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[SMITE previews Ao Kuang in detail]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/smite-previews-ao-kuang-in-detail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/smite-previews-ao-kuang-in-detail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/14/smite-previews-ao-kuang-in-detail/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

dagron
Turning into a dragon is always a viable strategy if you can manage it. Most people can't; you cannot respond to criticism from your boss by turning into a dragon, for example. Ao Kuang can do exactly that in SMITE, however, and that forms the core of his playstyle in the game. If he has a target with low enough health, he can turn into a dragon, destroy them, then fly to a new area with area damage and a recharged sword so that, hopefully, he can take out someone else by turning into a dragon.

Ao Kuang's passive mechanic is a sword that carries charges that are auto-spent to buff his abilities, with a slow regeneration out of combat or a quick regeneration if, again, he turns into a dragon. He's a melee mage-type character, encouraging players to swing in, take out a target, and then move on to the next. You can get a clearer picture of how this will work in play on the official preview page.

[Thanks to Sorenthaz for the tip!]

MassivelySMITE previews Ao Kuang in detail originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's time for another round of Good Idea, Bad Idea.
Last time around in this column, I talked about the stuff that WildStar desperately needs to get out of its system, and quickly. I'm pleased with it. With the scaling-back of the update pace and some changes that I expect to be coming, I'm hopeful on that front. (Incidentally, if someone has a link to an actual promise of monthly updates from Carbine Studios, pass that along, since I don't think anyone ever actually promised it so much as just wound up doing it.)

So why am I still playing the game? Because it's got a lot to recommend it despite those failings. These are not bad habits that the game needs to kick but things that the development team should arguably double down on. They're arguably the best parts about the game and certain what makes it stand out the most. So in direct counterpoint to last week's article, here are the things that WildStar should keep doing.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: Habits that WildStar should keep

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: Habits that WildStar should keep originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildbuildscarbinecarbine-studioscolumncontentcontent-volumedesign-goalsfeaturedgameplay-optionsgoalsncsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionoptionsplaystyleplaystylessandparksci-fantasysci-fithe-nexus-telegraphwildstarMon, 25 Aug 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look at WildStar's customization options]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/29/a-look-at-wildstars-customization-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/29/a-look-at-wildstars-customization-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/29/a-look-at-wildstars-customization-options/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Hoverboarding may or may not be a crime. This doesn't seem appropriate.
How much do you like character customization? If you shrug and click the nearest "random" button when making a new character you probably don't care much. But if you like to carefully examine customization options before creating a character, and then even more carefully examine customization options after creating a character... well, WildStar's developers understand the way you work. They'd like to help, insofar as giving you a whole bunch more customization options could count as "helping."

Customizing your character doesn't end at creation -- it extends to how you play your character, how your character's outfit looks, and even how your mount looks. Not to mention, of course, that there's the housing system. The game's latest DevSpeak video about customization is just past the cut, and we got a chance to talk a little more with the fine folks at Carbine Studios about tuning your character just right.

Continue reading A look at WildStar's customization options

MassivelyA look at WildStar's customization options originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesabilitycarbinecarbine-studioscharacter-customizationcustomizationfeaturedhousehousinghousing-mechanicslimited-action-setsmountmount-customizationmountsncsoftnewsnews-itemsplaystylepreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fitrailertrailersvideovideoswildstarwsWed, 29 Jan 2014 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: There's nothing wrong with easy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/17/the-soapbox-nothing-wrong-with-easy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/17/the-soapbox-nothing-wrong-with-easy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/17/the-soapbox-nothing-wrong-with-easy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Generally an easy game. Also generally fun. Coincidence? No.
The word "easy" gets a really bad reputation in gaming, an unfair reputation, at that, because there's absolutely nothing wrong with something's being easy.

A while back, we hosted a great column about how we tend to call things easy when they really aren't. (Seriously, go read that.) That's all well and good, but that's also not what I'm talking about here. Gaming as a community seems to have decided that easy is just plain bad, that it's a horrible insult, and a game being easy is like saying that a game is worthless.

But easy isn't bad. Playing a single-player game on easy difficulties isn't a mark of weakness, and having an MMO that's easy on a whole doesn't mean it's a bad game. Having easy content isn't just an acceptable thing; it's an outright good thing for a lot of player. There is absolutely nothing wrong with easy.

Continue reading The Soapbox: There's nothing wrong with easy

MassivelyThe Soapbox: There's nothing wrong with easy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengecombatcontentculturedifficultdifficultyeasyeditorialendgamefeaturedop-edopinionplayer-typesplaystylerantrantsrats-running-mazessoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 17 Dec 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindictus cuts out a place for new character Vella]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/vindictus-cuts-out-a-place-for-new-character-vella/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/vindictus-cuts-out-a-place-for-new-character-vella/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/vindictus-cuts-out-a-place-for-new-character-vella/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

She's a sharp one.
She slices, she dices, she eviscerates, and she's the newest character in Vindictus. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Vella and her dual blades. She's the star of the newest video from the game's team at Nexon, which shows off her penchant for quick maneuvers and swinging arcs of destruction.

In the game's lore, Vella is a mariner renowned for her skill with blades and her agility. In play, she more than lives up to the reputation, possessing a variety of attacks that either help her close the range with her opponent (such as Typhoon Slash) or help her get out of range as necessary (such as the spinning attack Slipaway). While she's obviously a melee character, her ability to dart in and out of range and vent around larger opponents should help keep her versatile on the battlefield. But don't take our word for it -- check her out in action just past the break.

[Source: Nexon press release]

Continue reading Vindictus cuts out a place for new character Vella

MassivelyVindictus cuts out a place for new character Vella originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I was expecting Dionysius, myself. Maybe Demeter.
Interested in the deities of SMITE? You'll be quite happy to know that the game has put out a new video revealing one of the game's many heroes. In a stunning move that should shock nearly no one, one of the heroes available for play in this game of warring gods is Ares, the Greek god of war. And while almost any student of mythology could give you a brief rundown of who Ares represents (people who like war), the video goes into depth about Ares' abilities and combat roles.

Ares in SMITE is meant as a melee magical tank. His abilities allow him to chain other gods for continual damage and increased movement speed, bolster the defenses of himself and nearby allies, and breathes fire from his shield to cut down high-health targets. At the apex of his power, Ares can pull several enemies together to him while dealing extensive damage. Take a look past the cut to see a full rundown of his skills as well as some demonstrations of their tactical execution.

Continue reading SMITE rolls out a video for Ares

MassivelySMITE rolls out a video for Ares originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescharactersf2pfree-to-playheroeshi-rezhi-rez-studiosmobamultiplayer-online-battle-arenaplaystyleSmitestrategyvideovideosTue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should players be rewarded for playing alts?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/the-daily-grind-should-players-be-rewarded-for-playing-alts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/the-daily-grind-should-players-be-rewarded-for-playing-alts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/the-daily-grind-should-players-be-rewarded-for-playing-alts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

And if I finish leveling him up, then I can get back to my other alt that needs some of these global unlocks.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is rolling out a big improvement to its Legacy system on Tuesday... at least, a big improvement if you play a lot of alts. If you generally stick to one character, most of the new perks won't actually help your gameplay in the slightest. Which is a bit disappointing if you're not really a fan of playing alts.

Altaholics and their close kin will argue that most MMOs actively discourage alts, some with great vigor (Final Fantasy XI makes an alt almost wholly undesirable at every turn). Having some extra perks for those who like leveling alts is a welcome change. But at the same time, for players who dislike having dozens of characters, it's awful restrictive when you can only get some rewards by doing things you dislike.

So what do you think? Should players be rewarded with some extra perks if they play a lot of alts? Or should playing an alt be its own reward, without any attendant in-game benefits?

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: Should players be rewarded for playing alts? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-charactersaltsbiowarecharactersculturedaily-grindeaelectronic-artsgame-mechanicslucasartsmechanicsopinionplayplaystylesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorSun, 24 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/the-soapbox-why-solo-players-dont-just-play-a-single-player-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/the-soapbox-why-solo-players-dont-just-play-a-single-player-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/the-soapbox-why-solo-players-dont-just-play-a-single-player-ga/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

By myself, but not alone.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

When I play an MMO, I tend to play solo. This isn't because I outright dislike grouping -- I've said exactly the opposite before -- but when given the choice, I'll default to solo. I don't always have a reliable play schedule, I like having the freedom to start and stop projects at my whim, and most importantly, I like the option of just tuning out a bit and losing myself in a solitary romp every now and again.

Some people get very bothered by this, though, and they really dislike the fact that there are solo players asking for more solo content. Sometimes it's rooted in a fear that solo content will interfere with group content, and sometimes it's because of the fear that no one will group if there's plenty to do solo, but the same argument gets brought up every time: "If you want to play solo, you should be playing a single-player game."

Except they're not the same thing. Not by far. There are distinct benefits to playing in an MMO even if you prefer doing most content solo instead of in a group.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialfeaturedmultiplayerop-edopinionplayersplaying-aloneplaystylerantrantssingle-playersoapboxsolosolo-playsolo-playersthe-soapboxworking-aloneTue, 05 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game have you fallen back in love with most often?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here I go, here I go, here I go again. Girls, what's my weakness? JOBS!
Some games you just can't quit. You might unsubscribe and head off for a time, but you always wind up back in-game before too long. And some games just give you new things to enjoy each time you log back in. Even if you're bored with one part of the game, you start playing a bit differently and suddenly it's like the first time. Put simply, you fall in love with the game all over again.

Most of the games we play for long periods wind up in the catbird's seat more than once. But there are games that you fall back in love with, and then there are games that you keep falling back in love with all over again even if you'd prefer not to do so. So what game have you fallen back in love with most often? Is it a game that you think of as generally one of your favorite or one that you have sharply divided feelings about to start with?

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 game have you fallen back in love with most often? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grindfalling-in-lovegamesold-favoritesold-gamesopinionplaystyleplaystylestdgthe-daily-grindSun, 04 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Adventures equal battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
One of the big selling points of Final Fantasy XIV before launch was that there were many classes devoted to doing things other than fighting. The promise was made, more than once (if memory serves), that even non-combat classes would get to take part in the main story, and it was also stated that these classes would still be useful to an adventuring party even if not quite as good as another Disciple of War or Magic.

At this point, of course, we can confidently say that part was a lie. A Botanist is about as useful in combat as an actual botanist in a fistfight. But Naoki Yoshida has gone on record that the former part is a lie as well -- that if you want to take part in the main storyline, you really do need to level a combat class. It wasn't something that was really highlighted, but it was still there, and it's worth unpacking as we look forward to another year of the game's ongoing development. If you came in expecting to only craft and gather, you're no longer going to have your run of the place.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Adventures equal battles

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Adventures equal battles originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncombatcraftingdesignendgamefeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgatheringnaoki-yoshidanon-combatopinionplaystylesquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 14 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like having the freedom to play solo?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-the-freedom-to-play-solo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-the-freedom-to-play-solo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-the-freedom-to-play-solo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Groups are always great for dramatic screenshots.
MMOs are social experiences at their core, but there's still something about having freedom on your character of choice. At times, everyone likes to step away from being responsible for other people, and operating solo means that you get to take full credit for your own success and failure. But the quality of that operation depends on the game -- Final Fantasy XI characters were largely helpless solo past a certain point, while there's little in Star Trek Online that a solo player can't handle with some patience.

Obviously, being able to get plenty done solo means that you can indulge your time in the game more freely and not have to worry too much about other availability. But it also does detract from the grouping experience, and it can lead to a rahter one-note game where every enemy has to fall prey to the same solo tactics. So do you think solo-friendly game are a good thing? Do you want your games to feature a fair amount of self-reliance, or do you miss the old days where parties were the default for content?

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: Do you like having the freedom to play solo? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedesigngame-designgame-mechanicsgroupinggroupsopinionplaystylesolosoloingtdgthe-daily-grindSat, 13 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Most MMOs have three playstyles. Well, that's incorrect; they actually have any number of play-styles with varying degrees of three types of play. PvE (player vs. environment) is the style of play in which the antagonists are a part of the gameworld itself. PvP (player vs. player) pits the players against each other. And RP (roleplaying) has the players vying for... whatever they decide they need to vie for. Most players engage Fallen Earth (or any MMO, for that matter) with a mix of the three.

Fallen Earth is a great setting for the RPers. Its vastness and its interesting-looking locales make for a variety of backdrops. The interesting locales usually make for some great locations for open world PvP. And there are hundreds and hundreds of PvE missions here, there, and everywhere. All three types of players can get a lot out of Fallen Earth if they approach the game properly. The purpose of this post is to help you along with getting what you can out of the game with your preferred playstyle. So without any further ado, click past the cut and read on.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Playstyles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyauction-houseblockadeCraftercraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studioslevel-capPlayStylepvepvproleplayRolePlayingRPsocialtraderFri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does absence make the heart grow fonder?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/the-daily-grind-does-absence-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-when-yo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/the-daily-grind-does-absence-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-when-yo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/the-daily-grind-does-absence-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-when-yo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Single-player games have at least one distinct advantage over MMOs -- they don't go anywhere. You can spend months not playing one, and if you're behind at all, it's just a matter of not having bought all the DLC as it became available. Not so with online games, where a few months off can leave you behind the curve in both gear and incremental changes to your class of choice, making it almost easier to just start over. Even in a game like Guild Wars, where your character is never going anywhere and returning to the game just requires a login, losing some in-game time can leave you out in the cold.

For some players, of course, this is what makes taking some time off attractive in the first place. The progression itself is enjoyable, not the end goal, and it's more fun to come back to World of Warcraft every few months to earn up new equipment rather than keep playing with the equipment you've got. So what about you? Are you more or less likely to return to a game as time passes? Do you get turned off by thinking of how much catching up you'll need to do, or is that the part of the game that really excites you anyway?

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: Does absence make the heart grow fonder? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abesncechanging-sessionsculturehabitsleavingon-a-breakopinionplay-habitsplay-sessionsplaystyletaking-a-breaktdgthe-daily-grindSun, 10 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What stereotypes get your goat within the MMO community?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-daily-grind-what-stereotypes-get-your-goat-within-the-mmo-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-daily-grind-what-stereotypes-get-your-goat-within-the-mmo-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-daily-grind-what-stereotypes-get-your-goat-within-the-mmo-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's easy to paint every single MMO player with a broad stroke, but the fact of the matter is that we've all got our quirks and our preferences. Even within the larger community we tend to pigeonhole people by their playstyles and games of choice, even though we know those stereotypes aren't accurate. Not everyone who plays World of Warcraft is part of the mass of braying donkeys that passes for a community, not every Second Life player engages in work-unsafe activities while playing, and there are plenty of Darkfall players who would be hard-pressed to survive in a fair PvP matchup.

But the stereotypes don't stop with the games you play. There's a long-held assumption that roleplayers can't play the game well, PvPers are antisocial and nasty, and PvE players are only concerned with shiny loot over challenge. We all know the preconceptions, but what ones really bothers you? Which assumptions do you feel are patently false, and which ones seem to hold true from your experience?

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 stereotypes get your goat within the MMO community? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assumptioncultureopinionplaystylepreferencesstereotypestdgthe-daily-grindFri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: You are not a storyteller]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/storyboard-you-are-not-a-storyteller/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/storyboard-you-are-not-a-storyteller/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/storyboard-you-are-not-a-storyteller/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I know that some of you are looking at that title in disbelief. Others are probably just reading already, figuring that in a few lines I'm going to set up what the central joke is and explain how I'm subverting the title -- you know, a nice eye-catching title that draws everyone in, then a paragraph or two where I explain how I'm not being serious.

That's not what we're doing here. That title is one hundred percent accurate. If you are a roleplayer, you are not a storyteller. Close, maybe, even in the same basic food group, but you're not a storyteller.

I've spent the better part of the last several months talking about how to work on telling a story, developing a character, all of that stuff. But it occurred to me that I was leaving out a very important part of the equation, something that I was aware of in the back of my mind -- and many of you likely are aware of, as well -- but I never said outright. I'm saying it right now. Roleplaying is not storytelling, and if you're trying to be a storyteller, something is not going right.

Continue reading Storyboard: You are not a storyteller

MassivelyStoryboard: You are not a storyteller originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryfeaturedloreopinionplaystylerantroleplayingrpstorystoryboardstorytellingFri, 21 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Scrappers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-scrappers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-scrappers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-scrappers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We're in a small lull for City of Heroes at the moment, and truth be told it's well-deserved. After several months of invasions, updates, previews of the upcoming issues and so forth... it's nice to finally have a chance to just lean back and breathe a little bit. Of course, said breathing will involve a fair bit of superpowered antics, but as involved as that might be for the characters, the players don't have to be constantly looking to the future.

So while we technically should be working through the Incarnate System, the odds are better than even that we'll all be rolling alts over the holiday season. We play City of Heroes; alts are in our blood. So in a move that can only have been brought on by an almost criminal overdose of liquor, I've decided to start taking a look at the powersets of the archetypes, starting with the alt-friendly Scrapper. This should be of benefit to those who have never played a Scrapper, including players who are starting the game for the first time and who by definition haven't tried one before.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Scrappers

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Scrappers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporterabilitiesarchetypearchetypescity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclass-abilitiesclassescohcolumncovcoxfeaturedgroupingncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosplaystylepowerspowersetsscrapperssoloingthematic-choicesWed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you buying Final Fantasy XIV?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/the-daily-grind-are-you-buying-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/the-daily-grind-are-you-buying-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/the-daily-grind-are-you-buying-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In the relative drought of new releases for 2010, Final Fantasy XIV may look to some like a shining beacon. Beyond even that, it might look like a beacon even if the year was filled to bursting. Crafting classes, active combat, and the unique flavor that Square-Enix puts into a game all wrapped up in one system-intensive package. Of course, there are several people who look at the indisputably uncommon control scheme, early-game bugs, or even just the flavor of the game and see it as the exact opposite of a beacon.

Today isn't the full release of the game, but anyone who purchased the collector's edition will get to log in starting today with an eight-day head start. Whether or not you decided to spring for the pricier edition, we have to ask -- are you planning on buying Final Fantasy XIV? Are you going to buy at launch, or do you plan to wait until more of the kinks have been ironed out? Or are you holding out for the PS3 release early next year?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you buying Final Fantasy XIV? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editionffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivflavorgame-launcheslaunchesplaystation-3playstylepriceps3purchasesreleasessquaresquare-enixtdgthe-daily-grindWed, 22 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hey, guys, did you know that Going Rogue is launching in less than a week? That's crazy. It feels especially strange to me, since this was an expansion that had barely been announced when I started here, and has since become pretty personally important. But we're not here to talk about my vague feelings about the impending launch, we're here to talk about its larger implications for City of Heroes -- namely, the obvious systemic changes that might well be coming when the expansion goes live.

Now, some of you are doubtlessly going to point out that we're not even getting our first Incarnate slot, the expansion isn't changing any part of the system, and so forth and so on. But you forget that there is an interesting change to the system coming that we all know about: the fact that archetypes will no longer be allegiance-locked. That's right -- whether you're in City of Heroes or City of Villains, you'll no longer be limited to five different archetypes. And considering the fact that the archetypes are roughly analogous on both sides now, this might have just a bit of an impact.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypebalancecity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainsclassclassescohcontrolcovcoxdpsexpansionexpansionsfeaturedgoing-roguegrgroupinggroupshybrid-classeshybridsncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospartiespartyingplaystyleportmanteauspowersetssupporttankingteamsWed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive video diary of the souls of Rift: Planes of Telara]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-video-diary-of-the-souls-of-rift-planes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-video-diary-of-the-souls-of-rift-planes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-video-diary-of-the-souls-of-rift-planes-of-telara/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You could be forgiven for not catching it immediately from our E3 hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara, but there are some unique things going on with the game's class system. It's hardly the first game to allow you to change classes, but the game also goes into combining them, shifting aspects, interplay between multiple class types... it's a maze of inter-relationships. Luckily, we have an exclusive video developer diary from the staff at Trion Worlds that discusses the whole setup at length, giving future players a much clearer overview of how the system works.

When players start, they choose one of four Callings -- Warrior, Rogue, Mage, or Cleric -- which determines the player's core playstyle. As they level, they gradually acquire Souls, and it's there that the bulk of a character's abilities come from. It's a fusion of the talent tree system popularized via World of Warcraft with something much more interesting, and the possibilities for mixing the different Souls together can give rise to all sorts of interesting theories. But don't take our word for it -- watch the exclusive developer diary just past the cut.

Continue reading Exclusive video diary of the souls of Rift: Planes of Telara

MassivelyExclusive video diary of the souls of Rift: Planes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclassesclericdeveloper-diaryexclusiveexclusive-videoheroes-of-telaramageplaystyleprofessionsriftrift-planes-of-telararoguetalentstriontrion-worldsvideovideoswarriorMon, 19 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What attitudes can you not stand?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/03/the-daily-grind-what-attitudes-can-you-not-stand/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/03/the-daily-grind-what-attitudes-can-you-not-stand/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/03/the-daily-grind-what-attitudes-can-you-not-stand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blizzard has always been known by the fans for going all-out with their jokes on April 1st, and this year was no exception. The entire Equipment Potency Equivalence Number was funny in its own right, but especially as an attitude prevalent not only among World of Warcraft players. No matter what game you play, you know people whose sense of ego and importance at in-game achievements drives you up the wall. For some people it's a minor irritation; for others, it's the sort of thing that is so insufferable it's not worth even trying to work with them.

There are no shortage of helpful and friendly players in games, but there's also an abundance of arrogant gear worshippers, socially inept trolls, die-hard PvP grognards, ineffectual PvE carebears... you get the idea. Almost everyone agrees the extreme cases are bad, but we all think some are worse than others. So what about you? What sort of outlook makes you just quit a group in frustration no matter how the player performs? Is it something hugely removed from your own playstyle and approach, or something that's close to how you normally run and becomes more obnoxious as a result?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What attitudes can you not stand? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-2010arroganceattitudebehavioropinionplaystylesocial-interactiontdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 03 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you like to play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We complain that MMOs are getting narrower and smaller as time goes by, with terms like "themeparks" being thrown around without much affection. But there are still a lot of ways to enjoy yourself in pretty much every game under the sun and games that cater to a wide variety of playstyles on top of that. There are games focused on a strong PvP game (Warhammer Online, EVE Online), games with a focus on PvE content (City of Heroes, Lord of the Rings Online), and others with a split between both (World of Warcraft, Guild Wars).

Even within that wide spectrum, however, there's a fair variety of options. You could focus on the PvE game in EVE Online if you wanted, or even just head off into another direction like roleplaying if you so desired. With all the different ways to enjoy yourself, we ask you today: how do you like to play? Do you prefer PvP, PvE, a mix of both? Or do you prefer alternate progression like crafting or exploration, eschewing the rails that are set down for you by the development team?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you like to play? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescohcontenteveeve-onlineguild-warsgwlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroplay-focusplaystylepvepvproleplayingtdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[We're missing something in our MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/were-missing-something-in-our-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/were-missing-something-in-our-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/were-missing-something-in-our-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Game design has certainly come a long way from Ultima Online, the first real example of what we now think of as the MMO genre. We've gone from games with no restrictions on behaviors to games where it's almost impossible to be truly horrid to other people, from ones without any real structure to a clean path of progression, from obtuse game mechanics to transparent and clear information. So with all of these changes, asks Brian 'Psychochild' Green, why are we feeling like there's something missing? Why do we find ourselves less than satisfied in our cleaner, better-designed, and well-built virtual worlds?

The article asks the interesting question that if leveling and gear were removed from the games we play, what would we do? In most current games, he argues that there isn't a whole lot left once you take away the achievement axis, and that leads to a sense of hollowness in many -- achievements only fostering further achievements. He goes on to argue in favor of a greater sense of adventure and more options for exploration without requiring a strict advancement path. Whether or not it's a truly viable theory is up for debate, but the core concepts should prove interesting to anyone looking for an answer to the question "why am I doing this?" We've seen a rise in prominence of goal-focused games following the success of World of Warcraft, and perhaps it's time to start moving to the other end of the spectrum.

MassivelyWe're missing something in our MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-greenculturegame-designopinionplaystyleultima-onlineuoworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: The role you play pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I haven't looked back. I've had a lot of ups and downs on my journey to level 80. I haven't always stayed true to my original goal, and ended up skipping more than my fair share of groups at level 70 - can you believe that I didn't actually visit one Heroic dungeon in Burning Crusade?

I've been in groups where the run was smooth as silk, and the chat had be holding my sides from laughing too hard.

On the flip-side, I've had groups which made me want to claw my eyeballs from their sockets, and break my fingers so I couldn't play ever again. Seriously, Barrens General had nothing on some of these people.

I've discovered that a lot of the things that make me a good healer in WoW also make me a good tank. Situational and tactical awareness, an eye for detail, the ability and willingness to communicate and the ability to make decisions quickly are necessary for success in both roles. Don't get me wrong - I'm not the best tank out there, I'm far from perfect, but I'm bloody good at it, and you could do an awful lot worse.

Tanking is a role that puts a fair amount of responsibility on the player's shoulders. Whether you like it or not, whether you even realise it or not, a lot of the wipes that happen in an instance will be your fault. Yes, that Warlock/Mage/Shaman shouldn't be pulling aggro, but you should be watching Omen and warning them about it. Mobs running around one-shotting your healer? You should be picking them up before bad things happen.

You might not agree, you might say that aggro is each player's own responsibility - that they should be checking their own Omen, and making sure they're behind you in aggro. That's fair enough, I just calls 'em the way I sees 'em.

I never expected to enjoy tanking as much as I do. I've found a role that I never thought would have suited me, but by the same token, might not have enjoyed as much if I'd gone into it earlier in the game. Maybe I was wrong about the other classes I considered, and I'd have ended up feeling as much at home being a Mage or Shaman.

Most of us play games for some small amount of escapism, to get away from our real lives and forget our stresses for a little while if we can. But are we drawn to certain classes because they reflect something within ourselves? Do I enjoy tanking and healing because of some personality quirk? Does that mean I enjoy smoothing over people's concerns and keeping them happy in real life? My family would beg to differ. Are Mages running a heavy Fire spec all secret Pyromaniacs? Are those of us with a Druid secret hippies? The analogy doesn't really hold much weight, I'll admit - but there may be something in it.

Feel free to comment below, share similar stories of you finding your niche, or even stories of you not finding it. Let me know if agree or disagree with my theories - I'll try not to delete the ones that disagree. No promises though.

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: The role you play pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtainburning-crusadeclasseshealingplaystyleplaystylestankingworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 31 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: The role you play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/behind-the-curtain-the-role-you-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This week, I'd like to talk a bit about how taking a look at how you play a game, and which class you play, and maybe choosing to change one or both can pay dividends.

Before I do that though, I would just like to mention that I did finally manage to get hold of Baron Rivendare's mount after 68 runs - my thanks to all of you who shared similar stories in the comments of last week's column. Or at the very least, my thanks to whatever Blizzard GM read my whinings and took pity on me, if that's what happened.

Apart from Keith. Ten runs, two mounts and one sword? Keith, I'll be hunting you down to kill you in your sleep, I just wanted to give you fair warning.

If you've been paying attention to any of my columns of late, you'll have noticed that I'm playing a level 80 Protection Warrior in World of Warcraft just now.

I may not have Matthew Rossi's deep, rather touching, love for the Warrior class, but I do love being a tank. Which is something of a surprise, because it was never something I thought I would enjoy being.

My first character in WoW, away back around patch 1.9 was a Tauren Druid. I won't lie, the whole idealized Native American feel of the Tauren sucked me right in. The serenely beautiful rolling plains of Mulgore certainly didn't hurt my choice either. As for the Druid class itself, I can't quite remember what drew me there. I imagine it was that the theory and lore behind the class match up well with that of the Tauren race itself - they seemed to go well together, so I guess I just went with it.

Levelling up, of course, I specced Feral. I knew the Balance and Restoration trees were there, but I avoided them. I avoided Balance because it didn't suit the way I wanted to play, and I avoided Restoration because I wasn't yet comfortable speccing into a tree which required regular PUGs to get the most out of it.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: The role you play

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: The role you play originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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