Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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What do War Thunder, World of Warplanes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Tribes: Ascend have in common? Not a whole lot aside from their respective appearances in this week's edition of The Firing Line.

Won't you join me after the cut for a rundown on some recent and notable online shooter news? If you're feeling particularly ornery, you can point and laugh at the fact that I'm still not in the War Thunder beta.

Continue reading The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition

MassivelyThe Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbrideachang-youchangyoudev-diarye-sportesportf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterflight-simfpsfree-to-playgaijingaijin-entertainmenthi-rezhi-rez-studioshinterlands-maphuxleymmofpsopinionpvprenaissance-fpsrenaissance-heroesrenaissance-heroes-trailershootertartarustartarus-maptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstrailertribestribes-ascendtribes-dev-diarytribes-tartarusunreal-engine-3videowar-thunderwar-thunder-bomberswar-thunder-world-of-planesworld-of-planesFri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Zeroing in on my favorite free-to-play mains]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/free-for-all-zeroing-in-on-my-favorite-free-to-play-mains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/free-for-all-zeroing-in-on-my-favorite-free-to-play-mains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/free-for-all-zeroing-in-on-my-favorite-free-to-play-mains/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

My Vanguard main
I felt a little nostalgic this week. Heck, at my age, I feel nostalgic every time I smell chimney smoke or hear Christmas music. I suspect it will only grow more common with age. MMOs have been such a huge part of my life for well over a decade now that I feel nostalgic about many of the things that happened during that time, and for many of the characters I have grown -- and lost.

I'm not overly sentimental about it, but it is interesting how we feel about the pixelated versions of ourselves, the ones we control while sitting at a keyboard or while touching a tablet. I don't want to downplay how important gaming can be for many of us, either. Once, years ago, I met a fellow player in a social game called There. She was a wonderful person who had over time lost the ability to walk. She loved the freedom that the avatar gave her. Needless to say, she was very connected to her character.

I made a short list of some of my favorite characters from the years. As I think about it, this list says a lot about me as a gamer and about the types of games I love.

Continue reading Free for All: Zeroing in on my favorite free-to-play mains

MassivelyFree for All: Zeroing in on my favorite free-to-play mains originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbeau-turkeyChangyouf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-realmsfree-to-playfreemiumglitchjagexmilmoopinionrunescapeRyzomSOESONYSony-Online-Entertainmentspellbornthe-chronicles-of-spellborntheretiny-speckVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvelvet-ropezentiaWed, 09 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hellgate Tokyo
Maybe I'm alone in this, but my jaw just dropped when I came home this past week to see that Massively posted the news that Shadowbane is coming back to life. Granted, it's only going to happen in China, but still, that's pretty incredible. Shadowbane's been in the ground for three years now, and if I had to pick an MMO that deserved resurrection, this particular one would be farthest from my mind (no offense if you liked the game; it's just that there are so many others that are even more worthy).

But how can this not give you hope? Many of us have lost an MMO we loved or at least had a decked-out character populating the character select screen, and the thought of that game coming back against all odds is a goosebump-rising one. It may also smack of justice served, as some MMOs fail not because of faulty gameplay but because of mismanagement by the studio, complex legal wrangling, or bad marketing.

Today let's look at a few examples of dead MMOs that were brought back to life and what this may mean for the future of the industry. Zombie MMOs! Not, you know, MMOs with zombies.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrchangyouclassicclassic-mmoclassic-mmosclassicsclone-wars-adventurescrimediablodiablo-clonef2pfallen-earthfantasyfaxion-onlinefeaturedflagshipfree-realmsfree-to-playfrogsterg1galaxiesgame-archaelogistgamersfirsthanbitsofthellgatehellgate-globalhellgate-londonhellgate-tokyojohn-smedleylego-universemythosmythos-europemythos-globalnostalgiaopinionPirates-of-the-Burning-Seapvprebootredbanaresurrectionrevivalsandboxsci-fishadowbanesoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgot3t3funtabula-rasathe-game-archaeologistthe-matrix-onlinevanguardzombie-mmozombiesTue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou plans to bring Shadowbane back in China]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/changyou-plans-to-bring-shadowbane-back-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/changyou-plans-to-bring-shadowbane-back-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/changyou-plans-to-bring-shadowbane-back-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Old MMOs never die, they just get farmed out. Well, except AC2. And TMO. And E&B. And SWG...
MMOs die. It's a very sad reality, but a reality just the same. And more often than not, there's no chance for a revival. But every so often the stars align just right and fans get lucky, which is almost the case with Shadowbane. Nearly three years after the game's shutdown, it looks like it'll be getting a new lease on life... as the basis for a new title developed by ChangYou.

There are no firm details on what the new game will look like, although it appears to have been in development for roughly a year at this time. Preliminarily titled World of Shadowbane, the game is still too far in the future for any sort of launch information, much less discussion of whether or not the game will see an American release. Still, it's closer to a chance at revival than the game has had in the past three years, and that's something.

MassivelyChangYou plans to bring Shadowbane back in China originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoudead-mmosdead-titlesmmo-industrynew-titlesnewsshadowbanetitle-revivaltitles-in-developmentubisoftworld-of-shadowbaneMon, 23 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Previously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-february-18th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-february-18th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/previously-on-mv-tv-the-week-of-february-18th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Previously on MVTV logo
It's time again to look back on the previous week of MassivelyTV and dig up the greatest moments that we could find! The best thing about this column is that if you have missed the earlier week's streams due to real life hassles, you can now sit back in the comforting arms of the weekend and watch hours and hours of livestreaming action -- only the choicest cuts picked by the staff.

And this week we have some goodies for sure. Starting off, Richie jumped back into Guild Wars, Mike acted like a newb in 0.0 space in EVE Online, and Adventure Mike stole a time machine and visited Nexus: Kingdom of the Winds once again. Plus we saw more Guild Wars action with Adventure Mike, RuneScape on my Thursday stream, and a bit of Zentia!

Make some popcorn, sit back, and click past the cut. Well, click past the cut and hit play first, then sit back. Unless you have a wireless mouse, then you can... well, you get me.

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th

MassivelyPreviously on MV TV: The Week of February 18th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetArena-Netbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedccpCCP-GamesChangyoueve-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumftpguild-warslive-eventslivestreammvtvnexus-kingdom-of-the-windspreviously-on-mv-tvpvprunescapeSandboxtwitch-tvtwitchtvzentiaSun, 26 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: Cloud Nine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/rise-and-shiny-recap-cloud-nine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/rise-and-shiny-recap-cloud-nine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/rise-and-shiny-recap-cloud-nine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Cloud Nine screenshot
You know, I haven't been as head over heels in love with the graphics of a game in a long time as I am with Cloud Nine. As I get older, I find myself disliking more realistic graphics and tend to enjoy cartoony, or even better, stylized graphics that do not quite push into cartoony territory. It's not like I'm trying to relive my youth; I just take a game more "seriously" when it attempts to look less serious while actually being pretty serious. I'm talking about games like Free Realms or Ryzom or Glitch: games that are cartoony and not ultra-realistic but do boast some serious gameplay or even lore behind the art. I love that.

So when I first logged into Cloud Nine, you can imagine how I felt.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Cloud Nine

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Cloud Nine originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindChangyoucloud-ninef2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpLiveStreamnetgamerappelzrose-onlinetwitch-tvtwitchtvvideozentiaSun, 12 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou reports record profits for the year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/changyou-reports-record-profits-for-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/changyou-reports-record-profits-for-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/changyou-reports-record-profits-for-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Don't chang us, we'll chang you?
If you live in China and play online, you know the name ChangYou. The company is a bit less well-known over in the US, but it's still made a name for itself with quirky titles like Zentia and Duke of Mount Deer. It's also apparently making a massive amount of money. According to the company's fourth quarter financial report, ChangYou wound up with a total gross revenue of $435.5 million, with profits surging to $248 million.

CEO Tao Wang says the company can thank a variety of games for its success -- the aforementioned Duke of Mount Deer, an expansion for Tian Long Ba Bu, and the browser-based DDTank. The success of the company in the online market is just part of the ever-expanding Chinese marketplace, which generated over $5 billion dollars last year alone. That's good news for ChangYou and its fans, since the company will enter the next year with plenty of money to generate more games.

MassivelyChangYou reports record profits for the year originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-informationchangyouddtankduke-of-mount-deerindustrymmo-industryprofitsrevenuetao-wangtian-long-ba-buzentiaMon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou reports record revenue, registered accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/changyou-reports-record-revenue-registered-accounts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ChangYou logo
With all the layoffs that seem to be going around the MMO industry as of late, it's about time we hear some good news from a developer. ChangYou, known in North America primarily for its quirky title Zentia and the bizarrely named Duke of Mount Deer, reports a 119 million USD revenue for its third fiscal quarter.

The company's amount of registered users rose as well, with the company citing 159 million current gamers inhabiting ChangYou's titles. CEO Tao Wang is understandably pleased with these results and says that "we believe these results once again demonstrate our ability to understand and fulfill gamers' needs and showcase our content development and game operation strengths." For the full details, check out the article over at Gamasutra.

MassivelyChangYou reports record revenue, registered accounts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouduke-of-mount-deereconomicseconomyf2pfinancefree-to-playmiscmiscellaneousprofitsregistered-usersrevenuesuccesstao-wanguserszentiaMon, 31 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia's 1.4 update heralds Dragon Boat Festival and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/zentias-1-4-update-heralds-dragon-boat-festival-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/zentias-1-4-update-heralds-dragon-boat-festival-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/zentias-1-4-update-heralds-dragon-boat-festival-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Zentia screenshot
Fans of ChangYou's cutesy Chinese-flavored MMO Zentia are in for a tasty summer treat today. The company is wrapping up the season with the launch of update 1.4, which brings with it the first part of the third Heavenly Test, known as the Ten-Position Test. No, that's not veiled innuendo -- Zentia's Heavenly Tests are world events in which elite groups of players compete to advance the server and level-cap. The patch also offers new disciplines, quests, drop-rate tweaks, paintings, updates to the cash shop (including new pirate-themed costumes), and a new instance named Silent Altar Challenge, which is aimed at highbie players.

Coinciding with this content update is the introduction of a new themed event called the Dragon Boat Festival. Running from August 17th to the 24th, the festival encourages players to donate raw materials to NPCs called Provincial Officers, who will craft the titular dragon boats and teach players how to make party food known as zongzi. A "surprise" awaits those who lend their materials to the project, so if you're in the mood for a snack and a boat ride, don't delay.

Past the break, we've included an official trailer highlighting the best of the patch. Enjoy!

Continue reading Zentia's 1.4 update heralds Dragon Boat Festival and more

MassivelyZentia's 1.4 update heralds Dragon Boat Festival and more originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoudragon-boat-festivalf2pfree-to-playheavenly-testpatchsilent-altar-challengeten-position-testtrailertrailersupdatevideovideoszentiaWed, 17 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou reports impressive profit and revenue gains]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been a great year for ChangYou, and the Chinese developer responsible for Tian Long Ba Bu and Duke of Mount Deer recently reported its fifth consecutive double digit growth quarter.

Tian Long Ba Bu has seen two successful expansion packs thus far in 2011, with a third scheduled for September. According to Gamasutra, Duke of Mount Deer recently increased its server headcount to 110 (up from 64), and the success of both titles powered ChangYou's $54.2 million profit as well as a 35.1 percent revenue jump over the previous year.

ChangYou also bought into a browser-game specialist called 7Road last spring with the intention of expanding its interests beyond traditional MMORPGs. All told, Gamasutra says that ChangYou contributed an impressive $327 million in revenue to a $5 billion Chinese game market.

MassivelyChangYou reports impressive profit and revenue gains originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-road7roadbrowser-basedbrowser-gameschang-youchangyouduke-of-mount-deerf2pfantasyfinancefinancesfinancial-reportfree-to-playmmo-industryprofitrevenuetian-long-ba-buTue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Oath offering real-world prizes for virtual contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The folks at ChangYou are introducing a new contest for their Dragon Oath players, and it's one that virtual pet fans are going to love. The contest is called "Pump up Your Pet," and it gives every entrant a free white fox pet along with a chance to win a Nintendo 3DS, a Tt eSports prize package, or one of three Amazon gift cards.

To enter, you'll need to have a Dragon Oath character of level 10 or above, and "like" the Dragon Oath Facebook page. Click the "promotions" tab on the Facebook page to receive a code to add the pet to your account, and then the real fun begins!

Your task is to level your new pet as much as you can by 1:00 p.m. EST on July 28th. When the deadline arrives, take a screenshot of your character and pet and send it to contests.dragonoath@gmail.com along with your character, account name, and the entry code you received to get your white fox pet. The top 10 players with the highest leveled White Foxes will be put in a raffle to win one of the prizes, and ChangYou will announce the winners on August 26th.

Best of luck to all who enter!

MassivelyDragon Oath offering real-world prizes for virtual contest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoucontestdragon-oathf2pfeaturedfree-to-playlevelingminipetspetswhite-fox-petThu, 14 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: New Zentia patch 1.3 screenshots and trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-new-zentia-patch-1-3-screenshots-and-traile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-new-zentia-patch-1-3-screenshots-and-traile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-new-zentia-patch-1-3-screenshots-and-traile/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Zentia fans get a special treat today, as ChangYou has given us a few goodies to help show off Zentia's upcoming patch 1.3. We have a handful of new screenshots as well as a short trailer to help whet your appetites for stylized martial-arts action.

What's new in Zentia version 1.3? For starters, character creation and selection have both received an overhaul and boast brand new designs to make the process even smoother. A new tutorial has been introduced to the game as well, letting new players get their bearings on the Immortal Plane. For long-time players, the patch introduces a new high-level epic questline that culminates in a battle with the demon lord, Demonor. Check the gallery for the new screenshots, and kung-fu kick your way past the cut for the trailer.

Gallery: Zentia Patch 1.3 Preview

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: New Zentia patch 1.3 screenshots and trailer

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: New Zentia patch 1.3 screenshots and trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.3changyoucharacter-creationdemonorf2pfree-to-playpatch-1.3tutorialzentiaTue, 05 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke of Mount Deer announces Chinese open beta, releases new screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/duke-of-mount-deer-announces-chinese-open-beta-releases-new-scr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/duke-of-mount-deer-announces-chinese-open-beta-releases-new-scr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/duke-of-mount-deer-announces-chinese-open-beta-releases-new-scr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ChangYou announced today that its most recent in-house-developed MMORPG, called Duke of Mount Deer, will be entering closed beta in China on July 22nd. The game takes place within the martial arts fantasy universe of Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron (which should help to explain the somewhat bizarre name).

Duke of Mount Deer boasts "beautifully rendered, cinematic quality graphics" as well as the ability for players to move from server to server at-will in order to play with friends and hunt down their enemies. Players are able to choose one of six classes, each with its own signature weapon, and set out on adventures with hundreds of other players. For more information on this upcoming title, head on over to the official site, and be sure to check out the gallery below for more screenshots.

Gallery: Duke of Mount Deer core gallery

MassivelyDuke of Mount Deer announces Chinese open beta, releases new screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoucrazy-namesduke-of-mount-deergalleriesgallerykung-fulouis-chamartial-artsscreenshotscreenshotsthe-deer-and-the-cauldronwuxiaFri, 01 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Zentia trailer showcases 25-man raids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/new-zentia-trailer-showcases-25-man-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/new-zentia-trailer-showcases-25-man-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/new-zentia-trailer-showcases-25-man-raids/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"No matter how powerful you think you may be, no matter how much epic gear you may have, something will always smack you down. There is of course a better way. Gather 25 friends and bring the heat." ChangYou's newest raid trailer invites you to take on one of the game's three toughest raid bosses in its new trailer for Zentia.

Whether you're up against the gargantuan Ghost Wold Spider (ew ew ew ew ew ew), the psychic Clairaudient, or the ominously named Nine Shadow Scorpion (EW EW EW EW EW EW), there's no doubt that you and your 24 best friends are in for a challenge. So Zentia wants to know, "Are you a boss?" For gameplay footage of players against these big nasties, jump on past the cut and join the battle at Zentia's official site.

Continue reading New Zentia trailer showcases 25-man raids

MassivelyNew Zentia trailer showcases 25-man raids originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25-man-raidchangyouEW-SCORPIONSew-spidersf2pfree-to-playraidtrailervideozentiaFri, 27 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tian Long Ba Bu introduces two new mounts and celebratory mount sale]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/tian-long-ba-bu-introduces-two-new-mounts-and-celebratory-mount/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/tian-long-ba-bu-introduces-two-new-mounts-and-celebratory-mount/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/tian-long-ba-bu-introduces-two-new-mounts-and-celebratory-mount/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Attention all wanna-be Tian Long Ba Bu Kung-Fu masters: Are you tired of having to run all over the place? After all, you need to conserve your energy for dramatically roundhouse-kicking people in the face, so you can't go tiring out your legs with something as mundane as walking.

Luckily, ChangYou has a deal for you! In celebration of the introduction of two new mounts -- the aptly named Black Beast and White Beast -- all mounts in the item shop are being sold for up to 50% off. The deal begins tomorrow and will run only for a short period of time, so if you want to cash in on this special offer, you had better crane-kick and tiger-uppercut your way over to the TLBB official site.

MassivelyTian Long Ba Bu introduces two new mounts and celebratory mount sale originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouf2pfree-to-playkung-fumartial-artsmount-salemountsnew-mountstian-long-ba-butlbbTue, 24 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia developer ChangYou spends $68 million on a browser game company]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Brower-based gaming is starting to really catch on, with a variety of games either staking out the browser as the sole required program or offering play options to browser-bound players. ChangYou, the development company most known to western readers for its game Zentia, has apparently decided that the browser field is worth investing in to the tune of $68.3 million, as it was just announced today that the company had purchased a controlling interest in Chinese company Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co.

The acquisition is intended to complete on June 30th, with up to $32 million more up for grabs if Shenzhen 7Road manages to meet certain performance milestones through the end of next year. While there's plenty of reason to speculate about what this means for the future, it's certainly interesting to note that a free-to-play game developer is making such a large investment in a browser company -- an action that could have long-term ramifications for both present and future games.

MassivelyZentia developer ChangYou spends $68 million on a browser game company originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionsbrowser-basedbrowser-based-gamingbrowser-clientsbusinessbusiness-modelschangyouf2pfree-to-playindustry-newsmergersmmo-industryzentiaMon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia dishes on virtual romance and expansions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/zentia-dishes-on-virtual-romance-and-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/zentia-dishes-on-virtual-romance-and-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/zentia-dishes-on-virtual-romance-and-expansions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It looks like ChangYou, publishers of Massively favorite Zentia, has been keeping itself really busy lately. Besides its recent opening of a PvE server, the company has now released a major expansion for the game. What's inside the rollout? A lot. You can marry your in-game sweetheart thanks to the new marriage system, adventure up to the new level cap, explore new areas and dungeons, check out the new discipline system, tame and collect new mounts and pets, sell your items to other players for tokens, and much more.

Of course, you could go to the official site and just read the patch notes, but we can do you one better. We thought the expansion marked the perfect time to sit down with Susan Revelt, the game's producer. She was gracious enough to take some time out between napping at her desk, drinking gallons of coffee, and shooting Nerf Guns at her wily community manager to answer our questions.

Click past the cut and enjoy the interview and trailer!

Continue reading Zentia dishes on virtual romance and expansions

MassivelyZentia dishes on virtual romance and expansions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancash-shopChangyouexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftplevel-cap-increasepatchessusan-reveltvirtual-marriagezentiazentia-patch-1.2Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia pushes patch 1.2 live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/zentia-pushes-patch-1-2-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/zentia-pushes-patch-1-2-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/zentia-pushes-patch-1-2-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you've been looking forward to the big expansion patch for Zentia, you're in luck. The patch has recently gone live, giving players a chance to enjoy a plethora of content -- including the marriage system, a rather apropos addition that allows players to have both a ceremony and a reception to commemorate the happiest in-game day of their characters' lives. And if you're not quite feeling in the spirit of Valentine's Day, the newly increased level cap should still offer you plenty to work toward.

East Island, a level 70-80 zone, has also been added to the game, complete with mounts and pets to locate. There's also a new Discipline system in place to allow players to focus on new class-based combat skills, helping to distinguish characters and focus specialization. Between that and a variety of new items (including some additions to the cash shop, as could be expected), Zentia players have more ways than ever to enhance a character and plenty of new content to enjoy.

MassivelyZentia pushes patch 1.2 live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouchangyou.comexpansion-patchf2pfree-to-playin-game-marriagelevel-caplevel-cap-increaselevelsmarriagenew-contentnew-zonespatchpatchesupdateszentiazentia-patch-1.2Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Ah spring! 'Tis the time when young men and women's thoughts turn to love -- or at least scoring some nifty holiday-themed loot! This year there's quite a bit going on. Some events are old familiar ones that have stood the test of time. Others offer new twists and things to do for those who have been there, done that. If you aren't feeling the love bug biting, there's even the odd anti-Valentine's-type event, perfect for those who would rather rain destruction down on the head of anyone foolish enough to approach him with anything heart-shaped or pink. Curious as to what's going on? Check out our listing below -- and feel free to chime in if you know of a fun event others should check out!

Rip out your Fallen Earth character's heart for Valentine's Day (February 11th-13th)
What's better than surviving a nuclear holocaust and wandering your way across a blasted brown landscape rife with societal collapse? Why, sharing said wanderings with someone you love, of course (or at least, someone you lust after in that we've-got-to-do-this-for-the-future-of-mankind sort of way). In a novel spin on the traditional mid-February holiday, Icarus Studios is presenting Fallen Earth's Valentine's Day Massacre event, and clones everywhere can literally offer their hearts as a sign of affection (and a +3 stamina buff).
Vindictus spreads the love with new update and holiday (February 1st-15th)
Quirky events have quickly become one of Vindictus' staples. Right now players can participate in V-Day events for special rewards. If fishing and chocolate hunting isn't your bag, you can simply purchase a Valentine's Package at the Supply Depot for "sexy Valentine's themed Inner Armor." Cute undies, in other words. Valentine's events will end after the 15th, so players are encouraged to partake sooner rather than regret it later.
Time for love in Final Fantasy XI (February 1st-15th)
Valentine's Day is almost here, that special time of year when you attempt to distill the essence of a romantic relationship into chocolate form. And if you were hoping to escape from the day within Vana'diel, your efforts are rather misdirected -- Valentione's Day coincides nicely with the holiday in the real world, with just as much saccharine summation of liaisons in Final Fantasy XI.

Continue reading Massively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities

MassivelyMassively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionallodsallods-onlinecash-shopChangyouchangyou.comcity-of-heroesCity-of-Villainscomedycostumescovdc-universe-onlinedcuoEQ2eq2xeqiieverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedewok-love-festivalfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefestivalffxifinal-fantasy-xiifrfree-realmsfree-to-playfungpotatoheartholidayholidaysicarus-studiosin-game-eventsncsoftnexonromancesoesony-online-entertainmentsquare-enixsqueenixstar-wars-clone-wars-adventuresstar-wars-galaxiesswgtlbbvalentinevalentines-dayvalentines-day-2011vindictusvirtual-worldFri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia offers lots of goodies in upcoming patch 1.2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/zentia-offers-lots-of-goodies-in-upcoming-patch-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/zentia-offers-lots-of-goodies-in-upcoming-patch-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/zentia-offers-lots-of-goodies-in-upcoming-patch-1-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to irreverent, fun, free-to-play games that some of the crew here at Massively are fond of, Zentia has managed to earn a spot on that listing. Sure, the brightly-colored landscape may not be in everyone's style, but games that don't take themselves seriously definitely should be! Along with the promise of everyday shrimp versus crab battles, Zentia's upcoming 1.2 patch will add in a lot of things that players have been looking forward to.

Aside from a new zone, new mounts, pets, items and more things of a normal nature that players expect in large updates, patch 1.2 will also offer up many other changes. Among the plans are a new Marriage system, a way to earn even more experience, and a Consignment system that will allow players to sell their items to other players server-wide. For now, while we wait for more details, we have a teaser trailer after the jump, offering a first look into this upcoming Zentia expansion, as well as a few new screenshots tucked into the gallery below. But really, epic shrimp versus crab battles... Do we need to say more?

Gallery: Zentia Screenshots

Continue reading Zentia offers lots of goodies in upcoming patch 1.2

MassivelyZentia offers lots of goodies in upcoming patch 1.2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChangyouChangyou.comconsignmentf2pfree-to-playgame-updatemarriagemarriage-systemmountsnew-zonepetszentiazentia-mmozentia-patch-1.2Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Three trends that need to go away in 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/free-for-all-three-trends-that-need-to-go-away-in-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/free-for-all-three-trends-that-need-to-go-away-in-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/free-for-all-three-trends-that-need-to-go-away-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You know what? I hate geek memes. Heck, I hate the word meme. I generally will not support any term or phrase that was made popular in the last 10 years and mainly through the use of the internet. If it was made popular in programming circles in the early days of BBS (whatever that means) or if it was lovingly crafted during the great internet bubble of the '90s, I will avoid its use. Most of the time, I do not want to use someone else's words to support my own. You will never see the following sentence coming out of my virtual mouth: "Oh, hai! >.< All your base are belong to pedo bear! O.o Angry writer is angry!"

The worst of the worst has got to be "die in a fire." Yes, I know you are a geek. I get it -- you are using a term that, I am sure, qualifies you as a socially awkward individual, as someone who simply must say the most inappropriate thing at the most inappropriate times (such as during a developer chat with developers who had almost lost their lives to recent wildfires -- I am not kidding). But I will not wear that badge of geek cred.

Until now. These practices that I am about to list to you after the cut can, you know, die in a fire.

Continue reading Free for All: Three trends that need to go away in 2011

MassivelyFree for All: Three trends that need to go away in 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancash-shopcash-shop-comparisoncash-shopsChangyoueq2xEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iif2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromemememesSOESony-Online-EntertainmentturbineTurbine-Entertainmentwizard101zentiazentia-mmoWed, 05 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Updated: On the fourth day of giveaways, Zentia gave to me...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/on-the-fourth-day-of-giveaways-zentia-gave-to-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/on-the-fourth-day-of-giveaways-zentia-gave-to-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/on-the-fourth-day-of-giveaways-zentia-gave-to-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


On the fourth day of giveaways, ChangYou gave to me... four welcome gifts!
On the third day of giveaways, Icarus gave to me... three months of gameplay!
On the second day of giveaways, Hi-Rez gave to me... two gift packages!
On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!

Today we continue Massively's 12 Days of Giveaways! During this 12-day event, you'll find presents galore, courtesy of some of the best MMOs out there. Every day until December 24th, we'll post a new contest for you to enter. We've got a huge pile of goodies to give away, so they're going to be fast and furious -- you'll have 24 hours from the time the contest is posted to enter. Don't worry, though, because we're going to do our best to accommodate everyone -- you'll simply have to leave a comment to be entered in the random drawing, and we'll be posting each contest at a different time of day.

Today's (very generous) gifts are from Zentia, the free-to-play game from ChangYou that's gained a lot of attention. Its charm attracted and kept a high number of players, and things are busier than ever in Zentia thanks to the holidays.

Follow along after the jump to see what Zentia is up to for the holidays -- and what gifts we have for you today!

Continue reading Updated: On the fourth day of giveaways, Zentia gave to me...

MassivelyUpdated: On the fourth day of giveaways, Zentia gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-giveawayschangyouf2pfree-to-playftpwinter-holidaywinter-holiday-2010winter-holiday-eventzentiaThu, 16 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive TLBB screenshots show off high-level zones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/exclusive-tlbb-screenshots-show-off-high-level-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/exclusive-tlbb-screenshots-show-off-high-level-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/exclusive-tlbb-screenshots-show-off-high-level-zones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Along with the holiday festivities, Tian Long Ba Bu (TLBB) is excited to announce the addition of several new high-level areas in the game -- and you can get your first peek of them right here on Massively!

TLBB's Emperor has ordered his best and brightest players to head out and conquer four virgin territories in the game: Mt. Fleming (level 90-95), Flame Valley (level 90-95), Salt Lake (level 84-98) and Azure Pit (level 84-89). When they return from battle, players can enjoy activities like Snowman Chess in the city of Luo Yang.

Take a look through the gallery below, and make sure to check out TLBB's Great Winter Update which hits servers tomorrow!

Gallery: TLBB Winter Update

MassivelyExclusive TLBB screenshots show off high-level zones originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azure-pitChangyouChangyou.comexclusiveflame-valleygallerygreat-winter-updateluo-yangmt-flemingsalt-lakescreenshotssnowman-chesstian-long-ba-butlbbwinter-updateTue, 14 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive Zentia contest information and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/exclusive-zentia-contest-information-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

My, how Zentia has grown! One moment, the charming game is slowly working its way into our hearts, and the next it's parading around with a fat playerbase and upcoming contests. Well, we have more exclusive information for you again -- this time it involves server changes and prizes.
  • Time to celebrate the first PvE server opening for Zentia! The PvP server Spoon will be converted to a PvE server (date to be announced)
  • There will be no force attack on regular maps anymore
  • The battlegrounds War of Camp, Royal Hunt Park and Treasure Island will have force attack enabled
  • Don't worry; dueling will still be allowed on all maps
In celebration of the new server and the holidays, ChangYou has decreed that lucky random players will receive 200 tokens to use in the cash shop -- a total of $50,000 in tokens! On top of that, four really lucky players will receive a $500 Amazon gift card, just in time for some holiday shopping. (I wear a small, by the way.) If you'd like to find out more information about the game, check out some of our first impressions here and here. You can sign up for a free account on the website and follow the game on Facebook.

MassivelyExclusive Zentia contest information and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbattlegroundbattlegroundsbeau-hindmanChangyouchristmas-2010contestcontestsf2pfree-to-playftpholidayholidayspvpserver-changesserverszentiazentia-mmoFri, 03 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Do a little dance, make a little xp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/one-shots-do-a-little-dance-make-a-little-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/one-shots-do-a-little-dance-make-a-little-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/one-shots-do-a-little-dance-make-a-little-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the many fun parts of working here at Massively (or perhaps the pitfalls, depending on your free time quotient) is getting the chance to check out MMOs one might otherwise not have known about. A game that has become a surprise favorite amongst some of the staff is Zentia. This funky free-to-play MMO from ChangYou offers fantasy, sure -- but it takes a very silly twist on it with epic shrimp vs. crab battles, dance parties and more. Today's Zentia screenshot comes to us from Brianna Royce, our senior editor and devotee of all things silly and fun. She explains the image: "Here's a shot of the northern gates of the Serene City, one taken from the edges of the Serene Forest itself. The Serene City is the first of the large walled towns a player will encounter. In addition to featuring plentiful quests for the mid-teens character, it boasts markets for player vendor stalls and the infamous Dancing Nenny, whom you can follow and dance with (in long conga lines of players) for free experience!"

We're always on the lookout for scenes and screens of games we don't get to see often. If you'd like to contribute, just email your image to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to check out and give you the credit for sending it in.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Do a little dance, make a little xp originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breebrianna-roycechangyouChangyou.comf2pfree-to-playone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotszentiazentia-mmoThu, 18 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia shows off pet and mount videos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/zentia-shows-off-pet-and-mount-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/zentia-shows-off-pet-and-mount-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/zentia-shows-off-pet-and-mount-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pay attention, MMO pet and mount fans. ChangYou.com has some new videos focusing on Zentia's furry (and scaly) companions that you might want to check out.

Over the course of the two-part video series, producer David Markowitz discusses everything from how to obtain your first pet, to basics about the interface, to the care and feeding of your pets and mounts. You can even use your pet as an automatic route to your destination in the game world, and the vids will show you how. You'll also learn about pet storage slots, battle vs. travel mounts, and pet upgrade items. Oh, and over half of the creatures you see in the Zentia game world can be captured and trained as pets or mounts, offering a ton of visual variety.

All in all, the videos are pretty invaluable for both Zentia and MMO pet fans. Check them out after the break or on the official forums.

Continue reading Zentia shows off pet and mount videos

MassivelyZentia shows off pet and mount videos originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoudavid-markowitzf2pfree-to-playguidemountspet-storagepet-upgradespetstutorialvideovideoszentiazentia-mmoThu, 18 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zentia releases new content, new ways to get beat up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/zentia-releases-new-content-new-ways-to-get-beat-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/zentia-releases-new-content-new-ways-to-get-beat-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/zentia-releases-new-content-new-ways-to-get-beat-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Are you enjoying the Zentia open beta so far? Judging by the response we've received here on Massively, it seems a lot of people are discovering this "charmingly hardcore" game. Well, ChangYou has gone and done it now by introducing four new playable characters, tons of new content to explore and new high-level instances to conquer.

What's in store for you as you approach the elder levels of the game? If PvP is your thing, you could always attend the Survival Event where between 10 and 40 players will be on each side, battling it out with mounts and cannons. Check the in-game events calendar for more information. Or, maybe exploring Serene City at night sounds more like your speed. In this instance-after-dark, ghosts, goblins and haunted suits of armor have taken everyone hostage. Find the secret artifact before they do!

Want to hear more? I think you know what to do -- follow me after the jump!

Continue reading Zentia releases new content, new ways to get beat up

MassivelyZentia releases new content, new ways to get beat up originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbetacash-shopChangyouChangyou.comf2pfree-to-playftpopen-betapatcheszentiazentia-mmoWed, 03 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: TLBB reveals new Halloween pets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/massively-exclusive-tlbb-reveals-new-halloween-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/massively-exclusive-tlbb-reveals-new-halloween-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/massively-exclusive-tlbb-reveals-new-halloween-pets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Tian Long Ba Bu (TLBB), a free-to-play MMORPG set in ancient China, has just announced the availability of several new Halloween-themed pets. ChangYou.com, developers of the action title (as well as the free-to-play Zentia title), revealed that the spooky critters will be stampeding across both the EU Dragon and US Dragon Oath servers beginning today.

The pets include a Jiang Shi (zombie), a Tutankhamen-inspired creature, and the ever-present pumpkin-head man. In addition to the new companions, TLBB is hosting a Halloween-themed event featuring new quests and rewards. Check out all the details on the game's official website.

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: TLBB reveals new Halloween pets originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChangyouChangyou.comf2pfree-to-playhalloween-eventhalloween-questsin-game-eventsnew-petsnew-questspetstian-long-ba-butlbbFri, 29 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 118]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/massively-speaking-episode-118/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/massively-speaking-episode-118/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/massively-speaking-episode-118/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 118 returns this week with Beau Hindman joining Shawn for an interview with special guests Susan Revelt (Producer) and Katie Simpson (Community Manager) from ChangYou to talk all about their new F2P MMO, Zentia.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to shawn@massively.com with the subject "Massively Speaking." We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.
Massively Speaking is the official podcast of Massively.com. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster and Contributing Editor Rubi Bayer, Massively Speaking takes on the week's biggest news and dev interviews with plenty of opinion, rants, and laughs thrown in for good measure. Join us every Wednesday afternoon to listen in and see what we'll say next!

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 118

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 118 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouf2pfree-to-playhumorkatie-simpsonmassively-speakingopinionpodcastingpodcastssusan-reveltzentiaWed, 06 Oct 2010 14:30:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 118Massively.com Staff50:14podcasts<![CDATA[Zentia celebrates open beta, new website and contests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/zentia-celebrates-open-beta-new-website-and-contests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/zentia-celebrates-open-beta-new-website-and-contests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/zentia-celebrates-open-beta-new-website-and-contests/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Zentia has been one of those surprising little games that seems to have come out of nowhere. You would be hard-pressed to find another game that features so many details under one roof -- as well as so many smart-alec monsters. Well, it seems to be taking off, thanks to its ability to prove itself to disbelievers. With this new-found success comes a series of announcements (as well as an upcoming contest from us here at Massively), starting with open beta kicking off in early October. The developers will be adding four new characters to choose from, exciting high-level content, plenty of new events and access to the token shop. A recent patch also added fixes for common issues.

Developer ChangYou also launched a brand-new website for the game and is hosting a screenshot collecting contest to celebrate. The "Legend of the Zentia Seeker" starts with a poem and details being published on the official forums:

Heroes! You are charged with a new task,
One with rewards greater than you could ask.
Complete this quest to gain the treasures you seek,
But adventurer be warned: it's not for the meek.
Find NPC's from across the land,
From the densest forest to the beaches' sands.
You will travel far, your search will be wide,
But you must discover where they all hide.
And once you have found their mysterious locations,
Take a picture of each with no hesitations.
Follow the guidelines for your chance at true bliss,
Break just one rule and your efforts are useless.
Now, heroes, I wish you all the best,
So get out there and enjoy this contest!

You can also like the game on Facebook, or follow the team on Twitter.

MassivelyZentia celebrates open beta, new website and contests originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopChangyoucontestf2pfree-to-playftpscreenshotszentiazentia-mmoMon, 20 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: Zentia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/rise-and-shiny-recap-zentia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/rise-and-shiny-recap-zentia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/rise-and-shiny-recap-zentia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Each week Rise and Shiny asks you to download and try a different free-to-play, indie or unusual game, chosen by me, Beau Hindman. Some of the games will be far out of your gaming comfort zone, and some will pleasantly surprise you. We will meet each Tuesday and Friday night at 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT), followed by this column the Sunday after. I welcome any suggestions for games, either in the comments or at beau@massively.com or Twitter me @Beau_Hindman.

It's hard for a game to strike a perfect balance of fun and challenge. In fact, I'd say it's the result of otherworldly forces as much as it is the hard work of the developer. Many of the greatest games I have ever played are a conglomerate of many factors that were beyond the control of the artists, writers and producers who first crafted the world. Sometimes, the crew must simply hope that its ship floats, and that it happens to set her to sail just as the weather is perfect.

Then a game like ChangYou's Zentia comes along, a game that has all the wonderful qualities I am looking for -- as the result of some very smart, specific design choices made by some very creative people. Sure, I discovered the game on accident (I wasn't actively looking for a game the day Zentia fell into my lap), but the game has obviously been crafted with precision and care.

If you'd like to read up on some of the details of the game, you can check out our E3 coverage here, or read an article of mine here. Also, you can get your closed beta key here. Otherwise, see me after the break, and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Zentia

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Zentia originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancash-shopcasualChangyoucustomizationearth-eternalEQ2EverQuest-2f2pfeaturedfree-realmsfree-to-playftphands-onLiveStreammabinogirise-and-shinyVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesvideoWorld-of-Warcraftzentiazentia-mmoSun, 08 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win cool Zentia goodies courtesy of ChangYou and Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/win-cool-zentia-goodies-courtesy-of-changyou-and-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/win-cool-zentia-goodies-courtesy-of-changyou-and-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/win-cool-zentia-goodies-courtesy-of-changyou-and-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

How would you like to win yourself a freaky-yet-cool ent mount for you and two of your friends to ride around on? How about a half-pig half-man to tote you around town? You can win one of these, courtesy of our friends over at ChangYou, makers of Zentia. If you are unfamiliar with the game, head over to this column and get yourself a closed beta key. While you're at it, read about the charming nature of the game here.

Zentia features a robust travel system, even allowing up to 10 players to travel together on one mount! You can catch your own rides, buy them or trade for them. But wouldn't you rather be seen on one of these babies? If so, read on to find out how to participate in the contest.

Continue reading Win cool Zentia goodies courtesy of ChangYou and Massively!

MassivelyWin cool Zentia goodies courtesy of ChangYou and Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopChangyoucontestf2pfantasyfree-to-playftpgiveawaymountszentiazentia-mmoThu, 05 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Charmed, Zentia, I'm sure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/free-for-all-charmed-zentia-im-sure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/free-for-all-charmed-zentia-im-sure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/free-for-all-charmed-zentia-im-sure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Charm is one of those words that, as a kid, I never really understood. I always pictured some southern gentleman, lemonade in hand, wooing powdered belles from his porch on a hot summer's day: that's how I defined it. But now I think I understand it so much more, and I often wonder why this industry seems to often ignore the word, or has no idea what it means. It's easiest to explain it this way:

You cannot be charming by acting cool. If you act cool, it comes out cheesy. The movie The Matrix, for example: trying to act so incredibly cool, but comes off only cheesy. You must simply be cool to be charming. You can also be truly wide-eyed, which is charming. Or innocent, which is much rarer, but still charming. Be warned: Top Gun was considered very cool, and Tom Cruise very charming, in their time. Shirley Temple, mainly because of the time period her movies were made in, is still charming. A Christmas Story is very, very charming. Reese Witherspoon's work in Election? Oozes charm. Roy Orbison? Cool and charming, despite looking like a grandmother.

The same applies to MMORPGs. Seriously. Some games are trying to be way too cool, and should just relax a bit. Be fun. I recently discovered one of the most charming games yet in Zentia.

Continue reading Free for All: Charmed, Zentia, I'm sure

MassivelyFree for All: Charmed, Zentia, I'm sure originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopchang-youChangyoucharmingclosed-betaclosed-beta-keyclosed-beta-key-giveawaycustomizationdesignEQ2EverQuest-2f2pfeaturedfree-realmsfree-to-playftpgameplaypixel-softsusan-reveltvanguardvirtual-goodszentiazentia-mmoWed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get yourself a Zentia closed beta key, and take part in epic shrimp versus crab battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/get-yourself-a-zentia-closed-beta-key-and-take-part-in-epic-shr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/get-yourself-a-zentia-closed-beta-key-and-take-part-in-epic-shr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/get-yourself-a-zentia-closed-beta-key-and-take-part-in-epic-shr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If fairy tales are your thing and you don't mind some Chinese mythology, then ChangYou has a game to share with you. It's called Zentia, and it is the company's newest offering to the North American region.

Even better, it's going into closed beta on July 15th at 4 PM PT (7 PM ET) and we here at Massively have scored 5,000 beta keys for the game. Don't worry about rushing; there will be enough for everyone!

But, if you're interested in learning more about the game and see a trailer of the gameplay, or just want to grab yourself a key, then head on over past the break for everything you need to know!

Continue reading Get yourself a Zentia closed beta key, and take part in epic shrimp versus crab battles

MassivelyGet yourself a Zentia closed beta key, and take part in epic shrimp versus crab battles originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacbtchang-youchangyouclosed-betaclosed-beta-keyclosed-beta-key-giveawayf2pfree-to-playkidsvideozentiazentia-mmoTue, 13 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2010: Zentia preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-2010-zentia-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-2010-zentia-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-2010-zentia-preview/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ChangYou's Zentia is -- you guessed it -- another free-to-play title coming from Asia. So what makes it stand out from the rest? We talked to the game's senior producer, Susan Revelt at E3 and she tells us it's the game's story that makes it shine. And we admit, Zentia does start with a rather unique premise: You enter the game as one of 22 (former) immortals who have been banished from the immortal realms and tasked with ridding the world of demons before they can return. It's ChangYou's take on telling a fairy tale... with a humorous twist. (Revelt tells us they're aiming for a Princess Bride or Labyrinth feel with the story and the humor.) Whether this has given them what they need to succeed in the crowded free to play market is still up in the air. Though we've seen footage of the game, we haven't had a chance to test drive it ourselves and the closed beta won't begin until early July, with a planned release towards the end of August.

Let's start by talking about the basics of the game...

Gallery: E3 2010: Zentia

Continue reading E3 2010: Zentia preview

MassivelyE3 2010: Zentia preview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyouchangyou.come3e3-10e3-2010featuredheavenly-testzentiazentia-mmoThu, 17 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your closed beta test keys for Blade Wars here!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/get-your-closed-beta-test-keys-for-blade-wars-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/get-your-closed-beta-test-keys-for-blade-wars-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/get-your-closed-beta-test-keys-for-blade-wars-here/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thank god it's Friday, am I right? The week is gone, but we're not done at Massively yet! We've got some beta keys to hand out to you loyal readers, and what better day to do it than on a Friday!

This time around we've scored 2,000 keys to ChangYou's new offering to the F2P MMO market, Blade Wars. This game is another revival of the 2 1/2D form of MMO play, but with a few fun twists. A combo system has been added to the attack system, so if you love racking up chains of attacks then you're going to enjoy this. The game also features a weapon creation system, which allows you to cobble together your own weapons from pieces you find throughout the world.

If you're interested, then head on over here and grab a key! You can redeem it and play the game immediately, so have fun making your own Kung-Fu combos this weekend!

MassivelyGet your closed beta test keys for Blade Wars here! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-key-giveawayblade-warschangyouclosed-betaf2pfree-to-playgiveawaykung-fuFri, 14 May 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TLBB launches European open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/tlbb-launches-european-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/tlbb-launches-european-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/tlbb-launches-european-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tian Long Ba Bu, the free-to-play martial arts MMO from ChangYou, has been a favorite MMO in Asia for quite a while. Now they're hoping to expand that success a bit by offering the game in Europe as well.

TLBB recently went into open beta for European players, and there are some great incentives for anyone who is thinking about giving it a try. "Kung Fu Journey" is an ongoing open beta contest in which players can win in-game prizes such as mounts or extra storage, and compete to win the grand prize: a trip to China.

ChangYou has high hopes for the success of the game in Europe, and while the April contests are wrapping up, you still have plenty of time to participate. It's important to note that China and the United States have their own versions of the game and that this particular beta -- and the contests -- is for Europe only. Visit the site to sign up, and enjoy!

MassivelyTLBB launches European open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaChangyouf2pfree-to-playopen-betaTLBBMon, 26 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese online games market saw 63% growth in 2008]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/chinese-online-games-market-saw-63-growth-in-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/chinese-online-games-market-saw-63-growth-in-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/chinese-online-games-market-saw-63-growth-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

Business is booming for online game operators in China. The market grew by 63% in 2008 according to analyst group Pearl Research. They also predict that online gaming in China will be a $5.5 billion market by 2012, as reported by Gamasutra's David Jenkins.

In a country where broadband speeds are continually improving coupled with the widespread adoption of the web, China's netizens have embraced the relatively low-cost entertainment that online gaming offers. This is good news for gaming companies, particularly in these lean economic times. Jenkins writes, "Online operators in China have apparently seen little downturn in their business during the world economic crisis, with six companies now making revenues greater than $200 million (Tencent, Changyou, The9, Netease, Shanda and Giant)." You can see the full story on China's online games growth over at Gamasutra.

MassivelyChinese online games market saw 63% growth in 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachangyouchinadavid-jenkinseconomygamasutragiantgiant-interactivemmo-industryneteasepearl-researchshandatencentthe9Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST