Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 nets 500K Facebook likes, releases Destiny's Edge art to celebrate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/guild-wars-2-nets-500k-facebook-likes-releases-destinys-edge-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/guild-wars-2-nets-500k-facebook-likes-releases-destinys-edge-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/guild-wars-2-nets-500k-facebook-likes-releases-destinys-edge-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Wars 2
ArenaNet continues to roll out the rewards for being well-liked this week. Guild Wars 2 crossed the half-million Facebook like barrier, and as a result, the studio released a new epic piece of art for its fans.

The picture is of Destiny's Edge, the adventuring group that features so prominently in Guild Wars 2, facing a rather fearsome foe: The Shatterer. According to the Facebook page, this is actually an in-game screenshot that's been "embellished" by ArenaNet artist Daniel Dociu. As with the other pictures that it has released, ArenaNet has made this image available as a high-resolution version as well.

This art release comes at an auspicious time, as Guild Wars 2 is diving into a seven-hour beta stress test starting today at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 nets 500K Facebook likes, releases Destiny's Edge art to celebrate originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetartbetaconcept-artDaniel-Dociudestinys-edgefacebookfantasyguild-wars-2gw2likesncsoftscreenshotstress-testMon, 14 May 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Artist plagiarizes Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft illustrators]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Concept art
If you're going to steal, steal big -- or so Romanian artist Iani Papadopol thought. Papadopol put on an exhibit called "UpDate 3D loading" featuring fantastic landscapes and scenery. The only problem? Instead of painting them himself, he ripped off several well-known illustrators, including ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu and Blizzard's Mathias Verhasselt, claiming the pieces as his own.

The fraud was discovered by online fans and local artists after the exhibit was broadcast on TV. Papadopol's works were found to be stunningly similar -- in fact, identical -- to those of famous video game illustrators. Papadopol attempted to sell the prints before he was caught. There's no word yet whether charges will be filed.

"I found out from my friends," Dociu, a fellow Romanian, said on a news channel. "I recognized four pieces of my work immediately. What upsets me is that he's also Romanian with an artistic background. I will not take legal action if he admits what he did."

Papadopol's father, the acclaimed artist Constantin Papadopol, says that this is a misunderstanding. In any case, let this be the lesson to the next lazy art thief: It's perhaps best not to rip off the guy whose work was on the cover of National Geographic.

MassivelyArtist plagiarizes Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft illustrators originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetartart-theftblizzardblizzard-entertainmentconcept-artconcept-artistConstantin-PapadopolcrimeDaniel-Dociufantasyguild-wars-2gw2iani-PapadopolillustratorMathias-Verhasseltncsoftplaigarismtheftwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a peek at RIFT's shiny Infernal Dawn concept art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/take-a-peek-at-rifts-shiny-infernal-dawn-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/take-a-peek-at-rifts-shiny-infernal-dawn-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/take-a-peek-at-rifts-shiny-infernal-dawn-concept-art/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Concept Art -- RIFT
RIFT players have been waiting on pins and needles for the upcoming patch 1.8, which will bring a brand-new raid known as Infernal Dawn to the world of Telara. Unfortunately, they're going to have to wait just a bit longer. Trion Worlds, in hopes of making the wait more (un)bearable, has released a new blog post on the official site that shines a spotlight on the art behind the Infernal Dawn instance.

This raid will pit players up against one of the biggest bads in the world: Maelforge the Flame Sire. It's kind of a big deal, ladies and gents. So it's only fitting that the concept art reflects that, and boy does it ever. I mean, look up there. Do you see that bow? Holy crap, that's a badass bow. To see what other badassery awaits you in Infernal Dawn, just go check out the official post.

MassivelyTake a peek at RIFT's shiny Infernal Dawn concept art originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artconcept-artfantasyholy-crap-that-bow-is-badassinfernal-dawnmaelforgepatch-1.8riftrift-literift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsMon, 02 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Go behind the scenes with EverQuest II's Lumpy the dragon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/go-behind-the-scenes-with-everquest-iis-lumpy-the-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/go-behind-the-scenes-with-everquest-iis-lumpy-the-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/go-behind-the-scenes-with-everquest-iis-lumpy-the-dragon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Lumpy the dragon in production
Behind-the-scenes videos are quite a lot of fun, and we're pleased to bring you the latest such from Sony Online Entertainment and the EverQuest II dev team. The new clip gives us a peek at the birth of Lumpy the dragon. For all intents and purposes, Lumpy is EQII's first low-rider dragon, since the rest of the game's drakes are sinewy, towering masses of muscle and scale.

Senior character artist Steve Merghart describes Lumpy as "low to the ground and stocky," and the video clip shows us everything from initial concept sketches to the various stages of poly modeling, painting, and animation that make up the finished product. Have a look-see after the cut.

[Source: SOE press release]

Continue reading Go behind the scenes with EverQuest II's Lumpy the dragon

MassivelyGo behind the scenes with EverQuest II's Lumpy the dragon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationanimatorsartcharacter-arteq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifantasylumpylumpy-the-dragonmodelingpaintingsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentsteve-merghartvideoWed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[That palette is fully operational: Jeff Dobson opens up about SWTOR's artistic side]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/that-palette-is-fully-operational-jeff-dobson-opens-up-about-sw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/that-palette-is-fully-operational-jeff-dobson-opens-up-about-sw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/that-palette-is-fully-operational-jeff-dobson-opens-up-about-sw/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SWTOR
Story may get all the press when it comes to Star Wars: The Old Republic, but the truth is that the final product was a team collaboration between many departments -- including the artists. Art Director Jeff Dobson sat down with Republic Trooper to talk about the process of shaping each of the game's many worlds and locales with BioWare's signature flair.

It might astound you to realize just how many different type of artists work on MMOs such as SWTOR. Dobson said the team has "concept artists, character artists, environment artists, VFX artists, GUI artists, animators, and technical artists. The world design team is worth a mention here as well, because they participate a lot in the initial visual development of an area." And that doesn't include the separate teams that did the cinematic cutscenes or pre-rendered cinematics!

Dobson said that the biggest challenge for the art team was the scale of the project. "The Old Republic has too many assets to even really take stock of how much there is. It is a lot of work to simply track this many assets as they go through the creation pipeline," he said.

MassivelyThat palette is fully operational: Jeff Dobson opens up about SWTOR's artistic side originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-teamartistsbiowarecinematiccinematicsconcept-artconcept-artistsea-biowareinterviewjeff-dobsonrepublic-trooperstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorTue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game do you think never looks good in screenshots?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-think-never-looks-good-in-scre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-think-never-looks-good-in-scre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-think-never-looks-good-in-scre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm not sure why most EverQuest 2 screenshots feature a monster on one side and an adventurer on the other, but there you go.
Screenshots might not be the most important part of a game, but they're important before you decide to pop in and play. After all, part of what makes you decide that a game is worth trying out is the fact that it looks cool. Unfortunately, some games just hit us the wrong way. No matter how many different shots you get and how many different angles are tried, every time you see a screenshot of the game, it just looks bad.

Maybe it's a game you don't like. Maybe it's a game you do like, and you know it looks better in play. Maybe it's a game you've never tried one way or the other just because the look of the game turns you off. You might have no opinion on the game whatsoever -- regular Massively readers probably see several screenshots of games they don't even remember that don't look good to them. What game just seems to look bad in static shots every single time?

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 game do you think never looks good in screenshots? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearanceartcultureopinionpicturesscreenshotstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 11 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Supremacy puts players' artistic ability to the test with new contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-supremacy-puts-players-artistic-ability-to-the-test-with-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-supremacy-puts-players-artistic-ability-to-the-test-with-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/star-supremacy-puts-players-artistic-ability-to-the-test-with-n/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Example contest entry
Star Supremacy entered open beta earlier this month, and the game's developer, Barbily Games, wants to give one lucky player an opportunity to have his or her artwork turned into an in-game ship. That's right, Star Supremacy wants your ship designs, and the winning entry will be used to create a new spacecraft within the game. There's only one week left in the competition, so if you want to put your artistic skills to the test, just head on over to the game's official site.

[Source: Barbily Games press release]

MassivelyStar Supremacy puts players' artistic ability to the test with new contest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbarbily-gamescompetitioncontestf2pfree-to-playshipship-designspaceshipspaceship-designstar-supremacyWed, 23 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Post-apocalyptic L.A.W takes us from sketches to art to screen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/post-apocalyptic-l-a-w-takes-us-from-sketches-to-art-to-screen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/post-apocalyptic-l-a-w-takes-us-from-sketches-to-art-to-screen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/post-apocalyptic-l-a-w-takes-us-from-sketches-to-art-to-screen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LAW
Good-looking graphics don't just magically appear overnight in MMOs, delivered by the FedEx equivalent of the leprechaun community. The look and design of a game is a lengthy process full of revisions, abandoned doodles, and brainstorming -- something we end-users tend not to appreciate.

Consider today your education, then, as the team behind the post-apocalyptic L.A.W -- Living After War released a whole crate of images with the intent of showing us how the iterative process works. In the gallery below you can check out different versions of the same buildings, vehicles, and mobs at various stages of their making. From sketches to concept art to in-game models, these screens are a great crash course in understanding how involved the development team has to get to make these games a reality.

Gallery: L.A.W -- Living After War


[Source: ProSiebenSat.1 press release]

MassivelyPost-apocalyptic L.A.W takes us from sketches to art to screen originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartistartistsconcept-artfedexgalleryin-game-modelin-game-modelsl.a.wl.a.w-living-after-warleprechaunliving-after-warpost-apocalypticprosiebensat.1-digitalscifiscreenshotssketchsketchesFri, 18 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online concept artist Alex Iglesias interviewed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/mechwarrior-online-concept-artist-alex-iglesias-interviewed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/mechwarrior-online-concept-artist-alex-iglesias-interviewed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/mechwarrior-online-concept-artist-alex-iglesias-interviewed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MechWarrior Online concept art
MechWarrior Online has only been recently announced, but already interviews with the game's dev team are beginning to roll out. A Q&A with one of the game's concept artists, Alex "flyingdebris" Iglesias, went up on the forums today. The interview covers how Alex came to work for the MechWarrior team to begin with and grills him on the challenges of redesigning the game's iconic giant robots. For the full interview, head on over to the MechWarrior online official site.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online concept artist Alex Iglesias interviewed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-iglesiasartconcept-artgiant-robots-omginterviewmechwarriormechwarrior-onlinemwopiranhapiranha-gamesWed, 09 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT Ember Isle developer diary talks art and lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/rift-ember-isle-developer-diary-talks-art-and-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/rift-ember-isle-developer-diary-talks-art-and-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/rift-ember-isle-developer-diary-talks-art-and-lore/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

RIFT Ember Isle
"1.4 was a big patch, 1.5 was an bigger patch... 1.6 is going to blow them away," declares Trion Worlds' Hal Hanlin in this most recent dev diary for RIFT's upcoming From the Embers patch. RIFT's Design Producer is joined by developers Morgan Lockhart, Michael Daugherty, Mike Chang, Jason Colombo, and Berenger Fish to discuss the newest endgame zone, Ember Isle, the largest the team's undertaken to date. But it wouldn't be a proper dev diary without some gushing about the lore, art, locations, and mechanics of the zone, and that's all included too. Sweeping musical score included free of charge!

Hit the break to review the video in all its green glory.

Continue reading RIFT Ember Isle developer diary talks art and lore

MassivelyRIFT Ember Isle developer diary talks art and lore originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.6artberenger-fishcaduceus-risedevdev-diarydeveloper-diarydevsdungeonember-islefrom-the-embershal-hanlinjason-colomboloreMichael-Daughertymike-changmorgan-lockhartpatchpreviewriftrift-planes-of-telaratrailertrailerstriontrion-worldsvideovideosMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild War 2's art director illustrates cover of National Geographic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/guild-war-2s-art-director-illustrates-cover-of-national-geograp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/guild-war-2s-art-director-illustrates-cover-of-national-geograp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/guild-war-2s-art-director-illustrates-cover-of-national-geograp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

National Geographic
ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu has another high-profile project in addition to his work on Guild Wars 2: the cover of National Geographic. In this month's issue of the magazine, Dociu provides artwork to illustrate a "magical mystery treasure" of Anglo-Saxan origin that was recently found. Both the cover and the article piece show an era soldier with appropriate armor, clothing, and weapons.

Dociu currently holds the positions of both creative director and art director for Guild Wars 2. His skill and prestige certainly isn't hurting the game's profile any, as this achievement comes on top of the Exposé 9's Grand Master Award he won this past July.

The National Geographic issue is on news stands (or, to you whippersnappers, the "website") now.

MassivelyGuild War 2's art director illustrates cover of National Geographic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanglo-saxonarenanetartart-directorartworkconcept-artcover-artcreative-directorDaniel-Dociuguild-wars-2gw2national-geographicwhippersnappersWed, 02 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/eve-dev-video-shows-work-on-engine-trails-custom-ship-skins-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/eve-dev-video-shows-work-on-engine-trails-custom-ship-skins-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/eve-dev-video-shows-work-on-engine-trails-custom-ship-skins-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

OMG engine trails
If you're a fan of EVE Online, I apologise in advance for the funny looks you get when you jump out of your seat yelling "HELL YES!" while watching the latest In Development video. In this second part of CCP Games' new video devblog series, CCP Guard takes a live hand grenade into EVE Online's art department to show us just what's going on behind the scenes. We've already seen the impressive nebula effects and new Raven model due for release in the winter expansion, and today CCP showed off some massive shadow improvements, but those upcoming additions pale in comparison to what's planned for after the winter period.

The latest In Development video shows that CCP is currently working on engine trails, custom ship skins, a new cyno effect, a new warp tunnel, and graphical upgrades for every single ship in the game. It's a tall order, one that's unlikely to be fulfilled in the winter expansion despite developers' recent laser focus on delivering new features. The video gives a sneak peek at the models for the Amarr and Caldari tier 3 battlecruisers, which were selected from fan-submitted entries to last year's design contest in a similar manner to the already revealed Minmatar Tornado and Gallente Talos.

Read on to find out why custom ship skins are more work to implement than most of us realise and to watch the new video in HD.

Continue reading EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more

MassivelyEVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarrartart-departmentbattlecruiserBenjamin-Bohnblogcaldariccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-guardcustom-skinsdevblogengine-trailseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegallentein-developmentminmatarpaint-jobsship-skinsskinstalostornadov3-projectvideovideo-devblogvideo-developer-diaryTue, 01 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday: The return of Metal Maw]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar -- Metal Maw render
A few weeks ago, the fine folks over at Carbine Studios posted the first WildStar Wednesday dev diary, which took fans through the process of creating a new WildStar creature. Well, it's that time once again, and this WildStar Wednesday features the return of the monstrous Metal Maw. Lead concept artist Andy Cotnam has handed off Metal Maw's design sketch to senior character artist Brandon Dix, who is charged with the task of modeling and texturing the beast.

In the post, Dix takes fans through the process of creating a (virtually) living, breathing model of the new creature, from rough sculpture to rendered model. To take a look at the fascinating process for yourself, head on over to the WildStar Wednesday blog post at the game's official site.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday: The return of Metal Maw originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-cotnamartbrandon-dixcarbinecarbine-studioscreaturecreature-creationdev-blogdev-diarymetal-mawmobmonsterwildstarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 05 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Coloring inside the lines: An interview with PlanetSide 2's Tramell Isaac]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/coloring-inside-the-lines-an-interview-with-planetside-2s-tram/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/coloring-inside-the-lines-an-interview-with-planetside-2s-tram/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/coloring-inside-the-lines-an-interview-with-planetside-2s-tram/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
I think we're all allowed our moments of pure geek squeeing when we bump into the people responsible for some of our favorite video games of yesteryear. So I had to apologize to Tramell Isaac in advance for gushing over his work on the first two Fallout titles, games that are among my all-time favorites. He didn't seem to mind, and he spent a few minutes shooting the breeze about his favorite designs in the game -- designing Robobrain and the Vault Boy cards that accompanied the player perks.

MMO fans will probably best know Isaac from his work on the original PlanetSide, a project that is near and dear to his heart. Sony Online Entertainment brought him back on board to be the senior art director for PlanetSide 2. This makes sense -- after all, who else would best know how to evolve the series' design than the guy who started it?

Isaac was kind enough to sit down on the phone with me to talk about how PlanetSide 2's visuals are shaping up, following his own blog post on the subject. Hit the jump to find out why each faction is going with a very specific color scheme, how microtransactions will affect how awesome you look, and just what Batman has to do with any of it.

Continue reading Coloring inside the lines: An interview with PlanetSide 2's Tramell Isaac

MassivelyColoring inside the lines: An interview with PlanetSide 2's Tramell Isaac originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-teambatmanbatman-beginschristopher-nolancolorsethalointerviewinterviewsnew-conglomerateplanetsideplanetside-2ps2soeSony-Online-Entertainmentterran-republictim-burtontramell-isaactribesvanu-sovereigntywarhammer-40kFri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Senior Art Director Tramell Isaac discusses PlanetSide 2's aesthetic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/senior-art-director-tramell-isaac-discusses-planetside-2s-aest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/senior-art-director-tramell-isaac-discusses-planetside-2s-aest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/senior-art-director-tramell-isaac-discusses-planetside-2s-aest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Planetside 2 -- Vanu Sovereignty vehicle
PlanetSide 2 fans, power down your Exo-Suits and take your fingers off your triggers for just one moment. We've got an incoming transmission that we think may be of interest. In today's comm-link, Tramell "T.Ray" Isaac, Senior Art Director on PlanetSide 2, takes some time to give players a look at what can be expected of the aesthetic of the upcoming title.

Isaac discusses the process of coming up with the various faction colors and designs for the original game and goes on to detail what the team is doing to translate those designs over to the new tech of PlanetSide 2. For instance, the Terran Republic's look is clean, professional, and sleek, whereas the New Conglomerate's aesthetic is considerably more angular and unrefined. Lastly, he takes a moment to touch on the environments players will be seeing in PlanetSide 2, such as the continent of Indar where players will have to battle not only the opposing factions but fierce dust storms as well. For the full comm-link, click on over to the official PlanetSide 2 site.

MassivelySenior Art Director Tramell Isaac discusses PlanetSide 2's aesthetic originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aestheticartcomm-linkdesigndev-diarymmofpsplanetside-2soesony-online-entertainmenttramell-isaacTue, 27 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE gearing up for PlanetSide 2 dev chats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/soe-gearing-up-for-planetside-2-dev-chats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/soe-gearing-up-for-planetside-2-dev-chats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/soe-gearing-up-for-planetside-2-dev-chats/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - soldiers firing large guns
PlanetSide 2 is in the news again this week, but to be honest we don't know all the details as of yet. Sony Online Entertainment has sent out a press blurb stating that it will be "brief[ing] the troops on anything and everything related to the art of PlanetSide 2." This includes a chat with senior art director Tramell Isaac (whom die-hard fans will recognize as the art director on the original PlanetSide) scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th.

Tramell will be discussing "the original PlanetSide's legacy and influence on PlanetSide 2's art style, and how SOE's powerful ForgeLight engine will carry this vision forward."

Thursday brings a PlanetSide 2 webcast (also with a focus on art direction). After that, fans can look forward to a Twitter chat on Friday, and the dev team will be fielding multiple questions relating to the upcoming sci-fi MMOFPS.

MassivelySOE gearing up for PlanetSide 2 dev chats originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-directiondev-chatforgelightmmo-shooterplanetsideplanetside-2sci-fishootersoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttramell-isaactwitter-chatwebcastMon, 26 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2's Asura Week continues with a look at environmental concepts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/guild-wars-2s-asura-week-continues-with-a-look-at-environmental/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/guild-wars-2s-asura-week-continues-with-a-look-at-environmental/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/guild-wars-2s-asura-week-continues-with-a-look-at-environmental/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 - Asura environment art
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.

MassivelyGuild 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarenanetartasuraasura-weekconcept-artenvironmental-artenvironmental-conceptsfantasyguild-wars-2gw2matt-barrettmatthew-barretttyriaTue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Defiance drops in new screenshots, artwork]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/defiance-drops-in-new-screenshots-artwork/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/defiance-drops-in-new-screenshots-artwork/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/defiance-drops-in-new-screenshots-artwork/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Defiance
Hot off the press from Gamescom 2011, we bring you a new round of screenshots from the upcoming collaboration between Trion Worlds and SyFy, Defiance.

For those of you not up to speed on what exactly Defiance is aiming to be, here's a crash-course. Defiance is set to be the first-ever collaborative effort between an MMO and a TV-show, with actions occurring in each influencing the story of the other. Players will be put in the shoes of the citizens of San Francisco Bay Area, while the TV show takes place in and around St. Louis. Earth is under attack by a mysterious breed of aliens who are looking to terraform Earth until it suits their own needs, and of course this means that all humans must die. Humanity isn't just going to take that sitting down, though, and it's up to players to fight off the alien hordes and reclaim their planet.

Savvy? Great. Now hit the gallery below (and if you're new to the Defiance scene, go check out the trailer) for some new screenshots of this innovative title and prepare yourself to fight for the planet. That, or die trying.

Gallery: Defiance core gallery

MassivelyDefiance drops in new screenshots, artwork originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartworkconcept-artconsolesdefiancegamescom-2011mmofpssci-fiscreenshotscreenshotssyfytriontrion-worldsThu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 art and screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-art-and-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-art-and-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-art-and-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Planetside 2 - muzzle flare
Sony Online Entertainment is sloooooowly letting a few PlanetSide 2 teases slip through the cracks, and the latest is a set of screenshots and artwork showing off the upcoming massively multiplayer shooter's dazzling visuals.

The new gallery features a bunch of combat shots complete with dirty uniforms, spiffy muzzle flares, and some nifty surrounding terrain. You'll also spot a few dead bodies in the background, and the overall mood evoked is one of gritty sci-fi realism. SOE has also tossed in a couple of concept art pieces for your viewing pleasure, so take a look at the gallery below to see some Terran Republic stealth and medic gear.

In other PlanetSide 2 news, rumor has it that the title won't be coming to the Playstation 3 console. "I think I would have been told about it by now," SOE's Matt Higby reportedly told IncGamers.

Gallery: PlanetSide 2

MassivelySOE releases new PlanetSide 2 art and screens originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artconcept-artgallerymatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpsnew-conglomerateplanetside-2playstation-3playstation3ps3sci-fiscreenshotsshootersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentterran-republicThu, 18 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Break into the gaming industry as an ArenaNet intern]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ArenaNet Studio
I can do that!

Budding game artists and programmers rejoice! If you have been looking for a way to break into the industry, ArenaNet is offering just that opportunity -- it is now considering applications to its 2012 Internship Program. The Class of 2012 will offer the following disciplines: Character Art, Environment Art, Technical Art/VFX, Animation, and Programming.

ArenaNet feels that "artists learn more in the first few months of a game industry job than in their entire time at art school." The focus is on "an immersive work-based educational program where intern artists work alongside professionals" to develop and hone their skills.

If accepted to the program, interns will have to relocate to the Bellevue, WA area at their own expense, but they will be paid an hourly stipend for their work as well as have the opportunity to participate in an internal educational program.

The deadline for entry into the 2012 class is September 21st, 2011. If you think you have what it takes, check out the official announcement for full details and links to each discipline's respective applications.

MassivelyBreak into the gaming industry as an ArenaNet intern originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArenaNetarenanet-blogArenaNet-internshipartgame-industryGameIndustrygaminginternshipsprogrammingTue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[S'all about style, baby: Carbine Studios' Matt Mocarski on art and design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Teaser Screenshot from Carbine's upcoming MMO's debut trailer
Nothing seems to stem the tide of dev diaries flowing out of NCSoft's Carbine Studios, and that's just fine by us. Today we have a new post from Carbine's art director Matt Mocarski regarding the visual style of their upcoming title, and which just so happens to include a sneak peek at a screenshot from the title's upcoming debut trailer (which you can see as the header to this post).

According to Mocarski, the team began work on the project with a simple goal for the art: It had to be unique and iconic; something that would be instantly recognizable as belonging to Carbine's MMO. With that in mind, the artists began drawing on the collective influences of the team, specifically American and European comics and American and Japanese animation, and came together with an art style that would be unique and memorable for their future fantasy game. It took a few iterations, but eventually the team settled on what Mocarski describes as an illustrated and hand-crafted style. Judging by the still provided, we think it's going to be quite interesting to see the team's work in motion when the game premieres at Gamescom next week.

MassivelyS'all about style, baby: Carbine Studios' Matt Mocarski on art and design originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartworkcarbinecarbine-studiosdesignfantasy-techfuture-fantasygame-artjust-announce-the-game-alreadymatt-mocarskincsoftsci-fi-fantasyWed, 10 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-rusty-hearts-dev-diary-delves-into-delicious-design-decision/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-rusty-hearts-dev-diary-delves-into-delicious-design-decision/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-rusty-hearts-dev-diary-delves-into-delicious-design-decision/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's time for another dev diary from the fine folks at Perfect World Entertainment, this time detailing the art of Rusty Hearts. We're sure that by now most of you have seen Rusty Hearts and its crisp cel-shaded anime style, but the dev diary goes into detail on what the team is aiming for with the art, and outlines the inspiration behind it.

The team is careful to note that while the overall vibe of the game is decidedly dark and gothic, that by no means insinuates that the world will be dull or muddled. Taking inspiration from popular anime such as Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, Rusty Hearts aims to carve a niche for itself as a "living comic." For the full dev diary, hop on past the cut!

Continue reading New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions

MassivelyNew Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliterationartart-stylebeat-em-upbrawlerdesigndev-diariesdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentpwerhrusty-heartsvideovideosFri, 05 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Make like a tree and check out ArenaNet's Sylvari Week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/make-like-a-tree-and-check-out-arenanets-sylvari-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/make-like-a-tree-and-check-out-arenanets-sylvari-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/make-like-a-tree-and-check-out-arenanets-sylvari-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Forget Shark Week -- it's Sylvari Week! Today on the ArenaNet blog and the Guild Wars 2 official site, ArenaNet announced that in honor of the Sylvari race's being playable at Gamescom later this month, next week (beginning Monday, August 8th) will be Sylvari week.

So what's the schedule looking like for Sylvari week? Well, things will kick off on Monday with ArenaNet artist Kristen Perry discussing the aesthetic of the Sylvari and explaining how it has evolved over time. Tuesday we get writer Angel McCoy talking about how the writing team intends to bring the race to life through its dialogue. Wednesday, Lore and Continuity Designer Ree Soesbee swings by -- with returning guest Kristen Perry -- the ANet blog to to discuss the roots (Ha Ha! Sylvari are trees.) and development of the Sylvari race. Thursday sees the Sylvari page on the official Guild Wars 2 site updated with buckets of new content, and things finally wrap up on Friday as Ree Soesbee returns with a narrative blog post that expands on the lore of the Sylvari even further.

MassivelyMake like a tree and check out ArenaNet's Sylvari Week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetangel-mccoyarenanetartguild-wars-2gw2kristen-perrylorencsoftree-soesbeesylvarisylvari-weektreetree-huggerstree-peopleFri, 05 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu wins award for digital art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/arenanets-daniel-dociu-wins-award-for-digital-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/arenanets-daniel-dociu-wins-award-for-digital-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/arenanets-daniel-dociu-wins-award-for-digital-art/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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.

MassivelyArenaNet'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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarena-netarenanetartartistsawardsconcept-artconcept-drawingsculturedaniel-dociuguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2kekai-kotakincsoftFri, 15 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Artist to lock self in crate with no contact with outside world but Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/artist-to-lock-self-in-crate-with-no-contact-with-outside-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/artist-to-lock-self-in-crate-with-no-contact-with-outside-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/artist-to-lock-self-in-crate-with-no-contact-with-outside-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be locked in a crate with absolutely no contact with the outside world except through an online game? No? Well, neither have we. Artist Jordan Long, however, apparently has, and for his first solo show he intends to ship himself in a crate from Bald Knob, AK to Portland, OR with Lord of the Rings Online as his only contact with the outside world.

You may be asking yourself, "What exactly is the purpose of this little stunt?" A fair question. According to Mr. Long, the focus of his art is the study of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and he claims that many who are confined to their homes due to such trauma tend to find their escape in the form of online games such as LotRO, where they can "enter and exit whenever they choose, be whoever they want to be and feel like functioning members of society again." It's an interesting concept, to say the least. If you want to follow Jordan's project, you can keep an eye on his official site.

MassivelyArtist to lock self in crate with no contact with outside world but Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcratejordan-longlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroptsdtraumaturbineTurbine-EntertainmentMon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall art lead builds battleframes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/firefall-art-lead-builds-battleframes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/firefall-art-lead-builds-battleframes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/firefall-art-lead-builds-battleframes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Firefall isn't being marketed as a traditional MMO, and in fact there aren't many traditional MMO staples in this Red 5 Studios creation. For instance, the class system is series of battleframes. These are armor sets that any player can wear, and they define what role he plays in a group.

Another way Firefall is attempting to carve its own gaming niche is found in the art style behind this third-person shooter. Art Lead Adam McMahon takes a few moments in the latest Firefall dev blog to talk about the evolution of the battleframe design. Some of the original designs for the battleframes conjured up scenes from Alien or Starship Troopers. But the art team quickly realized that it was "making a game for the global market," and therefore, as McMahon explains, "the art needs to be special and it needs to appeal to that broad audience." At that point, the design took a totally different direction and eventually became the look you see in the promo art now and you will see in the game.

If you'd like to read more about how McMahon and the Firefall team inspired the look of the game, be sure to read the whole developer diary. While you're there, take a moment to sign up for the beta.

Gallery: Firefall battleframe design

MassivelyFirefall art lead builds battleframes originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-mcmahonartbattleframescharacter-designdesignf2pFirefallfree-to-playftpgalleryred-5red-5-studiosRed5third-person-shooterSun, 12 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom prepping new Age of Conan adventure pack inspired by film reboot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/funcom-prepping-new-age-of-conan-adventure-pack-inspired-by-film/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/funcom-prepping-new-age-of-conan-adventure-pack-inspired-by-film/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/funcom-prepping-new-age-of-conan-adventure-pack-inspired-by-film/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It looks like rumors of new film-related content for Age of Conan were pretty accurate, as Funcom has officially announced The Savage Coast of Turan adventure pack for its fantasy MMORPG.

According to a new press release, the pack "includes but is not limited to" content from the forthcoming Conan the Barbarian film reboot and will see players traveling to the lands of Turan some 20 years after the events of the movie. Players will explore the city of Ardashir and take on new quests, encounters, raids, and dungeons, all inspired by the film and on display in the recently released Conan trailer.

Conan the Barbarian debuts August 19th, and while there is no firm release date for The Savage Coast of Turan, film producer Fredrik Malmberg says that fans will appreciate the synergy between the movie and Funcom's MMORPG. "Many of the concepts, locations, and designs from the game development were utilized by the film team for consistency," he said. Check out our AoC gallery below for a glimpse of some Ardashir concept art that includes new Turanian armor.

Gallery: Age of Conan Gallery

MassivelyFuncom prepping new Age of Conan adventure pack inspired by film reboot originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocardashirarmorartconanconan-filmconan-movieConan-the-Barbarianconan-the-barbarian-filmconcept-artfredrik-malmbergfuncomgallerypress-releasesavage-coast-of-turanturanturanian-armorTue, 24 May 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite use of heavily stylized graphics?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the earliest days of gaming, games were by their very nature pretty much abstract in graphics. The Atari 2600 couldn't really handle photorealistic human faces, after all. But even though we're now in the era when realism is not that far off, many games still employ intentionally stylized looks. LEGO Universe people look nothing like actual human beings, after all -- but they're not supposed to, representing instead the ubiquitous minifigures given motion and character.

Some players really don't like stylized appearances, feeling that they look cartoony or artificial. Others prefer them to realistic graphics out of a sense that the style makes the game stand out more. MMOs have run the gamut from the detailed and realistic humans of All Points Bulletin to the intentionally unreal graphics of Super Hero Squad Online. So what game has stylized graphics that you think really work? Whether or not you like the style overall, where do you feel they add to the game's atmosphere?

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 favorite use of heavily stylized graphics? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-stylecartoony-graphicsdetailsgraphicsopinionstylestylized-graphicstdgthe-daily-grindvisual-effectsvisualsTue, 24 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What aesthetic should we see more often?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Possibly showing our skewed priorities, most of the Massively staff launched into paroxysms of cooing at the unveiling of City of Heroes' Steampunk Pack. It's an aesthetic that's sadly underused within the MMO space -- we have a few hundred games that feature a vaguely European fantasy world but a decided lack of games with thick smoke, oil, and clockwork machinery. But steampunk isn't the only design aesthetic and general setting getting short shrift within the games we adore.

The modern "art deco" aesthetic of the 1950s. The lush jungle setting of South America during the reign of the Aztec and Mayan peoples. The bleak iron and hard edges of Soviet Russia. We've all got settings that we think would be a bit more interesting than yet another game with French castles and full-plate knights, so today we ask -- what would you like to see more frequently?

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 aesthetic should we see more often? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-designart-directiondesignopinionsteampunktdgthe-daily-grindthemesvisualsFri, 20 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New developer diary on designing the Steampunk Pack for City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-developer-diary-on-designing-the-steampunk-pack-for-city-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-developer-diary-on-designing-the-steampunk-pack-for-city-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-developer-diary-on-designing-the-steampunk-pack-for-city-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pip pip, ladies and fellows alike! No doubt you saw the marvelous presentation of yesterday's fully cinemascoped "trailer" for the upcoming Steampunk Pack that will be delivered at the onset of June to a waiting audience in City of Heroes. But what formidable science was leveraged in the creation of these modern marvels of technology and ingenuity? Wonder no longer, for the fine staff and associates at Paragon Studios have put together a fortuitous dispatch describing the method behind these fantastic creations at the cutting edge of technology.

Cheryl Austin, a plucky lass responsible for many of the designs seen within the impressive piece of cinematography, discusses both the inspirations behind these marvelous designs and the subtle ways in which steam and clockwork mechanisms found their way into use. If you are one of the many kind souls within City of Heroes no doubt anticipating this costume set with bated breath, then by all means, peruse the words of the designer with all due haste!

MassivelyNew developer diary on designing the Steampunk Pack for City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcheryl-austincity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdeveloper-diarydevelopmentncsoftparagonparagon-studiossteampunksteampunk-packThu, 19 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet talks Guild Wars 2 environment art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/arenanet-talks-guild-wars-2-environment-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/arenanet-talks-guild-wars-2-environment-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/arenanet-talks-guild-wars-2-environment-art/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's a new Guild Wars 2 dev blog loose on the interwebs, and ArenaNet's Peter Fries has lots to say about the upcoming sequel's environment art. Fries paints a pretty picture of the game's locations, both literally and in the mind's eye of folks excited about ANet's decision to make Tyria more of an open world. "In the original Guild Wars, a map artist could cheat in places they knew a player could never reach, using unbacked facades or hollow props, but there are few parts of this game world that are inaccessible," Fries notes.

The blog entry gives us a high-level overview of the creation of a game map from prototype to finished product, and Fries says that environment artists were involved very early in the process (usually just after a level designer finished up with an initial three-dimensional sketch). We're also let in on the fact that ANet typically uses two environment artists working in tandem on a particular map, the better to shoulder the significant workload inherent in filling the landscape with minutiae.

Finally, we get a bit of a tease as to why location and location art matters, as Fries alludes to the history of Tyria and the continuity from the original game to the sequel. "Players who enjoyed the lore of Guild Wars will find plenty of relics from our game's history in the landscape of Guild Wars 2, sometimes tucked into surprising places," he says.

MassivelyArenaNet talks Guild Wars 2 environment art originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarena.netarenanetartdesigndetailsdev-blogdev-diaryenvironmental-artfantasygame-designguild-wars-2gw2location-artloremap-designncsoftopen-worldpeter-friestyriaWed, 27 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

In the past few years, we've seen a virtual revolution in online gaming. MMOs have taken off in a big way, but the latest online games to really capture our attention have been a little less than "massively." Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas and other session-based online games feature regular development updates and offer a form of persistence by tracking stats and characters, making them a lot closer to MMOs than traditional online games.

Last week we looked at the updated Engineer in Heroes of Newerth (who I can confirm is now hilariously broken and fun to play), League of Legends' new champion Brand, and the first details of Rise of Immortals character Ichorr. In this week's bumper edition of Not So Massively, we look at upcoming HoN hero Silhouette, the adorable LoL Cottontail Teemo, LoL's 24th summoner showcase, Easter updates for Bloodline Champions, Darkspore's new hero Skar, Hi-Rez Studios' new MOBA Smite, and much more.

Continue reading Not So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets?

MassivelyNot So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-spotlightbattleborn-kayleconcept-artcottontail-teemodarksporeeggniterfeaturedgameplayherohero-spotlightheroes-of-newerthhi-rez-studiosHoNKatersonesevenleague-of-legendsLoLmaxismobanikasaurninjanot-so-massivelyorigamipatchpetroglyphriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroirounduprumbleS2-Gamessilhouetteskarsmitesummoner-spotlightteemotrailervideovlogSat, 23 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Dudes smashing other dudes to bits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/not-so-massively-dudes-smashing-other-dudes-to-bits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/not-so-massively-dudes-smashing-other-dudes-to-bits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/not-so-massively-dudes-smashing-other-dudes-to-bits/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

There are plenty of games out there that are almost MMOs but have a different take on persistence or aren't quite massive enough. Last week saw the start of Not So Massively, our brand-new weekly column dedicated to all those games that aren't quite MMOs. We covered some exciting news from a variety of multiplayer online battle arena games, including the results of League of Legends' charity drive in aid of Japan, a first look at a new hero on the way for Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals officially launching closed beta, and development plans for Bloodline Champions.

In this week's Not So Massively, I look at Heroes of Newerth's Engineer changes, League of Legends' new champion Brand, and first details of Rise of Immortals character Ichorr.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Dudes smashing other dudes to bits

MassivelyNot So Massively: Dudes smashing other dudes to bits originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-spotlightbrandengineerfeaturedgameplayheroheroes-of-newerthHoNichorrleague-of-legendsLoLmobamonkey-kingnot-so-massivelypatchpetroglyphriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiroundupS2-Gamesserver-downtimespider-minethe-nomadtrailervideoSat, 16 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 art director talks racial redesigns and making it as a game artist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/guild-wars-2-art-director-talks-racial-redesigns-and-making-it-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/guild-wars-2-art-director-talks-racial-redesigns-and-making-it-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/guild-wars-2-art-director-talks-racial-redesigns-and-making-it-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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.

MassivelyGuild 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarenanetartart-directioncharacters-and-creatures-teamdaniel-dociufantasyguild-wars-2gw2interviewssylvaritap-repeatedlyWed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daniel Dociu talks Guild Wars 2 art direction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/daniel-dociu-talks-guild-wars-2-art-direction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/daniel-dociu-talks-guild-wars-2-art-direction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/daniel-dociu-talks-guild-wars-2-art-direction/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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."

MassivelyDaniel 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarenanetartart-directionart-teamdavid-dociufantasyguild-warsguild-wars-2interviewsstylestylizedtap-repeatedlyuiuser-interfaceMon, 04 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA box art revealed, game one step closer to release]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/tera-box-art-revealed-game-one-step-closer-to-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/tera-box-art-revealed-game-one-step-closer-to-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/tera-box-art-revealed-game-one-step-closer-to-release/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Upcoming fantasy MMO TERA has been in closed beta for some time and is fast approaching release. Created by Korea-based developer Blue Hole Studio, the game is due to be published in North America and Europe by En Masse Entertainment and Frogster respectively. With the game's first big community testing event officially starting tomorrow, fans of the game will finally get to try it out.

TERA took another step toward realisation today as En Masse has given fans a first glimpse of the official box art. The colour schemes and visual styles in the box art are designed to mirror the styles you'll find in the game once it's released. In a refreshing change, the female character featured in the image is a lot more conservatively dressed than is usually expected from box art or from TERA. Head over to the official TERA website for a sneak peek at the new box art.

MassivelyTERA box art revealed, game one step closer to release originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbetablueholebluehole-studiobox-arten-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyfrogsterteratera-onlinetestingFri, 01 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes offers an Issue 20 overview and development journal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PAX East is just around the corner, and it marks the second east coast appearance of the Paragon Studios team. Last year the developers had an upcoming expansion to preview, but this year nevertheless promises to still have plenty of revelations for the City of Heroes fans, starting with the new Issue 20 overview page available today. Aside from the two known Incarnate Trials, the page also previews two new task forces for characters in the 20-40 range as well as more respec trials available for heroes or villains who change alignment.

If the overview alone isn't enough to get you fired up for the upcoming Issue 20, the latest installment of the Intrepid Informer previews one of the new areas designed for the patch: a fortress made of lashed-together ships. Gilbert Martinez, one of the game's art leads, explains the process that led to creating an evocative new piece of scenery. City of Heroes players have plenty to look forward to in the near future, not the least of which being an upcoming patch with some pretty interesting content.

MassivelyCity of Heroes offers an Issue 20 overview and development journal originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-issue-20covcoxdesigngilbert-martinezgroup-contenti20issue-20ncsoftnewsparagonparagon-studiospatch-previewpatchespaxpax-eastpax-east-2011raidsstrike-forcetask-forceTue, 01 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Voting opens on EVE t-shirt design competition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/voting-opens-on-eve-t-shirt-design-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/voting-opens-on-eve-t-shirt-design-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/voting-opens-on-eve-t-shirt-design-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In mid December, geeky t-shirt manufacturer J!NX announced an exciting art competition for fans of EVE Online. Following on from the popularity of CCP's earlier DeviantArt ship design contest, J!NX and CCP Games gave people the opportunity to design their very own EVE t-shirt. The deadline for submission has now passed and public voting is now open on the 85 submitted entries. The creators of the three best shirt designs will each receive $750 US dollars in cash, $250 dollars worth of J!NX store credit, a full year's subscription to EVE Online and a whole pile of items from the EVE store.

Perhaps more exciting is the fact that the best designs will be also be turned into t-shirts for sale. The choice of which shirts make the cut will be based on both the public vote and input from CCP and J!NX. If you're looking to expand your wardrobe with some internet-spaceship-themed clothing, now's your chance to pick your favourite designs from the hoard of entries. Voting will be open for all J!NX account holders until January 10th, with the winners announced one week later on January 17th.

MassivelyVoting opens on EVE t-shirt design competition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artccpccp-eveccp-gamescompetitioncontestdesigneveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinejinxjnxprizest-shirttshirtvotevotingThu, 30 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion profiles RIFT's Freemarch zone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/trion-profiles-rifts-freemarch-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/trion-profiles-rifts-freemarch-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/trion-profiles-rifts-freemarch-zone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Throughout this month, Trion Worlds has been regularly releasing new information on its upcoming fantasy MMO RIFT. With the NDA having been lifted on the first two rounds of closed beta events, excitement has really started to build for what could potentially be a fun and polished MMO. The game's third closed beta event is already underway, allowing selected testers to play through the first 20 levels and explore the new Silverwood and Freemarch zones. For anyone who didn't make it into the third RIFT beta event, Trion has now released several screenshots and pieces of concept art on the Freemarch zone to give us an idea of what we can expect from it.

Freemarch is a zone with a chilling storyline. Home of the Defiant faction, its coasts are ravaged by the slimy monsters that clamber out from dangerous water rifts. Its fertile rolling fields are now ravaged by death rifts, and the once-grand Port Scion is completely overrun with the Deathtouched. "Freemarch is the heart of the Defiant faction," Trion tells us. "Their wondrous city of Meridian stands by the coast, its back to the mountains, sending out waves of Defiant to keep Freemarch free. Yet every day new rifts open, new monsters emerge, and the laughter of cultists grows ever more confident and shrill. Undead claw their way from their graves to feast on the living and raze farmsteads, turning the heartland black."

Stay tuned to Massively's coverage of RIFT for more updates, reveals and impressions from the beta tests.

Gallery: RIFT: Location Reveals

MassivelyTrion profiles RIFT's Freemarch zone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artconcept-artdeath-riftdefiantfreemarchgalleryport-scionriftriftsscreenshotscreenshotstrion-worldswater-riftWed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Show your artistic talent to win prizes with EVE Online's design contests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/show-your-artistic-talent-to-win-prizes-with-eve-onlines-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/show-your-artistic-talent-to-win-prizes-with-eve-onlines-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/show-your-artistic-talent-to-win-prizes-with-eve-onlines-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Back in September, EVE Online developer CCP Games teamed up with the folks at deviantArt to bring us a fantastic starship design competition. Dozens of artists from around the world worked tirelessly to create the ultimate starship designs, producing some incredible entries that wouldn't look out of place in New Eden. When the winners were announced, CCP revealed that there would be a second starship design contest to give players another chance to win prizes.

There's just under a week left to submit your entries for the final round of the starship design contest. With a grand prize of $900 cash, a year's subscription to EVE and a whole host of items from the EVE store, it's definitely a contest worth entering. Four additional runner-up prizes of $600 and some items from the EVE store will also be given out. Entries will be voted on by players, and the top 20 will be passed to the EVE art team to select the winners. The deadline for submission is December 21st, with voting beginning the following day.

As if that weren't enough, t-shirt producer J!NX is also running its own EVE art contest with similarly huge prizes to be won. To enter, all you have to do is design a new EVE t-shirt, the best of which will eventually be sold on J!NX. Three prizes are available, each with $750 cash, a further $250 in J!NX vouchers, 12 months of EVE game time and several items from the EVE store. Public voting opens on December 27th, so get your entry in before Christmas to have a good chance of getting it in on time.

MassivelyShow your artistic talent to win prizes with EVE Online's design contests originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artccpccp-eveccp-gamescompetitioncontestdesigneveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinejinxjnxprizesstarshipt-shirtWed, 15 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST