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[The Stream Team: Derailed by cheese edition, September 23 - 29, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/23/the-stream-team-derailed-by-cheese-edition-september-23-29/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/23/the-stream-team-derailed-by-cheese-edition-september-23-29/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/23/the-stream-team-derailed-by-cheese-edition-september-23-29/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Stream Team Derailed by cheese edition, September 23 29, 2013
It's not my fault! I seriously had plans -- big plans -- for this week's schedule. But then Mr. Lefebvre had to go and derail my entire thought process with his call to cheese. I am not kidding; I cannot think of hardly anything else now. Because cheese really is so wonderful! MMmm...

Oh dang it! There my thoughts went again. Where was I? Oh, yah -- the schedule. Well, instead of trying to fight it, maybe I should just give in. Resistance is futile and all that, right? What harm could there possibly be in a little cheese anyways? Come to think of it, there's always a chance that some cheese will be involved in this weeks shows on Massively TV, which is all the more reason to tune into everything. And there's also a good chance that all the crazy Stream Team antics will successfully distract me from my distraction, so let's get to it!

Continue reading The Stream Team: Derailed by cheese edition, September 23 - 29, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Derailed by cheese edition, September 23 - 29, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-realm-rebornactivisionage-of-wulinage-of-wushuaionanetankamaarenanetascensionasiabiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentblueholebluehole-studiosbuy-to-playccpccp-gameschampionschampions-onlinechampschinachinesechinese-mmococonsoleconsolescrypticcryptic-studiosdragondragonsdragons-propheteaelectronic-artsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentensemble-onlineeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iif2pfactionfamilyfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-a-realm-rebornfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-to-playfuncomgpotatoguild-wars-2gvggw2hi-rezhi-rez-studioshistoricalhorrorhousinginfernuminfernum-productionsinternet-spaceshipskid-friendlykidnappingkids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmartial-artsmassively-metamassively-tvmetaming-dynastymobamultiplayer-online-battle-arenamv-guidemv-tvmvguidemvtvmythologyncsoftperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpiratepirate101piratesplaneplanespoliticspollpvppwerunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxsci-fantasysci-fisesecret-worldskill-basedSmitesnail-gamessnail-games-usasoesonysony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixsquenixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstrategystrategy-mmostreamstream-schedulestream-teamstreamersstreamingstreamteamsubsubscriptionsubscriptionlesssuperherosuperheroesswtorterathe-old-republicthe-secret-worldthe-stream-teamtortruly-freetswturbineturbine-entertainmentturn-based-combattwitchtwitch-tvwakfuwarwarcraftwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warplaneswowwowpwushuwuxiaMon, 23 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny: Ensemble Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/22/rise-and-shiny-ensemble-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/22/rise-and-shiny-ensemble-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/22/rise-and-shiny-ensemble-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ensemble Online screenshot
I always love it when a new indie MMO comes across my virtual desk. I never know what I'm going to get, even though I think I can tell a lot from its name or even the font that the name is written in. Ensemble Online is one of the newest ones, and I assumed it would be a sci-fi sandbox. In reality, it was indeed a sci-fi sandbox but mostly felt like a more cartoony, gentler Wurm Online.

I was even able to sit down with the developers during my livestream of the game. Thanks to the fact that the team seems to be really up on social media and appears to pay attention to things like the press (unlike many indies), I learned a lot from that livestream. Be sure to watch it; it's embedded in the article.

Ensemble Online holds a ton of potential. It's not there yet, but I'll tell you why I think it can stick around for a while.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Ensemble Online

MassivelyRise and Shiny: Ensemble Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Sep 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowser-basedensemble-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playhands-onlivestreammassively-tvrise-and-shinySandboxSquare-Enixstreamtwitchtwitch-tvvideowakfuSun, 22 Sep 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Hoarder no more edition, September 16 - 22, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/16/the-stream-team-hoarder-no-more-edition-september-16-22-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/16/the-stream-team-hoarder-no-more-edition-september-16-22-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/16/the-stream-team-hoarder-no-more-edition-september-16-22-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Stream Team Reformed hoarders edition, September 16 22, 2013
Thank you, thank you all for your intervention! I think I can safely avoid checking myself into some virtual support group for MMO hoarders now that's I've gone through and given my hard drive a good scrubbing out. I know most people equate big deep cleaning projects with spring, but what better way to get ready for the holiday season (and possibly new games) than with a nice fall cleaning? And from the looks of the other poll, it appears more of of you could benefit from the same!

Taking your advice (and a few other things into account as well), I have stripped a hefty chunk of games off my system and found a quite a cache of gigabytes left in their place. Oh, those glorious shiny free GBs; they shall come in handy soon, I just know it! Until I they do, I will entertain myself with the variety of shows put on by The Stream Team this week on Massively TV. Who knows, maybe something will pique my interest enough to install it myself...

Continue reading The Stream Team: Hoarder no more edition, September 16 - 22, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Hoarder no more edition, September 16 - 22, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionage-of-wulinage-of-wushuaionanetarenanetascensionasiabiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbuy-to-playccgccgmmoccpccp-gameschampionschampions-onlinechampschinachinesechinese-mmococonsoleconsolescrypticcryptic-studiosdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuodragondragonsdragons-propheteaelectronic-artsensemble-onlineeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iif2pfactionfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-to-playfuncomgpotatoguild-wars-2gvggw2hearthstonehi-rezhi-rez-studioshoardinghorrorhousinginfernuminfernum-productionsinternet-spaceshipskidnappinglivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmartial-artsmassively-metamassively-tvmetaming-dynastymobamultiplayer-online-battle-arenamv-guidemv-tvmvguidemvtvmythologyncsoftperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplaystation-3playstation3pollps3pvppwerunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxsci-fantasysci-fisecret-worldskill-basedSmitesnail-gamessnail-games-usasoesonysony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstreamstream-schedulestream-teamstreamersstreamingstreamteamsubscriptionlesssuperherosuperheroesswtortcgtcgmmothe-old-republicthe-secret-worldthe-stream-teamtortrading-card-gametruly-freetswturbineturbine-entertainmenttwitchtwitch-tvVega-Conflictwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowwushuwuxiaMon, 16 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny: Vega Conflict]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/15/rise-and-shiny-vega-conflict/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/15/rise-and-shiny-vega-conflict/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/15/rise-and-shiny-vega-conflict/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Vega Conflict screenshot
You might be familiar with Kixeye for many different reasons, but this week I am discussing one of the games from its line-up: VEGA Conflict, which is typical in many ways but can definitely be surprising when it needs to be. Many of my favorite MMOs are made up of mechanics we've seen before, but those mechanics are delivered so smartly that the end result is a game that is worth more than it should be. As far as browser-based MMORTS titles go -- and there are scores and scores of them -- VEGA Conflict is a fun and unique blend of strategy, city-building, and Gratuitous Space Battles. It implements none of its designs flawlessly, but the game is almost perfectly balanced between casual play and powergaming.

I did receive a wad of coins from the developer shortly after I spent 10 dollars on some myself, and those coins bought me resources and sped up development and building. It's not directly a sell of power and is typical for the genre, but some might find it distasteful. The community didn't seem to mind the model much.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Vega Conflict

MassivelyRise and Shiny: Vega Conflict originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Sep 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanensemble-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playGratuitous-space-battleshands-onkixeyelivestreammassively-tvrise-and-shinysci-fistreamtwitchtwitch-tvVega-ConflictvideoSun, 15 Sep 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch (Star Conflict)
This week on Betawatch, we say farewell to Seven Souls Online and Blacklight Retribution, both of which have now launched officially. In their place, we've added two new games to keep an eye on: Star Conflict, a PvP-oriented space-combat MMO, joins our open beta list, while Grecca, a 2-D sandbox MMO, earns its city-building self a spot on our (open) alpha list.

Meanwhile, Spirit Tales announced an open beta date of April 25th, TERA kicked off its final closed beta weekend with a look at what open beta will entail, and Ensemble Online reached out for Kickstarter funding for its beta.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup beyond the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchbrianna-royce-betawatchclosed-betaensemble-onlinefeaturedgame-testinggreccalaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 06 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ensemble Online gears up for beta, launches Kickstarter drive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/ensemble-online-gears-up-for-beta-launches-kickstarter-drive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/ensemble-online-gears-up-for-beta-launches-kickstarter-drive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/ensemble-online-gears-up-for-beta-launches-kickstarter-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Ensemble Online gameplay screen
It's been nearly two years since we first heard of Ensemble Online, a browser-based MMO that combines elements from RPG and RTS titles. SemiFormal Studios is gearing up to launch Ensemble's beta testing phase, and the firm has taken to Kickstarter to help with funding.

SemiFormal bills the game as "the world's first MMORTS"; the company says that it allows you to "tactically control territory, harvest resources, and build buildings anywhere on an expansive, real-time, never-ending map." The game doesn't limit where you can build, either, and there are no text-based battles (nor do you lose your progress when you log out).

If that's piqued your interest, head to the official site to learn more about the game, and don't forget to check out the Ensemble Kickstarter page to contribute.

MassivelyEnsemble Online gears up for beta, launches Kickstarter drive originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaensembleensemble-kickstarterensemble-onlinegame-mechanicskickstartermmortsrtssemiformalsemiformal-studiosWed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ensemble Online wants you for alpha testing!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/ensemble-online-wants-you-for-alpha-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/ensemble-online-wants-you-for-alpha-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/ensemble-online-wants-you-for-alpha-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Longtime Massively readers will remember a giveaway we had last year for Ensemble Online alpha keys. Ensemble Online has been under construction since then, and the small indie studio creating it has grown as well. The developers -- now operating under the SemiFormal Studios moniker -- are preparing for alpha test phase II, and you're invited!

SemiFormal has given us 50 alpha test keys to share with you, so if you'd like to see how far the game has come since alpha test phase I, head to our giveaway page and pick up a key for yourself. It's an alpha test, so don't forget to report all those little bugs and glitches. Even more importantly, don't forget to have fun!

[Sorry, all codes have been claimed]

MassivelyEnsemble Online wants you for alpha testing! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2dalpha-key-giveawayalpha-testclosed-alphacontestensemble-onlinegiveawayindependentindiemmortsmmortsrpgsemiformal-studiosTue, 05 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab yourself an Ensemble Online alpha key with Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/grab-yourself-an-ensemble-online-alpha-key-with-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/grab-yourself-an-ensemble-online-alpha-key-with-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/grab-yourself-an-ensemble-online-alpha-key-with-massively/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How would you like to alpha test an MMORTSRPG? Yeah, that's what we thought. The amount of letters has distracted you. Our evil plan is coming to fruition!

And, speaking of things coming to fruition, let's talk about Ensemble Online -- a new game from a small indie developer group. The game is incorporating aspects of a traditional RPG with elements of a real-time strategy game, all under an MMO flag. Retrieve resources, hunt monsters, build buildings, craft weapons, create empires, and wage war with other players in this 2D MMO. It's very ambitious, and ambitious things need testers.

We've gotten 50 alpha keys to give away, and that means it's time for a contest! If we've caught your interest, jump with us after the break and we'll give you all of the relevant information.

Gallery: Ensemble Online: Alpha Test Screenshots

Continue reading Grab yourself an Ensemble Online alpha key with Massively!

MassivelyGrab yourself an Ensemble Online alpha key with Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2dalpha-key-giveawayalpha-testclosed-alphacontestensemble-onlinegiveawayindependentindiemmortsmmortsrpgTue, 25 May 2010 19:30:00 EST