Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite PvP memory?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-pvp-memory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-pvp-memory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-pvp-memory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's hard to compare with the excitement of PvP. Sure, a well-scripted PvE encounter is exciting, but it's scripted. The same thing will always happen under the same conditions. But in a PvP battle, anything goes. Whether you're taking part in a battle over an open RvR objective in Warhammer Online or you've just come across a hostile player in Mortal Online, playing against another human being introduces new variables and new behaviors that you can't get against a computer opponent. And while the fights can often be harder as a result, the stories stick with you longer too.

Maybe you fought off a would-be ganker and lived to tell the tale. Maybe you met an equal match on the road and managed to get the upper hand. Or maybe you waited and practiced to face off against a rival player only to defeat him when it counted the most. Whether in a PvP-focused game like Age of Conan or a largely PvE environment like Lord of the Rings Online, you can have some truly memorable experiences against other players. So what's your best PvP memory?

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: What's your favorite PvP memory? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conflictduelsfightinggankinginter-player-conflictmemorynostalgiaopinionplayer-versus-playerpvprecollectionrvrtdgthe-daily-grindWed, 11 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Faxion trailer reveals combat details and status effects]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/new-faxion-trailer-reveals-combat-details-and-status-effects/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/new-faxion-trailer-reveals-combat-details-and-status-effects/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/new-faxion-trailer-reveals-combat-details-and-status-effects/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The combat in Faxion Online is shaping up to be a cut above the MMORPG norm according to a press release and a new video from UTV True Games. The free-to-play firm has just detailed Faxion's fighting system and is touting numerous visual cues and effects that help the player unleash hell on his enemies.

Combat information is conveyed via a combination of color-coded floating text, status icons, and Vortex Effects, which change the player's viewing area (like the "Confuse" effect in the header image). Faxion's combat status reports can be summed up thusly: The more severe an effect, the stronger the player notification. "We don't want players to rely on the same old visuals; instead we want there to be an instinct and intuitiveness to this combat system that also allows them to know their status quickly so they can dish out more pain to their enemies," says UTV Studio Head Frank Lucero.

Check out the video after the cut and head to the official Faxion Online website to sign up for beta. You can also see four screenshots of the game's status effects in the gallery below.

Gallery: Faxion Online

UTV shows off their sense of humor with this screenshot of the blindness effect.Confusion effectCritical hit announcementRoot effect

Continue reading New Faxion trailer reveals combat details and status effects

MassivelyNew Faxion trailer reveals combat details and status effects originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blindnesscombatconfusionf2pfaxionfaxion-onlinefightingfrank-lucerofree-to-playpress-releasestatus-effectstrailerutvutv-true-gamesvideoThu, 17 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get a beta key, be divine: We have Divine Souls keys for you! [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/get-a-beta-key-be-divine-we-have-divine-souls-keys-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/get-a-beta-key-be-divine-we-have-divine-souls-keys-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/get-a-beta-key-be-divine-we-have-divine-souls-keys-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Do you miss the days of the fighting, combo-driven brawlers? Do you like pounding your hand on a keyboard/joystick, trying to rip off intense combos that make your friends jealous? Do you hope that one day, your combo-riffic skills could be seen by the world, so you could be hailed for your amazing finger dexterity?

Well, that day may have arrived with the coming of Divine Souls, Outspark's new action/MMO hybrid. Sure, you can team up with your friends to take on dungeons, a la Phantasy Star Online, but now you can do it by literally beating the hell out of everything that walks in front of you.

If you want more information, or a key to this new type of MMO, come and join us after the break!

Continue reading Get a beta key, be divine: We have Divine Souls keys for you! [Updated]

MassivelyGet a beta key, be divine: We have Divine Souls keys for you! [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-keybeta-key-giveawaybrawlercbtclosed-beta-keyclosed-beta-key-giveawaycombosdivine-soulsf2pfighterfightingfree-to-playjugglingoutsparkMon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What genres will never work as an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/the-daily-grind-what-genres-will-never-work-as-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/the-daily-grind-what-genres-will-never-work-as-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/the-daily-grind-what-genres-will-never-work-as-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lately we've begun to see the shooter genre creep into the massively multiplayer online game space. Titles like Global Agenda and All Points Bulletin are both equal parts shooter and MMO. Assuming the trend continues, we'll probably see more shooter MMOs in the coming years -- potentially even other genres, too.

Obviously, this makes most of us wonder what other genres could hit the MMO scene. But, what we really want to know is which combinations you think are lost causes. Will there ever be a successful MMORTS? If not, why? Would anyone even want to play an MMO version of a fighting or racing game? The mind reels at the possibilities.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What genres will never work as an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbfighterfightingfighting-gameglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosmmommortsopinionracerracingracing-gamerealtime-worldsrtsshootertdgthe-daily-grindFri, 19 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/anti-aliased-blade-and-soul-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/anti-aliased-blade-and-soul-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/anti-aliased-blade-and-soul-aion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All right, now that the inflammatory title that makes you look at my column is out of the way, let's get down to business. This week we got to see a 30-second teaser trailer from the folks at NCsoft about Blade & Soul, a game from NCsoft that has been stealthing in the background, waiting for the right time to strike and jump in front of Aion.

Blade & Soul isn't a brand new game though. In fact, the game's artwork has already made a guest appearance on our website. (With subsequent comments on how that woman's back is going to break in half if she should walk forward.) Plus, if you really want to see what the game has to offer, a quick YouTube search will bring you to the Blade & Soul HD gameplay video which looks, well, simply stunning.

So why am I dedicating my opinion column to a game that's nowhere close to being released? Well, because I think it has potential, and because it's my opinion column. So come along after the break, and let's look at Blade & Soul.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionanti-aliasedblade-and-soulcinematic-combatcombatcryengine-2dead-or-alivefantasyfeaturedfightingmartial-artsncsoftopinionunreal-engine-3Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And they RAN, they RAN so far away... into open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/and-they-ran-they-ran-so-far-away-into-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/and-they-ran-they-ran-so-far-away-into-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/and-they-ran-they-ran-so-far-away-into-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Yes, we had to make that the title. We apologize for the puns, really. (No we don't. Never apologize for bad puns!)

Now, if there's any setting that could be called a unique setting for an MMO, we think this one may just grab it. RAN Online isn't another free-to-play fantasy game. It's not a sci-fi game. It's not superhero, and it's not horror. It's a game about school kids. School kids involved in a bloody school vs. school war that makes gang violence seem simplistic. Think back to the Dreamcast's/PlayStation's Rival Schools, and you'll have an idea as to what RAN Online is all about.

But, the schools are graduating out of closed beta and are setting their sights on open beta. Class will be in session starting September 23rd at 9:00 AM (GMT+9, making that 8 PM ET tomorrow.) This is the global release of RAN Online, so only a select number of countries won't be able to participate.

MassivelyAnd they RAN, they RAN so far away... into open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightinggangsopen-betaran-onlineran-worldreal-liferival-schoolsschool-warfareMon, 21 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Three new refreshingly different Champions Online screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/three-new-refreshingly-different-champions-online-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/three-new-refreshingly-different-champions-online-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/three-new-refreshingly-different-champions-online-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We know there's a lot of fighting in Champions Online, or as others might say: a butt-load. More specifically, the screens coming from Cryptic for a while now have emphasized conflict very profoundly. And yet, these latest images are very refreshing to see. Looking through our daily running feature, One Shots, it's easy to see why we feel that way. As much as combat is integral to this beloved genre, so is lush sprawling landscapes and dramatic, if not personal, moments.

Take the image above for example. Something about it makes you pause and study what's going on just a little longer than an image of somebody taking a claw swipe to the jugular. Hm, maybe we could get some sweet emote shots next time.

Check out the three new screens in the gallery below.

Gallery: Champions Online Main Gallery

MassivelyThree new refreshingly different Champions Online screens originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichampionschampions-onlinecombatcrypticcryptic-studiosemotefightingscreensscreenshotscreenshotsWed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the best combat?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-best-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-best-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-best-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The upcoming release of Age of Conan has brought this question farther into the light, with its foray into real-time battle. Sure, there have been others -- the late, not-so-lamented Fury being a great example -- that have tried to redefine what MMO combat can be like, but many games are content to offer the tried-and-true click to attack model, with slight variations.

When it comes to fighting in games, surely the biggest defining factor is, or should be, "Is it exciting?" Given that singular criterion, then, which game has the best combat? Which one gets your blood racing? Which MMO really lets you, as the kids used to say, throw down?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Which MMO has the best combat? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbattlecombatfightingfurytdgthe-daily-grindthrow-downThu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 EST