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TERA releases Community Play Event numbers

Jef Reahard — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA

If you're a TERA fan but not lucky enough to score an invite to En Masse Entertainment's recent Community Play Event (CPE), you can take heart in the fact that the company has released some information pertaining to all the players who did attend. We know, there's the potential for some salt in the wound here, but En Masse's Jon Tuite nonetheless has some interesting factoids relating to character races, classes, leveling trends, and many other data points.

It seems that Castanics were the most popular race during the recent CPE, and humanoid races in general accounted for a whopping 68% of all characters. Tuite also points out that the Baraka race was the least popular (7% of the population) and postulates that the lack of a female version could be the culprit.

In terms of class and party dynamics, the CPE data aren't far removed from your average fantasy MMO (i.e., there were a plethora of DPS types, fewer tanks, and even fewer healers). These stats are the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and you can indulge in more number-crunching at the official TERA website.

TERA releases Community Play Event numbers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Guild Counsel: Are guild leaders a health hazard?

Karen Bryan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Culture, Guilds, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous

Earlier this week, Massively reported on a poll conducted by Bigpoint concerning gamer stereotypes. The good news is that the results of the voluntary survey showed that gamers are not overweight shut-ins who live in their grandmother's basements. The bad news is that there's some skepticism on the validity of the results, since the poll was a voluntary survey and there's no way to prove that the participants were telling the truth.

However, there have been a number of in-depth studies over the years that have shown some surprising trends in who exactly plays MMOs and more importantly what their behavior is like in game. For this week's Guild Counsel, we're going to take a closer look at MMO players and touch on the role that guild leaders might play in steering player behavior in-game.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Are guild leaders a health hazard?

The Guild Counsel: Are guild leaders a health hazard? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raptr report analyzes DC Universe Online players

Justin Olivetti — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Super-hero, MMO industry, DC Universe Online

Raptr, a social networking app for gamers, has turned its eyes to DC Universe Online players in a recent report. By breaking down player demographics, the site was able to piece together common trends and paint an overall picture of the DCUO playerbase.

So who is playing DCUO (while using Raptr)? The first bit of surprising news is that these gamers aren't necessarily superhero fanatics, at least not according to the other types of games they play. These players didn't tend to have City of Heroes and Champions Online as their other go-to games in the top 10, for example.

Actually, Raptr found that DCUO players are most likely to be into the MMORPG genre as a whole, as well as multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and League of Legends. The report speculates that there may be a connection between DCUO's fast action gameplay and these other titles: "While there are a number of MMORPGs listed, it's interesting to see some FPS, and RTS in the mix. This could be because DCUO prides itself in being a deep MMO mixed with action-oriented gameplay more akin to RTS or FPS games."

World of Warcraft and EVE Online were the two biggest MMOs that DCUO players also enjoyed, while these players found themselves stealing time away from WoW and Aion to head over to DCUO for their gaming sessions.

You can read the full analysis over at Raptr Tracks.

Raptr report analyzes DC Universe Online players originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online contest asks how CCP could make the game more appealing to female gamers

Brendan Drain — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Contests, Culture

In co-operation with CCP Games, our friends at CrazyKinux's Musing are running an interesting contest. In the latest edition of CrazyKinux's monthly EVE Blog Banter, he's asking players to write blog posts on ideas to make EVE Online more appealing to female gamers. The best ideas will win EVE store credit, with a total of $200 up for grabs. First place will receive $75 worth of store credit to spend on EVE merchandise and second place wins $50 of credit. The next three runner-up entries will win $25 of credit each, giving everyone a total of five chances to win. Entrants have until Monday April 26th to make their thoughts on the issue known.

EVE Online is something of an oddity in the MMO scene, with an almost entirely male playerbase. While some MMOs have a roughly 40% female playerbase and others are closer to 16%, less than 5% of EVE Online players are female. With Incarna set to introduce more avenues for social gaming, now might be a good time to start finding out what barriers prevent girls from signing up to EVE. Whatever the reason for EVE's 95% male-dominated playerbase, CCP seem interested in balancing that figure by drawing in more female gamers. If you have an idea that you think would help, enter it in the EVE Blog Banter for a chance to win some EVE swag.

EVE Online contest asks how CCP could make the game more appealing to female gamers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online?

Brooke Pilley — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, Warhammer Online, Opinion

This is an original opinion piece written by someone who has been following Warhammer Online since November 2007. Comments are open on page three.

Many people claim WAR is a total fail-whale of an MMO. I can see sides of their argument, but I don't believe it's completely true. The "fail" perception mostly comes down to the expectations that were set by Mythic and EA and then never fully delivered upon. It's no secret they were aiming for 500k+ subs and then missed the mark (by about 200k), but it got me wondering... Who is/was WAR's target audience? Was their potential audience actually big enough to support their aspirations?

Let's go back. Waaaaaaaaaaay back. Let's pretend we were a fly on the wall in a Mythic/EA/Games Workshop boardroom as they were discussing the original vision and design direction for WAR. One of the first steps you take before developing any product is to define your target audience or demographic. Knowing your audience gives you better direction and allows you to focus your efforts and design decisions more clearly.

Continue reading What audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online?

What audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features

James Egan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Professions, Free-to-play, Free Realms, Kids

Free Realms is one of those rare massively multiplayer online games that seems to hold appeal for both children and adults, despite its target group of teens and tweens. Sony Online Entertainment released a video blog from CES 2009 specifically about the game, with SOE President John Smedley and Creative Director Laralyn McWilliams. They explain a bit about what the game is, and some of what makes the title unique.

The video blog is interspersed with footage from Free Realms, highlighting its combat-optional design philosophy. This should provide gamers with a variety of options -- including pets and mini-games -- allowing them to play however they choose.

Continue reading Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features

Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life November metrics: Nothing gained

Tateru Nino — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

November metrics for Linden Lab's virtual environment, Second Life are available for examination. September and October were relatively poor months, and November's results don't look great at all.

In fact every one of Linden Lab's key metrics fell in November. Land size, user-hours, transactions, PMLF. The only gain is an infinitesimal increase in the Linden Dollar exchange rate of 0.3%.

Continue reading Second Life November metrics: Nothing gained

Second Life November metrics: Nothing gained originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life October metrics: More falls

Tateru Nino — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

October metrics for Linden Lab's virtual environment, Second Life are not yet formally available, but Lab CFO John Zdanowski wound up giving out a link to the information in advance, so we have the figures to work with. September was not a good month by these metrics, and we were interested to see how October panned out.

Your key takeaways for October are a continuing plunge in premium accounts, and a reduction in overall economic activity. User hours, however were up. A more detailed summary follows after the jump.

Continue reading Second Life October metrics: More falls

Second Life October metrics: More falls originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life September metrics: Mostly falls

Tateru Nino — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, News items, Second Life

The published, key metrics for Second Life for the month of September are now available as both an Open Document Spreadsheet and in Excel format.

Your key takeaways this month are an increasing fall in total premium accounts, a fall in total user hours, zero mainland (Linden owned estate) growth (but a 7% increase in privately owned estates), and a reduction in economic activity. A more detailed summary follows after the jump.

Continue reading Second Life September metrics: Mostly falls

Second Life September metrics: Mostly falls originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life August metrics: No significant growth

Tateru Nino — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, News items, Second Life

First, apologies that we don't have more detailed breakdowns of the monthly Second Life statistics. Linden Lab just don't publish detailed monthly information anymore. It's mostly just numbers-for-the-numb by the look of the subset of statistics now produced.

Out of the figures we do have available, we can sum up the changes for August compared to the July figures fairly quickly: User hours showing little or no real growth, only 120 million square metres of new private simulators (no growth in mainland), Accounts with positive monthly flow down, L$/US$ exchange rate stable, Lindex currency exchange activity down, premium accounts continuing to fall.

So, those bullets aren't really the kind that look great on slide presentations.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

Continue reading Second Life August metrics: No significant growth

Second Life August metrics: No significant growth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Research profiles the typical fantasy MMO player

Samuel Axon — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Culture, News items, Academic

Researcher Dmitri Williams and his team have been doing some very hardcore MMO-related research. Thanks to Raph Koster, they were given free reign with the whole of SOE's EverQuest II-related user statistics. They've produced the first of many papers, this one called "Who plays, how much, and why? Debunking the stereotypical gamer profile," which is completely and freely available online.

There are a bunch of interesting things about EverQuest II player demographics in there, some of which is surprising. For example, older players play more than younger players, and EQ2 players in general are physically healthier than the general population. There's a shocker! Of course, EQ2 arguably has a different sort of playerbase than something like EVE Online, or even other dikus like World of Warcraft. It's too bad we can't see the differences.

More studies are coming, though (but all of them from EQ2 data). Williams and his international team of researchers are planning to uncover information about gender differences and more in future papers.

[Via Raph Koster]

Research profiles the typical fantasy MMO player originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daedalus Project presents new findings

Akela Talamasca — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Game mechanics, Massively Meta, Academic

The Daedalus Project has gotten Massively coverage previously, but it's worth revisiting, as Nick Yee continues to gather information on virtual spaces. In the most recent issue, you can peruse such topics as how changing game mechanics changes social interactions within those games; what do players want to see in MMOs; and thoughts from parents who are gamers on how to manage a child's MMO time.

Additionally, there is always a survey in progress to which you may contribute. Your opinions are valid, O Learned Audience. If you're tired of demographic results that don't accurately represent the way you feel about our industry, now's your chance to have your say!

[Thanks, Nick!]

Daedalus Project presents new findings originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peering inside: The party's just starting

Tateru Nino — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Second Life, Virtual worlds, Peering Inside

A curious thing happens when you chart Second Life concurrency as a percentage of the total signups. Across the last two years, there's been an irregular, but steady decline, which is what you would expect. With retention of signups to 90 days running at about 10%, and concurrency being a function of both active users and session lengths (among other things), a continuing decline in the curve is the most obvious result.

About six months ago, however, that suddenly changed, and something very interesting has been taking place since.

Continue reading Peering inside: The party's just starting

Peering inside: The party's just starting originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daedalus Project tracks MUD

Akela Talamasca — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Polls, Culture, Economy, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Massively Meta, Academic, Education, Virtual worlds

Actually, it tracks MMOs, but what a clever title, huh? The Daedalus Project is the demographic/analysis website created and maintained by Nick Yee, a graduate student of Stanford University in the field of Communications who now works at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Nick's site is noteworthy both for the online surveys of MMO players that are open to anyone who wants to participate, and also for the conclusions he draws based on those survey results.

This statistical data has been used by Washington Post, CBS, TechWeek, CNET, the Associated Press, Nature.com, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Nick always has a survey or two running, so if you're interested in contributing your experiences and thoughts to the collective (and growing) body of knowledge concerning MMOs, you can do so at the 'Current Surveys' section of his site.

For those of us interested in metadata, The Daedalus Project is a genuine boon, and we hope he continues his necessary and groundbreaking work well into the future.

[Thanks, Nick!]

The Daedalus Project tracks MUD originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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