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[Breaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GW2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

In just the few minutes that it takes to traverse the 10 screens of Guild Wars 2's character creation process, I'm left with one overriding thought: This game looks ridiculously good. Ludicrously so, even. And I didn't even enter the game world yet!

I always love a good, in-depth character creation system, as there's a joy in spending a good amount of time making exactly the sort of character you want to play. Unfortunately, most MMOs have stripped this process down to the bare basics, which is why I'm pleased to announce that it's actually a mini-journey in and of itself in Guild Wars 2.

The point of this process isn't just to make a character but help you grow attached to this person and get to know him or her through it. What are this character's motivations? What branch of his or her profession is the most appealing? How did you become a hero? What obstacles do you have to overcome?

Instead of playing the game itself, I took some time over this beta testing weekend to dissect every step of the character creation system and bring my findings back to those of you who want to start building your character in your mind.

Continue reading Breaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator

MassivelyBreaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbackstorycharactercharacter-creationcharacter-creatorcharacter-customizationcharacterscharrclassclassescustomizationfantasyfeaturedguideguidesguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewgw2hands-onhumanncsoftnornpreviewraceracesstoryMon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are MMO players tired of beefcake?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In CoH, there's actually a character model called huge, but only for men, of course. A large or fat female superhero might offend male sensibilities.
A few months ago, The Mary Sue published an intriguing article about why men play female characters in MMOs, and the answer might surprise you. While some men surveyed wanted to play lady toons for immersion reasons or eyecandy reasons, many of them had a much simpler motive: They were sick of beefcake. They were willing to play men, but they just couldn't relate to big hulking dudes with huge muscles and tiny heads, and those are often the types of male characters offered in video games. MMOs like Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars and City of Heroes offer "huge" male characters as options, while World of Warcraft is a serial offender.

We usually focus on gender issues as they pertain to the portrayal of women in MMOs, so today I want to turn the tables and ask you about the portrayal of men. Are you annoyed when male characters MMOs look like they're hitting the steroids a bit too hard, and do you find such characters relatable or offensive? In other words, are you tired of beefcake in MMOs?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are MMO players tired of beefcake? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beefcakebrianna-royce-tdgcharactercharacterscity-of-heroescohdaily-grindgenderguild-warshugemenopinionsexismstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-mary-sueWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 26 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pew pew more: A sneak peek at Vindictus' newest archer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/pew-pew-more-a-sneak-peek-at-vindictus-newest-archer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/pew-pew-more-a-sneak-peek-at-vindictus-newest-archer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/pew-pew-more-a-sneak-peek-at-vindictus-newest-archer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Vindictus
The website Steparu.com has a hands-on preview with the latest character coming to Mabinogi Heroes -- also known as Vindictus to NA and EU players. His name is Kai, and he's a flashy archer with more than a few surprises up his pretty sleeves.

As an archer, Kai's tactics largely revolve around kiting and long-ranged assaults, so keeping one's distance is essential in most fights. Kai can transform his bow into a long or short variant, with the long doing more powerful (but slower) attacks and the short one pew-pewing much quicker at closer range. He can also unleash an attack that hits multiple targets at once, making him ideal for some burst AoE damage.

One of Kai's more unique skills is the ability to place a marker on the battlefield and then quickly grapple his way back to it on a moment's notice. While he's traveling back to his marker, he's immune to all damage, making this a strategic move for pitched fights.

Kai is coming to Mabinogi Heroes in Korea tomorrow, although it will be some time before he lands in the States or Europe.

[Thanks to Justatip for the tip!]

MassivelyPew pew more: A sneak peek at Vindictus' newest archer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archerarcher-classcharacterclassf2pfree-to-playgrappling-hookkaikoreamabinogi-heroesnexonpreviewranged-damageranged-dpssteparu.comvideovindictusMon, 16 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you play in self-enforced hardcore mode?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-self-enforced-hardcore-mode/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-self-enforced-hardcore-mode/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-self-enforced-hardcore-mode/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Salem
The permadeath-in-MMOs issue has been debated to death. Most of us have probably either played in a Diablo-esque hardcore mode or gaped at the stones required to publish a true MMORPG with permadeath (hi, Salem). But who says you need game mechanics to make permadeath a reality?

I've gamed with roleplayers who took their characters deadly seriously and would delete their characters if they were killed off within the context of the game. (So much for the idea that roleplayers are casuals, eh?) Their web of self-inflicted rules is so complex (maiming? dice rolls? emote-combat?) that playing with such RPers can actually become stressful, especially if you don't want to be responsible for their having to delete and reroll.

What about you folks? Do you play or roleplay in a self-enforced hardcore mode? Do you do it because it's fun, because it makes gameplay more intense, or because you like a good challenge?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you play in self-enforced hardcore mode? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbrianna-royce-tdgcharacterdeathdeleteddiablohardcorehardcore-modeopinionParadox-Interactivepermadeathroleplayersroleplayingrpsalemtdgthe-daily-grindMon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you prefer pre-made class characters?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-pre-made-class-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-pre-made-class-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-pre-made-class-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vindictus
Although it's not a new trend, the practice of making pre-made playable characters to represent each class in an MMO is becoming more and more popular.

In games like Rusty Hearts, Vindictus, Diablo, Torchlight, Aika and a few others, you pick from an assortment of pre-made characters to play the game. Customization is non-existent or minimal, but you're not really playing those types of games for a deeply customizable character. Without worrying about getting your hair and eye color just right, you can grab a character and just start playing.

So is this a feature you prefer over heavy customization? Do you accept it for certain games, based on their style, or is it a complete turn-off for you across the board? Let us know in the comments below!

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you prefer pre-made class characters? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercustomizationopinionpre-madepre-madestdgthe-daily-grindFri, 11 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Universe Online reveals Thing as newest playable character]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/marvel-universe-online-reveals-thing-as-newest-playable-characte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/marvel-universe-online-reveals-thing-as-newest-playable-characte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/marvel-universe-online-reveals-thing-as-newest-playable-characte/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marvel Universe Online -- Thing
Watch out, Marvel Universe Online fans. It's clobberin' time! The Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm has been announced as the latest addition to the MUO cast. For those of you who are keeping count, Thing's arrival brings the total playable character count up to five. So keep the guesses comin', folks. Whom do you want to see next?

MassivelyMarvel Universe Online reveals Thing as newest playable character originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementben-grimmbenjamin-grimmcharacterfantastic-4fantastic-fourgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-universe-onlinemuoplayable-characterrevealsecret-identitythe-thingthingThu, 03 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rusty Hearts introduces the gunslinging Natasha]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/rusty-hearts-introduces-the-gunslinging-natasha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/rusty-hearts-introduces-the-gunslinging-natasha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/rusty-hearts-introduces-the-gunslinging-natasha/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rusty Hearts -- Natasha
Perfect World Entertainment has announced the newest addition to the Rusty Hearts cast, and her name is Natasha. This scantily clad, gun-toting heroine joins the Rusty Hearts roster in hopes of avenging the death of her brother.

She's capable of dual-wielding pistols or blowing her enemies away with muskets, making her the perfect character for the player who just wants to make things go boom. For more information on the game's newest playable character, jump past the cut for a dev diary video or head on over to the Rusty Hearts official site.

Continue reading Rusty Hearts introduces the gunslinging Natasha

MassivelyRusty Hearts introduces the gunslinging Natasha originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterdev-diariesdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playnatashanew-characterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwerhrusty-heartsvideovideosThu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/cable-joins-the-marvel-universe-online-roster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/cable-joins-the-marvel-universe-online-roster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/cable-joins-the-marvel-universe-online-roster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marvel Universe Online -- Cable
Marvel Universe Online's roster keeps growing steadily, with newcomer Cable being announced as the latest playable character at New York Comic Con this weekend. The gun-wielding, telepathic, telekinetic son of Cyclops joins Wolverine and Deadpool as the game's third announced character.

Also teased is another hero whose silhouette should be distinctive to any comics fan (or anyone who went to the movies anytime this summer). Who could this mysterious avenger possibly be? Follow on past the cut and find out for yourself.

Continue reading Cable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster

MassivelyCable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecaptain-americacharactercharactersf2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvel-universe-onlinemuoplayable-charactersecret-identityMon, 17 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online offers temporary free premium archetypes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/champions-online-offers-temporary-free-premium-archetypes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/champions-online-offers-temporary-free-premium-archetypes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/champions-online-offers-temporary-free-premium-archetypes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Champions Online
If you're a Silver-tier Champions Online player who's always wanted to play a premium archetype but can't quite scrounge up the coin, furbish up your superhero tights and get ready to roll a new character. Cryptic Studios has today announced a limited-time promotion that allows free players to test out selected pay archetypes for the grand total of absolutely nothing.

The Savage archetype is first up; he's accessible for seven days starting today, followed by a week each for the Void, the Master, the Inventor, the Tempest, and the Devastator. If you roll a character to try out the weekly premium archetype, you can either retrain him as the next trial archetype (or any other free or previously purchased archetype) or pony up for the premium one after you've tested him out in person.

As an added bonus, Cryptic is offering all players a free character slot -- just log in between October 14th and November 3rd and claim yours through the C-Store's "bonus" tab.

MassivelyChampions Online offers temporary free premium archetypes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypechampionschampions-onlinecharactercharacter-slotclasscocrypticcryptic-studiosfree-as-in-free-beerfree-charactergoldperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpremiumpromotionpwesilversuperheroThu, 13 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like optimizing your character?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-optimizing-your-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-optimizing-your-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-optimizing-your-character/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

See, it's an engine. Maybe it's been tuned. I don't know much about cars.
In some ways, a character in an MMO is like a car. Some people are going to have one that's just plain bad, because they don't care about it and just want the bare minimum of functionality. Others will take care of it to an extent, helping it blend into the great sea of average. But just like with cars, there are people who will spend days and weeks tuning a character to the absolute limits of performance, working hours on end just to eke out another fraction of a percent of stat bonuses. Either way, you're pushing the limits of what the engine can manage.

Of course, to some people, optimizing your character is the only way to play. To others, it's searingly tedious when all you want is to just log in and have fun. So what do you think? Do you like trying to tune your character to be the best? Or would you much prefer to just play the game and take a more casual approach? Are there certain things you have to be the best at and others you don't care about?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like optimizing your character? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecharactercharacter-performancegame-enginegame-mechanicsopinionstat-bonusestdgthe-daily-grindtuningFri, 19 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you re-roll when you come back?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-re-roll-when-you-come-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-re-roll-when-you-come-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-re-roll-when-you-come-back/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind: Fallen Earth
Coming back to an MMO after an extended leave of absence can be a trial in and of itself. Unlike the first time, when everything is fresh and new and straight-forward, a return means that you have to unravel all of the messy threads that you left behind when you bugged out after a rage quit (I'm just generalizing, here). All at once you have to remember your passwords, get reacquainted with your characters, relearn your skill rotations, puzzle out your entire quest log, and catch up on the (presumably) many changes that have happened to the game since you left.

Consequently, the temptation can be strong to simply wipe the slate clean and re-roll a completely new character. A brand-new character can help you relearn the game without overwhelming you with too many details at once, which is hugely appealing. On the other hand, it might seem like a waste not to continue an old character that you invested so much of your time and effort into building.

So do you re-roll when you come back to an MMO, or do you pick up where you left off? This Daily Grind will self-destruct in five minutes or after a hundred comments, whichever comes first.

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you re-roll when you come back? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercharacter-creationmake-usmmo-addictionopinionrage-quitrerollreturnskill-rotationstop-messing-around-in-the-tag-section-guystdgthe-daily-grindthis-is-a-tagthis-is-another-tagWed, 17 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Motivational seekers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/storyboard-motivational-seekers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/storyboard-motivational-seekers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/storyboard-motivational-seekers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Every character has a reason for adventuring. Call it what you will, depending on setting, but there's always a reason you're out in the midst of danger rather than sitting back at home with a nice cup of tea, even if that reason is "home isn't an option any longer." Motivation is one of the big elements informing the entire archetype discussion series of columns -- it's all about why a given character would do one thing and not another.

Of course, the game itself doesn't have any way of integrating that motivation.

Much like the issues with lore, the problems of reconciling a game's stated motivation with your character's actual motivation can be pretty thorny. Especially in this day and age of quest hubs and heavy storylines, it can sometimes feel like all the efforts to draw you into the game world are pretty severely curtailing your ability to enjoy it. After all, you've envisioned a set of reasons for your character's actions already, and by all accounts she shouldn't even be talking to a questgiver -- except that said questgiver is the only way she's going to keep advancing in the game.

Continue reading Storyboard: Motivational seekers

MassivelyStoryboard: Motivational seekers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercharacter-motivationcolumnsfeaturedmotivationmotiveopinionquestsroleplayingrpstoryboardthemeparkFri, 03 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: In your own words]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/storyboard-in-your-own-words/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/storyboard-in-your-own-words/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/storyboard-in-your-own-words/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I really should have learned by now to not promise anything for a given week's column other than the fact that it will be there, as I got halfway through the original draft of this particular new featurette before deciding that I hated it. So while I still want to delve a bit deeper into specific game lore and backstory, that bit is going to have to wait for just a little bit while I wrestle with the concept a little more thoroughly. (It'll be worth the wait.)

Instead, this week I'm going to focus on an aspect of roleplaying that I've discussed before in passing but never in any real depth: finding a character's voice. That's more than just consistent characterization, although that's a part of it. Strong characters have distinct voices and behaviors, unique outlooks, and hangups, things that help an individual stand out from the crowd. It's the trick of finding that voice and having a distinct tone from other characters that makes starting a new character at once engaging and mildly horrifying.

Continue reading Storyboard: In your own words

MassivelyStoryboard: In your own words originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercharacter-goalscolumndecisionsfeaturedgoalsinteractionsinternal-monologuesopinionplayer-goalsroleplayingrpstoryboardvoiceFri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the recursion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-recursion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-recursion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-recursion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are a lot of reasons a character would head off on the road to adventure. Sometimes it's out of a sense of duty, to a nation or to morality or even just duty itself. Other times it's a quest for knowledge, or acceptance, or cold hard cash. You might not want to be there, you might be seeking one profound goal, or you might just be along for the ride while everyone screws up around you. We've talked about each of these roles in turn, as archetypes for characters to fit into.

But an archetype is not a character. An archetype is the idea of a character, boiled down and stripped of everything but the skeleton. You need more to make a character that isn't one-dimensional.

I've spent the better part of the past several months discussing how the various archetypes work, but now I want to talk a little more about making them work together beyond just a character overview. (We still have at least one more installment of archetypes proper, but I wanted to write this up first.) So once you have the seed, what do you do from there?

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the recursion

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion -- the recursion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicearchetype-discussionarchetypescharactercharacter-creationcolumnfeaturedgoalsloremetaopinionroleplayingstoryboardFri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not happy with your EVE portrait? Add a few tattoos and scars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/not-happy-with-your-eve-portrait-add-a-few-tattoos-and-scars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/not-happy-with-your-eve-portrait-add-a-few-tattoos-and-scars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/not-happy-with-your-eve-portrait-add-a-few-tattoos-and-scars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As part of EVE Online's Incursion expansion, developer CCP Games delivered a powerful new character creator. Players have used the new system to create some fantastic new avatars, which will be walking around when Incarna is finally released. Until then, our avatars are limited to tiny posed passport photos. Understandably, players have requested the ability to re-take these character photos or change things about their appearance.

In a new devblog, CCP Flying Scotsman has answered those requests for recustomisation. In a future update, character recustomisation will be added to the services tab of space stations everywhere. We won't be able to change anything fundamental to how our characters look, such as race, gender or bloodline. Sculpting and skin options will also be disabled to ensure our characters look like the same person before and after the recustomisation.

The list of things we will be able to change includes hair styles, make-up options, clothing, lighting and posing in the final passport photo. Players will also be pleased to learn that new tattoo, piercing and scar features will be added to the recustomisation screen. The lack of small details like these was one of the biggest complaints players had with the new character creator, and it's good to know CCP is taking steps to resolve that. Players can recustomise their characters as many times as they want, and the system will not cost anything to use. Read the latest EVE devblog for the full details.

MassivelyNot happy with your EVE portrait? Add a few tattoos and scars originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamescharactercharacter-creationcharacter-customizationeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionincarnaincursionSun, 20 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Another chance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/storyboard-another-chance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/storyboard-another-chance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/storyboard-another-chance/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Character regrets are a tricky thing. To be sure, they're a tricky thing that we've already discussed when it comes to making characters, but that's hardly the end. Then you have to bring your character out of the controlled environment of the character creator and into the madness of actual open play. And if you haven't created a regretful character... odds are you've still seen the problem.

Even when you've crafted a character with a dark past and a lot of regrets without falling into maudlin traps... none of that means anything if other players don't know about it. You fall into the trap of telling people you've met not half an hour before about your character's full life history and all her mistakes, and then people get bored and quite possibly wander off.

I focus a lot on character creation, but all of the best backstory in the world won't help you if you don't know how to weave it into actual play. So today I'm going to talk about how to take your character's backstory of mistakes and poor choices and bring it into actual play without sounding like you'll confess your innermost secrets to random passersby.

Continue reading Storyboard: Another chance

MassivelyStoryboard: Another chance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharactercolumnculturefeaturefeaturedinteractionsopinionpersonalityplayroleplayingrpstoryboardtipsFri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the Defiant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-defiant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-defiant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-defiant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you were born around the same time that I was, then the odds are good you have the plucky princess seared into your brain by means both dark and Disneyean. You know the one I'm talking about: the girl possessed of a fair bit of good sense and independent thought who doesn't want to be a stay-in-court princess, despite her father's insistence that she'll get attacked by a bear within five seconds of leaving. So within 15 minutes she leaves anyway, and lo and behold, the next two hours of the film are devoted to the variety of bear-related mishaps that ensue.

But there's more to this than a line of somewhat nauseating merchandise for young girls. There's an archetype here, one for people of both genders who kick convention to the curb and opt for something just a bit more stimulating and challenging -- even though they're not always well-suited to those challenges. So let's take a look at the Defiant archetype past the cut. (And you can go ahead and hum Part of your World while you do so, if necessary. It's OK.)

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the Defiant

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion -- the Defiant originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetype-discussionarchetypescharactercharacter-creationcharacter-discussioncolumndefiantfeaturedopinionplucky-princessroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Making a better avatar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/eve-evolved-making-a-better-avatar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/eve-evolved-making-a-better-avatar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/eve-evolved-making-a-better-avatar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Since the game's release in 2003, EVE Online's character creation has served a very limited role in the game. Customisation was limited to a head and pair of shoulders, and the final output was nothing but a small passport photo to go next to our names in chat and our posts on the official forums. Despite this, our avatars have always had a big impact on the way we formed communities and interacted with each other. On the rare occasion that the portrait image server went down, the forums turned from a discussion amongst acquaintances into a sea of faceless and emotionally anonymous posters. There's a lot of personality in those little icons, and they produce an instant recognisability that a name on its own just doesn't accomplish.

I'm a firm believer in the idea that seeing the icons next to someone's name in the in-game chat channels helps to form closer associations between players. After seven years of EVE, however, those portraits were beginning to look a little outdated. With the Incursion expansion, we finally got our hands on a new, powerful, full-body character creator. Characters can be created in minute detail by manually deforming areas of the face and body, not just by dragging slider bars. The resulting avatar is still currently used to create a portrait, but when the Incarna expansion hits, each avatar will be walking around inside stations in all its full-bodied glory.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I give a run-down of the new character creation process and share a few personal tips I've picked up on making a better-looking character.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Making a better avatar

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Making a better avatar originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatarsccpccp-eveccp-gamescharactercharacter-creationcharacter-customizationeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedhands-onincarnaincursionopinionSun, 20 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online player creativity -- Ship fitting edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Two months ago, CCP started a new series of monthly EVE Online devblogs showcasing the game community's creative efforts. The EVE community is known for its artwork and incredible fan-made videos, but through CCP Fallout's monthly blog series, we've come to see some of the community's other creative endeavours. In previous editions, Fallout looked at in-game news and politics website EVE News 24, question and answer site Skill Training Complete, an impressive minecraft video of a scale Gallente shuttle, and a collection of EVE podcasts.

In the latest issue, CCP looks at some of the latest developments that have drawn attention during December. There's an impressive video showing off the new EVE character creator that will be going live with Incursion 1.1 later this month. The video shows off both male and female avatars. Also covered is the Python Fitting Assistant, a cross-platform offline ship fitting tool similar to the very popular EVE Fitting Tool. The highlight of this month's blog has to be LOLFITS, a website where players can post some of the monumentally bad ship setups they've seen players use. If you think your ship setups are poor, I guarantee they're spectacular compared to some of the hilarious setups on LOLFITS.

MassivelyEVE Online player creativity -- Ship fitting edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamescharactercharacter-creationcreativecreativitycultureeveeve-ccpeve-fitting-tooleve-mmorpgeve-onlineincursionlolfitspython-fitting-assistantship-fittingtooltoolsvideoFri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Last chance to capture your EVE character's portrait]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/last-chance-to-capture-your-eve-characters-portrait/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/last-chance-to-capture-your-eve-characters-portrait/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/last-chance-to-capture-your-eve-characters-portrait/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been a long time coming, but a major part of EVE Online's highly anticipated Incarna expansion is now just around the corner. Later this month with the implementation of the Incursion 1.1 patch, the existing character creator will be replaced by a shiny new Incarna character creator. We'll finally get to design an entire avatar, complete with arms and legs, rather than being limited to just a head and a pair of shoulders. Upon logging in after the Incursion 1.1 deployment, players will be prompted to re-create their characters using the new character renderer. In just a few short weeks, those characters we've grown accustomed to over the years will be gone. Now is your last chance to capture your character's portrait. If you'd like to preserve a portrait for posterity, be sure to log in and capture it in high detail before January 18th.

In a new devblog, CCP Lopi explains some of the challenges associated with the new character creator. When we look at a character's info in-game or click on his name in a chat channel, the EVE client currently downloads information on the character from the EVE server and then renders a small passport photo. With the added complexity and higher-resolution textures used in the new character creator, rendering portraits on-the-fly in this manner would take an unacceptably long time. To get around this issue, portrait rendering will be done ahead of time, and the mug-shots we see in-game will be stored on a central webserver. The game will then retrieve the user's image directly from the webserver instead of rendering it. As a result, we should no longer get the short burst of lag associated with rendering a character's portrait, and server load should be decreased.

MassivelyLast chance to capture your EVE character's portrait originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who's more terrifying than The Joker? For our money, it's the woman who's become so infatuated with him that she's turned to a life of insane crime just to win his approval. Initially, The Joker's psychiatrist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, fell hard for the clown prince and hasn't looked back since. A new jester-themed wardrobe, a punny take on her name, and the rest became history.

While we've seen the villain Harley Quinn in some of DC Universe Online's screenshots already, it's great to hear the official announcement of this fan favorite in the game. From her pictures, it seems as though Harley's favorite weapon is a giant carnival mallet, a combination of the cartoonish and deadly.

Villain characters will have the opportunity to assist Harley Quinn in her nefarious schemes once DCUO launches next month.

MassivelyA better sidekick than Robin for sure: DCUO reveals Ms. Harley Quinn originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterdc-universe-onlinedcuoharley-quinnjesterjokermalletsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-jokervillainThu, 23 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Rogue]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-rogue/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A disproportionate number of roleplaying characters are heroes. Well, "heroes" might be a bit too strong of a term -- said characters may or may not have actually done anything heroic -- but given the opportunity, they prefer to be on the noble and self-sacrificing side of a conflict. There's nothing wrong with that, to be sure, but there is something to be said for playing someone whose ethics are a bit less grounded in an abstract idea of right or wrong.

Most fantasy games have a class either named as a rogue or some variant thereof, and even when the class doesn't exist, the hallmarks are there. Stealthy and sneaky, usually aimed at quick bursts of damage -- all of those elements speak to how rogues work. But they don't actually define a true rogue any more than a hammer defines a carpenter. So feel free to cue up some appropriate music (at your discretion) as we dive into the second archetype study, taking a good hard look at the most underhanded archetype around.

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Rogue

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion - the Rogue originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amoralityarchetypescharactercharactersfeaturedmoralityopinionrogueroguesroleplayingrpself-gainsneakingstealthstoryboardFri, 26 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes unveils a trailer for the next super booster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/city-of-heroes-unveils-a-trailer-for-the-next-super-booster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/city-of-heroes-unveils-a-trailer-for-the-next-super-booster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/city-of-heroes-unveils-a-trailer-for-the-next-super-booster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The sixth Super Booster for City of Heroes is coming, and it's going to be a very different experience from the previous boosters. The first five numbered boosters were very direct in their theme, with each one focusing on a different origin type. This time around, the pack is focusing on all five origins, with new capes and auras to show off just where your character comes from. It's dubbed the Origins Pack, and a trailer has just been released to show off all of the unique new effects players can enjoy.

Embedded after the cut, the video features a quick walkthrough of the five new capes and 10 new auras added with the new pack, with the auras featuring intensely unique effects that suit each different origin. Each aura and cape has additional uses, as well -- it's hard to imagine that a Radiation-themed villain wouldn't want the Toxic Fumes or Atomic aura, just as an example. The pack is tentatively set to release on November 3rd, but until then, players can enjoy the trailer and start thinking about their next costume changes in City of Heroes.

Continue reading City of Heroes unveils a trailer for the next super booster

MassivelyCity of Heroes unveils a trailer for the next super booster originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercharacter-creationcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcostume-partscostumescovcoxmicrotransactionsncsoftnew-aurasnew-capesnew-partsparagonparagon-studiospreviewssuper-boostersuper-boosterstrailervideovisualsWed, 20 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Brother from another series]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/storyboard-brother-from-another-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/storyboard-brother-from-another-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/storyboard-brother-from-another-series/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Some players and characters are nice enough to point out to you right away that they're not actually from around here. You know the ones -- the elves with long flowing blonde hair and names that imply some variation on legs and the non-presence of same are certainly a long-standing example. Of course, the people in question are rarely roleplaying, but that doesn't change the number of elven marksmen who are all the best in the world at hitting a target, never mind the "miss" result that pops up every so often when they nock their arrows.

In fiction, they're called expys, short for exported characters. They're guest stars from elsewhere, and while most roleplayers have a name that's a bit more original than some variant on Legolas, they're no less common. After all, if you're inspired by a particularly good character and want to try playing him in a given environment, why wouldn't you just pick him up and transplant him? But there are good ways to do it and bad ways, just like there are far more ways to make dull and unlikable characters than interesting ones. So follow on past the break for a look at how to make your expy fall into the "interesting homage" camp rather than the "xx_Legolas_xx" camp.

Continue reading Storyboard: Brother from another series

MassivelyStoryboard: Brother from another series originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's time for another rant here on Storyboard, or at least an animal that's in the same general family as the dreaded rant-beast. Considering that both this column and WoW Insider's resident RP columnist Michael Gray have been covering similar ground over the past few weeks, it seems only appropriate to dip back into the well of the tools that roleplayers need, deserve, and want. And while I had considered a different column, it occurred to me that I wanted to take a very different tack this week.

The past couple ranty columns have both focused on what games are getting wrong and what we deserve that we're not getting. But generally speaking, I prefer to be positive instead of negative, and amidst all of my justifiable complaints, that was getting lost. So this week, we're going to look at five games that are doing pretty well at supporting roleplayers. My list is far from exhaustive, and it doesn't include every game I'm personally involved with at the moment -- Final Fantasy XIV isn't on there, for instance -- but it is a good snapshot of who's on Team RP.

Continue reading Storyboard: Winner's circle

MassivelyStoryboard: Winner's circle originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercharacter-developmentcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcolumnscovcoxfeaturedlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroroleplayingrpryzomsecond-lifeslstar-trek-onlinestostoryboardFri, 01 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What do shelved characters think while they wait for us to love them again?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/the-daily-grind-what-do-shelved-characters-think-while-they-wai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/the-daily-grind-what-do-shelved-characters-think-while-they-wai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/the-daily-grind-what-do-shelved-characters-think-while-they-wai/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Did you see Toy Story 3? I didn't, but that's because I'm a grown man who's trying to cut down on the number of times that I cry in public. I'll wait for the DVD release, thank you very much, and curl up on my couch sobbing for computer-generated toys who have been somehow possessed with souls and are accompanied by a whimsical soundtrack.

Anywhodiddle, the appeal of the Toy Story series is in flipping perspective and seeing the world through a toy's eyes instead of a child's. In a silly yet fun way, it's interesting to speculate on what a toy might think and do when we're not around. Likewise, we might wonder what our MMO toons think while they wait patiently on the character selection screen until we come around again. When we abandon a game for a long stretch of time -- or even forever -- it's not uncommon to feel a pang of guilt at the thought of a lonely avatar sitting there, hoping that we'll come back to join her in further adventures.

Pardon for this somewhat whimsical Daily Grind topic today, but if MMO characters had a secret life of their own, what do you think they say and do as they wait for us to return?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What do shelved characters think while they wait for us to love them again? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who are you whippersnappers? Get off my lawn or I'll blast ye into kingdom come! Shoo!

I mean, howdy! Sorry, I got a little startled there. We just found out this morning that Rubi, your faithful DDO columnist, was captured by a beholder and locked away in a level 20 dungeon. While the Massively DDO guild, OnedAwesome, faithfully levels up in a rescue attempt (every Wednesday night, 9pm eastern/8pm central!), I've been drafted to keep the column going until victory is assured.

Considering that a vast majority of my personal DDO resume is confined to levels 1 through 10, I have a soft spot for the newbie experience. And seeing how many fledgling dungeoneers are flocking to DDO these days, I figured I'd go back to the beginning to walk new players through the first week of the game. For you veterans out there, this would be a great time to (a) point out how much I say is completely wrong, and (b) offer up your own tips and advice in the comments section.

Today, let's start with one of the most vital decisions you'll ever make in the game: rolling a character. Hit the jump and let's hope for all 20s!

Continue reading Exploring Eberron: Rolling the right character for you

MassivelyExploring Eberron: Rolling the right character for you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic have been spoiled at this year's E3, with new game trailers and talks on what we can expect from the game when it launches. Earlier today, we learned the surprising fact that each player would get his own starship and got a first glimpse of what lies ahead for SWTOR's PvP. At their latest presentation, Bioware have now confirmed that space exploration will be a part of the game, using a system very similar to that used by Mass Effect's Normandy. They went on to disclose two of the classes of ship players will be able to get in the game. Players siding with the Republic can get their hands on the Corellian Vanguard light corvette while Imperial players can get the Fury Class Imperial transport.

Skip past the cut to watch this awesome video of SWTOR's ship interiors and find out what's in store for PvP and group gameplay.

Continue reading Bioware discuss SWTOR player ships, group gameplay and PvP at E3

MassivelyBioware discuss SWTOR player ships, group gameplay and PvP at E3 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorbreakingcharactercustomisatione3e3-2010eaelectronic-artslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgpvepvpraidsshipstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republictrailervideowarzonewarzonesTue, 15 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Back me up, backstory]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome back for another edition of Storyboard, where after a couple of weeks in which we laid down ground rules we're ready to start in on the fine details. So it only makes sense to start at a point filled with fine details and yet often searingly inconvenient: backstory. Because we all know how beneficial backstory can be, how it can add depth and meaning and rich interaction to even the most innocent and trivial incident. A quest about killing boars can dredge up memories of hunting with a lost father, making one of the most obnoxious holdovers in MMO quests into something interesting.

And yet it's a double-edged sword. Because not only is backstory time-consuming to come up with, much of it requires either events that can't be supported in the game's engine or work on details that never come up during actual play. So we're left with something that's a huge benefit, but also such a huge inconvenience that the occasional benefit is outweighed by the massive amount of work required beforehand. How can you work character backstory and get the benefits without the negatives?

Continue reading Storyboard: Back me up, backstory

MassivelyStoryboard: Back me up, backstory originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharactercity-of-heroescohdeveloping-charactersfeaturedfictionloreopinionquestingroleplayingstorylineFri, 11 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Everybody starts somewhere]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/storyboard-everybody-starts-somewhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/storyboard-everybody-starts-somewhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/storyboard-everybody-starts-somewhere/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome back to another edition of Storyboard! This week, and for the next couple of weeks, we're going to be talking about generating characters. It's a far cry from building characters in a pen-and-paper game, naturally -- MMOs don't tend to require you to make choices about things like specialization until you've been playing for some time, and the generation system isn't tremendously open. And we're not focused on working out the best possible stat combination in this column, anyway. We're concerned about the actual person behind the (eventual) Sword of Godslaying.

So where to start? Let's just assume you're staring at a basic character creation screen and trying to figure out who you're going to be adopting as your newest persona. There are three basic starting points for developing a character that work in nearly every game, and they let you start off with a character who might not be fully realized, but certainly can feel that way. We'll look at each of them in turn today and focus on the specifics in the coming weeks.

Continue reading Storyboard: Everybody starts somewhere

MassivelyStoryboard: Everybody starts somewhere originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesarchetypesbackstorycharactercharacter-creationclassescohfeaturedguild-warsgwlorepersonalityroleplayingrpstar-trek-onlinestostorystoryboardstorytellingFri, 04 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you attached to your characters?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/the-daily-grind-are-you-attached-to-your-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/the-daily-grind-are-you-attached-to-your-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/the-daily-grind-are-you-attached-to-your-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

They're not real and we all know it. All your character is in an MMO, really, is just a little mobile indicator for what you're wearing and what you're doing. There's no need to spare them a second thought. Of course, there are games like Champions Online and City of Heroes which give you dizzying amounts of control over what they look like. Or Lord of the Rings Online and Final Fantasy XI that let you decorate your house. Or Star Trek Online letting you detail both what sort of ship you ride around in and who your co-workers are...

All right, most of us put a little more thought into our characters than just mobile gear indicators. Roleplayers tend to get even more so, but even if you're avidly not into the RP scene, you can't help but form some connections. So how attached are you to yours? Do you spend a long time staring at the character creator? Do you play the same character transplanted into new settings? Or do you mostly just click through based on whatever looks cool and take what you get, even if it winds up being hideous?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you attached to your characters? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlinecharactercharacter-creationcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscocohcovcoxff11ffxifinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroleplayingstar-trek-onlinestotdgthe-daily-grindThu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's time to kick off one of the features that we're hoping will become a regular standby on The Mog Log -- community questions and answers. It's a chance for you to all ask the questions about the game that you'd like answered, and a chance for me to shuffle awkwardly and stare at my feet. Kidding aside, if you have a Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV question that you'd like answered, send them to me, and I'll happily answer them to the best of my ability. It's all the edification of research without the actual research part.

We'll start with a question from Simon:
"Are we sure about when the beta for FFXIV is going to start?"

Nothing is certain, least of all what Square-Enix decides to do. Right now, they're content with not filling us in on the start date of beta, but they might very well share that tomorrow at VanaFest. On the flip side, they might hold on to that tidbit until after the stateside launch of Final Fantasy XIII, just to keep excitement up for the title. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow, we should know then.

Continue reading The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections

MassivelyThe Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterexpansionsfeaturedff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgendergrindmitoqeroedegyansoloingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logwings-of-the-goddessxbox-360Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player rewards versus character rewards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/player-rewards-versus-character-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/player-rewards-versus-character-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/player-rewards-versus-character-rewards/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Rewards have, more often than not, been things that make your character better. You complete a quest and you get a new piece of equipment, or access to a new area, or even just a nice handful of experience toward the next level. But we've recently talked a bit about how leveling, and progression by extension, can get rather tedious. Spinksville also talked about this, discussing the differences between player rewards and character rewards, with the former being general rewards that stick with the player and aren't contingent upon or related to power level.

An excellent example is that of Klingons in Star Trek Online. The race has been a staple of the series ever since it began, and the Klingon Empire is one of the major political factions in the game... but it's not initially accessible to players. You have to complete a mission or reach Level 6 in order to unlock the option of playing a Klingon. Similarly, World of Warcraft gates its first hero class, the Death Knight, by requiring a level 55 character before one can be created.

Player rewards contribue less to a sense of avatar progress, but they also help keep the power level slightly lower, as well as providing benefits that you can take with you, so to speak. On the other hand, they're vulnerable to feeling less like rewards because they're unrelated to the character who obtained them. We've all been well-versed in the endgame grind for gear acquisition, however, so the post's call for more player rewards might be a welcome change for many of us.

MassivelyPlayer rewards versus character rewards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscharactercharacter-rewardsdeath-knightgrindklingonslevelingplayerplayer-rewardsprogressprogressionrewardsspinksvillestar-trek-onlinestounlockingworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: One account is good enough]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


In a typical MMO, players will have one main character that they dedicate most of their time and effort to. They may also have alternate characters on the same account that they use to try out different classes or starting areas. EVE Online is different in that it's not really feasible to play multiple characters on the same account. While each EVE account has three character slots, only one can be actively training skills at one time. Taking a break to train up another character means losing training time on your main one. And since any character can learn any skill, it's often better to just train those skills on your main character rather than making a dedicated alt for it. Many players suggest getting a second account but is that really necessary? And what do you do with those two extra character shots on your account?

In this article, I look at some nifty things you can do with your main account's two extra character slots without paying for a second account.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: One account is good enough

MassivelyEVE Evolved: One account is good enough originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountaltaltitisccpccp-gamescharactercynoeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedhaulerjoystiqfeaturesmarketopinionprobesuicideSun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Customizing to your heart's content in Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/customizing-to-your-hearts-content-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/customizing-to-your-hearts-content-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/customizing-to-your-hearts-content-in-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to quantities of races in MMOs, Star Trek Online will probably have every other game beat. Not only does the official canon offer plenty of racial choices, but the level of person-by-person customization offers endless combinations.

If you need some detailed examples of how all of this will work, look no further than the latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online. In this edition of the venerable community-driven question and answer bonanza, the focus is firmly upon visual and statistic customization choices. Yep, that's right, not only will we be allowed to make a character with ridges and point ears -- we'll also be able to make them psychic or resistant to poisons as well.

Want to make an android? Go for it, the creation process very much allows you to achieve it through visual, technical and story avenues. About the only limitation will be our imaginations and the classic Trek adherence to bipedal abundance.

MassivelyCustomizing to your heart's content in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andriodask-crypticataricanoncharactercrypticcryptic-studioscustomizationstar-trekstar-trek-onlineMon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Mines of Moria screens come with extra character]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/newest-mines-of-moria-screens-come-with-extra-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/newest-mines-of-moria-screens-come-with-extra-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/newest-mines-of-moria-screens-come-with-extra-character/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mines of Moria is getting nearer and nearer to its release day, but Turbine isn't sitting on its laurels and letting fans go without new information or screenshots. Today we bring you a slew of new images that revel in the character aspect of the digitalized Middle-earth's newest locale: Moria, and its many mines. While we're quite fond of the specific shot placed above this post (watch out for the baddies!) there are still several others worth taking a gander at whether or not you plan on even playing the newest expansion content for Lord of the Rings Online. For instance, check out this tantalizing moment caught in the heat of battle. Not only do you get a great sense of Moria's scale, but the lighting is pretty nice, too.

We're looking forward to finally seeing these new art and animation assets running on our monitors in just a couple of short weeks.

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Gallery

MassivelyNewest Mines of Moria screens come with extra character originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterexpansionlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthmines-of-moriamoriascreenshotsturbineMon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes respecs now available for purchase with real cash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

NCsoft announced yesterday that players of City of Heroes are now able to purchase respecs (opportunities to rollback character development decisions they've made in their characters' lifetimes) for $9.99 from a store in the character select screen. The company noted that this feature "does not allow the primary or secondary powerset to be reselected; it functions like existing respecs currently available in game."

Players are still able to find opportunities to respec through gameplay, but NCsoft claims that the community has been requesting a shortcut like this.

Some sites are characterizing this move as the introduction of microtransactions to a subscription-based game. That term conjures up images of players buying powerful items and stat bonuses with real-world currency. But Blizzard has been charging for character name changes in World of Warcraft for a long time. What's the distinction between charging for what's deemed an expected service, and the microtransaction business model?

MassivelyCity of Heroes respecs now available for purchase with real cash originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterchargecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcustomizationmicrotransactionsmoneyncsoftrespecrespecializerespecificationrespecificationsrespecsserviceFri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Improvements to Tabula Rasa's performance on the way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/tabula-rasa-changes-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/tabula-rasa-changes-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/tabula-rasa-changes-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The most recent iteration of Tabula Rasa's Feedback Friday brought the announcement of a change to how the client will work in future deployments of the game. "The Bubble," as they call it, is an optimization that the developers hope to roll out in a future build of Tabula Rasa's Deployment 9. Until now, all static map objects such as rocks and trees loaded up front, but at the cost of decreased system performance. The Bubble will limit the client to loading only those static objects within a certain distance from the camera. The end result promises to be a client that uses less memory and delivers increased performance. They would, however, like help from the players with testing the bubble feature once it's viable.

As always, Feedback Friday also addressed player questions and concerns, namely that logout countdowns in PvP will stop being exploitable in Deployment 10. As it stands, players can evade combat during clan-wars by simply logging off. Another issue in the game that's being resolved is the common complaint about how difficult it is to keep track of friends. Presently each time a player creates a new character, they must reinvite all of their friends, ad nauseam. So beginning with Deployment 9, both the friends and ignore list are now user-based instead of character-based. This change alone will eliminate a number of headaches for TR players, but check out the Feedback Friday page for more details on how the game is evolving.

MassivelyImprovements to Tabula Rasa's performance on the way originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltscharactercharactersclientclonedestination-gamesfeedback-fridaygame-mechanicslagncsoftperformancepvpsci-fitabula-rasathe-bubbletrtr-deployment-10tr-deployment-9Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom endorses Age of Conan graphic fiction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GameZone is producing a series of original fiction set in Age of Conan's Hyboria, which deals with the world's characters and lore. The series is created by Michael Lafferty and is a blend of short fiction, comic art, and graphic panel storytelling using in-game screenshots. Lafferty has Funcom's blessing on this; an announcement at the official AoC community site leaves no doubt that they've given their express permission.

Lafferty's fiction begins with 'In Service to a King' and continues with 'Deliverance from the Sea' and 'In the Shadow of the Volcano.' More stories are to follow. GameZone has one caveat about the series, though: "Some of these stories may contain spoilers for quests, so by Crom, be forewarned!" It's doubtful that spoiler quests will keep people from checking out the series, so have a look at Michael Lafferty's work and sound off if you like what he's doing.

MassivelyFuncom endorses Age of Conan graphic fiction originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancharacterconancromfantasyfictionfuncomgamezonegraphichyborialoremichael-laffertysettingstorytellingworldWed, 04 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Age of Conan's 250 hours]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/player-vs-everything-age-of-conans-250-hours/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/player-vs-everything-age-of-conans-250-hours/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/player-vs-everything-age-of-conans-250-hours/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's going to take you 250 hours to get to level 80 in Age of Conan. That's the big news today, and I'm not sure exactly how I feel about that. On the one hand, that tells us very little about the actual game. Saying you have 250 hours of content means nothing unless that content is fun content. On the other, it does let you know exactly what you're getting into as far as a time commitment goes (on average). It's also important to note that that's pretty close to World of Warcraft's benchmark, too -- most players can get from 1-70 in 6 to 14 days played. I think my first 70 took me about 7 and 1/2 days.

What's a good length of time for the leveling game to be, anyway? If you make it too long and drawn out, won't many players quit in frustration before they ever get to the top (EverQuest was notorious for having players that never capped)? Maybe. Let them level too quickly, though, and they'll quit if there's nothing to do at the top. Even if there is something to do when you're capped, for many people, leveling is the game. I'm probably one of those people. I hate structured PvP (like arenas) and while I dabble in raiding, I really have more fun leveling. So is 250 hours long enough to keep you interested? And why even tell us that in the first place? What does Age of Conan's 250 hours mean to you?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Age of Conan's 250 hours

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Age of Conan's 250 hours originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 May 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-guidecharactere-sportseverquestfeaturedgrindlevellevelinglevelsplayer-vs-everythingpvpquestquestingquestsstoryworld-of-warcraftTue, 13 May 2008 16:30:00 EST