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[Ask Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It got way worse after this.
For whatever reason, Rob Liefeld has become a mini-meme on my more meta columns of the week. He's a bad artist, yes, but as I've mentioned in the past, I don't actively dislike him. There are many people far more deserving of dislike. Case in point: Pat Lee. I'm not going to explain in depth right here, but suffice to say that the man has history of hobbies like not paying his employees and taking credit for the work of others. And he's not a very good artist.

So let's move on from that meme, shall we? Great.

Of course, if I'm talking about mini-memes on Ask Massively, that must mean that it's time for this week's installment, yes? Yes. And this week, we're talking about the now almost ubiquitous case of the Kickstarter project. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of Ask Massively, leave it in the comments below or mail it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycaptialfeaturedfundinghumorkickstarterkickstarter-projectsmassively-metametammo-industryopinionventure-capitalThu, 24 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This would actually have been pretty useful in DS9.
I have to be honest, the Caitian Carrier for Star Trek Online kind of makes me want to give the game a shot again. I liked it when I played it before, but I just had no time to play it on top of everything else. But then I think about all the work I'd need to do just to get caught up to normal, and... yeah, that's about the point when my gumption evaporates. Still, though. Carrier.

In other and far more relevant news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which talks about the cycle of game announcement and subsequent disappointment. (Apropos of the recent beta weekends for The Secret World, naturally.) If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Overwhelming changes edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybeta-eventsbeta-testsbeta-weekendsfeaturedhands-onhumormassively-metametaopinionreleasereleasestestsThu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hopefully I'll get some time to play, but I'm not expecting any miracles.
So for those of you wondering, the move went quite well. The expected problems occurred at times of minimal inconvenience, and we almost completely finished unpacking at the new place in one weekend. But we still have to finish up at the old apartment, so of course the first beta for The Secret World is scheduled to be this weekend when we're slotted to head down there. Just like how Guild Wars 2 scheduled a beta weekend for our last pre-move weekend. So that's awesome.

This week's Ask Massively does not discuss this particular state of awesome. Instead, it discusses the deferred awesomeness of switching combat styles on the fly and what games feature something similar. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it in the comments below or send it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyfeaturedfighting-stylegame-mechanicshumormassively-metamechanical-ideasmetaopinionstyleswapping-stylesThu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Moving shop edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

My new home is in a trackless expanse of desert with a stew pot.
As you read this, I'm making my final preparations to move from my home for the past three years into a new and much nicer home. Of course, this brings with it certain concerns. Will the utility companies reconnect everything correctly? Will the movers drop something I can't easily replace? Will I forget something in the old apartment and have to go back?

So, if my posts next week seem a bit off, assume that the move resulted in fiery death all around and I've been replaced by a crude AI pasted in Visual Basic.

This week's Ask Massively, sadly, does not include anything about AI or my new apartment. Instead, it's about player-run events and why we cover some of them but not all. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Moving shop edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Moving shop edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyeventsfeaturedhumorin-game-eventsmassively-metametaopinionplayer-eventsplayer-run-eventsThu, 03 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I don't care for hats.
I was having trouble coming up with a topic for this week's header, so I tried writing down a bunch of different topics on pieces of paper and sticking them in a hat. Then I put the hat on. Now I still don't know what to write for this week's header, and I have an ugly hat on my head. Plus, little bits of paper are jammed against my head, and it's itchy. I knew this would be a problem starting with the bowler hat.

This week's Ask Massively will go on despite my itchy scalp and ugly hat. And in this edition, I'm talking about potential Eastern games for a player looking for new games and beta invitations. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybeta-invitationseasterneastern-gamesfeaturedhumormassively-metametaopinionThu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: I approve of more staves edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's no better way to beat up enemies and try out for the school's color team at once.
You know what we need more of? Staves used as melee weapons instead of a caster's Set of Stats in a Stick. Usually, what we get is closer to a cane than an actual staff, so it makes sense that a curvy stick with a lawn ornament on one end isn't much for actual combat. But come on, folks. You can do some serious damage with a metal pole and a few witless mooks. City of Heroes is ahead of the curve here.

This week's installment of Ask Massively has nothing to do with staves, however. It has to do with a few more lingering questions about the comment system and some wide-ranging "best of" topics. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, you can leave it in the comments or mail it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: I approve of more staves edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: I approve of more staves edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycolumnscommentsfeature-ideasfeaturedhumorideasmassively-metametaopinionThu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I do actually like my character in Firefall, though. Aside from the random mangled Spanish.
So near as I can tell from my limited time in the beta thus far, Firefall is a game in which you play a character with remarkably poor conceptions about the function of armor, especially if your character is a girl. I log in, jump around with a pair of rocket boots, and shoot things, and then my computer crashes for some reason after about 20 straight minutes of playing, so I haven't formed many other opinions. The parts I've played have been pretty satisfying, though.

But as this week's headline for Ask Massively explains, these are not actually beta impressions. Instead, this is a column covering a couple of the weird issues with our new comment system, something that I have absolutely no doubt will come up again later. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future installment of the column, send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycomment-systemcommentsfeaturedhumormassively-metametanew-systemsoh-great-new-comment-systemopinionThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: The diversity of New England edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/ask-massively-the-diversity-of-new-england-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/ask-massively-the-diversity-of-new-england-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/ask-massively-the-diversity-of-new-england-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Admittedly, it all looks pretty much the same in Google Maps 8-Bit.
Every year, when I head up to PAX East, some well-intentioned soul will point out that it must be nice to have a convention so close to home. Except it's really not. I live in Connecticut, and PAX East is in Boston. Despite what years of media exposure may have led you to believe, New England is not a uniform sea of snow, lobsters, and wizened old men spouting curmudgeonly wisdom. The lobsters are pretty much all Maine, for instance, and Rhode Island has the mafia instead of wizened old men. Also, no one in Connecticut says "cah." We say "car."

But you didn't click on through for me waxing poetic about my home region, I imagine. No, you came here for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which is all about how we schedule articles and why it seems like time occasionally passes us by. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it down in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: The diversity of New England edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: The diversity of New England edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyfeaturedhumormassively-metametaopinionschedulesThu, 05 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: A confluence of awesome edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ask-massively-a-confluence-of-awesome-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ask-massively-a-confluence-of-awesome-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ask-massively-a-confluence-of-awesome-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you'd like to complain about the ending, please avoid spoilers, be polite, and don't. Just don't.
Every so often, awesome things happen. Apparently, for reasons I cannot begin to explain, I can now dress my characters in Final Fantasy XIII-2 in N7 armor from Mass Effect 3. This makes me happy in countless ways. I'd like to have full-on armor customization for the suits, but then, I'd also like the game to be a totally separate storyline as opposed to providing a wholly unnecessary epilogue to Final Fantasy XIII. So I'm focusing on combining an awesome game system with a visual element of an awesome game.

This week's Ask Massively has nothing to do with combining one thing with another thing. Or maybe it sort of does, seeing as how it's all about crafting and gathering instead of killing stuff. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: A confluence of awesome edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: A confluence of awesome edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycraftingfeaturedgame-mechanicsgatheringhumormassively-metametaopinionThu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Unfortunately, afterwards there will still be a lot of novelty robots out of a job.
As I personally have no real reservations about the impending destruction of human society by perfect killer robots, I thought I'd take the opportunity to dispel certain misunderstandings about living under the thumb of mechanical overseers. Specifically, I'd like to dispel the idea that we'll be living. Robots wouldn't be sending us to work in mines; they can build machines to do that faster than our frail organic bodies. Not to mention that those machines would whine a lot less. So don't worry! You won't be toiling for a monolithic AI for years; you'll just be obliterated or used as organic building material. Doesn't that make things better?

In unrelated news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which focuses on the question of raw, unfettered action. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadviceadvice-columnask-massivelycombatculturedevelopmentfeaturedgame-mechanicshumorindustry-trendsmassively-metamechanicsmetaopinionThu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: A world without boats edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/ask-massively-a-world-without-boats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/ask-massively-a-world-without-boats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/ask-massively-a-world-without-boats-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is an allegory. Maybe.
As you probably have already ignored, the big news of the day is that the world's boats have all been lost due to mysterious boat-related circumstances. Unfortunately, as human beings are extremely stupid and easily thwarted, no one can remember how to build a boat, nor did anyone take any notes on how one might build a boat. There aren't even pieces of information about how boats work. Long story short, Australia is now completely on its own.

In less boat-related news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively. Written while not on a boat, it's fielding questions about the ubiquity of social networking and Collector's Editions that cost nearly as much as a boat. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: A world without boats edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: A world without boats edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycollectors-editionfacebookfeaturedhumormassively-metametanetworkingopinionsocial-networkingThu, 15 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: A week to sleep edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/ask-massively-a-week-to-sleep-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/ask-massively-a-week-to-sleep-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/ask-massively-a-week-to-sleep-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tigers are the biggest kittens.
Last week, if you've forgotten, we had a big multi-person answer. This week, Mass Effect 3 released. Between those two factors, this week's column is aiming less at huge overarching answers to profound questions and more at producing some lower-key answers to some lower-key questions. I'm sure next week we'll have bigger answers and I'll go back to stretching out "maybe" over 200 words. For this week, maybe we can take a nap?

What? Animals do it all the time, and they seem pretty happy. Especially the orange killing machines in the picture.

Anyhow, this week's Ask Massively is briefer than the last installment, but it still covers some Massively meta-issues as well as the looming prospect of ArcheAge's hopeful release stateside. If you have a question for a future installment of the feature, send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: A week to sleep edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: A week to sleep edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnarcheageask-massivelyfeaturedfeaturesglobal-chathumormassively-metametaopinionThu, 08 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Format changes for big questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

VHS just isn't going to cut it for Ask Massively any longer, so it's back to Beta.
Potaco asked a great question two weeks ago for Ask Massively, one that I'm going to just post right here:
"As a contributor to a gaming site that involves keeping up with many, many, many MMOs, do you find it harder to commit to a single game than before being forced to be exposed to so many?"
Naturally, I could have answered the question simply for myself. But we're a diverse bunch here at Massively, with different tastes and opinions and experiences. Any answer I gave wouldn't reveal the whole picture, so I turned to the rest of the team and posed the same question. The resulting column was so big that I had to steal an entirely different feature's format just to make everything easy to read. (Hopefully the guy who does it won't mind.)

As always, if you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Format changes for big questions

MassivelyAsk Massively: Format changes for big questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncolumnsculturedifferent-gamesexperimentationfeaturedgamingmassively-metamultiple-gamesThu, 01 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Assume the fish is a question, not just an enormous sunfish. Public domain photos are odd.
Some questions are just too good to leave to my sole discretion. I like to think that I can provide a reasonable response to a number of questions, but I also think there are some questions that merit more opinions. Case in point: a question last week from potaco about whether or not it's harder to focus on a single game instead of several games as a Massively employee. So I'm consolidating responses from the whole team right now, and we'll have an answer to that question this week.

This week's Ask Massively is still packed, however, with questions about getting a new computer for World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as whether or not Guild Wars 2 will provide credible competition for other games when it launches. If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alt-textanswersask-massivelycolumncolumnscomputersfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2hardwarenew-computerspoliciespurchasesq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answersshoppingThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Continuing dental nightmare edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/ask-massively-continuing-dental-nightmare-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/ask-massively-continuing-dental-nightmare-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/ask-massively-continuing-dental-nightmare-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Given the option, I would have my teeth replaced with mechanical versions capable of shooting lasers.
Back in December, I went in with a toothache and was informed that I had two options: Either the tooth could be yanked, or it could be saved via a root canal. I picked the latter option, which has provided me with a variety of new and interesting experiences, among them getting red-hot filler shoved into my jaw, having a nerve directly squirted with numbing agent, and getting a tooth shaved down to a nub while a sharp suction device jabbed at my gums. The whole process is almost over at long last, and I am relatively certain the last step will involve throwing a rabid weasel at me.

In other news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, covering our column procedure and the continuing saga of World of Warcraft's subscriber losses. As always, questions for future installments may be submitted via mail to ask@massively.com or left in the comments. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Continuing dental nightmare edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Continuing dental nightmare edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncolumn-procedurecolumnsfeaturedmassively-metaopinionsubscriber-numberssubscribersworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: We do not play games for a living edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/ask-massively-we-do-not-play-games-for-a-living-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/ask-massively-we-do-not-play-games-for-a-living-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/ask-massively-we-do-not-play-games-for-a-living-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Total paycheck for this bit of roleplaying: $0.00.
One of the most persistent misconceptions about what we do here at Massively is this idea that we play games for a living. Allow me to be perfectly clear in this: What you're seeing right now? This article? The one I wrote? Writing this is what I do for a living. I write about games, and I enjoy games, but if I decided to not write any of my columns for a month and just play Star Wars: The Old Republic, I would be fired. That is not my job.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, it's time for another installment of Ask Massively, this time featuring questions about gambling and the latest City of Heroes cash shop offering. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, mail it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: We do not play games for a living edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: We do not play games for a living edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcolumncolumnscovcoxfeaturedgamblinggambling-minigamesminigamesopinionThu, 09 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

These are the markers used to cross our names off the credits. What? It's not the most tenuous connection I've used.
One of our readers was kind enough to point us to two sites that, once again, were stealing our posts without crediting our authors or anything like that. (I don't mean "this post looks suspiciously similar"; I mean abusing copy and paste.) Unfortunately, while we're aware of these things, there's not a whole lot we can do other than request that the sites get taken down. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but it's all we can do. I guess it's nice to be good enough that your work is worth stealing without credit? That's something.

This week's installment of Ask Massively isn't going to focus on that, however. Instead, we're going to focus on the recent spate of MMO litigation and the potential for a boxed RIFT expansion. If you have a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of Ask Massively, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave a comment in the field below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyBethesda-Softworksbottersboxed-expansioncolumncolumnsexpansionfalloutfallout-onlinefeaturedinterplayjagexlawsuitlawsuitslitigationmmo-industryopinionplagiarismriftscrapingsite-scrapingtriontrion-worldsThu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: On mourning a netbook edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/ask-massively-on-mourning-a-netbook-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/ask-massively-on-mourning-a-netbook-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/ask-massively-on-mourning-a-netbook-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, it's not a picture of River. I can't take a picture of her right now, she's wounded. It would be wrong.
Well, I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. My stalwart little netbook, River, finally developed a serious problem: Her screen developed a pair of nasty cracks. I've had her for only a couple of years, but she's been a great portable machine and a real help at getting work done. Now if only it weren't such an enormous pain finding someplace where I could get her repaired, as I'd really prefer not to replace her. But it might come to that.

Even with an injured performer, however, the show must go on, and the show in question is Ask Massively. This week, we're fielding questions about ArcheAge and working in the gaming field, something that I'm sure is of interest to many of our readers. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, mail it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: On mourning a netbook edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: On mourning a netbook edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archeageask-massivelycareerscolumncolumnsdevelopmentfeaturedgaming-industryjobslocalizationmmo-industryopinionwester-releaseThu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Meow.
If I haven't mentioned it before, looking up cats on Wikipedia is dangerous for me because I love cats. I know that the above is a small group of feral cats, but my first instinct is to try to individually cuddle each and every one of those cats. Really, if I could afford more cat food, I'd basically have a home stuffed to the brim with rescued cats. So let's just all look at cat pictures and possibly get up from the computer to say nice things to your own cat.

Or dog, if you just have a dog. I don't have the same degree of affection toward dogs.

But you're not just here for cute animals, are you? You're here for this week's installment of Ask Massively. This week, we're answering yet another question about Star Wars: The Old Republic and the terminology of expansions. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future column, leave it in the comments below or send it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncommunityexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumorpatchstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscribers.patchesswtorThu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: No idea what's coming edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

How did I get here and why do I have a leash?
I don't know what's going to happen next in the MMO industry. I have my guesses, sure, but unless I'm fairly certain, I just don't feel right putting them up here. I certainly would not have ever imagined a world where APB: Reloaded was successful, or one where Lineage II goes free-to-play, and until it was announced, I wouldn't dare dream of WildStar. Heck, half the time I'm not sure I understand what's going on at any given moment, much less several months down the line.

This week's Ask Massively received several questions that require me to be more confident about my predictions than I actually am, but it does contain a question about the future of Aion and a question on the past, present, and future of cheating. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it in the comments below or send it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: No idea what's coming edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: No idea what's coming edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionask-massivelybusiness-modelscheatcheaterscheatingculturef2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumorncsoftopinionpredictionsThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: We do not make the games edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/ask-massively-we-do-not-make-the-games-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/ask-massively-we-do-not-make-the-games-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/ask-massively-we-do-not-make-the-games-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been entirely too long since I got to use a WildStar screenshot for a header.
Sometimes, I get questions for Ask Massively that I just can't use, and not because they're questions to which the answer is just "I don't know," although I try to steer away from those as frequently as possible because it's such an unsatisfying answer. No, sometimes we get questions for which we're not even the right people to answer, period. You can ask me to put a feature in EverQuest II or to consider developing it, but I don't work on EverQuest II. Heck, I don't even play it.

This week's installment of Ask Massively has been pared down to the questions that I can actually answer, including answers about the potential audience of the upcoming WildStar and the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic as it pertains to allowing user-coded addons. If you've got a question you would like answered in a future installment of the column, just send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for length and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: We do not make the games edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: We do not make the games edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onsaddonsappealask-massivelycolumnfeaturedmarketingopinionstar-wars-the-old-republicswtoruiwildstarThu, 05 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ask-massively-further-answers-to-the-same-questions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ask-massively-further-answers-to-the-same-questions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ask-massively-further-answers-to-the-same-questions-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All right, just the Sith Lords on the left sing this verse!
Apparently, people like talking about Star Wars: The Old Republic. Or perhaps more accurately, people enjoy arguing about it. According to comments, the game is a huge hit and failure that is in no way an accomplishment but is still unparalleled, and you can tell it will succeed and fail using a variety of metrics. Me, I've just been playing the heck out of it. Also drinking cranberry juice, but you didn't really need to know that part.

As you may have guessed, this week's installment is all about the persistent question of Star Wars: The Old Republic's getting a devoted Joystiq-flavored site. I suspect most of our regular readers are playing the game and not really thinking about asking questions. If you've got a question for next week, you can leave it in the comments below or send it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncolumnsfeaturedhumormassively-metammo-industrynew-titlesopinionsitesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/ask-massively-christmas-eve-eve-eve-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/ask-massively-christmas-eve-eve-eve-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/ask-massively-christmas-eve-eve-eve-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Did you know it snows in December in certain parts of the world? It's true!
After years of railing against the idea that Christmas gets pushed back further every single year, with most major retailers now preparing for it in mid-May, I finally understand why it's necessary to turn the entire month of December into a martyr for one appropriated pagan holiday: It's because sometimes it's really hard to come up with anything else to talk about, so you just look to the next landmark on the calendar and go with it. Coming up next week: Freedom Day Eve edition!

Moving on... this week's installment of Ask Massively is not all about Star Wars: The Old Republic, but as you probably expected around now, it's still poking its nose in. Also, last week's Lineage II questions continue. As always, further questions for future editions can be left in the comments or mailed along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for grammar and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyculturedc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedhumorl2liilineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftopen-pvpopinionpvpsoeSony-Online-EntertainmentThu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/ask-massively-not-everyone-wants-to-be-your-friend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/ask-massively-not-everyone-wants-to-be-your-friend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/ask-massively-not-everyone-wants-to-be-your-friend-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is a very handsome orc, but he probably does not wish to chat with you about your favorite films.
I don't dislike Lineage II, but my experiences with it sort of cemented my feelings on non-consensual PvP. Suffice it to say that it involved someone who had set herself up a little sniping-hole from which she would murder any and all low-level characters with an arrow through the neck. As she explained in the area chat, this wasn't for rewards or anything. She was doing it because she found it funny.

Lots of of people do find that fun. But I'm personally not keen on that as a motivational technique. I don't want to level up so I can be one of the bullies instead of the bullied; I'd rather just opt out.

Why did I tell you that story to lead off Ask Massively? As Bill Cosby would put it, I told you that story so I could tell you this one, or at least so I could answer one of this week's questions about Lineage II. Also, thermodynamics. If you've got a question for a future installment, you can leave it in the comment field or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyculturefeaturedhumorl2liilineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftopen-pvpopinionperpetual-motionpvpsolosoloabilitythermodynamicsThu, 15 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Inappropriate recollections edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/ask-massively-inappropriate-recollections-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/ask-massively-inappropriate-recollections-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/ask-massively-inappropriate-recollections-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, blessed, blessed. Blessed are you all.
I have to be honest here -- the Templars destroy The Secret World for me -- not because they don't look cool (I'm kind of a sucker for this sort of thing) but because they remind me an awful lot of The Grail from Preacher. They've got the same color scheme, the same pseudo-military sense of things, the same trappings. So I look at these guys, and suddenly I stop thinking about The Secret World and want to go read some comics. Maybe if they all wore clown makeup, that would fix it.

This week's installment of Ask Massively actually is fielding a question about TSW, so my desire to see the Templars in clownface is vaguely on-topic. Plus, our readers ask about Skyrim, which I hear is all the rage these days. So click on past the break for this week's questions, and if you've got a question for a future installment, mail it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Inappropriate recollections edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Inappropriate recollections edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybetabetascolumnculturefeaturedfuncomopinionskyrimthe-secret-worldtswThu, 08 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As has been demonstrated.
Recently, I've become enamored of the Bavarian Fire Drill. For those who don't want to click on that link (it's work-safe in the sense that it contains no cursing and not work-safe in the sense that you'll be clicking for hours), it's the art of infiltrating a building by carrying a clipboard and acting like you're supposed to be there. Sure, you could just wave your hand and tell people that these aren't the droids they're looking for, but wouldn't you rather have the chutzpah to just walk around like it wasn't a thing?

That leads very naturally to this week's installment of Ask Massively, in which we discuss whether or not leveling mechanics have worn our their collective welcomes in MMOs. As always, if you've got an urgent question for a future week, feel free to leave it in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycultureexperiencegame-mechanicsgame-systemsgatinglevelinglevelsmechanicsopinionprogressionturkeyThu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: You know what day it is edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/ask-massively-you-know-what-day-it-is-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/ask-massively-you-know-what-day-it-is-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/ask-massively-you-know-what-day-it-is-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I think turkeys are pretty cool, actually. Watch a pair of them in the snow.
Because of the way Thanksgiving works in the USA, Ask Massively always falls on the holiday. Last year's approach was closer to my usual one, but you know what? This year, I'm just going for the straight dope. We all know what day it is, we all know what holiday we're celebrating, and in all likelihood we're all so stuffed with turkey that we don't want to think about anything other than slowly sloughing to the bathroom. So let's not kid ourselves.

At any rate, the important part isn't the paragraph I devote to ridiculous nonsense; the important part is the questions. And they're just past the cut -- questions about video personalities, loneliness, and last week's forbidden screenshot. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment, leave it in the comments or send a letter to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: You know what day it is edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: You know what day it is edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyculturefeaturedholidayhumormassively-metaMy-Little-PonyopinionthanksgivingThu, 24 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Forbidden screenshot edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ask-massively-forbidden-screenshot-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ask-massively-forbidden-screenshot-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ask-massively-forbidden-screenshot-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

[ALT TEXT REDACTED]
OK, so this past weekend I was in a beta for... well, I can't tell you that. And I had to heavily censor this screenshot from the game. I also can't tell you what sort of character I was playing, where I was standing, or how the game actually played. Oh, and I definitely can't tell you what the interface looked like. But I hope the edited form of this screenshot still brings you some excitement. I was going to leave in a bit of elbow, but I was told that would be considered a spoiler.

This week of Ask Massively will not discuss this forbidden screenshot or the game that I can't talk about. But it will talk about novel mechanics and schadenfreude, albeit in two separate questions. If you've got a question you would like answered in a future installment of the column, leave a comment in the comment field or just mail it along to ask@massively.com. The screenshot will not be discussed.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Forbidden screenshot edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Forbidden screenshot edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumnculturefeaturedhumorlineage-eternal.lineage-3lineage-iiimechanicsnew-mechanicsopinionworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 17 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: This is a sneaking mission edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/ask-massively-this-is-a-sneaking-mission-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/ask-massively-this-is-a-sneaking-mission-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/ask-massively-this-is-a-sneaking-mission-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm also sad that peachifruit isn't doing an MGS4 comic. Or finishing her P4 comic. She did good parodies.
Let's get something straight: Even though I'm late to the party with Metal Gear Solid 4, I'm a fan of the series. It's not perfect by any means, but it's one of my favorite franchises of all time. That having been said, why is it always a sneaking mission? Just once, I'd like to be told that this is a march-in-with-an-automatic-gun-and-shoot-people-in-the-face mission. But no, solo sneaking mission, every single time. I know, it's the series hallmark, but since my second playthrough is already going to be a bloodbath with a stealth unit equipped, part of me wants to do that on the first playthrough. Just once.

Appropriately enough, this week's questions for Ask Massively involve stealth in MMOs. They also involve subscription fees, but that doesn't really segue naturally. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, feel free to leave it in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: This is a sneaking mission edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: This is a sneaking mission edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersask-massivelycolumnfeaturedfeesgame-mechanicshumoropinionquestionsstealthsubscription-feessubscriptionsThu, 10 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Paying-to-win edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/ask-massively-paying-to-win-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/ask-massively-paying-to-win-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/ask-massively-paying-to-win-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Everyone has their bugbears.
I'd like to announce the launch of my brand-new MMO, Ask Massively Online. This game should put to rest any questions of whether or not cash-shop users have an advantage over those who choose to play straight, as the game is using an actual pay-to-win model. If you pay me money, you win. No payment means you lose. We're still in beta testing and only intend to accept payments in the form of two-dollar bills, but so far we're doing quite well with the core systems.

Today's column actually does feature a question on the oft-bandied term used to indicate a dislike for the free-to-play model, but it also features questions about our comment system and the unbearable lameness of not knowing the answer to questions. If you've got a question you would like answered in a future installment of the column, you can leave it in the comments or mail it to ask@massively.com. Winning will be implemented in a later build.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Paying-to-win edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Paying-to-win edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybusiness-modelscolumncolumnsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playmassively-metaopinionpaymentsThu, 03 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: The first one hundred words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/ask-massively-the-first-one-hundred-words-in-the-merriam-webste/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/ask-massively-the-first-one-hundred-words-in-the-merriam-webste/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/ask-massively-the-first-one-hundred-words-in-the-merriam-webste/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

THE SHARK CAN SMELL YOU
A, aah, aardvark, aardwolf, Aaron, aaronic, ab, aba, abaca, aback, abacterial, abacus, abaft, abalone, abandon, abandoned, abase, abash, abate, abatement, abatis, abattoir, abaxial, abbacy, Abbasid, abbatial, abbe, abbess, Abbevillian, abbey, abbot, abbreviate, abbreviation, Abdias, abdictate, abdomen, abducens, abducent, abduct, abduction, abeam, abecedarian, abed, Abel, abelian, abelmosk, Abderdeen, aberrant, aberrated, aberration, abet, abeyance, abeyant, abhor, abhorrence, abhorrent, Abib, abidance, abide, abiding, abigail, ability, abinito, abiogenesis, abiogenic, abiological, abiotic, abject, abjection, abjuration, abjure, ablate, ablation, ablative, ablaut, ablaze, able, abloom, abluted, ablution, ably, Abnaki, abnegate, abnegation, abnormal, abnormality, abo, aboard, abode, aboil, abolish, abolition, abolitionism, abomasum, abominable, abominate, abomination, aboral, aboriginal, aborigine.

When you're done drenching yourself in glue in celebration, it's time for this week's edition of Ask Massively, in which we discuss walking in ships and stations. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future edition of the column, leave it in the comments or mail it to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: The first one hundred words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: The first one hundred words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelydesignfeaturedgames-with-spaceshipsground-combathumoropinionplayer-combatsci-fiscience-fictionship-combatshipsThu, 27 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Several reasons edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/ask-massively-several-reasons-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/ask-massively-several-reasons-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/ask-massively-several-reasons-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Congratulations! You read the alt text. If you want a joke that no one else will get without reading the alt text as well, use the word 'gorgonzola' in your comment.
Ladies and gentlemen, I do not subscribe to the notion that there is a singular explanation for everything. Consider the above image. Why was it selected as a header? There are several reasons! For starters, it was the first result in a search on Wikimedia Commons for "several." And... well, actually, I guess that's pretty much it. But I'm going to go ahead and add Dadaist discontent to the list of reasons because that usually sums this up fairly well.

Anyway, I can promise this week's answers in Ask Massively involve a larger number of reasons than does our header image. This week, the questions at hand are the reasons why players might choose to play on the test server and the reasons we're still knee-deep in elves, dwarves, and dragons. As always, if you'd like a question answered in a future edition of the column, just mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Several reasons edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Several reasons edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybackstorycolumnfeaturedgenreshumorloremmo-genresopinionpublic-testpublic-test-serverstorytest-serverThu, 20 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Alan Smithee edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/ask-massively-alan-smithee-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/ask-massively-alan-smithee-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/ask-massively-alan-smithee-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The great irony is that a film about a man named Alan Smithee itself got an Alan Smithee.
Alan Smithee is not a real person. Or to be more accurate, he's several real people. The name was used for several years by directors of films when it could be proven that the director's vision for the film had been undone by editing and overhead pressures. Essentially, it was a way for a director to wash his hands of a project so as not to associate his name with something that was released to the public in a form that bore no resemblance to what he had created.

That's not a photo of Alan Smithee; it's a photo of a funicular credited to Smithee. It's the best I could do.

Unlike last week's column, this week's edition is about far less weighty manners, instead discussing candidates for potential free-to-play adventures in response to a very large question from a long-time reader. As always, questions may be mailed to ask@massively.com or left in the comments for inclusion in a future edition of Ask Massively.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Alan Smithee edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Alan Smithee edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-smitheeask-massivelycolumnf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumoropinionrecommendationsThu, 13 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Unpopular decisions edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/ask-massively-unpopular-decisions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/ask-massively-unpopular-decisions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/ask-massively-unpopular-decisions-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For old time's sake.
Ask Massively is apparently the mouthpiece through which Massively communicates its reasons for unpopular decisions to you, the reader. And by "Massively," I of course mean "Eliot," since I'm the only person who writes this column (and have been for over a year, apparently). So instead of my usual somewhat flippant tone in opening off a column, I'm just going to be direct and say that we're discussing one of the site's long-running and beloved features that's finally shuffled off this mortal coil.

You probably all know what I'm talking about already, so go ahead and jump past the break for the explanation and a bit of discussion. As always, your questions are welcome in the comments or via mail to ask@massively.com for inclusion in a future installment of the column, hopefully one in which I go back to posting public domain artwork as the header before rambling on about elephants. I like those introductions better.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Unpopular decisions edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Unpopular decisions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncommunityculturefeaturedmassively-metanewsone-shotsopinionThu, 06 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Elephant facts are astonishing edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/ask-massively-elephant-facts-are-astonishing-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/ask-massively-elephant-facts-are-astonishing-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/ask-massively-elephant-facts-are-astonishing-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Elephants are seen here defending Earth against an invasion of the Hawkmen from Regulon-7.
Elephants, according to Wikipedia, are large land mammals that broadcast Christian contemporary music in the Colorado region. They were first sighted at the 1997 X-Games, at which point they served as architects for Philadelphia's school buildings from 1920 to 1937 with liberal use of a time machine. After winning the 2009 Romanian Figure Skating Championships, these gentle insectoid robots used a collection of treasury notes to finance the filming of several short crime dramas. All of these facts are well-known about elephants, or possibly about several unrelated topics that were viewed via Wikipedia's random article button.

Now that I've answered all of the questions you didn't have about elephants, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, in which I address an entirely different sort of elephant. If you have a question for a future installment of the column, you can leave it in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Elephant facts are astonishing edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Elephant facts are astonishing edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumnfeaturedhumorinformationmassively-metaopinionpoliciessite-policiessite-questionsThu, 29 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/ask-massively-lets-stop-the-tomfoolery-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/ask-massively-lets-stop-the-tomfoolery-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/ask-massively-lets-stop-the-tomfoolery-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

IM IN UR NOUN, VERBING UR OTHER NOUN
Last week, it was brought to my attention that our header image of ham rendered the entire column completely inappropriate for several of our readers. And you know what? That comment was entirely right. We've subsisted on ridiculous headers and general japery for far too long in this serious and businesslike column, and it's time to bring the calm and measured dignity that people expect -- nay, demand -- from Ask Massively.

Unfortunately, this decision comes too late to avoid the fact that this week's header image is a kitten attempting to scale the back of an adult cat's head. It will probably help if you imagine both of these cats wearing business suits and discussing profit margins.

Moving along: This week's questions should provide you with clean and intellectual discourse, covering free-for-all PvP and the recent free-to-play announcements from Sony Online Entertainment. If you have a question for a future edition of the column, please leave it in the comment field or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybusiness-modelscolumnf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumorintellectual-propertylicenseslicensingopinionplaystylessoesony-online-entertainmentThu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Ham edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/ask-massively-ham-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/ask-massively-ham-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/ask-massively-ham-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When I tell you something, I want to hold your ham.
Readers, today is a sad day indeed. Having exhausted my longstanding well of topics that were either based in Dadaist absurdity or random personal anecdotes, I'm left to unveil my most desperate weapon -- an edition based entirely on ham. Consider the ham. Within the ham there could be the answers to all of life's questions, or perhaps there's just salty meat with a light mustard and honey glaze to create a firm yet not crispy exterior. Which is the truth? We'll never know.

You will, however, know a bit more about what's going on behind the scenes of the site with this week's edition of Ask Massively. Sadly, we don't have our usual assortment of site gossip, but we do have answers about a few features and some discussion of the upcoming online-maybe Dragon Quest X. As always, you can leave questions in the comments or mail them along to ask@massively.com for a future column.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Ham edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Ham edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumndqxdragon-quest-xfeaturedhammassively-metaopinionsite-featuresThu, 15 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Some games I apparently just keep buying edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/ask-massively-some-games-i-apparently-just-keep-buying-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/ask-massively-some-games-i-apparently-just-keep-buying-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/ask-massively-some-games-i-apparently-just-keep-buying-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm still not sure how I feel about the female protagonist's new music. But the important thing is that Lotus Juice is working.
During my week-long ordeal without power (or, you know, any of the other conveniences of the present century), Ms. Lady and I finally decided to spring for a PSP. It's a system that I've long been looking forward to owning, mostly so that I can pay for games that I already I own. Seriously. Sure, it's either an enhanced version (Persona 3 Portable) or old favorites that I can play on the go (Xenogears), but I'm still paying money to own games already in my collection.

And yes, I'm looking forward to buying a Vita just to buy a remake of Persona 4. This is apparently what I do now.

Moving along from my tendency to re-buy what I already own, it's time for this week's edition of Ask Massively. We're going pretty meta this time around, much like last week, talking all about avatars and cross-site issues. As always, questions can be left in the comments or sent to ask@massively.com for inclusion in a future edition.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Some games I apparently just keep buying edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Some games I apparently just keep buying edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accuracyask-massivelyfeaturedhumormassively-metametaopinionsite-issuesThu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Stir-crazy edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/ask-massively-stir-crazy-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/ask-massively-stir-crazy-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/ask-massively-stir-crazy-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It looked like this, except higher resolution, and with a fat guy wielding a sword
With no power, no real Internet access, no running water, and no access to just about anything, I was getting a little bit stir-crazy. Fortunately, I've made use of my training as a Boy Scout and assembled a crude pastiche of elements to bring some of my favorite electronic online games into the offline space. Success has been mixed. Sitting in dowtown and periodically shouting that a level 34 Dragoon was looking for a party produced exactly the right reaction to simulate logging in to Final Fantasy XI, but my attempt at "logging in" to City of Heroes resulted in a lengthy discussion with police regarding the appropriateness of waving a Nerf sword at teenagers.

My makeshift attempts at answering this week's lineup for Ask Massively, however, have proved pretty fruitful all around. Skip on past the break for discussions about some very meta considerations, not the least of which being a potential subdivision of the site. As always, leaving a question in the comments or mailing it to ask@massively.com will quite possibly get it included in a future edition of the column. Sometimes even if the question is ridiculous.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Stir-crazy edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Stir-crazy edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersappearanceask-massivelycapitalizationfeaturedgrammarhumormmommorpgopinionpunctuationquestionsquestions-and-answersThu, 01 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/ask-massively-youre-missing-the-best-part-of-the-appearance-ta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/ask-massively-youre-missing-the-best-part-of-the-appearance-ta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/ask-massively-youre-missing-the-best-part-of-the-appearance-ta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I keep thinking I'll get tired of using this image when I want to make a point about WoW, but I don't. I really don't.
I've made no secret of the fact that I've long since fallen out of love with World of Warcraft, but I think people are missing the best element of the whole addition of an appearance tab. Sure, it's something that players have been asking to get for years on end without receiving a response, but the best part is that its addition essentially invalidates every single answer we've received to date about why it can't be done. That amuses me to no end.

This week's Ask Massively has nothing to do with that news, however; instead, it covers the excitement of upcoming games, the lack of upcoming games, and the relevance of functions within games. I'd promise a zebra as well, but he had places to go. As always, you can leave your questions for a future installment in the comment field or mail them along to ask@massively.com, whichever you prefer.

Continue reading Ask Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersappearanceask-massivelycancelled-gamescolumnfeaturedhumorjumpgate-evolutionopinionquestionsquestions-and-answersupcoming-gamesvaporwarewildstarwsThu, 25 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST