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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Firefall dev blog discusses raising the skill ceiling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Firefall
The other day we talked about Red 5 Studios' new development philosophy for its upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall, and its decision to take things in a direction that's more focused on player skill than levels or gear. Today, the studio has released a new dev diary that expounds on this philosophy by discussing how it plans to make the game "approachable and exciting to players of all skill levels," while ensuring that it remains rewarding to the truly hardcore.

The post begins by taking a look at the game's core combat, which contains "a number of weapons and abilities that are lower-twitch and lower-skill," such as beam weapons, AoE abilities, and splash damage. The post goes on to discuss a number of potential solutions to these problems, such as changing the high-splash-damage plasma cannon into a gun that deals lower splash damage, but with devastating direct-hit damage. It's an interesting read for players who are looking for a bit more skill-based gameplay in their MMOs, and Firefall fans in general would do well to go check out the full post on the game's official site.

MassivelyNew Firefall dev blog discusses raising the skill ceiling originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playmmo-shootermmofpspvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterskillskill-ceilingwarThu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/eve-online-overhauls-factional-warfare-for-cleaner-systems-and-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's more fun to read about this stuff than... um... well, I guess playing it still looks like reading about it.
Factional warfare isn't a part of EVE Online you hear about very often, and according to the latest design blog, that's partly because the system itself was a mess. The developers are hard at work overhauling the warfare system so that it will be easier to understand, will be more intuitive to use, and will have more substantial bonuses and penalties for factions actively participating in the war. The usability changes are small but significant, mostly centering around consolidating the system's important details under a unified naming schematic.

Turnaround time for system control is being lengthened to roughly 30 hours, but the penalties for enemy factions are also becoming more severe. Enemy factions cannot dock at stations in occupied systems, and the faction in control will be able to spend Loyalty Points to gain special upgrades so long as the system is controlled. If you like going to war in your internet spaceship but aren't really a fan of the wild frontier devoid of security, it might be worth taking a look at the newest design entry.

MassivelyEVE Online overhauls factional warfare for cleaner systems and bigger consequences originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarieseveeve-onlinefactional-warfaregame-mechanicsinternet-spaceshipssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineupdateswarfareWed, 09 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet focuses on community in latest dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/arenanet-focuses-on-community-in-latest-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Real Life
If you're reading Massively, we assume you're a player or fan of MMORPGs, but everyone has different reasons for playing. Some play for hardcore raiding progression, some play for role-playing, and some play just to wind down and relax, but there's one thread that ties all of these things together: community. After all, what's an MMORPG without the MMO? ArenaNet is well aware of this, and the studio has just released a new blog outlining its approach toward community-building with Guild Wars 2.

Some may be surprised to hear that ArenaNet will be offering official forums for GW2. Some may be even more surprised to hear that the studio will not be offering "traditional fansite support." But don't panic! This isn't the death of community, it's the evolution thereof. ArenaNet realizes that "gaming and community management have evolved over the last six years," so the studio plans to change right along with it. When you consider the fact that the GW2 community spans multiple separate communities, such as fansites, forums, social networking sites, and outlandishly fabulous sites such as Massively itself, it should come as no surprise that the studio is aiming to bring these players together. The final goal, according to the blog, "is to create an environment that is respectful, welcoming, inclusive, and friendly."

We're sure more details on the studio's community plan will be unearthed as the game approaches launch, but until then, ArenaNet is asking the community to be proactive by bringing community projects to its attention so that the studio can "[highlight] them for the broader community." So get to work, Guild Wars fans, and help to build a community that makes ANet proud.

MassivelyArenaNet focuses on community in latest dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetblogbuilding-communitycommunitydev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryfantasyguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftThu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online goes time-traveling in latest dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Artwork -- Pathfinder
According to the venerable Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, time is an illusion, and lunchtime doubly so. MMO time is perhaps even more illusory, and that's the exact topic of today's Pathfinder Online dev diary. It's always tricky deciding on the ratio of real-world to in-game time. On the one hand, if time moves too quickly, it can be immersion-breaking; on the other hand, if time moves too slowly, it can lend a sense of stagnance, especially if other gameplay mechanics rely on the day/night cycle (such as mobs that only come out at night).

In light of this, Goblinworks has decided on a 4:1 game-to-earth-time ratio. This means that four in-game minutes will pass in the span of one real-world minute, one in-game day will pass in the span of six real-world hours, and so forth. This will also influence the rate of travel within the game. The team is operating under the assumption that the average human moves at three miles per hour. In-game hexes are about three-quarters of a mile from edge-to-edge, which means that it would take a real person about 15 minutes to traverse one hex. When you take into account the game's chronological dilation, though, the same journey will take an in-game character less than four minutes (assuming he can travel in a straight line), which the team says passes a basic "sanity test when considering the travel times required to cross the zones in other MMOs."

The full dev blog is chock-full of even more information than we can cram into this article, including details on how different variables (such as mounts, magic, and difficult terrain) will affect travel time and the perceived scale of the world, so if you're in the mood to have your brain addled by MMO chronomancy, head on over and give it a read.

MassivelyPathfinder Online goes time-traveling in latest dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryfantasyfast-travelgoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkscaletimetime-scaletravelWed, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's latest devblog is on a big bunch of little updates]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/eve-onlines-latest-devblog-is-on-a-big-bunch-of-little-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/eve-onlines-latest-devblog-is-on-a-big-bunch-of-little-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/eve-onlines-latest-devblog-is-on-a-big-bunch-of-little-updates/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guys, you're really not helping shake the image of the game being an endless sea of spreadsheets.
Little things can make a big difference. That's the topic of the newest EVE Online developer blog by CCP karkur, which covers all of the little changes coming to the game's UI with the next point release. None of the updates is a matter of life or death, but each little change is meant to help improve the quality of life for players in little ways, leading to a better overall experience in the game. And who doesn't want that?

Among the more immediate changes are several additions to quickbar functionality as well as proper menus for the quickbar. There's also a revised blueprint folder, the ability to see at a glance what market stops are along your plotted route, a character display as you type an in-game mail... you get the idea. These aren't tools that will make it easier to undercut other players or blow up opposing ships; these are tools that make each step along that path just a little bit easier. It makes a big difference in the long run.

MassivelyEVE Online's latest devblog is on a big bunch of little updates originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-karkurdevblogdeveloper-blogeveeve-onlineinterface-elementsinterface-updatesinterfacesinternet-spaceshipsnewssandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineuiuser-interfaceWed, 07 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/lord-of-the-rings-online-offering-pvmp-players-some-commendation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/lord-of-the-rings-online-offering-pvmp-players-some-commendation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/lord-of-the-rings-online-offering-pvmp-players-some-commendation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Nothing personal, bro. I just need to upgrade my mandibles.
Lord of the Rings Online has always had an interesting system of PvP, with players facing off against a specially designated group of players in the guise of monsters. It's also a system that's historically had some problems, ones that the developers are hoping to alleviate the new Commendation system coming with Update 6. While it won't fix everything, the new system outlined in today's developer diary should ensure that players will be able to focus their PvMP efforts toward PvMP rewards, making rewards more straightforward without forcing players into PvE to advance.

The diary explains how Destiny, the previously intended PvMP currency, wound up being bloated and failed to serve its proper purpose. Commendations will be hard-capped at 100,000, and spending this currency will allow players to advance Creeps and acquire new equipment. The preliminary numbers are also included with the diary, with the understanding that there will be some tweaking after the system goes live. While players might be a bit miffed at having to use their Destiny quickly before it goes away, the new reward system will hopefully make advancing via PvMP far more viable.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currenciesdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryf2pfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrlotrolotro-update-6pvmppvppvp-rewardsreward-systemsrewardsturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-6Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online fights with knowledge as well as lasers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mechwarrior-online-fights-with-knowledge-as-well-as-lasers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mechwarrior-online-fights-with-knowledge-as-well-as-lasers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mechwarrior-online-fights-with-knowledge-as-well-as-lasers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MechWarrior Online
In any combat situation it is key to be as well-informed as possible: to know where your enemy is (hopefully not right behind you), what resources you have on hand (dual Twinkies), what you're up against (spouse aggro), and so on. The makers of the upcoming MechWarrior Online have devoted their second dev blog to the importance of information -- or as they put it, "knowledge is power!"

To aid with information warfare, the designers will provide to players a key tool called a BattleGrid, which will function like a pumped-up interactive map during in-game conflicts. Through the BattleGrid, players will be able to get a good idea of what's going on in the field quickly and what orders are coming through for the attack.

The blog post also mentions the concept of "modules" that allow pilots to customize their 'Mechs, and it gives a brief overview of the line-of-sight targeting system and how players can work together to share battlefield information as well as how they can confuse the enemy. Hiding and seeking in the game will require a good combination of both detection and "spoofing" modules to keep your team alive while exposing the opposite one.

[Thanks to Nimsy for the tip!]

MassivelyMechWarrior Online fights with knowledge as well as lasers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegriddetectiondev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-bloghide-and-seekinformation-warfareknowledge-is-powerline-of-sightmechmechwarriormechwarrior-onlinemodulemodulespiranha-gamesspoofingWed, 04 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Star Trek Online developer diary explores the abandoned Jem'Hadar ships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/new-star-trek-online-developer-diary-explores-the-abandoned-jem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/new-star-trek-online-developer-diary-explores-the-abandoned-jem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/new-star-trek-online-developer-diary-explores-the-abandoned-jem/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hopefully these fare better in the hands of players than as enemies.
The Dominion is, in many ways, the opposite of the Federation in Star Trek Online. Rather than being composed of several races cooperating freely for shared exploration, the Dominion features multiple races honed into single-purpose tools by the Founders. One of those tools is the Jem'Hadar, the warriors of the organization and the pilots behind the fast scarab-like attack vessels players are no doubt familiar with. And as the latest developer diary outlines, the Jem'Hadar ships are turning into a mystery -- because they're turning up empty and unharmed in the middle of Federation and Klingon space.

In game terms, the ship is small and quick and mounts a heavy offensive arrangement of officers and equipment. In lore terms, however, the presence of the ships could easily be the subject of an entire set of missions (and may be in the future, in the Foundry if not from the development team). It's an interesting fictional read as well as an interesting look at a new ship type in the game, both of which should appeal to fans of Star Trek Online

MassivelyNew Star Trek Online developer diary explores the abandoned Jem'Hadar ships originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryf2pfree-to-playlorenewspatchesperfect-world-entertainmentpweseason-5shipsst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineupdatesWed, 07 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online outlines the next several veteran rewards for players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/star-trek-online-outlines-the-next-several-veteran-rewards-for-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/star-trek-online-outlines-the-next-several-veteran-rewards-for-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/star-trek-online-outlines-the-next-several-veteran-rewards-for-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Military organizations force you to buy new ships to command, unless you've been around a really long time. Then they'll give you a free one eventually.
There's still no definite date on the conversion to free-to-play for Star Trek Online, but the game is quickly approaching its 700th day of operation -- which is important. The game's veteran awards are provided for players in 100-day increments, meaning that the point is fast approaching when the players will be owed a new reward. So it makes sense that the latest Path to F2P blog discusses the next four veteran rewards and explains another upgrade to the reward for 600 days.

The 600-day reward will change to a free token at level 51 (Vice Admiral) allowing players to pick a free ship, something that is currently the case but is being changed with the upcoming patch. This veteran reward means long-time players will still be eligible for a free ship, a benefit that should help assuage at least some of the issues seen with the payment model shift. The subsequent rewards range from new Android bridge officers to free respec tokens, all of which should make long-time players rather pleased.

MassivelyStar Trek Online outlines the next several veteran rewards for players originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdeveloper-blogf2pfree-to-playpath-to-f2pplayer-rewardsrewardsst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineupdatesveteran-rewardsveteransMon, 07 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Honey, the door blew shut. And locked itself.
The conversion to free-to-play has gone live, but there are more changes in store for Fallen Earth. A new developer blog entry has just been unveiled, discussing two of the bigger features in store for the game -- world events and territory control. The former will be dynamic content that appears at random, with multiple events able to feed upon one another and create some changing landscapes for players to explore.

Territory control, by contrast, will start off in a single region north of Blaine. The region will have a total of 13 different control points for factions to hold, with six of them out in the open and seven in more fortified locations. There will be notable rewards for players holding these objectives, including resource nodes, increased experience gain, and improved death toll. It should certainly lead to some interesting battles in the wasteland as players fight over the region's spoils.

MassivelyFallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogsdev-blogsdeveloper-blogdynamic-contentdynamic-eventsfactionsfallen-earthfegamersfirstpatchespreviewspvpterritory-controlworld-eventsMon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot - Star Trek Online
Captain's Log, Stardate 65322.9...

Hello, computer (and players)! For the past several weeks, Star Trek Online players have been checking out the latest F2P beta builds on the Tribble test server. While there have been a few patches on other days, more for stability fixes and minor tweaking, Thursdays seem to be the designated day for us to receive the largest pushes of new content. The latest round of updates has brought further economy changes, new events and ships, and even more heated debates. Since we seem to be a ways out from the seeing the updates ported to the Holodeck live server, there is still plenty of time to check it all out and provide your feedback to the devs.

I would like to dedicate this entry to those who are helping test the changes. This week's Captain's Log serves as a checklist of sorts on what new content you can test and where you can provide feedback about it. As you read through, I suggest that you read a particular section, jump into game to check out the particular change, formulate an opinion, and head to the linked forum where you can leave your feedback. No matter what you think, it's important to let the devs know -- they will make changes based upon a collective opinion.

Ensign, warp 10! It's time to create our own party rock anthem...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilityc-storeconsolecraftingcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdaily-eventdevdev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarydevsdilithiumdoffduty-officerduty-officer-systemevent-calendarf2pfeature-testingfeaturedfeedbackforumforumsfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsgeargozerhereticklingon-academylivestreamloglore-missionspatchespath-to-f2pperfect-world-entertainmentpowerpwesci-fishipsspecial-task-forcespecial-task-force-missionsspecial-testingstst-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestarfleet-academystephen-dangelostfstf-updatesstostormshadetest-servertrek-onlineuiui-tweakupdatesThu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR dev diary comments on companion control]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/swtor-dev-diary-comments-on-companion-control/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/swtor-dev-diary-comments-on-companion-control/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/swtor-dev-diary-comments-on-companion-control/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR companions
A couple of weeks ago, BioWare began a diary outlining the Star Wars: The Old Republic companion. In the second part of the companion developer's diary released today, Senior Game Designer William Wallace tackles the intricate mechanics of companion control. MMO players' opinions vary on how pets should be handled in combat situations. If not handled well, companions can overpower a group sometimes and completely ruin it at others.

Wallace admits that BioWare's vision for companions has been augmented based on how players actually used the NPCs during gameplay. The team added passive and active controls over companions. In fact, if a player only wishes to control some companion actions but not others, BioWare provided ways to do that, too.

We also know that sometimes groups can be split up. Wallace explains how SWTOR works around that:
If a player leaves the group or its proximity, to travel to a vendor for instance, he is able to summon his companion for the journey. Upon reentering proximity of the group, the companion is automatically dismissed. The remaining group can temporarily substitute the missing player with one of their companions if desired.
Companions are a staple in BioWare games. Developers promise to continue to make the companion gaming experience better -- meeting or exceeding your expectations.

MassivelySWTOR dev diary comments on companion control originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecompanioncompanionsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryEAElectronic-ArtsLucasArtspet-classStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORwilliam-wallaceFri, 07 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Testing out the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/captains-log-testing-out-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/captains-log-testing-out-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/captains-log-testing-out-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Trek Online wallpaper of a pile of Tribbles
Captain's Log, Stardate 65264.3...

Hello, computer (and players)! As you have must have seen by now, open beta testing of Star Trek Online's new F2P model is well underway; the developers have been posting dev diaries about the impending changes for the last couple of days. Because testers on the Tribble test server were required to start new characters, and because character transfers will not be an option for at least a few weeks, many players have begun a mad dash to level up their test characters in order to test out some of the retooled endgame content.

Since testing, especially in this manner, can be confusing, I have decided to dedicate this week's Captain's Log to those who are willing to take on the challenge. Past the jump, you will find a checklist of sorts that you can use while testing (or, ultimately, playing) the new content and updates. I suggest reading each section and then checking it out in-game. While some recommendations may seem less interesting than others, I suggest you give each a fair shot so you can provide feedback on what can make the game better.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's give our dedicated Tribbleites some structure to their testing time...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Testing out the future

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Testing out the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogc-storecrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studioscurrencycurrency-updatedan-griffisdeep-space-ninedev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryduty-officerduty-officer-systemevent-calendarf2pfeature-testingfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsgeoff-tuffligozerlivestreamlore-missionsmission-journalmission-windownew-systemspatchespath-to-f2pperfect-world-entertainmentpweremasteredsci-fispecial-testingstst-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestephen-dangelostfstf-updatesstotest-servertesting-rewardstrek-onlinetutorialtutorial-updateuiui-tweakupdatesThu, 06 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Star Trek Online blog entry outlines the Duty Officer system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/newest-star-trek-online-blog-entry-outlines-the-duty-officer-sys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/newest-star-trek-online-blog-entry-outlines-the-duty-officer-sys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/newest-star-trek-online-blog-entry-outlines-the-duty-officer-sys/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

And they say EVE is full of spreadsheets.
One of the issues that Star Trek Online has always faced when emulating its source material is the simple issue of size. Players take the role of a captain overseeing an entire ship, crewed with numerous people, a ship that in the television series would be filled with actors and recurring faces. But in gameplay, that sense has always been a bit more difficult to convey... and it's an element being addressed with the new Duty Officer system.

In the latest entry in the Path to F2P blog, Geoff Tuffli outlines the goals and overall thrust of the Duty Officer system. Players will receive Duty Officers as rewards in a variety of ways, including spending time in the academy for each respective faction. The officers can be placed in departments, sent on assignments, or otherwise managed by players in order to receive the greatest amount of benefit from the support staff. It's a feature that's long been promised by the development team, and as the game moves toward a hybrid business model, it looks to finally be moving to release.

MassivelyNewest Star Trek Online blog entry outlines the Duty Officer system originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryduty-officerf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsgeoff-tufflinew-systemspatchespath-to-f2pstst-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineupdatesSun, 02 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Embers of Caerus: 'MMO guilds suck']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/embers-of-caerus-mmo-guilds-suck/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/embers-of-caerus-mmo-guilds-suck/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/embers-of-caerus-mmo-guilds-suck/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Forsaken Studios
Forsaken Studio's newest sandbox MMO may not even have a proper website yet, but that doesn't mean Embers of Caerus can't make waves. In the team's first dev blog, a gauntlet is thrown down to all other MMOs: Your guilds suck, apparently. Nothing personal.

"For that part traditional MMORPG guilds have done their job, and they haven't done it badly, but it can certainly be improved," the team writes. It's their opinion that guilds are a little too exclusive and inflexible, not allowing players to mingle in multiple groups as they would in real life.

Using Facebook as an example of how people categorize friends into different groups, the devs show that we have grown to expect flexibility in structuring our relationships and social circles. It's the opinion of the team that MMOs should evolve with the times to include the same types of features: "Once we break the bonds of traditional guilds, and work instead to define ways to organise and control our relationships and groups, the possibilities are pretty much endless."

Embers of Caerus plans to allow players as much flexibility as possible in their goals and their social groupings, so that an adventurer could be part of both a thieving guild and a merchant troupe if so desired. The title is only a few weeks into development at this point.

[Thanks to the good folks on the Massively forums for bringing this to our attention!]

MassivelyEmbers of Caerus: 'MMO guilds suck' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryembers-of-caerusfacebookforsaken-studiosguildguildsnew-titlesocial-circlessocial-networkingthievesTue, 30 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic maps out success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-old-republic-maps-out-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-old-republic-maps-out-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-old-republic-maps-out-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The BioWare developers have always talked about polish and immersion when designing Star Wars: The Old Republic. They have described some of the challenges of perfecting the game in their many developer blogs. Everything from art design to combat has been discussed. In the center of it all are the game testing metrics that everyone from Lead Combat Designer Georg Zoeller to Community Manager Stephen Reid have talked about. What do the metrics tell us is the most important part of the SWTOR user interface? Lead Systems Designer Damion Schubert tells us in the latest dev blog:
When Georg told the design team that maps were the most-opened part of the user interface in the game, our map specialists just nodded in understanding. They already knew that being able to find your way around the world was going to be hugely important to our success. Thanks largely to the enduring efforts of those on the map team who believe passionately in the importance of what they are doing, our maps system are a core, essential part of the adventuring experience in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Schubert tells us the details of making a proper map should not only be esthetically pleasing but dynamically help the player move about the complex environments of The Old Republic. Check out everything else Schubert has to say in the blog on the official site.

MassivelyThe Old Republic maps out success originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredamion-schubertdev-blogdeveloper-blogEAElectronic-Artsgeorg-zoellerLucasArtsmapmap-uiquest-mapsquestsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorUIFri, 08 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[In the beginning: Guild Wars 2 shows off Ascalon Catacombs intro cinematic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/in-the-beginning-guild-wars-2-shows-off-ascalon-catacombs-intro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/in-the-beginning-guild-wars-2-shows-off-ascalon-catacombs-intro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/in-the-beginning-guild-wars-2-shows-off-ascalon-catacombs-intro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dungeons without context tend to just blend in with the other 55,000 instances we've run in our MMO careers, so a gripping backstory can make all the difference in how memorable a good dungeon run can be.

ArenaNet has released a new introductory cinematic for Guild Wars 2's Ascalon Catacombs that helps bring players -- those both unfamiliar to the Guild Wars lore and heavily steeped in it -- up to speed. A Charr narrates a slice of history from the first game, leading up to how this dungeon was created and why it's so full of teed-off ghosts.

In an attached developer blog, Horia Dociu tells us why these cinematics aren't just window dressing but essential to the experience: "These cinematics play at the key moments of the story mode in each of the eight dungeons in Guild Wars 2, setting the mood and delivering valuable info. Stylistically, we're pushing the concept of a visual storybook as a form of communicating to the player -- we want the cinematics to feel like moving paintings."

You can watch the full intro to Ascalon Catacombs after the jump!

Continue reading In the beginning: Guild Wars 2 shows off Ascalon Catacombs intro cinematic

MassivelyIn the beginning: Guild Wars 2 shows off Ascalon Catacombs intro cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetascalon-catacombsascalonian-catacombsbackstorycharrcinematicdev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogghostsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2Horia-Dociuintro-cinematicloremoving-paintingsncsoftstorystorytellingvideoThu, 30 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New zones and artifacts in latest Perpetuum devblog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-zones-and-artifacts-in-latest-perpetuum-devblog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-zones-and-artifacts-in-latest-perpetuum-devblog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-zones-and-artifacts-in-latest-perpetuum-devblog/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perpetuum has been stomping its way along after its fairly recent launch, doing its level best to prove that everything really is better with giant robots. While the development team has been a bit quiet the past few weeks, the newest devblog entry explains some of the reasons behind the silence. A lot of the team's focus has been on adding new zones to the game for players to explore, with six new zones in development -- three of them remaining safe and three allowing for the unrepentant robot warfare that drives the core game.

The game's artifact scanning minigame is also nearing completion, and while the blog entry states outright that the mechanics will be fairly similar, it sounds like a good way to pass some time while there's nothing for your robot to shoot at. There's also official support for an emulation platform on Linux and OSX, which makes the game available to a wider range of potential players. Perpetuum players should take a look at the full entry for all the details.

[Thanks to Roy Ary for the tip!]

MassivelyNew zones and artifacts in latest Perpetuum devblog originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>additional-zonesavatar-creationsdevblogdeveloper-blogfuture-patchesfuture-updatesgiant-robotslinuxnew-zonesosxperpetuumrobotssandboxzonesFri, 04 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR dev builds mini-movies in Flashpoints]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/swtor-dev-builds-mini-movies-in-flashpoints/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/swtor-dev-builds-mini-movies-in-flashpoints/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/swtor-dev-builds-mini-movies-in-flashpoints/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We all know BioWare is acclaimed for the presentation of its games. Single-player games like Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and DragonAge have a way of capturing a player and immersing him in the world. How many of you have ever wondered what it would be like to invite your friends along for a ride on a BioWare game, too? This could be the key reason BioWare decided to make Flashpoints in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Jesse Sky is a world designer at BioWare Austin. In the most resent developers blog for SWTOR, he details what it takes to build a Flashpoint. He explains that it's not all about getting to the next boss fight: "Fighting through legions of enemies is part of what makes the cooperative gameplay feel heroic, but we find it helps if your enemies do more than just stand around waiting to be attacked." According to Sky, many players have run dungeons that have them wondering why they are there, with no sense of purpose. "We want you to feel like you are the heroes in a Star Wars action sequence, but we also want to give you opportunities to roleplay with your friends." Sky indicates again that SWTOR's emphasis is not only making a great game but also making a great story.

Be sure to read the whole developers blog on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic website.

MassivelySWTOR dev builds mini-movies in Flashpoints originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareBioWare-has-got-storydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarydungeondungeonseaElectronic-ArtsflashpointflashpointsinstanceinstancesJesse-SkyLucasArtsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorworld-designFri, 04 Feb 2011 11:30:00 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[Ex-APB devs take shots at Realtime Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/ex-apb-devs-take-shots-at-realtime-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/ex-apb-devs-take-shots-at-realtime-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/ex-apb-devs-take-shots-at-realtime-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The sordid saga of All Points Bulletin continues, this time via the comments of ex-Realtime Worlds developers who have decided to air their grievances in public. Luke Halliwell, a six-year veteran of the company who worked on both APB and the seminal Xbox 360 open-world actioner Crackdown, minced few words on his personal blog. "There had been mounting discontent internally about the competence of our top management -- and what better proof could you need than this. How they could keep operating the company when they couldn't even pay this month's wages, I don't know. Presumably they continued to think we had a chance somehow; the behaviour of a deluded, greedy, addicted gambler," he writes.

Not to be outdone, an anonymous poster claiming to be a former APB dev posted in the comments of a Rock, Paper, Shotgun article about the studio's implosion, pinning the blame on Realtime Worlds' business model as well as "fairly directionless creative leadership."

Halliwell also mentions APB's troubles as they relate to the onslaught of free-to-play titles flooding the marketplace. "Then a few things happened. Facebook. Farmville. The iPhone. Nintendo's resurgence. Casual gaming. Free-to-play. It started to feel like Realtime Worlds was a massive dinosaur, building these massive things that nobody wanted," he said.

MassivelyEx-APB devs take shots at Realtime Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbbusiness-modelsdeveloper-bloglayoffsluke-halliwellmmofpsrealtime-worldsRealtime-Worlds-Ltd.rock-paper-shotgunWed, 25 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda's Todd Harris on the newly added open zones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/global-agendas-todd-harris-on-the-newly-added-open-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/global-agendas-todd-harris-on-the-newly-added-open-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/global-agendas-todd-harris-on-the-newly-added-open-zones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Global Agenda has been making some changes of late. That almost goes without saying -- very few MMOs exist in a static state, after all -- but very few implement sweeping system changes and zone additions so quickly after launch. One of the largest additions with the newest phase of the Sandstorm patch is the Sonoran Desert, an open and persistent PvE zone for players to enjoy. In a new video developer blog, executive producer Todd Harris explains what the zone means for the game and how the systems within work.

The desert, which is aimed at providing a complete experience for players between levels 5 to 15, will be familiar in many ways to long-time MMO players. It's not that the idea of quests picked up from an NPC is new, but it's certainly new within the context of the game. Take a look past the cut to see the zone demonstrated in depth, and if the look strikes your fancy, it would be fair to point out that Global Agenda is subscription free.

Continue reading Global Agenda's Todd Harris on the newly added open zones

MassivelyGlobal Agenda's Todd Harris on the newly added open zones originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-blogdeveloper-diaryf2pfree-to-playgaglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezglobal-agenda-sandstormhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-stdioes-global-agendahi-rez-studiospatchpatchespvesandstormshootersubscription-freetodd-harrisvideovideo-developer-blogvideosMon, 02 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online releases new video developer Q&A]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/dc-universe-online-releases-new-video-developer-q-and-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/dc-universe-online-releases-new-video-developer-q-and-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/dc-universe-online-releases-new-video-developer-q-and-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Episode 6 of DC Universe Online's video dev diary Inside the Studio has been released on Facebook, with Game Director Chris Cao and Creative Director Jens Andersen answering the latest round of fan questions.

The questions, of course, were pulled from Facebook comments, and the 10-minute video covered quite a few subjects. The developers confirmed that you will have powers which allow you to shapeshift into various animals, taking on their powers. They gave more details on weapons, powers, and the combinations thereof, details about flight, story arcs, and much more.

Check out the full video on Facebook for all the answers, and keep an eye out for Episode 7.

MassivelyDC Universe Online releases new video developer Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-caodc-universe-onlinedcuodeveloper-blogfacebookjens-andersensoeSony-Online-Entertainmentvideo-dev-diaryThu, 29 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda's newest video diary details Defense Raids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/global-agendas-newest-video-diary-details-defense-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/global-agendas-newest-video-diary-details-defense-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/global-agendas-newest-video-diary-details-defense-raids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Global Agenda 's Sandstorm patch is pretty sizeable, and the Hi-Rez team recently produced a video developer blog that provided an overview.

The newest video follows in that same vein, but is a bit more specific. Executive Producer Todd Harris and Lead Artist Chuk Vinson sit down to explain Defense Raids, 10-man raids in which you are tasked with the protection of your dome city.

Every now and again, the city's alarms will go off to indicate that an attack by robots is imminent. High-level players can work together to prevent it from happening by trying to keep the enemy from breaching the defenses and destroying the power core. If you succeed, you get a big boss fight and big loot at the end.

Follow along after the jump to see the video firsthand.

Continue reading Global Agenda's newest video diary details Defense Raids

MassivelyGlobal Agenda's newest video diary details Defense Raids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chuk-vinsondefense-raidsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarygaglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiossandstormsandstorm-patchtodd-harrisvideo-developer-diaryvideo-diaryTue, 20 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Music, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/music-audio-webcomics-and-more-it-is-super-reveal-friday-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With Comic*Con less than a week away, BioWare is passionately preparing for the stellar event. And to tease us into wanting more, the development team threw us a gigantic Fan Friday for Star Wars: The Old Republic. What secrets were revealed in the newest issue of the Blood of the Empire? What can be divulged in a Developer's Blog about audio? How do we discover this secret the SWTOR Community Manager wants to tell us? And music in an MMO? Is that important? The Developer's Dispatch wants to show us.

All of these and other important questions will be answered if you click the little "Read more" button below.

Continue reading Music, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans

MassivelyMusic, audio, webcomics and more: It is super-reveal Friday for SWTOR's fans originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioBioWareblood-of-the-empiredeveloper-blogdeveloper-dispatchEAea-biowareElectronic-Artsexal-kresshfacebookforumsJesse-HarlinLucasArtsMaggotmusicorion-kelloggsean-dahlbergsecretsStar-Warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtorteneb-kelthe-old-republictwitterwebcomicFri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jade Dynasty reveals first details of next expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/jade-dynasty-reveals-first-details-of-next-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/jade-dynasty-reveals-first-details-of-next-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/jade-dynasty-reveals-first-details-of-next-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play MMO Jade Dynasty hasn't seen an expansion since last November, so fans have been hoping that another is on the way soon. Players received some new dungeons just last month to hold them over, and now PWE are beginning to drop hints as to the next expansion.

The newest developer blog post over at PWE gives an overview of two new classes coming with the expansion as well as ten new screenshots detailing some of what's to come in this as-yet-unnamed expansion.

We get our first look at the Celan and Rayan, powerful new forces sent by the Athan. We learned about the impending arrival of Territory Wars, in which alliances will fight it out for control of different lands within Jade Dynasty. If that isn't enough, the post ended with a hint of much more to come: "but what good is the ability to conquer the world without some upgrades? How about smoother movements, better physics and destructible environments?"

It looks like PWE have much more planned for this expansion, but for the time being, check out the latest information on the developer blog.

MassivelyJade Dynasty reveals first details of next expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-blogexpansionf2pfree-to-playjade-dynastyperfect-world-entertainmentPWETue, 18 May 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively exclusive: TERA lore dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/massively-exclusive-tera-lore-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/massively-exclusive-tera-lore-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/massively-exclusive-tera-lore-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While we had a chance to get our hands on with the upcoming mmo TERA at GDC 2010, there was little we could glean about the overall lore of the world beyond the broadest of brush-strokes. That's why we were so glad when the folks at En Masse Entertainment offered to give us some exclusive insight on some of the history of this interesting new world.

This developer blog, written by David Noonan, Lead Writer at En Masse Entertainment, turns an eye towards the history of the High Elves, but in a fascinating way. Written in the format of a research paper -- complete with editorial remarks from a wizened professor -- it gives us a closer look at the bloody, violent, and fascinating culture of one of the elder races in TERA.

While TERA's warlike High Elves are cautiously accepted now in the ranks of the Valkyon Federation, they're still not entirely trusted by the other member-races. Only recently did they stop their bloody and bitter wars -- and the memory of the world's inhabitants have not yet faded in terms of what the "Children of Karas" once did. The High Elves, aware that their own survival is dependent upon cooperation with any other enemies of the Argon invaders, actively look past those previous differences; their cause is now that of saving all life on the planet. They act with strength, patience, and honor to achieve their goals of moving "forward, together and strong" -- a tenet that is just as important to the High Elf race as the benedictions spoken at meals in elven homes for well over 3,000 years.

Curious about lore on the High Elves of TERA? Join us behind the break for the dev blog from David Noonan or check out the gallery below for a handful of exclusive new screenshots!

Gallery: TERA

Continue reading Massively exclusive: TERA lore dev blog

MassivelyMassively exclusive: TERA lore dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david-noonandev-blogdeveloper-blogen-masse-entertainmentexclusivefeaturedlead-writerloremassively-exclusiveteraThu, 01 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest dev blog for Star Wars: The Old Republic looks at Jedi Consular]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/latest-dev-blog-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-jedi-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/latest-dev-blog-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-jedi-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/latest-dev-blog-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-jedi-co/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The development team for Star Wars: The Old Republic is hard at work these days, and most of us love to hear what they're up to while we wait for the game. One of the many resources that Bioware has given us are the developer blogs. The newest edition comes to us courtesy of writer Joanna Berry, who takes a closer look at the Jedi Consular.

The Jedi Consular has a balance to maintain, walking that line between the light and dark sides of the Force, and Berry's thoughts on that sense of balance contributed quite a bit to how she chose to write the Jedi Consular class: "For me, the challenge - and the fun - of writing the Jedi Consular is keeping a sense of balance between intelligence and arrogance, between what's right and what could win the war against the Empire."

Take a look at the full entry here -- it's well worth a read for anyone interested in SW:TOR.

MassivelyLatest dev blog for Star Wars: The Old Republic looks at Jedi Consular originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredeveloper-blogjedijedi-consularjoanna-berrystar-wars-the-old-republicswtorFri, 05 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's Alternate Advancement demystified]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/age-of-conans-alternate-advancement-demystified/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/age-of-conans-alternate-advancement-demystified/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/age-of-conans-alternate-advancement-demystified/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In an effort to bring interesting new ideas into Age of Conan for players in the higher levels, Funcom has decided to add in an Alternate Advancement system as part of the upcoming Rise of the Godslayer expansion. The idea is that rather than just giving players new levels to play through, they'd like to give people the chance to develop their characters more than ever before. With that said, as with any new system added to an MMO, there is the question of how precisely the new mechanics are going to work when it comes down to it.

Thankfully, the Funcom staff have written up an excellent post about the Alternate Advancement system in Age of Conan for players from levels 20 to 80. The full post over on MMORPG.com offers a solid breakdown of what players can expect -- from the use of Prowess, Mastery and Expertise on down to offline achievement points that should keep more casual players in the earning loop. For adventurers who like to call the wild lands of Hyboria home, this is a must-read dev blog, so be sure to pop over there and give it a look.

MassivelyAge of Conan's Alternate Advancement demystified originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanalternate-advancementalternate-advancement-systemaocdeveloper-blogexpansionfuncomrise-of-the-godslayerWed, 24 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The development of the Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Sith Inquisitor is not meant as just another Force-using class. That's one of the central themes behind the most recent developer blog from Star Wars: The Old Republic. Saying even that the Inquisitor is meant as a Palpatine to the Sith Warrior's Darth Vader is only a fraction of the whole story. No, the Inquisitor exists as someone whose diet of dark secrets and forbidden knowledge is as much a survival mechanism as anything, the manipulator and scholar, the calm and reason to balance against the Warrior's bravado and power.

Where the Warrior begins as a member of high society, the Inquisitor begins life as a slave, sent to either become a part of the Empire's almost monastic order of Sith or die unknown and unmourned. Inquisitors face the difficulties of choice, not only of morality but of their personal desires weighed against the needs and demands of the Empire. And through it all, they are the keepers of secrets and mystical knowledge of the Force, learning and studying into the otherworldly aspects it posseses. While we're still more than a year out from the expected launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans should still enjoy this look at one of the game's most devious classes.

MassivelyThe development of the Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtordeveloper-blogeaelectronic-artsforcelucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgsithsith-inquisitorstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicFri, 05 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Star Trek Online launch day roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/massivelys-star-trek-online-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/massivelys-star-trek-online-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/massivelys-star-trek-online-launch-day-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Today marks the official launch date for Cryptic Studios' newest title, Star Trek Online. We know there's a massive amount of information for new players to process, so we've put together a nice round-up of our various guides, tips and op-ed features to help out. Follow our advice and you should be more than ready to begin your heady Starfleet (Or Klingon Empire!) career.

Of course, of you're looking for an even more wonderful hub of information, you should check out our shiny new dedicated Star Trek Online page. It'll serve as the go-to place for any new guides, interviews, patches game lore and videos.

So -- as Sera Brennan would say -- without any further delay, let's take a trip down memory lane and look back at the best of our STO coverage...

Continue reading Massively's Star Trek Online launch day roundup

MassivelyMassively's Star Trek Online launch day roundup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogguideofficial-dev-blogst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-101stotipstrek-onlineTue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online official dev blog: Chris Menard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-chris-menard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-chris-menard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-chris-menard/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For the third and final Star Trek Online developer blog we present to you Chris Menard discussing his experience as a special effects artists for the game. It's a short but fun look into one developer/fan's experience working on a title set within the Star Trek universe, and we think you'll enjoy the read.

It's a funny thing, getting to work on something with such a high profile. We can't imagine that the men and women doing the animations, effects or really any aspect of a high profile MMO would want to put too much thought into just how many people will be seeing (and judging) their work. Our hats off to the hard working developers behind each and every game out there!

Continue reading Star Trek Online official dev blog: Chris Menard

MassivelyStar Trek Online official dev blog: Chris Menard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-menardcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogexclusivefeaturedst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineFri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online official dev blog: Tracy Jasperson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-tracy-jasperson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-tracy-jasperson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-tracy-jasperson/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Today we bring you a developer blog from Tracy Jasperson, an animator for Star Trek Online. We're a bit jealous of Tracy's job, because the chance to animate some of the very cool -- and often iconic -- moves and moments in the Star Trek universe sounds like a deliciously rare kind of fun. Still, now we can all live the experience vicariously, through this developer blog! If only holodecks were real...

Be sure to come back Friday for the final installment of our entire week of developer blogs for Star Trek Online. Enjoy!

Continue reading Star Trek Online official dev blog: Tracy Jasperson

MassivelyStar Trek Online official dev blog: Tracy Jasperson originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationanimatorborgcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogfeautredklingonst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotracy-jaspersontrek-onlineWed, 27 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online official dev blog: Jeremy Mattson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-jeremy-mattson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-jeremy-mattson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/star-trek-online-official-dev-blog-jeremy-mattson/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Today marks the first of this week's three exclusive developer blogs from Cryptic's Star Trek Online team here at Massively. For Monday, we've got Jeremy Mattson discussing what it's like being a Principal Artist for Cryptic and giving some insight into their powerful character customization tools. He also delves into the past a bit, which should interest any of you City of Heroes fans out there, too.

Be sure to come back again on Wednesday for our second installment of this week's developer blogs. We'll have an animator's perspective of life at Cryptic and working on Star Trek Online.

Continue reading Star Trek Online official dev blog: Jeremy Mattson

MassivelyStar Trek Online official dev blog: Jeremy Mattson originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-sto-dev-blogsartistatariblogcity-of-heroescohcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogfeaturedfeatured-carouseljeremy-mattsonncsoftprincipal-artistst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineMon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online's 'Episode Missions' detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/star-trek-onlines-episode-missions-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/star-trek-onlines-episode-missions-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/star-trek-onlines-episode-missions-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Many an MMO has its own word for the ever present quest, but usually a name change is the only real difference. With Star Trek Online's Episode Missions, Cryptic is working towards creating a nomenclature that describes the experience of living out the beloved television shows of our past, and you can read all about it in a new developer blog.

Each episode will be roughly 45 to 90 minutes long and functions as a primary mover in player progression. Many of their stories will be infused with conflict, although Cryptic is saying not all episodes have to end with battle. The setting -- the year 2409 -- is a time of war, which gives credence to a Trek universe where blowing things up is unfortunately more common. In this respect, Star Trek Online is much more like the movie versions than the series.

The game is set to launch with three seasons of episodes, where each season represents 14 episodes. That's 42 episodes at launch, which is kind of like a nerdy lucky number. We'll take it as a good sign.

MassivelyStar Trek Online's 'Episode Missions' detailed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2409ataricrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogepisode-missionsepisodesstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestoMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dev blog sheds light on Champions' Zombie Apocalypse]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/dev-blog-sheds-light-on-champions-zombie-apocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/dev-blog-sheds-light-on-champions-zombie-apocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/dev-blog-sheds-light-on-champions-zombie-apocalypse/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the coolest features coming with Champions Online's October 27th Blood Moon update is the addition of Zombie Apocalypse, a PvP map that features a scenario instead of the typical objective involving kill scores. Sound interesting to you? Then we highly recommend this developer blog discussing the entire process of creating the ruleset, as it awards a keen insight on the how and why of said rules.

There are two good things happening here: One is the obvious, that Cryptic is adding a new PvP map that's something more than the launch offerings. The other is that they're being communicative with a new piece of content's development process. This seems like a minor plus but in truth, when a developer demystifies the reasoning behind their content it only serves to elevate player perception and appreciation of said work. Our only suggestion would be to boost the presentation of these dev blogs (behind the scenes in-game pictures are always cool) in order to draw even more attention to them.

MassivelyDev blog sheds light on Champions' Zombie Apocalypse originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariblood-moonchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogpvpzombiezombie-apocalypsezombiesThu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jumpgate Evolution dev blog looks at balancing combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/jumpgate-evolution-dev-blog-looks-at-balancing-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/jumpgate-evolution-dev-blog-looks-at-balancing-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/jumpgate-evolution-dev-blog-looks-at-balancing-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As player-versus-player pew-pewing is one of the biggest draws for those interested in the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution, there's no wonder that a lot of attention has been given to balancing the game's combat. The most recent Jumpgate Evolution dev blog entry from lead producer Hermann Peterscheck, titled "Combating Combat", shed some light on how class balance came to be where it's at now.

The post goes on to say that from the very beginning, balance was approached with PvP in mind, as NetDevil realized that it would be easier to tweak PvE accordingly at a later stage. Starting with just one class of ship, additional classes were introduced over time and put through their paces in daily play tests. Petersheck noted that the goal was to have each class feel truly unique and not simply have a bit less of this stat, or a bit more of that one:

"It's very tempting to just throw a bunch of classes of ships together in order to say things like 'our game has 15 classes of ships!' but this, we believe, is the wrong direction. People want meaningful and strong choices and not lots of meaningless, empty choices. Currently we plan to have 4-6 classes, but they will each have nearly endless possible configurations within those groups."

It's a promising design philosophy, to be sure. Check out the rest of Peterscheck's article at the JGE dev blog.

MassivelyJumpgate Evolution dev blog looks at balancing combat originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceclass-balancecodemasterscombating-combatdev-blogdeveloper-bloghermann-peterscheckjgejumpgate-evolutionnetdevilThu, 30 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth Developer Diary: Needle Eye Research Facility]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/fallen-earth-developer-diary-needle-eye-research-facility/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/fallen-earth-developer-diary-needle-eye-research-facility/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/fallen-earth-developer-diary-needle-eye-research-facility/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Massively is proud to host a five-part developer journal from the Fallen Earth team which will explore various levels in Fallen Earth, their storylines and how they make the player experience richer. This fifth dev journal, written by content designer Grace Hagood, leads us into the Needle Eye Research Facility, a warren full of Throwbacks and Sporekill.

When the citizens of war-torn Old Kingman fled Casta Gaunt's raiders, they expected to find refuge in the farming community of Needle Eye. Fearing reprisals from the raiders, the leaders of Needle Eye closed their doors to the refugees. Shut out from the safety of town, the exiles face a host of problems: mutated monsters, fungal blight, kidnappings, and waning food supplies. Can the solutions be found in the old GlobalTech lab near the wheat fields? Are you brave enough to find out?

Continue reading Fallen Earth Developer Diary: Needle Eye Research Facility

MassivelyFallen Earth Developer Diary: Needle Eye Research Facility originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diarydeveloper-blogfallen-earthgrace-hagoodMon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Keep up with the Fallen Earth team at E3 via dev-blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/keep-up-with-the-fallen-earth-team-at-e3-via-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/keep-up-with-the-fallen-earth-team-at-e3-via-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/keep-up-with-the-fallen-earth-team-at-e3-via-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The members of the Fallen Earth team that will be attending E3 have decided to share their experiences with those playing along at home, and will do so through their newish blog at IGN. Alec Masters, Ilkor, and Circatrix will post during the expo, and not just about their game -- there will be "behind-the-scenes notes on their personal experiences, meetings and parties and pics of the LA scenery" so you should get a pretty decent impression of what it's like to attend, from the development side of the fence.

Circatrix has started an E3 diary on the blog, before the event has actually kicked off, and unsurprisingly things are already extremely busy in the Fallen Earth camp. It sounds like there will be time for some fun stuff over the next few days too though, so keep checking the blog if you're a fan of the game -- and if that's just not enough insider Fallen Earth coverage for you, the team will also be updating a Twitter feed from the show floor.

MassivelyKeep up with the Fallen Earth team at E3 via dev-blog originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdeveloper-bloge3-2009fallen-earthfallen-earth-llclos-angelestwitterMon, 01 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official Champions DevBlog: Randy Mosiondz, lead designer on roleplay and gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/official-champions-devblog-randy-mosiondz-lead-designer-on-rol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/official-champions-devblog-randy-mosiondz-lead-designer-on-rol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/official-champions-devblog-randy-mosiondz-lead-designer-on-rol/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's been on a short hiatus, but Massively's official bi-weekly Champions Online DevBlog has returned with a column from lead designer Randy Mosiondz concerning the balance between roleplay and gameplay. If you happened to have missed the previous entries, simply follow our Champions Developer posts and easy access to even more thoughts and commentary from the likes of Randy Mosiondz, Bill Roper and Jack Emmert.

Continue reading Official Champions DevBlog: Randy Mosiondz, lead designer on roleplay and gameplay

MassivelyOfficial Champions DevBlog: Randy Mosiondz, lead designer on roleplay and gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribill-roperccpchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdeveloper-blogeve-onlinefablefable-2falloutfallout-3featuredguitar-herojack-emmertmaster-chiefrandy-mosiondzWed, 08 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST