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[The Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-guild-counsel-guild-life-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-guild-counsel-guild-life-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-guild-counsel-guild-life-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

swtor
If you thought the future looked cloudy for guilds in MMOs, Star Wars: The Old Republic's launch stomped out any doubts. The pre-launch list of guilds was so enormous that it rivaled the total player populations of other MMOs. But there are some interesting aspects to guild life in SWTOR, and this week in The Guild Counsel, we'll take a closer look at them.

If you're interested in some first impressions from a guild perspective, or if you're wondering how to make a guild now that the game has launched, read on for a look at guild life in SWTOR.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebankbanksbiowarecreating-a-guild-in-swtordialogueeaelectronic-artsfeaturedguildguild-adviceguild-bankguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguildskaren-bryanleadershiplucasartsopinionsci-fistar+wars+the+old+republicstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstarwarstheoldrepublicswtorswtor+guildswtor+guild+bankswtor+guildsswtorguildswtorguildbankswtorguildsthe+old+republicthe-guild-counselthe-old-republictheoldrepublictorvoice-chatThu, 22 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you banksit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/the-daily-grind-do-you-banksit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/the-daily-grind-do-you-banksit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/the-daily-grind-do-you-banksit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Banksitting bear is sitting in a bank
In every MMO with a bank, players banksit. OK, so people preferred to cantina-sit in Star Wars Galaxies, and entire guilds banksat in Ultima Online as a show of strength, but they just prove the rule: Gamers love to be seen, and they flock to the most active spots in the game to make sure that happens, even if it means standing around all day pretending to shuffle Very Important Items in their storage vaults while feeling superior to any newbie who enviously inspects their gear. In many cases, players are deliberately banksitting instead of sitting in their player cities, homes, guild halls, or other game-issued gathering spot, like taverns or inns, never mind the fact that said players could be out actually adventuring, and because of that, "banksitting" is almost a dirty word in some MMOs.

So do you banksit? Do you do it while waiting for something more interesting to happen, like a queue popping or your buddy hopping online? Do you do it to people-watch, to see and be seen? Do you banksit to truly feel how massive and busy your chosen game is, to meet new people and enjoy the thrum of activity? Or do you think the whole concept of hanging out at a bank is just as silly in a game as it is in the real world?

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 banksit? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Players of the sci-fi game EVE Online experienced another parallel yesterday between what happens in the game's virtual economy and the real-world financial woes that have hit the banking industry. EBANK -- the game's largest player-run financial entity, disclosed that they are 1.2 trillion ISK (InterStellar Kredits) in the red, and froze the accounts of all players and player organizations which had invested with the bank.

EVE Online has one of the most developed virtual economies to be found in any massively multiplayer online game. Given that EVE is a 'sandbox', or an open world where gamers can do as they choose within that setting, the title's economy is player-driven, which creates many opportunities for a clever gamer. EVE Online players can make (or lose) their virtual fortunes as traders, industrialists, market manipulators, and a whole range of other playstyles -- which are all peripheral to the core gameplay of establishing and toppling empires through force or political machinations.

Continue reading EVE Online player run bank 1.2 trillion ISK in the red, freezes all accounts

MassivelyEVE Online player run bank 1.2 trillion ISK in the red, freezes all accounts originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksbreakingccp-gamescultureebankeconomyeve-onlinemaking-moneymmo-industrynew-edenplayer-run-venturesray-mccormacksci-fiWed, 26 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement-part-tw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement-part-tw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement-part-tw/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We read about these things happening periodically, an EVE player pulls a runner with some huge amount of ISK and all sorts of drama ensues. It makes me wonder, what has the real life impact of this theft been on those of you involved with EBANK?

If you are to trust the forum trolls, EVE is JUST a game. But having spent 2 years on this project, real-life money and a lot of sweat and tears, it hurts to see EBANK's name being dragged through the mud, and putting up with the drama. It of course causes a huge amount of real-life stress, and makes you wonder about a few things. I even almost managed to miss 2 exams, due to having to deal with this. But it also gave us the opportunity to realize just how many people EBANK have helped.

2% of EVE's playerbase has an EBANK account, and we came to be the biggest investment venture in EVE, peaking at 2.5 TRILLION ISK. That, to me, is a pretty big thing, which I'm proud to take part in. But I can't answer this question on my own, hence here's my new CEO's take on it:

Continue reading New perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement part two

MassivelyNew perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement part two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apiathrebankingbanksccp-gamescharlie-eriksene-onebankebank-ricdiceconomyembezzlementeoneulaeve-onlineeveconomicsisklavista-vistamassively-interviewsplayer-run-venturesricdicrmtscamscamstosThu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-perspective-on-eve-onlines-latest-bank-embezzlement/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


EVE Online is a deep sandbox game with the most complex player-driven economy found in any massively multiplayer title. There's enough depth, in fact, that players can establish their own financial ventures in-game, in the forms of bonds and IPOs, and even institutions like banks. However, EVE Online is a game where some players create while others undermine or outright destroy. Trust is a valuable and rare commodity in EVE's setting of New Eden; there are always risks of deception and betrayal. But those willing to take risks are generally the ones who are most successful. Of the player-run banks presently operating in the game, EBANK has billed itself as "the largest financial entity ever seen in EVE."

The secrets of its success? A solid Board of Directors and knowledgeable staff, various safeguards preventing any one individual from accessing all bank assets and, yes, some of that rare commodity called trust.That trust was damaged recently though, when EBANK's (now-former) CEO Ricdic, well-known to the game's playerbase, embezzled the virtual funds he was entrusted with. Although this is permissible by EVE's developers CCP Games, selling in-game currency for real-world cash is not. Ricdic has been banned from the game but his actions triggered a run on the virtual bank, and have shaken the faith many players have in EBANK.

Massively spoke about the incident with LaVista Vista, a former member of the game's Council of Stellar Management who sits on the Board of Directors of this virtual bank in EVE; he also provides commentary and analysis of virtual worlds and EVE on the Eveconomics blog. LaVista told us about the parallels that can be drawn between a banking crisis in the virtual galaxy of New Eden and that of the real world, and how what happens in a game can impact real lives.

Continue reading New perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement

MassivelyNew perspective on EVE Online's latest bank embezzlement originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most of our virtual world coverage at Massively is focused on Second Life, but we're still keeping an eye on what's happening beyond the walls of Linden Lab. One significant development revealed this past week is that Entropia Universe will be the first virtual world to have a bank that's actually backed and regulated by a real-world government, called Mind Bank AB.

We received word on this from MindArk's PR: "The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) has granted a license to conduct banking activities to virtual universe developer MindArk PE AB's wholly owned subsidiary Mind Bank AB. The unique step of integrating MindArk's virtual universe Entropia Universe with the real world will allow Mind Bank AB to function as a central bank for all virtual worlds within the Entropia Universe."

Continue reading Entropia Universe to operate real-world bank with virtual world presence

MassivelyEntropia Universe to operate real-world bank with virtual world presence originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ars-technicabankbankingbankseconomyentropiaentropia-universemichael-thompsonmind-bankmind-bank-abmindarkpedsci-fiswedenvirtual-currencyvirtual-worldsMon, 23 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Community Spotlight: LaVista Vista]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/eve-community-spotlight-lavista-vista/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/eve-community-spotlight-lavista-vista/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/eve-community-spotlight-lavista-vista/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The idea of players being elected as representatives of the subscriber base is a dimension to EVE Online that sets it apart from all other MMOs. This player-elected Council of Stellar Management works with the sci-fi title's developer, CCP Games, to ensure that the game design and balancing of EVE Online reflects the interests of the subscribers. Player politics related to a divisive community of gamers can be complicated, however.

Since its inception, the Council of Stellar Management has faced intense criticism and no small amount of skepticism about how effective they will ultimately be. In other words -- EVE's Council of Stellar Management is a fairly accurate simulation of how the public reacts to real-world governance. Still, some of the original CSM delegates chose to stick it out and seek re-election for a second term. One of those delegates, now in his second term in office, is LaVista Vista. He's well-known to the EVE community for his level-headed approach to balancing the game and his experience with the different 'walks of life' of EVE's playstyles. These qualities make him an ideal representative of the interests of the players themselves and it came as little surprise that he was re-elected.

Massively recently caught up with LaVista Vista, who was happy to discuss some of his experiences as a dedicated EVE player as well as a Council of Stellar Management representative.

Continue reading EVE Community Spotlight: LaVista Vista

MassivelyEVE Community Spotlight: LaVista Vista originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The sci-fi game EVE Online is unique amongst the other massively multiplayer online titles on the market. One major aspect of the game is that its far future setting of New Eden functions as one server, where players can build up empires -- or topple those of their rivals -- across more than 5000 solar systems. Beyond its scale, what distinguishes EVE Online from other games is that it has a player-driven virtual economy, the backbone of the game. EVE's economy has been a major draw for players interested in market and crafting sophistication generally unseen in an online game.

EVE's creators, CCP Games, have fostered a setting where players can do what they want in the 'sandbox', a setting where the tools are in place for players to use as they see fit. Nearly every ship, module, and item used by a player in the game was produced by another player in New Eden at some point. Fight for military dominance and control vast regions of space, or corner the market as part of an industrial conglomerate -- it's all possible in EVE. In fact, the game's warfare and industry are very much intertwined, making EVE's virtual economy a dynamic one. Monitoring and researching this economy is important to CCP Games, and to further that goal, they've hired real world economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson (aka CCP EyjoG).

Massively recently caught up with Dr. EyjoG, who told us about his rather unique position at CCP Games, and what he's learned about virtual economies along the way.

Continue reading Massively interviews EVE Online Lead Economist Dr. EyjoG

MassivelyMassively interviews EVE Online Lead Economist Dr. EyjoG originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The player-driven economy of EVE Online is a major draw for gamers interested in virtual finance, although for very different reasons; some players enjoy managing vast funds in the game, others are primarily in it for a shot at a major heist. Sometimes, even those who start out with the best intentions succumb to temptation. Regardless of the motivations one has to build up (or tear down) something in the game, left up to their own devices, some EVE players aren't simply content with the existing game mechanics when it comes to financial instruments. As such, they've established their own banks, IPOs, and other types of investments.

The more reputable banks and funds have built-in safeguards that limit any one employee's access to the deposited ISK, as -- let's face it -- this is EVE and such contingencies are necessary. More than a few players eye that cache of billions of raw ISK, Blueprint Originals, and other assets, and simply want to pull a runner. This has been the case just this week, with the player-run Dynasty Banking, which was apparently taken for billions of ISK by Xabier, the former Dynasty Investments Manager who had access to funds invested by EVE's playerbase.

Continue reading Over 80 billion ISK embezzled from player-run bank in EVE Online

MassivelyOver 80 billion ISK embezzled from player-run bank in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seriously, don't get me startedThis was the point where things got interesting for me. One lasting memory of the event I have is a one-line message I saw in the Trade channel while in Ironforge. It read simply, "Stay out of Stormwind, it's infected." I did the only thing a sane person would do in that situation and hopped on the first Gryphon to Stormwind. It was like a dream come true. Zombies were thronging the streets, attacking anyone they could get their hands on, vomiting on those they couldn't, and blowing themselves up when all else failed. Nowhere was safe. I could barely see the floor of the Auction House for all the skeletons there; the Bank was similarly decorated and my FPS dropped sharply from the shimmery green glow the infection gave off.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: More apocalypse please pt. 2

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: More apocalypse please pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't get me started on this guy...So let's be clear here - I loves me some zombies. A childhood brush with Ray Harryhausen means that I still get chills when I think abut armoured skeletons eviscerating hapless Argonauts. Later encounters, first with ridiculously over-wrought Victorian Gothic Horror literature, and later with the genius of one Mr. Romero sealed my fate.

Regardless of the source, my love affair with the Undead has been long-standing. And no, I don't mean that kind of love affair. Freak. After I finished reading The Zombie Survival Guide for the first time, I carried it in my bag for a month afterwards. Not because I thought Zombie might be real, but because the book was awesome. And don't get me started on World War Z - Massively is not the place for a 3000-word Max Brooks love-fest.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: More apocalypse please

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: More apocalypse please originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recent world events and their impact on global finance threaten to have dramatic consequences on the game industry. While an economic downturn isn't something to be taken lightly, it is unique in comparison with similar problems in the past -- now real world economic issues can potentially ripple into virtual economies, just as they certainly impact the companies who create MMOs and virtual worlds. CCP Games, founded in Reykjavik, Iceland, is a case-in-point.

There has been commentary and speculation among EVE Online's playerbase and in the media about how Iceland's economic woes may impact the game. The CEO of CCP Games, Hilmar V. Pétursson, (aka CCP Hellmar) addresses these concerns in his dev blog, "Born Global."

Continue reading CEO of CCP Games addresses EVE's continuity through turbulent times

MassivelyCEO of CCP Games addresses EVE's continuity through turbulent times originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankbankingbanksbusiness-modelsccpccp-gamesccp-hellmardevdev-blogeconomyeveeve-64eve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2008eve-onlineeve64fanfestgbphilmar-peturssonhilmar-v-peturssonicelandiskmmo-industryreykjavikrmbsci-fistacklessiousdThu, 16 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Real world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Given the drastic real world economic shifts of late, is it unreasonable to assume that there will be repercussions in virtual worlds and MMOs? That's the gist of a question posed by CBBC, a longtime commentator at the Terra Nova blog, but specifically he asks: "What now for virtual economies? What happens to EVE now that Iceland's economy is collapsing?... Will my WoW gold be worth more or less? Will games go under taking their value with them? Will we see a run on games the same as a run on banks?"

While his questions aren't focused solely on EVE Online, and are more of a general inquiry, CCP's title is not surprisingly the main example cited by both the CBBC and Terra Nova's readers. As expected, the responses to the question are intelligent and shed some more light on how real world economics might affect MMO economies, namely that of EVE Online. Some speculate that real world issues will result in increased escapism, imbuing virtual worlds and their economies with greater significance. Others related financial scenarios that affect CCP Games and its virtual economics. If you're interested in the economies of MMOs and virtual worlds, you might want to get involved in the discussion of "Whither MMO economies?" over at Terra Nova.

MassivelyReal world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When I first started playing MMOs I was in college. I'd bounced from major to major but ultimately settled on Economics (from a starting point of Medieval and Renaissance Studies - how'd that happen?). Like other economists in games like EverQuest and Ultima Online, I was thrilled to find a lively economy and interested to apply classical economic models in the study of it. The most basic of these models is the typical supply and demand curve.

Any economic model starts with price and quantity. The higher the price, the more suppliers want to sell but the less consumers want to buy. As the price decreases, more consumers are interested in purchasing, but fewer suppliers are able to produce profitably. In theory, there is a magical level in the middle where supply and demand meet. That is equilibrium (see graph).

What I have since found, which is furiously debated by other economists in the field, is that the typical supply and demand curves do not fit well with the economies of most MMORPGs these days. Depending on the game, add-ons used, and availability of additional market data, there may be sort of invisible caps to the price, and thereby the quantities, of goods traded. Furthermore, auction house fees and vendor sales act much in the same way as taxes or subsidies in real world economies.

Continue reading Making/Money: Economic Equilibrium is MIA

MassivelyMaking/Money: Economic Equilibrium is MIA originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankscity-of-heroesconsumptiondemandeconomicseconomyeve-onlineeverquestfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmaking-moneyproductionrunescapesubsidysupplysupply and demandSupplyAndDemandultima-onlineworld-of-warcraftSun, 24 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOGology: Thieving hearts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/mmogology-thieving-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/mmogology-thieving-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/mmogology-thieving-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I logged into World of Warcraft last week, excited to invite an old friend to my guild. After hopping on and chatting with him for a bit I opened the Social window, selected the Guild tab and was about to add him to the guild. It was then that I noticed the Add Member button was grayed out. All members of the guild (except initiates) had invite privileges the day before. Now, suddenly, I didn't. I checked to make sure I hadn't been demoted. I checked the guild's message of the day to see if I had missed something, but the MOTD still had information about the upcoming Karazhan raid. So I asked one of the officers if he could add my friend to the guild for me. "Sure," he responded, before realizing that his member adding privilege had also been revoked. What was going on?

Fortunately, one of the founding members of the guild was also online at the time. I asked him if he'd be kind enough to add my friend. Instead of the usual "Sure!", I got the third degree. "How long have you known him? What level is he? Why does he want to join?" I let the founder know my friend was level 61 and that he was switching back to some of his old characters to take a break from his primary server. Satisfied with my response, the founder switched from his alt to his main, and invited my friend. Of course, the very next thing I did was ask why our invite privileges had been revoked. At first I thought maybe it had to do with the fact that we were now over 200 members or that the guild had an adequate representation of most classes by now. But, after the questions about adding my friend I had a hunch something more sinister had taken place. Why would an open invite guild suddenly become an invitation only guild? There had to have been some breach of trust.

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MassivelyMMOGology: Thieving hearts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksBlizzardfeaturedguildsmoneytheftthievesWorld-of-WarcraftWoWMon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard clarifies concerns over guild banks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/blizzard-clarifies-concerns-over-guild-banks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/blizzard-clarifies-concerns-over-guild-banks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/blizzard-clarifies-concerns-over-guild-banks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Gnome bankers still look shifty to me. As excited as most WoW players are about about trying out the new guild bank system in patch 2.3, the prospect of having rogue guild leaders cut and run with the guild's loot, or worse yet delete their characters, is on the minds of many players. (It makes you wonder why people join a guild at all if they suspect the leader is going to rob them of the fruits of their collective efforts, but I digress.)

Salthem, a moderator on the European PTR forums, has tried to ease player fields by offering some clarifications about the way guild banks work. First of all, players are not allowed to delete or transfer characters with guild leader status. When a new player is given the role of guild leader, they gain complete access to the stores of the bank. If a guild leader character is banned (which I can't imagine happens a lot, but it's possible), a GM can give leadership to somebody with the guild. If a guild is disbanded, the guild leader receives all the items in the mail.

So in the end, the guild leader is still quite capable of just dissolving the guild and taking all the loot, which isn't much of a change from the status quo. Still, it's nice that they finally provided clarification, because it's a problem that was generating a lot of unnecessary commentary.

MassivelyBlizzard clarifies concerns over guild banks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksforumsguild-bankspatch-2.3PTRWoWThu, 01 Nov 2007 07:55:00 EST