Massively

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 Daily Grind: Got cons?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/the-daily-grind-got-cons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/the-daily-grind-got-cons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/the-daily-grind-got-cons/#commentsFiled under: Events (Real-World), Opinion, The Daily Grind

So the New York Comic Con is in full swing, and the fact that it's here already reminds us of just how many game-related cons there are scattered throughout the calendar year. Whether it's NYCC, Dragon Con, E3, GDC, or the various flavors of PAX, there always seems to be something just around the corner that calls for hotel reservations and airline tickets. More often than not, the next convention on the circuit sneaks right up on us before we manage to shake the jet lag from the last one.

While we'd like nothing better than to shirk responsibilities and tour the world of gaming and pop culture conventions for a year, work must occasionally intrude, and most of us have to pick and choose our events. What about you Massively readers? Did you attend NYCC this weekend, and are you a regular on the gaming convention circuit?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our 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 The Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: Got cons? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airfareconsconvention-circuitconventionsdragon-cone3e3-2010gdc-2010hotelsnew-york-comic-connyccnycc-2010opinionPAXpax-2010pax-east-2010pax-prime-2010tdgthe-daily-grindtravelSun, 10 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases new EVE trailer, reveals new contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/ccp-releases-new-eve-trailer-reveals-new-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/ccp-releases-new-eve-trailer-reveals-new-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/ccp-releases-new-eve-trailer-reveals-new-contest/#commentsFiled under: Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, EVE Online, Contests, Events (Real-World), News Items

While most of the MMORPG fans at PAX are focused on headline-hogs like Guild Wars 2 and The Old Republic, EVE Online is making its share of noise, first with a new expansion announcement followed by the unveiling of a new game trailer titled Causality. CCP Games has also revealed a new contest called the Universal Glory Sweepstakes. Despite stiff genre competition, the Icelandic development firm shows no signs of slowing down development on its landmark space sandbox, and players now have the opportunity to win computer hardware and EVE merchandise including a complete gaming system and a year's subscription to the game.

The contest runs through October 3rd, and the entry form requires you to answer a couple of questions posed about the new Causality trailer. Check it out after the cut or at the official contest website.

Continue reading CCP releases new EVE trailer, reveals new contest

CCP releases new EVE trailer, reveals new contest originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>causalityccpCCP-Gamescontesteveeve-onlinePAXpax-2010pax-east-2010traileruniversal-glory-contestvideoSun, 05 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes hosting a live Q&A with developers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/city-of-heroes-hosting-a-live-qanda-with-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/city-of-heroes-hosting-a-live-qanda-with-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/city-of-heroes-hosting-a-live-qanda-with-developers/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Interviews, News Items

If you missed out on PAX East, you missed the chance to twist the ear of the development team for City of Heroes. (And other things, probably.) Or, at least, you missed your chance for a little while. Because the team is giving the fans another shot at connecting with them live, even if it's not in person. Using the forumspring.me tool, which has been steadily growing in popularity over the past several months, players will be able to ask questions of the development team and have them answered in more-or-less real time.

The actual session will take place on April 23rd between 4 and 5 PM PST (7-8 PM EST). Melissa Bianco, Matt Miller, David Nakayama, and Jesse Caceres will all be in attendance, the same team from the PAX East panel and the brain trust behind the newest content additions. If you can't or don't want to take part in the actual questioning, the highlights will be addressed on the game's official Facebook fan page. It's an excellent chance for City of Heroes players to get answers to their most urgent questions, so mark the date on your calendar.

City of Heroes hosting a live Q&A with developers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdavid-nakayamajesse-caceresmatt-millermelissa-biancoparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioespax-eastpax-east-2010Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Question and answers go retro]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-question-and-answers-go-retro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-question-and-answers-go-retro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-question-and-answers-go-retro/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Classes, Expansions, Game Mechanics, Opinion, A Mild-Mannered Reporter

It's time to head back in time, back through the many views and opinion of the past month, and see where we've gone with questions from far and wide. And as long as we're going back in time, why can't City of Heroes go back with us? Seriously, where's the time-travel arc where everyone has to team up with their Silver Age counterpart in bell-bottoms and bad hair? We've long been missing that from the game, and now that I have the time to think clearly it's a problem which should be immediately addressed.

Of course, we do have that new Doppleganger system coming up. It could happen. Also, questions should probably be answered before I deviate too far.

Zsazsa piped up with an obvious question about the PAX information:
"Was anything said about new maps located in space for level 50 characters?"

Possibly? When talking with the inimitable Miss Bianco, she mentioned that there were new maps we haven't yet seen... emphasis on those of us in the playerbase. It's very possible that there are, in fact, maps set in space which will be used for the Incarnate system (which requires level 50 and Going Rogue to be playable, so there you go). But as it's implied here that they already exist, wouldn't we have seen them by now?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Question and answers go retro

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Question and answers go retro originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypescity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxdual-pistolselectrical-controlfeaturedgoing-rogueincarnatekinetic-meleematt-millermelissa-biancoparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioespax-eastpax-east-2010praetoriaWed, 07 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine on renting vs. owning in the MMO market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/turbine-on-renting-vs-owning-in-the-mmo-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/turbine-on-renting-vs-owning-in-the-mmo-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/turbine-on-renting-vs-owning-in-the-mmo-market/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Business Models, Culture, Events (Real-World), Opinion, Free-to-Play

While we had the opportunity to chat with Turbine Entertainment about the upcoming plans and changes for Dungeons & Dragons Online, our sister site WoW.com was at PAX East as well. Since Turbine doesn't run World of Warcraft (however often Lord of the Rings Online might get compared to it), the discussion there went in a different direction. Much of the numbers side is well-known to the larger MMO community, but the interesting part is the discussion of renting content versus owning it. Subscription MMOs fall into the former category, while Dungeons & Dragons Online is the latter.

As design director Ian Currie put it, while DDO has an option to subscribe, you can stop doing so at any time and retain everything you bought. You can enjoy the full leveling game without paying anything. Your character is undeniably yous, no matter how much or little you pay. By contrast, in a subscription game -- such as Turbine's own Lord of the Rings Online -- your character is yours only so long as you continue to pay the monthly fee. As digital goods and the culture of MMOs becomes more and more ingrained in the popular mind, expect to see more discussion on this topic. After all, people see their characters in MMOs as their property -- even if that's not technically true.

Turbine on renting vs. owning in the MMO market originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-n-d-onlineddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfree-to-playian-currielord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroowningpax-2010pax-eastpax-east-2010rentingsubscriptionturbineturbine-entertainmentworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 01 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Meet the PAX press]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-meet-the-pax-press/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-meet-the-pax-press/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-meet-the-pax-press/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Culture, Events (Real-World), Opinion, A Mild-Mannered Reporter

Compared to the other two City of Heroes events that I took part in at PAX East, the meet and greet almost seems like an afterthought from a news standpoint. And it's fair to say that no new information could be teased from the development team, mostly because they were far too busy laughing and chatting with fans. Not that any of the fans seemed too keen on asking big questions anyhow. It was, all in all, a big chance for everyone to relax, talk about what the state of the game was, and be pestered by me in the form of Mr. Not-So-Mild-Mannered Reporter.

And it was a fun time, with a lot of different opinions and a very relaxed atmosphere. However much of an afterthought it might have been from the perspective of hard news, it was a great time for the fans, and that's what the column is really all about, right? So check on past the break for some of the highlights from the evening, not to mention my global handle. (Because people asked there and I blanked under pressure. Plus there wasn't room on the nametag.)

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Meet the PAX press

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Meet the PAX press originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-claytoncarnival-of-shadowscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxfeaturedglobal-handlei-am-not-good-with-namesmeet-and-greetncsoftparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioespax-eastpax-east-2010server-cultureserversWed, 31 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: Our interview with Melissa Bianco of City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-our-interview-with-melissa-bianco-of-city-of-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-our-interview-with-melissa-bianco-of-city-of-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-our-interview-with-melissa-bianco-of-city-of-hero/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Expansions, Game Mechanics, Interviews, Opinion

Melissa "War Witch" Bianco is without a doubt one of the leading ladies of the MMO world, a title she said she could definitely get used to. But as she says it, that hasn't made an impact on her in some ways, because she never felt there was a bias to overcome at either Cryptic or the current Paragon Studios. "I don't know if I just happened to be in a company that wasn't like that," she says, "or if I'm just so awesome it didn't matter."

We would certainly believe either. Bianco is riding fairly high on success at the moment in the eyes of many players, having a solid track record of revamped and improved zones coupled with a highly-anticipated expansion on the way. We had a chance to speak with her after the City of Heroes panel to talk about more future plans for the game, aiming for several of the more outlying areas in the game's development. Read on past the cut for her answers ranging from the immortal warehouse map to the possibility of new epic archetypes.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: Our interview with Melissa Bianco of City of Heroes

PAX East 2010: Our interview with Melissa Bianco of City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlinecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcryptic-studiosepic-archetypefeaturedmelissa-biancomelissa-war-witch-biancoparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioesparagon-studiospax-2010pax-eastpax-east-2010superheroeswar-witchTue, 30 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: What'd we think?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-whatd-we-think/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-whatd-we-think/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-east-2010-whatd-we-think/#commentsFiled under: Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage)

The first-ever Penny Arcade Expo East event has come and gone, and most gaming fans are interested to know how successful it was in the eyes of the attendees. With the popularity boom of PAX Prime (in Seattle since 2004), porting the expo to the east coast only made sense. But did Boston have what it takes to play host to such an important event?

With a limit on space and actual news, the immediate buzz around PAX East was that of failure. However, things got much better as the main reason for the event was realized: after-parties! I mean, gamers know how to party, you can't deny that. But what were the best and worst parts of the event itself? Read on after the cut to find out.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: What'd we think?

PAX East 2010: What'd we think? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonimpressionsmassively-metaopinionpax-eastpax-east-2010Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: A closer look at the Fallen Earth iPhone app]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-2010-a-closer-look-at-the-fallen-earth-iphone-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-2010-a-closer-look-at-the-fallen-earth-iphone-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/pax-2010-a-closer-look-at-the-fallen-earth-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: Horror, Video, Fallen Earth, Events (Real-World), News Items

Just a few short weeks ago, the Massively staff descended on GDC in San Francisco, sending back all sorts of new information from MMO-land. One of the most exciting things we came across that week was from Icarus Studios. The minds behind Fallen Earth have been working in every direction on their game: joining Facebook, planning for a Mac client, and joining the ever-growing list of games that will be adding an iPhone app.

We brought you a detailed overview of the app from GDC back then, and we were lucky enough to spend some more time with Dave Haydysch, Fallen Earth's Project Manager, at PAX last week. We got a look at the upcoming content for Fallen Earth as well as a closer peek at the iPhone app. We've got some brand new images of the app, and the guys over at Lagwar got something even better: video! Check out the gallery below, and follow along after the jump for the video. We think you'll agree with us that this app can't get here fast enough!

Gallery: Fallen Earth iPhone app screenshots

Continue reading PAX East 2010: A closer look at the Fallen Earth iPhone app

PAX East 2010: A closer look at the Fallen Earth iPhone app originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthfallen-earth-iphone-appicarusicarus-studiosiphonelagwarpax-eastpax-east-2010Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes whips up some demon summoning]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/city-of-heroes-whips-up-some-demon-summoning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/city-of-heroes-whips-up-some-demon-summoning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/30/city-of-heroes-whips-up-some-demon-summoning/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, Video, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Expansions, Game Mechanics, Previews, News Items

One of the features that City of Heroes: Going Rogue is heavily selling are the addition of new powersets. We've already seen the trailer for Dual Pistols, and we were shown the trailer to the Demon Summoning powerset at PAX East. That trailer is now available for every City of Heroes player to view online, allowing all to witness the power of ripping blood-caked monstrosities straight from the nether realms to do your diabolical (or possibly somewhat heroic) bidding. While it's not a full demonstration of the improved graphical designs coming in the expansion, it's clear just how far the game's models have come.

Like most Mastermind powers, the set features both minions and a "secondary" power, in this case a flaming whip. The whip, appropriately enough, seems to be both used offensively and in a support role, as the summoner is seen whipping at least one of her demons in what appears to be an enhancing spell. And if the flamboyant gestures aren't enough to impress players, the skull-faced monstrosities should do the job. City of Heroes players who missed out on PAX East as well as those who just want to see Issue 17's upcoming pre-release powerset should click past the link for the video.

Continue reading City of Heroes whips up some demon summoning

City of Heroes whips up some demon summoning originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxdemon-summoninggoing-rogueissue-17paragonparagon-cohparagon-studioespax-2010pax-east-2010trailersTue, 30 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: Community manager panel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-community-manager-panel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-community-manager-panel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-community-manager-panel/#commentsFiled under: Events (Real-World), Forums, Interviews

Community managers are the very definition of a paradox. They're some of the most public faces of the game, yet their role is often least understood. They serve many masters -- developers, players, marketing, press -- and are beholden to all of them at once. They're often on the blunt end of unrestrained love and unfathomable anger. No matter what they are, one thing is for sure: their job rocks.

At least, according to a CM panel at PAX East entitled "Community Managers: More than Forum Monkeys." In it, five CMs from various studios shared just what goes on with their job, what limits they deal with, and what are the highs and lows of working in the public limelight 24/7. Meghan Rodberg (Turbine), Aaron Trites (Harmonix), Morgan Romine (Frag Dolls), Jess Folsom (Bioware Austin) and Linda Carlson (Sony Online Entertainment) spent a candid hour with an audience pulling back some of the mystique and misconceptions of their positions as supposed monkey tamers.

Hit the jump to read about the inner workings of these fabulous five community managers.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: Community manager panel

PAX East 2010: Community manager panel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-tritesbiowarebioware-austincmscommunity-managerfacebookfeaturedfrag-dollsharmonixjess-folsomlinda-carlsonmeghan-rodbergmorgan-rominepax-eastpax-east-2010shadowbanesoesony-online-entertainmentturbinetwitterMon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: Fallen Earth patch 1.4 preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-fallen-earth-patch-1-4-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-fallen-earth-patch-1-4-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/pax-east-2010-fallen-earth-patch-1-4-preview/#commentsFiled under: Horror, Screenshots, Fallen Earth, Events (Real-World), Patches, PvP, News Items, PvE

Fallen Earth has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past six months, with the game's population growing even faster than the game itself as word-of-mouth does its thing. One of the highlights of PAX East this past week was the opportunity to sit down with Dave Haydysch of Fallen Earth and take a sneak peek at the upcoming patch 1.4.

This is going to be another huge patch -- the fine folks at Icarus don't seem to do anything by halves -- scheduled for release sometime in Q2 of this year. (We will, of course, be watching for an exact date.) There was quite a bit to see and hear, so follow along after the jump to take a look at what is on the way to the Wasteland.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: Fallen Earth patch 1.4 preview

PAX East 2010: Fallen Earth patch 1.4 preview originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood-sportsdave-haydyschdeadfalldeadfall-pointfallen-earthfallen-earth-patch-1.4featuredicarus-studiospax-eastpax-east-2010Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: When have MMOs collided with real life?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/the-daily-grind-when-have-mmos-collided-with-real-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/the-daily-grind-when-have-mmos-collided-with-real-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/the-daily-grind-when-have-mmos-collided-with-real-life/#commentsFiled under: Events (Real-World), Opinion, The Daily Grind

This past weekend, the real world and virtual one collided at PAX East, as many bloggers, players and developers met in person, often for the first time. This can be a joyous experience akin to a family reunion with people you've never encountered face-to-face before, or a traumatic affair full of sobbing and shirt-rending as you realized the girl of your dreams was actually a ravenous velociraptor seeking only to feast on your tender flesh.

So when have MMOs collided with your real life? Was it when you heard a couple busboys at a local restaurant talk about how they totally downed a world boss in game last night? Was it a guild meet-and-greet at Chili's that was full of familiar names and strange faces? A costume party where you dressed up as your in-game character? Or was it when you networked with a business associate during a raid?

The Daily Grind: When have MMOs collided with real life? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chilispax-eastpax-east-2010real-lifetdgthe-daily-grindvelociraptorMon, 29 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: City of Heroes panel reveals many things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/pax-east-2010-city-of-heroes-panel-reveals-many-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/pax-east-2010-city-of-heroes-panel-reveals-many-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/pax-east-2010-city-of-heroes-panel-reveals-many-things/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Events (In-Game), Expansions, Game Mechanics, Endgame, Opinion

Unpacking the City of Heroes panel at PAX East is a big deal: there were huge amounts of information being thrown around, and a lot of new pieces of information to process. For that matter, there was far more than anyone expected, with information about the full spread of new issues up to Issue 19 and the reveal of Matt "Positron" Miller's heretofore unrevealed new endgame system. The panel as a whole featured a huge breadth of information about the game from concept into the future, and was filled with people long before the official start time, with fans vocally professing their adoration for the team the whole way through.

We had the good fortune to be front and center at the theatre, and once we started taking notes we didn't really stop until the event was over. At the panel were lead designer Melissa Bianco, former lead designer and current lead system designer Matt Miller, art lead David Nakayama, and development producer Jesse Caceres. They opened off with a discussion of the game's history from launch back in 2004 to the present. The changeover from Cryptic to Paragon Studios was discussed in brief, mentioning that four of the major launch employees (Miller, Bianco, CW Bennet, and Brian Clayton) were still with Paragon even after the change.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: City of Heroes panel reveals many things

PAX East 2010: City of Heroes panel reveals many things originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-heroes-issue-17city-of-heroes-issue-18city-of-heroes-issue-19city-of-heroes-ultra-modecity-of-villainscohcovcoxcryptic-studiosdavid-nakayamaexpansionsfeaturedgoing-rogueissue-17issue-18issue-19jesse-caceresmatt-positron-millermelissa-biancomelissa-war-witch-biancomission-architectnew-powersetspanelsparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioesparagon-studiospax-2010pax-east-2010powersetsultra-modeSun, 28 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2010: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 4 and beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/pax-east-2010-dungeons-and-dragons-online-update-4-and-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/pax-east-2010-dungeons-and-dragons-online-update-4-and-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/pax-east-2010-dungeons-and-dragons-online-update-4-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Events (Real-World), Interviews, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play

PAX East in Boston kicked off yesterday, and we were lucky enough to have a visit with Fernando Paiz, the Executive Producer of Dungeons and Dragons Online. We spent some time looking at Update 4 as well as chatting about what else is in store for Dungeons and Dragons Online in 2010.

Update 4 will bring the standard Adventure Pack, of course -- "Sentinels" is geared toward more low-level characters than the previous one -- but Turbine didn't stop there. Players were pretty excited and even more curious about the guild housing planned for this summer, with a lot of questions about it. Will smaller guilds be at a disadvantage? Do you have to spend money to access it? How is it all going to work?

For all the answers, follow along after the jump to see what we heard from DDO's Executive Producer.

Continue reading PAX East 2010: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 4 and beyond

PAX East 2010: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 4 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-update-4dungeons-and-dragons-onlinefeaturedfernando-paizpax-eastpax-east-2010sentinelssentinels-adventure-packturbinezombie-piratesSat, 27 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine offers PAX deals on LotRO and DDO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/turbine-offers-pax-deals-on-lotro-and-ddo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/turbine-offers-pax-deals-on-lotro-and-ddo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/turbine-offers-pax-deals-on-lotro-and-ddo/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, News Items, Free-to-Play

PAX East kicks off today, and Turbine is enjoying the giant party in their hometown of Boston. Even if you can't attend they want you to take part in the festivities, so if you're a fan of Lord of the Rings Online or Dungeons and Dragons Online check out the PAX specials that Turbine is offering.

DDO fans will enjoy a hefty amount of bonus points for purchasing the largest Turbine Points bundle thanks to PAX Power Points. Spending $49.99 usually gets you 5,000 points, but between now and the 28th you'll get 6,900.

We've been hearing quite a bit from Lord of the Rings Online lately, and if all the happenings in Middle-earth have made you consider giving the game a try, this is the weekend to get started. Until the 28th, Turbine is offering the complete LotRO edition all the way up to Siege of Mirkwood, for $9.99.

Both offers last until Sunday night -- the same length as PAX -- so if you weren't able to attend it's a nice consolation gift to yourself. If you were able to attend, it's still a great deal, and we'll see you at PAX!

Turbine offers PAX deals on LotRO and DDO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfree-to-playlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropax-eastpax-east-2010turbineFri, 26 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are you most excited about seeing at PAX East?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-most-excited-about-seeing-at-pax-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-most-excited-about-seeing-at-pax-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-most-excited-about-seeing-at-pax-e/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind

2010 marks the first year that the Penny Arcade Expo -- PAX -- has traveled to the far east (read: Boston) to hold their gamer-friendly, geektastic convention. As you might expect, an elite squad of specially-trained Massively reporters will be on hand to extract as much crucial information as we can -- as much as possible under the limits of the Geneva Convention, of course.

But before you hear our first reports from the scene of this exciting convention, we want to know: what are you most excited about seeing or hearing from PAX East? Is it the keynote speech by Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wil Wheaton? The hardcore, nailbiting Omegathon? Or perhaps -- just perhaps -- breaking news and revelations about some of your favorite MMORPGs from developers like Turbine, NCSoft, 38 Studios, EA and others? Take a gander through the official schedule and tell us what's got your attention!

The Daily Grind: What are you most excited about seeing at PAX East? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioseageneva-conventionncsoftomegathonpaxpax-eastpax-east-2010penny-arcadeturbinewil-wheatonFri, 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New screens for DDO Unlimited Update 4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/new-screens-for-ddo-unlimited-update-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/new-screens-for-ddo-unlimited-update-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/new-screens-for-ddo-unlimited-update-4/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Patches, News Items

Ever since the recent DDO Unlimited "State of the Game" last week the fourth update really can't come soon enough. Lucky for us, Turbine has released some more screens that showcase some new content, which includes lots of fantasy sword swinging and some particularly nasty looking baddies to fight, as well. Now that we think on it, perhaps the images aren't as lucky as we thought, because now we just want patch day to be today.

Well, at least April -- the scheduled month for Update 4 -- is just around the corner. And if that's not good enough for you, we'll be demoing the update this Friday during PAX East. So expect to find heaps of new images and information in short order. Until then, please enjoy the new DDO Unlimited update 4 gallery.

Gallery: DDO Unlimited Update 4

New screens for DDO Unlimited Update 4 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-n-d-onlineddoddo-update-4dungeons-and-dragons-onlineimageimagespaxpax-eastpax-east-2010screenscreensscreenshotsturbineupdateWed, 24 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Return of community news]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-return-of-community-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-return-of-community-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-return-of-community-news/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Culture, Events (In-Game), Expansions, Game Mechanics, A Mild-Mannered Reporter

There's quite a bit to crow about in the City of Heroes community of late. Since the last time we've taken a look at the community, we've had a huge amount of new information about the next expansion, a double XP weekend, and the usual regimen of alien invasions and parallel universes. (July's release of Going Rogue will greatly increase the parallel universe portion.) And if you live on the east coast, you also have the opportunity to meet the Paragon Studios crew without traveling to the other side of the country!

Have I mentioned that I live on the east coast?

So next week, expect a very weary me to be dishing out a whole bunch of news from PAX East, as I'm going to be following the crew around like a forlorn puppy. But that's then and this is now. Today, we're going to be looking at some of the interesting community threads that have popped up over the last month, from the serious to the amusing.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Return of community news

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Return of community news originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterscity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohconceptscovcoxdevelopmentdouble-xp-weekendeconomyfeaturedgoing-roguemelissa-biancomission-architectmoralityparagonparagon-cohparagon-studiospax-east-2010player-generated-contentWed, 24 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes panel to appear at PAX East]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/city-of-heroes-panel-to-appear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/city-of-heroes-panel-to-appear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/city-of-heroes-panel-to-appear-at-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Events (Real-World), News Items

We're just over a month away from PAX East, and those planning to attend have bought their passes and are beginning to think about itineraries.

The event schedule hasn't been added to the PAX site yet, but City of Heroes released an exciting piece of news today. They'll be hosting a panel titled Re-Inventing A Super-Heroic MMO,where they'll discuss keeping their game interesting and fresh after all this time, and delve deeper into Going Rogue.

For those who want to hang out later, the City of Heroes team is planning a meet and greet Saturday night for fans to visit with the panel members and possibly win some raffle prizes. The location and some other details are still coming, but the date and time are set, so CoH fans can mark their calendars for both the panel and the meet and greet.

Check out the full details on the official site, and we'll see you at PAX!

[Update: More details have been released on the meet and greet.]

City of Heroes panel to appear at PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesCOHmeet-and-greetncsoftparagon-studiospax-eastpax-east-2010Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST