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[Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/ask-massively-big-questions-deserve-big-answers-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Assume the fish is a question, not just an enormous sunfish. Public domain photos are odd.
Some questions are just too good to leave to my sole discretion. I like to think that I can provide a reasonable response to a number of questions, but I also think there are some questions that merit more opinions. Case in point: a question last week from potaco about whether or not it's harder to focus on a single game instead of several games as a Massively employee. So I'm consolidating responses from the whole team right now, and we'll have an answer to that question this week.

This week's Ask Massively is still packed, however, with questions about getting a new computer for World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as whether or not Guild Wars 2 will provide credible competition for other games when it launches. If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alt-textanswersask-massivelycolumncolumnscomputersfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2hardwarenew-computerspoliciespurchasesq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answersshoppingThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What does your ideal gamespace look like?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-daily-grind-what-does-your-ideal-gamespace-look-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-daily-grind-what-does-your-ideal-gamespace-look-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-daily-grind-what-does-your-ideal-gamespace-look-like/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When you're younger, your game consoles and systems are usually put wherever the space exists, and your computer is generally tucked into a corner of your bedroom. But when you get a little bit older and move out on your own, you start having a much wider field of options for where you game and how you do so. Video games could be the centerpiece of your house, or you could have a special room devoted to just gaming in some corner of your apartment. And if you're going to be involved in a marathon session of Fallen Earth, wouldn't you like a minifridge nearby?

Today we're going just a bit meta and asking you what your ideal space for gaming would look like. Would it be large? Small? What sort of furniture would it contain? The hardware isn't necessarily important -- what is important is what you'd build for your play if you didn't have to worry about space or budget. Games like EverQuest II let us create the environment we want in a virtual space, but if you had that same sort of power in the real world, what would you do?

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 does your ideal gamespace look like? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computersculturedesksfurnituregaming-spacehousingopinionreal-housingreal-liferoomsspacetdgthe-daily-grindwhere-you-playTue, 21 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How well do you really know your computer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/the-daily-grind-how-well-do-you-really-know-your-computer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/the-daily-grind-how-well-do-you-really-know-your-computer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/the-daily-grind-how-well-do-you-really-know-your-computer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ask the average gamer how well they know their computer while in-game, and you'd get the impression that MMO players are technological geniuses able to assemble a working motherboard out of toothpicks and a photo of Richard Dean Anderson. When we're being put to the test, a lot of us feign knowledge that we don't actually possess, and then later ask our friend who really does know something about computers why the hard drive started acting weird when we put our magnets on the case.

But here on Massively, you can be at least moderately anonymous when you admit that most of your computer knowledge comes from sticking the cordy-thing in the socket and hoping it doesn't blow up. Or that you really can assemble a working motherboard from toothpicks and MacGuyver promotional stills. So tell us, in all honesty, how much do you really know about the central tool of your hobby? Are you moderately competent, highly skilled, or unabashedly clueless?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our 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 The Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How well do you really know your computer? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitycomputercomputerscultureegohonesthonestyno-just-tell-the-truthopinionpersonal-abilitytdgthe-daily-grindMon, 25 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Share and enjoy in City of Heroes with the Praetorian Clockwork!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/share-and-enjoy-in-city-of-heroes-with-the-praetorian-clockwork/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/share-and-enjoy-in-city-of-heroes-with-the-praetorian-clockwork/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/share-and-enjoy-in-city-of-heroes-with-the-praetorian-clockwork/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Greetings, fine consumer! You appear to be the sort of discerning individual highly anticipating the upcoming expansion for City of Heroes, much like several of your friends in [SUBJECT_HOMETOWN_HERE]. Going Rogue will be releasing on August 17th, available online or at [SUBJECT_RETAILER_HERE], but perhaps you'd like an opportunity to see some of the most useful automatic companions available before the fact? If so, today is your lucky day, because you have the unprecedented opportunity to take a look at the details behind the Clockwork, the latest and greatest release from Neuron Technologies Unlimited!

Featuring voice recognition, a shiny chrome finish, and over nine thousand home maintenance routines, the Clockwork offer an unparalleled level of safety and security for the entire family. These super-toys last all summer long, with a self-replenishing power source and ample maintenance facilities. And if one of your neighbors challenges the bright new future being assembled by Emperor Cole, you'll be happy to note that all Clockwork are equipped with the best possible threat neutralization capabilities available. Further information, including ordering details and a full description of how you and your robot can share and enjoy your lives, can be found at the official site for City of Heroes.

MassivelyShare and enjoy in City of Heroes with the Praetorian Clockwork! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adversariesandroidscity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcomputerscovcoxenemiesenemy-robotsexpansionsgoing-roguegrloyalistparagonparagon-studiospraetoriapreviewsresistancerobotstechnologyThu, 05 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is your rig pimpin', or just plain ghetto?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-daily-grind-is-your-rig-pimpin-or-just-plain-ghetto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-daily-grind-is-your-rig-pimpin-or-just-plain-ghetto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-daily-grind-is-your-rig-pimpin-or-just-plain-ghetto/#commentsFiled under: ,

We came across an interesting post at the Twenty Sided blog, titled "PC Games Retirement Home", in which Shamus Young commented on his lack of the need to purchase a new PC in recent times. Although he is certainly a gamer, the next PC games that he is looking forward to won't roll around for quite some time now that he's done with Fallout 3, and most of his video-gaming will be fulfilled by his console setup. In the past, his computer upgrades were frequent, but without major jumps in technology, or compelling PC games on the horizon to force his hand, he's managed to stay with the same PC for the last three years. He isn't saying that PC gaming is dead, but it's impossible to deny that the landscape has changed.

He does acknowledge, however, that MMOs are still enjoying some success on the PC platform. Does this mean that MMO gamers have kept up the PC-enthusiast's tradition of owning all the latest hardware? Although it's possible to play many MMOs with an older PC (especially browser-based games or titles like World of Warcraft that aim to fit the masses) newer MMOs such as Age of Conan or Lord of the Rings Online have been designed to take advantage of the latest PC hardware, and you will undoubtedly have a better experience on a flashier gaming rig. A tired old PC might even be a barrier to entry when trying out the most cutting-edge MMOs.

So we ask you, as MMO gamers: do you have a beastly PC that you upgrade/replace quite frequently, or have you found that a respectable older rig has been able to satisfy your MMO needs over the last few years?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is your rig pimpin', or just plain ghetto? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computersdaily-grindgaming-rigpcplatformrigshamus-youngtdgthe-daily-grindMon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Choking on graphics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/player-vs-everything-choking-on-graphics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I managed to get my hands on an Age of Conan beta key this morning, so off I went to excitedly download the client. I'm a big fan of Robert E. Howard's original pulps, and I've been looking forward to the grim and gritty world of Hyboria for a while now. Most of what I've read about it so far has been very positive (with a few notable exceptions due to some of the design choices). Our own write-up of the overall beta experience from Michael Zenke was very encouraging with regard to the combat, gameplay, and feel of the world. Overall, it seems like there's a lot to be excited about. There's just one glaring issue that everyone seems to be having: the graphics are choking their machines.

This isn't a new phenomenon. It seems like every new game on the market in the last few years wants to beat our poor, 1-3 year old computers into lifeless heaps of rubbish with their outlandish and ridiculous system requirements. Even World of Warcraft, a game celebrated for its accessibility and ability to be run on older machines, wasn't that way at launch (though it was substantially better than its major competitors at the time, EverQuest 2 and City of Heroes). However, this strategy of supercharged visuals has made things hard for a number of games. Vanguard in particular suffered a lot of criticism for having ridiculous system requirements when it launched, and that's just one example. Given that people would like to actually be able to play these games, why on earth do game designers insist on shoving next-gen graphics down our throats when the vast majority of us have last-gen machines (or worse)?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Choking on graphics

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Choking on graphics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityage-of-conancity-of-heroescomputercomputerscriticismeverquest-2featuredgraphicsgraphics-cardhardwarehardware-salesplayer-vs-everythingsystemsystem-requirementstabula-rasavanguardworld-of-warcraftFri, 02 May 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[STO UI is modernized LCARS; "think iPhone"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/sto-ui-is-modernized-lcars-think-iphone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/sto-ui-is-modernized-lcars-think-iphone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/sto-ui-is-modernized-lcars-think-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that the Star Trek Online nerf scare has passed, it's time to take a few deep breaths of anticipation and soak in STO-related news again. The first news-worthy bit to pop up post-scare is a post by Steve Mason (the lead UI designer) at the startrek-online.net forums.

Mason is dedicated to preserving the LCARS look in Star Trek Online. For those who aren't total Star Trek nerds; LCARS is the graphical user interface used by Federation ships in the 24th Century-era Star Trek series (The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager). It was designed by a TNG-staff artist who was trying to theorize what a high-tech GUI interface would be like when GUIs were still in their infancy in the real world.

So, there are some challenges in making LCARS useful to modern users. Mason says that STO will use an updated version of the LCARS interface (which won't hurt canon, since the game takes place quite a few years after Voyager left off) that will include all the bells and whistles of modern, cutting-edge UIs. " Think iPhone," he said. There are more details in his post, and he also opened up the thread to questions.

[Via WarCry]

MassivelySTO UI is modernized LCARS; "think iPhone" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24th-centurycomputersds9forumsgraphical-user-interfaceguiiphonelcarslibrary-computer-access-and-retrieval-systemperpetual-entertainmentstar-trekstar-trek-onlinesteve-masonstotnguiuser-interfacevoyagerTue, 04 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST