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 Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Greetings, summoners, and welcome to the first installment of the Summoner's Guidebook! For a new player, the Guidebook is a one-stop-shop to gaining familiarity with the various elements of League of Legends. For the more advanced players, we'll also be covering ways to improve on weak areas of your play and how to deal with the toughest of matchups.

I was a new player once, and I remember being extremely daunted by the number of things I needed to learn to be competitive in LoL. Although the journey from newbie to expert was long and difficult, I learned a lot about common mistakes and how to reduce them. If you're looking to step up your game or if you're just getting into the League, the Summoner's Guidebook is the place for you to learn without being treated like you're a noob.

This week, we're going to cover the community resources available to you. There are a lot of websites dedicated to League of Legends, and it would be foolish to assume that this column is the only place to get advice on the game. If there's something I haven't covered yet or there's a topic I'm unfamiliar with, you can be sure that one of these places will have the info you're looking for. This article can't possibly cover all the League fansites on the internet (there are probably hundreds), but I can focus on the ones with the best information.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counter-logic-gamingf2pfacebookfansitesfeaturedforumsfree-to-playguideleague-of-legendslolmobamobafireofficial-websiteriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebookteam-solo-midtribunalyoutubeThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have the post-NDA testimonials changed your mind about SWTOR?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/the-daily-grind-have-the-post-nda-testimonials-changed-your-min/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/the-daily-grind-have-the-post-nda-testimonials-changed-your-min/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/the-daily-grind-have-the-post-nda-testimonials-changed-your-min/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR
It's been a half a week or so since BioWare hit Star Wars: The Old Republic's NDA with a Death Star-sized superlaser, and boy have the spaceships hit the fan. Massively readers, fansite operators, forumites, Tweeters, podcasters, and the entire cantina at Mos Eisley have piped up with impressions, thoughts, analysis, and opinions as to whether this MMO has lived up to expectations or not.

While we cannot stress enough that a beta is a beta and not a launched product deserving of a full-range judgment, many curious players have taken this opportunity to soak up the information, particularly if they have not been in the beta as of yet. Others might have dipped their toes in the beta but are interested to hear what some of the long-time vets have to say at this juncture.

So what about you? Has anything you read or heard about SWTOR following the NDA drop changed your mind?

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: Have the post-NDA testimonials changed your mind about SWTOR? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredeath-starea-biowareelectronic-artsfansitesfeaturedimpressionsmos-eisleyndanda-dropopinionpodcasstpost-ndastar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindWed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies fan site hacked, 23K passwords stolen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/star-wars-galaxies-fan-site-hacked-23k-passwords-stolen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/star-wars-galaxies-fan-site-hacked-23k-passwords-stolen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/star-wars-galaxies-fan-site-hacked-23k-passwords-stolen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWG.net
Talk about kicking a game's community when it's down.

VentureBeat reports that Star Wars Galaxies.net, a major SWG fan site, was hacked yesterday. Star Wars Galaxies.net is part of a LucasArts fan site network, and apparently was not being actively maintained, as the last update was in June of 2009. Still, over 21,000 email addresses and 23,000 passwords were stolen -- some of which could lead to identity theft, according to authorities.

The hack was perpetrated by ObSec, a small group in the vein of LulzSec. The hackers posted the email addresses and passwords online for all to see. Analysis of the passwords found that 71% were relatively weak and easy to crack anyway.

Some Star Wars Galaxies players may see this as an unfortunate echo of the much larger Sony hack that happened earlier this year. We at Massively urge any players who have used this fan site to make sure that they change their passwords elsewhere as well.

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies fan site hacked, 23K passwords stolen originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emailsfan-sitefansitefansiteshackhackedhackersidentity-theftlucasartslulzsecobsecpasswordsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-galaxies.netstolenswgWed, 31 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Chatting with Champions Online's wiki mistress]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/behind-the-mask-chatting-with-champions-onlines-wiki-mistress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/behind-the-mask-chatting-with-champions-onlines-wiki-mistress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/behind-the-mask-chatting-with-champions-onlines-wiki-mistress/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was planning on interviewing some key members of the Champions Online community. There were a few questions raised to me on just what constituted a "key member." This week, I got to chat with CO's resident wiki mistress, Lohr. She's the owner and administrator of the biggest Champions fansite on the internet, Champions Online Wiki.

CO-Wiki is the largest repository of information on the game available anywhere on the internet, and it includes everything from information on missions to powers and levels. Early in its youth, CO-Wiki was not the biggest, being dwarfed by a Wikia site dedicated to Champions Online (which is still being updated). However, CO-Wiki drew contributors and quickly became a striking success. Today, players can access CO-Wiki directly from the Champions Online website.

Lohr and I chatted about how she got to where she is now and what she thinks about the path the game is taking. Hit the jump to read the full scoop!

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Chatting with Champions Online's wiki mistress

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Chatting with Champions Online's wiki mistress originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-maskchampions-onlinechampions-online-wikicocommunity-spotlightcrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfansitesfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewlohrwikiwiki-mistressThu, 17 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-the-highlights/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For this month's Game Archaeologist expedition, I deliberately wanted to look at an older MMO that was -- for whatever reason -- no longer with us. After voting on a handful of these titles, Massively readers selected Earth & Beyond for March's focus, and I have to say that I'm intrigued.

Personally, I prefer science fiction over fantasy nine times out of ten, even though most of the MMOs that grace my desktop (with the exception of Star Trek Online) are fantasy games. Sci-fi has had an awfully difficult time making headway into the field of MMOs, with plenty of underperforming or canceled titles littering the way. I've heard it explained that the fantasy genre is easier for the common person to grasp because it uses elements of our past -- primarily the medieval period -- to provide a familiar baseline, whereas sci-fi's futuristic setting requires world-building from scratch.

Whatever the case may be, Earth & Beyond never really caught on the way that EVE Online did, and its miniscule population (GameSpot reported 20-25K subscribers six months before its shutdown) was not enough for Electronic Arts to keep it running. But between 2002 and 2004, Earth & Beyond reached for the stars and gave its own spin on how a sci-fi MMO could work. Let's take a look today at what made Earth & Beyond unique, what it gave the industry, and how it may help upcoming space MMOs avoid a similar fate.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcombatcommand-and-conquerdune-iieaearth-and-beyondebElectronic-Artsemulatoreqeveeve-onlineeverquestexplorationfansitesfeaturedsci-fiscience-fictionscifistar-trek-onlinestosunsettgathe-game-archaeologisttradingultima-onlineuowestwoodTue, 01 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR fans gather in droves for PAX East]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Although I doubt it has Blue Milk, the Times Irish Bar does have a nice cold beer, or at least the Star Wars: The Old Republic fans hope so when they visit during PAX East. The event hasn't even started, but you can almost hear Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes tuning up now for the SWTOR Community Cantina.

What is the SWTOR Community Cantina, you ask? I'm surprised you don't know. Fansites, Massively, and just plain-old SWTOR fans have decided that one gathering just wasn't enough for a game as epic as SWTOR. Do any of these names seems familiar to you -- Pete, Dover, Orionark, Musco, Samm, Brooks, Zach, Lordhammer, Vall, Lethality, Kathy, and Roxanne? Maybe you're more familiar with the fansites they represent: Darth Hater, TOROcast, Mos Eisley Radio, TORSyndicate, AskAJedi, and Corellian Run Radio. If you're just dying to meet any of these people or are a fan of Star Wars: The Old Republic, come to Boston's Times Irish Bar during PAX East on March 11th at 7:00 p.m. EST for the SWTOR Community Cantina.

While you're there, you can give me a high-five, too. We can party like it's 4,000 BBY!

MassivelySWTOR fans gather in droves for PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AskAJediBioWarecommunity-eventscorellian-run-radiodarth-haterEAElectronic-Artseventsfansitesirl-eventLucasArtsMos-Eisley-Radiopax-east-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicTimes-Irish-BartorTOROcastTORSyndicateFri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Rich Vogel shares the spotlight with Mos Eisley Radio in this week's update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/swtors-rich-vogel-shares-the-spotlight-with-mos-eisley-radio-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/swtors-rich-vogel-shares-the-spotlight-with-mos-eisley-radio-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/swtors-rich-vogel-shares-the-spotlight-with-mos-eisley-radio-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic Fan Friday is usually packed with a Corellian freighter full of information. Today, we have two freighters full. On the community side, Mos Eisley Radio answers some questions about running a SWTOR fansite. On the game side, concept artist Diego Almazan discusses designing the feel for the Sith Temple, and Executive Producer Rich Vogel answers questions from fans.

Mos Eisley Radio has been mentioned quite a bit on this site as well as the official SWTOR website. This fansite's focus is a news-and-opinion podcast hosted by Brooks Guthrie and Zach Brown -- even this Massively reporter has appeared on the show. When asked what makes Mos Eisley Radio unique, the hosts replied, "We do our best to avoid bogging down in the tiny details of each update, and instead use the news coming from BioWare as a basis for larger discussions about The Old Republic." Check out the whole conversation on Fan Friday news page.

Also, Diego Almazan gives us a peek backstage. He explains the details and thought process behind creating a tomb that also serves as a temple. "I wanted to keep in mind that this temple is as much an ancient prison for the dead as it is a tomb or necropolis," Almazan said the in the Studio Insider. Is this a clue that there may be something trying to get out?

Lastly, Rich Vogel answers fan questions like, "Will Consulars be pigeonholed into one role?" Vogel was not shy when he answered, "Consulars, like our other classes, will have more than one viable role to play. One of our goals is to provide players multiple options within their classes." As if it was in question, Vogel also confirmed that we will indeed be able to jump in The Old Republic.

MassivelySWTOR's Rich Vogel shares the spotlight with Mos Eisley Radio in this week's update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareBrooks-GutherieclassesDiego-AlmazanEAElectronic-Artsfan-fridayfansitefansitesLucasArtsmight-as-well-jumpMos-Eisley-Radiopodcastrich-vogelStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStudio-insiderswtorthe-old-republictorZach-brownFri, 18 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Community guide to RIFT]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/enter-at-your-own-rift-community-guide-to-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/enter-at-your-own-rift-community-guide-to-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/enter-at-your-own-rift-community-guide-to-rift/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BLOG POST OPENED!

Swiftly, readers rally together to fight the imminent threat to the internet as dark words stream down from the tear in cyberspace. Unholy pronouns and sentence fragments begin to march toward civilized forums, remolding the fabric of reality in their image. Fortunately, valiant defenders of all that is true and grammatically correct push back against the invasion, suffering heavy losses until...

BLOG POST SEALED!

If you couldn't tell, this is the maiden voyage of Massively's weekly column devoted to Trion World's upcoming MMO, RIFT. We've been excited about this game for a while now, and with the NDA drop, the announcement of the launch date, news of the collector's edition, and upcoming beta events, it's as good a time as any to start talking about this addictive fantasy experience. Karen Bryan and I will be trading off weeks to cover RIFT from our different vantage points, and we're pretty geeked at the prospect.

To kick off the very first Enter at Your Own Rift, we'll be following the Massively tradition of posting a community guide to all the hottest and most helpful links about this game after the jump.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Community guide to RIFT

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Community guide to RIFT originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-guideenter-at-your-own-riftfacebookfansitefansitesforumsguidenewsletterofficial-websitepodcastriftscott-hartsmantelaratelarapediatriontrion-worldstwitterWed, 05 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Don't be surprised if your website is mentioned here]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/hyperspace-beacon-dont-be-surprised-if-your-website-is-mention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/hyperspace-beacon-dont-be-surprised-if-your-website-is-mention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/hyperspace-beacon-dont-be-surprised-if-your-website-is-mention/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Don't be surprised if your website is mentioned here
The Hyperspace Beacon is your guide through the various twists, turns, and barrel-roles of the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic, which is being produced by the super-duper developers at BioWare-EA.

As we all wait anxiously for the open scroll of Star Wars: The Old Republic, more fansites are donning their Jedi robes and igniting their lightsabers. Some have have been around for a while now, and others are just getting off the ground, but all these holocrons of SWTOR lore are finding their true destiny in webspace. Some of these websites stand out as potential Jedi Masters, and I would like to take a moment to take note of them.

A few months back, the first Hyperspace Beacon was launched. It recognized sites like Darth Hater and the Jedi Archive. Since then, more have proven to be beacons of light in the blackness of cyberspace. So, in an effort to keep the SWTOR community page up to date, I have explored the reaches hyperspace to find beacons of new hope.

Set your navicomputer to follow me after the break. As Matt from TOROCast may say: Don't be surprised if your website is mentioned here.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Don't be surprised if your website is mentioned here

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Don't be surprised if your website is mentioned here originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adeptstrainBioWareBrooksbwooocorellian-run-radioDarth-Derriphandarth-haterDarthMaulUKeaElectronic-Artsfansitesfeaturedfo-diggityfun-and-gamesgamescomjake-neriKathy-and-CarlaLucasArtsmin-maxersMos-Eisley-RadioMuscopodcastPodcastsroleplaySammSammMoneyspeculationStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicStarsider-galaxyswtorswtor-rpswtor-wikiswtor-wikiathe-bwooo-tag-is-for-nickelpatthe-galactic-strugglethe-old-republicthe-old-republic-roleplaytorTOROcasttwitterwebsitewikiwikiawikipediawookieepediaZachTue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More testing and fansite kits for Final Fantasy XIV's community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/more-testing-and-fansite-kits-for-final-fantasy-xivs-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/more-testing-and-fansite-kits-for-final-fantasy-xivs-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/more-testing-and-fansite-kits-for-final-fantasy-xivs-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The release draws ever closer for Final Fantasy XIV's release, especially for eager players who have pre-ordered the special edition. But there are plenty of people who can't wait even that long, as seen by the response to the recent slew of fansite contests to award beta keys. Those keys will be usable sooner than some might have expected -- the game's third phase of closed beta testing is slated to start this Wednesday, August 11th. No indication is given for how long this phase will last or if the server will remain up at all times, although the latter seems likely.

In the event that you're not in the beta but still want to spread the love for the game, Square-Enix has also released the official fansite kit for the game. FFXIVCore has previews of everything the kit contains, including several familiar images and decent-quality versions of several in-game icons. The kit can be downloaded from the official site, which should make Final Fantasy XIV's burgeoning fansite community quite happy.

MassivelyMore testing and fansite kits for Final Fantasy XIV's community originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-phase-3beta-phasesbeta-testingfansitefansite-kitfansitesffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivofficial-fansite-kitsquaresquare-enixupcoming-testingMon, 09 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fansites offering keys to the Final Fantasy XIV beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/fansites-offering-keys-to-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/fansites-offering-keys-to-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/fansites-offering-keys-to-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you're eagerly anticipating Final Fantasy XIV's release, can't wait through the next fifty-odd days until the collector's edition is available, and don't feel like playing prior games in the series to take the edge off... well, you might be in luck. Square-Enix is continuing to reach out to the fan community, and the upcoming third phase of beta testing coincides with not one, not two, but three different beta pass giveaways around the web.

Eorzeapedia, FFXIVCore, and ZAM are all offering readers a chance at winning a pass to the next phase of beta testing, with each requiring a slightly different sequence for participation. While the exact date for the next stage of Final Fantasy XIV's beta has not yet been announced, it's known to be some time toward the middle of August, which means at worst a month or so before the special edition of the game goes live. Head on over to your site of choice and enter to win if you want in on the testing -- and let's be honest, what fan doesn't?

MassivelyFansites offering keys to the Final Fantasy XIV beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-passbeta-phasescontestsearly-accessfansitesffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivnew-phasespromotionssquaresquare-enixtestingThu, 05 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Fansites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/wasteland-diaries-fansites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/wasteland-diaries-fansites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/wasteland-diaries-fansites/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Finding your way through Fallen Earth can be daunting at times, but there is help out there. Sometimes the people in the game might not be the most knowledgeable or helpful lot. I said sometimes. Luckily for us, even though Fallen Earth has a relatively small community, it is populated with knowledgeable and helpful people. If something has you stumped, and you just can't seem to find anyone in-game that can help you, there are alternatives. Most of your simple problems can be solved in the help channel by a HazMat Team member or by other players in region chat.

Some of your more complex problems may require a bit of research. Researching can be quite fruitless if you don't know where to look. After the cut, I'll give you several resources that you should bookmark immediately if you haven't already. Some of these resources are more up-to-date than others, but even out-dated information is still better than nothing.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Fansites

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Fansites originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfan-sitesfansitesfeaturedforumsicarusicarus-studiospost-apocalypticwikiFri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Community guide, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As information about Guild Wars 2 continues to be made available, community activity has increased greatly. The sheer number of resources can be pretty overwhelming at this point, and for a while I considered updating the original community guide.

However, there are new podcasts, fansites, images, and much more, so in the end I decided that it was more than enough to warrant a new community guide. So without further delay, I bring you Community Guide Two (go ahead and say electric boogaloo, you know you want to. I'll wait.). Hit the jump to see what's what in the Guild Wars 2 community these days.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Community guide, part two

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Community guide, part two originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcommunity-guidefacebookfansitesfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesforumsguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpodcastregina-buenaobratwitterMon, 05 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Community guide to Warhammer Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/waging-war-community-guide-to-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/waging-war-community-guide-to-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/waging-war-community-guide-to-warhammer-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So here it is: the first installment of Waging WAR, a weekly column about Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Every Saturday, the column will deliver the latest in information, press news, stories, debates, and more about WAR. What happened in Praag this week? Are they serious about such-and-such going live with the next patch? Are Shadow Warriors fixed yet?

As it is with all new Massively game-specific columns, Waging WAR is launching with a community guide for fans of the game -- old-schoolers, re-enlistees, and new-comers alike -- to use as a collective resource of links and information about WAR. Join us after the break to check it out!

Continue reading Waging WAR: Community guide to Warhammer Online

MassivelyWaging WAR: Community guide to Warhammer Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-guidecommunity-linksEAfansitesknowledgeknowledge-basemythicMythic-Entertainmentpodcaststoolswarwarhammer-onlineSat, 22 May 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Flameseeker Chronicles: Community guide to Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/the-flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-to-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/the-flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-to-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/the-flameseeker-chronicles-community-guide-to-guild-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Or if you prefer...
Welcome to Tyria! The Flameseeker Chronicles will be a regular feature here at Massively, in which we cover all things Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2, beginning with this handy-dandy community guide.

Guild Wars has been around for a while now, and has the advantage of a strong, knowledgeable fan-based community. There are literally hundreds of fan sites and forums, Twitter pages and Facebook pages all devoted to Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2. It's very easy to get overwhelmed, so view this as a guide to where you can find the most comprehensive information for whatever you are looking for, be it gameplay information, news on game development, skill and build help, and much more.

Continue reading The Flameseeker Chronicles: Community guide to Guild Wars

MassivelyThe Flameseeker Chronicles: Community guide to Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetfacebookfansitesfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesforumsguild-warsguild-wars-101Guild-Wars-2gwgw2twitterMon, 25 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Community guide to Final Fantasy XI and XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-mog-log-community-guide-to-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-mog-log-community-guide-to-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-mog-log-community-guide-to-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The great thing about being a fan of Final Fantasy XI is that you're not lacking in any sort of resources online. After such a long lifespan, pages have been created to suit almost any need the community might have. And for a game whose mechanics can be obtuse at times, that's a good thing.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves, aren't we? The Mog Log is Massively's new weekly column focusing on all things both Final Fantasy and online, meaning both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. For our first installment, we're taking a look at the multitude of fan pages, guides, and other resources for players. Needless to say there are a few more options for the former game than the latter (due to only one of them actually being released yet), but there's already a community building in anticipation of Eorzea's adventures.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Community guide to Final Fantasy XI and XIV

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Community guide to Final Fantasy XI and XIV originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogscalendarcampingcampscampsitesdatabasefansitesfeaturedffffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivpodcastsroleplayingschedulesskillchainssquaresquare-enixtoolswikiSun, 24 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What do you look for in a guild?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-look-for-in-a-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-look-for-in-a-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-look-for-in-a-guild/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A large part of MMOs is the social aspect of gameplay, and a large part of being social is trying to find a guild that suits your style. From listening to guild recruitment shouts in cities and recruitment channels to reading all of the recruitment posts in fansite forums and official forums, there's many things you need to take into consideration when picking a guild.

So for today Massively readers, we wanted to know what you look for when you're choosing your guild. Do you look for a casual environment where you can go at your own pace with other guild members? Do you look for a guild that's all about the PvP? Is roleplaying a high priority on your list? Or do you want to go for a guild that does all of these things in different combinations?

Give us your thoughts on this matter by dropping a comment on this post. We're interested to hear how you make this difficult choice!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What do you look for in a guild? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fansitesforumsguildopinionrecruitmentthe-daily-grindThu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview of character creation in Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/preview-of-character-creation-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/preview-of-character-creation-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/preview-of-character-creation-in-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The start of the beta signups for Final Fantasy XIV was certainly good news for the many people anticipating the game next year, but it didn't exactly pierce the fog surrounding the game. Square-Enix, of course, has always played their cards close to their chest when handing out previews, but there's still so much more to learn about the game and a number of curious people. FFXIVCore, a fansite with an active base of users translating as much new information on the game as possible, has posted a set of new scans and translations detailing that most important of processes in an MMO: character creation.

While there isn't as much hard information as fans would like (and isn't that always the case), the characters on display boast a wide variety of slight differences, as noted by the article. There's also some information regarding a third force in the game's main conflict, the Garlean Empire, although details on it are scant. Still, the promise of a detailed character creator is certainly alluring, as are most of the pictures we get regarding said character creator. Final Fantasy XIV often winds up releasing news and previews in chunks, so it's best to keep an eye open for the next few days for further possible information.

MassivelyPreview of character creation in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-creationcharacter-customizationfansitesffffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xivpreviewssquaresquare-enixtranslationsWed, 23 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you learn the game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-learn-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-learn-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-learn-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


MMOs are complicated beasts. In most games you have at least a detailed set of game mechanics and combat systems to learn. That's not even getting into things like Fallen Earth with its maddeningly expansive crafting, or EVE Online and the detailed economy, or Champions Online and a costume creator that some find more engaging than the actual gameplay. There's a reason why most popular games spawn countless websites, forums, chat channels, and so forth -- because there's a great deal to learn, a large number of mysteries, and often a limit to how much useful information the game itself gives you.

So how do you learn your game? Do you browse forums and ask questions, building up advice from a community? Do you read the numerous sites devoted to the games, such as databases and wikis? Do you buy print strategy guides and try and adapt to the changes as they come, piece-by-piece? Or do you eschew all of the above, preferring to just let yourself amble along and learn things by example and inference? There are a lot of resources out there, and we all have our preferred ones, but today we want to know about yours.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you learn the game? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlinecharacter-creationcocraftingdiscussioneconomyeducationeveeve-onlinefallen-earthfan-pagesfansitesfeforumslearningself-educationtdgthe-daily-grindwikisSun, 20 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online creative director answers questions from the fans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/dc-universe-online-creative-director-answers-questions-from-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/dc-universe-online-creative-director-answers-questions-from-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/dc-universe-online-creative-director-answers-questions-from-the/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the upcoming SOE titles we're hoping to hear more about is DC Universe Online -- the superhero MMO that will build on the DC Comics legacy. DC Universe Online's Creative Director Chris Cao recently did a video interview with DCUO Source that explains how the devs have approached the game's design.

Cao fielded a number of questions posed to him by the fansite's readers -- How will player feedback impact the game's development? Will there be voicework in DCUO from the actors who've voiced characters in the various DC animated series and video games (specifically, Kevin Conroy)? How will DCUO handle secret identities? All good questions. For the answers, check out the video interview with Chris Cao at DCUO Source.

[Via MMORPG.com]

MassivelyDC Universe Online creative director answers questions from the fans originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-caodc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuodcuo-sourcefansiteskevin-conroynew-titlessoesony-online-entertainmentsuper-herosuperheroesTue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda fansite competition offers up more keys for next closed beta phase]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/global-agenda-fansite-competition-offers-up-more-keys-for-next-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/global-agenda-fansite-competition-offers-up-more-keys-for-next-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/global-agenda-fansite-competition-offers-up-more-keys-for-next-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


With Global Agenda's current closed beta being all the buzz these days, getting in is no easy feat. Hi-Rez Studios is treating their testing phases as actual controlled testing -- with only around 1,000 people to start and mandatory feedback from the testers. If you're just looking for a free game to play for a few months, you might want to look elsewhere.

Going hand in hand with that, many Global Agenda fansites are being offered a very small amount of beta keys to distribute to their readers. You may remember earlier in the month when we gave away 10 keys for AgendaSource.com, and now we're here to help another fansite give away their keys. Keep reading below for more information.

Continue reading Global Agenda fansite competition offers up more keys for next closed beta phase

MassivelyGlobal Agenda fansite competition offers up more keys for next closed beta phase originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-key-giveawaybeta-keysclosed-betacompetitioncontestessayfansitesglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosshort-storyThu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five new Global Agenda fansites to keep your eye on]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/10/five-new-global-agenda-fansites-to-keep-your-eye-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/10/five-new-global-agenda-fansites-to-keep-your-eye-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/10/five-new-global-agenda-fansites-to-keep-your-eye-on/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hi-Rez Studios recently announced the winners of their Global Agenda fansite contest and taking the top prize is Agenda Source. All winners received beta keys for distribution on their sites and coupons for the Global Agenda Merchandise store, where you can make your own custom T-shirts.

Fansites have played an important role in the MMO community since the genre surfaced back in the late 1990's. They are great sources of game information and often even break news before official sources. Not only that, they're a great place for people to gather and chat about their favorite past time. EVE Online recently touted their blogging community, which is 235 strong. This batch of Global Agenda fansites were recognized for their "superior creative design, depth of content, and innovative use of community-building features."

Second place went to Global Agenda Mission Control, third to HexAgenda, fourth to The Global Agenda Wiki, and fifth to The Alliance of Agencies. Combined, these sites boast some great tools and features, including: a "What We Know" section, Q&A section, Twitter Feeds, RSS Feeds, forums, polls, IRC chat channels, and wiki. We recommend that you bookmark these sites now, especially if you want a chance at getting into beta!

MassivelyFive new Global Agenda fansites to keep your eye on originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacommunitycontestseve-onlinefansitesglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosSun, 10 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mines of Moria press event reveals Balrog footage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/mines-of-moria-press-event-reveals-balrog-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/mines-of-moria-press-event-reveals-balrog-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/mines-of-moria-press-event-reveals-balrog-footage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


On September 23rd, Turbine and Codemasters Online set up an exclusive private press event in London, England for predominant fansites to get a hands-on presentation of the newest expansion for Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria. This event was hosted and narrated by Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel.

One of these fansites in attendance, The Madhouse Tavern, was lucky enough to grab some shaky-cam footage of this gameplay, including the infamous Balrog. As Steefel guides the onlookers through the Balrog's cave, he mentions the fact that this is now "officially the worst beast in Middle-earth" with a whopping 513,250 hit points! The footage shows the lead-up to the monumental creature, and then a bit more as it proceeds to kick some player butt. Check out the video embedded just after the jump, and the Madhouse Tavern's complete write-up of the event at their website for more information!

Continue reading Mines of Moria press event reveals Balrog footage

MassivelyMines of Moria press event reveals Balrog footage originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balrogcodemastersfansitesjeffrey-steefellord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriathe-madhouse-tavernturbineThu, 25 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST