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[Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant
I don't like to rant. Really! Usually, ranting is full of emotionally charged rhetoric, and oftentimes it's riddled with inaccurate statements. I especially don't like to rant about something that I like a lot. For instance, Star Wars: The Old Republic has, by far, exceeded my personal expectations for any MMO; however, some missteps in production have tainted its perfection. (No, I'm not going to talk about Ilum again.) Of course, we are all looking for our version of perfection in an MMO, right? Unfortunately, no MMO will live up to that expectation. In fact, if I did find my version of MMO perfection, I would probably be the only one playing it. But I do believe I have ideas that those in my community could latch on to. They are also relatively simple. Yes, yes, I know nothing is ever as simple as it seems, but indulge me for a few moments.

As many of you know, I enjoy roleplaying in my MMOs -- character creation, really. I'm not one of those roleplayers who hang out in a pub all day never experiencing any gameplay. Although there's nothing wrong with that, I find it a be a waste of $15 a month.

I have complied what I believe will make the experience of SWTOR more enjoyable for those who enjoy playing the game like I do, and I think that those of you who don't necessarily like to roleplay per se but do like to create unique characters in the MMO space will agree that these are a must. I did set some personal criteria when compiling the list. For instance, I didn't want to break BioWare's general vision for the game. I also wanted to use existing items in the game so that my expectations were realistic -- no guild capital ships or image design system. And all of these items have been mentioned in print someplace before, so I'm not the only one who believes these should be implemented.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorBaraslanBioWarechatchat-bubblesclothingcompanionscustomizationEAElectronic-Artsemoteemotesemotingfeaturedgeorg-zoellerLucasArtsroleplayRolePlayingsitting-in-chairsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World designer talks template deck outfits, customization, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-secret-world-designer-talks-template-deck-outfits-customiza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-secret-world-designer-talks-template-deck-outfits-customiza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-secret-world-designer-talks-template-deck-outfits-customiza/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Dragon trailer
A few Funcom elves were actually working on The Secret World over Christmas it seems, and designer Martin Bruusgaard has some interesting things to say about that -- as well as a couple of gameplay tidbits -- in a new interview at CryGaia.net.

One of the aspects of The Secret World that sets it apart from your typical MMORPG is the huge amount of character customization available through the game's clothing items. Bruusgaard says that some of these items are purchased from in-game vendors, some from the cash shop, and some of them are reward-based.

"One thing I'm particularly excited about is the template deck outfits. Template decks are a set of powers that enable the player to fulfill a certain role, and this is comparable to Magic the Gathering starter decks. On completion of any of these templates the player is given an outfit that reflects what that deck is. So for instance if a player completes the ninja deck, he or she is given a ninja costume," Bruusgaard explains.

He goes on to talk about cross-faction PvP team-ups (currently slated for post-launch) and The Secret World's sound and music suite. Read all about it at CryGaia.net.

MassivelyThe Secret World designer talks template deck outfits, customization, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ability-deckscash-shopclothingcustomizationdragonfantasyfuncomhorrorilluminatiinterviewitem-shopmartin-bruusgaardstarter-decktemplarstemplate-decktemplate-deck-outfittemplatesthe-secret-worldtswThu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies - Butterflies included especially for Jef
When SOE announced that Star Wars Galaxies would be sunsetted by the end of the year, many players despaired. They gave up. They saw their long years (eight years!) of play turn to dust. But others looked on the impending closure as incentive to do all those things they'd been putting off, all the activities they just hadn't gotten around to. There hadn't been time. The game is too big for anyone to do it all.

And that's precisely why Star Wars Galaxies is a legend among sandbox fans despite the NGE disaster. It's a living museum of great MMO ideas from the past, of player-driven economies, of open-world housing, of high-end, game-supported roleplay, of roaming in a game that lets you dictate the terms of your play. It's a rare relic you should see in the flesh, today, right now, before it's gone. You can pick up a weapon and fight in any MMO (excepting A Tale in the Desert, that is), but there are so many things you can do in Star Wars Galaxies that you can't do anywhere else with the same level of immersion. And I'm going to tell you which 10 you should do first... before it's too late.

Continue reading Ten things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone

MassivelyTen things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tabappearance-tabarmoratabatmospheric-flightcantinachat-bubbleschronicleschronicles-systemcityclothingcosmetic-outfitcraftingdanceremoteentertainerfeaturedhistoryhousehousingimage-designerinstrumentithorianjtljump-to-lightspeedmayormoodsmusicianngeopen-world-housingpilotplayer-cityplayer-run-cityroleplayroleplayingsandboxsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-warsy-and-iconicstarshipsunsetswgswtorthe-old-republictortradervendorWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The evolution of microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/10/eve-evolved-the-evolution-of-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/10/eve-evolved-the-evolution-of-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/10/eve-evolved-the-evolution-of-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Two weeks ago, the escalating drama in EVE Online saw me drained of my normal enthusiasm as I contemplated the very real possibility that my time in the game I love was coming to an end. While the forums were filled with the most vocal and angry players, discussions with veteran players featured mainly disappointment and a distinct sadness. For those few days spent in limbo waiting for the results of the emergency CSM meeting, I and many of my in-game friends remained a hair's breadth from giving up on EVE entirely.

It was a delicate situation based more on perception and poor communication than intent or fact, and I think CCP pulled things back well with formal statements from both itself and the CSM in addition to an in-depth follow-up press conference. One of the big points to come out of the press conference was that while CCP and the CSM are both confident that none of the future microtransaction plans are game-breaking, the company did not restrict itself to vanity goods such as Incarna clothing.

While the CSM was convinced that CCP planned only to produce pure vanity goods, CCP Zulu was careful not to rule out gameplay-affecting microtransactions altogether. Both CCP and the CSM also talked about "game-breaking" sales rather than using a clearer term like "gameplay-affecting" or "non-vanity." It's reasonable then to assume that in the future we might eventually get non-vanity goods that do interact with gameplay but aren't game-breaking in terms of balance, mechanics or interaction with the in-game economy.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I show exactly why options like selling ships would be game-breaking and then let my imagination run wild as I speculate on possible non-vanity microtransactions for the far future that shouldn't disrupt gameplay.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The evolution of microtransactions

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The evolution of microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelscash-shopccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-zuluclothingconvenienceeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-play-is-here-to-staygrindincarnainterbusloyalty-pointslpMicrotransactionsmissionmission-runningmmo-industryneural-remappingnexnoble-exchangeplexrunes-of-magicshortcutSun, 10 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Controversy brewing over EVE Online microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/controversy-brewing-over-eve-online-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/controversy-brewing-over-eve-online-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/controversy-brewing-over-eve-online-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

When we first heard that EVE Online was planning to add microtransaction options, players were most concerned with the effect of microtransaction items on gameplay. CCP was quick to reassure players that microtransactions would focus on vanity items for Incarna and no gameplay-affecting items would be released. Fast-forward to today, when the first phase of Incarna finally went live along with the new Noble Exchange cash shop. As promised, the store contained only vanity items for Incarna, starting with a series of alternative clothing options.

The one thing we didn't really think of while we worried about microtransactions affecting EVE's gameplay was price. The current prices on items in the Noble Exchange are far above typical microtransaction charges and an order of magnitude higher than expected. Items in the Noble Exchange are bought with a new currency called Aurum, 3500 of which can be created from one 30-day pilot's license (PLEX). With the price of PLEX set at around $19.95 US, players can expect to pay over $20 for a skirt, $25 for a blouse, and more than a whopping $68 for the much-desired ocular implant monocle.

In a bizarre twist, many of the clothing options for sale at the Noble Exchange actually cost more than real clothes of the same type. As PLEX can be bought from other players for ISK, however, most players will not be spending their own cash on these items. PLEX prices have already spiked to over 400 million each, putting the price of the monocle at over 1.3 billion ISK. CCP could not provide any more information on the issue, but we expect an issue this hot will prompt an announcement.

MassivelyControversy brewing over EVE Online microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurumccpccp-eveccp-gamesclothingcontroversyeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineincarnaiskmacrotransactionsmicrotransactionsmonoclenoble-exchangeplexshirtskirtTue, 21 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The unfairer sex]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Talking about the representation of women in video games is usually an exercise in depression. You don't have to search very hard for negative examples; consider The Witcher, in which sleeping with women is treated essentially as some sort of ersatz Pokémon variant. Or take a look at Grand Theft Auto III, hailed as a groundbreaking game, which featured a grand total of three female characters in the story, all of whom were painted as some combination of promiscuous, stupid, or untrustworthy.

Comparatively speaking, MMOs deserve a medal for being remarkably open to both players and characters of both genders. And yet that's damning with faint praise in the worst way. MMOs still leave a lot to be desired when it comes to how they handle women, in ways both subtle and searingly obvious. Female characters are generally expected to be in a state of perpetual undress, more often than not without a significant role in the storyline -- and precisely because the genre is so far ahead of its contemporaries, complaints are often met with eye-rolling and derision.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The unfairer sex

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The unfairer sex originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classyclothingcolumndressfeaturedgendergender-balancegender-issuesmaturityobjectifyingopinionsexismsexysoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari starts Test Drive Unlimited 2's engines]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/atari-starts-test-drive-unlimited-2s-engines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/atari-starts-test-drive-unlimited-2s-engines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/atari-starts-test-drive-unlimited-2s-engines/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

MMO racers are an interesting breed, seemingly rarer than a '68 GT40. Whether it's due to EA's relatively under-the-radar Need For Speed World or the gone-but-not-forgotten Motor City Online, car enthusiasts with a shared passion for MMOs have endured slim pickings in recent years. Happily, Atari and Eden Games are looking to change all that with this week's release of Test Drive Unlimited 2, an ambitious new racing title for the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 platforms.

TDU2 lives up to its MMO billing (and its "beyond racing" tagline) by delivering a non-linear experience that is as much about collecting and progression as it is about driving. Also in the mix are a variety of social options such as avatar, housing, and furniture customization as well as the requisite car tuning and parts tweaking minigames. TDU2 also aims to out-MMO many current MMOs by delivering large playfields and emphasizing shared social spaces (including gambling hubs, player-run clubs, and cooperative races).

TDU2 can be played sans a sub fee after you purchase the digital download or retail box, and Atari plans to offer DLC in the form of car, clothing, and furniture packs to monetize the game over time. Check out our exclusive in-game gallery below and head to the game's official website for more info.

Gallery: Test Drive Unlimited 2

MassivelyAtari starts Test Drive Unlimited 2's engines originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariavatar-customizationclothingdlcedeneden-gamesf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgamblinghousinglaunchesnon-linear-progressionopen-worldopen-world-racersandboxscreenshotstdu2test-drivetest-drive-unlimited-2Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Heat wave]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/wings-over-atreia-heat-wave/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/wings-over-atreia-heat-wave/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/wings-over-atreia-heat-wave/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just when summer gave way to autumn in the northern hemisphere, spring slipped away from Atreia and has been replaced by a sizzling summer. Commemorating the release of Aion's most recent expansion this month, NCsoft has launched a live player event called Scorching Heat, which heralds the onset of summer on the lands of Atreia and offers Daeva a plethora of goodies throughout the month-long event simply for being logged into the game.

From Wednesday, September 15th until Wednesday, October 13th, Daevas can acquire summer-themed rewards such as bathing suits, diving gear, candy that transforms them into a giant Inquin, sunglasses, and beach hats, as well as items that are useful within the game such as platinum, gold, and silver coins. Even more significantly, unlike past events in which rewards were one-per-account or soulbound, this event awards items that can be openly traded. Whether you are a fluff-lover or not, this fact alone is money in (or out of) the bank; fortunes are being made or lost on swimwear in the open market, as those who don't care so much about the fluff charge obscene amounts of kinah to sell it to those who do.

However, just as some features to this new event have Deavas smiling into their ice-cold mela juice, others have them cursing. For instance, excessive server lag can be attributed directly to this event, as players remain logged in whether they are playing the game or not.

So overall, are Daevas enjoying the scorching heat? Or just getting burned? Swim past the cut and check out the ins and outs of Aion's latest live event.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Heat wave

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Heat wave originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameclothingeventeventsfeaturedflufflive-eventlive-eventsnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionsummerWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 27 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI offers adventurers its appreciation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/final-fantasy-xi-offers-adventurers-its-appreciation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/final-fantasy-xi-offers-adventurers-its-appreciation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/final-fantasy-xi-offers-adventurers-its-appreciation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you are playing Final Fantasy XI this week, you are awesome. No, really -- your efforts at keeping the land free of bats, rarabs, and anything that vaguely smacks of being a reasonable leveling or merit target are appreciated. And if getting the obvious rewards of higher levels, drops, and so forth aren't enough, every year a week is set aside to let adventurers know just how much they're appreciated. And they're doing so via dashing clothing, interesting trivia for each character, and a variety of empowering moogle effects for all those who've been out in the world.

The campaign, running until May 25th, isn't one of the more reward-oriented holidays -- but the addition of a full set of evening wear should entice almost anyone swayed by excellent clothing. (Which is really a fixture of the game at this point.) There's also an enticement for finding the scattered Mog Tablets, since unlike the usual boost of three random Super Kupowers, all eleven will be unleashed at once if the tablets are uncovered during the week. The official site has a helpful guide to said tablets, as well as the usual event fiction to commemorate the most integral part of Final Fantasy XI: the adventurers.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI offers adventurers its appreciation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurer-appreciation-weekclothingcosmeticffff11ffxifinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiin-game-eventsoutfitsquestssquaresquare-enixWed, 12 May 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video shows CCP's incredible cloth and hair simulation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/video-shows-ccps-incredible-cloth-and-hair-simulation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/video-shows-ccps-incredible-cloth-and-hair-simulation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/video-shows-ccps-incredible-cloth-and-hair-simulation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We've known for some time that CCP planned to use physics simulation to make the clothes in EVE Online's Incarna expansion and their upcoming World of Darkness MMO more realistic. They even gave a talk on using NVidia's APEX cloth simulation at the 2010 Game Developer's Conference. Until now, all we've seen are technical details and the occasional screenshot, which makes it hard to work out how the end product will look.

NVidia have released a new video this week of CCP's cloth simulation in action, giving those of us that are interested a sneak peak at the incredibly impressive results. Although APEX cloth simulation will be introduced to EVE when Incarna is released, the video looks much more like something out of World of Darkness. As an added bonus, the system seems to simulate realistic hair and not just clothes. Hair in most MMOs has always been limited to shorter styles which would look alright without animation. The ability to simulate complex clothes and long hair styles make character customisation in World of Darkness and EVE's Incarna expansion look very promising.

Skip past the cut to watch the video in HD.
[Thanks for the tip, Patrick!]

Continue reading Video shows CCP's incredible cloth and hair simulation

MassivelyVideo shows CCP's incredible cloth and hair simulation originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apexccpccp-eveccp-gamesclothesclothingdressdresseseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegothgothichairHairStylesincarnanvidiaphysicsSneakPeekvideoworld-of-darknessSat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite fashion?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-fashion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-fashion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-fashion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Let's not try to deny this -- MMO players are kinda vain. We're always looking for loot that not only has better stats, but also makes us look better. Why have a plain old sword when you can have a glowing sword? Why have a glowing sword when you can have a glowing sword that drips poison and sings Christmas carols when you stab someone? You see my point here.

So today we want to know what's MMO vogue. What's your favorite armor set, or armor piece, or weapon in all of the worlds you have inhabited? Was it something you saw in World of Warcraft, or Second Life, or any other game out there? If you can, be sure to link us some pictures -- we want to see what you think is in style.

So when you're ready, throw your opinions and your links in the white comment box below. Afterwards, you may or may not want to do a little turn on the catwalk, yeah, on the catwalk. (Warning, slighty NSFW video might be too sexy for your work, too sexy for your work...)

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite fashion? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorclothingfashionopinionprettythe-daily-grindThu, 14 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Take egg, insert onto face

One of the biggest blunders of the "I can't dress myself" type had to have been The Matrix Online. Take The Matrix franchise -- a world that is washed in a deep cyberpunk atmosphere and slick, luxurious styles. Morpheus's purple vest and yellow tie, Trinity's catsuits, Neo's coat -- all of these defined the culture that was, undoubtedly, The Matrix. How you dressed was as much of the game as the game itself.

Then, the game rolled out, people jumped in, and everyone was excited over all of the options. They had trenchcoats, dresses, boots, vests, shirts, jumpsuits, hats, gloves, corsets, you name it. Clothing vendors had a very serious appeal upon launch as everyone ran around, getting dressed exactly how they wanted to look. Finally, the world looked right.

"The combinations of clothing that worked diminished until everyone looked like they had fallen into a display of paint cans at the local hardware store."
Then, just a few days in, people found upgraded equipment. Clothing that carried stat buffs instead of just sitting on your body. Soon that slick style began to quickly degrade as people were combining green shoes with dull yellow shirts and red pants. The combinations of clothing that worked diminished until everyone looked like they had fallen into a display of paint cans at the local hardware store. An aspect of the culture that was so undoubtedly The Matrix had been swiftly crushed by the player's instinct to maximize benefits and minimize losses.

Let the creativity fall to the player

It's easy to say something like, "Well, just take the stats off of the clothing," but the fact is that our culture is now attuned to having equipment that boosts stats. When they don't have that, they get a little antsy because they may not "feel" the progression of the game.

Take City of Heroes, for example. A game where you could wear basically anything from level 1, and look exactly the way you wanted to. What happened down the road? They added items that had stats because players wanted them. On a creative level, I disagree with that decision, but on a design level I can fully support it. You want to give the players the comfort they want.

But, I don't think the idea of separating stats from appearance is dead. If more developers would find ways to embrace that system, more people are going to find it an easy system to navigate. This way people get to wear what they want without having the game force them into outfits they may not like to see. If you want a few games for examples, City of Heroes and Phantasy Star Online are two that come to mind.

And if you're worried about still having players armor look better and better as the game progresses, then that's still very doable. Clothing items can still be rare drops -- perhaps as a token that everyone can loot and turn in for a piece of the outfit. Clothing items could still be level restricted as well, so a level 1 can't be dressed up in the max level look. Progression is left intact while still giving players enough freedom to not look like rodeo clowns.

Just, simply, let the stats come from somewhere else.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who wants his fashion to look cohesive for once. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's rambling on his personal blog, The Experience Curve. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com. You can also follow him on Twitter through Massively, or through his personal feed.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbuffsclothingcultureequipmentfashionpentavisionpves4s4-leaguestatisticsstatsstylish-esper-shooting-sportsthe-matrix-onlineFri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/anti-aliased-i-can-kill-dragons-but-i-cant-dress-myself/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


So, I recently got the chance to run a panel at Tekkoshocon, the local semi-large anime convention in the area of Pittsburgh. This wasn't the first panel I've run at a convention, but it was the first panel where I got to speak on the topic of MMOs. The topic was free anime MMOs -- games people could pick up for little to no payment and actually play a quality game, rather than being tricked into another endless, rewardless grindfest.

After the panel, one of the viewers came up to me and shook my hand, thanked me for my panel, and asked if I had ever heard of a game called S4 League. I told him I hadn't, but he urged me to look it up as it might be something I would be interested in. Well here I am, playing Stylish eSper Shooting Sports (S4, get it?), and I'm actually enjoying the experience. But, S4 triggered a bit of a realization in me. It's something I've touched on before, but I've never really engaged.

Why do we all look completely stupid at level one? Is it because of the "journey?" Or is it more of an incentive mechanic these days? And why the heck do developers force us to look like we woke up on the wrong side of the bed when adventuring?

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I can kill dragons, but I can't dress myself originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedclothingculturefashionfeaturedjoystiqfeaturespentavisions4s4-leaguestylestylish-esper-shooting-sportsFri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Watchmen gear and upcoming interactive spaces for PlayStation Home]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Still wondering where those interactive spaces are for Warhawk and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune? Don't worry, we are too, but apparently there's a bright light on the horizon.

TedTheDog, the community manager of PlayStation Home, has shed some light on the upcoming additions to Sony's online virtual space in his recent news update. What has officially been added are some brand new clothing in the Threads store, including a few free outfits and t-shirts featuring the Watchmen.

Past those additions, Ted has added more news regarding the eagerly awaited interactive spaces, including information about the SOCOM 2 space, Uncharted space, Warhawk space, Resident Evil 5 space, and Siren: Blood Curse space. It appears that all of these spaces are being worked on and will be delivered shortly, the first ones being Warhawk and Uncharted space.

The bad news to all of this is that no dates are given on any of it. Looks like we'll still be waiting, but perhaps not as long this time.

[Via Eurogamer]

MassivelyNew Watchmen gear and upcoming interactive spaces for PlayStation Home originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothinghomeinteractive-spaceplaystation-homeplaystation3ps3resident-evil-5siren-blood-cursesocom-2unchartedupdatewarhawkwatchmenTue, 03 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Future Xbox 360 games may award clothing for avatars as achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/future-xbox-360-games-may-award-clothing-for-avatars-as-achievem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/future-xbox-360-games-may-award-clothing-for-avatars-as-achievem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/future-xbox-360-games-may-award-clothing-for-avatars-as-achievem/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Rare let it slip earlier today to news site VG247 that they were interested in making avatar clothing and accessories into part of the rewards scheme with achievements in their Xbox 360 games.

Up until this point, the 360 avatars have been dressed in their launch clothing, plus a few additions such as the winter fun pack of avatar coats and gloves. So the idea of being able to play a game on your console, unlock an achievement, and then get a wearable piece of avatar clothing to show off to your friends (especially if it's related to the game at hand) is a really nice touch.

Rare hasn't released any more details on who they're working with or what games this function would be available on, but it's a nice look into the future for what achievements may hold in online settings.

MassivelyFuture Xbox 360 games may award clothing for avatars as achievements originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360-avatarsaccessoriesachievementsavatarsclothingdownloadable-contentrarexbox-livexbox360Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's quest for fresh duds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/age-of-conans-quest-for-fresh-duds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/age-of-conans-quest-for-fresh-duds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/age-of-conans-quest-for-fresh-duds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When your character isn't sporting a shawl stitched together from the hides of his enemies, he probably laments that he hasn't a thing to wear to the local tavern. And it's always embarrassing when you show up wearing the same loincloth-and-bracers outfit that someone else does. What's the fashion-forward barbarian to do?

Enter French clothing company Inno-Wear, who create duds based on game properties such as Trackmania Nations and Devil May Cry 4. Their latest rights acquisition is, naturally, Age of Conan. It's not known at this time whether that means you'll get to wear the same things your character wears, or simply street gear branded with various AoC logos. We could make a case either way, and both would probably find a home at your nearest Hot Topic.

[Via Big Download]

MassivelyAge of Conan's quest for fresh duds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbig-downloadclothingdevil-may-cry-4hot-topicinno-weartrackmania-nationsWed, 11 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New content for Pirates of the Caribbean]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/new-content-for-pirates-of-the-caribbean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/new-content-for-pirates-of-the-caribbean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/new-content-for-pirates-of-the-caribbean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

As previously mentioned, Pirates of the Caribbean Online is the surprisingly fun corporate-giant-backed MMO that could. Refreshingly, the dev team on PotCO isn't resting on their brand name to keep them afloat (no pun intended -- well, okay, you got me), but instead continue to bring new content to their constituents. Currently, this takes the form of new emotes, hairstyles, tattoos, jewelry, and clothing, as well as the new 'Looking For Crew' feature, which lets other players know when you want a PUG.

Additionally, Unlimited Access Members can get their hands on a new skull bandana, available until midnight tonight from any tailor. Disney Online has additional content planned for 2008 including a new Black Pearl Boss Battle as well as the expansion of ship customization, extension of quest story lines, and the addition of more enemies and challenges.

More than ever, this is a great time for new users to jump in and ply the seas in search of tentacular adventure! If you want more information, our hands-on tour is available for your perusal.


MassivelyNew content for Pirates of the Caribbean originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-pearlclothingdisneydisney-onlineemoteshairstyleshands-on-tourjewelrylooking-for-crewnew-contentpirates-of-the-caribbeanpugskull-bandanatattoostentacularunlimited-access-membersSun, 02 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New hairstyle pictures for Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/new-hairstyle-pictures-for-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As people who spend a lot of time in massively games, we always appreciate it when developers give us more customization options. Turbine went even further by giving players both a barbershop and two different sets of clothing for when they don't feel like hanging around taverns in their armor. As with any upcoming additions, the forums are filled with posters putting together all sorts of pictures for your viewing pleasure. Community response has been really good to this stuff, so hopefully we'll see even more hairs, clothes and other ways to further customize your character in future updates.

The value of adding this stuff could be argued over, but at the end of the day we think it's always good to get some more variety into your massively games. Although we're still not sure if we want our hobbits to have long, flowing, curly locks or not. Apparently, all the cool hobbits are getting them now.

MassivelyNew hairstyle pictures for Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbershopbook-12character-creationclothinghairhair-styleslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromidayturbineFri, 01 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview the Frostfell crafted goodness from EQ2's Test Server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/preview-the-frostfell-crafted-goodness-from-eq2s-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/preview-the-frostfell-crafted-goodness-from-eq2s-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/preview-the-frostfell-crafted-goodness-from-eq2s-test-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Niami Denmother and her team at EQ2 Traders Corner have once again been busy, this time cataloging tradeskill content that has been included in the recent Game Update 41 on the EverQuest II test server. The new items have been crafted and photographed for your enjoyment, including Frostfell-themed goodies.

The preview includes a look at how to obtain some of the Frostfell recipes and ingredients, and a gallery of both furniture and clothing items that are available for Frostfell 2007. It's not all Frostfell-related crafting items that come with Game Update 41 either, and the preview page includes details on some new candles, lamps, and dishes for your in-game home.

So you like what you've seen and can't wait until this is all available on your normal server? In that case, you can get your fill of GU41 right now on the test server -- but it shouldn't be too long before it's live.

MassivelyPreview the Frostfell crafted goodness from EQ2's Test Server originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothingeq2frostfellfurnituregame-update-41gu41soesony-online-entertainmenttest-serverTue, 11 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-8th-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-8th-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-8th-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,


I probably had something witty to say when I started this list, but that was 7 solid hours ago, and I'm not even sure I want to look at another Second Life ad listing again! However, I've found more amazing listings from 89 incredible designers for your shopping enjoyment. If you followed along with last week's guide, you'll notice that the list more than doubled! Keep in mind that some of the deals from the December 1st edition are still going on.

With that said, I structured this week's guide differently because of the sheer size of it. The categories are: Freebies, Cheapies, Free to group members, Sales, Regular-priced, For men, and Home and Garden. Once again, they are listed with the shop name linking to a store SLURL and what they're selling, with a link to their blog or forum post about the item. If you release something in the coming week, let me know, or leave a comment here, and I'll include it in next week's guide. Happy shopping!

Freebies:
 Read on for cheapies, group members only, sales, regular-priced items, menswear, and home and garden items ...

Continue reading Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition

MassivelySecond Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriescheapieschristmaschristmas-shoppingclothingfashionfeaturedfor-menfreebiesgift-guidegift-guidesgifts-for-gamersgroup-onlyholidashhome-and-gardenlinden-labregular-pricedsalesale-itemssecond-lifeshoppingslslurlSat, 08 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-1st-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-1st-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-holiday-shopping-guide-december-1st-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's Christmas season already, which means Limited Editions, holiday outfits, and freebies! Sifting through all the blogs, ads, and forum posts can be quite tedious. I'm going to be taking care of the work for you every Saturday!

In order for you to get the most out of your Second Life shopping experience, I've broken the items down by pricing. They are categorized as freebies, cheapies, group only, sales, and regular priced items. They are listed with the shop name linking to a store SLURL and what they're selling, with a link to their blog or forum post about the item. If you release something in the coming week, let me know and I'll include it in next week's guide. Happy shopping!

Freebies:
Cheapies:
Read on for group only, sales, and regular priced items ...

Continue reading Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition

MassivelySecond Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesargyle-boutiqueboudoircallie-clinecarolines-jewelrychai-sinscheapieschristmaschristmas-shoppingclothingcotton-candydark-edendawnshopdepozephemeral-creationsessentiafashionfeaturedfreebiesgift-guidegift-guidesgifts-for-gamersgroup-onlyholidashholidayinspiredivaldejaded-visionsjewelrykick-the-canlast-calllavish-stylelinden-lablvs-and-comantramf-designsmiriel-enfieldnicky-reenico-creationsparallax-viewpassionate-neko-dreamspixeldollsregular-pricedsale-itemssecond-lifesecond-miragesf-designshes-so-unusualshoppingsin-skinsslslurlstellar-designsstyle-your-destinysubtle-submissiontalisman-designstete-a-piedthe-body-politiktrue-northvitamin-ciwinterwrongyou-know-for-kidsziggys-quirksSat, 01 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life Christmas shopping for a good cause]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-christmas-shopping-for-a-good-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-christmas-shopping-for-a-good-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/second-life-christmas-shopping-for-a-good-cause/#commentsFiled under: ,


Several months ago, Alyssum Therian, of Love, Aly, blogged about a friend's child that had been born with a malignant brain tumor. In order to raise funds for her friend, she created an outfit in baby Abby's honor, with 100% of the proceeds going to her medical bills. Sadly, it only managed to amount to about 25 USD.

Alyssum hasn't given up hope, though. She's designed an adorable Christmas outfit with many components to it, including a blinking skirt! At only 100L, it's a bargain, but even better, all proceeds will go to Abby! Let's hope that this second attempt fares better. Currently in her ninth round of chemotherapy, this child will need all the help that she can get.

MassivelySecond Life Christmas shopping for a good cause originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alyssum-therianbaby-abbychristmasclothinglinden-labsecond-lifeshoppingslSat, 01 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Corduroy in a tight situation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/corduroy-in-a-tight-situation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/corduroy-in-a-tight-situation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/corduroy-in-a-tight-situation/#commentsFiled under:

Normally I like to do clothing or skin posts about Second Life, but I simply cannot ignore this designer anymore. Every week, I open my feed reader to more delicious stockings, in all different colors and patterns. If it weren't for those knee highs, I'd be weak.

Puma Jie, sockmaster of Corduroy, clearly knows what girls want - accessories! As a matter of fact, the evil temptress won't stop coming out with them. Actually, her entire product line, and Flickr gallery, are worth a look at.

MassivelyCorduroy in a tight situation originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesclothingcorduroyfashionflickrlinden-labpuma-jieslSun, 18 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CHAI Skins are my cup of tea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/chai-skins-are-my-cup-of-tea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/chai-skins-are-my-cup-of-tea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/chai-skins-are-my-cup-of-tea/#commentsFiled under:

Last week, CHAI Skins opened shop. Launa Fauna offered up five skin tones, with eight total makeups. They also came with a freckled option, and a lighting rig. On Saturday, she released three new skins. According to Ms. Fauna, she'll be coming out with new skins weekly, but that's not the best part. She's been taking the suggestions from her loyal customers and even basing new makeups around their real life looks, such as Mistress, which is based off of a picture of Mistress Midnight.

She currently has two locations, one in Freelon and the other in Port Seraphine. I strongly suggest that you shop at Port Seraphine, as the Freelon sim is mainland and was the target of grief last week. Purchasing her skins in bulk has never been easier. Each skin is priced at 1200L, however if you want more, you can simply purchase a store card for later use. Three skins cost 3000L, five cost 5000L, and a whopping 10 cost 9000L. This allows you to hold the card in your hand and buy only those you truly want, versus being stuck with makeups you may not like.

I'd also like to throw out a quick plug for her leather pants, which I'm wearing in the picture above, and her jeans. With careful highlighting and sculted legs, these pants do wonders for your figure. They're all available in a variety of colors, styles, and cuts, including capris!

[Thanks, Roslin!]

MassivelyCHAI Skins are my cup of tea originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chai-skinsclothingfashionfreelonlauna-faunamistressmistress-midnightport-seraphineshoppingskinsWed, 14 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST