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 Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII flying
I was watching Shrek with my kids the other day, and one of my favorite scenes is Shrek's stroll with Donkey when they first meet. Shrek tries to explain how Ogres are like onions and how both have layers. When you think about it, EverQuest II is also like an onion because it has layer after layer of content and features that have stacked up over the years. In fact, some players have argued that there's almost too much to do, particularly at the lower levels.

I have always loved the fact that EverQuest II has been willing to try out new ideas over the years, and some of them have been remarkably successful. But there are a few that have gotten lost in the shuffle, while others have ended up directly conflicting with later additions of content. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll peel back the onion and look at the lost and conflicting layers of EQII.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundseqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-arenasEQII-creaturesEQII-dungeon-finderEQII-lfgEQII-mentoringeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanlevel-agnosticopinionscryingsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA PvP battlegrounds won't be in at launch, delayed until 'late summer']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/tera-pvp-battlegrounds-wont-be-in-at-launch-delayed-until-lat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/tera-pvp-battlegrounds-wont-be-in-at-launch-delayed-until-lat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/tera-pvp-battlegrounds-wont-be-in-at-launch-delayed-until-lat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
TERA fans who were looking forward to proving their mettle in PvP battlegrounds at launch are in for a bit of disappointment. En Masse community manager Minea stopped by the forums a few days ago to give fans an update on the game's development, and in doing so, revealed that battlegrounds will not be in the game when it launches in May.

But before you take to the forums to kick up a frenzy (please don't), keep in mind that just because battlegrounds won't be available at launch doesn't mean that they're not in the works. Minea goes on to announce that battlegrounds are planned to be added to the game "late this summer." We hope that the extra development time will allow battlegrounds to be nice and polished when they finally hit the live servers. Until then, though, players will have to make do with open-world PvP and guild-vs-guild battles.

MassivelyTERA PvP battlegrounds won't be in at launch, delayed until 'late summer' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsbgsblueholebluehole-studiosdelaydelayeddelaysen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasymineaorganized-pvpplayer-vs-playerpvpteraFri, 30 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[All the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria previews you can shake an empty fist at]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/all-the-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-previews-you-can-sh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/all-the-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-previews-you-can-sh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/all-the-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-previews-you-can-sh/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
In the wee hours of this morning, the press NDA for World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria expansion came tumbling down, and our sister site WoW Insider has a bounty of coverage to share. The much anticipated -- and much debated -- expansion is slated for release this year and will include a new continent, the Monk hero class, the Pandaren race, pet battles, a level cap increase, and a massive overhaul of the game's talent system.

World of Warcraft players are undoubtedly fixated on the expansion, as January's 4.3 patch was announced to be the last major update to the game before MoP arrives. You can check out all of the juicy info squeezed from the press beta groves after the jump, including hands-on impressions and insights you won't find anywhere else!

Continue reading All the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria previews you can shake an empty fist at

MassivelyAll the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria previews you can shake an empty fist at originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbattlegroundsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasyfirst-impressionsmedia-eventmists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-talentsmonkmonk-classndapandarenpet-battlespress-eventpress-ndapreviewpvpsiege-of-orgrimmartalenttalent-treetalent-tree-revamptalentsuiwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 19 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's Craig Morrison talks conquest vs. competition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Age of Conan concept art
PvP is a naturally contentious subject, particularly when focused on its various flavors in the MMO space. Everyone thinks they know best, and whether they're arguing for a three-faction system, full loot, or open-world objectives, the discussion often devolves into verbal throw-downs every bit as violent as their in-game counterparts.

Age of Conan game director Craig Morrison recently waded into the fray via his personal blog, and he says that defining PvP in an MMO context involves separating the wish for conquest from the wish for competition.

Morrison touches on several interesting aspects of MMO PvP, including a bit of history relating to the arenas and battlegrounds that are usually reviled by hardcore player types. "The needs of accessibility dictated that designers try and find a way to accommodate the appeal of the conquest style of play while also retaining the fairness of the competitive desires of the players," he explains.

Ultimately, Morrison offers a bit of hope for those who prefer open-world conflict. "It's great to finish a great story and storm the castle and beat the bad guy. It is something else altogether to get to keep his castle, and for you to become the bad guy for the next would-be hero to try and conquer," he says.

MassivelyAge of Conan's Craig Morrison talks conquest vs. competition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocarenasbattlegroundscraig-morrisondesignf2pfantasyfree-to-playfuncomgame-designinstanced-pvpopen-world-pvppvpsilirrionWed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not pictured: looking up from this point on the map to see several docked battlecruisers. It's unexpectedly impressive.
Whether you're a longtime World of Warcraft player or someone who's just recently tried the game and fallen in love with it, you're probably aware that there are other MMORPGs out there. Recently, the game that's been getting the most press is Star Wars: The Old Republic. And if you've sat down and tried it out as a veteran on World of Warcraft, you probably had some idea of what was going on when you started playing, with the only initial speedbump being the lack of an auto-attack feature.

But there's more to the game than combat and more things that might trip you up in the long run. So Eliot Lefebvre and Matt Daniel are here to help you out with a massive guide to coming into TOR when you're accustomed to the environment of WoW. Take a skip past the break to find out almost everything you'll need to know when converting from the world of Azeroth to the galaxy of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic

MassivelyA WoW player's guide to The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentbattlegroundsbiowarebioware-eabioware-mythicclassescraftcraftingcrew-skillsea-biowarefeaturedgame-mechanicsguideinstanced-pvpmechanical-guidesopinionpvppvp-rewardspvp-systemssocialsocial-pointsspacespace-combatstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorwarzonesworld-of-warcraftwowwow-player-guideFri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Dark Age of Camelot patch introduces New User Experience, RvR changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/new-dark-age-of-camelot-patch-introduces-new-user-experience-rv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/new-dark-age-of-camelot-patch-introduces-new-user-experience-rv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/new-dark-age-of-camelot-patch-introduces-new-user-experience-rv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Dark Age of Camelot
It's a big day for Dark Age of Camelot players, as patch 1.110 is going live today. The update includes the revamped New User Journey, which redesigns the tutorial and many mainland areas in each of the three realms in order to "make character progression more efficient and enjoyable than ever before." And of course, DAoC is all about the RvR, so many updates have been made to the game's Battlegrounds in an attempt to make them a "one-stop source for character progression and RvR action through level 49."

A number of UI updates have been made as well, which should hopefully make the game more user-friendly and customizable. Balance passes have been made on all classes, with some classes being given free respecs to account for the changes. All-in-all, it seems to be a rather comprehensive update to the game, so if you're a denizen of DAoC, head on over and check out the changes.

MassivelyNew Dark Age of Camelot patch introduces New User Experience, RvR changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DAoC
As part of Mythic's continued efforts to introduce a "New User Journey" experience that's friendly to Dark Age of Camelot beginners, the studio has turned its attention to the ever-crucial subject of gear. In a new dev diary by DJ Frazier, the dev spells out the problem: "For a new player who wanders into battlegrounds, especially ones like Thidranki or Molvik, they will often find themselves losing almost every fight they encounter, simply because they are playing against people who have had a chance to outfit themselves out in the best equipment they can find for their level range."

Because the team fears that this armor disparity proves to be a dealbreaker for many newbies, the devs are retuning the gear that players get during their leveling up process to be more durable and competitive on the battlefield.

The two main paths of leveling -- PvE questing and RvR battlegrounds -- will both offer solid picks of gear when patch 1.110 hits. Players who risk the battlegrounds will find themselves in possession of top-notch weapons and armor, whereas those who choose to quest will find themselves "90% of the way there" with their gear. Hopefully, these changes will create an environment that's much more welcoming to newcomers to DAoC.

MassivelyDark Age of Camelot gears up its newbies originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorbattlegroundsbeginnersdaocdark-age-of-camelotdev-diaryDJ-Frazierea-mythicgearmythicnew-user-journeynewbiesnoobspvepvprvrweaponsThu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New bounty rewards coming to Dark Age of Camelot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/new-bounty-rewards-coming-to-dark-age-of-camelot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/new-bounty-rewards-coming-to-dark-age-of-camelot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/new-bounty-rewards-coming-to-dark-age-of-camelot/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Also, bear stampede.
Dark Age of Camelot is taking aim at bounties. Specifically, the development team is taking aim at the bounty points that players can now earn via quests in the game's battlegrounds. Longtime players have no doubt noticed this change, and in the latest developer diary for the game, Kai Schrober outlines the team's plans to continue improving player experience via a new set of equipment purchasable from special bounty vendors inside the battlegrounds.

The equipment available isn't meant to just be good -- it's pre-templated and should bring characters close to the apex of their abilities. The goal, obviously, is to help players feel rewarded for their participation in the game. But the diary also goes into detail about more enhancements to gameplay, including new epic events surrounding quest hubs and new teleporters to give players easy access to battlegrounds. It's a laundry list of improvements for DAoC, a clear sign that even though the past few months have been a bit quiet for the game, development hasn't abated.

MassivelyNew bounty rewards coming to Dark Age of Camelot originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsbioware-mythicbounty-pointsdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaea-mythicelectronic-artskai-schrobermythicmythic-entertainmentpatchesupcoming-patchesupdatesWed, 21 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: Funcom discusses The Secret World's PvP, ARG, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-funcom-discusses-tsws-pvp-arg-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-funcom-discusses-tsws-pvp-arg-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-funcom-discusses-tsws-pvp-arg-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Secret World -- Stonehenge
Funcom had an impressive presence at PAX Prime 2011, and along with that presence came a wealth of information about its upcoming horror MMORPG, The Secret World. In addition to showing off the Polaris five-man instance, the team also highlighted a new solo mission demo and revealed some new information about the title.

From missions to PvP to character progression, the team had a lot to say. For the full details on both small- and large-scale PvP, skill progression, and the game's ARG and puzzle elements, head on past the cut.

Continue reading PAX 2011: Funcom discusses The Secret World's PvP, ARG, and more

MassivelyPAX 2011: Funcom discusses The Secret World's PvP, ARG, and more originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-reality-gameargbattlegroundscharacter-progressiondynamic-lightsel-doradofeaturedfuncomlarge-scale-pvppax-2011pax-prime-2011persistent-battlegroundspersistent-pvppuzzlespvpshambhalaskill-progressionstonehengethe-secret-warthe-secret-worldtswWed, 31 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArcheAge videos show off PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/archeage-videos-show-off-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/archeage-videos-show-off-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/archeage-videos-show-off-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Following ArcheAge here in the West often involves copious use of Google Translate as well as wading through tons of difficult-to-decipher web postings. Fortunately, the player community likes to post gameplay videos from the sandpark title's various Korean closed betas, and today we've stumbled across a couple of noteworthy clips that aren't subject to the whims of online translation.

Both clips center around PvP, and though ArcheAge will feature world PvP in certain areas, the game also boasts battlegrounds for those who prefer less randomness. The first video features a Mage/Bard/Archer player in a skirmish against an invading pirate guild. The second clip takes place inside a battleground and features the same class combo again. There's quite a bit more footage on this one, though, and the 13-minute running time gives us a pretty good look at what it's like to siege a castle. You'll find both videos after the cut.

Continue reading ArcheAge videos show off PvP

MassivelyArcheAge videos show off PvP originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arche-agearcheagearcherbardbattleground-pvpbattlegroundscastle-siegecombatfantasymagepvppvp-battlegroundsandboxsandparksiegevideoxlxl-gamesWed, 03 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape's Clan Citadels puts game design in the hands of players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/runescapes-clan-citadels-puts-game-design-in-the-hands-of-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/runescapes-clan-citadels-puts-game-design-in-the-hands-of-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/runescapes-clan-citadels-puts-game-design-in-the-hands-of-playe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Last week, we brought you the news that browser-based fantasy MMO RuneScape would be introducing clan citadels in its next expansion. We heard that these customisable castles in the sky would feature a tier-based progression system, but until now we didn't know what the actual castles would look like or if any kind of new gameplay would come with them. Jagex has just revealed that the expansion's gameplay element is potentially as huge and revolutionary as their massive Dungeons of Daemonheim update.

The new floating castles act as meeting places for clans, and will contain exclusive skill-training areas for woodcutting, mining and other skills. Working on the clan's skill plots will add resources to upgrade the castle and pay for its upkeep, but may provide slightly less experience gain than traditional skill-training areas.

Customisable clan battlefields provide a sandbox map editor tool, letting clans design and build their own battlegrounds and minigames. Players will be able to design their own arenas and gameplay for the first time in RuneScape's ten year history, creating anything from capture the flag style matches and monster hunts to basic clan versus clan PvP battles. Perhaps the most exciting part of the feature is the ability for clan members to invite other players to try their games and challenge rival clans to competitive battleground matches. The expansion launches on 26th July.

Skip past the cut to watch the official clan citadel trailer and get a sneak peek at the castle's in-game visuals.

Continue reading RuneScape's Clan Citadels puts game design in the hands of players

MassivelyRuneScape's Clan Citadels puts game design in the hands of players originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldsbattlegroundsbreakingclanclan-battlefieldsclan-citadelsclan-warsclansexpansionguildguild-hallguild-hallsguildsjagexmap-editornewsplayer-developersrunescapesandboxvideoThu, 07 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Game Update 60: The Children of War went live last week, and with it came a plethora of new content and some big changes to the game. Rallos Zek has begun preparations for his march on the Western Wastes, and Drunder is the new front line for the impending war. There are new heroic instances, new raid content, and even a new battleground scenario. In addition, there were some itemization changes, new battleground gear, and adjustments to the adornment interface.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at a few of the highlights from EverQuest II's latest update.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsChildren-of-wardestiny-of-veliousdrundereq2eqiiEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedgearratongatattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookveliouszekMon, 06 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/the-tattered-notebook-smokejumper-talks-gu60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/the-tattered-notebook-smokejumper-talks-gu60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/the-tattered-notebook-smokejumper-talks-gu60/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The past week has certainly been difficult, both for Sony Online Entertainment and EverQuest II fans. The attack and the downtime has certainly been on players' minds as they wonder when the game will go live again and how much of their personal information was compromised.

But while these seem like dark days for EQII, there will be lots to look forward to in-game once things are back to normal. A few weeks ago, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson took time to answer some questions for Massively about Game Update 60, The Children of War. And he met again for a roundtable interview just before news of the attack on SOE broke.

Read on for highlights of the interview and a look at what's on the horizon once services are restored.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundschildren-of-warcrystal-cavernsdave-georgesondrundereq2eq2-extendedeq2xEQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iifeaturedfrozen-tundrapublic-questssmokejumpertattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookvanquishMon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Even though Destiny of Velious has only been out for a couple of months, EverQuest II is about to see some big improvements and new content in the upcoming Game Update 60, Children of War. Despite the recent cuts to Sony Online Entertainment's staff, the team working on EQII seems more focused than ever, and over the past couple of weeks, fans have received a constant stream of information on both near- and long-term plans for the game.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson was kind enough to take some time to talk about the future of EverQuest II. In a bit of a surprise, he discusses how the team will continue to release Velious content in the form of regular updates rather than a larger part II as originally planned. He also gives some detail on highlights from the next update as well as future plans. Multiple housing, deity changes, the Freeport revamp -- Georgeson sheds some light on all that and more. Read on for the interview!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ages-end-prophecybattlegroundschildren-of-warcity-revampcrystal-cavernsdave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdrunderEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedfreeportfreeport-revampgame-update-60gu60housinginterviewinterviewsmultiple-housingprestige-housingqeynossmokejumpertattered-notebookvanquishMon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Solving the mystery of Kael Drakkel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/the-tattered-notebook-solving-the-mystery-of-kael-drakkel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/the-tattered-notebook-solving-the-mystery-of-kael-drakkel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/the-tattered-notebook-solving-the-mystery-of-kael-drakkel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In last week's Tattered Notebook, I mentioned a mysterious quest given to me by a server Guide named Kaaell. It involved locating several spots in Kael Drakkel, which would be no easy task given the difficulty of the zone. As Kaaell himself put it, this was a challenge for only the bravest players of the highest adventure level. Kael Drakkel is the newest contested dungeon from Destiny of Velious, and it's the most difficult group content available. Fortunately for the guild, we happened to catch him offering the quest again, and we all set off together to explore the zone and figure out what the quest would award us.

Did we solve the quest and discover the reward? Read on to find out!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Solving the mystery of Kael Drakkel

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Solving the mystery of Kael Drakkel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsdentmenndestiny-of-veliousdominus-gandrrigdoveqEQ2eqiieverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedgnomish-air-racesguide-questkael-drakkelkael-or-be-kaeledquestquestssoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttattered-notebookMon, 07 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With the launch of Destiny of Velious rapidly approaching, EverQuest II fans are starting to hear a lot more about what this expansion will bring. This past week was filled with new lore, new screenshots, and another live Webcast with Senior Producer Dave Georgeson, Lead Designer Rich Waters, and Itemization Developer Salim Grant.

As in previous webcasts, the hosts talked about flying mounts, launch day events, and othmir, but the main topic they discussed was itemization and gear progression. There is no level cap increase with Destiny of Velious, and because of that, many players wondered what items would look like, especially since a lot of Sentinel's Fate gear was already loaded with procs, wards, and effects. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at how the developers tackled this difficult area and what changes players should expect to see with the arrival of Destiny of Velious.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10th-ring-waradornmentsbattlegroundscoldain-ringdave-georgesondestiny-of-veliouseqEQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedflying-mountitemizationKaelnatures-defenderothmirrich-waterssalim-grantsoeSony-Online-EntertainmenttinkerfestveliouswebcastMon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warfronts star in the RIFT beta 4 patch notes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/warfronts-star-in-the-rift-beta-4-patch-notes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/warfronts-star-in-the-rift-beta-4-patch-notes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/warfronts-star-in-the-rift-beta-4-patch-notes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As you may or may not have heard, Trion Worlds is unleashing the fourth RIFT beta event today, an event that spans the entire weekend. And as Uncle Ben used to tell us, with great beta events come great patch notes -- so what do players have to look forward to with this update?

The most significant change to RIFT's beta is the increase of the level cap -- to 27 -- and the unlocking of the Stonefield and Gloamwood zones. In the prior three events, players were limited to a maximum of level 20 and confined to the two starter areas. This round, players looking for more PvE dungeon goodness should enjoy the Darkening Deeps and Deepstrike Mines, while PvPers will rejoice at the inclusion of Warfronts (Black Garden for level 10 and above, The Codex for level 20 and above). Warfronts are like World of Warcraft's battlegrounds or Warhammer Online's scenarios -- instanced PvP areas where (hopefully) evenly matched teams can go at it under special conditions.

There are several quality-of-life improvements rolled into this patch as well. The skill soft queue has been upgraded to a full next ability queue, more hotbars are available, and many of the souls are getting tweaked. You can read the full patch notes here.

MassivelyWarfronts star in the RIFT beta 4 patch notes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsbetabeta-4beta-eventbeta-event-4black-gardenclosed-betadarkening-deepsdeepstrike-minesgloamwoodhotbarspatchpatch-notesriftrift-planes-of-telarascenariosskill-queuestonefieldthe-codextriontrion-worldsuncle-benupdateupdate-noteswarwarfrontswarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 07 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Codex added to RIFT's PvP weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-codex-added-to-rifts-pvp-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-codex-added-to-rifts-pvp-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-codex-added-to-rifts-pvp-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Looking forward to RIFT's upcoming PvP beta weekend? You're in good company -- a lot of people are, which is part of the reason Trion Worlds has made the event even sweeter. Aside from the already-announced Black Garden warfront, players in the 20-29 level range will be able to take part in the Codex battle. It's a chance for Defiants and Guardians to cross swords for control of the eponymous artifact with unknown purpose.

In terms of gameplay, the Codex will be a domination-style map, with players seizing control points around the artifact and attempting to control the Codex itself. Players can also earn points by defeating enemy players as well, helping to put the game on a faster clock when players interact with one another. RIFT fans can test out the warfronts this weekend, starting at 1 p.m. EST tomorrow and running until the same time on Monday, January 10th.

MassivelyThe Codex added to RIFT's PvP weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundbattlegroundsbetabeta-testingcontrol-pointsdominationmap-stylepvp-betapvp-mapspvp-weekendriftrift-planes-of-telaratesting-weekendtriontrion-worldswarfrontwarfrontsThu, 06 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New TERA trailer boasts battlegrounds, bosses, and more [updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/new-tera-trailer-boasts-battlegrounds-bosses-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/new-tera-trailer-boasts-battlegrounds-bosses-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/new-tera-trailer-boasts-battlegrounds-bosses-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fans of En Masse Entertainment's upcoming TERA action MMORPG are anxiously awaiting news of a North American beta and release date. In the meantime, Bluehole Studio and Hangame are gearing up for the title's Korean open beta, which is scheduled to begin on January 11th, according to a recently released trailer.

The four-minute clip is crammed full of new footage, and in addition to the usual suspects of combat and harvesting, you can check out new bosses, destructible terrain, and what appears to be a type of capture-the-flag battleground scenario. Have a look at all the mayhem after the cut, and head to the official TERA forums for further discussion.

[Update: We've replaced the Korean version of the trailer with the newly released English-language version. Enjoy!]

Continue reading New TERA trailer boasts battlegrounds, bosses, and more [updated]

MassivelyNew TERA trailer boasts battlegrounds, bosses, and more [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobattlegroundsBlueHolebluehole-studiobossescinematicen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyhangamekorean-open-betateratera-onlinetrailervideoSat, 01 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive Zentia contest information and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

My, how Zentia has grown! One moment, the charming game is slowly working its way into our hearts, and the next it's parading around with a fat playerbase and upcoming contests. Well, we have more exclusive information for you again -- this time it involves server changes and prizes.
  • Time to celebrate the first PvE server opening for Zentia! The PvP server Spoon will be converted to a PvE server (date to be announced)
  • There will be no force attack on regular maps anymore
  • The battlegrounds War of Camp, Royal Hunt Park and Treasure Island will have force attack enabled
  • Don't worry; dueling will still be allowed on all maps
In celebration of the new server and the holidays, ChangYou has decreed that lucky random players will receive 200 tokens to use in the cash shop -- a total of $50,000 in tokens! On top of that, four really lucky players will receive a $500 Amazon gift card, just in time for some holiday shopping. (I wear a small, by the way.) If you'd like to find out more information about the game, check out some of our first impressions here and here. You can sign up for a free account on the website and follow the game on Facebook.

MassivelyExclusive Zentia contest information and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbattlegroundbattlegroundsbeau-hindmanChangyouchristmas-2010contestcontestsf2pfree-to-playftpholidayholidayspvpserver-changesserverszentiazentia-mmoFri, 03 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara at Gamer Day II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telara-at-gamer-day-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telara-at-gamer-day-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telara-at-gamer-day-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As part of its recent Gamer Day event, Trion Worlds invited Massively back to its studio for another look at Rift: Planes of Telara. Having now been to two of these Gamer Day events, I can say without a doubt that last week's was the more festive -- the player-community leaders and swarm of devs certainly made the whole experience much more wild than the first and reminded me that I was supposed to be having fun (not just studiously taking notes for you lovely readers, although I did that too!).

Since this was my second day-long hands-on with the game (the first being last summer when I got to check out Rift's dynamic content), I thought it best to focus on two areas: improvements to systems I'd seen before, and totally new elements I hadn't seen at all (like the Guardian starting zone, PvP, UI enhancements, Deepstrike Mines, and several new souls including Riftblades, Bards, and Wardens!). Follow along after the break for my second impressions of this MMO that continues to surprise me with its glittering shine of polish.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

Continue reading Hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara at Gamer Day II

MassivelyHands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara at Gamer Day II originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphabardbattlegroundsbooksclericCollectionsdeath-penaltydeepstrike-minesfactionsfeaturedFirst-Impressionsgamers-dayguardianhands-onhealinghousinginstancesnewbie-zonesnicholas-mcdowellopinionprestige-rankpvpriftrift-planes-of-telarariftbladescott-hartsmansecond-impressionSoulsstarting-zoneswimmingtriontrion-worldsuser-interfacewardenwarfrontwarfrontswater-mageTue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews BioWare on SWTOR's crafting and PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/massively-interviews-bioware-on-swtors-crafting-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/massively-interviews-bioware-on-swtors-crafting-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/massively-interviews-bioware-on-swtors-crafting-and-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to head down to LucasArts in San Francisco to check out the current build of Star Wars: The Old Republic and chat with some of the BioWare developers. While my hands-on with the game won't be out until next month, we can deliver a couple of smaller interviews on two of the recently revealed systems in the game. And I think you'll want to hear what the interviewees have to say!

Join me past the cut as I ask lead writer Daniel Erickson and lead PvP designer Gabe Amatangelo all about the Alderaan Warzone, the PvP reward system, avoiding battleground design pitfalls, companion tradeskilling, player-made gear, and hardcore crafting in SWTOR.

Continue reading Massively interviews BioWare on SWTOR's crafting and PvP

MassivelyMassively interviews BioWare on SWTOR's crafting and PvP originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaan-warzonebattlegroundbattlegroundsBioWarebioware-eacompanioncompanionscraftingcrafting-systemdaniel-ericksonEAeconomyElectronic-Artsfeaturedgabe-amatangelogearinterviewInterviewsLucasArtspvpStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortradeskilltradeskillswarzonewarzonesFri, 12 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alganon adding PvP functionality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/alganon-adding-pvp-functionality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/alganon-adding-pvp-functionality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/alganon-adding-pvp-functionality/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Despite its checkered history, free-to-play fantasy MMORPG Alganon soldiers on. In its recently released November newsletter, Quest Online details the latest feature set added to the game in the form of PvP combat. The upgrade is scheduled to proceed in stages, with phase one consisting of both dueling and open world PvP, both of which are already available on the live servers.

Phase two of the PvP integration is currently slotted for a December release and looks to add an objective system to the open-world PvP mechanics in the form of conquerable towers. Said towers will provide adventuring benefits to factional members located in the zone. Quest is also working on PvP armor sets and accessories for characters between levels 10 and 50. Keeps will be making an appearance in phase two as well and will represent stepping stones along the path to being able to enter the enemy capitol and slay the factional leader for fun and profit.

Finally, phase three of the PvP master plan will bring battlegrounds to the world of Alganon. These self-contained PvP instances will feature team objectives and function similarly to the maps found in traditional FPS titles. Quest is also prepping a renown system that will feature weapons, armor, and assorted gear, as well as a resource-control mechanic. Battlegrounds are scheduled to go live sometime in 2011.

Check out the official Alganon newsletter for more details.

MassivelyAlganon adding PvP functionality originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonbattlegroundsfantasyfree-to-playkeepspvppvp-objectivespvp-patchpvp-phasequest-onlinerenownrenown-systemresource-controltowersThu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks rolls out American armor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/world-of-tanks-rolls-out-american-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/world-of-tanks-rolls-out-american-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/world-of-tanks-rolls-out-american-armor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

The World of Tanks beta just got a bit bigger, as Wargaming.net has released a good-sized update that features tons of new vehicles as well as two additional battlegrounds. The Monastery map boasts both rural and urban landscapes, while Sandy River shows off desert terrain.

The patch also introduces American tanks of various classes including light, medium, heavy, and super-heavy units, plus artillery that offers new options for expanded gameplay and tactics. "The tanks that we have in the game at the moment form the backbone of the American armored fleet that will gradually grow bigger and stronger. Such legendary vehicles as the Pershing, M10 Wolverine, and M18 Hellcat are already in development and will join the ranks soon," says Victor Kislyi, Wargaming.net's CEO.

Check out the gallery of new armor below as well as a trailer after the break. You can also sign up for beta on the official website.

Gallery: World of Tanks

Continue reading World of Tanks rolls out American armor

MassivelyWorld of Tanks rolls out American armor originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-armoramerican-tanksbattlegroundsmonasterynew-mapspvepvpsandy-rivertanksvictor-kislyiwargamingwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-war-2World-War-IIThu, 11 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Urban warfare comes to Fantasy Earth Zero]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/urban-warfare-comes-to-fantasy-earth-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/urban-warfare-comes-to-fantasy-earth-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/urban-warfare-comes-to-fantasy-earth-zero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fantasy Earth Zero's central conceit is what ultimately stands as an unwinnable contest of thrones, five nations battling for supremacy over the central continent. Up until now, the battle for control of Melpharia has been kept in fields and away from civilization... but that's changing with the addition of new maps bringing the conflict into the city. Two new maps are being added to the game, making up the last part of the game's far-reaching Season 2 update that's included a new class, new features, and now a new set of battlefields.

Due to hit the live servers at some point tomorrow, the new maps are focused around street fighting in both larger urban environments and smaller villages. With Fantasy Earth Zero's emphasis on action-based combat, the narrow streets and limited passageways will have a decisive impact on gameplay. Players will also be treated to a new worldwide single-elimination tournament in the colosseum, with the national rulers using the tournament to determine their most admirable and skilled warriors. It's the sort of thing that could have FEZ players dancing in the streets -- or, as seems more likely, preparing for battle in them.

MassivelyUrban warfare comes to Fantasy Earth Zero originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsf2pfantasy-earth-zerofezfree-to-playgamepotgamepot-usamapsmelphariapvpsquaresquare-enixurban-combaturban-warfareTue, 09 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Siege war top 50]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-siege-war-top-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-siege-war-top-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/lost-pages-of-taborea-siege-war-top-50/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of the fascinating aspects of an MMO is its ability to spark creativity. With so much to do in these large virtual worlds, it's almost inevitable that players will create wikis, fan sites, addons and anything else they can dream up. Runes of Magic is no different, and its siege war has given way to the creation of Siege War Top 50. The fan-made website aggregates siege war scores from all guilds on North American servers and spits it out in various lists. It has been consistently popular on the RoM forums for many weeks now and is a testament to how popular siege war is.

Let's take a look at this site and see what makes it tick. Along the way, I share commentary about the site and siege war in general, and you'll get to see which guilds are in the top bracket out of all the North American servers.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Siege war top 50

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Siege war top 50 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenabattlefieldsbattlegroundsfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactiveguild-rankingsguild-scoreguild-vs-guildplayer-vs-playerpvprankingromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentscoresiege-warsiege-war-ranksiege-war-top-50siege-warstop-50top-guildtournamentMon, 18 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Low-level PvP alt]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-low-level-pvp-alt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-low-level-pvp-alt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-low-level-pvp-alt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've been spending some time making a home for myself on Artemis. Yes, I've moved away from the PvP server, and I haven't regretted it. I've never really participated in open PvP, so it's not really a surprise. I've said before that I only started on a PvP server to have that extra option available to me and to have an added dose of excitement. Well, your unofficial ambassador to Taborea may be changing his tune.

After I made the switch to PvE, I wasn't sure what to do. I already had a high-level character. I didn't feel ready to put my main to rest. It's been my dedicated character for over a year, and it does give me the advantage of accessing high-level content. With the limited time I have for Runes of Magic right now, let alone other MMOs, I was tentative about making an alt. I took the plunge, made an alt, and haven't looked back. Oddly enough -- or maybe not -- I'm enjoying PvP more on a PvE server.

I've found that I like alt life, and it has me thinking creatively about what to do with each character. I've spoken about PvP culture; I've mentioned my idea for improving battlefields; and last week I spoke about siege badges that can help you in battlefields. This week, I want to cover building a low-level PvP alt. There's a lot to be done in prepping a low-level PvP alt, so let's get busy.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Low-level PvP alt

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Low-level PvP alt originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsarenabattlefieldbattlegroundsfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactiveguild-siegelost-pages-of-taborealow-levelmonster-cardspetsplayer-vs-playerpvpromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmenttitlestwinkMon, 13 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Badge of honor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/lost-pages-of-taborea-badge-of-honor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/lost-pages-of-taborea-badge-of-honor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/lost-pages-of-taborea-badge-of-honor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I've been spending a lot of time lately in Runes of Magic's battlefields and arena. There are a number of these instanced PvP areas and this crafter has been enjoying most of them. The battlefields, arena, and guild siege system all have tasty incentives in the form of points or badges. Basically operating as a form of currency, these PvP rewards can all be spent on a variety of items.

If you thought gear grinding or buying purified fusion stones was the only way to improve your character, then think again. If you thought spending diamonds or exorbitant amounts of gold was the only way to improve your pet, then think again. If you thought Kipos had one ugly mug... well, you'd be right. In this article I take a look at a couple alternative forms of currency you can get your hands on and what you can do with them.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Badge of honor

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Badge of honor originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-pointsarena-pvpbadgesbattlefieldsbattlegroundsfeaturedfrogster-americafrogster-interactiveguild-siegehonor-pointslost-pages-of-taboreaplayer-vs-playerpvpromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsiege-badgeMon, 06 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementAchievementsaddonsalphaalpha-testbattlegroundsbuildscallingCapture-the-flagcharacter-creationcharge-barclericclunkcollectionCollectionscraftingdefiantDemodynamic-contentEarth-Elementalelementalistepic-mountfeaturedfootholdfootholdsgallerygloamwoodgraphicsgroupgroupinggroupsguardianhealershealinghell-levelsheroes-of-telaraholy-city-of-sanctuminstanceinstancesinterfaceinvasionjumpingjust-say-no-to-hell-levelslootmapmapsminimapmodsp2ppay-to-playpetsphilosophyplaneplanesplanes-of-telarapublic-questspvpquestingrealm-of-the-faerespecresurrectionriftrift-planes-of-telarariftsscott-hartsmanscreenshotsshadowlandssoul-walkSteamPunkstrategerystrategysubscriptionswimmingtalent-treestalentstavril-plazatelaratrailertriontrion-worldsUIvideowarfrontwarfrontsWed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Surprise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/one-shots-surprise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/one-shots-surprise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/one-shots-surprise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're out stomping around the battlegrounds in World of Warcraft on the Bladefist server, you might have run across today's contributor, Vych, recently. As a dutiful member of the Horde, Vych loves nothing more than to spend some time blowing the Alliance up in PvP. Witness today's One Shots, wherein he's facing off against an oncoming tank! He writes in: "World of Warcraft isnt really known as a mass PvP game, but I take part in as much of it as possible. On this character I had a trusty rocket launcher vs. the oncoming Alliance. I did die, but not before one hit that incoming siege engine!"

Have you got a battle scene you'd like to show off? Perhaps a PvP achievement that shows off just how much fun you have wiping the other side out? We'd love to see it, if so. Just email it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Surprise originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbattlegroundsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentone-shotspvpscreenshotscreenshotsvychwintergraspworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 11 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Interview with Mythic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-interview-with/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-interview-with/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-quest-for-camelot-interview-with/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After last week's expedition into the dark Dark Age of Camelot, the Game Archaeologist uncovered the mightiest weapon of them all: the Hammer of Nostalgia. The hammer may be battle-worn, but it has never seen better days. Everywhere it strikes, fond memories of epic keep battles surface, and former players feel compelled to sign up for another tour of duty.

The Game Archaeologist proceeded to take the hammer back to its makers, the sweat-stained smithies at Mythic Entertainment (now BioWare Mythic), to see whether they thought there was any magic left in the game. Two burly men put down their steel tools and stepped forward to testify, and their names were Colin of the Hicks and Jeff "Soulstriker" Hickman. The air became thick with memories as the duo recalled the early days of the hammer's history, when players were initially adding to its strength with each victory and each crushing defeat.

Pull up a stool to hear their tale, and when you are done, send in your own favorite DAoC memories (100 words max, please) to justin@massively.com for next week's column!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Interview with Mythic

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Interview with Mythic originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albionalbsaolavalonbattlegroundsbioware-mythiccolin-hicksdaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkness-fallsea-mythicexpansionfeaturedfrontiersgalladoriagamestormhammer-of-nostalgiahiberniahibsjeff-hickmanlead-world-developerlive-eventsmidgardmidsmythicMythic-Entertainmentpvprvrshrouded-islesthe-game-archaeologistthe-holy-hand-grenade-of-antiochultima-onlineuowarwarhammer-onlineTue, 10 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: It's the little things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/lost-pages-of-taborea-its-the-little-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/lost-pages-of-taborea-its-the-little-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/lost-pages-of-taborea-its-the-little-thing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we wait in rapt anticipation for the final volley of Chapter 3 goodness, I find myself speculating about other possible additions and changes that could go into Runes of Magic. Now that the pet system is up and running and the relationship system is on the horizon, will there be a myriad of balances made to classes? Or, will Runewaker and Frogster spring any fun surprises on us? I'm not sure what it is about the time right before a patch, but it gets my neurons firing and makes me want to play amateur designer.

Besides trying to figure out exactly how the relationship system is going to work, I've been thinking about how I'd add my own changes to some of RoM's current features. The door is wide open for speculation in this department, but I wanted to look at what I thought would be possible for pre-existing areas in the near future. Follow along after the jump and see whether you agree with what I'd do to the lore, battlegrounds, crafting, and a handful of random features.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: It's the little things

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: It's the little things originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundscraftingcrafting-systemfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivelorelost-pages-of-taboreamichael-bhattymy-little-transformerromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentMon, 09 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you like your PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ah, PvP. Personally I kinda hate it, even on those rare occasions when I manage to emerge victorious. In small doses it's OK, but usually it consists of getting face-rolled by a player who knows the game systems much better than I do. That said, minigame PvP is quite enjoyable, particularly Age of Conan's variety, as well as the scenarios in Warhammer Online.

For a carebear like me, the only way to make PvP even semi-palatable is to grant control over when and if it happens. Sure, we may still lose and provide a good belly-laugh to the seasoned killers who view us as their game content, but at least they're not barging in on an otherwise productive session of questing, crafting, or exploring.

What about you, Massively readers? Do you prefer your PvP in spurts such as minigame instances or battlegrounds, or do you like the open-world FFA option common in games like Darkfall and Mortal Online?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you like your PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocaventurinebattlegroundscarebearsdarkfallffaffa-pvpfuncomminigamesmortal-onlineopen-world-pvpopinionpvpstarvaultthe-daily-grindThu, 05 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII's Dave Georgeson talks battlegrounds, starter cities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/eqiis-dave-georgeson-talks-battlegrounds-starter-cities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/eqiis-dave-georgeson-talks-battlegrounds-starter-cities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/eqiis-dave-georgeson-talks-battlegrounds-starter-cities/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that this year's E3 is safely in the rear-view mirror, more MMO-centric news from the show is slowly filtering out of outlets around the web as writers are able to collect their interview notes and put fingers to keyboards. One such piece features EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson, the new producer on the long-running fantasy MMORPG, who sat down with Ten Ton Hammer to chat about changes coming soon to the world of Norrath.

Georgeson indicates that the updates will be revealed at this year's SOE Fan Faire. In the meantime, he mentions tweaks to the beloved cities of Freeport and Qeynos, recently removed as starter city options to the chagrin of many veteran players. "I think the business as usual model needs to change. It would be so much better if we can put back some of the richness into the game so we don't have the empty world syndrome. We're going to be offering some new things here in the future that are really going to shake things up a bit," Georgeson says.

He also touches on the problems inherent in the new Battlegrounds system, as well as hints at plans to address it eventually. "I think that people who are just casually going in are getting worked by people who have a lot of PvP gear and because of that we are seeing that people aren't going in without a full board commitment. Because not a lot of new people are going in we basically have the same set of people playing over and over again. Battlegrounds is a really good feature and we will continue to support it, we like it a lot; it's just under performing for the amount of effort we put into it," he says.

MassivelyEQII's Dave Georgeson talks battlegrounds, starter cities originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsdave-georgesone3-2010EverQuest-2everquest-iiEverquest2freeportinterviewnorrathqeynosWed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/hyperspace-beacon-fires-of-hope-from-e3-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/hyperspace-beacon-fires-of-hope-from-e3-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/hyperspace-beacon-fires-of-hope-from-e3-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

No matter where you were this week, if you are a Star Wars fan, you saw the new SWTOR trailer: Hope. I'm sure you also read the Daily Grind asking, "Do cinematics make you want to play?" It's an honest question. Lots of times these over-the-top trailers mask some of the things producers aren't telling you about the game you are interested in playing. In fact, it may give you greater expectations than the game has to offer. There have been quite a few comments about Star Wars Galaxies' trailers which have caused some players of the seven-year-old MMO to ask rhetorically, "I want to play that game. Where is that game?" So let me tell you up front, Star Wars: The Old Republic does not look like either of the cinematic trailers, but that does not mean it is not a great game.

I believe as a fan of this game and as a reporter for this website that I would be doing you, the reader, an injustice by totally giving into the (albeit mostly fan-created) hype that surrounds this game. So this week I want to take things back a notch and hopefully give you a realistic outlook on a couple of announced aspects of the game.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaanautomagicallybattlegroundsBioWarecompanioncompanionsdaniel-ericksondarth-hatere3e3-2010james-ohlenLucasArtspvprich-vogelspace-combatSpaceShipspaceshipsStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtortor-aidtrailertrailerswar-zoneWar-zonesMon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bioware discuss SWTOR player ships, group gameplay and PvP at E3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/bioware-discuss-swtor-player-ships-group-gameplay-and-pvp-at-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/bioware-discuss-swtor-player-ships-group-gameplay-and-pvp-at-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/bioware-discuss-swtor-player-ships-group-gameplay-and-pvp-at-e3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic have been spoiled at this year's E3, with new game trailers and talks on what we can expect from the game when it launches. Earlier today, we learned the surprising fact that each player would get his own starship and got a first glimpse of what lies ahead for SWTOR's PvP. At their latest presentation, Bioware have now confirmed that space exploration will be a part of the game, using a system very similar to that used by Mass Effect's Normandy. They went on to disclose two of the classes of ship players will be able to get in the game. Players siding with the Republic can get their hands on the Corellian Vanguard light corvette while Imperial players can get the Fury Class Imperial transport.

Skip past the cut to watch this awesome video of SWTOR's ship interiors and find out what's in store for PvP and group gameplay.

Continue reading Bioware discuss SWTOR player ships, group gameplay and PvP at E3

MassivelyBioware discuss SWTOR player ships, group gameplay and PvP at E3 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorbreakingcharactercustomisatione3e3-2010eaelectronic-artslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgpvepvpraidsshipstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictrailervideowarzonewarzonesTue, 15 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 reveal: Player spaceships and PvP Battlegrounds in SWTOR!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/e3-reveal-player-spaceships-and-pvp-battlegrounds-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/e3-reveal-player-spaceships-and-pvp-battlegrounds-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/e3-reveal-player-spaceships-and-pvp-battlegrounds-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A new door has been opened today in Star Wars: The Old Republic: the door to your very own customizable spaceship! Mary Bihr and Dr. Greg Zeschuk, of LucasArts and Bioware respectively, stood on the stage at E3 to shock Star Wars fans everywhere. Since the first movie with the Millenium Falcon, the starship has been the center of every character's personal story. Friendships were built, and characters even fell in love, on starships. What story will your character build in his or her starship, and what personal touches would you like to see?

Battlegrounds will be the primary focus of PvP combat in SWTOR. Indeed, the new trailer called "Hope" alludes to the fact that one of the primary battlegrounds will be on the planet Alderaan. We know from the official site that Alderaan is a planet estranged from the Republic. This Core planet is the first announced area which will be hotly contested by both the Republic and Imperial forces. So gear up your Trooper and ready your lightsaber, the battle for the Old Republic is about to begin!

MassivelyE3 reveal: Player spaceships and PvP Battlegrounds in SWTOR! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaanbattlegroundbattlegroundsBioWarebreakinge3e3-2010EAElectronic-ArtsfeatureGreg-ZeschukLucasArtsmary-bihrpvpspaceshipsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorMon, 14 Jun 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II releases Battlegrounds video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-releases-battlegrounds-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-releases-battlegrounds-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-releases-battlegrounds-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Battlegrounds have arrived on the EverQuest II Test and Test-Copy servers, and Sony Online Entertainment invited players to log in and give them a try.

The new Battlegrounds feature is set to arrive in game on February 16th, and Sony Online Entertainment released a new video today giving an overview for those who haven't checked it out for themselves yet. Cross-server play is available on the three different maps, with up to 48 players able to participate in a match, so finding a battle should not be a problem.

During testing, the SOE team is even getting in on the act: "several members of the SOE staff will be available for match-ups on Thursday, February 11th from 4 until 6pm PST." If you win, you'll receive a special in-game title. Players that win regular matches during testing will receive a battlegrounds cloak.

If you want a closer look before logging in, EverQuest II has released a brand new Battlegrounds video. Follow along after the jump to take a look, and good luck in battle!

Continue reading EverQuest II releases Battlegrounds video

MassivelyEverQuest II releases Battlegrounds video originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundseq-2-battlegroundsEQIIeverquest-2everquest-2-battlegroundseverquest-iiSOEsony-online-entertainmentTue, 09 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II rolls out the battlegrounds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/everquest-ii-rolls-out-the-battlegrounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/everquest-ii-rolls-out-the-battlegrounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/everquest-ii-rolls-out-the-battlegrounds/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Starting February 16th, get ready to PvP across servers. EverQuest II is catching up with the mainstream MMO trends by adding battlegrounds to the mix, giving EQII PvP players the instanced scenarios that they've been looking forward to for a while.

The three scenarios include the Battlefield of Ganak, a 6 vs. 6 game of capture the flag in Iksar territory, Smuggler's Den, a 24 vs. 24 game of hold the point conducted on small islands, and the Gears of Klak'anon, a 6 vs. 6 game of hold the relic that saps your heath but makes you do crazy damage. Playing these scenarios does not go unrewarded, of course, as winners can look forward to claiming the very sexy new chaos armor set -- an armor set of dirty, twisted, spiked platemail that looks good on any battleground champion.

And, if you were wondering what yesterday's puzzle post was all about, wonder no more! We had pieces of of the battleground maps of Klak'anon and Smuggler's Den. But, not to worry, we've included the full maps and screenshots in the gallery below for your viewing pleasure. Happy battling!

Gallery: EverQuest II: Battlegrounds

MassivelyEverQuest II rolls out the battlegrounds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iipatchpvpscenariossoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 27 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What addicts you to MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daily-grind-what-addicts-you-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daily-grind-what-addicts-you-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daily-grind-what-addicts-you-to-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PvPer? PvE lover? Are you all about the raids? Are you in it for the small group content? Achievement grabber? Battlegrounds dominator?

What drives your passion for MMOs? We usually put this type of stuff into more catch-all terms, such as "PvE player" or "PvP player" but we want to know exactly what pulls you into MMOs. No more of this beating around the bush and talking about large swaths of content.

So today's question is thus -- what is that one element that really keeps you coming back for more? It could be from any game or any genre, we just want to know what it is. Tell us a nice story about why it excites you so much as well, because we want to know what makes you tick.

When you feel the need for speech then head on down to our comment box and go to town. Let your keyboard free your feelings and shout them out for the whole internet to hear!

Ready, steady, go!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What addicts you to MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsevercrackeverquestfunmmorpgopinionpvepvpraidthe-daily-grindwinningTue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST