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[The Daily Grind: Are you giving the gift of games this year?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Christmas presents
If you've got a gamer on your Christmas list, congratulations. With the proliferation of digital download titles and services like Steam and Good Old Games, it's never been easier to put a smile on the face of your favorite geek.

Digital gifting does have a dark side, though, or at least a hmm-that's-kind-of-impersonal side. While most of us would never turn down a virtual copy of Skyrim or a few funny bucks to spend in an MMO cash shop, it is nice to get (and give) an actual present that someone's taken the time to wrap and deliver.

What about you, Massively crew? Are you giving the gift of digital gaming this year?

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: Are you giving the gift of games this year? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopchristmaschristmas-giftsdigital-distributiondigital-downloadsfeaturedfunny-bucksfunny-moneygame-discussiongamer-discussiongiftsgoggood-old-gamesholiday-giftsholidaysitem-shopmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpresentstdgthe-daily-grindFri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve's Steam forum security compromised]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/valves-steam-forum-security-compromised/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/valves-steam-forum-security-compromised/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/valves-steam-forum-security-compromised/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Steam logo
Valve is the latest gaming company to suffer a security breach during the hackathon that is the year 2011. What's that got to do with MMOs, you say? Well, the company's Steam digital download service offers access to a ton of our favorite virtual worlds, and it has thus far seemed relatively secure.

Kotaku reports that the Steam forums were hacked last night, with the paper trail leading to a cracker website known as Fknowned.com. The gentlemen in question are of course denying all responsibility for the mischief, and thus far Valve has offered no comment on the situation. It's worth noting that the Steam forum account info is separate from the actual Steam service account info, but it's also likely that some users employ identical sets of credentials. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.

MassivelyValve's Steam forum security compromised originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-downloadsdownloadshackedhacksMiscellaneousmmo-industrysecuritysecurity-breachsteamvalveMon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Universe going freemium this August]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/lego-universe-going-freemium-this-august/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth? Check. City of Heroes? Check. Which AAA MMORPG act is warming up to take the stage next on the free-to-play 2011 world tour? That would be LEGO Universe, and the LEGO Group has announced via press release that the kid-friendly building-block title will be joining its formerly subscription-based brethren in the freemium ranks as early as this August.

Interestingly, LEGO Universe will continue to make its money via paid memberships, with no microtransactions planned at this time. Free players will have access to a limited selection of game content for an unlimited period of time. If the trial content tickles their fancy, tire-kickers are then free to pony up $10 per month for full access.

LEGO Universe is also doing away with its physical media, as new users will find that the game is transitioning to a download-only model for both paid and free players. Full details on the content available to free players isn't yet available, but check back with us frequently as we bring you all the latest updates.

MassivelyLEGO Universe going freemium this August originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdigital-downloadsf2pfree-to-playfreemiumlegolego-grouplego-universemmo-industrysubscriptionstrialTue, 21 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion details RIFT collector's edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/trion-details-rift-collectors-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/trion-details-rift-collectors-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/trion-details-rift-collectors-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Start salivating, RIFT fans, as Trion has taken the wraps off its collector's edition plans for the upcoming fantasy MMORPG. The limited packaging will feature the requisite in-game items including a level 20 turtle mount, a satchel that boosts inventory space, and a Bogling Wastrel pet. If you opt to purchase the retail box version of the collector's edition, you'll get the aforementioned items plus the Telara Chronicles graphic novel hardcover, a RIFT-emblazoned gaming mouse, the official game soundtrack, and an 8GB USB drive featuring the RIFT logo.

Pre-order customers will be able to select one of three unique pets, and depending on their pre-order retailer of choice, they'll also receive exclusive weapon enhancements. Full details are available via the official RIFT website.

MassivelyTrion details RIFT collector's edition originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectorscollectors-editiondigital-downloadsexclusivesfantasygaming-mousein-game-itemslaunchespetsretail-boxriftrift-planes-of-telararift-soundtracktriontrion-world-networktrion-worldsusb-driveTue, 28 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Direct download or retail box?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/the-daily-grind-direct-download-or-retail-box/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/the-daily-grind-direct-download-or-retail-box/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/the-daily-grind-direct-download-or-retail-box/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Let's face it, with Steam being such a popular service these days (really, how many gamers do you know who don't have Steam installed?) and sites like Direct2Drive among myriad others out there, digital distribution is very commonplace. Five years ago, not so much. There again, there are bandwidth allocations/caps in many countries, and even some start of that here in the U.S. As such, we got to thinking about it, and considering the size of the general MMO, we wondered if we were likely to see more digital downloads coming up, or more people buying box copies? What do you think? Do you suspect we're on the way to a purely digital download future? Or do you think box copies will remain a staple since MMOs are generally pretty large in terms of file size? Or is there a third option, where we'll see more games somwhat like Free Realms and FusionFall where the game will stream to you incrementally as you explore new areas as opposed to coming in one enormous chunk?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Direct download or retail box? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-downloadsfutureretail-boxstreamingtdgthe-daily-grindSun, 24 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCSoft adds its titles to Steam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-adds-its-titles-to-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-adds-its-titles-to-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-adds-its-titles-to-steam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


If you're one of those gamers who prefers the digital minimalist approach as opposed to having game boxes everywhere then you're in luck. MMO-giant NCSoft have announced they will be offering their titles -- including City of Heroes, Guild Wars, and Lineage -- via Steam. They're also planning to offer their latest, most anticipated and shiny MMO, Aion as well when the game launches later this autumn.

The company seem really excited and the press release sent to Massively Towers includes not one but two quotes. NCSoft are especially keen to note that there will be plenty of special offers on their products via the site and it's a great opportunity for anyone who prefers digital downloading.

MassivelyNCSoft adds its titles to Steam originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternitycity-of-heroesdigital-distributiondigital-downloaddigital-downloadsguild-warslineagencsoftncsoft-europencsoft-north-americasteamWed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard opens its digital download doors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/blizzard-opens-its-digital-download-doors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/blizzard-opens-its-digital-download-doors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/blizzard-opens-its-digital-download-doors/#commentsFiled under: , ,


If you just can't take the wait of driving to a brick and mortar store (or even worse, waiting for something to show up in the mail!) then Blizzard's got you covered with their new digital download service. As of right now they're only offering the Starcraft Anthology, Warcraft III and its Frozen Throne expansion pack. However, we could see Blizzard eventually offering both World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade -- not to mention Wrath of the Lich King when it launches.

Currently it's possible to get a digital download version of World of Warcraft and its first expansion through third-party. We're sure Blizzard will eventually take over those titles, as the company probably wants to make sure that buying their product digitally is as good an experience as it can possibly be. The thought of having every Blizzard PC title at our fingertips is a little scary though, we're worried that our bank accounts may suddenly drop soon for some mysterious reason.

[via WarCry]

MassivelyBlizzard opens its digital download doors originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 May 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbrick-and-morterburning-crusadedigital-downloadsfrozen-thronestarcraftwarcraftwarcraft-iiiworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 06 May 2008 20:00:00 EST