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[Wings Over Atreia: An interview sheds light on the new BlackCloud]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/wings-over-atreia-an-interview-sheds-light-on-the-new-blackclou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/wings-over-atreia-an-interview-sheds-light-on-the-new-blackclou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/wings-over-atreia-an-interview-sheds-light-on-the-new-blackclou/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Aion
Information is like gold 'round these parts, and I've been out prospecting, sifting, and searching in the hopes of at least finding a few flakes if not hitting pay dirt. But even with Aion Ascension just around the corner, finding many nuggets of information on the new BlackCloud Marketplace hasn't panned out. Until now. Eureka!

Welcome to the Massively Gold Rush. OK, so maybe a "rush" is a bit of an overstatement, but I have discovered a few golden nuggets about Aion's renovated cash shop and impending 3.0 expansion. I had the chance to catch up with Producer Adam Christensen and learn a bit more about what Daevas will find in the BlackCloud Marketplace as well as get some details about various new upcoming features like housing, mounts, and the level 60 Daevanion armor.

And with the BlackCloud Marketplace finally opening its doors, Daevas can check out the selection for themselves and pre-purchase items to be delivered at Ascension's Launch.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: An interview sheds light on the new BlackCloud

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: An interview sheds light on the new BlackCloud originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.03.0-patchAdam-ChristensenaionAion-AscensionBlackCloud-Marketplacecash-shopConstructioncraftingcrafting-Constructioncrafting-professionDaevanion-armorexlusive-interviewf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfurniturehousinginterviewinterviewsmountsncsoftnew-crafting-professionopinionstorage-spacewings-over-atreiaThu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required
Many moons ago when the air just started to cool from summer's heat (aka, last September), Some Assembly Required had the opportunity to talk shop with a new outfit that is developing a promising new sandbox MMORPG, Origins of Malu. And you know me: Sandbox is the magic word! As skeptical as I knew I should be, I still came away from that interview with renewed hope that a game with some of the features for player-generated content could exist again.

Back then, Burning Dog Media made the bold statement that it would absolutely release its flagship game in 2012, with a target of early 2012 to boot. But as the first quarter of the year quickly drew to a close with scant information available, it became pretty clear the game is still a ways off. In the realm of games, no news is not necessarily good news... and we definitely hit a drought in news.

Now that drought has ended. In our second exclusive interview, we spoke with Michael Dunham, Producer, Jason Mitchell, Senior Developer, and Dave Cruikshank, Art Director, to learn what's been going on behind the scenes and get the scoop on more details about those very features that have sandbox lovers salivating.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burning-dog-mediaconstructioncraftingDave-Cruikshankeconomyexclusiveexclusive-interviewfaction-warfarefactionsfeaturedgame-mechanicsguildsinterviewinterviewsJason-Mitchellmassively-exclusive-interviewsmichael-dunhamopinionorigins-of-malupgcplayer-contentplayer-economyplayer-generated-contentPvEPvPsandboxsarsome-assembly-requiredFri, 30 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online measures up player housing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pathfinder RPG
To live up to the claim of being an extensively player-built game world is a significant challenge for the Pathfinder Online team, but to the devs' credit, it seems as if they have a few elegant ideas to make it work. In the latest developer blog post, CEO Ryan Dancey discusses how the team is approaching player-built structures in the game world.

While there will be three NPC settlements, player structures will be a significant presence in Pathfinder Online, Dancey says. Not only will a player be given the ability to create a persistent structure, but that structure will be vulnerable to destruction as well if not protected. Dancey says that the idea right now is for the world to have special spots that signify a suitable building location; this is to keep the density from growing out of control and also to put buildings near desirable sites or resources. Once a structure is built by a group of players, it can be transferred to new ownership, built up, or attacked.

Some of the structures that the team is kicking around include hideouts, inns, watchtowers, forts, and settlements. Dancey also mentioned that players may be able to improve roads and docks in order to facilitate faster travel.

The one downside to the logistics of this feature is that players might not be able to go inside these structures; instead, they'll to access housing abilities via menus. This could be changed after launch, Dancey says, but the demand on system resources would make it a difficult task.

MassivelyPathfinder Online measures up player housing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildingconstructiongoblinworkshousingnon-instanced-housingpathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-created-housingplayer-housingplayer-structuressandboxThu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A few weeks back I did a piece on crafting, covering the basics of Fallen Earth's crafting system. In this article I want to focus on the early part of a crafter's career. If you only play one clone, I strongly suggest you make that clone a crafter. If you are an altaholic like I am, you should have a dedicated crafter, and that dedicated crafter should have his Social skill maxed out (eventually). If you don't have a crafter and you have an empty character slot, you need to create one post-haste. It's a little extra work that will pay off a lot later. In Fallen Earth, if you put in the time, you can make everything.

If your crafter and your main happen to be the same, be sure to grab every resource within reach while you run missions. If you find a good spot, mark it with a waypoint (ALT+P) for future reference. Scavenging profusely will help keep you from being perpetually broke. If you have a dedicated crafter, don't bother running missions with him; just harvest and craft. He should level slowly but surely by simply harvesting and crafting. Send all of the materials that your other clone(s) harvest if you have the vault space. That covers the basics. The road to self-sufficiency continues after the cut.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ammunitionarmorcraftballisticsconstructioncookingcraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedGasolinegeologygunpowdericarus-studiosmaterialsmatsmedicinemutagenicsnaturescavengingsciencetradeskillsweaponryFri, 27 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArcheAge housing, ship construction, labor system detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/archeage-housing-ship-construction-labor-system-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/archeage-housing-ship-construction-labor-system-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/archeage-housing-ship-construction-labor-system-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

New details regarding ArcheAge's extensive non-combat gameplay have emerged, and AAportal.net has a three-part breakdown of the game's labor system, ship-building, and house construction mechanics. The labor system ties ArcheAge's various crafting, gathering, and construction sub-systems together under one umbrella and provides the player with a pool of labor points that power most of the activities. The points accrue at fixed intervals (whether you're online or not). There also appears to be some delineation in the point possibilities afforded to high-level users and their low-level counterparts (AAportal cites "more luxurious activities" like dance parties as possible labor point expenditures for more advanced players).

Ship construction will necessitate a group effort due to the considerable resource requirements. Hull plans are purchased from NPCs and activated at the shipyard, at which point the player will see a basic frame in drydock. After players deposit the requisite resources and set the payment for their NPC workers, enterprising ship captains will be able to view the construction process. Sailing a ship involves factors ranging from tidal currents, to wind strength, to the angle of the mast, as well as managing your player crew (each member of which has a distinct job on the ship).

Housing is similarly involved, with yards, farms, and furniture crafting available. Houses can also be built anywhere in the world and come in various types, sizes, and architectural styles. Head to AAportal.net for all the details.

MassivelyArcheAge housing, ship construction, labor system detailed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arche-agearcheageconstructioncraftingfantasyfarmsfurniturefurniture-makinggame-mechanicshousinglaborlabor-systemnon-combatnon-combat-gameplaysailingsandboxship-constructionshipyardsxlxl-gameszomg-do-wantMon, 09 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A sneak peek at Fallen Earth's Progress Towns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Coming soon to a public test server near Fallen Earth is one of the more exciting pieces of content the game has seen: Progress Towns! Icarus Studios wanted to take the concept of a player-built town and make it something truly special.

Progress Towns are the next iteration of Fallen Earth's attempt to include player housing, which started with patch 1.2's camps. With the this new system, players will be able to build up their own towns from the ruins of old ones. Three such towns will be in place for testing: Progress in Sector 2, Stronghold in Sector 3, and Citadel in Deadfall.

Before players can move in and start performing stunning makeovers, they'll have to fight enemy mobs who've declared squatter's rights. Once the battle is won, the area becomes player-controlled and can be improved upon by using the construction skillset. Progress Towns can be built up to house many useful features, such as merchants, mailboxes, and defensive structures. Once enough construction takes place, special merchants will appear and offer unique crafting components in exchange for a new form of currency.

Don't get too comfortable, however. These towns will always be under the threat of enemy raiders looking to take back what once was theirs! This slice of player-generated content will appear on the test servers next week, but you can get a sneak peek at Progress Towns in the gallery below right now!

Gallery: Fallen Earth

MassivelyA sneak peek at Fallen Earth's Progress Towns originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campscitadelconstructiondeadfallfallen-earthfegalleryicarusicarus-studiospatch-1.2player-campsplayer-generated-contentplayer-housingpreviewprogressprogress-townspveraiderssneak-peekstrongholdThu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth drops preview patch notes for new tradeskill, gambling and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/fallen-earth-drops-preview-patch-notes-for-new-tradeskill-gambl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/fallen-earth-drops-preview-patch-notes-for-new-tradeskill-gambl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/fallen-earth-drops-preview-patch-notes-for-new-tradeskill-gambl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Even though most Fallen Earth fans knew these features were coming, it's still great to see them in writing. In a patch note preview post in the forums yesterday, the Fallen Earth team announced that their much-anticipated Construction tradeskill and gambling taverns will be entering the game this Monday, December 14th.

Construction will bring the ability for players to build camps in the wasteland, complete with their own vaults, merchant NPCs, mailboxes and more. The new gambling system will introduce slot machines, Blackjack tables and more to taverns throughout the Grand Canyon Province. In addition to these major features, the First Night preparations will be added, including special quests and rewards for the winter event celebrations. Pages of bug fixes also accompany this patch, so head on over to the forums to check out the preview of this Monday's patch notes and check out some extensive developer diaries and video on the update over at IGN for more information.

MassivelyFallen Earth drops preview patch notes for new tradeskill, gambling and more originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>constructionfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcgamblingicarus-studiosignsocial-patchtradeskillsSat, 12 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameX 2009: Massively talks with Lee Hammock on what's next for Fallen Earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamex-2009-massively-talks-with-lee-hammock-on-whats-next-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamex-2009-massively-talks-with-lee-hammock-on-whats-next-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamex-2009-massively-talks-with-lee-hammock-on-whats-next-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Content, community, and epic beards ahead fair readers! When lead game designer Lee Hammock walked into the media room at GameX 2009, we immediately tackled him into a chair and demanded he answer our many questions on what's coming up for Fallen Earth. What we got (after he figured out that we wanted to interview him and not kidnap him) were answers on the upcoming "social" patch for Fallen Earth, a look at the brand new crafting skill, construction, and the camps that will be added to the game, what lies beyond Sector 3 (hint: it's Sector 4) and how much the team loves their community.

So if you're interested in Fallen Earth, or are looking for a reason to get into the game, look no further than the interview that lies beyond the break! Unfortunately though, we must make a slight correction to what Lee says in the interview. Fallen Earth did send us 2,000 trial keys, but thanks to an overwhelming response, we're out of keys! This makes us sad pandas, but you can still enjoy what Lee has to say about the game, and be amazed by the hypnotic beard.

Continue reading GameX 2009: Massively talks with Lee Hammock on what's next for Fallen Earth

MassivelyGameX 2009: Massively talks with Lee Hammock on what's next for Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campsconstructionfallen-earthfeaturedfree-trialgame-expogamexgamex-2009interviewlee-hammocksector-4social-patchvideo-interviewWed, 28 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster's Penny Arcade Construction MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/raph-kosters-penny-arcade-construction-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/raph-kosters-penny-arcade-construction-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/raph-kosters-penny-arcade-construction-mmo/#commentsFiled under:

I'm tempted to append "Electric Boogaloo" to the end of that title. Regardless, Wednesday's Penny Arcade featured a guest post by Raph Koster, wherein he talks about a challenge that Tycho set up for him to solve: Create a construction-based MMO.

So, Raph gets to it, and damned if it doesn't sound intriguing and layered! It's a massive doc, at least relatively massive, considering Tycho originally asked for a mere 500 words from Raph. I won't rehash the details here; suffice to say this ties into Raph's recent announcement of his Metaplace project, in which Joe Average can create the virtual space of his dreams. For those of you a-hankerin' to exercise your creativity, Raph has the design doc for you!

MassivelyRaph Koster's Penny Arcade Construction MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>constructionelectric-boogaloomassivelymetaplacepenny-arcaderaph-kostersecond-lifetychoThu, 11 Oct 2007 15:44:00 EST