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[Why I Play: EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II screenshot
Because.

Remember back when this answer was lobbed at you as the definitive answer (often by moms tired of incessant "why"s or as a precursor to "I said so!")? But since I am not your mom -- and more importantly, the boss isn't about to pay me for a one word article -- let me elaborate, though, I warn you, you may regret it; once I get going I may not be able to stop! Seriously, they had to restrain me from taking over Why I Play. Obviously I broke free mwuahahahaha!

Simply put, I love EverQuest II. I log into it daily. Sometimes I don't leave for more hours than I am willing to admit. I can hum the guild hall music from memory. I have a list of things I want to do so long I can't possibly get it all done. All this after taking a multi-year break. Yes folks, I left the game for a long time -- a move I am still kicking myself for. But certain features pulled me back, and let me just say, I am so glad I came back.

So why do I play EQII? Where to begin...

Continue reading Why I Play: EverQuest II

MassivelyWhy I Play: EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-itemsappearance-slotsCollectionscreativitycustomizationdecoratingdungeon-makereditorialeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedflying-mountsfree-to-playhousingmassively-metamentoringmentoring-systemmetanostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentshinysoesonysony-online-entertainmentwhy-i-playWed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required header
Creativity. It is expressed in so many ways in so many mediums. Art, literature, architecture, music, performance... I love it all, conventional and unconventional. Heck, I revel in it! Why do you think my work and recreation include gaming?

Wait, gaming?! You betcha!

Beyond the artistry of the developers, MMORPGs offer outlets for player creativity in a variety of ways. I am not ashamed to admit that the primary reason I delve into MMORPGs is not for the gameplay but to explore and experience the creative expression of others (and to express some of my own as well). In fact, finding and sharing that very creativity by championing and highlighting player-generated content is precisely what Some Assembly Required is about.

Between (or in lieu of) the hacking, the slashing, and the plundering, players seize proffered tools in myriad virtual realms to build works of art, pen masterpieces, construct edifices, compose melodies, and take the stage, all within the pixeled confines of a virtual world. Unfortunately, not all games have adequate tools for such creative expression. While inspired players can make do if they must, having supporting features exponentially enhances a game (and positively affects retention). Thankfully, some games provide a few standard-setting features that -- in my opinion -- should be included in every game on the market. Here are six of those must-have features.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-slotsbookbookscreativitydecoratingdungeon-makeremotesEQ2EverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedgame-mechanicshousingopinionperformancepgcplayer-booksplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentplayer-housingplayer-written-booksquest-builderroleplayRolePlayingrpsandboxsarSOEsome-assembly-requiredSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-galaxiesswgterraformingvanguardwritingxsyonxsyon-preludeFri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Three guys walk into a bar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/storyboard-three-guys-walk-into-a-bar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/storyboard-three-guys-walk-into-a-bar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/storyboard-three-guys-walk-into-a-bar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Never underestimate the power of gold trim.
My days of playing Magic: the Gathering are... well, they're not over, exactly, but I'm certainly not in my heyday any longer. Despite this, I've made no secret of the fact that I still avidly read Mark Rosewater's Making Magic column because the stuff he says in the column is applicable to game design in general. There are a lot of ideas that I've drawn out of there over the years, and one of the ones that's stuck with me is the Timmy-Johnny-Spike split that Rosewater's quite fond of explaining at length.

For those of you not interested in reading a decade's worth of columns just to understand what I'm talking about, the three names in questions are the so-called "psychographics" for Magic's audience, three psychological snapshots of why people play and enjoy the game. They're useful tools for understanding the reason certain cards resonate well with some players and not with others. And they're applicable to almost everything -- even roleplaying.

Continue reading Storyboard: Three guys walk into a bar

MassivelyStoryboard: Three guys walk into a bar originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealcolumncolumnscreativityfeaturedinterestjohnnyopinionroleplayingrpspeculationspikestoryboardtimmyFri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: SWG housing extravaganza]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/some-assembly-required-swg-housing-extravaganza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/some-assembly-required-swg-housing-extravaganza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/some-assembly-required-swg-housing-extravaganza/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required header
The sunsetting of Star Wars Galaxies. Beyond the obvious, that statement holds more meaning for me, something deeper and more personal. See, throughout my years in SWG, I would often stop whatever I was doing just to sit and watch the Tatooine suns set. Honestly. Just a simple act of sitting upon the plateau -- sometimes alone, sometimes with friends -- quietly watching one of the universe's greatest pleasures inside an MMO. It was amazing to me how vibrant this galaxy was, filled with so many little details that breathed life into it in a way that I think is still unmatched. Details such as sunsets made the world real, but what really made it "home" was the housing.

Few, if any, games can claim the mastery of housing that Galaxies attained. Quite frankly, it is still the standard by which I measure housing. And there is almost no way to sum it up and do it justice in one short article. Despite this challenge, Some Assembly Required dedicates this 12th issue to immortalizing (and hopefully prodding future developers to emulate) one of the greatest housing systems ever and highlighting the very thing that made this great feature phenomenal: incredible player ingenuity and creativity.

But don't just take my word for it. A number of readers joined in and sent in screenshots of and waypoints to these expressions of creativity. So step on over the threshold for our tribute in word and image to SWG housing and the player creativity it engendered.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: SWG housing extravaganza

MassivelySome Assembly Required: SWG housing extravaganza originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-buildingcreativitydecoratingfeaturedgalleriesgalleryhouseshousinghousing-tourpgcplayer-creativityplayer-generated-contentsandboxscreenshotscreenshotssoesony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmosunsetswgswg-sunsettourFri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Over the river and through the woods]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/wings-over-atreia-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/wings-over-atreia-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/wings-over-atreia-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
To Aion's housing we go!

Oh, if only it were that simple! And quick. 'Cause I got my hiking boots on and am raring to go. Heck, I will even wade through rivers of enemy blood to get me some housing! Now you all know what kind of statement that is coming from PvP-challenged me. Sadly, there is still a long wait ahead as there is no real official word on the release of 3.0 and its accompanying features. To be honest, with my all-too-obvious love of housing, I am not entirely sure that the information that trickled out of Korea this past week was more exciting... or painful. TEASE!!

Either way, there is no ignoring the fact that the tantalizing information has come, posted front and center on the Korean Powerwiki for all to see. Thanks to some kind translating, those of us not fluent in Korean can also get a glimpse at what NCsoft has in store for us. Truly, I think that it is only fitting that last week's focus on a major frustration is followed up by something many are actually looking forward to! In all, some of the information revealed is exciting, some is pleasantly surprising, and some is even disappointing,

Excited about Aion's upcoming housing or maybe just curious? Cross the threshold past the cut and join Wings Over Atreia as we explore the impending housing opportunities in Atreia.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Over the river and through the woods

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Over the river and through the woods originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.03.0-patchaionaion-3.0aion-gamecreativitydecoratingdecorationsfeaturedfurniturehousinghousing-storagelimitsnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionpaintpatch-3.0personalizationpersonalized-housingstorageMon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: On armchair development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/the-soapbox-on-armchair-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/the-soapbox-on-armchair-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/the-soapbox-on-armchair-development/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Armchair
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.

A couple of weeks ago I penned a Soapbox that, to put it mildly, elicited passionate responses. While a few people sided with me in my belief that MMO combat is silly and sucky, the cries of the masses drowned us out with variations on "you know nothing, Jon Snow" and "go back to consoles, you inexperienced newb!"

Some of the responses got me to thinking about game design in general and about game designers and their cult celebrity status in particular. When you cut through the anonymous insults and keyboard courage, most of my would-be critics were actually right about one thing: I'm not a game "developer." You know what's funny, though? That doesn't make a lick of difference when it comes to the ability to talk intelligently about games and game design.

Continue reading The Soapbox: On armchair development

MassivelyThe Soapbox: On armchair development originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armchair-designarmchair-designerarmchair-developersarmchair-developmentarmchair-devscelebritycraig-morrisoncreativitycult-celebritiesdaniel-ericksondesigndesignersdevelopersdevelopers-know-bestdevsexperienceexpertiseexpertsfeaturedmmo-designmmo-industrymmo-status-quoopinionsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardstatus-quothe-soapboxtow-the-linewhat-is-a-developerTue, 27 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Universe update adds progression system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

LEGO Universe has the creative aspects of MMOs and online gaming down pat. After all, we're talking LEGOs (edit: LEGO BRICKS OMG, LEGO BRICKS) here, and if there's one word that's synonymous with the long-running Danish toy line, that word is build.

What's there to do in LEGO Universe when your creativity runs dry, though? Thanks to the game's latest content update, traditional MMO character-building is now a viable option. Player minifigures may progress through 40 levels of content, unlocking points, achievements, and equipment along the way.

That's not all, as the latest LEGO Universe patch also features four new faction kits (Specialized Adventurer, Shinobi, Inventor, and Space Ranger), each of them aligned with one of the game's four Nexus Force factions and each offering players the opportunity to rank up and explore "new gear, powers, and abilities." Last but not least, the new LEGO Universe update brings a new instance challenge in the form of the Avant Gardens, and a big nasty known as the Spider Queen awaits players who are creative enough to make it through to the final battle.

MassivelyLEGO Universe update adds progression system originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avant-gardensbuildingcreativityequipmentf2pfamilyfree-to-playgame-updategeargrindinventorkidslegolego-universelegoslevel-upleveling-systemlevelsminifigure-levelspatchpress-releaseprogressionshinobispace-rangerspecialized-adventurerspider-queenMon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Issue #2 -- There's no place like home, Kojani style]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/some-assembly-required-issue-2-theres-no-place-like-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/some-assembly-required-issue-2-theres-no-place-like-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/some-assembly-required-issue-2-theres-no-place-like-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Good mornin'/day/evenin' everyone and welcome to the second edition of Some Assembly Required. It is my pleasure to be your host this time as we delve into the realms of player creativity and ingenuity. And let me tell you, I am quite excited to take on this challenge; in fact, it is this very aspect of gaming that I love most! Hopefully, you won't mind my skulking around your houses and events as I seek out all that is player-created. On many occasions, Jef and I might very well tag-team as we crash -- I mean attend -- your various functions (although I don't think he is much of a skulker).

For my inaugural SAR column I chose to focus on one of my favorite canvasses of creativity: player housing. Both housing and decorating are things I am quite passionate about; there are few aspects in games that let you express your creativity like housing. Of course this is certainly a broad topic, so to avoid a 30-thousand-word column with enough pictures to bog the site down, I narrowed this showcase to the world of Telon (and the continent of Kojan in particular) in Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Luckily, no packs of wild dogs nipped at my heels as I ventured about for this first exhibition of player decorating.

Open the door and enter past the cut for a tour of housing in Kojan.

Gallery: SAR: Vanguard housing, Kojan

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Issue #2 -- There's no place like home, Kojani style

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Issue #2 -- There's no place like home, Kojani style originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativitydecoratingdecorating-ideasfeaturedgalleryhousingKojanpgcplayer-generated-contentplayer-housingplayer-housing-vanguardsandboxSOEsome-assembly-requiredSony-Online-EntertainmentvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesFri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most creative solution you've ever come up with in an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Players are endlessly creative, rebellious beings. While we do play by the rules that are established in MMOs, we're always always looking for other ways to do things and solutions that weren't conceived by developers when they created the game. Sometimes devs call these solutions "exploits," sometimes they're applauded, and sometimes they're even legitimized.

You see, MMOs contain a series of problems that need solving -- usually by decapitation. To aid the player in doing so, they provide a toolbox in the form of skills, abilities, stats, and items. The best MMOs allow us to use this toolbox to explore multiple paths to victory, particularly when there are tricky non-combat puzzles and problems afoot.

So today I'd like to know the most creative solution you ever came up with while playing an MMO. When was a time that you were beating your head against a problem, tried something unconventional -- and it worked? Impress us with your creative genius!

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's the most creative solution you've ever come up with in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-solutioncreative-solutionscreativityexploitexploitsopinionperma-shadow-formproblem-solvingproblemstdgthe-daily-grindtoolboxSat, 21 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online player creativity -- Papercraft pod edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/eve-online-player-creativity-papercraft-pod-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/eve-online-player-creativity-papercraft-pod-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/eve-online-player-creativity-papercraft-pod-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Every month, EVE Online developer CCP Fallout trawls the forums to find the best of the community's creative efforts. Previous editions of the Celebrating the Creative Player blog have looked at in-game news websites, a Gallente shuttle remade in Minecraft, and the cross-platform Python Fitting Tool. This month's bumper edition starts off with one of my favourite recent creations -- a flowchart designed to help players pick what they want to do in EVE. Each option is linked to further reading on the topic, making it a handy tool for new players who find themselves lost in EVE.

Also impressing the devs this month is a tool designed to track the bounties gained from missions. It's often difficult to work out what the most profitable missions are to run, and this tool simplifies that by recording a log of bounties on each mission. My personal favourite highlight this month was EVE player Guindel Angeline's papercraft escape pod. We've seen some incredible papercraft EVE ships before, but I think this is the first time someone's made the escape pod.

MassivelyEVE Online player creativity -- Papercraft pod edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bountiesccpccp-eveccp-falloutccp-gamescreativecreativitydevblogeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinemissionmissionspapercraftpodSun, 06 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Massively is one of those multiple-robot Transformers edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/ask-massively-massively-is-one-of-those-multiple-robot-transfor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/ask-massively-massively-is-one-of-those-multiple-robot-transfor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/ask-massively-massively-is-one-of-those-multiple-robot-transfor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The technical term depends on how much of a fan you are and whether or not you want to be a jerk. The only term that has been officially used with any regularity is "combiner," which describes nicely what's going on but isn't terribly evocative. "Gestalt" is always a popular fan term, but it's also clearly the sort of term that bored 20-year-old psych student comes up with when talking about a cartoon online instead of doing homework.

You know what? Let's just say we're a supergroup, like Asia. That's easier.

So while you're queueing up "Heat of the Moment" and cursing me for getting that song stuck in your head for the next four days, it's time for Ask Massively, which this week features questions about the staff's opinions on games past, present, and future. Fun for everyone! And of course, you can send in your question to ask@massively.com, or you can just leave it in the comment field.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Massively is one of those multiple-robot Transformers edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Massively is one of those multiple-robot Transformers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycraftingcreativityculturefeaturedfirst-gamesmainstreammmo-historynostalgiaold-featuresold-gamesopinionpersonal-historyroleplayingsandboxskillskill-based-combatThu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online player creativity -- Ship fitting edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/eve-online-player-creativity-ship-fitting-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Two months ago, CCP started a new series of monthly EVE Online devblogs showcasing the game community's creative efforts. The EVE community is known for its artwork and incredible fan-made videos, but through CCP Fallout's monthly blog series, we've come to see some of the community's other creative endeavours. In previous editions, Fallout looked at in-game news and politics website EVE News 24, question and answer site Skill Training Complete, an impressive minecraft video of a scale Gallente shuttle, and a collection of EVE podcasts.

In the latest issue, CCP looks at some of the latest developments that have drawn attention during December. There's an impressive video showing off the new EVE character creator that will be going live with Incursion 1.1 later this month. The video shows off both male and female avatars. Also covered is the Python Fitting Assistant, a cross-platform offline ship fitting tool similar to the very popular EVE Fitting Tool. The highlight of this month's blog has to be LOLFITS, a website where players can post some of the monumentally bad ship setups they've seen players use. If you think your ship setups are poor, I guarantee they're spectacular compared to some of the hilarious setups on LOLFITS.

MassivelyEVE Online player creativity -- Ship fitting edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamescharactercharacter-creationcreativecreativitycultureeveeve-ccpeve-fitting-tooleve-mmorpgeve-onlineincursionlolfitspython-fitting-assistantship-fittingtooltoolsvideoFri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP showcases the EVE community's creativity in a new monthly devblog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/ccp-showcases-the-eve-communitys-creativity-in-a-new-monthly-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/ccp-showcases-the-eve-communitys-creativity-in-a-new-monthly-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/ccp-showcases-the-eve-communitys-creativity-in-a-new-monthly-de/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Whether you like EVE Online or hate it, it's hard to deny that the game's community produces some incredible creative works. We've seen examples of the community's creative output in a myriad of forms, from impressive videos and fiction to useful tools and websites. In recognition of the community's ongoing efforts, EVE Online's Associate Community Manager CCP Fallout has started a new monthly devblog series highlighting the community's creative accomplishments. In the first installment of this new blog series, CCP Fallout discusses two of her favourite EVE websites -- EVE News 24 and Skill Training Complete.

Covering all the recent goings-on in the world of EVE politics, EVE News 24 is a great way to keep up-to-date with what's happening in New Eden. Skill Training Complete is an innovative tool that allows players to ask and answer questions about EVE Online, giving newer players a great new way to shortcut the game's infamously steep learning curve. Fallout makes a special note about the EVE Blog Pack, an invaluable community resource maintained by social media guru and long-time EVE player CrazyKinux. Visit the EVE devblog page to read more about the new monthly blog series, and stay tuned for next month's installment when CCP will be looking at the amazing artwork EVE players create that blows them away.

MassivelyCCP showcases the EVE community's creativity in a new monthly devblog originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artccpccp-eveccp-falloutccp-gamescreativecreativitydevblogeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinevideoFri, 22 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: We put the no in innovation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/anti-aliased-we-put-the-no-in-innovation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/anti-aliased-we-put-the-no-in-innovation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/anti-aliased-we-put-the-no-in-innovation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


So, yesterday I was browsing our site, and I was happy to see that our community interview with David Allen had gone up, as I didn't get the chance to read it. We had lots of great questions sent in, and I think the ones that Shawn chose were really some hard, direct questions, that I felt someone really had to ask.

Reading David's answers left me thinking, however. David is a person who I certainly admire, as he was the brain behind Istaria, and he really presented some very innovative gameplay mechanics in that game. Alganon, however, is not innovative nor is it cutting edge. It is, quite frankly, another World of Warcraft. Something that, in my opinion, this genre does not need another of.

David's rationale as to why Alganon looks and plays like Warcraft is the part of the interview where I was left in thought. While I understand he wanted to make a game that players could easily adapt to... did it have to resonate of Warcraft so strongly? Furthermore, are we, as a genre, stuck in a rut?

Editor's Note: (As always, if you wish to comment on this edition of Anti-Aliased, please do so on page two of the column. Thank you!)

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: We put the no in innovation

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: We put the no in innovation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonanti-aliasedartcreativitydavid-allendesignfeaturedinnovationmmofpsopinionthemeuser-interfaceworld-of-warcraftThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dispelling myths to launch Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/dispelling-myths-to-launch-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/dispelling-myths-to-launch-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/dispelling-myths-to-launch-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The MI6 conference is an annual gathering in San Francisco which focuses largely on marketing in the video game industry. One speaker at the April 8th conference was Laura Naviaux-Sturr from Sony Online Entertainment, who discussed the upcoming kid-friendly MMO Free Realms.

She addressed the challenges in shifting focus away from hardcore fantasy enthusiasts (largely male) to a younger demographic that includes more female gamers. Naviaux said, "Turning to a youth and female audience was like turning a ship." It required SOE to re-evaluate some of the 'myths' the company held, which was the focus of Naviaux's talk. She brought up several key areas that the company needed to address if Free Realms is to succeed, ranging from putting the backstory and creativity in the hands of the gamers rather than spelling it out for them, to the music in Free Realms, which is a departure from what SOE has done in the past. If you're curious about how SOE is approaching this new title, you should have a look at Chris Remo's article at Gamasutra titled "MI6: SOE's Naviaux on Dispelling Myths to Launch FreeRealms."

Gallery: Free Realms

Player Housing - ExteriorPlayer Housing - InteriorPet PonyPet Spiked Dragon

MassivelyDispelling myths to launch Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kevin Hanna, creative director of Google's Lively, said at AGDC that he hopes that Lively will become an online gaming platform that will challenge the status quo in a game industry he says is currently dominated by a "corporate mentality" that is "sucking the life out of what should be the most creative and innovative medium out there."

He said that game developers and publishers seem eager to be "first to be second." That is, they have no interest in creating anything genuinely new. They just want to capitalize on ideas that have already been proven. His hope is that Lively will lower the barrier to entry so would-be developers ("passionate startups and kids in college") can experiment with new ideas with less risk.

So far, the aspects of Google's vision for Lively as a game development platform that we've seen have looked like a greatly scaled back, poor man's version of MetaPlace; just the tools for creating simple arcade-like games, without any of the loftier purpose. But Hanna's comments suggest that at least some folks on the Lively team have grander ambitions after all.

MassivelyOnline gaming on Google's Lively to take on "corporate mentality" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I hope all of you got to check out Elizabeth Harper's great preview of the upcoming LEGO Universe MMOG by NetDevil. I'm personally a huge fan of LEGO and proudly admit to playing with those little, plastic blocks well beyond the recommended age rating. There's just something great about a product that gives you the tools to create without limiting the possibilities of your imagination. When it comes down to it, LEGO is simply another medium like clay or paint. It's up to the artist/designer to manipulate the medium into something unique and meaningful. NetDevil's product will allow us to partake in that enjoyment in a digital fashion, although, unlike creation in Second Life, it appears as though artists and designers will not have free reign over content creation.

In the context of an all ages game, the choice to place limits on creativity seems like a valid one. Allowing users to create anything they wanted with LEGO obviously opens up a Pandora's Box of offensive possibilities. I'll take the high road for now and refrain from mentioning the many examples of naughty things you could create in LEGO. But beyond potentially offensive things, creating absolutely anything you wanted in a game could potentially destroy the game from a design and gameplay perspective. User-created content brings up a variety of questions. To what extent can users shape their worlds without breaking them? To what extent can they expand and add to the content without altering the original vision of the developers? What role can user-generated content play in the future?

Continue reading MMOGology: Build your own adventure

MassivelyMMOGology: Build your own adventure originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BiowareBlizzardCity-of-HeroesCity-of-Villianscreationcreativitydungeon-designfeaturedLEGOLego-Universemodifying-gamesmodsNCSoftNetDevilSecond-LifeSOESony-Online-EntertainmentStar-Wars-Galaxiesuser-created-content-in-gamesuser-generated-contentWorld-of-WarcraftMon, 25 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

For those of you who may not be completely familiar with Second Life, one of its biggest draws is that it's a haven for content creators, as opposed to virtual worlds like There.com, which doesn't let its users build anything of their own. Now, of course, what you get in exchange for the freedom to build anything you want is having to see what everyone else is building, and this includes the infamous flying penises and other Objects You'd Rather Not Have Seen, Thanks.

But, as my friend Eric Rice recently pointed out to me, there is something to be said for not having to create your world yourself. "I don't always wanna COOK dinner", he opined, and I know what he means. In my over 2 years as a SL resident, I've not created one thing; I have neither the knack nor the interest, frankly, though I do enjoy the fruits of the labors of other residents. Shopping is great fun in SL, and probably on the top of a great many lists of enjoyable activities. Exploring is equally as enjoyable, and it's this aspect of virtual worlds that deserves some scrutiny. More after the jump.

Continue reading Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?

MassivelyRegarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativityeric-ricefeaturedgaia-onlinekanevamassivelysecond-lifeshoppingthere.comFri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST