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 Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Pro League of Legends team Dignitas
Although it would be nice to win all our games on the merits of skill alone, a lot of matches of League of Legends are won or lost at the character select screen. While individual champion balance is always in flux, the synergies between champions matters far more.

This week in the Summoner's Guidebook, I'll give you some advice on picking characters that complement your team's strengths. Remember that a champion is only as good as you can play him or her, and a better champion doesn't ensure victory -- it just makes victory more likely. This is League of Legends, though, and we should take every advantage we can get.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attack-speed-buffsbuffscrowd-controlsdignitasf2pfeaturedfree-to-playget-over-here-and-help-the-teamleagueleague-of-legendslolmobaopinionriotriot-gamesskillshotskillshotsslowssnaresstop-chasing-killsstunssummoners-guidebookteam-compositionteam-compositionsteam-playerteam-playingthe-summoners-guidebookThu, 17 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/forget-guild-housing-spirit-tales-is-bringing-guild-islands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/forget-guild-housing-spirit-tales-is-bringing-guild-islands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/forget-guild-housing-spirit-tales-is-bringing-guild-islands/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Spirit Tales
Because there are so many free-to-play games to choose from, developers who come up with something unique have an edge in attracting players. That's exactly what KoramGame Ltd. did with the guild island system in its upcoming title Spirit Tales. Why settle for just a house when you can own an entire private island?

"Guilds have had a long standing tradition in most MMORPGs, but never has there been a feature this extensive and dedicated to guilds. We're convinced that our Guild Island system will not only add to the traditional guild experience, but also take it in an exciting new direction," says General Manager Yann Wang

When guild members need a break from battling creatures and capturing magical pets, they can relax on their very own customizable guild islands, where they can access special buffs and content. Amenities that can be constructed on the islands include hot springs that provide power buffs, statues to immortalize guild members, a throne room meeting hall, a warehouse to store additional guild gear, and a buff vendor to access unique buffs.

If you want to get a glimpse of guild islands live and in action, join the Spirit Tales livestream event on April 13th at 5 p.m. EDT. There will even be prizes!

MassivelyForget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animebuffsf2pfree-to-playguild-housingguild-islandskoramgamekoramgame-ltdLiveStreamspirit-talesyann-wangThu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV unveils the full scope of patch 1.21]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No, it's not Vivi.
The time is now -- Final Fantasy XIV's sweeping patch 1.21 is going live. That means players can experience the new Job system, do battle in two new instanced dungeons, and relax in their new private rooms. The patch notes make it clear that as with most of the game's patches, there's a lot going on even beyond the headlining features for the update, including intra-city teleportation services, new achievement categories to explore, and new ways for players to spend guild marks.

Patch 1.21 also brings along a revision to the food and medicine of the game, with food serving universally as a small long-term buff and medicines working as short effects or buffs with a big impact. The team has also revised accessories, doing away with the previous mechanic of slot costs. And that's not even touching upon new missions for provisioning from the Grand Companies, the introduction of chocobo barding, or any number of other smaller features added with the list. It's a lot of stuff to absorb, and it should keep adventurers happy for quite some time.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV unveils the full scope of patch 1.21 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsconsoleconsolesdungeonsexperiencefantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfoodgame-mechanicsgame-updatesinstanced-dungeonsinstanced-raidsjob-systemjobslevelingmedicinenewspatchpatchesrestsquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV previews its revamp to food and medicine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Kicking it up approximately 14% of a notch.
Final Fantasy XIV's foods and medicines have always been a major part of the game -- after all, both Culinarians and Alchemists focus on producing precisely those items. Unfortunately, the items have been awkward to make, unwieldy to use, and frequently unclear in their effects. That's why the game's next major patch is bringing along a major overhaul to the system, giving the two categories of item clear roles and more transparent effects.

While the full list of item changes is not unveiled in the preview, the general philosophy is laid out in detail. Food items provide long-term buffs (including a small experience gain) with lesser overall values and a very short cooldown between uses. Medicines, on the other hand, provide a short-term buff with a long cooldown, but the buff is significantly larger. These changes will also tie into a revamp of several recipes to account for ingredient locations and overall synthesis difficulty. It's something to look forward to in the game's next major patch, and it promises to make your character's eating habits much easier to manage.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews its revamp to food and medicine originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buff-systemsbuffsconsumablesffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfoodmedicinepatchpatchesrevampsquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Luvinia Online
Gear in MMOs isn't just about making a fashion statement; it's often the difference between life and death, success and failure, envy and pity. So it is with Luvinia Online, as gear will be a primary focus of any adventurer who doesn't want his lifespan to be measured in minutes.

Outspark has been gracious enough to treat us to a comprehensive introduction to how gear works in Luvinia. On top of the expected stats and rarity values, Luvinia has a few interesting ideas about how to modify gear and trade it between characters.

Luvinia Online finished closed beta last month, but is heading for open beta fairly soon. Hit the jump to start your edumacation in the fine art of equipment, courtesy of the development team at Outspark.

Continue reading Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education

MassivelyMassively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabound-to-characterbuffsclosed-betaenergy-stonesequipmentfreezinggearluvinialuvinia-onlineopen-betaoutsparkplayer-trade-systempvpraritystatstradingunbinding-stonesFri, 12 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos guilds get buffed the heck up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/mythos-guilds-get-buffed-the-heck-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/mythos-guilds-get-buffed-the-heck-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/mythos-guilds-get-buffed-the-heck-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mythos is already going through a few growth spurts in its first few months of life. Aww, look at it -- isn't it adorable? It's trying to talk... it's taking its first steps... it's buffing guilds and adding in a ranking system!

Guild buffs are exactly what they sound like: buffs that go out to every member of the guild. These passive buffs to experience, health, defense and more can be earned by simply leveling the guild up. The higher the guild levels, the better the buffs become. In Mythos, guilds purchase these levels with gold.

And for guilds who are out to truly excel, Mythos now gives each group a rank depending on its guild level and how much time its members spend in the game. The best of the best will get an even better guild-wide buff to experience gain and luck. The game will hand out rankings once a week during maintenance.

You can get into the nitty-gritty details of these systems on the Mythos forums!

MassivelyMythos guilds get buffed the heck up originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsf2pfree-to-playfrogsterguildguild-buffsguild-rankingmythosmythos-eumythos-europerankingranking-systemTue, 21 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Superheroes get a helping hand with Champions Online's weekend boost event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/superheroes-get-a-helping-hand-with-champions-onlines-weekend-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/superheroes-get-a-helping-hand-with-champions-onlines-weekend-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/superheroes-get-a-helping-hand-with-champions-onlines-weekend-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Even the most self-sufficient superhero needs a boost now and then from a welcome ally, which is why Cryptic's starting Champions Online's summer with a weekend of love, boosts, and free content.

Starting Friday, June 17th at 1:00 p.m. EDT and running until Monday, June 20th at the same time, Champions is giving its players a weekend worth of boosts. All players will receive a triad of helpful boosts, including Triumphant Recovery, Heroic Comeback and Team XP. Steam players get a little something extra in the form of a sassy Pistolwhip Sidekick to help with the fights.

On top of all this, Cryptic is making the Demonflame adventure pack free to everyone. Normally this pack is behind a pay wall, so this presents a great opportunity for frugal capes to check out the content and earn a few snazzy rewards before Monday.

MassivelySuperheroes get a helping hand with Champions Online's weekend boost event originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boostsbuffschampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosdemonflamedemonflame-adventure-packpistolwhip-sidekickpromotionsteamweekend-boost-eventweekend-eventThu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Despite being deep in the beta process -- or perhaps because of it -- Eden Eternal has emerged to highlight another one of its 15 classes: the Cleric. Master of buffing and heals, the Cleric promises to be a welcome addition to any team (not to mention a very solo-capable class).

Clerics are unlocked at level 5 and are the first characters to be capable of healing and supporting others. The class has access to seven Cleric-only skills as well as five skills available to all support classes. And while Clerics -- like all classes in the game -- can wield any weapon, they do the best when equipped with a mace.

You can check out the class trailer for the Cleric after the jump, and make sure to check out our first impressions of Eden Eternal if you haven't done so already!

Continue reading Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric

MassivelyEden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesbetabuffsclassclassesclericeden-eternalf2pfree-to-playhealersupportThu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Don't give up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In Fallen Earth PvP, there is a pretty wide rift between the haves and the have-nots. A novice will rarely fare well in Fallen Earth combat, but there are rare exceptions. There are some groups that fight so well that it might even seem like they are hacking or cheating in some way. Usually, this isn't the case. What they are doing, however, is using every advantage they can get out of the game mechanics. They are also working together like a well-oiled machine. This takes a bit of knowledge and a lot of practice. A well-trained and coordinated team will make short work of a rag-tag pick-up group.

In this post, I will lay out the basic knowledge that you will need to PvP. If you take these few pointers to heart, you will be more likely to understand what happens when you lose and what to do to correct it. Overcoming the learning curve in Fallen Earth PvP requires two things. The first and most important thing is patience. When you get knocked down, you have to brush yourself off and try again. The second thing you will need is a firm understanding of the game mechanics. If you understand the rules of the game, you will be more likely to figure out what you did wrong and what your opponents did right. I can't teach you how to be patient, but I can tell you a few things about the game mechanics that might help you stay alive. Even if you never plan to PvP (mobs can be vicious too), click past the cut to start your training.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Don't give up

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Don't give up originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsconsumablescontingenciesdpsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfocus-firegearhealshotsicarus-studiosmutationspvppvp-guideskillssnaresstunstacticsvoice-commsFri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dying in Fallen Earth is not much different than it is in most other games. It's usually just a temporary setback or a very minor inconvenience. But for some, it seems to be more than that. In this week's Wasteland Diaries, I would like to ponder what might go through the mind of a gamer when he takes a dirt-nap in-game. In the past few decades I've spent playing PC games, I've seen some pretty over-the-top reactions to dying. I've tried to infer what might be going through some of these extremely emotional people's minds when they buy the farm. Various death penalties evoke wildly different emotions in general, so I'll start there.

When you die in Fallen Earth, you lose all of your current non-stance buffs. Most buffs can be easily re-applied, except for your food, drinks and other consumables. It's still not a major loss, especially now that food and drink components are ultra-cheap. If there's nobody around to rez you, you must respawn at the cloner and take a 5% durability hit on your equipped gear. It's still not a big deal. And you'll get cumulative cloning sickness, which can get pretty nasty, but you have to die a lot in a short period of time to warrant tier five. And the sickness only lasts five minutes. After the cut, I'll delve deeper into the plight of the struck-down avatar and try to determine what it all means.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscloner-sicknessconsumablesdeathdeath-penaltyfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfpsicarusicarus-studioslifenetmmorpgplayer-lootingpvprespawnshooterFri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Every game has certain classes that seem unique. I don't mean to suggest that the rest of City of Heroes isn't unique, but when the game launched, the Controller was definitely in a league by itself. Time has shown that the Mastermind's personal army makes the archetype a bit more uncommon than a class focusing on holds and control elements, but the Controller was pretty unique stuff when the game launched almost seven years ago. Or at least, it was to me. Other audience members may feel differently.

These days, with the trinity in most games having supplanted any unique roles, it's even more odd to think of "support" as a party role to be filled. But we're not here to talk about the gradual erosion of what was once a far more robust party structure; we're here to talk about Controllers. They're one of the original heroic archetypes, and they're also a very odd class from a design perspective, with a lot of offensive abilities but very little direct punch. So whether you are new to City of Heroes or just have never played with a hold set before, click on past the break for a look at what makes the archetype tick.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporterarchetypesbuffscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassclassescohcolumncontrollerscovcoxdebuffsfeaturedncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiossupportWed, 13 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI brings updates for adventuring fellows]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/final-fantasy-xi-brings-updates-for-adventuring-fellows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/final-fantasy-xi-brings-updates-for-adventuring-fellows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/final-fantasy-xi-brings-updates-for-adventuring-fellows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While Final Fantasy XI's Adventuring Fellows have always been an excellent idea, some of the implementation hasn't been quite as strong. A combination of a short summon time and strict limitations on where your fellow can be active have always hampered the system. The next update for the game is aimed at addressing several of these issues, however, giving players more reasons to call a fellow out and more opportunities to do so throughout the world.

Active duration for fellows has been doubled across the board, with new fellows staying for 90 minutes and increasing to 180 minutes at maximum bond. The number of enemies that can be engaged has been increased even more significantly; your fellow will initially engage 50 enemies before departing, rising to 100 enemies at the apex. Combine that with several new areas for Final Fantasy XI players to call their backup NPC, and there's the hope that your fellow will be less of an occasional buff and more of a near-constant companion.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI brings updates for adventuring fellows originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuring-fellowbuffsfellowffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiimprovementsnpcnpc-companionpatchespending-updatessquaresquare-enixsystem-updatesupdatesFri, 01 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In DC Universe Online, all of the different powersets can pump out DPS -- however, the trinity is alive and well even in this superhero game. Thankfully, due to the way the powers are designed, our ability to stack effects, and the heavy utilization of combos, grouping or raiding in DC Universe Online doesn't generally feel like you're stuck simply mashing buttons. If you get in with a regular group, you'll learn the ways you can play your powers off each other using synergy, thereby adding an entirely new level of awareness to encounters.

Unfortunately, endgame isn't just about going into an instance and unleashing everyone's max damage to tear through the place. While all characters can do damage in DC Universe Online, roles are still vitally important for group PvE and endgame content. As a preamble to a series that will look at builds for each role in the game and what they can bring to the table, I thought it would be a good idea to take this first week to look at which powersets go with the roles players use in endgame. Join me behind the break as I break it all down for those who are new to the game or perhaps are looking for a refresher.

Continue reading Alter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online

MassivelyAlter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alter-egoaoebuffsclassescontrollercrowd-controldc-universe-onlinedcuodebuffsdirect-damagedpsendgamefeaturedgroupshealerhealsholy-trinityinstancespowersetspverolessoesony-online-entertainmenttanktrinitySat, 19 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[King of Kings 3 shows off its world-class menagerie]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/king-of-kings-3-shows-off-its-world-class-menagerie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/king-of-kings-3-shows-off-its-world-class-menagerie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/king-of-kings-3-shows-off-its-world-class-menagerie/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

King of Kings 3 recently launched amidst some rather elaborate promises the game may or may not be able to follow up on. (The verdict is out on whether or not it truly is the answer to all our dreams, for instance.) But gamigo's most recent game promises a fair bit of love for a longstanding player favorite: pets. We have a small preview gallery showing off a sample of the variety of pets available in the game, ranging from small helper fairies to class-specific helper pets.

There are three basic categories of pets: imamus, class pets, and mounts. Imamus boost both the character's leveling rate and regeneration rate while serving as a remote vendor for unwanted items. Mounts come in a wide variety of flavors while offering players unspecified buffs, and class pets serve as a boon for several classes -- Sword Mages can conjure an animated sword as a companion, while Bishops get a guardian angel. If the description of the pets of King of Kings 3 interests you, take a peek at the gallery for some samples of the companions in action.

Gallery: King of Kings 3

MassivelyKing of Kings 3 shows off its world-class menagerie originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscompanion-petscompanionsf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygamigoking-of-kings-3kok3mountsnew-releasesnew-titlespet-classespetsscreenshotscreenshotsWed, 24 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan 2.0.7 coming today after extended downtime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/age-of-conan-2-0-7-coming-today-after-extended-downtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/age-of-conan-2-0-7-coming-today-after-extended-downtime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/age-of-conan-2-0-7-coming-today-after-extended-downtime/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you had your heart set on a little Hyborian hooky this afternoon, go ahead and cancel that sick day and head on in to the office. Funcom is in the process of uploading Age of Conan version 2.0.7 to the live servers, and according to a post on the official boards by senior community manager Tarib, the downtime has been extended from six to a full eight hours (it began early this morning at 7:00 a.m. EDT).

The good news is that the patch looks to improve performance in Khitai's Northern Grasslands zone (often called Northern Crashlands due to its low framerates and frequent lockups). While the jury is still out on the success of this aspect of the patch, it's gratifying to see Funcom taking action on the matter. 2.0.7 is also tweaking the ranger class (yes, again), in the seemingly neverending struggle to bring Hyboria's bow and crossbow crowd into line with the rest of the classes. This time it's not a nerf but rather a series of mini-buffs, including more damage for the deft stabs skill, a better snare effect on pin down, and more.

You can view the patch notes from the Test Live server, but you'll need to sign in with a Test Live forum account.

MassivelyAge of Conan 2.0.7 coming today after extended downtime originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0.7age-of-conanaocbuffsdeft-stabsfuncomlagnorthern-grasslandspatchperformance-optimizationspin-downrangerrangerssnaretaribtest-liveupdateWed, 06 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindictus gives characters a moment around the campfire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The focus that Nexon has pushed with Vindictus has been one of non-stop, no-holds-barred action. While that's not a bad thing in any sense, it does lead one to wonder if there will be anything but the non-stop slaughter to deal with. As it turns out, there will be a feature in the game not just allowing players a brief rest, but actually encouraging one -- the campfire. Long known as a place where adventurers can congregate and rest, campfires can be built mid-dungeon and provide not just a chance to stop and chat, but also offer vital services.

Obtained from an NPC early in the game, campfire kits and books allow players to put a campfire together, giving them small buffs that increase the longer they sit by the fire. The fire improves attack, defense, and health regeneration, with greater bonuses coming the longer you enjoy its warming presence. It also offers a more subtle benefit to players by allowing the repair of any damaged items. Although you can only assemble one per dungeon and gain no protection while sitting at the fire, it seems that Vindictus has built in a mechanic to encourage the party to sit down and chat for a minute or two before resuming the charnel-house slaughter.

Gallery: Vindictus campfire preview

MassivelyVindictus gives characters a moment around the campfire originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscampfirecampingcamping-mechanicsdungeondungeonsfiregame-mechanicsnexonnexon-usapausepausing-gameplayregenerationrepairsrestslow-buffssocialsocial-mechanicsstacking-buffsvindictusviolenceMon, 04 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online details plans for buffing turrets and daemons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/warhammer-online-details-plans-for-buffing-turrets-and-daemons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/warhammer-online-details-plans-for-buffing-turrets-and-daemons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/warhammer-online-details-plans-for-buffing-turrets-and-daemons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pets of any kind can pose some issues in games. On the one hand, you want both temporary and permanent pets to provide a utility; on the other hand, you don't want someone crippled without the pet. Warhammer Online has a number of classes that use both permanent and temporary companions, and as part of the next update for the game, the team is working on making the engineer's turrets and the magus's daemons more useful for players in combat.

Both daemons and turrets will now scale with the owner's stats, allowing their growth to keep better pace with more powerful characters. Equally important, however, is the new stacking buff that both types will receive when the engineer or magus remains near their pet. The buff will increase damage gradually while the player remains nearby, up to a 20% buff to damage output. Take a look at the full details from the development team in this small preview, a welcome promised bone for Warhammer Online players.

MassivelyWarhammer Online details plans for buffing turrets and daemons originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsdaemonsdamagedamage-scalingdevelopmentea-gamesea-mythicea-warhammerea-warhammer-onlineelectronic-artsengineerfuture-updatesgear-scalingmagusmythicmythic-eamythic-entertainmentpet-scalingpetspreviewsturretswarwar-eawarhammerwarhammer-eawarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-eaTue, 14 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: We are gathered here today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-we-are-gathered-here-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-we-are-gathered-here-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-we-are-gathered-here-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

As suggested in the title, we are gathered here today for a purpose: To celebrate the community of City of Heroes and all of the discussions that they've been taking part in over the past several weeks. (What, you thought it was for Terry? You clearly haven't been following along.) After several weeks with almost non-stop activity, the past couple have been fairly silent, with only a few tidbits off of the official Facebook page to discuss in any depth.

But that hasn't stopped anyone before, and it's not likely to stop anyone now. After all, we've got chatter about when you've played far too much City of Heroes, the day that Mystic Fortune killed someone, and Santa as a crossdresser. No, really. So as long as you don't mind a somewhat more irreverent week of community discussions, click on past the break. (If you do mind it, well, we had a very serious illustration back around here. That's almost as good.)

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: We are gathered here today

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: We are gathered here today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcomedycommunitycovcoxfeaturedforumsgame-mechanicshumorncsoftparagonparagon-studiospowerpower-levelssillythreadsWed, 23 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI reveals new and improved job abilities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/final-fantasy-xi-reveals-new-and-improved-job-abilities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/final-fantasy-xi-reveals-new-and-improved-job-abilities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/final-fantasy-xi-reveals-new-and-improved-job-abilities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Intellectually, Final Fantasy XI players knew that new job abilities were coming with the June version update. Five levels is the traditional interval for new abilities anyhow, and it would be silly not to include some form of upgrade. That being said, there's a world of difference between the vague concept of new job abilities and what's been revealed today in an actual list. The abilities being granted are both far-reaching and significant, including the retroactive inclusion of Dual Wield into a Dancer's bag of tricks at Level 20.

The added abilities and traits are rather different from the norm for the game's leveling scheme, coming at several different intervals along the path to 80. Notably absent are any new abilities for White and Red Mages, with Blue Mages having no specific abilities but rather a promise of new Blue Magic over the five-level spread. And the contents of that spread are quite interesting -- new rolls for Corsairs, steps for Dancers, bonuses to damage for Rangers, and bigger Absorbs for Dark Knights are just the tip of the iceberg. Take a look and see what your Final Fantasy XI job of choice will have added to its bag of tricks next week.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI reveals new and improved job abilities originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xijobsjune-version-updatelevel-capnew-abilitiesnew-levelsnew-skillspatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 18 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Dominion patch notes long but packed with info on game changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/eve-dominion-patch-notes-long-but-packed-with-info-on-game-chang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/eve-dominion-patch-notes-long-but-packed-with-info-on-game-chang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/eve-dominion-patch-notes-long-but-packed-with-info-on-game-chang/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Dominion expansion for EVE Online will arrive tomorrow, December 1st, after a lengthy downtime of roughly 19 hours (02:00 GMT/UTC to 21:00 GMT/UTC). Access to the EVE website and forums will be down for much of this time, as will the EVE API, but CCP Games has compiled a tome of Dominion patch notes to occupy at least some of that time. There's also a player discussion of the Dominion features and changes on the game's forums with some clarification on details from the CCP devs.

If reading through the full patch notes (10,000 words and climbing with updates) isn't really your thing, a few of the EVE bloggers have discussed the highlights of what's new in this expansion. Mynxee covers the good, the bad, and the comical in Dominion on her Life in Low Sec blog. We also recommend checking out Casiella's take on the Dominion patch notes over at the Ecliptic Rift blog. Casiella discusses the myriad features that haven't gotten much attention so far: voice fonts added to EVE Voice in chat channels; the in-game jukebox now using MP3s with playlist support; and how player actions for the Caldari race via factional warfare now impact the rival Gallente storyline missions.

MassivelyEVE Dominion patch notes long but packed with info on game changes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boostsbuffscasiellaccpccp-gamesdominionecliptic-rifteveeve-onlineexpansionsfactional-warfaregame-mechanicslauncheslife-in-low-secmynxeenerfsnew-featurespatch-notessci-fiserver-downtimevoice-fontsMon, 30 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Random acts of awesome]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/the-daily-grind-random-acts-of-awesome/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/the-daily-grind-random-acts-of-awesome/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/the-daily-grind-random-acts-of-awesome/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We've all probably had it happen. You're out fighting and someone runs past. Fwoom! Perhaps you're sitting peacefully, waiting for your party to catch up and zing! The next thing you know, there's an aura around your character as you gain a buff. Sometimes it happens so fast that you don't even get a chance to say thanks - or even figure out how the heck it got there in the first place. Other times, you'll all be standing around and someone will just randomly start buffing others for something to do.

This morning we thought we'd ask - have you ever been on either end of a drive-by buffing? If you're the buff-ee, do you try to say thanks, or do you just keep on trucking? If you're the buff-er, do you expect thanks? Or are you just having fun making other people's day a little bit better? Has anyone's run-by buffing helped turn the tide for you? Add your thoughts, stories, and other related whatnots in the comments below!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Random acts of awesome originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffbuffsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindSun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Take egg, insert onto face

One of the biggest blunders of the "I can't dress myself" type had to have been The Matrix Online. Take The Matrix franchise -- a world that is washed in a deep cyberpunk atmosphere and slick, luxurious styles. Morpheus's purple vest and yellow tie, Trinity's catsuits, Neo's coat -- all of these defined the culture that was, undoubtedly, The Matrix. How you dressed was as much of the game as the game itself.

Then, the game rolled out, people jumped in, and everyone was excited over all of the options. They had trenchcoats, dresses, boots, vests, shirts, jumpsuits, hats, gloves, corsets, you name it. Clothing vendors had a very serious appeal upon launch as everyone ran around, getting dressed exactly how they wanted to look. Finally, the world looked right.

"The combinations of clothing that worked diminished until everyone looked like they had fallen into a display of paint cans at the local hardware store."
Then, just a few days in, people found upgraded equipment. Clothing that carried stat buffs instead of just sitting on your body. Soon that slick style began to quickly degrade as people were combining green shoes with dull yellow shirts and red pants. The combinations of clothing that worked diminished until everyone looked like they had fallen into a display of paint cans at the local hardware store. An aspect of the culture that was so undoubtedly The Matrix had been swiftly crushed by the player's instinct to maximize benefits and minimize losses.

Let the creativity fall to the player

It's easy to say something like, "Well, just take the stats off of the clothing," but the fact is that our culture is now attuned to having equipment that boosts stats. When they don't have that, they get a little antsy because they may not "feel" the progression of the game.

Take City of Heroes, for example. A game where you could wear basically anything from level 1, and look exactly the way you wanted to. What happened down the road? They added items that had stats because players wanted them. On a creative level, I disagree with that decision, but on a design level I can fully support it. You want to give the players the comfort they want.

But, I don't think the idea of separating stats from appearance is dead. If more developers would find ways to embrace that system, more people are going to find it an easy system to navigate. This way people get to wear what they want without having the game force them into outfits they may not like to see. If you want a few games for examples, City of Heroes and Phantasy Star Online are two that come to mind.

And if you're worried about still having players armor look better and better as the game progresses, then that's still very doable. Clothing items can still be rare drops -- perhaps as a token that everyone can loot and turn in for a piece of the outfit. Clothing items could still be level restricted as well, so a level 1 can't be dressed up in the max level look. Progression is left intact while still giving players enough freedom to not look like rodeo clowns.

Just, simply, let the stats come from somewhere else.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who wants his fashion to look cohesive for once. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's rambling on his personal blog, The Experience Curve. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com. You can also follow him on Twitter through Massively, or through his personal feed.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbuffsclothingcultureequipmentfashionpentavisionpves4s4-leaguestatisticsstatsstylish-esper-shooting-sportsthe-matrix-onlineFri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Future Final Fantasy XI update to expand Fields of Valor, Moblin Maze Mongers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/future-final-fantasy-xi-update-to-expand-fields-of-valor-moblin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/future-final-fantasy-xi-update-to-expand-fields-of-valor-moblin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/future-final-fantasy-xi-update-to-expand-fields-of-valor-moblin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Square-Enix has informed Final Fantasy XI players that the next big content patch will be delivered in April, and players have much to look forward to. The Fields of Valor and Moblin Maze Mongers systems will be expanding, due to their warm reception at the hands of FFXI players.

Fields of Valor is the new questing system placed in the game that allows players to be rewarded with handsome amounts of experience and gil for taking down monsters in certain areas of the world in addition to the standard exp and rewards that the monster already gives, much like a World of Warcraft "kill quest." The difference is in completing these quests the player will receive a new type of currency, tabs, that give access to temporary buffs and home nation teleports at any Field Manual placed in the game.

Moblin Maze Mongers is FFXI's "create a dungeon" system, allowing players to form their own dungeons and run through them for experience, money, and special items that can only be obtained from these "do-it-yourself" dungeons.

The full details will be announced soon, but we'll keep our ear to the ground for you to bring you all of the juicy details.

MassivelyFuture Final Fantasy XI update to expand Fields of Valor, Moblin Maze Mongers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscreate-a-dungeonexpffxifields-of-valorfinal-fantasy-xigilkill-questmoblin-maze-mongersnewbiesquare-enixtabsSat, 28 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lume the Mad tackles Wrath of the Lich King (all of it)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/lume-the-mad-tackles-wrath-of-the-lich-king-all-of-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/lume-the-mad-tackles-wrath-of-the-lich-king-all-of-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/lume-the-mad-tackles-wrath-of-the-lich-king-all-of-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,


World of Warcraft blogger Lume the Mad wrote up a massive post describing the most important changes in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion which will be released on November 13th. He lists just about everything, and even provides analysis of the expansion's implications.

It's a must-read for WoW players, especially those unfamiliar with the breadth of the changes occuring in the expansion. And for those who already know their stuff, there's some good commentary on the consequences of Blizzard's choices. It'll especially be useful to guild leaders who want to be prepared.

He had some particularly harsh words to say about the changes ("homogenization") to buffs in some classes. He argued that the changes will render some players' characters undesirable to raid leaders. But it's not all high-brow theoretical talk; there are bits about vehicles, siege warfare, and even the barber shop in there.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyLume the Mad tackles Wrath of the Lich King (all of it) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continuing with their policy of frequent medium-sized patches instead of intermittent colossal ones, FunCom are bringing a welcome new patch to the AoC servers today. As well as the all-important 'more client and server crashes resolved' and a host of alterations such as a sound effect for levelling up (what's a ding without a ding?) and fixes to quests, there are significant changes to Demonologists that should make the class more balanced.

Many spells have had their damage buffed, their casting time reduced, or their splash damage increased. The hated cooldown for wide-scale Area of Effect damage spells, Inferno of Amher and Shockblast, has even been shaved back down.

Continue reading New AoC patch brings important fixes

MassivelyNew AoC patch brings important fixes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbuffsdemonologistdemonologistsfixesfuncompatch-notespatchesserver-downtimeMon, 09 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Concentration buffs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/the-daily-grind-concentration-buffs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/the-daily-grind-concentration-buffs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/the-daily-grind-concentration-buffs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Over at Kill Ten Rats, Zubon brought up the topic of concentration buffs. For those that don't know, a concentration buff is one that only needs to be cast once and will remain until canceled, and takes up a certain portion of the caster's "concentration" (as a way of limiting the number of perma-buffs that are enabled). Both Dark Age of Camelot and EverQuest II use this system, and there are certain Lord of the Rings Online buffs that only need to be used once -- but why aren't more MMOs making use of this?

Not every buff should use the concentration system (especially some of the more powerful ones), but there are some with a longer duration that may as well just be permanent while grouped. It doesn't add to the fun, or take any skill, to recast a buff every 30 minutes or so. It's also easy enough to keep it under control, through having to be close enough to the caster to receive the buff, and needing to remain in the party.

So are there any good reasons that this shouldn't be a more common feature in MMOs? Is it something that you'd like to see more of in upcoming games? Tell us what you think.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Concentration buffs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffingbuffsconcentration-buffsdaoceq2eqiifeaturedfuncomlotrosoesony-online-entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindturbineTue, 18 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST