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 Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-mog-log-the-legacy-rewards-and-what-they-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-mog-log-the-legacy-rewards-and-what-they-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-mog-log-the-legacy-rewards-and-what-they-mean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
So, who here remembers the Final Fantasy XIV launch? I certainly do; I was there and I've been here since, after all. And who here remembers how the game launched to critical acclaim and overwhelming popularity?

Yeah, okay. I liked the game at launch, but that was more because of the underlying philosophies and approaches, not because the whole thing was polished to a fine shine. It was almost two years ago now, and the game has had to go through a lot of growing pains in that time, fixing a lot of elements that didn't work and adjusting stuff that was almost there but not quite. It's been a long process of hammering out fixes and improvements, one that included a long stretch of no subscription fee as the game cleaned itself up.

We're nearly at the end of that process now, but Square-Enix is trying to show everyone that the company appreciates players who have been around during the game's teething troubles. That's the Legacy program in a nutshell -- a chance for players to signify having been around for an extended period of time. A badge of honor, a show of loyalty, and arguably another little bit of bait to get people to subscribe now instead of later.

Continue reading The Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesculturecustomer-loyaltycustomersfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlegacylegacy-campaignmog-logopinionrewardssquaresquare-enixsquenixsubscriber-rewardsthe-mog-logSat, 26 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How important is surprise to you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Of course, the fifth time you see the sea serpent it doesn't really shock you.
For some players, MMOs are all about discovery. The game is at its most fun when you're just exploring the world, figuring out what you need to do as best you can. But to other players, wandering around without a clue isn't as fun as knowing what to do and enjoying that actual accomplishment.

Of course, surprises come in both big and small varieties. No matter how well you might know Star Wars: The Old Republic's quests, for example, you might avoid looking up all of the datacrons and thus get a pleasant surprise when you find one. Or maybe you don't like knowing about the bosses you'll fight in a dungeon until you get into the fight.

We all like discovering things, but what we like to discover varies. So what about you? How important is having surprises in a game for you? Do you like to walk in with as little foreknowledge as possible, or do you like to have a pretty good map in your head before you start playing?

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: How important is surprise to you? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grinddiscoveryexplorationexplorersopinionsurprisesurprisestdgthe-daily-grindSun, 20 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[AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/adventurequest-worlds-releases-its-first-two-action-figures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/adventurequest-worlds-releases-its-first-two-action-figures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/adventurequest-worlds-releases-its-first-two-action-figures/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Figures sold separately.
Action figures are a great accessory for any video game. Sure, most of us have passed the point when we would use them to stage elaborate battles in the backyard, but it's nice to have something on hand to play with during load times. That's part of the reason that AdventureQuest Worlds is getting into the market with its first two figures, representing Artix and Sepulchure, available in Toys'R'Us stores nationwide starting on May 23rd.

Even if you're not normally the sort to buy action figures, Artix Entertainment has sweetened the deal by making sure that each figure comes with a special in-game house, special armor and weapons, and five playing cards for the game's tie-in card game. If you don't want to wait for them in stores, you can also purchase them directly from the company's online store starting May 18th. The team put together a small stop-motion animation piece as well to celebrate the upcoming figures because honestly, if you've spent this much time thinking about buying an action figure, don't you deserve a toy commercial to cap it off?

[Source: Artix Entertainment press release]

Continue reading AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures

MassivelyAdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-figuresadventurequestadventurequest-worldsartix-entertainmentcross-promotionsculturef2pfiguresfree-to-playmerchandisenewspromotionstrailertrailersupcoming-releasesvideovideosWed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: How City of Heroes almost died]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/a-mild-mannered-reporter-how-city-of-heroes-almost-died/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/a-mild-mannered-reporter-how-city-of-heroes-almost-died/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/a-mild-mannered-reporter-how-city-of-heroes-almost-died/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
If it hasn't become clear over the past two and a half years, I really enjoy speculation. I like crazy theories, I like exploring possibilities, I like thought exercises, and so forth. There's some speculation that I find particularly ill-informed or lacking in some fundamental point of logic, but that doesn't mean I don't learn about them first.

Why am I making a point out of this? Because I've developed a theory about the state of City of Heroes, and I want to make it clear before I launch into this somewhat grim theory that I'm basing this entirely on outside observations. I want it to be clear that I could, in fact, be totally wrong, and when I say that City of Heroes nearly committed unintentional suicide a couple of years ago, I don't want that to be seen as some grand behind-the-scenes revelation.

And if it weren't obvious from that line, yes, that's where I'm going. I think Going Rogue nearly gutted City of Heroes and burned the whole game to the ground. And I think everything the game has done since can be directly traced back to that expansion.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: How City of Heroes almost died

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: How City of Heroes almost died originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-going-rogueconspiracyconspiracy-theoriescovcoxcrazy-theoriescrazypantscultureexpansionsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgoing-roguemild-mannered-reporterncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosspeculationsuperherosuperheroesWed, 09 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka
As I mentioned in my Why I Play Star Wars: The Old Republic piece, Dark Forces and Jedi Knight were two of the Star Wars video games I enjoyed most. Obviously, this was before Knights of the Old Republic. In Jedi Knight, the main antagonist was Jerec. Although it's never mentioned where Jerec comes from or even what species he was, his most distinguishing feature is the cover over his eyes. At the time, players thought it was a type of cybernetic implant similar to that worn by Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It wasn't until the Tales of the Jedi comic book series that we learned that Jerec and others are a part of the Force-seeing humanoid species known as the Miraluka.

If you choose to play a Jedi Knight or a Jedi Consular (or if you have 1.5 million credits to unlock it through the Legacy system), you can play as a Miraluka. I have been fascinated by this species since Jerec of Jedi Knight and Shoaneb Culu in the Tales of the Jedi after that. So this week, let's talk about this captivating species, its culture, its connection to the Force, and what its role is during the time of The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alpheridiesbiowareclassic-mmocultureeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxiesholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconjedi-consularJedi-KnightJerecKatarrlucasartsmiralukaopinionroleplayroleplayingsandboxsci-fiShoaneb-Culusoesony-online-entertainmentspeciesstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorVisas-MarrTue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raptr rewards gamers for playing with discounts, beta keys, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/raptr-rewards-gamers-for-playing-with-discounts-beta-keys-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/raptr-rewards-gamers-for-playing-with-discounts-beta-keys-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/raptr-rewards-gamers-for-playing-with-discounts-beta-keys-and/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Raptr logo
Do you wanna earn fabulous prizes just for playing your favorite games? Of course you do. Well, you're in luck because Raptr has just announced its new Raptr Rewards program, which is "a program to reward active gamers with real rewards just for playing their favorite games." The program is "on track to offer over 350,000 rewards totaling $1.3 million [US] in value just in the first month of launch."

The prizes that are available for dedicated players are myriad, ranging from discounts on Gunnar brand gaming eyewear to beta access for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and much more. The full details of the available rewards and how to earn them can be found on the official Raptr site, so go check it out, then start playing for your prizes.

[Source: Raptr press release]

MassivelyRaptr rewards gamers for playing with discounts, beta keys, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureindustrymiscmiscellaneouspromotionpromotionsraptrraptr-rewardsTue, 08 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ClassRealm MMO rewards kids for being good students]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/classrealm-mmo-rewards-kids-for-being-good-students/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/classrealm-mmo-rewards-kids-for-being-good-students/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/classrealm-mmo-rewards-kids-for-being-good-students/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

ClassRealm - cast of characters
Who says video games are bad for you? Not Ben Bertoli, a sixth grade teacher from Indiana who has built an MMO called ClassRealm that has students, teachers, and administrators singing his praises.

Kotaku reports that the game is basically an experience point system that rewards kids for being studious and helping their classmates. There's also an achievement system and classes and races that include wizards, zombies, ninjas, and vampires. Bertoli initially started with something approximating a Google document but has since moved on to full-blown graphics and an app that works on mobile devices as well as laptops and PCs.

Bertoli has partnered with a computer engineer, a graphic designer, and an illustrator to fully flesh out the project, and there's also a Kickstarter campaign in case you want to contribute. Bertoli and company are currently slaving away on ClassRealm in their spare time, but the rewards are well worth it. "If [kids are] struggling in a certain thing, but they are pushing hard because they want the XP, or an achievement, and then suddenly it clicks, seeing that happen is really rewarding. The student feels like, 'I was going for XP, but now I am happy that I learned something,'" Bertoli explains.

MassivelyClassRealm MMO rewards kids for being good students originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-bertoliclass-realmclassrealmcultureeducational-mmofamilyfantasykickstarterkidsMiscellaneousmmos-in-educationMon, 07 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Problem players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hopefully my internet connection is working as you read this.
I don't tend to talk about the players behind the characters in this column because more often than not it doesn't matter. A good roleplayer is a good roleplayer, and if your characters can interact well, you don't really need to be close friends behind the scenes. Sure, I promote communication out of character, but that's to avoid drama, and liking the person involved is more of a bonus than a requisite goal. The majority of roleplayers won't have issues beyond character or story-based ones, and thus I focus on those.

There are exceptions.

Even if most of the troubles you'll encounter are the result of characters that don't quite work for whatever reason (something we're all guilty of), there are certain players who are going to cause problems no matter what. And I'm not talking about the guy who always makes the same character with minor setting adjustments. I'm talking about the players who will make you actively dislike the game you're playing, the cases where you're going to need to address the problem beyond just shaking your head at one character or another. These guys exist, and even though they're not the majority, they have an unpleasant impact.

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem players

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturefeaturedgroupsopinionproblem-playersproblemsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsocial-problemsstorystoryboardFri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA gives players a guide to guilds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If these players were in a guild, they'd be having at least 30% more fun right now.
Maybe TERA is your first MMO, maybe you want to learn about what TERA offers its guilds, or maybe you just want to see guilds defined as something other than small-scale drama generators for once. There are a lot of reasons you might want to look at TERA's new guide to guilds in the game, but whatever your motivation, the guide will provide you with all the answers you need to start guilding away with ease.

The main benefit to being in a guild in TERA are the guild quests; available all across the game, each guild quest provides players with Catharnac Awards that can be used to improve the guild's level and buy special items from vendors. You also need to be part of a level 3 guild to run for public office, which is all the more reason for politically minded players to make friends. But don't take our word for it -- after all, there's a guide to tell you all of this in detail.

MassivelyTERA gives players a guide to guilds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studioscultureen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygame-mechanicsgame-systemsguideguidesguildguild-benefitsguild-questsguildsnewssystemsteraThu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/tribes-ascend-puts-together-a-beta-infographic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Revenge is sweet, as much the first time as the nine millionth time.
Tribes: Ascend has finally launched, and that means players everywhere can experience the simple joy of logging in, gearing up, and then skiing at high velocity across the ground while firing explosive munitions at distant targets. All right, maybe that joy isn't quite as simple, but the point remains that the game has successfully cleared its beta test. And what better way to celebrate that a bit belatedly than by pulling together some interesting stats on the overall beta experience?

Past the cut, you'll find an official infographic tallying things like total kills, total number of flags captured, and the ever-important question of how many people met their end by falling. In a game with jetpacks and high-speed skiing, that number is a bit higher than you might otherwise think. So take a look at the full collection of stats, sigh wistfully in memory, and then start gearing up for another round.

Continue reading Tribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic

MassivelyTribes: Ascend puts together a beta infographic originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbetabeta-feedbackbeta-retrospectivebeta-statsbeta-testculturee-sportesportf2pfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studiospvpshootertribestribes-ascendtribes-mmotribes-universeMon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony eyeing ways to get MMO players out of the house]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/sony-eyeing-ways-to-get-mmo-players-out-of-the-house/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/sony-eyeing-ways-to-get-mmo-players-out-of-the-house/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/sony-eyeing-ways-to-get-mmo-players-out-of-the-house/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cheers
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, amirite? And other times, you want to get lost in an MMO and be (relatively) anonymous. The latter may become a bit more difficult, as Sony is looking to create a program "that would encourage gamers to head into the daylight for organized events," according to a posting at Engadget.

The firm has even filed a patent for some sort of meet-up software. Speculation has it that it will incentivize real-life get-togethers, though how (or why) is anyone's guess at this point. Is this another personal information-harvesting ploy like Blizzard's RealID failboat, or is it something new? Time will tell, and we'll keep an eye on it for you.

MassivelySony eyeing ways to get MMO players out of the house originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturemeetupsMiscellaneousmmo-industrymmo-patentspersonal-informationreal-life-eventsreal-world-eventssonysony-meetup-patentMon, 23 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What in-game project made you the happiest to complete?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/the-daily-grind-what-in-game-project-made-you-the-happiest-to-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/the-daily-grind-what-in-game-project-made-you-the-happiest-to-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/the-daily-grind-what-in-game-project-made-you-the-happiest-to-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Reading Marmaduke doesn't qualify as a project, FYI.
MMOs give players a lot of freedom and a lot of different potential projects. That means players get to pick a goal and get to it, whether or not it's the "intended" play pattern for the game. Sure, you might have a clear progression from low levels to endgame, but you can just as easily decide that you want to see all of the task forces in City of Heroes or clear all of the World of Warcraft dungeons on-level or level in Final Fantasy XIV with only store-bought equipment.

That's not to imply that game-provided projects like clearing all endgame content are somehow easier or less relevant. So out of all the game projects you've experienced in MMOs, which project was the one that gave you the best feeling after clearing it. Was it something you were "supposed" to do or just a challenge that seemed interesting at the time? Has it shaped your play subsequently, or was it fun then and never again?

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 in-game project made you the happiest to complete? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grinddesigngoalsin-game-projectsopinionplayer-goalsplayer-projectsprojectstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 22 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Status report, last year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/a-mild-mannered-reporter-status-report-last-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/a-mild-mannered-reporter-status-report-last-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/a-mild-mannered-reporter-status-report-last-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
What with one thing and another, a year has passed. At this time last year, things were very different for City of Heroes, and so I started up my usual trifecta of columns on the past year with a look back at what I said the game needed and how it's done on those fronts. So it's time for the second annual iteration because as we all know, the first annual anything doesn't really count. And if your memory is getting rusty from a year ago, by all means, take the time to refresh it.

Certainly if you had told me back then that every major superhero game would be free-to-play before the year was up, I wouldn't have believed it. But that's what's happened, and as the game has shifted, so has the market around it. That means that the game has really had to face off against its two "direct" competitors on a straight footing, and that might not have been in the game's best interests as a whole.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Status report, last year

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Status report, last year originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxculturef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedommild-mannered-reporterncsoftopinionother-gamesparagonparagon-studiosretrospectivesuperherosuperheroesyear-in-reviewWed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was the best patch ever?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-patch-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-patch-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-patch-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

To boldly go where several patches have gone before in other games!
There are three responses to every patch released by every game, no matter what the patch does or doesn't contain. There will be people who decry the patch as something horrible, those who act indifferent, and those who enthusiastically gush about how wonderful it is. But there are some patches that stand out as being real game-changers, from Star Trek Online's enormous Season patches to the various content-and-system upgrades doled out regularly for World of Warcraft.

If you've been playing long enough, you can reflect on the patch history for your favorite game. What was the best patch that you can think of in terms of its individual impact? Was it one of the major overhauls introduced to Final Fantasy XIV? One of the story updates for Lord of the Rings Online? Or some of the large epilogues added to Guild Wars? What has your nod as the best patch ever, and why?

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 was the best patch ever? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grindgame-patchesgame-updatesnew-patchesopinionpatchpatch-contentpatch-daypatch-historypatchespatchingtdgthe-daily-grindupdatesSun, 15 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss
For some players, deciding which species to play in Star Wars: The Old Republic comes down to which skin tone is the coolest. Wasn't it said when the species were first announced that the choices were human with blue skin, human with green skin, bald human, human with head tails, and human with horns? Although hyperbolic, the sentiment contains an element of truth, especially when judged by aesthetics alone. Then again, no one complains in fantasy games when you have a choice between human, short human, and human with pointy ears. Elves and dwarves are viewed through the lens of pre-existing culture and folk-lore.

The Holocron Files are designed to lay the cultural foundation for some of SWTOR's species. From the horned Zabrak to the red-skinned Sith Pureblood, each Star Wars species has a rich history and backstory. Thankfully, BioWare kept that in mind when considering which species you could play.

In honor of my newest character, it's only fitting that we discuss the Chiss this week.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendancybiowareblue-skinchisscultureeaelectronic-artsEmpirefactionfeaturedholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconImperial-Agentlorelucasartsopinionracessci-fispeciesstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthrawntorTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should internet trolls be policed?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-daily-grind-should-internet-trolls-be-policed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-daily-grind-should-internet-trolls-be-policed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-daily-grind-should-internet-trolls-be-policed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cave troll
Arizona state lawmakers have introduced a piece of legislation that seeks to muzzle internet trolls. No, really. House bill 2549 aims to amend the state's anti-stalking law to include cyber-bullying, according to the LA Times.

As you might expect, the wording of the bill is rather vague, so there's plenty of wiggle room for politicians and powerful officials to interpret it as they see fit. Due to the international nature of the internet, the law could conceivably have repercussions beyond Arizona's borders.

What say you, Massively crew? Should internet trolls be policed, and should local, state, or federal government representatives do the policing?

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: Should internet trolls be policed? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-brotherculturedaily-grinddont-tread-on-mefeaturedgovernment-trollsinternet-lawlawopinionpoliticstdgthe-daily-grindtrollingtrollsTue, 10 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Woman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/newsflash-woman-on-dating-gameshow-plays-wow-man-amazed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/newsflash-woman-on-dating-gameshow-plays-wow-man-amazed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/newsflash-woman-on-dating-gameshow-plays-wow-man-amazed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

WOW ANOTHER PERSON WHO PLAYS THE MOST POPULAR MMO IN THE WORLD, HOW AMAZING
We gamer nerds are often stereotyped as socially awkward and romantically challenged, perhaps due to the fact that we all very obviously spend our entire lives in our mothers' basements drinking Mountain Dew and consuming obscene quantities of Cheetos (amirite gaiz?), but a recent contestant on the UK dating gameshow World Series of Dating (yes, that's actually a thing) leveraged his World of Warcraft fandom to his advantage, proving that we're not all unlovable mouthbreathers. But then, we're also not all cute English boys with fabulously styled hair, so take that with a grain of salt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the show's premise (like us), it's basically like this: A bunch of poor chumps go on a series of speed dates with four women who judge their performances at the end of the show, naming one of them the best dater. And we thought The Bachelor was insane. At any rate, the relevant clip can be seen after the cut. Go get 'em, tiger.

[Thanks to Roger for the tip!]

Continue reading Woman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed

MassivelyWoman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentculturefantasyflamebaitis-this-for-realno-seriously-just-wowspeed-datingstereotypestelevisiontvvideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftworld-series-of-datingwowMon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like gaming conventions?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-gaming-conventions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-gaming-conventions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-gaming-conventions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's pretty much always like this.
As you read this, PAX East is entering its final day for the year, and the Massively writers have been working on covering the event as best we can. Of course, some people would rather be on the ground instead of reading about the show second-hand because there's nothing quite like the thrill of being knee-deep in a convention. For others, though, the idea of standing around in a convention hall with thousands of other people sounds like a special kind of torture.

Do you like gaming conventions? If you do, what's your favorite element of the shows -- the new games, the special giveaways, or just the energy level? If you don't, what bothers you -- the crowds, the spectacle, or the necessity of travel and cramped scheduling? Or are you the sort of person for whom it really depends on the show, i.e., you've been to some you loved and some you couldn't stand?

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: Do you like gaming conventions? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conventionscrowdsculturedaily-grindgaming-conventionsgatheringsopinionpax-eastpax-east-2012real-world-eventstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 08 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Casual is as casual does]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just a casual raid. Of roleplayers.
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.

It's time to put an overused MMO term to bed, and by "put to bed," I of course mean that it should be executed with great prejudice. Actually, there are lots of terms that I'd like to see retired permanently. "Toon" can go, for instance, as can "mob" for single enemies. And people have really worn out "nerf" beyond belief. But those are all issues of personal preference.

No, the term I'm talking about is "casual." As in "casual player," a creature as rare and mythical as the Loch Ness monster. Also like the Loch Ness monster, it doesn't actually exist. In the case of the latter, it exists only through a handful of doctored photos and a lot of people who really want to see a pleisiosaur in Scotland; in the case of the former, it's a strawman concept that no longer has any purpose in our collective lexicon.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Casual is as casual does

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Casual is as casual does originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-playerscultureeditorialfeaturedgaming-stylesmmo-cultureop-edopinionplay-stylesrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 03 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are your favorite jokes of the day?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-jokes-of-the-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-jokes-of-the-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-jokes-of-the-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bard and walrus man - still a better love story than Twilight.
All right, we admit it, you probably haven't seen any April Fool's jokes just yet. It's early. But every year, MMO developers -- and the rest of the Internet -- delight in the absurd, the strange, and the blatantly false. Yes, the first of April is when everyone gets to troll the world just a little bit. And while some people are stalwartly opposed to a day during which you can trust no news and be sure of no announcements, the rest of us just accept nothing useful is getting done today and enjoy it.

So go ahead and see what the various jokes are around the internet. Seriously, we'll wait. Then, let us know your favorites. Maybe it's something everyone loves, maybe it's something no one has seen yet, maybe you're just going to link something on YouTube. The point is, we want to know -- what's your favorite April Fool's joke this year?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers meet to discuss the dark ritual required to summon back the most missed of all features: One Shots. So we're bringing it back today. If you can't trust the footer text today, then who can you trust? In other news, this is today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What are your favorite jokes of the day? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-dayculturedaily-grindhumorlaugh-nowopinionsillysilly-stuffstill-a-better-love-story-than-twilighttdgthe-daily-grindSun, 01 Apr 2012 08:00:00 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[MapleStory gets political, players respond with bewilderment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/maplestory-gets-political-players-respond-with-bewilderment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/maplestory-gets-political-players-respond-with-bewilderment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/maplestory-gets-political-players-respond-with-bewilderment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pictured: MapleStory. Not pictured: political acumen.
It's an election year in the United States, and that means that it's time to start polling for opinions across the country. If the country goes the path of MapleStory, the incumbent President has nothing to worry about. A survey of 1,655 random MapleStory players was conducted this past weekend, with 47.79% claiming that Barack Obama had made the most positive impact out of the current candidates. The runner-up? Abject confusion. More than 20% of respondents did not recognize any of the names involved.

The respondents were also polled on the most important issue facing the presidential candidates, with unemployment taking the top spot (40%) and the gap between rich and poor taking second place (28%). It's not necessarily indicative of much, but even though it's an informal poll conducted by Nexon America of a fairly random playerbase, there's a staggering degree of confusion at work. Or MapleStory players really like President Obama, one or the other.

MassivelyMapleStory gets political, players respond with bewilderment originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturef2pfantasyfree-to-playmaplestorynexonnexon-americanexon-koreapolitical-pollpoliticssurveysurveyswhat-is-this-i-cant-evenTue, 27 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How many games have you committed to in your gaming history?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/the-daily-grind-how-many-games-have-you-committed-to-in-your-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/the-daily-grind-how-many-games-have-you-committed-to-in-your-ga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/the-daily-grind-how-many-games-have-you-committed-to-in-your-ga/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I think we need to take a break. I mean, I'm going through a rough time right now, I have all these rifts to close, you're a skeletal dragon... we just want different things.
Committing to an MMO isn't like committing to beating a single-player game. With the latter, you push through to the end, and barring the odd bit of DLC here and there, you'll be done. No, marrying yourself to an MMO means you're in for the long haul, a year or more. It's the time when a six-month subscription starts to look like a great deal because of course you're still going to be playing in another six months, and hey, less money overall.

But today we're not wondering whether right now you're committed to Star Wars: The Old Republic or RIFT or whether you're waiting for your next long-term flame. No, today we want to know how many long-term flames you've had in the time you've played MMOs. Have you committed to several games for a year, then drifted into the next one? Have you never really settled down beyond a month or two hither and yon? Or have you been playing Ultima Online since launch and never really had reason to move to newer pastures?

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: How many games have you committed to in your gaming history? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commitmentculturedaily-grindgamesopinionplaying-gamestdgthe-daily-grindSun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft is the new Match.com]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Of course, gamers don't wear sunglasses and pinstripe polos while holding controllers, but artistic license.
Are you single? Do you want to be a little bit less single? Are your friends telling you that you should stop spending so much time talking with them online and more time looking for dates? Well, according to a recent infographic, your friends might be completely off-base. Onlineuniversity.net put together a graphic comparing World of Warcraft to the popular dating site Match.com, and the results come out pretty firmly in favor of blood elves.

So how does it look? According to the graphic, World of Warcraft has more than 10 times as many people involved as Match.com, and people sink more time into online gaming than any online dating site. There's also a number of factors that suggest slaughtering virtual trolls as a better way to bond than a cup of coffee. So while it's still probably bad form to hit on your raid leader between pulls, maybe you're not entirely off the mark. Unless she's married.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft is the new Match.com originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedatinggaming-relationshipshuman-interesthumorlovemmosromancewhat-is-this-i-cant-evenThu, 22 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/ask-massively-misunderstandings-about-our-robot-overlords-editi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Unfortunately, afterwards there will still be a lot of novelty robots out of a job.
As I personally have no real reservations about the impending destruction of human society by perfect killer robots, I thought I'd take the opportunity to dispel certain misunderstandings about living under the thumb of mechanical overseers. Specifically, I'd like to dispel the idea that we'll be living. Robots wouldn't be sending us to work in mines; they can build machines to do that faster than our frail organic bodies. Not to mention that those machines would whine a lot less. So don't worry! You won't be toiling for a monolithic AI for years; you'll just be obliterated or used as organic building material. Doesn't that make things better?

In unrelated news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which focuses on the question of raw, unfettered action. If you've got a question you'd like to see 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 clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Misunderstandings about our robot overlords edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadviceadvice-columnask-massivelycombatculturedevelopmentfeaturedgame-mechanicshumorindustry-trendsmassively-metamechanicsmetaopinionThu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're not friends, headset.
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.

Part of me thinks that voice chat is a product of the miraculous and wondrous age we live in. I can still remember when the very idea of the internet seemed like a magical idea. I could search an entire world full of knowledge and ideas at once! The fact that video games have evolved into games where I can log in to a shared world and speak to someone in a real-time discussion is nothing short of astonishing.

Most of me, however, really just hates voice chat.

I've used voice chat extensively before, and I didn't like it then. I still don't like it now. And for all of the advantages it offers, I can't say it's something that I consider a positive addition to the MMO landscape any more than I'm happy about the widespread adoption of the colloquial term "toon." It might not be a cultural issue that needs to be addressed, but I really hate voice chat.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureeditorialfeaturedhumormumbleop-edopinionrantrantsskypesoapboxthe-soapboxventvoicevoice-chatTue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: What you loved is still there]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, I'm familiar with liking something most of the world doesn't.
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.

One of my greatest fears as I slouch toward 30 is that my tastes will become immutable in certain fields -- music, especially. The last thing I want to do is be the obnoxious guy listening to music that was popular when I was in high school complaining about how bad modern bands are. So I try to broaden my horizons because I know that everything I already like is still waiting for me. I want to create a broader range, not just stick within the familiar.

It's probably for the best, then, that I don't share that worry about video games in general and MMOs in particular. I don't cry for a return to the MMOs I played in older days because in most cases they're still running. True, in many of them a great deal has changed to the point of unrecognizability, but I never ask what happened to the game I once loved. After all, just because I loved it doesn't mean that anyone else did.

Continue reading The Soapbox: What you loved is still there

MassivelyThe Soapbox: What you loved is still there originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedesigndesign-conventionsdesign-typeseditorialfeaturedgame-developmentgamesold-gamesop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxFri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win Lottery > Design MMO > ??? > Profit!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/win-lottery-design-mmo-profit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/win-lottery-design-mmo-profit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/win-lottery-design-mmo-profit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TELL ME MORE.
If you won $27 million in the lottery, what would you do with it? Buy a new car? A new house? Maybe invest in the stock market? Psh, yeah right. You'd make an MMO and you know it, you filthy liars. As it happens, that's the idea of Ellwood Bartlett, who recently hit the big time with a rather sizeable lottery jackpot. Now he's taking to Kickstarter to build interest for his ideas.

What ideas? Glad you asked. Bartlett wants to create an MMO where each server is its own unique world. For example, Bartlett says that "one will be a mostly water and all avatars will have underwater breathing. Another will be a volcanic world and your avatar will have a high resistance to fire." Players would be able to travel between servers in order to tackle "universal quests" and to participate in PvP.

The goals are lofty, but one question remains: Why would a multi-millionaire take his ideas to Kickstarter? In short, he wants to gauge interest before he commits to the huge investment of time and money that is the development of an MMO. So far, he says, he has gotten "tons of positive feedback as well as negative." One way or another, it should be interesting to see how this one pans out.

MassivelyWin Lottery > Design MMO > ??? > Profit! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureellwood-bartlettelwood-bartlettgaming-culturekickstarterlotterymiscmiscellaneousmmo-culturewatch-out-richard-garriottWed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 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[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: That's really super, Super Pack]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-thats-really-super-super-pack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-thats-really-super-super-pack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/a-mild-mannered-reporter-thats-really-super-super-pack/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
So, the Super Pack is out. Not a whole lot has changed in City of Heroes as a result. The skies have not been raining fire any more than they already do on a regular basis (superheroes, you know the deal). People still log in and play and enjoy themselves. And my enormous ranting diatribe still sits in the archives for anyone who missed it the first time or just wants to take a second look for posterity.

My feelings haven't changed. But while launching into a full-on rant was certainly cathartic and managed to hit a lot of good points, there were a lot of good points brought up in the comments that I simply hadn't touched on. So it's time to address some of the those ideas and complaints, both the good and the bad. (Although under the circumstances, it's pretty much all bad in varying flavors.)

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: That's really super, Super Pack

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: That's really super, Super Pack originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxculturef2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedommicrotransactionsmild-mannered-reporterncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiossuper-packsuperherosuperheroeswhat-is-this-i-cant-evenWed, 07 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game have you fallen back in love with most often?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-daily-grind-what-game-have-you-fallen-back-in-love-with-mos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here I go, here I go, here I go again. Girls, what's my weakness? JOBS!
Some games you just can't quit. You might unsubscribe and head off for a time, but you always wind up back in-game before too long. And some games just give you new things to enjoy each time you log back in. Even if you're bored with one part of the game, you start playing a bit differently and suddenly it's like the first time. Put simply, you fall in love with the game all over again.

Most of the games we play for long periods wind up in the catbird's seat more than once. But there are games that you fall back in love with, and then there are games that you keep falling back in love with all over again even if you'd prefer not to do so. So what game have you fallen back in love with most often? Is it a game that you think of as generally one of your favorite or one that you have sharply divided feelings about to start with?

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 have you fallen back in love with most often? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grindfalling-in-lovegamesold-favoritesold-gamesopinionplaystyleplaystylestdgthe-daily-grindSun, 04 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: An event with a touch of plot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/storyboard-an-event-with-a-touch-of-plot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/storyboard-an-event-with-a-touch-of-plot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/storyboard-an-event-with-a-touch-of-plot/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Rikku-hair is the most compelling thing I've seen from Allods in a long while.
In tabletop games, the GM is sometimes referred to as the player who doesn't get to play. Running a plot-heavy event in an MMORPG is fairly similar -- you're still technically there in the form of a character, but the focus is on an adventure that you're presenting for your fellow players. That means a whole lot of extra work on your part because you suddenly lack the advantage of letting the game handle most of that pesky worldbuilding work.

You probably don't need to be told that this can all go bad. No, what you really want to know is how to avoid going bad. And while some of the stuff that I've posted in the past about running in-game events is still entirely applicable, there are also some unique issues that you're going to have to deal with when your event is meant to be tightly scripted. Plan it right, and the whole thing can go off without a hitch. Plan it wrong, and... well, do I need to do another column on drama already?

Continue reading Storyboard: An event with a touch of plot

MassivelyStoryboard: An event with a touch of plot originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnscultureevent-managementeventsfeaturedherding-catsmanagementopinionroleplayingroleplaying-eventsrprp-eventsstoryboardFri, 02 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Format changes for big questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/ask-massively-format-changes-for-big-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

VHS just isn't going to cut it for Ask Massively any longer, so it's back to Beta.
Potaco asked a great question two weeks ago for Ask Massively, one that I'm going to just post right here:
"As a contributor to a gaming site that involves keeping up with many, many, many MMOs, do you find it harder to commit to a single game than before being forced to be exposed to so many?"
Naturally, I could have answered the question simply for myself. But we're a diverse bunch here at Massively, with different tastes and opinions and experiences. Any answer I gave wouldn't reveal the whole picture, so I turned to the rest of the team and posed the same question. The resulting column was so big that I had to steal an entirely different feature's format just to make everything easy to read. (Hopefully the guy who does it won't mind.)

As always, if you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Format changes for big questions

MassivelyAsk Massively: Format changes for big questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycolumncolumnsculturedifferent-gamesexperimentationfeaturedgamingmassively-metamultiple-gamesThu, 01 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What do you hope to hear from GDC 2012?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GDC 12 logo
Well it's almost time for game convention silly season. First up is the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco next week, followed by PAX East in April and E3 in June.

A gaggle of Massively scribes are heading west in a few days to bring you the best (and the most grammatically correct) coverage of all the happenings at GDC. From preview sessions with The Secret World, DUST 514, and PlanetSide 2, to interviews with dev luminaries and glimpses of all that's new and shiny in the world of MMOs, there looks to be a lot of industry news coming your way next week.

Today's Daily Grind is an easy one. Are you looking forward to GDC, and is there anything in particular that you hope to learn from this year's conference?

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 do you hope to hear from GDC 2012? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convention-coverageconventionsculturedaily-grindeventsfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegame-discussiongamer-discussiongdcgdc-2012mmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsreal-world-eventstdgthe-daily-grindThu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I did get some great screenshots out of Ryzom, I have to say.
Last week, the unthinkable happened. Or at least the unprecedented. Yes, after a dozen or so columns under my belt for Choose My Adventure, one of the "joke" choices finally won a poll. Either everyone thought that the paradise city was actually a thing in Ryzom or the impassioned pleas in the comments the week before had done the trick.

For those of you under the misapprehension that this was, in fact, an actual thing, I apologize for the not particularly elaborate act of deception.

My question to myself, at this point, was what I actually had to do at this point. Did this mean that I had to search through every city in the game to find a paradise, only to discover at the end that paradise had metaphorically been at home the whole time? Was I already in the paradise city, judging by the fact that some people would call the jungle a virtual paradise? The girls were pretty, the grass was green, and by almost any metric you cared to use, Corlede was as close to home as she was getting.

But no, I knew what I had to do. Something I had known since I started playing. I went home.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmacolumncolumnscriticismculturedesigndesign-decisionsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanicsopinionparallelspollpollsryzomsystemsthe-saga-of-ryzomwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedWed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/why-i-play-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/why-i-play-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/why-i-play-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the first shots I took from beta.
From the moment I set foot in the beta to Final Fantasy XIV, I was hooked. This, if you somehow managed to miss everything going on around the game's launch, was the exact opposite of most players' reactions. Most people found the interface clunky and counterintuitive, the main form of content repetitive, and the combat system awkward and frequently frustrating.

Here's the thing: None of those statements is wrong. The game has made enormous progress over the past year toward fixing those issues, but the players like yours truly who do enjoy the game don't love these elements. They love the game that lies underneath all of that, the design elements that shine through despite a lot of hoops you have to jump through first.

I enjoyed the game at launch. I enjoy the game now, and based on what I've seen so far, I'm going to enjoy the game in the future. There's something very special about the game amidst all of the downsides, something that made me decide back in beta that even if this game is going to take extra work to play, it's going to reward the effort.

Continue reading Why I Play: Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyWhy I Play: Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>complexityculturefeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgatheringmechanicsopinionsquaresquare-enixwhy-i-playWed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE president John Smedley announces that all players will be able to play on any server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/soe-president-john-smedley-announces-that-all-players-will-be-ab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/soe-president-john-smedley-announces-that-all-players-will-be-ab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/soe-president-john-smedley-announces-that-all-players-will-be-ab/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I can't handle this emotional rollercoaster, SOE.
It's no secret that Sony Online Entertainment has been in more than a little hot water in the wake of the recently announced region locks that were to be put in place following the studio's deal with ProSiebenSat.1, but there may still be a silver lining on the horizon. SOE president John Smedley tweeted earlier today that the studio has "come up with a plan to allow ALL players to play on any servers they want." While details are still to come, this should be incredibly welcome news for players of SOE titles who weren't looking forward to playing without their international friends.

Smedley promises us that there are "more details to follow," so stay tuned and hopefully we'll have some idea of what's in the works before too long.

MassivelySOE president John Smedley announces that all players will be able to play on any server originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alaplayaculturedramadrama-llamaeq2everquesteverquest-iifiascogaming-cultureindustryjohn-smedleymmo-culturemmo-industryplanetsideplanetside-2prosiebensat.1region-lockregion-lockssoesoe-prosiebensat.1sony-online-entertainmentMon, 27 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Has a free trial ever blown you away?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/the-daily-grind-has-a-free-trial-ever-blown-you-away/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I enjoyed Star Trek Online at launch. I'm a little reluctant to play it again because I don't have time and I worry I'd fall back in love.
We all form opinions about games we don't play. That's just good sense -- it lets us figure out what games we're probably going to like or dislike based on what we've heard. But sometimes a game gives us either a free trial or the option to play without a subscription fee. And sometimes just that little bit of play is enough to bring us around from being ambivalent about a game to needing a subscription right now.

Sure, most of the time, the trial just confirms what you already know -- or worse yet, it turns out to be far worse than you had expected. But there's always the chance, however small, that you'll be floored by the game; the designers certainly hope that's what happens. Have you ever experienced that moment? Or have all of the games you've tried for free wound up being the same as you expected from reviews and previews?

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: Has a free trial ever blown you away? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actually-really-goodculturefree-trialgame-trialgame-trialsopinionsubscription-optionaltdgthe-daily-grindtrialtrial-playSun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 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