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: Down but not out!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-tattered-notebook-down-but-not-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-tattered-notebook-down-but-not-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-tattered-notebook-down-but-not-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQII Coldain
I was closely watching our Choose My Adventure poll last week and had a flashback to 1986, when I was torn between rooting for my two favorite teams, the Red Sox and the Mets. There I sat, staring at my Cabbage Patch Red Sox doll and my Cabbage Patch Mets doll, trying to decide which one I would embrace as I tuned in for the first pitch. Whom would I root for? Hurst or Darling? Dewey or Nails? Mookie or Billy Bucks? Carter or Geddy? Boggs or Ho-Jo?

I chose the Red Sox, and I'm still trying to get over that memorable World Series. The CMA poll had me right back in that seat, as I found myself rooting for both frontrunners, RIFT and EverQuest II. For EQII fans, the vote tally ended up somewhere under Bill Buckner's cleat, and RIFT ended up winning.

Take heart, EverQuest II fans: We have a great game, and like an aged wine, it's getting more buttery with a hint of raspberries and a taste of oak. So raise your glasses because it's time to toast the reasons EverQuest II is a great game!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Down but not out!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Down but not out! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-itemsappearance-tabatabbetrayalcommunitycontenteq-2EQ-IIeq2eq2wireeq2xeqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedhousingjethal-silverwingmentoringmorgan-feldonpetsriftsoeSony-Online-EntertainmentSat, 20 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Mask of the betrayer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/the-tattered-notebook-mask-of-the-betrayer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/the-tattered-notebook-mask-of-the-betrayer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/the-tattered-notebook-mask-of-the-betrayer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You know, there's something decidedly ironic about playing a rat in an MMORPG, particularly in a themepark grinder like EverQuest II (and before anyone burns me at the stake, it's a good themepark grinder, I'm positively in love with it). The parallels are almost too perfect. Rats chase cheese and players chase digital carrots, running around a pre-defined maze with numerous boundaries, roadblocks, and invisible walls just like your average lab rodent. Luckily EQII camouflages these minor irritations better than most games, even on fairly grinderific content like the city betrayal quest series.

Yes, I've returned to playing my ratonga after a week of cheating on him with a shiny new shadowknight, and I've finally managed to move his furry little butt away from the abusive stylings of Freeport to a comfy little four-room rat hole off the side streets of South Qeynos.

Turn the page for more on his journey and thumb through his gallery below.

Gallery: EQII Ratonga Betrayal

HavenMore HavenLight at the end of the tunnelI've got to pick up trash?Back to Freeport

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Mask of the betrayer

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Mask of the betrayer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betrayalbetrayal-questcheeseEQ2EQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iifactionfaction-grindfeaturedgallerygil-mcmartingrand-inquisitor-telexgrindhavenopinionqeynosratongascreenshotssoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-tattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebook-jef-reahardMon, 26 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aika previews Ashes of Betrayal and announces launch date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/aika-previews-ashes-of-betrayal-and-announces-launch-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/aika-previews-ashes-of-betrayal-and-announces-launch-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/aika-previews-ashes-of-betrayal-and-announces-launch-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The turnaround on Aika's upcoming expansion has been more than acceptable. The announcement of Ashes of Betrayal came very recently, and already we have a target date of June 17th for release. But if that weren't enough, the development team has been hard at work with the new region of Darkrane Forest, creating both new lore and new art for the region.

Home to the half-bird, half-human Kynari, the forest was peaceful until the recent coup performed by the Kynari Darkrane, killing High Castor Isaiah and throwing the region into turmoil. Players will take on the sizable task of restoring order with the help of Isaiah's son Hakks, as well as uncovering the dark forces behind Darkrane's rise to power, including a new instanced dungeon.

There will also be new equipment and skill improvements, starting at level 51. We have screenshots of the new armor available to the Conqueror and Templar, the highest tier of growth for the Warrior and Paladin classes, as well as some of the enemies you'll face in the forest and a map of the region. Take a look at our gallery, and get ready for Aika's expansion due in less than a month.

Gallery: Aika Expansion Preview

MassivelyAika previews Ashes of Betrayal and announces launch date originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aikaaika-onlineashes-of-betrayalbackstorybetrayalexpansionf2pfree-to-playgpotatoinstanceinstanced-dungeonlevel-caplevelslorespecializationupdatesWed, 26 May 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games lead economist on social structures in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/ccp-games-lead-economist-on-social-structures-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/ccp-games-lead-economist-on-social-structures-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/ccp-games-lead-economist-on-social-structures-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Phil Elliott from Gamesindustry.biz recently conducted an interview with CCP Games Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson (known as CCP Dr. EyjoG) titled "Star Bucks." While the interview discussed the importance of social structures in EVE Online given the game's single-shard nature and of course the game's economics, he was asked questions about gameplay and some of the core foundations of the game -- namely the freedom to act and the consequences that result (or the perceived lack of consequences).

Dr. EyjoG was asked about the concept of trust in the sandbox game, how some players feel there's not enough reciprocity in terms of consequences for one's actions in EVE. "Should we provide more security, more traceability -- that would help it out, but it's definitely a game design and balance question. For us we see the universe as it is, we don't see that need... at this point at least," Dr. EyjoG responded. The interview also hinted at some of the as-yet unrealized possibilities in the game such as player-requests to tie sovereignty in with rules that govern those regions of controlled territory and what the game might be like years down the line.

MassivelyCCP Games lead economist on social structures in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betrayalccpccp-dr-eyjogccp-gamesconsequenceconsequencescouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmdr-eyjogeconomisteconomyeveeve-onlineeyjolfur-gudmundssongameplaygamesindustry.bizlead-economistphil-elliottscamscamssci-fisingle-shardsingle-worldsocial-structuressovereigntyterritorial-controltrustSat, 18 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The high price of trust in EVE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/the-high-price-of-trust-in-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/the-high-price-of-trust-in-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/the-high-price-of-trust-in-eve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Trust is a rare commodity in EVE Online, and is one of those aspects of the game that makes it at once interesting and frustrating. That friendly person who offers you assistance in a mission, wants to sell you a faction module, or seeks to join your corporation may very well be waiting to backstab you when you least expect it. This might sound bad, but it's not necessarily a terrible thing in terms of enjoying the game. Indeed, some may feel that it adds to the risk inherent in EVE, and thus the thrill. The fact that players can manipulate trust within the rules of the game is one of the aspects of EVE that sets it apart from most other MMOs.

The risk vs. reward stakes are raised when trust comes into play with groups of players. Collective action through corporations or alliances will, at some point in time, entail trust. It may be a CEO or director lifting restrictions on access to resources for a member of the corp, hoping that the faith placed in the recruit wasn't a bad move. In other scenarios, the situation is reversed -- a director decides to cut and run, seizing assets and leaving the corporation shocked and understandably enraged.

Continue reading The high price of trust in EVE

MassivelyThe high price of trust in EVE originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancebetrayalccpccp-gamesceocorpcorp-theftcorp-thiefcorporationcrimeculturedirectoreveeve-mageve-onlinegame-mechanicsopinionpoliticsrewardrisksci-fisoleramnustrustSun, 10 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST