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[The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
As I've well established both here on Massively and elsewhere, I'm somewhat of a nut for video game music. Whereas others might collect vintage hair metal tracks or the latest Justin Bieber opus, I'm always digging through obscure (and not-so-obscure) official soundtracks to games like Wipeout and Kirby. Video game scores can be right up there with the best that the film industry puts out, and the fact that they tie into personal experiences that we've played through can lend them sentimental weight.

So for the next two Perfect Tens, I scoured all the MMO theme songs that I could get ahold of in an attempt to formulate a list of the very best. It was originally slated to be just one list, but after an hour or so of listening to tracks and having friends and fellow staffers weigh in on the subject, I knew it was impossible to keep it there.

Two important things to note for this list. First, I wanted to keep to just the title/login screen tracks so that I wouldn't be working on this for the next 2.5 years. Second, unlike most past Perfect Tens where there's no significance to the order of the list, in this case we're going to have a genuine countdown to the best MMO theme song of all time. And I expect to take no flak about it, do you hear me? Good. Let's begin.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowareblade-and-souldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiharry-potterlistmabinogimusicNobuo-Uematsuperfect-10perfect-tenpiratespirates-of-the-burning-searunescapescorestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthemetheme-musictitle-musictop-10top-20transformerstwilightwizard101wurm-onlineThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall update talks sieges, again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Darkfall - Khamset mobs
Darkfall's much-hyped new siege system may actually see the light of day next week according to the latest Aventurine dev blog. We say much-hyped here in terms of the number of times it's been mentioned in one of Darkfall's traditional Friday updates. Players and fans of the FFA PvP sandbox are no doubt more interested in when Darkfall 2.0 is coming out as well as who these mysterious partners are that producer Tasos Flambouras occasionally hints at in the weekly news blurbs.

Alas, this week's announcement steers clear of reveals and instead offers a few more specifics on the new siege mechanics as well as a new concept art sketch of the revamped Khamset monster family. Finally, there's a short lore blurb to go along with a ton of unanswered questions.

MassivelyDarkfall update talks sieges, again originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-onlinefantasyffalorepvpsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemtasostasos-flambourasFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aventurine snuck in a couple of quick Darkfall updates while we weren't looking, and though there's still no definitive word on Darkfall 2.0, there is an armor video and some nifty screenshots to sort of make up for it.

This week's Darkfall blog update is a short one, and basically pays a bit of lip service to the siege system that's still in progress (and that Aventurine hopes to have in final testing next week). As for the screenshots, they feature some closeups of the new "intricate leather armor" that took a bow in Thursday's short video release. The set is a bit of a departure from the game's grungy medieval aesthetic, with clean lines and some appealing sleekness but for the giant spikes protruding from the helmet and and limbs. Head past the cut to get a look at the video.

Continue reading Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor

MassivelyDarkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonarmorarmor-videoaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlinefantasyleather-armorsandboxscreenshotssiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemstill-no-2.0-infovideoSat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While speculation continues to swirl around Darkfall 2.0 and character wipes, Aventurine is staying the course by revealing new tidbits every week that serve as both a teaser for upcoming game goodness and a distraction from the larger issues.

Case in point is the new Yssam dungeon video. As the press release on the game's official blog states, "there's a little bit of new in quite a few things that you will see," including the new lair, a new lighting system, a new AI monster, and a new armor model.

There's still no definitive word on 2.0, though, and the when, why, and how of the huge upcoming reboot is by far the most important 'new' for denizens of Agon.

Continue reading Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video

MassivelyAventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinelighting-effectslighting-systemnew-armornew-dungeonnew-monstersandboxtrailersvideoyssamyssam-dungeonFri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How does a fresh start in the world of Agon grab you? The devs at Aventurine have been making noises about relaunching Darkfall for a while now, but in a new dev blog released earlier today, producer Tasos Flambouras gives us a hint at just how significant the changes are going to be.

"This relaunch is not an expansion. It's a new game we've been developing in parallel with the current version of Darkfall. The scope is massive, and it has been difficult to stay on schedule after several unexpected issues," Flambouras writes.

So, yeah. Whoa. In our best Keanu Reeves voice.

The blog features some further discussion about a new siege system and a political map for the current version of Darkfall, but frankly we're still recovering from the previous paragraph and unsure as to how it all fits together. Is this Darkfall II? Is the current version going away when the relaunch hits? Inquiring minds want to know, and we'll bring you the latest on this story as we learn more.

MassivelyUpcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diaryfantasygame-revampnew-darkfall-gamepolitical-maprevampsandboxsiegesiege-systemsiegessiegingtasostasos-flambouraswhoaFri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall blog details PvE tweaks, hints at big PvP changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Exciting things are afoot in the world of Agon, and Aventurine's weekly Darkfall activity report is here to fill you in on all the grisly details. Whether you're keen on seeing one of your personal weapon designs imported into the game or curious about the ongoing PvE and AI updates, this week's entry makes for interesting reading.

To kick things off, Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras gives us the low-down on grungrocs, and these gnarly boar-like bipeds are bent on ruining every adventurer's day. There's also talk of boss fight tweaks, and Flambouras writes that there are "significant changes" coming to high-end PvE content including damage cap adjustments, fight tuning, and loot table changes.

Darkfall's PvP is getting some love as well, and new land-based objectives (similar to the game's sea fortresses) are in the works. Flambouras also hints at a new "Arena" project and "a lot more we're doing with PvP" that will be revealed at a later date. Finally, all Darkfall accounts have been gifted with 25,000 meditation points (the game's offline leveling currency) to celebrate the title's second anniversary. Check out the full presentation on the Darkfall Epic Blog.

MassivelyDarkfall blog details PvE tweaks, hints at big PvP changes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaiaventurineaventurine-saboss-fightscontestdarkfalldarkfall-design-a-weapon-contestdarkfall-onlinedesign-a-weapon-contestepic-bloggrungrocmobsnpcpvepvpsandboxtasostasos-flambourasupdatesMon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall's development history detailed in lengthy blog post]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sandbox MMOs attract a certain type of player. They also attract a certain type of developer, and one such former Darkfall programmer has penned a lengthy retrospective piece examining the history of the fantasy title from 1997 to the present. Yes, we said 1997, as that's when Darkfall was originally conceived.

Ricki Sickenger writes about everything from the bursting of the dot com bubble (which affected Darkfall's investor relations during the Razorwax days) to a 1999 issue of Game Developer Magazine -- and a John Carmack quote -- that inspired Darkfall's devs and prompted them to use Java for the game's logic.

Sickenger's blog post is technically oriented, and non-programmers may experience a bit of glassy-eyed indifference when he goes into the details of the team's unique approach to Java and C++, but it's nonetheless a fascinating report from the front lines of one of the more successful indie MMORPGs in recent memory.

MassivelyDarkfall's development history detailed in lengthy blog post originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diarydevelopmentfantasypvepvpretrospectivericki-sickengersandboxMon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Terrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's hard to believe that two years have passed in the lands of Agon, but passed they have, and Darkfall is celebrating its second anniversary this week. Aventurine's FFA PvP sandbox title has turned out to be one of the more resilient MMORPGs in recent memory, surviving a disastrous launch and a lingering (and undeserved) reputation as a haven for parolees, sociopaths, and griefers. It's also managed to grow its dev team, release three expansions, and carve out a respectable niche for itself in an increasingly competitive massive industry.

What's the secret to the game's success? Can Aventurine become the next CCP and ride the coattails of a non-linear MMORPG to indie greatness? Is Darkfall, purportedly the hardest of the hardcore PvP games, really a fantastic PvE sandbox in disguise? Join us after the cut for some thoughts on these topics as well as a peek at the highlights from Darkfall's first two years.

Continue reading Terrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary

MassivelyTerrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-year-anniversaryanniversaryaventurineaventurine-saconquer-the-seascorspe-lootingdarkfalldarkfall-onlineexpansionsfantasyfeaturedffaforumfallfull-loothellfreezeopinionpvepvpretrospectivesiegestwo-year-anniversaryFri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been pretty quiet in Darkfall land since the first of the year, and whether that's because the devs have been hunting wabbits or hard at work on the game's next patch is a question that is addressed in the latest Aventurine activity report. There's a new patch in the works, tentatively scheduled for sometime next week, and it's bringing "significant changes" to the offline leveling system that was introduced late last year. How significant? For starters, additional skills will be available for meditation and the overall gains will see a substantial increase according to Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras.

Aside from the patch, the dev team continues to forge ahead with Darkfall's next expansion, and it is shaping up to be (quite literally) a world-changer. Flambouras outlines the team's high-level approach which "involves a complete overhaul and dramatic streamlining of the world and complete redistribution of all its features," as well as a "completely level playing field for all players." Details on these sweeping statements are vague at this point, but Darkfall will clearly be undergoing some huge changes when the expansion debuts in the second quarter of 2011.

Finally, the activity report touches on long-standing issues like the grind, character progression, endgame content, and the alignment system. If that's not enough for you, there's also a hint about a drop rate increase on books, scrolls, and stat potions, leading us to conclude that big things are afoot in the world of Agon. Stay tuned.

MassivelyDarkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-expansiondarkfall-onlineexpansionfantasymeditationoffline-levelingoverhaulpatchpvpsandboxskillstasostasos-flambourasSat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: A fond farewell (but not really) to dear old Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/choose-my-adventure-a-fond-farewell-but-not-really-to-dear-ol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/choose-my-adventure-a-fond-farewell-but-not-really-to-dear-ol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/choose-my-adventure-a-fond-farewell-but-not-really-to-dear-ol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Swiftsnout in Hammerdale
Wow, is it time to go already? I guess the old adage about time flying when you're having fun applies to MMORPGs as well, since Choose My Adventure's Darkfall escapade has run its course. Happily, I'm only saying goodbye to the column, as I'll be staying on in the world of Agon for further adventures on both Swiftsnout and my human alt. It's been a fascinating six weeks, full of adventure, grind, new friendships, new enemies, and a rekindling of my personal sandbox flame.

While the tone of this series has been undeniably positive toward a game that has suffered more than its share of negative press, I hope I've been able to remain fairly objective and paint a clear picture of the goings-on in Aventurine's grim fantasy opus. Join me after the cut for a brief look at my week-six activities as well as a few final impressions on the game as a whole.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #5

Swiftsnout prior to boarding a schoonerNEW guild crewing a schoonerSwiftnout on the Hammerdale battlementGoblin-infested ruins near Red MoonMahirim fighter NPC

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: A fond farewell (but not really) to dear old Darkfall

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: A fond farewell (but not really) to dear old Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinechoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgalleryimpressionsopinionreviewsandboxscreenshotsswiftsnoutWed, 29 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-fear-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-fear-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-fear-of-ffa-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


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.

Guess what! Sandbox games are for roleplayers. I don't mean that in an off-putting or elitist way, but rather I mean to say that people who enjoy and seek out sandbox MMORPGs are roleplayers whether their testosterone levels allow them to self-identify that way or not. The corporate thieves, spies, and meta-gamers in EVE Online? They're roleplaying. The gankers and hyper-competitive PvPers in Darkfall? Yep, they're roleplaying too, even when their names are variations on Loves2spooge.

The other day I was talking to one of my closest friends about MMORPGs, roleplaying, and PvP. The discussion rolled around to Darkfall, as most of my discussions these days do, and his ears perked up when I waxed on about the freedom, the skill system, and the huge world that invites you to go your own way and is remarkably unlike traditional themepark games in terms of immersive potential. Eventually I had to break the news that yes, Darkfall does feature FFA PvP, and if that wasn't bad enough, corpse looting. The horror!

Continue reading The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanarche-agearcheageaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlineeve-onlinefeaturedmortal-onlineopinionpvepvproleplayroleplayingsandboxsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardthe-soapboxthemeparkTue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Oy. Well, if I had to do it over again, I'd have scheduled this whole Choose My Adventure thing in such a way as to avoid the December holiday rush. Last week was rather hectic from an out-of-game perspective, and this week is shaping up to be even more so. That's not to say there wasn't any time for Darkfall, though, and I did manage around 20 hours of in-game activity for the week. As a testament to the title's staying power, there simply wasn't as much time as I'd have liked.

The fifth week of my Agonian ramble-on was filled with low-level PvP, a bit of questing and crafting, and more exploration than you can shake a candy cane at. Join me after the cut for a recap of the week that was.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #4

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallchristmaschristmas-2010darkfalldarkfall-onlinefeast-of-the-dawning-frostfeaturedgalleriesholidayholiday-2010inkarnationopinionpvepvpsandboxscreenshotsswiftsnoutWed, 22 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure - Darkfall
Welcome back to Massively's Choose My Adventure. As I'm gearing up for the fifth week of my excursion through Darkfall and the lands of Agon, I've settled into something of a groove based on my own personal playstyle and the schedules of folks that I've met in the game. Aventurine's sandbox is a game that sucks you in in a number of different ways. It's a game that you can (and really should) play a lot, and it's not a game that I'd recommend to folks who are dabblers and game-hoppers or those who have a ton of additional demands on their free time. This isn't solely because of the skill grind, either, but also because of the large degree of freedom a player has to choose his own goals, path, and endgame.

Ultimately, Darkfall is a pretty large middle finger in the face of the popular notion that MMORPGs are casual games. In fact, Aventurine said as much several months ago, and this attitude informs just about every aspect of Agon. Though some might consider this a negative, I've thus far found it to be quite a bit of fun as well as a refreshing change from the vast majority of the disposable MMOs I've played over the past half decade.

Join me after the cut for a look at time management in Agon as well as my weekly recap.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #3

Moonlight riderSwiftsnout travelingForest at duskForest around HammerdaleGoblin camp

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afkafkingaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmacraftingdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgalleriesgathergatheringharvestingoffline-skillingopinionpvepvpscreenshotsskillingswiftsnouttradeskillingWed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall offline leveling goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's patch day in Agon, and Aventurine's servers are slowly coming back to life after some prolonged downtime earlier this morning. What has the new update wrought? The biggest change is the much-discussed offline leveling system. The Darkfall Epic Blog has the details, which basically amount to spending in-game gold to purchase meditation points. These points can then be distributed amongst skills that you've already purchased, and the journal interface displays how many meditation points are required to level the skills to 100. You can also view the time it will take to train if you start meditating.

Aside from offline meditation, the patch notes indicate a few subtle tweaks such as ammo stacking, friend-specific system messages, and the addition of a dice rolling mechanic to the game's chat system.

MassivelyDarkfall offline leveling goes live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinein-game-diceoffline-advancementoffline-levelingoffline-meditationpatchpatch-notespvepvpsandboxFri, 10 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you have enough bag space?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I used to laugh at the fact that I could carry 50 or 60 items in the hip pocket of my Star Wars Galaxies avatar. These weren't comlinks or stolen Death Star plans either, but rather big, bulky armor sets and crates of crafted consumables. It seemed rather immersion-breaking at the time, and despite the enormous convenience afforded by SOE's inventory system, well, it simply bugged me.

Fast forward a few years to the juggling act that I go through every time I want to quest or craft in Age of Conan, and I'm left to wonder what has changed more, the games or my tastes. Bag space is at a premium in Funcom's Hyboria; I'm forever throwing away stuff, making trips to my bank (which is also stupidly small), or otherwise finding work-arounds for the fact that I'm equal parts pack rat and collector.

Most other MMORPGs are similarly stingy with their item space and in fact, it's only been in my recent excursions into Darkfall that I've found an inventory system that I absolutely adore. What about you, Massively readers? Is bag space at a premium in your game(s) of choice? How would you do MMO inventory mechanics differently if you could?

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 have enough bag space? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocaventurineaventurine-sabag-spacebagsdarkfalldarkfall-onlinedesignfuncomgame-discussiongamer-discussioninventoryinventory-managementmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsneed-more-spaceopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindFri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Well, here we are folks, smack dab in the middle of our Darkfall run for Choose My Adventure. With three weeks down and three weeks to go, I have to be honest: I feel pressed for time. There's so much to see and do in this game that six weeks simply isn't enough to really do it justice (to say nothing of the fact that it's not nearly enough time to build a competitive character in terms of the skill grind).

In any event, I'll do what I can to give you an accurate read on the game, and as my first couple of columns have admittedly erred on the side of fresh-faced enjoyment, today's entry will touch on a few of the game's less than savory aspects. In addition to that, I'll recap a few of my gameplay highlights from the past week.

Join me after the cut for a look at my Darkfall present and future as well as a video diary of my adventures thus far.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfalldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgraphicsgrindhammerdalelord-zannulNEWopinionpolishpvepvpshadowsskill-gainskillingswiftsnoutvideovisualszealotWed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall offline skilling coming this week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ready for offline skilling in Darkfall? Ready or not, it's on the way with this week's patch, according to Aventurine's latest activity report. In addition to the hotly debated advancement mechanic, the devs are also tweaking the sea fortress schedule and updating auto-stacking on equipped items.

The activity report, written by Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras, also makes mention of several important pieces of player feedback that the devs are working to address. Balance issues brought on by bunnyhoppers, one-man clans declaring war, and additional types of craftable ships are all on the internal discussion table. Flambouras also uses the activity report to clue us in to the importance of player feedback. "We're not talking about long-term hopes when we say we're looking into something or working on an issue. If we talk about it, there are developers assigned to it and community liaisons following up on progress," he writes.

MassivelyDarkfall offline skilling coming this week originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportauto-stackingaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-suggestionsdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlineepic-blogfantasymeditationoffline-meditationoffline-skillingpvepvpsea-fortresssea-fortress-scheduletasostasos-flambourasSun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Well, so much for the theory that the Darkfall community has banded together to ensure I only see the good side of the game. This past week was an interesting one, and despite an encounter that most players would probably consider griefing -- as well as various and sundry inconvenient ganks -- I remain enamored of Agon.

Aside from recurring instances of the Darkfall version of "special treatment," much of the week was spent leveling greatswords on my public main and crafting/harvesting on my private alt. In between there was a NEW-sponsored PvP event, a kracken run, and various dungeon excursions, not to mention more exploring than I've done in my last three MMOs combined. Finally, I'm also beginning to see the grind that a lot of current and former subscribers complain about.

Join me after the cut to see how I dealt with it as well as a recap of week two.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #2

Chasing a gold farmerCopperdaleCross countryFighting a forest gollumGollum hunt

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaletheides-lightcrownalmost-famousaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfalldarkfall-onlineerock-darkhollowfantasyfeaturedgallerygreen-chiligrindingmahirimNEWopinionprincess-synapvepvpscreenshotsskillsswiftsnoutzealotWed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall devs planning crafting, alignment revamps and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Curious as to whether Aventurine listens to user feedback relating to its Darkfall MMORPG (and if so, what it does with said feedback)? We were too, and as such we found the most recent activity report to be an interesting read. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras gives us a bit of insight into the creative process, outlining a developer meeting that saw a good bit of discussion regarding GUI suggestions, alignment considerations, and newbie experience feedback. "This is a topic of great importance for us and we might call it the newbie experience but changes in this should improve the general player experience as well," he writes.

Regarding alignment, Flambouras states that "we agree [with the playerbase] that as far as alignment goes, going red is too forgiving when it needs to be more of an active decision with implications for the player." He also touches on a potential auction house implementation, a significant crafting revamp, and quest and questing system enhancements. While none of these items is divulged in detail, the report is an interesting look at considerations currently on the table for Agon's near future.

MassivelyDarkfall devs planning crafting, alignment revamps and more originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-feedbackcrafting-revampdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefantasyfeedbackpvepvpquest-revampsquestssandboxSun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Darkfall rough riders
Whew.

Well, my first week in Darkfall has come to a close and, at the risk of fanboying it up, holy cow was that fun! It's hard to believe this is the same game that I was unable to purchase on launch day (and unable to play for more than a few weeks at a time over the course of 2009 due to a lack of interested friends). Darkfall isn't so much a game as it is a lifestyle -- and as far as MMOs go, it's a really nifty time machine.

In six days and a little under 30 hours of play time, I've managed to move across the map from my racial homeland to my clan city and to assist in taking down two Gardorocs, a Dark Dragon, more deadly wraiths than I can count, and a couple of giant stone dudes whose name escapes me at the moment. I've also gotten a good start on skilling up my spell-casting, archery, and greatsword abilities, and I even did a bit of crafting and gathering. In true Darkfall tradition, the first mount I made was promptly shot out from under me by a gaggle of the game's frightening mobs. And in case you're wondering, yes, I also got ganked. Though it's only happened once (so far), it was a doozy.

Join me after the cut for a rundown of the week's mayhem and an earnest attempt at maintaining my objectivity.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #1

The floating villageBridge to the floating villageSunsetThrough the forestRed Moon sewer entrance

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sabuadthan-ludhurstchoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedungeonsfantasyfeaturedgreen-chilimahirimNEWopinionpvepvpswiftsnoutuiwitch-killerWed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall PvP tips contest results published]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've been giving Darkfall a lot of coverage lately, and deservedly so. The sandbox title from Aventurine is branching out beyond its boy's-club beginnings and becoming one of the more complete titles on the current market. The game isn't abandoning its PvP roots, however, and the world of Agon is experiencing an influx of new blood (or fresh meat, if you prefer) that could stand to be schooled in the ways of player vs. player.

To that end, Aventurine recently held a contest in which veteran gamers were asked to come up with their best PvP tips. A panel comprised of experienced PvPers and newer players mulled over the entries and selected five winners, each of whom will receive a unique forum title and rare in-game items for their trouble. Check out the winning tips for yourself on the Darkfall Epic Blog, and have a look at all of the entries (over 100 of them) via the contest announcement post.

MassivelyDarkfall PvP tips contest results published originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sacontestcontest-winnersdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefantasypvppvp-guidepvp-tipspvp-tips-contestsandboxTue, 23 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Bark at the moon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/one-shots-bark-at-the-moon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/one-shots-bark-at-the-moon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/one-shots-bark-at-the-moon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As readers of Choose My Adventure know, our very own Jef Reahard is currently making his way through the dangerous lands of Darkfall, checking out everything that Agon has to offer a new adventurer. While out running around on his Mahirim, he captured this lovely screenshot in the dark night -- although he actually had to lighten it up just a bit so you could see the landscape! Jef explains it in today's note: "Here's an interesting Darkfall shot. As you can see, night in this game is actually dark, unlike the blue lens filters in a lot of MMOs. It's so dark, in fact, that I had to lighten this up a bit with Photoshop. In any event, this is Swiftsnout howling at the moon outside of his racial capitol. In Darkfall lore, the Mahirim race worships Theia, the second moon of Agon that they call the Ghost Moon. Oh, and yes that's some sort of luminescent butterfly floating above his head. It gets a bad rap, but Darkfall can be quite beautiful and, on occasion, relaxing."

One Shots is all about what you're doing. As such, we thrive on your screenshots. If we don't have screenshots, we can't bring you the best of One Shots every day. If you'd like to help us out, dig out some screenshots and send them to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sharing your images and tales.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Bark at the moon originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinejef-reahardone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotstoo-dark-normallySun, 21 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev diary talks new UI, quest content, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-ui-quest-content-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-ui-quest-content-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-ui-quest-content-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras returns with another activity report on the Darkfall Epic Blog, and the focus is fairly broad. He touches on the dynamic quests and lore-driven events we mentioned last week, as well as upcoming world optimizations that include aggressive wildlife based on location and time of day, new monster families and epic mob encounters, and improvements to both player character models and monster animations.

Those of you who haven't been able to get past Darkfall's unique user interface will also have reason to give the game a second look in the near future, as Flambouras states that Aventurine has decided on a new GUI framework and tools. "These should yield a vastly improved user interface. The next phase for the GUI is the architecture and adapting the current GUI functionality to the new framework," he says.

Other notable items include the mention of a completely new environmental sound system as well as an in-game political map which will feature clan associations, vendor and bank locations, and various other resources. Check out all the details on the official Darkfall blog.

MassivelyDarkfall dev diary talks new UI, quest content, and more originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationsaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diarydevblogenvironmental-soundsepic-blogguinew-modelsnew-uipolitical-mapscrumtasostasos-flambourasuser-interfaceSun, 21 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev blog hints at dynamic quests and events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/darkfall-dev-blog-hints-at-dynamic-quests-and-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/darkfall-dev-blog-hints-at-dynamic-quests-and-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/darkfall-dev-blog-hints-at-dynamic-quests-and-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Think Darkfall is all about crushing your enemies, driving them before you, and hearing the lamentation of their women? Well you're partially right, but Aventurine is also taking pains to highlight the game's inherent sandboxiness. While you can spend your entire Darkfall career ganking and being ganked, the game does offer a fair bit of PvE fun, moreso now after the release of the Hellfreeze expansion.

In the latest Aventurine devblog, community liasion Laenih outlines plans to bring the game's lore to the forefront. Dynamic quests and events are hinted at, and it seems that knowledge of Agon's lore may help players solve tasks in the near future. At the very least, the updates will add a bit of context and flavor to the proceedings. Laenih uses a member of the Vargashi race as an example, and if you're wondering who or what the Vargashi are, the devblog also features conceptual artwork highlighting the new NPCs.

Check it out on the official site, and also have a look at Darkfall's lore entries while you're at it.

MassivelyDarkfall dev blog hints at dynamic quests and events originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-diarydevblogdynamic-eventsdynamic-questslaenihlorepvevargashiFri, 19 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Swiftsnout theCrotchety]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/choose-my-adventure-swiftsnout-thecrotchety/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/choose-my-adventure-swiftsnout-thecrotchety/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/choose-my-adventure-swiftsnout-thecrotchety/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Aaaaaaooooooooooooo... er, sorry.

I was just getting into character a bit early, I suppose. Welcome back, loyal readers and Aventurine subscribers alike, to Choose My Adventure. With the past couple weeks' worth of voting formalities behind us, it's time for the main event. As we speak, I'm rolling up a brand-spanking-new Darkfall character, the better to suffer at the hands of my new PK overlords -- and hopefully get a good look at the world of Agon prior to writing about it over the next six weeks.

Join me after the cut to see the results of last week's voting and get a sneak peek at what I'll be doing first.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Swiftsnout theCrotchety

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Swiftsnout theCrotchety originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmacombat-focuseddarkfalldarkfall-onlinefantasyfeaturedmahirimNEWnew-clannew-player-experiencenewborn-on-agonopinionpvepvpswiftsnoutWed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall blog talks optimizing interaction and offline leveling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall has always had a reputation for being a very hardcore game, but Aventurine has been hard at work trying to improve the in-game experience for all players -- both the well-known PvP audience and the more PvE-focused crowd. In the most recent official blog, Tasos Flambouras calls the team's focus "optimizing interaction," a convenient catch-all term for an overarching goal of making the game world and the interface easier to work with and more meaningful to players.

Flambouras mentions the previously discussed offline skill leveling -- in short, you will pay gold to meditate on a skill to advance it while you're offline. The feature will be limited to a few skills when first implemented, but if it proves not to cause any balance issues, more skills will be added to the roster. There's a lot of information about where the Darkfall development team is placing its emphasis, so take a look at the full article for a peek inside the team members' head.

MassivelyNew Darkfall blog talks optimizing interaction and offline leveling originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessaccessabilityaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-blogdeveloperdeveloper-blogdevelopmentfeedbackoffline-advancementoffline-levelingoffline-skillingoptimizing-interactiontasos-flambourasupcoming-featuresupcoming-patchesFri, 12 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall highlights dev team tasks, PvP tips contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Are you curious about Darkfall but put off by the fact that the open-world sandbox title focuses on PvP? Fear not, as Aventurine is taking steps to make the world of Agon more accessible to a wider range of players. In addition to the recent PvE-focused Hellfreeze expansion, the Greek development firm is also sponsoring a contest designed to impart veteran PvP wisdom to newer players. If you've got PvP tips you don't mind sharing, submit them in the comment section of the contest blog post, and you could be one of five winners who will receive rare in-game ingots and an exclusive forum title.

In other Darkfall news, Tasos Flambouras has given us a peek behind the curtain of the game's development schedule, courtesy of another blog post that outlines both the team work groups and their respective responsibilities over the next few weeks. Aventurine's staffers are currently split into 11 teams, all working to grow the game in terms of UI updates, server tools, offline skilling, and various other game mechanics. Flambouras' posting is an interesting look at a Scrum-based software development cycle, and you can check it out on the official website.

MassivelyDarkfall highlights dev team tasks, PvP tips contest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sacontentcontestdarkfalldarkfall-onlinedevelopmentin-game-prizesoffline-skillingpvepvppvp-tipsscrumtasostasos-flambourasuiMon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall prepping offline skill advancement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tired of the lengthy skill-grind in Darkfall, as well as the perception that it will take newer players many months to be competitive with veterans? Aventurine has heard your concerns and is currently in the process of implementing a form of offline skill advancement for the PvP sandbox MMORPG.

In a recent activity report on the Darkfall forums, developer Tasos Flambouras clarified the plans for offline advancement and was quick to point out that Aventurine doesn't intend for the mechanic to be used as a substitute for skilling up. "We're not looking to upset the game's balance by adding a convenience feature and this is why I mentioned there's a lot of thought and balancing going into this. So on offline skilling, we'll start with a small amount of skills and gradually expand it, and obviously many skills won't be included," he writes.

Offline skilling is nothing new in MMORPGs, as EVE Online has used the system for years, and even themepark games like Age of Conan have gotten into the act. Whether Darkfall implements a similar system or tries something completely new, Massively will be there to bring you the latest.

MassivelyDarkfall prepping offline skill advancement originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlineGame-Mechanicsoffline-advancementoffline-levelingpvepvpsandboxskill-advancementskillingskillstasostasos-flambourasSun, 31 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine squelches Darkfall 2 rumors, for now]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/aventurine-squelches-darkfall-2-rumors-for-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/aventurine-squelches-darkfall-2-rumors-for-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/aventurine-squelches-darkfall-2-rumors-for-now/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Darkfall news has been flowing fast and furious of late. Whether it's info on the newly minted Hellfreeze expansion and its patches, upcoming character model upgrades, or new lore, it seems like the little Greek MMO that could is gathering a head of steam.

One bit of news that got blown slightly out of proportion was a reported mention of Darkfall 2. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras briefly mentioned Darkfall 2 at a recent event, and some fans took that to mean the company was already working on a sequel to the sandbox MMORPG. In reality, Flambouras was speaking of reusable assets and the fact that the development firm is "keeping the future of Darkfall in mind while we work on this version of the game. It doesn't mean that we're working on a new game."

In a post on the official forums, Flambouras reiterates that Aventurine's devs are not currently making a Darkfall sequel, and even if they were, "it would take years to complete and we would not stop full development of Darkfall 1."

MassivelyAventurine squelches Darkfall 2 rumors, for now originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assetsaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-2darkfall-onlinedarkfall-sequelhellfreezehellfreeze-expansionsequeltasostasos-flambourasTue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall teases character model upgrades and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The devs at Aventurine apparently never sleep, as releasing a major expansion and graphics revamp was the tip of the iceberg as far as what's happening on Darkfall's horizon. The team has generated three separate news items in the last week, all of them pointing towards exciting things in store for the world of Agon.

First up is a design blog posted on the official website. In it, community manager Laenih gives us an inside look at the process of converting a quick design sketch into a finished in-game model. Due to the small size of Aventurine's development team, this process often means that quest designers take up paper and pencil (or the digital equivalent) in order to present modelers with a clear idea of their vision.

Next up are some screenshots previewing Darkfall's new character models. While the world of Agon is often praised for its size, detail, and beauty, the game's character models have thus far lagged a bit behind the current MMORPG visual standard. Not to worry though, as an upgrade is in the works, and you can view photos of some of the new models on Darkfall's Facebook page.

Last but not least are the patch notes from this past week, which address a few niggling issues related to the Hellfreeze expansion. Read all about it on the official boards.

MassivelyDarkfall teases character model upgrades and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonartaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedesign-blogfacebookgraphics-upgradehellfreezehellfreeze-expansionnew-character-modelspatch-notesFri, 15 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Every day is Halloween]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/one-shots-every-day-is-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/one-shots-every-day-is-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/one-shots-every-day-is-halloween/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's been a while since we've had someone send in a screenshot from the dangerous lands of Darkfall. However, with the season of ghouls, ghosts, and goblins here once again, it's a great time to check in on this devilishly dangerous, PvP-centric MMO. Today's One Shots comes to us from The Format, who is an admirer of the game that Aventurine built. He writes in to tell us a bit more about this pumpkin-colored image: "I don't think I have ever seen a picture from Darkfall on Massively, which is why I took this picture. A lot of people don't think that this game has any beauty to it, but it really does, as shown by this picture. I was running through a forest when I saw the sun had started to come up. The sun rising over the forest made me realize more how the environments in this game are some of the best in any MMO."

One Shots is always on the lookout for more screenshots. If you'd like to contribute something, just email it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game that the image comes from, and a description of what we're seeing in the picture. You never know -- yours could be the next one we feature here on Massively!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Every day is Halloween originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlineone-shotspvpscreenshotscreenshotsthe-formatSat, 09 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Community Detective, Issue #2: Darkfall and EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/massivelys-community-detective-issue-2-darkfall-and-eve-onli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/massivelys-community-detective-issue-2-darkfall-and-eve-onli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/massivelys-community-detective-issue-2-darkfall-and-eve-onli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


"We hope you understand that there's nothing we can do at the moment," says the support email we just received from Aventurine, developers of Darkfall. Not exactly what you want to hear from customer service, is it?

Welcome to another issue of Massively's Community Detective, where we're primed and ready to take you into the trenches of MMORPG community and customer service. This week we've got full-blown battlefields complete with land mines, dismemberment, e-peen waving, and all the other things you've come to know and love about PvP. Yes, we're delving into the world of Darkfall, and if that's not enough for you, we'll also be heading for the heavens in a very different (but equally cutthroat) PvP sandbox called EVE Online.

Join us after the cut to see how these two titles fared in terms of community and customer service support.

Continue reading Massively's Community Detective, Issue #2: Darkfall and EVE Online

MassivelyMassively's Community Detective, Issue #2: Darkfall and EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineccpCCP-Gameschatcommunity-detectivecommunity-investigationscommunity-managercsrcustomer-servicedarkfalldarkfall-onlineeveeve-onlineeve-universityfeaturedincarnaopinionpugpugspvpsandboxTue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall teases new environmental sounds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/darkfall-teases-new-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/darkfall-teases-new-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/darkfall-teases-new-environmental-sounds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall. The very name strikes fear into the hearts of PvE gamers everywhere. There may be a more wretched hive of scum and villainy in the MMO world, but you wouldn't know it from the comments generated whenever someone dares to write about the polarizing title from Aventurine.

Ironically, the indie studio has released what can only be called a tranquil video composed of in-game footage featuring new environmental sounds. This may well be the first (and last) time you see a Darkfall video that isn't full to the brim with slaughter and mayhem, and the teaser's fly-through shots offer a great opportunity to glimpse the care and detail that went into bringing the world of Agon to life.

Aventurine's Laenih, sets the stage for the video in a post on the game's official forums. "Environmental sounds in Darkfall will not only help with getting you more immersed into the game, they will also play a big role in tactics and strategical planning throughout your gaming sessions. In the future sneaking up on enemies will be either easier or harder depending on the environment you find yourself and your prey in," the community liaison writes.

Check out the video after the jump.

[Thanks to Paragus for the tip!]

Continue reading Darkfall teases new environmental sounds

MassivelyDarkfall teases new environmental sounds originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlineenvironmental-soundsfly-through-videopatchteasertrailervideoFri, 02 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New details revealed for upcoming Darkfall expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/new-details-revealed-for-upcoming-darkfall-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/new-details-revealed-for-upcoming-darkfall-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/new-details-revealed-for-upcoming-darkfall-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're not a regular Darkfall player, it's easy to have a one-sided view of the game as a nonstop PvP gank-factory. And while the team at Aventurine make no secret about their feelings on how casual gamers intersect with their genre, there's a lot more to the game than simply hunting other players. The upcoming free expansion is a case in point, focusing on the PvE aspects of play to make them more engaging. It's a far-reaching set of changes to the PvE side of things, at that.

New monsters are being added along with new behaviors and tactics, meaning that players will have to think before engaging their enemies. Dungeons will be similarly improved, with monsters and quests added across the board to improve the experience of dungeon crawling. The full list of planned updates can be read here on the official forums, where we also find a preliminary launch date for the expansion of July 18th. Darkfall players should look forward to the upcoming expansion, as it promises to add many more play aspects to the already multi-faceted game.

[Thanks to Bartillo for the tip!]

MassivelyNew details revealed for upcoming Darkfall expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinedfdungeon-updatesdungeonsexpansionexpansionsfree-expansionpatchesplay-experiencespreviewspvepve-updatesupdatesThu, 01 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Surviving in Darkfall: A guide for new players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/surviving-in-darkfall-a-guide-for-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/surviving-in-darkfall-a-guide-for-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/surviving-in-darkfall-a-guide-for-new-players/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"Agon can be a rough, frustrating, confusing, and unfair place at times..." Truer words were never spoken. If you've heard of Darkfall, this is probably a good approximation of what you've heard. If you've played Darkfall, you've experienced it firsthand.

This full-PvP niche game comes by its dog-eat-dog reputation honestly, and the players who love that sort of thing thrive in the environment. It can be pretty daunting for a new player, so a little hand up is always welcome. Syncaine over at Hardcore Casual provided that very thing with yesterday's Darkfall Online FAQ.

The post is full of helpful hints regarding everything from character creation to long-term gameplay plans, and is a good resource for anyone new to Darkfall.

MassivelySurviving in Darkfall: A guide for new players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-helpdarkfall-onlinehardcore-casualsyncaineFri, 25 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall's Tasos addresses player feedback]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/darkfalls-tasos-addresses-player-feedback/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/darkfalls-tasos-addresses-player-feedback/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/darkfalls-tasos-addresses-player-feedback/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Players often complain that development teams rarely address their feedback, or even listen at all. Aventurine's Tasos does both in a lengthy post over on the official Darkfall forums. He touches on a number of planned improvements for the PvP-focused fantasy MMORPG, including faster skill progression, diminishing stat returns, and improvements to the game's PvE options.

"We agree that skill progression needs to be made more interesting, that special quests need to be introduced; unique mobs, unique items and many of your suggestions in this area are being looked at already. Furthermore as we mentioned, quests and dungeons are being revamped, the entire system is being made as to connect the dots and give more meaning to adventuring in the game," Tasos says.

Check out the post and as well as player response at the Darkfall official forums.

MassivelyDarkfall's Tasos addresses player feedback originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinedeveloper-postdungeonsplayer-feedbackpvepvpskillstasostasos-flambourasFri, 30 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall announces special pricing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/darkfall-announces-special-pricing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/darkfall-announces-special-pricing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/darkfall-announces-special-pricing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Darkfall is approaching its first birthday, and the company is looking to bring some new players into the game.

In February, they introduced a few new features designed to make the game a bit friendlier for new players. New player protection was introduced in order to give players a chance to get their bearings in Darkfall and a seven-day trial came about later in the month, allowing potential fans to take a look around the game.

The latest offer may well tip the scales for those who have been interested in purchasing the game. During the month of March, players can buy the Darkfall client as well as three months of playtime for $59.99 (€49.99 For European players.) Existing players aren't left out -- the 6 month -30% subscription offer has been extended through the end of March, so you can still get in on that as well.

The game can be ordered through the Darkfall site.

MassivelyDarkfall announces special pricing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinedarkfall-special-pricingWed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall introduces seven day trial for one dollar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/darkfall-introduces-seven-day-trial-for-one-dollar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/darkfall-introduces-seven-day-trial-for-one-dollar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/darkfall-introduces-seven-day-trial-for-one-dollar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Free trials are a growing trend in subscription MMOs. More and more, developers are realizing that if they expect players to spend a hefty sum to purchase a game as well as a monthly fee, they need to offer more than a website and a trailer video. Players want to know what they're getting into -- they're less inclined these days to drop $40-$50 (plus the cost of the second month's subscription, something most games require) on a game that they're not completely sure they're going to enjoy.

With that in mind, Darkfall has jumped on the trial bandwagon. It's not a free trial, but it's a trial nonetheless. For one dollar (or one euro, depending on which side of the ocean you're on), you can download and play Darkfall for one week. It's the second "new player friendly" move in a relatively short amount of time, and seems to indicate that the Darkfall developers are looking to reach out beyond their current community.

North American players interested in trying the game can access the trial here, while European players can access the trial at this site.

[Thanks to all the tipsters on this one!]

MassivelyDarkfall introduces seven day trial for one dollar originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlineone-week-trialtrialWed, 24 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall to offer new player protection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/darkfall-to-offer-new-player-protection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/darkfall-to-offer-new-player-protection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/darkfall-to-offer-new-player-protection/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Don't you love it when you began a brand new game and emerge fresh from character creation, only to get one-shotted by a high level player? No? The creators of Darkfall agree that it might not be the best introduction and have plans to help out with that very soon.

Darkfall will introduce New Player Protection very soon, an optional process that allows players to get their bearings in the game without fear of being used for target practice by any random Joe that happens by. It will be a short period of protection, lasting only a few hours, and is completely optional. (It's on by default when you begin the game, and can be turned off.) During that time, you can't harm or be harmed by other players -- you can only attack monsters.

This feature could be introduced as early as the next patch. Until then, you can read up on it here.

MassivelyDarkfall to offer new player protection originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinenew-player-protectionnewbie-protectionpvpMon, 08 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Boom, how ya like that]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/one-shots-boom-how-ya-like-that/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/one-shots-boom-how-ya-like-that/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/one-shots-boom-how-ya-like-that/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a game like Darkfall, one never really knows what's going to happen next. One moment you could be out adventuring -- the next thing you know, a group has wandered into your town and it's time to head back for war. While Darkfall remains a niche title, that type of never-know-what's-next PvP action is just the thing its many loyal players like. Take, for example, today's action-filled screenshot sent in to us by Paragus, co-leader of Inquisition and fellow MMO blogger. He writes in to explain:

One of the biggest PvP battles I have ever seen was in Darkfall over [this last] weekend. The "Vamesis" alliance tried to lay siege to the "Superfriends" alliance capital city of Aradoth. Almost every guild on the server was involved in this Friday night war in some way. Before long, we found ourselves on the defensive trying to protect VAMP's city of Dagnamyr from a relentless assault that lasted over 4 hours. Countless lives were lost on both sides, but we managed to hold onto this key city. While this picture can't do the battle justice, this video by Umberto from the 'Superfriends" alliance shows just how intense and epic this battle was from the the perspective of those trying to take down Dagnamyr.

Want to show off your favorite MMO? It's easy! Just email your screenshot to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it out here and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Boom, how ya like that originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aradothaventurinedagnamyrdarkfalldarkfall-onlineone-shotsparaguspvpscreenshotscreenshotssuperfriendsvamesisThu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST