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 Tattered Notebook: What if live servers go free-to-play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-tattered-notebook-what-if-live-servers-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-tattered-notebook-what-if-live-servers-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-tattered-notebook-what-if-live-servers-go-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EQII gold chest
For the past few weeks of The Tattered Notebook, I've explored EverQuest II's Extended server, Freeport, to see what gameplay is like on the other side of the wall that separates it from its subscription-based cousins. This week, I'm going to look at the scenario that all EQII players consider: making all servers free-to-play. It's a very complicated issue, and there are excellent arguments on both sides, but there are a few factors that tend to tip the scales.

I don't have nearly enough space in this column to touch on every issue involving a free-to-play transition, so I'm going to focus on a few of the most important ones and give my thoughts on what would need to happen if EQII did indeed go free-to-play on all servers.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: What if live servers go free-to-play?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: What if live servers go free-to-play? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq-2eq-iieq2eq2xeqiiEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedextendedf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreeportjohn-smedleykaren-bryanlaralyn-mcwilliamspvpsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttattered-notebookSat, 01 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Happy St. Patrick's Day edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/ask-massively-happy-st-patricks-day-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/ask-massively-happy-st-patricks-day-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/ask-massively-happy-st-patricks-day-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Aye, it's that time of year again, time for a celebration of culture and everything we can shoehorn under the aegis of getting drunk on green-tinted beer. We hope you're spending the day with friends and family, listening to traditional music and possibly enjoying a meal of corned beef and cabbage to celebrate the occasion. Spring is in the air, and it's the perfect time to get out and celebrate with the people you know and care about.

What? Sticking to the holiday that's actually happening is boring.

Luckily, sticking to Ask Massively isn't boring, at least not if you like getting your questions answered. Jump on past the break for questions about the new site layout as well as the venerable EverQuest, and of course our requisite question of ridiculousness at the end. So jump on past the break, and if you have a question you'd like to see answered here, feel free to leave it in the comments or mail ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Happy St. Patrick's Day edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Happy St. Patrick's Day edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersask-massivelydesigneqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiextendedf2pfree-to-playholidayholidayslayoutq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answerssite-designsoesony-online-entertainmentThu, 25 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II Extended sounds the call to soft launch [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/everquest-ii-extended-sounds-the-call-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/everquest-ii-extended-sounds-the-call-to-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/everquest-ii-extended-sounds-the-call-to-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's weird to think that it was less than a month ago when we first heard that SOE was going to launch a free-to-play version of its popular EverQuest II. It's weirder still when you consider just how fast EverQuest II Extended progressed to the open beta launch stage, as the F2P experience became available to the public yesterday with Platinum membership arriving at the end of the month.

This isn't the first time SOE has experimented with various plans to lure players into Norrath, including a 14-day free trial and the EQII Passport limited subscription. Unlike those previous plans, EverQuest II Extended is being treated as a wholly separate game on unique servers, and is offering free play without a time limit. SOE claims that this is a first for the industry: two versions of the same game operating in parallel in order to offer players a choice between payment plans.

One interesting aspect of the Extended beta soft launch is that there will be no wipe -- on the contrary, any characters, progression and purchases made by players during this period will carry over to the live version. Extended offers a variety of payment options, from completely free to a full year's subscription, depending on your level of interest. Even if you're an EQII newbie, there's no reason to avoid checking out the game to see if it might tickle your fancy.

[Update: SOE has contacted us to let us know that they're calling this a launch now, instead of an open beta, due to the fact that no character info is being wiped. The post has been updated to reflect the new terminology]

MassivelyEverQuest II Extended sounds the call to soft launch [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaeq2-passporteqii-passportEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedextendedfree-trialopen-betaplatinum-membershipsoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 20 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Well, this week takes the proverbial cake when it comes to the least amount of time spent head-scratching over a column topic. Thanks to Dave Georgeson and the executives at Sony Online Entertainment, I pretty much had this little opus sketched out by dinner-time last Tuesday.

Anywho... a week ago tomorrow the bomb dropped. It wasn't a stink bomb, a 50-yard bomb, or even an F-bomb (though there were no doubt plenty of those uttered in some circles), but rather a Hiroshima/Nagasaki type of bomb that changed the world and effectively ended the war between P2P and F2P, at least as far as Norrath is concerned.

Or did it?

Turn the page to find out.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choicedave-georgesondiversityEQ2eq2xEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iiextendedf2pf2p-do-not-wantfeaturedopinionp2ppay-to-playsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-tattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebook-jef-reahardMon, 02 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: EQII F2P interview with Dave Georgeson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/exclusive-eqii-f2p-interview-with-dave-georgeson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/exclusive-eqii-f2p-interview-with-dave-georgeson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/exclusive-eqii-f2p-interview-with-dave-georgeson/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Earlier today SOE dropped the F2P bomb that is EverQuest II Extended, and Massively was on the front lines to bring you the scoop first. We also sat down with lead producer Dave Georgeson to chat about the particulars of the new service, as well as get his take on where the industry is heading.

He had a number of interesting nuggets to share, about not only the game's alternate F2P business model, but also the fact that SOE is keen on respecting the wishes of its core player base.

Read all about it after the cut.

Continue reading Exclusive: EQII F2P interview with Dave Georgeson

MassivelyExclusive: EQII F2P interview with Dave Georgeson originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbusiness-modelsdave-georgesonEQ2eq2-extendedEQIIeqII-extendedEverQuest-2everquest-iiextendedf2pfeaturedfree-to-playsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 27 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II jumps on the F2P bandwagon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/eqii-jumps-on-the-f2p-bandwagon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/eqii-jumps-on-the-f2p-bandwagon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/eqii-jumps-on-the-f2p-bandwagon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Despite assurances as recently as last month that EverQuest II wouldn't be going free-to-play, Sony Online Entertainment today announced that the game is doing just that... sort of. EverQuest II Extended is slated for a beta launch on August 17th, and features a separate server set providing all of the game's original content via the insanely popular F2P business model.

"The very nature of an MMO is change, and the decision to create Extended was fueled by evolution of the industry landscape," says EQII lead producer Dave Georgeson. "By offering two services side by side we have given the power to our players to determine the program that best fits their game play style."

Extended will allow access to all zones through The Shadow Odyssey, sans subscription, credit card info, or software purchases. Players will be able to purchase additional perks (such as races, levels 80 - 90, statistical gear, and potions) through the marketplace. Existing EQII subscribers will also be able to transfer their characters to the F2P servers, albeit without their gold. Bags, no-trade items, and attuned items will be transferred. Extended also offers a yearly subscription priced at $200 USD, which equals out to $16.66 per month. SOE is chipping in 60 Station Cash to make up the difference.

Check out the membership matrix for all the details on the new service, and stay with Massively for our interview with Dave Georgeson later today.

[Update: That interview can be found here.]

MassivelyEverQuest II jumps on the F2P bandwagon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbusiness-modelsdave-georgesonEQ2eq2-extendedEQIIeqII-extendedEverQuest-2everquest-iiextendedextended-serversf2pfree-to-playmarketplaceseparate-serverssmokejumpersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentyearly-subscriptionTue, 27 Jul 2010 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Allods Online extends closed beta and we have more keys!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/allods-online-extends-closed-beta-and-we-have-more-keys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/allods-online-extends-closed-beta-and-we-have-more-keys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/allods-online-extends-closed-beta-and-we-have-more-keys/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

That's right. The upcoming game that is just beginning to catch the eye of the MMO blog-o-sphere (and we loved first -- just sayin') has extended their second North American closed beta by another week (December 21st), and we have 2,000 more keys to get you in. This stage of their beta features six new zones: two new zones for the League, three new zones for the Empire, plus an exclusive zone only available to the Warden archetype. There will also be a new diverse set of enemies (Massive Drakes, Harpies, Scorpions, and Arctic Yetis), and a level cap to Level 20.

To get your key, head on over to our giveaway page and follow the directions there. If our other Allods Online key giveaways are any indication, these will most certainly go fast. Best of luck!

MassivelyAllods Online extends closed beta and we have more keys! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allods-onlinebeta-keyclosed-betaextendedf2pfree-to-playgiveawaygpotatoMon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's Summer Festival returns until September 1st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/lotros-summer-festival-returns-until-september-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/lotros-summer-festival-returns-until-september-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/lotros-summer-festival-returns-until-september-1st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


That's right, after the recent uproar on the forums, Lord of the Rings Online's Summer Festival is back until September 1st, 2008. So if you never finished gaining all of your dance emotes, gathering quests or winning that festival horse, you still have a chance through next weekend.

The main reason for this extension is the fact that many of the bugs and problems with the festival, such as the broken music box and gaudy horse saddle colors, were fixed in a patch after the festival had finished. As expected, many players weren't happy with this, so Turbine decided to go for the extension. So now is your chance to read up on our Summer Festival guide and enjoy yourself for another week of festivities!

MassivelyLotRO's Summer Festival returns until September 1st originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersextendedlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrosummer-festivalturbineSat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST