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[World of Darkness creative director talks design and the MMO mainstream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

World of Darkness - Masquerade rose
A new interview at Gamasutra posits that CCP is gunning for mainstream success with its upcoming World of Darkness MMO. The EVE Online developer has cornered what's left of the hardcore sandbox market, so now it's looking to marry EVE's emergent gameplay with more familiar MMO staples. "The way to drag people in will be traditional themepark-style PvE play. Once players get into the setting, they'll see the appeal of the sandbox play," says WoD creative director Reynir Hardarson.

Despite the concessions to mainstream accessibility, EVE's influence on World of Darkness will be more than superficial. "The live-action roleplayers of the Vampire the Masquerade tabletop game play this way," Hardarson explains. "It's really about politics and power plays."

Why don't more MMO developers try their hand at sandbox mechanics? Hardarson says designing for emergent play is difficult because you can't test it. It's worth it, though, because MMOs that hand-hold and limit players to a linear path miss the point. "I'm not a five-year-old. If I want to go in the cave and I want to die, that's my problem," Hardarson says.

MassivelyWorld of Darkness creative director talks design and the MMO mainstream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityccpccp-gamesemergent-designemergent-gameplayfantasygothichorrorinterviewmainstreammmo-mainstreamplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentreynir-hardarsonsandboxsupernaturaluser-generated-contentvampirevampireswhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessTue, 24 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP: DUST will offer a 'more intuitive' EVE experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/ccp-dust-will-offer-a-more-intuitive-eve-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/ccp-dust-will-offer-a-more-intuitive-eve-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/ccp-dust-will-offer-a-more-intuitive-eve-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - Merc from cinematic
Rock, Paper Shotgun has a new interview with CCP CEO Hilmar Petursson and CMO David Reid. The pair have a few interesting nuggets to share about DUST 514 and EVE Online, as well as how the two games are related.

Petursson says that initially, DUST mercenaries will not be riding the proverbial space elevator into orbit to parlay with their capsuleer counterparts in EVE. As in the eight-year-old spaceship MMO, though, the design will evolve and change, and "the two experiences are going to be more and more crafted over time."

The interview also also posits that DUST's accessible shooter design may lead new players into the world of New Eden in spite of EVE Online's legendary learning curve. "EVE is a very particular type of experience, made for people who want to commit a lot of energy to have a game experience like that," Petursson explains. "Over the years we've seen a lot of people interested in the EVE universe, the single shard and the political drama, but [they] might not be particularly looking for an experience like the game itself. We see DUST as a way to allow people to participate in this universe by offering them a more intuitive, familiar, speedier, quicker, shorter time-commitment type of experience."

MassivelyCCP: DUST will offer a 'more intuitive' EVE experience originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityccpccp-gamesconsolesdavid-reiddustdust-514dust-bunnieseveeve-onlinefpshilmar-peturssoninterviewmmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenplaystation-3playstation3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 26 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: A look at World of Tanks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-firing-line-a-look-at-world-of-tanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-firing-line-a-look-at-world-of-tanks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-firing-line-a-look-at-world-of-tanks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - header with various shooter avatars
I'm not the biggest tank fan in the world. Don't get me wrong; I'm a red-blooded American male who loves engines, horsepower, and most types of heavy machinery, but for whatever reason, I've never looked at a tank and come away particularly aroused.

Imagine the surprise, then, when I loaded up World of Tanks a couple of weeks ago and found myself having a jolly old time. Wargaming.net's free-to-play action title is a deceptively simple shooter with a lot of depth under the hood, and despite what some players refer to as pay-to-win shenanigans, I highly recommend it.

Continue reading The Firing Line: A look at World of Tanks

MassivelyThe Firing Line: A look at World of Tanks originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaccessibleeasy-to-learn-hard-to-masterf2pfeaturedfiring-linefree-to-playfreemiumhands-onimpressionsmmo-shooteropinionpay-2-winpay-to-winshootertanksthe-firing-linewargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-impressionsWorld-War-IIwotww2wwiiFri, 25 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Online 2011: Raph Koster speaks on the gamification of real life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/gdc-online-2011-raph-koster-speaks-on-the-gamification-of-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/gdc-online-2011-raph-koster-speaks-on-the-gamification-of-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/gdc-online-2011-raph-koster-speaks-on-the-gamification-of-real/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Raph Koster - sock puppet
Raph Koster spoke at the recently concluded GDC Online 2011, and if the summary on Gamasutra is any indication, his message was somewhat mixed.

Unsurprisingly, the former sandbox maestro (and current social gaming evangelist) had a lot of positive things to say about Facebook. On the other hand, he said that going too far down the accessibility road can lead to "bad art."

He also opined that "design is about constraining people," but that games still have the potential for player creativity, and that Facebook has more user-generated content than games or virtual worlds. If you're confused yet, you're not alone, as Koster also mentioned something about wizards, magic circles, and his belief that the world is becoming more game-like (and thus there's no one better to shape it than game developers). "Let's watch out not to let the pointsification and rulesification, quantification, and reductionism that we have always loved about what we do -- let's not let that change who we are," Koster said.

Check out his notes and slides from the talk via his blog, linked below.

MassivelyGDC Online 2011: Raph Koster speaks on the gamification of real life originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityfacebookgdc-2011gdc-onlineGDC-Online-2011kosterMiscellaneousraph-kostersocial-gamingsocial-mediaFri, 14 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runes of Magic partners with Overwolf for social media functionality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/runes-of-magic-partners-with-overwolf-for-social-media-functiona/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/runes-of-magic-partners-with-overwolf-for-social-media-functiona/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/runes-of-magic-partners-with-overwolf-for-social-media-functiona/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Runes of Magic hub
Overwolf is making its presence felt in the MMORPG marketplace of late, and the latest collaboration between the social media developer and a major game company takes place in Runes of Magic. The free-to-play fantasy title now features something called the Magic Hub, and if you're into Facebook as well as easily publishable screenshot and video captures, you'll want to check it out.

The Overwolf software also integrates instant messaging functionality that players can use without leaving the Runes of Magic client, not to mention game database searching functionality and account settings access. "Our new partnership with Overwolf will bridge the gap between the fantasy world of online gaming and the accessibility of social platforms," says Frogster's Daniel Ulrich.

[Source: Frogster Press Release]

MassivelyRunes of Magic partners with Overwolf for social media functionality originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitycant-we-just-alt-tabconveniencedaniel-ulrichf2pfantasyfree-to-playfrogstermagic-huboverwolfpress-releaseromrunes-of-magicsocial-gamingsocial-mediataboreaTue, 06 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Titan a 'casual' MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/blizzards-titan-a-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/blizzards-titan-a-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/blizzards-titan-a-casual-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In case you were worried about a lack of new and accessible MMOs coming down the pike over the next couple of years, the king of casual is riding to the rescue. At least, that's what an analyst at Sterne Agee hinted at on Gamasutra recently.

Arvind Bhatia is quoted on the game industry website as saying that Blizzard's product pipeline includes "expansion packs for StarCraft and World of Warcraft, a new Diablo game, [and] a new casual MMO." That casual MMO is of course Titan, the secretive WoW followup that has reportedly gobbled up Blizzard's most experienced designers.

While no one outside of Blizzard has any inkling as to Titan's setting, mechanics, or target audience, Bhatia's prediction makes a certain amount of sense given the realities of the MMO marketplace and the costs inherent in developing and marketing AAA titles. Head to Gamasutra for the full report.

MassivelyBlizzard's Titan a 'casual' MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaccessibleanalystsarvind-bhatiablizzardcasualcasual-mmoin-other-news-water-is-wetmmo-industrypredictionsrumorsspeculationstern-ageesterne-ageetitantitan-mmoWed, 29 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: What does action-based gaming mean for the future?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/free-for-all-what-does-action-based-gaming-mean-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/free-for-all-what-does-action-based-gaming-mean-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/free-for-all-what-does-action-based-gaming-mean-for-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If you've been following recent game development, you will have noticed that action-based gaming, or gaming that requires a player to literally control the character on the screen through mouse-clicks or shortcuts, has become all the rage. It shouldn't be surprising, though, considering how incredibly fun it can be to click the mouse button and have the character on the screen smash his enemies. I've fallen in love with it myself, especially while playing games like Vindictus or Dungeons and Dragons Online. After so many years or pushing 1-2-3-4 in order to kill mobs, truly swinging an axe feels wonderful.

More and more games use this immediate-response style of play. Up-and-coming side-scrollers like Rusty Hearts or recent smashers like Dragon Nest are showing that action-based gaming is growing stronger all the time. I've even begun to feel slightly let down when I switch to a "classically controlled" MMO. Targeting a mob followed by pressing a series of number keys just does not satisfy like slamming your enemy through a bookcase. (Watch the video after the cut for some of my bookcase action!)

But what could all of this action mean for future design? And what about disabled players or players who have issues with wrist pain (like I do)? Click past the cut and let's discuss!

Continue reading Free for All: What does action-based gaming mean for the future?

MassivelyFree for All: What does action-based gaming mean for the future? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablegamersablegamers.comaccessibilityaction-based-combatbeau-hinddodragon-nestdungeons-and-dragons-onlinefeaturedplayer-skillSteve-SpohnvindictusWorld-of-WarcraftWed, 22 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: 'Changing mechanics to be more reasonable and less punishing is an improvement']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/blizzard-changing-mechanics-to-be-more-reasonable-and-less-pun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/blizzard-changing-mechanics-to-be-more-reasonable-and-less-pun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/blizzard-changing-mechanics-to-be-more-reasonable-and-less-pun/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's the old guard vs. the new guard in a recent World of Warcraft forum thread, and Blizzard's Bashiok stepped in to comment on the title's move toward accessibility. "What we've always been trying to do," he said, "what WoW has always been about (and to which much of its success is due) is to make an accessible MMO."

Bashiok understands the older, so-called "masochistic" style of gameplay, but he says that MMOs are trending away from this in an effort to attract rather than repulse gamers. "I think that changing mechanics to be more reasonable and less punishing is an improvement, not a detriment, to games in general... But I feel we're lucky to now be in an age where those ideals (intended or not) are giving way to actual fun, actual challenge, and not fabricating it through high-reach requirements."

While Cataclysm's difficulty levels are a matter of some controversy these days, it's undeniable that Blizzard has tuned World of Warcraft to become more user-friendly since 2004. Bashiok notes that even at launch, WoW was radically different compared to its contemporaries: "Anyone that looks back at the game at launch and wishes it was as challenging now as it was then is not aware of the painstaking effort put into making this game accessible as compared to its predecessors."

MassivelyBlizzard: 'Changing mechanics to be more reasonable and less punishing is an improvement' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitybashiokblizzardcataclysmmasochisticold-vs-newworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 11 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Classism and the oxymoron of the casual MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-soapbox-classism-and-the-oxymoron-of-the-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-soapbox-classism-and-the-oxymoron-of-the-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-soapbox-classism-and-the-oxymoron-of-the-casual-mmo/#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.

Seeing as how it's becoming something of a Massively tradition to offer rebuttals to my Soapbox articles, I figured it was time to turn the tables. A few weeks ago, our own Bree Royce penned a piece about class warfare in MMORPGs. Though it contained a number of valuable insights, I feel it struck the wrong chord when it comes to discussing the reasons "hardcore" MMO players dislike the pervasive trend towards accessibility.

While the thrust of Bree's article dealt with classism and my response started out with a similar focus, this week's column has since morphed into more of a pseudo-rant on the casual vs. hardcore debate. Yes, the terms are malleable, and yes, this debate is eternal, but it's eternal because it matters (inasmuch as anything related to entertainment can matter).

Join me after the cut for a traditionalist's take on MMOs and discover why they aren't "casual" games -- and why this has very little to do with social class.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Classism and the oxymoron of the casual MMO

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Classism and the oxymoron of the casual MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaccessibleaccessible-mmoscasualcasually-hardcoreculturedc-universe-onlinefeaturedglobal-agendahardcoremass-marketmmo-industryopinionsandboxsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardthe-soapboxthemeparkvindictusWorld-of-WarcraftTue, 01 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Time is money, friend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/#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.

MMOs are plagued by nasty -isms. Racism. Sexism. Nationalism. Ageism. Orientalism. Homophobia. Misogyny. OK, so those last two aren't really -isms, but you get my point. No matter how much we want our fantasy games to be zones of escapism, these prejudices chase us there. Sometimes we bring them with us as unwanted baggage that spills out in chat channels and character choices. And sometimes they're inherent in the game design itself.

Classism is one such problem you'd think the internet would reduce or conceal, but the divide between the haves and have-nots is stronger in MMOs than ever. To illustrate that point and how it affects us as gamers, I'd like to talk about another set of games ruled not by skill or talent but by money.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Time is money, friend

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Time is money, friend originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaristocracybarrier-to-entrycasual-gamercasualsclassclassismelitismf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumhardcoreismsluxuriesmoneyolympicsopinionpoorbiesrabblesnobberysnobssoapboxsubscriptionsubscriptionsthe-soapboxTue, 08 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Accessibility and customer service]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-soapbox-accessibility-and-customer-service/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-soapbox-accessibility-and-customer-service/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-soapbox-accessibility-and-customer-service/#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.

I was originally pulled into World of Warcraft by two real-life friends of mine. They liked the game, played for a year or so, and then quit playing. They never got sucked into the world of MMOs like I did. I don't think they ever will either. It's not that they aren't gamers or that they don't fit into the culture. Maybe for their own reasons, they'd never play an MMO again... life and all that. But one interesting thing they told me makes me think they really will never play an MMO again: imperfect games.

Now, besides the fact that no game -- online or off -- is perfect, there appears to me to be a great disparity in the functionality between MMOs and single-player games. It's easy to see how someone similar to me can work his way past a few speed bumps to get an MMO up and running, but what about a computer-illiterate person? Before there's even talk of bugs in the game or of the game being fun or not, there's an issue of accessibility and customer service. I want to talk about accessibility and customer service in this round of the Soapbox.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Accessibility and customer service

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Accessibility and customer service originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitybugsclientcomputer-illiteratecomputer-savvyculturecustomer-servicedownload-errorease-of-useerrorfeaturedfirst-mmofirst-time-playergame-instructionsglitchglitchesinstructionsjeremy-strattonlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroomgwtfbbqproblemsoapboxthe-soapboxtrouble-shootingtroubleshootingworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 14 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ablegamers releases shopping list for disabled players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/ablegamers-releases-shopping-list-for-disabled-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/ablegamers-releases-shopping-list-for-disabled-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/ablegamers-releases-shopping-list-for-disabled-players/#commentsFiled under: , ,


If you are a disabled player or know one, you might need some help with your gift shopping. Well, worry no more: Ablegamers.com has compiled a pretty nice list of items for your loved ones! Let's say you want a great iPad mount -- well someone has made one. Perhaps you're really needing an old-fashioned joystick controller, complete with extenders and customizable buttons? Well, there's one of those too!

There are literally millions upon millions of disabled people in North America alone. Of those, a good percentage are gamers -- or want to be gamers but have issues connecting to and participating in these wonderful games that we all love. Why not buy one of these items for the disabled person in your life? Or perhaps you could locate a stranger who needs the item -- just ask your gaming buddies. Don't be surprised when someone knows somebody else who could use something that appears on this list!

Thanks to Ablegamers.com, some players will not be left out of the game!

MassivelyAblegamers releases shopping list for disabled players originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablegamersablegamers.comaccessibilitybeau-hindmanchristmas shoppingChristmasShoppingdisabilitydisabledshoppingshopping-listxmasSun, 21 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: The camera control blues (or how I judge thee, F2P grinder)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-for-all-the-camera-control-blues-or-how-i-judge-thee-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-for-all-the-camera-control-blues-or-how-i-judge-thee-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-for-all-the-camera-control-blues-or-how-i-judge-thee-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

This week, I wanted to cover something that must be discussed before I move any further into my career as "The Only Guy Who Liked That Game." Before I worked here at Massively, I used to work for Ablegamers.com, a site for disabled gamers. Although my job was a volunteer position, I learned enough to make it very much worth my while. One of the most interesting facts I learned was that many, many Americans are disabled, to varying degrees. Technically, my poor eyesight qualifies me as disabled, as do my chronic wrist issues due to 20 some-odd years of drumming and art.

I've learned my limits but will never apologize for them. I do not expect every developer or game to allow for some of my special (yet common) circumstances, although I think that some of the fixes are so minor that they should have been in the game in the first place. Still, I have to find games that work for my particular set of issues. As I have begun to test and play more and more games, I have had to start enforcing a certain set of rules to pre-judge the games by, otherwise I am stuck with a game that I simply refuse to play. If not, the reviews at the end of the week would simply read: "I couldn't play this game because it asked me to hold down right-click the entire damn time."

See whether any of these issues sound familiar. The fact is, if you're an average human being, at some point in your life you will have the same issues I am having. You might as well recognize them now in order to avoid the games that will cause you trouble.

Continue reading Free for All: The camera control blues (or how I judge thee, F2P grinder)

MassivelyFree for All: The camera control blues (or how I judge thee, F2P grinder) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablegamersablegamers.comaccessibilityalganonbeau-hindmancamera-controlsDiablodisabledf2pfeaturedforsaken-worldfree-for-allfree-to-playftpiris-onlinemabinogiWorld-of-WarcraftWed, 03 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's Morrison on designing for challenge and accessibility]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/age-of-conans-morrison-on-designing-for-challenge-and-accessibi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/age-of-conans-morrison-on-designing-for-challenge-and-accessibi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/age-of-conans-morrison-on-designing-for-challenge-and-accessibi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Funcom executive producer Craig Morrison is drawing on his game journalist roots of late, via a series of in-depth postings on his personal blog. Morrison, a former IGN editor prior to his Funcom days, has a lot to say about gaming trends, which is great news for industry watchers and anyone interested in occasional glimpses into the thought process of an MMO developer. In his latest opus, the former Anarchy Online (and current Age of Conan) game director discusses the challenges in developing, well, challenge.

In a followup post to his earlier discussion on progression, Morrison talks at length about the decisions developers face when it comes to providing players with a steady diet of dings and digital pats on the back, while simultaneously making it seem like something worthwhile is being accomplished. The post contains a number of interesting observations, among them the notion that most modern MMORPGs parcel out their challenging content in sideshows that are entirely optional (raids, dungeons, etc.) and, in many cases, tangential to the main event (questing and hunting).

While it would seem to be a relatively simple matter to add occasional challenges to the leveling treadmill, Morrison cautions that care is needed to avoid alienating segments of your playerbase. "If you are going to be able to inject occasional challenge or difficulty spikes into the standard progression as well, you need to have thought about it to make sure that it won't become a bottleneck, and that it will survive a review," he says.

MassivelyAge of Conan's Morrison on designing for challenge and accessibility originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityage-of-conananarchy-onlineblogchallengecraig-morrisondev-blogdevelopersdifficultyfuncomgame-developmentlearning-curvesilirrionMon, 01 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Back in May, I scored Massively's first real look at Super Hero Squad Online, the Marvel-flavored, kid-friendly MMO from Gazillion Entertainment and The Amazing Society. I was smitten with the game at the time, and so when Gazillion offered me the opportunity to take a peek at the newest build earlier this week, I jumped at the chance. Who can resist some hands-on time with such an adorable toy! (Answer to rhetorical question: no one, which is why you should go sign up for beta right now.) Plus, if I learned anything the last time, it was that I have a duty to relentlessly inquire about Squirrel Girl. Am I right?

Gazillion PR Manager Keith Mutzman and The Amazing Society's Director of Games Jay Minn wasted no time bringing me up to speed on the progress of the game as the team heads to PAX this weekend, so I'll pay that forward -- join me after the break and we'll dig in and hero up!

Continue reading Hero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

MassivelyHero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaction-combatamazing-societyAUTOnomybrowser-basedcash-shopcombatcyclopsf2pfamilyfantastic-fourfeaturedfishbowlfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentgiant-manhands-onHeadquartershero-upHQhuman-torchjay-minnjean-greykeith-mutzmankidsMarvelmarvel-super-hero-squadmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsMinigameMinigamesshsosilver-surferspider-mansquirrel-girlsuper-herosuper-hero-squadsuper-hero-squad-onlinesuperherosuperheroesthe-amazing-societythorunity-enginevillainvillewaspThu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: UI see what you did there]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/anti-aliased-ui-see-what-you-did-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/anti-aliased-ui-see-what-you-did-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/anti-aliased-ui-see-what-you-did-there/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dear user interface designers: please stop making trashy-samey UIs. (Bree is going to kill me for making up a word.) I really am sick and tired of seeing World of Warcraft in every game I pick up.

While many people say that graphics are the game's "first impression" tool, I'd disagree. UIs are the game's true first impression. These are the menus, artwork, and tools that will make a huge impact on how you perceive any game, yet we seem to be stuck in a rut with them as well. Many of today's UIs, instead of taking advantage of new approaches to deliver information in a stylish way, seem to fall flat against the screen.

So this week I'm going after my biggest beefs with the default UIs that games ship with, and how I'd like to see user interfaces improve. Interested? Well then keep up with me and jog past the break!

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: UI see what you did there

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: UI see what you did there originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityanti-aliasedfancyglamourinformationnerdrageopinionprettyrantreadibilityu-g-ui-ly-you-aint-got-no-alibiuiuser-interfaceThu, 12 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do MMOs need to be more accessible to disabled people? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/the-daily-grind-do-mmos-need-to-be-more-accessible-to-disabled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/the-daily-grind-do-mmos-need-to-be-more-accessible-to-disabled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/the-daily-grind-do-mmos-need-to-be-more-accessible-to-disabled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Last week, a blind friend of mine decided to get herself addicted to WoW. We re-rolled characters on a different realm and are slowly leveling. I'm not a fan of leveling but suddenly looking at a basic UI, a new set of icons and an unfamiliar map has reminded me how scary WoW can be for a visually impaired person. The same applies to every other MMO from EVE (which is especially terrifying due to a lack of a humanoid avatar) to Second Life and I often think MMOs should come with the option of an in-game white can or a service animal. I suppose the one perk is you can't run into people and if you do fall off a cliff and die, you get to rez at the nearest graveyard.

I can't help but wonder that there is still a lot games companies need to do in order to make MMOs much more accessible to all kinds of disabled people. I would love to have icons which double in size when you mouse over them, icons on the map, much larger text sizes for the chat box and a radar circle on the floor to tell you how close until you aggro something hostile. For some kinds of disabled gamers, MMOs can offer freedom from their disability and a chance to distance themselves from their everyday lives but for others - usually visually related disabilities - MMOs can range from passable to appalling. So come on readers, do you have a disability that affects your life? Do you play MMOs? How do you find the experience? Do you wish your chosen MMO had more options for people with a specific disability? How would you alter your MMO to make it easier and more comfortable to play.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do MMOs need to be more accessible to disabled people? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitydisabilitiesdisabledeve-onlinesecond-lifethe-daily-grindvisual-impairmentworld-of-warcraftTue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Do developers consider disabled gamers enough?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/do-developers-consider-disabled-gamers-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/do-developers-consider-disabled-gamers-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/do-developers-consider-disabled-gamers-enough/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Have you ever stopped to consider the large percentage of gamers who are disabled? Do you think game developers consider this as well? In a recent article at MSNBC, the topic has been discussed as it pertains to the public's awareness of disabled gamers. "It doesn't take a whole lot," says Nissa Ludwig, a disabled gamer who was interviewed for the article. "I think if you save one life by changing an interface, you should get on that."

Mythic's Warhammer Online actually won an award last year for the AbleGamers.com 2008 Accessible Game of the Year for adding color-blind features, flexibility for those with mobile impairments and more. Mythic's Paul Barnett is sympathetic to the cause as he himself is color-blind, dyslexic and hearing-impaired. "Some people are, through no fault of their own, living a restricted physical life - on our world, you can fly, ride, get married, run, jump and swim," Barnett points out.

Continue reading Do developers consider disabled gamers enough?

MassivelyDo developers consider disabled gamers enough? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablegamers.comaccessibilitydisabilitiesdisabled-gamersmythic-entertainmentpaul-barnettwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 09 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually leading the blind]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/virtually-leading-the-blind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/virtually-leading-the-blind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/virtually-leading-the-blind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Virtual environments are an extraordinarily useful piece of technology, being that they possess most of the qualities of the atomic world (obviously barring physical substance and fine granularity) at an infinitesimal fraction of the cost of the real thing. As a primarily visual medium, however, what do you do if you're blind or significantly visually impaired yet still want to use Second Life?

Well, one option is TextSL, but then there's Max. Max is a virtual guide-dog to allow the visually impaired to interact more readily in what is primarily a visual environment.

Continue reading Virtually leading the blind

MassivelyVirtually leading the blind originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitybetasblindnesschade-villotacharles-mountaincultureopinionsecond-abilitysecond-lifetextslvirtual-guide-dogvirtual-helping-handsvirtual-worldsFri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Gaikai digital gaming service to stream MMOs to web browsers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-gaikai-digital-gaming-service-to-stream-mmos-to-web-brows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-gaikai-digital-gaming-service-to-stream-mmos-to-web-brows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-gaikai-digital-gaming-service-to-stream-mmos-to-web-brows/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the more interesting announcements to come out of GDC 2009 is OnLive, which will allow low-end PCs to play high-end games via streaming technology, piping in a game experience where all the heavy (graphics) lifting is done on the company's servers. It's a significant step forward in gaming provided it lives up to expectations, and the fact that it's fully cross-platform means that Mac users will be able to play PC titles never ported for the OS. OnLive isn't alone in wanting to make games more accessible though, particularly when it comes to MMOs.

Acclaim CEO David Perry told GameDaily, "We have already filed a patent on what OnLive is doing. I'm working with a team called Gaikai... we have World of Warcraft and EVE Online running." Since Gaikai's "Streaming Worlds" technology involves servers which remotely do the graphics crunching required of most modern games and streams the game to a web browser, all one needs is a machine with a good internet connection. No game client downloads are required. "You can play World of Warcraft anytime, on any browser," said Perry. The OnLive and Gaikai services are still in development and beta testing for both may begin this Winter, if not sooner.

MassivelyGDC09: Gaikai digital gaming service to stream MMOs to web browsers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityacclaimbrowsercross-platformdavid-perrtyeve-onlineflashgaikaigdcgdc-2009mmo-industryonlivestreamingstreaming-worldsworld-of-warcraftThu, 26 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Free Realms is one of those rare massively multiplayer online games that seems to hold appeal for both children and adults, despite its target group of teens and tweens. Sony Online Entertainment released a video blog from CES 2009 specifically about the game, with SOE President John Smedley and Creative Director Laralyn McWilliams. They explain a bit about what the game is, and some of what makes the title unique.

The video blog is interspersed with footage from Free Realms, highlighting its combat-optional design philosophy. This should provide gamers with a variety of options -- including pets and mini-games -- allowing them to play however they choose.

Continue reading Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features

MassivelyFree Realms video blog hits on game's unique features originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitycesces-2009childrenclassescombatcombat-optionaldemographicsfantasyfree-realmsgame-mechanicsjohn-smedleykidslaralyn-mcwilliamsmini-gamesmmo-industrypetsprofessionsquestssoesonysony-online-entertainmentteenstweensvideoWed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FusionFall Executive Producer explains the importance of accessibility]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


By this time, you've probably heard about Cartoon Network's FusionFall MMO. We've given our extensive first impressions here, and it's managed to create its own little buzz already. How much of a buzz? How about 2.5 million accounts created during beta?

So what makes a game like this so popular? According to a recent interview with Worlds in Motion, Executive Producer Chris Waldron says it's all about accessibility. "From our experience with the Sneak Peek weekends, we realize that FusionFall is going to be the first MMO for a lot of players. We based a lot of our design decisions on that, and so far it's working out pretty well." Check out the entire interview for more from FusionFall's Chris Waldron.

MassivelyFusionFall Executive Producer explains the importance of accessibility originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitybrowser-basedcartoon-networkcasualfree-to-playfusionfallinterviewkidsworlds-in-motionMon, 26 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How low do system requirements need to be?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/the-daily-grind-how-low-do-system-requirements-need-to-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/the-daily-grind-how-low-do-system-requirements-need-to-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/the-daily-grind-how-low-do-system-requirements-need-to-be/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King system requirements were announced earlier this week, and they weren't really much higher than those of The Burning Crusade. WoW's impossibly low system requirements have always been part of its recipe for success -- a recipe past and present competitors would do well to learn. But on the other hand, part of the PC gaming culture is the constant race to new graphical frontiers. Many hardcore gamers upgrade their PCs every year or so to keep up with the latest advancements. Sure, they're the minority -- but they're the base for almost any 3D PC game.

How would you describe the optimal balance? Should MMO developers err on the side of accessibility, or graphical showmanship? How high is too high when it comes to system requirements, and how low do games need to reach to make sure they're accessible enough to the masses?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How low do system requirements need to be? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityage-of-conandiscussiongraphicshardwareminimum-requirementsminimum-specsopinionrecommended-specssystem-reqssystem-requirementssystem-specstdgtechnologythe-daily-grindvanguardworld-of-warcraftSat, 11 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA["Second Life is my wheelchair"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/second-life-is-my-wheelchair/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/second-life-is-my-wheelchair/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/second-life-is-my-wheelchair/#commentsFiled under: , ,

That's the money-quote from Seshat Czeret in Feldspar Epstein's piece on disability and accessibility at The Metaverse Journal this week. Really, those five words condense thousands of written words on the empowering properties of a collaborative virtual environment, and not just for the differently-abled, but for the regularly able as well.

It is interesting to note that those with physical limitations and disablements tend to view their own physical bodies as a physical, fleshy avatar far more frequently than those who have no such impairment. To the physically handicapped, the body may not function as it ought, but their minds and persons are as whole and complete as any. Many view their bodies as simply a malfunctioning vehicle, and their step into online avatars in a 3D environment is as slight a transition as getting into a car and driving.

To many such physically impaired users, the body is no more nor less a tool than an online avatar, and the latter (despite lag, occasional inventory loss, network problems and all the other hurly-burly of a virtual environment) is the more reliable, expressive and liberating, allowing more ability to contribute, work, play and socialize.

Why then, do the able-bodied among us tend to see so much more distinction between our bodies in the physical world and our digital representations? Is that distinction merely an artificial one, a handicap brought about by our able-bodied perspective?

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

Massively"Second Life is my wheelchair" originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityculturedisabilitydisabledfeldspar-epsteinmetaverse-journalsecond-lifeseshat-czeretvirtual-worldsSun, 21 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Choking on graphics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I managed to get my hands on an Age of Conan beta key this morning, so off I went to excitedly download the client. I'm a big fan of Robert E. Howard's original pulps, and I've been looking forward to the grim and gritty world of Hyboria for a while now. Most of what I've read about it so far has been very positive (with a few notable exceptions due to some of the design choices). Our own write-up of the overall beta experience from Michael Zenke was very encouraging with regard to the combat, gameplay, and feel of the world. Overall, it seems like there's a lot to be excited about. There's just one glaring issue that everyone seems to be having: the graphics are choking their machines.

This isn't a new phenomenon. It seems like every new game on the market in the last few years wants to beat our poor, 1-3 year old computers into lifeless heaps of rubbish with their outlandish and ridiculous system requirements. Even World of Warcraft, a game celebrated for its accessibility and ability to be run on older machines, wasn't that way at launch (though it was substantially better than its major competitors at the time, EverQuest 2 and City of Heroes). However, this strategy of supercharged visuals has made things hard for a number of games. Vanguard in particular suffered a lot of criticism for having ridiculous system requirements when it launched, and that's just one example. Given that people would like to actually be able to play these games, why on earth do game designers insist on shoving next-gen graphics down our throats when the vast majority of us have last-gen machines (or worse)?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Choking on graphics

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Choking on graphics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityage-of-conancity-of-heroescomputercomputerscriticismeverquest-2featuredgraphicsgraphics-cardhardwarehardware-salesplayer-vs-everythingsystemsystem-requirementstabula-rasavanguardworld-of-warcraftFri, 02 May 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Stephanie Walker was a gamer who had never expected to have to deal with a disability. She was 23 at the onset of her condition, a college student who also worked a full-time job. She liked to spend the little free time she had unwinding online. Initially resistant to the idea of playing EverQuest, Stephanie quickly discovered that slaying virtual orcs and bandits while joking around in party chat was surprisingly fun. It was a great way to keep in touch with long-distance friends and burn some stress after a long day. She didn't have a lot of time to play, but she was good at it when she did.

While working at her job one day, Stephanie noticed that her right hand and leg had fallen asleep. When she tried to get up to walk the sensation off, she realized that something was seriously wrong -- the entire right side of her body had just stopped working. Stephanie was rushed to the hospital, and the diagnosis was confirmed the following morning: she had multiple sclerosis, and she would have to deal with it for the rest of her life. Overnight, everything changed. She went from being someone who spent 20 hours per day away from home to someone who really never left. Moving around within her house required an enormous effort on her part. Even feeding herself had become a challenge. The little things, like not being able to get online and chat with her friends (something she really enjoyed) just made her situation that much more painful.

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>able-gamersaccessibilityblizzardcontrollerscraftingdisabilitydisableddisabled-accessdisabled-gamereverquestfeaturedflying-labfuncomgame-designguild-warsjoystiqfeaturesmultiple-sclerosisperipheralsplayer-vs-everythingsoftwaresoldiersoldiersveteransworld-of-warcraftMon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Find out why WoW conquered the world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/find-out-why-wow-conquered-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/find-out-why-wow-conquered-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/find-out-why-wow-conquered-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Gamasutra has published an article titled "Why World of Warcraft Made It Big." The article was written by Michael Zenke, a member of the family here at Massively! Zenke argues that there's no one reason WoW was the game to explode into the mainstream in Western markets, instead of EverQuest II or City of Heroes. Accessibility, low system specs, polish, storytelling, fun factor, and yes, timing -- all of these had something to do with it. He also suggests that in the wake of The Burning Crusade, WoW is as strong today as it's ever been.

So, this begs the question -- and this is not one that's addressed in the post -- is there a game coming that will leave WoW in the dust just as WoW surpassed EverQuest? Or will Blizzard reign as kings throughout the foreseeable future? Maybe we'll see an industry like the one Corey Bridges of Multiverse described -- a place where democratization of the MMO development process creates hundreds or thousands of successful, user-generated experiences? As curious as we are, we're smart enough not to make blind predictions. So let's see what happens this year with the big releases like Age of Conan and Warhammer Online, as well as the democratizing experiments like MetaPlace.

MassivelyFind out why WoW conquered the world originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityblizzardeverquesteverquest-iifungamasutraindustrymichael-zenkesuccesssystem-specsworld-of-warcraftMon, 31 Mar 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jumpgate Evolution producer sets vision for accessibility]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/jumpgate-evolution-producer-sets-vision-for-accessibility/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/jumpgate-evolution-producer-sets-vision-for-accessibility/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/jumpgate-evolution-producer-sets-vision-for-accessibility/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Accessibility is a big buzz word in the MMO industry right now. After some hardcore titles failed to gain traction, a lot of people are thinking that spending millions of extra dollars to make cutting edge games that only 5% of gamers can or will pay doesn't make a lot of sense.

Among those people is NetDevil's Hermann Peterscheck, Producer of Jumpgate Evolution. He recently wrote up a dev journal post at MMORPG about accessibility. First he talks about making games that are, to quote Einstein, "as simple as possible, but not any simpler." Then he talks about hardware requirements as a barrier to entry.

Looks like NetDevil plans to be conservative on both counts so as to reach a broad market. But that doesn't necessarily mean Jumpgate Evolution will be shallow. Peterscheck uses Chess as an example of a game that takes 20 minutes to learn but potentially a lifetime to master.

MassivelyJumpgate Evolution producer sets vision for accessibility originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitychessdev-journalgame-designgame-mechanicshardwarehermann-peterscheckjumpgatejumpgate-evolutionmmorpgnetdevilsystem-requirementsWed, 05 Dec 2007 15:30:00 EST