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[Lost Pages of Taborea: Is Runes of Magic too easy?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-runes-of-magic-too-easy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-runes-of-magic-too-easy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-runes-of-magic-too-easy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems things are never quiet in regard to Runes of Magic these days. If it isn't holiday events or new world bosses, it's large-scale balancing issues. Players may still be plugging away at title achievements this Halloween, but the event has been going long enough for people to settle into a daily routine and get back to everyday affairs. In other words: it's something to do, but the shiny is starting to wear off.

I took advantage of this lull and decided to do a Q&A on the overall difficulty of RoM. It's not a huge issue; it's more like a constant issue that creeps into other discussions on class balance or the memento system. And after the attempted change to a percentage-based mana cost, it's definitely worth consideration. Is RoM too easy? The question seems like it'd be a quick one-line answer, but there are many ways to view it that would yield different outcomes. What are players' goals? How can a change to one system affect the whole game? How will future updates affect any changes made today? Is there an answer to whether RoM is too easy or not? Well. Let's find out.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Is Runes of Magic too easy?

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Is Runes of Magic too easy? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebalancingbalancing-gameplaychallengedifficultydifficulty-settingsdungeon-difficultyeasyfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehardjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taborearomrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmenttoo-easytoo-hardMon, 01 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Punish or protect?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/the-daily-grind-punish-or-protect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/the-daily-grind-punish-or-protect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/the-daily-grind-punish-or-protect/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ah, this morning we have a true opinion question for you. One that many players are very divided on. In your honest opinion, dear readers, do you think games should punish players for missteps, or do you believe the game should protect you against loss and minimize it at all possible places?

In the old days of MMO gaming, death was a ruthless beast that could steal hours of your playtime away from you, setting you further away from your goal than you'd be comfortable to admit. But, as we've progressed in our designs, death is no more threatening to our adventures than the gentle breeze of the hills. Death penalties have been reduced, experience loss has been removed, and dropping items has become a dropped practice.

So what's your opinion? Drop it in the box, and let it ring loud and clear!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Punish or protect? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>difficultyeasyhardopinionthe-daily-grindMon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your preference of difficulty?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preference-of-difficulty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preference-of-difficulty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preference-of-difficulty/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Some people like it when the game challenges them for months on end, stopping them at the same battle over and over again until a group comes together and cooperates in a way that yields progression.

Other people like to be able to sit down at a game, play it for a few hours, and feel like they've made some progress and accomplishments. They enjoy feeling rewarded after a small play session, instead of dedicating hours of work and thinking to their games.

And still others would rather find extreme progress in less than an hour, being highly rewarded for very little challenge. It's not fun if it's hard, right?

So today's grind question is as follows: what is your preference of difficulty? Are you the person who likes to be stumped for weeks on end, or are you more of the type who wants to get the maximum reward for the smallest effort? Speak forth into thy comment box, and let thy voice be heard! And hopefully you won't use a silly accent like us, but you can if you'd like to.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your preference of difficulty? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchallengedifficultyeasyfungaminghardhardcoremediumprogressionraidsthe-daily-grindWed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST