Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Can there be too much community interaction in public?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-daily-grind-can-there-be-too-much-community-interaction-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When it's ready!
There are varying schools of thought on interacting with your community in public, but the two main ones consist of either answering every question or giving the silent treatment. Blizzard was notorious at one time for not responding to any community feedback in public, presumably to keep the trolls at bay, but that studio's opened up considerably in the last few years.

On the other end of that spectrum is ArenaNet, whose reps answer just about every single question they get on Twitter. This makes for an open line of communication with fans but seems to be ineffective when the same questions are being asked and answered multiple times a day.

So where do you stand on the issue? Do you think a simple FAQ on the website should be referenced and a support team should answer questions privately, or do you think something like Twitter, Facebook, or even a Reddit Ask Me Anything is the best place to answer questions and address concerns from the community?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Can there be too much community interaction in public? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-me-anythingcommunitydaily-grindfacebookinteractionopinionpublicreddittdgthe-daily-grindtwitterFri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard issues an apology for the state of Diablo III's launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/blizzard-issues-an-apology-for-the-state-of-diablo-iiis-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/blizzard-issues-an-apology-for-the-state-of-diablo-iiis-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/blizzard-issues-an-apology-for-the-state-of-diablo-iiis-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The game gets a lot more interesting once you beat the login screen.
OK, have we all gotten the jokes about Diablo III's launch out of our systems yet? Not quite? It's understandable, since the huge and much-hyped launch wound up with a lot of serious problems from the start. Blizzard isn't oblivious to the problems, however, and an official statement from community manager Bashiok apologizes for the issues that players have been experiencing. Bashiok chalks the incidents up as a simple matter of human error: "Despite very aggressive projections, our preparations for the launch of the game did not go far enough."

In order to make sure that the game is running smoothly for everyone before adding another wrinkle, Blizzard is moving back the auction house launch from May 22nd to an as-yet-unspecified later date. He also does note that the game should now be running fine for everyone, with requisite knocking on wood. So while you may have been a bit stuck on launch day, you should be in the clear now, plus you've got Blizzard's apologies for the delay.

MassivelyBlizzard issues an apology for the state of Diablo III's launch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgapologybashiokbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopcommunitycultured3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasygothic-fantasylaunchlaunch-issueslaunch-troublesmultiplayerofficial-apologyonline-multiplayerroguelikerpgThu, 17 May 2012 12:30:00 EST<![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 Soapbox: There is no gamer community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Broad similarity is not the same as companionship.
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.

Some of our younger readers may not remember this, but a time existed when video games were not ubiquitous. Having a game console in your house was somewhat unusual, having a computer that could run games was also not a given, and being someone who played games meant you were part of a group. Sure, there were people who just played an occasional video game, but by and large, we were a single community. We were gamers.

That was then, however, a world that existed in the wake of the '83 crash, one that thrived on limited technology and divided groups. I think in the years since then, we've witnessed the very idea dissolve, to the point that we don't currently have a gamer community. And I'd even go so far as to say that part of the bitterness between various groups of gamers is due to the fact that the community no longer exists.

Continue reading The Soapbox: There is no gamer community

MassivelyThe Soapbox: There is no gamer community originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-issueseditorialfeaturedgame-communitygamer-communitymmo-communityop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 08 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 fan compares new game map to original]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/guild-wars-2-fan-compares-new-game-map-to-original/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/guild-wars-2-fan-compares-new-game-map-to-original/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/guild-wars-2-fan-compares-new-game-map-to-original/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Wars 2
Enterprising Guild Wars 2 player and Reddit member that_shaman went above and beyond the call of duty by providing a useful tool for the growing beta community: a giant, fleshed-out map of the new Tyria. In it, he fits the current explored player regions of Guild Wars 2 on top of the preexisting Guild Wars 1 world map to show just how faithful ArenaNet has been in staying true to its landscape and outposts.

The full Guild Wars 2 map encompasses around 25 zones, six cities, and some odds and ends. Of course, not all of Guild Wars 1 areas are revisited in GW2 (at least, not yet), and Guild Wars 2 has a few areas that were never explored in its predecessor.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 fan compares new game map to original originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetacommunitycomparecompare-and-contrastfantasyguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2mapncsoftprojectthat_shamanworld-mapMon, 07 May 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I play Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR
I believe I'm like most people when I say that I cling to nostalgia. I love it when parts of my adolescence are made into movies or video games. Yes, despite it being an explode-y Michael Bay movie, I loved Transformers, and I can't tell you how many times I watched Lord of the Rings when Peter Jackson adapted J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece into a blockbuster. But despite Ghostbusters' status as my favorite single movie of all time, the original Star Wars trilogy had more impact on my childhood than anything else in my life. I still get childhood chills when I think about it.

From the music to the action figures, I loved them all. I still have a picture of me at six years old riding an AT-AT. Yes, even at six, I knew exactly what an AT-AT was. And although I called a lightsaber a light-saver, I grew up with Star Wars entrenched in my psyche. It was only natural that when the video games revolving around the series came out, I would take up that cause. You guys remember the crazy wireframe Death Star trench arcade? You'd better believe I was there playing that.

When Star Wars entered the MMO space, I was there with bells on. But it's not just this longing to recapture my childhood that propels me to that galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: The Old Republic. The spice addiction runs quite a bit deeper.

Continue reading Why I play Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyWhy I play Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommunityeaelectronic-artseqeverquestfantasyfeaturedgalaxieshyperspace-beaconlucasartsmythicmythic-entertainmentnostalgiaopinionsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicstorytellingswgswtorthe-old-republictorturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultimaonlineuowarcraftwhy-i-playworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master
I had the pleasure of playing Star Wars Galaxies with Brian "OddjobXL" Rucker for at least five years before his unfortunate passing last week. We never met in person, but he was a great influence on my life despite my having only recently found out what he looked like. One of the great things about the internet is that personality really shines through when you don't have a preconceived notion of who someone is based on how he looks. Brian was one of those people whose personality stood out from the rest of the community because of the stories he created and wisdom he imparted to others.

When he played SWG, he posted quite a bit as Mandash Grim on the Starsider Galaxy roleplay website; when a good chunk of those players decided to give Star Wars: The Old Republic a go, he moved with them to SWTOR-RP. On this forum, he talked about how SWTOR influenced RP, even though it was not exactly the way he envisioned it.

It's hard to summarize in a thousand words his gaming philosophies, which had such an influence on me, but I'd like to highlight a few key things he wrote that I believe summarize his feelings on something everyone reading this column probably loves: Star Wars MMO storytelling.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebrian-ruckerclassic-mmocommunityeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxieshyperspace-beaconlucasartsoddjob-xloddjobxlopinionroleplayingrpsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 24 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: One hundred moments and done]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, I'm not ending the column, but now people will read the whole thing because they'll suspect I am. Unless, of course, you read the alt text.
All good things must come to an end.

Roleplaying is all about creating a shared space for your character to inhabit with other characters. It's about crafting trials and challenges that can be overcome through narrative means; it's about building a set of experiences together. And all of the columns I've written up to this point have been entirely about making that work well and creating a shared environment that's fun for everyone.

But it can end. One day, you may log in to find that the people you've been roleplaying alongside are no longer there -- that the friends you once had have left, the allies you once charished have moved on, and your universe has narrowed by degrees until it's just you. After all of the roleplaying you've done, it tuns out that your group of fellow roleplayers has slowly drifted away until the only person who remembers these stories is you. And it seems fitting, for the 100th column, to talk about what happens when you're left remembering a universe that never was.

Continue reading Storyboard: One hundred moments and done

MassivelyStoryboard: One hundred moments and done originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityconclusionsdepartureendingfeaturedleavingopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 20 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prolific MMO blogger Brian 'OddjobXL' Rucker passes away]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/prolific-mmo-blogger-brian-oddjobxl-rucker-passes-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/prolific-mmo-blogger-brian-oddjobxl-rucker-passes-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/prolific-mmo-blogger-brian-oddjobxl-rucker-passes-away/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rucker's SWG avatarThe MMO roleplaying community lost one of its most prolific authors this week as Brian "OddjobXL" Rucker passed away at the age of 48.

Rucker maintained a blog called The Roleplayer's Redoubt on MMORPG.com, and he was also featured in Massively's The Game Archaeologist, where he talked at length about MUDs, MUSHs, and Star Wars Galaxies.

Massively columnist Larry Everett remembers Rucker as "a very prominent member of both of my websites and a personal inspiration to me as a gamer, writer, and roleplayer." Rucker, known as Cap'n in SWG circles, covered roleplaying in dozens of disparate MMO titles. He also offered plenty of sage advice for both newbs and veterans alike.

[Thanks to Laura for the tip.]

MassivelyProlific MMO blogger Brian 'OddjobXL' Rucker passes away originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-ruckerclassic-mmocommunitygalaxiesMiscellaneousoddjob-xloddjobxlroleplayingrpsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgoFri, 20 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom Extra: Craig Morrison on new content, crafting, and customizable communities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-anvil-of-crom-extra-craig-morrison-on-new-content-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-anvil-of-crom-extra-craig-morrison-on-new-content-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-anvil-of-crom-extra-craig-morrison-on-new-content-crafting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom - Spring 2012 Craig Morrison interview
It's been a little while since we've interviewed Age of Conan executive producer Craig Morrison. In the intervening months, Funcom's bloody fantasy MMO has added developers, new content, and fresh ideas at a fairly steady pace.

This week sees the introduction of tier four raiding content in Khitai as well as a lengthy Morrison-authored update letter that provides a roadmap for the rest of 2012. Follow along after the break as we talk raiding, the upcoming crafting revamp, and the community potential (and perils) of Funcom's spiffy new single-server technology.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom Extra: Craig Morrison on new content, crafting, and customizable communities

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom Extra: Craig Morrison on new content, crafting, and customizable communities originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromanvil-of-crom-interviewsaocaoc-raidsaoc-server-rulesetsaoc-tier-four-raidsaoc-unchainedcommunityconancraig-morrisoncustom-madecustom-server-rulesetcustomizable-communitydreamworld-single-serverf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomhyboriaopinionpriest-of-mitrapriest-of-mitra-revampsilirrionsingle-serversingle-server-technologythe-anvil-of-cromFri, 30 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mittani gets hit with ban and resigns in wake of EVE Online controversy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-mittani-gets-hit-with-ban-and-resigns-in-wake-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-mittani-gets-hit-with-ban-and-resigns-in-wake-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-mittani-gets-hit-with-ban-and-resigns-in-wake-of-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Life lesson: do not attend panels while drunk.
Alexander "The Mittani" Gianturco has been a fairly notorious figure in EVE Online for years now, but his recent notoriety has been all about some rather untoward remarks from the EVE Online Fanfest. Following harsh remarks in which he advocated finding and harassing a player who had expressed suicidal thoughts, Gianturco issued an official apology for his actions. But that isn't the end of it -- Gianturco has also been hit with a 30-day ban from EVE Online due to actions that violate the game's terms of service. He's also resigned from his position as chairman of the current Council of Stellar Management and forfeited the right to serve on the next CSM.

CCP Games has been following the whole issue and has put together an official post detailing what happened at the panel, what went wrong, and what steps will be taken to ensure that this incident is not repeated. According the official response, the format for the panel was entirely wrong and went far beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable for an official event hosted by the company. Offhand remark or no, it looks like a few careless words have caused some major disruptions to the life of EVE Online players.

MassivelyThe Mittani gets hit with ban and resigns in wake of EVE Online controversy originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbulliesbullybullyingccpccp-gamescommunitycontroversycultureeveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlineeve-online-fanfestfanfest-2012internet-spaceshipspoliticssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinethe-mittaniWed, 28 Mar 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game would you play were it not for the community?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-were-it-not-for-the-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-were-it-not-for-the-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-daily-grind-what-game-would-you-play-were-it-not-for-the-co/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online - Minmatar frigate
EVE Online is a pretty polarizing topic around the Massively watercooler. A couple of us love the game and think its community gets a bad rap, others like the game but cringe at CCP's laissez-faire approach to policing its userbase, and still others snort derisively at any mention of New Eden.

While CCP's sci-fi sandbox does have a reputation for scams, scandals, and schadendfreude, it's also got its share of helpful players and corporations (the EVE equivalent of a guild), and I'm always disappointed to hear of potential players scared off by the big meanies who consistently make EVE headlines.

That leads into today's Daily Grind question. Is there an MMO out there that you'd play if it weren't for the community? Which one, and why is the community so bad?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What game would you play were it not for the community? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-communityccpccp-gamescommunitydaily-grindeveeve-onlinegood-communityinternet-spaceshipsopinionsandboxSchadenfreudesci-fitdgthe-daily-grindTue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Setting up for success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/flameseeker-chronicles-setting-up-for-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/flameseeker-chronicles-setting-up-for-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/flameseeker-chronicles-setting-up-for-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
Community Team Lead Martin Kerstein updated the ArenaNet blog a few days ago with some information about his team's plans for the Guild Wars 2 community. The two big bits of news were that there will be official forums (to the evident skepticism of the Guild Wars 2 Guru mods) and there will not be a typical fan site program. The most interesting bit, to me, is this:
"Our goal is to use a scalable, inclusive ecosystem instead of a rigid fan site program that doesn't scale well and excludes large parts of the fan base."
What I'm hoping this means is that the team members are opening themselves up to a lot more flexibility in which fan sites they support. This is great if it means that small blogs and niche communities can be more easily promoted; we already see this happening, as the Guild Wars 2 twitter feed is usually full of retweets pointing out various fan creations and posts. The flip side of this is equally true. In his article, Kerstein talks about wanting to promote a mature and helpful community, so hopefully the lack of a rigid structure in fan site support means the team members don't feel pressured to include and support toxic communities just because they've hit standardized milestones.

I have high hopes for this scalable community engagement style, and I hope to see it pay off for a lot of smaller fan sites and projects. If the folks at ArenaNet want to demand more of the quality of their community, more power to 'em.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Setting up for success

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Setting up for success originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcommunitydynamic-eventsfailurefantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesforumsguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-is-scalygwgw2Martin-Kersteinncsoftopinionravious-makes-a-good-pointscalable-contentTue, 20 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Lillipad Jungle EQII
Every now and then, we hear stories that transcend gaming and prove that there's something more to our pixelated worlds than uber loot and leveling up. Last week, the Guk server (which I proudly have called my home server for the past several years) rallied together to bring some cheer to a young boy with terminal cancer and to his loving family. I first heard of this story last week while I was at GDC, and although I wasn't able to attend the event, I caught up with one of the organizers this week to hear about this incredible effort. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at the story of Ribbitribbit and how his mother's call for help with decorating brought on a wave of support from the amazing EverQuest II community.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityeqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygukkaren-bryanlillipad-jungleopinionribbitribbitscreenshotscreenshotssoesonysony-online-entertainmentsylestiatattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on 1.2 and priorities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-1-2-and-priorit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No one ever asks if Hutta is ever going to be a bit less yellow. That's just an accepted fact.
With patch 1.2 on the horizon, most Star Wars: The Old Republic players have questions, which makes it a good thing that the game is still hosting a weekly community question-and-answer session to give players answers to those questions. This week, we've been granted a confirmation that more character slots are being planned, an assertion that new crafted items will still use existing high-end materials, and the promise that a "barber shop"-style feature is in the planning stages (even if it's not in 1.2).

That last answer leads into a discussion of how the development team prioritizes updates, the pace of those updates, and what players can expect as each update goes live. As outlined in the answer, the big question is how much work any given feature is expected to take, which has to be juggled so that big features are coming out regularly without forcing development to stagnate. That means that some features have to wait for future updates -- but it seems like the team is still well aware of these issues just the same.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on 1.2 and priorities originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommunityeaelectronic-artsimprovementslucasartspatch-1.2patchesq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictorupcoming-patchesupcoming-updatesupdatesSat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet focuses on community in latest dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Real Life
If you're reading Massively, we assume you're a player or fan of MMORPGs, but everyone has different reasons for playing. Some play for hardcore raiding progression, some play for role-playing, and some play just to wind down and relax, but there's one thread that ties all of these things together: community. After all, what's an MMORPG without the MMO? ArenaNet is well aware of this, and the studio has just released a new blog outlining its approach toward community-building with Guild Wars 2.

Some may be surprised to hear that ArenaNet will be offering official forums for GW2. Some may be even more surprised to hear that the studio will not be offering "traditional fansite support." But don't panic! This isn't the death of community, it's the evolution thereof. ArenaNet realizes that "gaming and community management have evolved over the last six years," so the studio plans to change right along with it. When you consider the fact that the GW2 community spans multiple separate communities, such as fansites, forums, social networking sites, and outlandishly fabulous sites such as Massively itself, it should come as no surprise that the studio is aiming to bring these players together. The final goal, according to the blog, "is to create an environment that is respectful, welcoming, inclusive, and friendly."

We're sure more details on the studio's community plan will be unearthed as the game approaches launch, but until then, ArenaNet is asking the community to be proactive by bringing community projects to its attention so that the studio can "[highlight] them for the broader community." So get to work, Guild Wars fans, and help to build a community that makes ANet proud.

MassivelyArenaNet focuses on community in latest dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetblogbuilding-communitycommunitydev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryfantasyguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftThu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 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[Another round of Star Wars: The Old Republic questions answered by the developers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/another-round-of-star-wars-the-old-republic-questions-answered/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Because fans are PROBING for answers! Get it?
It's been two months since Star Wars: The Old Republic launched, and players have some questions. So it's a good thing that the development team is still hosting a weekly question-and-answer session for the community, with the latest installment addressing several new concerns about future updates. Among the answers are new features that will be coming with the second major patch, including animation adjustments for cross-faction parity and tweaks to docking at planets with orbital stations such as Tython and Korriban.

There are also plans for players to gain the ability to roll on equipment specifically for companions; the Need option will be disabled unless the item in question is designed for your advanced class. Amidst all of the good news, however, there is some bad in the sense that new ship models and customization are apparently on the table -- but for much further in the future. Take a look at the full list of answers if you're interested in seeing what players can expect for new features in the near future and the slightly further future.

MassivelyAnother round of Star Wars: The Old Republic questions answered by the developers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mythiccommunitycommunity-questionseaea-biowareelectronic-artsfuture-patchesfuture-updatesnewspatchesq-and-aquestions-and-answersstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdatesFri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard clarifies Bashiok's statements about Diablo III and hints at release announcement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When I said 'you will not pass,' that was really more of a strongly worded suggestion.
The most recent tempest in a Diablo III-shaped teapot has been community manager Bashiok making a statement to fans urging them to lower their expectations for the game. Director Jay Wilson decided that this was worth a direct reply and stated in a recent open letter to the community that Bashiok's statements were "obviously sarcastic" and that the team does want fan expectations to remain high. The letter stresses that the development staff is quite happy with the game as it continues development and the current internally tested build in a better state than the beta.

Wilson goes on to claim that fans can expect a release date announcement in the near future, avoiding the dreaded Blizzard incarnation of "soon." Given his appraisal of the beta state, we suspect that the game will be heading for a retail edition before too long, at which point players will be able to decide for themselves whether or not their expectations were met.

MassivelyBlizzard clarifies Bashiok's statements about Diablo III and hints at release announcement originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbashiokbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommunitycultured3developmentdiablo-3diablo-iiidiiiexpectationsjay-wilsonlaunchnewswhat-is-this-i-cant-evenFri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard tells Diablo III fans to lower their expectations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/blizzard-tells-diablo-iii-fans-to-lower-their-expectations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/blizzard-tells-diablo-iii-fans-to-lower-their-expectations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/blizzard-tells-diablo-iii-fans-to-lower-their-expectations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you expect people with swords and the color brown, your expectations are definitely going to be met.
Are you eagerly awaiting Diablo III's eventual release? Well, perhaps you shouldn't be quite that eager. Community manager Bashiok recently made some comments in a thread on the official forums expressing some concern that players are getting too excited about the potential of the game and that players should instead lower their overall expectations of Diablo III. He closes by saying that fans should at the same time still purchase the game but perhaps lower the threshold of awesome it has to clear.

It's possible to read this as an attempt to control the game's hype before release, and it's possible to read this as a roundabout statement of overall quality. Either way, it's an odd statement coming from Blizzard's public relations team, since very few developers have historically told their fans to be a little less excited for release. Of course, with that having been said, it's unlikely that the level of excitement will go down at all. (Bashiok's full quote is just past the cut.)

Continue reading Blizzard tells Diablo III fans to lower their expectations

MassivelyBlizzard tells Diablo III fans to lower their expectations originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardanticipationblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommunitycommunity-managementcultured3diablodiablo-3diablo-iiidiiiexpectationsWed, 22 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial examines MMO mentoring, community dynamics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/editorial-examines-mmo-mentoring-community-dynamics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/editorial-examines-mmo-mentoring-community-dynamics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/editorial-examines-mmo-mentoring-community-dynamics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

RIFT - dungeon group
A wise man once described current-gen MMOs as "playing alone together." OK, truthfully I don't know who said that, nor do I know if he is particularly wise, but it resonated (and it's also applicable to a new editorial at Gamasutra that focuses on improving the community aspects of our favorite genre).

The piece looks at several current games -- including Final Fantasy XIV, RIFT, and Dungeons and Dragons Online -- and analyzes how they both succeed and fail at bringing players together. Particular attention is paid to mentoring systems, though EverQuest II's is omitted. What ultimately emerges from the lengthy read is a portrait of a challenging issue that has its roots in both operational and design considerations, and while the piece doesn't offer any particular solution, it does provide quite a lot of food for thought.

MassivelyEditorial examines MMO mentoring, community dynamics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeditorialeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfantayffxivfinal-fantasy-xivfree-to-playgroupingmentormentor-systemmentoringopinionplaying-alone-togetherriftWed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes introduces the super pack, players respond with rage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/city-of-heroes-introduces-the-super-pack-players-respond-with-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/city-of-heroes-introduces-the-super-pack-players-respond-with-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/city-of-heroes-introduces-the-super-pack-players-respond-with-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I feel like everyone is staring at us. And not in a good way.
It's the latest craze sweeping the free-to-play marketplace -- the grab bag! Pay money, open it up, and roll the dice to see what you get. City of Heroes is getting in on the action with the Super Pack, a random grab bag containing a chance at pieces from a new costume set, special Enhancements, and various other gewgaws for players to purchase. Or more accurately, for players to hopefully purchase, seeing as how the grab bag is totally random and may contain nothing of use.

Do you want to pay money in a store for a chance at getting valuable rewards for your in-game character? Judging from previous community responses, we'd guess the answer is "no." However, the reaction from the City of Heroes community has been... well, still "no." While some players are reporting that the drop rates aren't too bad on a whole, there's a definite discontent about this grab bag among the players. Even if it does contain neat new pieces, the addition has a ways to go to win over the hearts of the players.

MassivelyCity of Heroes introduces the super pack, players respond with rage originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcommunitycommunity-disapprovalcovcoxf2pfree-to-playgrab-bagncsoftnewsparagonparagon-marketparagon-studiossuper-packupdatesTue, 14 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio Part 2
Last week, I introduced to you again to the crew at Mos Eisley Radio. This podcast and web site launched itself to the Star Wars: The Old Republic community in 2009 and has been growing strong ever since. In fact, it's hard not to be shocked at the growth in viewers and content since SWTOR launched. Some of the other fan sites have actually streamlined their content to compensate for the fact that their crews are busy playing the game. But Mos Eisley Radio's producers have actually expanded its reach -- so much that I had to talk with them about what they are doing.

Executive producer Zach Brown, host Evan Lewis, and guild leader Alan Nauman joined me in a chat about the site, the guild, and the future of the community they are building. If you missed the first part of the conversation, be sure to read that first, then jump past the cut for the rest.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Naumanbiowarecommunityeaelectronic-artsEvan-Lewisfeaturedguildshyperspace-beaconlucasartsMERCMos-Eisley-Radioopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorZach-brownTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/bioware-bringing-weekly-blogs-and-video-guides-for-star-wars-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Video guides to being a Sith mostly include a whole lot of pictures of puppies for you to scream at.
Bringing someone new into the world of an MMORPG can be a difficult task. BioWare is trying to make it easy for MMO newcomers to get into Star Wars: The Old Republic, and to that end the team has launched the first of a series of video guides to playing the game. The first video, narrated by Social Media Coordinator Eric Musco, covers starting fresh in the game, creating a character, and taking part in your first conversations.

Of course, you might be an old hand at playing the game by now. (If not, the video is embedded just past the cut.) For those players not in need of a helping hand, BioWare has also announced the launch of two weekly features -- a blog post rounding up all developer posts to the forums over the prior week, and a Q&A session that will pull 10 questions from a community thread to be answered each week. So even if you don't need help getting into the game, you can have a little extra guidance about what's going on behind the scenes.

Continue reading BioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyBioWare bringing weekly blogs and video guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mythiccommunitycommunity-blogdevelopmentdevelopment-questionseaea-biowareelectronic-artseric-muscoguidesq-and-astar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorvideovideo-guidevideosFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online website revamp detailed in new video devblog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/eve-online-website-revamp-detailed-in-new-video-devblog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/eve-online-website-revamp-detailed-in-new-video-devblog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/eve-online-website-revamp-detailed-in-new-video-devblog/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
EVE Online has undergone countless changes and iterations since its first release in 2003, with major graphics overhauls and new gameplay systems arriving every year. In contrast, the official EVE website hasn't changed much over the years. With background information, screenshots, video, forums and knowledgebase articles, the EVE website now juggles content designed for prospective players and existing community members alike. CCP aims to change all that with a complete overhaul that will split community tools like the forums, knowledgebase, and account management from marketing designed to attract players.

In a new video devblog, web-developer CCP Alice shows off some of the features of EVE's brand new website. Built using HTML 5, the new page will feature a full built-in renderer able to show prospective players the EVE Online universe map and interactive renderings of every ship in the game. "Now that we have a better eveonline.com, the focus after this one is to focus on the community," says CCP Alice, hinting that new community tools will soon be on the way. In a follow-up devblog today, Community Manager CCP Guard confirmed that players will soon be able to start their own corporation forums hosted on CCP's servers. Check out the full video after the cut.

Continue reading EVE Online website revamp detailed in new video devblog

MassivelyEVE Online website revamp detailed in new video devblog originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-aliceccp-gamesccp-guardcommunitycommunity-sitecorporationcorporationsdevblogeveeve-onlineforumforumsguildguild-forumsguildssandboxsci-fivideoWeb-DevelopmentwebsiteTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online prepares the schedule for the next Council of Stellar Management]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/eve-online-prepares-the-schedule-for-the-next-council-of-stellar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/eve-online-prepares-the-schedule-for-the-next-council-of-stellar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/eve-online-prepares-the-schedule-for-the-next-council-of-stellar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Demonstrating EVE's political mechanics. Which aren't coded into the game.
EVE Online's Council of Stellar Management is about to change seats once again. On April 4th, the current council's term will expire, meaning that it's time for a new council to be formed among the game's players. CCP Games is starting the process for election early, posting a full timetable of the upcoming election as well as the requirements for candidacy. Applications for candidacy will be open from February 8th through the 22nd, followed by nominations until the 29th, with the election proper running between March 7th and March 21st.

Thinking about throwing your hat into the ring? Eligible players must be 21 years old or older by April 4th, able to travel to CCP's headquarters in Iceland, and have an EVE Online account older than 30 days. Anyone eligible will also be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, since the Council of Stellar Management frequently receives information not yet available to the general playerbase. Even if you're not interested in running yourself, it's going to be interesting for EVE players to take part in the election once again.

MassivelyEVE Online prepares the schedule for the next Council of Stellar Management originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescommunitycouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmcsm-electionelectioneveeve-communityeve-onlinegeneral-electionplayer-communityplayer-organizationsWed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft guild creates massive world to help educate children]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/minecraft-guild-creates-massive-world-to-help-educate-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/minecraft-guild-creates-massive-world-to-help-educate-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/minecraft-guild-creates-massive-world-to-help-educate-children/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Massively Minecraft Miner's Guild
Yes, I know that Minecraft isn't technically an MMO, but with multiplayer servers, you can have up to 999 players connected simultaneously in the same space, which is ironically more than many MMOs. But I digress!

Massively Minecraft (no relation) is a community of Minecraft players dedicated to the education of children on a massive scale through the popular indie sandbox. Created by virtual world vet Jokaydia, Massively Minecraft is "a Guild based learning community for kids aged 4-16 who are interested in developing digital media skills, exploring their creativity and developing online social skills." Of course, in an environment like that, there's an application process to get onto the multiplayer server's whitelist, so safety is a priority.

You can learn more about how the Massively Minecraft community operates by visiting its website.

[Thanks Tateru for the tip!]

MassivelyMinecraft guild creates massive world to help educate children originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityeducationfor-the-childrenjokaydiamassively-minecraftminecraftmojangMojang-SpecificationsFri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/ask-massively-lets-just-look-at-more-cats-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Meow.
If I haven't mentioned it before, looking up cats on Wikipedia is dangerous for me because I love cats. I know that the above is a small group of feral cats, but my first instinct is to try to individually cuddle each and every one of those cats. Really, if I could afford more cat food, I'd basically have a home stuffed to the brim with rescued cats. So let's just all look at cat pictures and possibly get up from the computer to say nice things to your own cat.

Or dog, if you just have a dog. I don't have the same degree of affection toward dogs.

But you're not just here for cute animals, are you? You're here for this week's installment of Ask Massively. This week, we're answering yet another question about Star Wars: The Old Republic and the terminology of expansions. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future column, leave it in the comments below or send it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncommunityexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumorpatchstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscribers.patchesswtorThu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'd love to tell you what you're shooting at, but you don't have the clearance. I also would love to tell you if bullets hurt it or not.
Do you have questions about the Illuminati? Of course you do -- that's sort of their whole method of operation. But when it comes to The Secret World, some of those questions got answered via yesterday's community question-and-answer session on Facebook. While you'll have to Like the page in order to view all of the answers, you're rewarded for doing so with a breadth of facts about the secretive power-mongers and hoarders of secrets.

Among the first questions was the simple one of how the Illuminati aren't in control of everything in the game world if their operatives have infiltrated the highest level of government; as it happens, with the world exploding and lighting up with the supernatural, the Illuminati are too concerned with working overtime to keep things under wraps to try to take total control. The answers also reinforce the idea that the Illuminati crave power and competence above all, up to the organization's willingness to discard lesser members for valuable information. You can take a peek at the full set of answer on Facebook, but keep in mind that you're going to need to Like the page first.

MassivelyThe Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycommunityfactionsfuncomilluminatilorenewspreviewsq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answerssecret-societiessocietiesthe-secret-worldtswupdatesMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard seems to think that Cataclysm was too linear]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yeah, that guy seems to have the right idea, let's go that way.
Designing MMOs is often the art of shepherding players in a given direction while at the same time giving them a sense of freedom. Even in a themepark environment, players want to be invested in areas, to have reasons to come back and explore and go off of the rails should they want to. World of Warcraft's most recent expansion, Cataclysm, has frequently been accused of giving players nowhere to go but a series of rails, and according to a recent response from a community manager, Blizzard agrees.

A very long thread on the official forums has spawned some interesting discussions about the game's overall endgame philosophy, with community manager Draxxari stating that Cataclysm's tightly linear design was an "error" on the design level. He goes on to state that Mists of Pandaria is meant to give players more reason to venture out and explore the world, although players will have to wait to see whether that promise holds true or not.

[Thanks to SgtBaker for the tip!]

MassivelyBlizzard seems to think that Cataclysm was too linear originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You kids are going to have to get off this server, now! I mean it! I will turn this whole plane around if I have to!
In a rather surprising move for a number of RIFT players, it turns out that several of the game's servers have been converted over to trial servers. Naturally, it makes players instinctively fearful that it's the first step toward server shutdowns and closures.

But that's not quite what's going on. As explained by community manager Elrar quite some time ago, trial servers are lower-population servers that are essentially being put to one side for large-scale trial programs. Character creation for subscribers is disabled on those servers, and there's a message encouraging you to move to another server with a free transfer, but it's not a shutdown, just a ramp-up to a larger trial period for non-subscribers.

According to Rift Junkies, a total of 11 servers are seeing the trial tag applied, and players are encouraged to move off these servers by January 18th. If you've got a character on Belmont, Galena, Atrophinius, Crucia, Alsbeth, Estrael, Shadefallen, Sunrest, Freeholme, Dayblind, or Faemyst, now would be a good time to start planning for greener, non-trial pastures.

[Thanks to Celestial Lord for the tip!]

MassivelyRIFT flags more trial servers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitynewsriftrift-planes-of-telaraserverserver-consolidationserver-mergersserverssurprisetrialtrial-serverstriontrion-worldsThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT asks its community to test raids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/rift-opens-up-to-the-community-for-raid-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/rift-opens-up-to-the-community-for-raid-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/rift-opens-up-to-the-community-for-raid-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You will probably not be fighting this guy. Things are looking up already!
Do you like RIFT? Do you like raiding? Do you like to test raids in RIFT? Well, then, your ship may very well have come in. The team at Trion Worlds is looking to get some solid raid testing going, giving players a chance to see the next tier of raiding before it goes live. So the call is going out to guilds that have demolished the current endgame, and the best of the best will be pitted against the newest challenges on the horizon.

To be eligible, guilds must have at least 20 members able to participate in two hours of raiding two nights per week; they must also currently be at 11/11 in Hammerknell. Candidates are also expected to have mature members capable of responsible feedback, since they are going to be testing new and possibly buggy combat. If you think your guild qualifies, have your guild leader (which may be you) respond to the call. And be prepared to blow through everything in minutes once it goes live -- that's always the risk.

MassivelyRIFT asks its community to test raids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-eventsendgameendgame-testingguildguildsraid-testingraidingraidsriftrift-planes-of-telaratest-servertestingtriontrion-worldsTue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Favorite moments from the Massively livestream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-guild-counsel-favorite-moments-from-the-massively-livestrea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-guild-counsel-favorite-moments-from-the-massively-livestrea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-guild-counsel-favorite-moments-from-the-massively-livestrea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWG final moments
I'm sure you know about Massively's ever-expanding video channel. But what you might not know is that over the past year, I've done a little MMO walkabout, sampling as many different games as I could on my character Mmognaut. What I was particularly interested in was branching out and getting to know the communities that make these games what they are, and the Massively livestream was a great way to do that while giving the viewers a chance to experience it too.

Through livestreaming and Twitch TV, I've had a great opportunity to explore dozens of MMOs over the past year, often with my co-host Jeremy Stratton. In my weekly column here, I often focus on common issues that happen within a guild, but I've also looked at MMO communities on the whole, and that should include the community that's grown here at Massively. What's really neat is that there's an overlapping at times during these shows, where the in-game communities of the MMO we're showcasing mesh with the Massively community, and it's made for some fantastic moments. Join me in this week's Guild Counsel as I look back over my favorite moments from the past year.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Favorite moments from the Massively livestream

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Favorite moments from the Massively livestream originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allodsallods-onlineclone-wars-adventurescommunitycrafting-critterscwadarek-connoledc-universe-onlinedcuoderek-cannoleeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEverQuest-2everquest-iifallen-earthfeaturedflyffflyff-world-championshipg1gamersfirstgpotatoguild-counselinvictusjeremy-strattonlivestreamlydia-popemassively-livestreamrabidfishsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgtony-jonestwitch-tvvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesvindictuszatoziaThu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/rift-answers-some-community-questions-in-time-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Merry RIFTmas? Someone's already made that pun, right?
Christmas (or your winter holiday of choice) is right upon us, and the staff at Trion Worlds seems to be in a giving state of mind. The team has just posted a new set of answers to several player questions about RIFT, ranging from the rationale behind some current content implementations to what's waiting in the wings. Whether you're a roleplayer, an endgame raider, or just leveling through the game for the first time, the answers should give you something to look forward to.

Among the more interesting updates is the reveal that the team is looking at improving level 50 gear below the top tier; Hammerknell and Rank 8 PvP gear will remain as-is, but the gear along the way will get buffed up a bit. The issue of Ember Isle difficulty is also addressed, the developers explaining that the island was meant to be reasonable for existing level 50 characters, giving it a bit more punch than players just hitting 50 might expect. Check the full list of questions and answers for other updates -- there's a lot to digest, but you've got a holiday break to do it.

MassivelyRIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityculturedesigndevelopmentdifficultyfeedbacknewspatchespreviewsq-and-aquestions-and-answersrespecsriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsThu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE's John Smedley expresses regrets over SWG mishaps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/soes-john-smedley-expresses-regrets-over-swg-mishaps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies
Star Wars Galaxies may be no more, but its legacy lives on in memories, discussion, and hindsight analysis. Sony Online Entertainment's John Smedley had a frank talk with Industry Gamers in which he owns up to the mistakes of how the studio handled the title, particularly surrounding the much-maligned Combat Upgrade and New Game Enhancements.

What would Smedley do if he could go back and give it another try? His first regret is launching the game before the space combat system was done, and his second is that SOE didn't talk and listen to its players more. "We would have encouraged more in-depth discussion with the community surrounding the idea of any game modifications," he said.

Smedley is highly optimistic for the studio's future, particularly in its fervent belief in the free-to-play business model: "We think that 'Free to Play, Your Way' is our future. Giving players choices is the theme of how we're moving forward as a company, which means greater flexibility for our player base."

MassivelySOE's John Smedley expresses regrets over SWG mishaps originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-upgradecommunitycuf2pfree-to-playjohn-smedleynew-game-enhancementsngeplayersregretssmedsmedleysoesony-online-entertainmentspace-combatstar-wars-galaxiessunsetswgWed, 21 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare defends its decision to not have individual SWTOR server forums]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/bioware-defends-its-decision-to-not-have-individual-swtor-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/bioware-defends-its-decision-to-not-have-individual-swtor-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/bioware-defends-its-decision-to-not-have-individual-swtor-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR forums
With the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic came a new and improved forum system for the community, and everyone lived happily ever after. Right? Yeah... not so much. It turns out that BioWare neglected to include individual server forums for its many, many, many shards, and this omission has rankled some players who were looking forward to talking amongst their new communities on the site.

TOR-Talk got in touch with BioWare to ask about why the individual server forums were cut down to four ruleset forums. Senior Community Coordinator Allison Berryman says the decision was a matter of practicality as there would be too many forums and not enough moderators to go around: "Generally speaking, server forums for many MMOs tend to be largely un-moderated and can become unpleasant to visit."

Instead, BioWare hopes that server communities create and moderate their own server-specific sites and forums. "This is also a great opportunity for the community to come together in their own ways - on fan sites and through other resources," Barryman said. "Of course, we want people to visit the official forums, and will use them to provide information that's of specific interest to the community, but we also love to see the community coming up with cool stuff on their own."

MassivelyBioWare defends its decision to not have individual SWTOR server forums originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allison-Berrymanbiowarecommunityeaea-biowareforumforumsinterviewstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortor-talkWed, 21 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Different points of view]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/storyboard-different-points-of-view/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/storyboard-different-points-of-view/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/storyboard-different-points-of-view/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're reading this, I've been in my house for days playing SWTOR. Please help. This hasn't happened as I write this, but you know, I know where this is going.
There are blanks spots in the lore.

This is not news to anyone who has been reading this column for a while. I've talked about dealing with the lore twice, both times pointing out that there are spaces for you to drive your character. Sometimes it's comfortable, and sometimes it's like wedging a needle into your gums and trying to kill a dental nerve at the root. But whether or not it has parallels to my recent dental surgery, there are places in the lore where you sort of have to just fill in the blanks.

Unfortunately, this creates major issues when you intend to interact with another player, which is something that will be happening roughly all the time in roleplaying. So you might very well come up with an answer for something that isn't just different from everyone else's answer, but you might wind up with an answer that's outright mutually incompatible with someone else's. And while you sometimes can take comfort in the fact that the lore will eventually steamroll both of you, sometimes it's just the two of you trying to deal with a part of your fictional world that is now being disbelieved by someone else.

Continue reading Storyboard: Different points of view

MassivelyStoryboard: Different points of view originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycolumncommunicationcommunityconcessionculturefeaturedloreopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 16 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final SWG producer's letter thanks community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/final-swg-producers-letter-thanks-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/final-swg-producers-letter-thanks-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/final-swg-producers-letter-thanks-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies - YT2400 Blue Harvest over Mos Eisley
Community was one of many things that set Star Wars: Galaxies apart from your average MMO, and Sony Online Entertainment's Tony "Teesquared" Tyson took a moment to thank the game's faithful in what serves as the final producer's letter for the shuttered sandbox title.

Tyson touches on several highlights including housing, crafting, entertaining, and space-sim mechanics that were unique to SWG, and he ultimately concludes that the game "was, and will always be, a meaningful and memorable part of my life, an experience I'll treasure and share with anyone who wants to hear a good story."

SOE launched SWG on June 26, 2003 and powered down the servers one final time early this morning.

MassivelyFinal SWG producer's letter thanks community originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycraftinghousingproducers-lettersandboxsci-fishutdownsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentspacestar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmoswgteesquaredtony-tysonFri, 16 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II delays expansion launch overnight [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/everquest-ii-delays-expansion-launch-overnight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/everquest-ii-delays-expansion-launch-overnight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/everquest-ii-delays-expansion-launch-overnight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EverQuest II
While today was supposed to be an exciting day for EverQuest II -- the launching of both its latest expansion Age of Discovery and game-wide free-to-play -- it has turned into a technical nightmare for the SOE crew. The game and website were pulled offline for maintenance in preparation for the launch, but what was supposed to be merely extended downtime grew longer and longer until EQII players had been waiting most of the day just to log in.

Then, late tonight, EQII's Brasse posted the following on Facebook, informing the community that the expansion and F2P launch would have to wait until December 7th at the earliest:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Trolls...

We have just evaluated the status of the current update and have come to the conclusion that we can either unlock servers and risk broken content, or ensure that we provide the best experience possible and delay the update to tomorrow morning. We have to do it RIGHT. For all of you and for all of us.

So please, bear with us, relax overnight, and let us sortie into the new day together. Community will be in office at 7:00am PST and will immediately review status and give you all an update. We are aiming for morning and working as hard as we possibly can.
[Update] A little later, she posted this:
A final update this evening... Smed would like us to share that with the Platform Team working all night to complete the maintenance, we expect to be up at 10:00am PST.
[Update 2] SOE's CTO posted another bit of info on the downtime.

[Update 3] And it appears that EverQuest II's servers are back online!

MassivelyEverQuest II delays expansion launch overnight [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverybrassecommunitydelaydelayedeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexpansion-launchf2pfree-to-playsoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 06 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Ask Cryptic for Champions Online covers the flames of fashion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/newest-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online-covers-the-flames-of-fash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/newest-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online-covers-the-flames-of-fash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/newest-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online-covers-the-flames-of-fash/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring. Bound by wild desire, I fell into a ring of fire.
There are many components to making a great superhero game, but one of the key elements is ensuring that players can be astonishingly good-looking. So it's no surprise that the latest installment of Ask Cryptic sees several questions from Champions Online players about current, upcoming, and conceptual costume sets. That includes promises of more beast-oriented sets and a hard look at any powersets with major clipping issues (although minor clipping issues for certain poses are to be expected).

Equally interesting to players will be the promise that the staff is hard at work trying to give players more options for power emanation points, such as staves or wands for magical characters. While some of the answers given will be seen as a bit disappointing, such as the fact that tattoos and scars will not be usable outside of the chest pieces already featuring them, overall the answers promise all sorts of ways for players to look as good as possible while fighting crime.

MassivelyNewest Ask Cryptic for Champions Online covers the flames of fashion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearanceask-crypticchampions-onlinecocommunitycostume-piecescostumescrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentpwevisualsTue, 06 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST