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[MMObility: Creating a hidden-object mobile MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/mmobility-creating-a-hidden-object-mobile-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/mmobility-creating-a-hidden-object-mobile-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/mmobility-creating-a-hidden-object-mobile-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Around the time we left for E3, I discovered some of the hidden-object games published by Big Fish Games. I have enjoyed puzzle games in the past, but these seemed to have a nice, dependable quality to them that I had not seen before. On the way home -- during the last several hours of our trip, when it became hard to settle down -- I pulled out Moonfell Wood, a lovely hidden-object game set in a magical world of fairies and princesses. (I think the target audience was obvious.)

It was just a trial, but it was very relaxing. The music was nice and the puzzles were challenging but not mind-crushing, and my wife would look over my shoulder once in a while to point out one of the objects or to help solve a puzzle. It really got me to thinking: could a hidden-object MMO be created for the mobile market?

I think it could. Click past the cut and let's discuss it.

Continue reading MMObility: Creating a hidden-object mobile MMO

MassivelyMMObility: Creating a hidden-object mobile MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbig-fish-gamesdarkfell-woodf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftphidden-objectIOSipadiphoneMMObilitymobilepuzzlepuzzle-piratesthree-rings-designtreasure-seekers-3videoTue, 19 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Faunasphere shutting down on March 15th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a sad day when a game shuts down, especially one that caters to an unusual audience. Faunasphere, a game about cleaning up a pollution-riddled world while developing your personal animals, has announced its shutdown on March 15th. All subscription options have been removed, all subscriptions or microtransaction currency purchases after January 14th are being refunded, and the developers at Big Fish Games are working to make sure that the month until the closing is memorable and enjoyable for players.

In a brief FAQ regarding the closure, the development team addresses several potential player questions, including the game's integration with Facebook (which kept the servers running for longer than would have otherwise been possible) and the issue of any outstanding funds sunk into the game. There's also a thread set up for players to exchange contact information, in the hopes that some of the community might retain its cohesion. Our condolences go out to the Faunasphere players and development team affected by the shutdown.

MassivelyFaunasphere shutting down on March 15th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-fish-gamescancellationclosurecommunitycommunity-cohesionf2pfacebookfacebook-integrationfaunafaunasphereflash-based-gamesflash-gamesfree-to-playgame-shutdownshutdownSun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Faunasphere goes Facebook]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/faunasphere-goes-facebook/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/faunasphere-goes-facebook/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/faunasphere-goes-facebook/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We've received word today from the team over at Faunasphere that they're taking their game over to the land of Facebook, to show the "social gamers" what a MMO really is.

Faunsphere Facebook and Faunsphere.com will be linked together into one large world, letting users from both realms interact with one another. The game will continue to run on the same microtransaction system, where users can buy additional items for their fauna and commission scientific tests to know more about the hidden skills that lie in their favorite animals.

All we can do now is pray that this style of game catches on in Facebook, so when we ask our friends if they play any MMOs, they don't respond with, "Oh, yeah, Farmville!" Then, we won't feel the need to throttle people.

MassivelyFaunasphere goes Facebook originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsbig-fish-gamesfacebookfacebook-appsfacebook-gamesfaunafaunasphereflash-based-mmoflash-mmosocial-gamessocial-gamingThu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fight smog with dogs in Faunasphere]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/14/fight-smog-with-dogs-in-faunasphere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/14/fight-smog-with-dogs-in-faunasphere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/14/fight-smog-with-dogs-in-faunasphere/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pollution is bad, mmmmkay? That's the general theme of Faunasphere, another flash-based MMO that takes a very different look at MMO gameplay.

Faunasphere is all about protecting the environment and destroying pollution while evolving your fauna -- animals with specific skills that will aid you in completing quests in this scientifically advanced world. Some fauna can dig, others can swim, and others can track scents and more. Fauna can also be bred as well, letting you create new species of animals while increasing their stats.

The flash based MMO also includes the ability to create your own world for your fauna to live in, awarding you items as you complete quests and level up. It's easy to pick up and play, and the animations are pretty cute as well. It's also free... did we mention that? Well, we did now. Give it a whirl, as it's a great MMO for when you're on the go and can't be bothered to install a big game.

MassivelyFight smog with dogs in Faunasphere originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsbig-fish-gamesfaunafaunasphereflash-based-mmoflash-mmofree-to-playkidsplayer-housingSun, 14 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Fish Games snags $83 million for expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/big-fish-games-snags-83-million-for-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/big-fish-games-snags-83-million-for-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/big-fish-games-snags-83-million-for-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In what is touted as the the largest investment of venture capital for a U.S. online gaming company, Big Fish Games has recently secured $83.3 million in funding from VC firms Balderton Capital, General Catalyst Partners and Salmon River Capital. This is all in addition to the $8.7 million they received in 2005, making this developer one of the most heavily-funded out there.

You may remember in November of last year when Big Fish acquired MMO developer Thinglefin which was founded by Jeremy Friesen and Ryan O'Rourke, formerly of Monolith and Sony Online Entertainment. These industry vets have previously worked on The Matrix Online and Asheron's Call. This new MMO from Thinglefin is described as a free-to-play, browser-based MMO, and is currently still in development.

MassivelyBig Fish Games snags $83 million for expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callbig-fish-gamesbrowser-basedfree-to-playfundingmonolithsony-online-entertainmentthe-matrix-onlinethinglefinventure-capitalSat, 13 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Fish Games reels in MMO developer Thinglefin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/28/big-fish-games-reels-in-mmo-developer-thinglefin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/28/big-fish-games-reels-in-mmo-developer-thinglefin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/28/big-fish-games-reels-in-mmo-developer-thinglefin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Big Fish Games have tossed their line in to the gaming industry, and pulled up Thinglefin, a team composed of people that worked on The Matrix Online and Asheron's Call. Awful puns aside, it would seem that Thinglefin's proposed in-browser MMO, covered by Worlds in Motion earlier in the year, is a good acquisition for Big Fish Games as it fits with their more casual lineup of games.

The article from Worlds In Motion gave a few more details about Thinglefin's new game, including comments on the company's blog from founder Toby Ragaini (who was also the lead designer for The Matrix Online and Asheron's Call). He said that it will be free to play, will run in a browser without the need to download or install anything from them, and that there will be some premium features that people can choose to pay for.

[Via Gamasutra]

MassivelyBig Fish Games reels in MMO developer Thinglefin originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACbig-fish-gamescasualfree-to-playpress-releasethinglefinTMOtoby-ragainiWed, 28 Nov 2007 21:30:00 EST