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[CNN observes the migration habits of the elusive wild gamer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/cnn-observes-the-migration-habits-of-the-elusive-wild-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/cnn-observes-the-migration-habits-of-the-elusive-wild-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/cnn-observes-the-migration-habits-of-the-elusive-wild-gamer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PEACE!
We all know that one guy who flits between MMOs with the same attention span as an ADD goldfish on cocaine. Heck, we've probably been there ourselves a few times. Well, CNN's Geek Out blog has decided to take a look at the migratory patterns of the MMO gamer in his natural habitat, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. With the recent release of Star Wars: The Old Republic, gamers everywhere are deciding whether or not to migrate.

The author of the piece takes a look at the comparative subscription numbers of major players in the MMO game, and speaks to Warner Bros. Entertainment's Jim Drewry and Adam Mersky regarding how the folks behind Lord of the Rings Online deal with MMO migration. It's really a rather interesting look into the culture, so click on through the link below to give it a read.

MassivelyCNN observes the migration habits of the elusive wild gamer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-merskycnnculturegame-jumpinggaming-culturegeek-outjim-drewryjumping-shipmigratemigrationmiscmiscellaneousmmo-cultureTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you among the 10% who finish what they start?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-among-the-10-who-finish-what-they-star/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-among-the-10-who-finish-what-they-star/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-among-the-10-who-finish-what-they-star/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars Pre-Searing screenshot
Last week, CNN published an article declaring that video game attrition is significantly higher than we might have suspected. According to the post, 90% of gamers don't finish the video games they start. CNN lists several possible reasons for this phenomenon: the rising age of the average gamer (37), shortening attention spans, different life focuses, gaming platforms, game lengths, and a roster of new games -- particularly the more profitable and time-consuming multiplayer games -- that's becoming increasingly bloated.

Setting aside the question of whether MMOs even have endings at all, we have to wonder whether MMO gamers suffer this same inability to see a game through to the finish line. Whatever you consider the "end" of your MMOs, do you ever get there? Are you among the 10% of gamers who finish what they start?

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 you among the 10% who finish what they start? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbrianna-royce-tdgcnnendendingendingsfinish-linefinishedgaming-industryguild-warsgwncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindSat, 20 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CNN looks at RIFT's server technology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/cnn-looks-at-rifts-server-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/cnn-looks-at-rifts-server-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/cnn-looks-at-rifts-server-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMORPGs don't get much virtual ink on the world's top news sites, and when they do, it's usually because someone's died during a grind session. RIFT recently bucked that trend with a lengthy spread on CNN.com, and somewhat predictably, the initial focus is on the "battle" between Trion's upstart and Blizzard's World of Warcraft behemoth.

While the first half of the article is devoted to describing RIFT in layman's terms, there are a few interesting snippets focusing on Trion's technology (specifically the fact that RIFT's servers are organized by function rather than by location as per usual with other games in the genre).

Producer Scott Hartsman tells CNN that developing the new tech was a challenge that will prove worthwhile in the long run. "Yeah, it was hard, but it was well worth it. We're really just now at the point [where] we're about 25% into all of the things we can do with our technology and we're looking to add more," he explained.

MassivelyCNN looks at RIFT's server technology originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnnculturefantasymmo-industryriftrift-planes-of-telarascott-hartsmansoulstelaratriontrion-worldtrion-world-networkWorld-of-WarcraftwowSun, 10 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese players outspend Americans in virtual worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/chinese-players-outspend-americans-in-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/chinese-players-outspend-americans-in-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/chinese-players-outspend-americans-in-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week we talked about a report outlining MMO consumer spending in the US and Europe. Americans easily outspent Europeans, handing over $3.8 billion to gaming companies in 2009. A similar report came from CNN today , stating that Chinese consumers spent $5 billion on virtual goods last year. An interesting point to note here is that the article says "Research firms estimate the purchase of virtual goods in China reached roughly $5 billion in 2009 -- about five times more than the United States."

After some extensive calculations and use of several spreadsheets, we here at Massively determined that $5 billion is not, in fact, "five times" $3.8 billion. So on one hand, it's all about who is crunching the numbers and how they're crunching them, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that the Chinese gaming market is huge.

At first glance, the fact that a large percentage of the Chinese population is on a limited income makes it a bit surprising that the MMO market is booming. However, it's this very thing that is helping make it so successful: business models based entirely on microtransactions are the norm there, with individual item purchases hovering in the $1-2 range. Such a small amount makes less of a dent in a thin wallet.

The full story is an interesting look at the Chinese gaming community, and well worth a read.

MassivelyChinese players outspend Americans in virtual worlds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnnf2pfree-to-playmmo-industrymmo-sales-2009Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hype and backlash cycle "missing the point" with regards to Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/hype-and-backlash-cycle-missing-the-point-with-regards-to-seco/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/hype-and-backlash-cycle-missing-the-point-with-regards-to-seco/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/hype-and-backlash-cycle-missing-the-point-with-regards-to-seco/#commentsFiled under: , ,

teaching in SLKeen followers of Second Life Insider, before we became Massively, will know we have, at various stages charted the reporting of Second Life in the media, as the media follows its own hype and backlash cycle. Now, MediaShift is reporting something we've been saying all along, although in their own way: the media cycle has missed the reality of the situation, virtual world and real world.

The whole article is well worth a read, as it contrasts various styles of (real world) reportage on Second Life, from Hamlet Linden as was, to Reuters, to Wired to CNN, and even has Wired's editor saying that both their hype and their over-the-top backlash were mistakes. The conclusion? A not very startling - it's better to, in the current terminology, embed your reporters or use local information than not, and particularly don't only listen to other journalists - but the steps along the way are well worth a read. They might be especially worth a read if you have to defend your engagement in Second Life to people that have only seen the backlash.

[Original lead via SLEd list]

MassivelyHype and backlash cycle "missing the point" with regards to Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backlashCNNHamlet-LindenhypemediaMediaShiftReutersSecond-LifeWiredThu, 06 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: Media in SL - old vs. new]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/cinemassively-media-in-sl-old-vs-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/cinemassively-media-in-sl-old-vs-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/cinemassively-media-in-sl-old-vs-new/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Whenever an important topic comes up, virtual video journalist, Draxtor Despres, is on the scene. His YouTube page features a variety of coverage, including movie premieres, celebrity appearances, and even a trip to the Second Life Community Convention. They are all part of what is dubbed "the first TV magazine in Second Life", Life 4-U.

In his latest episode, Draxtor took a look at how both old and new media are participating in SL. He interviewed podcasters, film makers, online magazines, and blogs, to find out what they think about the situation. Starr Sonic, of SLCN, speculated that real life companies coming in won't be able to commit to making it work, because it requires extensive hand-holding. However, at the end, Marvel Ousley states that once residents cut their teeth on the free news blogs, such as CNN's i-Report, she'll pay them to write for SLNN. That sounds like a winning situation to me!

MassivelyCinemassively: Media in SL - old vs. new originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnndraxtor-despresi-reportlife-4-ulife-for-youlinden-labmarvel-ousleynew-mediaold-mediasecond-lifesecond-life-cable-networksecond-life-community-conventionsecond-life-news-networkslslccslcnslnnstarr-sonicvloggingyoutubeMon, 26 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bastard Machine gets a dig in at both Second Life and Fox News]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tim Goodman, television critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, is one of the few critics of any stripe that I enjoy reading. It's not so much that I agree or disagree with whatever he's saying; it's more that I love his style. On a recent post for sfgate.com, he makes a slight poke at Second Life when talking about CNN's announcement that they'd be opening an island there. Calling residents 'sexless losers who can't cope with reality' first, then retracting it impishly immediately thereafter is enough to win points from me.

And then he makes a joke about Fox news being more influential than CNN which is so true it holds up in SL as well. I'd like Mr. Goodman to do a whole piece on SL, except there's no connection with television there ... oh wait, he must've said something about that CSI: NY episode. Or Law and Order? The Office? No? Anyone? Bueller?

[Via sfgate.com]

MassivelyThe Bastard Machine gets a dig in at both Second Life and Fox News originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnncsi:nyferris-buellerfox-newsgames-in-medialaw-and-ordermassivelymediaMSMsan-francisco-chroniclesecond-lifethe-officetim-goodmanMon, 05 Nov 2007 06:15:00 EST