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[ArenaNet president defends microtransactions and in-game RMT in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
MMOs have to make money; that's a fact of life (and of business) ArenaNet President Mike O'Brien knows quite well. In an interview with VentureBeat, O'Brien explained how the studio is handling the monetization for Guild Wars 2 and blasts RMT companies for their practices.

O'Brien addressed why Guild Wars 2 is being offered not as a straight free-to-play title but as a retail product with an up-front cost. "The answer is we're really focused on creating the highest-quality MMO, not the lowest-cost MMO," he replied. "I think Guild Wars 2 is one of the best values in gaming, period. Where else can you get this many hours of enjoyment, of content, of polish, of replayability, for $60?"

He also took the opportunity to expand upon his own blog post covering microtransactions from a few weeks ago. "Creating a microtransaction system that doesn't upset or alienate your player base is straightforward, once you clearly define what's in-bounds and what's out-of-bounds," O'Brien stated. He says that ArenaNet wants to be "open and honest" with players regarding the in-game store options and promises that these will be "non-essential additions to the game and convenience services" only.

O'Brien also had strong words about the shady practices of RMT companies, practices that ArenaNet is trying to combat by offering its own in-game RMT system. "Where there's a real profit incentive, someone out there in the world will lie, cheat, and steal to make that profit, " he said. "By letting players trade directly with each other, we take the power away from RMT companies and give it to the entire playerbase."

MassivelyArenaNet president defends microtransactions and in-game RMT in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetabusiness-modelbusiness-modelscash-shopfantasyguild-wars-2gw2in-game-storeinterviewitem-shopmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsmike-o-brienmike-obrienmonetizationncsoftreal-money-tradingrmtventurebeatTue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
Call them lockboxes, lootboxes, super packs, gift packs, treasure boxes, mystic chests, or Chupacabra's lunchpails, but these virtual boxes of mystery, fame, and fortune are all the rage in MMOs these days. Few studios have resisted the siren's call of such easy money, much to the dismay of many-a-gamer.

The idea is that a game will dish out to players free locked treasure boxes that require purchased keys to open. The allure of the box's mystery prize is often too strong to resist, especially when there's the possibility of a huge reward inside. The result too often is strong buyer's remorse and studio glee.

There's been a lot of conversation around lockboxes here on Massively, so I wanted to dedicate this week's Perfect Ten to dissecting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of these items for you.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcasinoChupacabracity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgamblinggift-packsguild-wars-2gw2humorlockboxlockboxeslootboxlootboxeslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromystic-boxmystic-chestncsoftoddsopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwereal-money-tradingrmtroundupsci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosuper-packsuper-packssuperherosuperheroesthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtreasure-boxesturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EQII marketplace
What a long way EverQuest II's come! If you had said back in 2004 that the game would not only go free-to-play but have microtransactions and emerge largely intact, I probably would have run to get my pitchfork. But here we are in 2012, and EQII's website has a huge green button that says "Play Free" in big letters, with a long list of special deals on station cash and Marketplace items.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, I want to look back at the evolution of EQII to see how it successfully transitioned while gauging where it's headed down the road when it comes to its payment model. The official move to free-to-play might seem like the final hurdle, but I think we still have a few more around the bend.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playnimbynot-in-my-back-yardopinionreal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtsoesonysony-online-entertainmentstation-exchangetattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: D3 approaches, HoN reveals MidWars game mode]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/not-so-massively-d3-approaches-hon-reveals-midwars-game-mode/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/not-so-massively-d3-approaches-hon-reveals-midwars-game-mode/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/not-so-massively-d3-approaches-hon-reveals-midwars-game-mode/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
With just over a week to go until Diablo III is released, Blizzard revealed the final details of the real money auction house, released some fantastic new class wallpapers, and launched a TV advertising campaign. Meanwhile, Torchlight II showed off the impressive final result of its earlier armour design contest and encouraged players to produce armour mods when the game is released.

Heroes of Newerth released a brand-new community-inspired MidWars game map this week to lend official support to the popular unofficial game mode. League of Legends revealed upcoming champion Varus with a full run-down of his abilities and a great art spotlight video. Dota 2 fixed some bizarre bugs and introduced classic hero Phantom Lancer. Rise of Immortals revealed details of its upcoming immortal Nauria, the Angel of Agony. Finally, Wrath of Heroes announced the controversial addition of health potions to its microtransaction store.

Continue reading Not So Massively: D3 approaches, HoN reveals MidWars game mode

MassivelyNot So Massively: D3 approaches, HoN reveals MidWars game mode originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RuneScape title image
Although RuneScape officially launched in 2001, today marks the seventh anniversary of the end of the RuneScape 2 beta. This was a complete gameplay and graphics overhaul that signaled the rebirth of the game, and it's a date well worth celebrating. The past year has been filled with massive content updates that added clan support, upgradeable clan citadels, a new website, and countless new quests. Player-made battlefields put game design in the hands of players, who have used the system to produce ton of content.

Understandably, most people will likely remember this year for one thing: This was the year that RuneScape beat the bots. Following the momentous Bot Nuking Day, players logged in to find a distinctly emptier world but one filled with real people. RuneFest 2011 was a success, with presentations from the game's developers and a special focus on breaking the bots. This year also saw the interesting story that the Dutch Supreme Court ruling that stealing RuneScape items is the same as theft of real life goods.

In this anniversary retrospective, I look back at some of RuneScape's top news stories and game additions of the year.

Continue reading RuneScape: Seventh anniversary retrospective

MassivelyRuneScape: Seventh anniversary retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdaybotsbottingbreaking-the-botsbrowserbrowser-basedclanclan-citadelsclansclassic-mmocourtdutchf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playjagexjagex-games-studiolegalrmtrsrscrunescaperunescape-2runescape-classicseven-yearseven-year-anniversaryseven-yearstheftvideoWed, 28 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
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.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 screenshot
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.

The ArenaNet post about microtransactions in Guild Wars 2 reveals that the "gems" currency will be bought with real money and be available for purchase with in-game gold in GW2. But people seem to have forgetten that Runes of Magic's cash shop operated this way three years ago. I've been playing RoM since closed beta, and the cash shop is one of the reasons RoM is so different from other F2P MMOs of its era.

Frogster eventually removed the ability to buy diamonds with gold because of fraud, so I'm curious to see how ArenaNet handles that issue. My time in RoM has shown me that there are other issues involved here, issues of security, players gaming the system, botting, and pay-to-win debates. In other words, there's more at stake here than whether cash shops sell gear or items toward gaining power.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction houseauction-housecash-shopdiamondseditorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegemsguild-wars-2gw2item-shopjeremy-strattonmicro-transactionsmicrotransactionsncsoftop-edopinionpay-to-winrantrantsreal-money-tradingrmtromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentselling-powersoapboxtaboreathe-soapboxWed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
The big announcement we've all been waiting for has finally arrived: Diablo III has a release date! This week the beta was wiped to prepare for launch, and Blizzard's Jay Wilson responded to questions about the cash auction house in hardcore mode. Competing title Path of Exile continued development toward its own release, and Torchlight II gave players a unique look under the hood of the game with a breakdown of item drop statistics. Runic Games congratulated the Diablo team on its release date announcement and published an open letter to fans urging them to just wait a little longer for their Torchlight fix.

In MOBA news, League of Legends revealed its next champion, Lulu, and explored the game's rapidly growing German community. Dota 2 added classic DotA hero Shadow Demon and performed some much-needed tweaks to bots, and Rise of Immortals released the official Azcadelia immortal spotlight. Heroes of Newerth released Gunblade, an original ranged agility carry hero that was been met with some strong disapproval in the community. Blacklight: Retribution's open beta updates continued this week with the release of its Vertigo map, a battleground set in the roofspaces of a sprawling industrial complex.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu

MassivelyNot So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle.net
Diablo III may not be out yet, but that's no good reason not to be filling up your virtual coffers for the day that it hits the streets! Blizzard has thrown the switch on Battle.net Balance, activating its online payment service that allows players to charge up their Battle.net funds to purchase various Blizzard game services.

The new Balance system can be used to buy World of Warcraft game time (although you can't set up a recurring subscription with it), in-game pets and mounts, paid account services in WoW such as character transfers, digital copies of Blizzard titles, and the opportunity to buy and sell items on Diablo III's auction house. It's important to note that not all regions will be able to participate in Diablo III's real-money transactions, however.

Once real money has been funneled into Battle.net Balance, it cannot be converted back into cash. Blizzard does state that in some regions, players will have an option to get cash back on Diablo III auction sales via PayPal. The company also mentioned that there is a cap on how much any player can have in his or her Balance account and that there are potentially region-specific expiration dates for Balance funds.

MassivelyBattle.net Balance boots up originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle.netbattle.net-balancebattlenetd3diablo-3diablo-iiidiiigame-timemicrotransactionsmountmountspaypalpetpetsreal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtsubscriptionsvirtual-walletworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE VP talks microtransactions and the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/soe-vp-talks-microtransactions-and-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/soe-vp-talks-microtransactions-and-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/soe-vp-talks-microtransactions-and-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Kylong Plains flying mount
If you're a fan of Sony Online Entertainment and curious as to how free-to-play and RMT will affect its stable of MMOs in the future, ZAM's got a new interview that's worth a read.

The piece features Laura Naviaux, senior VP of global sales and marketing for SOE, and she shares an interesting nugget relating to digital currency and real-money player markets. "I think everybody gets excited about potentially being able to create user-generated content to sell it to their peers, etc. There are a lot of different ways to slice and dice that, and it's something that we're watching," Naviaux says.

She also speaks to the success of EverQuest II thanks to its free-to-play switch, as well as some of the more popular cash shop items (mounts currently account for approximately 25% of the game's revenue). Finally, Naviaux acknowledges the challenges inherent in the business model going forward, and how they stem in large part from knowing how much is too much. "I don't think that anybody wants a game where you can outright buy power that makes the game unfair and un-fun, and that is a line we don't want to cross. But there are a lot of shades of grey in there, and that's something we want the players to determine," she explains.

MassivelySOE VP talks microtransactions and the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfree-to-playinterviewlaura-naviauxmicrotransactionsplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentrmtsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstation-exchangeuser-generated-contentTue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII gold
There's a dirty little secret going on in EverQuest II, and every now and then it bubbles up to the surface in forum complaints from players. With the arrival of Station Cash, the Marketplace, and Legends of Norrath cards, players have worked out a way to buy in-game coin with real money, without fear of getting banned. And with the transition to free-to-play, it seems like that practice has grown even more.

The problem is that there are several things that factor into the plat-for-cash scenario, so it's impossible to find a quick fix. Are we at a point that SOE should just put plat on the marketplace and be done with it? Let's look at a few reasons for and against it.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanopinionplat-for-cashplexrmtselling-loot-rightssoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashtattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard kills Diablo III's RMT to appease South Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Diablo III
Blizzard Entertainment made waves last year when it announced that Diablo III would be supporting real-money trading (RMT) through its in-game auction house system. While it proved to be a divisive topic among fans, apparently it was too much with the South Korean rating board, which sees such activities as potentially violating the country's anti-gambling rules.

The board was quoted as saying that "the feature involving for-cash trades between users was not included in the presentation to the rating committee, and therefore it was not subjected to any scrutiny."

To appease the board and pave the way for release, Blizzard has dropped the RMT auction house for the Korean version. The ratings board has warned the company not to sneak in the feature in a future patch and gave the title an 18 rating for the country. Interestingly enough this makes South Korea the first country to slap a rating on Diablo III to date.

MassivelyBlizzard kills Diablo III's RMT to appease South Korea originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1818-ratinganti-gamblinganti-gambling-lawsauction-houseblizzardblizzard-entertainmentd3diablodiablo-3diablo-iiigamblinggame-ratings-boardkoreanratings-boardreal-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreasouth-korea-ratings-boardFri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon takes Mabinogi offline indefinitely due to 'malicious activity']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-indefinitely-due-to-malicious-acti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-indefinitely-due-to-malicious-acti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-indefinitely-due-to-malicious-acti/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mabinogi - down for the count
If you were looking to play a little Mabinogi to kick off the new year, you might want to make alternate arrangements. Nexon has taken the free-to-play sandbox offline in order to deal with the recent spate of "malicious activity" going on in-game.

Mabinogi went dark yesterday, and Nexon says that it does "not have a specific time for the service to re-open." This is the second time in the past three months that Nexon has disabled the game, as the company dealt with a rash of unauthorized RMT issues and botting as recently as October of 2011. As per usual when MMO security issues crop up, the company has not released any details, saying only that "we feel that we have no choice but to take the game down in order to prevent any further malicious action."

[Thanks to David for the tip!]

MassivelyNexon takes Mabinogi offline indefinitely due to 'malicious activity' originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bottingf2pfantasyfree-to-playhackingmabinogimabinogi-malicious-activitymabinogi-offlinemalicious-activitynexonrmtsandboxsecuritySun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: On gold-farming and the grind]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-soapbox-on-gold-farming-and-the-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-soapbox-on-gold-farming-and-the-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-soapbox-on-gold-farming-and-the-grind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Chest of gold
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.

You're no doubt aware of a certain sci-fi MMORPG that's launching this week. As is the case each time a new major title releases, I'm curious to see how (or if) the developers will deal with the inevitable real-money trade.

BioWare has been fairly quiet about gold-farming and the steps it may take to combat it, which isn't too surprising given the unglamorous and often controversial subject matter. Few game devs mention their anti-RMT plans prior to launch, but plenty of dev teams complain about RMT after their game has been released. And yet, the usual solutions to black market currency trading are continuously ineffective at stopping it.

Continue reading The Soapbox: On gold-farming and the grind

MassivelyThe Soapbox: On gold-farming and the grind originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfun-barriergold-buyinggold-farminggold-sellinggrindgrinding-leads-to-gold-farmingopinionprogress-questprogressionreal-money-traderichard-garriottrmtsci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-grindthe-old-republicthe-soapboxtorTue, 13 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Battle.net Balance boasts big business]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/blizards-battle-net-balance-boasts-big-business/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/blizards-battle-net-balance-boasts-big-business/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/blizards-battle-net-balance-boasts-big-business/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Battle.net
Choo choo -- the Blizzard Micotransactrain is leaving the station! Whether or not you're aboard with Blizzard's increasing fixation on monetizing all aspects of its games, this train is certainly picking up steam. Its next station is called Battle.net Balance, and with it comes a whole new paradigm for the Blizzard empire. (Many apologies for using the word "paradigm.")

In effect, Battle.net Balance is a virtual wallet where players can purchase -- or "charge up" according to Blizzard's parlance -- points to then spend on items and services in World of Warcraft, Diablo III, and elsewhere. Diablo III players who earn Battle.net currency in-game can save those points through the service to spend later. The system can also be used to pay for WoW gametime.

However, the system comes with an important caveat: Once you've converted real-world money into Battle.net Balance, there's no getting it back as cash. So if you've got plans to make a living playing Diablo III, you might want to think again (although "certain regions" will be able to cash out via PayPal).

Battle.net Balance is heading our way in the near future, and if this affects your game, you might be interested to read the informative FAQ that goes into more detail.

MassivelyBlizzard's Battle.net Balance boasts big business originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle.netbattle.net-balancebattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcurrencyd3diablo-3diablo-iiidiiimicrotransactionsmicrotransactrainpaypalreal-money-tradingrmtuniversal-currencyworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 09 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: It's a tactical online action MOBA-RPG MMO!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/not-so-massively-its-a-tactical-online-action-moba-rpg-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/not-so-massively-its-a-tactical-online-action-moba-rpg-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/not-so-massively-its-a-tactical-online-action-moba-rpg-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
Enigmatic online game Land of Chaos Online launches this week, blending elements of MMO and MOBA gameplay into a third-person team deathmatch. League of Legends' competitive season two is underway, and this week Riot launched its season two competitive gaming website with an article on all the recent major developments. Heroes of Newerth saw some interesting competitive action of its own over the weekend with some surprising upsets in the finals of the North American Star league.

This week we learned that Diablo III beta testers will soon be getting a taste of the real money auction house, and fansite DiabloFans has been digging inside the game files to unearth details of the Mystic follower and her array of equipment enchantments. Blacklight: Retribution opened its closed beta on Thursday 1st December, and Path of Exile received a huge patch as it draws closer to release. Bloodline Champions launched a charity pack containing a limited-edition avatar and title, with all the proceeds going to gaming charity Child's Play. Rise of Immortals reveals upcoming lion immortal Kavashiir and shows off its new crystalline creep models.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other big online games that aren't quite MMOs.

Continue reading Not So Massively: It's a tactical online action MOBA-RPG MMO!

MassivelyNot So Massively: It's a tactical online action MOBA-RPG MMO! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betablacklightblacklight-retributionBoubouilecho-gathchogathclosed-betacompetitive-gamingdiablodiablo-3diablo-3-betadiablo-iiidiablo-iii-betafeaturedgrinding-gear-gamesheroes-of-newerthhonkievland-of-chaos-onlineleague-of-legendslocoloco-evolutionlolnaslnewsnorth-american-star-leaguepath-of-exilepetroglyphreal-money-tradingriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsrmtrois2-gamestournamenttribestribes-ascendvideozombie-studiosMon, 05 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard elaborates on Guardian Cub sales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/blizzard-elaborates-on-guardian-cub-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/blizzard-elaborates-on-guardian-cub-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/blizzard-elaborates-on-guardian-cub-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WoW
Has Blizzard surrendered to the powerful RMT lobby or are there other forces at work behind the company's recent decision to introduce a loophole that allows players to buy in-game gold and items with real-world currency? According to a recent post on World of Warcraft, the sale of the Guardian Cub is meant to test the waters of fighting rampant account compromises.

Blizzard claims that gold farming is actually not as common these days, but instead most of the gold that is sold through third-party services comes from stolen accounts. The idea of bypassing third-party gold sellers by providing a cash shop pet that could be resold or traded in game was meant to be a creative solution to the problem.

"Players can buy one for the purpose of trying to sell it in-game, creating the potential for players to exchange real money for gold in a way that does not lead to account compromises. Of course, all that comes with the pretty important caveat that demand for the pet will be finite, and there's no guarantee you'll be able to find a buyer," Blizzard writes.

The company says that it doesn't expect this will solve the overall issue, the success or failure of the unique pet will help Blizzard determine if this approach is worth pursuing further.

MassivelyBlizzard elaborates on Guardian Cub sales originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentgold-farminggold-sellingguardianreal-money-tradingrmtthird-partyWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 22 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: October 9-15, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/global-chat-october-9-15-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/global-chat-october-9-15-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/global-chat-october-9-15-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Star Trek Online
Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

While almost all of our news stories and columns are game-specific, the conversation that follows in the comments often expands beyond the game in question. Discussion turns to mechanics, development styles, and industry trends. Even if the game in the original story isn't your thing, you may find some interesting conversation, so follow along after the jump to see what some of our readers had to say last week.

Continue reading Global Chat: October 9-15, 2011

MassivelyGlobal Chat: October 9-15, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-activisioncommenterscommentscrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgamersfirstglobal-chatopinionperfect-world-entertainmentrmtsam-not-spamseffridstar-trek-onlinestotanekworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape is losing the war on bots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/runescape-is-losing-the-war-on-bots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/runescape-is-losing-the-war-on-bots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/runescape-is-losing-the-war-on-bots/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It has, however, won the war on carriages.
We have an expectation of conflicts made up of good vs. evil. What we don't usually expect is for evil to win. But in RuneScape's war against the evil of botting, that appears to be what's happening. In a letter from Daniel Clough, it was explained that despite the development team's best efforts, the war on bots is being won by the botters. The re-introduction of the Wilderness and Free Trade has resulted in an explosion of gold farming and botting that just can't be held back.

The letter goes on to urge players to not utilize these services and report anyone known to be using them and outlines the steps being taken to try to beat back the tide. But as Clough puts it, while the staff sinks significant time and money into fighting the problem, it's fighting an opponent whose only business goal is to get back into the game. It's grim news for the game's players, certainly, and it doesn't bode well for the many other games waging the same battles.

MassivelyRuneScape is losing the war on bots originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botsbottingdaniel-cloughjagexmmo-industrynewspreventing-bottingrmtrunescapeterms-of-servicetoswar-on-botswar-on-bottingTue, 11 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Online 2011: CCP on virtual goods in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/gdc-austin-2011-ccp-on-virtual-goods-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/gdc-austin-2011-ccp-on-virtual-goods-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/gdc-austin-2011-ccp-on-virtual-goods-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online
Remember Monoclegate? CCP sure does, and at GDC this week, the company reflected on some lessons learned from its introduction of virtual goods to EVE Online. Associate Producer Ben Cockerill from CCP games offered a candid look at what the team learned through both player response and market data. While the initial launch of virtual goods in Incarna sparked a fierce objection on the forums and even in-game protests and riots, things have settled down quite a bit, and CCP seems confident that it is headed in the right direction now.

Read on for a look at why virtual goods were introduced into EVE Online and what the team has learned so far.

Continue reading GDC Online 2011: CCP on virtual goods in EVE Online

MassivelyGDC Online 2011: CCP on virtual goods in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurumben-cockerillcash-shopCCPccp-gamesdust-514eveeve-onlinefeaturedgdcgdc-2011gdc-onlineGDC-Online-2011incarnaiskkaren-bryanmonoclemonoclegatepanelplexrmtvirtual-goodsTue, 11 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mark Jacobs: 'I've never been against F2P']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/mark-jacobs-ive-never-been-against-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/mark-jacobs-ive-never-been-against-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/mark-jacobs-ive-never-been-against-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Warhammer Online screenshot
In a brief interview today with MMORPG.com, Mark Jacobs, now president and creative director of City State Entertainment, discussed his thoughts on the F2P model and real-money trading.

Jacobs is best known to gamers for his previous roles with Mythic Entertainment and Electronic Arts on such games as Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online, and his opinions on the subject of gold-farming are infamous, possibly even extreme. We can't be the only ones who remember the early days of WAR when a crusading, irony-immune Jacobs spammed players' screens with popups whenever gold-spammers were banned. But in this interview, Jacobs aimed to set the record straight: He's against gold-farming specifically and how gold-farming hurts legitimate players, not the free-to-play model.
I've never been against F2P. What I was and still remain strongly opposed to is gold farming in games, especially MMOs that weren't designed from the beginning to handle those kind of transactions, and also to the groups that seek to profit from such transactions. What I really dislike isn't so much the gold farming/selling itself, but certain behaviors that occur in games where this happens.
He goes on to suggest that the F2P model has surged to prominence due to the weak economy and "a lack of really interesting MMOs," noting that we're due for a shift in the market but that the success of Star Wars: The Old Republic (and its "license to print money" IP) will determine the viability of the subscription model in the future.

Jacobs has plenty more to say in the full interview over at MMORPG.com.

MassivelyMark Jacobs: 'I've never been against F2P' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecity-state-entertainmentdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaElectronic-Artsf2pfarmingfree-to-playgold-farminggold-spamminginterviewinterviewsmark-jacobsmythicMythic-Entertainmentreal-money-tradingrmtstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarwarhammerWarhammer-OnlineTue, 11 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard introduces RMT loophole in World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/blizzard-introduces-rmt-loophole-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/blizzard-introduces-rmt-loophole-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/blizzard-introduces-rmt-loophole-in-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pet
Normally, the introduction of yet another pet in Blizzard's online pet store wouldn't raise any eyebrows. This time, however, the company is making one small change with a vanity pet that could have huge consequences in the game itself.

World of Warcraft's newly announced Guardian Cub is on its way to the pet store and will retail for $10. The difference between this and other pets available in the store is that the Cub will not bind to the player who purchased it but rather will remain bind-on-equip -- and tradable -- until it is used. Effectively, this turns the Cub into a $10 currency item that can be traded for in-game gold, a fact that Blizzard openly acknowledges in the pet's FAQ:
While our goal is to offer players alternative ways to add a Pet Store pet to their collection, we're OK with it if some players choose to use the Guardian Cub as a safe and secure way to try to acquire a little extra in-game gold without turning to third-party gold-selling services. However, please keep in mind that there's never any guarantee that someone will purchase what you put up for sale in the auction house, or how much they'll pay for it. Also, it's important to note that we take a firm stance against buying gold from outside sources because in most cases, the gold these companies offer has been stolen from compromised accounts. While some players might be able to acquire some extra gold by putting the Guardian Cub in the auction house, that's preferable to players contributing to the gold-selling "black market" and account theft.
Player reaction has been strong and varied, with many seeing this as a full endorsement of RMT in WoW.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

MassivelyBlizzard introduces RMT loophole in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-marketblizzardgoldgold-sellinggold-tradingguardian-cubonline-storepetpet-storepetsreal-money-tradingrmtstorevanity-petworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon takes Mabinogi offline to combat RMT]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-to-combat-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-to-combat-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/nexon-takes-mabinogi-offline-to-combat-rmt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mabinogi - some cute avatar with a samurai sword
Mabinogi fans aren't having the best of weeks, as their MMO of choice has been down for the count since October 4th. ThisIsGame.com reported that Nexon took the free-to-play fantasy title completely offline in order to deal with unauthorized real-money trading and implement new security measures.

Players were warned of the downtime approximately one hour before it occurred, and though there's no time table for a restart, Nexon has said that it will compensate customers accordingly.

"We have found lots of RMT [resulting] from workers and auto players during the last holiday. So we are working on [an] investigation [...] and proceeding [with] broadscale system maintenance to root it out," the company said.

MassivelyNexon takes Mabinogi offline to combat RMT originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playgold-farmingmabinogimabinogi-offlinemmo-industrynexonreal-money-tradingrmtMon, 10 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 to be the 'biggest multiplayer FPS on the market']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/dust-514-to-be-the-biggest-multiplayer-fps-on-the-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/dust-514-to-be-the-biggest-multiplayer-fps-on-the-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/dust-514-to-be-the-biggest-multiplayer-fps-on-the-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Dust 514 - concept art
"In terms of scale, depth and volume of content, DUST 514 will easily be the biggest multiplayer FPS on the market," says CCP executive producer Brandon Laurino.

That's a fairly bold claim given the sheer number of multiplayer shooters already in existence, not to mention the staggering sales figures many of them achieve. Laurino's talking world maps and content, though, and when it comes to the ginormous sci-fi universe of New Eden, size does matter. "You're looking at a conflict taking place across thousands of planets, so we're not just talking a dozen maps -- we're talking an entire universe of planets and areas of engagement within them," Laurino told Eurogamer.

Such scale doesn't come cheaply, though, and the only thing bigger than Dust 514's galaxy map is its in-game store. Laurino says that CCP has thousands of microtransaction items ready to be purchased over the PlayStation network, and Sony's willingness to work with the CCP devs is noted as the primary reason for the upcoming shooter's console exclusivity. Laurino also mentions that Dust's beta will be something of an exclusive rollout called Private Trials, but no date-related info is available as of yet.

MassivelyDUST 514 to be the 'biggest multiplayer FPS on the market' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabusiness-modelsccpccp-gamesdustdust-514eveeve-onlinef2pfree-to-playinterviewmicrotransactionsmmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenplaystation-3private-trialsps3rmtsandboxsci-fishootersonyMon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion fail-proof manastone supplements available in the cash shop]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/aion-fail-proof-manastone-supplements-available-in-the-cash-shop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/aion-fail-proof-manastone-supplements-available-in-the-cash-shop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/aion-fail-proof-manastone-supplements-available-in-the-cash-shop/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aion - Asmo hovering
Hey Aion players, want to do away with the frustration inherent in socketing your manastones? NCsoft has answered your prayers with the new fabled and eternal felicitous socketing supplements. The catch? They're only available today through October 11th. The other catch? They're only available in Aion's item shop.

If you've never played Aion, here's a run-down: Socketing manastones into your gear grants considerable bonuses and is basically required for competitive PvP and PvE. Unfortunately, the random number generator that governs the process is notoriously unfriendly to players, many of whom have blown their entire in-game fortunes trying to socket a single suit of armor. Five of the new fail-proof supplements are also available as part of Aion's 24-month veteran reward package.

You can read the details on the new promotion at the official UK Aion website. NCsoft has not confirmed whether the promotion is also happening on the American servers. We'll update the post as that info becomes available.

[Thanks to Indeterminatus for the tip!]

MassivelyAion fail-proof manastone supplements available in the cash shop originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionatreiacash-shopevilfantasyfelicitious-socketing-supplementsitem-shopitem-storemanastonemanastone-sockingncsoftrandom-number-generatorrmtrngsocketingwow-that-is-evilWed, 28 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Informal RMT study looks at microtransaction effects across multiple titles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/informal-rmt-study-looks-at-microtransaction-effects-across-mult/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/informal-rmt-study-looks-at-microtransaction-effects-across-mult/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/informal-rmt-study-looks-at-microtransaction-effects-across-mult/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Team Fortress 2 microtransactions
Wondering whether microtransactions in Western games are as harmless as publishers would have you believe? BitGamer was as well, and as such the website has conducted an informal study of RMT and its effects across seven different titles.

Among the surveyed games are MMORPGs that include World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Realm of the Mad God and EVE Online. The study includes data collected on over 800 RMT items, and while the conclusions are somewhat lacking in terms of objective analysis ("nobody likes Battlefield," etc.), there is nonetheless a fair bit of interesting info on display.

Ultimately the piece reaches the familiar conclusion that RMT is here to stay and that it's OK as long as the implementation avoids the dreaded pay-to-win stigma. That said, "even just cosmetic items will breed a bitter culture of haves and have-nots if you can't reasonably get them for free in a game for which you're already paying," the article states.

Be sure to check out Massively's own RMT studies for more insight into the value offered by your favorite microtransaction games.

MassivelyInformal RMT study looks at microtransaction effects across multiple titles originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelseconomyeveeve-onlinelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroMicrotransactionsMiscellaneousmmo-industryrealm-of-the-mad-godrmtrmt-studystudyworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 26 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon, NCsoft refuse to fully cooperate with South Korean MMO gambling probe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/nexon-ncsoft-refuse-to-fully-cooperate-with-south-korean-mmo-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/nexon-ncsoft-refuse-to-fully-cooperate-with-south-korean-mmo-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/nexon-ncsoft-refuse-to-fully-cooperate-with-south-korean-mmo-ga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Casino marquee
South Korean MMO makers are under the Game Rating Board's microscope for allegedly obstructing an investigation related to MMORPG gambling. The ratings board has questions regarding real-world money transactions that offer a chance at valuable in-game items, and a veritable who's who of Korean development firms are refusing to fully cooperate, according to This Is Game.

NCsoft, Nexon, and HanbitSoft are just a few of the companies mentioned in the report, and while the publishers have given up item names, costs, and other details related to the transactions, the companies are thus far refusing to divulge information on payout percentages.

GRB chairman Soo Keun Lee says that his organization is simply trying to determine the legality of RMT transactions using a set of gambling standards adopted by South Korea in 2008. "Game companies ask us why GRB tries to touch their business model and [they] refuse our request[s]," he said.

MassivelyNexon, NCsoft refuse to fully cooperate with South Korean MMO gambling probe originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2pfree-to-playgamblinggame-rating-boardhanbitsoftncsoftnexonnhnrandom-numbersreal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtrngsoo-keun-leesouth-koreasouth-koreanThu, 22 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Monday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals, Bloodline Champions and more.

The big news for MOBA fans this week is the release of Bloodline Champions' colossal Dawn of the Relics update, which has breathed new life into the impressive indie title. Rise of Immortals reveals details of its first post-launch Immortal Trovoc this week, and he's a great big freakin' dragon. In addition to releasing a champion spotlight on Riven, Riot Games this week published new information on how minions will feature in League of Legends: Dominion's point-capturing gameplay.

Blizzard revealed this week that PayPal will be handling sales in Diablo III's controversial real-money auction house. In preparation for opening the D3 beta to the public, Blizzard also released a series of new class pages and a Diablo III skill calculator. Fans of the Tribes series will be glad to know that its online multiplayer sequel Tribes: Ascend has officially started accepting applications to join the upcoming closed beta.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other online games that aren't quite MMOs.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp

MassivelyNot So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-housebetabetasbloodline-championsdiablodiablo-3diablo-iiidiablo-iii-betafeaturedhi-rez-studiosleague-of-legendslolmobanewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-gameonline-gamespaypalpetroglyphrise-of-immortalsrmtroitribestribes-ascendvideoMon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: SOE's John Smedley reveals F2P model for DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/massively-exclusive-soes-john-smedley-reveals-f2p-model-for-dc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/massively-exclusive-soes-john-smedley-reveals-f2p-model-for-dc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/massively-exclusive-soes-john-smedley-reveals-f2p-model-for-dc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

DC Universe Online - Batman and Robin PvP
For those of us who lack Batman's financial resources, maintaining several monthly MMO subscriptions can be a challenge. Sony Online Entertainment recognizes this, and as a result, the company has just announced that DC Universe Online will be officially joining the freemium revolution toward the end of October.

The new business model will feature a familiar tiered access plan with three membership levels. The Free, Premium, and Legendary plans feature full access to the current game while offering different levels of "convenience and flexibility." Free players will be limited to two character slots, and new "downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers, and more" will be available for purchase via microtransactions.

Premium players, i.e., folks who have spent at least $5 US on the game (including former subscribers and in-game item purchasers), will receive additional character slots, inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Legendary players will take home "maximum features and benefits" including free DLC, more than 15 character slots, and more than 80 inventory slots, all for the regular $14.99 monthly fee. DCUO will also continue to be available on SOE's Station Pass (and subscribing to the monthly all-in-one service nets you Legendary status in DCUO as well as access to all of SOE's MMORPGs).

Finally, Massively sat down with SOE president John Smedley and producer Lorin Jameson to chat about the new model, and you can find that transcription after the break.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: SOE's John Smedley reveals F2P model for DC Universe Online

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: SOE's John Smedley reveals F2P model for DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batmanbreakingbusiness-modelcash-shopcomicsconveniencedc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoexclusivef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgotham-citygreen-lanterninterviewitem-shopitem-storejohn-smedleylegendarylorin-jamesonmassively-exclusivemetropolismicrotransactionsnon-recurring-paymentplaystion-3premiumps3rmtsoesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosupermantiered-accesswonder-womanMon, 19 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you in favor of developer-sanctioned RMT?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-developer-sanctioned-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-developer-sanctioned-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-developer-sanctioned-rmt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Money money money money
The Ottawa Citizen recently did a story on real money trading in MMOs, and it started some interesting conversation here on Massively.

There are some who feel that the only way to truly eliminate the problem is to legalize it, so to speak -- cutting down on stolen accounts, shady deals, and ripped-off consumers by creating official channels for everything. Others argue that it won't help and that making real-world cash a part of the player economy is a terrible idea in general.

It's a discussion that can be approached from plenty of different directions, so what say you? Should developers create official channels and be done with it, or keep working to eliminate it altogether?

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: Are you in favor of developer-sanctioned RMT? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-theftdeveloper-sanctioned-rmteconomygold-farmingopinionreal-money-tradingrmttdgthe-daily-grindTue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The dangers and allure of real money trading in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/the-dangers-and-allure-of-real-money-trading-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/the-dangers-and-allure-of-real-money-trading-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/the-dangers-and-allure-of-real-money-trading-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EverQuest
It's been one of the longest-running debates in the MMO industry: whether or not real money trading (RMT) helps or hurts players and the game worlds they inhabit. The Ottawa Citizen shed some light on the subject by showing how the games industry at large has dealt with the subject, from players dealing in grey market trades to studios overseeing RMT in the hopes of keeping players' bank accounts safe while lining the studios' pockets with additional income.

Two examples were given of players engaging in illicit -- and ill-advised (Massively disclaimer) -- RMT activities. One player said that he made $7,000 in 2001 by purchasing EverQuest characters from bored players and reselling them to others, even though this was against the game's EULA. He likened it to real-world corporate practices: "It was kind of like buying a company and breaking (it) down and selling off all its assets, and flipping it for more cash."

Another player admitted to spending $50 in hopes of gaining 2,000 gold in World of Warcraft, but the third-party company simply took his cash and never delivered the gold.

The article notes how games like Second Life and companies like Sony and Microsoft are embracing RMT even as the issue remains taboo in many MMOs.

MassivelyThe dangers and allure of real money trading in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeulaeverquestgrey-marketmicrosoftottawa-citizenplaystation-3real-money-tradingrmtsecond-lifesoesonySony-Online-Entertainmenttabooworld-of-warcraftwowXbox-360Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP offering first ever bulk PLEX discount for EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/ccp-offering-first-ever-bulk-plex-discount-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/ccp-offering-first-ever-bulk-plex-discount-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/ccp-offering-first-ever-bulk-plex-discount-for-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - PLEX
If you've been searching for a way to spend more money on EVE Online, CCP has just announced a bulk discount on its PLEX currency. What is PLEX, I hear a few of you asking? It's shorthand for Pilot License Extension, and it takes the form of an in-game item that provides one month of game access. The kicker is that it may be legally bought, sold, or traded for other in-game items (or cold, hard cash). The system was originally put in place to combat third-party ISK trading, but many long-time EVE players have amassed enough wealth to enable them to buy PLEX and avoid paying the regular monthly subscription fee.

For a limited time (through September 16th, to be exact), CCP is offering 13 PLEX for $199.99, and the one-line press blurb on the official EVE website encourages you to "play the market, pad your wallet, and build your empire."

MassivelyCCP offering first ever bulk PLEX discount for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-currencyccpccp-gamesdiscounteveeve-onlinelegalized-rmtnew-edenplexpress-releasepromotionrmtsandboxsci-fiFri, 02 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA implementing chronoscrolls to combat gold farming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/tera-implementing-chronoscrolls-to-combat-gold-farming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/tera-implementing-chronoscrolls-to-combat-gold-farming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/tera-implementing-chronoscrolls-to-combat-gold-farming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TERA - boss fight
TERA isn't releasing in North America for several months yet, but the folks at En Masse are already taking steps to curb the inevitable tide of gold farmers sure to be washing up on Arborea's beaches in 2012.

A new dev blog released over the weekend outlines the introduction of chronoscrolls, and those of you who are familiar with EVE Online's PLEX system will probably see several parallels between the two mechanics. "If you've never purchased gold, and you're wondering why this new chronoscrolls system is a good addition to the game, consider this: Whether chronoscrolls exist or not, other players are buying gold from real-money traders. By creating the opportunity for players who already buy gold to purchase it legitimately, we help eliminate the incentive for real-money traders to target TERA," says producer Patrick Wyatt.

MassivelyTERA implementing chronoscrolls to combat gold farming originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arboreachronoscrollsdev-blogdev-diaryeconomyen-masseen-masse-entertainmenteveeve-onlinefantasygold-farmersgold-farmingpatrick-wyattplay-for-freeplexreal-money-tradingrmtteratera-onlineMon, 29 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamescom 2011: CCP talks DUST 514 microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/gamescom-2011-ccp-talks-dust-514-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/gamescom-2011-ccp-talks-dust-514-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/gamescom-2011-ccp-talks-dust-514-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Dust 514 - dropship
Joystiq caught up with CCP at Gamescom, and the Icelandic dev house responsible for EVE Online and its first-person shooter spin-off called DUST 514 dropped a few hints as to how the microtransaction business model will function in the latter game.

DUST, which is launching exclusively on the Playstation 3 in 2012, will carry an initial $20 digital download fee, after which the user will receive access to the game as well as approximately $20 worth of virtual currency. "You're basically getting that bundle of cash that you're using to start the game, and from there if you choose to play for free and just grind, you're welcome to do that," a CCP rep said.

CCP also said it expects many gamers to avoid DUST'S shooter gameplay altogether and focus on playing the market, as many capsuleers do in EVE Online. Head to Joystiq for the full report.

MassivelyGamescom 2011: CCP talks DUST 514 microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gamesdustdust-514economyeveeve-onlinegamescomgamescom-2011marketsmicrotransactionsnew-edenreal-world-eventsrmtsandboxsci-fiSat, 20 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online introduces new bot-reporting feature]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/eve-online-introduces-new-bot-reporting-feature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/eve-online-introduces-new-bot-reporting-feature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/eve-online-introduces-new-bot-reporting-feature/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
Botting is an almost universal problem in the MMO scene, disrupting in-game economies and often funding shady RMT operations. EVE Online has always been a big target for the RMT industry as much of a character's progression relies on in-game currency. In a world where you can buy a bigger ship, better modules and even the loyalty of player-run mercenary corporations, demand for the illicit sale of ISK is high.

Several years ago CCP banned over 6200 botters as part of Operation Unholy Rage and launched the PLEX system to provide a legitimate way to buy ISK that doesn't harm the game economy and helps cash-poor players fund their subscription with in-game ISK. This week, CCP continued its plans to rid New Eden of bots with a devblog on its recently implemented "report bot" feature. The devblog explains how to identify a bot, how to report it and the steps GMs take after investigation of reported characters.

MassivelyEVE Online introduces new bot-reporting feature originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-rmtbotbotsbottersbottingccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinenewsrmtThu, 18 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warspear Online update features new currency, numerous gameplay tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/warspear-online-update-features-new-currency-numerous-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/warspear-online-update-features-new-currency-numerous-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/warspear-online-update-features-new-currency-numerous-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Warspear Online - concept art
If you've never heard of Warspear Online, now's a great time to broaden your horizons. The mobile MMO from AIGRIND has just released its Legacy of Berengar update which brings "many changes and improvements" to the fantasy title.

Chief among these changes are the miracle shop and miracle coins, the latter of which serve as a new currency available for real-world money. Also noteworthy is the addition of a friends list, a minimap, two-handed weapons and heavy armor, and new rune and crystal special items that players may slot in their equipment to enhance its characteristics.

Warspear has also transitioned from a ranking system to a leveling system, and there are various tweaks and bug fixes in the update as well. The official Warspear forums feature a post with all of the details, so be sure to head over and give it a look-see.

MassivelyWarspear Online update features new currency, numerous gameplay tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-handed-weaponsaigrindcash-shopf2pfantasyfree-to-playfriends-listheavy-armorlegacy-of-berengarminimapmiracle-coinsmiracle-shopmobilemobile-mmormtwarspearwarspear-onlineThu, 11 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A pile of money
Blizzard made something of a stink in fan circles last week with its announcement of Diablo III's RMT-enabled auction house as well as the lack of offline play (and mod support) in the highly anticipated fantasy action sequel.

While hardcore fan- and forum-outrage was palpable, it's likely that the title will shatter sales records anyway, and we'll be that much closer to a gaming world devoid of offline play and festooned with microtransactions. What does all of this have to do with MMOs and Massively? That's where you come in, dear readers. Do you think Diablo III's real-money auction house will affect MMOs? How so (or why not)?

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 think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseblizzarddaily-grinddiablo-3diablo-3-auction-housediablo-iiifantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionmicrotransactionsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionrmttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: How gold farming really hurts the economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/enter-at-your-own-rift-how-gold-farming-really-hurts-the-econom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/enter-at-your-own-rift-how-gold-farming-really-hurts-the-econom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/enter-at-your-own-rift-how-gold-farming-really-hurts-the-econom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT: Sanctum under threat
Recently, Trion Worlds CCO and RIFT Executive Producer Scott Hartsman talked to Gamasutra about how gold farming is a much bigger threat than we assume, particularly because of the large amount of credit card fraud. Those who played RIFT at launch probably recall the large wave of hacked accounts early on. According to Hartsman, the hacking attempts were so quick and so intense that the game could have been "denial-of-serviced off the internet" when it launched.

As I was browsing the Auctioneer the other day, I was reminded of Scott's statement because gold farming has sucked a lot of the fun out of in-game economies in virtual worlds. Markets early on were lively, unpredictable, exciting, and full of freedom but very vulnerable because of the growing illegal trade of in-game currency for real money. In an effort to combat the rising real-life value of gold, games like RIFT have moved away from gold toward a system of non-tradeable tokens. But while these tokens have helped to curb the value of gold and reduce the demand for third-party RMTs, they've also removed a lot of the freedom from players. After the cut, we'll take a closer look at how exactly that's happened and why it hurts the economy.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: How gold farming really hurts the economy

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: How gold farming really hurts the economy originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currencycurrency-tradingenter-at-your-own-riftfeaturedfree-marketgoldgold-farmingmarketplaquesreal-money-tradingriftrmtRMTsscott-hartsmanthird-party-tradingtriontrion-worldsWed, 10 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea employing MMO hackers to fund government]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/north-korea-employing-mmo-hackers-to-fund-government/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/north-korea-employing-mmo-hackers-to-fund-government/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/north-korea-employing-mmo-hackers-to-fund-government/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What's a dictator to do when his third-world economy is wheezing along on its last legs? Hack some video games, of course! According to a report in the New York Times, North Korea's Kim Jong-il unleashed an army of young computer crackers on popular South Korean online gaming portals to find ways to make quick cash.

South Korean authorities claim that a squad of approximately 30 hackers operated from a base in China and were given the mission of breaching online gaming servers (including those of the immensely popular Lineage) to set up bot factories and automated farming collectives. The digital booty was then sold to gamers for a reported $6 million over two years.

Chung Kil-hwan, a senior officer at South Korea's International Crime Investigation Unit, says that the hacker group "reports to a shadowy Communist Party agency called Office 39, which gathers foreign hard currency for Mr. Kim through drug trafficking, counterfeiting, arms sales, and other illicit activities."

MassivelyNorth Korea employing MMO hackers to fund government originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bot-farmsbotscrackersculturedictatorshipfarmersgold-farmershackerslineagemmo-industrynorth-koreaoffice-39real-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreaSat, 06 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study suggests one in three gamers has purchased virtual goods]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Let's say you're playing an MMO with two of your mates. They could be online friends, real-world friends, or some combination of both. According to a new study conducted by PlaySpan and VGMarket, one of you has used real-world money to purchase virtual items.

The research was compiled last month and samples a pool of 1,000 gamers drawn from a VGMarket database. While the one-in-three statistic is interesting in its own right, even more compelling is the evidence that suggests 57 percent of participants purchase virtual items on a monthly basis.

You might think that social networking games are responsible for the lion's share of these percentages, but VGMarket's data show console games with online play accounting for 51 percent of the purchases, with social titles claiming second place at 30 percent (MMOs came in third, if you're curious). The study presents quite a number of curious factoids despite its relatively small sample size, and you can check out all the findings at the official PlaySpan website. It's also worth noting that downloading the full study requires providing PlaySpan with your personal info via a web registration form.

MassivelyStudy suggests one in three gamers has purchased virtual goods originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-gamesconsolesf2pfree-to-playmmo-industrymoneyplayspanpress-releasereal-moneyreal-money-tradingreal-world-moneyrmtsocial-networkingstatisticsvgmarketvirtual-goodsThu, 04 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST