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[Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leaderboard
For many, betas are the apex of the pre-launch experience. After months and even years of hearing about a title, discussing it rabidly, and scouring the internet for information on it, fans are finally given the chance to try it out for themselves. For many, this is wonderful, a drink of water to a parched gaming soul. For many, but not for all.

You see, betas can be a doubled-edged sword, capable of hurting as much as helping. They can be a boon to those who truly want to help a game's development by testing for bugs, they can help players decide if this is a product worth purchasing, and they can assist in getting one's "game legs" before the main event begins. However, betas have been known to foster an environment of entitlement ("Why isn't this game 100% polished? I judge it fail!") while robbing the newness of an MMO that has yet to release.

So, overall, do you deem that betas are a boon to the community or a bust? Are they useful tools for both developers and players, or are they nothing but glorified demos that harm more than help? Put your vote where your opinion is after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust

MassivelyLeaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-royalbetabetasbug-testingdemodemosleaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollspublic-demostestingversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 is at G-Star with new items but no beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/guild-wars-2-is-at-g-star-with-new-items-but-no-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/guild-wars-2-is-at-g-star-with-new-items-but-no-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/guild-wars-2-is-at-g-star-with-new-items-but-no-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Elementalists remain staunchly opposed to long skirts.
With Guild Wars 2 appearing this weekend at the G-Star convention, there's been a lot of speculation about two potential pieces of news -- a date for the beta or the eighth profession reveal. Unfortunately for the speculators, the latest updates from Eric Flannum have put those rumors to rest. Flannum confirms that while there will be news coming out on the 11th, it will not include either of those updates, which are still on track for a later date.

That being said, there's still some news to be found, including the preview of some high-level armor sets that are exclusive for the Korean demo. Flannum stated that there will be other elements unique to this demo, although he declined to elaborate beyond the armor. Guild Wars 2 fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for what comes out of the convention... and wait just a wee bit longer to find out when the beta will begin, or what the last profession will be.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 is at G-Star with new items but no beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetaclassesconventionsdemoseric-flannumg-stargstarguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2ncsoftpreviewsprofessionsreal-world-eventsupdatesTue, 08 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet revealing Guild Wars 2 PvP and customization at Gamescom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/arenanet-revealing-guild-wars-2-pvp-and-customization-at-gamesco/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/arenanet-revealing-guild-wars-2-pvp-and-customization-at-gamesco/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/arenanet-revealing-guild-wars-2-pvp-and-customization-at-gamesco/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Europe's largest game expo is getting ready for plenty of Guild Wars 2 goodness, as ArenaNet will be bringing its highly anticipated fantasy MMO to the Cologne convention that runs from August 17th to August 21st.

In a new post on the company blog, Martin Kerstein gives us an idea of what we can expect from the NCsoft demo booth. The playable GW2 build will include all seven professions revealed thus far, the complete Charr starter experience, and a mid-level demo featuring powerful Orrian enemies (and Sylvari and Asura playable characters).

Last but not least, gamers will finally get their hands on Guild Wars 2's character customization system as well as its PvP component. Hands-on PvP experiences will be available, and players can also watch exhibition matches between developers and select European players.

MassivelyArenaNet revealing Guild Wars 2 PvP and customization at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarena.netarenanetasuracharacter-customizationcharrcharr-starter-experiencedemoseventsfantasygamescomgamescom-2011guild-wars-2gw2martin-kersteinncsoftplayable-demoprofessionspvpreal-world-eventstyriaFri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR flashpoints playable at Comic-Con [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/swtor-flashpoints-playable-at-comic-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/swtor-flashpoints-playable-at-comic-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/swtor-flashpoints-playable-at-comic-con/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Several weeks ago we told you about BioWare's plans to stage a public demo of its Star Wars The Old Republic MMORPG across the street from this month's San Diego Comic Con. Today, MMORPG.com has picked up on the news from the official forums, pointing out that the demos will feature the game's first two flashpoints.

Interested players will get to work their way through the Black Talon and Esseles instances beginning Thursday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. Pacific and running through Saturday, July 23rd. The sessions will last approximately one hour and are open to the general public. You'll want to get there early, though, as spots are limited and interest in BioWare's sci-fi opus is ramping up in anticipation of a possible 2011 release.

[Update: Apparently, this isn't open to the public. There's a lottery to get in. Good luck with that!]

MassivelySWTOR flashpoints playable at Comic-Con [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareblack-taloncomic-condemosea-biowareElectronic-Artsesseleseventsflashpointssan-diego-comic-consci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-demothe-old-republictorTue, 12 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are you hoping to hear at PAX East?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're just barely out of GDC coverage, but this week kicks off another big convention for the gaming community. PAX has become an event on both coasts, and this year's PAX East promises to be a notable event for all in attendance within the gaming community. With Guild Wars 2 and Star Wars: The Old Republic both promising new playable content, it might seem like the newer games will steal the show, but older games such as City of Heroes and Lord of the Rings Online are on deck with new content and new announcements for fans.

Of course, we've got some of our staff on-hand to cover all of the news coming out of Boston this weekend, but the real question is what you're hoping to hear. Do you want to see more of the new Guild Wars 2 demo? Hoping to hear more on Turbine's free-to-play games? Or are you hoping for something unexpected to emerge from the convention, perhaps even (gasp) non-MMO news?

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: What are you hoping to hear at PAX East? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohconventionscovcoxddodemosdungeons-and-dragons-onlineguild-wars-2gw2lord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroncsoftopinionpax-eastpax-east-2011real-world-eventsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindturbineFri, 11 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2011: Funcom talks The Secret World's PvE, PvP, and ARG]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/gdc-2011-funcom-talks-the-secret-worlds-pve-pvp-and-arg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/gdc-2011-funcom-talks-the-secret-worlds-pve-pvp-and-arg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/gdc-2011-funcom-talks-the-secret-worlds-pve-pvp-and-arg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Many of you are no doubt as anxious as we are to get your hands on Funcom's new The Secret World MMORPG (with a new website!). The skill-based end-of-the-world riff has been shrouded in a good bit of mystery for a good long while, but we've finally managed to snag a few minutes of face time with the title. This year's GDC marked the first opportunity for anyone outside of Funcom's alpha team to lay eyes on the game, and we've got some pretty juicy details to pass on.

Join us after the cut for the new trailer as well as a recap of Funcom's presentation, which was spearheaded by Ragnar Tornquist and featured designers Martin Bruusgaard and Joel Bylos. Discussion topics include PvP, PvE missions, and character progression.

Gallery: The Secret World: GDC 2011

Continue reading GDC 2011: Funcom talks The Secret World's PvE, PvP, and ARG

MassivelyGDC 2011: Funcom talks The Secret World's PvE, PvP, and ARG originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-missionsalternate-reality-gameargbreakingdemosfantasyfeaturedfuncomgame-developers-conferencegdcgdc-2011horrorinvestigationinvestigation-missionsjoel-bylosmartin-bruusgaardmetameta-gamemiscellaneouspreviewprogressionRagnar-Tornquistskill-basedskill-wheelskillsthe-secret-worldtswThu, 10 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get Champions Online swag and beta keys at New York Comic Con]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/get-champions-online-swag-and-beta-keys-at-new-york-comic-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/get-champions-online-swag-and-beta-keys-at-new-york-comic-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/get-champions-online-swag-and-beta-keys-at-new-york-comic-con/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Cryptic Studios will be showing off Champions Online at New York Comic Con (which takes place in February from the 6th to the 8th) and they want you to know that you will be handsomely rewarded if you are able to pay them a visit. Not only will there be new playable demos to explore, but fans will also be treated to swag, and the possibility of beta keys. The beta keys will be awarded to contest winners, but we've got no idea what the contests might be, so you'd best brush up on your feats of strength, eye-laser marksmanship, and flight dexterity, just to be safe. Here are the details for Cryptic Studios at NY Comic Con:

Cryptic Meet and Greet: Saturday, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., Room TBD*
Champions Online/Star Trek Online Panel: Saturday 3 p.m. - 4 p.m., Room 1A24 (view never before seen footage of STO)
MMO Round Table: Saturday 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Room 1A24

*Check in at the Cryptic booth (#1341) for the super-secret room location.

Oh, and if you happen to be looking for a job in the games industry, it sounds like Cryptic might have some folks at the show on the lookout for new recruits, so make yourself known!

MassivelyGet Champions Online swag and beta keys at New York Comic Con originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-keyschampions-onlinecocomic-concomic-con-2009cryptic-studiosdemosjobsnew-york-comic-connew-york-comic-con-2009playable-demosswagThu, 29 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST