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[EVE extended downtime has some unfortunate consequences]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/eve-extended-downtime-has-some-unfortunate-consequences/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/eve-extended-downtime-has-some-unfortunate-consequences/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/eve-extended-downtime-has-some-unfortunate-consequences/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Early this morning, the EVE Online server underwent an extended scheduled downtime for the deployment of the Tyrannis 1.2 patch. The patch deployment proceeded as planned and almost exactly to schedule, with the entire downtime lasting around 12 hours. When the servers came up, however, members of some nullsec alliances noticed that something was amiss. All of a sudden, a number of systems in Delve that had been vacant before the downtime were now owned by Reddit-based alliance Test Alliance Please Ignore.

It soon became apparent that Test Alliance had placed territorial control units in the systems just before the extended downtime began. Under normal circumstances, territorial claim units must be protected by a fleet for the six hours they need to start up. During that time, enemy fleets have a chance to engage the hostile force and destroy their claim unit. If the six hours pass without event, ownership of the system is then awarded to the alliance that placed the structure. By placing the structures immediately prior to the extended downtime, enemies of Test Alliance were unable to contest the claim, which meant it automatically succeeded. What happened next has been the cause of a great deal of controversy on the EVE forums and Reddit.

Skip past the cut for a run-down of what happened next.

Continue reading EVE extended downtime has some unfortunate consequences

MassivelyEVE extended downtime has some unfortunate consequences originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancealliancesbreakingccpccp-eveccp-gamescorruptionDelveeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedgame-masterGMnullsecpvpsovereigntyt20-incidentterritorial-controlterritorytest-alliance-please-ignorewarwarfareTue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Insider share the secrets it learned from SWTOR designer James Ohlen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/star-wars-insider-share-the-secrets-it-learned-from-swtor-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/star-wars-insider-share-the-secrets-it-learned-from-swtor-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/star-wars-insider-share-the-secrets-it-learned-from-swtor-design/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BioWare and LucasArts have not always been very forthcoming with secrets of Star Wars: The Old Republic, but Star Wars Insider Magazine has learned a few tidbits of information that may give us a tingle in the Force.

In the article, James Ohlen talks about nearly every major aspect of the game: starting levels, space combat, armor progression, and even the sounds and score of the game, most of which we have covered in here in some way or another. However, he did give a very interesting quote regarding casual gameplay. "A lot of people are scared of massively multiplayer games because a lot of MMOs can become a grind... We've chosen to avoid that. We always give the player a story to drive the game forward."

The most interesting part of the article is when Ohlen outlined the Sith storyline. He explains in the article that one of first Sith Warrior missions is to kill your master as well as other students. When that is complete, you are tasked with tracking down and corrupting a very important Jedi Knight. He continues later to explain that the choices a player makes is reflected in his storyline, the light/dark side system, the rewards received, as well as your character's appearance. He explains, "If you're familiar Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, one of the things that we showed was how the dark side started to corrupt you. Your appearance started to change, your flesh started to age and become more like Palpatine from the movies, and your abilities started to change as well. This also occurs in The Old Republic."

Go to your local newsstand (do they still have those?) or comic book store and pick up the latest issue of Star Wars Insider to nab more detailed information.

MassivelyStar Wars Insider share the secrets it learned from SWTOR designer James Ohlen originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecasual-gameplaycorruptiondark-sideeaElectronic-Artsjames-ohlenlight-sidelucasArtssithsith-warriorStar-Warsstar-wars-insiderstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom reveals more of Rise of the Godslayer's Chosain Province]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/funcom-reveals-more-of-rise-of-the-godslayers-chosain-province/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/funcom-reveals-more-of-rise-of-the-godslayers-chosain-province/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/funcom-reveals-more-of-rise-of-the-godslayers-chosain-province/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

During the last preview of Rise of the Godslayer, we were introduced to the wonderfully large play field of Chosain Province -- a land of war, corruption, and strife. Chosain is home to two rival clans, the Tamarin Tigers and the Scholars of Cheng-Ho, where Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer players will be able to take sides and work against one another in faction based PvP.

But the Chosain Province is home to much more than just the Tigers and Scholars. Corruption has worked its way deep into the land, warping nature and spreading with each passing day. Roads are becoming broken as they lead through swamps and war-torn land.

This time around, Funcom is introducing us once again to Chosain via beautiful concept art and a brand new trailer that highlights specific areas of the zone. We've got both of these things here for your viewing pleasure, so check out the gallery below if you're interested in the artwork, or hit the continue reading button to come face to face with the trailer!

Gallery: Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer


Continue reading Funcom reveals more of Rise of the Godslayer's Chosain Province

MassivelyFuncom reveals more of Rise of the Godslayer's Chosain Province originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocchosainchosain-provinceconanconcept-artcorruptionfuncomrise-of-the-godslayerscholars-of-chenghotamarin-tigersMon, 18 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MicroWarpCast interviews EVE lead game designer Noah Ward]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/microwarpcast-interviews-eve-lead-game-designer-noah-ward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/microwarpcast-interviews-eve-lead-game-designer-noah-ward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/microwarpcast-interviews-eve-lead-game-designer-noah-ward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The EVE Online-focused podcast MicroWarpCast returned this week, hosted by our friend CrazyKinux with guest Noah Ward (aka CCP Hammerhead), who is a Lead Game Designer at CCP Games. We mentioned a while back that the winner of a contest CrazyKinux was running would get to interview an EVE developer on the podcast. People entered by writing an article on planetary control and how this could be implemented in EVE Online. The winner was Xiphos83 from the EVE blog "A Misguided Adventurer" who wrote about about a siege system that could be used in planetary conquest. As the contest winner, Xiphos83 posed questions to Noah about some of the current or controversial issues in the game.

This led to Noah explaining CCP's reasons for limiting the use of the directional scanner with a timer -- a major issue cited by many players who either hunt others or want to evade attackers -- due in part to player macroing of directional scans. The directional scan will never go back to how it was since that system was too easily exploitable, but he asserted that the devs have tried to balance performance for the players with server demands.

Continue reading MicroWarpCast interviews EVE lead game designer Noah Ward

MassivelyMicroWarpCast interviews EVE lead game designer Noah Ward originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-misguided-adventurerandrew-russoccpccp-gamesccp-hammerheadcontestscorruptioncrazykinuxdavid-perryeveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsinterviewslead-game-designermicrowarpcastnoah-wardplanetary-conquestplanetary-interactionpodcastssci-fixiphosxiphos83Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST