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[Ask Massively: Canada Day edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ask-massively-canada-day-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ask-massively-canada-day-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ask-massively-canada-day-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, Canada Day was last week. But a couple of our readers expressed some displeasure about the fact that America's birthday gets observances in MMOs while Canada's birthday doesn't. And you know what? That does seem unfair. So let's hear it for Canada! I've had the good fortune to meet a number of wonderful Canadian players in various MMOs over the years, and I can say without reservation that the nation deserves more recognition beyond the ubiquitous jokes about its relationship to America. So hooray for Canada, and happy belated birthday to our northern neighbors!

Seriously, let's hope BioWare gives us a Star Wars: The Old Republic holiday for Canada Day. I would be thrilled.

As you've probably guessed, this week's edition of Ask Massively is just a wee bit subjective, and considering that our questions tackle the issues of humans in game stories and microtransactions in MMOs, we really saw no way around it. Got a question of your own for a future installment of the column? Mail it to ask@massively.com, or leave it in the comments below.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Canada Day edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Canada Day edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybackstorybusinesscanadacanada-daycash-shopscolumnsfeaturedloremicrotransactionsopinionracesThu, 07 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[KingsIsle brings Wizard101 goodies to Canada]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/kingsisle-brings-wizard101-goodies-to-canada/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/kingsisle-brings-wizard101-goodies-to-canada/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/kingsisle-brings-wizard101-goodies-to-canada/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

KingsIsle Entertainment, maker of the very popular card-based freemium title Wizard101, announced today that it will be releasing a brand-new mega-bundle pre-paid card to stores across the country. Here's how the cards work: Players pay a set amount and receive a card with a code that, once redeemed in-game, can add all sorts of gold, goodies, and other options. The new card features a new flying carpet mount, a massive sultan's palace complete with a mirage, 5000 crowns to be used in the cash shop, and several other fun items. It's no wonder the cards have become one of the best-selling cards at Gamestop -- they offer an all-in-one package that is easy to pick up.

Canadians worried about getting their hands on these cards can rest easy -- KingsIsle is pushing the cards into major Canadian retailers this fall. Concerned players who have been "surprisingly vocal" about the lack of card access will also get the chance to own exclusive pets available only in their area. This move will bring Wizard101's combined retail presence to over 50,000 stores. Not bad -- not bad at all.

So, what's next for the freemium giant? Well, KingsIsle just partnered with Gameforge to bring the game overseas. Interesting things happen when you have to port a fully voice-acted game like Wizard101 to a place like Germany. The UI and map has to be tweaked to allow room for the longer written language, and everything needs to be localized. There are also cultural differences to consider, and the cash shop can be received differently than here in the U.S.

The new game cards will be offered for $39, but the items included are valued at over $100.

MassivelyKingsIsle brings Wizard101 goodies to Canada originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancanadacash-shopf2pfree-to-playfreemiumftpgameforgegermanykingsislekingsisle-entertainmentmega-bundlepre-paid-cardsultans-palacetcgtrading-card-gamewizard101Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rogers throttles World of Warcraft across Canada]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/rogers-throttles-world-of-warcraft-across-canada/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/rogers-throttles-world-of-warcraft-across-canada/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/rogers-throttles-world-of-warcraft-across-canada/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you play World of Warcraft in Canada and were wondering why your connection seemed a bit slow, it turns out there may be a good explanation: Rogers Communications has been deliberately throttling the game across the country.

The telecommunications company has been trying to save on costs by slowing down internet speeds for customers who use various applications, such as Skype. Recently the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission conducted an inquiry that resulted in Rogers admitting that it targets WoW players by slowing down their connections while the game is being run.

Rogers said that it was Blizzard's use of BitTorrent to deliver updates that triggered the throttling, noting that customers who disabled this setting -- as well as any other peer-to-peer applications -- would not see a slowdown in speed. "Rogers will engage our customers to ensure they are aware of these recommendations, while continuing to work on a longer term solution," a spokesperson said.

MassivelyRogers throttles World of Warcraft across Canada originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-torrentblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcanadaCanadian-Radio-television-and-Telecommunications-Commissioncrtcfilesharingnet-neutralitypeer-to-peerrogersrogers-communicationskypethrottle-speedsThroughTheGadlingLensworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 27 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The vet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-vet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-vet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-vet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Space: the final frontier... except for 4chan, which is a lot scarier to explore. These are the voyages of the Starship Massively. Its five-year mission: to explore strange, new worlds; to seek out new life and blow it out of the sky; to boldly exploit trade routes like no one has done before!

Erp, better stop there before I begin infringing on the Captain's Log's territory! In any event, we at The Game Archaeologist Institute for Fuzzy Nostalgia continue to forge ahead with the Earth & Beyond dig, carefully dusting off memories and screenshots to preserve in a blog-shaped museum.

It's one thing to talk of a game, but another to speak with one who was there at the time, so I went on a hunt through the dark recesses of the internet to find seasoned Earth & Beyonders. This search took me about two minutes before one of my associates practically opened the floodgates of fanboy gushing to drown me in his enthusiasm for this title. One interview, hundreds of screenshots and an Electronic Arts dev bible later, and we at the institute knew that we hit the motherlode.

Join us for a civilized discussion with an Earth & Beyond vet as he shares with us crumpets and recollections.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The vet

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The vet originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduacanadacaptains-logcelestial-horizonclaudia-christiancolumbia-disastercommand-and-conquerdev-bibleeaearth-and-beyondechoes-of-nonsenseelectronic-artseveeve-onlineexplorerfantasyfeaturedfederationinterviewirelandJenquaijump-to-lightspeedlord-of-the-ringsnet7sci-fiscience-fictionspace-shuttle-columbiastar-trekstar-wars-galaxiessunsetswgtea-and-crumpetsthe-game-archaeologisttitanwargameswestwoodTue, 08 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teen found safe after running away to meet "WoW Soulmate"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We all know that online gaming can strike up a romance between players, but sometimes romance can be taken a bit too far.

Over the holidays, 16-year-old Andrew Kane of Barrie in Ontario, Canada, decided that he had to meet his 42-year-old online lover, Lauri Price from Texas.

Price had taken a trip up to Canada to meet Kane, but when Kane had asked for a ride from his parents to a nearby hotel to meet Price, his parents returned with the pretty much expected, "No." This lead Kane to run away from his house at the early morning hour of 2 A.M. on an awkward quest to meet his "World of Warcraft soulmate."

Kane went missing for two days until he and Price were found at a Future Shop in Orilla, Ontario on December 31st via a tip from the public. Kane had apparently lied about his age to Price, saying he was 20. The legal age of consent in Canada is currently 16.

Police have said that Price will not be receiving any criminal charges and is free to travel back to the United States. Kane had been "seeing" Price for over a year via their relationship on World of Warcraft.

[Thanks for the tip, Eric!]

MassivelyTeen found safe after running away to meet "WoW Soulmate" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbreakingcanadafuture-shopnewsrelationshipromancerunawayworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 04 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online Blood Moon launch trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/champions-online-blood-moon-launch-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/champions-online-blood-moon-launch-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/champions-online-blood-moon-launch-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With Blood Moon dropping tomorrow, it should be an exciting day for Champions Online players. Until then, however, you can watch this brand new trailer detailing all the new content available with the patch. We're pretty pleased with everything we saw, especially the level of zombies shuffling about, ready for players to pummel them into zombgoo. Also: Fighting undead reincarnates of classic Champions tabletop heroes and then descending into an evil portal to free their souls looks like a whole heap of fun.

We do have one beef with the content, and that's the location of the Zombie Apocalypse map: Canada. Has anyone over at Cryptic read World War Z? If they had, then it would've been obvious that setting a zombie map in the one place where the creature's lack of blood flow causes them to freeze over incredibly easily is a bad choice -- we're nitpicking here, though.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Champions Online Blood Moon launch trailer

MassivelyChampions Online Blood Moon launch trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariblood-mooncanadachampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosmax-brooksworld-war-zzombgoozombiezombiesTue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Revealed: Champions Online's first update, Blood Moon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/revealed-champions-onlines-first-update-blood-moon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/revealed-champions-onlines-first-update-blood-moon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/revealed-champions-onlines-first-update-blood-moon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Champions Online's Blood Moon update has finally been revealed, and wow does it sound pretty cool. Beginning in October, the update will add the Celestial powerset, which sounds like a versatile arrangement of powers allowing you to heal allies or harm enemies.

The actual in-game event itself looks to be exciting, as it involves fighting off a dark sorcerer known as Takofanes. We're decidedly excited about the 'Zombie Apocalypse' rising in Canada. Zombies in PVP? Yes please. And when a player falls in combat, they'll return as one of the undead, bound to fight in Takofanes' name. There will also be werewolves to fight, although what their dark bite does to a player isn't as clear just yet.

We really love is how the lore is being tied into the event. Millennium City was built on the smoldering crater where Detroit once stood. For the Blood Moon event, players will have the chance to fight against heroes who fought in the Battle of Detroit and free their souls from Takofanes' evil necromancy. It all ends in a big throw down with Takofanes himself. We'll hear more about the details in the coming weeks. Maybe we'll even get some additional info from Cryptic at PAX this weekend!

MassivelyRevealed: Champions Online's first update, Blood Moon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariblood-mooncanadacelestialchampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosin-game-eventmillennium-citytakofanesundeadupdatewerewolveszombiesWed, 02 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Taking one article to talk about a game in a pre-release state isn't so hot. As commenters pointed out last week, things changed in Champions Online as some of the problems I had with the game were rectified by Cryptic. But, here at Anti-Aliased, we understand this and have planned ahead of time. Voila! I present to you, part two of my journey through Champions Online!

This week's activities include looking over some of the changes Cryptic has made to the game (as well as a hearty appreciation for how fast these guys iterate versions of this game), checking out areas past the crisis zones, and one final overview of the entire game at large. Will you agree with me? Will you disagree with me? Will I be paid by Cryptic? Will Sera keep smiling? These questions and more will be answered within this dramatic issue! If you wish to comment, please do so on the second page of Anti-Aliased.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux)

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux) originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbetacanadacanadian-wildernesschampions-onlinechangescontrollercontrolscryptic-studiosfeaturedinstancesjoystiqfeatureslaunchesopen-betaopinionpatcheszonesMon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic's Threat of Peace issue #3 roils with opposite of peace]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/the-old-republics-threat-of-peace-issue-3-roils-with-opposite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/the-old-republics-threat-of-peace-issue-3-roils-with-opposite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/the-old-republics-threat-of-peace-issue-3-roils-with-opposite/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


And so the plot moistens. We say moisten because much like a moist and delectable cake, the third issue of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Threat of Peace webcomic is filled with sweet, sweet filling -- otherwise known as lightsaber battles and political intrigue.

Between these weekly free comic updates and the newly revealed (and immaculately voiced) historical timeline, we're likely to overdose on this MMO even before we get our hands on it. Speaking of which... when do you suppose that'll be BioWare? We heard PAX was a pretty great place to let people try out cool games. And you know, the people of Seattle are almost cousins to Canadians!

Check out the third issue right here, and while you're enjoying that we'll continue to keep our eyes trained for any other updates for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

MassivelyThe Old Republic's Threat of Peace issue #3 roils with opposite of peace originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecanadaeaelectronic-artslucas-artspaxseattlestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthreat-of-peaceSun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Millennium City and Canada in latest Champions Online screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/millennium-city-and-canada-in-latest-champions-online-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/millennium-city-and-canada-in-latest-champions-online-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/millennium-city-and-canada-in-latest-champions-online-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Several new screens for Champions Online have been released and feature Millennium City, Canada and a Stronghold entrance. The cityscapes have a dizzying sense of scale that makes them quite stunning to look at, and the level of detail doesn't hurt at all either. Moreover, we're starting to see the visuals really come together lately.

Could that be pointing to a wider beta or release date announcement soon? We certainly hope so, although since there's been no word on any of that we're not going to assuming anything. If history has taught us one thing, it's that MMO release dates are never a certainty.

Gallery: Champions Online Main Gallery

MassivelyMillennium City and Canada in latest Champions Online screens originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribetacanadachampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosmillennium-cityreleaseFri, 20 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic publishes Warhammer Online pre-order FAQ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/mythic-publishes-warhammer-online-pre-order-faq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/mythic-publishes-warhammer-online-pre-order-faq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/mythic-publishes-warhammer-online-pre-order-faq/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mythic has created the beginnings of a FAQ intended to help would-be-customers sort out all the details about pre-ordering Warhammer Online. Info included in the FAQ: how to pre-order in Canada, who to poke to get pre-order codes when you place your order through an online store, and details and definitions on the beta testing phases, among other things.

Mythic promises that the FAQ will be updated with new information in the future, but doesn't say what kind of information it'll be.

The FAQ has some helpful information if you have those specific questions, of course. If you want a more in-depth and badass guide to pre-ordering WAR, though, check out our WAR collector's edition pre-order guide. Which retailer distributes codes in the most helpful way? Which one gives you the best extra goodies? It's all there!

MassivelyMythic publishes Warhammer Online pre-order FAQ originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacanadacodecodescollectors-editioneaea-mythicfaqfrequently-asked-questionsguidekeykeysmythicmythic-entertainmentpre-orderpre-orderspreorderpreorderswarwarhammer-onlineSat, 02 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The origin of Justiciar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's time for a new superhero spotlight in the Champions Online universe. This time we get to learn about Justiciar, the Canadian cybernetic crime-fighter who leads the Toronto-based super team, StarForce. We always love a good technology-based super hero (and with the box office success of Iron Man there are probably some recent converts) so it's really nice to see the artwork for Justiciar look turn out so well.

Don't miss out on the one-page origin comic, either. It may be short but there's a certain amount of coolness to the presentation. We really would love to see our own characters in Champions Online presented in such a way after creating them, but something like that would probably take quite a bit of development time. Oh well, we're sure there's going to be plenty of super-heroics in our futures to come!

MassivelyThe origin of Justiciar originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanadianchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosjusticiaroriginsuper-herosuperherotorontoTue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 EST