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[Joymax launches Silkroad Online expansion and new events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/joymax-launches-silkroad-online-expansion-and-new-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/joymax-launches-silkroad-online-expansion-and-new-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/joymax-launches-silkroad-online-expansion-and-new-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a ton of new functionality on display in Joymax's free-to-play Silkroad Online MMORPG. The historical fantasy title, set along the renowned China to Constantinople trading route in the 7th century AD, has recently released its Rise of the Thief-Hunter expansion. Additionally, Joymax has added 24-hour GM support to the game and is hosting a series of events designed to draw awareness to the new services as well as solicit fan feedback (and offer prizes). Festivities include a share-your-knowledge event, a Fortress War video competition, and a Legendary Player tribute event.

The expansion features a new emphasis on jobs, and players will be able to specialize in new skill sets dependent on their characters' jobs and levels. Job titles will also change as various advancement tasks are completed, and reputation gain is now tied in with rank bonuses (which in turn raises attributes).

Rise of the Thief-Hunter also brings a newly designed crafting system granting players the ability to fabricate everything from siege items to alchemy staples. A new trade system allows for players to explore their smugglery sides and offers quests that reward unique job items. Players may also choose to protect trade caravans or raid them. Check out the official Silkroad Online website for more information on the expansion and associated events.

MassivelyJoymax launches Silkroad Online expansion and new events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-hour-gm-serviceeventsexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgamemastersgmjobsjoymaxpatchesrise-of-the-thief-huntersilk-roadsilkroadsilkroad-onlinethief-hunterupdatesMon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Traveling the Silk Road]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/the-anvil-of-crom-traveling-the-silk-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/the-anvil-of-crom-traveling-the-silk-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/the-anvil-of-crom-traveling-the-silk-road/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Last week we spoke briefly with Funcom executive producer and game director Craig "Silirrion" Morrison regarding Age of Conan's random encounter mechanic, which will invoke a series of one-off solo instances designed to add a bit of flavor to the journey to Hyboria's Far East. We also checked out five of the 11 available instances: four sea-faring adventures and one rare-spawn quest-giving encounter.

This week, we'll step through the remaining five adventures, all of them land-locked, in addition to taking a quick look at the second rare spawn. Voyage past the cut for more.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Traveling the Silk Road

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Traveling the Silk Road originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-random-encountersanvil-of-cromanvil-of-crom-guidesaoccraig-morrisonfar-eastfeaturedfuncomguidesinstanceinstanceskhitaikhitai-random-encountersopinionsilirrionsilk-roadsilk-road-instancesolosoloingthe-anvil-of-cromSun, 29 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Random encounters with Craig Morrison]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/22/the-anvil-of-crom-random-encounters-with-craig-morrison/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/22/the-anvil-of-crom-random-encounters-with-craig-morrison/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/22/the-anvil-of-crom-random-encounters-with-craig-morrison/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So, what do random encounters and Age of Conan executive producer Craig "Silirrion" Morrison have in common? Truthfully, not much as far as The Anvil of Crom and its author is concerned, as I've never had the pleasure of meeting Funcom's game director in person. That said, he was kind enough to answer a few questions for this week's column via email, all of them pertaining to the random encounter mechanic implemented with last May's Rise of the Godslayer expansion.

What's a random encounter, you may find yourself asking? Peek behind the curtain and find out.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Random encounters with Craig Morrison

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Random encounters with Craig Morrison originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-random-encountersanvil-of-cromanvil-of-crom-guidesaocaoc-random-encounterscraig-morrisonfeaturedfuncomguideskhitaikhitai-random-encountersopinionrandom-encounterssilirrionsilk-roadthe-anvil-of-cromSun, 22 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silkroad Online says no to botters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/silkroad-online-says-no-to-botters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/silkroad-online-says-no-to-botters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/silkroad-online-says-no-to-botters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


No botters! Bad botters! Down! Ban! You're banned!

Well, that's not exactly how bannings go, but Silkroad Online is starting to crack down on their botting problem. The game has recently changed their anti-botting rules, converting over to a three strike policy. The first instance of your account being suspected, you get a 7 day ban. The next time your account gets flagged, it's a 14 day ban. And, if your account gets flagged a third and final time for the use of illegal programs, you can kiss your account goodbye.

It's a pretty strict system, doubly so for a free-to-play game. Usually we see larger MMO developers, like Square-Enix and CCP, moving towards initiatives like these. However, it's clear that Joymax is interested in cleaning up their game, a move that many will undoubtedly enjoy.

MassivelySilkroad Online says no to botters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banbottersbottingclean-campaignjoymaxsilk-roadsilk-road-onlinesilkroad-onlineMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silkroad Online offers limited edition Arabian garb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/silkroad-online-offers-limited-edition-arabian-garb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/silkroad-online-offers-limited-edition-arabian-garb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/silkroad-online-offers-limited-edition-arabian-garb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Silkroad Online is an MMO based on the historical Silk Road between Asia and Europe, wherein players can adventure as merchants, thieves, or hunters. And now, as befitting the feel of the period, players have access to Arabian-themed outfits that provide a boost to your character's stats. These outfits are only available for a short time, so players ought to jump on this like it's a magic carpet!

Expect to see more from Silkroad Online in the coming months.

MassivelySilkroad Online offers limited edition Arabian garb originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arabianasiaeuropelimited-editionoutfitssilk-roadsilkroad-onlineWed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silkroad Online boasts 7.2 million registered users]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/silkroad-online-boasts-7-2-million-registered-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/silkroad-online-boasts-7-2-million-registered-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/silkroad-online-boasts-7-2-million-registered-users/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


World of Warcraft is huge by pay-to-play standards. We know that. But if you want to play the numbers game, some free-to-play MMORPGs can stand toe-to-toe with WoW when it comes to registered users. Silkroad Online does, according to Korean publisher Joymax. The company just announced that it has reached a new milestone -- 100,000 concurrent users. That's out of 7.2 million registered users. And that's just on its own servers; Joymax boasts that 18 million people are registered for the game across all providers and regions.

18 million users in a free-to-play MMO is not necessarily as good for business as 10 million paying subscribers, since F2P users are only potential sources of income. Joymax didn't share any information about revenues, and it didn't explain what percentage of registered users regularly purchase virtual items with real world currency.

Silkroad Online spans the globe in both a virtual and a real sense. Users are registered in countries from Asia to North America, and the game's fantasy setting is based on the historic Silk Road trade route, which has connected Western and Eastern countries for centuries.

MassivelySilkroad Online boasts 7.2 million registered users originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaconcurrent-usersf2pfree-to-playjoymaxnumberspress-releaseregistered-userssilk-roadsilkroadsilkroad-onlinesubscribersusersThu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST