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 Daily Grind: What's the coolest place you've ever found while exploring?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/the-daily-grind-whats-the-coolest-place-youve-ever-found-whil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/the-daily-grind-whats-the-coolest-place-youve-ever-found-whil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/the-daily-grind-whats-the-coolest-place-youve-ever-found-whil/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you an explorer in MMOs? Do you relish taking the path less traveled, seeing just what's over the next hill, and jumping with reckless abandon into any and all mysterious pits you encounter? Then today's Daily Grind is for you, hearty adventurer!

So in all your journeys, in all your explorations, what's the coolest place you've ever found far off the beaten track? Was it a magnificent view from the top of a mountain that only a few have ever witnessed? Did you find an easter egg left by the developers that none of your friends know about? Did you even dare to cross into unfinished zones and parts of the world that were "forbidden" and supposedly closed off to normal traffic?

We want to hear from MMO spelunkers and rural hikers today -- what's the coolest place you've ever found while exploring in an MMO?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our 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 The Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the coolest place you've ever found while exploring? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartlebartle-explorereaster-eggexplorerexploringmmo-spelunkingopiniontdgthe-daily-grindurban-spelunkingFri, 15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Passing the personality test]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/wings-over-atreia-passing-the-personality-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/wings-over-atreia-passing-the-personality-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/wings-over-atreia-passing-the-personality-test/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As you readers know, last month I embarked on my trek to acquire some shiny new gold gear in Aion, setting my sights on Miragent armor. Of course, all of you who have already walked this path know that it takes quite a bit of doing, and as I am on task three... well, you knew there was no way I would complete it in just one week and be able to finish the series! So in the interim, we have the chance to take a small break and delve into another topic -- one that has been on my mind quite a bit lately.

For any who has read up on the staff (isn't it fun being nosy!), you know that the social dynamics of gaming fascinates me. Oh, they alternately make me shake my head, LOL, and even groan, but I am enthralled just the same. Like a train wreck that rivets your attention, the social aspects of MMOs allow me to sit back and watch with detached awe, wondering how in the Seraphim Lords some things can actually transpire. I mean, did someone really just do that?! Indeed, the personalities that emerge whenever you gather a group of people together truly intrigues me, and I'd like to share with you some that I have seen running rampant in Aion.

Grab your Rorschach test and blot your way past the cut to check out these gaming personalities. Have a chuckle seeing where your friends and legion-mates (or maybe even you) fall. Any resemblance to actual gamers, past or present, is definitely intended!

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Passing the personality test

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Passing the personality test originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionbartlebartle-testbartle-test-of-gamer-psychologydramadrama-queenDramaQueensfeaturedncsoftpersonalitiespersonality-traitsPersonalityTraitsPersonalityTypespvpWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Universe unleashes Comic-Con videos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/lego-universe-unleashes-comic-con-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/lego-universe-unleashes-comic-con-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/lego-universe-unleashes-comic-con-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you didn't make it to this year's Comic-Con, you're missing out on a brick-ton of new information on the forthcoming LEGO Universe MMORPG. Luckily MMOCrunch has you covered in a piece that mentions the game's four playable factions (Assembly, Sentinels, Paradox, and Venture League). Each faction is built to cater to a different type of player, and though you're probably smart enough to figure them out on your own (you played with LEGO bricks after all), they correspond to builders, warriors, ninjas, and explorers.

While it's not quite in line with the famous achiever, explorer, socializer, and killer metric made famous by Bartle, it's nice to see the LEGO team designing the title with a wide audience in mind. Also debuting at Comic-Con this week are three new videos featuring the factions, Pet Cove and taming footage, and a piece highlighting various LEGO Universe development partners.

Check them out after the cut or at MMOCrunch.

Continue reading LEGO Universe unleashes Comic-Con videos

MassivelyLEGO Universe unleashes Comic-Con videos originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartlebartle-testbartle-typesclassescomic-confactionsfamilykidslegolego-universemmocrunchpet-covepetstamingvideoFri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Bartle responds to "torture quest" issue]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/richard-bartle-responds-to-torture-quest-issue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/richard-bartle-responds-to-torture-quest-issue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/richard-bartle-responds-to-torture-quest-issue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A few days ago we ran a report on Richard Bartle's take on a torture quest in World of Warcraft, the Art of Persuasion. Since then, the discussion has exploded and some have taken Bartle's quotes out of context. Because of this, Bartle has created a follow-up post to clarify some of the points that may have been misinterpreted.

First of all, he's not talking about the Death Knight quest entitled, "How to Win Friends and Influence Enemies." Bartle does realize that Death Knights, while under Arthas's control, were horribly evil and he understand that this quest is necessary to make them look as evil as they are. That quest makes a very strong point that resonates with the storyline of the game.

He is quite aware that Warcraft involves killing, fireballs, destruction, and more killing. He knows there's a "dismiss quest" button at the bottom of the quest window. He is also aware that the game is not real life, it's only a computer game, and does not contain the Geneva Convention. So then, what's all the fuss?

Continue reading Richard Bartle responds to "torture quest" issue

MassivelyRichard Bartle responds to "torture quest" issue originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartleblizzardkillingkirin-tormoralityquestrichard-bartlethe-art-of-persuasiontorturewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 27 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Koster: MMOs removed more features from MUDs than they added]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/koster-mmos-removed-more-features-from-muds-than-they-added/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/koster-mmos-removed-more-features-from-muds-than-they-added/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/koster-mmos-removed-more-features-from-muds-than-they-added/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Areae president, MetaPlace developer, and all-around-MMO-authority Raph Koster wrote up a blog post about the influence of MUDs on today's graphical MMOs. The post is part of the broader, cross-blog discussion that began with our interview with Richard Bartle last week. You can read Koster's post in that context if you really want to, but it's interesting on its own.

He started out by saying which MUDs influenced the developers of which early MMOs. For example, LP MUDs had an impact on Ultima Online. Then he named a handful of the best innovations of the modern MMO -- "advanced raiding," instances, improvements to combat via spaciality, etc. After saying all those positive things though, he dropped a bit of a bomb, saying that despite all that, "MMOs have removed more features from MUD gameplay than they have added, when you look at the games in aggregate."

Oh noes! Are the Warhammer Online fans fuming yet? Well, they shouldn't be. "Failure to evolve more radically isn't a flaw," said Koster. He finished up by positing that all the current MMOs "are already Old Guard," and that "the mudder crew is already the Older Guard. So in a sense this is kind of like an argument between art rockers and disco musicians."

MassivelyKoster: MMOs removed more features from MUDs than they added originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartleblog-postlp-mudsmetaplacemudsopinionraph-kosterrichard-bartleultima-onlinewarhammer-onlineSat, 28 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Bartle expands on earlier remarks stated in Massively interview [updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/richard-bartle-expands-on-earlier-remarks-stated-in-massively-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/richard-bartle-expands-on-earlier-remarks-stated-in-massively-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/richard-bartle-expands-on-earlier-remarks-stated-in-massively-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In this interview conducted by Michael Zenke, Richard Bartle discussed how to improve World of Warcraft and about MMOGs in general. One comment in particular overshadowed the whole interview: "I've already played Warhammer. It was called World of Warcraft." The comment thread on both Massively and WoW Insider was met with heavy criticism towards what many considered a myopic statement. It didn't stop there; the blogosphere has been running rampant with rambunctious commentary about his remarks all weekend long.

This isn't the first time that Bartle has come under scrutiny for one of his outspoken comments. Last year, when asked what he would do if he could control any MMOG Bartle proclaimed he would shut down World of Warcraft. His reasoning behind it was so that other unknown virtual worlds would have the chance to thrive and push new boundaries in the massive genre. One sacrifice for a thousand, but it's definitely something to ponder as the cost of MMO development continues to skyrocket towards the 100 million dollar mark. Big-budget MMOs are less likely to take risks and follow a winning formula.

No matter what you think of Richard Bartle, we only felt that it was fair that we share his follow-up comments that may help discern his perspective as a game designer. More on Bartle's controversial statement which may not be as shocking as one might think, in his own words after the jump.

Continue reading Richard Bartle expands on earlier remarks stated in Massively interview [updated]

MassivelyRichard Bartle expands on earlier remarks stated in Massively interview [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbartleblizzardburning-crusadedesigngame-designrichard-bartletheory-craftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 23 Jun 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Exemplary conduct: WoW expansion adds over 80 new emotes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/exemplary-conduct-wow-expansion-adds-over-80-new-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/exemplary-conduct-wow-expansion-adds-over-80-new-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/exemplary-conduct-wow-expansion-adds-over-80-new-emotes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There have been some leaks from the "friends & family" alpha test for World of Warcraft's second expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. Our sister site WoW Insider has kept up with some of the finer details from the leak, but one recent bit of info got us thinking.

The info: WotLK will add over 80 new emotes to WoW players' social repertoire. That's awesome, but it leads us to ask a question: why don't social emotes get more attention in the MMO genre? In general, things like that are sporadically tacked on as small bonuses, if they get added at all. Developers don't make them a big priority. We understand the reasons; gameplay always comes first, right?

Well, maybe not always. MMOs are unique in gaming because of their social and community aspects. Emote animations play a part in social interactions. Maybe developers should think about more than just raid mechanics. Maybe they should consider devoting resources to expanding social interaction features. You don't have to be a Bartle Socializer to appreciate emotes, do you?

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyExemplary conduct: WoW expansion adds over 80 new emotes originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaanimationsbartlebartle-quotientblizzardemotesexpansionleakrichard-bartleslashsocialsocializerworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingSun, 22 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Richard Bartle on how he'd make World of Warcraft better]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/richard-bartle-on-how-hed-make-world-of-warcraft-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/richard-bartle-on-how-hed-make-world-of-warcraft-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/richard-bartle-on-how-hed-make-world-of-warcraft-better/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Or: The Grandfather of MUDs talks the Mother of all MMOs

Earlier in the year this blogger had the chance to attend the Independent MMO Game Developer's Conference, the second annual event held in Minneapolis, MN. A number of luminaries in the field made an appearance, such as Scott Hartsman (former Senior Producer for EverQuest 2) and Brian Green (best known for his work on Meridian 59). Also in attendance was Dr. Richard Bartle, the much-admired co-developer of the original MUD1 online environment. Along with Roy Trubshaw, Mr. Bartle essentially pioneered the field of MUDs. As these games gave rise to MMOs as we know them today, we would most likely not be enjoying the Massively.com website without his efforts.

Join us as we sit down for a conversation about the big kid on the block: World of Warcraft. Some time ago Dr. Bartle made the crack that he'd "shut down" Blizzard game in an effort to improve the industry. Though he was only making an elaborately illustrative joke at the time, he's gotten a lot of flack for it. Today we have the other side of that coin: what Blizzard could honestly do to make the game even better. Click on through below the cut for Dr. Richard Bartle's view on Karazahn, playing MMOs as a player, and his overall view on the near future of the genre's darlings.

Continue reading Exclusive: Richard Bartle on how he'd make World of Warcraft better

MassivelyExclusive: Richard Bartle on how he'd make World of Warcraft better originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartleblizzardburning-crusadefeaturedgame-designimgdcimgdc-2008joystiqfeaturesrichard-bartleworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 20 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST