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[Working As Intended: Dabbling in indie sandbox Villagers and Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/working-as-intended-dabbling-in-indie-sandbox-villagers-and-her/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/working-as-intended-dabbling-in-indie-sandbox-villagers-and-her/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/working-as-intended-dabbling-in-indie-sandbox-villagers-and-her/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Villagers and Heroes
Villagers and Heroes is not the sort of sandbox that gets a lot of coverage in the gaming press. You can't gank in the game. No one will murder you for your ore or your logs. There are no petty internet crime lords generating scandals or developers being ousted for cheating. Clichéd zombies are not waiting to slaughter you come nightfall. You cannot fall off a cliff or treetop pathway to your death. You never have to walk 10 miles uphill in the snow both ways to get to your house. You don't have to wait in line for an instance. You don't really have to fight at all.

In fact, the worst thing that might happen to you is that you'll run out of energy.

Continue reading Working As Intended: Dabbling in indie sandbox Villagers and Heroes

MassivelyWorking As Intended: Dabbling in indie sandbox Villagers and Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 May 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buy-to-wineditorialenergyf2pfarmfarmingfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-waitglitchhousingindiemad-ottermad-otter-gamesop-edopinionsandboxtiny-speckTinySpeckuncle-owenvillagers-and-heroesvillagesworking-as-intendedFri, 23 May 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Villagers and Heroes announces April 17th Steam launch and new expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/08/villagers-and-heroes-announces-april-17th-steam-launch-and-new-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/08/villagers-and-heroes-announces-april-17th-steam-launch-and-new-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/08/villagers-and-heroes-announces-april-17th-steam-launch-and-new-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Villagers and Heroes
Free Realms refugees, if you're looking for a new home with cute graphics and quests and housing and crafting, then indie F2P MMO Villagers and Heroes might just be it. The game itself isn't new, but with its new expansion, Fury of the Stone Lord, it's receiving a major graphical upgrade and content patch revolving around gargoyles. Expect 30 new adventure maps (bringing the count to 110), new quests and monsters, new spells and heroic feats, and 15 extra skill levels to boot.

Developer Mad Otter Games says the sandbox MMO will launch on Steam on April 17th. We previewed the upgrades and new client back in February. Check out the trailer below!

[Source: Mad Otter Games press release]

Continue reading Villagers and Heroes announces April 17th Steam launch and new expansion

MassivelyVillagers and Heroes announces April 17th Steam launch and new expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Apr 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Villagers and Heroes screenshot
Villagers and Heroes is a favorite of mine, but let's be honest: The game looks old. When talking to Damon Slye, President of Mad Otter Games, I found that many people agree. According to Slye, it's one of the most frequent concerns he hears from potential new players. The engine that the game currently uses is old and needs to be upgraded big time. And that's just what the developers are doing with this large patch and expansion that should be due in early March.

I sat down with Slye, Associate Designer Cameron England, Head Writer Sarah Skibinski, and Head Artist Adam Alexander to discuss just how different the game will be once the patch goes live. I was given access to a test account loaded up on gear, cash, and other goodies. Even though I found my backpacks full, I mainly wanted to look around the game and explore. Fortunately, the difference between the original client and the new one is literally night and day.

Continue reading Free for All: Villagers and Heroes adds bells, whistles, and more sand

MassivelyFree for All: Villagers and Heroes adds bells, whistles, and more sand originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mystical-landadam-alexanderbeau-hindmanbrowsercameron-englandcraftingdamon-slyef2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiummad-ottermad-otter-gamesopinionsarah-skibinskivelvet-ropevillagers-and-heroesWed, 26 Feb 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Checking out Villagers and Heroes' new client]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/the-stream-team-checking-out-villagers-and-heroes-new-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/the-stream-team-checking-out-villagers-and-heroes-new-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/the-stream-team-checking-out-villagers-and-heroes-new-client/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Villagers and Heroes screenshot
Massively's Beau Hindman and members of the Mad Otter team are on hand to show off some of the new test features and the new client (with better graphics) of Villagers and Heroes. If you like sandbox gameplay, crafting, and combat, check it out.

Game: Villagers and Heroes
Host: Beau Hindman
Date: Monday, February 24th, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Checking out Villagers and Heroes' new client

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Checking out Villagers and Heroes' new client originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmad-ottermad-otter-gamesmassively-metamassively-tvmv-tvmvtvstreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvvillagers-and-heroesMon, 24 Feb 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny revisit: Stronghold Kingdoms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/23/rise-and-shiny-revisit-stronghold-kingdoms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/23/rise-and-shiny-revisit-stronghold-kingdoms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/23/rise-and-shiny-revisit-stronghold-kingdoms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stronghold Kingdoms screenshot
Stronghold Kingdoms is probably one of my top favorite MMORTS titles out there. There are many reasons it holds a special place in my slightly crumpled gamer heart, and I will be sure to get to those, but there are also many gameplay elements that could use some improvement. It's a pretty typical MMORTS in most ways; players build up a town, trade goods, fight each other, and swear loyalty to others. In fact, the genre is quite bloated with games that perform in largely the same way, many of them being delivered to us within the browser.

For many players, these defining characteristics are exactly why they are attracted to the genre. In the same way, shooter fans appreciate many of the same basic mechanics from game to game, and trading card players need specific systems in place in order to feel satisfaction. So the existence of these repeated designs is not a problem for me.

It's especially not a problem in Stronghold Kingdoms.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny revisit: Stronghold Kingdoms

MassivelyRise and Shiny revisit: Stronghold Kingdoms originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Feb 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanf2pfeaturedFirefly-Studiosfree-to-playhands-onlivestreammad-ottermad-otter-gamesmassively-tvrise-and-shinystreamstronghold-kingdomstwitchtwitch-tvvideovillagers-and-heroesSun, 23 Feb 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Third Annual Frindie Awards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/01/massivelys-third-annual-frindie-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/01/massivelys-third-annual-frindie-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/01/massivelys-third-annual-frindie-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Frindie Awards
It's time once again for me to throw out my awards for the best of free-to-play, indie, and oddball MMOs, a real niche-within-a-niche. It might seem that I am assigned many of these titles as though I were some modern day Mikey, but the truth is that I get a huge thrill out of finding a new game but get even more of a thrill when I realize that no one is covering it. I had to really think hard about the criteria for the awards this year, mainly because "indie" is quickly becoming one of those often hard-to-define words, alongside "MMORPG" and "free-to-play." Fortunately, I think I know it when I see it.

I kept my choices to games that I have actually played this year. I wanted to avoid games that appear to be really cool. If you want a more broad batch of prizes, check out Massively's best of awards. (Side note: I voted for Defiance as my game of the year.)

These awards are for games that are being created on a shoestring or independent of massive budgets. Some of them are connected to some money, of course, but instead of trying to define "indie," I will only repeat: You'll know it when you see it.

Continue reading Massively's Third Annual Frindie Awards

MassivelyMassively's Third Annual Frindie Awards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jan 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mystical-landachaeaarcane-legendsbeau-hindmanbrowserdeepworldDinostormeldevinever-janef2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumfrindiefrindie-awardsfrindiesgame-of-thronesgame-of-thrones-ascentgrepolisherokon-onlinehunted-cow-studiosinnogamesistariaistaria-chronicles-of-the-giftedlife-is-magiclinden-labmad-otter-gamesmanylandmilmomystmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liveopinionparallel-kingdomperbluepocket-legendsRed-Robot-LabsRyzomsecond-lifesocial-mmospacetime-gamesspacetime-studiosStar-Stablethe-westTherethere-mmovelvet-ropevillagers-and-heroeswurm-onlineWed, 01 Jan 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Villagers and Heroes from an eight-year-old's perspective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/11/05/the-stream-team-villagers-and-heroes-from-an-eight-year-olds-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/11/05/the-stream-team-villagers-and-heroes-from-an-eight-year-olds-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/11/05/the-stream-team-villagers-and-heroes-from-an-eight-year-olds-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Stream Team: Villagers and Heroes
Massively's Larry Everett introduced his eight-year-old son to the trailer to Villagers and Heroes, and the boy freaked out. The munchkin literally danced in place, asking when we'll be livestreaming the game. Join us live at 7:00 p.m. EST to see that it takes more than a village to raise the child of an MMO gamer -- it takes a few heroes, too.

Game: Villagers and Heroes
Host: Larry Everett
Date: Tuesday, November 5th, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Steam Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Villagers and Heroes from an eight-year-old's perspective

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Villagers and Heroes from an eight-year-old's perspective originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-friendlyfamily-friendlyfamily-mmofamily-mmo-nightkid-friendlylarry-everettlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmad-ottermad-otter-gamesmassively-metamassively-tvmv-tvmvtvSandboxShaddoeshaddoe-streamstreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvv-and-hvillagers-and-heroesTue, 05 Nov 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Villagers and Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/why-i-play-villagers-and-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/why-i-play-villagers-and-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/why-i-play-villagers-and-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Villagers and Heroes screenshots
Villagers and Heroes, formerly called A Mystical Land, surprised me. I had gone several weeks if not a few months without logging in to the game for longer than a half an hour, so you can imagine my surprise when I realized that the game not only had been improved but had added systems that I thought it never would. In other words, the game was suddenly a world, a fully realized browser-based MMORPG. Despite my feeling that the game was going to languish in state of semi-completion, suddenly it had housing, more crafting, a better UI, and a fully stocked cash shop.

I've streamed the game before, but now I find myself logging in a lot more than ever. And now, after hosting a livestream with associate designer Cameron England (embedded after the cut), I'm really having fun with the game and have noticed that it offers a lot more than games that are much more well-known.

This is why I play Villagers and Heroes.

Continue reading Why I Play: Villagers and Heroes

MassivelyWhy I Play: Villagers and Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mystical-landbeau-hindmanbrowser-basedcameron-englandcraftingeditorialf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftphousinglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromad-otter-gamesmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionSandboxvillagers-and-heroeswhy-i-playFri, 12 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: The 10 best-looking browser-based MMORPGs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/free-for-all-the-10-best-looking-browser-based-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/free-for-all-the-10-best-looking-browser-based-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/free-for-all-the-10-best-looking-browser-based-mmorpgs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Battlestar Galactica Online screenshot
Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. Keep that in mind before you tell that me the games that fill out the following list of "best-looking browser-based MMORPGs" are ugly as sin. Sure, some of them are an acquired taste, but I wanted to display just how much variety there is now in browser gaming. It's not the delivery system it once was; we have had fancier-looking Flash-based titles for a while, but now with engines like Unity or Silverlight and even HTML5 coding, we have games that look no different from their client-based counterparts.

There are still some ugly-as-sin games out there as well, but they have endearing qualities all the same. So keep that in mind; this is my top 10 list. If you want to suggest your own in the comments section, I would love to hear them!

Now, on to the list, in no particular order...

Continue reading Free for All: The 10 best-looking browser-based MMORPGs

MassivelyFree for All: The 10 best-looking browser-based MMORPGs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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