Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite in-game wildlife?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The general rule of MMOs is pretty simple to understand -- if it moves, either get a quest from it or kill it. Natural critters other than enemy soldiers exist mostly so that you can occasionally kill ten rats rather than killing ten beastmen. But from the chocobos of Final Fantasy XI to the elementally affected critters of RIFT, there are a plethora of different creatures that roam the land that you aren't necessarily meant to kill -- or at least those that serve a purpose in the world's ecology.

In some games, such as the deep space setting of EVE Online, you're not going to find much in the way of wildlife. But in the games that do feature animals meandering about, which ones are your favorites? What local fauna catches your eye, either because it reminds you that the game takes place in a living world or just because it's so alien and bizarre?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite in-game wildlife? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsbirdscreaturescrittersenvironmentfaunaopinionratssettingtdgthe-daily-grindwildlifeSat, 23 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


After playing so many games, there are moments that stick out in my mind that make me smile. Some of them are these really epic stories about boss battles, or hard fought PvP moments, or personal notes of glory and triumph. Yet others are drastically different. They're calm, touching moments, where the game either really affected me on an emotional level or wowed me with some attention to detail.

In the frantic picture of game design, balancing, art direction, content, and bug squashing of making a highly complex MMO, development teams begin to miss things. Who cares about how a daisy moves when there's serious issues at hand, like item drop rates not working out the way they should be? Yet some development teams do see these little issues and they do take the time to program them in. Not every user may notice them, but some users will, and appreciate them.

This column is dedicated to the little things in our virtual lives. Come with me as we look through some popular and some unpopular MMOs, and highlight some of the things that development teams have done to really hook us into their world.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbearsbirdsblizzardbreebree-landfeaturedfishgrizzly-hillsjoystiqfeatureslotrothe-lord-of-the-rings-onlineturbineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos crew addresses the issue of bird-men]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

At this stage of the game, it really feels like we've culled absolutely every bit of information that Flagship Studios has to give about their upcoming dungeon crawler Mythos. We've already found out about the in-game mall, email system, group content, mini-games, the class differentiation, and what color sherbet Max Schaefer prefers on a particularly hot day.

As it turns out however, there's always more minutiae to mull over! In the latest interview, the Flagship boys are asked about a bunch of things that you likely didn't even think to ask in the first place. What's going to be done about farmers, griefers, and spawn campers? (Something) How awesome will crafting be? (So awesome!) Will there be a bird race? (Like Big Bird? Maybe...) And as to the elusive question of whether and when the open beta is going to start, they still wouldn't give a solid answer. While that disappoints a little bit, at least their release date isn't set in mud, because we all know what that meant.

MassivelyMythos crew addresses the issue of bird-men originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birdscraftingflagship-studiosinterviewmax-schaefermythosracesrelease-datetravis-baldreetthTue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST