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[GDCO 2010: Bigpoint's Alan Dunton on the next-gen of browser MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/gdco-2010-bigpoints-alan-dunton-on-the-next-gen-of-browsers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/gdco-2010-bigpoints-alan-dunton-on-the-next-gen-of-browsers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/gdco-2010-bigpoints-alan-dunton-on-the-next-gen-of-browsers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bigpoint has had a very successful run as a multi-game publisher over the last few years. If you're familiar with Seafight or Dark Orbit, then you have played some of the company's games. Of course, those titles -- plus the many others -- are just not enough for the devs at Bigpoint. They wanted to host, create and specify a game for the North American market. What they ended up with are a few titles -- The Mummy Online, Battlestar Galactica, and Ruined Online -- all crafted in the same amazing Unity browser engine.

What this will do is allow for more flexibility, accessibility, and possibility. Bigpoint's background in free-to-play and microtransaction-based games will also help to monetize the titles -- a delicate science in itself. We were able to meet up with Alan Dunton, and he explained to us what Ruined Online meant for the company and for the future of Battlestar and The Mummy.

Continue reading GDCO 2010: Bigpoint's Alan Dunton on the next-gen of browser MMOs

MassivelyGDCO 2010: Bigpoint's Alan Dunton on the next-gen of browser MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-duntonbattlestar-galacticabeau-hindmanBigpointborderlandsbrowserbrowser-basedbrowser-gamesbsgbsg-onlinebsgof2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playfreemiumftpgame-developers-conferenceGDCgdc-2010gdc2010gdcogdco-2010mmofpspost-apocalypticshooterTue, 12 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion grips top ten digital sales charts a month past release]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You'd be forgiven for thinking Aion would've fallen off the Steam and DIrect2Drive top ten sales charts, what with the fire hose blast of new PC releases. Fortunately for NCsoft, that isn't the case as the game is still clinging to said charts in the face of games like Dragon Age: Origins, Borderlands, Torchlight and Left 4 Dead 2. Boldness!

Actually, the game is pretty darn good -- if you don't mind your peanut butter with extra grind -- so that's not a huge surprise all things considered. It's always a good sign when an MMO can stay on the top ten after its launch, moreso when it does so against high profile, high pedigree releases. So, rejoice Aion players, you've likely got a strong community! (We could've just told you that, but now numbers vindicate said observation.)

MassivelyAion grips top ten digital sales charts a month past release originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionborderlandsd2ddigitaldirect2drivedragon-agedragon-age-originsl4d2nc-westncsoftsteamtop-tentorchlightSat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the threshold for an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/the-daily-grind-whats-the-threshold-for-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/the-daily-grind-whats-the-threshold-for-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/the-daily-grind-whats-the-threshold-for-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


This question is an old one, but it's always one that brings out some interesting opinions. As technology becomes more and more connected, people continue to move their games into connectivity further and further, we have to ask -- what's an MMO, precisely? The recent release of Borderlands has brought the question into the forefront for many people, as it features a rather steady and all but required online mode... but it's not absolutely required, and there's no world persistence. Does that qualify, or is it just an offline game with some MMO elements?

You can certainly argue that they're only distantly related, or you can argue that they're both part of the same genre. By the same token, you can make the case for or against the now-ubiquitous Facebook games -- which are persistent and spread across several players, after all. Today, we ask our readers where they draw the line between MMO and a game that just happens to have an online component. Where do you draw the line, and if you're so inclined, what's your reasoning? Persistence of world? Depth of play? Or is it a knee-jerk reaction where you might not be able to define an MMO, but you know it when you see it?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the threshold for an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicborderlandsculturefacebookgame-mechanicsoffline-playopinionpersistencetdgthe-daily-grindWed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite non-MMO genre?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-non-mmo-genre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-non-mmo-genre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-non-mmo-genre/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Long before we had the soaring crafts and grand interstellar vistas of EVE Online, most games that involved spaceships were of a very set type. They usually involved one small ship, a horde of other ships, bullets flying everywhere, and a number of lives that were expressly designed to eat up as many quarters as possible. The gaming field has changed quite a bit since then, but scrolling shooters in the vein of Darius or R-Type can still eat up hours on end... much like most MMOs, although without as much emphasis on virtual worlds. And there's little denying that for fans of the genre, they're as effective at reducing stress.

Today, we ask our readers: what's your favorite game type that doesn't fall under our header? Do you prefer traditional console RPGs? Do you veer more toward fighting games, or strategy titles, or is it a mishmash of different things that appeal to you? You could argue the elements of Team Fortress 2 or Borderlands, but they generally fall under a different aegis than Champions Online or EverQuest II for most players... so what about you? What do you like to kick back with when you aren't on your MMO of choice?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite non-MMO genre? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlandschampions-onlinecoculturedariuseq2eqiieveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iiopinionother-gamesr-typetdgteam-fortress-2tf2the-daily-grindSun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: 'Comfort' grind]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/the-digital-continuum-comfort-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/the-digital-continuum-comfort-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/the-digital-continuum-comfort-grind/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Often times grind is lambasted as the worst part of this genre, something to be minimized and removed to any and all extent. I understand all too well why; hundreds of hours of brain melting repetitiveness. Only here's the rub: the very nature of MMOs -- persistence -- creates a grind. Unless you keep it under a reasonable number of hours played, it'll turn into a festival of grind.

I used to think this was a colossal problem, yet lately I'm beginning to rethink my stance.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: 'Comfort' grind

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: 'Comfort' grind originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionblizzardborderlandscomforteqeverquestfeaturedgearbox-softwarencsoftopinionsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-digital-continuumworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST