Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Smedley wants to talk more about monetization]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/smedley-wants-to-talk-more-about-monetization/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/smedley-wants-to-talk-more-about-monetization/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/smedley-wants-to-talk-more-about-monetization/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

John Smedley's not done talking about monetization. The SOE CEO posted on Reddit a bit ago and added to the recent discussion surrounding PlanetSide 2 drop rates, the cert economy, and F2P in general.

"PlanetSide 2 only recently has turned profitable on an operating basis," Smedley wrote. He also says that the majority of players have a ton of certs because SOE didn't balance properly and "erred on the side of giving away too many or making things cost too little so we don't make you grind too hard."

Smedley takes issue with the rhetoric painting SOE as "money grubbing a-holes," but he does own up to the company's lack of clear communication on this particular issue.

MassivelySmedley wants to talk more about monetization originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sandboxsci-fishootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentMon, 05 Jan 2015 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE revealing H1Z1 tonight, teaser site live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/soe-revealing-h1z1-tonight-teaser-site-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/soe-revealing-h1z1-tonight-teaser-site-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/soe-revealing-h1z1-tonight-teaser-site-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

H1Z1 foggy fog
Is SOE's new game a zombie MMO? Does it feature Star Wars: Galaxies' mechanics? Are players going to complain about zombies being cliche and overused before logging in to their cliche and overused fantasy MMO of choice? These questions and more will hopefully be answered tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT when the firm unveils H1Z1 on Game Talk Live.

CEO John Smedley teased the announcement on his Twitter feed last night, saying that the game is pretty far along. "You can play it yourself soon," he tweeted. "And by play I mean fully."

The game's website has also gone live, though it's currently a single image.

[Smedley has since confirmed that the game is indeed zombies. "H1Z1 is an MMO that allows players to take on the role of an apocalypse survivor who is in a world that is filled with zombies [... ] A world! Not just a little tiny server."]

[Thanks Dean!]

MassivelySOE revealing H1Z1 tonight, teaser site live originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>h1z1h1z1-announcementjohn-smedleysmedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentzombiesWed, 09 Apr 2014 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE's Smedley: Sandbox gaming is 'at the core of everything we're doing']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/11/soes-smedley-sandbox-gaming-at-the-core-of-everything-were-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/11/soes-smedley-sandbox-gaming-at-the-core-of-everything-were-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/11/soes-smedley-sandbox-gaming-at-the-core-of-everything-were-d/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWG storyteller
John Smedley's got a new blog, and he's kicked it off with an explanation of SOE's decision to make sandbox MMOs going forward. If you're already a sandbox fan, much of what he says is restating the obvious, from the belief that content-driven themepark models are unsustainable to the notion that MMOs should be showcasing player-generated content tools like Star Wars Galaxies' storytelling suite or Lord of the Rings Online's music system.

Even if you're not a sandbox fan, it's still worth a read if only to understand why the company that created the ultimate grindpark is turning its back on content treadmills in favor of emergent, player-driven worlds.

"We're going to take the idea of sandbox gaming and we're putting it at the core of everything we're doing," Smedley says. "We'll obviously still be making awesome stuff for players to do, but we're going to aim very high in terms of letting players be a part of the game systems. The more emergent sandbox style content we can make the less predictable the experience will be."

MassivelySOE's Smedley: Sandbox gaming is 'at the core of everything we're doing' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>john-smedleyplayer-driven-economyplayer-generated-contentsandboxsmedleysoeSony-Online-Entertainmentuser-generated-contentTue, 11 Feb 2014 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE teases picture of mystery sandbox MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/02/soe-teases-picture-of-mystery-sandbox-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/02/soe-teases-picture-of-mystery-sandbox-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/02/soe-teases-picture-of-mystery-sandbox-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mystery MMO
Behold, ex-Star Wars Galaxies players: This is the first glimpse of the home that SOE is building for you.

SOE President John Smedley sent out a pair of pictures on Twitter on January 29th showing screenshots from the unannounced MMO that the studio is creating. The pictures are both of the back of a church or chapel with a fenced-in graveyard next to it. In the second picture, snow is falling.

The pictures seem to suggest that the game will take place in a contemporary setting. One of SOE's CMs indicated that these tweets were of the new sandbox MMO described as "dedicated" to SWG players.

MassivelySOE teases picture of mystery sandbox MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-mmodedicated-to-swg-playersgalaxiesjohn-smedleynew-soe-mmopeekpicturesandboxsci-fismedleysmedley-redditsoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswg-followupswg-playersteasertwitterSun, 02 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley: SOE's new unannounced MMO is dedicated to SWG players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/24/smedley-soes-unannounced-mmo-is-dedicated-to-swg-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/24/smedley-soes-unannounced-mmo-is-dedicated-to-swg-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/24/smedley-soes-unannounced-mmo-is-dedicated-to-swg-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Wars: Galaxies binary sunset
It's been a roller coaster day for fans of SOE and the firm's MMO catalog. Earlier we learned that four of the company's titles, including the flawed but much-loved fantasy title Vanguard -- will be shutting down later this year.

CEO John Smedley took to Reddit to answer questions following the announcement, and while it makes for a sobering read if you're a Vanguard, Wizardry Online, Free Realms, or Clone Wars Adventures fan, there was a hopeful nugget buried in there for sandbox lovers and more specifically, fans of Star Wars: Galaxies.

"SWG players, our next game (not announced yet) is dedicated to you," Smedley wrote. "Once we launch it... you can come home now."

MassivelySmedley: SOE's new unannounced MMO is dedicated to SWG players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jan 2014 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-mmodedicated-to-swg-playersgalaxiesjohn-smedleynew-soe-mmosandboxsci-fismedleysmedley-redditsoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswg-followupswg-playersFri, 24 Jan 2014 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley is on a 'personal mission' to explain SOE's business decisions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/smedley-on-a-personal-mission-to-explain-soes-business-decisi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/smedley-on-a-personal-mission-to-explain-soes-business-decisi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/smedley-on-a-personal-mission-to-explain-soes-business-decisi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

THE SMEDSTER
John Smedley's been in the headlines a lot this week thanks to SOE's all-access plans and its subscription-benefits switcheroo. Now, the SOE CEO has taken to Reddit to explain the company's philosophy when it comes to monetization and game-making in general.

Smedley says that in the wake of this week's PR firestorm, he's "going to make it one of [his] personal missions to explain the thought process behind [SOE's] business decisions." He wrote, "I want to be able to have an honest enough dialog that I can actually tell you 'yeah this is important to our bottom line... that's why we did it'... and have you at least not question whether that's the real reason. [...] You may disagree with it, but at least you'll be able to make a reasonably informed judgment as to whether or not we're the greedy company some of you seem to think that we are, but at least you'll hear the why."

He says that while SOE is clearly a for-profit business, the firm's ultimate goal is to make good games first. He cites EverQuest Next Landmark as an example, saying that SOE rebooted the title three times, which led to a "massive delay [that] hurt [the studio] financially," even though it "was the right thing to do for [SOE] and for the industry."

MassivelySmedley is on a 'personal mission' to explain SOE's business decisions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jan 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq-nexteq-next-landmarkeq2eqiieqneqn-landmarkeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-nexteverquest-next-landmarkf2pfantasyfree-to-playjohn-smedleylandmarksandboxsmedleysoesonySony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 07 Jan 2014 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE cancels previous subscription changes, rolls out a bigger all-access pass]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/soe-cancels-previous-subscription-changes-rolls-out-a-bigger-al/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/soe-cancels-previous-subscription-changes-rolls-out-a-bigger-al/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/07/soe-cancels-previous-subscription-changes-rolls-out-a-bigger-al/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We're not retreating, we're advancing in the opposite direction.
When Sony Online Entertainment first announced its changes to the way subscription benefits would work from February on, players weren't happy. One of our columnists explained the reasons why the changes were a bad idea in great detail. SOE listened, stepped back, and according to a post on Reddit by John Smedley, is revising the plans again to better fit player needs. The subscription reward will still be in the form of Station Cash on a monthly basis rather than a single free item worth up to 2000 SC.

Under the new system, subscribing to the company's all-access pass will be priced at $14.99 a month, and subscribing to any PC title makes you an all-access member automatically. You still get 500 SC every month, and you can still stockpile it as before, but you will need to claim that benefit on a monthly basis rather than see it automatically dropped into your account. For more of the fine details on children's games with subscriptions and console games, take a look at Smedley's full post.

MassivelySOE cancels previous subscription changes, rolls out a bigger all-access pass originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-accessall-access-passbusinessbusiness-modelschangesjohn-smedleymember-benefitsnewsnews-itemssmedleysoesony-online-entertainmentsubscriptionsubscription-benefitssubscriptionsTue, 07 Jan 2014 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[John Smedley takes to Reddit to answer SOE layoff questions [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/john-smedley-takes-to-reddit-to-answer-soe-layoff-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/john-smedley-takes-to-reddit-to-answer-soe-layoff-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/john-smedley-takes-to-reddit-to-answer-soe-layoff-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Smed answers SOE layoff questions on his reddit
In response to the question about how the recent SOE layoffs will affect PlanetSide 2, CEO John Smedley took to Reddit with a few answers. He specifically stated that layoffs will not impact the development of the MMOFPS and that there is still a large team working on it, even though some from that team were let go. "It won't impact the game because we have other people who are going to take the load over. Simple as that... We carefully planned and are distributing tasks appropriately to other people on the team." Smedley also dismissed the idea that devs were let go because of the integration of Player Studio as absurd.

What about the other games in SOE's portfolio? Smedley announced that a full status report on all games is planned for next week.

[Update: Polygon has posted excerpts from an SOE email, quoting Smedley calling the layoffs a "horrible, sickening experience" and explaining that personnel shifts were a result of budgetary necessity not poor game sales. In fact, he hopes to rehire laid-off employees. He also promises that work on EQ Next will not slow down: "In fact you can fully expect it to ramp up and a lot of people will end up helping to make the most amazing thing we've ever done as a company."]

MassivelyJohn Smedley takes to Reddit to answer SOE layoff questions [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsJohn-Smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2Redditsandboxsci-fishooterSmedSmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentThu, 29 Aug 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: EQ Next scoops up Emily 'Domino' Taylor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-tattered-notebook-eq-next-ranks-swell-with-the-known/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-tattered-notebook-eq-next-ranks-swell-with-the-known/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-tattered-notebook-eq-next-ranks-swell-with-the-known/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Tattered Notebook EQ Next ranks swell with the known
A curious thing happened as I was strolling through EverQuest II this past week. It seems there was a bit of commotion in the Norrathian community, with races good and evil cheering and dancing in the streets. Personally, I didn't even know Sarnak could move like that! What was the catalyst of this celebration? Why, didn't you hear -- there was news about EverQuest Next! And with the scarcity of that kind of treasure, it's understandable that folks went a'frolicking. But this wasn't just any old news, either. This week, fans learned that Emily "Domino" Taylor, also known as Pentapod, was returning to the EverQuest franchise as the producer for EQ Next.

Can the presence of just one person really send prospective players into a tizzy of anticipation? Yes, it can. I watched as a number of EQII players, once ambivalent or on the fence about EQN, not only look twice at the upcoming sandbox but hop right on over into the newest Norrath's camp. More eyes than ever are watching the development of this game (even though there is scant little to watch at the moment). And this is why.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: EQ Next scoops up Emily 'Domino' Taylor

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: EQ Next scoops up Emily 'Domino' Taylor originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingDominoEmily-Domino-TaylorEmily-Tayloreqeq-2eq-iieq-nexteq2eqiieqneverquesteverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-nextf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playopinionSmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 25 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE lawyering up in its fight against PlanetSide 2 cheaters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/soe-lawyering-up-in-its-fight-against-planetside-2-cheaters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/soe-lawyering-up-in-its-fight-against-planetside-2-cheaters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/soe-lawyering-up-in-its-fight-against-planetside-2-cheaters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 key art
SOE prez John Smedley took to the Reddits yesterday to elaborate on the firm's banning policy as it relates to PlanetSide 2. Smedley dispelled the myth of the 7-day ban, saying that there are week-long suspensions for rule-breaking, after which SOE GMs more closely monitor the miscreant to "make sure we're satisfied they are cheating."

Smedley also says that the cat-and-mouse routine is here to stay. "The fight against cheaters is not a war we will ever be finished with," he said, before explaining that the reason it takes longer to ban cheaters than some honest players might like is because the devs "don't want to falsely accuse people without solid proof."

Finally, Smedley hints that SOE is lawyering up against the major cheat-producing sites. "We have the resources to fight this fight and we will keep doing it," he wrote.

MassivelySOE lawyering up in its fight against PlanetSide 2 cheaters originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheatersfpsjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-2-cheatersps2ps2-cheaterssandboxsci-fishootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentWed, 27 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley announces PlanetSide 2 server merges]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/smedley-announces-planetside-2-server-merges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/smedley-announces-planetside-2-server-merges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/smedley-announces-planetside-2-server-merges/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PlanetSide 2
PlanetSide 2's servers are going to get a bit cozier in the not-too-distant future. SOE CEO John Smedley announced upcoming server merges on Twitter today. "Server merges soon. Info coming by Monday. No server transfers coming till after that's done. Wouldn't be right doing it the other way around."

While we'll have to wait for more information, Smedley did say that "too many people went to some servers and not as many went to others" and that this should in not be seen as a sign that the game hasn't been as successful as might have been hoped.

MassivelySmedley announces PlanetSide 2 server merges originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsjohn-smedleymergermergesmmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sandboxsci-fiserver-mergeserver-mergesshootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentWed, 20 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley: MMOs are stuck in an EQ-inspired rut, 'nothing more than a movie set']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/smedley-mmos-are-stuck-in-an-eq-inspired-rut-nothing-more-tha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/smedley-mmos-are-stuck-in-an-eq-inspired-rut-nothing-more-tha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/smedley-mmos-are-stuck-in-an-eq-inspired-rut-nothing-more-tha/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

John Smedley preaching
John Smedley's MMO revival tour continues, with the latest stop being an interview at Polygon. The SOE CEO lends some context to impressive numbers recently released by the firm touting the success of its new business model intiative, and he also evangelized about the future of the company and EverQuest Next.

Since switching to F2P across its extensive MMO portfolio, SOE has seen DC Universe's daily revenue increase by 700%, EverQuest II's registration numbers triple, and EverQuest's registration numbers tick up by 350%. Oh, and PlanetSide 2? It's seen 1.6 million players registered thus far, 250,000 of whom log in daily. "Free-to-play is just too good of an idea," Smedley says. "The idea is just so simple. It democratizes and capitalizes, makes true capitalism out of the MMO gaming space."

He goes on to say that the MMO industry is stuck in a rut that SOE helped create via design choices made in the original EQ. "We need to change the way we do this," Smedley says. "We're building a sandbox and giving players the tools to help shape the world that they're in. That's the direction we're going in with EverQuest Next; trying to make a world that players create while being in a living, breathing world around them. It's not just a prop for them to walk around in, which is really what all of today's MMOs are. Their worlds are nothing more than a movie set."

MassivelySmedley: MMOs are stuck in an EQ-inspired rut, 'nothing more than a movie set' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoeqeq-2eq-iieq-nexteq1eq2eqiieqneverquesteverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-nextf2pfantasyfree-to-playjohn-smedleyplanetside-2-populationplanetside-2-user-numbersplaystation-3playstation3ps3sandboxsmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperheroesTue, 18 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley on EverQuest Next and defining the next generation of MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/smedley-talks-about-everquest-next/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/smedley-talks-about-everquest-next/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/smedley-talks-about-everquest-next/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

it's a map!
The new design for EverQuest Next has recently been shared internally with SOE staff, bringing the game closer than ever before to being A Thing. SOE President John Smedley talked with PC Gamer about his hopes for the game.

Two previous designs for EQ Next have been scrapped because they were too close to the source. Smedley said that "the previous designs [SOE] had for the next EverQuest were cookie-cutter, they were 'me too.'" He admitted to being nervous before showing off the newest designs to the staff but that in the end, he felt "vindicated" by SOE's warm reception. "We're not trying to make [World of Warcraft] 2 or EverQuest 2.5 -- we're making something that we think will define the next generation of MMOs."

MassivelySmedley on EverQuest Next and defining the next generation of MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-nexteqneverquesteverquest-nextfantasyinterviewjohn-smedleypc-gamersmedleysoesony-online-entertainmentworld-of-warcraft-2wow-2Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley: Social network games not in SOE's future, PlanetSide 2 doing 'very well']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/smedley-social-network-games-not-in-soes-future-planetside-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/smedley-social-network-games-not-in-soes-future-planetside-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/smedley-social-network-games-not-in-soes-future-planetside-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - Galaxy devil girl
How successful is PlanetSide 2? "I can't give away revenue numbers, but it is doing an order of magnitude greater revenue daily than any of our other titles," SOE president John Smedley tells GamesIndustry.biz. "It is really doing very well."

He also hints at SOE's future, which is not likely to include social games or Facebook titles. "I gotta tell you, I'm not a fan of the Facebook game. To me, they're monetization vehicles and not the kind of games I want to play or make. That's just me personally. So we'll stick to what we do best," he says.

MassivelySmedley: Social network games not in SOE's future, PlanetSide 2 doing 'very well' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesfacebookfacebook-gamesfpsjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sandboxsci-fishootersmedleysocialsocial-gamessoesonysony-online-entertainmentWed, 12 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Banning aimbotters in the age of F2P]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/07/the-firing-line-banning-aimbotters-in-the-age-of-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/07/the-firing-line-banning-aimbotters-in-the-age-of-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/07/the-firing-line-banning-aimbotters-in-the-age-of-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line 6
Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley made headlines this week when he smacked down hackers, aimbotters, and various PlanetSide 2 ne'er-do-wells via his Twitter feed.

Aside from the comedy value inherent in the CEO of a major corporation engaging in a public joust with employment-challenged neckbeards, the incident resonates because it shines a spotlight on the herculean task facing SOE and any other developer that decides to enter the skill-based competitive gaming realm.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Banning aimbotters in the age of F2P

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Banning aimbotters in the age of F2P originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aimbotaimbotsbusiness-modelscheatingfeaturedfpshackingjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsopinionplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-2-aimbotplanetside-2-bansps2pvpsandboxsci-fishootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmenttflthe-firing-linetpsFri, 07 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley clarifies PlanetSide 2's long-term plans: 'NPCs aren't on the table']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/smedley-clarifies-planetside-2s-long-term-plans-npcs-arent-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/smedley-clarifies-planetside-2s-long-term-plans-npcs-arent-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/smedley-clarifies-planetside-2s-long-term-plans-npcs-arent-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Smedley clarifies PlanetSide 2's longterm plans 'NPCs aren't on the table'
Yesterday a bunch of game news sites reported on PlanetSide 2's ambitious long-term plans as quoted from a lengthy post by SOE CEO John Smedley. It was pretty exciting stuff even though the information has been live on Smedley's blog since August of 2012.

His treatise mentioned player-owned bases, harvestables, seamless bodies of water between continents (and water-based vehicles), dynamic weather, e-sports support, and NPCs. This last bit led to some hand-wringing by PS2's hardcore PvP faithful, so we reached out to Smedley in order to set the record straight and determine whether or not the features mentioned five months ago are still in the works. "A lot of it is still being considered," he said. "We are going to tell the community about our longer term plan and let them have a very big say in where we go."

What about NPCs and PvE, though? "NPCs aren't on the table for a long time, if ever," Smedley told us.

MassivelySmedley clarifies PlanetSide 2's long-term plans: 'NPCs aren't on the table' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingfpsjohn-smedleyjohn-smedley-interviewmmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-2-npcsplanetside-2-pveps2sandboxsci-fishootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentSat, 01 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is EverQuest a sandbox?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/the-daily-grind-is-everquest-a-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/the-daily-grind-is-everquest-a-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/the-daily-grind-is-everquest-a-sandbox/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Daily Grind - Is EverQuest a sandbox
Our coverage of John Smedley's SOE Live keynote elicited some curious comments, chief among them the notion that EverQuest is a sandbox title. This sentiment followed on from Smed's announcement that EQNext has been remodeled from an EQIII evolution to a sandbox revolution, as some of our readers said that that's a return to the franchise's roots.

While it's true that the definition of sandbox is somewhat malleable and subjective, we're curious to know how you can stretch it to include a level-based title with class-based gameplay that largely revolves around killing and looting. Sure it was less directed than modern themeparks, and there was a lack of documentation/communal knowledge that made early gameplay challenging, but a sandbox? Really?

What do you think, Massively readers? Is EQ a sandbox, and if so, what makes it one?

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: Is EverQuest a sandbox? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindeqeq-nexteq1eqneverquesteverquest-nextf2pfantasyfree-to-playis-eq-a-sandboxis-everquest-a-sandboxjohn-smedleylolwutopinionsmedleysoesoe-livesoe-live-keynotesonysony-online-entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindMon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE Live 2012: Smedley assuages ProSiebenSat.1 concerns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/soe-live-2012-smedley-assuages-prosiebensat-1-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/soe-live-2012-smedley-assuages-prosiebensat-1-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/soe-live-2012-smedley-assuages-prosiebensat-1-concerns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SOE Live 2012: Smedley assuages ProSiebenSat.1 concerns
When announcing that European players can keep their accounts with Sony Online Entertainment during the move to ProSiebenSat.1, SOE President John Smedley specifically mentioned three games, concerning the players of other SOE titles. However, during an exclusive interview with Massively today, Smedley clarified that those three are not the only games involved. As he explained, those games were just the most topical, not the sole selections on an exclusive list. Players of other SOE games such as Vanguard can rest assured that they have the same opportunity to choose to stay with SOE.

That answer covers all current titles that are already published, but what about future SOE titles? And how does the ProSieben partnership affect Station Access? And when will these changes be taking place for the different games? Continue reading for Smedley's insights on these matters.

Continue reading SOE Live 2012: Smedley assuages ProSiebenSat.1 concerns

MassivelySOE Live 2012: Smedley assuages ProSiebenSat.1 concerns originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conconventioneventfan-fairefeaturedinterviewinterviewsjohn-smedleylas-vegasmassively-exclusivemassively-exclusive-interviewsmassively-interviewProSiebenprosiebensat.1PSS1Smedleysmedley-interviewsoesoe-fan-fairesoe-livesoe-live-2012sonysony-online-entertainmentFri, 19 Oct 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE's Smedley responds to ProSiebenSat.1 concerns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/soes-smedley-responds-to-prosiebensat-1-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/soes-smedley-responds-to-prosiebensat-1-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/soes-smedley-responds-to-prosiebensat-1-concerns/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SOE allow EU players to keep accounts US and EU can still play together
Earlier in the year when Sony Online Entertainment announced the move of European EverQuest II player accounts to ProSiebenSat.1, many players voiced concerns. Since then, the deal changed to include more games and then was delayed for EverQuest II.

Today, SOE President John Smedley took to Twitter to explain that the company was listening to and addressing fans' concerns. He stated:
"We've found a way to let existing players of our current games that are migrating over to Prosieben (EQ, EQ II, Planetside 2) keep their SOE accounts and stay with SOE. Down the road we may offer an option to move over to Prosieben. Just to be clear after these games launch on Prosieben's service new accounts will be created on their sites. However all US and EU players can still play together no matter which service they are on."
He continued by emphasizing that the partnership with ProSiebenSat.1 is still on, and that he feels that the company will provide better customer service and payment options to the EU community.

MassivelySOE's Smedley responds to ProSiebenSat.1 concerns originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfpsfree-to-playjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2prosiebensat.1prosiebensat.1-changeoverps2sandboxsci-fishooterSmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentTue, 16 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Online 2012: John Smedley's keynote on MMO trends and the future of gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/gdc-online-2012-john-smedleys-keynote-on-mmo-trends-and-the-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/gdc-online-2012-john-smedleys-keynote-on-mmo-trends-and-the-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/gdc-online-2012-john-smedleys-keynote-on-mmo-trends-and-the-fu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

GDC Online 2012 SOE President John Smedley's Keynote
At GDC Online this week, SOE President John Smedley gave a keynote address titled Free-to-play: Driving the Future of MMOs. In it, he explains SOE's (and other studios') shift toward a free-to-play model lets MMOs keep up with an ever-changing industry.

But the talk actually went beyond the notion of free-to-play and into the larger picture of how SOE is reinventing its games to include more emergent gameplay and take advantage of new trends in media. Read on for a broad look at the past decade of trends in the industry and a glimpse of what the future holds for SOE titles.

Continue reading GDC Online 2012: John Smedley's keynote on MMO trends and the future of gaming

MassivelyGDC Online 2012: John Smedley's keynote on MMO trends and the future of gaming originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinconconferenceconventionemergent-gameplayf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012gdc-onlinegdc-online-2012gdcogdco-2012john-smedleykeynotemobamobaspgcsmedleakssmedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentugcThu, 11 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Online announces John Smedley for keynote]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/gdc-online-announces-john-smedley-for-keynote/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/gdc-online-announces-john-smedley-for-keynote/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/gdc-online-announces-john-smedley-for-keynote/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GDC Online announces John Smedley for keynote
John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment, has been named for the Game Developers' Conference Online's business and marketing track keynote. In light of SOE's recent paradigm shift to focus on the free-to-play model, Smedley will be talking about how F2P is the future of online gaming. He'll run through how SOE managed to transition its games, how that transition has led to record highs in numbers of players and revenue growth, and what's in store for the future of F2P design.

Other track's keynote speakers have yet to be announced, but details of other talks are slowly but surely being filled in. More details, including a schedule builder and an up-to-date list of speakers, are available on the GDC Online website.

MassivelyGDC Online announces John Smedley for keynote originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conconferenceconventionf2pfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012game-developers-conference-online-2012gdcgdc-2012gdc-onlinegdc-online-2012john-smedleysmedleysoesony-online-entertainmentThu, 26 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley takes to Twitter to clarify PlanetSide 2 beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/smedley-takes-to-twitter-to-clarify-planetside-2-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/smedley-takes-to-twitter-to-clarify-planetside-2-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/smedley-takes-to-twitter-to-clarify-planetside-2-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley has tweeted some helpful clues to players anxious about their beta invitations for the studio's upcoming pseudo-sandbox shooter, PlanetSide 2. He posted,
There seems to be some confusion about PS1 Vets and the PS2 Beta. Let me clear it up once and for all. There are going to be multiple phases of the beta. Simply put we are adding more people in different waves simply due to capacity. Every single PS1 player who has ever subscribed to the game will have their Station Account activated at some point during the beta beginning with people who actively are subscribers. Again though we can only let in so many people during each phase so invitations are by necessity going to be staggered. So basically if you've ever subbed to the game you're going to be in. However current subs are in the front of the line for that. In addition we have Priority beta keys given out [and] they will be let in in the early phases as well. For people that ask me, "I played from 2005-2007 am I in soon?" the answer is you will be in in an early phase.
In other words: patience. You're getting in! But Smedley does warn, "This is a real beta. Not a marketing gimmick." So be prepared to do some actual testing.

MassivelySmedley takes to Twitter to clarify PlanetSide 2 beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsjohn-smedleymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sandboxsci-fishootersmedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmenttweettwitterWed, 25 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

soe

This is the cartoon that launched a thousand posts. Well, maybe not a thousand, but it created tension on the forums and resulted in a temporary ban for popular community figure Morgan Feldon. With this week's news about the ProSiebenSat.1/Alaplaya deal, SOE fans were up in arms, and EverQuest II was at the epicenter of the protest. There were concerns ranging from account security to quality of player support, but the biggest concern was the fact that there would be a barrier between U.S. and European players going forward.

I've written before about how tight-knit the community is in EQII, and that's probably why you saw some of the strongest protests originate on the EQII forums. That closeness extends to the EQII development team as well. I've been to a couple of Fan Faires and was surprised at how accessible the team always made itself. Combine that with a core community of longstanding, loyal players, and you basically have one big family. So when fans were hit with the second big news story of the week, the departure of Associate Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor, players reacted as if a friend or family member had moved out of the home. What do these two news stories have in common, and what can they tell us about EverQuest II?

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alaplayadominoemily-tayloreqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieuropeeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanmorgan-feldonopinionprosiebensat.1smedleysoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 25 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest Mac fans fight for survival; SOE responds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EverQuest Mac
While many players are celebrating the announcement of EverQuest's upcoming free-to-play transition, there is one EQ community that was crushed by the news. The small but dedicated fanbase of EverQuest: Macintosh Edition found out that with F2P, EQMac and its one server would be sunsetted on the same date.

EQMac fans have begun to stage a campaign to save their favorite game, but it looks like there will be no budging SOE's mind on the matter. SOE President John Smedley took to the forums today to answer specific questions about the shutdown. "It breaks my heart to have to do this," he laments, before admitting that it's a done deal. Smedley cites the fact that the codebase is so ancient that only one SOE programmer knows how to work it, the player population is too small, and SOE was never that "proud" of the version.

However, Smedley promised that he will run a poll to see if there's enough interest in a Mac port of the current version of EverQuest. If the response is big enough, he says, the company will consider doing it. Meanwhile, the game will be available for current players free of charge until the March 29th shutdown. SOE has a celebration planned for its final hurrah.

EQMac came out in 2003 and was unique for remaining "frozen in time" in the years since, receiving no further active development or expansions. We will be covering this game and its shutdown more in-depth in a future Game Archaeologist column, so stay tuned.

MassivelyEverQuest Mac fans fight for survival; SOE responds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleeqeq-forumseqmaceverquesteverquest-macintosheverquest-macintosh-editionf2pforumsfree-to-playjohn-smedleymacmac-editionmac-portmac-versionpollshutdownsmedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentsunsetsunsettingTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE's John Smedley expresses regrets over SWG mishaps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies
Star Wars Galaxies may be no more, but its legacy lives on in memories, discussion, and hindsight analysis. Sony Online Entertainment's John Smedley had a frank talk with Industry Gamers in which he owns up to the mistakes of how the studio handled the title, particularly surrounding the much-maligned Combat Upgrade and New Game Enhancements.

What would Smedley do if he could go back and give it another try? His first regret is launching the game before the space combat system was done, and his second is that SOE didn't talk and listen to its players more. "We would have encouraged more in-depth discussion with the community surrounding the idea of any game modifications," he said.

Smedley is highly optimistic for the studio's future, particularly in its fervent belief in the free-to-play business model: "We think that 'Free to Play, Your Way' is our future. Giving players choices is the theme of how we're moving forward as a company, which means greater flexibility for our player base."

MassivelySOE's John Smedley expresses regrets over SWG mishaps originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-upgradecommunitycuf2pfree-to-playjohn-smedleynew-game-enhancementsngeplayersregretssmedsmedleysoesony-online-entertainmentspace-combatstar-wars-galaxiessunsetswgWed, 21 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Smedley helps us understand free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/free-for-all-smedley-helps-us-understand-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/free-for-all-smedley-helps-us-understand-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/free-for-all-smedley-helps-us-understand-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Free Realms screenshot
John Smedley has been in this business a long, long time. Under his eye, Sony Online Entertainment has released some of the most influential and controversial titles out there. It should surprise no one that he has had to become very flexible when it comes to his customers, but he's also very decisive when it comes to fluctuations in the market.

One of those fluctuations is the coming of free-to-play gaming and unlimited trial payment models. Of all the audiences in the world of gaming, SOE's tend to skew a bit older. These are players who might not appreciate all changes and who definitely know what they like. And so when Smedley and SOE released freemium titles like Free Realms and rolled out free versions of one of their most popular titles, EverQuest II, some said it would be the end of SOE.

Well, they're still here. And Smedley was kind enough to take some time to talk to me about this very subject. Click past the cut for more!

Continue reading Free for All: Smedley helps us understand free-to-play

MassivelyFree for All: Smedley helps us understand free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedfrfree-realmsinterviewinterviewsjohn-smedleyleague-of-legendslolplanetsideriot-gamessmedleySOESony-Online-EntertainmentvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesvgWed, 28 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Smedley on the sunsetting of Star Wars Galaxies [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/exclusive-smedley-on-the-sunsetting-of-star-wars-galaxies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/exclusive-smedley-on-the-sunsetting-of-star-wars-galaxies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/exclusive-smedley-on-the-sunsetting-of-star-wars-galaxies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

When I penned this week's Soapbox about Star Wars Galaxies and the NGE, I had no idea what was in store for MMO gamers today. In fact, I was so confident that the pre-eminent MMO sandbox was going to be around forever (or at least another eight years) that I reassured commenters that there was no need to fear Star Wars: The Old Republic. The two games might both feature the Star Wars IP, but their goals are so dramatically different -- one being a dialogue-driven themepark, the other being a player-driven sandbox -- that they shouldn't conflict unduly. Surely Star Wars fans could play both indefinitely and enjoy both types of gameplay.

Unfortunately, on Thursday we learned that just won't be so. Sony Online Entertainment has announced that Star Wars Galaxies will be shutting down on December 15th of this year, marking what is in my mind the most significant sunset of a major MMO to date (and a personally painful one for many on the staff at Massively, including me). I know what you're thinking, and no, the impending closure is due neither to the hackings nor to a dwindling playerbase. Past the break, an audibly regretful John Smedley, President of SOE, sits down with us to chat about SWG's sunset, explaining the reasons that led to the decision and offering a new hope for the future.

Continue reading Exclusive: Smedley on the sunsetting of Star Wars Galaxies [Updated]

MassivelyExclusive: Smedley on the sunsetting of Star Wars Galaxies [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebreakingchroniclesClone-Wars-AdventurescwaeaElectronic-Artseq2EQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedgalaxiesinterviewinterviewsjohn-smedleylucasartssandboxsmedleysoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicstorytellersunsetswgswtortcgthe-old-republictortrading-card-gameFri, 24 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The Uncle Owen paradox]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-soapbox-the-uncle-owen-paradox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-soapbox-the-uncle-owen-paradox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-soapbox-the-uncle-owen-paradox/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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.

This week, the venerable Star Wars Galaxies celebrates its eighth year of existence. I was there in the beginning -- before the beginning, in fact. I did what a lot of you early SWG players probably did: I had a guild and a guild city, multiple accounts, a booming business as a chef, and a character who could entertain and fight. Even then, we realized how different SWG was from its immediate predecessors like EverQuest and Dark Age of Camelot. We'd returned to the earlier age of Ultima Online, of persistent worlds (as the term was used back then). It was more a world than a game, and in it we could roleplay whatever we liked, to a point. Nowadays, we'd call it a sandbox.

Old-school MMO gamers know well that the sandbox is under attack. Some will blame it on EverQuest, some on World of Warcraft, some on the free-to-play phenomenon. Among the Massively commenters, there's a large contingent of gamers who consider SWG's own NGE to be the beginning of the end of the classic sandbox. I can't say they're wrong when it comes to the philosophy governing new MMOs, but the sandbox isn't dead yet.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The Uncle Owen paradox

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The Uncle Owen paradox originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingeighth-anniversaryfeaturedgalaxiesgame-developmenthaters-gonna-hatejohn-smedleylucasartsluke-skywalkernew-game-enhancementsngenostalgiaopinionpersistent-worldpre-ngepwsandboxsmedleysoapboxsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgtcgthe-soapboxthemeparktrading-card-gameuncle-owenuncle-owen-experienceveteranswhinersTue, 21 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vanguard's fourth anniversary raises new questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/vanguards-fourth-anniversary-raises-new-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/vanguards-fourth-anniversary-raises-new-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/vanguards-fourth-anniversary-raises-new-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Vanguard is somewhat of a unique beast among other "AAA" MMOs; it's a forgotten child that still offers great adventure, open-world excitement, and hardcore raiding. While we all have heard of the botched launch and practically dead-in-the-water development cycle of the game, the fact of the matter is that players are still playing it. You can't force a player to enjoy himself, so why are the members of the Vanguard community still playing?

Is it possible that they are having a good time? Or do social ties mean more than great adventure? Could it be that players simply have not found a game that they enjoy more than Vanguard, warts and all? We asked the players on the official forums and received a total of four responses. The thread was immediately pushed down by standard complaint posts. Could it be that the community has been the worst thing for the game, a game that needs, more than anything, positive word-of-mouth?

Click past the cut and we'll look into it.

Continue reading Vanguard's fourth anniversary raises new questions

MassivelyVanguard's fourth anniversary raises new questions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-anniversaryanniversariesanniversarybeau-hindmanbirthdaybirthdaysdc-universe-onlinedcuofantasyfourth-anniversaryhigh-fantasyjohn-smedleyLive-Gamerlive-gamer-exchangesmedsmedleySOESony-Online-EntertainmentvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesMon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE's Smedley talks platforms, sub fees, and DCUO post-release content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/soes-smedley-talks-platforms-sub-fees-and-dcuo-post-release-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/soes-smedley-talks-platforms-sub-fees-and-dcuo-post-release-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/soes-smedley-talks-platforms-sub-fees-and-dcuo-post-release-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While thousands of DC Comics fans are rolling up spandex-clad superheroes (and villains) in SOE's newly launched DC Universe Online MMO, SOE itself is busy extolling the virtues of what some are calling the first real console massively multiplayer title. In an interview at Eurogamer, SOE boss John Smedley talks a bit about the challenges of building an MMO for two platforms simultaneously.

"This game is built from the ground up to be playable on both the PlayStation 3 and PC, so it really makes a big difference as opposed to just porting it," he said. Smedley goes on to answer a few questions related to the size of the post-release development team (between 50 and 75 people) as well as whether or not the much-hyped monthly content updates will carry a charge above and beyond the sub fee (they won't).

"The monthly subscription fee means players can expect a lot of new content from us. And I say a lot -- I really mean that. This is something that we feel obligated to the players, because they are paying monthly sub fee," Smedley explained. Check out the full text at Eurogamer and hit up the official DCUO website for more info on the game.

MassivelySOE's Smedley talks platforms, sub fees, and DCUO post-release content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmodcDC Comicsdc-comicsdc-universe-onlineDcComicsdcuoeurogamerinterviewjohn-smedleylaunchnew-titlesplaystation3ps3smedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentsuperheroFri, 14 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smedley talks DCUO launch and Planetside Next beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/smedley-talks-dcuo-launch-and-planetside-next-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/smedley-talks-dcuo-launch-and-planetside-next-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/smedley-talks-dcuo-launch-and-planetside-next-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Those of you pining away for a new Planetside MMO might want to perk up your ears and mark those calendars. SOE president John Smedley dropped a hint on his personal blog that 2011 will bring the announcement that MMO shooter fans the world over have been craving: Planetside Next beta.

Smedley stays coy in terms of details but does put in a plug for re-upping your Planetside sub if you haven't already. "I can say this -- it's coming along awesome. I can also say that the first beta testers are going to be current Planetside subscribers," he writes.

The blog also mentions SOE's forthcoming DC Universe Online, and Smedley says that a launch date is coming "in the very near future."

MassivelySmedley talks DCUO launch and Planetside Next beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuojohn-smedleyplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-nextsmedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 17 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST