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[World of Warcraft outlines February's events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/world-of-warcraft-outlines-februarys-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/world-of-warcraft-outlines-februarys-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/02/02/world-of-warcraft-outlines-februarys-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A memorial to a site that's waving goodbye would be nice, guys.
There are a lot of holiday events in World of Warcraft this month. February contains the Lunar Festival, Love is in the Air, the Darkmoon Faire... heck, it's also going to be the month that the next major raid opens up. Luckily for avid World of Warcraft players, the official site has put together a comprehensive schedule of the month's festivities, starting with the Valentine's Day event and the new raid opening tomorrow.

Astute readers will note that Blizzard suggests players prepare for patch 6.1 with no hints about when it's coming out. Whether this means it's going to be later in the month or won't be dropping until March remains to be seen. Then again, the raiding crowd will have plenty to do through the month with Blackrock Foundry, and if you like holiday events, you've got several of those coming around as well.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft outlines February's events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdungeondungeonsendgameendgame-contenteventsfantasyin-game-eventsnewsnews-itemspreviewraidraidswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Leak suggests the next WoW expansion is nearly feature-complete]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/30/rumor-blizzard-leak-reveals-next-world-of-warcraft-expansion-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/30/rumor-blizzard-leak-reveals-next-world-of-warcraft-expansion-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/30/rumor-blizzard-leak-reveals-next-world-of-warcraft-expansion-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What you call feature-complete they call post-launch.
So, ready to jump on the rumor mill? Because it's churning out big stuff about Blizzard today. An anonymous source from inside the company has apparently claimed that World of Warcraft's next expansion has quadrupled its art outsourcing and is nearly feature-complete. The source also claimed that Hearthstone is doing banner business, with its next expansion set to release in April with a heavier PvE focus.

Darker news was revealed for the other franchises under the company's banner. The next part of StarCraft II is done but with no release date. Overwatch is in the midst of debates over business model and payment plans, with the studio pushing for a 2015 release but most likely going for 2016. Meanwhile, Heroes of the Storm has low expectations among the upper management and the Diablo III team has been "completely gutted." It's up to you you believe the rumors, of course, although come April, they might look rather plausible.

MassivelyRumor: Leak suggests the next WoW expansion is nearly feature-complete originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgactivisionbattlenetblizzardblizzard-all-starsblizzard-dotablizzard-entertainmentcash-shopccgccgmmod3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfirst-person-shootergothic-fantasyhearthstoneheroes-of-the-stormmobamultiplayernewsnews-itemsofpsonline-multiplayeronline-shooteroverwatchroguelikerpgrumorrumorsscsc2sci-fi-superherosciistarcraftstarcraft-2starcraft-iisuperherotcgtcgmmoteam-shootertrading-card-gamewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 30 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft adds selfie support]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/world-of-warcraft-adds-selfie-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/world-of-warcraft-adds-selfie-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/world-of-warcraft-adds-selfie-support/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Still no meaningful solo progression so im chillin #yolo #warlords #lol
Were you afraid that with the addition of Twitter support in the next World of Warcraft patch you would be deprived of the joy that is taking selfies in-game? Worry no longer. The addition of the S.E.L.F.I.E. camera in patch 6.1 ensures that you can indeed log in, find a nice view, and then duckface at the camera before shooting off a character picture for all of your devoted followers. It's the best thing in the expansion so far.

Grabbing the item requires nothing more than a rare follower mission with no significant bells or whistles, with another upgrade mission available to pick up a set of various filters for the camera. Our sister site has a guide to making use of the new device, along with the requisite speculation that it will tie more directly into the Twitter integration. That feature isn't currently enabled, but it can't be coincidence that the new camera arrived at the same time, can it?

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft adds selfie support originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Loud noises.
The first major patch for World of Warcraft's latest expansion is here! If by "here" you mean "on the test realm," anyhow. So not here at all. The opposite of here; still preparing to be here. One might even go so far as to say it's there. But the full (preliminary) patch notes for the test realm are available right now for those who'd like to see what's around the corner aside from brand-new Blood Elf models.

Garrison fans will have plenty of things to enjoy, with new visitors offering quests, new follower missions, and a new music box available. Players can also make use of a new Twitter integration feature and the new heirloom collection tab. Several classes are also seeing talent and balance adjustments, including across-the-board buffs to healer damage output for adventuring in the world. No word yet on when the patch will drop, but you can see what it contains from the patch notes.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft unleashes its full patch 6.1 patch notes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX Panel
On Friday, Alex Albrecht from ZergID and formerly of the Totally Rad Show headed up a PAX South panel about the social side of MMOs, inviting Patrick Mulhern from Lorehound, Jenesee Grey from Camelot Unchained, and me to join to discuss community in MMOs and why it's seemed so absent in recent years. Meg Campbell from YouTube moderated the panel discussion, calling us the PAX MMO guild.

I admit that I considered naming this piece, "How Star Wars Galaxies did everything right and World of Warcraft did everything wrong" because I am obviously biased. But I really was completely surprised at how much SWG came up during the panel. Many former Galaxies players will tell you that there was a lot about that game that was pure crap, but when you talk about the social implementations of SWG, there just aren't many games that compare.

Continue reading PAX South 2015: Why aren't MMOs more social?

MassivelyPAX South 2015: Why aren't MMOs more social? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionalex-albechtblizzardblizzard-entertainmentclassic-mmoconconventioneventevent-coverageeventsexpofantasyfeaturedgalaxiesjenesee-greylarry-everettmassively-event-coveragemeg-cambellpatrick-hulhernpaxpax-2015pax-southpax-south-2015penny-arcade-exposandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgowarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 26 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW's new Blood Elves arrive in update 6.1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/wows-new-blood-elves-arrive-in-update-6-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/wows-new-blood-elves-arrive-in-update-6-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/wows-new-blood-elves-arrive-in-update-6-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

WoW
Our sister site WoW Insider reports this morning that World of Warcraft's Blood Elves, left off the roster of races that received model revamps with the Warlords of Draenor expansion last November, will finally meet their new faces. Actually, it's just the bodies: The male faces aren't entirely done yet and currently share the same facial geometry.

"While we're excited to share with you our progress on these new models, I do want to stress that the models, textures, and animations are not entirely finished. Bug fixing and iteration can and will occur, and that's where you come in!" writes Blizzard QA on the US and EU forums, soliciting costructive feedback.

MMO Champion has full-size, head-to-toe bikini shots of both the female and male models because of course it does.

Also arriving in update 6.1 are class tweaks, new heirloom gear, garrison expansions, follower mission fixes, and the chance to buy (with gold) those followers you missed while questing. The first iteration of the update landed on the PTR in early January; the patch's launch date on production servers has not been announced.

MassivelyWoW's new Blood Elves arrive in update 6.1 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And then comes the realization.
Do you like playing World of Warcraft? Would you like to play a thousand levels of World of Warcraft? Because the player known as Watola did just that. Watola has 100 characters at level 100, a project that started during the exceptionally long twilight of Mists of Pandaria. With 20 characters already at the level cap back then, another 80 apparently seemed like a doable project, which started a cycle of very efficient leveling and copious use of recruit-a-friend tricks.

The method outlined on the the forums involves essentially rotating through full rest state on various characters and having a set plan of attack, along with using tank characters via recruit-a-friend to ensure that queues for dungeons are more straightforward. If you'd like to do the same, it's still perfectly functional now, although you'll have to do so knowing full well that you can never have a world-first level 1,000. (That seems a fair nod for the achievement.)

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft player hits 100th level 100 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentculturefantasylevellevel-caplevelinglevelsnewsnews-itemstop-levelwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 22 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the worst-designed MMO city?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-designed-mmo-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-designed-mmo-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-designed-mmo-city/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of my personal pet peeves in any roleplaying game is to have to navigate around an overly large city. I guess I'm just not a city guy at heart. But that annoyance is doubly so for any video game metropolis that suffers from poor design.

I can name several examples, although today World of Warcraft's Undercity springs to mind. While delightfully atmospheric, it was nevertheless a pain in the tuckus to traverse. There were too many elevators, vertical space, and long, long runs around the outer circle, all of which kept me away if I could help it.

What do you think is the worst-designed MMO city and why?

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: What's the worst-designed MMO city? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citydaily-grinddesignmetropolisopiniontdgthe-daily-grindundercityworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 21 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Did you get a World of Warcraft anniversary statue?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/did-you-get-a-world-of-warcraft-anniversary-statue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/did-you-get-a-world-of-warcraft-anniversary-statue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/did-you-get-a-world-of-warcraft-anniversary-statue/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

wow
The World of Warcraft community is abuzz with the revelation that Blizzard is sending out a special thank-you to its most dedicated fans for its 10th anniversary: a physical 9" statue of an Orc.

Only fans who have been with the game for the entire ride are eligible to get the statue, however,. According to Blizzard's qualifications, "A player must have created a World of Warcraft account within 60 days of the game launching in the NA or EU regions and maintained their subscription or game time for all 10 years."

Our question today is, if you qualify for this, have you indeed received your spiffy statue? And do you have a picture to prove it?

MassivelyDid you get a World of Warcraft anniversary statue? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uldaman portal
WoW Archivist is a biweekly column by WoW Insider's Scott Andrews, who explores the secrets of World of Warcraft's past. What did the game look like years ago? Who is etched into WoW's history? What secrets does the game still hold? It first appeared on our sister site on January 1616, 2015, and is included here by permission.

In 2004, I bought a brown box with some discs inside it. On the cover was a close-up of a woman with crazy purple eyebrows and an angry bearded guy -- possibly Matt Rossi -- holding a gun. I didn't know anything about the Warcraft universe at the time. I'd watched someone play Warcraft III once (or was it II?). I remember chuckling at the peons' comments as they got to work. That was the extent of my experience.

I'd been playing Final Fantasy XI, and I loved the concept of an online world. I was hoping for a game that was more accessible than FFXI but with all the cool monsters, grouping, exploration, and loot. I never imagined the journey that I was about to take, the people I would meet, the opportunities that would become open to me as a result of that purchase. Many of us who played back then had no idea what was about to happen to the gaming world because of that brown box.

Continue reading WoW Archivist: 10 years, 10 amazing moments

MassivelyWoW Archivist: 10 years, 10 amazing moments originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do you quote Raptr data when having unscientific discussions about MMO playerbase numbers? If so, rejoice, because here are some more numbers based on a sample size of dubious value!

As you might expect, League of Legends, Dota 2, and World of Warcraft continue to dominate Raptr users' attention spans, while ArcheAge, Final Fantasy XIV, and Guild Wars 2 all dropped from their position in November's rankings.

Click past the cut to see the full list.

[Source: Raptr press release]

Continue reading The usual suspects dominate December's Raptr rankings

MassivelyThe usual suspects dominate December's Raptr rankings originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaactivisionanetarche-agearcheagearenanetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbuy-to-playconsoleconsolesdatafantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfunny-mathfuzzy-mathguessworkguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpvpraptrsandboxsandparksquaresquare-enixtriontrion-worldswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowxl-gamesxlgamesSat, 17 Jan 2015 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft dispels free-to-play 'Veteran Edition' rumors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/world-of-warcraft-dispels-free-to-play-veteran-edition-rumors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/world-of-warcraft-dispels-free-to-play-veteran-edition-rumors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/world-of-warcraft-dispels-free-to-play-veteran-edition-rumors/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ironically, being a veteran of the game is part of why I no longer wish to go back.
Pretty much anything in the world will start the World of Warcraft free-to-play rumors these days, but this set of rumors had a bit of basis in reality, at least. Datamining uncovered references to a "Veteran Edition" for players, which prompted speculation that it would be a preferred account status for players who were on the free side but still had played in the past. It turns out that's not quite accurate, but it's also not entirely wrong: Veteran Edition will allow players to play for free, essentially, with Starter Edition restrictions.

Community Manager Bashiok addressed the rumors, explaining that while someone who never had played the game before could jump in with Starter Edition restrictions, veteran players could not. Veteran Edition, then, places almost all of the same restrictions on players, but it will allow you to roll up a new character and play through level 20 or at least log in to chat with friends. No word on exactly when this will be rolled out, but it should put the free-to-play rumors to bed until they start again in a month.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft dispels free-to-play 'Veteran Edition' rumors originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"It won't be long before you'll be able to take the assault against the Iron Horde to the next level in new raid content," Blizzard says in its latest World of Warcraft website update. The firm has released an unlock schedule for Blackrock Foundry with normal and heroic difficulties due for public consumption on February 3rd.

Mythic difficulty hits one week later while Raid Finder Wing 1: Slagworks (Gruul, Oregorger, and the Blast Furnace) debuts one week after that on February 17th.

MassivelyBlizz publishes WoW's Blackrock Foundry raiding schedule originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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wow
World of Warcraft dataminers, while diving into the piles of information for the upcoming Patch 6.1, may have found game-changing evidence that the title is preparing a new free-to-play option.

The data files include several references to a "Veteran Edition," in a similar fashion to the already-existing Trial Edition, which allows players to level to 20 for free. The Veteran Edition has several limitations listed, including a level cap, money cap, and chat channel restrictions.

There's a lot of speculation going on right now as to whether or not the Veteran Edition will happen, and if it does what it will entail. MMO blogger Superior Realities theorizes that WoW will allow subscription-lapsed accounts to continue playing with the above restrictions.

[Thanks to Tyler for the tip!]

MassivelyRumor: World of Warcraft may be prepping a free 'veteran' edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusiness-modelbuy-to-playf2pfantasyfree-to-playstarter-editionveteran-editionwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 12 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Black sheep, black sheep]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/one-shots-black-sheep-black-sheep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/one-shots-black-sheep-black-sheep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/one-shots-black-sheep-black-sheep/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

mabinogi
What in-game pet means the most to you? To reader Derrick, it's a special black sheep in Mabinogi that's snuggled its way into his heart.

"I'm an Aries in real life and always liked the symbolism of rams in culture, so my first pet after my mount was a black sheep named Tanngrisnir," Derrick submitted. "It's now no longer available in the store and is a bit of a rarity. Over the years playing, I managed to find a black sheep balloon, puppet, and a pair of ram horns to complete the look, along with a black sheep title (not shown). It's helped out not just by providing my wool for tailoring; in my early days, Tanngrisnir was always willing to take a hit or two to distract enemies."

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags of loot full. Sorry, couldn't help myself. I'll be better after the break!

Continue reading One Shots: Black sheep, black sheep

MassivelyOne Shots: Black sheep, black sheep originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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wow
Lore doesn't just have to come at you via in-game text boxes; there are other mediums, such as comic books, that can help you understand a particular fantasy world. For example, Dark Horse Comics is preparing a new World of Warcraft series to explore the ancient history of Azeroth.

World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 will be the first of several issues that trace the backstory of the world in a time before the Horde and Alliance. Blizzard COO Paul Sams says that it's being done to sate fan curiosity: "We often get questions from players who want to know more about the origins of the Warcraft universe, and the rise and fall of their favorite characters. This new series digs deeply into all of that -- we can't wait for players to read it."

Unlike most comic books, Chronicle Volume 1 will be a hardbound edition. The series will go on sale this November in comic shops and book stores.

MassivelyA new World of Warcraft comic book series is on the way originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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wow
If you missed out on snagging one of your World of Warcraft garrison followers or are willing to trade gold for time to complete your collection, then Blizzard is prepared to humbly accept your patronage. The studio announced on the forums that it will be adding a follower vendor in the next patch.

"One specific change I can share is in the next patch we're planning to add a new NPC to tier 3 garrisons who will sell followers you might not have access to based upon which buildings and outposts you've chosen," Community Manager Crithto wrote. "You'll be able to browse for followers you did not choose from quests and any you might have missed from failed missions."

MassivelyYou'll soon be able to buy WoW garrison followers directly originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteconomyfantasyfollowersgarrisonwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 09 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warcraft movie director open to sequels, hints at WoW cross-promotion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/warcraft-movie-director-open-to-sequels-hints-at-wow-cross-prom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/warcraft-movie-director-open-to-sequels-hints-at-wow-cross-prom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/warcraft-movie-director-open-to-sequels-hints-at-wow-cross-prom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

warcraft
In an interview with 2P.com, Director Duncan Jones said that there are no current plans for a Warcraft movie sequel, but he's open to the possibility if 2016's film does well: "Hopefully, if I have done my job right, people will want to know and see more! There is certainly plenty more to tell!"

Jones discussed how the movie will focus on the tragic first contact between Orcs and Humans, with heroes on both sides. "I think that for a world with so much newness to explain, this was a wise choice, especially when so many people in our audience may not know anything about Warcraft," he said. "It was important that some of our characters would be seeing the world fresh as well, and that the audience could see the situation through their eyes."

When asked about the possibility of a cross-promotional effort between World of Warcraft and the movie, Jones said that there are "many ideas" on the table right now but offered up no specifics.

MassivelyWarcraft movie director open to sequels, hints at WoW cross-promotion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcross-promotionduncan-jonesfantasyinterviewmoviesequelswarcraftwarcraft-movieworld-of-warcraftwowwow-movieWed, 07 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/learn-to-beat-world-of-warcrafts-newest-raid-in-60-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So it's don't stand in the bad, volume twenty? Great.
We realize that there are a couple of different ways to treat that title, so let's be clear: This video guide will teach you how to beat all of the bosses in Highmaul in 60 seconds. It will not teach you how to take 60 seconds to defeat all of them. Yes, it could go either way, but did you really think you could drop World of Warcraft's raid in a minute of playtime? Nope, it's all about length of tutelage, not length of execution.

The even shorter version is the universal raid guide for the game, of course: Move out of the thing, stack up if you see everyone else stacking up, and kill the little things. But it's the fine details where everything is really decided. click on past the break and get a minute-long dose of how to not be the one responsible for wiping the group.

Continue reading Learn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds

MassivelyLearn to beat World of Warcraft's newest raid... in 60 seconds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdungeondungeonsendgamefantasyguideguideshighmaulhumornewsnews-itemsraidraidsstay-out-of-the-badvideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does your WoW garrison feel like home?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/the-daily-grind-does-your-wow-garrison-feel-like-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/the-daily-grind-does-your-wow-garrison-feel-like-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/the-daily-grind-does-your-wow-garrison-feel-like-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

wow
I've been a fascinated outside observer in regard to World of Warcraft's recent expansion and its much-touted garrison feature. I have no doubt that garrisons have filled a lot of purposes and gone all-out on functionality. It's certainly been a powerful carrot for Blizzard to wave in front of players.

But what I've been wondering is whether garrisons are so functional that they forgot to be personal. In other words, do garrisons feel like "home" in-game even if you can't decorate and customize them the way that you can in other MMO housing systems? Has your character finally set down roots or does this feel like just another mission hub?

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: Does your WoW garrison feel like home? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdaily-grindfantasygarrisongarrisonshomehousingopinionplayer-housingtdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft brings back its anniversary event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/world-of-warcraft-brings-back-its-anniversary-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/world-of-warcraft-brings-back-its-anniversary-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/world-of-warcraft-brings-back-its-anniversary-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bring it back for a week, then discard it again forever. Totally keen.
Did you get everything done that you wanted during World of Warcraft's 10-year anniversary event? If you did, great, but if you didn't... well, still great because you're getting another shot at it. Community manager Bashiok posted on the forums that the team is bringing back the anniversary event for one more week, starting today at 1:00 p.m. EST and ending on January 13th at the same time.

The reactivation is confined to the North American servers, so players elsewhere in the world hoping for more time with anniversary antics will be sadly disappointed. There's also nothing new in the event, so if you have everything, you can sit this round out. Otherwise, log in today and start celebrating a decade of the game's operation... like, again.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft brings back its anniversary event originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanniversaryanniversary-eventblizzardblizzard-entertainmentevent-contentfantasyin-game-eventnewsnews-itemsspecial-eventwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 06 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Shadow play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

eso
Welcome to a new year -- and the best year of One Shots you'll ever see. I know this because I've been to the future (December 31st, 2015) and spent those precious time-bending moments flipping through all of the One Shots column this year. Amazing stuff, people. Really well done.

Well, we might as well get started with your glorious photo journeys! Our very first pic of the year is from reader Becca, who sends us this groovy bit of shadow play in Elder Scrolls Online: "While waiting for a boss to spawn in a public dungeon, my friend Arkslan and my character Rozyn had some fun with lighting."

Great. Now I know what will be lurking under my bed tonight: a sing-songy bard. Terror knows no name, but it does sing harmony.

Continue reading One Shots: Shadow play

MassivelyOne Shots: Shadow play originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbring-back-one-shotsconsoleconsolesdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesof2pfactionsfantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-to-playgalleriesgallerymorrowindoblivionone-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenpvpreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrscreenshotscreenshotsskill-basedskyrimsquaresquare-enixtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsuser-submissionswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSun, 04 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Archivist: 3.0.8, the 'disaster' patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/wow-archivist-3-0-8-the-disaster-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/wow-archivist-3-0-8-the-disaster-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/wow-archivist-3-0-8-the-disaster-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

A Wintergrasp battle
WoW Archivist is a biweekly column by WoW Insider's Scott Andrews, who explores the secrets of World of Warcraft's past. What did the game look like years ago? Who is etched into WoW's history? What secrets does the game still hold? It first appeared on our sister site on January 2nd, 2015, and is included here by permission.

Any game that survives for 10 years and counting will have its growing pains. There will be moments when the urge to deliver the best possible content gets the better of the developers, when they reach too far but only figure that out after it's too late.

Wrath of the Lich King was so ambitious in scope as originally conceived that Blizzard simply couldn't deliver what it announced. Blizzard cut major features before the expansion even went into beta testing. Wrath's systems went live with patch 3.0.2 in October 2008, and the expansion hit live realms two months later. As with most expansions, there were early problems.

In patch 3.0.8, Blizzard tried to fix those problems. Instead, it made them worse. Far worse. WoW Insider itself called the patch a "disaster."

Continue reading WoW Archivist: 3.0.8, the 'disaster' patch

MassivelyWoW Archivist: 3.0.8, the 'disaster' patch originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdisaster-patchscott-andrewswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwow-archivistwow-insiderwrathWrath-of-the-Lich-KingSat, 03 Jan 2015 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist: How DikuMUD shaped modern MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/the-game-archaeologist-how-dikumud-shaped-modern-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/the-game-archaeologist-how-dikumud-shaped-modern-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/03/the-game-archaeologist-how-dikumud-shaped-modern-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Even though there are hundreds and thousands of MMOs spanning several decades, only a small handful were so incredibly influential that they changed the course of development for games from then on out. DikuMUD is one of these games, and it is responsible for more of what you experience in your current MMOs than you even know.

Of course, that doesn't mean everyone knows what DikuMUD is or how it shaped the MMOs that came out after it. You might have seen it used as a pejorative in enough comments that you know it is loathed by many gamers, but I find that there are varying degrees of ignorance about DikuMUD in the community. What is it, exactly? Why is it just the worst? And is it really the worst if we like the games that can point to this text-based MMO as a key ancestor?

Today we're going to dispel the mystery and myths of DikuMUD to lay it out there as it was and is today.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: How DikuMUD shaped modern MMOs

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: How DikuMUD shaped modern MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-desertactivisionambermudatitdbartleblizzardblizzard-entertainmentclassicclassic-mmosclassicscommunity-chestdikudiku-muddikumuddikumud-iidnddungeons-and-dragonseqeq1eveeve-onlineeverquestf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-archaelogistHans-Henrik-Stærfeldtholy-trinityKatja-NyboeMichael-Seifertnostalgiaopinionrichard-bartleSebastian-Hammersoesonysony-online-entertainmentsteve-danuserthe-game-archaeologistTom-Madsentroveultima-onlineuoverantverant-interactivewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 03 Jan 2015 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: World of Warcraft High]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-high/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-high/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-high/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft launched on November 23rd, 2004. For anyone having a hard time putting that date into context, consider this: My sister, who's now in college, was eight years old when WoW's gates first opened. Some of our readers with nice jobs and adorable children were still in middle school or high school. I've personally been playing WoW off and on since 2005, giving me about nine years of history with the game.

This month's Choose My Adventure was two parts adventure and one part nostalgia. And as it turns out, sometimes the past really does belong in the past.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: World of Warcraft High

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: World of Warcraft High originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft's Choose My Adventure is coming to a close and Massively's Mike Foster is trying to get as much out of it as possible before the new month begins. Join him tonight as he storms a couple of battlegrounds, completes a few quests, and takes advantage of his brand-new garrison buildings. It's the last hurrah for Warlords of Draenor as a CMA subject!

Tune in at 7:00 p.m. EST for all the action.

Game: World of Warcraft
Host: Mike Foster
Date: Monday, December 29th, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Goodnight, World of Warcraft

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Goodnight, World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmadraenorexpansionfantasyhands-onlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmassively-metamassively-tvmv-tvmvtvopinionpollpollsreaders-choicestreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvvideovideosvotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 29 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Warlords of Draenor dungeon fun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/28/the-stream-team-warlords-of-draenor-dungeon-fun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/28/the-stream-team-warlords-of-draenor-dungeon-fun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/28/the-stream-team-warlords-of-draenor-dungeon-fun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
Massively's Mike Foster has been having a grand old time with this month's World of Warcraft-focused Choose My Adventure. Tonight, he ventures into the dungeon finder to check out Warlords of Draenor's new group content, as was requested by voters in last week's polls. Tune in at 7:00 p.m. EST to see his shadow priest in action.

Game: World of Warcraft
Host: Mike Foster
Date: Sunday, December 28th, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Warlords of Draenor dungeon fun

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Warlords of Draenor dungeon fun originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmadraenorexpansionfantasyhands-onlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmassively-metamassively-tvmv-tvmvtvopinionpollpollsreaders-choicestreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvvideovideosvotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 28 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: On autopilot in World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/choose-my-adventure-on-autopilot-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/choose-my-adventure-on-autopilot-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/choose-my-adventure-on-autopilot-in-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
Life as a shadow Priest in World of Warcraft is pretty mellow. Mostly you bounce around from quest to quest and enemy to enemy, ticking off objectives by murdering orcs with dark magic and scaring everyone with your spooky shadow face. It's not a career path I'd recommend for your average citizen, but if you're looking to become an instigator in the clan wars of Warlords of Draenor, there are worse paths to take.

We accomplished quite a bit this week in Choose My Adventure. Our Blood Elf Priest gained a couple of levels, DPSed his very first Warlords of Draenor dungeon, and completed the Frostfire Ridge set of story quests. And while it's all been very, very good, I'm still having a hard time connecting to this latest World of Warcraft expansion.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: On autopilot in World of Warcraft

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: On autopilot in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmadraenorexpansionfantasyfeaturedhands-onopinionpollpollsreaders-choicesubscriptionvotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 24 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: On to Gorgrond in World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-stream-team-on-to-gorgrond-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-stream-team-on-to-gorgrond-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-stream-team-on-to-gorgrond-in-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
Choose My Adventure Live continues as Massively's Mike Foster says farewell to Frostfire Ridge and heads into Gorgrond, the second of Warlords of Draenor's all-new zones. Experience World of Warcraft's latest expansion with Mike as he quests, fights, and garrisons his way to level 100 from the perspective of a voter-created shadow Priest.

The action begins at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Game: World of Warcraft
Host: Mike Foster
Date: Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EST.

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: On to Gorgrond in World of Warcraft

MassivelyThe Stream Team: On to Gorgrond in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmadraenorexpansionfantasyhands-onlivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmassively-metamassively-tvmv-tvmvtvopinionpollpollsreaders-choicestreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvvideovideosvotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 23 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the most content?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-most-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-most-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-most-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WoW
A Massively commenter weeks ago wrote that World of Warcraft has the most content out of any MMO, full-stop, and everyone around him seemed to take that at face value, which astonished me. Look, I'm subbing to WoW even as I type this, and I think WoW has gobs more systems than some people give it credit for, but the most content of any MMO? Not a chance!

Even if we discount wide-open, pure sandboxes -- which, depending on whom you ask, have either no content or infinite content -- we'd still have to factor in sandparks and classic MMOs that have 20 expansions, more updates than WoW per year, multiple expansions per year, and so many systems and zones that it's just flat out overwhelming. There are a dozen MMOs that intimidate people with how much stuff they pack in. You'd never finish them. By comparison, WoW is a mere snack -- an awesome, polished snack, but a snack all the same.

I don't know which MMO has the "most" content, but I'm pretty sure WoW wouldn't make even the inevitable top 10 list. What about you other folks who've been around the MMO block a time or two? Which MMO has the most content?

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: Which MMO has the most content? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcontentdaily-grindmmo-contentmost-contentopiniontdgthe-daily-grindwowTue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Archivist: A Glyphmas story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/wow-archivist-a-glyphmas-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/wow-archivist-a-glyphmas-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/wow-archivist-a-glyphmas-story/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Scrolls of glyphs
WoW Archivist is a biweekly column by WoW Insider's Scott Andrews, who explores the secrets of World of Warcraft's past. What did the game look like years ago? Who is etched into WoW's history? What secrets does the game still hold? It first appeared on our sister site on December 17th and is included here by permission.

Professions in Warlords of Draenor feel completely different than in any other era in WoW. Creating powerful items is no longer a matter of farming, luck, or gold. Instead, we have to produce their key ingredients via garrison work orders. Leveling crafting professions is no longer about creating a bunch of useless items that we instantly vendor or disenchant, and reaching max level is now a slow burn instead of a quick grind. This is the first expansion where I haven't hit max level on all my professions within the first week or two.

The profession that has changed the most is the most recent: Wrath of the Lich King's inscription, added in 2008. Even the interface changed: The glyph window was originally part of the spellbook UI, not the talent pane. Because of those changes, for a few very special weeks, inscription transformed the financial futures of countless WoW players. I was one of them. We called it Glyphmas, and it was magical.

Continue reading WoW Archivist: A Glyphmas story

MassivelyWoW Archivist: A Glyphmas story originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentscott-andrewswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowwow-archivistwow-insiderSun, 21 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft proposes tradable subscription currency]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/18/world-of-warcraft-proposes-tradable-subscription-currency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/18/world-of-warcraft-proposes-tradable-subscription-currency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/18/world-of-warcraft-proposes-tradable-subscription-currency/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

wow
Six-point-one. That's all you World of Warcraft players need to hear to get psyched for the new year. The dev team took a brief pause in rolling in all of the money from Warlords of Draenor sales to talk about what's coming up with Patch 6.1 as well as a proposed new subscription currency.

The patch, which will go into testing soon, will contain improvements to garrisons, a legendary follower, the ability to send tweets from the game, the new Blood Elf models, shorter flight master routes, incentives for visiting friends' garrisons, and the new heirloom collection tab.

Even bigger than this news is word that Blizzard is "exploring" adding a subscription currency that sounds like EVE Online's PLEX. The proposed idea would allow players to buy and sell game-time tokens for in-game gold: "Our current thought on this is that it would give players a way to use their surplus gold to cover some of their subscription cost, while giving players who might have less play time an option for acquiring gold from other players through a legit and secure system."

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft proposes tradable subscription currency originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6.1activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdraenoreve-onlineexpansionfantasypatch-6.1plexsubscription-currencywarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 18 Dec 2014 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: World of Warcraft and the shadowy priest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-and-the-shadowy-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-and-the-shadowy-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/choose-my-adventure-world-of-warcraft-and-the-shadowy-priest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

It's been one week since Choose My Adventure's voters sent me on the path of darkness in World of Warcraft, daring me to cast off my healing roots and adventure forward as a Priest who deals only in shadow. I've gained a couple of levels, tinkered with my garrison, and killed hundreds and hundreds of orcs. I've even managed to work out some of last week's confusion, finding a spell rotation that works for me and laying waste to any PvE enemies that cross my path.

I've also completed about a million quests, Warlords of Draenor-style.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: World of Warcraft and the shadowy priest

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: World of Warcraft and the shadowy priest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmadraenorexpansionfantasyfeaturedhands-onopinionpollpollsreaders-choicevotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorwodworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 17 Dec 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW and FFXIV see boosted playtime on Raptr; ArcheAge playtime 'cratered']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/wow-and-ffxiv-see-boosted-playtime-on-raptr-archeage-playtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/wow-and-ffxiv-see-boosted-playtime-on-raptr-archeage-playtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/wow-and-ffxiv-see-boosted-playtime-on-raptr-archeage-playtime/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Raptr
Another month, another Raptr report. Yesterday Raptr.com posted its most played PC games list for November, and MMOs did rather well. Unsurprisingly, World of Warcraft surged up the list to #2 thanks to the Warlords of Draenor expansion. "The MMO's monthly play time was up 71.3% versus October," Raptr's press release says. And though WoW "likely" drew from League of Legends' numbers, it couldn't quite usurp the MOBA's #1 seat.

Among other MMOs, ArcheAge playtime "cratered by 39.97%," but World of Tanks and Final Fantasy XIV both saw rises in theirs. Guild Wars 2 rose in rank, Raptr says, but lost playtime in November vs. October. SWTOR fell two places since October.

As always, Raptr roundups come with the caveat that they represent Raptr users on PC, not all gamers; some MMO studios are also known to boost their Raptr numbers with in-game incentives. But since some of these games refuse to release population data, you might call this the next best snapshot of popularity outside of touring the servers yourself.

Continue reading WoW and FFXIV see boosted playtime on Raptr; ArcheAge playtime 'cratered'

MassivelyWoW and FFXIV see boosted playtime on Raptr; ArcheAge playtime 'cratered' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archeageffxivfinal-fantasy-xivGuild-Wars-2league-of-legendslolmmomobanumbersraptrsocial-mediastar-wars-the-old-republicstatisticsstatsswtorwarlords-of-draenorworld-of-tanksWorld-of-WarcraftwotwowWed, 17 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: It came from the comments section!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/14/one-shots-it-came-from-the-comments-section/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/14/one-shots-it-came-from-the-comments-section/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/14/one-shots-it-came-from-the-comments-section/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In addition to sending in your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, some of you have taken to the comments section in these columns to share your pictures and stories as well. That's totally fine with me, by the way, as long as the email submissions continue as well! However, today I'd like to call attention to a few of these comments section shots and give them a little more attention up above the line.

Our first entry is from commenter Ausj3w3l, and I have to admit that it made me laugh. I think it's something about the way that this character is standing. Fat and proud, just like Mother Nature intended! "Most of the armours in TERA are completely over the top but fabulous, but eh... nothing beats the fuzzball in swim pants," she posted.

The fun doesn't stop here! We've still got three more smashing pics to go!

Continue reading One Shots: It came from the comments section!

MassivelyOne Shots: It came from the comments section! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Dec 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bring-back-one-shotsgalleriesgalleryone-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsscreenshotscreenshotsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterauser-submissionsvanguardWorld-of-WarcraftwowSun, 14 Dec 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect Ten: Looking back at the biggest MMO news of 2014]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/perfect-ten-looking-back-at-the-biggest-mmo-news-of-2014/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/perfect-ten-looking-back-at-the-biggest-mmo-news-of-2014/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/perfect-ten-looking-back-at-the-biggest-mmo-news-of-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

landmark
Well, my chums, here we are at the tail-end of 2014, having achieved all of our goals and new year's resolutions. Even better, we've survived what's turned out to be one of the wildest, rockiest, and most exciting years of MMO news in recent memory.

This was the year of high-profile game launches, even more popular expansions, layoffs, and some epic-level studio face-palming decisions. It's easy to sit here and say that we predicted everything that was going to happen this year, but c'mon, you have to admit that you were surprised by at least one or two events in this industry.

It's incredibly difficult to sum up the biggest news of the year without coming to grips with the fact that many stories aren't one-and-done; a lot of what I'm going to be talking about in this list happened over the course of weeks or months and still may not be fully over. That's how news stories are sometimes!

Continue reading Perfect Ten: Looking back at the biggest MMO news of 2014

MassivelyPerfect Ten: Looking back at the biggest MMO news of 2014 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014acac2archeageArenaNetasherons-callasherons-call-2blizzardBlizzConbungieccpclone-wars-adventuresdestinyelder-scrolls-onlineesoeveeve-onlineeverquestfeaturedfree-realmsguild-wars-2gw2humorlandmarkliving-storynews-storiesopinionoverwatchp10perfect-10perfect-tenproject-titanroundupsoethe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentitantop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtriontrion-worldsturbinevanguardwarlords-of-draenorwildstarwizardry-onlineworld-of-darknessworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 13 Dec 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you play on a WoW progression server?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-on-a-wow-progression-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-on-a-wow-progression-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-on-a-wow-progression-server/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

wow
Recently I resubscribed to World of Warcraft, spent about two hours back in the game, and then uninstalled it once again. Call it $15 spent on a nostalgia trip of curiosity. The overwhelming feeling that I got coming back after being mostly gone for four years is that everything had moved on and I wasn't there to move on with it. Sure, I could catch up in time, but I lacked the will to do so.

But you know what would get me back and in a big way? If WoW took a page from EverQuest and instituted a progression server. Maybe the devs can't recreate the game as it once was, but I'd play a WoW that started out only with the core content and then slowly unlocked the expansions over a series of months so that the server's playerbase could go through it together.

It's a pipe dream, I know. But would you play on a WoW progression server?

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: Would you play on a WoW progression server? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindopinionprogression-servertdgthe-daily-grindWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 13 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: I am so confused in World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/10/choose-my-adventure-i-am-so-confused-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/10/choose-my-adventure-i-am-so-confused-in-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/10/choose-my-adventure-i-am-so-confused-in-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
Last week's Choose My Adventure polls for World of Warcraft set me on a very unexpected path. Male Blood Elf? Really? If you had asked me to predict the result of the class/race/gender/faction polls, I would have been extremely super-wrong. I thought for sure Massively's readership was full of carebear Alliance sympathizers who spend their WoW hours hosting hug parties in Darnassus.

Anyway. This week saw me creating our new character, using the included-with-Warlords of Draenor instant level 90 character boost, and diving through the Dark Portal to experience the starting moments of Blizzard Entertainment's latest bundle of WoW content.

It was... something.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: I am so confused in World of Warcraft

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: I am so confused in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchoose-my-adventurecmafantasyfeaturedhands-onlaunchlaunch-daylaunchesopinionpollpollsreaders-choicevotevotingwarcraftwarlords-of-draenorworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 10 Dec 2014 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Five advantages RIFT has over WoW]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/09/enter-at-your-own-rift-five-advantages-rift-has-over-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/09/enter-at-your-own-rift-five-advantages-rift-has-over-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/09/enter-at-your-own-rift-five-advantages-rift-has-over-wow/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

rift
From its inception, RIFT has taken the position of being both a World of Warcraft clone and a direct competitor for its playerbase. It's not as if Trion Worlds has been subtle about it: The early campaign slogan of "You're not in Azeroth anymore" all but reached over and tweaked Blizzard's nose. While some didn't like the direct comparison, I thought it was a wise move for RIFT to acknowledge its obvious ancestry and its position as a cocky upstart.

While I've never been of the opinion that only one MMO can "win" or that we should always disparage games other than the ones we play, I won't deny that comparisons get made. Listen, World of Warcraft is a fun, slick game, one I spent many years playing. But just because it's one of the most popular MMOs in the world and stuffed full of 10 years of content doesn't mean it holds all of the cards (nor is it the MMO that currently grabs most of my gaming time).

In fact, RIFT has several distinct advantages that it's used and continues to use against Big Blizz, and it's those advantages that I want to praise today.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Five advantages RIFT has over WoW

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Five advantages RIFT has over WoW originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft
Choose My Adventure is heading into World of Warcraft this month, and it all begins with the creation of a brand-new character that will immediately receive an instant boost to level 90. Join Massively's Mike Foster as he investigates the instant-leveling process and explores the tutorial system Blizzard has put in place to explain dozens of skills to a fledgling WoW player.

The chaos begins at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Game: World of Warcraft
Host: Mike Foster
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: World of Warcraft's instant 90

MassivelyThe Stream Team: World of Warcraft's instant 90 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Dec 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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