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[Not So Massively: Exploring the lands of MOBA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/not-so-massively-exploring-the-lands-of-moba/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/not-so-massively-exploring-the-lands-of-moba/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/not-so-massively-exploring-the-lands-of-moba/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Welcome to Not So Massively, our brand-new weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

It's sometimes hard to believe that MMOs and online gaming in its current form are both relatively new. In a single generation, online gaming has gone from a technical infeasibility to a global industry worth billions. The list of MMOs is constantly growing, and the line between MMOs and other online games blurs more every year. In the past few years, we've seen a massive rise in the popularity of microtransaction-supported and free-to-play MMOs. Other online games like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth have adopted similar strategies, using a cash shop to fund ongoing development.

There are now lots of heavily community-based games out there that for one reason or another aren't quite MMOs. The lack of shared persistent worlds in some online games or the relatively small size of server communities can render the game not-so-"massive," but persistent stats, character progression, cohesive communities, or other qualities make them more than just another online game.

In this first edition of Not So Massively, I look at the generosity of League of Legends players, a new hero on the way for Heroes of Newerth, the Rise of Immortals closed beta, plans for future development in Bloodline Champions, and other big news stories from the previous week.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Exploring the lands of MOBA

MassivelyNot So Massively: Exploring the lands of MOBA originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabloodlinebloodline-championsclosed-betadarksporedisasterdisaster-reliefdotafeaturedgameplayheroheroes-of-newerthHoNjapanleague-of-legendslee-sinlegionLoLmeditronmobanot-so-massivelypatchqq-ninjareddithonreliefriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroundupS2-Gamesstunlock-studiosthe-nomadtournamenttrailervideoSat, 09 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft makes multi-million dollar Japanese relief donation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/ncsoft-makes-multi-million-dollar-japanese-relief-donation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/ncsoft-makes-multi-million-dollar-japanese-relief-donation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/ncsoft-makes-multi-million-dollar-japanese-relief-donation/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier we told you about Hi-Rez Studios and its efforts to help victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. NCsoft is also throwing a considerable contribution into the relief drive in the form of 500 million Yen (or 4.5 million Euros/6.3 million USD, for those of you counting along at home).

NCsoft's Sung Joon Park explained that the sum equals a month's worth of sales, adding that the South Korean gaming giant would not be shutting off game services. "We'll maintain the service with minimal electricity and personnel. Maintaining daily life is also important, therefore we plan to uphold the service."

Kotaku puts NCsoft's gift into perspective, noting that the South Korean MMO maker is a big deal in Asia, where its contributions to the Japanese recovery outstrip notables including Nintendo, Sony, and Hyundai.

[Thanks to cic for the tip!]

MassivelyNCsoft makes multi-million dollar Japanese relief donation originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitydisasterdonationsearthquakefantasyjapanjapanese-disasterjapanese-earthquakemmo-industryncsoftrelief-effortstsunamiFri, 18 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Despite devastation, Chinese return to online gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/despite-devastation-chinese-return-to-online-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/despite-devastation-chinese-return-to-online-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/despite-devastation-chinese-return-to-online-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After the devastating earthquake that took the lives of over 40,000 people in China two weeks ago, the Chinese government is doing all they can to restore civility to over seven million people who were directly affected by one of the largest natural disasters in recent history. In addition to this, we can all rest assured that the MMO market in China didn't miss a beat and is back in full swing.

Yes, you heard me right. CDC Games, the Chinese game distributor responsible for the distribution of such popular titles as Shaiya Online, stated recently that its revenues for its online games have rebounded almost immediately. They say their game service was only suspended for three days during the tragedy, and are now back on track to making the income they made previous to the disaster. Whew!

MassivelyDespite devastation, Chinese return to online gaming originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 May 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdc-gameschinadisasterearthquakeshaiyashaiya-onlineWed, 28 May 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthquake not the only impact on China's online games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/earthquake-not-the-only-impact-on-chinas-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/earthquake-not-the-only-impact-on-chinas-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/earthquake-not-the-only-impact-on-chinas-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the wake of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province, China, the government mandated an observance of the tragedy. In addition to Monday's three minutes of silence in national mourning, the Chinese government placed a three-day moratorium on all 'public amusements' in the country. This imposed break extended to online gaming and virtual worlds throughout the mainland, which prompted some commentary by Frank Yu, the China Angle columnist at Gamasutra.

While residents of Sichuan or those with friends and loved ones in the quake-affected region were not likely to want to play games in the aftermath of the disaster, the three-day imposed blackout on entertainment media was an unusual move for China. The suspension of these activities essentially made the entire country give up something, albeit briefly, in order to share the pain of those whose lives have been affected by the catastrophe. "The earthquake has had another major impact on the China gaming industry as well in what seems like an exercise of government media control... This includes, concerts, television shows, movies and for the first time, even online games," Yu said. The virtual worlds of China's major online game companies remained dark between May 19th and 21st. Although the game companies and operators complied with the suspension of their activities, they clearly assumed substantial profit losses.

Continue reading Earthquake not the only impact on China's online games

MassivelyEarthquake not the only impact on China's online games originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 May 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinadisasterearthquakefrank-yugamasutraindustrymarketmediamicrosoftshandaubisoftThu, 22 May 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zu Online community mourns earthquake victims]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/zu-online-community-mourns-earthquake-victims/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/zu-online-community-mourns-earthquake-victims/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/zu-online-community-mourns-earthquake-victims/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As most people have heard by now, a massive earthquake struck the Sichuan province of China four days ago, killing 12,000 people and leaving as many as 18,000 more missing. The colossal tragedy shocked not only the Chinese, but all the people of the world.

Players of the Chinese MMO Zu Online were no exception. Without any prior planning, they collected together in the game's wuxia fantasy setting -- the mythic past of the the very region struck by this week's terrible disaster -- to mourn those lost in the earthquake, and to pray for their families.

A Zu player put together a tribute video, cross-cutting between footage from the in-game memorial service and photographs from the media coverage of the disaster, and posted it on the game's official forums. It's a noble tribute to the deceased. Watch it if you feel compelled.

[Via MMORPG]

MassivelyZu Online community mourns earthquake victims originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadisasterearthquakeiggmemorialonwind-digitalprayerservicesichuantragedyvideowuxiazu-onlineThu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 EST