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[Microsoft announces Age of Empires Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-announces-age-of-empires-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-announces-age-of-empires-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-announces-age-of-empires-online/#commentsFiled under: ,

The first bit of interesting MMO news from Gamescom 2010 belongs to Microsoft, as the software giant has announced the latest entry in the venerable Age of Empires franchise. Age of Empires Online will offer players the chance to take their city-building adventures to the next level via a persistent online capital that grows even when its owner is offline.

The new title also features co-op multiplayer questing, trading, and a leveling mechanic in addition to story-based gameplay. Age of Empires Online will also feature free online gameplay via the Games for Windows platform, as well as a new graphical style that represents something of a stylistic departure from past titles in the series.

Interested in what the new title looks like? Check out our gallery of gameplay screenshots below, and be sure to watch the trailer here!

Gallery: Age of Empires Online

MassivelyMicrosoft announces Age of Empires Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empiresage-of-empires-onlinebreakingGames-for-Windowsgamescom-2010microsoftReal-Time-StrategyrtsstrategyTue, 17 Aug 2010 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Kwari model: Can RMT be taken to the next level?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/the-kwari-model-can-rmt-be-taken-to-the-next-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/the-kwari-model-can-rmt-be-taken-to-the-next-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/the-kwari-model-can-rmt-be-taken-to-the-next-level/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


I was in the bathroom the other day, reading Games for Windows (because let's be honest, where else would anybody read GfW?) and they had an article on an extremely interesting, though vaguely troubling new shooter called Kwari. Its basic premise is that players pony up a small amount of cash, the amount varying depending on the stakes of the game, and players lose or gain a portion of the pot based on their fragging prowess. Or to put it more simply, it's like online poker, but instead of cards, there are bullets. Designer Eddie Gill of Kwari Limited was hoping that in adding a financial incentive to the basic shooter model, it would result in an experience that was much more intense for the players involved. And if he took in a cut of the profits as well, what's the harm?

By all accounts, Kwari utterly fails at delivering an engaging shooter experience, so whatever sociological implications the game would have had were rendered moot because of sloppiness on the developer's part. Still, this perception that online games could be tweaked to be a form of online gambling got me thinking. Is this business model just a developer supported real-money transaction (RMT) scheme, or is it even deeper down the rabbit hole of Shylock-esque shamelessness?

Continue reading The Kwari model: Can RMT be taken to the next level?

MassivelyThe Kwari model: Can RMT be taken to the next level? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseddie-gillfeaturedgamblinggames-for-windowsgfwgold-farmersjoystiqfeatureskwarikwari-limitedreal-money-transactionsrevenuermtTue, 05 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[1UP asks for your input on game of the year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


After one of the most hectic release schedules in recent years, finally just about every big game is out, and the 1UP network are running their 2007 1UP Awards. The awards are voted on by readers of the site, and print magazines Electronic Gaming Monthly and Games for Windows. The games are first broken down in to categories, like "Best Action Game", and there's a final "Game of the Year" category with pre-selected titles.

Among all of the other superb games on the lists, there are a couple of MMO nominations. In the "Best Multiplayer Game" category, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar are included, and both of these appear again in the important "Game of the Year" section. These games have each already won some awards this year at the Golden Joysticks, with LotRO taking best PC game, and WoW:TBC getting online game of the year.

In both of the areas they are competing, there is stiff competition for the two MMO entries, but if you feel that one of these games deserves to be acknowledged then head on over to the 1UP Awards page and cast your vote.

Massively1UP asks for your input on game of the year originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1up1up-awards2007best-multiplayer-gameegmelectronic-gaming-monthlygame-of-the-yeargames-for-windowsgfwlotrowowTue, 04 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST