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 Digital Continuum: Lost in worlds divided]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/the-digital-continuum-lost-in-worlds-divided/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/the-digital-continuum-lost-in-worlds-divided/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/the-digital-continuum-lost-in-worlds-divided/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the many MMOs I've played, the ratio between games that got world design right and those that got it wrong is surprisingly skewed towards the latter. Nothing kills the thrill of discovering a new online world faster than feeling like you're being kicked around seemingly unconnected environments without possessing any real understanding or control.

This week's The Digital Continuum is aimed at discussing practical ways to address this problem. Obviously this is -- as per usual -- my personal opinion taken mostly from my brain and the experience gathering within it.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Lost in worlds divided

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Lost in worlds divided originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcgcgicinematiccinematicscut-scenecutscenedesignfeaturedopening-cinematicopinionspacethe-digital-continuumworldworld-designworld-of-wacraftwowzonesTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The anatomy of a cut scene]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-anatomy-of-a-cut-scene/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-anatomy-of-a-cut-scene/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-anatomy-of-a-cut-scene/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


When you watch a cut scene (assuming you didn't skip it, when possible), do you ever think about what goes into making that cinematic? Why did they choose this angle, and this part of the storyline? In games like Guild Wars, the cut scenes are game-engine-based, so your characters are standing there engaged in deep, dramatic story-driven dialogue with an important NPC, all the while a Jagged Horror decides he wants to stand directly on top of the camera.

Ravious over at Kill Ten Rats discusses the issue we sometimes can have with the different types of cut scenes out there. For example, in Lord of the Rings Online, there are the ones where you can't do anything, and you're forced to sit and listen to the big bad boss talk about how he could have gotten away with it, if it weren't for you meddling kids. Then there's the type where you can, as Ravious puts it, "hop over Samwell(wise) Gamgee's hobbit head to your heart's content while Elrond bids the Fellowship farewell."

So what's your favorite kind of cut scene? Do you feel they need to be giant cinematic productions, or do the brief game-engine scenes do well enough?

MassivelyThe anatomy of a cut scene originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinematiccut-sceneguild-warskill-ten-ratslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroraviousSat, 15 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The latest Ask Cryptic focusing on Star Trek Online addresses a number of questions sci-fi fans have about where the IP is heading in the MMO space. Not surprisingly, many of the questions asked of Cryptic deal with how well they'll adhere to Star Trek canon.

The Cryptic Studios devs were asked about how they would handle the iconic story and characters of Star Trek, namely with voiceovers and cut scenes. The devs state that Star Trek Online avoids issues of tampering with Trekkie canon by setting the game in 2409, a good 30 years after Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Voyager. So while some of the locales familiar to Star Trek fans will be present in the game, players shouldn't expect to bump into any (or many) familiar faces.

Continue reading Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon

MassivelyAsk Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbackstorycanoncaptain-janewaycaptain-picardcrypticcryptic-studioscut-scenecut-scenesdefiantforumsfuturegame-mechanicsipjanewaylorenemesisnew-titlespicardpsionicspvpracesroleplayingscalesci-fisettingshipshipsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarshipstrekkietrekkiesvoiceoversFri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST