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[More about MUDs for the MMO curious]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/more-about-muds-for-the-mmo-curious/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/more-about-muds-for-the-mmo-curious/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/more-about-muds-for-the-mmo-curious/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


When it comes to the evolution of the MMO, you can't really deny the earliest roots of MMOs -- the MUD or Multi-User Dungeon. But as there are many who just started in with MMOs with more recent titles like World of Warcraft, the initial roots from whence the games we love rose remain shrouded in mystery for many people. Thankfully, recently Edge Online decided to not only take a very close look at the earliest creation of MUDs, but they also got a chance to sit down with Richard Bartle.

Their illuminating article, simply titled "The making of: MUD" talks not only of what started the system we know, but also how the thinking behind it progressed into the MMOs we know now. Additionally, sprinkled throughout the second half of the article are some really interesting quotes from Bartle. One such example is Bartle's explanation of his current levels of involvement and why he'd rather "...focus on the health of the forest than on individual trees" in terms of the massively multi-player game market. If you're a veteran or a newcomer, the article is well worth a read if only to give a perspective on our favorite genre that you may not have had before.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

MassivelyMore about MUDs for the MMO curious originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edge-onlinehistoryinterviewmmommo-industrymudmulti-user-dungeonretrospectiverichard-bartleSun, 27 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Asia on innovation and risk with DUST 514]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/ccp-asia-on-innovation-and-risk-with-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/ccp-asia-on-innovation-and-risk-with-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/ccp-asia-on-innovation-and-risk-with-dust-514/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


This past August's announcement from CCP Games of a new title -- DUST 514, a console MMOFPS set in EVE Online's New Eden galaxy -- drew both great interest and intense criticism from gamers. If successful, CCP Games will be the first game company to tie a console FPS in with a separate MMO. (Not entirely separate, however. DUST 514 mercenaries will fight it out on the surface of the same planets seen from space in EVE Online. Their successes and failures will ultimately play a role in the balance of power in EVE.)

Since that first flurry of info about DUST 514, it's been rather quiet on the news front. However, a two-part article published at Edge Online this week focuses on CCP's new game. Edge Online's "Enter Planet Dust" is something of a primer on the core concepts behind the title but is also one of the most comprehensive pieces written about DUST 514 to date. Edge also interviewed some of the key CCP Games staff working on the game in Shanghai -- Kjartan Pierre Emilsson, Managing Director of CCP Asia and Atli Már Sveinsson, Creative Director on DUST 514.

Continue reading CCP Asia on innovation and risk with DUST 514

MassivelyCCP Asia on innovation and risk with DUST 514 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaatli-mar-sveinssonccpccp-asiaccp-gameschinaconsolesdustdust-514edgeedge-onlineeveeve-onlinekjartan-pierre-emilssonmercenariesmercsmmofpsnew-titlesrtssci-fishanghaiwilliam-chenThu, 10 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Home no longer a priority for Sony?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Opinions on PlayStation Home seem to differ -- it doesn't have the kind of flexibility and user created content that's made Second Life successful, but it does provide social spaces and content linked to the games and other media we enjoy. For others, like writers at our parent site Joystiq, it's a brave new virtual world where the fine art of Quincying can thrive.

Now that PlayStation Home has gained some traction with its install base and users are making microtransaction purchases, does Sony intend to develop the marketplace further? Not immediately, according to PlayStation Home's Pete Edwards. Edge Online quotes Edwards, speaking at the London Games Conference this week: "It's been a long road. We've proved there is a market out there and we've got a lot of people that spend a lot of time in [Home]. It's not a priority right now but there is a business model there."

[Via G4tv's The Feed]

MassivelyPlayStation Home no longer a priority for Sony? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsedge-onlinehomelondon-games-conferencemicrotransactionsmmo-industrypete-edwardsplaystation-homevirtual-worldsFri, 30 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Realtime Worlds is becoming synonymous with Scotland's game development with their upcoming title All Points Bulletin, but there are reports the company may consider relocating to Ireland. As one of Scotland's most prominent development studios, Realtime Worlds is keenly aware that as the computer games industry grows the UK lags behind other countries in terms of tax incentives. (Edge Online has an excellent overview of the situation which details how UK firms pay tax on R&D while countries like Canada and France provide rebates for game developers.) The situation as it affects Realtime Worlds and other Dundee-based companies is that if corporate tax breaks aren't possible in Scotland, they may need to head to greener pastures. Even moreso if such pastures include a 5-year tax holiday, which was mentioned at last weekend's Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin.

Herald Scotland quotes Colin Macdonald, Realtime Worlds Studio Manager, as saying,"If the package on offer in Ireland was attractive we'd have to give it serious consideration. [...] Dundee is a great place to be based, one of the main hubs for computer games in Britain, but at the end of the day we've got to look after our bottom line."

Continue reading UK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland

MassivelyUK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbcolin-macdonalddublindundeeeconomyedge-onlineherald-scotlandirelandmmo-industryrealtime-worldsscotlandtaxesunited-kingdomMon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microtransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the newer titles coming to the massively multiplayer online game market is Mytheon, a game that is based on real-world myth rather than pure fantasy, currently in development at Petroglyph. This fresh angle on lore and setting isn't the only difference between Mytheon and its fantasy MMO competitors -- Petroglyph is banking on the hope that microtransactions will prove more successful for Mytheon than the standard subscription model.

Edge Online recently interviewed Petroglyph's general manager Chuck Kroegel, who's also the producer for Mytheon. Kroegel spoke with Edge Online's Kris Graft, and explained Petroglyph's outlook on this alternative business model: "This is a serious commitment on our part... we find it intriguing because we do feel there is a notion of how this could be the way of the future. And if not, it's certainly going to be part of the future. It may not be the only way things are done in regards to the model, but right now it looks to be viable."

Continue reading Microtransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon

MassivelyMicrotransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelschuck-kroegeledge-onlinefantasyinterviewskris-graftmicrotransactionsmmo-industrymythmytheonmythologynew-titlesopinionpetroglyphsubsubscriptionstrue-gamesWed, 17 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST