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[Enjin unveils in-game overlay client]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/enjin-unveils-in-game-overlay-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/enjin-unveils-in-game-overlay-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/enjin-unveils-in-game-overlay-client/#commentsFiled under: ,

Enjin In-Game Client
Enjin has quickly established itself as a go-to place for players in need of a community site, and now, thanks to a partnership with Overwolf, the site has introduced the Enjin in-game client. The client works similarly to other in-game overlays such as Xfire and Steam, and it's integrated directly with players' Enjin sites, which allows them to use nifty features such as uploading screenshots and videos directly to their profiles.

And hey, if you're part of Massively's awesome Enjin community, you can use the client to keep up with our community as well. The full list of the program's features, as well as a link to download the Enjin in-game client, can be found over at Enjin's official site, so head on over and give it a go. We'll see you folks there.

MassivelyEnjin unveils in-game overlay client originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitiescommunityenjinenjin-in-game-clientenjin-overlayin-game-overlayin-game-overlaysoverlayoverlaysTue, 15 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are MMO communities inclusive or exclusive?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-communities-inclusive-or-exclusive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-communities-inclusive-or-exclusive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-communities-inclusive-or-exclusive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind
In my opinion, one of the best aspects of MMO gaming is the communities that form around these titles (and MMOs in general). The excitement and passion of these games can foster spirited discussion and a sense of belonging for those looking to connect with like minds. Friendships can and are formed, groups band together for a shared purpose, and game communities develop their own lingo and histories.

Yet these communities can also be one of the worst aspects of MMOs. They've been known to turn forums into pits of decomposing humanity, trolling and ranting with no end in sight. They can turn on an individual who doesn't know all of the mores and unwritten rules of how things are said and done. They can certainly rank a person's importance based on how long and how involved he or she's been with the game, relegating newbies to an eternal kiddie's table of condescension.

So which of these do you find to be true more often? Are MMO communities -- especially ones surrounding your current games -- accepting and inclusive to newcomers, or are they elitist and exclusive?

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 communities inclusive or exclusive? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitiescommunityculturedaily-grindelitistexcludingexclusivegame-communitiesincludinginclusiveopiniontdgthe-daily-grindWed, 14 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Power players and player retention]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-evolved-power-players-and-player-retention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-evolved-power-players-and-player-retention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-evolved-power-players-and-player-retention/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

As I mentioned in our coverage of the EVE Online Fanfest, the best part of the experience for me was discussing EVE with players who are as involved in and enthusiastic about the game as I am. On my first night there, I got into a fascinating discussion with a few players on a topic I hadn't really considered before -- power players. Every MMO has players who get heavily involved in their chosen game. EVE's Fanfest really highlighted this, as around a thousand of EVE's power players flew to Iceland just to talk about the game, contribute ideas in roundtable discussions and find out what the future holds for the game.

Ultimately, the fate of EVE lies in its community. EVE's main strength as an MMO is the fact that with so many players in one game universe, people form very real ties with each other. Corporations and alliances are more than just collections of people; they're sub-communities with their own aspirations, internal politics, playstyles, personalities and even senses of humour. These organisations give people support and a place to call home in an unforgiving universe, and it's the power players of EVE who make all of that possible.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore the importance of power players in MMOs and what the concept means for EVE's development.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Power players and player retention

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Power players and player retention originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamescommunitiescommunitycorpcorporationcorporationscorpsdevelopmentemergenceemergenteveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfollowersleadersleadershiponline-communitiesopinionorganisationorganizationplayer-retentionplayerspower-playersretentionsubscribersSun, 03 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There were two things that really stood out for me at PAX East: the ridiculously long lines and the throngs of fans who happily sat down together to play games face to face. On the surface, PAX East might seem to be about who has the best card deck or who has the quickest twitch reflexes, but it's actually much more than that.

We've looked at the growing importance of online communities and the relationships that have been created by them, so it's little surprise that PAX was full of players who were there to meet and play with friends they met through gaming. And among the many panels this weekend, there was one that explored this very issue. The speakers were all experienced managers of online communities, and they shared their stories of how they got started and why these communities are so important. Read on to hear their stories.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2old2playastro-gamingclanscommunitiescommunityDerek-nolandestructoidfeaturedfrag-dollsfriendshipguild-counselguild-managementguildshamza-azizmorgan-romineonline-communitiesonline-friendshipsonline-relationshipspaxpax-2011pax-eastPAX-East-2011real-lifeross-furmansfx360stan-pressThu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games reveals new EVE Online console MMO: DUST 514]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ccp-games-reveals-new-eve-online-console-mmo-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ccp-games-reveals-new-eve-online-console-mmo-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ccp-games-reveals-new-eve-online-console-mmo-dust-514/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


CCP Games CEO Hilmar Pétursson delivered a keynote presentation at GDC Europe in Cologne today, and unveiled the project their Shanghai studio has worked on for the last three years: DUST 514, a console MMOFPS set in the EVE Online universe.

Massively speculated in the past that CCP's hiring of console developers was in connection with either the EVE Online FPS or the World of Darkness MMO. The timing of the DUST 514 trademark registration led us to believe this would be the game title announced at this week's GDC event.

So then, what is DUST 514?

Continue reading CCP Games reveals new EVE Online console MMO: DUST 514

MassivelyCCP Games reveals new EVE Online console MMO: DUST 514 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingccp-gamescommunitiescommunityconsolesdustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsgdc-europegdc-europe-2009hilmar-peturssonhilmar-v-peturssonloremmo-industrymmofpsnew-titlessci-fisovereigntyTue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: Player developers!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few weeks ago, we at Massively started the weekly "Redefining MMOs" series, a collection of articles examining how the MMO genre has been redefined during the current generation of games and where it's headed in the next. So far, we've looked at the terminology we use to refer to MMOs, how the art of storytelling has changed over the years, and the rise of the "massively singleplayer" online game. In this week's article, I examine what happens when players are given the reigns of an MMO or have a hand in part of its development. If you have something important to say on the topic, feel free to post a comment on page 3 or even write your own "Redefining MMOs" blog post and leave a comment with the URL.

Traditionally, all content for an MMO is designed by the game's development studio and players have no direct influence on its creation. The idea of handing the reigns of an MMO to its players is considered heresy and we shudder to think of what horrible quests and areas players would construct if given a chance. But is our aversion justified or is it something developers should strive to overcome? Certainly Second Life has successfully capitalised on letting players develop almost every aspect of its virtual world but could successful mainstream MMOs make use of it too? City of Heroes, EVE Online and even World of Warcraft are prime examples which suggest they can. All three of these games have handed at least some part of the game's development over to players, with incredibly promising results.

In this article, I look at these three successful examples of players being allowed to develop aspects of an MMO. I then go on to explain why this works and how the next generation of MMOs could learn from these pioneering feats.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: Player developers!

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: Player developers! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonblizzardcities-xlcity of heroescity-of-heroesCityOfHeroescohcommunitiescommunityeveeve-onlinemissionmission architectmission-architectMissionArchitectoutpostsposRedefining-mmosuiworld of warcraftworld-of-warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowThu, 23 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Social failings of all MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/the-digital-continuum-social-failings-of-all-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/the-digital-continuum-social-failings-of-all-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/the-digital-continuum-social-failings-of-all-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


With all the changes and additions in MMORPGs over the years, you'd think there would've been more improvements to how people interact with one another. It's strange to look at arguably the cornerstone of this genre and see the least advancements in relation to other features, but that's seemingly the case.

The visibility of other people who you want to hang out with in a game is of the utmost importance -- even more so is the ability to converse with them. Why even bother playing an MMO for more than a few weeks if you can't grasp the feeling of being around, and interacting with, at least several people on a consistent basis?

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Social failings of all MMOs

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Social failings of all MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardcommunitiescommunityeaelectronic-artsfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmythicsocialsocial-networkingthe-digital-continuumwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 08 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is the real draw of MMOs the company you keep? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/05/the-daily-grind-is-the-real-draw-of-mmos-the-company-you-keep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/05/the-daily-grind-is-the-real-draw-of-mmos-the-company-you-keep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/05/the-daily-grind-is-the-real-draw-of-mmos-the-company-you-keep/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the main things that keeps us playing MMOs are the communities that populate them. While some players can, and do, play their chosen game solo, for most it's the social component of these titles that pulls us away from those stunning graphics of consoles games and RPG titles for the PC. By comparison, while they're beautiful, many of those games seem 'empty' after having spent time with a massively multiplayer title.

Communities in whatever form they take -- be it a guild, alliance, or corporation -- are essential to the success of an MMO, but interest in playing a given title can wane over time. Likewise with the social aspects of these titles, tempers can flare and patience wears thin. Sometimes you find you just don't have that much in common with the people you're playing with and it's time to move on. Bearing that in mind, are the people you choose to play with in your MMO of choice the same people you started out with? Do you see any parallels between how the company you keep in-game changes over time and how your real-life relationships with friends is always changing?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is the real draw of MMOs the company you keep? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancealliancescommunitiescommunitycorpcorporationculturefriendshipguildsopinionSun, 05 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Pourin' out one for all my guildies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/anti-aliased-pourin-out-one-for-all-my-guildies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/anti-aliased-pourin-out-one-for-all-my-guildies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/anti-aliased-pourin-out-one-for-all-my-guildies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Twilight Empire of World of Warcraft's Ravenholdt (PvPRP) server is a very diverse guild. They're active roleplayers, dabbling in raids and gearing for 70, frequently aid their members in running instances, and meet often to both roleplay different storylines and just be together. Their leader, Empress Aerana, has high hopes and aspirations for the guild she's built from the ground up at level 20 and has continued to run until this day; almost a year of keeping the guild active on Ravenholdt.

If you're looking at the above picture, you might recognize the paladin standing in the middle of the photo -- that's me, feeling kinda short at the moment. If it wasn't for Twilight Empire, I wouldn't be standing there in that room. The kindness of Aerana and the other guild members persuaded me to pick up my World of Warcraft disc and get back into the game -- something I've never done before for any other guild. With the frequent events, active membership and relaxed nature of the guild, I've felt right at home since I've jumped back in to the game. If it wasn't for the guild, the game wouldn't be half as fun. That's why this edition of Anti-Aliased is devoted to the concept of guilds and how critical they are to online gaming.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Pourin' out one for all my guildies

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Pourin' out one for all my guildies originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineanti-aliasedblizzardcasualccpcommunitieseaelectronic-artsendgameeveeve-onlinefeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xifuncomguildguildsinfinite-dragonflightjoystiqfeaturesmatrix-onlinemxoold-hillsbradplayersplayonlinepolpvppvprpraidingravenholdtsoesony-online-entertainmentsquare-enixstar-wars-galaxiesswgthe-matrix-onlinetwilight-empireultima-onlineuoworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 20 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grimwell on fearing the silence of the majority]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/grimwell-on-fearing-the-silence-of-the-majority/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/grimwell-on-fearing-the-silence-of-the-majority/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/grimwell-on-fearing-the-silence-of-the-majority/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Earlier this month there was plenty of talk at the ION conference about community-related issues. Those discussions were great and if you missed out on reading them when they were first posted, then you should check them out now. One thing often touched on during those discussions was the community manager's goal of reaching out to as many people in their community as they can. Or in other words: communicating with the silent majority.

Grimwell has recently posted a tightened up dialect on that very topic of reaching the silent majority for any given game. He expresses his own thoughts and methods about forging lines of communication with the people who're not being vocal through forums, blogs, podcasts or even in-game chat. And if you're worrying about a drawn-out read, don't. Grimwell keeps it short and sweet, ending the post with the affirmation that we're all still learning about the communicative process.

MassivelyGrimwell on fearing the silence of the majority originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitiescommunitycraig-dalrymplegrimwellionion08silent-majorityFri, 30 May 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fans speak out passionately on Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom closing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/fans-speak-out-passionately-on-disneys-virtual-magic-kingdom-cl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/fans-speak-out-passionately-on-disneys-virtual-magic-kingdom-cl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/fans-speak-out-passionately-on-disneys-virtual-magic-kingdom-cl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We reported on the closing of Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom the other day, and at the time, it seemed like business as usual -- Disney had created the virtual world for an event, and the event was over, so it was time for the world to close. But the comments thread over on this Virtual Worlds news post about the closing has to be seen to be believed: fans of this place loved it completely and are painfully heartbroken over its closing. There are tons of eloquent, emotional comments lauding VMK for its sense of community, the friends made there, and the opportunity to connect on a virtual level with other people and Disney's attractions when, for various reasons, the same can't be done in real life.

What's most amazing here is that, from these comments, it seems VMK was one of the strongest virtual communities out there. This is why we play these MMO games -- to connect with others online, to experience things that can't be experienced any other way, and to create connections that otherwise wouldn't be there. It's an amazing story -- here's an MMO that worked perfectly in terms of building community and developing social connections between players, and yet Disney chooses to close it down.

There is a petition online, with 11,000 signatures as of this writing, to keep VMK open. Disney has responded to this emotion with a short statement only saying "we hear you," and the game itself is still set to close down as planned on May 21st.

[Via Waxy.org]

MassivelyFans speak out passionately on Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom closing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualclosingcommunitiescommunityconnectionsdisneyemotionkidsmmovirtual-magic-kingdomvirtual-worldsvmkMon, 14 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Identifying with your class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/identifying-with-your-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/identifying-with-your-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/identifying-with-your-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Relmstein has an interesting post up about how players develop their identities with the classes they play, and while he marks it as players connecting with the various classes they choose, I actually see more of an effect on me, the player-- when I play with my Shaman in World of Warcraft, I'm more measured, careful, and helpful, and when I play my Rogue, I tend to do a lot more ganking, cheap tricks, and sneaky stuff. My Shaman would never run up to a flag in Arathi Basin without support, because that's his thing-- he supports others with totems and helps groups. But my Rogue loves sneaking off to a flag by himself, hopefully with a clothie there that he can sap or gank.

In exactly this way, classes can help the playerbase form communities and connections of their own-- you start to identify with and support those of the same class around you. Players specialize in one class, and grow more and more familiar with and attached to it. A straightforward skill system (like that in EVE Online) doesn't have that-- you still have races, but no one identifies with the traditional class roles. Miners may stick together, but when everyone can mine, that doesn't mean as much.

And new games can learn from this, too-- we've already seen some great class ideas come out of Warhammer, and there's no doubt that if those are implemented as well as they appear to be, we'll see players stepping up to identify with the roles in that game as well.

MassivelyIdentifying with your class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classescommunitiesconnectionseve-onlinerealmsteinskillsvirtual-identitiesworld-of-warcraftFri, 16 Nov 2007 11:15:00 EST