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[GDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At this year's GDC Online in Austin, Ultima Online was the first game inducted into the Game Developer's Choice Hall of Fame. Massively had a chance to look back at UO's thirteen years of history with its original senior producer, Richard Vogel, and its current one, Calvin Crowner. Follow along after the jump to read more on their impressions of those 13 years.

Continue reading GDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online

MassivelyGDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventures-on-the-high-seasawardsBoosterboosterscalvin-crownerEAea-mythicEGMevent-moderatorsfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegdc-online-2010gdcogdco-2010high-seashigh-seas-expansioninterviewInterviewsMythic-Entertainmentoriginosire-enlistersrich-vogelSandboxseersUltima-OnlineUOMon, 11 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Braaaaainssss: First details about Undead Labs' zombie MMO revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/braaaaainssss-first-details-about-undead-labs-zombie-mmo-revea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/braaaaainssss-first-details-about-undead-labs-zombie-mmo-revea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/braaaaainssss-first-details-about-undead-labs-zombie-mmo-revea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's something about zombies and video games that bind geeks together in harmony, which is why we've been anxious to see what Jeff Strain's Undead Labs has in store for our favorite end-of-the-world scenario. Well drop your linen and start your grinnin', because Game By Night reports that EGM's latest physical issue (241.0) is chock-full of zombie goodness on the project.

The unnamed MMO is going to be console-only and will take place in today's world following a zombie apocalypse. Strain promises that the world will be dynamic and malleable -- think "sandbox" -- as players will build up defenses to protect settlements, lay down traps for the zombie horde and eventually take the fight to the undead. There may also be gardening (yup, you read that right).

A more dynamic world isn't the only cue from modern MMO development that Undead Labs is taking -- the game will skew more toward quick action-based fights than traditional MMO combat: "Banish the memories you have of the PC MMO paradigm for combat, and start thinking AAA console action game... weapons (like the M14 assault rifle or long-bladed machete) need to feel snap-fast and satisfying, to pierce bones and dismember limbs just so."

While the title is still in very early stages, EGM says that the team is looking to allow a more free-form character development, with players taking on specialty roles instead of being forced into rigid class constructs. You can read the full analysis over at Game By Night.

MassivelyBraaaaainssss: First details about Undead Labs' zombie MMO revealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-based-combatassault-rifebecause-its-thriller-thriller-nightbreakingconsole-mmoegmgame-by-nightjeff-strainmachetesandboxundeadundead-labszombieWed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[1UP layoffs and the ripples therein]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/1up-layoffs-and-the-ripples-therein/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/1up-layoffs-and-the-ripples-therein/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/1up-layoffs-and-the-ripples-therein/#commentsFiled under: ,


When half of the staff leave/are laid off from a gaming site as notable as 1UP, it affects essentially everyone within the industry -- as does the closure of EGM, one of the very best gaming magazines around. Their excellent coverage of games like Final Fantasy XI, Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft (to name just a few) have always been the sort of things we here at Massively strive for in our own features. Whether it was podcasts like Legendary Thread or the infamous live reading of a certain Age of Conan incident on GFW Radio, the group working at 1UP were always in it to entertain, inform and hopefully make everyone think a little bit about their favorite pasttime.

Understandably, the massive layoffs have created a sort of hate brush fire that's been roaring across the internet mostly via message boards fueled by a mix of ex-1UP Twitters and hearsay. While it pains us as fans to see so many talented and hard-working writers let go, there's some truth to the saying, "You can't win 'em all" in this situation. Our own searing anger was doused a little upon reading a lucid post detailing the why behind the whole debacle.

Continue reading 1UP layoffs and the ripples therein

Massively1UP layoffs and the ripples therein originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1upegmffxifinal-fantasy-xigfw-radiojoystiqlan-partylegendary-threadugowarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[1UP asks for your input on game of the year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/1up-asks-for-your-input-on-game-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


After one of the most hectic release schedules in recent years, finally just about every big game is out, and the 1UP network are running their 2007 1UP Awards. The awards are voted on by readers of the site, and print magazines Electronic Gaming Monthly and Games for Windows. The games are first broken down in to categories, like "Best Action Game", and there's a final "Game of the Year" category with pre-selected titles.

Among all of the other superb games on the lists, there are a couple of MMO nominations. In the "Best Multiplayer Game" category, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar are included, and both of these appear again in the important "Game of the Year" section. These games have each already won some awards this year at the Golden Joysticks, with LotRO taking best PC game, and WoW:TBC getting online game of the year.

In both of the areas they are competing, there is stiff competition for the two MMO entries, but if you feel that one of these games deserves to be acknowledged then head on over to the 1UP Awards page and cast your vote.

Massively1UP asks for your input on game of the year originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1up1up-awards2007best-multiplayer-gameegmelectronic-gaming-monthlygame-of-the-yeargames-for-windowsgfwlotrowowTue, 04 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Next Halo game: FPS MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/next-halo-game-fps-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/next-halo-game-fps-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/next-halo-game-fps-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


So now that Bungie and Microsoft have parted ways, what's next for the Halo universe? The latest rumor says Master Chief and company are headed to an first person shooter MMO. That... would be spectacular, given that's done right. Halo is already basically an MMO, considering all the persistent stats, customization and tracking that Bungie has put into it. All it really needs is a virtual world for the Covenant (or what's left of it), Earth, and the Flood to fight it out in, and we're off to the rocket races.

The rumor, which is actually from the latest EGM, recommends Bungie for such a task, and there has been speculation that Bungie will go to an MMO next also (although, there's been speculation that every big game developer is working on an MMO, so don't hold your breath on that one either). But it's true that while PlanetSide is entertaining, we haven't yet seen a next generation FPS MMO done right. Could be that Bungie are just the ones to do it.

[ via X3F ]

MassivelyNext Halo game: FPS MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungieegmfirst-person-shooterfpshalomicrosoftmmoplanetsidestatsvirtual-worldxbox360fanboyThu, 25 Oct 2007 15:51:00 EST