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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic details Legacy Achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If there isn't an achievement for being a de facto tank as a Sentinel or Marauder, there should be.
Achievements aren't really a new addition to games any longer. Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't breaking the mold with their inclusion. What is different is the way that the game tracks achievements via your Legacy rather than individual characters, allowing all of your character accomplishments to work together. The latest development blog explains how the Legacy Achievements will work and what players can expect in terms of rewards for a life spent in the far reaches of the galaxy.

Progress on achievements is tracked across all of your characters, allowing you to complete part of the achievement on one character and the rest on another as needed. Veteran players will be happy to know that many of your existing accomplishments will be converted over to the new system, ensuring that you won't have to repeat your hard work. And the rewards for achievements include both titles and Cartel Coins, both of which should be quite enticing to players. For more details and a breakdown of the major categories, check out the full development blog.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic details Legacy Achievements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsbiowarecross-character-achievementseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicshutt-cartellegacylegacy-achievementslucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 03 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/the-soapbox-dispelling-the-easy-myth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Easy Myth
A few weeks ago, I took a nice long look at World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. Then I wrote about it. My impressions, like most things on the internet, were met with both ardent agreement and defiant protest. Everyone has an opinion, especially when it comes to World of Warcraft -- some people love the game, some people hate it, and some give it a resounding "eh."

I don't mind people disagreeing with me. People react to games differently, and what works for me may not work for you. But there was one specific critique that rose, repeatedly, in the great debate raging in that article's comments section. A critique that, frankly, I cannot abide:

"World of Warcraft is too easy."

Continue reading The Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Dispelling the 'easy' myth originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsactivisionaionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommentersdcuoeditorialfantasyfeat-of-strengthfeaturedop-edopinionrantrantsriftsoapboxthe-soapboxthrone-of-thunderwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomorrow's EverQuest II update brings three new raids, guild achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- EverQuest II's guild achievements
The folks behind EverQuest II took to Twitter today to reveal more details about tomorrow's big update. Raiders had better polish their gear because the update will be bringing three new raids to the table. Two X2 raids will take place in Wurmbone's End and are referred to collectively as Nox Incessit, and one is tuned to be on the easier end of the scale whereas the other is intended to be a real challenge. An X4 raid will take place on the Dreadcutter and the devs stress that it is a hard mode raid in which "the final boss is designed to be the most difficult encounter in [the] game!"

Guilds will also have a lot to work toward, as the update is adding over 150 guild achievements that cover content from all of EQ2's expansions. The devs state that every guild will start with a "clean slate," meaning that achievements will not be rewarded retroactively. This first set of achievements is raid-based, and for a guild to earn one of these achievements, at least two-thirds of the raid group must belong to the same guild, so it's time to rally your friends and go for glory, honor, and of course, precious intangible internet points. Remember Norrathians, the update hits tomorrow, so head on over to the game's official site for all the details you need to be prepared.

MassivelyTomorrow's EverQuest II update brings three new raids, guild achievements originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementseq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playguild-achievementspatchpatchesraidraidssoesonysony-online-entertainmentupdateupdatesMon, 25 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Legacy Achievement system detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/swtors-legacy-achievement-system-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/swtors-legacy-achievement-system-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/swtors-legacy-achievement-system-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR's Legacy Achievement system detailed
Curious about Star Wars: The Old Republic's upcoming Legacy Achievement system? If so, we recommend looking at Darth Hater's extensive breakdown of the feature slated to appear in the game's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion.

Achievements are divided into seven categories (companions, flashpoint, legacy, location, operations, PvP, and space). As you might guess from the name, the system is also tied to SWTOR's Legacy mechanic which means that it ultimately encompasses all of the characters on a particular account.

MassivelySWTOR's Legacy Achievement system detailed originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsbiowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playgrindlegacylegacy-achievementslucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorThu, 21 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, dungeon changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/guild-wars-dev-diaries-discuss-new-rewards-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/guild-wars-dev-diaries-discuss-new-rewards-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/guild-wars-dev-diaries-discuss-new-rewards-achievement-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, and other changes
Two new dev diaries outline a few changes coming to Guild Wars 2, including a new reward currency and updates to the achievement system. Players earn the new reward currency -- the laurel -- each day that they complete their daily achievement category and again when the monthly achievement is completed. Rewards such as unique minis and WvW blueprints can then be purchased. The achievement system itself is getting a new tracking UI and daily achievements.

Dungeon mechanics are also getting tweaked. In phase one of the changes, the "res-rushing" mechanic (resurrecting at a waypoint immediately and running back to the fight) is being abolished. Waypoints can no longer be used in dungeons except when the party wipes or has withdrawn from the fight. In phase two, the devs will be making changes to the enemies and bosses within the dungeons.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, dungeon changes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsanetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyguild-wars-2gw2gw2-achievementsncsoftTue, 29 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: How reader replies identify larger issues in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/the-guild-counsel-how-reader-replies-identify-larger-issues-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/the-guild-counsel-how-reader-replies-identify-larger-issues-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/the-guild-counsel-how-reader-replies-identify-larger-issues-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Guild Counsel How reader replies identify larger issues in MMOs
Each week in The Guild Counsel column, I try to take a common issue or newsworthy topic that's related to online communities and look at it in depth. Often, the reader discussion that follows has led to some very valuable insight into guild leadership and has even spawned new topics for columns.

This week, I'd like to look at three noteworthy topics that have often popped up among reader comments: nostalgia in MMOs, the clash between "the brotherhood" and "the game," and why guild leadership often feels like a thankless task. Let's look at a few reader responses to these topics and consider the larger issues with MMOs and guild leadership today.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: How reader replies identify larger issues in MMOs

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: How reader replies identify larger issues in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsadvicefeaturedguildguild-adviceguild-brotherhoodguild-counselguild-extrinsic-gameplayguild-leader-supportguild-leadershipguild-lonelinessguild-managementguildsleadershipMMO-nostalgiaopinionpollpollsthe-guild-counselThu, 27 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like having achievements broadcast guild-wide?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-achievements-broadcast-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-achievements-broadcast-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-having-achievements-broadcast-guild/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Daily Grind Do you like having achievements broadcast guildwide
There are two schools of thought when it comes to handling achievements in MMOs. The first is to keep it mostly private, the second is to herald it to the world entire. Private achievements are great ways to pat the player on the back while keeping him or her modest. Not everyone likes achievement spam, anyway.

Yet I've come to prefer games that do broadcast achievements guild-wide. Why? Because not all of us are so attention-seeking that we constantly write about what we're doing... but if the game's doing that for us, oh well. It's not me being egotistical, it's the game's doing. But if you happen to notice what I'm doing? So much the better.

I genuinely like seeing what my guildies are up to as well. It feels like we do come together for the typical "grats" after an achievement notice, or even the rare "holy crap, that's awesome!" for significant milestones. Of course, sometimes these games can get silly with the number of trivial achievements, so it can hurt the legitimacy of the real ones.

What do you think? Do you like having achievements broadcast guild-wide, or would you prefer it kept quiet (or even turned off)?

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: Do you like having achievements broadcast guild-wide? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievement-spamachievementsachivement-noticebroadcastdaily-grindguild-noticeguild-wide-broadcastopiniontdgthe-daily-grindWed, 26 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-leveling-the-achievements-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-leveling-the-achievements-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-leveling-the-achievements-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Enter at Your Own Rift Leveling the achievements way
In this week's Soapbox on Massively, I explained why I admire achievement systems in MMOs. Today I'd like to continue that discussion with a specific case study in RIFT. Consider it a companion piece.

When I came back to RIFT last month and started a new character, I had a choice as to how I would level back up through the game. There was the traditional questing path, pursuing dynamic events, running endless streams of dungeons, engaging in (shudder) PvP, or queuing up for instant adventures. I decided to blend them all together like premium yogurt and use the achievements system as a guide.

I don't tether myself to achievement systems in all MMOs I play, but RIFT's makes it fun and natural. It's easy to parse what's left to be done on a zone by zone or system by system basis, and the little noise and graphic that pops up makes me feel like a good doggy, indeed.

It's turned out to be an incredibly good decision. I've had so much more fun this time around than the first, greatly in part to achievements nudging me off the path well-traveled.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsconquestenter-at-your-own-riftfantasyfeaturedopinionpvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrtelarathree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsWed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Soapbox: In defense of achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/soapbox-in-defense-of-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/soapbox-in-defense-of-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/soapbox-in-defense-of-achievements/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Soapbox In defense of achievements
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've heard all the arguments before, trust me. Achievements are a waste of space. They're frivolous, meaningless numbers -- a Skinner Box within a Skinner Box for the weak-willed. They can be far too spammy. And then there's that hoary chestnut: They take precious development time that could be used for better purposes from something you personally want.

Achievements are a blight upon our games, binding us to the most base of gamer crowds, the yokels on Xbox Live. We should cast off the chains of achievement oppression and live as free men, women, and Elves once more!

OK, enough with the histrionics. Many of these points come down to personal preference, and that's impossible to refute. You like what you like, and I like what I like. Still, I'd disagree that the overall notion of achievements is useless. In fact, I fully embrace them in my gameplay and hope that they stick around for a good long while.

Continue reading Soapbox: In defense of achievements

MassivelySoapbox: In defense of achievements originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsactivisionatari-2600blizzardblizzard-entertainmentconquesteaeditorialelectronic-artsendless-trialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgamerscoregeocachegeocachinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromythicmythic-entertainmentop-edopinionpvprantrantsriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrskinner-boxsoapboxthe-soapboxthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentwarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowxbox-liveTue, 10 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Achievements vs. collections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/leaderboard-achievements-vs-collections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/leaderboard-achievements-vs-collections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/leaderboard-achievements-vs-collections/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leaderboard Achievements vs collections
Some may call them busy work or a fool's errand, but others delight in the additional fluff systems in MMOs that encourage us to take the path less traveled. Two of these systems, achievements and collections, stand out in my mind as the premier ways of encouraging us to game a bit differently.

Achievements are ubiquitous at this point, from World of Warcraft to Warhammer Online (and that's just the Ws). Despite usually not offering anything more substantial than a pat on the back and a few numbers for your number collections, they have proved to be an incredibly popular motivator to going outside of your daily routine.

Collections are somewhat more tangible: in-game objects that are often hidden for you to seek out, find, and collect all of them for the cool prize on the back of the box. That may be Cheerios, too. Anyway, titles like EverQuest II and RIFT enjoy sending players out on these scavenger hunts, and it momentarily takes our minds off the presence of death and slaughter that permeates everything.

So if you had to pick one of these systems as the better motivation to get you out of your comfort zone and try new things, which would it be: achievements or collections?

Continue reading Leaderboard: Achievements vs. collections

MassivelyLeaderboard: Achievements vs. collections originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsactivisionartifactsbattle-royalblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcheerioscollectioncollectionsconquesteaelectronic-artsendless-trialeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playleaderboardmythicmythic-entertainmentone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollspvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrsoesonysony-online-entertainmentthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsversusvotevotesvotingvswarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 25 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall development blog touches on key points]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Points not granted for equipping a dog with a hat, for the record.
Development on the next incarnation of Darkfall continues, promising big changes to the game's core mechanics. The latest update on the official blog addresses a variety of systems that hadn't previously been covered, starting with the game's large-scale UI improvements. The biggest revelation and item of interest, however, is the promise of the upcoming point system, which allows players to receive rewards for accomplishments that in turn fuel new play options.

Although the terminology used in the blog is a bit vague due to the fact that specifics on the system are under wraps, it's made very clear that the point system is not simply an achievement system (which will also be added). Rather, using points in-game will fuel certain abilities or grant access to new abilities, allowing players to open new paths as a reward for their accomplishments. There's also a few updates on the future of crafting, all of which should give Darkfall players something to look forward to when version 2.0 finally goes live.

MassivelyNew Darkfall development blog touches on key points originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0achievementsagonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0developmentdevelopment-previewdffantasygame-systemopen-pvppoint-systempointspvpsandboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos Global wants you to play your way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mythos-global-wants-you-to-play-your-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mythos-global-wants-you-to-play-your-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/mythos-global-wants-you-to-play-your-way/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Mythos
Mythos Global has been on one crazy rollercoaster ride throughout its lifespan, and the latest incarnation of the free-to-play Diablo-esque dungeon-crawler has been in open beta for a little over a month now. But T3Fun wants players to know that there's more to Mythos than just dungeon-delving, and the studio has released a trio of new videos to prove it.

Whether you're a loot fiend, an achievement chaser, or a master crafter, Mythos has something for you. As with most Diablo-alikes, Mythos features a plethora of randomized loot for players to hoard like there's no tomorrow, while the artisans among us can become masters of their trades with the help of the game's unique crafting skill tree system. And of course, achievements and titles abound for those who just love showing off their heroic accomplishments. If any of these playstyles tickles your fancy, just head on over to the game's official site to get in on the action for yourself.

[Source: T3Fun press release]

Continue reading Mythos Global wants you to play your way

MassivelyMythos Global wants you to play your way originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscraftingf2pfantasyfree-to-playfrogsterhanbitsoftlootmythosmythos-globalplaystylesredbanat3funtitlestrailertrailersvideovideosMon, 26 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TSW
If you found your appetite whetted for The Secret World after reading Jef's writeup from GDC, then make room in your life for 35 minutes of Funcom's full presentation from the conference! Senior Producer Ragnar Tørnquist, Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard, and Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos take turns showing off in-game footage and discussing the game mechanics at play.

Topics covered in the presentation include character creation, the creepy/sexy Dragon starter experience, how achievements work, story, crafting, and the lands of Transylvania.

While the video isn't 100% pristine -- Funcom apologized for the less-than-perfect lighting during the presentation -- it's so chock-full of information and footage that you won't even notice. Give it a whirl after the jump!

Continue reading GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation

MassivelyGDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscharacter-creationcraftingdragonfactionfantasyfuncomgdcgdc-2012horrorJoel-Byloslesbian-sexloreMartin-BruusgaardmythologypresentationRagnar-Tørnquistsci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedstorythe-secret-worldtransylvaniatswMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Quality-of-life improvements for 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/the-anvil-of-crom-quality-of-life-improvements-for-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/the-anvil-of-crom-quality-of-life-improvements-for-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/the-anvil-of-crom-quality-of-life-improvements-for-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom - Angry man header
This week's Anvil of Crom took a bit of thought because honestly, I haven't felt very motivated to play lately. It's one part burnout and two parts wandering eye, as there are a lot of MMOs out there that I keep hoping Age of Conan will emulate in the interests of becoming a more complete game.

It's certainly not a bad game as is; I've been traveling Hyboria for four years now (and writing about it for two), and you don't do that with titles you have to force yourself to play. Like most things, though, AoC could be better.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Quality-of-life improvements for 2012

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Quality-of-life improvements for 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsage-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-unchainedchronomagiccodexfantasyfeaturedfeaturesfree-to-playfuncomhyborialorelore-codexopinionquality-of-lifequality-of-life-improvementsthe-anvil-of-cromSun, 08 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: High achievers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Charr SMASH
Well, ArenaNet certainly didn't let 2011 go out on a quiet note. The team had a few last tricks up its sleeve before closing down shop until the new year. We chatted with Eric Flannum about the Guild Wars 2 Mesmer, and the newest ArenaNet blog post contained some exciting talk of combat, achievements, and some tweaking to the Thief class.

I loved hearing about the updates to the Thief and to combat because the fact that the developers are talking about fine-tuning says good things to me about the development process. However, it was the talk of achievements that really caught my attention because it's such a sweeping, game-wide system. Follow along after the jump and let's take a closer look!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: High achievers

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: High achievers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-pointsachievementsanetarenanetarenanet-blogeric-flannumfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2hall-of-monumentsncsofttitlesMon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Win free steam games image
If you've been checking out this year's Christmas Steam sales, you'll undoubtedly have seen the Great Gift Pile giveaway. By completing various game achievements and objectives, Steam users unlock prizes that can be anything from a lump of coal to discount vouchers or even a full copy of any game on Steam. There are reports of people winning massive prizes like Skyrim or the Valve complete pack, and even if you just get a lump of coal, it's still a valuable prize; seven lumps can be exchanged for a new random prize, and those left over at the end of the holiday event will count as tickets in a lottery to win a copy of every single game on Steam.

While many of the achievements require the purchase of cheap indie titles, there are several ways to get your hands on a gift from the great pile absolutely free. Checking your Steam inventory page and trading any item with another user will get you two free gifts, and joining the 2011 Holiday Group will net you a third. Two more prizes can be collected by completing the Son of a Nutcracker! achievement in Spiral Knights and the All I Want for Christmas is Sewers achievement in Rusty Hearts, both of which are free-to-play MMOs available through Steam.

Skip past the cut for details on how to beat the Steam gift achievements for Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts, including full walkthrough videos.

Continue reading Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts

MassivelyWin free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsaction-mmoall-i-want-for-christmas-is-sewersanimef2pfantasyfreefree-to-playgiftsgreat-gift-pileguidenewsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentprizespvppwerise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprusty-heartsson-of-a-nutcrackerspiral-knightssteamthe-great-gft-pilethree-ringsvalvevideowinMon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy's 1.20 patch brings class changes, achievements, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/final-fantasys-1-20-patch-brings-class-changes-achievements-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/final-fantasys-1-20-patch-brings-class-changes-achievements-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/final-fantasys-1-20-patch-brings-class-changes-achievements-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV - King Moogle
According to the latest email blurb from Square-Enix, the 1.20 patch for Final Fantasy XIV contains a "cornucopia of new content, gameplay enhancements, system overhauls, and more adjustments than you can wave a moogle at!"

Flowery language aside, the update does seem rather substantial given that it features a refined party search mechanic as well as the ability to purchase items directly from the market ward's item search. There's a new achievement system too, and it's stuffed with upwards of 300 tasks to complete, many of which lead to exclusive gear and items.

Last but certainly not least, there's an extensive amount of class reform contained in the patch, and you can read the finer details on that at the official FFXIV forums.

[Source: Square-Enix email blast]

MassivelyFinal Fantasy's 1.20 patch brings class changes, achievements, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.201.20-patchachievement-systemachievementsclass-reformfantasyfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xivlfg-toolsparty-searchsquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 dev blog talks achievements, Thief tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/guild-wars-2-dev-blog-talks-achievements-thief-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/guild-wars-2-dev-blog-talks-achievements-thief-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/guild-wars-2-dev-blog-talks-achievements-thief-tweaks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars - Thief
It's been a trying year for impatient Guild Wars 2 fans, but 2011 is closing on something of a high note due to recent beta rumblings as well as an increase in the ArenaNet information trickle. The latest blurb is a year-end development update courtesy of Eric Flannum and Jon Peters, and Flannum kicks things off with a fairly detailed look at the game's achievement system.

As it turns out, GW2's achievements come in three flavors, and they comprise long-term goals, dailies, and monthly tasks that "encourage a variety of play and reward you with gold and experience."

Peters details recent changes to Thief class gameplay, and he pays particular attention to the steal and backstab abilities. He also spends a bit of time talking about improvements to combat timing and animations. "Making these improvements has been really interesting and fun because it has shown us how our game can feel appropriately action-oriented without taking away the familiarity of the MMO genre," Peters explains.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 dev blog talks achievements, Thief tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsanetanimationsarena-netarenanetbackstabclassescombat-animationsdev-blogdev-diaryeric-flannumfantasygame-mechanicsguild-wars-2gw2jon-petersncsoftstealthiefTue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
As I write this, patch 1.20 is not actually live just yet. All I have to go on is a monster list of patch notes and the various previews we've been given thus far. Of course, by the time you're reading this, the patch will have released, and I have no doubt that some people will have played through everything it has to offer a couple of times over. So I'm working at a bit of a disadvantage.

In some ways I'm actually not in that terrible a spot. The last two patches have done great things for Final Fantasy XIV, and the patch notes are long enough that I can at least make some reasonable guesses about how things will play out. So I'm going to do precisely that, with the obvious caveat that I might be punching at the wind. Long story short: I'm confident about this patch; only a few bits irritate me.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesachievementsarmoury-systemclass-abilitiesclassescolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.20final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesopinionopinionspatchpatchessquare-enixsystemsthe-mog-logSat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV previews in-game achievement system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-in-game-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-in-game-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-in-game-achievement-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It beats hunting opo-opos for a crown.
Final Fantasy XIV has had a method for tracking achievements since launch via the Lodestone site, but they were treated largely as milestones for characters and provided no tangible rewards. The upcoming patch 1.20, however, is bringing the system into the game proper, complete with a full set of benefits for players. And the system comes with more than a few rewards for players to pick up along the way, as you might expect.

Each achievement category starts out locked, but once players speak with a specified NPC, the category will be unlocked for viewing. Both titles and special items can be unlocked, and the system will also reward achievement points to help give you an idea how much you've accomplished through the game. Bringing the system off the site and into the game might produce a few hiccups, but it looks as if the implementation will give Final Fantasy XIV players some interesting goals to chase.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews in-game achievement system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.20final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivnewspatchpatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesWed, 07 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Hero Squad Online's challenge system offers a new way to earn special characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/super-hero-squad-onlines-challenge-system-offers-a-new-way-to-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/super-hero-squad-onlines-challenge-system-offers-a-new-way-to-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/super-hero-squad-onlines-challenge-system-offers-a-new-way-to-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Super Hero Squad Online
If you're playing Super Hero Squad Online, chances are you have the collecting bug already -- you want to collect every cool hero you can find. With a new feature, Gazillion's players can now flesh out their roster for free (as long as they're willing to put in some effort!).

Dubbed the Challenge System, this feature opens a series of achievements for players to tackle. Successfully completed challenges earn money and tickets, and span the entire game world. The best rewards, of course, are new heroes that are exclusive to this system, so if you want any of them, you're going to have to step up and knock out these challenges.

The new heroes coming as Challenge System rewards include Colossus, Daredevil, Firestar, Future Foundation Spider-Man, and Sentry.

[Source: Gazillion press release]

MassivelySuper Hero Squad Online's challenge system offers a new way to earn special characters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievement-systemachievementschallenge-systemcollossusdaredevilf2pfirestarfree-to-playgazillionshsospider-mansuper-hero-squad-onlinesuperhero-squad-onlineFri, 21 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your end-of-the-year MMO to-do list?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-daily-grind-whats-your-end-of-the-year-mmo-to-do-list/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-daily-grind-whats-your-end-of-the-year-mmo-to-do-list/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-daily-grind-whats-your-end-of-the-year-mmo-to-do-list/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I want a day like Patrick's
With only a little less than three months left in 2011, it's time to start thinking about what we want to accomplish before 2012's crop of MMOs arrives. Maybe you want to reach level cap in some of 2011's launches like Allods Online or DC Universe Online or dive into the newest shinies like Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard. Either way, there's a good chance you're completing your goals with one eye on 2012, which looks to be quite a year for the MMO industry.

So tell us what your end-of-the-year goals are. Is it something related to completing a current game or some kind of rigorous sleep-deprivation exercise that gets you ready for the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, or another anticipated MMO?

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 your end-of-the-year MMO to-do list? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112012accomplishmentsachievementsend-of-the-yearfeaturedopiniontdgthe-daily-grindto-do-listWed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SG Interactive launching GameRage portal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pangya
SG Interactive is in the news today thanks to its new GameRage online portal. Who the heck is SG Interactive? Well, the company was originally called Ntreev USA and is headquartered in southern California. Its portfolio includes Trickster Online, Grand Chase, and Pangya, as well as several other free-to-play titles.

GameRage will provide centralized contests and events, giving players a sort of one-stop shop for all of the happenings across SG's catalog. There's also a mission zone which allows achievement comparisons across titles, and a reward zone where in-game event winners will be immortalized. GameRage is currently live, and you can sign up at the service's official website.

[Source: SG Interactive press release]

MassivelySG Interactive launching GameRage portal originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscrossfire-europef2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-portalgame-ragegameragegrand-chasemmo-industryntreevntreev-usaportalpress-releasereward-zonesgsg-interactivesg-portaltrickstertrickster-onlineThu, 29 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Achievements to be included in Star Wars: The Old Republic at launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/achievements-to-be-included-in-star-wars-the-old-republic-at-la/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/achievements-to-be-included-in-star-wars-the-old-republic-at-la/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/achievements-to-be-included-in-star-wars-the-old-republic-at-la/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Are you the sort of person who absolutely will not rest until you've achieved every goal a game has set before you? Are you a Star Wars: The Old Republic fan? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then boy are you in luck.

Everyone's favorite time-wasters have been confirmed for The Old Republic's launch. That's right, we're talking about achievements. It's important to note, however, that these aren't the esoteric, wacky achievements that reward you for dancing on a mailbox with rubber cow udders strapped to your head. The "level one" achievement system will primarily focus on feats of heroism, such as taking down a big boss and other things of that nature. For the full details, check out the interview excerpt at Ask A Jedi.

MassivelyAchievements to be included in Star Wars: The Old Republic at launch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsbiowareeaelectronic-artsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 27 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you an achievement junkie?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/the-daily-grind-are-you-an-achievement-junkie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/the-daily-grind-are-you-an-achievement-junkie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/the-daily-grind-are-you-an-achievement-junkie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Stinky, but adorable
If you're an Xbox Live player, you're well aware of the power of achievements. They help you show off your versatility, dedication, and overall badassery to your friends. In MMOs, these achievements can unlock certain skills, cosmetic items, or even content. We love our carrot-on-a-stick, but we love it even more if we can grab a bite every so often.

These achievements don't always mean everything to everyone. Many players couldn't care less about a gamer score or special unlocks; they just want to play the game and enjoy themselves. So we're curious to know how you feel. Do you live for achievements, or could you do without them altogether?

[Photo Credit: Rotten Tomatoes forums]

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: Are you an achievement junkie? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsawwwwwwgamer-scoreopinionpoopy-diapertdgthe-daily-grindxbox-360xbox-liveFri, 16 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are social media connections in MMOs useless?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I first started to notice it in Champions Online. Cryptic gave us the ability to broadcast our achievements in the game over Twitter: "CapnCrunch has reached level 10!" At the time, it felt like a silly idea that wouldn't catch on, but for some reason, it has. More and more we're seeing studios working hard to integrate popular social networks into their MMOs, and more and more I'm wondering... why?

RIFT has been big on doing this, implementing the ability not only to set your account to automatically tweet achievements ("Hey guys, I jumped off a bridge and didn't die!") but also to post them in Facebook. The game also allows you to record video and take screenshots to post online, which seems to me to be more useful but still probably not as captivating to a potential personal audience as one might hope.

So my question today concerns these social media connections in MMOs -- are they useless? Are they just a fad that few people use? Do the ones who do use them end up annoying their followers with a stream of spam messages? Or do people actually enjoy the ability to have their games tie in with their social networks and see how their friends are progressing?

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: Are social media connections in MMOs useless? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementschampionschampions-onlinefacebookmyspaceopinionriftscreenshotssocial-mediasocial-networksocial-networkingsocial-networkstdgthe-daily-grindtumblrtweettweetstwittervideoyoutubeWed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Angels Online's Primordial Paradise expansion brings new maps, achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/angels-onlines-primordial-paradise-expansion-brings-new-maps-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/angels-onlines-primordial-paradise-expansion-brings-new-maps-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/angels-onlines-primordial-paradise-expansion-brings-new-maps-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There's a new expansion for Angels Online, and IGG's latest press release details a bit of what players can expect. The Primordial Paradise awaits, and intrepid explorers will "make their way through native villages, thick jungles and ancient ruins to battle scores of new, frightening monsters."

The region boasts a slew of new quests, many of them revolving around the "unimaginable evil" that lurks in the deep, dark recesses of the area. Seven new maps are also ripe for plundering, and Primordial Paradise offers new achievement and title systems as well as various itemization updates to assist players in tweaking their characters.

To celebrate the expansion, which is now live, Angels Online is hosting a seven-day double XP event. Head to the game's official forums for more details.

MassivelyAngels Online's Primordial Paradise expansion brings new maps, achievements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-systemachievementsangelsangels-onlineangels-online-primordial-paradiseexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playnew-questspatchespress-releaseprimordial-paradisetitle-systemtitlesWed, 27 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: Featuring Feats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/alter-ego-featuring-feats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/alter-ego-featuring-feats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/alter-ego-featuring-feats/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

With its tie to the PS3 as well as the emergence of achievement systems in other MMOGs, the presence of achievements in DC Universe Online probably doesn't come as much of a surprise. With that said, unless you've taken the time to poke around in the Feat section, you may not be aware just how many there are for players to complete. You also may not be aware that completing feats doesn't just get you bragging rights; it also grants you additional skill points to improve your character. Whether you're the type that enjoys exploring the open world, prefers soloing, or gets into PvP matches and beats the snot out of other players, there's a little something for everyone in terms of things to unlock.

And if you happen to be on a realm where getting a group is a bit tricky and you simply love running around in the world of DC comics, feats give you something to pursue while you're waiting for friends to log in or for a group instance to pop. Additionally, in looking through the rather in-depth feat listings, you might be surprised to realize just how much lateral content you missed while you were following the main storyline for your side. From hunting iconic characters, roaming the world, and completing missions at high-speed onward to sillier things like breaking hundreds of barrels, there are tons of opportunities to further enrich your experience in DC Universe Online.

So if you've been looking for something new to try or simply want a way to continue improving your character after you hit level cap, then join me behind the break. I'll be taking a look at the many different feat types available in-game as well as offering some tips and tricks I've picked up from my own feat-mad achievement-chasing sessions.

Continue reading Alter-Ego: Featuring Feats

MassivelyAlter-Ego: Featuring Feats originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsalter-egocheevosconsoleconsolesdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuofeatsfeaturedPlayStationPlaystation3ps3soesony-online-entertainmentSat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For me, it's all about the little things in life: the smell of a good cup of coffee, the enthusiastic hug of my two-year-old, an illicit pack of Lemonheads candy, or throwing punny tags into Massively articles. While big things are essential to have and get right, it's the little things I find that give life its unique flavor.

So when I enter MMORPGs, I'm always on the lookout for little things. Oh, sure, PvP and raiding and overarching epic stories are all well and good, but it's from the little things that the soul and flavor of a game emerges. I'm often far more delighted when I stumble upon a funny little Easter egg in a game than if I win that roll for a purple piece of armor.

Today I want to look at 10 little things in RIFT that I've come to appreciate and savor over the past month or so. Maybe these elements don't get all of the glory, and maybe they're even seen as superfluous to some, but without them the game would be far less to me. So while we rush between rifts and struggle with expert dungeons, I'd encourage all of us to take some time to reflect on all of the supporting cast of features that are just as important to the overall effort.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: The little things originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsartifactsdefianteaster-eggend-of-the-worldfeaturedguildiesguildshumorlemonheadsnon-combat-petpublic-groupingpvpraindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on-kittensriftrift-planes-of-telarascottysoundsound-editingtelaratriontrion-worldsvanity-petsvideo-recordingvoice-overwaypointsworld-of-warcraftyoutubeWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten levels of RIFT: A guide to your first day in Telara]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/ten-levels-of-rift-a-guide-to-your-first-day-in-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/ten-levels-of-rift-a-guide-to-your-first-day-in-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/ten-levels-of-rift-a-guide-to-your-first-day-in-telara/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With two RIFT beta events under my belt, I was given the supreme honor of creating a guide to the first 10 levels of the game. Naturally, I fell apart under the stress, assumed the fetal position for a couple days while whimpering about "frame rates," and then was prodded into action by our editors. That's quite literally "prodded," mind you -- Massively purchased a pair of cattle prods last year at a police auction. It's going to be years until the scorch marks fade from my spine.

The purpose of this guide is two-fold. First, we want to give anyone who's interested in RIFT but couldn't get into the beta a chance to vicariously experience RIFT's newbie path. Second, while RIFT is careful to hold your hand during your first steps into Telara, there are always a lot of things that can be easily missed while one is partaking in the wonders of a new virtual world. So this guide is here to share a few tips and pointers that beta testers may have missed.

What are you waiting for? Roll up a new character by hitting the jump!

Continue reading Ten levels of RIFT: A guide to your first day in Telara

MassivelyTen levels of RIFT: A guide to your first day in Telara originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-systemachievementsarchetypeArchetypesbeginner-zonebeginner-zonesbeginners-guidebetabeta-eventcattle-prodcautiouscharacter-creationcharacter-creatorclassclericclosed-betacritter-tearsdeathdeath-penaltydefianteq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifirst-ten-levelsguardianguideleveling-guidemagenewbie-experiencenewbie-guidenewbie-zonesporticulum-masterracial-abilitiesracial-bonusesracial-traitsriftrift-planes-of-telararoguesoulsoul-attunementsoul-systemsoul-travelsoul-vitalitysoulstelaratriontrion-worldsuiwarriorWed, 22 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Let me stand next to your fire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/one-shots-let-me-stand-next-to-your-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/one-shots-let-me-stand-next-to-your-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/one-shots-let-me-stand-next-to-your-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It appears that our own Massively Mob members are chasing those crazy achievements in Guild Wars of late. The good news is that since everyone is questing so much, it's taking people into gorgeous areas. As such, they're reporting back to us with amazing screenshots from within Guild Wars! Today's awesome One Shots comes to us from Mob member Reg, who writes in to explain this fiery scene: "My quest for 30 points on the Guild Wars 2 calculator sent me into Sorrow's Furnace to unlock the Black Moa Chick mini-pet. This was my first time there, so when I saw this view I just sorta stopped and was amazed at it all -- figured it was time for a screenshot! I did go on to beat the Iron Forgeman, unlocking the Black Moa Chick AND the Eternal Conquerer of Sorrow's Forge MoH statue AND completing a Zaishen Bounty; 30 Points!!! Now for that Obsidian armor set."

From large to small, we love MMOs. We know you love them too, or you wouldn't be here. So, while you're out adventuring, why not snap a screenshot for us? Email those in to oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Yours could wind up being the next one we feature here on Massively!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Let me stand next to your fire originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsarenanetguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gwGwynethPaltrowncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsTue, 26 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your greatest MMO achievement?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-greatest-mmo-achievement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-greatest-mmo-achievement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-greatest-mmo-achievement/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Abraham Lincoln, possibly thinking about World of Warcraft, once said, "That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well." Nido Qubein, who was later pwned by Lincoln in PvP, retorted, "Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people."

Achievements: We live to fulfill them. While many MMOs have tacked on an achievement system to motivate us to accomplish bizarre, tough, or unlikely goals, many gamers come up with their own goals all the time. What is your greatest MMO achievement? What are you most proud of accomplishing in your long (or perhaps short) career as an online gamer? Was it a goal that few if any others ever attained? Did you finally cross a finish line you never thought you'd reach?

It's OK to boast in the comments today -- actually, we downright demand that you do. Pat yourself on the back and share with us your greatest personal MMO achievement. If it made you happy and satisfied, we want to hear about it!
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our 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 The Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your greatest MMO achievement? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abraham-lincolnachievementachievement-systemachievementsbadgeslincolnnido-qubeinopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtome-of-knowledgeworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 20 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How important are achievements to you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-achievements-to-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-achievements-to-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-achievements-to-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Achievements and I have had a rocky past, but we've kissed and made up since then. I never quite "got" the badge system in City of Heroes, and thus did not alter my playstyle one bit to get them. But when I dove into Lord of the Rings Online, I found that snagging deeds was tied to real rewards (titles, virtues), and I started working through them methodically. In 2008, the dual achievement systems of Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft piqued my interest, and I finally crossed over to the dark side to become an achievement junkie.

There's something about that virtual pat on the back that's so addicting for many. Some people love them for the bragging rights, some because of those usable in-game rewards, and some because it gives them new, game-sanctioned goals to achieve.

So how important are achievements to you? Do you avoid them on principle, or chase after them with all of the restraint of a goofy dog who sees something he really, really must check out right now?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How important are achievements to you? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-unlocked-500th-humorous-tag-writtenAchievementscity-of-heroescohlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopiniontdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowxbox-liveWed, 29 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementAchievementsaddonsalphaalpha-testbattlegroundsbuildscallingCapture-the-flagcharacter-creationcharge-barclericclunkcollectionCollectionscraftingdefiantDemodynamic-contentEarth-Elementalelementalistepic-mountfeaturedfootholdfootholdsgallerygloamwoodgraphicsgroupgroupinggroupsguardianhealershealinghell-levelsheroes-of-telaraholy-city-of-sanctuminstanceinstancesinterfaceinvasionjumpingjust-say-no-to-hell-levelslootmapmapsminimapmodsp2ppay-to-playpetsphilosophyplaneplanesplanes-of-telarapublic-questspvpquestingrealm-of-the-faerespecresurrectionriftrift-planes-of-telarariftsscott-hartsmanscreenshotsshadowlandssoul-walkSteamPunkstrategerystrategysubscriptionswimmingtalent-treestalentstavril-plazatelaratrailertriontrion-worldsUIvideowarfrontwarfrontsWed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda's Todd Harris talks player loyalty and the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/global-agendas-todd-harris-talks-player-loyalty-and-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/global-agendas-todd-harris-talks-player-loyalty-and-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/global-agendas-todd-harris-talks-player-loyalty-and-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Global Agenda is fairly unique in the massive genre, not only for its blend of sci-fi setting and shooter mechanics but also for the fact that the development team at Hi-Rez Studios is renowned for actually listening to its playerbase. Producer Todd Harris recently sat down with Lorehound for an interesting interview that shows the Atlanta-based game-makers still have their finger on the pulse of Global Agenda's communal desires.

Harris touches on crafting additions, endgame raid content, and new PvP maps as specific community ideas actively being kicked around in the dev cave, and also goes into a bit of detail regarding the team's appreciation for the loyalty shown by Global Agenda's early adopters. "The folks playing AvA are our most dedicated and accomplished players, and we've changed the rules on them a lot! I know that has led to some player burnout or frustration," he says. Harris goes on to illustrate how the title's evolving endgame wouldn't be possible without player feedback, and concludes by dropping a hint regarding the game's forthcoming achievement system.

Be sure and check out the full interview over at Lorehound.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda's Todd Harris talks player loyalty and the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-studiosinterviewlorehoundphase-3phase-iiitodd-harrisThu, 05 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Great achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/04/the-daily-grind-great-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/04/the-daily-grind-great-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/04/the-daily-grind-great-achievements/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here in the States we're celebrating one of the great achievements in our nation's history -- the adoption of our Declaration of Independence! However, as we're a site that spans more than just the shores of one nation, we thought today we'd take the time instead to talk about achievements in the MMOs we all know and love. From leveling in World of Warcraft, to managing to level without dying in Lord of the Rings Online, to clicking on your own avatar 5,000,000 times in Warhammer Online, people really seem to enjoy chasing those little badges that say "I came, I saw, I did something!"

Today, in honor of great achievements everywhere, we thought we'd talk about MMO achievements. Whether it's the more formalized ones that come with banners or Facebook status updates, or just a personal milestone you managed to accomplish after a long period of planning and working at it, there are many things to celebrate. So jump down to the comments below and tell us -- what is your greatest MMO achievement?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Great achievements originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsholidayholidayslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommotdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 04 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 unveils the game's lighter side]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/guild-wars-2-unveils-the-games-lighter-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/guild-wars-2-unveils-the-games-lighter-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/guild-wars-2-unveils-the-games-lighter-side/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've learned a lot of core news about Guild Wars 2 lately -- everything from class reveals to character creation has been served up to eager fans.

The latest batch of new information about Guild Wars 2 takes a look at some of the lighter aspects of gameplay. IGN spent some time chatting with the developers and came away with a wealth of new information on events outside the central storyline.

Bar brawls, daily achievements, kill counts, and interaction with NPCs were all covered. We even got hints of some possible side games or minigames, such as a shooting gallery.

Check out the full interview at IGN.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 unveils the game's lighter side originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsanetarenanetfeatsguild-wars-2GW2IGNminigamesncsoftpersonalityWed, 30 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: What not to expect from EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/eve-evolved-what-not-to-expect-from-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/eve-evolved-what-not-to-expect-from-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/eve-evolved-what-not-to-expect-from-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Of all the MMOs on the market today, few are as polarising as EVE Online. While the game has over 330,000 active subscriptions and I've absolutely loved it for over six years, I still find myself introducing new people to it with the words "It's not for everyone." It does seem to be the case that EVE just doesn't mesh with some gamers. The user interface can look overwhelming, the combat can seem detached and the gameplay is often written off as boring.

Players coming from other MMOs are at risk of bringing some fundamental preconceptions about MMO design with them that don't really apply to EVE. These basic misunderstandings in how the game works can be a source of frustration or confusion for people who genuinely want to get into EVE. I find myself answering the same barrage of questions each time I introduce someone to the game, ranging in complexity from "What's the best race?" or "What's the best ship?" to the inevitable "How can I catch up to older players?" or "What should I do now?"

In this article, I look at three key ways EVE differs from the MMO norm and what new players can do to overcome these potential stumbling blocks.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: What not to expect from EVE Online

MassivelyEVE Evolved: What not to expect from EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegoalslearning-cliffLearning-Curvelevelingnew-player-experiencenew-playersnewbieopinionpvpsandboxskillskillsSun, 06 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth launches the new achievement system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/fallen-earth-launches-the-new-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/fallen-earth-launches-the-new-achievement-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/fallen-earth-launches-the-new-achievement-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While they're not universally loved, achievements in a game add a sense of accomplishment to almost everything, even if it's just as simple as being one step closer to the "Kill 1000 rats" benchmark. Fallen Earth didn't suffer from lack of an achievement system at launch, but it certainly stands to benefit from the addition of one. And with the system now live, if the other elements of the recent patch 1.4 aren't enough for you, you can start hunting down the most obscure accomplishments the game cares to list.

As further detailed on Curse, the system is split into five general categories. Crafter and Explorer both are self-evident in terms of how they're earned. Mercenary achievements require players to get into the hard reality of the PvP scene and take down some opponents, Survivalist achievements measure use of abilities and reputation with factions, and Wastelander achievements come with exploring the plotline of the game. There are more details available, but we're betting that most Fallen Earth players are already well on their way to getting their new marks of survival in the wasteland.

MassivelyFallen Earth launches the new achievement system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-categoriesachievementsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfallen-earth-patch-1.4feicarusicarus-studiosnew-systemsFri, 14 May 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: One point four, baby!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/wasteland-diaries-one-point-four-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/wasteland-diaries-one-point-four-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/wasteland-diaries-one-point-four-baby/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth patch 1.4 hits today. This is a big deal. I can't overstate how insanely important this patch is. The combat system has been revamped, and we get the requisite respec. There's Blood Sports in which clones are pitted against one another for glory and Death Toll. You will no longer lose Death Toll for dying, and will receive some just for showing up. Death Toll is now a type of currency which can be spent on gas, ammo and gear. There are new mounts and pets. There is a new area called Deadfall which lies west of Deadfall Point and Warhall. Clan wars are now a reality. The battles will spill out of the conflict towns and into the more civilized areas. We will have an achievement system that chronicles our adventures in the wasteland. The level cap will be increased to 50 and we will get all the new stuff that comes with it. This will all be happening today.

Also, today May 7th, 2010, Massively and Fallen Earth will be holding the Blood Sports Brawl in Embry Crossroads. Come on out and say hello with bullets and knives. You must be at least level 5 to take part in the actual Blood Sports, but all levels are welcomed to the party in the bunker bar.

Want more information on today's patch? Click the "read more" button.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: One point four, baby!

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: One point four, baby! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsblood-sportsclan-warsdeadfalleffects-rebalancefallen-earthfallen-earth-llcicarus-studiospatchpatch-1.4respecFri, 07 May 2010 13:00:00 EST