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[Dark Age of Camelot storms the castle with Patch 1.111]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/dark-age-of-camelot-storms-the-castle-with-patch-1-111/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/dark-age-of-camelot-storms-the-castle-with-patch-1-111/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/dark-age-of-camelot-storms-the-castle-with-patch-1-111/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

DAoC
People of Midgard, Albion, and Hibernia -- fight for glory! The call to battle is strong and never-ending, and Mythic is looking to your continued diligence and thirst for blood to keep Dark Age of Camelot's PvP raging. For its part, Mythic has delivered the latest tantalizing update to the game today, Patch 1.111.

To keep the battlefield skirmishes hot, the studio has added new RvR missions to the Frontiers. This should hopefully cause a greater amount of conflict as players strive to accomplish their tasks.

Patch 1.111 also includes a host of class tweaks (including a huge buff to Thanes), additional controllable pets for Animists, and new Atlantis quests. These quests start at level 30 and will help players garner more Atlantean Glass for their artifacts, which should help ease the pain of grinding out Master Levels.

The patch is currently live on all servers.

MassivelyDark Age of Camelot storms the castle with Patch 1.111 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.111animistsartifactsatlantean-questsatlantisdaocdark-age-of-camelotea-mythicfrontiersmaster-levelsmythicpatch-1.111patch-notespvprvrrvr-queststhaneswalking-mushroomsWed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo III game designers talk Inferno difficulty and twinking]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/diablo-iii-game-designers-talk-inferno-difficulty-and-twinking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/diablo-iii-game-designers-talk-inferno-difficulty-and-twinking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/diablo-iii-game-designers-talk-inferno-difficulty-and-twinking/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Oh no, color! Destroying the ambiance!
Diablo III is not an MMO by any stretch of the imagination, but it certainly has some strong online elements like previous installments. It also has a lot of expectations to live up to, several of which are discussed in a recent PC Gamer interview with Wyatt Cheng and Andrew Chambers. Both designers discuss the challenge level of the new Inferno difficulty, which is aimed at max-level characters in good gear who have already completed the Hell difficulty level. They confirm that while it's meant to be brutal, it can be played and beaten solo -- although having a friend won't hurt.

And speaking of getting by with a bit of help from one's friends, Cheng and Chambers both agree that twinking out new characters is a time-honored part of the game's tradition; their job as designers requires them to find ways to ensure that twinking is a fun process for players. It's the sort of interview that can leave fans wanting more of the game before it's released -- which ties in nicely to the fact that you can pre-order the Book of Cain (a collection of in-universe lore and artwork) on Amazon right now. And you can even take a look past the break to see what the book looks like.

Continue reading Diablo III game designers talk Inferno difficulty and twinking

MassivelyDiablo III game designers talk Inferno difficulty and twinking originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardandrew-chambersartifactsbackstoryblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchallenged3designdiablodiablo-3diablo-iiidiablo-iii-betadifficultydiiiinterviewsloremultiplayernewsupdatesvideowyatt-chengMon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT's 1.3 update bringing new raid, free transfers, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/rifts-1-3-update-bringing-new-raid-free-transfers-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/rifts-1-3-update-bringing-new-raid-free-transfers-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/rifts-1-3-update-bringing-new-raid-free-transfers-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

With less than a week remaining until the biggest game update in RIFT's short history, Trion Worlds is upping the excitement ante with a new press release detailing the extensive features coming with Waves of Madness.

The official unveiling will happen courtesy of a world event on June 22nd, and RIFT's 1.3 version update will subsequently include guild bank functionality, new item sets, new character accessories, new artifacts, free character transfers, and Hammerknell. This last is a 20-player raid that Trion says "will challenge even the most practiced players."

The encounter boasts three wings, 10 bosses, and a gaggle of gross-out monsters designed to make life more fun for Telara's endgame players. If we've piqued your curiosity, have a look at the official website for all the details.

MassivelyRIFT's 1.3 update bringing new raid, free transfers, and more originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.3-patch1.3-updateartifactsendgame-contentfantasyfree-character-transfersguild-bankhammerknellitem-setspress-releasepveraidraidingriftrift-1.3rift-patchtelaratriontrion-world-networktrion-worldswaves-of-madnessWed, 15 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-case-for-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-case-for-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-case-for-player-housing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Earlier this week we were treated to the news that Trion Worlds is going to offer free character transfers between "select servers" once Update 1.3 hits. Now, how useful this will be is anyone's guess -- as some have noted, this may just be a clever ploy to redistribute the population from high-pop servers to low-pop ones -- but generally it's been met with applause from the community. I remain impressed as a consumer with how fast and aggressive Trion is pumping out content, and the fact that this is a free transfer once per week is really cool considering how most other subscription MMOs charge for a similar "premium" service.

Whatever Trion's motive and however it'll play out, I do know this: The company needs to continue to bring the heat to the competition. It's vital that RIFT distinguishes itself from the rest of the pack in some way, whether it be polish, originality, speed, customer service, or innovation.

Today I'd like to make a case for what I think should be high up on Trion's development schedule: player housing. We know it's something the devs have discussed, with some very much for and some very much against, but I'm hoping it's gone past the brainstorming phase. Why should we care about what might seem like fluff? How could housing work in RIFT? Tune in after the jump, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel to find out!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: A case for player housing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artifactartifactsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcharacter-transferscity-of-heroescohcollectionsdynamic-contentendless-courtenter-at-your-own-rifteq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedguild-housinghousinginvasionsjeflord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrominecraftmythicpatch-1.3phplayer-housingriftrift-planes-of-telarariftssandboxsupergroupthe-simstriontrion-worldsvanity-petswarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Off the beaten path]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-off-the-beaten-path/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-off-the-beaten-path/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/enter-at-your-own-rift-off-the-beaten-path/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Conventional MMO wisdom says that one should stick to the roads as much as possible when questing. Roads have become the "safe zone" of online games, a place where mobs are less likely to attack and adventurers are less likely to become lost. RIFT, however, turns this MMO convention on its head and does everything it can to break us of this predictable -- and boring -- habit.

For one thing, the roads in RIFT are not safe. At any moment, a rampaging invasion or event boss may be wandering down them, looking for easy prey. I've seen more than one jaded MMO vet express a type of dawning pleasure when this has happened, especially considering the reputation modern games have for coddling their populations.

For another thing, there are a lot of incentives to strike off the beaten path and explore the world instead of staring at a packed trail that's been walked a million times before. RIFT encourages players to do so in subtle ways, ways that I deeply appreciate as an explorer type.

In today's Enter at Your Own Rift, we're going to look at three reasons that blazing your own way in the wilderness is more fun -- and even beneficial -- than sticking to the highway. Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Off the beaten path

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Off the beaten path originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachieverartifactscollectionsenter-at-your-own-riftexplorerexploringfeaturedpuzzlepuzzlesriftrift-junkierift-planes-of-telarasilverwoodsparklesparkliestriontrion-worldsWed, 11 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

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

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

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsartifactsdefianteaster-eggend-of-the-worldfeaturedguildiesguildshumorlemonheadsnon-combat-petpublic-groupingpvpraindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on-kittensriftrift-planes-of-telarascottysoundsound-editingtelaratriontrion-worldsvanity-petsvideo-recordingvoice-overwaypointsworld-of-warcraftyoutubeWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Sightseeing in Sanctum]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/enter-at-your-own-rift-sightseeing-in-sanctum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/enter-at-your-own-rift-sightseeing-in-sanctum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/enter-at-your-own-rift-sightseeing-in-sanctum/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of the things I love about RIFT is its smaller, more intimate feel. Don't get me wrong -- there's still plenty of space to explore and get lost in, but the space that is present is used to great effect and isn't just there to make it seem bigger for bigger's sake. This is echoed in the two capital cities of the game, Sanctum (Guardian) and Meridian (Defiant). Both are gorgeously detailed and impressive in their own way, yet they're comfortable and accessible instead of sprawling and vast.

If one thinks of the quest hubs, camps and villages dotting the world as mom and pop stores, then the capital cities are the Walmarts of RIFT: one-stop shops for all your character's needs. They're both fairly compact, although I found myself preferring Sanctum's beachfront atmosphere and circular layout over Meridian's underground labyrinth.

Because all players will be traveling to and extensively using capital cities during the course of their in-game careers, I figured we might as well take a look at what capital cities -- Sanctum specifically -- have to offer. Jump on our people-mover as we wind our way through the sights and sounds of civilization!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Sightseeing in Sanctum

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Sightseeing in Sanctum originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artifact-masterartifactsauction-houseauctioneerbankcapital-citiescapital-cityclass-trainerscollectionscraftingcrafting-trainersdefiantdyedyesfactionfaction-vendorsfactionsfeaturedguardianmeridianmitchmountsmr-mailboxporticulumporticulum-masterprofessionspvpriftrift-planes-of-telarariftpertssanctumsoul-trainerssoulstelaratriontrion-worldswal-martWed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/rift-beta-powow-with-scott-hartsman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/rift-beta-powow-with-scott-hartsman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/rift-beta-powow-with-scott-hartsman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This is, by any measure, a busy week for RIFT. Fresh off the second beta event, Trion Worlds has dropped the NDA for the game and announced a third beta to take place over the holidays. As the process speeds exponentially faster toward launch, Scott Hartsman and his team have a white-knuckled grip on RIFT for all the bumps, shimmies, dips and hills that such a high-profile title offers.

Even with a heaping amount of work on its plate, the team has been willing to share its passion for RIFT with the press and community. During this slight lull between betas two and three, Hartsman sat down with us over the phone to jaw about lessons learned from the beta, why Trion has dropped the NDA, how RIFT's already made history, and when we might be seeing this game on the shelves.

Hit the jump and let's do this thing. As Hartsman is fond of saying about the game, "S**t just got real."

Continue reading RIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman

MassivelyRIFT beta powow with Scott Hartsman originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artifactsbetabeta-eventbeta-onebeta-threebeta-twocharacter-wipecollectionsdirectxdungeonsexpert-dungeonsfeaturedin-game-eventinstancesinterviewinvasioninvasionsiron-tomblfglfg-toolndanon-disclosure-agreementoptimizationprince-hylas-aelfwarquicksilver-collegerealm-of-the-faeriftrift-planes-of-telarariftssanctumscott-hartsmansilverwood-foresttriontrion-worldswysiwygzone-wide-invasionsWed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-the-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-the-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-the-history/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After a two-week hiatus to recover from rattlesnake bites and a bear to the face, the Game Archeologist returns to travel to England, but not the England we know today. No, this is the England-That-Could-Have-Been, the England of King Arthur, Excalibur and pointy-hatted Vikings. This is the England of fairy tales and legends and blocky 2001-era polygon models. It is the England of three realms constantly jockeying for supremacy and power. It is Dark Age of Camelot.

It's a pretty awesome place to live, even though the property values are way, way down after the last 18 marauding hordes trampled through the neighborhood.

This month, the Game Archaeologist is trading in his copyright-infringement fedora and whip for a sturdy suit of armor and a fiery sword as he slashes his way into Dark Age of Camelot. It doesn't matter if it's only a model -- it still inspires him to break out into song anyway.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albionanarchy-onlineartifactsasherons-callbioware-mythicbrooke-pilleydaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkness-fallsea-mythiceverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexcaliburexpansionsfeaturedgrindhiberniahousingking-arthurlineagemaster-levelsmidgardmotor-city-onlinemudmythicMythic-Entertainmentplayer-versus-playerpvprealm-vs-realmrunescapervrshrouded-islesthe-game-archaeologisttrials-of-atlantisultima-onlineuovikingswarwarhammer-onlinewheres-waldo-in-tagsWorld-of-Warcraftworld-war-ii-onlineTue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Apocrypha expansion preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/eve-evolved-apocrypha-expansion-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/eve-evolved-apocrypha-expansion-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/eve-evolved-apocrypha-expansion-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,



As March 10th draws ever closer, EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion is coming more and more into focus. Information on the new game mechanics and content is being released in the form of developer blogs and the official expansion page complete with screenshots and artwork is already up. Most importantly, a test version of the expansion is live on Singularity, EVE's main test server. Like any good journalist, I took my camera crew onto the test server to get some pictures of Apocrypha in action. What I found blew me away, literally.

In this gallery article, I take a visual sneak peak at parts of the impressive new Apocrypha expansion with a whopping 37 screenshots. In each screenshot, I talk about all of the new additions to the game.

Gallery: EVE Apocrypha Preview

New introduction videoWormhole!Sleeper stationTenguLegion

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Apocrypha expansion preview

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Apocrypha expansion preview originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaartifactsccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionexplorationfeaturedjoystiqfeatureslegionlokiprobeproteussleeperstrategic cruiserStrategicCruisertech 3Tech3tenguwormholeMon, 02 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST