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[League of Legends update bringing sharper AI, new bots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/league-of-legends-update-bringing-sharper-ai-new-bots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/league-of-legends-update-bringing-sharper-ai-new-bots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/league-of-legends-update-bringing-sharper-ai-new-bots/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- League of Legends
League of Legends is well known for its challenging team-based gameplay and its rather steep learning curve, leading many users to play co-operatively against AI in order to hone their skills. In addition, co-op vs. AI is "the primary game mode for a surprisingly large percentage of users" according to senior producer Mark Norris. In light of this, Riot Games is bringing a huge new update to League of Legends' AI matches.

For starters, Riot will be introducing AI bots for a whopping 40 of the game's champions, allowing players to test their mettle against a wider variety of opponents. In addition, the AI itself is in for an update that will allow bots to behave more like their human counterparts by utilizing predictive targeting for skillshots (such as Ashe's ultimate) and employing a great deal more strategy than the current bots. Of course, there are still some things that bots can't do (such as intelligent jungling), but Norris suggests "that's actually a huge advanced area that we do want to look at and get into, that we're in the the real rudimentary stages of trying to figure out right now."

For the full details on what awaits players in the upcoming AI update, just click on through the link below and read the full story.

MassivelyLeague of Legends update bringing sharper AI, new bots originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiartificial-intelligencebotsco-opco-op-vs-botsco-operativecooperativef2pfree-to-playleague-of-legendslolmark-norrismobamultiplayer-online-battle-arenapatchpatchesriotriot-gamesupdateupdatesTue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall dev says new MMO shooter will transcend the 'circle of suck']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/firefall-dev-says-new-mmo-shooter-will-transcend-the-circle-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/firefall-dev-says-new-mmo-shooter-will-transcend-the-circle-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/firefall-dev-says-new-mmo-shooter-will-transcend-the-circle-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Firefall - Circle of suck Venn diagram
Red 5 Studios CEO Mark Kern has been around the game development block a time or two. With a resume that includes StarCraft, Diablo 2, Warcraft 3, and World of Warcraft, he's no stranger to successful multiplayer titles.

So why is he heading up the development of Firefall, a free-to-play MMO/shooter hybrid that aims to stand genre convention on its head? Well, precisely because it aims to stand genre convention on its head. "If I see another action MMO combat game with exclamation points over quest givers, I'm going to commit seppuku! We're pouring so much money [into] a very stale formula," he recently told PC Gamer.

Previous attempts at blending MMO and shooter gameplay have resulted in what Kern colorfully terms the "circle of suck," but Firefall will break that mold due to its unique mind meld of both genres. "Let's get the shooting right, and selectively add in the MMO elements. Let's take the idea of open world sandbox play and feature hundreds of players instead of four- or eight-player co-op. Let's take towns, crafting, and resources and combine it all together. And that group would be a much more fun game when we started playing it than anything we'd tried before," Kern says.

MassivelyFirefall dev says new MMO shooter will transcend the 'circle of suck' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmocircle-of-suckco-opf2pfirefallfree-to-playhybridinterviewsmark-kernmmo-industrymmo-shooternew-titlessandboxsci-fishooterThu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bombshell: End of Nations to be free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/bombshell-end-of-nations-to-be-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/bombshell-end-of-nations-to-be-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/bombshell-end-of-nations-to-be-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

End of Nations
Conquering the world just got a lot more affordable, as Trion Worlds announced that its MMORTS End of Nations will be released as a top-notch free-to-play title. This decision means that players can not only obtain a copy of the client for free, but play through the solo, co-op, and the persistent-world multiplayer conquest modes as well.

Trion's Dave Luehmann hopes this will give End of Nations a competitive advantage when it launches: "Being able to offer a premium game such as End of Nations for free sets us apart in this industry. At Trion, we strive to innovate online gaming while emphasizing the delivery of the best core gameplay experience available. Our decision to release End of Nations as a AAA free-to-play title is guided by these principles."

Trion will be offering an optional subscription package and a game store to enhance players' experience. The store will sell customization and convenience items, and Trion has clearly stated that it will not be selling "pay-to-win items" through it.

During our hands-on impressions from last year, we noted that the title was probably not best suited for a monthly subscription, so it's good to see Trion freeing the game from that business model. End of Nations will be available to players at this month's Gamescom.

MassivelyBombshell: End of Nations to be free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaaco-opconvenience-itemsDave-Luehmannend-of-nationseonf2pfree-to-playgame-storegamescomgamescom-2011item-storemmortsoptional-subscriptionpay-to-winpersistent-worldPetroglyph-Gamessubscriptiontriontrion-worldswarThu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exploring Eberron: Neverwinter nightcaps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/exploring-eberron-neverwinter-nightcaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/exploring-eberron-neverwinter-nightcaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/exploring-eberron-neverwinter-nightcaps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Depending on how much stock you put in the rumors or in Cryptic in general, this past week's announcement of a second Dungeons & Dragons MMO -- pardon me, an "OMG" -- either rocked you back on your heels or cooled off your heels. Something to do with heels, at any rate.

In a Daily Grind this past May, I asked readers how they would make another D&D MMO. There were a lot of thoughtful responses, a few instances of keyboard gibberish, and a contingent adamant that the D&D license was locked up in DDO and couldn't be handed out elsewhere. I guess the latter argument is a moot point right now -- obviously, Turbine doesn't have a monopoly on an online D&D -- although its existence brings to mind not just a few questions.

Is the world big enough for two online D&D titles? What does this announcement mean for our beloved DDO? Is Neverwinter positioning itself to be direct competition, or a different entity altogether? Has the Cryptic crew learned its lessons? In my final Exploring Eberron (Rubi returns next week, so you may start doing your happy dance... now), I'm going to answer all of these queries in such a way that your world will forever be rocked. On its heels.

Continue reading Exploring Eberron: Neverwinter nightcaps

MassivelyExploring Eberron: Neverwinter nightcaps originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.5atarichampions-onlinecoco-opcrypticcryptic-studiosddodnddont-be-a-heelDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeberronexploring-eberronf2pfaerunfeaturedforgotten-realmsfourth-editionfree-to-playftpguild-warsjack-emmertlawsuitneverwinterNeverwinter-Nightsneverwinter-nights-2neverwinter-nights-mmoomgplanescapeplayer-generated-contentso-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fishstar-trek-onlinestothe-return-of-rubiturbineturbine-vs-atariFri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play with the devs: Storm the dungeons and firefights of Global Agenda with Hi-Rez Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/play-with-the-devs-storm-the-dungeons-and-firefights-of-global/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/play-with-the-devs-storm-the-dungeons-and-firefights-of-global/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/play-with-the-devs-storm-the-dungeons-and-firefights-of-global/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You asked for it, and we're doing it -- we're going back to Global Agenda! But this time we're not going into the game by ourselves. No, no, we're bringing out the big guns this time. We're bringing the creators, Hi-Rez Studios, along for the ride!

So come join us this Wednesday, August 25th, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, to run some missions with some of the developers from Hi-Rez! All you need is a copy of Global Agenda (which can be grabbed from Steam) and a membership in our Steam Community, the Massively Mob (which is as cheap as free).

Don't have a copy of the game, but still want to participate? Well lucky for you, as the game's free trial program just came back online! Why not give the game a whirl as you play alongside the creators?

More information on our in-game meeting place and how we'll set things up will be available Wednesday morning here on Massively. Just keep an eye on our Steam Community, or Twitter page, or our front page for the full details!

MassivelyPlay with the devs: Storm the dungeons and firefights of Global Agenda with Hi-Rez Studios originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opco-op-pveglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-sandstormhi-rez-studiosin-game-eventmassively-mobmassively-mob-eventmassively-mob-scenemeet-the-devsmmofpsomg-pew-pew-in-dungeonsplay-with-developersplay-with-the-devssandstormsandstorm-patchsandstorm-phase-2steamsteam-communitysteam-groupMon, 23 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic and Atari announce Neverwinter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The speculation has been going on for quite a while, and it's finally been confirmed: The Neverwinter Nights MMO is coming.

Well, sort of. Neverwinter will be developed by Cryptic, and Gamespot was lucky enough to get a little one-on-one time with COO Jack Emmert. Something that he was careful to point out was that this is not a full-blown, persistent MMO: "I wouldn't say MMORPG at all -- Neverwinter is a cooperative RPG."

The Neverwinter site is up and running, with plenty of interesting details about the game. It's based on 4th edition D&D, set for launch in 2011, and is inspired by R.A. Salvatore's upcoming trilogy. The first book in that series arrives in October, so by the time Neverwinter launches, the world should be fully established.

For the time being, Cryptic and Atari have provided a fair amount of resources for hopeful (and skeptical) fans to keep up with development. The official site contains a newsletter signup page, some brief backstory, and the full press release. You can also follow game news on Twitter and Facebook.

MassivelyCryptic and Atari announce Neverwinter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-editionataribreakingco-opcorpgcrypticcryptic-studiosdndDungeons-and-Dragonsfaerunforgotten-realmsjack-emmertneverwinterNeverwinter-Nightsneverwinter-nights-mmonwnnwn-mmoplayneverwinterr-a-salvatorer.a.-salvatoreMon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mytheon has both PvP and Co-Op on the menu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/mytheon-has-both-pvp-and-co-op-on-the-menu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/mytheon-has-both-pvp-and-co-op-on-the-menu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/mytheon-has-both-pvp-and-co-op-on-the-menu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mytheon wants to know: what's your poison? Do you want a tall glass of beatdown with live players, or a cooperative shot of teamwork in a PvE environment? We haven't heard a lot about this title over the past year, but Petroglyph is increasing the game's profile as launch looms for this "online multiplayer action RPG." As the beta period winds to a close, the devs are excited to reveal the game's two primary modes: PvP and Co-Op play.

Mytheon appears to lean toward PvP, as Petroglyph emphasizes both the PvP arenas and PvP scenarios. The arenas -- such as the Ring of Destiny and Olympus -- are ranked, and come in either 1v1 or 2v2 varieties. If 4v4 is more your style, then head on over to one of their three PvP scenarios, such as the Forest of Despair. However, Co-Op mode is available for a different flavor of gameplay, challenging two teams of players to compete against each other in a PvE setting until there's only one victor, who then fights a unique scenario boss. All of these modes offer experience and loot as a matter of course.

Producer Randy King encourages players to find their own style: "Giving players the ability to group together, or play against each other was only the start. It was important to us to use the rich setting of Greek mythology to provide these incredible scenarios that they can experience with others."

MassivelyMytheon has both PvP and Co-Op on the menu originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaco-opmytheonpetroglyphpvepvprandy-kingrankingscenariosTue, 06 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Global Agenda gameplay vids show off customization and PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-global-agenda-gameplay-vids-show-off-customization-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-global-agenda-gameplay-vids-show-off-customization-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-global-agenda-gameplay-vids-show-off-customization-and-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As the shooter-MMO hybrid Global Agenda enters closed beta this month, the team at Hi-Rez Studios has begun to release more videos showing off gameplay footage. John Walker over at Rock, Paper, Shotgun hunted down and rounded up the new videos from Gametrailers, which give us a good look at how the game is shaping up. The first video shows off the character creation process, with a cut scene explaining your introduction to the world, trapped and floating in a cloning tank monitored by machines, then rescued by armored human allies. That's followed up by footage of other character creation options in Global Agenda, from the look of your agent's body to armor customization, as well as showing how large and open the game's social hubs will be.

Even better, there are two more videos that show off Global Agenda's combat, demonstrating both co-op gameplay and PvP. We've got video embeds of the combat footage after the jump:

Continue reading New Global Agenda gameplay vids show off customization and PvP

MassivelyNew Global Agenda gameplay vids show off customization and PvP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorcharacter-creationco-opcustomizationgametrailersglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosnew-titlespvprock-paper-shotgunsci-fispy-fivideoThu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The spirit of WoW in Resistance 2's co-op gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/the-spirit-of-wow-in-resistance-2s-co-op-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/the-spirit-of-wow-in-resistance-2s-co-op-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/the-spirit-of-wow-in-resistance-2s-co-op-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Much has been said on the influence of World of Warcraft on the MMO industry, but comparisons between other games and WoW don't end with massively multiplayer online games. The multiplayer cooperative mode of Resistance 2, a Playstation 3 exclusive from Insomniac Games, bears some similarities in its design to the ubiquitous Blizzard fantasy title in terms of class interdependencies.

Insomniac Games co-op lead designer for Resistance 2, Jake Biegel, recently gave an interview with Christian Nutt from Gamasutra on the development of multiplayer cooperative gameplay, and the games that influenced its creation. Of course, the class-based Team Fortress 2 was cited as an influence, but Insomniac Games also looked to World of Warcraft for further inspiration. "We looked at experiences like Team Fortress 2, in which there are dependencies on classes, and games like World of Warcraft, in which there are large amounts of people working in tandem, creating this kind of epic synergy to overcome these encounters that wouldn't be overcomeable as an individual," Biegel says.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

Continue reading The spirit of WoW in Resistance 2's co-op gameplay

MassivelyThe spirit of WoW in Resistance 2's co-op gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardchristian-nuttclassesco-opfantasygamasutragame-designgame-mechanicsinsomniac-gamesinterviewsjake-biegelmmo-industryplaystation-3ps3resistance-2sci-fiteam-fortress-2tf2world-of-warcraftwowWed, 10 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Blurring the line between co-op and MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-digital-continuum-blurring-the-line-between-co-op-and-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-digital-continuum-blurring-the-line-between-co-op-and-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-digital-continuum-blurring-the-line-between-co-op-and-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There has been a flood of co-op games this year, and they've been really popular. People love to play with one another. Everything from Red Alert 3 to LittleBigPlanet shipped with some form of online co-op, people are eating up the co-op experience. And why shouldn't they? It's a whole heaping ton of fun. But of course, the biggest selling co-op experience this year has likely been Wrath of the Lich King.

Let's face it, our beloved MMOs are pretty much the thesis of co-op gaming. Granted, you can solo in World of Warcraft if you like, but the core experience of that game is playing with other people -- be they friend, family or complete stranger.

Traditional games and MMOs share a lot in common, but they ultimately sit and different ends of the co-op experience spectrum. There is almost certainly a sweet spot somewhere in the middle and I posit that Blizzard has been able to come the closest to it, but there's more ground to be made. In fact, there's one game in particular that could push the itself further towards co-op than any MMO before it: Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Blurring the line between co-op and MMO

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Blurring the line between co-op and MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbiowareblizzardco-opeaelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmmosci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-digital-continuumworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingSat, 06 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST