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[NCsoft KOs Punch Monster in Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ncsoft-kos-punch-monster-in-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ncsoft-kos-punch-monster-in-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ncsoft-kos-punch-monster-in-korea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Punch Monster, er, I mean Blue Tears
If you've never heard of NCsoft's Punch Monster, you're not alone. Apparently the few people who have heard of it didn't want to play it, as the Korean gaming giant is closing down the casual MMO as of February 15th.

ThisIsGame says that it's been some time since NCsoft pushed a major update onto the game's live servers, and a company spokesperson confirmed as much. "We decided to close it because we have barely sustained the Korean service. We will continue to develop and publish casual games with [the] experience we have gained so far."

Punch Monster will remain playable in China and Japan for the moment, albeit under the name Blue Tears.

MassivelyNCsoft KOs Punch Monster in Korea originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue-tearscasualcasual-gamescasual-mmosclosuref2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-closinggame-closurencsoftpunch-monsterwe-just-wanted-to-say-punch-monsterThu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Garriott blames Blizzard for ignoring the social gaming field]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/richard-garriott-blames-blizzard-for-ignoring-the-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/richard-garriott-blames-blizzard-for-ignoring-the-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/richard-garriott-blames-blizzard-for-ignoring-the-social-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Portalarium

Richard Garriott, who heads up social games outfit Portalarium, publicly put the screws to Blizzard and other major MMO companies for overlooking the casual gaming space. In fact, he says that World of Warcraft's biggest challenger won't be from another AAA title, but from the "Zyngas of the world."

Talking to Industry Gamers, Garriott accused Blizzard and EA of dropping the ball when it came to social gaming, which Zynga has since explored and exploited. "The only reason Zynga exists is because people like EA, people like Blizzard, failed to step in," he said.

Garriott sees these small start-ups as having great potential in the near future. "I think within a few years, you'll see that's not really the case," he said. "I think you'll see that the quality level that comes up through the casual games will rival the quality of traditional massively multiplayer games and then, because it's not something you have to subscribe to, because it's something that virally spreads, and especially because, as people churn out of a big MMO they've got to go somewhere."

Garriott's Portalarium is currently working on an upcoming project that is "much more like Ultima Online than people might expect."

MassivelyRichard Garriott blames Blizzard for ignoring the social gaming field originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcasual-gamescasual-gamingeaElectronic-ArtsPortalariumrat-tailRichard-Garriottsmack-talksocial-gamessocial-gamingultima-onlineuoworld-of-warcraftwowzyngaWed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Garriott discusses ongoing plans for Portalarium]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/richard-garriott-discusses-ongoing-plans-for-portalarium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/richard-garriott-discusses-ongoing-plans-for-portalarium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/richard-garriott-discusses-ongoing-plans-for-portalarium/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

As much as some may poke fun at Facebook and other social media based games, those games have an enormous market share that's still growing. Let's face it: These games attract not only all manner of gamers but also the most casual of non-gaming users, such as your Great-Aunt Martha or partners who generally dislike video games. With that in mind, Edge caught up with Richard Garriott at DICE Summit recently to catch up on how things are progressing with his foray into the social gaming world: Portalarium.

While we knew about Portalarium's initial offerings such as the card game, it appears that the company has much bigger plans in store. Garriott discusses the success of many of the titles in the social gaming space and how that relates to his own personal world-building experiences with Ultima Online. Further, he notes that Portalarium's current main title is "not a game about farming... operating a shop... [or] managing your pets." There is also some discussion of making in-game purchases tie to microlending sites like Kiva to benefit projects in other countries, which is certainly worth reading as well. If you're curious about where Portalarium is going or interested in reading some ideas from an industry vet, then pop over to Edge and check out the full interview with Garriott.

MassivelyRichard Garriott discusses ongoing plans for Portalarium originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesdice-summitdice-summit-2011facebookkivamicrolendingmmo-industryportalariumrichard-garriottsocial-gamingsocial-mediaThu, 10 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Garriott on the state of social gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/richard-garriott-on-the-state-of-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/richard-garriott-on-the-state-of-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/richard-garriott-on-the-state-of-social-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Legendary game creator Richard Garriott raised a few eyebrows when he announced a foray into social gaming last fall. The MMORPG maestro and occasional astronaut seemed a rather unlikely candidate for the casual games space after spearheading the likes of Ultima Online and Tabula Rasa. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Garriott revealed that he's taking no prisoners when it comes to his new endeavor, offering his views on the large number of crapware titles cluttering the casual space as well as his company's plans to distribute its tools for free in order to help standardize the sector and raise the quality bar.

"There's tons of small start-ups who we are seeing take lots of investment and lots of activity and large acquisition costs -- who are creating, literally, junk. Stuff that people aren't playing that much and if you play it it's not much fun," Garriott opined.

Garriott's new company, Portalarium, has thus far produced Port Casino Poker and Port Casino Blackjack, both playable via Facebook, and is now shifting its focus to a new title that has more in common with UO. Details on the new game are slated to be revealed over the next two weeks.

MassivelyRichard Garriott on the state of social gaming originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesf2pfacebookfree-to-playgarriottinterviewslord-britishportalariumrichard-garriottsocial-gamestabula-rasaultima-onlineMon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Burnout: Report says Chinese gamers losing interest in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/burnout-report-says-chinese-gamers-losing-interest-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/burnout-report-says-chinese-gamers-losing-interest-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/burnout-report-says-chinese-gamers-losing-interest-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is there a point at which oversaturation, cultural prominence and old habits collapse under their own weight? According to a recent survey by Chinese market analyst Niko Partners, trends are shifting away in China from hardcore MMO gaming to more casual fare like social networking games.

GamesIndustry.biz reports that self-defined "hardcore" gamers in one of the largest MMORPG markets in the world have grown tired of the thousands of carbon-copy MMOs out there and have rebelled against the monotony by taking their business elsewhere.

Niko Partners' Lisa Cosmas Hanson sees a pattern to this trend: "We believe that the Chinese market has taken up SNS (social networking site) gaming in earnest, and that the hardcore gamers have shifted their preferences to include these games alongside the casual gamers who naturally appreciate them. The hardcore gamers are growing weary of the monotony of themes in the Chinese MMORPGs, and they want to extend their social interactions to games that attract a more diverse user base."

By 2014, the analyst says that there will be 141 million online gamers in China, and the casual games market will grow from 23% to encompass 30% of all online revenues -- approximately $3 billion US.

MassivelyBurnout: Report says Chinese gamers losing interest in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnoutcasualcasual-gameschinachinesechinese-marketfacebookGamesindustry.bizhardcoreniko-partnersover-saturationsnssocial-networkingwhat-me-worryWed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Playing casually or just killing time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/eve-evolved-playing-casually-or-just-killing-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/eve-evolved-playing-casually-or-just-killing-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/eve-evolved-playing-casually-or-just-killing-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MMOs are a popular hobby for hardcore and casual players alike. While some people love getting firmly embedded in their favourite MMO every night, a growing number of players prefer to log in occasionally and just kill a few hours at a time. EVE Online is no exception, with a mix of both casual and hardcore players. Taking part in things like alliance warfare, starbase industry or corporate management may require that a player log in every night but most other avenues of gameplay don't. A lot of EVE's gameplay can be picked up for a few hours and set back down with no added responsibility. In fact, player demographic data shows that most players prefer to live in the more casual environment of high security space. So what kind of things can you do if you just fancy playing internet spaceships for a few hours?

In this opinion piece, I look at five of my favourite ways to kill a few hours in the name of EVE. What's your favourite way to spend a few hours?

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Playing casually or just killing time

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Playing casually or just killing time originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamercasual-gamescasual-gamingccpccp-eveccp-gamesefteveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-fitting-tooleve-mmorpgeve-onlineeve-radioexplorationfactional-warfarefeaturedgameplayhardcorehardcore-casualhardcore-gamerhardcore-vs-casuallevel-4-missionsmissionMissionsopinionpvpwormholesSun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gatheryn invites all to open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/gatheryn-invites-all-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/gatheryn-invites-all-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/gatheryn-invites-all-to-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you've had your sights set on seeing what the world of Gatheryn has to offer you, then wait no longer as open beta is here.

If you're looking to download the world of Elymia, then look no further than the download and registration page. The game is a pretty modest download while the registration is brief and easy (exactly how a good registration should be.) With little muss and fuss, you'll soon find yourself logging in and seeing what the steampunk world has to offer you!

Bugs can be reported on the main site, while there are discussions going on in the forums. Forum registration is separate, so don't forget to go register there too while you're downloading the client!

MassivelyGatheryn invites all to open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesclient-downloadelymiagatherynmindfusemindfuse-gamesopen-betasteampunkworld-of-gatherynMon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gatheryn casual games update brings minigame pavilion and location-based puzzles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gatheryn-casual-games-update-brings-minigame-pavilion-and-locati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gatheryn-casual-games-update-brings-minigame-pavilion-and-locati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gatheryn-casual-games-update-brings-minigame-pavilion-and-locati/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The MMO industry seems to be stepping away from pure fantasy titles, and some new projects are taking a rather different approach to what we expect from massively multiplayer online games. Gatheryn from MindFuse is one such title, that blends steampunk and mini-games into an MMO that's a departure from the norm. Gatheryn is already a decidedly casual MMO, but that hasn't stopped the creators from identifying what works and running with it. In this case, they've opted to add more mini-games to Gatheryn's existing beta content.

Gatheryn's Casual Games Update, which went live today, brings two new features to the steampunk-themed MMO. The Minigame Pavilion is a carnival where players can try out Gatheryn's numerous minigames, right off the bat, and without needing to pay silver to try them out. MindFuse has also introduced Word Safari, which they describe as "a series of location-based puzzles where players find special objects and match words according to their specific role and location in Elymia." This sounds like fun, and in some respects is like an exploration game as players learn more about the various areas to be found in Gatheryn. If this seems like your type of game, you can register for the Gatheryn beta over on their signup page.

MassivelyGatheryn casual games update brings minigame pavilion and location-based puzzles originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetascarnivalcasualcasual-gamescasual-games-updateelymiagatherynmindfusemini-gamesminigame-pavilionsteampunkword-safariTue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The social game roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/the-social-game-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/the-social-game-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/the-social-game-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


As web technology improves, games are spreading into places you'd expect, as well as places you wouldn't. Facebook is practically a console, the definition of MMOG is changing and Raph Koster's Metaplace may very well turn everything on the web into a play space.

Tadgh Kelly at Simple Lifeforms was good enough to take inventory of the social games enjoying popularity today. He breaks the scene into eight categories:
  • Social RPGs
  • Sports RPGs
  • Casual games
  • Word games
  • Virtual villages, or mini virtual worlds
  • Casino games
  • Just for laughs, or silly games like the versus games on Facebook
  • Ownership games
Kelly provides a bunch of examples for each category, and definitely makes for good reading, especially as the media through which games can be played evolve.

MassivelyThe social game roundup originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-gamescasual-gamesfacebookfree-to-playmetaplacesimple-lifeformssocial-gamestadghvirtual-worldsSat, 21 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare CEO is confident in the state of PC gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/bioware-ceo-is-confident-in-the-state-of-pc-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/bioware-ceo-is-confident-in-the-state-of-pc-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/bioware-ceo-is-confident-in-the-state-of-pc-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , ,


BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka is standing behind PC games, directly opposing all of the naysayers that shout the doom of PC gaming from on high.

A recent article over at Computer And Video Games.com pointed to Muzyka's confident stance as well as his expression of changing the definition of PC gaming, such as counting in the large growth of MMOs, flash games, and other casual experiences that any PC user can easily access.

"MMOs are one way that's occurring... And there are more people playing flash-based games and casual games, even core games that are played in a casual way, so maybe [they have] a more core experience and you only play them for short bursts or for half an hour or something," Muzyka was quoted as saying.

One only needs to look at the success of games such as World of Warcraft or any other MMO, as well as the very healthy Steam distribution service to note that PC gaming is far from dead.

MassivelyBioWare CEO is confident in the state of PC gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecasual-gamesceocomputer-and-video-gamesflash-gamesmmospc-gamespc-gamingray-muzykasteamTue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There seems be an endless tide of online games and virtual worlds being made available to us, with more always on the way. Some of them are well-known and need little introduction, such as Second Life, Playstation Home, and Facebook games, to name just a few. But there's plenty more out there, some of which falls into the standard 'MMO' category, although it's a label that we find is steadily blurring as time goes on.

Darren Gladstone, Senior Writer at PC World, has put together "The Social Gaming Guide" for his Casual Friday column. In it he explores some of the mainstays of social gaming like the options found within Second Life and Facebook, but also sheds light on some lesser known alternatives. Gladstone discusses some of the choices gamers have with The Casual Collective, which he describes as "a cool casual-gaming waterhole created by the minds behind DTD," or Desktop Tower Defense. He looks at Whirled, an open-source gaming community which is home to Flash MMOs. "For players, Whirled is an awesome collection of hundreds of games, broken out by category and just waiting for you to jump in," Gladstone writes. Forthcoming Facebook integration will also add more dimensions to gameplay at Whirled.

Continue reading Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs

MassivelyExpanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activexbrowsercasualcasual-gamesdarren-gladstonef2pfacebookfree-to-playhomeinstantactionmoondopc-worldplaystation-homesocial-gamessocial-gamingthe-casual-collectivewhirledSun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: The future of FunOrb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-future-of-funorb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-future-of-funorb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-future-of-funorb/#commentsFiled under:

Alongside a number of insights into the new Runescape HD release and tantalizing hints at the upcoming Mechscape, our discussion with Jagex yesterday morning yielded a few tibits about FunOrb. Jagex's under-the-radar casual games offering is built on the same technology as Runescape, implying some interesting things about the company's future plans. We spoke with Geoff Iddison and developer Henrique Olifiers about the project, and came away with some interesting viewpoints on Jagex's future development plans. Read on below the cut for hints at how casual gaming and browser-based RPG fun might combine into a new (and delicious) whole.

Continue reading E308: The future of FunOrb

MassivelyE308: The future of FunOrb originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual-gamese3e3-2008e308featuredfunorbjagexmechscaperunescapeWed, 16 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon's new western targeted MMOG Sugar Rush in closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nexon-s-new-western-targeted-mmog-sugar-rush-arena-in-closed-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nexon-s-new-western-targeted-mmog-sugar-rush-arena-in-closed-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nexon-s-new-western-targeted-mmog-sugar-rush-arena-in-closed-bet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Nexon America's Min Kim dropped a hint in late May that an upcoming MMO title was in development in their Vancouver studio. The big secret is Sugar Rush, a new casual based MMO romp and stomp with coin collection mixed into the fray. It is the first MMOG from that studio that is intended specifically for North American audiences. While Sugar Rush is free to play, it will sustain development costs via a microtransaction model "item mall" similar to many other free to play MMOs. The game is currently in closed beta and Nexon America is not accepting applications at this time, but we hear it may launch in the very near future.

The development team working on Sugar Rush is based in Vancouver, Canada and includes former Electronic Arts Worldwide Studios Group vice president and creative director Steve Rechtschaffner, as well as studio Klei Entertainment. Headed by Jamie Cheng, Klei Entertainment previously developed and published Eets, a 2D puzzle game for PCs which was later revamped for Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade.

It will be interesting to see how Sugar Rush does in North America. MapleStory is unquestionably highly successful. It put Nexon on the global radar and shocked the naysayers when MapleStory earned 29 million dollars in revenue -- not bad for a free to play MMOG! The whole western and eastern MMOG market juxtaposition is fascinating; many have shunned a lot of eastern games in discussing the western market and vice-versa. A video from the closed beta showcasing game play is after the jump. Let us know what you think.

Continue reading Nexon's new western targeted MMOG Sugar Rush in closed beta

MassivelyNexon's new western targeted MMOG Sugar Rush in closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual-gamesfree-to-playitem-mallmaple-storymicrotransactionmin-kimnexonnexon-americapvprmtsteve-rechtschaffnersugar-rushTue, 24 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Friday the 13th: An inauspicious day for the superstitious crowd, but a great day for attendees of the Social Gaming Summit, held in San Francisco. The day saw a schedule full of great panels, populated by some of the industry's finest movers and shakers, among them representatives from Gaia Online, Nexon, Three Rings, and Gamasutra, among others too numerous to list here.

A particular highlight of the conference for this blogger was the panel entitled "Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds", which provided a lively discussion on what it means to create a virtual social space, how to monetize free-to-play content, and what exactly is a casual MMO? Trying to divide attention between listening raptly and taking notes is difficult; here is the result, along with the panelists, after the jump.

Continue reading The Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds

MassivelyThe Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditioncasual-gamesclub-penguineventfeaturedfree-to-playgaia-onlinejoystiqfeaturesk2-networkkart-riderlostmaple-storymassively-event-coveragemicrotransactionsneopetsnexonpanelplayerbasescionsocial-gaming-summittexas-hold-emWed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Crafting conundrum]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/the-digital-continuum-crafting-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/the-digital-continuum-crafting-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/the-digital-continuum-crafting-conundrum/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Whenever I start playing a new MMO my interest in crafting tends to go through two phases: hope and realization. During the hope phase I find myself wondering what sort of cool things I could create. I also think about being able to use those creations in useful and interesting ways. My head tends to float up into the clouds as I contemplate all the great times I'm about to have with a game's crafting system.

Then there's the realization phase, where my crafting dreams are crushed. This is the point when I start playing with the crafting system and moving through its inner workings only to find the same old thing: Talk to an NPC, get crafting skill of choice, look at recipe, gather ingredients and proceed to select how many I want before clicking a single button to create my item. When will developers admit that this is incredibly boring and at least try to spice things up a bit. They don't have to re-think the entire system. I would be perfectly happy with some evolutionary changes.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Crafting conundrum

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Crafting conundrum originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual-gamescraftingcrafting-systemfeaturedmini-mapminingthe-digital-continuumweaponsmithweaponsmithingSat, 31 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Worlds in Motion recently covered events at the InterPlay Conference in San Francisco. InterPlay is devoted to social gaming, and is billed as 'the premier conference on the business of games on the Social Web.' Among the speakers at InterPlay were Charles Yong and Jing Chen, co-founders of Developer Analytics. The company offers a social networking metrics platform that provides a leaderboard of the top Facebook applications, where casual games predictably rank high. Their talk focused on the monetization of social games and the feasibility of adding greater depth to casual games, an opportunity that's drawing a 'significant surge of venture capital funding,' Worlds in Motion reports.

On the topic of generating more revenue from social games, Charles Yong said, "Social gaming is where the really great monetization is at. You can prototype with little to no money down. The whole premise of this is that marketing cost is really, really low, compared to a real game, like Grand Theft Auto IV." Before casual gamers could take offense at this statement, Yong clarified that casual gamers can be hardcore about their chosen style of play, but "they haven't seen GTA IV, they haven't seen Half-Life 2, and real money is coming out of virtual goods and currency."

Continue reading Is Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'?

MassivelyIs Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 May 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesdeveloper-analyticseconomyfacebookgtahalf-lifehardcoreinterplaymonetizationsocialsocial-gamingworlds-in-motionThu, 29 May 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you only play MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-only-play-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-only-play-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-only-play-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We cover a lot of MMOs here at Massively, but that doesn't mean that it's the only type of game we're interested in. Many of us on the team love to rip into a good console game too, or other PC games of the non-MMO variety. Sure, being involved in more than a single MMO can take up a significant portion of gaming time, but it's safe to say that we do enjoy other types of games as well.

If you've come to Massively, you likely at least have an interest in MMOs, if you aren't currently playing one or more of them -- but is that the only genre of game that you play? Do you like to play any of the current generation of consoles? Or perhaps you kick it old school with one of the awesome consoles of bygone eras? When it comes to the PC, do you only play the bigger games, or do you dip into the casual realm with titles such as Peggle? And what about those nifty handhelds, and cellphone games -- daily commute anyone?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you only play MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual-gamescellphone-gamesconsoleshandheldspc-gamespeggletdgthe-daily-grindSat, 26 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Learning by doing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/player-vs-everything-learning-by-doing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/player-vs-everything-learning-by-doing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/player-vs-everything-learning-by-doing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Exhibit A: A poorly used frost trap.In most MMORPGs, it's practically considered a right of passage to learn advanced concepts by the sweat of your brow and with a big helping of independent research. We're MMO players, after all! We don't need tutorials guiding us through the advanced aspects of the game. Right? They're for the weak and lowly fans of single player and casual games. We rely almost solely on forum information, lessons from more advanced players, and learning by doing (and we're darn proud of it). And as Tobold discussed a few weeks ago, you really have to do that stuff if you want to be a successful player.

While raiding Karazhan last weekend, my guild brought a relatively newbish hunter along for the ride. Her spec wasn't terrible, and she brought a number of epics (albeit PvP epics) to the table, so we figured, "What the heck?" We didn't even get too worried when her DPS wasn't up to par. Things were going just fine until we got to the second boss fight and needed her to do a little chain trapping. A few wipes later, we realized that she had absolutely no idea how to use her frost traps effectively-- a core mechanic of her class. What was the problem there?

Well, there's no game tutorial that comes in, holds your hand, and says, "Hey, pal. You're going to need to use frost trap effectively in the end game. Let's practice it a little until you get the hang of it." Most MMOGs just teach you the bare-bones basics of the game (like running, moving, and auto-attack) before they abandon you to the wild. You're expected to figure out the rest on your own, and eventually to hit up sites like Elitist Jerks or the World of Warcraft class forums to make sure that you're being all that you can be. Is this necessarily the best way to do things, though?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Learning by doing

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Learning by doing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcasual-gamesfeaturedgame-designnewbieplayer-vs-everythingquestquestsskillstutorialworld-of-warcraftMon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indian computer hardware sales driven with MMOs as "killer app"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/indian-computer-hardware-sales-driven-by-mmos-as-killer-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/indian-computer-hardware-sales-driven-by-mmos-as-killer-app/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/indian-computer-hardware-sales-driven-by-mmos-as-killer-app/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to a report on the burgeoning Indian gaming market (which to date registers sales of only $48 million), massively multiplayer online games are one of the major forces driving both the growth of the greater gaming industry and the sales of modern personal computers. Many are hoping that the Indian gaming market is going to undergo a similar boom as the one that has propelled China and Korea into competition with more traditional markets like the US, Europe, and Japan, with the report speculating an almost ten times growth in sales over the next decade.

At present, the biggest bottleneck to success of the current generation of MMOs is the fact that most Indian homes currently lack broadband internet access. Game makers are hoping that a promised boom in broadband connectivity in the sub-continent, coupled with the proliferation of dedicated gaming cafes, will lead to a boom in the development of MMOs. At present, casual games are still the most played, as they are accessible to players with slow internet connections. It'll be interesting to see how the Indian gaming market develops over the coming decade, and whether it will be able to affect the direction of MMOs as the other asian markets have. The report is definitely worth looking at if you're interested in the business of games and globalization.

MassivelyIndian computer hardware sales driven with MMOs as "killer app" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadbandbusinesscasual-gamesemerging-marketsgaming-cafeindiammo-industryMon, 07 Jan 2008 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO reps talk demographics, casual play, console plans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotro-reps-talk-demographics-casual-play-console-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotro-reps-talk-demographics-casual-play-console-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotro-reps-talk-demographics-casual-play-console-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yesterday Gamasutra published a five page interview about The Lord of the Rings Online with Turbine's Jeffrey Steefel and Adam Mersky.

According to the interview, one third of LotRO players are over 35 because the license drew people new to MMOs -- people who came for "The Lord of the Rings first, the MMO second." Fans of LotRO often claim the game's community is more mature than that of competing games. "Sometimes game communities can be rough, just because of the nature of the competitiveness and the nature of the age range of people playing, and this is a pretty mature, fun place to be a part of," said Steefel.

Steefel and Mersky also talked about the challenges of dealing with gold farmers, what the real definition of "casual games" might be, the pluses and minuses of adapting a famous work of literature, the competition, and Turbine's option to produce massively multiplayer games for consoles. As is the case with most Gamasutra interviews, the discussion is an excellent read if you want an inside look.

MassivelyLotRO reps talk demographics, casual play, console plans originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-merskyagecasual-gamesconsolesgamasutragold-farmersinterviewjeffrey-steefellord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromaturetolkienturbineTue, 06 Nov 2007 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOs to get more massive, even mobile]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/mmos-to-get-more-massive-even-mobile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/mmos-to-get-more-massive-even-mobile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/mmos-to-get-more-massive-even-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As if our lives aren't dominated enough by raids, guild-runs, and the newest beta tests, it would appear that the next trend in MMO development is finding ways for games to reach you when you're away from the computer. At the recent Virtual Worlds Forum, business leaders have been salivating at the opportunities posed by expanding their IPs to mobile platforms. Moshi Monsters, an MMO from Mind Candy aimed at kids, banks heavily on their MoPod technology. MoPods are small, cheap, virtual pet-esque devices that kids can bring with them to school to keep plugging away at the game's puzzles on the bus or in the cafeteria.

Then when you consider that Katsuya Eguchi, lead developer in the rumored Animal Crossing MMO, has talked openly about integrating mobile phone and PC applications into their new game, it could very well be the beginning of a new wave of mobile integration. Publishers are always looking for new ways to boost their numbers, and this would certainly be a very marketable away to go about it. It doesn't take a genius to imagine the possibilities of the technology: they could give players the ability to monitor the auction house from their phone or allow you to raise a pet on a portable gaming platform and then use it in-game. In addition to being marketable to current MMO fans, this sort of pan-technological approach to games also has a strong appeal to casual gamers, a coveted demographic if ever there was one.

It's an idea that's probably still a long way from coming to light, at least for a mainstream MMO, but it's fun to speculate about, and it's a trend we'll definitely be keeping our eye on.

MassivelyMMOs to get more massive, even mobile originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossingbusinesscasual-gamesmobilemobile-pcmoshi-monstersphonesportableportable-gamingvirtual-worlds-forumTue, 30 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EST