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[WildStar Wednesday shows off Eldan technology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This has a name! I call her Vera!
Players might be exploring the world of Nexus in WildStar, but it's not their world. It belonged to the Eldan, and while the race itself might not be present, its technology is still everywhere. The newest installment of WildStar Wednesday takes a look at some of the automated robots left behind by the Eldan. They're not directly malicious, but they're also not particularly friendly, pursuing ancient objectives and antiquated functions with single-minded devotion.

While Probes are primarily meant for gathering information and surveillance, the floating eyes are equipped with shielding and directed-energy weapons to keep themselves safe. Protectors have a more direct combat function; the lumbering humanoid robots found gathered around important scientific sites. Last but not least, the Augmentors are rare but potent machines capable of injecting nanomachines into a subject to start a process of mechanical integration known as augmentation. Take a look at all of the machines on this week's installment of the preview column -- even if you don't necessarily want to blow these gadgets up, they don't have any such compunctions about you.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday shows off Eldan technology originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studioseldanhurry-up-and-launchlorencsoftpreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Thursday brings the Metal Maw action]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/wildstar-thursday-brings-the-metal-maw-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/wildstar-thursday-brings-the-metal-maw-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/wildstar-thursday-brings-the-metal-maw-action/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar Metal Maw
Metal Maw, the brain child of a live drawing session conceived at last year's Gamescom, is featured once again in this week's WildStar "Wednesday" -- and this time he's not just some concept art or a 3-D model but a fully animated death-bringer! Along with a test video featuring the big guy in action, this week's blog post has some information about the team's considerations in bringing him to life.

This destructive blue hulk is designed for about 15 level 6 players to fight at once and should give them about a three-minute battle. His abilities are designed so that things get steadily more interesting as the fight progresses. Now that the team's happy with the way he fights, Metal Maw's been put in a crate and shipped on over to the animation and effects team to get his final beauty polish before being totally ready for players in-game.

Skip below the cut to see the big guy in action!

Continue reading WildStar Thursday brings the Metal Maw action

MassivelyWildStar Thursday brings the Metal Maw action originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdont-believe-the-liesmetal-mawncsoftpreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fithis-was-SO-posted-on-thursdaytrailertrailersvideovideoswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsThu, 17 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday discusses quality of life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/wildstar-wednesday-discusses-quality-of-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/wildstar-wednesday-discusses-quality-of-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/wildstar-wednesday-discusses-quality-of-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar
Mobility is key when you're adventuring on an exciting frontier planet. Taking this to heart, WildStar developer Carbine Studios is building in some quality of life improvements to speed Settlers along their way.

All players traveling on roads in WildStar will benefit from a speed boost, whether they're on a noble steed or going afoot. Executive Producer Jeremy Gaffney mentions that, more than just cutting down on travel time, this allows developers to plan on players running into each other as they travel through the world as well as aiding in the design of exploration-driven content and proper timing of encounters. If players are really gung-ho about speed and being (profitable) good Samaritans, they'll have opportunities to add new taxi points to remote areas, pitch a vendor stall to sell mounts to lowbies, and set up speed-boosting machines at outposts, among other player-driven additions. Hopefully, this means that the more folks are in an area, the more luxuries are available -- or you can be the pilgrim running out into the wilds to spur on the advance of civilization.

Speaking of running out into the wilds, we know no one likes doing that only to get called in 15 minutes later to pick up a new quest. Players' communicators are a big part of the accessibility of the world in WildStar. Many quests can be picked up and turned in via comm call, freeing players from the drudgery of having to actually track people down. To sum up, Gaffney listed the goals of this design approach. "Focus on the fun parts of the game. Eliminate tedium. Keep the challenge in there for advanced gamers. Overall, let you play the way you want to play."

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday discusses quality of life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdynomaticfast-travelncsoftquality-of-lifesandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsThu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar to support and encourage addons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/wildstar-to-support-and-encourage-addons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/wildstar-to-support-and-encourage-addons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/wildstar-to-support-and-encourage-addons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

WildStar
While some fledgling MMOs may act coy or hesitant about including user-created addons for their game, WildStar is going the opposite route and embracing them full-on. Lead Client Engineer Jon Wiesman penned a dev blog explaining why Carbine is enthusiastically supporting addons for the game from launch.

Wiesman previously worked at EverQuest's Verant and is currently the driving force behind WildStar's UI engine. He reports that not only will players be able to change the look and layout of the UI from the get-go, but WildStar will support Lua to allow for addons and mods.

He assures potential players that creating such addons won't be a frustrating experience devoid of proper instruction and support: "If you can program at all, I promise you'll be able to make an addon for our game. Our commitment is to make sure the process is documented, clear, and accessible. Promise."

[Thanks to Bill for the tip!]

MassivelyWildStar to support and encourage addons originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onaddonapollo-enginecarbinecarbine-studioseqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfree-to-playjon-wiesmanmodncsoftsandparksci-fantasysci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentuiui-engineverantverant-interactivewildstarwsThu, 03 May 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday showcases a rogue's gallery full of rogues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/wildstar-wednesday-showcases-a-rogues-gallery-full-of-rogues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/wildstar-wednesday-showcases-a-rogues-gallery-full-of-rogues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/wildstar-wednesday-showcases-a-rogues-gallery-full-of-rogues/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Shiny. Let's be bad guys.
WildStar is shaping up to be a lot of things, but "peaceful" isn't one of them. Players watching the various previews already have an idea of what the more natural threats in the game world will look like. This week's installment of WildStar Wednesday focuses on a much more human element, however: three different criminal organizations that all have a decided interest in the region of Algoroc. As if the wildlife wasn't bad enough, you have to contend with all manner of criminals as well.

Marauders are intergalactic pirates, the Darkspur Cartel is essentially an interstellar mafia, and the Crowe Gang is a group of smugglers and moonshine brewers. But all of them have an interest in Algoroc, and none of them are open to outsiders or anything law-abiding in the area. That means players are going to have to face off against all three, and from the looks of the preview, none of these groups will go down easily.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday showcases a rogue's gallery full of rogues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosenemiesenemyncsoftopponentspreviewssandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 18 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/wildstar-wednesday-tours-algoroc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/wildstar-wednesday-tours-algoroc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/wildstar-wednesday-tours-algoroc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

WildStar
Who doesn't fancy a trip to the wild and lawless frontier to try to strike it rich? Blue crystal fever has spread in Carbine Studios' sci-fi title WildStar, and galactic prospectors will have the opportunity to stake their claims in the new land of Algoroc. Complete with boomtowns, murders, slave-traders, rampaging killer security bots, and ancient ruins, this place sounds perfect, right?

Shake off those civilized shackles and prepare for a gritty adventure. Adventurous types can head toward Tremor Ridge, a small mining camp in the western part of the land. Though the area was dangerous before, recent attacks by space pirates make the stay there just that much more exciting. Fancy a trip to a boomtown? Head east to Gallow, where the the peace needs to be kept after the local lawman was brutally murdered. Or if you prefer ancient civilizations to current ones, an Eldan facility is being excavated in the western mountains -- just watch out for the security system that the archaeologists accidentally triggered!

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Algoroccarbinecarbine-studiosEldanGallowncsoftnew-landnew-zoneprospectingsandparksci-fantasysci-fiTremor-Ridgewildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsThu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar records score, dishes out free music]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/wildstar-records-score-dishes-out-free-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/wildstar-records-score-dishes-out-free-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/wildstar-records-score-dishes-out-free-music/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar
This week's WildStar spotlight takes the focus off the look of the game and puts it on the melodious strains of its soundtrack. In it, Carbine Studios Lead Composer Jeff Kurtenacker steps in front of the camera to talk about creating and recording the score for this upcoming MMO.

"The recording process is pretty fascinating and pretty complicated, actually," Kurtenacker began. He said that the score starts with his recording basic MIDI tunes for use in the game's early testing. Following that, he assembles musicians to record the proper score, including "cues" (short pieces) and longer tracks.

His favorite part of the recording day comes when there's silence right at the beginning and then the first notes fill the air. "That always to me is a fantastically amazing moment," he said.

On top of the video, which you can check out after the jump, Carbine's provided two free music tracks to download and enjoy: Enemy Camp Battle and Rescue Mission.

Continue reading WildStar records score, dishes out free music

MassivelyWildStar records score, dishes out free music originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosJeff-Kurtenackermp3mp3-downloadsmusicmusic-downloadsncsoftsandparksci-fantasysci-fiscoresoundtrackwildstarwsFri, 06 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Spew venom! (like a boss) Consume adventurers! (like a boss) Spawn monsters! (like a boss) Eat a bagel! (like a boss)
When you're out in the wilds of WildStar, you're going to run into some creatures strong enough to throw you to the ground. That's why this week's installment of WildStar Wednesday discusses the minibosses one can expect to find out in the Northern Wilds. Only three of the denizens are given a full writeup, but the triumvirate should be more than enough to give potential players a sense of what dangers lurk in the planet's unexplored regions.

If you like your enemies with a thick carapace, the Xenobite Queen should be right up your alley, complete with vile poison and ravenous young. If you'd prefer to be pounded into the dirt by a mechanical emissary of the Dominion, the Ultrabot should provide you with all the laser-guided missile-flavored death you could want. Or you could face down a Frost Giant and enjoy watching a long-haired beast with poor eyesight hammer you into oblivion. It's all interesting flavor for fans of the game's development thus far, and it includes small factoids about the beasts that should prove completely irrelevant when fighting them. The more you know.

MassivelyNewest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bossescarbinecarbine-studioslike-a-bossloreminibossesmonstersncsoftpreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwsWed, 28 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday highlights the deadly denizens of planet Nexus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wildstar-wednesday-highlights-the-deadly-denizens-of-planet-nexu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wildstar-wednesday-highlights-the-deadly-denizens-of-planet-nexu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wildstar-wednesday-highlights-the-deadly-denizens-of-planet-nexu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Screenshot -- WildStar
WildStar's planet Nexus is a wild, untamed place full of various flora and fauna. It just so happens that a good chunk of said flora and fauna wants to eat your face. Thankfully, the fine folks over at Carbine Studios have decided to give players a leg-up on the competition by providing them with a bit of insight on some of the savage creatures they'll encounter in the dark corners of the planet.

The spotlight today is on three species of things-you-don't-want-to-meet-in-a-dark-alley. First off, we have masses of sentient fungus known as rootbrutes, and if their name doesn't tell you everything you need to know about 'em, then we're not sure how to help you. If that's not enough to make you think twice about your next vacay to planet Nexus, maybe the Girrok will give you pause. These huge, stocky quadripeds are known to rip boulders from the earth for a rousing game of bowling, except players are their pins. To top it all off, we have the "barely sentient" Skeech. Despite their near complete lack of intellect, the Skeech are apparently accomplished cooks... of people. So if a Skeech says it wants to have you for dinner, it doesn't mean a dinner party.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday highlights the deadly denizens of planet Nexus originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bestiarycarbinecarbine-studiosgirrokgirroksncsoftrootbruterootbrutessandparksci-fantasysci-fiskeechskeecheswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsThu, 22 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday: Shiny hover bikes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/wildstar-wednesday-shiny-hover-bikes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/wildstar-wednesday-shiny-hover-bikes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/wildstar-wednesday-shiny-hover-bikes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes shiny is a Firefly reference. No I do not confuse the two universes.
Everybody's favorite extraterrestrial bunnyfolk make an appearance in this week's WildStar Wednesday. While the blog is light on text, it makes up for that with some lovely shots of a female Aurin tooling around on the hover bike we've all come to know and envy from WildStar's first cinematic. A couple of the shots show off the game's lovely scenery while the Aurin performs what would be a wheelie if the bike ever had two wheels on the ground to begin with. Dreaming of the day that you, too, can nab a joyride on this beast of a hover bike? Hop on over to the blog page to check out all the shots, or browse our WildStar gallery to get an eyeful.

Gallery: WildStar

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday: Shiny hover bikes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurinbunnyfolkcarbinecarbine-studiosgalleriesgalleryhover-bikehoverbikencsoftsandparksci-fantasysci-fiscreenshotscreenshotswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday examines redundancies in quest text]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've been in a firefight before... well, in a fire. Actually, I got fired.
Can you really produce a meaningful set of quests while keeping each snippet of text down to 140 characters? The team developing WildStar certainly thinks so. In a previous installment of the regular WildStar Wednesday feature, fans were introduced to the concept, but this week's developer diary is all about explaining how you keep all of the flavor of a quest while trimming it down to the bare minimum necessary. It's not about stripping out flavor -- it's about exactly the opposite.

Senior narrative designer Cory Herndon explains by example that a lot of quest text winds up repeating unnecessary facts or stating something that should be immediately clear. Herndon starts with a longer example of quest text and steadily pares it down to the most important bits of information, keeping all of the flavor while posting each bit of communication in quick and comprehensible bursts. Combined with the discussion of adding further bits of quest dialogue after important objectives are completed, the diary shows just how you can get a lot of flavor into the quests without quite as many fancy words.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday examines redundancies in quest text originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdeveloper-diaryncsoftpresentationpreviewsquestquest-textquestsstorytwitterwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar unveils questing with a Twitter budget]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

No force in the 'verse can stop me.
Nobody likes reading quest text. Having to sift through five paragraphs of text just to figure out what you're doing isn't anyone's idea of a good time. The latest entry in the WildStar Wednesday series of developer blogs is all about how the team has tried to do away with mind-numbing and ponderous quest text. And the narrative design team does so by paring down quest text to a quick snippet no longer than a Twitter post.

While there are ways to construct smaller entries, of course, the entry discusses how the 140-character limit makes for a good building block to keep players engaged -- it's short enough that you can read it quickly but not so short that it omits important information. In addition to showing a quest get brought down to a quick bite-sized snippet, the entry also talks about keeping control in the hands of the player and letting the story unfold organically, both things that should be of interest to WildStar fans eager for more information.

MassivelyWildStar unveils questing with a Twitter budget originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosimmersionncsoftpost-lengthquest-designquest-textqueststext-lengthtweetstwitterwildstarwsWed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar's Troy Hewitt talks about the game's design philosophy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/wildstars-troy-hewitt-talks-about-the-games-design-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/wildstars-troy-hewitt-talks-about-the-games-design-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/wildstars-troy-hewitt-talks-about-the-games-design-philosophy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It never goes smooth! Why can't it ever go smooth?
It's likely to be a while longer before anyone gets to lay hands on WildStar's beta, much less the finished game, but there's still a lot to look forward to. A recent interview with producer Troy Hewitt might help salve a bit of that anticipation as Hewitt discusses the game's design philosophy and content systems. As he explains, Carbine Studios embraced the idea that players should be allowed to play how they want, when they want, and with whomever they want.

This extends to the game's content at multiple levels; Hewitt explains that solo and group content shouldn't be at odds, that even people who prefer to level and play solo are still enjoying the fact that they experience a persistent world with other players. There's also a lot of talk about players crafting their own stories as they explore the game world, something augmented by the game's split between different player types. Take a look at the full interview if you're following the game avidly, as there are plenty of interesting tidbits -- even if you might have preferred a release date.

MassivelyWildStar's Troy Hewitt talks about the game's design philosophy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studioscontentdesigndesign-philosophygroupgroupinginterviewncsoftnew-titlesnewspreviewssolosoloingtroy-hewittupcoming-titleswildstarMon, 13 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday talks about the game's narrative design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-the-games-narrative-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-the-games-narrative-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-the-games-narrative-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is your captain speaking. We're having a little problem with our entry sequence, so we'll be experiencing some turbulence followed by... exploding.
Unless you were at PAX Prime last year, about all you've seen of WildStar in action has been the game's cinematic trailer. While it didn't give much of an idea of how the game played, said video certainly had a lot of style. According to the latest WildStar Wednesday community blog post, that style was a big part of the game's narrative design, which is seen as one of the main points of development -- making a game that feels large, engrossing, and epic.

As lead designer Chad Moore explains it, the narrative design team is responsible for outlining the world of Nexus, which was in part created to serve as a perfect locus for a variety of different adventures. While this design team isn't particularly concerned with mechanics, it is concerned with ensuring that every part of the game has the same degree of personality as the first cinematic trailer. If you're one of the many people anticipating the game heavily, take a look behind the scenes to see how it produces its feel.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday talks about the game's narrative design originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aestheticcarbinecarbine-studioschad-moorecommunity-blogdesignfeelgame-designgame-feellooksnarrativenarrative-designncsoftproductionwildstarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Try and read the entry out loud without trying to fit in the word 'shiny' or 'verse' a couple times.
Humans are the standard basis for comparison in games that feature non-human races, almost as if said games were being made by humans for other humans. But there's still a distinct flavor to the human race depending on the setting. Case in point, the latest WildStar "interview" with one of the three lore characters from the cinematic trailer gives players a peek at a typical human, and he's a bit different than what you might have been expecting.

While the other major characters identify a specific world as "home," humans are portrayed as being a bit more free-forming, having roamed out in space for so long that they're really not bound to a location. The entry also discusses some of the lore behind being an Explorer and some of the perils associated with intentionally venturing into the unknown (it involves lots of things that try to eat you, if you need the short version). If you've been enjoying the flavor of the world Carbine Studios is slowly building, you'll probably enjoy this latest look as well.

MassivelyWildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycarbine-studioshuman-beingshumanslorelore-charactersnewsnpcsplayer-racesraceswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar invites players to meet the Aurin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Unfortunately, no bunny-men yet. Oh, well.
There's a lot to be learned about the setting of WildStar before the game starts in on testing, but there are also a lot of prospective players eager to learn whatever they can. So they'll probably be happy to take a look at the latest entry on the official blog, a mock-interview with the Aurin character Liara from the game's original cinematic trailer. Aside from providing some character insights, it gives a look at the Aurin as a species beyond the obvious.

The Aurin come from the forested planet of Arboria, where large ears and long tails for balance have some decided evolutionary advantages. Unfortunately for the Aurin, the Dominion invaded the planet and began cutting everything down, leading to the displaced animal-people lending their knowledge to the Exiles. It's an interesting glimpse at the game's lore for both the Aurin and for Scientists, something that several eager WildStar fans will no doubt devour with vigor.

MassivelyWildStar invites players to meet the Aurin originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurinbackstorycarbinecarbine-studiosdevelopmentlorencsoftpreviewssettingwildstarThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lucky fan gets a super-secret tour of WildStar's Carbine Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lucky-fan-gets-a-super-secret-tour-of-wildstars-carbine-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lucky-fan-gets-a-super-secret-tour-of-wildstars-carbine-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lucky-fan-gets-a-super-secret-tour-of-wildstars-carbine-studios/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Carbine Studios
Being given a full tour of your favorite MMO studio must be a lot like finding the Golden Ticket and getting a week pass to Disney World, all rolled into one. So if you feel a little jealous that WildStar Source got to poke around Carbine Studios, it's understandable.

While the writer who was given the tour said that he had to "stay silent on 99%" of what he saw, there are plenty of juicy tidbits for WildStar aficionados to tide us over for a while. Apparently the studio is covered with gorgeous screenshots and art from the game, and the team is already busy collecting fan art to post in the hallways.

The author did get some hands-on time with the game, during which he spent exploring the world instead of killing the local flora and fauna: "While I did not find a secret treasure or a portal to another dimension, I did find an attention to detail in both my character and the surrounding world that made me pause, several times, in appreciation... Even while playing as a spell-wielding bunny-woman who was trapped on a fictional planet, what I found most engrossing when I got my hands on WildStar was really the humanness of it all... as corny as that may sound."

MassivelyLucky fan gets a super-secret tour of WildStar's Carbine Studios originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkcarbinecarbine-studiosdisneydisney-worldgolden-tickethands-onMatt-Mocarskistudio-tourtourwildstarwildstar-sourceFri, 09 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
While I'm on board the Star Wars: The Old Republic train (at least until SOE's Star Wars: The New Republic comes out in 2014 and forces SWTOR to shut down), I can certainly sympathize with the frustration that non-fans are feeling right about now. There are few things more annoying than not being into the latest craze -- or hating it outright -- and yet being unable to escape it.

So I'm here to say to you today that, like World of Warcraft, SWTOR isn't the be-all, end-all of the MMO field. It's a part of it, but just one part, and there are many, many others in the works as we speak. Mama always told me never to put all your eggs in one basket anyway, so I'm spreading my eggcitement across many cyber-nests.

This is the bone I'm throwing to all of you this week: a list of 10 Midichlorian-free MMOs that have me -- and should have you -- extremely buzzed about their development. In putting together this list, I realized that there are so many promising prospects that I divided them into two groups. This week I'm presenting the strongest contenders that should make it to launch with a solid product, while next time I'll list promising prospects that may be more of a long shot. I'm 47% confident that I will not forget your most-anticipated title.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosarcheagearenanetbetacarbine-studiosccpchampions-onlinecopernicuscurt-schillingdark-millennium-onlinedc-universe-onlinedust-514eve-onlineeverquest-nextfeaturedfuncomgamescom-2011guild-wars-2gw2jake-songlistmarvelmarvel-universe-onlinencsoftperfect-10perfect-tenproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorera-salvatoreRagnar-Tørnquistragnar-tornquistsandboxsandparkterathe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthe-secret-worldthqtodd-mcFarlanetswultima-onlineupcoming-mmoswarhammer-40kwildstarxl-gamesxlgamesThu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar unveils world information page]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/wildstar-unveils-world-information-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/wildstar-unveils-world-information-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/wildstar-unveils-world-information-page/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar concept art
The world of WildStar is one of adventure, intrigue, and of course, treasure. But many players are curious as to what kind of environs they'll be visiting, what grand sights they'll be seeing, and what unfortunate natives they'll be mercilessly slaughtering. Well, the folks at Carbine Studios are looking to relieve some of that curiosity with the freshly launched World page.

The first planet up for review is one of the game's main hubs, Nexus. Originally the planet of the mysterious and technologically advanced Eldan, Nexus has since been claimed by the galactic empire known as The Dominion. As The Dominion declares war upon the planet's new settlers (known as the Exiles), treasure-hunters, pirates, and intergalactic corporations alike have come to Nexus in an attempt to find valuable and powerful Eldan artifacts and to uncover the secret of the Eldan's mysterious disappearance. For the full details, head on over to the WildStar official site.

MassivelyWildStar unveils world information page originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdominioneldanlorencsoftnexusthe-dominionthe-worlduniversewildstarworldThu, 17 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar's Bartle-inspired paths offer players unique and shared content [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/wildstars-bartle-inspired-paths-offer-players-unique-and-shared/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/wildstars-bartle-inspired-paths-offer-players-unique-and-shared/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/wildstars-bartle-inspired-paths-offer-players-unique-and-shared/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar
Jeremy Gaffney recently opened up on the connection between WildStar's Paths and Richard Bartle's famous breakdown of playstyles. While Gaffney admits that WildStar drew inspiration from Bartle's categories, the team has tuned the four paths -- Explorer, Soldier, Achiever and Builder -- to fit the devs' vision for the game.

No matter which path you pick, Gaffney promises that there will be something meaningful for you to be doing at all times. The important part is that the game has a deliberate balance between path-specific activities and universal ones: "What we do is we take 70% of the world, and that's a mix of all the styles, and then about 30%, depending on the zone, swaps over and that's about you and about your path. So, as an Explorer you have your normal mix of stuff, but then an extra chunk on top of it that's all about exploring."

People from different paths have many ways, reasons, and incentive to interact as they progress through the zones. Gaffney says that WildStar will "pile on the layers" to keep players involved and active. He also assured fans that all paths will have plenty to do in the endgame so that the journey doesn't come to a crashing halt.

[Update: Carbine also released another WildStar Wednesday this afternoon; it features some community discussion all about events in MMOs.]

MassivelyWildStar's Bartle-inspired paths offer players unique and shared content [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achieverbartle-testbartle-test-of-gamer-psychologybuildercarbinecarbine-studiosexplorerJeremy-Gaffneyncsoftpathsrichard-bartlesoldierwildstarzonesWed, 16 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in MMO: Really? Bigpoint? Edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/this-week-in-mmo-really-bigpoint-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/this-week-in-mmo-really-bigpoint-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/this-week-in-mmo-really-bigpoint-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

TWIMMO
Welcome to another super-exciting edition of This Week in MMO. On this episode, host Gary Gannon and a pair of Mikes have a bit of fun with the announcement that Bigpoint will be taking the helm of an MMO based on the super-trendy A Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, is WildStar a theme-park or a sandbox? Well, we don't know, but the TWIMMO guys have a bit to say on the matter. DC Universe Online gets a wild playerbase boost after its transition to free-to-play, and speculation abounds as to whether the upcoming Warhammer 40: Dark Millenium Online MMO could be free to play.

For the full show, just jump on past the cut.

Continue reading This Week in MMO: Really? Bigpoint? Edition

MassivelyThis Week in MMO: Really? Bigpoint? Edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-game-of-thronesa-song-of-ice-and-firebigpointcarbinecarbine-studiosdark-millennium-onlinedcuogary-gannonhumormike-bopinionsoesony-online-entertainmentvideovideoswar40kwarhammerwarhammer-40kwildstarSat, 12 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday tackles the sandbox vs. themepark debate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/wildstar-wednesday-tackles-the-sandbox-vs-themepark-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/wildstar-wednesday-tackles-the-sandbox-vs-themepark-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/wildstar-wednesday-tackles-the-sandbox-vs-themepark-debate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- WildStar
Sandbox or themepark? It's a never-ending debate around these parts of the internet. Carbine Studios knows both sides of the argument all too well, and it shows. Which side of the argument does WildStar fall on, though? If today's WildStar Wednesday dev diary is to be believed, the game straddles the fence between the two.

WildStar's Executive Producer Jeremy Gaffney points out that "developer-directed game play isn't always at odds with the player-directed experience" and notes that sometimes leaning too heavily in either direction can be detrimental to the overall gameplay. As such, the developers are attempting to hit the sweet spot between sandbox and themepark gameplay. If you're interested in finding out how they plan to do that, head on over to the dev diary at WildStar's official site.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday tackles the sandbox vs. themepark debate originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdev-blogdev-diaryjeremy-gaffneymechanicssandboxtheme-parkwildstarwildstar-wednesdayThu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar beta sign-ups now open]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wildstar-beta-sign-ups-now-open/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wildstar-beta-sign-ups-now-open/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wildstar-beta-sign-ups-now-open/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- WildStar
WildStar fans will find a new destination awaiting them at the game's official site today. Where does said destination lead, exactly? Why, right to the beta sign-up page, which means that -- with any luck -- the game should begin testing sometime in the near future. To sign up for yourself, head on over to the game's official site.

[Edit: Apparently sign-ups were active last month. So there you go. Treat this as a reminder.]

MassivelyWildStar beta sign-ups now open originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-sign-upbeta-signupbetascarbinecarbine-studiosncsoftsign-upsignupwildstarMon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Layoffs hit NCsoft's North American offices]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/#commentsFiled under: , ,

NCsoft logo
Earlier this morning Massively received an anonymous tip that NCsoft terminated an undisclosed number of employees at its Austin, Brighton, and Seattle offices earlier this month. According to our tipster, "many operations jobs are leaving Austin and being contracted back to Seoul," and there were further layoffs in the quality assurance and billing departments, with "with many more put on 60-day notice."

We contacted NCsoft for an official comment and received the following reply:

"In an effort to put a greater focus on the success of the Western-developed games from NCsoft, and the long-term services MMOs require, we announced a global restructuring to our Western publishing team. To optimize the streamlining efforts, limited functionality is moving to our headquarters in Seoul, and some publishing support has been reduced. As a result, there has been a reduction in force that has impacted less than 2 percent of our global workforce. We remain committed to fully support the development of games from ArenaNet, Carbine Studios and Paragon Studios."

We'll keep you up to date on the situation as it develops and as we learn more.

MassivelyLayoffs hit NCsoft's North American offices originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbreakingcarbine-studioslayoffsmmo-industryncsoftncsoft-westparagon-studiospress releasestaff-reductionThu, 27 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar design director Tim Cain joins Obsidian Entertainment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/wildstar-design-director-tim-cain-joins-obsidian-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/wildstar-design-director-tim-cain-joins-obsidian-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/wildstar-design-director-tim-cain-joins-obsidian-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tim Cain
It would appear that Carbine Studios is down one great talent, as the studio's former Design Director, Fallout designer Tim Cain, has departed for greener pastures. The news was discovered via Cain's Linkedin account, confirming rumors of his departure that abounded over the summer. Greener pastures, in this case, means Obsidian Entertainment, which is perhaps best-known for Neverwinter Nights 2, Knights of The Old Republic 2, and Fallout: New Vegas. The studio is currently working on a game based on Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time book series.

While it's unknown whether or not Cain will be returning to his old stomping grounds of the Fallout universe, it would be considerably apropos. As for Carbine, it remains to be seen who will replace Cain in the position of Design Director, but here's to hoping it's someone who can do justice to the promising sci-fi MMO.

MassivelyWildStar design director Tim Cain joins Obsidian Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdepartureobsidianobsidian-entertainmenttim-caintimothy-caintransferwildstarWed, 12 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday: The return of Metal Maw]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/wildstar-wednesday-the-return-of-metal-maw/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar -- Metal Maw render
A few weeks ago, the fine folks over at Carbine Studios posted the first WildStar Wednesday dev diary, which took fans through the process of creating a new WildStar creature. Well, it's that time once again, and this WildStar Wednesday features the return of the monstrous Metal Maw. Lead concept artist Andy Cotnam has handed off Metal Maw's design sketch to senior character artist Brandon Dix, who is charged with the task of modeling and texturing the beast.

In the post, Dix takes fans through the process of creating a (virtually) living, breathing model of the new creature, from rough sculpture to rendered model. To take a look at the fascinating process for yourself, head on over to the WildStar Wednesday blog post at the game's official site.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday: The return of Metal Maw originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-cotnamartbrandon-dixcarbinecarbine-studioscreaturecreature-creationdev-blogdev-diarymetal-mawmobmonsterwildstarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 05 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar gives players a taste of the sound of the world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/wildstar-gives-players-a-taste-of-the-sound-of-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
It's hard not to find something familiar in WildStar's fusion of the wild west aesthetic with the exploration of an unfamiliar planet in deep space. That having been said, most people anticipating the game would likely find nothing to fault with that combination in terms of visuals. But what will the game sound like? That's what this week's WildStar Wednesday addresses, with a piece by Jeff Kurtenacker about composing the music you'll hear in-game.

As Kurtenacker puts it, the biggest challenge as a composer is to create music that combines the game's diverse thematic points into a unified score, producing the right mixture of wonder, adventure, and a bit of old frontier exploration. But if all the technical discussion of composition is a bit beyond you, the post also includes two sample tracks from the game's soundtrack, a chance for players to get a sense of what to expect from the finished experience. The tracks are brief, but they're certainly the sort of thing that gets you in the mindset of the game -- and that's just what they're there for.

MassivelyWildStar gives players a taste of the sound of the world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocarbinecarbine-studiosJeff-kurtenackermusicncsoftpreviewssoundssoundtracktracksupdateswildstarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar explores its Nexus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/wildstar-explores-its-nexus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/wildstar-explores-its-nexus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/wildstar-explores-its-nexus/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar: Planet Nexus
WildStar Wednesday is upon us, again! The team at Carbine Studios intends to give a weekly update for its upcoming MMO WildStar. Before finishing off part two of From Concept to Creature, Senior Community Manager Robert "Robeardo" Land decided to sidestep the creature aspect of the world and concentrate on the history of the WildStar central planet, appropriately named Nexus.

Robeardo had to call on the talents of Narrative Designer Chad Moore to assist him in the developer blog. Moore explains that Nexus was once the home of the Eldan, an ancient, advanced race that disappeared from the galaxy over a thousand years ago, leaving behind all of its technology to rot. Part of the excitement for the player is exploring the planet and unearthing artifacts. Moore explains further:
The rusting wrecks of giant robots lie half-buried in shifting desert sands, and strange and deadly alien creatures prowl in the shadows of extraordinary monolithic machines. And hidden among all of these wonders are the dark secrets of the Eldan themselves, and the answers to why they disappeared from planet Nexus so long ago.
WildStar is locking in the explorer type of MMO player, and we at Massively will keep our eyes out to see if it hopes to hook the social, killer, and achiever types, too.

MassivelyWildStar explores its Nexus originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosChad-Mooredeveloper-diaryEldanexplorationlorencsoftNexusrobert-landWildStarwildstar-wednesdayWed, 21 Sep 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[First WildStar Wednesday dev diary takes fans through creature creation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/first-wildstar-wednesday-dev-diary-takes-fans-through-creature-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/first-wildstar-wednesday-dev-diary-takes-fans-through-creature-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/first-wildstar-wednesday-dev-diary-takes-fans-through-creature-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Concept Art -- WildStar
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first (of many, we hope) WildStar Wednesday. The magnificent Robert "Robeardo" Land and the fabulous Andy Cotnam from Carbine Studios have collaborated on a short dev diary to kick things off after WildStar's recent official announcement and convention circuit.

The diary focuses on the creation of a WildStar boss by the name of Metal Maw. Metal Maw, for the uninitiated, was conceived at Gamescom during a live drawing session featuring Mr. Cotnam, with the help of some fan input. Now that the creature has been created, Cotnam takes fans through the process of bringing a boss monster from the page to the game. For the full process -- and some lovely concept art, to boot -- head on over to the official dev diary.

MassivelyFirst WildStar Wednesday dev diary takes fans through creature creation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-cotnamcarbine-studiosconcept-artcreaturecreature-creationdev-diarymetal-mawncsoftrobert-landwildstarwildstar-wednesdayThu, 15 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/massivelys-wildstar-interview-with-jeremy-gaffney/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Concept art or in-game shot? It's not always easy to tell.
Now that Gamescom and PAX Prime are fading into memory, the rush of information we received on WildStar has slowed once more. But that certainly hasn't driven the game from anyone's memory, considering the unique visuals and gameplay previewed at both events. There are still a lot of questions to be asked about the game, and as the game is still fairly early in development, a lot of time for those questions to be answered... starting now.

Jeremy Gaffney was kind enough to answer several of our questions about WildStar, giving us a look at the time Carbine Studios has spent on developing the game and what sort of gameplay we can expect when the game is available for everyone. Even beyond the already-previewed Path system, there's a great deal of interest for excited fans to see, so take a look past the break for our questions and Mr. Gaffney's answers.

Continue reading Massively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney

MassivelyMassively's WildStar interview with Jeremy Gaffney originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosinterviewJeremy-Gaffneyncsoftpreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersupcoming-gameswildstarTue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with WildStar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-wildstar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Look at how big her ... ears are!
I'll confess, I didn't want to like WildStar. I was interested to hear that NCsoft and Carbine Studios would be unveiling a new MMO at Gamescom, so I took a look at the trailer as soon as it was released to see what it was all about.

At my look of the wasp-waisted, big-eyed bunny girl with the crazy long tail, I rolled my eyes and dismissed the game as silly. For about 10 seconds. By the time I got to the end of the trailer, the self-deprecating sense of humor and quirky style had sucked me right in. I watched pretty carefully for more information and was eager to get a firsthand look at WildStar at this year's PAX Follow along after the jump to see what I found out.

Continue reading PAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with WildStar

MassivelyPAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with WildStar originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosfeaturedFirst-Impressionshands-onimpressionsncsoftpaxpax-2011pax-prime-2011previewpreviewswildstarWed, 31 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I'm lost at sea, don't bother me, I've lost my way.
Before Gamescom, WildStar was nothing more than a title without a hint of what the game would actually promise. But now that the game is being shown off, the combination of a unique aesthetic with a promise of uniquely focal gameplay has gotten a lot of people interested. The visuals, of course, have already been well-displayed by the trailers and preview shots, so this year's panel at PAX 2011 focused instead on the other half of the equation: the paths.

The panel began with a brief viewing of the game's cinematic trailer to kick things off, followed by an explanation of the game's core design philosophy. As the team from Carbine Studios (Jeremy Gaffney, Eric DeMilt, and Mike Donatelli) put it, most games are built with a basic set of design assumptions that push players in a fixed direction determined by the designers. WildStar was built from the ground up to let players enjoy the game when they want to, with whomever they want, and most importantly however they want. The paths are the key to that system -- multiple overlaid playstyles that ensure you have your own play experience no matter what class or race you pick.

Continue reading PAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way

MassivelyPAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartles-typescarbinecarbine-studioseric-demiltexplorerjeremy-gaffneymike-donatellincsoftnewspathspaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011player-typesplaystylespreviewsreal-world-eventsscientistsettlersoldierwildstarwsSat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to PAX 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PAX 2011: Massively's guide
What can be said about PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington that hasn't been said already? Everyone knows that it is the largest public gaming event in North America. Attendance totaled 67,600 last year, not including press and exhibitors. And this year, even more gamers will descend on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The latest and greatest games -- released and unreleased -- will be available for public consumption. Developers will mill around the showroom floor, answering your questions. Not to mention that no one will look at you funny because you play video games!

This year, MMORPGs really stand out in the crowd. Seattle native NCsoft has a huge presence at the convention, borrowing a theater just to showcase its games. BioWare comes armed with its heavy-hitter, Star Wars: The Old Republic. And free-to-play titles like Firefall, Lord of the Rings Online, and Wakfu promise to strut their stuff at this year's PAX.

Punch past the break as Massively outlines the must-see booths for MMO fans. And don't forget the panels, including a couple of MMO spotlights for PAX Dev, the gathering of fans and developers at Sheraton Seattle Hotel on the 24th and 25th.

Continue reading Massively's guide to PAX 2011

MassivelyMassively's guide to PAX 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torchlight meets Firefly, or late 90s Disney meets Firefly? You decide.
It remains to be seen what's going to come of it in the future, but WildStar certainly made an impressive showing during its debut at Gamescom 2011. Of course, outside of a trailer and some very early gameplay, potential players still know very little about the meat of how the game plays. But there are nuggets to be found in the wrap-up posts, a few interesting answers that should pique further interest in the upcoming title.

The fact that the game will include PvP is almost a no-brainer, but the endgame has been stated to be diverse for all players. If you don't enjoy raiding, the game will still have a world story for players to explore and get engaged by. The world will feature both open areas and instances, as well, with a definite spread of different ways to ensure that players can experience the game with their friends. Last but not least, classes will be versatile and armor will be heavily customizable -- the game is being shaped to be something where each player can make his or her mark and have a unique look.

If the game interests you, our own staffers will be getting a hands-on experience with WildStar on Friday.

MassivelyGamescom wrapups for WildStar tease a few more nuggets of information originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecarbinecarbine-studioscontentendgamegamescomgamescom-2011ncsoftnew-titlespreviewspvpraidingupcoming-titleswildstarwsMon, 22 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was the juiciest reveal at Gamescom?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-juiciest-reveal-at-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-juiciest-reveal-at-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-juiciest-reveal-at-gamescom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

NCsoft booth photo
Every summer, the Massively staff spends time lurching from con to con in a drunken haze of MMO reveals. And every summer, we mull over those reveals, mentally ranking each one for quality, practicality, guts, and comic-relief. Gamescom has provided another such opportunity. WildStar? 2007 called; it wants Tabula Rasa back. The Secret World in April? Ambitious. Otherland? About time. Huttball? Wait. Really? Huttball?

Then again, we'll play just about anything. So you tell us: What would you deem the best reveal of Gamescom?

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 was the juiciest reveal at Gamescom? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebrianna-royce-tdgcarbine-studioseaElectronic-Artsfuncomgamescomgamescom-2011gamigohuttballncsoftopinionotherlandrevealsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortabula-rasatdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtortswwildstaryes-really-huttballSun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carbine releases WildStar gameplay video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/carbine-releases-wildstar-gameplay-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/carbine-releases-wildstar-gameplay-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/carbine-releases-wildstar-gameplay-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar gameplay image
After several weeks of curiosity and anticipation surrounding the new game from Carbine studios, the developers have started releasing information on WildStar in a big way. First there was a trailer, then details on the game's races and classes, and today Carbine has released eight minutes of gameplay footage.

Don't let the cartoony graphics and curvaceous bunny-girls fool you -- the gameplay shows dynamic, fairly mobile combat and impressive environments along with a few surprises here and there. Jump past the cut to see it for yourself, and if you want to see even more, keep an eye out for Massively's hands-on impressions of WildStar next week at PAX!

Continue reading Carbine releases WildStar gameplay video

MassivelyCarbine releases WildStar gameplay video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosncsoftwildstarwildstar-gameplaywildstar-onlineFri, 19 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamescom 2011: WildStar reveals first three races and classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamescom-2011-wildstar-reveals-first-three-races-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamescom-2011-wildstar-reveals-first-three-races-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamescom-2011-wildstar-reveals-first-three-races-and-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wildstar class and race
After yesterday's unveiling of Carbine Studio's colorful entry into the MMO races, we've been understandably curious about this WildStar and could have s'more, please? Fortunately, a fan site has dug out some details about three of the game's races and classes, all of which can be seen in the hilarious trailer that Carbine released.

On the racial side, players have the Granok, Human and Aurin to choose from. The Granok are hulking, cigar-chomping slabs of rage, the Humans are exiles looking for a new home, and the Aurin are cute bunny-people who must go through Q-tips like mad.

As for classes, players who prefer to get up close and personal with their enemies would do well to choose the Warrior, who boasts a number of strong tech and melee attacks, which are powered by fuel cells and adrenaline, respectively. Spellslingers use a pair of special pistols to stay on top of ranged damage, relying on a balanced rotation of magic and gunplay to keep up with DPS. And finally there's the Esper, your standard Mage class, who uses psychic spells like Telekenetic Strike to do massive damage to helpless enemies.

There are reportedly more classes and races than just these, and we'll keep our eyes on Carbine as more details pour out about this promising title.

MassivelyGamescom 2011: WildStar reveals first three races and classes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aruinbunny-boobscarbinecarbine-studiosclassesespergamescom-2011granokhumanmagicmeleenexusracesrangedspellslingertelekenetic-strikewarriorwildstarThu, 18 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft announces new MMO: WildStar [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/ncsoft-announces-new-mmo-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/ncsoft-announces-new-mmo-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/ncsoft-announces-new-mmo-wildstar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

In addition to the Guild Wars 2 PvP news we heard this morning, NCsoft dropped another news bomb regarding the announcement of its newest MMO venture, titled WildStar.

Developed by Carbine studios, WildStar is a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid MMO of "high adventure" in which players "lay claim to a mysterious planet on the edge of known space" by playing as Explorers, Soldiers, Scientists, or Settlers. Through a feature known as Momentum Mechanics, players can immerse themselves in a world that actually responds to choices made throughout the game. "Depending on a combination of faction, race, class and path," a press release states, "WildStar will present gamers with unending surprises, mini-quests and challenges, ensuring that their experiences are fun and fresh."

We'll keep our eyes on any further developments with Wildstar, including news of the playable demo at Gamescom.

[Update: We now have a complete gallery of screenshots and concept art below and the cinematic trailer after the jump.]

Gallery: WildStar

Continue reading NCsoft announces new MMO: WildStar [Updated]

MassivelyNCsoft announces new MMO: WildStar [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbine-studiosconcept-artfantasyhybridncsoftsci-fiscreenshotsvideowildstarWed, 17 Aug 2011 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to Gamescom 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/massivelys-guide-to-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/massivelys-guide-to-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/massivelys-guide-to-gamescom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gamescom 2011
If you've never been to Gamescom before, let's simply put it this way: It's big. Really, really big. Forget most any convention you've attended; this is likely to be even bigger. Billing itself as the world's largest games event, Gamescom sees well over a quarter-million fans, journalists and exhibitors crowd into the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany to check out hundreds of games and companies.

Due to its size and worldwide prominence, Gamescom is a significant event for anyone following the MMO genre (and video games in general). There are plenty of MMO studios gearing up to share first looks, exclusive reveals, detailed Q&A sessions, and exciting hands-on demos for attendees.

Naturally, Massively will be paying close attention to all of the news coming out of Gamescom this week. For those attending the convention or merely looking to keep abreast of all of the games, studios, and information forthcoming, we've compiled a guide to the hottest tickets at Gamescom as well as a comprehensive exhibitor list of MMO studios after the break.

Continue reading Massively's guide to Gamescom 2011

MassivelyMassively's guide to Gamescom 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardage-of-wulinalderaananetapbapb-reloadedarenanetastabiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcarbine-studiosconventionconvention-guidecryengine-3defiancedota-2eaea-biowareelectronic-artsend-of-nationsfeaturedfirefallfor-the-love-of-god-not-gamesconfrogsterfuncomgamersfirstgamescomgamescom-2011gamigoglobal-agendagpotatogrimlandsguideguild-wars-2gw2hi-rezhi-rez-studiosjagged-alliance-onlinejeremy-gaffneylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromassively-guidenexonnhnred-5-studiosriftrise-of-isengardsmitestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorsylvari-weekthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtortribes-ascendtriontrion-worldsturbineufo-onlinevalvevindictuswargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warplaneswowTue, 16 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[S'all about style, baby: Carbine Studios' Matt Mocarski on art and design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/sall-about-style-baby-carbine-studios-matt-mocarski-on-art-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Teaser Screenshot from Carbine's upcoming MMO's debut trailer
Nothing seems to stem the tide of dev diaries flowing out of NCSoft's Carbine Studios, and that's just fine by us. Today we have a new post from Carbine's art director Matt Mocarski regarding the visual style of their upcoming title, and which just so happens to include a sneak peek at a screenshot from the title's upcoming debut trailer (which you can see as the header to this post).

According to Mocarski, the team began work on the project with a simple goal for the art: It had to be unique and iconic; something that would be instantly recognizable as belonging to Carbine's MMO. With that in mind, the artists began drawing on the collective influences of the team, specifically American and European comics and American and Japanese animation, and came together with an art style that would be unique and memorable for their future fantasy game. It took a few iterations, but eventually the team settled on what Mocarski describes as an illustrated and hand-crafted style. Judging by the still provided, we think it's going to be quite interesting to see the team's work in motion when the game premieres at Gamescom next week.

MassivelyS'all about style, baby: Carbine Studios' Matt Mocarski on art and design originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartworkcarbinecarbine-studiosdesignfantasy-techfuture-fantasygame-artjust-announce-the-game-alreadymatt-mocarskincsoftsci-fi-fantasyWed, 10 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST