST