Massively

Tattered Notebook: A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)

MJ Guthrie — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Events (In-Game), Opinion, Free-to-Play, The Tattered Notebook, Guides, Housing

Lately, there have been a number of topics all vying for my attention here in Tattered Notebook. In a couple of instances, some of them got a little rough and started pushing the others around to try for a better place in line. Yet all the while, EverQuest II's Moonlight Enchantments has been patiently waiting. So as a reward (we do like to reward good behavior here!), that quiet little topic is getting the spotlight in a special bonus edition. And the timing couldn't be more perfect!

You see, initially this guide was just going to focus on speed to help you get through that short two-day event that comes but once a month on the 20th and 21st in EQII. Now, however, we get to delve into the changes and new things coming to the Enchanted Grottoes, from even more housing items (yes, that's on top of the new additions in March) to two new repeatable quests to earn the tokens to buy the items. And with this month's festival right around the corner, having a game plan ready to get the most out of those two days will benefit new and old players alike.

Continue reading Tattered Notebook: A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)

Tattered Notebook: A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tattered Notebook: It's the little things that count in EQII updates

MJ Guthrie — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, MMO Industry, Patches, Opinion, Free-to-Play, The Tattered Notebook

It's like they know me! You'd think with all the bag functionalities that SOE has introduced to EverQuest II this year that the devs have watched my livestreams and taken pity on me and my storage predicament. And it didn't stop with just one new addition; even after one set of sorting capabilities was released, another set came along. With all these new organizational tools, there is a chance even I might actually find something in my oft-overstuffed bags. (Clean bags, however, is another matter entirely and not likely to be resolved!)

Now bag sorting in and of itself really doesn't sound like a big deal, the kind complete with flashing lights and a ticker-tape parade. It's not. In fact, it's pretty much a little thing... well, except for micro-managers and packrats, of course. So why in heavens would I be spending time talking about piddly updates in EQII when such an expansive one recently released? Because getting the little things (and getting them with regularity) is big. The subject of minor updates warrants just as much attention as a named one like Scars of the Awakened, both for what the updates are and for what they portend. And those updates bode well for everyone.

Continue reading Tattered Notebook: It's the little things that count in EQII updates

Tattered Notebook: It's the little things that count in EQII updates originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Tattered Notebook: Can EQ Next's housing measure up to EverQuest II's?

MJ Guthrie — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, New Titles, Opinion, Free-to-Play, The Tattered Notebook, EverQuest Next, Sandbox, Housing, Player-Generated Content

With last Wednesday's release of EverQuest II's latest prestige home, the totally awesome Hua Mein Retreat, I couldn't help but be focused on one of my favorite gaming features. I toured the new home, got to check out the break-out spots, and marveled at how pro SOE is with housing. Sure, there have been some misses when it comes to the prestige options, but things just keep getting better. Before long, my thoughts turned to the idea of housing in EverQuest Next.

Obviously, I am excited to play EverQuest Next. How could I not be? This studio has cornered the market on the most fun classes I have ever played (Dancer, Disciple, Fury, and Shaman) and the best housing systems I've personally had the pleasure to delve into (Star Wars Galaxies, Vanguard, and EverQuest II). And now it's making another sandbox.

But will EQN pull me permanently away from EQII, a game where I've earned my seven-year vet rewards? That, my friends, will depend in large part on the housing.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Can EQ Next's housing measure up to EverQuest II's?

The Tattered Notebook: Can EQ Next's housing measure up to EverQuest II's? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2013: DCUO's Andersen talks housing, hints at league version

MJ Guthrie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Free-to-Play, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), DC Universe Online, Housing

We first learned about DC Universe Online's housing system last fall at SOE Live, where we got the scoop on the personal lairs coming in the Home Turf DLC from creative director Jens Andersen. At that time, he also shared his vision of expanding to include league housing sometime in the future.

While sitting down with Andersen for a chat at GDC yesterday, the conversation turned to the now two-month-old housing system. The discussion included how the community was utilizing this unique blend of housing and PvP duels. Andersen then shared some tips for decorating with an eye towards battles; he also hinted that league housing may be slated for making an appearance in one of the game's upcoming DLCs.

Continue reading GDC 2013: DCUO's Andersen talks housing, hints at league version

GDC 2013: DCUO's Andersen talks housing, hints at league version originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Real-Life, Opinion, Free-to-Play, The Secret World, Housing, Chaos Theory

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

Chaos 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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New DCUO lair livestream highlights themes and decorating possibilities

MJ Guthrie — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Video, Game Mechanics, Previews, News Items, Free-to-Play, DC Universe Online, Livestream, Housing

Just a few days ago, DC Universe Online's Creative Director Jens Andersen and Systems Designer Andrew Buschmann introduced folks to the new housing lairs in the upcoming, and aptly named, Home Turf DLC via livestream. Today, the duo was joined by Ben Naumann, lead environment artist, for a more in-depth foray into the themes, styles, and overall decorating possibilities of the housing system.

Three distinct themes (dive, art deco, and gothic) will be available for all players who purchase the DLC or who have legendary status, and four others (ancient, industrial, cave, and bunker) can be purchased. Lair trim and certain coloration of the themes matches your superhero's color scheme by default, but can be altered.

The trio also demonstrated decorating and teased viewers with a quick mention of a new amenity: the suit holder. Although there is still no exact release date for Home Turf, you can whet your appetite for what's to come by watching the entire stream after the break. And for more information on the lairs, read Massively's interview with Andersen at SOE Live.

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New DCUO lair livestream highlights themes and decorating possibilities originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE Live 2012: Dragon's Prophet invigorates sandbox hopes

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, New Titles, Free-to-Play, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Housing, Dragon's Prophet

While I can't exactly say that the best report was saved for last (there was so much awesome at SOE Live 2012), I will say the Dragon's Prophet announcement was the most unexpected exciting news of the weekend. A new sandbox game, with dragons!

I'll admit -- I should have seen the writing on the breakfast table. When I sat down for the meal that first day, my table-mate John Smedley, CEO of Sony Online Entertainment, mentioned that the others seated with us were making a dragon game. He then introduced them as developers of Runes of Magic. It was only later when the press learned a new game would be introduced that evening that the connection clicked!

After the official announcement, I looked forward to learning even more about the new dragon-laced world. I was pleased to sit down with Smedley and those members of the Runewaker team again -- namely, CEO John Tang and VP of Business Development Tony Tang -- this time to discuss the new partnership and the upcoming free-to-play game.

Gallery: Dragon's Prophet

Continue reading SOE Live 2012: Dragon's Prophet invigorates sandbox hopes

SOE Live 2012: Dragon's Prophet invigorates sandbox hopes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE Live 2012: Building your business and selling homes with Player Studio

MJ Guthrie — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Economy, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, Free Realms, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Housing

We've all had that moment. In your mind's eye, you see the perfect item; whether you are a decorator or adventurer, you've imagined that one item that would look perfect in your EverQuest II house or on your EverQuest character. But alas, since you aren't on the development team, your awesome idea could not be realized. That was then; this is now. With the new Player Studio announced last month, that idea can not only come to fruition but net you some cold hard cash as well.

So how does one transition from imaginer to bustling entrepreneur? Devs hosted a panel at SOE Live 2012 that discussed the steps of getting an item from your mind's eye out into the Marketplace for others to buy and enjoy. But what if instead of imagining new items, you take existing items and create incredible displays that are the envy of others? Devs announced a feature that will allow decorators to fully furnish a home, bundle it up, and offer it for sale via the Marketplace as well.

After the informative panel, I caught up with Producer Holly Longdale and director of of the EQ franchise Dave Georgeson to uncover even more details about the opportunities available with Player Studio.

Continue reading SOE Live 2012: Building your business and selling homes with Player Studio

SOE Live 2012: Building your business and selling homes with Player Studio originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EverQuest II decorators, prepare to strut your stuff

MJ Guthrie — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Contests, News Items, Free-to-Play, Housing

With a housing feature as robust as EverQuest II's, players can create a multitude of original spaces. To highlight the abundant creative decorating skills of EQII players, Sony Online Entertainment is bringing back the Norrathian Homeshow.

If you think your place deserves a spotlight tour on the official website, snap some flattering screenshots capturing the best of your creation (sans UI of course) and send it via email to homeshow@soe.sony.com along with character name, server, and title of the home or dungeon. Players should also add a general description of the place as well as caption each screenshot.

For full details on how to submit your home, check out the official announcement. Selected entries will be featured in a future Norrathian Homeshow.

EverQuest II decorators, prepare to strut your stuff originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Nine years of Star Wars Galaxies

Larry Everett — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Events (In-Game), Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Roleplaying, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon, Housing

As you might have guessed from the title, I'm taking a tiny break from writing about Star Wars: The Old Republic this week. Although it might seem like odd timing to change the pace of my articles with Update 1.3 releasing today, I figured that the update will be here next week, but Star Wars Galaxies' birthday comes around only once a year. Last weekend, the first Star Wars MMORPG would have celebrated its ninth year in service.

Being the first Star Wars MMO will always be an honor Galaxies will hold. But that's not the only thing that drew so many people to the game. I often find myself thinking back wondering what could have been. Besides my love for Star Wars, that game held a lot of significance in my life. It was my first serious MMO and my first step into MMO roleplay. If Star Wars Galaxies were still around, would I still be playing? More importantly, what would I be doing in that game that I really can't do in the current Star Wars MMO?

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Nine years of Star Wars Galaxies

Hyperspace Beacon: Nine years of Star Wars Galaxies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Blender: Jeremy's unholy MMO concoction

Jeremy Stratton — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EVE Online, EverQuest II, Fallen Earth, Lineage 2, Lord of the Rings Online, Wurm Online, Opinion, Vanguard, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-Play, Runes of Magic, Post-Apocalyptic, Miscellaneous, Sandbox, MMO Blender

Have you ever wished MMO developers could put away their checkbooks, pluck out the best bits of their respective MMOs, and weld them together to construct the megalopolis of MMOs? We do too! So today, we're launching a brand-new opinion column, MMO Blender, in which the Massively writers will mix and match their favorite features from existing MMOs for your amusement. But do our choices create a perfectly honed machine or a lumbering, speechless frankenstein of an MMO that deserves to be put out of its misery?

First up: Livestreamer extraordinaire and Contributing Editor Jeremy Stratton with a potent, sandboxy blend of Fallen Earth, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, and more. Wet your whistle after the break and look for more MMO Blenders from the rest of our staff in the coming weeks!

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MMO Blender: Jeremy's unholy MMO concoction originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some Assembly Required: Desert homes of Vanguard's Qalia

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Opinion, Vanguard, Miscellaneous, Some Assembly Required, Sandbox, Housing

Player housing. Now there's a topic you don't hear from me much. Oh, come now, I talk about other topics, too... sometimes... once in a while! You have to admit, it's hard not to talk about housing. It's by far one of the best canvasses for showcasing player creativity available in MMOs. And Vanguard has top-notch player housing.

Back at the inception of Some Assembly Required, I took you on a tour of housing on Vanguard's island of Kojan. Of the three continents, Kojan was an easy first choice; from the very beginning I wanted a house there to soak up the unique flavor of the area. However, Kojan is by far the smallest continent with the fewest housing plots; contrast its six housing isles to the 22 chunks with housing available on Qalia and you can see that more opportunities abound to find the perfect home-sweet-home in the land of Arabian nights.

By the sheer volume of plots involved, you can see that touring Qalia is quite the undertaking! Not one to shirk my duties of bringing demonstrations of player creativity to you, I forged ahead to highlight the advantages of Qalian living and compile this gallery of amazing ingenuity -- including a Foosball table!

Gallery: SAR: Vanguard housing, Qalia

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Desert homes of Vanguard's Qalia

Some Assembly Required: Desert homes of Vanguard's Qalia originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game Mechanics, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Roleplaying, Wings Over Atreia

You know me: I'm the lollygagger. In no rush to zoom through games, I tend to wander about just taking a gander at things. I peek into all the nooks and crannies and am easily sidetracked by all the shinies. In the journey vs. destination debate, I am a proud pompom-waving, card-carrying member of "the journey is half the fun" crowd. It's a wonder I progress at all! But progress I do, and in Aion I had been max level for quite some time. Emphasis on "had." Then 3.0 rolled around.

It's actually odd being lower-level again, unable to participate in everything because of level restrictions. Sorry MJ, no dungeon for j00! It's my fault really, since I could level but have been distracted with housing, mentoring, etc. Then I got to thinking about just how many things there are to do even without being max level. Whoa! Sometimes people have the (in my humble opinion, erroneous) idea that Aion doesn't really start until max level, that everything you do before reaching that exalted pinnacle isn't playing. Don't be absurd! The game doesn't start at level 60; it starts at level 1. Remember the part about enjoying the journey? Why worry about reaching some magical number! Just play. After all, experience happens -- before you know it, you will level up.

Previously, Wings Over Atreia discussed some things to do once you reach endgame. Here, in no particular order, are 12 ways to take your eyes off your experience bar and just play with reckless abandon before maxing out.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level

Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: The last mile

MJ Guthrie — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Galleries, Screenshots, City of Heroes, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Choose My Adventure

You haven't steered me wrong. At least, not yet.

I am pretty sure there is that nagging worry at the back of the Massively writers' minds when they give themselves over to the masses for Choose My Adventure. Sure, there is an element of mystery and excitement, but what if... just what if the majority manifests an evil streak and sends you careening over an embankment to your virtual doom? Or banishes you to tasks that would make you want to lobotomize yourself with your mouse -- things like run Death From Below repeatedly? Thankfully, you all spared me from such torture. And with this week's tour of the Mission Architect system in City of Heroes, you definitely steered me right -- this is my favorite aspect of the game yet!

I am glad to say that my trust in you all has not been unfounded, and I will speak on your behalf to the others. The fact is, I have enjoyed our little road trip immensely and am sad it must come to an end. So let's take one last cruise through City of Heroes together before you drive off into the sunset with Eliot.

Gallery: CMA: City of Heroes

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: The last mile

Choose My Adventure: The last mile originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: This little Daeva went to market...

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Wings Over Atreia

Milk
Bread
Red Shell Potcrab
Life Leaf
Bulldozer...

You all know the old adage "Never go grocery shopping while hungry," right? It is sound advice for avoiding filling your cart with impulse purchases that might decimate your budget (and your waistline). How many of you have also used the shopping list tactic to try to minimize said impulse purchases? Well, you just might want to put that skill into practice when visiting Aion's BlackCloud Marketplace.

When the BlackCloud Marketplace launched last month, the inventory had pretty slim pickings for a game that needed to make all of its profit from the cash shop. Since all content in Aion is free, we knew more things would appear; it was just a matter of what and when. And even while there was still some trepidation about what items would be introduced over time (how many would play into the whole pay-to-win debate?), Daevas looked forward to new offerings and wondered what would be available next.

Wonder no more! Those little Shugos came in last Wednesday and stocked the marketplace shelves with over 100 new items. Some items were expected, some were not, and some were even clamored for by the masses. To help you construct your shopping list before heading to the store, Wing Over Atreia has perused the aisles for you to find what's new, what's interesting, and what's on special.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: This little Daeva went to market...

Wings Over Atreia: This little Daeva went to market... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion rewarding decorating skills with contest

MJ Guthrie — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Contests, News Items, Free-to-Play

As one of 3.0's most anticipated features, player housing brought a whole new facet of gaming to Aion. Along with the studios, houses, and estates, housing provided Daevas the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and decorating flair, and players have been taking full advantage of the system. Now, NCsoft wants to reward players for sprucing up their Atreian homes with a contest titled Decorate Your Space.

Think you have a pretty snazzy pad? Then show off those mad decorating skills! All Daevas over level 20 are eligible; just submit up to three unaltered screenshots of your living space via the contest thread or by email to community_aion_en@ncsoft.com by 12:59 a.m. EDT on May 19th. The top three homes judged best decorated will win special 60-day, two-drawer cabinets with an extra 18 slots of storage space.

For full rules, conditions, and the winner release form, visit the official announcement.

Aion rewarding decorating skills with contest originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why I Play: EverQuest II

MJ Guthrie — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Humor, Sandbox, Why I Play

Because.

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

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

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

Continue reading Why I Play: EverQuest II

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

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Some Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, Free-to-Play, Roleplaying, Virtual Worlds, Xsyon, Post-Apocalyptic, Some Assembly Required, Sandbox

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

Wait, gaming?! You betcha!

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

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

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

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

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Some Assembly Required: SWG housing extravaganza

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Some Assembly Required, Sandbox

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

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

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

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: SWG housing extravaganza

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

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Wings Over Atreia: Over the river and through the woods

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

To Aion's housing we go!

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

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

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

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

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

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

MJ Guthrie — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Opinion, Vanguard, Virtual Worlds, Some Assembly Required

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

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

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

Gallery: SAR: Vanguard housing, Kojan

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

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

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The Guild Counsel: My kingdom for a house

Karen Bryan — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous

You work hard in-game, so it's understandable that you'd want a place of your own, outside the auction house and hustle and bustle of city life. What better accomplishment than constructing your own guild home! On the surface, it seems like a great idea. But to quote Dr. Ian Malcolm, "Oh yeah, 'Ooh, aah,' that's how it always starts. But then there's running and... screaming."

In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll look at guild housing -- the good, the bad, and the "good heavens, what made you think that tapestry goes with that sofa?!"

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: My kingdom for a house

The Guild Counsel: My kingdom for a house originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lost Pages of Taborea: Fun with housing

Jeremy Stratton — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, Free-to-Play, Runes of Magic, Lost Pages of Taborea

I've briefly mentioned housing in previous articles, but I haven't done any in-depth looks into it. Plus, with the addition of new house contracts, the housekeeper system, and some creative ideas I've discovered, I thought it was about time to give housing some exposure.

For the uninitiated, Runes of Magic's housing is a feature that lets you have an instanced area for yourself to store items, earn bonuses, and decorate to your heart's content. I've seen some players refer to RoM's housing as Everquest II lite. Apart from a handful of boss furniture-recipes, you don't craft the majority of furniture. You can buy furniture from NPCs or select from a wide range of choices in the cash shop. Once inside your house, you'll have access to the housing interface. Your items of choice can be moved into the furniture slots and then placed anywhere you want. You can get a more detailed how-to guide on housing from the Runes of Magic Wiki. In this article, I want to take a look at some creative things you can do with furniture and housing.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Fun with housing

Lost Pages of Taborea: Fun with housing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House decoration contest running for Final Fantasy XI

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Contests, Player Housing

The Mog House has always been one of the venues for Final Fantasy XI players to show off their creativity and personal sense of style, even more so when it became possible at long last for other adventurers to step inside. Allakhazam knows that it's one of the most celebrated parts of the game as well, which is why they've launched the first Mog House decorating contest. Arrange your furniture carefully, mail in some images of your uniquely adorned home, and you could find your dwelling renowned for its taste (and potential Moghancement benefits).

Entries on the contest run until April 12th, with judging to conclude on April 20th via on-site poll. There are, of course, the usual requirements for all entries to be safe for work and not involve any hacking of the game client. Prizes include a signed copy of the Distant Worlds CD and a Japanese calligraphy set to help decorate the place you actually live, which is a nice touch. For full rules and submission guidelines, take a look at the contest page. Or you could just start by beautifying your home away from home, something most Final Fantasy XI players are inclined to do anyway.

House decoration contest running for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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