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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: The Secret World shaken, not stirred]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/chaos-theory-the-secret-world-shaken-not-stirred/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/chaos-theory-the-secret-world-shaken-not-stirred/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/chaos-theory-the-secret-world-shaken-not-stirred/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory The Secret World shaken, not stirred
For all those who've been trying so hard to predict gloom and doom for The Secret World, I say Nyeh nyeh because the April producer's letter announcing Issue #7 pretty much flies in the face of all your it's-gonna-die whimperings. In fact, I can't believe we still hear them because TSW just keeps getting better and better. Where's the duct tape when you need it...

While it's true we don't have monthly updates anymore (and that's totally understandable, given the restructuring that devs certainly couldn't predict), Secret World fans are still getting frequent, and more importantly extremely fun, updates. Just look at The Vanishing of Tyler Freeborn and The Last Train to Cairo; both of these issues brought interesting new storylines and a decent helping of new features. Some even say these updates introduced the best content so far. With that track record, who can't help but be totally psyched for the upcoming Issue #7?

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World shaken, not stirred

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World shaken, not stirred originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Player projects enhance The Secret World experience
One of The Secret World's most unique elements makes it ripe for producing immersive experiences, even outside of the game. Set in the modern real world (as opposed to the fantasy or even sci-fi themes prevalent in our MMOverse), a game can more easily blur the line between logged in and logged out. Players can, and do, generate ways to be a part of the game while still out and about in the real world. Today, I'm going to shine a spotlight on two of these projects that use very different methods to continue immersion beyond actual gameplay.

In January, one TSW fan ran an Alternate-Reality Game (ARG) for fellow players. Using Twitter, the forums, email, and even in-game characters, this player orchestrated a full-on investigation for participants to work through. And just recently, a new site offering to immerse players more deeply into the game through imagery was beta-launched. Both projects further player involvement in the world of the game -- the stories, the conspiracies, the histories, and the surroundings -- beyond the actual game. Both received support from Funcom in their efforts to expand the fans' experiences. And both are definitely worth checking out, so I sat down with the creators to get the scoop on the why, the how, and the what's next.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Player projects enhance The Secret World experience

MassivelyChaos Theory: Player projects enhance The Secret World experience originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Testing my Secret World DPS makeover
It's no secret that The Secret World is just a wee bit different than the majority of MMORPGs out there. Hallelujah for that, right? And one notable area it differs from the rest is how it treats gear and classes. As such, players can't necessarily bring habits and know-how from other titles and translate that into immediate success in TSW. It's no wonder that even good players can sometimes feel stumped or at a loss when navigating through builds. For that very reason, Chaos Theory brought you the first episode of What Not to Wear, a live makeover that focused on sharing hints and tips that non-theorycrafters (like yours truly) could use as a base for forging their own path.

It was a simple makeover really -- just minor changes in my focus and equipment using gear I already had in my bag and abilities I already had access to. Did it help? Did my effectiveness as a damage-dealer increase? The outcome was rather surprising.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Testing my Secret World DPS makeover

MassivelyChaos Theory: Testing my Secret World DPS makeover originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Perfecting your build in The Secret World
After discussing last week that build creation was on the minds of many a Secret World fan, I promised to provide some hints and tips on how to better maximize your performance in game. It truly is a topic relevant to all players, even those who aren't focused on or interested in endgame. After all, even folks (like yours truly) who are in it mainly for the awesome story may find their ability to continue with said story hampered at some point by an insufficient build.

With a limit of only seven active (eight if you have an auxiliary weapon) and seven passive skills available to use at any time, creating a build in The Secret World is not quite like most other MMOs, so you can't just automatically throw on gear of a higher level and call it good. Sure, you can eventually pound your way through many things, but you can save yourself some time and frustration by understanding a bit about how the gear works together with your skills. That's where today's Chaos Theory comes in.

What better way to inform and entertain you than to open myself up for some theorycrafting by someone who has a better knack for it? Using my little Illuminati as our guinea pig, I've bared her gear for all to see and learn what can be done to improve. With that, I welcome you to the first episode of "What Not to Wear in TSW"!

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Perfecting your build in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Perfecting your build in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory The Secret World community roundup
You've heard me express my thoughts quite a bit over the last couple of months about everything from what I want to see in The Secret World (like housing and an encore to special events) to my experiences with different aspects of the game (such as sabotage missions and Issue #6). Now it's time to share yours! Yes, folks, this week follows in a time-honored tradition of community roundups, where we dive into the topics that are in the forefront of the community's collective mind.

Of course, we can't touch on everything here (that's what official forums are for), but we can explore a smattering of the topics raised. So what are TSW players chattering about lately? Among the ongoing conversations are discussions about veteran rewards, clothing, PvP tournaments, and builds.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World community roundup

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World community roundup originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionsbuy-to-playchaos-theoryclothingcommunity-roundupconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhorrorilluminatimythologyopinionPvPsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-chaos-theoryskill-basedsubscriptionlesstemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorytheory-craftingthree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonveteran-rewardsMon, 15 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Exploring The Secret World's endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/chaos-theory-exploring-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/chaos-theory-exploring-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/chaos-theory-exploring-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory Exploring endgame
Throughout my tenure as the Chaos Theory author, I've ruminated on a number of Secret World subjects that personally interest, intrigue, or otherwise affect me. I've covered ARGs, different issue updates, sabotage quests, the conversion to buy-to-play, ambiance, and more. I've even expounded on things I'd like to see in game, like housing and vehicles. But one thing I haven't covered with much detail are areas that don't have much personal relevance to me... yet.

While it makes sense to talk most about my personal experiences, The Secret World offers so much more than what I have delved into. There really are different strokes for different folks, all wrapped up within the one world. So this week we are exploring an area that captures the attention of others if not mine: endgame.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Exploring The Secret World's endgame

MassivelyChaos Theory: Exploring The Secret World's endgame originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory
It's certainly no secret that I love The Secret World's investigation missions. I have mentioned it a time to two (times 20 or so) at different points in articles and livestreams alike. And that's not even counting how many times I regale my friends and family with my investigative exploits. Getting to use skills of the mind more than the fingers is not a regular occurrence in MMORPGs, but it darn well should be! It is a refreshing alternative to pew-pew all the time.

However, investigations aren't the only unique breed of missions I love in TSW. The game has a second kind that involves something other than just going out and showing off your prowess with a weapon. In fact, significant portions of these missions actually eschew the use of weapons entirely, and engaging in combat is a pretty big no-no when completing certain objectives. Welcome to sabotage missions.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The wonderful world of sabotage in TSW

MassivelyChaos Theory: The wonderful world of sabotage in TSW originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Continuing the Issue #6 journey in The Secret World
In sharing my thoughts with you last week about The Secret World's newest update, I admitted that I hadn't yet experienced all of it. Even with a head start, there were too few days available to really dig into Issue #6. So unless I wanted to blow through everything like a runaway train without savoring it, there was no way I could pontificate on all aspects of the update at that time.

That was then; this is now. This time around I've had full week to dive in and experience the different aspects of The Last Train to Cairo. Along with finishing up the story (which culminated in boarding the very train the update is named for), I started clawing my way up the PvP ranking ladder, secured my very own whip, and snagged a few veteran rewards. Of course, there is still more to be done; it will be a while before I am up for the challenge of the new raid boss, even with my snazzy new whip. And let's not forget banking up some recruitment bonus points by roping even more friends into The Secret World. Even so, that leaves plenty for us to talk about in today's Chaos Theory.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Continuing the Issue #6 journey in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Continuing the Issue #6 journey in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Hoppin' that train to Cairo in TSW
It doesn't matter one iota what I had planned to talk about today, regardless of how phenomenal it may have been. The fact that The Last Train to Cairo has pulled into the station means I'm hopping on it! Yes, The Secret World's latest update hit this week with barely a day's warning and (thanks to my lifetime membership), I've been sinking my teeth into it since last Thursday.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that I have not boarded the actual train part of the adventure. I had no interest in blowing through the new content in just a couple of days; I prefer to savor the new goodies. But I have delved pretty deeply into it and have a experienced a fair share of Issue #6. So how's the ride so far? Keep reading for a test drive, then come watch as Creative Director Joel Bylos joins me for a livestream tour on Thursday, March 21st at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Massively TV.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Hoppin' TSW's train to Cairo

MassivelyChaos Theory: Hoppin' TSW's train to Cairo originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Where in The Secret World is Carmen Sandiego
OK, so I openly admit that the title's reference probably predates the majority of you (unless you've happened upon the Facebook puzzle game, which apparently there is one!), but sometimes oldies are goodies. Or they just have catchy theme songs you can't get out of your head no matter how many decades you try...

So what does the older game featuring the notorious Carmen Sandiego have to do with The Secret World? For starters, it involves solving clues to complete the objective, just as investigations missions do in the newer game. Basically, both involve using your head to continue in the story. And both also use various locales around the world as the backdrop for the adventures. It's this last one specifically that my mind has been mulling over for a bit, especially in light of recent changes.

You see, even with the roadmap sketched out for the release of the next six updates (including Tokyo, woo!), some folks are worried about TSW's smaller centralized team. There is concern that there won't be enough resources to devote to the game and that it will languish. This is so where I come in. Instead of seeing the negative, I see opportunity: Iin order to free up more developer time and energy to focus on the nuts and bolts of creating the game, I'll provide the team with new ideas for future issues. This week, let's see where in the world we'll go.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Where in The Secret World is Carmen Sandiego?

MassivelyChaos Theory: Where in The Secret World is Carmen Sandiego? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory The Secret World needs bug spray in Egypt, stat!
Talk about timing.

Recently, you all voted that I continue my adventures on my Templar. The timing was impeccable because right in the middle of that vote, The Secret World's next issue was announced. And where will this update be focused? Why, in Egypt -- right where my Templar just so happens to be! Fortuitous for me, to be sure. So I have been (mostly) happily blasting my way through the desert with a shotgun at my hip and a rifle slung across my back, enjoying new-to-me content and anticipating the upcoming new-to-everyone goodies.

But not all timing has been good. As mentioned, I've been mostly enjoying my tales in the desert. Why the caveat? There's a bit of an infestation in Egypt, and I am not talking about the beetles that want to devour Said. The place is crawling with bugs! Besides swarming with giant locusts and their tentacled proboscises, Egypt also appears to have a higher prevalence of glitches. I have never encountered so many bugs in all of TSW as I have in a couple of days in that zone. And all at a time when the dev team is dealing with relocation and hasn't been able to jump right in and douse the area with a giant can of Raid.

The timing is particularly bad because it's unfortunately right when all eyes are turning to Egypt on the eve of Issue #6. How this release plays out will have lasting affects on the game and how folks view it.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World needs bug spray in Egypt, stat!

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World needs bug spray in Egypt, stat! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Extra Bylos interview unearths moreabout TSW's Issue #6
By now, it's no secret that I am excited for The Secret World's next update with its new story arc and new reward systems. Oh, and whips -- we can't forget the whips. I did, after all, mention it a bit earlier today. So it shouldn't be any surprise that I want to find out as much as I can about The Last Train to Cairo. With that in mind, I caught up with Creative Director Joel Bylos to unearth a few more tidbits about Issue #6 and beyond to pass along to you.

Keep reading for a discussion on the state of the team's relocation, word on when players can expect their first trip to Venice, and a few hints about future auxiliary weapons as well as the inspiration behind this update.

Continue reading Chaos Theory Extra: Bylos interview unearths more about TSW's Issue #6

MassivelyChaos Theory Extra: Bylos interview unearths more about TSW's Issue #6 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Whips and trains and vet rewards, oh yes!
It was a pretty close vote there at the end, with folks rallying to their factions, but the Templars ultimately won out. I have to say, I am kinda pleased with the result. It's not that I was rooting for any one faction over the others; I was quite sincere in requesting direction in my The Secret World adventures. It's just that with Issue #6 The Last Train to Cairo coming out, my Templar is my only character in Egypt and in the perfect position to partake in all the new stuff. And am I excited for the new stuff! Among the new missions, the veteran reward system, and the PvP ranking, my all-time favorite weapon is coming to game. Squeee!

Join me in eagerly anticipating these new adventures and offering the devs a round of applause.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: TSW's whips and trains and vet rewards -- oh yes!

MassivelyChaos Theory: TSW's whips and trains and vet rewards -- oh yes! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory My crisis of faith in The Secret World
Oh hush, all you negative Nancys! No, this isn't an article about my jumping ship and leaving The Secret World. Far from it; there's still so much to do in there that I haven't gotten to. I know, I know -- there is a horde of you who have played through all the zones, completed all the quests, and filled out the entire ability wheel (earning yourself one snazzy outfit in doing so). But not me. In fact, I have countless play sessions of new content still ahead. The problem is, I don't know whom to do everything on! In this world of secret societies, I don't know who I truly am. Hence, my crisis of faith.

I am at a crossroads with my decision about which faction to really play. I used to have one clear main character who did everything, but thanks to Choose My Adventure and streaming, my little alt is nearly caught up and my main has stagnated. Should I continue with the brash little blonde Illuminati who was voted to life during CMA, or do I return to the steady trigger finger of my red-headed Templar? Or do I revive that first soul I created, the fiery-eyed, raven-haired Dragon? Whom should I devote my time and attention to? Does it really even matter?

Perhaps you, too, have experienced this same quandary, so let's find some answers together.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: My crisis of faith in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: My crisis of faith in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Oh give me a home
Last week, I explored transportation as one avenue of making The Secret World even more of a living, breathing world. Today, my focus is on that one aspect that really can make an MMO a home: actual homes!

It's no secret that I love housing; I've written about it on multiple occasions and livestreamed tours in various games as well. But this isn't just about fulfilling a personal wish list. Adding housing goes beyond making my gaming experience more immersive (though it most certainly does that); it's a method for increasing the longevity of the game. Housing is one of those features that, when done well, binds players to a game, giving them a reason to not only stay in game longer during a play session but stick with the game long term. And I definitely want that for The Secret World.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Oh, give me a home -- in TSW

MassivelyChaos Theory: Oh, give me a home -- in TSW originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Mounting a campaign for vehicles in The Secret World
It makes sense that while I am spending a week traveling about in this world, my mind turns to the subject of travel within The Secret World. Thankfully, some aspects of transportation in reality are not a part of our online world; I don't know if I could stand being stuck on a tarmac out at the Kingsmouth Airport! But with all the trappings of various vehicles littered all about the landscape, it's difficult to not want to snag one for personal use.

The desire to add these mechanical mounts isn't even about the need for speed; folks already have various speed boosts, and the world doesn't need to get smaller by our traveling each zone at an even quicker pace. It not about getting somewhere more quickly; it's about the feel of a living, immersive world. How many of you have come upon a bicycle or a scooter in TSW and had the instant urge to hop on? Or what about the slick motorcycle, sitting there, begging for a rider? I'm certainly not one to say, "Pfft, forget those sweet wheels; I prefer hoofing it when evading zombies." Having to walk on by is an immersion-breaker in a game where ambiance and immersion are two of the defining features.

So if the goal is to enhance immersion without making the zones seem even smaller, how would mounts work? I'm glad you asked!

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Mounting a campaign for vehicles in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Mounting a campaign for vehicles in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Reacting to TSW restructuring and relocation
It's a conspiracy, I tell you!

It has to be; every time The Secret World manages to better secure its footing, the ground starts shaking underneath again. This time, the upheaval comes in the form of the relocation of Funcom's development teams for its three MMOs to Raleigh, North Carolina. Of course, TSW isn't the only game affected by this restructuring, but after the other turbulence buffeting the game in its so-far short life (layoffs, insider trading accusations, changes in key roles), it's hard not to think that the game just can't catch a break. And dangit, it deserves one!

Initially, I had other thoughts to share for for today, but after that announcement last Friday, my mind has mostly been on this topic (along with a slew of related "re-" words). How much will this affect the game I adore? Who all will be lost from the team? And what, if anything, can I do to help support the game during this transition? Join me as I explore these questions and possibly discover a solution or two.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Reacting to TSW's restructuring and relocation

MassivelyChaos Theory: Reacting to TSW's restructuring and relocation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory The Secret World ARG
If there is one thing that many MMOs have in common, it's in-game events. Just about every title has a least one event, often centered around holidays, where players do special tasks in-game and receive special gifts. The Secret World is no different, most recently running an apocalyptic event with Mayan zombies for players to trip over. But who says all events have to actually be in-game? Certainly not Funcom.

Among the other hooplah over the supposed end of the world last month, The Secret World fans were participating in the game's latest Alternate Reality Game (ARG). Set out in the real world, the ARG let anyone -- player or not -- experience the ambiance of TSW investigation missions by solving a set of conspiracy-laden tasks and receiving in-game rewards. While the first ARG was via Facebook, this one utilized email, a special website, and even text messages and tweets. Some missions were solo events, while others required the world-wide community to band together to complete. And there's nothing like a common goal to bring folks together (even in some unexpected ways!).

Didn't have a chance to play all the way through? It's not too late; the situation room is still open. Go ahead and put your thinking cap on and prepare to be drawn into a world of conspiracies, whether you play TSW or not.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: ARG expands The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: ARG expands The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Events deserve encores
Two, four, six, eight,
No more Mayan Zombie hate!

The end had finally come. No, not of the world -- of the in-game event that was celebrating the end of days in The Secret World. For just over two weeks, folks got to enjoy special missions, collect special loot, purchase special costumes, and even fight special mobs. But once the end came, the opportunity was lost forever. You see, the End of Days was a singular affair commemorating one particular real-world happening. As such, it was a bit of a once-in-a-lifetime deal. That particular happening -- the end of the Mayan calendar -- will never repeat, so it makes sense that TSW's event shouldn't either, right? Wrong.

While I fully concur that events should not go on forever or be so frequent that they lose their special nature and the excitement that comes with being a part of them, I do not agree that The Secret World should have any one-time-only events. Like any successful performance, events should be granted encores. Instead of these events being once-in-a-lifetime, I propose that events should be once-in-a-long-time. Anything else actually hurts the game. Here's why.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World's events deserve encores

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World's events deserve encores originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Sonding off on the influence of ambiance in TSW
From chirping birds and swooshing swords to background music for different areas, MMOs are rife with in-game sounds. Yet plenty of folks actually opt out of the original game sounds and music, shutting them off in favor of personal soundtracks. I myself usually turn game sounds down to around 3% because I often find the sounds too overpowering. Doing so never seemed to affect games much -- until now.

Sounds make The Secret World.

By now, you've all heard me rave about the ambiance in TSW, either in my Why I Play, here in Chaos Theory, or during my livestreams on Massively TV. I've repeatedly said that the spooky atmosphere that pulls you right into the game is one of its greatest features. Yet it actually goes deeper than that: The ambiance is more than just added frosting that can be scraped off without affecting the main treat; it is completely integral to the game. Thanks to an unplanned "opportunity" this past week, I can tell you without a doubt that if you remove or turn the sounds in TSW down too low, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. In fact, you are actually missing out on the game.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Sounding off on the influence of ambiance in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Sounding off on the influence of ambiance in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory The Secret World's BuytoPlay keeps getting better
12/12/12

While many folks (including Creative Director Joel Bylos) have been focusing on the slightly similar but transposed date, this triple sequence of 12s is actually the most pivotal one for The Secret World fans. You see, even though all the end-of-days hoopla and special events are pretty dang cool, what transpired on the 12th has the most lasting impact on everyone far and wide; it is, in fact, what allows more folks to be a part of said special events. It was on that wintry Wednesday that The Secret World tossed subscriptions out the window and switched to a buy-to-play model.

Pay once; play forever. That's a pretty sweet deal in itself, right? But if you thought Funcom was stopping there, you'd be wrong. The company is continuing to refine the new model and proving it's listening to the concerns and desires of players at the same time. This weekend's announcement of three refinements to the buy-to-play model details how.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World's buy-to-play keeps getting better

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World's buy-to-play keeps getting better originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory Top reasons to check out The Secret World today
A league of its own.

No, I'm not talking about a 1992 baseball movie; I'm talking about Funcom's most recent addition to the MMO-verse, The Secret World (which ironically launched exactly 20 years and a day after the release of the movie. Coincidence? You never know when this game's involved!). In a landscape awash with clones, The Secret World brings something unique to the table. Instead of the standard fantasy or sci-fi flavored whack-a-mole themepark, TSW is a horror- and conspiracy-laden game set right in our own real world.

It's not just that the game's mold-breaking gene that sets it apart, either. The fact is there are a number of reasons you should load in and experience this game if you haven't already, and there are plenty of reasons to come back if you have drifted away. From unique features to a distinctive level of immersion to an unprecedented update schedule, TSW is definitely a keeper. In short, it's well worth the time to check out. And now that it is possible for anyone to continue her adventures without a monthly commitment, what are you waiting for?

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Top reasons to check out The Secret World today

MassivelyChaos Theory: Top reasons to check out The Secret World today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory TSW's new PvP how you like them Big Apples
Back when you all sent me into The Secret World for Choose My Adventure, little did you know that someday I'd be in the driver's seat of Chaos Theory. Yet here I am! It was quite the stroke of luck (to say nothing of the behind-the-scenes plotting and the occasional subtle manipulations) that landed me here. I promise, I didn't break too many fingers wresting the keys away from Jef, so you'll continue to see him all over Massively. I am pretty sure he can type with a cast...

Anyway, let's get down to business because there is so much that can be said about The Secret World and not nearly enough time to say it! So what's my debut column going to be? Well, truthfully, I was going to delve into a few points of the new Big Trouble in the Big Apple update. But once I started, the sheer magnitude of all the stuff just filled page after page after page. So instead, I relegated one aspect to a different column (be sure to check out Some Assembly Required on December 7th!) and retooled my focus here to just the new PvP experience.

You've heard about what the changes are and how excited some players are for them, but how do they play out in day-to-day PvP life in TSW? Keep reading to see.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: TSW's new PvP -- how do you like them Big Apples?

MassivelyChaos Theory: TSW's new PvP -- how do you like them Big Apples? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory 7
Dayum.

I have to say that The Secret World's Issue #4 update looks pretty funking sweet. Despite the tough times endured by the title over the summer and after the subsequent Funcom layoffs, all signs point to growth for the game and its dedicated players going forward. Join me after the cut for a peek at why I'm excited about the game's immediate future.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Why you should be excited for The Secret World's Issue #4

MassivelyChaos Theory: Why you should be excited for The Secret World's Issue #4 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory - Emergent futures for The Secret World
So the big news in the MMO industry this week is Sony Online Entertainment's philosophy shift toward emergent gameplay. It's kind of a crazy turn of events from my point of view. Sure, the company was responsible for the genre's premier sandbox (the dearly departed Star Wars Galaxies), but prior to that it was responsible for EverQuest, otherwise known as the granddaddy of the themepark.

What does this have to do with The Secret World? Well, Funcom has also been making noises about emergent gameplay and paradigm shifts, and I'd like to speculate, prognosticate, and otherwise pontificate about that after the cut.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Emergent futures for The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Emergent futures for The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory - Hitting a wall in The Secret World
I've hit a wall in The Secret World. This has happened at one time or another in every MMO I've ever played save one. It's not quite burnout, but it's a relative once or twice removed.

I've heard that some players hit a wall when they reach Blue Mountain, as it's the first zone that exposes poor builds and renders their users unable to progress through the waves of ak'abs and the quests that ramp up the challenge level from Kingsmouth or the Savage Coast. For whatever reason, though, I coasted through Blue Mountain. It's Egypt that has me wandering aimlessly about, scratching my head and wondering what now.

It's not even Egypt itself. That's just the zone I happen to find myself in during this mid-game-life crisis. Join me as I attempt to use Chaos Theory to figure out what's wrong and what to do about it.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Hitting a wall in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Hitting a wall in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionsburnoutchaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhitting-a-wallhorrorilluminatimmo-burnoutopinionsecret-world-chaos-theorytemplarsthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonThu, 18 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Reticles and roleplay in The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/chaos-theory-reticles-and-roleplay-in-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/chaos-theory-reticles-and-roleplay-in-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/chaos-theory-reticles-and-roleplay-in-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory It's reticle, dudes, reticule is a purse
Funcom is a lot of things, but quitter isn't one of them. The company and its flagship The Secret World title have been through the proverbial poostorm in recent weeks, but the devs are doing their damnedest to come out swinging. What in tarnation am I talking about? Joel Bylos' state-of-the-game letter from yesterday, of course.

The newly minted Game Director dumped a wall o' text on us that hinted at a couple of exciting developments in store for everyone's favorite horror/conspiracy MMO. Let's chat them up after the cut.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Reticles and roleplay in The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Reticles and roleplay in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory - Four more essential Secret World tips
Welcome back to Chaos Theory, my anima-powered friends. I think it's time to dust off the pro tips portion of the column that we began a while back.

As you're probably aware, The Secret World is a pretty deep game, and some of its niftier features and functionality aren't always apparent to the newb or the novice. Heck, one of my MMO veteran colleagues has been playing since launch and was recently surprised to learn of the ability to save builds via the gear manager!

Read on for a few handy tips. Yes, even you, mister know-it-all smartypants.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Four more essential Secret World tips

MassivelyChaos Theory: Four more essential Secret World tips originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theorychaos-theory-guidesconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhorrorilluminatimythologyopinionsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-ability-wheel-searchsecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-deathsecret-world-guidessecret-world-inventorysecret-world-tipsskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythe-secret-world-tipsthree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragontsw-tipsThu, 04 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Stuff The Secret World needs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/chaos-theory-stuff-the-secret-world-needs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/chaos-theory-stuff-the-secret-world-needs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/chaos-theory-stuff-the-secret-world-needs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory 26
Well, I think The Secret World has been out long enough for me to start listing some things the game needs. No, I haven't cleared Transylvania yet. In fact, I'm still happily lost in the latter portion of the game's Egyptian area, so this isn't a column full of complaints about endgame or the lack thereof.

Good MMOs are virtual worlds, though, and Funcom's got plenty of options for expanding immersiveness and gameplay potential going forward. Oh, and fair warning: If you're one of those lulz-we-don't-need-no-stickin'-fluff types, this week's column isn't for you.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Stuff The Secret World needs

MassivelyChaos Theory: Stuff The Secret World needs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhorrorhousingilluminatimission-generatormythologyopinionplayer-generated-contentsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-chaos-theoryskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonuser-generated-contentThu, 27 Sep 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Why you shouldn't worry for The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/chaos-theory-why-you-shouldnt-worry-for-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/chaos-theory-why-you-shouldnt-worry-for-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/chaos-theory-why-you-shouldnt-worry-for-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chaos Theory - Why you shouldn't worry for The Secret World
These last few weeks have not been full of good news for fans of Funcom or its nifty modern-day horror-fantasy mashup called The Secret World. There were some layoffs. There was a content delay or three. There were hints of free-to-play (which, despite all the in-roads made over the past year, is still seen as something approaching failure by portions of the gaming populace). And let's not forget the requisite comment section naysaying that accompanies any MMO.

Join me after the cut and I'll tell you why none of that stuff worries me.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Why you shouldn't worry for The Secret World

MassivelyChaos Theory: Why you shouldn't worry for The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdigging-deeperdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhorrorilluminatiissue-2issue-2-digging-deepermythologyopinionsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-chaos-theoryskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragontsw-issue-2Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Nine of The Secret World's best videos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/chaos-theory-nine-of-the-secret-worlds-best-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/chaos-theory-nine-of-the-secret-worlds-best-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/chaos-theory-nine-of-the-secret-worlds-best-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory 12
What say you to the idea of a feature film based on The Secret World? It's a pretty cool thought, however unlikely, amirite?

Yesterday, someone linked me to one of those mash-up YouTube fan trailers that purported to be a teaser for a Secret World movie, and it was so well done that I spent portions of the day collecting as many pro-quality TSW trailers as I could find. Most of these I'd seen already. Some are fairly obscure, though, and given the bad news swirling around the game these last few weeks, I figured that today's Chaos Theory ought to take a step back and celebrate some of the awesome that stems from the TSW's chewy narrative center.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Nine of The Secret World's best videos

MassivelyChaos Theory: Nine of The Secret World's best videos originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdinah-washingtondragoneverything-is-truefactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomhidden-worldhorrorilluminatimmo-narrativemmo-storymythologyopinionsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-cgisecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-trailersskill-basedstorytemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-cgithe-secret-world-chaos-theorythe-secret-world-trailersthis-bitter-earththree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstrailerstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonThu, 13 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: The Secret World's bright (player-driven?) future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/chaos-theory-the-secret-worlds-bright-player-driven-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/chaos-theory-the-secret-worlds-bright-player-driven-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/chaos-theory-the-secret-worlds-bright-player-driven-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory - The Secret World's bright playerdriven future
Apologies for not following through with part three of my crafting guide this week. I fully intended to do so, but a couple of interesting things happened over the past few days that merit some discussion.

First off, Ragnar Tornquist published what can only be called a defiant state of the game letter. The Secret World's creative director engaged in some rabble-rousing penmanship that managed to inspire a metaphorical fist-pump from yours truly, even though I've been covering games long enough to cast a cynical eye toward similar rally-the-troops developer rhetoric.

Tornquist admitted that TSW's competition is stiff, in particular new releases like Guild Wars 2 and Mists of Pandaria, but he didn't shy away from singing his game's praises. More importantly, he reiterated what early adopters have known for a while now: The Secret World is that increasingly rare MMO horse of a different color, and despite financial and personnel losses, Funcom knows it has a winner on its hands and is fighting to keep it.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World's bright (player-driven?) future

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World's bright (player-driven?) future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillercraig-morrisondark-days-are-comingdragonDreamworlddreamworld-enginefactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomfuncom-financialsfuncom-layoffshorrorilluminatimmo-narrativemmo-storymythologynarrativeopinionplayer-driven-contentplayer-generated-contentRagnar-Tornquistsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-state-of-the-gameskill-basedstorytemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonuser-generated-contentThu, 06 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-tw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-tw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-tw/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory 29
So last week we tested the waters of The Secret World's crafting system, and we learned the basics of material acquisition, how material quality level works, and how to assemble and disassemble basic items.

This week we'll go into more detail on the assembly process. Whereas last time we stopped after creating a simple weapon, today we'll look at crafting talismans (TSW's answer to traditional MMO armor) and glyphs (which are basically talisman upgrades and the primary way to customize your gear).

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part two

MassivelyChaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theorychaos-theory-guidesconspiracyconspiracy-thriillercraftingcrafting-guidedark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomglyph-craftingglyphshorrorilluminatimythologyopinionrunessci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-craftingsecret-world-crafting-guidesecret-world-glyphssecret-world-talismansskill-basedtalisman-craftingtalismanstemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstradeskill-guidetradeskillstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonThu, 30 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part one]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/chaos-theory-understanding-the-secret-worlds-crafting-part-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory 22
The Secret World's crafting system, much like the rest of the game, is deeper and more complex than it first appears. On the surface, it's a matter of arranging stacks of materials into Minecraft-like visual patterns and pushing your assemble button.

Underneath that, though, there's an elaborate game-within-the-game that's one of the more enjoyable MMO tradeskill systems I've experienced to date. Is it strictly necessary? Well, no. The Secret World is not a pure sandbox, so players can simply use drops and auctioned items to equip their characters.

Rune-, glyph-, signet-, and gear-crafting offers an absurd amount of customization, though, and those of you who want full control over your decks and your play experience will want to have a look through my two-part crafting guide.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part one

MassivelyChaos Theory: Understanding The Secret World's crafting, part one originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionschaos-theorychaos-theory-guidesconspiracyconspiracy-thriillercraftingcrafting-guidedark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomguideguideshorrorilluminatimythologyopinionsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-assemblysecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-craftingsecret-world-crafting-guideskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstradeskill-guidetradeskillstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonweapon-craftingThu, 23 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: The (F2P) future of The Secret World [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/chaos-theory-the-f2p-future-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/chaos-theory-the-f2p-future-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/chaos-theory-the-f2p-future-of-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory 15
[Ed: Look for an official Funcom statement regarding the anon tipster email at the end of the article.]

Scott Jennings ended a blog entry about The Secret World with a telling phrase this past week. "This is why we can't have nice things," he said. This was preceded by what can only be called a lament, as Jennings laid out how Funcom did something that most MMO developers are loath to do these days: It made an original game. And the reward for such was a dismal quarterly report and a round of layoffs.

That The Secret World attempts to break from the putrid post-World of Warcraft MMO mold is not up for debate. What is debatable is whether breaking from said mold can be profitable.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The (F2P) future of The Secret World [Updated]

MassivelyChaos Theory: The (F2P) future of The Secret World [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction3-factionsbusiness-modelscash-shopchaos-theoryconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfreeloaderfreeloadersfreemiumfuncomfuncom-layofffuncom-layoffshorrorilluminatiitem-shopmythologyopinionsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-business-modelsecret-world-cash-shopsecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-f2psecret-world-free-to-playsecret-world-item-shopskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-chaos-theorythe-secret-world-f2pthree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonThu, 16 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: How The Secret World has spoiled an MMO vet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/chaos-theory-how-the-secret-world-has-spoiled-an-mmo-vet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/chaos-theory-how-the-secret-world-has-spoiled-an-mmo-vet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/chaos-theory-how-the-secret-world-has-spoiled-an-mmo-vet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chaos Theory - The Secret World header
Well ladies and gents, The Secret World has basically done the impossible: It's turned me into a one-game guy (for the moment, at least). I've been an unfaithful game-hopping MMO tourist for longer than I care to remember, and while F2P has made that gaming lifestyle more affordable than it used to be, it hasn't made it any more fun.

Oh sure, I'll dabble in PlanetSide 2 and Guild Wars 2, but as far as my MMO home goes, it's The Secret World by a landslide (at least until ArcheAge heads west). Why is that? Well, plenty of reasons, more than I can relate in this week's column, in fact. I will say this, though: The Secret World's launch feature set has made me a bit pickier in terms of what I'll put up with in competing games.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: How The Secret World has spoiled an MMO vet

MassivelyChaos Theory: How The Secret World has spoiled an MMO vet originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory - One month checkup for The Secret World
Huh, has it been a month already?

Time flies when you're having fun, I guess, and yep, I'm still having quite a bit of it in The Secret World. Yesterday brought us the big 1.1 patch, the one patch to rule them all (thus far), and the first post-launch content drop.

Funcom has famously promised updates like this on a monthly basis, and as first starts go, this was a good'un. We got seven new story missions (five of which were the meaty investigation variety), all of them chock-full of interesting stuff to do and interesting cutscenes to ogle. All of that said, the one-month mark is also when subscription MMOs find out whether they've got staying power or whether they're going to bleed, and if Funcom wants The Secret World to fall into the former category, it's still got a bit of work to do.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World's one-month checkup

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World's one-month checkup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.1-patch1.1-update3-faction3-factionschaos-theorychat-bugsconspiracyconspiracy-thriillerdark-days-are-comingdragonfactionfaction-pvpfantasyfeaturedfuncomfusangfusang-projectshorrorilluminatimythologyopinionpvpsci-fantasysecret-worldsecret-world-bugssecret-world-chaos-theorysecret-world-chatsecret-world-checkupsecret-world-pvpskill-basedtemplarsthe-secret-worldthe-secret-world-1.1the-secret-world-chaos-theorythe-secret-world-unleashedthree-factionthree-faction-pvpthree-factionstswtsw-chaos-theorytsw-dragonThu, 02 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaos Theory: Four essential Secret World tips]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/chaos-theory-four-essential-secret-world-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/chaos-theory-four-essential-secret-world-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/chaos-theory-four-essential-secret-world-tips/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Chaos Theory - Four essential Secret World tips
So you've been playing The Secret World for a couple of weeks now, possibly longer. Maybe you're well into Blue Mountain, or heck, possibly even Transylvania if you're a really efficient type. On the other hand, maybe you just picked up the game last weekend and are overwhelmed with ability points, decks, and investigation missions.

Whatever your comfort level with Funcom's new MMO, there's always room for a few off-the-wall tips, wouldn't you agree? Join me after a break for a few things I wish I'd known earlier.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: Four essential Secret World tips

MassivelyChaos Theory: Four essential Secret World tips originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory: The Secret World's single-server tech
Something went missing during this month's launch of The Secret World. Do you know what it was? No, snarkonauts, it wasn't "fun." The game is certainly an acquired taste, but it's nonetheless doing pretty well for itself in terms of word-of-mouth and happy early adopters.

No, what was missing was a parade of lengthy launch-week queues (and QQs for that matter). I've been present for every AAA MMO kickoff since Star Wars Galaxies in 2003, and The Secret World marks the first time I've been able to log in when (and where) I wanted to log in on day one.

RIFT, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Aion, Lord of the Rings Online -- all of these were "polished" launches by most accounts, and yet all of them featured horrendous launch queues that often stretched from minutes to hours. Why was The Secret World so different?

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World's single-server tech

MassivelyChaos Theory: The Secret World's single-server tech originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaos Theory - The Secret World - worthy and worth the wait
Folks, I have to be brutally honest: I'm old. I have a family, two jobs, and more time-consuming hobbies than one man should. And yet it pains me to log out of The Secret World.

Last Saturday I slew demons (and Illuminati) in Funcom's new MMORPG for 10 hours straight. Actually, I took a 30-minute dinner break, so I guess it was more like nine-and-a-half. The point is that I looked up at my clock, said holy crap when it told me that the sun was about to rise, and scratched my head trying to remember the last time that happened.

I've been playing MMOs since the late 1990s, and when I say that I've pretty much played them all, that's not hyperbole. Right now, TSW is running a close second to Star Wars Galaxies as the most enjoyable title I've experienced to date. And keep in mind that it's been live for two weeks.

Continue reading Chaos Theory: The Secret World was worth the wait

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