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[UTV moves Mytheon development to China, hints at upcoming closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/utv-moves-mytheon-development-to-china-hints-at-upcoming-closed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/utv-moves-mytheon-development-to-china-hints-at-upcoming-closed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/utv-moves-mytheon-development-to-china-hints-at-upcoming-closed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The latest chapter in the saga of the free-to-play action MMO called Mytheon features a lengthy quest across a vast ocean and two continents -- and that's before a player even logs into the game. In a press release dated earlier this morning, Texas-based UTV True Games announced the relocation of Mytheon development to its internal studio in Beijing.

"Moving the development of Mytheon to our internal studio is a very positive move for the game because we have total creative control over the title and we can tailor Mytheon's content to the preferences and needs of the community that has already grown around it," said UTV CEO Jeff Lujan. Some of said content tailoring is taking the form of improved guild functionality, camera controls, and tweaks to the various stones and stone types. For the uninitiated, Mytheon players are referred to as Stonecasters after their ability to combine and cast magical stones in battle.

In addition to the studio move, UTV has announced that a new closed beta phase will begin in late January. Previous testers will be contacted via email and will be able to use their existing accounts to access the new phase.

MassivelyUTV moves Mytheon development to China, hints at upcoming closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbetaclosed-betaf2pfantasyfree-to-playmytheonrelocationstudio-movestudio-relocationtestingutvutv-true-gamesThu, 06 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment announces Battle of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment is working overtime. Not content with their current stable of games or the positive press that's been getting drummed up for their upcoming comedy game, Kung Foo!, they've just announced a new addition to their lineup. The official developer blog for the company announced that Battle of the Immortals is on its way, complete with a number of screenshots of characters decked out to the nines in epic armor.

So, what will the game actually play like? Well... that's an excellent question, one that the announcement largely sidesteps altogether. We know that the game is being developed by Perfect World Entertainment's Shanghai studio instead of their more conventional Beijing studio, and that it's supposed to play very differently than their eponymous flagship title. However, no actual gameplay elements are discussed beyond a statement that implies the game may well have a strong PvP focus, and the frequently restated factor that the game promises to be high-energy. On the flip side, the screenshots look excellent (unless you really don't care for the more exaggerated Eastern aesthetic) and PWE certainly has a solid track record for its free-to-play games.

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment announces Battle of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbeijingboif2pfree-to-playkung-foonew-titlesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweshanghaiThu, 14 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hello Kitty Online's world domination plan has begun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/hello-kitty-onlines-world-domination-plan-has-begun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/hello-kitty-onlines-world-domination-plan-has-begun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/hello-kitty-onlines-world-domination-plan-has-begun/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


While Massively focuses on a lot of the bigger games on the market, the World of Warcrafts and Warhammer Onlines out there that define fantasy MMOs for many gamers, we still like to keep our eyes on the lesser-discussed MMO titles. Which leads me to my point -- we're on to you Hello Kitty. We've said this before and we'll probably say it again, Hello Kitty has her cute little eyes set on nothing less than absolute global domination through Hello Kitty Online.

It began with her decking out Beijing with even more stars than the real Beijing, a feat most thought impossible, much less swathing the city in pink and purple hues. We've since learned that she wants Brazil, as well as Singapore and Malaysia, in her little paws. Apparently the next phase of her plan involves new avatar customization options with cute little... outfit... thingies... in the item mall. It's diabolical! Just check out the screengrabs below, if you dare.

Continue reading Hello Kitty Online's world domination plan has begun

MassivelyHello Kitty Online's world domination plan has begun originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbrazilcasualhello-kitty-onlinehkokidsmalaysiammo-industrynew-titlessinaporeThu, 18 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hello Kitty Online paints Beijing in pink and white as game's newest city]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/hello-kitty-online-paints-beijing-in-pink-and-white-as-games-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/hello-kitty-online-paints-beijing-in-pink-and-white-as-games-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/hello-kitty-online-paints-beijing-in-pink-and-white-as-games-ne/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The team at SanrioDigital and Typhoon Games has lovingly re-created the city of Beijing as you've never seen it before -- through the pink-lensed glasses of Hello Kitty, heavy on the star motif. Well, more stars than the real Beijing, in any case. They've even put some of Beijing's landmarks into Hello Kitty Online and have posted screenshots of the HKO version of the city, with a brief introduction.

They write on the Sanriotown blog: "To start things off, we'd like to showcase the new, never-before-seen city that's been added to the game: Beijing! In it you'll see some narrow streets, red lanterns, unique buildings, and walls surrounding the heart of the city." Some of the places they've included are the Bubble Dome and the Forbidden Museum. Sanriotown also adds that Hello Kitty Online will have '14 new adventure maps, 8 of which make up Beijing's surroundings.' You can check out the screenshots in the Sanriotown blog announcement.

MassivelyHello Kitty Online paints Beijing in pink and white as game's newest city originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingchinahello-kitty-onlinehkokidssanrio-digitalsanriodigitalsanriotowntyphoon-gamesSat, 30 May 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese online game market operating in loss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


When many of us think about MMOs, we think about companies who rake more money than we could dream about. Enough money to put together a scale model of Paris made out of 20 dollar bills.

Yet the truth is that many of these companies are operating in loss, as a recent article published in the Beijing Times has shown. Over 70% of Chinese online game companies are spending more than they are earning, while only a few notable names, like The9, the operators of World of Warcraft in China, stand to even make a profit.

Many games spend more in development and marketing costs than they stand to make in monthly subscriptions, leading to these problems occurring in many companies in the market. Analysts say that for every 10 online games made, only one stands to be a profitable venture.

For the full report on this, check out the article over at TradingMarkets.com.

MassivelyChinese online game market operating in loss originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbeijing-timeschinadevelopmentdevelopment-costseconomygame-companieslossmarketmoneyonline-gamesprofitthe9world-of-warcraftFri, 13 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As the Chinese race ahead to catch up with the West, they do so with the intent of creating better lives for themselves. The past several years have been characterized by rapid progression, but all those perks of modernization come with a price, which some of China's citizens are beginning to pay.

As incomes rise, so does the prevalence of the various maladies of modernization we've come to know well -- not limited to obesity, substance abuse, and addiction. While an addiction to a substance has a physiological aspect to it and is rarely disputed as a true addiction, non-material addictions to work, sex, and even shopping are on the rise in China. Such issues have been difficult to officially label as actual mental illnesses in the country. Others, like Internet addiction, have only recently been classified as such in China.

Continue reading Chinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers

MassivelyChinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abuseaddictaddictionbeijingchinachristian-science-monitorgame-addictioninternetinternet-addictionjonathan-adamsmental-illnesspsychologySat, 10 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft themed restaurant wows Beijing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/world-of-warcraft-themed-restaurant-wows-beijing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/world-of-warcraft-themed-restaurant-wows-beijing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/world-of-warcraft-themed-restaurant-wows-beijing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Unlike the April Fool's joke from Blizzard in 2006, this time there really is a World of Warcraft-themed restaurant open for business in Beijing. The venue boasts a Dark Portal entrance, full wall prints of WoW scenes, an enormous screen that shows action from the game, a tree in the center reminiscent of Raynewood Retreat, and what appears to be the ability to log in from your table.

From the sounds of things you may not be able to order Delicious Chocolate Cake (after all, the cake is a lie), but maybe Gadgetzan Gado-gado or Murloc Mince Pie are on the menu. So if you're in the Beijing area and looking for a great place to host your next guild meeting, check it out and let us know how the food is.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft themed restaurant wows Beijing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingdiningfoodreal-liferestaurantrestaurantsworld-of-warcraftThu, 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Love me, marry me?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/love-me-marry-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/love-me-marry-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/love-me-marry-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'm a big fan of The Crazy, and I like to think the world is a finer place when we're given the opportunity to really experience how it moves through our lives. Case in point: Beijing's Perfect World Network, owners of the Chinese MMO 'Legend of Martial Arts', have announced an event to run for the rest of this year entitled 'Love Me, Marry Me'.

Now, as far as I understand this, Perfect World is talking about an event that's meant to reward cash prizes and publicity to players who have real-life relationships, culminating in a group wedding event at a prestigious hotel. Entrants will be judged on, among other things, 'how well the lovers know each other' and 'a Medieval style mysterious Chateau Party'. Best of all, the press release states '"Love Me, Marry Me" is the largest love-themed event ever held by [Perfect World]', meaning there have been others.

I'm loving this idea, and wish all competing couples the best. I'd like to end this post with something cutting and acerbic, but I just can't; I'm all about the love, baby.

[Via http://usstock.jrj.com.cn]

MassivelyLove me, marry me? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingchateaucrazylegend-of-martial-artslove-me-marry-memassivelyperfect-world-networkweddingSat, 24 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST