Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 audio team heads to nuclear power plant for sound recording]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/guild-wars-2-audio-team-heads-to-nuclear-power-plant-for-sound-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/guild-wars-2-audio-team-heads-to-nuclear-power-plant-for-sound-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/guild-wars-2-audio-team-heads-to-nuclear-power-plant-for-sound-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Charr-nobyl? Too soon?
The ArenaNet sound team has been busy, with its latest project being a field trip to an inactive nuclear power plant.

Yep, you read that correctly -- the team took a two-hour drive to the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant to record some audio for Guild Wars 2. Why? Well, while the new ArenaNet offices have some fantastic sound facilities, you can't beat a huge concrete-and-metal building complete with 450-foot-wide cooling towers for some great sound effects. Audio Director James Ackley took his team and a pile of gear to the plant to record all sorts of sounds, including "tone sweeps, train-bys, monster sounds, and even Maclaine's best Eddie Van Halen impression on Rob's guitar," all enhanced to make the most of the unusual acoustics.

The new blog entry has plenty of details on the trip as well as a three-minute video showing off some of the highlights of the trip. Check it out at the ArenaNet blog!

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 audio team heads to nuclear power plant for sound recording originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetaudioguild-wars-2gw2james-ackleyncsoftnuclear-power-plantThu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar gives players a taste of the sound of the world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
It's hard not to find something familiar in WildStar's fusion of the wild west aesthetic with the exploration of an unfamiliar planet in deep space. That having been said, most people anticipating the game would likely find nothing to fault with that combination in terms of visuals. But what will the game sound like? That's what this week's WildStar Wednesday addresses, with a piece by Jeff Kurtenacker about composing the music you'll hear in-game.

As Kurtenacker puts it, the biggest challenge as a composer is to create music that combines the game's diverse thematic points into a unified score, producing the right mixture of wonder, adventure, and a bit of old frontier exploration. But if all the technical discussion of composition is a bit beyond you, the post also includes two sample tracks from the game's soundtrack, a chance for players to get a sense of what to expect from the finished experience. The tracks are brief, but they're certainly the sort of thing that gets you in the mindset of the game -- and that's just what they're there for.

MassivelyWildStar gives players a taste of the sound of the world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocarbinecarbine-studiosJeff-kurtenackermusicncsoftpreviewssoundssoundtracktracksupdateswildstarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Sylvari week wrap-up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/flameseeker-chronicles-sylvari-week-wrap-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/flameseeker-chronicles-sylvari-week-wrap-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/flameseeker-chronicles-sylvari-week-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles
Guild Wars 2 Sylvari week is over, much to the relief of abused F5 keys everywhere. We've finally seen the redesign, we've read the lore, we've gotten more details about the culture, we've watched new videos, and best of all, we've talked the subject to death.

Now that it's all over and we've had a chance to process the infodump, it's time for my standard post-race-week Flameseeker Chronicles analysis. Follow along after the jump, where I'll recap a few of the high points of Sylvari week.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Sylvari week wrap-up

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Sylvari week wrap-up originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetaudioelfelvesfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftopinionraceracessylvarisylvari-weekvoice-overvoice-oversvoice-workMon, 15 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

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

Continue reading More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarena-netarenanetaudiobehind-the-scenesdesignguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftsoundsound-designsound-effectsvideoWed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Listen for a second. Do you hear anything? Jets of flame being spewed by dragons, the sharp slide of metal on metal, the hard report of a gunshot? Of course you don't because you're not part of the Guild Wars 2 sound team, hard at work for yet another day. But then, even if you were, you wouldn't be hearing a dragon spitting flame -- you'd be figuring out how to make a sound that will tell players that this is a dragon spewing flame, which is a bit harder. (And safer.)

This short video documentary chronicles some of the methods that the team uses to draw players into the game world via just the sound, just to make each little echo sound as immersive and natural as possible. It's a look at one of the more ubiquitous aspects of MMOs that most players don't think about, so if you're at all interested in the design going on behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2, jump on past the break.

Continue reading Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team

MassivelyGoing behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetaudiodesigndevelopmentguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftnewssoundsound-designvideovideosTue, 02 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minmatar captain's quarters coming to EVE Online test server this week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/minmatar-captains-quarters-coming-to-eve-online-test-server-thi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/minmatar-captains-quarters-coming-to-eve-online-test-server-thi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/minmatar-captains-quarters-coming-to-eve-online-test-server-thi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Get ready, capsuleers. Captain's quarters are coming, and sooner than you might expect. CCP Tanis breaks the news that a rough version of the Minmatar captain's quarters will be making an appearance on the Duality test server this Thursday, April 21st.

That's right: Two days hence, all you Brutors, Sebiestors, and Vherokiors will finally be able to walk around on your own two legs inside of the EVE Online client. CCP's newest dev blog cautions that the test environment is a true work-in-progress, and Tanis states that "we're still at the chisel-in-hand-in-front-of-a-marble-form stage."

Why make the environment available to the public at this point? CCP is mainly looking to gather feedback and general impressions on usability, since the captain's quarters interface is eventually slated to replace the current in-game hangar view. The test run will also feature new in-station and crash course tutorials as well as interfaces for planetary interaction, corporation management, avatar re-customization, and ship fitting.

In other EVE Online news, the new Council of Stellar Management held its first fireside chat a few days ago, and an audio recording of the broadcast is now available for download on the official EVE forums.

MassivelyMinmatar captain's quarters coming to EVE Online test server this week originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationaudiocaptains-quartersccpccp-gamesccp-taniscouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmdev-blogdev-diarydualityeveeve-onlinefeedbackfireside-chatincarnainterfaceminmatarsandboxsci-fitest-environmenttest-serverwalking-in-stationswooooooTue, 19 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: An interview with Dynamedion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/lost-pages-of-taborea-an-interview-with-dynamedion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/lost-pages-of-taborea-an-interview-with-dynamedion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/lost-pages-of-taborea-an-interview-with-dynamedion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A lot of people like music in video games, and for good reason. Today there are some amazing tracks being recorded by professionals and artists for us to listen to as we own noobs, take down mighty dragons, and explore serene vistas. The world of video game composing even has its own fanbase filled with players who pay close attention to who is making the musical score to tomorrow's buzz-worthy game. I have personally clawed around in the dark for months looking for scraps of information on Runes of Magic's soundtrack. Some fragments have been unearthed here and there, but I was finally able to get in touch with the source.

Dynamedion is the music production company behind many of the tracks in RoM. It has a number of games listed on its resume, including Halo Legends, Alan Wake, Call of Duty 4 and many more. I nabbed an interview with some of the lead composers to try to get some more information about the music in RoM. Where did the inspiration for these tracks come from? Who worked on them? Did they steal all the music from Bardy Woods? Set your metronome to epic fantasy and click to read on.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: An interview with Dynamedion

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: An interview with Dynamedion originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocomposercomposersdynamedionfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivejeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamusicromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentscoresongsongssoundtrackthemetheme-songtilman-sillescuMon, 21 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's in your ears while you play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/the-daily-grind-whats-in-your-ears-while-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/the-daily-grind-whats-in-your-ears-while-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/the-daily-grind-whats-in-your-ears-while-you-play/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When it's time to sit down and play an MMO, very few of us do so in total silence. Even neglecting the occasional burst of profanity at the game, there's usually a wide selection of game audio to be heard, ranging from environmental noises like rustling leaves to simple and evocative music that stays with you even if you leave the game behind. But for all the care put into it, the in-game music can eventually get boring to many players.

Maybe you still have the game soundtrack turned on, and you occasionally just stop and listen to one of your favorite melodies. Perhaps you've moved on to listening to a favorite playlist on iTunes or Pandora while you play, or you might turn off the sound altogether to focus on the business of voice chat. There's even a chance you've decided to be charmingly meta and listen to another game's soundtrack altogether. What are you listening to while you play your favorite game?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's in your ears while you play? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiointernet-radioituneslisteningmusicmusical-tastesopinionradiosoundtdgthe-daily-grindvoice-chatSat, 20 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Just yesterday, we talked a bit about the fact that Guild Wars 2 fans love the small details just as much as the large ones. As we learn more and more about Guild Wars 2, so much of what is exceptional about the game is found in those little details. Attention to the little things, right down to the stitching on a ranger's armor piece, adds up to create an overall sense of immersion and depth that helps make a good game a great one.

That attention to detail comes heavily into play when the GW2 team looks at how the story is presented. Way back in May, Lead Designer Colin Johanson spoke at length about the traditional system of quests and quest text. We know that ArenaNet is actively rejecting the traditional -- and immersion breaking -- system, but what will take its place?

We got some exciting news on that very thing last night, and as always, it's all in the details. Follow along after the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading New ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyNew ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogaudiobobby-steincolin-johansondialoguefeaturedguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-audiogw2jeremy-soulencsoftvoice-overvoiceoverFri, 06 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Music, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With Comic*Con less than a week away, BioWare is passionately preparing for the stellar event. And to tease us into wanting more, the development team threw us a gigantic Fan Friday for Star Wars: The Old Republic. What secrets were revealed in the newest issue of the Blood of the Empire? What can be divulged in a Developer's Blog about audio? How do we discover this secret the SWTOR Community Manager wants to tell us? And music in an MMO? Is that important? The Developer's Dispatch wants to show us.

All of these and other important questions will be answered if you click the little "Read more" button below.

Continue reading Music, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans

MassivelyMusic, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioBioWareblood-of-the-empiredeveloper-blogdeveloper-dispatchEAea-biowareElectronic-Artsexal-kresshfacebookforumsJesse-HarlinLucasArtsMaggotmusicorion-kelloggsean-dahlbergsecretsStar-Warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtorteneb-kelthe-old-republictwitterwebcomicFri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Blue Oyster Cult lead singer Eric Bloom has been gaming a long, long time, and been part of a very iconic rock band for even longer. If you are familiar with the More Cowbell sketch on Saturday Night Live, you know B.O.C. I remember their music from my younger days, as my brother and I tried to learn their songs for our band to cover (pro tip: the lead in Don't Fear the Reaper is a killer). In fact, it has to be some kind of fate that I would interview him many years later, since his music also blends in perfectly with the gaming lifestyle.

So, what do rock stars like to play? A bit of everything, it seems. Eric also writes for Beckett Massive Online Gamer and has songs featured in games ranging from Guitar Hero to Warhammer Online. Recently, he was asked to help design a quest for the bright and shiny card-battle MMORPG Wizard101. It turns out he had an idea for a quest, and his recent visit to Kingsisle Entertainment was the perfect opportunity to make that idea a reality. Follow past the break to check out the recording of my phone interview with Eric, as well as a sit-down with him and the developers from Kingsisle.

Continue reading Massively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar...

MassivelyMassively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar... originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioblue-oyster-cultcard-battleeric-bloomexclusivefantasyfeaturedftpinterviewkingsisle-entertainmentwizard-101Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a year of EVE Online game time with the PODDED podcast]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/win-a-year-of-eve-online-game-time-with-the-podded-podcast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/win-a-year-of-eve-online-game-time-with-the-podded-podcast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/win-a-year-of-eve-online-game-time-with-the-podded-podcast/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We all love to keep up with what's been going on in our favourite MMOs, whether the news is delivered by dedicated news sites and blogs or live radio shows and pre-recorded podcasts. There's certainly no shortage of fan-run podcasts and blogs in the EVE Online community but occasionally one will stand out from the crowd. Originally started up in 2007, the "PODDED" podcast had limited success with a run of only 11 episodes. After a relaunch in 2009, hosts Dillon Arklight and War Childe seemed to find their feet and have since seen their listener base grow. Posted on an irregular schedule, the PODDED podcast explores everything that's happened in the world of EVE since the last episode, from news and devblogs to coverage of major nullsec wars.

To celebrate the one year anniversary of their relaunch, Dillon Arklight and War Childe are giving away one year's worth of EVE game time! To enter, you'll need to record an original piece of EVE-related audio comedy. It must be no longer than 3 minutes and can be any form of comedy. Some suggested ideas include an EVE parody song, reading an original EVE short story, creating a fake EVE advert or just doing some general comedic gags. If you think you've got what it takes to produce a funny EVE-related audio clip of three minutes or less, get your submission in by April 28th for a chance to win. Full submission guidelines are available at the PODDED podcast homepage.

MassivelyWin a year of EVE Online game time with the PODDED podcast originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioccpccp-eveccp-gamescomedycompetitioncontestdillon-arklighteveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinepodcastpodcastingPodcastspoddedwar-childeThu, 18 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are you like in voice chat?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-like-in-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-like-in-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-like-in-voice-chat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Voice chat isn't a part of every facet of games, but it's usually de rigeur for communication in endgame activities. While some of us can type pretty quickly, we can still talk a bit faster, and if you're using the keyboard as anything other than an ornament time spent typing is time spent not pressing other buttons. The popularity and proliferation of Ventrilo is almost entirely based upon this need, and games have increasingly come to include built-in voice clients (including World of Warcraft, although its quality is rather widely debated).

Of course, hand-in-hand with the fact that we can talk faster than we can type, many of us have a clearer personality by voice than we do in text. We're more trained as human beings to react to audio cues anyway, as opposed to subtleties in sentence structure or the occasional "lol." So what do you act like when you get behind the microphone? Are you the one guy that won't stop making off-color jokes, or are you quiet and professional? Do you act the same way you usually do via text, or do you have a totally different side that only comes out over voice chat?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What are you like in voice chat? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiochatcommunicationendgameheadsetstdgthe-daily-grindventrilovoicevoice-chatvoice-over-ipvoipworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 90: Allods Online's cash shop interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/massively-speaking-episode-90-allods-onlines-cash-shop-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/massively-speaking-episode-90-allods-onlines-cash-shop-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/massively-speaking-episode-90-allods-onlines-cash-shop-intervi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 90 is back this week as Shawn and Rubi are joined by Sera Brennan to discuss the week's news. Plus, we sit down with Darren Allarde, Associate Producer for gPotato to discuss the Allods Online cash shop issues that have been blasting the headlines all week.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to podcast AT massively DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to Massively Speaking via the Zune service.
[RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
[VW] Listen at VirginWorlds.com
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 90: Allods Online's cash shop interview

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 90: Allods Online's cash shop interview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiofeaturedmassively-speakingpodcastpodcastingpodcastsWed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 90Massively.com Staff69:01podcasts<![CDATA[All Points Bulletin video podcast shows off the music editor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/all-points-bulletin-video-podcast-shows-off-the-music-editor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/all-points-bulletin-video-podcast-shows-off-the-music-editor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/all-points-bulletin-video-podcast-shows-off-the-music-editor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fans of the upcoming urban crime game All Points Bulletin may have noticed there's been a bit of a hiatus with the video podcasts that Realtime Worlds has been releasing. (Although Massively did have a good interview with Chris Collins and EJ Moreland about APB this week.) The APB video podcasts are back for 2010 now, though, and Collins has announced that the next few will focus on the game's audio features. They're beginning the series by showing fans the game's music editor, demonstrated by Stuart Ross, All Points Bulletin's Senior Sound Designer.

These in-game audio tools in the Music Studio will allow players to create "death themes" -- very short sound clips that play when you take out another player -- or even create loops and tracks from scratch using software instruments. While the tools look fairly comprehensive, there are simple preset themes for those not familiar with audio tools. Even better, player-created themes and songs are fully tradeable. Players will be able to place their tracks on market for other Criminals or Enforcers to purchase. Stick with us after the jump for a video embed of the All Points Bulletin podcast episode 16: The Music Editor.

Continue reading All Points Bulletin video podcast shows off the music editor

MassivelyAll Points Bulletin video podcast shows off the music editor originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbaudiochris-collinscommunity-officercrimecustomizationmusicmusic-editormusic-studionew-titlespodcastsrealtime-worldssenior-sound-designerstuart-rossurbanurban-crimevideoThu, 28 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes offers some Hero-Con highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/city-of-heroes-offers-some-hero-con-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/city-of-heroes-offers-some-hero-con-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/city-of-heroes-offers-some-hero-con-highlights/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you were one of the many City of Heroes fans who wasn't quite able to make it to Hero-Con, we offer our condolences. Even though you know that the information revealed there gets disseminated as fast as possible, there's still a sense of missing out on something big. And even though that event was a couple months ago, the sting probably hasn't quite worn off yet. But fret not, as Paragon Studios has given you loyal but not-necessarily-traveling fans a little present. There are now several podcasts available on the official site with recordings from the celebrated event.

The available podcasts include the opening ceremonies along with the Going Rogue preview, discussions of power and archetype balancing, and the panel regarding the ongoing storyline of the game among others. Audio quality isn't perfect, but for a recording of a live event there's little to complain about. If you'd prefer to listen on the site, there's a built-in player, or if you'd rather have them on your iPod (or other mobile player) they can be downloaded on the same page in MP3 format. It's not quite the same as being there, but it certainly beats missing the experience entirely if you're a longtime fan of City of Heroes.

MassivelyCity of Heroes offers some Hero-Con highlights originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcon-highlightscovcoxgoing-roguehero-conmp3paragon-studiospodcastsSun, 20 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ys Online soundtrack now free download]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're anything like some of us at Massively, the music in your games really adds something to the experience. While Ys Online may not snag the headlines here very much, it's an MMO based off of a series of Japanese RPGs that reaches back into the 1980s. The Ys IP has also been spun off into two anime series produced in the late 80's and early 90s. Ys Online is still in open beta in Europe, but they're already making the game's soundtrack available for free download. You can preview the tracks on the Ys Online Europe site and download each track individually, or just grab the whole soundtrack as a zip file.

The Ys Online soundtrack is composed by the same people behind the score of the various Ys titles in the past -- Yuzo Koshiro; Mieko Ishikawa and Hideya Nagata.

MassivelyYs Online soundtrack now free download originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocall-of-solumcomposerscompositionsdownloadsfantasyfreehideya-nagatamieko-ishikawamusicopen-betascoresoundtrackysys-onlineyuzo-koshiroWed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Creating the sound and music of Jumpgate Evolution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/creating-the-sound-and-music-of-jumpgate-evolution/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/creating-the-sound-and-music-of-jumpgate-evolution/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/creating-the-sound-and-music-of-jumpgate-evolution/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We've been wondering what's happening over at NetDevil with Jumpgate Evolution of late. It's been a bit quiet on the news front, but we've come across a recent dev blog from Jumpgate Evolution Producer Hermann Peterscheck that explains the importance of audio in this sci-fi MMO.

Peterscheck explains NetDevil's approach to audio in a space game and the various steps taken to ensure the game sounds as good as it looks. He writes, "Try imagining Star Wars without John Williams' sound track or James Earl Jones' booming Darth Vader voice. Poor audio on top of great video can really deteriorate production value. The trouble with audio is that it generally comes late in the development cycle and all too often as an afterthought."

Continue reading Creating the sound and music of Jumpgate Evolution

MassivelyCreating the sound and music of Jumpgate Evolution originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiodev-blogdev-blogshermann-peterscheckjgejumpgate-evolutionmusicnew-titlessci-fisoundSat, 12 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The importance of good audio in an MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/the-importance-of-good-audio-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/the-importance-of-good-audio-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/the-importance-of-good-audio-in-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the development budgets of new MMOs. To stay ahead of the technological curve, a large portion of the budget invariably goes toward the graphics department. Studios produce impressive graphics engines and mountains of art assets in an effort to make their game one of the most visually impressive out there. Amidst all the fuss over graphics and gameplay, audio is often overlooked and underfunded. It's been shown that good music and sound effects can have a significant impact on the perceived quality of a game. This is something that some development studios recognise and support but many continue to neglect this vital part of the gaming experience.

In this article, I examine the importance of good audio in an MMO and explain the underlying psychology involved.

Continue reading The importance of good audio in an MMO

MassivelyThe importance of good audio in an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioblack-prophecychoireveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iifantasyfeaturedindustryjoystiqfeaturesmoodmusicorchestrapsychologysci-fisoundworld of warcraftworld-of-warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you use integrated voice chat?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/#commentsFiled under: ,

Integrated voice chat is becoming a default feature of many newer MMOs, and it's even been retrofitted into our older games, like EverQuest II and World of Warcraft. It's like power steering on a new car; you almost can't remember a time before it was standard. Games like Dungeons and Dragons Online were among the first to offer the feature, while others soon followed suit.

Personally, I find myself sticking with programs like Ventrilo or TeamSpeak to run my voice chat. Even in Lord of the Rings Online, I find myself turning off the IVC to use TeamSpeak with my kinship. So the important question here is: What do you prefer? Does integrated voice chat cause your game to lag, or any other performance problems? Do you just prefer Vent or TS (or Skype, or Xfire, etc) because you're used to it from before it became integrated? Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you use integrated voice chat? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiointegrated-voice-chatskypeteamspeakthe-daily-grindventrilovoice-chatxfireFri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews Champions Online's lead designer, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/massively-interviews-champions-onlines-lead-designer-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/massively-interviews-champions-onlines-lead-designer-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/massively-interviews-champions-onlines-lead-designer-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Continue reading Massively interviews Champions Online's lead designer, part 2

MassivelyMassively interviews Champions Online's lead designer, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariaudiochampionschampions-onlinecryptic-studiosice-slidemissionspvepvprandy-mosiondztravel-powersvoiceTue, 20 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Audio details and more character customization in the latest Ask Cryptic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/audio-details-and-more-character-customization-in-the-latest-ask/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/audio-details-and-more-character-customization-in-the-latest-ask/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/audio-details-and-more-character-customization-in-the-latest-ask/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It looks like character customization is still the source of many of the most burning questions for followers of Champions Online, and another handful of these are answered in the latest "Ask Cryptic" feature. We find out that, although there are a number of crazy costume elements like tails, fins and claws, that is all they are intended to be for now -- costume elements. No wicked tail-strikes for the time being, but they haven't ruled this sort of thing out entirely, so keep your flippers crossed.

Another community member asked about the audio in CO, and whether it is an important part of development for Cryptic Studios. In response, they say that they have just tripled the size of their audio team, which roughly translates to "Hell yes audio is important!". Signature villains have unique voices, and ambient sounds and music are being paid particular attention to. The final question asked if the biggest villains (like Foxbat) would have their own musical themes; although it doesn't look like they had planned it before, they certainly sound interested in incorporating it now. Check out the full answers to these questions and a bunch more at the Ask Cryptic page.

MassivelyAudio details and more character customization in the latest Ask Cryptic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticaudiochampions-onlinecharacter-customizationcocryptic-studioscustomizationdevelopmentmusicsignature-villainstailsWed, 24 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online getting audio revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The music in a massively multiplayer online game tends to be an unappreciated aspect of the gameplay experience. When we play games we primarily notice the visual. Although the ambient sound surrounding us helps set the tone, it's almost always less commented upon. This is a shame because there really is some excellent music that's created for these games.

EVE Online is a game that has some rather unique music that, for some, fits the galactic setting of New Eden. But still, a number of EVE players opt to turn the music off and play to their own soundtrack. EVE players who are really into the music that permeates the game will love the latest dev blog from CCP RealX. He details how he's created the game's music in the past, both in terms of hardware and software, as well as his approach to his work. RealX says, "I tried to make use of the panning as a compositional element, making swells and sweeps come up from behind and sweep past the listener." But he's looking to make EVE's music a bit more engaging as time goes on, giving more players less of a reason to disable the sound in favor of their own iTunes library, stating "what doesn't grow must wither and die."

Continue reading EVE Online getting audio revamp

MassivelyEVE Online getting audio revamp originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioccpccp-gamesccp-realxeveeve-onlineitunesmusicrealxscoresettingsoundtrackSat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise sound effects designer discusses influences and approach]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Earthrise is the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO being developed in Bulgaria by Masthead Studios. We've been keeping an eye on this title at Massively, but admittedly it hasn't been that difficult so far. Although Masthead Studios is a comparative newcomer to the MMO industry, the company has been doing a good job of raising awareness of Earthrise through the press, while fostering an active community which is eagerly awaiting beta.

Their latest media coverage comes to us through Massimo Villa's interview with Earthrise's Kamen Atanasov, Sound Effects Designer for the title. The interview touches on how Atanasov progressed from being a freelance sound designer to working on the audio backdrop of Earthrise. If you're curious about the development of this title, check out this Q&A with Kamen Atanasov.

[Thanks, Nolvadex.]

MassivelyEarthrise sound effects designer discusses influences and approach originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alterego-onlinealterego-online-networkalteregonlineatanas-atanasovaudiobulgariacommunityearthriseinterviewskamen-atanasovmassimo-villamasthead-studiospost-apocalypticsci-fisofiasoundsound-designsound-designersound-effectsThu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds reaches 200k beta signups, dev chat on Friday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Stargate Worlds team announced yesterday that 200,000 people have signed up for the game's beta test. That's not an unimpressive number, although both Age of Conan and Warhammer Online reported a lot more (but at later stages in development). Of course, history has shown that the number of beta applicants doesn't necessarily reflect on a game's post-launch popularity.

In other Stargate Worlds-related news, the game's sound designer (Nick LaMartina) will be participating in a live dev chat that will be open to all on Friday the 22nd at 11:00 AM Pacific time. Head over to the Stargate Worlds website for details and links on reaching the IRC chat room where it will take place.

When we visited Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment just over a month ago, a representative told us that the company was hoping to start the closed beta phase before the end of the summer. We've been a bit skeptical. Time's a-tickin'!

MassivelyStargate Worlds reaches 200k beta signups, dev chat on Friday originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanapplicationsaudiobetachatcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedeveloperfireskynick-lamartinasgwsign-upssignupssoundsound-designerstargatestargate-worldswarhammer-onlineWed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Podcast interviews two Star Trek Online guys, gets lots of new info]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/podcast-interviews-two-star-trek-online-guys-gets-lots-of-new-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/podcast-interviews-two-star-trek-online-guys-gets-lots-of-new-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/podcast-interviews-two-star-trek-online-guys-gets-lots-of-new-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Star Trek gaming podcast Hailing Frequency interviewed Cryptic Studios Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert in the wake of the big Las Vegas unveiling of Star Trek Online. The two part interview is available in both audio and video, and it's one of the best sources of details beyond the unveiling video itself at this point.

There are a lot of reveals and hints in the interview. Some examples of interview topics: post-launch plans for user-generated content, an economy without a monetary currency, and details about starship combat. Emmert speculates that cross-platform play and non-region-specific servers are possible, but that no final determinations have been made. Listen to the interview for more!

Hailing Frequency also spoke with STO's new community manager, JR Sutich, who is better known to folks in the MMO community as Razor. He was a regular writer at WarCry before he started with Cryptic. That interview, also available in both audio and video, deals exclusively with the game's community and forums.

MassivelyPodcast interviews two Star Trek Online guys, gets lots of new info originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocombatcommunity-managercross-platformcrypticcryptic-studioscurrencyeconomyforumshailing-frequencyinterviewjack-emmertjr-sutichlas-vegaspodcastrazorrazorwireregionregionsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestotrekuser-generated-contentvideowarcryTue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Listen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Music can be a really important part of MMOs, if the developer decides that they want it to be. In some games you'll almost immediately turn the audio down to zero and resume listening to your own stuff, but other games like Age of Conan have a musical score that demands to be heard. It is clear that Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is aiming for the latter with Stargate Worlds, and they have offered followers of the game a chance to listen to some short clips at their community forums.

You'll need to be a registered forum user to be able to listen, but if you take the plunge you can download two short clips, composed by SGW sound designer Nick LaMartina. They are both fairly epic and atmospheric, and leave you wanting to hear more. If you do check them out, you can use the links in the article to leave feedback for each piece in the forums.

MassivelyListen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcomposermusicnick-lamartinasgwsound-designerstargate-worldsthemesSat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TR's lead designer answers your questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/trs-lead-designer-answers-your-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/trs-lead-designer-answers-your-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/trs-lead-designer-answers-your-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


How often do you get the opportunity to ask a big-time developer a question and actually hear their answer? Unless you travel to a gaming conference and stand in line for an hour, this isn't likely to happen, but on the next episode of TabulaCast, the hosts John and Matt will be interviewing Tom Potter, the leader designer for Tabula Rasa. They will be asking him questions submitted by the listeners regarding the game and his new role in the lead designer seat after taking over for Paul Sage last month. Of course, not all questions will be on the show, but only the very best will be chosen.

This is a very exciting interview for the folks at TabulaCast who have previously interviewed some of the "leaders" in the Tabula Rasa player community including PlanetTR's main admin DeadRinger, Ten Ton Hammer's TR lead Tony "Radar X" Jones as well as both Community Coordinators: Amy "Critters" Crider and Tia "Avatea" from NCsoft Europe.

MassivelyTR's lead designer answers your questions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiolead-designerncsoftncsoft-europepodcastquestionstabula-bloggertabula-rasatabulacasttom-potterWed, 18 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Physics engine grounds Earthrise players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/physics-engine-grounds-earthrise-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/physics-engine-grounds-earthrise-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/physics-engine-grounds-earthrise-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Being grounded in this case is a positive thing. Honest. Moll, the Community Manager for the sci-fi MMO Earthrise, typically fields a 'Question of the Week' over at the game's forums. This time, Moll answered a few related questions in one go, writing about the physics engine in Earthrise. Moll stressed that Masthead Studios wanted to balance client requirements with server load, while trying to build a realistic experience for Earthrise's players:

"The physics engine will run simultaneously on the client and on the server. The server will ensure that the physics results from the client are feasible and prevent cheating. We are using a 3rd party physics core, which can take advantage of hardware and GPU acceleration and also have some internally-coded subsystems." Sound will be tightly integrated with all physics effects in the game, adding another layer of realism. Best of all is the revelation about Earthrise's physics engine: it will feature ragdoll style effects.

Continue reading Physics engine grounds Earthrise players

MassivelyPhysics engine grounds Earthrise players originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 May 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocommunityearthriseenginegraphicsmasthead-studiosnpcphysicssci-fiWed, 21 May 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Eden's virtual reporters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/new-edens-virtual-reporters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/new-edens-virtual-reporters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/new-edens-virtual-reporters/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volunteer organizations directly involved with MMO's isn't a new idea, but the Interstellar Services Department (ISD) of EVE Online is rather unique in the industry. ISD actually works with CCP Games to create and enhance several aspects of EVE.

ISD has several branches, including Support Team and Resources (STAR), which provides new player support; Mercury (M), responsible for creating New Eden's fiction; Equipment Certification and Anomaly Investigations Division (ECAID), tasked with solving technical issues; and Interstellar Correspondents (IC), an in-game news organization. The last of those divisions, Interstellar Correspondents, is one that is often misunderstood.

Continue reading New Eden's virtual reporters

MassivelyNew Eden's virtual reporters originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiodev-blogeve-onlineisdrsssci-fivideovolunteerTue, 20 May 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Playing with audio]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/playing-with-audio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/playing-with-audio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/playing-with-audio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Stargate Worlds Sound Designer Nick LaMartina penned a dev blog concerning in-game audio. As pointed out by one of the SGW forum members, most players usually turn off a game's audio and turn on their MP3 player of choice. LaMartina hopes to change the way we all look (and listen) to game sounds.

LaMartina isn't happy with the way game audio has been designed in the past. He asserts that maybe the reason players strip out the music, almost immediately, is because it's been designed wrong for so long. "Don't wait for them to become interested. Give them a reason to be." That's his motto, and he promises that the way he and his group are making the audio portion of SGW will give us all "something very special to look forward to."

There has always been visual cues and clues, but why haven't developers utilized the high end sound cards sitting in all our rigs? Film makers have known for some time that the auditory portion of a movie is just as important as the visual. It's about time someone took this sorely underutilized gaming component... and cranked it!

MassivelyPlaying with audio originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocheyenne-mountain-en...in-game-audioNick-LaMartinaFri, 18 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Senior producer for EverQuest II Bruce "Froech" Ferguson interviewed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/senior-producer-for-everquest-ii-bruce-froech-ferguson-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/senior-producer-for-everquest-ii-bruce-froech-ferguson-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/senior-producer-for-everquest-ii-bruce-froech-ferguson-intervi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that Scott Hartsman has stepped down as senior producer for EverQuest II, the folks at EQ2 Players decided to interview his replacement, Bruce "Froech" Ferguson. Ferguson is no newbie to EQII, and his appointment to senior producer marks his return to the game after spending a few years as a project manager for Sony Online Entertainment in general.

In the interview, we find out about his feelings on returning to EQII, what exactly the position of senior producer entails, his gaming background, the future of EQII, and some other fun stuff. The interview is also available in audio form, so if your tired eyes need a rest from a hard day prowling the internets, you can let your ears take over for a bit -- otherwise, follow the related story link for the full interview.

MassivelySenior producer for EverQuest II Bruce "Froech" Ferguson interviewed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiobruce-fergusoneq2eqiieverquest-2froechsenior-producersoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 18 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST