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[A WoW burnout's guide to Wrath of the Lich King, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/a-wow-burnouts-guide-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/a-wow-burnouts-guide-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/a-wow-burnouts-guide-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Continue reading A WoW burnout's guide to Wrath of the Lich King, part 2

MassivelyA WoW burnout's guide to Wrath of the Lich King, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbarbershopblizzardflying-mountflying-mountsmounted-combatraidsworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingMon, 27 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW's pre-Wrath patch goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/wows-pre-wrath-patch-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/wows-pre-wrath-patch-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/wows-pre-wrath-patch-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This isn't just a few technical tweaks to prepare the way for the second expansion to the monster MMO that is World of Warcraft. The list of changes is extensive and though it doesn't include Death Knights, Northrend or Arthas, it does contain:
For an overview of all the major changes coming to the game with Patch 3.0.2, check out WoW Insider's Guide to the "Echoes of Doom."

MassivelyWoW's pre-Wrath patch goes live originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbershopechoes-of-doomin0game-calendarinscription-professionpatch-3.0.2stormwind-harborwowTue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW paid character customization button discovered, Brack confirms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/wow-paid-character-customization-button-discovered-brack-confir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/wow-paid-character-customization-button-discovered-brack-confir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/wow-paid-character-customization-button-discovered-brack-confir/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


When curious World of Warcraft players investigated currently-unused images hidden in a build of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, they uncovered a button labeled "UI-PaidCharacterCustomization" which was associated with the character selection screen. Needless to say, that discovery raised some eyebrows. At Blizzcon, Lead Producer J. Allen Brack was asked to clarify.

According to WarCry's write-up for the event, Brack first dodged the question, but eventually decided it was necessary to address it. He confirmed that a paid character customization service is in WoW's future, but said that the developers haven't decided what it will entail or how much it will cost yet.

Perhaps players will pay to make changes not supported by the barbershop, or perhaps all-new premium customization options will be introduced. If it's the former, then WoW is not headed towards a more microtransaction based future, as that sort of option is similar to the already-existing service that allows players to pay for a name change. If unique premium options are being introduced though, that's a whole different ball game.

[Via Rock, Paper Shotgun]

MassivelyWoW paid character customization button discovered, Brack confirms originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbershopbetablizzardblizzconblizzcon-2008blizzcon2008buttoncustomizationj-allen-brackmicrotransactionspaid-character-customizationworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingMon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choosing your race in Middle-earth: Man and Elf]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/choosing-your-race-in-middle-earth-man-and-elf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/choosing-your-race-in-middle-earth-man-and-elf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/choosing-your-race-in-middle-earth-man-and-elf/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In many ways, picking a race for yourself in an MMO is very much a personal choice. However it can help to have some tips and an overall viewpoint on the subject. This guide is here for old players or new players that are unsure of the the finer details of each race in Lord of the Rings Online. The goal isn't to answer the question of which race is best, but rather to give a few tips and some advice on the strong points of the races in Middle-earth. In this first part of our guide to help you choose your race in LotRO, we'll explore the races of both Man and Elf.

Obviously if a player has their heart set on being any single race, this guide isn't going to change their mind. Even if you've already made up your mind on a race (or already chosen it), this guide could contain a couple helpful chunks of information.

Continue reading Choosing your race in Middle-earth: Man and Elf

MassivelyChoosing your race in Middle-earth: Man and Elf originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetbarbershopelfelvesguidelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromanmenmiddle-earthracesracial-choiceturbinewalk-throughMon, 18 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New hairstyle pictures for Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As people who spend a lot of time in massively games, we always appreciate it when developers give us more customization options. Turbine went even further by giving players both a barbershop and two different sets of clothing for when they don't feel like hanging around taverns in their armor. As with any upcoming additions, the forums are filled with posters putting together all sorts of pictures for your viewing pleasure. Community response has been really good to this stuff, so hopefully we'll see even more hairs, clothes and other ways to further customize your character in future updates.

The value of adding this stuff could be argued over, but at the end of the day we think it's always good to get some more variety into your massively games. Although we're still not sure if we want our hobbits to have long, flowing, curly locks or not. Apparently, all the cool hobbits are getting them now.

MassivelyNew hairstyle pictures for Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbershopbook-12character-creationclothinghairhair-styleslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromidayturbineFri, 01 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Looking ahead during Turbine downtime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/looking-ahead-during-turbine-downtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/looking-ahead-during-turbine-downtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/looking-ahead-during-turbine-downtime/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


All Turbine game servers are down today for their once-ever-other-Monday scheduled maintenance. Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online and Asheron's Call players, we hear your pain. What to do until the servers come back up at 2pm EST today? Instead of trolling the official forums, we'd like you to look ahead at what awaits you.

For LotRO, Book 12 is now on the test server with its revamps to the Guardian, Burglar and Champion classes as well as the Barbershop and the cosmetic Outfit system and polish pass on the high level solo zone, Angmar. Also, last week's dev chat dropped quite a few hints on post 12 plans.

DDO is not to be outdone with its upcoming Module 6 content patch. Our own Mike Schramm got a hands-on tour from the devs. Not only did he get a grand tour of what is to come this week when the Module goes live, but hints of what Turbine is planning throughout the year for this title.

And finally, Asheron's Call is looking forward to...um, 9 more years? We'll look into it and get back to you on this one.

MassivelyLooking ahead during Turbine downtime originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acangmarbarbershopbook-12ddoeberronlotromiddle-earthmodule-6month-of-the-burglarmonth-of-the-championlmonth-of-the-guardianoutfit-systemturbineMon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Book 12 patch notes land on the test server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-book-12-patch-notes-land-on-the-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-book-12-patch-notes-land-on-the-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-book-12-patch-notes-land-on-the-test-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The long awaited Book 12 content patch has hit Roheryn, the Lord of the Ring's Online test server today. The lengthy patch notes are available on LotRO's official wiki, the Lorebook.

The Ashen Wastes, as this patch is called, offers no new adventure area, but revamps the existing high level outdoor zone, Angmar. The area got a big polish to smooth out quest progression, mob level dispersion and general flow and playability. Honestly, the zone needed it in a bad way, but since many players are at the level cap was this done for alts or new players? We're glad to see this clunky zone get the dev loving it needed before the game launched, but we're not sure how much of the player population will get to appreciate it.

Class revamps continue with three classes getting the once over:
  • Guardians are getting a DPS stance for faster soloing as well as a mixed bag of nerfs and buffs to their bread-and-butter tanking ability with a sprinkle of new utility skills.
  • Burglars, the debuff class, are getting a new buff that affects many of their existing crowd control skills, new abilities to use after a successful Fellowship Maneuver and the ability to bring a friend into stealth. Plus, clubs!
  • Champions, the melee dps and off-tank class, are getting a new stance that balances offense and defense skills. Also, their tanking stance is being granted at an earlier level and many of their Legendary skills are getting reworked.
The LotRO devs tend to do more good than harm with class revamps. There's some guarded optimism by the classes affected. Once the changes go live and players have a chance to try them we'll see if the tweaks have the desired effect.

In addition to all that, there is the new Outfit System and Barbershop functionality, the reintroduction (again) of Troll/Ranger PvMP combat, the introduction of the Ettendeep (a new large PvMP dungeon), and, of course, the continuation of the Epic Story quest line.

There is a metric ton of other patch notes to go through including small changes to almost all classes and tradeskills, new housing features, improvements to repuation gain and much needed relief for those farming for their Legendary pages. And let's not forget new tools to fight the brazen and ever present gold spammers.

We'll have more analysis as we dig into the Test server.

MassivelyLotRO Book 12 patch notes land on the test server originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angmarashen-wastesbarbershopbook-12ettendeeplegendary-pageslorebooklotromonth-of-the-burglarmonth-of-the-championmonth-of-the-guardianoutfit-systemtroll-ranger-pvmpturbineMon, 21 Jan 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Outfit System and Barbershop details revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-outfit-system-and-barbershop-details-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-outfit-system-and-barbershop-details-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/lotro-outfit-system-and-barbershop-details-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Book 12, is shaping up to be full of great additions to the game despite its lack of a new adventure area. Today the Turbine devs posted a new Dev Diary to explain more fully how they're going to implement two long-requested cosmetic features: the Outfit System and the Barbershop.

At level 20, the Outfit system allows players to equip a second (and third!) set of gear. This gear doesn't provide any stat boosts or buffs, but will change the outward appearance of your avatar's equipment. This system will be disabled in PvMP to prevent players from tanks disguising their heavy plate with light cloth. New dresses, satchels and other non-combat equipment will also appear in the game with this patch.

This is a great feature for a game where lore and roleplaying have such a large fanbase. Though not the first to do it (EverQuest II also has this feature), it's a welcome addition to the world of Middle-earth. If only Blizzard would get a clue and implement the same idea for those of us without armor sets. Looking like a clown at a kid's party with mismatched and garishly colored armor does not make one feel heroic.

The Barbershop acts like the character creation screen. Want a new hairstyle? Regret coloring your toon's hair white? Need to add a scar to reflect winning a recent raid? Players will be able to do all this, plus a number of new hairstyles will be added.

We're still am not convinced about the importance of facial features in game where you stare at the back of your character's head the whole time, but at least you can turn off helm/hood graphics so hair style and coloring choices still have impact.

Book 12 just hit Roheryn, the Test server. We'll have a write up covering the notes shortly.

MassivelyLotRO Outfit System and Barbershop details revealed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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