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 Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Elder Scrolls Online - using HeroEngine as a whiteboard
Fan outcry over the announcement of The Elder Scrolls Online was long and loud, not just for the presumed MMOification of a beloved single-player franchise, but for the toolset chosen by ZeniMax Online Studios to bring the world of Tamriel to its new audience.

Game Informer confirms that ZeniMax is using the HeroEngine -- which also powers Star Wars: The Old Republic, and which has come under fire from some in the MMO fan community. Game director Matt Firor says that the firm isn't using the engine like you may expect, though.

"Think of HeroEngine as a whiteboard for us -- a great tool to get some ideas in the game and start looking at them while the production engine was in development," he explains.

[Thanks to Austin for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinefactionshero-engineheroenginematt-firormorrowindoblivionplease-dont-suckpvprvrsandboxskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSat, 26 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Discussing the design of quests in The Elder Scrolls Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Instead of wiping out these skeletons and the dread necromancer animating them, let's go back to the village and wipe out the villagers. Less complaining.
The Elder Scrolls Online has certain player expectations going in, such as an expectation of the sort of quest structure you usually find in the series. More specifically, it's the sort of structure in which you start off on some simple quest and wind up wandering off into some completely unrelated point of interest. A recent interview with creative director Paul Sage and lead content designer Rich Lambert reveals that the team is aiming for just that sort of model in the game.

As Lambert explains, the team wants to move away from the usual hub design in favor of several points of interest, each of which provides a little snippet of content and story. The points aren't meant to be structured as an A-to-B affair; instead, you have several points of interest in a given region which build into a large overarching story. Take a look at the full interview for more information about how quests will work in the game and how players will be guided through objectives as they play.

MassivelyDiscussing the design of quests in The Elder Scrolls Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinefactionsgame-designgame-mechanicsmorrowindoblivionplease-dont-suckpoints-of-interestpvpquest-mechanicsquestingquestsrvrsandboxskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpvideovideoszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

End of Nations -- Shadow Revolution
Last month, we got a look at the Liberation Front faction of Trion Worlds' upcoming MMORTS, End of Nations. Today, the company released a trailer highlighting the Liberation Front's enemy of war, the forebodingly named Shadow Revolution.

Players of the Shadow Revolution faction have their choice of two classes: the Wraith class, which focuses on utilizing guerrilla tactics to strike quickly and retreat before counterattacks can be made, and the Phantom class, which takes advantage of cloaking devices in order to launch devastating surprise attacks that can cripple enemy forces before they know what hit them. To get a look at the Shadow Revolution's units in action, just check out the official trailer below.

Continue reading New End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution

MassivelyNew End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclassesend-of-nationseonf2pfactionfactionsfree-to-playmmortspetroglyphpetroglyph-gamesphantomrtssci-fishadow-revolutiontrailertrailerstriontrion-worldsvideovideoswarwraithWed, 09 May 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars Utopia
Aztecs. Chronomancers. Mounts. Halberds. Golems. Dual wielding.

These are all but a hint of what a fourth Guild Wars campaign could have been, a campaign that was under development in the mid-2000s but was scrapped by 2007. Replacing it was the expansion Guild Wars Eye of the North and the workings of a super-secret sequel to the game (which you've probably never heard of). It was the forgotten campaign, swept under a rug while it was still under the rug.

But what if, in some alternative timeline, ArenaNet had gone ahead with this campaign? What if it became an established part of the Guild Wars legacy, as familiar to us today as Nightfall and Factions?

What if Guild Wars Utopia had lived?

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetasuraazteccampaignchronomancerclassicclassic-mmosclassicsdestroyersEric-Flannumeye-of-the-northfactionsfantasyfeaturedgame-archaelogistguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-eye-of-the-northguild-wars-factionsguild-wars-nightfallguild-wars-propheciesguild-wars-utopiagwgw2ncsoftnightfallnostalgiaopinionpropheciesSidhesummonersylvariTannecksthe-game-archaeologistutopiaTue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret War draws over 200,000 players to its Facebook battle]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/the-secret-war-draws-over-200-000-players-to-its-facebook-battle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/the-secret-war-draws-over-200-000-players-to-its-facebook-battle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/the-secret-war-draws-over-200-000-players-to-its-facebook-battle/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Secret World
Funcom's Facebook prologue to The Secret World is a sizable success, even if it had a rocky beginning. The studio reports that over 200,000 players have taken the side of one of the game's three factions and are supporting their side through this "unique browser-based social experience."

Over the course of two weeks, participants have unleashed 50 million agents as part of the event, visited the site 1,200,000 times, and spent an average of 20 minutes each visit participating in the game. Since launching The Secret War, Funcom's added goals for the factions to work toward each week. The current prize is a Heart of Africa health talisman.

Two-hundred thousand participants is a solid win for Senior Vice President Morten Larssen, who sees this as an excellent way to prepare players for the factional struggle of the MMO: "This conflict has always been a key driver for activity in our own community, and we are excited to see that more and more people are coming in to join the conflict from outside the community as well."

[Source: Funcom press release]

MassivelyThe Secret War draws over 200,000 players to its Facebook battle originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agentsfacebookfactionfactionsfantasyfuncomheart-of-africahorrorMorten-Larssenmythologysci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedthe-secret-warthe-secret-worldtswThu, 03 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Two factions vs. three factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/leaderboard-two-factions-vs-three-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/leaderboard-two-factions-vs-three-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/leaderboard-two-factions-vs-three-factions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard
Two vs. three: It should be a cut-and-dry affair. After all, three is always better than two? Maybe... but maybe not. When it comes to factions in MMOs, the line seems to be split between two and three, and I think a good case can be made for both.

Two factions is the majority approach for MMOs that have them, and it's easy to understand why. We can comprehend an "us vs. them" mentality in almost every walk of life. If you're not with us, you're against us -- that sort of thing. Two factions draws a line in the sand and requires little explanation for people to understand that one side is naturally better than the other.

Three factions, on the other hand, is a godsend for PvP in particular. By having a third faction, it's much less likely that one side can dominate the battlefield eternally, as the other two sides can team up to put an end to that nonsense. Three factions also offers more variety and arguably stronger factional identities.

So what say you? Two or three? Cast your vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Two factions vs. three factions

MassivelyLeaderboard: Two factions vs. three factions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-royalfactionfactionsleaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollspvprealmrealmsrvrsidesidesthree-factionsthree-sidestwo-factionstwo-sidesus-vs-themversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/some-assembly-required-ten-years-warp-by-for-vendetta-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/some-assembly-required-ten-years-warp-by-for-vendetta-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/some-assembly-required-ten-years-warp-by-for-vendetta-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required
If I were to start describing a game where players have zipped about one persistent universe as one of three factions in customizable ships vying for wealth and territory by mining, dodging hostiles, fulfilling missions, blasting one another to bits, docking at stations, blazing trade routes, and pirating for the past 10 years, you would say... Vendetta Online, of course! Perhaps the longest-running epic space-based sandbox MMORPG, the game hit a milestone last week that few others can boast: It turned 10!

Although its major retail distribution was in 2004, Vendetta Online marks its anniversary as the day it was spotlighted in Penny Arcade during the game's completely open and public alpha (which means it basically launched since everyone could dive in and play) and the population exploded! A truly multi-platform MMORPG, Guild Software's game can be played on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Android, giving pilots the freedom to log in when and where they may, even to surreptitiously check the markets or maybe sneak an event in while at work via a smartphone. After all, who wants to miss an event just because employment gets in the way?

Luckily for those of us without an Android, Vendetta Online celebrated its decennial anniversary with some developer-run in-game events over the weekend. Always willing to join the party, Some Assembly Required strapped into a shiny new ship and blasted right into the thick of things in order to share in the festivities.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversary-eventanniversary-eventsfactionsfeaturedgame-mechanicsguild-softwareguild-software-incindependentopinionpgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpvpsandboxsarsome-assembly-requiredspace-tradinguser-generated-contentvendettavendetta-10-year-anniversaryvendetta-anniversaryVendetta-Onlinevendetta-ten-year-anniversaryFri, 27 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Realms Online introduces the Lamai]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/realms-online-introduces-the-lamai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/realms-online-introduces-the-lamai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/realms-online-introduces-the-lamai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

They make their home in a valley. It's almost uncanny.
Adding a new race to a factional PvP game is always a dicey proposition with regard to faction balance, but Realms Online is taking a measured approach with its newest race. The diminutive Lamai have just been added, and they aren't beholden to any single faction -- they can join any realm and play as any class. That flexibility is meant to reflect their nature as an ancient race that left the planet ages ago.

Of course, there's also the problem that if you're enticed by the new race, you'll have to start all over from the first level. As a promotion to help players interested in playing a Lamai, GameSamba is offering a sale on experience boosts in the game's shop. It's 25% off of level 30 scrolls, and 10 XP boosters for the price of eight. Not a bad deal if you want to level a new character, whether it's a lamai or something else.

[Source: GameSamba press release]

MassivelyRealms Online introduces the Lamai originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfactionsfree-to-playgamesambanew-racespromotionspvpraceracesrealms-onlinesalesThu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online takes a look at the road ahead]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/newest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-takes-a-look-at-the-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/newest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-takes-a-look-at-the-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/newest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-takes-a-look-at-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It should be more like classic Trek, where you have to jettison the warp core every three episodes and the holodeck regularly tries to kill everyone on board.
There's a great big galaxy out there in Star Trek Online, so much so that some things occasionally fall through the cracks. The latest installment of Ask Cryptic focuses on a few of these elements, like the Andorian ship and the addition of a playable Romulan faction. Neither of these elements is on the table for immediate inclusion, but both are in the pipe for future updates; the former is planned for sometime the next year, while the Romulans are on the more distant horizon.

Not everything comes down to a simple "not right now," however. The KDF, for instance, is slated to continue receiving new updates and additional features to bring the faction more in line with the Federation's content level. The development team is also hard at work trying to allow older ships to be retrofitted into higher-level content, letting players take classic designs into modern engagements. It's certainly not a question of whether the development team has a plan or not, just a matter of how soon all of these fabled upgrades will be implemented.

MassivelyNewest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online takes a look at the road ahead originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticcrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfactionsfree-to-playnew-shipsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpreviewspwesci-fishipsstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoupcoming-contentupdatesThu, 05 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/some-assembly-required-revisiting-origins-of-malu-an-intervi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required
Many moons ago when the air just started to cool from summer's heat (aka, last September), Some Assembly Required had the opportunity to talk shop with a new outfit that is developing a promising new sandbox MMORPG, Origins of Malu. And you know me: Sandbox is the magic word! As skeptical as I knew I should be, I still came away from that interview with renewed hope that a game with some of the features for player-generated content could exist again.

Back then, Burning Dog Media made the bold statement that it would absolutely release its flagship game in 2012, with a target of early 2012 to boot. But as the first quarter of the year quickly drew to a close with scant information available, it became pretty clear the game is still a ways off. In the realm of games, no news is not necessarily good news... and we definitely hit a drought in news.

Now that drought has ended. In our second exclusive interview, we spoke with Michael Dunham, Producer, Jason Mitchell, Senior Developer, and Dave Cruikshank, Art Director, to learn what's been going on behind the scenes and get the scoop on more details about those very features that have sandbox lovers salivating.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burning-dog-mediaconstructioncraftingDave-Cruikshankeconomyexclusiveexclusive-interviewfaction-warfarefactionsfeaturedgame-mechanicsguildsinterviewinterviewsJason-Mitchellmassively-exclusive-interviewsmichael-dunhamopinionorigins-of-malupgcplayer-contentplayer-economyplayer-generated-contentPvEPvPsandboxsarsome-assembly-requiredFri, 30 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT developers answer a new round of community questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/rift-developers-answer-a-new-round-of-community-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This was going to be filled with fire-related puns, but I lost the popular vote on that.
There are a lot of questions within the RIFT community, questions the development team seeks to answer with a new set of responses to community inquiries. Some of the answers are a bit on the negative side; there are no plans to expand the game's lore into novels, for instance. There are also no plans to add in arena-style combat or the option of visible cloaks, with the developers feeling that the former makes the game seem less massive and the latter has a detrimental impact on game performance.

That doesn't mean it's all bad news, however. The developers are looking into more ways to allow cross-faction interaction beyond the mercenary PvP system. There's also some talk about the next big raid and player feedback, which according to the answers is largely positive. There are also plans for more Souls in the future, which should provide RIFT players with even more options to custom-build a character.

[Update: Trion contacted us to clarify the cloak question. They say that cloaks aren't completely off-the-table, they're just not focusing on them right now. There was even a hint that cloaks will be a definite future addition to RIFT.]

MassivelyRIFT developers answer a new round of community questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesarenaarenascapescloakscross-factionfactionsfantasypowersq-and-aquestions-and-answersriftrift-literift-planes-of-telaraskillssoulsspecstriontrion-worldsThu, 29 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's March state of the game gets territorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Another month is upon us, and Fallen Earth is bringing some changes to its Global Territory Control system. While players wait with bated breath for the new features to hit the PTS at the end of the month, GamersFirst has put out a new blog post outlining what players can expect from the next round of updates. We've covered the basics of Global Territory Control previously, so if you want to get up to speed, go on and have a read. Don't worry; we'll wait.

Caught up? Good. So what's new this month? The buffs granted by controlling territories have been changed. Now, each town and keep is worth a given number of points. The faction that has the most points will receive a buff that "improves crafting and harvesting speed as well as Random AP, Death Toll, Faction, and Experience gains." Meanwhile, the faction system is getting a revamp that "will see the elimination of shoulder factions." Completing tasks for your faction of choice "will only affect the specific faction you completed it for and its opposite on the faction wheel." This really only scratches the surface of the myriad changes coming to Fallen Earth, so to get the full details just head on over to the game's official site.

MassivelyFallen Earth's March state of the game gets territorial originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfactionfactionsfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstglobal-territory-controlgtcmarch-state-of-the-gameplayer-vs-playerpost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpsandboxsci-fistate-of-the-gameterritory-controlwastelandsFri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars: The winds just keep on a-changin']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/guild-wars-the-winds-just-keep-on-a-changin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/guild-wars-the-winds-just-keep-on-a-changin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/guild-wars-the-winds-just-keep-on-a-changin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

ArenaNet has just announced that the third installment of Winds of Change, Miku's Tale, will be going live tomorrow! Part of Guild Wars Beyond, an effort to bridge the story between Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2, Winds of Change has been following the shifting states of affairs in Cantha. The rise of the Ministry of Purity, a new governmental organization, has had a central role in the story. First fighting with player characters against the blighted Afflicted then gangs of criminals, the Ministry slowly grew in influence and power. Guild Wars players aided the Ministry of Purity in its fight for justice until a chance encounter at a Ministry rally turned things sour. Since then, players have been rescuing captives, working with the Tengu, and generally making a nuisance of themselves as far as the Ministry is concerned. Now, with things in Cantha at the edge of chaos, we can once again pick up the story -- and dive into the final chapter of Winds of Change.

If you'd like to see the new content in action, join us tomorrow, February 9th, at 7 p.m. EST for a special edition livestream. Our own Richie Procopio will be joined by ArenaNet staff as he streams the game live on our Twitch channel!

MassivelyGuild Wars: The winds just keep on a-changin' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcanthafactionsguild-warsGuild-Wars-2guild-wars-beyondgwgw2Mikumikus-taleministry-of-purityncsoftpatchsoon-TMupdatewinds-of-changeWed, 08 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Big faction changes coming to Fallen Earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/big-faction-changes-coming-to-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/big-faction-changes-coming-to-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/big-faction-changes-coming-to-fallen-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - Odenville at dusk
Big changes are coming to Fallen Earth's faction system, and the latest GamersFirst dev diary has the details. Lead designer Marie "Aro Sei" Croall says that the devs "want to make sure it is clear to all players who they are fighting for and who they are against."

The current faction dynamics can be confusing, she explains, and GamersFirst feels that Fallen Earth's learning curve can be smoothed out "without dumbing it down." To do so, shoulder factions are being removed, and wastelanders will need to pick a faction and remain loyal to it in order to earn points. Missions may be accepted from three factions, but only the primary faction will determine PvP objectives, missions, and faction channels.

Finally, the devs are removing factional friendly fire except in cases of clan wars, bloodsports, or dueling gameplay. Croall says this is intended to curb same-faction griefing, and ultimately contribute to "a less jarring PvP experience in Fallen Earth."

MassivelyBig faction changes coming to Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aro-seidev-blogdev-diaryf2pfactionfaction-changesfactionsfallen-earthfree-to-playfriendly-firegamers-firstgamersfirstgriefingmarie-croallpost-apocalypticsandboxsandparksci-fiwastelandSat, 21 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'd love to tell you what you're shooting at, but you don't have the clearance. I also would love to tell you if bullets hurt it or not.
Do you have questions about the Illuminati? Of course you do -- that's sort of their whole method of operation. But when it comes to The Secret World, some of those questions got answered via yesterday's community question-and-answer session on Facebook. While you'll have to Like the page in order to view all of the answers, you're rewarded for doing so with a breadth of facts about the secretive power-mongers and hoarders of secrets.

Among the first questions was the simple one of how the Illuminati aren't in control of everything in the game world if their operatives have infiltrated the highest level of government; as it happens, with the world exploding and lighting up with the supernatural, the Illuminati are too concerned with working overtime to keep things under wraps to try to take total control. The answers also reinforce the idea that the Illuminati crave power and competence above all, up to the organization's willingness to discard lesser members for valuable information. You can take a peek at the full set of answer on Facebook, but keep in mind that you're going to need to Like the page first.

MassivelyThe Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycommunityfactionsfuncomilluminatilorenewspreviewsq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answerssecret-societiessocietiesthe-secret-worldtswupdatesMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World ends Illuminati Week with new interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/the-secret-world-ends-illuminati-week-with-new-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/the-secret-world-ends-illuminati-week-with-new-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/the-secret-world-ends-illuminati-week-with-new-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Secret World
The Secret World's Illuminati Week is drawing to a close, and to round out the excitement, the game's Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos sat down for an Illuminati-centric interview with IGN. Joel outlines what kind of players would find themselves most suited to a life with the Illuminati, what principles the society upholds, and even what sort of faction-specific abilities Illuminati players can look forward to. While he's not too forthcoming on that last point, he does reveal that "[Illuminati faction abilities] will reflect the Illuminati obsession with combing magic and technology to greatest effect." To get the full details and round out your Illuminati fix, just click on through to the interview below.

MassivelyThe Secret World ends Illuminati Week with new interview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factionfaction-abilitiesfactionsfuncomilluminatiilluminati-weekinterviewinterviewsjoel-bylosthe-illuminatithe-secret-worldtswFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom releases Secret World Illuminati teaser]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/funcom-releases-secret-world-illuminati-teaser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/funcom-releases-secret-world-illuminati-teaser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/funcom-releases-secret-world-illuminati-teaser/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Dastardly Illuminati
Funcom promised a trailer when it kicked off Illuminati Week last Monday, and today the firm delivers with the latest footage from The Secret World. The clip is naturally all about the Illuminati faction, and it features a mixture of gameplay and cinematics (some of which we've seen before).

The video serves as a pretty effective recruitment ad for the faction, as the narrator opines that the Illuminati may not have all the answers, just "most of them." He goes on to talk about how knowledge is not only power, but currency, and if that doesn't make you want to roll an Illuminati, well, you're probably one of those silly Templars. Check out the clip after the cut.

Continue reading Funcom releases Secret World Illuminati teaser

MassivelyFuncom releases Secret World Illuminati teaser originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factionsfantasyfuncomhorrorilluminatiilluminati-weekloresecret-worldthe-secret-worldtrailervideoThu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom kicks off The Secret World's Illuminati week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/funcom-kicks-off-the-secret-worlds-illuminati-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/funcom-kicks-off-the-secret-worlds-illuminati-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/funcom-kicks-off-the-secret-worlds-illuminati-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Illuminati HQ
Still having a hard time settling on a secret society when it comes to The Secret World? Fear not, as Funcom is bringing you another theme week detailing one of the game's three factions. This time around, it's the Illuminati in the spotlight, and over the next few days we'll be on the lookout for new artwork, screens, videos, a developer Q&A, and more.

Funcom's version of the (in)famous Illuminati group casts its members as "invisible puppet-masters and corporate manipulators" who seek "power and wealth by any means necessary." Head to the official Secret World website to check out the latest Illuminati-themed art, and don't forget to take the initiation test to see which faction is right for you.

[Source: Funcom press release]

MassivelyFuncom kicks off The Secret World's Illuminati week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkfactionsfantasyfuncomhorrorilluminatiilluminati-weeksecret-worldthe-illuminatithe-secret-worldtswMon, 09 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Urgoz starting area
All was quiet at ArenaNet last week as the various members of the Guild Wars 2 team enjoyed a well-deserved vacation. I'm going to consider it a welcome breather after being drowned in so many squee-worthy updates the previous week and take the opportunity to turn my attention back to Guild Wars 1 and another elite area: Urgoz's Warren.

I really enjoy Urgoz's Warren for a couple of reasons. Obviously, it gives me tons of Kurzick faction, but once you've got the hang of it, it's a fun challenge even without the perks. It's full of environmental effects and hidden enemies that prevent you from simply charging in and blasting away, so you have to think ahead, be careful, and play strategically.

Follow along after the jump and we'll take a closer look.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdungeonsfactionsfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguideguidesguild-warsgwinstancesncsofturgozurgozs-warrenMon, 02 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-faction-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-faction-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/soe-releases-new-planetside-2-faction-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - Terran ship
Sony Online Entertainment is ramping up its PlanetSide 2 publicity machine this week. Last night we brought you word of beta signups for the forthcoming MMOFPS, and today SOE has released a new video clip featuring creative director Matt Higby.

Higby provides voiceover commentary for the game's three factions, and the dialog plays against various rotating schematic-type images of armor, equipment, and gear from the game's three factions.

Unfortunately there's no new information here at all, and SOE has basically summarized the past several months worth of faction-related text updates in a two-minute video clip. That said, it's better than nothing, and you can check it out after the break.

[Source: SOE press release]

Continue reading SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video

MassivelySOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>araxisfactionsmatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpsplanetside-2planetside2sci-fishootersoeSony-Online-EntertainmenttrailervideoThu, 22 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grudge match: RIFT faction rivalry heating up for one-year anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT
Worried that RIFT's Guardians and Defiants are less age-old enemies and more goofy odd couple roommates bumbling around to a laugh track? If faction chumminess concerns you, you'll be glad to hear that Trion Worlds is planning to escalate tensions between the two sides that will forever change the feel of the game.

Trion said that it's already deep into the planning stages of heating up the conflict between the game's two sides, which is planned for next spring. The current Fae Yule festival is meant to be a quiet moment before everything explodes; a peace that is soon to be shattered.

Design Director Hal Hanlin puts a date on the upcoming Factionopalypse: "We're planning to drive a wedge between the factions for the game's one-year anniversary." This puts the date of the event in early March 2012.

Currently, while the two factions don't necessarily get along, they both are working toward the same goal of repelling the invading planar forces. It's just that they use different approaches and philosophies as they truck along.

MassivelyGrudge match: RIFT faction rivalry heating up for one-year anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarydefiantdefiantsfactionfaction-conflictfactionsfae-yulefirst-anniversaryguardianguardiansin-game-eventone-year-anniversarypvprifttriontrion-worldsTue, 06 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2 rallies the Vanu Sovereignty with new video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/planetside-2-rallies-the-vanu-sovereignty-with-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/planetside-2-rallies-the-vanu-sovereignty-with-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/planetside-2-rallies-the-vanu-sovereignty-with-new-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- PlanetSide 2
PlanetSide 2's Vanu Sovereignty gets some more time in the spotlight today with a new video that shows off the technologically advanced vehicles and weaponry available to the faction. We hope that this video, in conjunction with the recent Vanu Sovereignty screenshots, can stave off your PlanetSide 2 hunger until the next morsel drops. Just click on past the cut for the full video.

[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

Continue reading PlanetSide 2 rallies the Vanu Sovereignty with new video

MassivelyPlanetSide 2 rallies the Vanu Sovereignty with new video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factionfactionsmmofpsplanetside-2ps2soesony-online-entertainmentvanuvanu-sovereigntyvideovideosWed, 23 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on impressions of The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Scary monster dude in The Secret World
Last month, Funcom held a special hands-on event for The Secret World at its Montreal, Canada offices, where we sent freelancer François Blondin to cover all the exciting details. François also got to play the game for several hours, giving us a fresh perspective on what TSW has to offer MMO gamers.

In Funcom's upcoming The Secret World, the game's three factions -- Templars, Illuminati and Dragons -- face off, compete, and collaborate (all at the same time!) amidst the nightmarish creatures being revealed throughout the world. But choose your allegiance carefully: Your faction determines your path and special bonuses for the whole game, and faction-switching won't be an option. Join me for a hands-on look at the game's current incarnation!

Gallery: The Secret World

Continue reading Hands-on impressions of The Secret World

MassivelyHands-on impressions of The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorcash-shopchakrascollisioncombatcraftingdemodouble-dippingdragonsequipmentexclusivefactionsfeaturedfuncomgearhands-onhiveilluminatiimpressionsjoel-bylosmartin-bruusgaardmontrealpreviewpvepvpquestingquestsRagnar-Tornquistskill-basedskillsstatssubscriptiontemplarsthe-hivethe-secret-worldthree-queststswweaponswheel-of-skillsMon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth slinging a major update to factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick whether or not your friends have functional craniums.
If you've been making your way through the factions of the Fallen Earth wasteland for a while, you're probably familiar with their mechanical interplay by now. The game really rewards you, of course, for playing the field rather than picking one faction as your specific allies. But that's all going to change. As outlined in the latest developer blog, starting with the next major patch, players will be expected to choose one faction as their "core" faction to participate in Territory Control and Conflict Towns.

This might seem like a bit of a downgrade, but it comes with the advantage that the developers are also doing away with shoulder factions, meaning that each factional pairing works as an unlinked two-way street. Fighting for one faction only loses standing for the opposing faction, not for other allied factions. Choosing a "main" faction is also not a requirement for several other faction features in the game, just the direct war between the various groups. Still, it's going to be a major update for the game's systems, forcing players to really decide who they want as an ally in the long run.

MassivelyFallen Earth slinging a major update to factions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfactionfaction-mechanicsfactionsfallen-earthfefree-to-playgame-mechanicsgamersfirstpvppvp-factionspvp-systemsreputationupdatesFri, 18 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/tradition-is-a-good-thing-the-secret-worlds-templar-trailer-tr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Templars
Meet Rose. She's a white-haired 21-year-old who eschews Facebook and club hopping in favor of fighting the forces of darkness. As one of The Secret World's Templars, Rose has fallen in with an organization that she thinks has the best chance of prevailing through the coming war.

Rose is also the star of Funcom's Templar trailer, which gives us a brief overview of the faction's philosophy and focus. Loyalty, tradition, brotherhood, and discipline are the cornerstones of what makes the Templars so effective in combating the evil that we fail to see all around us.

Still haven't made up your mind which TSW faction to join? Rose makes the case for why it's good to hang with the Templars: "We are the lions of the secret world. When we roar, everyone listens."

You can watch the full trailer after the jump, and don't forget that Funcom is hosting a Q&A on Facebook today at 10:00 a.m. EST!

Continue reading Tradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you

MassivelyTradition is a good thing: The Secret World's Templar trailer tries to recruit you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfactionfactionsfuncomq-and-arosetemplartemplar-weektemplarsthe-secret-worldtrailertswvideoweek-of-the-templarsFri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom details Secret World Templar mission [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/funcom-details-secret-world-templar-mission/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/funcom-details-secret-world-templar-mission/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/funcom-details-secret-world-templar-mission/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Templars in the forest
Templar Week continues at Funcom, and this time the firm is teasing fans of The Secret World with bits and pieces of the game's factional missions and mythology. Today we get a look at a rogue agent mission within what is ostensibly the world's oldest (and definitely its most well-known) secret society.

Funcom's dev diary paints the Templars as an uncompromising bunch, and players interested in joining the ranks of these ancient smiters of evil will travel to London, where they'll "feel the weight of thousands of years of history in the great arches of Temple Hall." They'll also be chasing a defector across the globe and even into some sort of alternate hell dimension, and you can read all about that and more at MMORPG.com.

[Update: PC Gamer's got a preview of bunch of spooky TSW monsters too!]

MassivelyFuncom details Secret World Templar mission [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conspiracydev-blogdev-diarydev-journalfaction-missionsfactionsfuncomhorrorlorepverogue-agenttemplar-missiontemplarsthe-secret-worldtswWed, 16 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/massively-exclusive-planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-qanda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
With the cold war in PlanetSide 2 quickly turning hot, potential players have to ask themselves: Which side will they join? Today SOE is making a bid on behalf of the New Conglomerate, painting them as the scrappy underdogs of the war with plenty of attitude to go around. We sat down with Creative Director Matt Higby to see if we could figure out what makes this faction tick.

Massively: As an introduction for new players, what's the philosophy behind the New Conglomerate?

Matt Higby: The New Conglomerate are an insurgent guerrilla force fighting against pretty stacked odds: an enormous military machine in the TR on one side and the vast technological superiority of the VS on the other. This forces the New Conglomerate to be adaptive, use creative tactics and take advantage of every possible opportunity they can to accomplish their goals. Their weapons run the gamut from conventional to experimental, and they're not willing to say no to anything that might give them an edge.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusivefactionfactionsinterviewmatt-higbymatthew-higbyncNew-Conglomerateplanetsideplanetside-2psps1ps2q-and-asoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 11 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2 intel details the New Conglomerate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/planetside-2-intel-details-the-new-conglomerate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/planetside-2-intel-details-the-new-conglomerate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/planetside-2-intel-details-the-new-conglomerate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Boo.
PlanetSide 2's Terran Republic has already had its time to shine, and now it's the New Conglomerate's turn. Sony Online Entertainment has released an intel debrief which details the faction, noting that the Conglomerate is known for being unpredictable and ruthless. NC forces rely on "unconventional tactics and brute strength," though their equipment isn't quite as sleek or advanced as those of the Terran Republic and the Vanu Sovereignty. To see more of the New Conglomerate, head on past the cut and check out the new video.

[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

Continue reading PlanetSide 2 intel details the New Conglomerate

MassivelyPlanetSide 2 intel details the New Conglomerate originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factionfactionsNCnew-conglomerateplanetside-2ps2soesony-online-entertainmentvideovideosFri, 11 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate faction detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-faction-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-faction-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/planetside-2s-new-conglomerate-faction-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - New Conglomerate soldiers
The distinction between terrorist and freedom fighter can be subjective, and the latest PlanetSide 2 dev blog offers an appropriate example. The piece profiles one of the three factions fighting for control of the planet Auraxis, and the New Conglomerate is either a bastion of liberty or a collection of cowardly infidels depending on whom you ask.

The NC are "in total open war with both the Terran Republic and the Vanu Sovereignty, seeking to free humanity from the tyrannical grip of the former and defend them from the fanatical alien influence of the latter," according to the blog entry.

If you're more interested in PlanetSide 2's gameplay than its lore, Sony Online Entertainment wants you to know that the New Conglomerate is "built around hitting first, hitting hardest, and taking a beating." Vehicles like the Reaver and the Vanguard are built to stay in the fight longer at the cost of mobility and speed. Head to the official PlanetSide 2 website for further details.

MassivelyPlanetSide 2's New Conglomerate faction detailed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-faction-pvpdev-blogdev-diaryfaction-warfarefactionsfreedom-fightersless-lore-more-gameplaymmo-shooterNew-Conglomerateplanetside-2ps2reaversci-fishootersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentterroriststhree-faction-pvpvanguardTue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Honey, the door blew shut. And locked itself.
The conversion to free-to-play has gone live, but there are more changes in store for Fallen Earth. A new developer blog entry has just been unveiled, discussing two of the bigger features in store for the game -- world events and territory control. The former will be dynamic content that appears at random, with multiple events able to feed upon one another and create some changing landscapes for players to explore.

Territory control, by contrast, will start off in a single region north of Blaine. The region will have a total of 13 different control points for factions to hold, with six of them out in the open and seven in more fortified locations. There will be notable rewards for players holding these objectives, including resource nodes, increased experience gain, and improved death toll. It should certainly lead to some interesting battles in the wasteland as players fight over the region's spoils.

MassivelyFallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogsdev-blogsdeveloper-blogdynamic-contentdynamic-eventsfactionsfallen-earthfegamersfirstpatchespreviewspvpterritory-controlworld-eventsMon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are there lore elements you feel don't get used enough?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/30/the-daily-grind-are-there-lore-elements-you-feel-dont-get-used/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/30/the-daily-grind-are-there-lore-elements-you-feel-dont-get-used/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/30/the-daily-grind-are-there-lore-elements-you-feel-dont-get-used/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I want this armor. Preferrably in cat-ear sizes.
Most MMOs have a pretty expansive list of lore characters and groups. It's not surprising, really -- the games cover entire continents and worlds, so there have to be a lot of different stories going at any given time. But sometimes an interesting group of villains or interesting story promises don't quite get the attention they deserve. You enjoy what's there, but it feels like a really interesting group or plot thread got dropped in favor of something else.

Maybe you felt like the Scarlet Onslaught deserved more attention in World of Warcraft. Maybe you want more stories in Final Fantasy XIV centering around the individual nation conflicts. Perhaps you just wanted to see another series of missions in City of Heroes to wrap up some loose ends from Praetoria. Whatever the case, are there lore elements you feel don't get used as often as they deserve? Or do you think that most of the stories in your game of choice feel just the right length?

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: Are there lore elements you feel don't get used enough? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryenemy-groupsfactionslorelore-characterslore-groupslore-npcsnpcsopinionstorytdgthe-daily-grindSun, 30 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you identify with your side?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-identify-with-your-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-identify-with-your-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-identify-with-your-side/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

And when these two groups meet up in the middle? HUGS.
World of Warcraft wasn't the first game to introduce the idea of players being inextricably tied to a faction, but it was one of the first to create two groups in direct opposition to one another. And it's continued on since then, with the Guardians versus the Defiants in RIFT, the Sith and the Republic in Star Wars: The Old Republic, Order and Chaos in Warhammer Online. When you create a character, you are part of a group, like it or not.

Of course, for some players, the side you're on is just the side that has the class and race you want to play, nothing more. For others, the side is almost more important than either of those details. So where do you fall? Do you identify as part of your faction, first and foremost? Or do you play both factions and not quite understand people who think that your choice of one side or the other makes a statement about you as a person?

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 identify with your side? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentbackstoryfactionsgroupsloreopinionpvpsidestdgthe-daily-grindSat, 29 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-continues-with-new-video-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-continues-with-new-video-intervi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-continues-with-new-video-intervi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Secret World Dragon
Dragon Week is in full swing over at The Secret World, and today players get a double dose of Dragon with a new video and an interview with Ragnar Tørnquist. The video highlights a previous trailer's character -- referred to hereafter as Milkshake Girl -- and her initiation into the Dragon. Poor Milkshake Girl's idea of chaos prior to the Dragon was "a messy apartment," but disorderly living spaces have nothing on the Dragon concept of chaos, as the video points out.

The interview focuses entirely on, surprise, the Dragon faction and the lore behind it. Tørnquist is reluctant to give away any juicy gameplay details, however, and refuses to reveal what faction-specific abilities the Dragon will have access to. But if you're a lore junkie, read on: Tørnquist discusses the hierarchy of the Dragon, the organization's modus operandi, the central characters of the faction, and the group's relation to the Templar, Illuminati, and the Council of Venice. So head on over to IGN for the full interview, jump past the cut for the video, and remember, Dragon Week isn't over yet. Check back tomorrow to see what else Funcom has in store.

Continue reading The Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview

MassivelyThe Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragondragon-weekfactionfactionsfuncominterviewmilkshake-girlragnar-tornquistthe-secret-worldtrailertrailerstswvideovideosThu, 20 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World's Dragon Week reveals faction backstory, mission details]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-reveals-faction-backstory-missio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-reveals-faction-backstory-missio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/the-secret-worlds-dragon-week-reveals-faction-backstory-missio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Dragon faction
Dragon Week continues for Funcom and fans of The Secret World. The latest series entry takes the form of a dev journal that hints at the faction's backstory and teases a Dragon ranking mission from the game itself.

The Dragon is based in Seoul, South Korea, and is so secretive that even its own members don't appreciate the full extent of its power. The organization operates under the belief that "seemingly insignificant events can trigger cataclysmic change," and players will find the Dragon recruitment process a bit different than that of the game's other two factions. Potential recruits are paid a visit by silent Dragon monks, then unceremoniously deposited in a Seoul neighborhood with no apparent exits. If the recruits manage to find the Dragon headquarters, they're rewarded with more info about the faction and their own destiny.

There's more, including details on that mission we mentioned earlier, but you'll need to head to MMORPG.com to read it.

[Thanks to Acidbaron for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Secret World's Dragon Week reveals faction backstory, mission details originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conspiracydragondragon-weekfactionsfantasyfuncomhorrorloremissionsthe-dragonthe-secret-worldtswWed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Dragon roars: Funcom spies on The Secret World's most mysterious faction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/the-dragon-roars-funcom-spies-on-the-secret-worlds-most-myster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/the-dragon-roars-funcom-spies-on-the-secret-worlds-most-myster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/the-dragon-roars-funcom-spies-on-the-secret-worlds-most-myster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Secret World
We don't care if you have the eye of the tiger -- this is the Week of the Dragon, darn it, and you're going to give respect to it or it will roast your noggin right off your neck! As part of the focus on The Secret World's least-understood faction, Funcom's released a quartet of artwork pieces to help give us an insight into the organization.

Perhaps the most eye-catching are the Mute Monks, an ancient order of scary-looking muscle men who have sewn their lips shut and baptized their bodies with tattoos. These monks are the recruiting arm of the Dragon, but are by no means the only members players will encounter.

The other pieces of concept art show off a temporary Dragon headquarters, a bang (cyber-cafe) that's a front for the group, and a possible outfit for a Dragon agent in the field.

What are you waiting for? Check them all out in the gallery below!

Gallery: The Secret World

MassivelyThe Dragon roars: Funcom spies on The Secret World's most mysterious faction originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkconcept-artdragonfactionfactionsfuncomgallerymonksmute-monksscreenshotsseoulthe-secret-worldtswweek-of-the-dragonTue, 18 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World kicks off Week of the Dragon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/the-secret-world-kicks-off-week-of-the-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/the-secret-world-kicks-off-week-of-the-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/the-secret-world-kicks-off-week-of-the-dragon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Secret World
Take a seat, Templars and Illuminati -- it's the Dragons' time to shine. Over at The Secret World's official site, Funcom has announced this week as Dragon week, meaning that as the week goes by, we'll be granted new information and assets focused on the Seoul-based secret society. The game's director, Ragnar Tørnquist, says, "Revealing new things about the Dragon is exciting for us, as the very nature of the Dragon is to stay hidden and create chaos behind the scenes to reach their ultimate goal." So it should be interesting to see what kind of tricks the organization has up its sleeves.

Whether you're a Dragon initiate looking to find out more about your chosen secret society or you're a member of the Templars or Illuminati ready to build a dossier on your opposition, keep your eyes open in the coming week as the shady secrets of the Dragon are brought to light. In the meantime, though, check out the gallery below for six new Dragon-centric screenshots.

Gallery: The Secret World

MassivelyThe Secret World kicks off Week of the Dragon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragondragonsfactionsfuncomgalleriesgalleryragnar-tornquistscreenshotscreenshotssecret-societiessecret-societythe-secret-worldtswweek-of-the-dragonMon, 17 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online bringing the Klingons into the free-to-play test realm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/star-trek-online-bringing-the-klingons-into-the-free-to-play-tes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/star-trek-online-bringing-the-klingons-into-the-free-to-play-tes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/star-trek-online-bringing-the-klingons-into-the-free-to-play-tes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Space. The place where we will fight a large number of people for honor.
The KDF faction has always struggled in Star Trek Online, from its early perception among players as the game's red-headed stepchild of a PvP faction to the present day. But there are still dedicated Klingon players, and there's no shortage of love for the faction in the lore. So there will no doubt be many players happy that starting on October 6th, the Klingon's new and improved play experience will be up for players to enjoy on the test server.

In a significant departure from the past, Klingon players will now start well into the Lieutenant Commander rank, giving players a sizable jump in levels. The story arcs for the faction are now threaded together to alleviate the sometimes confusing structure of the story missions, giving a uniquely Klingon experience from start to finish. And as with all of the testing going on prior to the game's free-to-play conversion, players who clock in enough time to reach level 31 on a Klingon character will earn some bonus rewards -- enough to stir a true warrior's blood for the honor of victory.

MassivelyStar Trek Online bringing the Klingons into the free-to-play test realm originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosf2pfactionsfree-to-playkdfklingonspath-to-f2pst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotesttest-servertesting-rewardstrek-onlineWed, 05 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation adds action mode combat toggle, military system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-repopulation-adds-action-mode-combat-toggle-military-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-repopulation-adds-action-mode-combat-toggle-military-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/the-repopulation-adds-action-mode-combat-toggle-military-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Repopulation - soldier in the woods
Last week we told you about a new three-faction sandbox MMO called The Repopulation. Today we've got the very latest on the game courtesy of Above & Beyond Technologies' end-of-September progress report.

As it turns out, some of September was dedicated to preparing for the game's initial announcement and piecing together the accompanying trailer. Other than that, though, the devs did make a bit of progress on gameplay proper. Action mode combat was the biggest addition, and the update describes an interesting mechanic that allows users to "toggle between action- or RPG-mode combat at any time during gameplay."

The other big addition is The Repopulation's military system. In a nutshell, it's a ranking system that allows players to gain military XP while performing various duties for their nation's armed forces. Ranks, medals, and perks like armor, weapons, vehicles, robotics, and special abilities are among the system's rewards.

MassivelyThe Repopulation adds action mode combat toggle, military system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesaction-combataction-mode-togglealphacombatcombat-togglefactionsgame-mechanicsmilitary-systemperksrpg-combatrpg-combat-togglesandboxsci-fiscifiseptember-updatethe-repopulationthree-factionupdateWed, 05 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Factions and you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sunset in Blockade
There was a time in Fallen Earth when the factions were more diverse. When I say diverse, I don't mean in ideology. I am talking about the game mechanics. These days, they are a bit more homogenized. Before everything was de-factionalized, your build would have a great bearing on which faction you chose. Sometimes, if you were a min-maxing PvPer like I am, you would wind up in a faction you didn't necessarily like. That was the main reason I didn't like the faction diversity. The ideology of the factions didn't appeal to me, but the factions' perks complemented my playstyle. I'll get into that a bit later in the post.

Another problem with the wide diversity between factions was the issue of balancing. It's hard enough to balance the three weapon classes, but once you have six different factions with six different sets of abilities, mutations, and capstones, it gets worse. I still see people asking in game about which faction is the pistols faction or which faction has access to Nano-manipulation. The short answer is all factions do. There is a misconception that your faction is still dependent on your build. It isn't. There are still a few artifacts of the old system lying around, but by and large, most of them are just minor annoyances. In this post I'll look at what is really important in choosing a faction in the new Fallen Earth.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Factions and you

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Factions and you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescapstonesfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstmeleemutation-flipmutationspistolrandom-aprifleskillsweapon-classeswheel-flipFri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Tackling the question of which is better]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/enter-at-your-own-rift-tackling-the-question-of-which-is-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/enter-at-your-own-rift-tackling-the-question-of-which-is-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/enter-at-your-own-rift-tackling-the-question-of-which-is-better/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rift starter area
From the first day that RIFT launched, an endless debate has erupted around one central issue. Players have chosen their sides and dug in deep defending them. It's led to countless arguments and a six-month battle that gets worse with each passing day.

For this week's Enter at Your Own Rift, I've decided to tackle this debate head on and really look at what divides the two sides. That's right -- the time has come to finally decide which is better: Guardian or Defiant.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Tackling the question of which is better

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Tackling the question of which is better originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ashacyrildefiantsenter-at-your-own-riftfactionfactionsfeaturedfreemarchguardianskaren-bryanmeridianriftrift-planes-of-telarasanctumsilverwoodtelaratriontrion-worldsWed, 28 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST