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[MV Guide: December 12-18, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Goodbye SWG -- thanks for everything
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

You'll notice a hefty lineup, some new faces, and some special events in this week's MV Guide. Joining us will be some brand-new members of the MV TV livestream team, so make sure you stop in while they're live and give them a welcome!

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule.

Continue reading MV Guide: December 12-18, 2011

MassivelyMV Guide: December 12-18, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empires-onlinebiowareccpCCP-Gameschampions-onlineclone-wars-adventurescwad3dc-universe-onlinedcuodiablo-3diablo-iiieqiieve-onlineEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedffxivfinal-fantasy-xivgaia-onlineherotopial2lineage-2livestreamlivestreamingmv-guidemv-tvncsoftperfect-worldpocket-legendspoptropicapwesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentsquare-enixstar-legendsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorwhirledMon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Whirled and deviantART announce design contest winners]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/whirled-and-deviantart-announce-design-contest-winners/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/whirled-and-deviantart-announce-design-contest-winners/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/whirled-and-deviantart-announce-design-contest-winners/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Three Rings, the developer of the Flash-based casual MMO Whirled, has just announced the winners in their new "Design your Whirled" art contest. In conjunction with deviantART, the largest online social network for artists, this contest challenged members to create the best individual or multiple rooms for the game. Because of the success of this first contest, Three Rings has already announced that they're accepting entries for the second contest of the same name.

The top winner was awarded a new 15-inch Macbook Pro and one year subscription to deviantART, while the second and third place winners were awarded Wacom tablets and other deviantART subscriptions. You can view the winning entries by visiting the main Whirled site, and register your own entry for the next contest at the Whirled wiki.

MassivelyWhirled and deviantART announce design contest winners originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual-mmocontestdeviantartflash-basedthree-ringswhirledwinnersTue, 23 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There seems be an endless tide of online games and virtual worlds being made available to us, with more always on the way. Some of them are well-known and need little introduction, such as Second Life, Playstation Home, and Facebook games, to name just a few. But there's plenty more out there, some of which falls into the standard 'MMO' category, although it's a label that we find is steadily blurring as time goes on.

Darren Gladstone, Senior Writer at PC World, has put together "The Social Gaming Guide" for his Casual Friday column. In it he explores some of the mainstays of social gaming like the options found within Second Life and Facebook, but also sheds light on some lesser known alternatives. Gladstone discusses some of the choices gamers have with The Casual Collective, which he describes as "a cool casual-gaming waterhole created by the minds behind DTD," or Desktop Tower Defense. He looks at Whirled, an open-source gaming community which is home to Flash MMOs. "For players, Whirled is an awesome collection of hundreds of games, broken out by category and just waiting for you to jump in," Gladstone writes. Forthcoming Facebook integration will also add more dimensions to gameplay at Whirled.

Continue reading Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs

MassivelyExpanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activexbrowsercasualcasual-gamesdarren-gladstonef2pfacebookfree-to-playhomeinstantactionmoondopc-worldplaystation-homesocial-gamessocial-gamingthe-casual-collectivewhirledSun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A whole new Whirled: The future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/a-whole-new-whirled-the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/a-whole-new-whirled-the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/a-whole-new-whirled-the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Earlier this week we had the chance to speak with Mr. Daniel James, the CEO and co-founder of Three Rings. Makers of successful online titles Puzzle Pirates and Bang! Howdy, the company is well known for the quality of its work and the quirkiness of its GDC parties. They've been working on a third project, Whirled, for the better part of 2008 and it just launched into full live service earlier this week. We spoke with Mr. James about the whys and logic behind Whirled, about the power of user-created content, and the power of offering actual compensation for hard work and talent.

Read on below the cut for our talk with Mr. James, and a thorough exploration of a brand-new Whirled.

Gallery: Whirled

Continue reading A whole new Whirled: The future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James

MassivelyA whole new Whirled: The future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bang-howdydaniel-jamesinterviewmicrotransactionspuzzle-pirateswhirledWed, 12 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/the-future-of-flash-mmos-with-daniel-james-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How do you compare what you're doing here with other Flash game initiatives on the web?

Daniel: Well, they're sort of doing our thing and we're doing ours. We're not really interested in becoming the next Kongregate with thousands and thousands of flash games in Whirled. We're looking for a smaller number of - dare I say - good and interesting games. That's, I think, what we're going to see when people make original content for the platform. It's just a bit unique, you'll find it everywhere on the internet, but it's going to be built on Whirled. We're already pushing our Whirled games back out to sites like Kongregate, but it's essentially Whirled in a little box.

Continue reading The future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James pt. 2

MassivelyThe future of Flash MMOs with Daniel James pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daniel-jamesmicrotransactionswhirledWed, 12 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Three Rings officially launches Whirled project]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/three-rings-officially-launches-whirled-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/three-rings-officially-launches-whirled-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/three-rings-officially-launches-whirled-project/#commentsFiled under: ,


Whirled, an ambitious web/virtual world hybrid from Three Rings, launched into Beta early this year. We were incredibly impressed with the project even back then, bouncing pieces of tofu or not. From there the project has only grown by leaps and bounds, and word now comes down that Whirled has officially launched! The interactive web environment now offers a microtransactional system where you can make money directly from your content. You can make or play games, chat with a wide array of players, or just enjoy the numerous and creative rooms players have generated over the last eight months.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Daniel James about the new vision of Whirled, and you'll be able to read that discussion tomorrow. For the time being, go check out Venturebeat's analysis of the project or (if you're so inclined) read upon the full press release below the cut. PS: If you play, we recommend Brawler Whirled or Corpse Craft. They're both fantastic!

Gallery: Whirled

Continue reading Three Rings officially launches Whirled project

MassivelyThree Rings officially launches Whirled project originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdaniel-jamespuzzle-piratesthree-ringswhirledMon, 10 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SmallWorlds announces open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/smallworlds-announces-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/smallworlds-announces-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/smallworlds-announces-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


There must be something in the (virtual) air. If this year doesn't see everyone moving en masse to Flash-based, personal virtual worlds cum social spaces, then it certainly isn't for lack of trying. SmallWorlds joins Whirled and Metaplace as virtual worlds you can embed in your own blog, forum, home page or what have you. Need a place to watch "The Guild" with your friends between rousing games of Chinese Checkers? You got it. SmallWorlds can bring YouTubes, Twitters, Flickrs, games and more into your little isometric 3D corner of the web. Avatars are fully customizable, and so are their pets (!!!).

SmallWorlds is going into open beta June 2 after eighteen months of development. They'll be letting the first thousand people who sign up for the beta in a week early. If you're at all interested in seeing what you can build with their tools and how many friends you can crowd into your little virtual cabana, why not visit their site and sign up for the beta?

Gallery: SmallWorlds beta

MassivelySmallWorlds announces open beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsbetabrowsercasualflashflickrfree-to-playgallerylaunchmetaplacenew-titlenewssmallworldsthe-guildtwittervirtual-worldswhirledyoutubeWed, 21 May 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Out like a lion edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/wrup-out-like-a-lion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/wrup-out-like-a-lion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/wrup-out-like-a-lion-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

(Because, you know, we came in like a lamb.) Yes, March is over and we are a full week into the fourth month of 2008 -- time flies when you're having fun with MMO games. It's Friday, so it's time once again for us to query: What aRe yoU Playing?

Massively's own Kyle Horner says he's back in Mythos as a level 11 Cyclops Bloodletter, and has also been digging on Whirled lately, "creating rooms" or whatever you do in there. I've found myself back in World of Warcraft, doing the Sunwell dailies on my main, while also leveling my 62 Hunter up to the level cap (R6V2 is also getting a good bit of play from me -- love hunting terrorists). And Krystalle Voecks, co-lead at Massively, is still playing EVE -- she recently joined up with EVE University and is still mining and dabbling in PvP and missions.

So tell us: what are you playing in the world of MMOs? Does Tabula Rasa still have your fancy or has Patch 2.4 pulled you back to Azeroth? What are you, dear readers, interested in playing lately?

Previously on WRUP...

MassivelyWRUP: Out like a lion edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eve-onlinemythoswhat-are-you-playingwhirledworld-of-warcraftwrupFri, 04 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[More details on the Whirled online games platform]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/more-details-on-the-whirled-online-games-platform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/more-details-on-the-whirled-online-games-platform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/more-details-on-the-whirled-online-games-platform/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Icon for indie games businesses and designers alike, the piratical Daniel James has more details on the recently beta'd Whirled available on his blog. Whirled is, as we've previously discussed, a social games platform in development for some time now by Three Rings, makers of Puzzle Pirates and Bang! Howdy. The large investment Three Rings landed last year has assisted in the further development of their existing titles, and has pushed Whirled to the tantalizing position it exists in now.

Daniel's blog has numerous tidbits on the platform's background, for the curious. At the moment the service is still kind of resource intensive, and you'll need Flash 9.0.115 and FF 2/3, IE 7/8 or Safari - Firefox 3 beta 4 might help. They made most of the games, and implemented an 'attention-based' currency that can be obtained from playing those games. Most of the avatars, furniture, and pets, though, have already come from the community. Plenty more details (esp. those for the technically inclined) are available at the Whirled Wiki.

A few thoughts on the project below.

Continue reading More details on the Whirled online games platform

MassivelyMore details on the Whirled online games platform originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadaniel-jamesthree-ringswhirledThu, 03 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Three Rings' Whirled now in open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/three-rings-whirled-now-in-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/three-rings-whirled-now-in-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/three-rings-whirled-now-in-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Three Rings, the makers of Puzzle Pirates, has just gone live with the open beta of its browser-based, 2D social space, Whirled. Whirled has all the features that have become de rigeur for a virtual world these days: minigames, a personal page-embeddable room for your avatar, purchasable objects, and basic creation tools.

Also, how can you not love a VW where the default avatar is an adorable piece of tofu? Yes, tofu. And it dances. Expect a First Impressions post for Whirled in the near future, boogieing soy critters and all!

MassivelyThree Rings' Whirled now in open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingopen-betapuzzle-piratesthree-ringstofuvirtual-worldwhirledMon, 31 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST