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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online dev Q&A covers beta, grouping, and combat damage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/mechwarrior-online-dev-qanda-covers-beta-grouping-and-combat-dam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/mechwarrior-online-dev-qanda-covers-beta-grouping-and-combat-dam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/mechwarrior-online-dev-qanda-covers-beta-grouping-and-combat-dam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MWO
MechWarrior Online's devs aren't quite ready to disclose specifics on the game's minimum specs or beta process, but news for both is coming "soon." These vague assurances were the anomaly in a recent community Q&A, during which Piranha Games President Russ Bullock and Creative Director Bryan Ekman spilled on all of the minutia that fans were dying to know.

The duo said that they're "working very hard" to get MWO servers into every major region and that information about beta will be coming next week. They did confirm that there will be an open beta at some juncture, however.

Other details disclosed included the fact that players can form groups of up to 12 'Mechs, that legs cannot be blown off (but can be immobilized), and that the launch matchmaking system will be very basic and won't take into account player skill or records.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online dev Q&A covers beta, grouping, and combat damage originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaBryan-Ekmanclosed-betacommunity-q-and-af2pfree-to-playmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemin-specsminimum-specsmwoopen-betapiranhapiranha-gamespvpq-and-aRuss-Bullocksci-fisoonsoon-tmspecstweetchattwitterThu, 17 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on companions and modifications]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Could you guys be droids instead? I'd rather have droids.
Companions are one of the main features of Star Wars: The Old Republic, but they're also sometimes very limiting. Depending on your class and spec, you can find yourself with only one or two companions with useful abilities. But that's partly by design; according to the latest community Q&A, the distinctiveness of companions is both a result of their abilities and their personalities. The team has no plans for making companions more interchangeable, at least for the moment.

If you were hoping for better news, don't fret, as the other answers are a fair bit more positive. The technical hurdles preventing some classes from having a modifiable offhand are being looked into, and the answers also delve into the details of adding a new augment slot to existing modifiable items. There's also a discussion of the different rates of gear acquisition for players on the PvE and PvP progress tracks, along with a variety of other answers for players of several stripes.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on companions and modifications originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommunity-q-and-aeaelectronic-artsgame-mechanicslucasartsmodifiable-itemsmodificationsnewspatchesq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorupdatesFri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR preps character transfer service for this summer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/swtor-preps-character-transfer-service-for-this-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/swtor-preps-character-transfer-service-for-this-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/swtor-preps-character-transfer-service-for-this-summer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
Feeling grounded on a particular Star Wars: The Old Republic server while your friends are hyperjumping on a different one? BioWare says relief for player segregation is in sight, as the studio is preparing for character transfers in SWTOR starting "in early summer."

According to Senior Producer Dallas Dickinson, the service will be made available in waves. The studio will begin by offering free transfers to and from specific servers, but later on there will be a more widespread system that will allow anyone to transfer to the server of their choice. The service should help alleviate issues with low population servers by offering transfers to high-pop ones.

It's important to note that while some of these transfers will be free, others will require a real-world fee.

SWTOR recently released in new territories including the Middle East and has plans for additional playable races for later this year.

MassivelySWTOR preps character transfer service for this summer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecharacter-transfercharacter-transferscommunity-q-and-aDallas-Dickinsoneaelectronic-artslucasartsq-and-asci-fisegregationserver-transferserver-transfersstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 30 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic answers a new set of community questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-a-new-set-of-community-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-a-new-set-of-community-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-a-new-set-of-community-quest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, rakghouls are probably not one of the new playable races.
The Legacy update is live, the Rakghoul Plague is contained for the time being, and Star Wars: The Old Republic fans are eager for more content and more news. The latest set of community questions and answers doesn't really deliver any new content, but it does deliver tantalizing promises, such as the fact that players can expect to roster of playable races to expand this year. There are also promises of an overhaul to the Achievement system and more Legacy-wide rewards, potentially including datacrons.

Not all of the news is good, however, with dual spec confirmed to not be included in the the upcoming patch 1.3 (but hopefully in the following patch). There are also a few in-depth answers about crafting and the necessity of finding a crafter for optimal item modifications. Players can also expect to see future spontaneous world events, although the team doesn't want to precisely replicate the Rakghoul Plague with a new skin. Take a look at the full list of questions, and if you want something answered that isn't there, submit it for the next round.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers a new set of community questions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecraftcrafterscraftingdesigndevelopmenteaelectronic-artslucasartsq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.2swtor-patch-1.3the-old-republictorupdatesFri, 27 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare publishes this week's SWTOR community Q&A, preps for next week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/bioware-publishes-this-weeks-swtor-community-qanda-preps-for-nex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/bioware-publishes-this-weeks-swtor-community-qanda-preps-for-nex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/bioware-publishes-this-weeks-swtor-community-qanda-preps-for-nex/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Jedi PvE
BioWare has published a selection of community questions (and answers) on its official Star Wars: The Old Republic website. The firm is making a concerted effort to reach out to its players lately, and the Q&A is the latest effort that comes on the heels of a website revamp and the in-game rakghoul plague.

Combat designer Cameron Winston fields a query about SWTOR's threat mechanics, while lead designer Damion Schubert talks about the logic behind the equipment available at commendation vendors. "We don't want you to get all of the pieces of an armor set from any one source of gear. We want you to do multiple activities in the game to build out a full set of gear. This is a conscious decision on our part to encourage and reward playing multiple facets of the game. So you should do other things -- heroics, check the GTN, etc. -- the full set of gear is out there," he explains.

BioWare has also made two new discussion threads available on the forums: one for this week's questions and one for next week's Q&A.

MassivelyBioWare publishes this week's SWTOR community Q&A, preps for next week originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecameron-winstondamion-schuberteaelectronic-artslucasartsQ-and-Aquestion-and-answersci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-q-and-aswtor-question-and-answerthe-old-republictorSat, 21 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively to co-host STO panel at the Official Star Trek Convention]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/massively-to-co-host-sto-panel-at-the-official-star-trek-convent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/massively-to-co-host-sto-panel-at-the-official-star-trek-convent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/massively-to-co-host-sto-panel-at-the-official-star-trek-convent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

STO
Hey MMO Trekkies, are you beaming down to Las Vegas for this year's Official Star Trek Convention? If so, we've got one event that you won't want to miss: a Q&A panel with Star Trek Online's developers co-hosted by Massively and TrekRadio.net!

We'll be on the scene as Cryptic Studios fields a wide variety of questions from ardent fans of the game. If getting that burning question you've had off your chest isn't enough of a reason to attend, the developers will also show a few trailers and sneak peeks of upcoming content.

The panel will take place on Saturday, August 11th, from 2:00 to 3:00 EDT (11:00 a.m. to noon PDT) at the Rio Suites Hotel in Las Vegas.

MassivelyMassively to co-host STO panel at the Official Star Trek Convention originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-q-and-aconventioncrypticcryptic-studiosdev-panelf2pfree-to-playlas-vegasofficial-star-trek-conventionpanelperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweq-and-asci-fisneak-peekstar-trekstar-trek-conventionstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrekradio.netFri, 20 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online devs field 'Mech customization queries]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mechwarrior-online-devs-field-mech-customization-queries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mechwarrior-online-devs-field-mech-customization-queries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mechwarrior-online-devs-field-mech-customization-queries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MechWarrior Online
If you had four developers of a hot upcoming title trapped in a room and could ask them any question you wanted, what would it be? (Please note that if you actually are in this situation, Massively advises releasing the hostages and surrendering to the police.) While there might not be a filthy underground lair involved in MechWarrior Online's latest community Q&A session, the principle is the same.

A good bulk of the 27 questions thrown to the four members of Piranha Games' team revolve around 'Mech customization. MechWarrior Online will be pretty flexible in this regard, although not as flexible as pen-and-paper fans might hope. For example, custom decals won't be in the game at launch, as their inclusion would require too much monitoring. Still, if you're trying to get a sense of the scope of MWO's 'Mech customization, this Q&A might impress you.

Just because the community could ask doesn't mean that Piranha had to answer, however. When queried about the in-game economy, Creative Director Bryan Ekman put the answer off until later: "We're not ready to go into details on the economics of the game. We plan to cover this in greater detail in the next couple of months via our dev blogs."

MassivelyMechWarrior Online devs field 'Mech customization queries originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-q-and-acustomizationdev-q-and-aeconomyf2pfree-to-playin-game-economymechmech-customizationmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemwopiranhapiranha-gamesq-and-asci-fiWed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 crosses the pond to answer questions for EU Fan Day]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/arenanet-crosses-the-pond-to-answer-questions-for-european-fan-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/arenanet-crosses-the-pond-to-answer-questions-for-european-fan-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/arenanet-crosses-the-pond-to-answer-questions-for-european-fan-d/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Say
Guild Wars 2's release is (hopefully) creeping closer and closer with each passing day, and now that the title has a few weekend beta events under its belt, enthusiasm for the game is growing. To help assuage the growing impatience for the game's release, ArenaNet brought some prominent members of the European community together for an EU Fan Day full of fun times and Q&As.

The sheer volume of questions answered by the studio prohibits us from even attempting a complete summary in the span of this post, but if you're at all interested in the game, it's worth a read. PvP rank-specific emotes, guild features, and an unrevealed PvP map that "will be very nostalgic for GW players" are all on the table for discussion, so to get the full, juicy details, just head on over to the official Guild Wars 2 Twitter and check out today's posts marked with the hashtag #EUFanDay.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 crosses the pond to answer questions for EU Fan Day originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteu-fan-dayeuropean-fan-dayfantasyguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftq-and-aqatwitterMon, 02 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT developers answer a new round of community questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This was going to be filled with fire-related puns, but I lost the popular vote on that.
There are a lot of questions within the RIFT community, questions the development team seeks to answer with a new set of responses to community inquiries. Some of the answers are a bit on the negative side; there are no plans to expand the game's lore into novels, for instance. There are also no plans to add in arena-style combat or the option of visible cloaks, with the developers feeling that the former makes the game seem less massive and the latter has a detrimental impact on game performance.

That doesn't mean it's all bad news, however. The developers are looking into more ways to allow cross-faction interaction beyond the mercenary PvP system. There's also some talk about the next big raid and player feedback, which according to the answers is largely positive. There are also plans for more Souls in the future, which should provide RIFT players with even more options to custom-build a character.

[Update: Trion contacted us to clarify the cloak question. They say that cloaks aren't completely off-the-table, they're just not focusing on them right now. There was even a hint that cloaks will be a definite future addition to RIFT.]

MassivelyRIFT developers answer a new round of community questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesarenaarenascapescloakscross-factionfactionsfantasypowersq-and-aquestions-and-answersriftrift-literift-planes-of-telaraskillssoulsspecstriontrion-worldsThu, 29 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 beta questions: Answered!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/guild-wars-2-beta-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/guild-wars-2-beta-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/guild-wars-2-beta-questions-answered/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2: Party On, dude!
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Last week we asked for your Guild Wars 2 questions as we prepared to head into the beta weekend, and boy did you rise to the occasion! After sorting through all the questions, we made a list of the most interesting and frequently repeated ones to investigate. Have a question you don't see answered here? Tonight I'll be doing a live question-and-answer session on Massively's own livestream! Tune in at 7:00 p.m. EDT and ask away!

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 beta questions: Answered!

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 beta questions: Answered! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteventsfantasyfeaturedguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-previewgw2iron-legionncsoftpreviewpreviewsq-and-aqaquestions-and-answersrespecMon, 26 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR devs attempt to balance the Force through nerfs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/swtor-devs-attempt-to-balance-the-force-through-nerfs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/swtor-devs-attempt-to-balance-the-force-through-nerfs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/swtor-devs-attempt-to-balance-the-force-through-nerfs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR
It's Friday, Friday, and even Jedi got to get down with Friday... which also means a new community Q&A sent across the holonet to players eager for a glimpse of Star Wars: The Old Republic's future. However, the devs have asked that questions focus more on current features in the game, as in many cases they cannot give firm details about what's coming up in SWTOR.

Today's topics begin with a discussion about why some advanced classes, such as Commandos and Mercenaries, lack an interrupt. This wasn't an oversight, the devs revealed, but "a purposefully designed weakness in their ability arsenal" to keep them balanced in the game -- especially in PvP.

"Balance" was an answer to another issue as well, specifically the nerfs to some of the healing specs. Lead Combat Designer Georg Zoeller realized that folks were going to rail against it, but the team thought it was necessary: "I know trying to 'sell' a downwards adjustment (AKA nerf) to anyone affected is like selling the need for a tax increase to people. When you are on the receiving end of it, you're not going to be happy about it."

Other questions revolved around rage timers, looping the game's music, cross-faction communication within the same guild, and legacy system specifics.

MassivelySWTOR devs attempt to balance the Force through nerfs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommandocommunity-q-and-aeaelectronic-artsGeorg-Zoellerlegacy-systemlucasartsmercenarynerfnerfspvpq-and-asci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 23 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on 1.2 and priorities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No one ever asks if Hutta is ever going to be a bit less yellow. That's just an accepted fact.
With patch 1.2 on the horizon, most Star Wars: The Old Republic players have questions, which makes it a good thing that the game is still hosting a weekly community question-and-answer session to give players answers to those questions. This week, we've been granted a confirmation that more character slots are being planned, an assertion that new crafted items will still use existing high-end materials, and the promise that a "barber shop"-style feature is in the planning stages (even if it's not in 1.2).

That last answer leads into a discussion of how the development team prioritizes updates, the pace of those updates, and what players can expect as each update goes live. As outlined in the answer, the big question is how much work any given feature is expected to take, which has to be juggled so that big features are coming out regularly without forcing development to stagnate. That means that some features have to wait for future updates -- but it seems like the team is still well aware of these issues just the same.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on 1.2 and priorities originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommunityeaelectronic-artsimprovementslucasartspatch-1.2patchesq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictorupcoming-patchesupcoming-updatesupdatesSat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Center your sights with MechWarrior Online's latest dev Q&A]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/center-your-sights-with-mechwarrior-onlines-latest-dev-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/center-your-sights-with-mechwarrior-onlines-latest-dev-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/center-your-sights-with-mechwarrior-onlines-latest-dev-qanda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Concept Art -- MechWarrior Online
MechWarriors, start your engines. It's time for another Q&A session with the fine folks at Piranha Games, the studio behind the upcoming free-to-play MechWarrior Online. Combat is the name of the game today, and developers Matt Craig, Paul Inouye, David Bradley, and Garth Eriam have taken some time to answer players' burning questions.

The Q&A covers topics ranging from the game's reticle convergence mechanics to how exactly one goes about disabling an enemy 'Mech, and just as there's more than one way to skin a cat, there are myriad methods with which to bring destruction to your foes. Players will be able to bring down an enemy BattleMech by destroying the head, disabling the torso, or literally bringing the 'Mech to its knees by crippling its legs. But of course, that's much easier said than done. The game's reticle convergence system will require players to aim their shots well and time them even better if they plan to survive for long.

The full details, for those interested in the mechanics of combat, are available for perusal at the official MWO site.

MassivelyCenter your sights with MechWarrior Online's latest dev Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combatcommunity-q-and-acommunity-qaf2pfree-to-playmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemwopiranhapiranha-gamesq-and-aqareticle-convergencesci-fiwarfareWed, 14 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine answers burning questions about LotRO's Landscape Soldiers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/turbine-answers-burning-questions-about-lotros-landscape-soldie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/turbine-answers-burning-questions-about-lotros-landscape-soldie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/turbine-answers-burning-questions-about-lotros-landscape-soldie/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Coming with next Monday's Update 6 in Lord of the Rings Online is the ability for players to deploy skirmish soldiers in the actual game world. How Turbine was going to handle the balance of this "soldiers on landscape" feature was up in the air until now, as the company has released a Q&A to hit all of the important points.

Basically, players will have to purchase Landscape Soldier tokens with either Turbine Points or a combination of in-game skirmish marks and medallions. A token will grant a player one hour of soldier assistance, although this time can be broken up into non-consecutive blocks at the player's discretion. Soldiers cannot be used in instances and major player hubs (such as cities) at the current time.

Other restrictions for Landscape Soldiers include the disabled personal traits (that offer considerable buffs in skirmishes) and no control panel to order them around, as with Lore-master and Captain pets.

MassivelyTurbine answers burning questions about LotRO's Landscape Soldiers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playlandscape-soldierslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroq-and-askirmishskirmish-soldierssoldiers-on-landscapesturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsupdate-6Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR putting a mailbox on the Millennium Falcon (and other Q&A tidbits)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/swtor-putting-a-mailbox-on-the-millenium-falcon-and-other-qanda-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/swtor-putting-a-mailbox-on-the-millenium-falcon-and-other-qanda-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/swtor-putting-a-mailbox-on-the-millenium-falcon-and-other-qanda-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR
With the upcoming Guild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare had less time than usual to answer the weekly barrage of questions sent in by players, but an honest attempt was made to address some of them.

The biggest news to come out of this new Q&A is that BioWare will be improving ship functionality through the Legacy system. We know that this system will allow players to unlock beneficial and cosmetic features inside the game, and Principal Leads System Designer Damion Schubert confirms that two of those unlocks will be the addition of mailboxes and Galactic Trade Network access to player ships. Schubert also said that BioWare is on the verge of revealing all about Legacies: "Watch for more information about Legacy unlocks coming in Game Update 1.2 -- we should be dropping that Real Soon Now."

Other topics covered in the Q&A include endgame crafting gear, grey alignment rewards, why BioWare is sticking to a global maintenance window, the ability to turn off the smart camera in 1.2, and the mystery of the Accuracy stat.

[Thanks to Drakkonus for the tip!]

MassivelySWTOR putting a mailbox on the Millennium Falcon (and other Q&A tidbits) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.21.2-updatebiowarecommunity-q-and-aDamion-Schuberteaelectronic-artsgame-update-1.2guild-summitlegacylegacy-systemlucasartsq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another round of Star Wars: The Old Republic questions answered by the developers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Because fans are PROBING for answers! Get it?
It's been two months since Star Wars: The Old Republic launched, and players have some questions. So it's a good thing that the development team is still hosting a weekly question-and-answer session for the community, with the latest installment addressing several new concerns about future updates. Among the answers are new features that will be coming with the second major patch, including animation adjustments for cross-faction parity and tweaks to docking at planets with orbital stations such as Tython and Korriban.

There are also plans for players to gain the ability to roll on equipment specifically for companions; the Need option will be disabled unless the item in question is designed for your advanced class. Amidst all of the good news, however, there is some bad in the sense that new ship models and customization are apparently on the table -- but for much further in the future. Take a look at the full list of answers if you're interested in seeing what players can expect for new features in the near future and the slightly further future.

MassivelyAnother round of Star Wars: The Old Republic questions answered by the developers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mythiccommunitycommunity-questionseaea-biowareelectronic-artsfuture-patchesfuture-updatesnewspatchesq-and-aquestions-and-answersstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdatesFri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Assume the fish is a question, not just an enormous sunfish. Public domain photos are odd.
Some questions are just too good to leave to my sole discretion. I like to think that I can provide a reasonable response to a number of questions, but I also think there are some questions that merit more opinions. Case in point: a question last week from potaco about whether or not it's harder to focus on a single game instead of several games as a Massively employee. So I'm consolidating responses from the whole team right now, and we'll have an answer to that question this week.

This week's Ask Massively is still packed, however, with questions about getting a new computer for World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as whether or not Guild Wars 2 will provide credible competition for other games when it launches. If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alt-textanswersask-massivelycolumncolumnscomputersfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2hardwarenew-computerspoliciespurchasesq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answersshoppingThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jagex CEO predicts the imminent demise of physical game retailers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/jagex-ceo-predicts-the-imminent-demise-of-physical-game-retailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/jagex-ceo-predicts-the-imminent-demise-of-physical-game-retailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/jagex-ceo-predicts-the-imminent-demise-of-physical-game-retailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mark Gerhard
Brick-and-mortar outlets, be warned: your days are numbered. Or so says Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, who told an audience at BAFTA Question Time that physical retailers were living on borrowed time -- and that before long, such stores would be "museum pieces."

Gerhard says that these retailers, such as UK's GAME, will be gone within a decade. "The writing has been on the wall for quite some time," he said. "I think, 10 years out from now, we'll be talking about [physical] retail nostalgically, as a museum piece."

He sees this as a positive development for the industry, saying that retailers take a slice of profits away from studios and make it hard for indie games to succeed. "People are still playing games. They're still doing business; they're just doing it in a different place. If you don't adapt you die. It's as simple as that," he said.

MassivelyJagex CEO predicts the imminent demise of physical game retailers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baftabafta-question-timebrick-and-mortargameindie-gamesjagexjagex-game-studiosMark-Gerhardphysical-retailersq-and-aretailersukTue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
It's time once again for another riveting episode of Star Wars: The Old Republic's community Q&A. This time around, the BioWare team covers a variety of concerns from SWTOR players ranging from the addition of a /roll command to the possibility of a mobile app. SWTOR's lead combat designer Damion Schubert had a bit to say regarding the latter, teasing that "it's almost as if this [crew skills] design was created specifically with [a mobile app] in mind, doesn't it?" Unfortunately the studio isn't prepared to give an ETA on the feature, "as [it] is a significant technical endeavour."

Non-Force-using healers also have plenty to look forward to as well, as the Q&A reveals that they'll be getting some love in patch 1.2, while Consulars and Inquisitors will have their heals brought back into line so that all healing classes and specs are (theoretically) viable. To get the full details on these subjects and more, just click on through the link below to the community Q&A at SWTOR's official site. Oh, and while we're at it, the game is on sale for $49.99 US on Origin, so if you want to get in the game and see what all the hubbub's about, now's your opportunity to do so while keeping a cool Hamilton to yourself. The sale is only happening for a limited time, though, so be sure to act quickly.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclass-balanceclassesdealdealseaelectronic-artshealerhealershealingmobile-appoperationsopsoriginq-and-aqasalesalesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online discusses the fine details of advancement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Centurions have never looked quite so impressive.
MechWarrior Online continues its march along in development, but that's no reason for fans to just wait and see what happens. A new installment in the developer blog that answers community questions has just been unveiled, tackling a variety of different topics. The primary focus is on customizing your 'Mech and advancing your character skills, building off of the recent discussion regarding the means of advancement and how players can upgrade their skills.

As outlined by the questions, the experience system will in some ways be reminiscent of EVE Online's -- players won't be able to respec, but there will be no limitations on starting to put points in a new tree while retaining the benefits of previously spent points. It's also confirmed that your experience with a given chassis remains even if you move on from the 'Mech in question should you later choose to return. If you're worried about the fine details of self-improvement in the upcoming game, the latest answer should put most of your questions to rest.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online discusses the fine details of advancement originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>improvementslevelingmechwarrior-onlinemwopilot-skillspirahnapirahna-gamespreviwesq-and-aquestions-and-answersskillsupdatesupgradesWed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Undead Labs answers questions about Class3's open world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/undead-labs-answers-questions-about-class3s-open-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/undead-labs-answers-questions-about-class3s-open-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/undead-labs-answers-questions-about-class3s-open-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Zombie piloting has a negative effect on airline safety.
Undead Labs has been putting out a steady stream of information for potential players of Class3, the company's upcoming single-player prelude to the massively multiplayer Class4. The last major update in January showed some previews of the game under development, something that prompted a great deal of discussion about how the game will play. As a result, this month's session of questions and answers focuses on player speculation and the game's open-world environment.

According to this set of answers, players will be able to explore the game through a variety of means, including taking shelter inside the houses across the landscape, jumping over fences, and making careful use of vehicles found through the world. There's also discussion about making use of the environment as a weapon via ragdoll physics plus a tantalizing hint that more information will be forthcoming about the game in the spring. Fans of the upcoming zombie apocalypse will want to take a look at the full set of answers, which will hopefully serve as a precursor to an epic MMO in the same vein.

MassivelyUndead Labs answers questions about Class3's open world originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class3class4game-mechanicsmechanicsopen-worldpreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersundead-labsupcoming-titleszombiezombie-survivalzombiesSun, 12 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare kicks off Star Wars: The Old Republic Q&A Fridays]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/bioware-kicks-off-star-wars-the-old-republic-qanda-fridays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/bioware-kicks-off-star-wars-the-old-republic-qanda-fridays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/bioware-kicks-off-star-wars-the-old-republic-qanda-fridays/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Perhaps Jedi can finally get this armor. And the chance to put hoods down.
When BioWare first announced the addition of a regular community Q&A feature for Star Wars: The Old Republic, the team stated that each session would answer about 10 questions. However, the first installment has gone up with a grand total of 15 and answers more questions about the Legacy system. Patch 1.2 will bring in the first set of rewards, allowing players to combine races and classes in new ways, but the company promises there will be more enhancements and expansions for future patches.

In fact, the next major patch is will bring several requested features. A new same-faction Warzone, the Hue to Chest feature, Medium and Heavy social armor, and guild banks are all on the table for the update. For players more concerned with the immediate state of the game, there are also answers about the best ways to submit feedback and how the team prioritizes which bugs to fix. It's certainly a good place to kick off the series, and community members should find something to be pleased with in the answers.

MassivelyBioWare kicks off Star Wars: The Old Republic Q&A Fridays originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mythiccommunity-q-and-aea-biowarepatchpatchespreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictorupdatesFri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Video guides to being a Sith mostly include a whole lot of pictures of puppies for you to scream at.
Bringing someone new into the world of an MMORPG can be a difficult task. BioWare is trying to make it easy for MMO newcomers to get into Star Wars: The Old Republic, and to that end the team has launched the first of a series of video guides to playing the game. The first video, narrated by Social Media Coordinator Eric Musco, covers starting fresh in the game, creating a character, and taking part in your first conversations.

Of course, you might be an old hand at playing the game by now. (If not, the video is embedded just past the cut.) For those players not in need of a helping hand, BioWare has also announced the launch of two weekly features -- a blog post rounding up all developer posts to the forums over the prior week, and a Q&A session that will pull 10 questions from a community thread to be answered each week. So even if you don't need help getting into the game, you can have a little extra guidance about what's going on behind the scenes.

Continue reading BioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyBioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mythiccommunitycommunity-blogdevelopmentdevelopment-questionseaea-biowareelectronic-artseric-muscoguidesq-and-astar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorvideovideo-guidevideosFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online Q&A gives you six devs for the price of none]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/mechwarrior-online-qanda-gives-you-six-devs-for-the-price-of-none/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/mechwarrior-online-qanda-gives-you-six-devs-for-the-price-of-none/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/mechwarrior-online-qanda-gives-you-six-devs-for-the-price-of-none/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Concept art -- MechWarrior Online
MechWarrior Online continues to unleash a steady barrage of new information with today's newly released developer Q&A. Piranha Games has outdone itself with the latest post, which brings you answers from not one, not two, but six MWO developers. The devs begin by giving fans some insight into how BattleMech modules will work to augment pilot abilities; for example players can sacrifice night-vision distance for higher visual detail. The remainder of the Q&A covers a great wealth of different topics, such as intelligence-gathering, the BattleGrid, and -- most importantly -- hula girls. For the full Q&A, just click on through the link below to the MechWarrior Online official forums.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online Q&A gives you six devs for the price of none originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegriddev-q-and-adev-qaf2pfree-to-playhula-girlsmechwarriormechwarrior-onlinemodulemodulesmwopiranhapiranha-gamesq-and-aqaWed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'd love to tell you what you're shooting at, but you don't have the clearance. I also would love to tell you if bullets hurt it or not.
Do you have questions about the Illuminati? Of course you do -- that's sort of their whole method of operation. But when it comes to The Secret World, some of those questions got answered via yesterday's community question-and-answer session on Facebook. While you'll have to Like the page in order to view all of the answers, you're rewarded for doing so with a breadth of facts about the secretive power-mongers and hoarders of secrets.

Among the first questions was the simple one of how the Illuminati aren't in control of everything in the game world if their operatives have infiltrated the highest level of government; as it happens, with the world exploding and lighting up with the supernatural, the Illuminati are too concerned with working overtime to keep things under wraps to try to take total control. The answers also reinforce the idea that the Illuminati crave power and competence above all, up to the organization's willingness to discard lesser members for valuable information. You can take a peek at the full set of answer on Facebook, but keep in mind that you're going to need to Like the page first.

MassivelyThe Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycommunityfactionsfuncomilluminatilorenewspreviewsq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answerssecret-societiessocietiesthe-secret-worldtswupdatesMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online interviews a trio of devs, hilarity ensues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/mechwarrior-online-interviews-a-trio-of-devs-hilarity-ensues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/mechwarrior-online-interviews-a-trio-of-devs-hilarity-ensues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/mechwarrior-online-interviews-a-trio-of-devs-hilarity-ensues/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MechWarrior Online concept art
Piranha Games, the studio behind the upcoming MechWarrior Online, has Hposted a new developer interview with not one, not two, but three members of the MWO team: David Bradley, Bryan Ekman, and Paul Inouye.The devs give a short history of their gaming industry experiences before being pelted with a barrage of questions detailing what they bring to the game, what makes MechWarrior Online different from their past projects, what playstyles they prefer, and more. There are a few nuggets of good information in the post, as well as some great humor as the devs banter with and antagonize one another. For the full Q&A, just head on over to the MechWarrior Online official forums.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online interviews a trio of devs, hilarity ensues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bryan-ekmandavid-bradleyf2pfree-to-playinterviewinterviewsmechwarriormechwarrior-onlinemwopaul-inouyepiranhapiranha-gamesq-and-aqaWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reid on Reddit: SWTOR fans ask him anything and everything]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
"Ask me anything." That's a dangerous command for anyone to issue, nevermind the community manager of the hottest new MMO on the block. Yet that's just what Stephen Reid said today to the Star Wars: The Old Republic community on Reddit, and the length of questions and answers would make for a mini-novel if packaged as such.

While Reid certainly hedges on issues that BioWare is not quite ready to address, he doesn't shy away from direct answers when applicable. The compiled Reddit thread lists dozens and dozens of Q&As, including the much-asked-for guild housing ("on the list for future development"), the ability delay issue ("we'll talk about it publicly soon"), and an upgraded Galactic Trade Network ("improvements will come to the GTN in time, definitely").

In response to the request for non-mechanical (read: animal) mounts, Reid said, "Maybe -- it's a technical challenge, I've been told." He's most excited about the upcoming legacy system reveals, but he's not allowed to talk on it just yet.

Amidst the probing questions of the newly launched title is a personal query about what it's like for him to be at the helm of SWTOR community management. "What's it like?" Reid responded. "Bewildering and overwhelming and exciting and demanding, all at once, all day long (and often into the night). I had some idea what I was getting into, but it was bigger than expected. I'll stay as long as I'm wanted."

MassivelyReid on Reddit: SWTOR fans ask him anything and everything originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amaask-me-anythingauction-housebiowarecommunity-managementcommunity-q-and-aeaea-biowaregalactic-trade-networkgtnguild-housinghousinglegacy-systemmountspetsq-and-aquestions-and-answersredditstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWed, 28 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Merry RIFTmas? Someone's already made that pun, right?
Christmas (or your winter holiday of choice) is right upon us, and the staff at Trion Worlds seems to be in a giving state of mind. The team has just posted a new set of answers to several player questions about RIFT, ranging from the rationale behind some current content implementations to what's waiting in the wings. Whether you're a roleplayer, an endgame raider, or just leveling through the game for the first time, the answers should give you something to look forward to.

Among the more interesting updates is the reveal that the team is looking at improving level 50 gear below the top tier; Hammerknell and Rank 8 PvP gear will remain as-is, but the gear along the way will get buffed up a bit. The issue of Ember Isle difficulty is also addressed, the developers explaining that the island was meant to be reasonable for existing level 50 characters, giving it a bit more punch than players just hitting 50 might expect. Check the full list of questions and answers for other updates -- there's a lot to digest, but you've got a holiday break to do it.

MassivelyRIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityculturedesigndevelopmentdifficultyfeedbacknewspatchespreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersrespecsriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsThu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Templars
Meet Rose. She's a white-haired 21-year-old who eschews Facebook and club hopping in favor of fighting the forces of darkness. As one of The Secret World's Templars, Rose has fallen in with an organization that she thinks has the best chance of prevailing through the coming war.

Rose is also the star of Funcom's Templar trailer, which gives us a brief overview of the faction's philosophy and focus. Loyalty, tradition, brotherhood, and discipline are the cornerstones of what makes the Templars so effective in combating the evil that we fail to see all around us.

Still haven't made up your mind which TSW faction to join? Rose makes the case for why it's good to hang with the Templars: "We are the lions of the secret world. When we roar, everyone listens."

You can watch the full trailer after the jump, and don't forget that Funcom is hosting a Q&A on Facebook today at 10:00 a.m. EST!

Continue reading Tradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you

MassivelyTradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfactionfactionsfuncomq-and-arosetemplartemplar-weektemplarsthe-secret-worldtrailertswvideoweek-of-the-templarsFri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online developers answer forum questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/mechwarrior-online-developers-answer-forum-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/mechwarrior-online-developers-answer-forum-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/mechwarrior-online-developers-answer-forum-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The future of warfare looks a lot like the rush hour of Detroit.
If you're looking forward to the future of warfare today, you're probably keeping a close eye on the development of MechWarrior Online. And the developers are no doubt aware of this, as they've just posted a lengthy set of answers on the game's official forums, covering a broad range of topics from update speed to character development. While the answers confirm that at this point the software is still yet to see an alpha test, there's still a great deal of information therein.

Aside from a few answers that are likely to prove discordant come launch (such as plans for biweekly update patches), the team is aiming at starting off with a strong PvP environment with persistent world elements in a similar fashion to MAG. PvE will not be in at launch, but it is on the table for later release. That's only the barest summary of the information in the full set of answers, which should keep any intent pilot eagerly anticipating his or her personal 'Mech.

[Thanks to nimzy for the tip!]

MassivelyMechWarrior Online developers answer forum questions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersdesignf2pfree-to-playgameplaymechwarriormechwarrior-onlinemwopersistencepersistent-worldpirahna-gamespvepvpq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answersWed, 16 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
With the cold war in PlanetSide 2 quickly turning hot, potential players have to ask themselves: Which side will they join? Today SOE is making a bid on behalf of the New Conglomerate, painting them as the scrappy underdogs of the war with plenty of attitude to go around. We sat down with Creative Director Matt Higby to see if we could figure out what makes this faction tick.

Massively: As an introduction for new players, what's the philosophy behind the New Conglomerate?

Matt Higby: The New Conglomerate are an insurgent guerrilla force fighting against pretty stacked odds: an enormous military machine in the TR on one side and the vast technological superiority of the VS on the other. This forces the New Conglomerate to be adaptive, use creative tactics and take advantage of every possible opportunity they can to accomplish their goals. Their weapons run the gamut from conventional to experimental, and they're not willing to say no to anything that might give them an edge.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusivefactionfactionsinterviewmatt-higbymatthew-higbyncNew-Conglomerateplanetsideplanetside-2psps1ps2q-and-asoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 11 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Paradox's Björn Johannessen hosts Salem Q&A]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/paradoxs-bjorn-johannessen-hosts-salem-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/paradoxs-bjorn-johannessen-hosts-salem-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/paradoxs-bjorn-johannessen-hosts-salem-qanda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Salem concept art
Paradox Interactive's upcoming MMO Salem has garnered a good bit of attention due to the game's unique frontier-fantasy setting and the fact that it will feature -- gasp! -- permadeath. Of course, as with any mold-breaking game that comes along, there are bound to be a lot of questions about how the game's mechanics will work. Salem's Creative Director, Björn Johannessen, realizes this, and decided to stop by Reddit for an AMA session. For the uninitiated, AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything," and that's exactly what the fine Redditors over at /r/IAmA did.

A wealth of information can be found over at the thread, whether you're interested in the game's influences, the way permadeath will work, the reasoning behind permadeath's inclusion in the game, or more. So if you're interested in Salem to any degree, head on over to Reddit and give the thread a look.

MassivelyParadox's Björn Johannessen hosts Salem Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMABjörn-Johannessenbjorn-johannessenmechanicsparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathq-and-aQAquestion-and-answerredditsalemWed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV bringing you another producer's letter all the way live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/final-fantasy-xiv-bringing-you-another-producers-letter-all-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/final-fantasy-xiv-bringing-you-another-producers-letter-all-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/final-fantasy-xiv-bringing-you-another-producers-letter-all-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not on the agenda: gunblades.
Between the release of patch 1.19 and the announcements regarding the game's future, Final Fantasy XIV has been drumming up quite a bit of excitement from its fans. And what better way to capitalize on that excitement than to have another installment of the producer's letter live for everyone to enjoy? On November 3rd, Naoki Yoshida will once again be taking to the broadcast waves to answer player questions about the most recent patch and future updates.

The official announcement notes that the particulars of the broadcast are not yet determined, but as with the previous live event, players can submit questions in advance or via Twitter on the day itself. While Yoshida will strive to answer as many questions as possible, there will be time constraints, and of course the audio will be in Japanese with a translation to come further down the road. Still, it's a chance to get more questions about the game answered by the man with the plan himself, and that's something many players will no doubt be excited by.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV bringing you another producer's letter all the way live originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.19final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlive-broadcastnaoki-yoshidaproducers-letterq-and-aquestions-and-answersreal-world-eventssquaresquare-enixTue, 25 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World invites you to ask your Dragony questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-secret-world-invites-you-to-ask-your-dragony-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-secret-world-invites-you-to-ask-your-dragony-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-secret-world-invites-you-to-ask-your-dragony-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Secret World
After the past few days' Week of the Dragon, The Secret World invites you to get all those burning questions off your chest in a fun Q&A setting. Using Facebook as a platform for this back-and-forth exchange, Funcom wants its fans to ask any and all Dragon-related queries on its social media page.

If so interested, you can head over to The Secret World on Facebook, click the Questions & Answers tab, and let 'er rip! Funcom will be compiling the best of these questions and will answer them on Sunday, October 23rd at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Of course, due to time and other restraints, Funcom will not be able to answer every query posed.

The Secret World's Week of the Dragon has covered many aspects of this Asian-themed faction, including a video, interview, backstory, and concept art. The developer promised similar-themed weeks for the Templar and Illuminati factions in the upcoming future.

MassivelyThe Secret World invites you to ask your Dragony questions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragondragonsfacebookfuncomq-and-aquestions-and-answersthe-secret-worldtswweek-of-the-dragonFri, 21 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Transformers Universe NYCC panel recap]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/transformers-universe-nycc-panel-recap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/transformers-universe-nycc-panel-recap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/transformers-universe-nycc-panel-recap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Transformers Universe banner
Autobots, transform and roll -- Oh, hi. No, I wasn't playing with action figures. Anyway, how about that new Transformers Universe game that Jagex is making, huh? Well, there's some new information about it straight from the Q&A panel at New York Comic Con, so let's talk about that and not the action figures I wasn't playing with.

The panel covers a veritable smorgasbord of information, ranging from lore to gameplay to voice acting to technology and security. The team points out that the game will not tie into the Michael Bay movies in any way, as it takes place in the franchise's Prime universe. The game will be browser-based and free-to-play, though the team isn't ready to announce how the game will be monetized. PvE and PvP will both be available -- as if a Transformers game would be complete without Autobot vs. Decepticon action -- but the team says that both tie in to story elements within the game. The devs also note that players' Transformers' vehicle modes will be more than just mounts (that is to say, vehicle mode will tie into combat somehow) but they're not ready to discuss specifics.

The full panel addresses much more in greater detail, so click on through the link below to read the full report.

MassivelyTransformers Universe NYCC panel recap originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedf2pfree-to-playhasbrojagexloremechanicsnew-york-comic-con-2011panelq-aq-and-aq-and-a-panelqatransformerstransformers-universeFri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The panel is true: The Secret World preps a NYCC appearance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/the-panel-is-true-the-secret-world-preps-a-nycc-appearance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/the-panel-is-true-the-secret-world-preps-a-nycc-appearance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/the-panel-is-true-the-secret-world-preps-a-nycc-appearance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

NYCC
MMO fans traveling out to the Big Apple for the New York Comic Con next weekend have another potential "must see" on their event list: an exclusive panel of The Secret World with the devs.

The panel will take place on Friday, October 14th at 4:00 p.m. EDT in room 1A24. It's here that Funcom devs Ragnar Tørnquist and Dag Scheve will not only present an all-new live demo of the upcoming conspiracy MMO but field questions from the audience in as candid a manner as possible.

Of course, considering the game in question, we note that this could be a trap by the Old Gods to swallow the souls of all those attending and turn them into husks to do the Old Gods' bidding, but that's just the chance you'll have to take.

MassivelyThe panel is true: The Secret World preps a NYCC appearance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dag-Schevedemodev-q-and-afuncomlive-demonew-york-comic-connyccnycc-2011old-godspanelq-and-aRagnar-Tornquistthe-secret-worldtswFri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FFXIV takes to YouTube Live for its one-year anniversary [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/ffxiv-takes-to-youtube-live-for-its-one-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/ffxiv-takes-to-youtube-live-for-its-one-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/ffxiv-takes-to-youtube-live-for-its-one-year-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

FFXIV
Lights... camera... internet connection... aaand action!

To celebrate Final Fantasy XIV's first anniversary, Square-Enix's Naoki Yoshida will be taking the stage for a live edition of the Producer's Letter. This event will happen on October 4th at 8:00 p.m. a.m. EDT on YouTube Live. Yoshida will use the time to field player questions from around the world and will also talk about the future of the title as it heads into its second year of operation.

Final Fantasy XIV will celebrate its first anniversary on September 30th. For Massively's musings on where the game's been and where it's going, make sure to check out this past week's Mog Log for the full skinny!

MassivelyFFXIV takes to YouTube Live for its one-year anniversary [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycommunity-q-and-aff14ffxivfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfirst-anniversarymog-logNaoki-Yoshidaone-year-anniversaryproducers-letterq-and-asesquare-enixyoutube-liveWed, 28 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Concept art or in-game shot? It's not always easy to tell.
Now that Gamescom and PAX Prime are fading into memory, the rush of information we received on WildStar has slowed once more. But that certainly hasn't driven the game from anyone's memory, considering the unique visuals and gameplay previewed at both events. There are still a lot of questions to be asked about the game, and as the game is still fairly early in development, a lot of time for those questions to be answered... starting now.

Jeremy Gaffney was kind enough to answer several of our questions about WildStar, giving us a look at the time Carbine Studios has spent on developing the game and what sort of gameplay we can expect when the game is available for everyone. Even beyond the already-previewed Path system, there's a great deal of interest for excited fans to see, so take a look past the break for our questions and Mr. Gaffney's answers.

Continue reading Massively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney

MassivelyMassively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosinterviewJeremy-Gaffneyncsoftpreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersupcoming-gameswildstarTue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO's Update 11 arises with the artful Artificer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/ddos-update-11-arises-with-the-artful-artificer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/ddos-update-11-arises-with-the-artful-artificer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/ddos-update-11-arises-with-the-artful-artificer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DDO floating disembodied heads
Today marks the latest evolution of Dungeons and Dragons Online, as Update 11: Secrets of the Artificers went live on the servers and the steampunk community collectively lost its composure.

Update 11 adds a completely new high-level quest hub called House Cannith, where players can adventure out into a new wilderness area, dive into a trio of dungeons, tackle a pair of raids, and finish off the day with a trip to House Cannith's famed crafting hall.

The cornerstone of this massive patch is the addition of the Artificer class, a steampunk-infused hybrid ranged damage-dealer with a snazzy look that would fit in fine at any geek convention in the world. To celebrate the advent of the Artificer, Turbine's Kyle Horner and Steve Muray sat down to compose a back-and-forth dev diary about the development and dark secrets concerning the class. The duo thinks that it will appeal to trigger-happy players who love their "pew pew."

VIP players (subscribers) can start enjoying the new content today, but the rest of the playerbase is going to have to wait until the 15th to purchase the class and quest content from the DDO store.

MassivelyDDO's Update 11 arises with the artful Artificer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-areacraftingcrafting-hallddodev-diarydeveloper-q-and-adungeondungeonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinehouse-cannithinstanceskyle-hornerpew-pewq-and-araidraidsrun-and-gunrune-armsecrets-of-the-artificerssteampunksteve-murayturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Setting a new course]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/captains-log-setting-a-new-course/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/captains-log-setting-a-new-course/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/captains-log-setting-a-new-course/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Trek Online logo
Hello, computer (and players)! Leave your credit cards, er, I mean, Latinum, at the turbolift door -- Star Trek Online has changed course for a new destination... Planet Free-to-Play. As we reported late last week (thanks again to tipster The First Avenger and @Altexist), it was announced during a Perfect World Entertainment earnings call that STO would be adopting a new subscription model before year's end. Little did we know that the plan to make a full-scale announcement had already been in the works and was set to have been released this week, the first inkling of which we saw this past Tuesday.

The press release and new F2P information page that Cryptic has launched on STO's home page contains a lot of information that explains the different benefits that paying and non-paying players will experience. As it did with Champions Online, the development team is planning on being as transparent as possible, listening to feedback, and making adjustments based on closed beta experiences of the new hybrid model. This week's Captain's Log is going to explore some of these benefits, shed some positive light on some worries, share with you exclusive answers to some questions we sent into PR, and let you know some of my overall personal thoughts -- so without further ado, make it so!

Ensign, warp 10! Let's help our readers decide whether they are going to be Silver or Gold members...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Setting a new course

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Setting a new course originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-slotscrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studioscustomer-servicedaniel-stahlenergy-creditsf2pfeaturedfeatures-matrixfleetfleetsfoundryfree-to-playkdfklingonklingon-factionlivestreammonthly-stipendperfect-world-entertainmentQ-and-Arespec-tokenst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestipendstothe-foundrytrek-onlineThu, 08 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST