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[Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Diablo III title image
Diablo III officially launched at midnight last night, opening the floodgates on what is possibly the most pre-ordered PC game in history. It's been almost 12 years since the previous game in the series launched, and it's still going to this day. Whether you've played previous games, have taken part in the Diablo III beta or are taking your first steps into Sanctuary today, everyone starts with a clean slate. In this article, I give my top five tips for spending your first few days wisely in Diablo III.

#5 - Spend most of your time on one character

It seems like a bit of a no-brainer to initially focus on one character, but in Diablo III's case, there's a special reason to do it. You'll likely finish normal mode around level 20-30, and until then, you'll get a new skill almost every level. It's only when you've completed normal mode and moved on to nightmare that the challenge really starts and you will have picked out an effective set of skills. Your last active skill unlocks at level 30, and from then on you'll gain a combination of two to three runes or passive skills every level until you hit the level cap at 60.

Read on for four more tips you should keep in mind as you start playing Diablo III.

Continue reading Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III

MassivelyFive top tips for your first few days of Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgauction-housebarrelsbattlenetblacksmithblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchartd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfeaturedgothic-fantasygraphguideguideslaunch-daylevellevel-chartlevelinglevelsmultiplayeronline-multiplayerpartypassivesphysicsrpgrunessanctuaryskill-chartskillstipstop-fivetop-tipsweaponsTue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA's new launch features section adds economic changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/tera-new-launch-features-section-adds-economic-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
TERA's May release date is less than a month away now, and En Masse Entertainment is filling the days leading up to the big event by unveiling a series of new launch features. Today's piece is focused on a number of adjustments that have been made to the game's economic system.

For starters, the trade broker has been vastly improved with "robust search features," while private stores have been abolished in order to make the broker the true hub of the game's economy. Enchanters will be pleased to know that the penalty for failing an enchantment has been removed, so while an enchantment can still fail, it won't weaken the target piece of equipment in the process. And to top it off, the currency demoninations have been changed up to prevent players from having to deal with astronomical amounts of gold. The full details, as well as previous new launch features, can be found over on the game's official site.

MassivelyTERA's new launch features section adds economic changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahauction-houseblueholebluehole-studiosbrokereconomicseconomyen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyprivate-storeprivate-storesteratrade-brokerWed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 screenshot
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

The ArenaNet post about microtransactions in Guild Wars 2 reveals that the "gems" currency will be bought with real money and be available for purchase with in-game gold in GW2. But people seem to have forgetten that Runes of Magic's cash shop operated this way three years ago. I've been playing RoM since closed beta, and the cash shop is one of the reasons RoM is so different from other F2P MMOs of its era.

Frogster eventually removed the ability to buy diamonds with gold because of fraud, so I'm curious to see how ArenaNet handles that issue. My time in RoM has shown me that there are other issues involved here, issues of security, players gaming the system, botting, and pay-to-win debates. In other words, there's more at stake here than whether cash shops sell gear or items toward gaining power.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction houseauction-housecash-shopdiamondseditorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegemsguild-wars-2gw2item-shopjeremy-strattonmicro-transactionsmicrotransactionsncsoftop-edopinionpay-to-winrantrantsreal-money-tradingrmtromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentselling-powersoapboxtaboreathe-soapboxWed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/not-so-massively-diablo-iiis-competitors-speak-up-and-lol-reve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
The big announcement we've all been waiting for has finally arrived: Diablo III has a release date! This week the beta was wiped to prepare for launch, and Blizzard's Jay Wilson responded to questions about the cash auction house in hardcore mode. Competing title Path of Exile continued development toward its own release, and Torchlight II gave players a unique look under the hood of the game with a breakdown of item drop statistics. Runic Games congratulated the Diablo team on its release date announcement and published an open letter to fans urging them to just wait a little longer for their Torchlight fix.

In MOBA news, League of Legends revealed its next champion, Lulu, and explored the game's rapidly growing German community. Dota 2 added classic DotA hero Shadow Demon and performed some much-needed tweaks to bots, and Rise of Immortals released the official Azcadelia immortal spotlight. Heroes of Newerth released Gunblade, an original ranged agility carry hero that was been met with some strong disapproval in the community. Blacklight: Retribution's open beta updates continued this week with the release of its Vertigo map, a battleground set in the roofspaces of a sprawling industrial complex.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu

MassivelyNot So Massively: Diablo III's competitors speak up and LoL reveals Lulu originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoaction-rpgauction-houseAzcadeliabattlenetblacklightblacklight-retributionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcompetitive-gamingd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidotadungeon-crawlere-sporte-sportsesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgermangermanygothic-fantasygrinding-geargrinding-gear-gamesgunbladehardcorehardcore-modehcheroes-of-newerthhonleague-of-legendslollulummofpsmobamultiplayernewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-multiplayerpath-of-exileperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespoepvppweriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsrmahrmtroiround-uprounduprpgrunic-gamess2s2-gamesshadow-demontorchlightvertigovideoMon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard kills Diablo III's RMT to appease South Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/blizzard-kills-diablo-iiis-rmt-to-appease-south-korea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Diablo III
Blizzard Entertainment made waves last year when it announced that Diablo III would be supporting real-money trading (RMT) through its in-game auction house system. While it proved to be a divisive topic among fans, apparently it was too much with the South Korean rating board, which sees such activities as potentially violating the country's anti-gambling rules.

The board was quoted as saying that "the feature involving for-cash trades between users was not included in the presentation to the rating committee, and therefore it was not subjected to any scrutiny."

To appease the board and pave the way for release, Blizzard has dropped the RMT auction house for the Korean version. The ratings board has warned the company not to sneak in the feature in a future patch and gave the title an 18 rating for the country. Interestingly enough this makes South Korea the first country to slap a rating on Diablo III to date.

MassivelyBlizzard kills Diablo III's RMT to appease South Korea originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1818-ratinganti-gamblinganti-gambling-lawsauction-houseblizzardblizzard-entertainmentd3diablodiablo-3diablo-iiigamblinggame-ratings-boardkoreanratings-boardreal-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreasouth-korea-ratings-boardFri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reid on Reddit: SWTOR fans ask him anything and everything]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/reid-on-reddit-swtor-fans-ask-him-anything-and-everything/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
"Ask me anything." That's a dangerous command for anyone to issue, nevermind the community manager of the hottest new MMO on the block. Yet that's just what Stephen Reid said today to the Star Wars: The Old Republic community on Reddit, and the length of questions and answers would make for a mini-novel if packaged as such.

While Reid certainly hedges on issues that BioWare is not quite ready to address, he doesn't shy away from direct answers when applicable. The compiled Reddit thread lists dozens and dozens of Q&As, including the much-asked-for guild housing ("on the list for future development"), the ability delay issue ("we'll talk about it publicly soon"), and an upgraded Galactic Trade Network ("improvements will come to the GTN in time, definitely").

In response to the request for non-mechanical (read: animal) mounts, Reid said, "Maybe -- it's a technical challenge, I've been told." He's most excited about the upcoming legacy system reveals, but he's not allowed to talk on it just yet.

Amidst the probing questions of the newly launched title is a personal query about what it's like for him to be at the helm of SWTOR community management. "What's it like?" Reid responded. "Bewildering and overwhelming and exciting and demanding, all at once, all day long (and often into the night). I had some idea what I was getting into, but it was bigger than expected. I'll stay as long as I'm wanted."

MassivelyReid on Reddit: SWTOR fans ask him anything and everything originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amaask-me-anythingauction-housebiowarecommunity-managementcommunity-q-and-aeaea-biowaregalactic-trade-networkgtnguild-housinghousinglegacy-systemmountspetsq-and-aquestions-and-answersredditstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWed, 28 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at your own Rift: A holiday wish-list for Telara]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-holiday-wish-list-for-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-holiday-wish-list-for-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/enter-at-your-own-rift-a-holiday-wish-list-for-telara/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rift-mas
The holidays are upon us, and one of the most important parts of the season is making wish lists. Mine came in at a rather modest four pages, with another two pages of in-game items for my characters. Trion certainly has had a busy year, and while the game looks a lot different now than it did at launch, there's always room for more changes and improvements.

Since I'm on a roll with making wish-lists this year, this week's Enter at Your Own Rift will give a rundown of what should be added to the game in 2012. Read on for the list, and then add your own below!

Continue reading Enter at your own Rift: A holiday wish-list for Telara

MassivelyEnter at your own Rift: A holiday wish-list for Telara originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseenter-at-your-own-riftfantasyfeaturedkaren-bryanmaelforgeopinionplayer-housingriftrift+game+trionrift+trionrift-planes-of-telararift-wish-listriftgametrionrifttriontelaratriontrion-worldsWed, 21 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV adding market and player search improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/final-fantasy-xiv-adding-market-and-player-search-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/final-fantasy-xiv-adding-market-and-player-search-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/final-fantasy-xiv-adding-market-and-player-search-improvements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Merlwyb, of course, can always find a party anyhow.
As the release of Final Fantasy XIV's next major patch approaches, more previews continue to go up for the various improvements it will bring. Two of the major promised features are the improvements to both the market wards and the introduction of a proper player search feature, both of which have been posted to the official site. The market wards will now include several pieces of functionality similar to the Final Fantasy XI auction house, including transaction histories and the option to buy direct from the search screen.

The player search feature, meanwhile, will allow players to flag themselves as looking for a party, indicating preferred classes and activities. Searchers will be able to sort results by a variety of criteria to help identify potential teammates. It should make assembling groups for larger content much simpler than it currently is, which should in turn encourage the community to take part in more challenging content. Neither system might seem like a revolution, but there's no doubt that both improvements will have a definite impact.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV adding market and player search improvements originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.20final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivmarket-wardsnewspatchpatchesplayer-searchsearchsquaresquare-enixupcoming-patchesThu, 08 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming
As a roleplayer, I primarily do social things in MMOs. I take on a character, then via local chat, I communicate as if I were a smuggler attempting to swindle a gangster out of a few more credits. However, that's not the only kind of social gaming found in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Group activities of all sorts have sparked friendships that have lasted years. The people I adventure with mostly started in Star Wars Galaxies, then moved to City of Heroes, then went back to Galaxies, and now are headed to SWTOR. Because of the breadth of the internet, we have never met each other in person, but I still consider them close friends.

The social dynamics have always been a byproduct of MMOs. However, few online games give direct rewards for being social. In fact, there was a time shortly after the Combat Upgrade when Star Wars Galaxies actually punished players for grouping up by giving less XP. Perhaps the reasoning was that the larger the group, the more mobs players could kill in the same amount of time, but at the time the solo XP far outweighed the loss in group XP. Thankfully, that was eventually fixed.

In my recent venture into the SWTOR beta, I noticed several different social activities for which the game rewards players. Follow me past the cut and we will discuss them.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Social gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseBioWarecarrick-stationEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgalactic-trade-networkgary-gannongroupingGTNjames-ohlenLucasArtsquestingsocial-gamingsocial-pointssocial-vendorStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 01 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: More on the economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/captains-log-more-on-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/captains-log-more-on-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/captains-log-more-on-the-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot - Star Trek Online
Captain's Log, Stardate 65303.9...

Hello, computer (and players)! As I discussed last week, heated discussions surround Star Trek Online's change to a F2P hybrid model and planned game mechanics updates. While new updates are being pushed to the Tribble server for testing and feedback, many aspects are in a state of flux as such feedback is collected, evaluated, and implemented. The biggest area affected is the economy. While everyone has his own thoughts on the matter, Cryptic is leaving no feedback forum post unread -- the players will help shape these changes.

Last week, we saw the push of another patch that seems to have made some giant strides toward solving some of the biggest concerns, including significant reductions in prices for most items and the return of free ship tokens for most ranks. Stephen D'Angelo, acting Executive Producer and Emergency Executive Producer Hologram (EEPH), explained: "Based on how rapidly we're getting data and revising the game, we're still probably two more weeks away from having the economy in a state that is close to good enough." Since he said a lot more in his recent dev blog post, I thought I should take some time to expound on it.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's take a look at what else the EEPH had to say and break it down...

Continue reading Captain's Log: More on the economy

MassivelyCaptain's Log: More on the economy originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housec-storec-store-pointsconsumablescrypticcryptic-pointscryptic-star-trekcryptic-studioscurrencycurrency-exchangedangelodev-blogdilithiumdoffduty-officerduty-officer-systemeephenergy-credit-systemenergy-creditsExchangef2pfeaturedfeedbackforumsfree-to-playhigh-end-gearlivestreamperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpvpspecial-task-forcest-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestarshipsstephen-dangelostfstotop-end-geartrek-onlinetribbletribble-test-serverThu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Player-run economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth screenshot
The economy in Fallen Earth has been stagnant for a while. The auction house has been just a place for trader clones (with maxed social skill) to post wares with a small markup from the NPC vendors prices. In some cases, these traders would post mats that could only be bought in PvP conflict towns or found in secret or dangerous scavenging spots. It was hard to be competitive in a market like that. Every resource had an unlimited supply thanks to the vendors. There were a few items that actually worked on the supply and demand principle, like vibrant and volatile chemicals and pre-fall tech. These items had prices that were dictated completely by the players. Through competition, the prices got pretty reasonable (and I even bought a few pre-fall techs to allieviate the Citadel grind).

All that has changed now, and the Fallen Earth team has made some massive changes to the way the economy works. In this post, I'll take a look at what has changed. I'll try to give my best guess about what will happen to the economy in the coming weeks. A great many players are already freaking out about this concept on the forums and in global chat. While I admit it's too early to tell what will become of us in the near future, there's no need to panic. People were rage-quitting the game mere hours after the changes were made. If you ask me, it's a bit premature to make a decision like that. Nobody really knows what will happen, but click past the cut to see my best guesses.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Player-run economy

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Player-run economy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth - sunrise
You've got questions about Fallen Earth's free-to-play conversion, and the dev team's got answers. The latest Fallen Earth blog entry spills the beans on everything from what happens to existing subscriptions to character slots to various functionality limitations.

Surprisingly, GamersFirst is allowing free-to-play customers to make use of the auction house, mail, and trading systems, but this may change "if gold farmers get totally out of control." There's also good news for pre-existing Fallen Earth subscribers who would like to convert to a free-to-play account but are worried about losing access to their alts. "If you had ever bought the game or paid for a subscription, those character slots were included with your game, so they belong to you regardless of the change in business model," writes Joseph "Linus" Willmon. Head to the official Fallen Earth dev blog for more.

MassivelyFallen Earth devs answer your F2P questions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecharacter-slotsdev-blogdev-diaryf2pfallen-earthfree-accountsfree-to-playgamersfirstgold-farmersgold-farmingicarusicarus-studiosjoseph-willmonmailpost-apocalytpicsci-fitradeTue, 20 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/not-so-massively-bloodline-champions-gets-a-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
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 Monday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals, Bloodline Champions and more.

The big news for MOBA fans this week is the release of Bloodline Champions' colossal Dawn of the Relics update, which has breathed new life into the impressive indie title. Rise of Immortals reveals details of its first post-launch Immortal Trovoc this week, and he's a great big freakin' dragon. In addition to releasing a champion spotlight on Riven, Riot Games this week published new information on how minions will feature in League of Legends: Dominion's point-capturing gameplay.

Blizzard revealed this week that PayPal will be handling sales in Diablo III's controversial real-money auction house. In preparation for opening the D3 beta to the public, Blizzard also released a series of new class pages and a Diablo III skill calculator. Fans of the Tribes series will be glad to know that its online multiplayer sequel Tribes: Ascend has officially started accepting applications to join the upcoming closed beta.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other online games that aren't quite MMOs.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp

MassivelyNot So Massively: Bloodline Champions gets a revamp originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-housebetabetasbloodline-championsdiablodiablo-3diablo-iiidiablo-iii-betafeaturedhi-rez-studiosleague-of-legendslolmobanewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-gameonline-gamespaypalpetroglyphrise-of-immortalsrmtroitribestribes-ascendvideoMon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Beta and bucks: John Smedley discusses PlanetSide 2's future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
In an interview with Chinese site 17173.com, SOE's John Smedley shared some revealing details about PlanetSide 2, including the fact that the upcoming MMO shooter will be free.

MMOsite carried the English version of the story early this morning, but there were a few points that were lost in translation. So we contacted Smedley for clarification, and he said that while he had previously mentioned that the game will be "some form of free-to-play," SOE is not prepared to announce specifics just yet, but we should "expect something that will be very player friendly." He mentioned that a Blizzard-style auction house won't be a part of that plan but that he was fond of what League of Legends had done with its system.

It's also his opinion that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the last large-scale MMO with a subscription fee. "The game looks great," Smedley commented, "and I will be playing myself. BioWare is doing an awesome job."

Smedley also made mention of PlanetSide 2's beta schedule. SOE is aiming to begin wider testing of the title later this year or early next year in North America, but the company doesn't know for sure just yet.

PlanetSide 2 is aiming to be bigger and better than the original, with battlefields holding up to 2,000 players at the same time, a flexible skill system that allows players to fine-tune their troops and engage in crafting, and a struggle to control territory between three factions. Interestingly enough, Smedley said that the factions might not always be at each other's throats; the PlanetSide 2 team has plans to launch PvE world events such as alien invasions where all players will put aside their differences to combat a shared threat.

MassivelyBeta and bucks: John Smedley discusses PlanetSide 2's future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>17173.comauction-housebetabuy-to-playdiablo-3diablo-iiif2pfree-to-playjohn-smedleymmosite.complanetsideplanetside-2planetside-nextps2soeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterritory-controlThu, 08 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A pile of money
Blizzard made something of a stink in fan circles last week with its announcement of Diablo III's RMT-enabled auction house as well as the lack of offline play (and mod support) in the highly anticipated fantasy action sequel.

While hardcore fan- and forum-outrage was palpable, it's likely that the title will shatter sales records anyway, and we'll be that much closer to a gaming world devoid of offline play and festooned with microtransactions. What does all of this have to do with MMOs and Massively? That's where you come in, dear readers. Do you think Diablo III's real-money auction house will affect MMOs? How so (or why not)?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseblizzarddaily-grinddiablo-3diablo-3-auction-housediablo-iiifantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionmicrotransactionsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionrmttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: A history of Diamonds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-a-history-of-diamonds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-a-history-of-diamonds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-a-history-of-diamonds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been a long time since we've heard anything about Diamonds being reinstituted into Runes of Magic's auction house. Since that fateful day they were removed, a lot of new players have joined, veterans have left and some things that should not have been forgotten... were lost.

Having Diamonds in the auction house is an important feature that was planned from the get-go. It allows for seamless trading and player-controlled price fluctuations that keep all items obtainable for everyone. It's about having the freedom to play multiple ways. Options are more numerous than simply paying and having everything opened up or not paying and being stuck. With RoM's cash-shop items being integrated into the title's gameplay, there's a grayscale that lets players have many more options in how they want to play.

It's not an overly complex issue, but one worth looking back on. Getting Diamonds back in the auction house isn't a lost cause, but the issue has dragged on to the point that long time players may have given up all hope. This edition of Lost Pages of Taborea is all about looking back at the beginning and bringing players up to speed on diamonds in (or not-in) the auction house.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: A history of Diamonds

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: A history of Diamonds originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecash-shopcurrencydiamondsfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegiftinggoldjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreareal-money-transactionsrmtromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmenttradingMon, 18 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Improving versatility in RoM's content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-improving-versatility-in-roms-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-improving-versatility-in-roms-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-improving-versatility-in-roms-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm bouncing off last week's Lost Pages of Taborea to elaborate on why Runes of Magic's content is lackluster, especially in light of the ability to over-gear but also to come up with some ideas to keep it from becoming meaningless and boring. It's not absolutely necessary, but it will help if you've read last week's article.

RoM's gear-system ensures that you get a lot of variety in choosing what kind of character to make and how you want to play it, but there's a threshold at which the only way to allow for even more diversity among class builds is to offset the linear difficulty of new content by replacing your stats with more powerful versions of themselves, adding refinements and tiering, upgrades that just up your sheer power. Players get funneled into more restrictive builds as they gain levels.

The downfall is in the content itself because it becomes super-easy-mode killing after over-gearing. It's turning on a cheat code. Any need -- or desire -- to manage blood bars or skill rotations gets thrown out with the trash. It's a foreseeable issue in just about any game across any platform or genre in which you would allow the players to gain extra amounts of power. But is there a way to allow for it and keep in some challenge and variety? Some solutions might be to slow down the pace of combat, stretch the utility of player bars, make content more dynamic, or throw in some sandbox behavior.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Improving versatility in RoM's content

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Improving versatility in RoM's content originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecontentcraftingcrafting-systemdungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehorizontaljeremy-strattonlinearlost-pages-of-taboreaplayer-drivenplayer-driven-economyprogressionromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxthemeparkMon, 04 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Most MMOs have three playstyles. Well, that's incorrect; they actually have any number of play-styles with varying degrees of three types of play. PvE (player vs. environment) is the style of play in which the antagonists are a part of the gameworld itself. PvP (player vs. player) pits the players against each other. And RP (roleplaying) has the players vying for... whatever they decide they need to vie for. Most players engage Fallen Earth (or any MMO, for that matter) with a mix of the three.

Fallen Earth is a great setting for the RPers. Its vastness and its interesting-looking locales make for a variety of backdrops. The interesting locales usually make for some great locations for open world PvP. And there are hundreds and hundreds of PvE missions here, there, and everywhere. All three types of players can get a lot out of Fallen Earth if they approach the game properly. The purpose of this post is to help you along with getting what you can out of the game with your preferred playstyle. So without any further ado, click past the cut and read on.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Playstyles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyauction-houseblockadeCraftercraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studioslevel-capPlayStylepvepvproleplayRolePlayingRPsocialtraderFri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I have a confession to make. My name is Justin, and I'm a Lord of the Rings Online altoholic.

I know. I have a problem! I'm weak! DON'T STARE WITH THOSE ACCUSING EYES!

I always start out in games with the best of intentions: I'm going to stick with just one character, at least until I hit the level cap. I'll only make new characters to reserve names I like. I won't get class envy and wonder what's on the other side of the fence. I'll stay strong! I'll be an oak!

And then I turn out to be a willow tree, blowing about in the winds of whimsy, and suddenly I end up with alts staggered all over the leveling track. It's all right; I've come to embrace my altoholic tendencies because it really is who I am as a gamer. I like to sample everything, to try out different approaches to the game, and if I don't end up with a maxed-out uber-raider, then I can live with it.

If you follow this pattern and are prone to rolling up a lot of alts in LotRO, there are several advantages you can gain over the monogamous players out there. Today I want to take a look at how you can make your alts work for you, if only to give you an excuse to keep rolling them!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltaholicaltitisaltoaltoholismaltsauction-housebank-altburglarcodepenencycraftingcurrencyeconomyf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhtclord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromichel-delvingmoneymulethe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AIKA Global gearing up for nation merge, in-game events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/aika-global-gearing-up-for-nation-merge-in-game-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/aika-global-gearing-up-for-nation-merge-in-game-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/aika-global-gearing-up-for-nation-merge-in-game-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

AIKA's plans for global domination are ramping up in the month of May. The free-to-play fantasy title now features four major in-game events, and a new press release hints at "exciting new game and website updates" to be revealed.

First up is the month-long Nation Wars II event in which AIKA's nation-states transform into all out war zones. Four players from each nation will represent their homelands on the Lord Marshall Alliance, and national armies will be able to march on enemy territory for fun and profit.

Next up is the Legionaires of May event in which participants compete to level new characters from 10 to 50 as swiftly as possible. The first five legions to complete the requirements by May 31st will snag a prize pack. The final two events, A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed and Auction House, span the entire month. Specifics for each will be given in-game during the lead-up to the event. Finally, AIKA Global is introducing an offline mailing system as well as a nation merge that will have a major impact on the game's political landscape. Head to the official AIKA website and read all about the coming changes.

MassivelyAIKA Global gearing up for nation merge, in-game events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-friend-in-need-is-a-friend-indeedaikaaika-onlineauction-housebattleseventsf2pfantasyfree-to-playin-game-eventslegionaires-of-maymay-eventsnation-statesnation-warsnation-wars-2nation-wars-iipress-releaseredbanat3funwar-zonesWed, 11 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth has a complex, robust crafting system. The vast majority of the items in the game can be crafted from things you find lying on the ground. I am not exaggerating when I say "vast majority" because it's well over 90%. You can literally level your way to the cap simply by scavenging and crafting. It used to be much easier, but it is still possible. Tradeskills are different from other skills in Fallen Earth in that you raise them through use rather than spending AP on them. The system itself can be quite daunting when you are first starting out, but once you have a basic grasp of how it works, the rest is pretty intuitive.

In this post, I'll touch on the basics of crafting. I'm no expert, but I do have a completely maxed-out social/crafter that has most of the game's recipes in his repertoire. You may know what you are doing, but I think even the most learned of crafters might learn something from this piece. The novice crafter will learn a few simple tricks (tricks that I wished I had known when I was just starting out) that will make his life a little easier out there. It's tough when you just want to make something with your hands and there are legions of bloodthirsty miscreants trying to kill you. So grab your toolkits and click past the cut for more.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter?

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseconflict-townscrafterscraftingcrafting-queuecrafting-systemfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedicarusicarus-studiosmaterialsmerchantsnodespvp-zonesrecipesresearchsalvagingscavengingscavenging-nodestradeskillsFri, 29 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard adds WoW guild chat to iPhone Mobile Armory app]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/blizzard-adds-wow-guild-chat-to-iphone-mobile-armory-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/blizzard-adds-wow-guild-chat-to-iphone-mobile-armory-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/blizzard-adds-wow-guild-chat-to-iphone-mobile-armory-app/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're hopelessly addicted to guild chat -- and you've got an iPhone or iPod Touch -- Blizzard has a new app designed to make sure you never miss another moment of drama. A new remote guild chat feature has been added to the World of Warcraft Mobile Armory app, and players are now able to chat and send whispers via their Apple mobile device.

You'll pay $2.99 per month for the privilege, and the WoW remote subscription also grants you access to the game's auction house functionality while you're on the move. Blizzard is demoing the service -- and waiving fees -- for a limited time, during which the guild chat feature will be enabled on select servers (currently Fizzcrank and Lightbringer). More details are available at the official announcement page.

There's no official word on an Android version, though ZAM reports that it "should be released soon."

MassivelyBlizzard adds WoW guild chat to iPhone Mobile Armory app originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housefantasyguild-chatiosiphoneipod-touchmobilemobile-armorymobile-armory-appremote-guild-chatworld-of-warcraftwowwow-remote-auction-housewow-remote-servicesTue, 19 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Being resourceful with resources]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/behind-the-mask-being-resourceful-with-resources/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/behind-the-mask-being-resourceful-with-resources/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/behind-the-mask-being-resourceful-with-resources/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Most of the time, we look at MMORPGs and talk about features, gameplay, community, content, and other things like that. We rarely look at an MMO's economy unless we're actually hardcore players, and almost invariably players think the economy is messed up in one way or the other.

Champions Online is really no different. People complain about overinflated auction house prices all the time, about how transaction fees and auction limits ruin the economy, and how the value of certain super-rare items has plummeted.

Overall, I'm very happy with CO's economy. Even though the AH interface is horribly broken (and I'm sure the devs are aware), many people use the AH and most goods are available for sale (even the elusive buttcape). Because the cash-shop items can be traded and sold, there's a certain strangeness in the market, but this is largely a good thing.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Being resourceful with resources

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Being resourceful with resources originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-housebehind-the-maskbuttcapec-storechampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdemonflameeconomyf2pfeaturedfree-to-playglobal-is-a-stupid-name-for-a-currencyglobal-resourcesgold-making-guidemarketmarket-pvpmicrotransactionsserpent-lanternsl-blues-are-too-goodThu, 07 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show at lunch!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-road-to-mordor-fashion-show-fashion-show-fashion-show-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-road-to-mordor-fashion-show-fashion-show-fashion-show-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/the-road-to-mordor-fashion-show-fashion-show-fashion-show-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Major patch weeks are always a great deal of fun in Lord of the Rings Online as everyone digs into the new content, looks for hidden gems, and goes on grand new adventures. As much as I appreciate most everything in this week's Echoes of the Dead update, I have to say that, hands-down, the additional outfit slots made me the happiest.

Yes, I'm weird, but I can't be the only one who had an inner squeal of joy when Turbine announced that it was going to expand (via the store) the number of outfit spots from two to five. I've always, always loved the outfit system in this game as a way to give my characters a unique and aesthetically pleasing look versus having to stare at the mismatched armor they seem to pick up along the way.

In celebration of the additional outfit slots, I wanted to finally dig into the outfit system and look at the basics of Middle-earth fashion: where you get these pieces, how colors come into play, and where you might go for inspiration. So let's put on our finest frippery and strut the catwalk, ladies and gentlemen!

(I promise, next week I'll be much more manly. Probably.)

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show at lunch!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show at lunch! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecolor-wheelechoes-of-the-deadered-luin-bluefall-festivalfeaturedfestivalgandalfhauberkindiana-joneslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storemiddle-earthmr-potato-headoutfitoutfit-systemoutfitsoutfitterpatch-weekpiratepiratessafari-hatspring-festivalthe-fellowship-of-the-ringthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentwardrobeFri, 25 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ARGO Online kicks off third closed beta phase]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/argo-online-kicks-off-third-closed-beta-phase/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/argo-online-kicks-off-third-closed-beta-phase/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/argo-online-kicks-off-third-closed-beta-phase/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Yesterday marked the successful completion of ARGO Online's second closed beta phase. Today, the sci-fi, steampunk, and fantasy-flavored free-to-play MMO kicks off phase three, which is slated to run through March 30th. If you've participated in any of the earlier phases, you're already registered and will be able to access the new beta using your pre-existing account credentials.

Phase three adds a guild system and an auction house to ARGO's post-apocalyptic world, and players will be able to continue testing all of the previously implemented systems. burda:ic has also released a few statistics from phase two of the beta, including the most popular Noblian class (the Explorer), the most popular Floresslah class (the Druid), and the distribution of Noblian vs. Floresslah players (51 percent to 49 percent). Check out the official ARGO Online website for more information or to sign up for beta.

MassivelyARGO Online kicks off third closed beta phase originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argoargo-onlineauction-housebetaburda:icclosed-betaclosed-beta-phase-3f2pfantasyfloresslahfloresslah-factionfree-to-playguild-systemnobliannoblian-factionpost-apocalypticsci-fisteampunkThu, 24 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: One crafter's obsession]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/lost-pages-of-taborea-one-crafters-obsession/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/lost-pages-of-taborea-one-crafters-obsession/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/lost-pages-of-taborea-one-crafters-obsession/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Let me start this week off by telling you a little story of one crafter's obsession, of how he feels about crafting in MMOs, and what he hopes and dreams for.

I love crafting. I want more of it. Whenever I loaded up Runes of Magic, it was the first thing I got my grubby virtual hands on. Now, I know there are a lot of people who will say they like crafting, but I'm here to separate us even further by telling you what I really think about when I want more crafting.

I see lots of threads on the forums about how many people want crafting in RoM. There's a lot of conversation over how much work it should require and how much it should pay off. I feel disconnected from a lot of those players. I feel that we aren't truly like-minded. My brain doesn't run in the same direction. What the heck am I babbling about? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: One crafter's obsession

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: One crafter's obsession originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecraftcrafterscraftingcrafting-all-the-cool-kids-are-doing-itcrafting-culturefeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivejeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamerchantprofessionsromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentMon, 07 Feb 2011 18:00:00 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[TERA auction house video shows off UI, functionality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/tera-auction-house-video-shows-off-ui-functionality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/tera-auction-house-video-shows-off-ui-functionality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/tera-auction-house-video-shows-off-ui-functionality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio are marketing TERA as a combat-heavy action MMORPG, the new fantasy title isn't quite a one-trick pony. We recently got a look at some crafting and gathering videos and just yesterday stumbled across this new auction house video on YouTube.

How exciting is an auction house video? Granted it doesn't get the heart racing like some of the game's combat footage, nor does it boast the visual pizazz of the thousands of screenshots released thus far. That said, the interface and the functionality look quite clean and streamlined (do keep in mind that this is Korean beta footage, however). Turn the page to see the auction house in action as well as some helpful translation text from the video's author.

Continue reading TERA auction house video shows off UI, functionality

MassivelyTERA auction house video shows off UI, functionality originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseBlueHolebluehole-studiocraftingeconomyen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyteratera-onlinetradeskillsSun, 19 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Changes incoming for the markets of Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/changes-incoming-for-the-markets-of-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/changes-incoming-for-the-markets-of-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/changes-incoming-for-the-markets-of-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Even if you're a fan of Final Fantasy XIV, you're probably not enamored of the way that selling items among players is currently handled. It's not that the market wards aren't useful, they're just a really slow way of finding items in a game where nearly every single item is crafted by players rather than found or purchased. So it's good news for the game that the development team is aware of the issue, and adjustments are incoming within the relatively near future.

The first slated update will sort the market districts by items sold, thereby allowing players to zero in on exactly what they're looking for rather than the current ambling search. There are also plans for further refinement and specialization to the wards, along with plans to better facilitate hiring and employing multiple retainers at once. Whether or not the system will ever be replaced or supplemented with the often-requested auction house has not been stated, although there are no hints that such a system is incoming for Final Fantasy XIV. Even so, the promised updates should make finding items a good sight easier.

MassivelyChanges incoming for the markets of Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-housecoming-updatescrafted-goodscrafted-itemscraftingffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivmarket-districtmarket-wardsmarketspending-updatespurchasingsellingsquaresquare-enixWed, 29 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda version 1.37 hits live servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/global-agenda-version-1-37-hits-live-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/global-agenda-version-1-37-hits-live-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/global-agenda-version-1-37-hits-live-servers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Gentlemen, start your patchers (and ladies too, for that matter), as Hi-Rez Studios is about to drop the hammer on version 1.37 of Global Agenda. As of today, the sci-fi MMOFPS is rolling out its latest patch, bringing with it an achievement system, the ability to fast-switch between weapon, armor, and skill tree profiles, new vanity items, and auction house tweaks.

The auction house overhaul is fairly major, with a new "stock market" buy/sell model allowing players to see all items of a particular type and price on a single line. Buyers will see the lowest five prices for an item, and can purchase items by providing the bid price they're willing to pay. The revamped auction house will then reconcile the transaction with the listing seller(s) on a first-come first-serve basis. The auction house UI has also been redone, and 1.37 also brings a new preview function for displaying items on your avatar prior to purchase.

Be sure and read up on all the incoming changes via the patch notes on the official website.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda version 1.37 hits live servers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.37auction-houseglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-studiosmission-queuepatchvanity-itemsversion-1.37Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The countdown to Fallen Earth's one-year anniversary is on!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/the-countdown-to-fallen-earths-one-year-anniversary-is-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/the-countdown-to-fallen-earths-one-year-anniversary-is-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/the-countdown-to-fallen-earths-one-year-anniversary-is-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One year ago, the post-apocalyptic wasteland entered this world a screaming, healthy baby MMO. It's been a year of highs and lows for Fallen Earth, as Icarus Studios weathered staff cuts while pumping out fixes, patches and a whole new zone. Also, monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Fallen Earth is inviting players to spend the next week counting down to the launchiversary with eight days of events, giveaways and parties. This will all culminate in a huge in-game celebration, which Icarus Studios is asking players to screenshot the heck out of in exchange for prizes.

The company is also excited to announce two changes to its popular Fallen Earth mobile phone app. The basic app is now free of charge (available for iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices), but Icarus is also offering "premium services" for the one-time charge of $9.99. These special services include starting crafting projects, buying and selling on the auction house, and using the in-game mail system. You can read all of the details on the Mobile App FAQ.

MassivelyThe countdown to Fallen Earth's one-year anniversary is on! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidanniversaryappauction-houseblackberryfallen-earthfallen-earth-appfeicarusicarus-studiosiphonelaunchiversarymobile-app-faqmobile-phone-appmonkeysmonkeytownpremium-servicesWed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: DDO Update 7 bringing half-elves, half-orcs, more [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DDO's Update 7 is coming sometime in October, and we spent some time at PAX this morning chatting with members of the Turbine crew. They had some extremely exciting things to tell about Update 7 and sprung more than a few surprises on us. First up were the new races. Yes, that was plural. Half-orcs, the resident tough guys of Stormreach, are the coming race that players have been looking forward to, but Update 7 will also bring half-elves. Half-elves will be a very versatile race, with some special feats that make them ideal for solo builds.

Update 7 is bringing much more in addition to the two new races. There will be a 12-man raid at level 6, the first large raid suitable for players below level 10. It will be added to the Devil Assault Adventure Pack, so if you already own that one, you'll find it within that arc. Devil Assault will also gain epic mode with this update. The raid isn't the end of new content, of course. There's a new adventure pack coming, and this one's free! This level 12 quest arc will send you to solve the long-running mystery of Nat Gann's fate, and it may or may not involve time travel.

There are some updates coming to the UI and basic game that players will definitely enjoy. You'll find a slight change to the UI color, but that's not the best part. The inventory UI has an upgrade that will allow you to sort your items by type, making it much easier to keep things organized. You'll find tabs for each gear type, ingredients, potions, and more. And finally, the auction house got an update that should have DDO fans jumping for joy: search. That's right, Update 7 will bring string search to the auction house. You'll be able to search across categories, choose exact phrases, or be a little more general.

Engine upgrades to enable DX11 graphics, reactive water, hireling AI upgrades, bug fixes, and a few more special surprises round out this exciting update. Want to know more? Keep your eye on Massively -- we'll be taking an in-depth tour of Update 7 later this month!

[Update: To clarify, both of the new races will be available for purchase in the DDO Store.]

MassivelyPAX 2010: DDO Update 7 bringing half-elves, half-orcs, more [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packauction-housebreakingddoddo-update-7devil-assaultdevil-assault-adventure-packdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedx11graphicshalf-elfhalf-orcpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010racesRAIDraidingraidsuiFri, 03 Sep 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: If the road goes ever on, I'm gonna need a GPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/the-road-to-mordor-if-the-road-goes-ever-on-im-gonna-need-a-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/the-road-to-mordor-if-the-road-goes-ever-on-im-gonna-need-a-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/the-road-to-mordor-if-the-road-goes-ever-on-im-gonna-need-a-g/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Recently in our kinship chat, I asked my mates what they were most looking forward to in next week's patch. Scaled instances and the wardrobe were popular, but probably the most-cited change was simply the influx of new players. It's not that we were worried Lord of the Rings Online was dying, but that we love this game so much that we genuinely want others to experience it as well.

Plus, new players bring a rush of excitement for everyone involved. It's always a treat to look at an old game through a fresh set of eyes, and I hope that everyone logging in to LotRO for the first time will enjoy the sights of the Eriador, the quirkiness of the world, and the rich lore behind it.

In the spirit of welcoming these fledgling adventurers to Middle-earth, I wanted to hand out a few pieces of advice today that I would give to myself if I were just starting out (and I guess there'd be some sort of weird time travel paradox event going on there, but hopefully you catch my gist). What should you do in your first week in LotRO? Speak "friend" and enter.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: If the road goes ever on, I'm gonna need a GPS

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: If the road goes ever on, I'm gonna need a GPS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceah-monkeyauction-housebree-landcommunityered-luineriadorexplorerf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpkinshipslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthmordornew-playernew-playerssay-friend-and-entershireskillssmell-the-buckleberry-ferrytraitsturbinevirtuesvocationFri, 03 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Icarus offers Fallen Earth Companion app full-featured trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/icarus-offers-fallen-earth-companion-app-full-featured-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/icarus-offers-fallen-earth-companion-app-full-featured-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/icarus-offers-fallen-earth-companion-app-full-featured-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Fallen Earth's rubble-strewn wasteland may be a junkyard full of rusty old tech and rotting civilization, but the forthcoming mobile phone app update is the epitome of new and shiny. The team at Icarus is offering a full-featured trial of the extended app to all current users, meaning you can check out the full auction house functionality, the ability to craft an item from scratch, and the in-game mail attachment services for free.

The trial period runs from September 3rd to September 13th, and naturally requires that you have the original Fallen Earth companion app installed on your iPhone, Droid, or Blackberry. You can grab it from iTunes, the Android App Store, or Blackberry App World, and get a sneak peak of the new and improved version prior to its official release in a few weeks.

You can also view complete details via the press release on the official website.

MassivelyIcarus offers Fallen Earth Companion app full-featured trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseblackberrycompanion-appcraftingdroidfallen-earthfallen-earth-companion-appicarusicarus-studiosin-game-mailiphoneworld-mapsThu, 02 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR temporarily disabling in-game auction house]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/war-temporarily-disabling-in-game-auction-house/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/war-temporarily-disabling-in-game-auction-house/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/war-temporarily-disabling-in-game-auction-house/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you were planning on making a few coin off your jars of squig juice or stacks of dem bones, you might have to hold off for a few days, as Mythic will be temporarily disabling Warhammer Online's in-game auction house beginning Friday afternoon. The functionality is being removed in order to patch in the latest tweaks coming your way with the 1.3.6 update. The patch brings a streamlined auction house UI, as well as a standardized 48-hour auction duration. Additionally, pricing has been simplified to buy-out only.

Previously existing auctions will continue to be available featuring the bidding and buy-out functionality, but new auctions will not be available until after the patch. Check out the official announcement at the Warhammer Herald.

MassivelyWAR temporarily disabling in-game auction house originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseauctionsbioware-mythicmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentpatch-1.3.6patchesplayer-auctionsWARwarhammerWarhammer-OnlineFri, 13 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: And a pinch of warpstone, yes yes...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/waging-war-and-a-pinch-of-warpstone-yes-yes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/waging-war-and-a-pinch-of-warpstone-yes-yes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/waging-war-and-a-pinch-of-warpstone-yes-yes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After being slightly disappointed by the lack of response to last week's challenge, Greg was worried that he wouldn't have a topic for Waging WAR this week, and suffered a short-term bout of writer's block. But Serendipity and Providence once again shook hands, and two new announcements were made on the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning developer forums on Thursday and Friday earlier this week that would supply him with plenty of fodder for discussion in this week's column. Now, armed with the facts and a tall glass of creative juice, we can set things up properly, in all their italic glory.

The upcoming patch (1.3.6) for Warhammer Online promises a hefty amount of content, balancing, and changes. Highlights include the new armor vanity slots, the sovereign set revamps, the addition of the Against All Odds mechanic, and several class changes that have been needed for some time. In fact, it seems this latest career balancing pass has affected nearly every career available, and full mastery point refunds have been handed out to a whopping eight careers. The list doesn't stop there. Players will enjoy a new sticky targeting system, auction house interface, and loads of other new features including another batch of new art for the scenario weapons, and a revamp to the victory point system in the RvR campaign. There's even more still. You can read the full patch notes for patch 1.3.6, test the patch yourself (it went live on the PTS yesterday), or even take part in the developer lead focus tests on July 30th at 4 p.m. EDT and August 6th at 8 p.m. EDT.

But, of all the changes promised in the patch notes, one specific set of related changes has sparked my imagination for the future of WAR more than the rest. Find out what I'm talking about after the break.

Continue reading Waging WAR: And a pinch of warpstone, yes yes...

MassivelyWaging WAR: And a pinch of warpstone, yes yes... originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>against-all-oddsauction-housebioware-social-networkcareer-balancefeaturedfocus-testinggutter-runnerhigh-passland-of-the-deadmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentnecropolis-of-zandriostlandpatch-1.3.6red-plaguescenario-weaponsskavensovereign-setsticky-targetingtalabeclandtomb-of-the-vulture-lordtroll-countryvanity-slotsvictory-pointswarWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eawarlock-engineerwindow-of-perpetuitySat, 24 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The end]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/wasteland-diaries-the-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/wasteland-diaries-the-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/wasteland-diaries-the-end/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

When I first heard about Fallen Earth, the first thing that piqued my interest was the post-apocalyptic setting. The second thing was the FPS-style gameplay and the third thing was the factional PvP. I was delivered the setting in spades; I got a good, healthy dose of FPS action. I will admit, I got a good deal of PvP as well, but not much of it was factionally driven. The understanding I had of what to expect when I hit max level was enforcers and CHOTA squaring off for control of a town, slugging it out for hours on end. But in reality I got sporadic random battles or clan warfare. PvP was supposed to be the endgame material. At least that was the impression that I got.

In this post I will look at the current state of Fallen Earth's endgame, and what we might expect to change from the information garnered from the recent State of the Game. Many people aren't sure what to do in the game once they hit the level cap. After the cut I will take a look at the state of Fallen Earth's endgame and where I expect it to go given the recent announcements.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The end

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The end originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecustom-colorsend-gameendgamefallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedhousingicarus-studioslive-eventsplayer-housingpvepvprespecroleplayingsector-4State-of-the-gameFri, 23 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth state of the game: silent does not mean distant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-silent-does-not-mean-distant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-silent-does-not-mean-distant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-silent-does-not-mean-distant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Fallen Earth developers have released the latest state of the game, and they may have been quiet lately, but they've been hard at work behind the scenes.

Upcoming changes run the gamut from cosmetic items such as color customization on vehicles to gameplay-affecting additions like respec availability. Many of the additions and changes will start small and be upgraded and expanded over time. The respec injectors, for example, will begin as a merchant item, and eventually players will be able to craft their own.

They didn't stop with colors and respecs, though. We got an update on the long-awaited addition of Sector Four as well. Rather than a huge expansion, sector four will be introduced as a series of counties over the next year. PvP is going to get a bit scarier in the future -- rather than having designated PvP zones, a player can flag for PvP anywhere he or she chooses.

These few things are only the beginning. Housing, an improved auction house and a better leveling curve are just a few examples of the new content coming to Fallen Earth in the near future. Check out the full state of the game for all the details.

MassivelyFallen Earth state of the game: silent does not mean distant originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecustomizationfallen-earthfehousingicarusicarus-studiospvprespecsector-fourstate-of-the-gameThu, 15 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO and Lua: Turbine gives the mod community a thumbs-up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/lotro-and-lua-turbine-gives-the-mod-community-a-thumbs-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/lotro-and-lua-turbine-gives-the-mod-community-a-thumbs-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/lotro-and-lua-turbine-gives-the-mod-community-a-thumbs-up/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The winds of change are blowing swiftly across the lands of Middle-earth, as we've just gotten word that Turbine is going to allow the use of Lua scripting for Lord of the Rings Online. A Casual Stroll to Mordor reports that Meghan Rodberg announced the change on a recent episode of The StunCast!.

On the podcast, Rodberg confirmed the upcoming implementation of Lua scripts: "We historically have not allowed any modding of the UI other than skinning it. Hope I'm not blowing anything here, but there is a Lua scripting project going on. I don't know if we've talked about it that much, but people will be able to do some mods. I'm not sure to what extent they'll be able to do it. It seemed like enough of our players were looking for this that we decided to do it."

Lua is a programming language that allows for the creation of add-ons and mods for MMOs, which has seen extensive use in titles like World of Warcraft. It allows for players to design useful (or not-so-useful) UI features, such as auction house enhancements, timing bars and even mini-games. While player response to this announcement is mixed, it hopefully will make many budding modders happy to hear.

[Update: Meghan clarifies: "It's not guaranteed for a launch with F2P - it may be in the testing stage for a while!"]

MassivelyLotRO and Lua: Turbine gives the mod community a thumbs-up originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordoradd-onsauction-houseblizzardbreakingdont-spit-into-the-winds-of-changelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolualua-programming-languagelua-scriptmeghan-rodbergmini-gamesmodmoddingmodding-communitymodspodcastskinningthe-stuncasttiming-barturbineuiuser-interfaceworld-of-warcraftWed, 14 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you play a game with no economy?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-a-game-with-no-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-a-game-with-no-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-a-game-with-no-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In the bullet-point list of most every MMO on the market, a "functioning in-game economy" comes as a standard feature, much like AM/FM radio and power steering, er, I mean like PvP and spacebar-as-jump-button. Being able to buy and sell goods and the occasional service between players adds a layer of depth and strategy to the game world that -- for once -- isn't solely about killing something. A few select players even eschew the rest of the game to focus on playing the auction house or crafting goods to sell.

Unfortunately, like the Force and the moon, in-game economies always come with a dark side. Economies are tricky to balance, and the longer a game runs, the higher the risk for it to spiral out of control due to mudflation. Late-comers to the game often find themselves at an economic disadvantage in comparison to extremely wealthy veterans. Economies also need the support of a lot of desirable things to sell and a useful interface through which to do it (such as an auction house), creating a lot of work for the dev team. And, of course, with any economy comes the headache of gold farming and selling.

Out of curiosity, would you play a game with no real economy? Some games such as Free Realms and Guild Wars de-emphasize their economies greatly in favor of other parts of the game. Do you find MMO economies to be more of a bother than a blessing? If a fun game came out that lacked this "essential" feature, would it be a deal-breaker?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you play a game with no economy? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housedark-side-of-the-mooneconomyfree-realmsgold-farminggold-sellingguild-warsgwopinionpower-steeringpvpspacebar-jumptdgthats-a-deal-breaker-ladiesthe-daily-grindthe-forceTue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST