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[New screens from the art-house MMO called Love]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/new-screens-from-the-art-house-mmo-called-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/new-screens-from-the-art-house-mmo-called-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/new-screens-from-the-art-house-mmo-called-love/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMOs don't have to all be about orcs, elves, and level-grinding. Case in point: Eskil Steenberg's Love, an art-house MMO that defies every conceivable expectation of what the genre is about. There's been a lot of talk lately about how there isn't enough innovation anymore. Quiet down, folks; Love is what you seek.

When Steenberg showed the game to us at GDC this year, we were excited and alarmed at the same time -- excited because it was different and gorgeous, alarmed because we had to step outside of our comfort zone. The exploration-driven gameplay allows users to alter the painting-like world to match their dreams, but the world is all they'll be changing, as the game features no character creation or customization. Users don't even to pick their own names.

So yes, it's challenging, but God, we miss being challenged. If only there were more projects like this for us to write about. For now, though, let's just swoon over Love. Steenberg released three new images from the game on his blog yesterday, and we have them here so you can soak in the impressionistic atmosphere. Be sure to check out our GDC gallery as well.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Gallery: Eskil Steenberg's Love

City 1City 2City 3

MassivelyNew screens from the art-house MMO called Love originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-houseeskil-steenbergexperimentalimagesloveproceduralquel-solaarquelsolaarscreensscreenshotsSun, 29 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST