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[The Daily Grind: Were older MMOs better by virtue of experimentation?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/the-daily-grind-were-older-mmos-better-by-virtue-of-experimenta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/the-daily-grind-were-older-mmos-better-by-virtue-of-experimenta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/the-daily-grind-were-older-mmos-better-by-virtue-of-experimenta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

KISS!
If you haven't sensed it by now, the Massively staff is made up of a very wide range of preferences, experiences, and gaming types. Sometimes quite heated discussions -- OK, rabid rubber chicken-throwing screamfests -- erupt due to disagreements over what makes MMOs great, what the industry should be doing, and what it did right in the past.

Recently we got into a two-fatality "discussion" over whether or not MMOs prior to World of Warcraft were better simply because they weren't trying to copy WoW and were more willing to experiment. It certainly seemed like there was more variety from each new title back then, although some of those experiments certainly did not prove to be palatable to the gaming masses.

Then again, this might be a case of rose-colored glasses looking upon the past with faulty nostalgia instead of accurate realism, and it discredits the actual innovation and evolution of the industry since then. There certainly are more people playing today than back then, and MMOs have become more widespread and accepted by even mainstream media.

So what do you think? Were older MMOs better because they experimented more than ones today or do titles today deserve more credit for what they have become than glasses-wearing old-timers give?

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: Were older MMOs better by virtue of experimentation? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-mmosexperimentexperimentalfeaturedmainstream-mediamassesold-timersolder-mmosopinionpre-2004rose-colored-glassesrubber-chickentdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 04 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Looking beyond the price points in EQ2X]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-tattered-notebook-looking-beyond-the-price-points-in-eq2x/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-tattered-notebook-looking-beyond-the-price-points-in-eq2x/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-tattered-notebook-looking-beyond-the-price-points-in-eq2x/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQ2 Antonia Bayle in Qeynos
Last week, I began a little experiment in the world of EverQuest II Extended. I wanted to see whether a longtime, loyal veteran could find enjoyment on the other side of the wall that separates my live server from the free-to-play server. Almost every assessment about free-to-play servers is dominated by talk of price points, fairness, and bang for your buck. But it's not a used car; it's a virtual world, and there is a lot more to look at beyond dollars and plat. EverQuest II and EverQuest II Extended actually offer a unique look into the similarities and differences between subscription based servers and free-to-play servers because they're completely separate entities, yet they're basically the same game.

Read on for highlights of my second week in EQ2X!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Looking beyond the price points in EQ2X

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Looking beyond the price points in EQ2X originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bronzeeq2eq2xEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedexperimentf2pf2p-experimentfeaturedfree-to-playfreeportguild-recruitingguildskaren-bryantattered-notebookSat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An experiment for NASA offers cash while you play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/an-experiment-for-nasa-offers-cash-while-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/an-experiment-for-nasa-offers-cash-while-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/an-experiment-for-nasa-offers-cash-while-you-play/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Feeling bad for neglecting the kids? Want to do something for society? Well ladies and gentlemen, NASA wants you! Not for the vigorous life of an astronaut, but to stay in bed. They will even pay you (US)$17,000 to do it. What about World of Warcraft or the other MMOs we play? How are we to survive for up to 90 days away from the internet? Too easy says NASA! They will provide the internet and anyone is welcome to bring their own system. Since we spend hours in bed or sitting at the computer hacking away at gnomes, why not get paid for it?

The NASA experiment has nothing to do with video games. It is actually an experiment to test the bodies reaction to low gravity. The fine folks at NASA want us to help them understand just what happens to a person who spends a long time in space. We already help promote economic studies through the games we play so why not take it one step further? As long as our fingers and thumbs do not wither away, it could make for a fine opportunity to play, get paid, and benefit the entire human race.

MassivelyAn experiment for NASA offers cash while you play originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experimentnasanasa-experimentstudiesstudyworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 13 May 2008 16:00:00 EST