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[Rise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have a buddy who creates all types of music, and recently he decided to experiment with 8-bit. We've talked about it, and at first I think he was worried about how I would feel about it. After all, I've been playing in heavy rock bands since I was around 13 years old, so my disdain for most things electronica or artificial is pretty well-known. For the record, I do not hate all sounds that are created by a computer -- I just haven't found much that I like.

So, as I watched 8-bit become a slightly hipper and hipper form of music, my tolerance has had time to adjust. True 8-bit art and design is about reduction, if you ask me -- it's about breaking down everything into single blocks of color or sound, and then rearranging those bits in an attempt to recreate something beautiful.

When done well, 8-bit can be fun and exciting. Neverdaunt:8Bit is done well, for sure. While it is still only in "early" testing, it shows a ton of promise -- even if it is only made up of a few basic blocks of noise and color.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8bit8BitMusicbeau-hindmandigitalf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgraphicsminecraftmusicneverdauntneverdaunt-8bitpvprise-and-shinyscott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldsecond-lifesimlishSun, 03 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion grips top ten digital sales charts a month past release]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/aion-grips-top-ten-digital-sales-charts-a-month-past-release/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You'd be forgiven for thinking Aion would've fallen off the Steam and DIrect2Drive top ten sales charts, what with the fire hose blast of new PC releases. Fortunately for NCsoft, that isn't the case as the game is still clinging to said charts in the face of games like Dragon Age: Origins, Borderlands, Torchlight and Left 4 Dead 2. Boldness!

Actually, the game is pretty darn good -- if you don't mind your peanut butter with extra grind -- so that's not a huge surprise all things considered. It's always a good sign when an MMO can stay on the top ten after its launch, moreso when it does so against high profile, high pedigree releases. So, rejoice Aion players, you've likely got a strong community! (We could've just told you that, but now numbers vindicate said observation.)

MassivelyAion grips top ten digital sales charts a month past release originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionborderlandsd2ddigitaldirect2drivedragon-agedragon-age-originsl4d2nc-westncsoftsteamtop-tentorchlightSat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kids choose digital entertainment over traditional media]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/kids-choose-digital-entertainment-over-traditional-media/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/kids-choose-digital-entertainment-over-traditional-media/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/kids-choose-digital-entertainment-over-traditional-media/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A recent survey of moms by NPD shows that kids are more interested in receiving digital content than purchasing physical media such as CDs or DVDs. Though most games still rely on an initial physical purchase of software, there is an increasing trend towards online and on-device delivery.

The study also looked at device usage and activities done on those devices. It found that gaming is the most popular activity with around 85% of kids playing on the devices studied. There has also been an increase in cross-platform usage with videos being watched on consoles and cell phones used to listen to music. With all the talk of MMOs on consoles and the ability of devices to handle more tasks each rather than respecting their traditional, separate roles, it seems this trend is poised to continue.

MassivelyKids choose digital entertainment over traditional media originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitaldigital-entertainer-elitenpdsurveyThu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games and Atari partner on EVE retail box sales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/ccp-games-and-atari-partner-on-retail-box-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/ccp-games-and-atari-partner-on-retail-box-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/ccp-games-and-atari-partner-on-retail-box-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When EVE Online launched in 2003, it came in a box through the game's publisher, Simon and Schuster Interactive. But for much of EVE's lifespan, it's been a digital product. Nothing to buy at a store, no physical media to save. It seems CCP Games has gone retro, from what was announced by CCP's CEO Hilmar Pétursson today, live from EVE Fanfest 2008 in Reykjavik. He announced that CCP Games will be partnering with Atari to establish a retail presence once again... which is fitting really, as Atari will also be publishing Ghostbusters. Hilmar introduced a short presentation by David Gardner, Atari's CEO, who discussed the partnership with CCP Games.

EVE typically has a winter expansion and a summer expansion. The winter expansion, Quantum Rise, is just days away. The summer expansion is expected (but not confirmed) to include Walking in Stations, only there's a little twist with the timing... They're not waiting for summer. It's coming in March. In a box. In your local game store. That's the information we have at this time, but we'll keep you informed as more details surface.

Update: Note that we haven't locked down a release date with Walking in Stations yet. Massively will report on Walking in Station's official release date once that's available -- at this time we only know it's tentatively slated for 2009.

MassivelyCCP Games and Atari partner on EVE retail box sales originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationataribox-salesbreakingccpccp-gamesccp-hellmardavid-gardnerdigitaleveeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2008eve-onlineexpansionshilmar-peturssonquantum-risewalking-in-stationsSat, 08 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FFXI goes boxless]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/ffxi-goes-boxless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/ffxi-goes-boxless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/ffxi-goes-boxless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Square/Enix has taken another step towards the all-digital age, with their decision to go boxless with Final Fantasy XI sales. Downloads of the title and its expansions are now offered through Direct2Drive, already well-known for bringing a number of PC titles to gamers, eliminating trips to the store to pick up installation discs. Or dealing with rainchecks.

Whether the download is actually faster than driving to the local GameStop is debatable, but that's beside the point. Digital distribution of Final Fantasy XI puts the title in the club with EVE Online as well as the many Sony Online Entertainment titles which are distributed without boxes, and on demand. Direct2Drive is offering Final Fantasy XI and the expansions at $19.95 each; game manuals are available for download as well.

Via 1UP

MassivelyFFXI goes boxless originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 May 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitaldirect2drivedownloadeve-onlinefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xigamestopsoesony-online-entertainmentsquare-enixFri, 30 May 2008 10:30:00 EST