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[Kingsisle shines some light on Wizard101 gardening]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/kingsisle-shines-some-light-on-wizard101-gardening/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/kingsisle-shines-some-light-on-wizard101-gardening/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/kingsisle-shines-some-light-on-wizard101-gardening/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

If you're a player of Wizard101, the surprisingly deep card-based MMO from Kingsisle Entertainment, then you were probably surprised when gardening made an appearance on the test server last week. I know I heard a gasp of surprise as my wife logged in to take a look! It seems as though players will now be able to grow their own plants, complete with their own personalities and faces.

Well, things were still a bit foggy so we decided to fire off a few questions (with the help of our friend Fallon at Diary of a Wizard) in the hopes that our thumbs would become a little greener. Thankfully, Fred Howard, V.P. of marketing at Kingsisle, was able to answer them all. Join us past the cut for the full interview!

Continue reading Kingsisle shines some light on Wizard101 gardening

MassivelyKingsisle shines some light on Wizard101 gardening originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancard-battlediary-of-a-wizardf2pfeaturedfred-howardfree-to-playfreemiumftpgardeningkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentpatchtest-realmthe-friendly-necromancerwizard-101wizard101Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/massively-blue-oyster-cults-eric-bloom-and-wizard101-walk-into/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Blue Oyster Cult lead singer Eric Bloom has been gaming a long, long time, and been part of a very iconic rock band for even longer. If you are familiar with the More Cowbell sketch on Saturday Night Live, you know B.O.C. I remember their music from my younger days, as my brother and I tried to learn their songs for our band to cover (pro tip: the lead in Don't Fear the Reaper is a killer). In fact, it has to be some kind of fate that I would interview him many years later, since his music also blends in perfectly with the gaming lifestyle.

So, what do rock stars like to play? A bit of everything, it seems. Eric also writes for Beckett Massive Online Gamer and has songs featured in games ranging from Guitar Hero to Warhammer Online. Recently, he was asked to help design a quest for the bright and shiny card-battle MMORPG Wizard101. It turns out he had an idea for a quest, and his recent visit to Kingsisle Entertainment was the perfect opportunity to make that idea a reality. Follow past the break to check out the recording of my phone interview with Eric, as well as a sit-down with him and the developers from Kingsisle.

Continue reading Massively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar...

MassivelyMassively, Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom and Wizard101 walk into a bar... originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioblue-oyster-cultcard-battleeric-bloomexclusivefantasyfeaturedftpinterviewkingsisle-entertainmentwizard-101Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[KingsIsle announces Wizard101 expansion details]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/kingsisle-announces-wizard101-expansion-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/kingsisle-announces-wizard101-expansion-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/kingsisle-announces-wizard101-expansion-details/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Kingsisle Entertainment finally announced details about the upcoming Wizard101 expansion! Players will soon be able to explore Celestia, a new underwater land populated by crab people while pursuing 10 extra levels. As if that is not enough, there will be a new pet system that allows players to grow, customize, race and fight alongside their companions. There will also be three yet-to-be-named schools of secondary magic. (You can already hear the theorizing from here.)

According to J. Todd Coleman, Vice President and Creative Director for KingsIsle Entertainment: "2010 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the students of Ravenwood School of Magic. Whether exploring the underwater kingdom of Celestia, or hatching and training pets to participate in the Pet Derby, every player-from the newest apprentice to the returning grandmaster-will find something compelling, engaging and fun."

You can download and play the game for free (with the option of a subscription) here. Look for the update in June!

MassivelyKingsIsle announces Wizard101 expansion details originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>card-battleexpansionfree-to-playftpkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentwizard101Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Camon Hero closed beta is in the cards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/camon-hero-closed-beta-is-in-the-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/camon-hero-closed-beta-is-in-the-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/camon-hero-closed-beta-is-in-the-cards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're one of the multitudes who grew up playing a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh or other card battling games, then we've got news about an upcoming MMO that may well interest you. Camon Hero, also known as Orka in other parts of the world, is coming to the West with fast-paced free-to-play card game MMO fun -- and a closed beta that starts tomorrow.

In Camon Hero, players explore the world, attempting to rid the lands of evil, and picking up different cards along the way. The game offers a classless system based entirely on the cards you have selected at the time. In the mood to be a battle mage? Load those cards up and get to playing. Prefer to go full-on melee or pure caster? You can do that too. From there, it's all about who has the better cards as you pit your deck (and thereby character) building skills against players in PvP, or against the world in PvE. Only unlike playing a traditional TCG, the cards spring to life and fight for your side!

For now, we've embedded the trailer for Camon Hero behind the break, which shows off some tantalizing hints of game play. Hopefully we'll hear some more news about this interesting MMO (or maybe score some beta keys) in the days to come.

Continue reading Camon Hero closed beta is in the cards

MassivelyCamon Hero closed beta is in the cards originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacamon-herocard-battlecard-duelistccgclosed-betafree-to-playhanbitsoftmmot3-entertainmenttcgtrading-card-gameuforiaMon, 01 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Theorycrafting in Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/theorycrafting-in-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/theorycrafting-in-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/theorycrafting-in-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Apparently theorycrafting isn't just for hardcore RPGers anymore. Tipa of the West Karana blog put together an interesting primer on the hidden numbers behind kid-friendly (and adult too - don't be shy) MMO, Wizard101. Want to know what damage, accuracy or power pips are and which is better? Want to know what your ideal secondary magic school might be? Want to know how important mana or health is when choosing gear? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Tipa's "need to know" guide. You can even leave a question in her comment section if you don't find what you were looking for.

And we're sure there will be a lot of questions since Wizard101 recently hit the one million player mark. Perhaps theorycrafting has become a bit more important in this casual-friendly game since they recently added the player arena, where wizards can engage in a fierce magical duels against each other. Competition usually encourages more strategic thinking and planning if you want to win, and this combat primer might help as well.

MassivelyTheorycrafting in Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>card-basedcard-battledragonspyreduelkingsisle-entertainmentturn-basedwizard101Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get mystical with this Wizard101 combat primer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/get-mystical-with-this-wizard101-combat-primer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/get-mystical-with-this-wizard101-combat-primer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/get-mystical-with-this-wizard101-combat-primer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Maybe the casual friendly, Harry Potter inspired Wizard101 has caught your eye sometime in the past, but you weren't really sure what the game entailed. Well, in that case MMORPG.com has a good combat primer that'll help you get your wands in order, as it were. While the game doesn't demand deep, tactical thinking it isn't exactly a hack 'n slash title either -- so a little bit of help isn't out of the question. Plus, it's got a free-or-pay pricing structure as well.

If you're wondering whether or not Wizard101 is a game worth a little investigation, we'll be the first to answer that yes, very much so! We've got both some early hands-on time with the game, as well as an interview we did shortly before it launched last September. And if you're looking for something short and sweet to convince you to take a look: turn-based card battle MMORPG.

MassivelyGet mystical with this Wizard101 combat primer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>card-basedcard-battlecombatharry-pottermmorpg.comprimerturn-basedwizard-101wizard101Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST