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 Daily Grind: What's your ideal group size?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/the-daily-grind-whats-your-ideal-group-size/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/the-daily-grind-whats-your-ideal-group-size/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/the-daily-grind-whats-your-ideal-group-size/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Three's a crowd. Unless you're doing a quest requiring a group of three.
Every MMO lets you team up with other players. This is unsurprising, seeing as how it's one of the main selling points of the genre. But there's always an upward limit, and always target team sizes that the game bases content around. Content is largely designed in World of Warcraft to target groups of five, Guild Wars tailors most of its content for groups of eight, and Final Fantasy XI expects a team of six. But each of these games also provide content for more variable sizes.

Today's question isn't whether or not you like teaming up, it's about what your ideal majority size would be. Do you generally prefer to have a group of three? Groups of two? Groups of five? How many people do you like to party up with on a regular basis? Or would you prefer that most content simply scaled to the number of participants involved?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your ideal group size? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactersdaily-grindgroup-membersgroup-sizegroupsmultiple-charactersopinionpartiesparty-capparty-sizetdgteamworkthe-daily-grindSun, 27 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![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[Storyboard: Not in control]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/storyboard-not-in-control/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/storyboard-not-in-control/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/storyboard-not-in-control/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Facemask theater! All facemasks. All the time.
One of the weird parts of roleplaying, at least for me, is the fact that I'm not really in control at all.

I don't mean in the narrative sense, although that's also true. I'm talking about the simple fact that my characters have minds of their own, and that's half of the entertainment value. I see something happening, I know it's going to be bad, and I find myself thinking that the best thing my character can do is keep his or her mouth shut. And then I'm hammering away at the keyboard because even though I think otherwise, he or she has a very different opinion.

Writers are familiar with the idea, of course. Characters wind up talking to you, even when you don't mean for it to happen. But it happens with roleplaying just as surely, and you wind up with a character driving in a totally different direction than you had planned, with your main-line character sitting on the side while some C-list concept takes center stage. And the funny part is that it all feels right, all the way through.

Continue reading Storyboard: Not in control

MassivelyStoryboard: Not in control originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-designcharacter-voicescharactersfeaturednarrativeopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 17 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: We are (among) the champions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wait, there can't be two of them!
The night before I started writing this column, I finally managed to clear Chapter 1 in Star Wars: The Old Republic with one of my characters. I overcame great obstacles, beat back horrible odds, and defeated a great menace to the galaxy. I was hailed as a hero by the authorities in charge, and while it had been at great cost to myself, I was now more than worthy of respect, accolades, and the gratitude of a galaxy unaware of how close it had been to almost insurmountable danger.

But then I finished the quest.

This problem is not unique to Star Wars: The Old Republic at all, though. By the end of my career in World of Warcraft, I had slain several unique individuals dozens of times on multiple characters, including several kills that were noted by NPCs as being once-in-a-lifetime achievements. Final Fantasy XI made me a pivotal figure in historic events that I could then jump right back into any time I had a friend doing the same quest. And let's not even get into the chronological strangeness that can erupt in Lord of the Rings Online. What's to be done when there's an ongoing story that your character is part of and not a part of?

Continue reading Storyboard: We are (among) the champions

MassivelyStoryboard: We are (among) the champions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacterscolumnfeaturedin-game-storyloremissionsopinionquestsroleplayingrpstorystory-progressstoryboardFri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The hook brings you back]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/storyboard-the-hook-brings-you-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/storyboard-the-hook-brings-you-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/storyboard-the-hook-brings-you-back/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Spaceships.
We're told, at a young age, not to judge a book by its cover. The problem with that statement is that when you're out buying a book, the cover is pretty much all you have to go by. Publishers understand that, and while a great book can overcome a lackluster cover, pretty much every book goes out of its way to try to attract your immediate attention. There are entire schools of thought on cover design for precisely that reason.

The same goes for your characters in a roleplaying setting. You can develop a deep and engaging character with a lot of different potential stories, but without something to draw in other players, no one will ever know. You need something to get other players curious, something to get them invested and interested in what you want to do. You need a way to show them from the beginning that this isn't just another generic warrior or mage or whatever. You need a hook.

Continue reading Storyboard: The hook brings you back

MassivelyStoryboard: The hook brings you back originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-developmentcharacter-hookscharacterscolumnfeaturedhumoropinionroleplayingroleplaying-addonsrpstoryboardFri, 18 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Navel-gazing cardboard cutouts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/storyboard-navel-gazing-cardboard-cutouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/storyboard-navel-gazing-cardboard-cutouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/storyboard-navel-gazing-cardboard-cutouts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shocking!
When you create a character for roleplaying, most of the time your creation is something of a mess. He or she has a huge pile of issues, regrets, fears, mental blind spots, and possibly even physical ailments that should have a lasting impact on telling stories and creating drama. And your goal as a player is to take all of those flaws into account to tell stories about someone less than perfect, whose imperfections you can hopefully see even if the character can't.

Unfortunately for everyone, there are two very compelling ways to do this, and neither one of them is right or wrong or even evident at a glance. It's only by roleplaying with someone for a while that you get a sense of what she's aiming for, and it often turns out to be after it's too late to do anything. You might be going for character arcs or character development, and the two are frequently incompatible over the long term.

Continue reading Storyboard: Navel-gazing cardboard cutouts

MassivelyStoryboard: Navel-gazing cardboard cutouts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-arcscharacter-developmentcharactersfeaturedinteractionsopinionplayer-created-contentplayer-created-experienceroleplayingrpstoriesstory-arcsstoryboardFri, 28 Oct 2011 19:00:00 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[The Daily Grind: How much time do you spend on character concepts?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-daily-grind-how-much-time-do-you-spend-on-character-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-daily-grind-how-much-time-do-you-spend-on-character-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-daily-grind-how-much-time-do-you-spend-on-character-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sure, good enough.
There are people for whom the character concept stage consists of logging in to City of Heroes for the first time, glancing at the available archetypes, and immediately creating a darkness-based Corruptor without a second though. Then there are people for whom character concepts are an art, something created gradually through a great deal of consideration, time spent out of the game devoted to deciding whether or not one powerset would work slightly better with another.

Sometimes it's a roleplaying thing, and sometimes it's just a min-maxing thing, but it's possible to take a character concept very seriously before you hit the "create" button. Or you could be perfectly happy with something that looks cool and just move on from there. So how much time do you spend on your concepts before you make your character? Do you have a clear picture in your head of whom you want to play before the game launches, or do you just decide at the moment and roll with it?

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: How much time do you spend on character concepts? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-conceptcharacter-creationcharactersconceptscultureopiniontdgthe-daily-grindSat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Can you have too many options at character creation?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/the-daily-grind-can-you-have-too-many-options-at-character-crea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/the-daily-grind-can-you-have-too-many-options-at-character-crea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/the-daily-grind-can-you-have-too-many-options-at-character-crea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I think I spent more time during my trial on this than playing the actual game.
While Aion may not be your cup of tea, you certainly can't claim that the character creation in the game is lacking in features. It is possible -- easy, even -- to make a tiny, anime-esque sprite or a would-be marble statue, if you wish. Of course, to do that you have to play with several dozen sliders, hair styles, skin tones, eye spacers, and an overall breadth of options that could make some players boggle.

All this, of course, pales next to games such as Champions Online and City of Heroes, which have even broader options. And sometimes you don't really want to fuss with the fine details of your arm length before playing the game; you just want to get in the game and start punching things. So is it possible to have too many options at character creation? Or is that like asking if you can have too much money?

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: Can you have too many options at character creation? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-creationcharactersculturecustomizationopinionoptionstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 02 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Mistakes I know I was making]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Having a header image I need to whip up fresh every week is probably among those mistakes.
When I write this column, I talk a lot about what works within the context of roleplaying. I make suggestions, declare certain things as being bad ideas, and otherwise make a point of speaking as someone who knows what he is doing. This is not unfounded; I've been playing MMOs for eight years and roleplaying for fifteen, so I at least have some benefit of experience to work with. But a lot of the conclusions I've reached and the ideas that I've formed have been the result of trying something, failing, and learning from the experience.

Today, I'm going to look back to three characters whom I played, characters I was excited about, characters who absolutely failed to work. Beyond just that, however, I want to talk about why they failed to work and what I might have done to overcome their innate problems and make them fun to play after all. These are points I've touched on before, definitely, but it never hurts to fit these things into an actual context.

Continue reading Storyboard: Mistakes I know I was making

MassivelyStoryboard: Mistakes I know I was making originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebackstorycharacter-developmentcharacter-typescharacterscolumnfeaturedloreopinionproblem-charactersproblemsroleplayingstoryboardFri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online lets you prove how legendary you are]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dc-universe-online-lets-you-prove-how-legendary-you-are/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dc-universe-online-lets-you-prove-how-legendary-you-are/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dc-universe-online-lets-you-prove-how-legendary-you-are/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't find the space for a Barney Stinson reference, too.
The fact of the matter is that in our minds, all of our characters are legendary. That's kind of the goal of MMOs. But DC Universe Online wants to give you a chance to mark your character as something special, even above and beyond that -- and true to form, the development team is kicking off a contest, asking players to show off their character to be featured in a future issue of DC Universe Online Legends, the game's tie-in comic book.

Submissions require a shot of the character's front and back, a 50-word description of what makes the character legendary, and of course your account name. The deadline for submissions is October 4th, but you can feel free to submit as many of your characters as you like. So what are you waiting for? Not only will your character be legendary in your own mind, but you'll be able to point to him or her in the comic to show everyone else.

MassivelyDC Universe Online lets you prove how legendary you are originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterscontestculturedc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedc-universe-online-legendsdcuoegoofficial-contestscreenshotssoesony-online-entertainmenttie-inThu, 29 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Making it worse]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/storyboard-making-it-worse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/storyboard-making-it-worse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/storyboard-making-it-worse/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've only personally made one of these characters miserable.
Last week, I talked about how cross-eyed the whole roleplaying dynamic looks when compared to MMO progression models as a whole. Some of you probably looked at that column and shook your head in confusion, either because you don't roleplay or because you have a much lighter method for RP (which is perfectly fine -- I wrote a little while back about the fact that there's a lot of RP that covers a very wide band). Others probably looked at my litany of recent misery-inducing events in my character's life and wanted to know how to get to that same point.

The former group I can't help a whole lot, but the latter group is the focus of today's column. If you know you want to get your favorite characters up into a tree while being pelted by rocks, you need an idea of what sort of rocks make the best projectiles and what the worst trees are to climb down. So let's take a look at ensuring that your character pretty much fails at everything he or she tries to do -- and how to succeed after all.

Continue reading Storyboard: Making it worse

MassivelyStoryboard: Making it worse originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-developmentcharacterscolumnfailurefeaturedmiseryopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 19 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Out of all your characters, who's the favorite?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-daily-grind-out-of-all-your-characters-whos-the-favorite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-daily-grind-out-of-all-your-characters-whos-the-favorite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-daily-grind-out-of-all-your-characters-whos-the-favorite/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Play MMOs long enough and you'll amass your own little army of characters. Some details might be the same from game to game, even if you're not much of a roleplayer, but there's no doubt a vast difference in capability and what abilities are even available to a given player. Sure, you can have a similar-looking elf in both World of Warcraft and RIFT, but odds are good that the two will play completely differently.

Maybe you only have a couple of games in your history and you're immune to the urge of making dozens of alts, or perhaps you've got a hundred characters spread over dozens of games. Whatever the case, there are no doubt one or two names that stand out in the list. So who's your favorite character out of the ones you've played? Is it a character that stands out due to class abilities, roleplaying, or some other sentimental connection?

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: Out of all your characters, who's the favorite? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altscharacter-abilitiescharacter-historycharactersculturehistorynostalgiaopiniontdgthe-daily-grindMon, 08 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst launches Sword 2: Revelations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/gamersfirst-launches-sword-2-revelations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/gamersfirst-launches-sword-2-revelations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/gamersfirst-launches-sword-2-revelations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GamersFirst announced today that it has launched Sword 2: Revelations (formerly known as Granado Espada: Sword of the New World). But this isn't just a simple re-name and re-release; The team is introducing "three brand new expanded skill systems, a new area for questing and exploration, [and] a new unique playing character and pet to both drive the continually evolving story of Sword 2."

The new skill systems are all crafting-related, introducing new Alchemy, Cooking, and Wing Crafting systems. Viron Island is the aforementioned new area, complete with new quests and three distinct forests, each with its own distinct challenges. And lastly, the game introduces Raven, a former spy that offers "complex gameplay options and the new pet Capybara which provides players with increased experience gains and item drop rates. For more information, head on over to Sword 2's official site.

MassivelyGamersFirst launches Sword 2: Revelations originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterscraftingf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstgranado-espadapetravenrevelationssword-2sword-2-revelationssword-of-the-new-worldviron-islandWed, 20 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: What's in a name?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/04/alter-ego-whats-in-a-name/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/04/alter-ego-whats-in-a-name/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/04/alter-ego-whats-in-a-name/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

(AP Photo/DC Comics, Victor Ha)
While it is incredibly tempting to go off on a tear about the major decision announced this week to reboot the entire DC Comics universe, starting 52 new comics at issue #1 and essentially retconning every hero and villain we've known to date, this week's column isn't about that. After all, this isn't a comics site, and we've already heard from the DC Universe Online developers that the continuity in the game is separate from that of the overall DC Universe. (Considering how much we heard that noted in the recent chats, we wonder whether Sony Online Entertainment didn't know this major shake-up was on the way.) As such, I suspect we will see the game's storyline remain essentially intact, at least until the point at which we finally take down Brainiac once and for all. After that, it's anyone's guess. Depending on how the reboot works, it might well shake up the game's direction if the new comics are doing well with readers.

No, instead our superpowered game is getting its own different version of a restart in the promised upcoming MegaServer merges. While before we had multiple servers, each side will now have two -- one PvP and PvE for both PC and PS3 players -- giving us a total of four. Over this mad-scientist server-mashup, the issue of collisions looms. This week, we also found out that the merges will not only affect player names but league names as well, ensuring that there is plenty of confusion and concern on the part of the playerbase.

Will MegaServers be the bane or balm of DC Universe Online's population issues? What precisely are the facts and fallacies? Whom will this affect? Join me behind the break as I take a look at the overall situation!

Continue reading Alter-Ego: What's in a name?

MassivelyAlter-Ego: What's in a name? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alter-egocharacter-conceptscharacter-creationcharacter-namescharactersdc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedleague-namesleaguesmega-serversmegaserversname-collisionnamingopinionplayer-namesrole-playRPsoesony-online-entertainmentSat, 04 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World showcases NPC backstories]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/the-secret-world-showcases-npc-backstories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/the-secret-world-showcases-npc-backstories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/the-secret-world-showcases-npc-backstories/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Funcom has just updated its website for The Secret World, and the info drop encompasses the backgrounds of some of the NPC characters we've been hearing about lately. Last week's interview with lead writer Dag Scheve clued us in to the fact that Funcom won't stand for any of its NPCs being lazy and falling into old mission-dispenser habits, and today's reveal gives us some more story-related insight.

We're introduced to the likes of a crazed journalist with a death wish, an assassin who didn't make the cut at Juilliard but did with the Illuminati, and a half-human half-demon member of the Dragon who serves a mysterious mistress, just to name a few.

While we don't know how the stories of all these individuals are interrelated, it goes without saying that we're looking forward to finding out. Head to The Secret World website to start your own journey of discovery.

MassivelyThe Secret World showcases NPC backstories originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactersfantasyfuncomhorrorilluminatiloremission-terminalsmmo-storynpcssecret-worldstorythe-secret-worldtswThu, 28 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: All about the lore train, like it or not]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/storyboard-all-about-the-lore-train-like-it-or-not/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/storyboard-all-about-the-lore-train-like-it-or-not/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/storyboard-all-about-the-lore-train-like-it-or-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In tabletop roleplaying, through all of the various supplements for a given game, there are usually overarching plots, which players could either interact with or ignore. This is the metaplot -- not the plot that necessarily concerns your game, but the plot that the designers are keeping an active hand in. Of course, if you wind up running smack-dab into the middle of the metaplot, your tabletop game has a distinct advantage over an MMO. If, for instance, the game has a story arc that involved a city's being destroyed within the metaplot, you can just ignore the metaplot or delay it slightly. Your story rules, and the metaplot just fills, in background information.

This is not the case in MMOs. The game's lore is not a distant force; it's an oncoming freight train, and if you haven't gotten hit with it yet, you will. I touched on it briefly when I first talked about the strange relationship that roleplaying has to lore, but between patches and expansions, lately I know I've been feeling the pinch of the world changing around me. (Well, around my characters, at least.) So how do you adapt when a game's overarching plot derails a character arc or a group-wide story?

Continue reading Storyboard: All about the lore train, like it or not

MassivelyStoryboard: All about the lore train, like it or not originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changing-lorecharacter-backgroundcharacterscolumnexpansionsfeaturedflexibilityideaslorepatchesroleplayingrpstoryboardupdatesFri, 22 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies to allow free server transfers to a galaxy not so far away]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/star-wars-galaxies-to-allow-free-server-transfers-to-a-galaxy-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/star-wars-galaxies-to-allow-free-server-transfers-to-a-galaxy-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/star-wars-galaxies-to-allow-free-server-transfers-to-a-galaxy-no/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Servers can feel awfully restrictive when you're on Server A and your friends are all on Server B. The team behind Star Wars Galaxies is no doubt aware of this, but if you've long been locked away from playing with potential friends or just stuck in a server you'd like to leave, there's good news. Free character transfers between servers are being launched on April 26th, allowing players the freedom to move characters with impunity.

Eligible characters must be at least 90 days old and on a game account currently in good standing. In addition, the character to be transferred must be on one of the original 10 ground planets (Corellia, Dantooine, Tatooine, Endor, Dathomir, Lok, Naboo, Rori, Talus, or Yavin 4). Assuming those conditions are met, any player will be able to execute a free character transfer upon logging into Star Wars Galaxies. For more details on the free service, check the official announcement. (And no, Starsider is not an eligible destination.)

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies to allow free server transfers to a galaxy not so far away originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-transferscharactersfree-character-transfersfree-servicefree-transfersnewsserver-transfersserverssoesony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmoswgtransfer-serviceWed, 20 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World lead writer talks MMO characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/the-secret-world-lead-writer-talks-mmo-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/the-secret-world-lead-writer-talks-mmo-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/the-secret-world-lead-writer-talks-mmo-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Funcom has released the latest salvo in its story-focused marketing campaign for The Secret World, and the new info comes courtesy of a dev blog by lead writer Dag Scheve. Scheve talks at length about NPC characters in the game and even goes so far as to lay out something of a mission statement.

"We want our characters to provide an experience beyond that of a mission terminal. We want them to be memorable in their own right, and to be a mirror to the world they inhabit," he explains.

While details on how this will be accomplished are scarce, Scheve does spend a bit of time discussing cinematics and even describes a few of his personal favorites from the upcoming game. Check in with Massively on Wednesday as we chat with Scheve about MMO story and how it's received by today's audiences.

MassivelyThe Secret World lead writer talks MMO characters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactersdag-schevedev-blogdev-diaryfantasyfuncomhorrormission-terminalsnpcstorythe-secret-worldtswMon, 18 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- a brief conclusion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/storyboard-archetype-discussion-a-brief-conclusion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/storyboard-archetype-discussion-a-brief-conclusion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/storyboard-archetype-discussion-a-brief-conclusion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Before I started writing up the archetypes that have made up a 10-part series (with two meta columns including this one), I only wrote out a very brief preamble in front of the Soldier column. As I said at the time, the goal was to provide character templates that work, in a broad sense -- characters that adapt easily to specifics and serve as a good jumping-off point for making something more original.

It's a good way of glossing the series, made only slightly worse by the fact that it's not altogether true.

From the first column, the archetypes I've been discussing have a long list of blanks for players to fill in, and that's been by design, because -- when you get right down to it, archetypes aren't characters. I touched upon this a bit when I stepped into the meta column, but now I want to be more explicit: Archetypes are at their core about motivation. They're not set to answer any questions about your character except for why he or she is out on the road, adventuring and questing and doing all sorts of unpleasant things.

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- a brief conclusion

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion -- a brief conclusion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetype-discussionarchetypescharacterscolumnsfeaturedloreopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 15 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Finding the Fellowship]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/the-road-to-mordor-finding-the-fellowship/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/the-road-to-mordor-finding-the-fellowship/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/the-road-to-mordor-finding-the-fellowship/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's not uncommon for new players to come to Lord of the Rings Online with the full expectation that they'll be treated to a front-row seat of the Fellowship's adventures. The movies, the books and even other Lord of the Rings video games certainly feature Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf practically non-stop, which is why LotRO's approach to showing these famous characters takes some getting used to.

Instead of bending the lore so hard it breaks by shoehorning players into the Fellowship itself, Turbine decided to have the players go on their own epic quests that sometimes parallel the main story of the books. In effect, we the players are on the periphery of the Fellowship, and the Fellowship is on the periphery of us. Sometimes we cross paths, sometimes our actions influence each other, and sometimes we simply go our separate ways.

Still, players may get frustrated when they spend a lot of time in the game without seeing any of these major characters, wondering whether some of them even exist at all. This is complicated by the fact that these characters appear in different places relative to the player's own journey through the story.

So if you've ever been curious where your favorite character is and how you can go on adventures with him or her, hit the jump and I'll hook you up!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Finding the Fellowship

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Finding the Fellowship originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aragornbilboboromircharactersfeaturedfellowshipfellowship-of-the-ringfrodogandalfgimligollumiconic-characterslegolaslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromeredocmerrypippinsamsamwisestriderturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Destination - Apocalypse now]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/choose-my-adventure-destination-apocalypse-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/choose-my-adventure-destination-apocalypse-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/choose-my-adventure-destination-apocalypse-now/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

So my bags are packed (what exactly do you pack for an apocalypse? I vote toothbrush, regardless!) and I'm setting out for the Lake Tahoe region. Yup, our itinerary is set -- Xsyon has won the hearts of the readers for this next escapade in the Choose My Adventure series. I find this kind of exciting, as I grew up frequenting this area out here in the real world and look forward to seeing it represented in the game.

Now, I have a confession to make: I watched the vote carefully. Too carefully. OK, I was obsessed with it! I don't think I can even tell you how many times I clicked refresh in one day; it was quite addicting to watch the numbers creep up as the readers cast their votes. And since six weeks of my life was on the line, I had a vested interest in the outcome. At least, that's how I tried to rationalize my maniacal refreshing. Xsyon commanded the lead straight off, but Pirates of the Burning Sea had a good showing and maintained a solid second place throughout the contest. Four games kept running neck-and-neck: DC Universe Online, Earthrise, EVE Online, and LEGO Universe. I admit to rooting some for the underdogs as well -- each game has special and unique features I would enjoy delving into. Think about it: Can you imagine life as a LEGO? But in the end, no one could topple the promise of a vast wasteland filled with mutants and an empty canvas for players to fill in.

So now that we have the setting, all we need is the character. Unlike many games, Xsyon demands that you pick things such as your crafting skills at character creation, so please forgive the number of polls attached to this week's article.

Head on past the cut to learn a bit about Xsyon and vote to make me build the CMA creature of your bidding!

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Destination - Apocalypse now

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Destination - Apocalypse now originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypseapocalypticcharacter-creationcharacter-customizationcharacterschoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-mj-guthriechoose-my-adventure-xsyoncmacraftingcrafting-skillsfeaturedjordi-grau-davismutantmutantsmutatemythicalmythical-creaturesnotorious-gamespollpollspvpSandboxsandbox-experiencesandbox-mmoskillsstarting-areastarting-locationterraformingtotemstribesweaponsXsyonxsyon-earth-2012xsyon-preludeWed, 02 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How realistic do you like your avatars?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/the-daily-grind-how-realistic-do-you-like-your-avatars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/the-daily-grind-how-realistic-do-you-like-your-avatars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/the-daily-grind-how-realistic-do-you-like-your-avatars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

From the highly detailed characters in EVE Online to the beautifully impressionistic avatars in LOVE, there's a wide variety of avatar types available in MMO games. Whether you use your avatar purely for humorous results as the above EVE Online pilot did, attempt to create a character that looks at least somewhat like you, or are out to create a completely foreign fantasy being to role-play, choice abounds these days. Character creators go from automatically generated with no choice to insanely complex and detailed -- and everywhere in-between.

Nonetheless, with the sheer number of options out there, this morning we thought we'd ask which you prefer? Do you like your avatar so realistic that it's almost bordering on uncanny valley? Perhaps you prefer more middle-of-the-road options like Guild Wars or other games in that general neighborhood -- not too realistic, not too cartoony? Or do you prefer to go as far into your imagination as the character creator will let you with avatars such as the ones in LOVE or World of Warcraft's stylistic, non-human offerings?

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: How realistic do you like your avatars? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsbreakfast-topiccartoonycharactersmorning-topicnon-humannon-realisticopinionrealisticstylizedtdgthe-daily-grindtoontoonsuncanny-valleySat, 19 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Swapping tales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/storyboard-swapping-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/storyboard-swapping-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/storyboard-swapping-tales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A few weeks back, I took the opportunity to explain why roleplaying is most definitely not storytelling. So this week, I'm going to directly undermine every single part of that column and talk about running a steady story via roleplaying. If you haven't noticed by this point, I'm a big fan of subverting expectations.

My usual impish sense of humor aside, the two exist rather comfortably alongside one another. A long-running storyline in-game doesn't require you to have arcs and movements and motivations planned out -- rather, it's the natural outgrowth of character arcs and interactions from months or years of play. You lose much in the way of narrative consistency or overall theme, but you gain a sprawling organic network of developing plotlines.

So keeping a long-term story running is more a matter of letting time build on an existing base. But getting that existing base functioning and keeping it on an even keel isn't always a simple task, and that's what we're going to examine. There are a lot of ways to keep a story going in the game, but the better the foundation, the better it'll be.

Continue reading Storyboard: Swapping tales

MassivelyStoryboard: Swapping tales originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoriesbackstorycastcharacterscolumnfeaturedgroupinginteractionsinterconnectionloreopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardstorylinesFri, 18 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA community play diaries detail character creation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-community-play-diaries-detail-character-creation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-community-play-diaries-detail-character-creation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-community-play-diaries-detail-character-creation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We talked briefly last week about TERA's upcoming community play test, an event designed to give TERA fans the opportunity to see and discuss the game's latest build prior to the start of North American beta activities. As a prelude, En Masse Entertainment community team members Jason "BrotherMagneto" Mical and Evan "Scapes" Berman have penned a couple of Community Play Diary blog entries to whet our collective appetite.

Mical's In the Beginning piece focuses on character creation and offers a bit of commentary on the new build, new character options, and the author's roleplaying background. There's also a couple of nifty screenshots including one from the new introduction cinematic that shows a freshly created character flying to the Isle of Dawn.

Berman's A Labor of Love entry gives us the low-down on the En Masse employee guild as well as a few anecdotes from staffers who spent time grouping and questing together in the new build. Scapes goes into a good bit of detail regarding customization sliders and also notes that he spent 54 minutes perfecting his character's look.

You can read both play diaries in full at the official TERA website.

MassivelyTERA community play diaries detail character creation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobrothermagnetocharacter-creationcharacterscustomizationen-masseen-masse-entertainmentevan-bermanfantasyjason-micalroleplayingscapesslidersteratera-onlineTue, 15 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Let me show you my pokeymans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/storyboard-let-me-show-you-my-pokeymans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/storyboard-let-me-show-you-my-pokeymans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/storyboard-let-me-show-you-my-pokeymans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today, I'm going to switch gears just a little bit and do what might seem searingly egotistical. I'm going to tell you about my characters. Well, not all of them -- I'm limiting myself to the various new characters I've created for the latest World of Warcraft expansion, since there has been particularly good reason to do so. But still, this week's column is all about the characters I've created, both the good parts and the bad.

My rationale behind this, however, is hopefully a solid one. I've been talking about the best ways to go about crafting characters and how to best play the RP game for several months now, but I've been remarkably short on actual examples from play. One of my firm beliefs is that a good teacher can demonstrate quality work in a given field, and so I'm turning the gaze inward. Let's see if my advice in practice is worth a hill of beans, yes?

Continue reading Storyboard: Let me show you my pokeymans

MassivelyStoryboard: Let me show you my pokeymans originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cataclysmcharactersfeaturedlet-me-show-you-my-pokeymansmy-charactersnarcissismopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 17 Dec 2010 17:00:00 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[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-changing-of-the-environment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-changing-of-the-environment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-changing-of-the-environment/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If I had to make a list of video game characters I hate... well, it would take up a thousand words and then some. (Fuuka Yamagishi would be on there.) But if I just had to make a list of MMO lore characters that I hate... actually, again, it would take up a thousand words and then some. (Tyrande Whisperwind would be on there.) Still, near the top of the list would be one of my least favorite characters from the lore of any game, and appropriately enough it's City of Heroes -- because I really, really hate Statesman.

Honestly, before I even knew about his background, Statesman rubbed me the wrong way. But it was only made worse by the fact that he derived his powers from Jack Emmert's ego, thereby giving him nearly limitless everything as long as Emmert was in charge. The comics made him out to be a jerk; the game made him out to be The Best Hero In The World Ever. And through it all there was a subtle reminder that he was the real hero. Your character was great and all, but you weren't really the hero. It was Statesman.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacterscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxfeaturedissue-19issueslorelore-characterslore-figureslore-shiftmajor-updatesncsoftopinionparadigm-shiftparagonparagon-studiospositronstatesmanupdatesWed, 10 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How many alts do you have?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/the-daily-grind-how-many-alts-do-you-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/the-daily-grind-how-many-alts-do-you-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/the-daily-grind-how-many-alts-do-you-have/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Most of us have a primary MMO that we play, and whether it's our only game or simply the one we spend the most time in, somewhere along the line we end up rolling alternate characters. A few games allow you a maximum of one (EVE Online) or sometimes two characters per account or per server (Star Wars Galaxies), but most current titles give you ample character slots to fill.

While some folks probably stick with their "mains" through thick and thin, I suspect I'm not the only one who has run newbie content multiple times -- or paid for extra character slots -- in order to satisfy the particular brand of OCD that compels me to try every single solitary class in a given game.

The question of the day, ladies and gents, is how many alts do you have on your main game account? For the bonus round, tell us whether you play them regularly or if they simply exist to be mules for your main.
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: How many alts do you have? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-charactersaltscharacter-slotscharactersgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindSun, 07 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online previews the new Archetype system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/champions-online-previews-the-new-archetype-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/champions-online-previews-the-new-archetype-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/champions-online-previews-the-new-archetype-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

When Champions Online first announced that it was joining the ranks of other games offering a no-subscription option, it included a mention that free members would be locked into archetypes. Archetypes were described in broad strokes as a chance for players to develop along the lines of famous heroes from comics, with a locked progression path but the same basic power level. While the development team hasn't yet expounded on what the precise archetypes will be, it has put together a short description about the differences players can expect between the normal free-form heroes and the coming archetype heroes.

As it turns out, archetypes will end up with slightly fewer overall powers than freeform heroes but with the same general power level. The preview explains the split as being one of versatility -- freeform heroes will be able to take many roles, but archetype heroes will perform one role well and that's it. If you're one of the players looking forward to trying Champions Online as free-to-play, or if you're just interested in the new build system, take a look at the full rundown and keep your eyes peeled for the coming details on the archetypes themselves.

MassivelyChampions Online previews the new Archetype system originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesarchetypearchetype-arrangementarchetype-systemchampionschampions-onlinechangescharacter-developmentcharacterscocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pflexibilityfree-to-playfreeformfreemiumpoint-distributionpower-levelspowerspreviewssuperherosuperheroesversatilitySat, 06 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Problem children, part the second]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Creating characters is hard work. It's hard enough when you're just concerned with making a really cool melee character who can kick other melee characters up and down the block, and it gets infinitely harder when you're trying to put together something that at least looks like a three-dimensional individual at the right angle. That having been said, there are certain ideas that are just problematic, character types that might seem like a good idea when you're staring at the screen but become a really bad one as soon as you hit "create."

Our last look at problem characters focused on the sort that you know you're creating at the time, the sort that sound nifty in your head but cause some serious problems in actual play. This time we're looking at the other side, the sort of thing that's far easier to notice while interacting with characters rather than while creating them. But it's still well worth keeping these types in mind so that if you start traveling down these roads, you can make a turn. On to the problem children!

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem children, part the second

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem children, part the second originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As I write this column, I am sitting on a train to New York Comic Con, celebrating an industry that has been running for basically forever and seems to be rather steadily dying. I'm sad to say it, because I never really grew out of loving comic books, but sales that 10 years ago constituted a rather dismal failure now constitute a pretty big hit, and we're certainly not getting comics aimed at kids in most circles. (I adore Last Stand of the Wreckers, and it's a wonderful example of doing a mature comic correctly, but I feel sorry for parents who might buy it because their kid liked Transformers Animated.)

That got me thinking about roleplaying, something that a lot of people see as being a fossil of the origins of MMOs. I've seen so many arguments that "RPG" no longer means any actual roleplaying is expected, and yet each one feels like reopening a wound. I think that roleplaying is important and that it's a good thing, and while its death may or may not be in the cards (I don't think we're anywhere near that), it's vital that we take a look at what is important about roleplaying and why it means so much to so many of us.

Continue reading Storyboard: Importance

MassivelyStoryboard: Importance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurescharacter-developmentcharacterscolumnfeaturedideasimportanceopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardworthFri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Because of reasons!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/a-mild-mannered-reporter-because-of-reasons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/a-mild-mannered-reporter-because-of-reasons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/a-mild-mannered-reporter-because-of-reasons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's weird to say it, but City of Heroes feels like it's still on the cusp of a storm. Going Rogue was a fine expansion, but it doesn't have the sense of breaking that built-up tension, that feeling of something major just over the horizon. Or perhaps it's just me, perched out on my metaphorical porch and loudly proclaiming that this next one is going to be the big one, as I puff on my metaphorical corn-cob pipe and look across the metaphorical skyline of rural Metaphorbraska.

OK, that one kind of got away from me there, but what I was trying to get at was that it's time for another question-and-answer session for City of Heroes and that I don't think I'm the only person feeling like Issue 19 might hold some great secret. We'll know soon enough, although right now it's time for Issue 20's super-secret beta, which even I don't know about just yet. I'm very curious. On to the questions!

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Because of reasons!

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Because of reasons! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcscharacter-typescharacterscity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxfeaturedfitnessgoing-roguegrissue-19issue-20levelslimitsncsoftndaparagonparagon-studiosstorystory-arcWed, 06 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online turns the spotlight on Lex Luthor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/dc-universe-online-turns-the-spotlight-on-lex-luthor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/dc-universe-online-turns-the-spotlight-on-lex-luthor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/dc-universe-online-turns-the-spotlight-on-lex-luthor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Through all of Superman's adventures, there's one adversary that epitomizes everything he's not: Lex Luthor. A brilliant man with no special powers, Luthor has nothing but contempt for others, seeking control and power even at the same time that he seeks the destruction of Superman. It's a known fact that Luthor will be featured in DC Universe Online, after appearing in the cinematic trailer as both antagonist and ally -- but now we get to see the man himself in his now-familiar power armor.

Marv Wolfman, writer for DC Universe Online, has plenty of history with writing Luthor, as he was behind the character's shift from being a mad scientist to the cold and calculating businessman he is today. And any veteran of DC comic continuity knows that Luthor might not ever come out on top... but he always makes for a worthy adversary. Take a gander at the gallery for a good look at an iconic character in the game -- a sometimes-ally, a dangerous adversary, and one of the motivating factors behind the game's overarching plot.

Gallery: DC Universe Online Lex Luthor preview

MassivelyDC Universe Online turns the spotlight on Lex Luthor originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharactersdc-universe-onlinedcuogallerylex-luthorluthormarv-wolfmannpcspower-armorscreenshotssoesony-online-entertainmentstory-characterssupermansupervillainsvillainsThu, 30 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Problem children]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/storyboard-problem-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/storyboard-problem-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/storyboard-problem-children/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sometimes you have a character concept that just doesn't quite work. We've talked about that before, at least in the context of trying to make sure your awesome new idea doesn't wind up on your list of discarded alts. But there are also times when the concept is problematic long before you get as far as playing. There are certain archetypes and ideas that just do not work for various reasons or that (at the very least) require your square-peg character to be shoved in the roundest of holes.

The loner, of course, is the classic archetype that people love to play without its ever working correctly. It's hard to have a proper loner in an environment where socializing is necessary. But there are other problem types that aren't highlighted as often, sometimes because they're not as common, and sometimes because the people who want to play these concepts get very enthusiastic about them. Here, then, are some of the major problem children among character archetypes, as well as some suggestions about how to make them work right after all.

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem children

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem children originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecharacter-creationcharacter-typescharactersfeaturedopinionproblem-charactersroleplayingrpstoryboardwebcomicsFri, 24 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Subscribing to both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV gets you bonuses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/subscribing-to-both-final-fantasy-xi-and-final-fantasy-xiv-gets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/subscribing-to-both-final-fantasy-xi-and-final-fantasy-xiv-gets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/subscribing-to-both-final-fantasy-xi-and-final-fantasy-xiv-gets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Players have been wondering for some time if there would be any reason to continue subscribing to Final Fantasy XI after the release of Final Fantasy XIV. Not that the two games are wholly interchangeable, but the audience for both is likely to be similar. Square-Enix seems to have considered this and, as a result, players subscribing to both games will get three bonuses for playing both games. The first is the most significant from a material standpoint -- the base cost of a subscription to Final Fantasy XI will be discounted to $7 a month for an account with both games linked.

The other two bonuses are for veterans of the game, but equally appealing. Players with a character already created in FFXI will be able to import their character name to Final Fantasy XIV, with the character name being the given name and the server name as the family name. (So "Jejeune" on the Fairy server would be named Jejeune Fairy.) And as a last carrot, FFXIV characters will receive a special item on creation, the Hermes Shoes. So if you're planning on picking up FFXIV and already play FFXI, now would be the time to link the PlayOnline account.

MassivelySubscribing to both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV gets you bonuses originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusesbreakingbreaking-newscharacter-namescharacterscross-game-bonusesffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmulti-game-subscriptionsname-rulesnamingplayonlineserverssquaresquare-enixsubscriber-bonusessubscription-discountTue, 17 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Completing the look in Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/completing-the-look-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/completing-the-look-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/completing-the-look-in-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's only been a day since Final Fantasy XIV's newest round of beta started up, but the first day included the announcement that screenshots and experiences from beta could be shared freely. So, as one can imagine, there's plenty of information being shared all over the internet. Today has seen the intrepid staff at FFXIVCore delving into the depths of the character creator, testing the limits of just how powerful it really is. It's not just a significant upgrade from Final Fantasy XI, but quite a potent tool in its own right.

Of course, the one thing that can't be shared from the beta is video... but that doesn't mean you have to go without moving pictures. Dovetailing nicely with an article on illustrating your character is the newest installment of Square-Enix's Making of Eorzea videos, this one focusing on equipment variations to keep every character looking distinct. The video is embedded past the cut, and should provide both familiar and new looks for Final Fantasy XIV's eager audience.

Continue reading Completing the look in Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyCompleting the look in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetascharacter-creationcharacter-creatorcharactersequipmentffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmaking-of-eorzeamaking-of-videosquaresquare-enixvideovideosvisualsThu, 12 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soul of the Ultimate Nation sees the spreading Shadow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/soul-of-the-ultimate-nation-sees-the-spreading-shadow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/soul-of-the-ultimate-nation-sees-the-spreading-shadow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/soul-of-the-ultimate-nation-sees-the-spreading-shadow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It might seem like everything is all fine and dandy in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, but there's a shadow on the horizon. More specifically, there's Shadow, the newest character added to the game. A combination of dark sorcery and assassin skills form Shadow's potent, solo-friendly skillset, something the game's development team had been hinting at since the beginning of the year. But that's hardly all that's new in the game, which has expanded the high-level content as well.

Player characters over level 100 have access to nearly two hundred added quests, as well as new high-level areas in Helron's Castle. Neville's Swamp and Bronze Moon City, as well as the area conquest for the aforementioned castle, are all open. To cap off the experience, players have access to the fourth village in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, giving high-end players a spot where they can congregate with one another. Rather than forcing you to just read the text, however, we have both a set of preview images in our gallery, and two trailers for the update embedded past the cut.

Gallery: S.U.N.: Shadows Fall

Continue reading Soul of the Ultimate Nation sees the spreading Shadow

MassivelySoul of the Ultimate Nation sees the spreading Shadow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areasassassincharactersdark-magicdark-sorceryf2pfree-to-playhigh-level-areashigh-level-contentnew-areasnew-characterpatch-trailerspreviewsshadowsoul-of-the-ultimate-nationsuntrailerswebzenFri, 30 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: A group effort]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/storyboard-a-group-effort/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/storyboard-a-group-effort/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/storyboard-a-group-effort/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Roleplaying is like many other activities in MMOs -- it can't be done alone. That means that no matter how much of an antisocial player you might be for the rest of the game, you'll need a number of other people to make any roleplaying work. By extension, any longer storylines and character development require people working together with some level of consistency. You can technically have a character's development take place without the same audience, of course, but it won't mean as much to the late arrivals.

Put very simply, you want a coherent overarching sequence of events that you can point to for your characters. This is going to require some level of group coordination, and group RP events are a great excuse for roleplaying bonds to form anyway, so it's fully endorsed. For this week's Storyboard, we're going to take a look at running a group event in the smoothest way possible, ranging from a simple one-off night of adventure to a long guild-wide storyline that ends with time travel. (You know the story is really getting overwrought when the time travel makes things simpler, see.)

Continue reading Storyboard: A group effort

MassivelyStoryboard: A group effort originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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