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[TERA's senior producer looks at the game's past, present, and future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/teras-senior-producer-looks-at-the-games-past-present-and-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/teras-senior-producer-looks-at-the-games-past-present-and-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/teras-senior-producer-looks-at-the-games-past-present-and-fu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

TERA
Saying that it "feels as though a giant weight has been lifted off [his team's] shoulders" now that TERA has launched, En Masse Senior Producer Brian Knox has turned his attention to the immediate and far future of the game. He says that the team is hard at work ironing out "pain points" for players, but his big passion is working to make the PvP experience even better and to roll out the battlegrounds this summer.

"I want to continue to slowly iterate our PvP-server rules," Knox said in an interview published yesterday. "I think TERA's skill-based system is a natural fit for PvP players, and I want to develop a system that encourages and rewards PvP participants."

Knox addressed the pace of the leveling experience (he says it should be a "smooth and even ride" if players follow the story and do all the quests), the price of teleportation scrolls (expensive for lowbies, affordable for veterans), and what to do at the endgame (answer: a lot). As more players reach the high levels, En Masse is preparing to juice up its nexuses and political system, both of which require a decent amount of participants to work.

MassivelyTERA's senior producer looks at the game's past, present, and future originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundblueholebluehole-studiosbrian-knoxen-masseen-masse-entertainmentendgamefantasyinterviewlaunchleveling-experiencenexusnexusespolitical-systempvppvp-serverpvp-serversteraWed, 09 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR on the rise and planning more PvP, endgame content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/swtor-on-the-rise-and-planning-more-pvp-endgame-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/swtor-on-the-rise-and-planning-more-pvp-endgame-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/swtor-on-the-rise-and-planning-more-pvp-endgame-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
Star Wars: The Old Republic's moon (that's no moon...) is waxing, not waning, says Daniel Erickson. BioWare's lead designer on the project said that rumors of the game's demise are incredibly premature -- and outright wrong.

Following Update 1.2 and the Rakghoul Outbreak live event, Erickson reports that player activity in the game is increasing. He said that the studio is working hard to keep its customers happy: "The community has generally been excited about the direction the game is going as we finish up our last must-have quality of life features (group finder, etc) and can start concentrating full-time on creative things like the world events."

Erickson said that the live event was kept a surprise to make it "feel organic" and not spoil everything in this age of instant internet sharing. He said that the team took a cue from World of Warcraft's Corrupted Blood plague that swept through the game in 2005; the devs tried to channel players' actions to fun rather than griefing.

He says that the team discovered that SWTOR had a huge PvP community and has since "turned a huge amount of resources" to developing more content for that side of the game. BioWare's also shifted several team members over to creating more endgame content as the players chew through the stories at an increasing rate.

MassivelySWTOR on the rise and planning more PvP, endgame content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcorrupted-bloodcorrupted-blood-incidentcorrupted-blood-plaguedaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artsendgamefantasygroup-finderinterviewlive-eventlucasartsoutbreakpvprakghoul-outbreakrakghoul-plaguesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2warcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Many-winged angel.
The primals are among the greatest forces within Eorzea, something that Final Fantasy XIV players are no doubt acutely aware of after the clash with Ifrit. The second primal battle is coming, pitting players against Garuda, deity of the Ixali. That means another pitched battle against a superior foe in the Howling Eye, a battle which the official site has just recently previewed with a video of the fight in hard mode and a video preview of the new weapon rewards.

According to the lore, the Ixali revere Garuda as the Empress of Birds, a soaring deity who maintains an appetite for the flesh of land-dwelling creatures. She is the incarnate strength of the bird-men as well as a source of great terror. But just as with Ifrit, players who defeat her can expect to have a variety of fantastic weapons, as illustrated in the video just past the break. Just be careful -- if you aren't on the ball when you fight her, you could find yourself completely blown away.

[Thanks to Alex for the tip!]

Continue reading New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight

MassivelyNew preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boss-battlesconsoleconsolesendgamefantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgarudalorenew-contentpreviewprimalprimalssquaresquare-enixvideovideo-previewvideosTue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think gear level should gate content?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-gear-level-should-gate-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

I am a mod-junkie, but I wouldn't shed a tear to see DPS meters and Gearscore disappear.
When I returned to World of Warcraft a few weeks ago, my more hardcore guildies were in a rush to show me the newest sights and latest dungeons. I don't blame them; they didn't want to run regular dungeons when they could be doing the shiniest heroic content and most cutting-edge encounters. But in modern WoW, one thing stood between us and that instant gratification: item level.

Because I'd taken breaks from the game, my max-level Shaman had fallen behind in power as the seasons wore on. And that official item level stamped on her gear was more than just a marker that I wasn't elite; it literally gated the dungeons unless I sacrificed rewards (counterproductive) or got a bunch of new gear fast. It didn't take but a weekend or two to catch up, but it was still an annoyance that slowed everyone down, especially since my guildies were overpowered enough that a few more points on my gear weren't going to make or break our success. And while I understand that item level is a useful shorthand for judging your readiness for content, it's a bit disheartening to realize that gamers are being encouraged by the game to see each other only as a numerical gearscore.

What do you think -- should items and item levels gate dungeons and other content?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you think gear level should gate content? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quit standing around and get back to work leveling. This is a race to the endgame. Don't forget it.
A few months ago, we asked whether you prefer studios to assign vet rewards and similar bonuses to your accounts or your characters. But we've never asked whether you think games should grant out-of-game rewards to players whose accounts have characters of a certain level of power, and that's because it's so rare. In fact, I can't think of a game that's done so other than Star Wars: The Old Republic, which stunned just about everyone this week by announcing a free month of playtime to players who just so happened to have reached level 50, a plan amended yesterday to require instead a certain tier of legacy experience.

Cynical readers suggest that such a move panders to those most likely to leave (thus affecting subscription tallies) and betrays the loyalty of day-one veterans who play several lowbie characters rather than focus their attention on a single toon. After all, why should it matter how far your characters have progressed when you're paying the same monthly sub as everyone else?

What do you think -- do you want to see other studios dole out playtime and other rewards based on your character's level or gear or other arbitrary measurements of success and achievement?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should MMOs bestow account rewards based on character power? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-rewardsbiowarebrianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindeaelectronic-artsendgamelegacylegacy-rewardlevelsloyaltylucasartsopinionsci-fislap-in-the-facestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorSat, 14 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

James Ohlen
As the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild leaders lined up to get a taste of the Lost Island flashpoint, I was at BioWare studios getting my hands dirty with deeper PvE and PvP content as well as speaking with developers like Combat Designer Georg Zoeller, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson, Art Director Jeff Dobson, and Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi. However, the best part was at the end of the day when I was able to speak one-on-one with Creative Director James Ohlen.

Ohlen touches nearly every aspect of the game's development. It was important to me to find out why this game is as popular as it is and what BioWare was going to do to retain its current playerbase. The first stop was the latest game update, which should hit test servers really soon.

Continue reading Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future

MassivelyEpic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksone-sportseaelectronic-artsemmanuel-lusinchiendgameendgame-contentesportsfeaturedgame-testinggeorg-zoellerinterviewinterviewsjames-ohlenjeff-dobsonlevel-50lucasartspublic-test-serverPvPsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much grouping should be required in a game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

However much grouping a game requires, there will always be a camp arguing a game has too much and another arguing it has not enough. This is inevitable.
A good group arguably makes any game more fun. No matter how much fun you're having in any game, be it Star Wars: The Old Republic or Global Agenda or whatever else, there are players who believe it's better when you're running with other people, telling jokes or roleplaying or even just working in unison. Of course, others would point out that's all if you have a good group. A bad group can turn even something fun into a real misery, which sort of defeats the purpose of playing a game. And that's not getting into the time it takes to form a group or coordinate several people... or the fact that some players just prefer not to group.

So how much grouping should an MMO require out of its players? Should pretty much all content require a group, forcing players to work together and build a real sense of community at the expense of any solitary play? Or should pretty much all content not require a group, letting everyone group with players as they wish without hard restrictions -- and making large chunks of the game single-player for all intents and purposes?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How much grouping should be required in a game? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentdaily-grindendgamegame-contentgame-mechanicsgroup-playgroupinggroupslevelingopinionsolosolo-playsoloingtdgthe-daily-grindSun, 11 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/glimpse-into-the-legacy-for-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Force Choke, as always, is the best ability in the game.
Yesterday, the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild summit gave players a good idea of what to expect from patch 1.2. But just hearing about things like the new Legacy features and upcoming Operations isn't enough for everyone, which is no doubt part of the reason the development team has put together a trailer for all of the new features. And while the new Operation, Flashpoint, and Warzone might be the most immediately interesting, there's a lot more on display in the trailer.

In fact, the trailer shows off more of the cross-race options for new characters that can be unlocked via the Legacy system as well as the upcoming appearance modification and UI customization that the patch will add. There's also a preview of new minipets, the promise of new daily missions on Corellia, and several other tweaks to improve the game. But why take our word for it when you can jump on down and watch the video for yourself?

[Source: BioWare press release]

Continue reading Peek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system

MassivelyPeek into the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecontenteaelectronic-artsendgameendgame-contentimprovementslegacylegacy-systemlucasartspatch-previewpatch-trailerpatch-videosci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictortrailertrailersupdatesvideovideosTue, 06 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic fielding a plethora of revelations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/guild-summit-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-fielding-a-plethora/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/guild-summit-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-fielding-a-plethora/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/guild-summit-for-star-wars-the-old-republic-fielding-a-plethora/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Force Choke on EVERY class!
Would you like to be able to Force Choke people on your Bounty Hunter? Do you want your orange modifiable gear to be viable in the endgame? Are you looking for a little more variety in your Warzones? The first Guild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic is promising all of these things, with new information coming in a mile a minute. And if you're missing the livestreams due to work or other obligations, there's thankfully a summary available on Darth Hater covering the big points being hit.

The developers are heavily discussing the upcoming patch 1.2 and all that it brings as well as fielding several player questions regarding the design philosophy. Operations are being more finely tuned and polished starting with 1.2, with future Operations meant for two tanks and potentially splitting the group into two teams for two objectives. PvP players will be getting a new set of gear to bridge the gap between fresh 50s and veteran players; there will also be gear with more pure PvP stats to minimize crossover. And if you're more the sort to roll alts, the Legacy system promises more options and combinations than you might have imagined possible. There's a great deal to digest and a lot for Star Wars: The Old Republic players to anticipate, and the event isn't nearly over yet.

MassivelyGuild Summit for Star Wars: The Old Republic fielding a plethora of revelations originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendgameguild-summitlegacylegacy-systemlucasartspatchpatchesplayer-summitpvepvpsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feesummitswtorswtor-patch-1.2the-old-republictorupcoming-patchesMon, 05 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator
When deciding what I want to talk about on the Hyperspace Beacon every week, I check over the buzz from various news outlets, personal experiences, and columns from the community. An internet community will inevitably steer toward the negative -- that's just the nature of the internet. And one of the most common themes out there is bugs. I am not talking about Killiks; I mean parts of the game that are not working as intended.

When we -- the press and other fansites -- gave our impressions of Star Wars: The Old Republic, we were at conventions or at lower levels in the game. Level 28 was the highest I ever reached in any beta, and conventions set us on a predetermined path. At that time, I was completely impressed with the level of polish the game had received. I still believe that this game has fewer bugs than a good chunk of MMOs; however, there are certainly more bugs in this game than I'd expect from a single-player release.

I could probably spend a whole article just listing unintended issues with the game, but I do like to be the voice of reason as well. On top of that, I want to see SWTOR succeed. Therefore, beyond just talking about bugs, let's deal with the overall issue of why these critters pop up in the first place.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebugsdc-universe-onlinedcuoeaelectronic-artsendgamefeaturedhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionptspublic-test-serversci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortestingthe-old-republictorTue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard
It's the eternal debate that's occupied our attention on so many episodes of Massively Speaking that we had to bring it to you, the impartial judges and juries of the MMO world. What is better and more enjoyable: the leveling journey or the endgame activities?

In my opinion, it's all about the journey up through the levels. You're constantly traveling through new regions and vistas, watching your character increase in power and abilities. It's almost like a movie, in which the young inexperienced hero heads out for a life-changing quest.

But others claim that the endgame is where the true MMO experience lies. It's here that your character finally has a full range of his/her/its abilities and is able to tackle the toughest challenges and most epic confrontations in the game.

So let's see how this pans out in the public arena. Which aspect of MMOs gets your motor running? Which is where the true spirit of gaming rests? Vote, and live a life free of regrets!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame

MassivelyLeaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>end-gameendgamefeaturedleaderboardlevelingleveling-journeyleveling-processmassively-speakingopinionpollpollingpollsquigleyvotevotervotingMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50
I see you there -- you've made a name for yourself in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but where do you really fit within these wars? I know what you're thinking: What is this guy trying to sell? Stick with me for a moment; I'm not just a used-speeder salesman (speeders are way over-priced, by the way -- it's 570 thousand creds just for licensing, and the Empire's making a killing on that). I wanna talk to you about what you do after you conquer the galaxy

Of course, you've taken a bit of time to explore this wondrous universe. If you're a space explorer extraordinaire like I am, then you've danced with your share of Twi'leks on Nar Shaddaa. It's a good thing they have enough Twi'leks to balance out the Hutts, amirite? Hoth was cold, of course, but there's nothing like a war and a couple of Wampa battles to warm the blood. And what's up with the Voss? People who wear such funky make-up shouldn't be that stuffy. Still, it does make me think: How many Voss can fit in a speeder?

The galaxy is yours, and you're now a Darth or a Moff or something. Do you sit back and twiddle your thumbs? Of course not! A new game begins. It's a vastly different adventure than the one you just finished, but the features are still shiny.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Finally 50 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-for-ilumbiowaredailieseaelectronic-artsendgamefeaturedflashpointshyperspace-beaconlevel-50lucasartsoperationsopinionraidssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online's upcoming game update is all about easier grouping]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/dc-universe-onlines-upcoming-game-update-is-all-about-easier-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/dc-universe-onlines-upcoming-game-update-is-all-about-easier-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/dc-universe-onlines-upcoming-game-update-is-all-about-easier-gr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The proposal for Super Wimp Raids, where the enemies just stare at you menacingly, was summarily rejected.
If you've been enjoying DC Universe Online ever since the game switched business models, odds are good you're looking toward the endgame by now. Game Update 9, which is coming soon, will make getting into that endgame even easier via the addition of Novice Raids. This new difficulty setting still allows players to experience all the storyline of Fortress of Solitude, Kahndaq, and the Batcave, but the difficulty will be notched down so that players can get a better feel for what they're doing.

Of course, if you're not into the endgame rush, you've still got something to look forward to with the new role-optional alerts system. In essence, players will now be able to queue for Alerts without needing to put together a balanced group; in the event that a role is missing, a team buff will be applied to ensure that the area can still be cleared. That means that even with nothing but Damage characters, you can still explore all of DC Universe Online's group content, something that should allow for some novel player approaches once the update goes live.

[Update: SOE has also issued a statement about plans for the game's PvP in 2012. The full quote is after the cut.]

Continue reading DC Universe Online's upcoming game update is all about easier grouping

MassivelyDC Universe Online's upcoming game update is all about easier grouping originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertsdcdc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoendgamef2pfree-to-playgroup-contentgroupingnovice-raidspatch-previewspatchesraidsrole-optional-alertssoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist's World of Warcraft confession]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/the-game-archaeologists-world-of-warcraft-confession/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/the-game-archaeologists-world-of-warcraft-confession/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/the-game-archaeologists-world-of-warcraft-confession/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WoW Concept Art
As you may well know by now, I wasn't an early adopter of the MMO scene apart from a brief exposure to BBSes in the '90s and Anarchy Online and Final Fantasy XI in the early 2000s. To be honest, I found that MMOs were as intimidating -- and fascinating -- to me as pen-and-paper RPGs. You see, in high school I started buying RPG manuals and devouring them cover-to-cover, but I could never find friends or like-minded people with whom to play. The genre was a spectator sport for me; I was looking in from the sidelines and imagining what would happen if I actually got to be part of a D&D session.

Likewise, MMORPGs in their earlier forms appeared as user-friendly to me as that house on the block with overgrown shrubs, a rusty iron fence, and a mangy, ever-barking mutt in front of it. Maybe it was really cool inside, or maybe it was a death trap from whence there was no escape, but I never had the courage to find out. Let me put it this way: I purchased and read the entire Star Wars Galaxies Prima Guide three times over without once signing up for the game.

I'm sharing this with you because I always want to remember that what we take for granted today -- that MMOs are friendly, fun, engaging, and a downright natural part of many of our gaming lives -- isn't always true for those curious lookey-loos who feel intimidated by the scope, busy UIs, subscription fees, or the often bizarre attitudes that long-term MMO players exhibit. For me, it took one game that tore those barriers down to extend a welcoming hand to me, guiding me into these awesome games.

Of course, that was World of Warcraft. And even though my geek cred would be so much higher if it were something earlier or, well, not so mainstream, that wouldn't be the truth. So today I'm going to share my story of how I got into MMOs and why the early days of WoW were some of my most treasured gaming memories.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's World of Warcraft confession

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist's World of Warcraft confession originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoazerothbbsblizzardclassesendgameeqiieverquest-iifeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiquest-systemquestingrest-systemstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-game-archaeologistwarcraft-iiworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: We don't need no stinkin' endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/flameseeker-chronicles-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/flameseeker-chronicles-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/flameseeker-chronicles-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What's at the end of the road?
We talked a lot about the concepts of endgame and raiding on last week's Guildcast, but since not everyone has had time to watch it (and because the subject is still knocking around in my head), I want to address it a little more in this week's Flameseeker Chronicles.

There are so many assumptions and so much speculation and so much talk about the concept as a whole and how it applies to Guild Wars 2, so let's dive on in.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: We don't need no stinkin' endgame

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: We don't need no stinkin' endgame originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-guild-wars2end-gameendgameflameseeker-chroniclesgame-mechanicsguild-wars2guildwars2gw2ncsoftno-endgameraidingMon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT's 1.7 patch filled with content, coming soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/rifts-1-7-patch-filled-with-content-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/rifts-1-7-patch-filled-with-content-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/rifts-1-7-patch-filled-with-content-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

RIFT - some dragon or other
What's next for RIFT? Well, the 1.7 patch, for starters. The update is called Carnival of the Ascended, and if it sounds a bit festive, it is. Telaran weddings are in the offing, as Trion is introducing a marriage mechanic to its fantasy MMO. There's also the new River of Souls Chronicle, which the official forums bill as an "undead adventure for two."

A new master mode dungeon is coming too, as is an expert dungeon overhaul with more options and better loot for endgame avatars. Finally, there's a free weekend coming your way on January 19th, and you can return to Telara (or check it out for the first time) for no charge through January 22nd.

MassivelyRIFT's 1.7 patch filled with content, coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7-patchascendedcarnival-of-the-ascendedchronicledungeonsendgamefantasyin-game-marriagelootmarriagemarriage-mechanicmaster-modemaster-mode-dungeonnew-contentriftrift-1.7rift-planes-of-telarariver-of-souls-chronicletelaratriontrion-worldsweddingMon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Adventures equal battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-mog-log-adventures-equal-battles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
One of the big selling points of Final Fantasy XIV before launch was that there were many classes devoted to doing things other than fighting. The promise was made, more than once (if memory serves), that even non-combat classes would get to take part in the main story, and it was also stated that these classes would still be useful to an adventuring party even if not quite as good as another Disciple of War or Magic.

At this point, of course, we can confidently say that part was a lie. A Botanist is about as useful in combat as an actual botanist in a fistfight. But Naoki Yoshida has gone on record that the former part is a lie as well -- that if you want to take part in the main storyline, you really do need to level a combat class. It wasn't something that was really highlighted, but it was still there, and it's worth unpacking as we look forward to another year of the game's ongoing development. If you came in expecting to only craft and gather, you're no longer going to have your run of the place.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Adventures equal battles

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Adventures equal battles originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You will probably not be fighting this guy. Things are looking up already!
Do you like RIFT? Do you like raiding? Do you like to test raids in RIFT? Well, then, your ship may very well have come in. The team at Trion Worlds is looking to get some solid raid testing going, giving players a chance to see the next tier of raiding before it goes live. So the call is going out to guilds that have demolished the current endgame, and the best of the best will be pitted against the newest challenges on the horizon.

To be eligible, guilds must have at least 20 members able to participate in two hours of raiding two nights per week; they must also currently be at 11/11 in Hammerknell. Candidates are also expected to have mature members capable of responsible feedback, since they are going to be testing new and possibly buggy combat. If you think your guild qualifies, have your guild leader (which may be you) respond to the call. And be prepared to blow through everything in minutes once it goes live -- that's always the risk.

MassivelyRIFT asks its community to test raids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-eventsendgameendgame-testingguildguildsraid-testingraidingraidsriftrift-planes-of-telaratest-servertestingtriontrion-worldsTue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you rush to endgame?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR screenshot
Welcome to the endgame... the endgame of 2011! We gamers love to say that MMOs are about the journey, not the destination, but that doesn't seem to stop us from zipping up the levels the instant a game or expansion launches. Hardcore players had hit level 50 in Star Wars: The Old Republic within just a few days of the pre-order early access, before the game had even landed on store shelves. In a game designed to be about telling and participating in a story, players have to be the firstest with the mostest -- the first to cap, the first to get achievements, the first to beat bosses, even the first to master tradeskills. The game doesn't reward you for stopping to smell the flowers, after all.

Of course, hardcore achiever players are often the first to start moping when they realize they've burned through months of content in a week -- and all their friends are still busy catching up anyway. What about you, Massively folks? Do you take your time, savoring all the sights and really drinking in the game on your first playthrough -- or do you rush to the lonely endgame?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you rush to endgame? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcappedendgamehardcorelaunchlauncheslevel-50levelinglevelsmax-levelopinionpowerlevelPowerLevelingrushstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindSat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online overhauling currencies into a single standard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Goats never worry about currencies. Goats have it figured out, man.
The great thing about token-based currencies, such as those found in Lord of the Rings Online, is that they allow players to acquire rewards based on steady progress rather than on the whims of a random drop. The awful thing is that you can wind up with huge vaults covered in several dozen different currency types, which is also found in Lord of the Rings Online. Fortunately, as the newest developer diary outlines, the currency is being consolidated down and shifted to a very straightforward system with just three reward types: Marks, Medallions, and Seals.

Marks are being used in a manner functionally similar to Skirmish Marks at the moment, while Medallions take the place of higher-end dungeon content and Seals are the best of the best. Players will have most of their currencies automatically converted based on the currency type, although Superior Fourth Marks will need to be manually exchanged for Medallions or Seals at the player's discretion. Players will ultimately have an easier time getting the rewards they need in a straightforward fashion with this update, and that's to the benefit of everyone.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online overhauling currencies into a single standard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currenciesendgamef2pfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrlotropatchessystem-changessystemstoken-currenciestoken-systemsturbineturbine-entertainmentupdatesFri, 09 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The Incarnate divide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-incarnate-divide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-incarnate-divide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-incarnate-divide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
The other week, our regular feature Global Chat featured an interesting comment by Blackcat7k regarding the City of Heroes Incarnate system. I'm not going to duplicate the entire comment here, but I'd encourage you to go read it so that we're all on the same page. In case you're in too much of a hurry to read, however, let me sum up: It's essentially lamenting that the Incarnate system has fundamentally broken the game's leveling and endgame structure, forcing players down a very narrow path in order to participate in most of the recent content additions.

Long-time readers and perpetual archive trawlers will remember that I did an article about precisely what could happen when the Incarnate system went live about a year ago. Well, we've had quite some time to see the system in action and find out what works, what doesn't, and so forth. And the thing is, the comment was right. The bad outcome has come to pass, in many ways. The endgame is the Incarnate rush, and if you're not a part of it, you're on the sidelines.

Of course, I'm not entirely convinced this isn't the best that could be hoped for.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The Incarnate divide

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The Incarnate divide originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcovcoxendgamef2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsincarnateincarnate-systemincarnatesncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosWed, 30 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Prophecy bringing high-end raids with its next major update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/black-prophecy-bringing-high-end-raids-with-its-next-major-updat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/black-prophecy-bringing-high-end-raids-with-its-next-major-updat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/black-prophecy-bringing-high-end-raids-with-its-next-major-updat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'm really not sure what is happening right here. Don't ask me.
Endgame systems take time to develop properly and even more time to balance. But they're still an important element of any game, which is why Black Prophecy is bringing in a major new set of endgame mechanics with its next major content update. Episode 3: Rise of the Boids will feature new raid missions for large groups of players at the level cap, updating the PvE experience with what the developers promise will be "epic" experiences.

Most of the details aren't yet known, as the announcement itself is fairly thin on hard facts, but players will be expected to form groups between eight to ten players in size. The encounters will focus heavily on group mechanics, and if prior experience is any indicator, they should reward players with significant increases in power when completed successfully. If you've gotten a bit tired of Black Prophecy's current PvE endgame, keep your eyes peeled for more details in the coming weeks.

MassivelyBlack Prophecy bringing high-end raids with its next major update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-prophecybpendgameendgame-contentendgame-systemsepisde-3-rise-of-the-boidsf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgamigopatchesraid-contentraid-missionsraidsMon, 28 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom
I was taken aback by BioWare's lifting of the NDA on Star Wars: The Old Republic last Friday. Few of us saw that coming. I highly suspect that wasn't when the devs originally intended to drop the NDA. I mean, really, when media sites were allowed to produce videos and livestream, there was bound to be some confusion. Perhaps BioWare couldn't contain all of it. Even on my end it was very confusing; there were weird stipulations on the embargo because BioWare didn't want parts of the story completely ruined. That's one of the reasons I kept my stream as simple as I could.

However, now the gloves are off. SWTOR enthusiasts can write about anything they want. Unfortunately, unlike other people who can talk about the game now, I have only been back in beta for two weeks, and the characters I played previously have been wiped. I am happy to tell you that I have a Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor on Dromund Kaas and Smuggler on Nar Shaddaa with a peppering of other characters on various other planets. I have PvPed alongside one of the best PvPers I've ever met, and I have plenty to talk about in the coming weeks until launch.

Beyond the break, I want to share with you my plan for the next three weeks until launch, and then when I'm done, I'd like to take your suggestions. As a teaser, I've added a few screenshots into the gallery below, pics of places my Smuggler has been over the last couple of weeks. I haven't labeled them, so maybe you can guess where he's been.

Gallery: Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR Adventures in Beta

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Freedom originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-liftBioWareEAElectronic-ArtsEndgamefeaturedgalleryhyperspace-beaconlaunchlevelingLucasArtsPvPray-muzykascreenshotsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWorld-of-WarcraftWoWTue, 22 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR opens the Operations holonet page]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR Operations
Star Wars: The Old Republic does everything slightly different from other MMOs on the market. Of course, the principle difference is personal story, which is woven into every bit of gameplay. Even the traditional raids are slightly different. In SWTOR, these highly dangerous group encounters are called Operations -- large, story-driven encounters for either faction. Today, the BioWare development team released a new page on the official website highlighting this endgame content.

The Eternity Vault Operation is presented through images of the opening cutscene, part of the first encounter, and the end boss, the Infernal One. The videos included had been presented previously during E3 and PAX East as the Eternity Vault trailer and walkthrough video. However, at the bottom of the page sits an image that does not fit the Eternity Vault encounter, followed by these cryptic words: "Even though the Eternity Vault is featured prominently here, it is not the only high-level Operation for you to experience in Star Wars: The Old Republic. More will be revealed..."

As soon as we know exactly what those words mean, we will let you know in our continued coverage of this highly anticipated title.

MassivelySWTOR opens the Operations holonet page originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsendgameendgame-contenteternity-vaultinfernal-oneLucasArtsoperationsraidsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 14 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV releases notes for patch 1.19]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-notes-for-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-notes-for-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-notes-for-patch-1-19/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Magma axes - for when chopping things up without burning them at the same time just feels too wussy.
It's going to take another few days before Final Fantasy XIV drops the enormous patch 1.19 onto the live servers, but the patch notes have already been released. And most players will likely agree upon glancing at the extensive list of updates that the patch is well worth the wait. Several portions of the update have already been previewed, ranging from the crafting changes to the battle mechanic updates, but there's also a long list of improvements, additions, and other elements to look forward to.

More details are available regarding the many additions to the Grand Company system, including Company leves, new quests, and the details for obtaining a Company chocobo along with obtaining membership. There's also a listing of new items available, a rundown of the new materia system, and a variety of updates and improvements to stats, mechanics, and abilities. The patch is planned for release on Tuesday, October 4th, a date that the game's players will likely be awaiting with bated breath.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV releases notes for patch 1.19 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>endgameffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesguildleveslevequestslevesmechanicsnew-contentnewspatch-notespatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 30 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

TWIMMO: World of Darkness
It's another Thursday, and another week for Gamebreaker.TV's This Week in MMO. What's in store for this installment? Massively's very own Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster and Community Manager Rubi Bayer join regular host Gary Gannon in "mature" discussion about MMOs.

First up, Gary, Shawn, and Rubi run through the topic of the mature rating in MMOs such as CCP's World of Darkness. Then our intrepid hosts guide us through the magical and technological starting zone for the Asura in Guild Wars 2. Also, saving Metropolis just became cheaper -- free, in fact! Shawn and Rubi discuss DC Universe Online's entry to the free-to-play market. Where is the future of MMO-subscription models going? Freemium? When Shawn spoke to SOE President John Smedley, Smed certainly favored it.

Moving on to another action-based game, Rubi reveals TERA's PR speak within its endgame Q&A statements, and Shawn admits that the small raid size in The Secret World isn't quite big enough for him.

Catch all that and more in the full Gamebreaker.TV video after the break!

Continue reading This Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition

MassivelyThis Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetAsurablue-hole-studiosccpDCdc-universe-onlineEAElectronic-Artsen-masse-entertainmentendgamef2pfree-to-playfreemiumftpFuncomgamebreaker-tvgary-gannonGuild-Wars-2GW2humanjohn-smedleync-softncsoftRaid-Sizeraidsrubi-bayershawn-schusterSOESonySony-Online-Entertainmentstarting-zoneterathe-secret-worldTSWVampireWarner-BrosWODworld-of-darknessThu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: How raiding turns you into a horrible person]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-soapbox-how-raiding-turns-you-into-a-horrible-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-soapbox-how-raiding-turns-you-into-a-horrible-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-soapbox-how-raiding-turns-you-into-a-horrible-person/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Most of the armor was bought with tokens. The shoulders were bought with a ten-minute argument between myself and a hunter about whether or not I rolled fairly.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I remember raiding at the start of Wrath of the Lich King very well. My Shaman was one of the first people in my guild geared up to run Naxxramas, and the oft-mentioned Ms. Lady was herself one of the first tanks to be ready to last through the boss fights. We were a casual guild, sure, but even in a casual grouping you have stars, and we were stars. We were experts on the content, we destroyed the fights, we marched around dripping in epics. I was the highest DPS in the guild, she was the tank there for nearly every session, and we were known and respected.

It was absolutely awful.

Of course, it didn't start like that. But there was a very good reason we finally decided that this was not only unfun but actively harmful to our relationship. We left and didn't look back, and we never moved back into raiding in a real way -- nor did we want to. Our time at the top made it very clear how raiding changes you and how you move from not caring about a stupid pretend sword to being absolutely livid when someone else wins a roll for that pretend sword. It's not a case of taking the game too seriously or not having a grip on reality -- it's the way that endgame raiding is structured that drives you, inexorably, to that point.

Continue reading The Soapbox: How raiding turns you into a horrible person

MassivelyThe Soapbox: How raiding turns you into a horrible person originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncultureendgameendgame-designfeaturedopinionraidingsoapboxthe-soapboxwotlkwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 20 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Tom Chilton on World of Warcraft's patch 4.3 and beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/blizzards-tom-chilton-on-world-of-warcrafts-patch-4-3-and-beyo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/blizzards-tom-chilton-on-world-of-warcrafts-patch-4-3-and-beyo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/blizzards-tom-chilton-on-world-of-warcrafts-patch-4-3-and-beyo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- World of Warcraft
It may be hard to believe, but World of Warcraft's Cataclysm expansion has been out for the better part of a year now. All the while, players have been on a long and arduous adventure to defend the lands of Azeroth from the nefarious Deathwing and his minions. In an interview with Blizzard's Tom Chilton, Joystiq brings to light some details on the dragon's imminent demise as well as a few insights on what players can expect from WoW's patch 4.3: Dragon Soul.

Chilton details the upcoming Transmogrification system, which allows players to customize the appearance of their gear by transferring one item's graphic to another. He also discusses the new Void Storage system, which grants increased storage space, with the caveat that any item stored in the void will be stripped of all gems and enchantments.

The pièce de résistance of the whole affair is, of course, the final showdown with Deathwing himself. Players will have to traverse three separate five-man instances, which will culminate in a huge battle that doesn't just feature Deathwing as the opponent: He's the battlefield as well.

But we don't want to give it all away, so head on over to Joystiq for the full, juicy interview.

MassivelyBlizzard's Tom Chilton on World of Warcraft's patch 4.3 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-man-dungeonsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdeathwingdragon-soulendgamefive-man-dungeonsinterviewjoystiqpatch-4.3raidtom-chiltontransmogrificationvoid-storageworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 19 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Darkfall - siege screenshot
Yes, yes, Darkfall's getting a new siege system. You've heard this many times before, amirite? Well, today we're happy to report that the details are now public knowledge. Aventurine has jumped the gun on its usual Friday update window and posted the dev notes for the siege patch (as well as a lengthy PDF manual) on the Darkfall website.

Highlights include a breakdown of the new attacker/defender roles for clans, information on initiating and progressing challenges, and a bit about the new wager system. It's clear that Aventurine has completely rewritten the old siege mechanics, and the manual document touches on why such a huge change was necessary. "The key reason for this was to remove any hard limits imposed by the system, and make this whole aspect of the game much more open and free for all players to enjoy."

MassivelyAventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfallendgamefantasypatchsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemsiege-updatesiegesupdateThu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Groupthink]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

More cats make everything better. True story.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I can pinpoint exactly the moment that the luster of World of Warcraft's big old-game-changing expansion wore off for me. And it didn't take very long, just long enough for me to pick up a quest named It's Raid Night Every Night for my Dwarf. It was an unremarkable quest in every way, with the only really clever-ish bit being the title that slyly winks at players about one of the game's criticisms.

Except that it's not exactly an unfair criticism. If you were at the level cap and wanted to keep playing the game with anything approaching forward motion, it was raid night every night. The joke left a bad taste in my mouth.

Of course, this isn't an article about WoW except in passing and by association. It's about the temptation and tendency to have group content as the panacea, as the overwhelming focus of any new content. It's about why we get so much content that focuses on large group efforts, and why that isn't necessarily such a good thing -- for the players or even the developers.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Groupthink

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Groupthink originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentcontent-designcultureendgameendgame-contentfeaturedgroup-contentgroupinggroupsopinionpartiespartyparty-contentscaling-contentsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: TERA producers reveal server vs. server endgame content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TERA - Velika cityscape
This year's PAX Prime doesn't feature an En Masse Entertainment booth for TERA, but the company did host an informational shindig for journalists and fans at its offices in downtown Seattle over the weekend. Producers Chris Hager and Stefan Ramirez ran the show, and the presentation focused heavily on the action MMO aspects as well as the game's depth.

The show started with a repeat of the recent Castanic healer video, and from there Hager and Ramirez set about profiling the game's mechanical aspects (including the combat, glyph, and crystal systems). The presentation was geared towards folks who haven't really kept up with TERA, as there wasn't much discussed that we haven't known about for a while. Aside from the action talking points, we also got bits about story, the details on the political and vanarch systems, and some info on the argons.

En Masse also trotted out the first mention of its plans for server vs. server combat. The system is designed to provide additional endgame content via PvE and PvP. "It's going to have players from other servers coming to your territory, on your server, and invading your space," Hager explained. He went on to mention how guilds will need to ally with one another to repel the invaders, and if the alliance proves strong enough, take the fight back to the invaders' home turf. En Masse was very coy about the details on this new system, and we expect more information will be forthcoming as we move toward TERA's spring 2012 release date.

Finally, we managed some quality hands-on time with the game during the event, so check in with us periodically this weekend and we'll bring you a detailed report.

Massively's on the ground in Seattle during the weekend of August 26-28, bringing you all the best news from PAX Prime 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about SWTOR, Guild Wars 2, City of Heroes, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

MassivelyPAX 2011: TERA producers reveal server vs. server endgame content originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-combatarboreaargonschris-hageren-masseen-masse-entertainmentendgamein-game-eventslorepaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011server-vs-serverserver-vs-server-warstefan-ramirezstoryteratera-onlineSat, 27 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Monday night Huttball! [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/hyperspace-beacon-monday-night-huttball/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/hyperspace-beacon-monday-night-huttball/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/hyperspace-beacon-monday-night-huttball/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Monday night Huttball!
If memory serves me, the first MMO that integrated an actual sport into its game design was Free Realms. Although soccer was not implemented at launch, players could not miss the soccer fields, and eventually, the developers did put those fields to good use.

I certainly don't believe the Star Wars: The Old Republic developers had Free Realms in mind when they created the newly announced Warzone Huttball, but that does not negate the fact that most MMOs do not have sports that are just sports. I'm not sure this is because developers take the setting too seriously and therefore don't think outside the box in regard to side adventures players can have, but you will be hard-pressed to see many other MMOs introduce a sporty game into their core.

Needless to say, Huttball excites me even more about SWTOR, and I've even considered creating a character just to play Huttball. Beyond the jump, I breakdown the rules of Huttball and speculate on the further possibilities of the game. Join me.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Monday night Huttball! [Updated]

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Monday night Huttball! [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsendgameesportsfeaturedfree-realmsGamescomgamescom-2011guild-warshuttballhyperspace-beaconLucasArtsnar-shaddaaplayer-versus-playerPvPStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortatooine-choppersthe-old-republictorwarzonesTue, 23 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamescom wrapups for WildStar tease a few more nuggets of information]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/gamescom-wrapups-for-wildstar-tease-a-few-more-nuggets-of-inform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/gamescom-wrapups-for-wildstar-tease-a-few-more-nuggets-of-inform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/gamescom-wrapups-for-wildstar-tease-a-few-more-nuggets-of-inform/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Torchlight meets Firefly, or late 90s Disney meets Firefly? You decide.
It remains to be seen what's going to come of it in the future, but WildStar certainly made an impressive showing during its debut at Gamescom 2011. Of course, outside of a trailer and some very early gameplay, potential players still know very little about the meat of how the game plays. But there are nuggets to be found in the wrap-up posts, a few interesting answers that should pique further interest in the upcoming title.

The fact that the game will include PvP is almost a no-brainer, but the endgame has been stated to be diverse for all players. If you don't enjoy raiding, the game will still have a world story for players to explore and get engaged by. The world will feature both open areas and instances, as well, with a definite spread of different ways to ensure that players can experience the game with their friends. Last but not least, classes will be versatile and armor will be heavily customizable -- the game is being shaped to be something where each player can make his or her mark and have a unique look.

If the game interests you, our own staffers will be getting a hands-on experience with WildStar on Friday.

MassivelyGamescom wrapups for WildStar tease a few more nuggets of information originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecarbinecarbine-studioscontentendgamegamescomgamescom-2011ncsoftnew-titlespreviewspvpraidingupcoming-titleswildstarwsMon, 22 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR will focus on endgame for Gamescom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/swtor-will-focus-on-endgame-for-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/swtor-will-focus-on-endgame-for-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/swtor-will-focus-on-endgame-for-gamescom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR: Gamescom
With the largest gathering of European gamers less than a week away, the community team for Star Wars: The Old Republic has finally nailed down its plans for Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. As with all other conventions the BioWare developers have attended since Gamescom last year, the origin worlds for each of the classes will be available for visitors to the EA booth (inside Hall 6 of the Koelnmesse). But this year, the focus is on something a bit more high-level: Endgame.

First, chosen members of the community that have applied through the SWTOR forums will fight hands-on in the Alderaan PvP warzone. Also, throughout the weekend, BioWare staff will demonstrate the Eternity Vault raid adding to endgame focus.

Gamescom runs August 17th to the 21st, and the showroom floor opens at 4 a.m. EDT (10 a.m CET) Thursday and Friday, and 3 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. CET) Saturday and Sunday. If you're a SWTOR fan, you don't want to be late!

MassivelySWTOR will focus on endgame for Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaan-warzoneBioWareEAElectronic-Artsendgameeternity-vaultgamescomgamescom-2011LucasArtsorigin-wprldsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Catch The Raid's world premiere for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/catch-the-raids-world-premiere-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/catch-the-raids-world-premiere-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/catch-the-raids-world-premiere-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Raid movie
Hot on the heels of 2009's Second Skin, MMO players are once again the subject of an in-depth documentary about their lives and playing styles as Gamebreaker.TV is hosting the world premiere of The Raid for all to enjoy.

Directed by gamer Kevin Johnson, The Raid follows a guild of World of Warcraft players who tackle some of the toughest challenges of the game and open up about what being a raider means to them. The 20-minute runtime examines what drives players to the raiding scene and introduces outsiders to the collaboration and competition that goes on during these events. The primary focus, however, is on the social aspect of raiding and how it binds a group of people together for a single purpose.

You can catch the documentary after the jump until Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. EDT. Please note that the film starts around the 26-minute mark if you don't want to sit through the pre-show interviews. Give it a watch and let us know what you think -- did The Raid hit the spot or miss its target?

Continue reading Catch The Raid's world premiere for free

MassivelyCatch The Raid's world premiere for free originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitiondocumentaryendgameendgame-raidinggamebreaker-tvGamebreaker.tvkevin-johnsonmovieobsessionraidraidersraidingraiding-guildsecond-skinthe-raidthis-is-why-i-dont-raidMon, 08 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Are we there yet?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/wings-over-atreia-are-we-there-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/wings-over-atreia-are-we-there-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/wings-over-atreia-are-we-there-yet/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Are we there yet? Are we? Are we, huh, huh?

Certain phrases are so embedded into our culture that few can escape the vivid imagery that comes with hearing them. For some, it rings back to memories of yore -- station wagons and long dusty road trips for the family vacation. For others, it can be simply the walk to the ice cream shop with a toddler. For me? I actually envision gaming in Aion.

Gaming? Yup, that's right-- this iconic phrase emphasizes a specific mindset in our culture that permeates everything, including gaming: All that matters is the destination. There are plenty of examples of those who rush to endgame, plowing through and bypassing as much of the "unimportant" stuff as possible. For these folks, the game doesn't even start until max-level. However, there is a yin to that yang; there are also those who actually find the journey to be the experience worth having, folks who don't feel any need to race to endgame at break-neck speed and instead partake of the content along the way. Most gamers adopt one of these two philosophies, their real-life views and personalities often steering towards one side or the other.

How do these two philosophies manifest themselves and duke it out in Aion? Rush (or mosey, whatever your preference) past the break to see.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Are we there yet?

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Are we there yet? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamedestinationendgamefeaturedgoalgoalsgoalsettingjourneyjourney-vs-destinationnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionpvptorturetreadmilltreadmillsWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 01 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: 10 things to do in the Shire before you die]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-road-to-mordor-10-things-to-do-in-the-shire-before-you-die/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-road-to-mordor-10-things-to-do-in-the-shire-before-you-die/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-road-to-mordor-10-things-to-do-in-the-shire-before-you-die/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A couple of weeks ago I decided to embark on a long-planned project to play through the entirety of Lord of the Rings Online -- or at least a whole heck of a lot more than I ever have previously. My thought was that in the rush to level and progress, I had been skipping much of the content that makes LotRO so unique, and I wanted to force myself to slow down, take it all in, and get over the desire to hit endgame as quickly as possible.

Thus, I created Slyppi, a brand-new level 1 Hobbit Burglar with the intention of experiencing the game in full. My rules with Slyppi are thus: She will clear out every solo quest in a zone (including the epic storyline but excluding tasks) before moving elsewhere. She will go through all three newbie zones and ignore the fact that the quests aren't giving her much XP. She will take detailed notes, package them up, and send them back to me for the purposes of turning them into a guide to the interesting out-of-the-way quests and places in Middle-earth.

If you're anything like me, you probably die a lot, usually in very embarrassing ways (hey, that cliff wasn't there a minute ago...). Since we all have a death warrant on our heads, we might as well get the most out of our journeys, which is why I've come up with 10 things that you should do in the Shire before the inevitable occurs. Why 10? Because it's two in computer-speak!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: 10 things to do in the Shire before you die

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: 10 things to do in the Shire before you die originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-things-to-do-before-you-dieAdelard-Tookbag-endbeginner-areabeginner-zonebilboblack-riderblack-ridersburglarbywaterchickenchicken-playendgamefeaturedfrodogolfguidehaunted-burrowhobbylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromathommathom-houseMethel-stagemiddle-earthminigamenazgulnewbienewbie-zoneold-tookpie-runningquick-postshirethe-road-to-mordorthe-shiretooktree-huggertuckboroughFri, 29 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you happened to be in San Diego this weekend then you may have noticed a large gathering of geekery known as Comic-Con. Usually, this mecca of nerdom focuses on comic book related publications. Although Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't exactly comic book gold, Dark Horse comics rose through the ranks of pulp royalty because of its vast library of Star Wars-related publications. It only seems right that TOR presents itself to this audience.

Besides the panel in Comic-Con proper, BioWare developers hosted three separate question and answer sessions focusing on Star Wars: The Old Republic. As with most Q&As, the majority of questions asked have been answered already in the past. If you were hanging out in Darth Hater's Ventrilo server like I was during the live broadcasts, then you heard a lot of "We knew that already." That being said, there were some pieces of juicy meat tossed to the crowd that we had not heard before. I will call them nuna bites, and you can find your slice after the break.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACadvanced-classesBioWarecompanionsdallas-dickinsonEAElectronic-Artsendgamefeaturedflashpointgeorg-zoellerHolly-FieldIlumjames-ohlenLucasArtsmountspet-classPvEPvPrich-vogelsan-diegosan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2011sdccsdcc-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorvehicleTue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Learning to let go]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/eve-evolved-learning-to-let-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/eve-evolved-learning-to-let-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/eve-evolved-learning-to-let-go/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Bombarded by the epic stories emerging from EVE Online's colossal social sandbox, thousands of MMO addicts per month give in to temptation and pick up a free trial. Most drop the trial for one reason or another, but those who continue on to a full game subscription often fall into a common trap. Some enjoy the concept of the game enough to subscribe for a month, and a portion of those get invested enough in skill plans and the mission grind to stick about for two or three months. It's rare for a new or trial player to actually get into PvP or start creating the same epic sandbox stories that drew them to the game in the first place, but this is exactly what they should be doing right from day one.

New players often spend their entire trial or first month of gameplay attempting to grapple with the enormity of EVE, absorbing as much information as they can in order to make informed decisions for themselves. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking months of training skills and learning the basics of the game through reading or PvE will be required before you can PvP competitively or begin crafting your own epic story. I firmly believe that the real learning curve of EVE is in learning to let go of these ideas and to accept the loss of ships or items as part of the game. I believe new players need to discard their pre-conceived notions of death penalty, what skill points represent, and the idea of preparing for endgame.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at how EVE is actually very forgiving for new players getting into PvP immediately, I challenge the learning curve myth, and I encourage new pilots to drop themselves into EVE at the deep end.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Learning to let go

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Learning to let go originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicealliancealliancesccpccp-eveccp-gamesdeathdeath-penaltyendgameeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedheistlearning-clifflearning-curvenyphuropinionpoliticspvpsandboxscamskillskill-trainingskillstheftveteranSun, 17 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST