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Rise and Shiny: Gemstone IV

Beau Hindman — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Culture, Game mechanics, Previews, Opinion, Hands-on, Casual, Rise and Shiny, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Sandbox

This article was a long time coming. Not only have I avoided taking a look at any sort of pure MUD for many years, but I meant to write this up last week but real life interrupted my plans. I just didn't think it was fair to write up a first impressions based on only a few hours of play. I was quite hesitant to take a deeper look at Gemstone IV mainly because I knew that the non-stop reading would surely create more migraines that might derail my work again. I was very worried, actually.

Luckily, the Gemstone IV client is customizable enough to allow me to create a "book-style" experience: black text on a white background. I don't think I'm alone in my inability to view bright, colored text on a dark background comfortably. If I were, popular websites would still look like they were from 1996. We've moved past ugly fonts and horrible color combinations.

Unfortunately it took me most of the time with Gemstone IV just to learn how to play, make the text comfortable to read, and understand what my character was supposed to be doing. Once I got comfortable, though, I honestly had one of the most enchanting times in a game yet.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Gemstone IV

Rise and Shiny: Gemstone IV originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously on MVTV: The week of March 10th

Beau Hindman — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, New titles, Previews, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, Casual, Humor, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Previously on MV TV

This week was another exciting week for livestreaming. If you missed it, don't worry! I'm here to show off some of the best moments from the previous week. Of course, you could always bookmark our Livestream guide so that you never miss a show again!

This week we have some EVE Online action with Mike, followed by his adventures in RIFT. Richie is back in Guild Wars for some adventures in Kryta. I took a tour of some amazing art spots in Second Life to show just how wonderful the world is for artists and other creative people, then I finally finished my One Piercing Note quest in RuneScape (with the help of the chat room, of course!). Are you curious about Lime Odyssey? I was allowed to be the very first person to stream it live during alpha. I have to say, it sure is a polished alpha. I thought I was playing a released title. Lastly, Psykopig checked out Age of Conan and made us all laugh... he's good at that!

Continue reading Previously on MVTV: The week of March 10th

Previously on MVTV: The week of March 10th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously On MVTV: The week of February 25th

Beau Hindman — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, EVE Online, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Previews, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, Casual, All Points Bulletin, Crime, MMOFPS, Global Agenda, Humor, Massively Hands-on, Kids, Wizard101, RIFT, Allods Online, Family, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Previously on MV TV

So you missed out on some of Massively's wonderful livestreams, huh? You had to go out and hang out with actual human beings and missed some of the most exciting live game playing you could have imagined? Shame. Shame on you. Don't worry, though; I've taken the time to collect some of the very best moments from the previous week's shows and combine them into one easy, one-stop-shop for your viewing pleasure.

Really, it's no trouble. Do be a dear and bookmark our MassivelyTV Guide for future reference!

So what do we have this week? Some pretty awesome stuff, actually. Richie jumps back into some Guild Wars, Mike takes an explosive swing at EVE Online once again and then hops into RIFT, Psykopig slowly finds himself falling in love with Wizard101 despite his attempts at resistance, Karen and the team from Allods Online embark on a tour of high-level content and Astral ships, I get invited to a real wedding inside Luvinia Online, and Tboo does her usual best by shooting people in the face in APB: Reloaded.

Continue reading Previously On MVTV: The week of February 25th

Previously On MVTV: The week of February 25th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th

Beau Hindman — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Real life, Video, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Culture, Events, real-world, RuneScape, Free-to-play, Browser, Massively Meta, Hands-on, Casual, Humor, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Sandbox, Previously on MV TV

It's time again to look back on the previous week of MassivelyTV and dig up the greatest moments that we could find! The best thing about this column is that if you have missed the earlier week's streams due to real life hassles, you can now sit back in the comforting arms of the weekend and watch hours and hours of livestreaming action -- only the choicest cuts picked by the staff.

And this week we have some goodies for sure. Starting off, Richie jumped back into Guild Wars, Mike acted like a newb in 0.0 space in EVE Online, and Adventure Mike stole a time machine and visited Nexus: Kingdom of the Winds once again. Plus we saw more Guild Wars action with Adventure Mike, RuneScape on my Thursday stream, and a bit of Zentia!

Make some popcorn, sit back, and click past the cut. Well, click past the cut and hit play first, then sit back. Unless you have a wireless mouse, then you can... well, you get me.

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th

Previously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet blog update details changes to Guild Wars 2's boons and conditions

Jef Reahard — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2, Dev Diaries

ArenaNet has just released a new blog post to follow up its first Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend. Lead designer Eric Flannum says that the preview event went off without a hitch, and he also indicates that the dev team has a lot on its plate as it gears up to bring the game to a wider audience.

He starts things off with a look at Guild Wars 2's unique "downed" mode, which is basically a pre-death state wherein you have a limited selection of abilities to rally and potentially save yourself. The blog goes on to detail changes to the game's compass, tweaks to its meta-events, and an extensive look at the updates to boons and conditions. Head to the official ArenaNet website for all the details.

ArenaNet blog update details changes to Guild Wars 2's boons and conditions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Have media impressions affected your excitement level for Guild Wars 2?

Jef Reahard — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, The Daily Grind

So our first official Guild Wars 2 impression pieces are in the books, and boy was there a lot to digest after ArenaNet's press preview weekend.

Whether you're anxious to discover more about the game's combat, intrigued by an MMO that lacks dedicated healers, or looking forward to a transformed Tyria some 250 years after the original Guild Wars, there is plenty to chew on.

Even those of us on the periphery of a game's fan community can get caught up in the pre-release groundswell, and though I've barely played the original game, I find myself quite intrigued by the reports coming from my colleagues. What about you, Massively readers? If you weren't already on board the fan train (or even if you were), has the recent media coverage upped your excitement level for Guild Wars 2?

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!

The Daily Grind: Have media impressions affected your excitement level for Guild Wars 2? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet closes the book on Guild Wars' Winds of Change

Jef Reahard — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, MMO industry, News items, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play

If you missed the Winds of Change arc that's bridging the gap between Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2, now's a great time to head to the official ArenaNet blog to catch up. The devs have provided a handy summary post and a bit of an explanation for their narrative goals as both Guild Wars and its highly anticipated sequel move forward.

ArenaNet also acknowledges the community feedback regarding the difficulty of the Winds of Change content, and the firm says that initially "the difficulty was getting in the way of people enjoying the story, making it far more of a slog than we'd intended and actively undermining their enjoyment of it."

Happily, recent updates have led to "major balance tweaks" and second looks at both normal and hard-mode content, so if you were frustrated before, it's worth your time to give it another go.

ArenaNet closes the book on Guild Wars' Winds of Change originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously on MV TV: Week of February 6th, 2012

Beau Hindman — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Massively Meta, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Previously on MV TV

Welcome back to Previously on MV TV, your source for highlights from last week's Twitch.tv streams! If you happen to miss one or want to check out some of our shows for the first time, then this is a great place to start.

This week we have some Guild Wars developer fun with Richie and then again with Adventure Mike, a bit of Wurm Online exploration and construction with Jeremy and the creator of the game, the first stages of owning land and building a house in Second Life with yours truly, some MOBA action in Heroes of Newerth with Dylan, and the usual Star Wars: The Old Republic goodness with Larry.

So what are you waiting for? Click past the cut to catch up on the streams you might have missed. While you're at it, bookmark our Massively TV guide so you won't miss any more!

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: Week of February 6th, 2012

Previously on MV TV: Week of February 6th, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Week in MMO: Beta weekend edition

Jef Reahard — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic

It's Friday, and that means it's time for the traditional recap of This Week in MMO. What's that, you say? Why, it's the weekly videocast roundup over at Gamebreaker, of course.

Gary Gannon is your host, and he's joined by series regulars Mike B. and Mike Schaffnit. The trio discuss anything and everything relating to popular MMOs, including Star Wars: The Old Republic's Ilum-related troubles, Sony Online Entertainment's noises about selling user-generated content, and the upcoming Guild Wars 2 beta.

The guys also get around to talking about Blizzard's ongoing Titan project, and more specifically, the speculation surrounding in-game advertising. The full show is yours after the break.

Continue reading This Week in MMO: Beta weekend edition

This Week in MMO: Beta weekend edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 dev blog talks achievements, Thief tweaks

Jef Reahard — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

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.

Guild 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.

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Guild Wars 2 Necromancer, Thief gameplay videos captured at Eurogamer Expo

Jef Reahard — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Classes, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

If you're a Guild Wars 2 fan who couldn't make the trip to London for this weekend's Eurogamer Expo, Cynical Brit's Total Biscuit has the next best thing.

The site sent a gaggle of its community members to the event, and their impressions are collected in an ever-expanding threadnaught sure to put a smile on ArenaNet fan faces. The news post also features a series of gameplay videos shot live at the event, and all told the three clips clock in at just under an hour of footage. The videos feature both Norn Thief PvP and high-level Sylvari Necromancer shenanigans.

Check them out after the break and head to Cynical Brit for more info.

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 Necromancer, Thief gameplay videos captured at Eurogamer Expo

Guild Wars 2 Necromancer, Thief gameplay videos captured at Eurogamer Expo originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Contests, Events, real-world, News items, Free-to-play

We're still a month away from the holiday that invariably fills every game with ghosts and ghouls, but that's no reason not to get started on your Halloween plans. Especially if your plans involve the annual Guild Wars contest, a chance for players to show off their creativity by designing some game-themed art. And this year, one of the prizes includes the small sensation that's sweeping the nation, the Charr plush doll pictured above.

Running until October 13th, the contest calls for players to submit a photo of their work in .JPG format for ease of viewing. This year's prizes are split between the general art category and costumes, with both sides receiving the same lineup of offerings. Win the Grand Prize, First Prize, or Second Prize, and you'll be able to call one of the adorable fiery harbingers of destruction your own. Make sure to take a look at the official rules, and then you should probably buckle down and start working on that Dervish outfit.

Guild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2's Asura Week continues with a look at environmental concepts

Jef Reahard — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2, Dev Diaries

Asura Week continues today with another blog entry from ArenaNet's Matt Barrett. While yesterday's update looked at conceptualizing the floppy-earred cutelings themselves, today's blurb is all about their environmental art.

Asuran design is heavily influenced by ancient Hindu architecture and features "massive stone columns, intricate, masterful carvings, and a sense of being inside a mountain," Barrett explains, before going on to share several thumbnail sketches and designs for more specific in-game props. While most of Barrett's showcase is in black and white, he does do color pieces as well, primarily toward the beginning of the conceptual process. After that, he says, "it's much more economical to explore designs in grayscale."

So what is it that makes Asura tick, according to the ArenaNet's art department? They're "mad with ambition to harness the power of the planet, and they have all the best tools with which to do it."

On a lighter note, today's update also features an Asura advice column filled to the brim with pearls of wisdom about everything from lemonade turrets to grawl-infested cabbage crops. Head to the official Guild Wars 2 website for the full Asura experience.

Guild Wars 2's Asura Week continues with a look at environmental concepts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 to provide private server functionality? [Updated]

Jef Reahard — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, PvE, Guild Wars 2, Roleplaying

One of the more interesting reveals to come out of the post-PAX news glut is a blurb about player-created PvP servers in Guild Wars 2.

Yeah, we did a double-take as well, and the post over on MMORPG.com is pretty light on the actual details while promising more info later in the week. Apparently, ArenaNet's Colin Johanson and Eric Flannum let slip that GW2 will allow players to "create and host their own servers or games with specific rule-sets as well."

The thread title mentions PvP servers, but the "specific rule-sets" bit above seems to indicate that the mechanic could cater to roleplayers, PvEers, or any number of other specialized groups who desire a customizable play experience apart from the meddling masses. Is Guild Wars 2 following the trail that Neverwinter Nights blazed a decade ago? Is it all a misunderstanding? It looks like we'll find out later this week.

[Update: ANet has clarified this topic by posting the following: "In the interview {Eric} mentioned that we are considering allowing players to 'create' their own PvP servers, it is not for certain. And we never mentioned anything about 'private PvE server' -- that is something we will definitely not do."]

Guild Wars 2 to provide private server functionality? [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet releases third Guild Wars 2 sound design dev diary

Jef Reahard — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2, Dev Diaries

ArenaNet's third and final Guild Wars 2 sound design dev diary is live without a net on the company's official blog, and today's installment comes through with an interesting conclusion to the sonically inspired trilogy.

The piece is clearly written by and for sound geeks, and we mean that in the nicest possible way (as some of the terminology left us scratching our heads). Lead sound designer Drew Cady and sound engineer Robert Gay are our guides to everything from voice processing, to mastering, to parallel processing. We're not sure what the heck any of that means either, but we're confident you'll get it if you go read the blog right now.

If you're in a rush, the long and short of it is that ArenaNet is spending a lot of time, effort, and money on Guild Wars 2's sound design. Though gaming soundtracks are often drowned out by custom playlists and voice chat, Tyria's soundscape is shaping up to be one worth hearing.

ArenaNet releases third Guild Wars 2 sound design dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Previews, News items, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play

Yesterday, the Guild Wars 2 sound team got to have a day in the limelight with a video detailing the process of making the sounds that go into the game. Today, the team is back in the spotlight, showcasing an equally-important but slightly different aspect of the audio game. This time, the video isn't showing off getting the sounds just right, it's showcasing getting the sounds to work correctly in the game world, rather than just playing a footstep effect every few moments.

As demonstrated in the video, the team uses a complex dynamic layering system in which several different sounds can have varying levels of volume, frequency, and focus -- as demonstrated by a windmill, which has ten different sounds playing at intervals to create the illusion of wood and cloth slowly turning. Guild Wars 2 players might not find any tips about the gameplay just past the cut, but they will find a video that further explains how you make just the right kinds of noise in the game.

Continue reading More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2

More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet revealing Guild Wars 2 PvP and customization at Gamescom

Jef Reahard — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

Europe's largest game expo is getting ready for plenty of Guild Wars 2 goodness, as ArenaNet will be bringing its highly anticipated fantasy MMO to the Cologne convention that runs from August 17th to August 21st.

In a new post on the company blog, Martin Kerstein gives us an idea of what we can expect from the NCsoft demo booth. The playable GW2 build will include all seven professions revealed thus far, the complete Charr starter experience, and a mid-level demo featuring powerful Orrian enemies (and Sylvari and Asura playable characters).

Last but not least, gamers will finally get their hands on Guild Wars 2's character customization system as well as its PvP component. Hands-on PvP experiences will be available, and players can also watch exhibition matches between developers and select European players.

ArenaNet revealing Guild Wars 2 PvP and customization at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu wins award for digital art

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, MMO industry, News items, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play

Guild Wars 2 has had a distinctive art style ever since it was first announced, helping to solidify the game's image in the minds of fans. A big part of that has naturally been the vision of Daniel Dociu, art director for ArenaNet and overseer of the visuals for the project. So it should come as no surprise that Dociu has been awarded the Grand Master Award for Exposé 9, Ballistic Publishing's digital art annual for 2011.

Both Dociu and concept artist Kekai Kotaki were featured in the pages, with both praised for their expressive and immersive artwork for the game. It might be a surprise to the readers of the magazine, but it's no surprise to the players who have been enjoying the work of these talented figures for years. Congratulations are in order for the award, one well-deserved considering the visual treat that Guild Wars 2 promises to provide.

ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu wins award for digital art originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The winds, they are a-changin' in Guild Wars

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Events, in-game, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

It's time for another major event in Guild Wars, one that's been heavily anticipated by the players -- the next installment in Guild Wars Beyond, centering around the lands of Cantha. There are changes afoot for the land, as evidenced by the title of the new multi-part event, Winds of Change. And if you want to start taking part in the history that will shape Guild Wars 2, now is a fine time to see what those winds are bringing.

Players can start their newest adventure by speaking with Initiate Zei Ri at Kaineng Center, setting them down the road following the events of Guild Wars Factions. (Needless to say, you have to have finished Factions to take part in the new missions.) As was the case for the previous installment, the update brings with it new costumes for players to purchase so that the battle for Cantha's future can be done in style. Guild Wars players should get to work seeing all that the update has to offer, because the change starts now... and who knows how much will be different when all is said and done.

The winds, they are a-changin' in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum on GW2's Engineer

Jef Reahard — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, Guild Wars 2

Unless you've been spelunking near the center of the earth for the past few days, you're likely aware that ArenaNet recently unveiled Guild Wars 2's seventh class. Chances are high that you're also aware of said class's affinity for turrets, guns, and various contraptions meant to rain death down upon any unfortunate enemies that cross its path.

Today, Massively presents a new interview with Guild Wars 2 lead designer Eric Flannum. Naturally, the guest of honor at this Tyrian banquet of exclusivity is the Engineer, and Flannum (along with several other ANet dignitaries) provides us with a few tasty mechanical appetizers before getting down to the lore-centric main course.

Bon appetit after the cut.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum on GW2's Engineer

Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum on GW2's Engineer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World PvP, dungeon experiences, and quality of life in Guild Wars 2

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Interviews, News items, Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2 is a game that seemingly everyone is anticipating, helped along by the fact that very few people have gotten to play it and even fewer have played it extensively. So it's understandable that incGamers' recent interview with Eric Flannum and John Peters covers a lot of ground, ranging from dungeons to PvP to environmental interactions. While some of the questions posed by the interviewers aren't answered, there's a great deal of information for fans, starting with the clarification that dungeons do not have a specific "story mode." There's a series of events the player experiences with important world NPCs followed by the option to explore the dungeon.

PvP is discussed a bit, with the free admission that while players in competitive arenas will be evenly matched, it's possible to be simply outgunned in open combat. The role of guards and other NPCs in the open combats is also clarified; NPCs act essentially as speedbumps rather than serious targets for player consideration. Guild Wars 2 fans should read through both pages of the interview to get a better idea of what's coming in the game as well as another confirmation that a closed beta is due before the end of the year.

World PvP, dungeon experiences, and quality of life in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2's Johanson: MMO class trinity is "tired"

Jef Reahard — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

Have you ever wondered where all the hype comes from regarding Guild Wars 2? Sure, the original game was a financial success, and the sequel has NCsoft's considerable financial muscle behind it. When you get right down to it, though, ArenaNet is a company with one game to its credit, yet the firm still has the courage to openly challenge Blizzard as well as the rest of the crowded MMO market. In a new interview at Eurogamer, lead content designer Colin Johanson says ANet's success and confidence largely stem from a culture of creative fearlessness.

How does this attitude translate into a next-gen MMO? Johanson says the best example is the dev team's willingness to scrap one of the themepark MMO genre's sacred cows: the holy trinity. "We're basically saying, listen, this as a core game mechanic is tired, we can do something better, we can do something more interesting than this," Johanson explains.

The interview also touches on ArenaNet's release-it-when-it's-done mantra, and Johanson elaborates on why Guild Wars 2 has been so long in the making. "We're going to do all of this, we're going to make this the game that offers something for everybody, and we're going to get that right, and if it takes us a little longer to do that, the trade-off is totally worthwhile," he said. Head to Eurogamer for the full report.

Guild Wars 2's Johanson: MMO class trinity is "tired" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 art director talks racial redesigns and making it as a game artist

Jef Reahard — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

Tap Repeatedly has posted the third part of its interview with Guild Wars 2 and ArenaNet art director Daniel Dociu. Unlike yesterday's segment, which focused on game art in general as well as Guild Wars 2's unique aesthetic, today's entry deals with everything from concept artists and breaking into the business to why ANet chose to revisit some of the game's racial designs (specifically the Sylvari).

"For some races the early design didn't stand the test of time. You build and implement things, some grow on you and some tend to age poorly and beg for redesign," Dociu explains.

He also touches on his relationship with the characters and creatures art team, noting that his contributions are more along the lines of managing creative energy and overseeing the big picture as opposed to creating assets, designs, and concept art.

Guild Wars 2 art director talks racial redesigns and making it as a game artist originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daniel Dociu talks Guild Wars 2 art direction

Jef Reahard — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

If you're looking for the latest art-centric news for ArenaNet's long-awaited Guild Wars sequel, look no further than Tap Repeatedly. Guild Wars 2 art director Daniel Dociu recently sat down for the second part of an interview that shines the spotlight on the forthcoming fantasy MMORPG's visual palette as well as the man responsible for overseeing it.

The piece covers a lot of ground, including everything from GW2's painterly user interface to the company culture at ArenaNet (which was founded by a group of engineers but also boasts one of the MMO industry's premier artistic rosters). This is no accident, Dociu explains, and one of his goals as ArenaNet's art director is to ensure that game art is given the respect it deserves. "Too often in this industry art is an afterthought. More often than not the expectations are set too low. It isn't always regarded as an equally important component next to game design or technology," he explains.

So what's up with the hand-crafted aesthetic that permeates everything from Guild Wars 2's client interface to its marketing materials? It's very deliberate, Dociu says, and it resulted in a marriage between talented artists and the realities of a finite budget. "We've unified stylistically the cinematics, user interface, and all visual branding... It all started because it was something we wanted to do, but we had to wait for the right moment and approach it from the resources angle."

Daniel Dociu talks Guild Wars 2 art direction originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 blog updates with Norn lore entry

Jef Reahard — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2

The world of Tyria has long been possessed of deep and engaging lore, and the official ArenaNet blog has just updated with a bit more of the backstory that fans will be soaking up with the eventual release of Guild Wars 2. ANet's Ree Soesbee has penned a Norn-centric piece that offers a revealing look at the warrior race's affinity for the Spirits of the Wild.

Soesbee's update focuses on four of the more important Spirits -- bear, snow leopard, raven, and wolf -- and features three story vignettes to go along with a bit of intro exposition in each case. Head to the official ANet blog for the latest update as Norn week comes to a close.

Guild Wars 2 blog updates with Norn lore entry originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet confirms Guild Wars 2 closed alpha and beta for 2011

Jef Reahard — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, Guild Wars 2

Members of the Guild Wars nation are no doubt kicking up their heels tonight, as ArenaNet has let slip the barest whisper of information on a possible release window for its forthcoming Tyrian sequel. Guild Wars 2's closed alpha and beta testing will be happening in 2011, and "the feedback from these tests will determine when we will do public beta tests and ship the game," according to an update of the official Guild Wars 2 FAQ earlier this evening.

Guild Wars 2 Guru points out that ArenaNet representatives quickly quelled any notions of a definitive time frame, but this small beta nugget is nonetheless the closest thing to an actual date of any kind thus far in the game's long development process. "The existence of friends and family closed alpha and closed beta this year has changed nothing about the release date. The release date continues to be: when the game is ready," said ArenaNet's Regina Buenaobra.

ArenaNet confirms Guild Wars 2 closed alpha and beta for 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Would you play a game on the Guild Wars model?

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guild Wars, Business models, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind

Of all the myriad price structures and business models out there, Guild Wars has managed to largely hold on to one that's relatively unique. It's clearly not under the subscription-based umbrella, as there's no monthly cost to play. Yet at the same time, it doesn't really fall under the traditional free-to-play model -- the game didn't launch with any sort of item shop, and the current microtransaction shop is more akin to the supplementary shops seen in many subscription games like City of Heroes.

ArenaNet has always been clear about their intended price structure and the intent for the game to support itself with full-priced expansions rather than a monthly fee. While there might be some debate about how sustainable the model is, it's certainly enticing for some players. So today's questions for you: would you play a game that balanced itself on the Guild Wars pricing scheme? If so, what game would be worth a $50 expansion every six months without a monthly cost? Or do you prefer the more prevalent pricing models found elsewhere?

The Daily Grind: Would you play a game on the Guild Wars model? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain opens new studio

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, MMO industry, New titles, News items

Remember Jeff Strain? His August departure from ArenaNet was big news, and we haven't heard a lot from him lately. We found out today what he's been up to, and we couldn't be happier.

Jeff Strain has a shiny (slimy?) new project just officially announced today. Undead Labs is his new studio, which is already at work planning a zombie MMO -- more specifically, a zombie-console-MMO. To quote the Undead Labs site, "Zombie MMO! Hell yeah!" Of course, we already have a million questions, but he was kind enough to answer many of them well in advance. (Points to him for anticipating them and spelling it out right up front, and for making us laugh.)

It's early days yet so we don't have a laundry list of specific details and screenshots, but the site already shows a departure from the traditional way of doing things when it comes to MMO development. A look around Undead Labs sets the tone right off, beginning with the aforementioned answers to questions, and continuing with a fairly amusing etiquette guide. Strain and Undead Labs look to be off to a running start with things, and we are going to be keeping a close eye on the impending zombie apocalypse.

ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain opens new studio originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Digital Continuum: Rock Band, the MMO

Kyle Horner — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Opinion, The Digital Continuum

At first thought, a Rock Band-inspired MMO may not sound like the greatest idea to everyone. I've actually entertained the idea for a long time now, only shove it aside as a crazy notion. But the thing kept popping back into the forefront of my mind so often that I couldn't discount it as happenstance. I've become enamored with the idea, because let's face it; a Rock Band MMO has the potential to ooze- no, to gush pure liquid awesome.

ROCK >>

Gallery: Rock Bandia Online

The Digital Continuum: Rock Band, the MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars: The best solo quasi-MMOG out there?

Matt Warner — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Opinion, Free-to-play

Three glorious years, over five million boxes sold. Guild Wars has come along way in that time, and it's no surprise that NCsoft's darling is still managing to stake out new players. Shamus from over on Twenty-Sided is one latest victim, in his post: Guild Wars: Massively Single Player, Shamus delves into Guild Wars with fresh eyes and posits about why it's a great single player experience. Of course, solo players use their own henchmen and heroes to help unfold that epic story.

When EverQuest reigned king long before WoW, soloist proponents were booed away with a common message: "Go play a single player game, MMORPGs focus around grouping and solo content has no place here." Today, most MMOGs offer solo play but in such a way that progression is meaningful, but grouping is still encouraged for the best rewards.

Continue reading Guild Wars: The best solo quasi-MMOG out there?

Guild Wars: The best solo quasi-MMOG out there? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tim Sweeney's beef with Intel and PC gaming

Kyle Horner — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, Opinion

Are PCs good for gaming? The short answer is yes, Tim Sweeney (of Unreal fame) is wrong because computers play many of the best games the platform has to offer without much struggle. Games like The Orange Box, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, The Sims 2, Company of Heroes or The Lord of the Rings Online all run fairly well without too much muscle behind them.

His primary complaint (and ours too, actually) is that integrated graphics chips which are installed on the computers that stores like Best Buy sell, are in no way capable of playing the newer games sold at the very same stores. Intel is largely to blame for this, but of course if you've ever looked into buying a brand new video card, then you know they're not the only culprits of PC gaming's issues.

Continue reading Tim Sweeney's beef with Intel and PC gaming

Tim Sweeney's beef with Intel and PC gaming originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sid Meier mentions possibility of a Civilization MMO

Kyle Horner — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, New titles, News items, Rumors

Be sure to take this one with a grain of salt, but Sid Meier is apparently very interested in making a Civilization MMO at some point in the future -- according to a recent interview. However, Sid basically goes on to say that he doesn't think that sort of game is his next project, as he's interested in doing some more single-player games (Alpha Centauri 2, please?) before tackling something else.

We've got to admit it though, the concept of an MMO where you start your very own civilization and slowly expand it over time sounds intriguing to say the least. Aside from all sorts of design hurdles, there are some very exciting ideas in the concept. The easiest method of doing a massively Civilization game would be to take a few notes from Guild Wars in terms of subscription-style. That way, a player could work on their civilization for as long as they wanted, take a break for however long they felt like and then come back for expansions or just because they felt like it -- all monthly-payment free.

[via MMORPGdot]

Sid Meier mentions possibility of a Civilization MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 to be bigger and badder than Guild Wars

Matt Warner — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guild Wars 2

Prepare to have your mind blown away by design insights that normally don't leave the developer think-tank. James Phinney, the game design team Lead on Guild Wars, shares the genesis, methodology and reasoning for a Guild Wars sequel and the outline details why a traditional campaign or expansion won't work. The gist and core reason why is the Guild Wars team wants to develop a Guild Wars sequel that is closer to a MMORPG while the original Guild Wars is a CORPG.

Some major differences that will distinguish Guild Wars 2 from the original is less instancing making the world more persistent with improved freedom of control to move (jump!) around and explore; a higher level cap as the original is capped at level 20, there might even be no level cap; a realm-versus-realm like PvP system. To get all these features in Guild Wars the game would have to be radically altered -- a sequel is the best solution opposite to a "new game experience" that would only end up butchering the original Guild Wars. After mulling over the list, everything proposed looks outstanding. I'm definitely more excited about Guild Wars 2 than Guild Wars, I would love playing a Guild Wars game that was more like a MMORPG with no monthly subscription cost. You heard me right, no monthly subscription cost for a MMORPG.

Guild Wars 2 takes place roughly 250 years after the Eye of the North expansion, presumably the last Guild Wars expansion pack. The Guild Wars 2 open beta is currently scheduled sometime for the 2nd half of 2008.

Guild Wars 2 to be bigger and badder than Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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