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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Movies for the MMO fan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Perfect Ten Movies for the MMO fan
You love movies? Sure, who doesn't? I certainly do; I've been reviewing them with friends since 1997. I'm always fascinated by how many out-of-the-way gems there are that go overlooked by the mainstream audience, and I love how films tie into our daily experiences in unexpected ways.

MMOs haven't quite gotten popular enough to spawn their own sub-genre of films, apart from the odd fan project or the long-rumored World of Warcraft flick. That doesn't mean that we're lacking good movie role models for our hobby, however. I think that there are plenty of films that are perfectly suited for the MMO fan, even if they've never been thought of as such.

So here are 10 films that speak to us as gamers. To make things interesting, I excluded any movie that shares the same IP as an MMO. Read this list and let me know what you would pick!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Movies for the MMO fan

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Movies for the MMO fan originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinemafeaturedfilmfilmsflickflickshumormoviemoviesopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenroundupscott-pilgrimthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listThu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sam Raimi discusses why he's not doing the World of Warcraft movie]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/sam-raimi-discusses-why-hes-not-doing-the-world-of-warcraft-mov/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/sam-raimi-discusses-why-hes-not-doing-the-world-of-warcraft-mov/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/sam-raimi-discusses-why-hes-not-doing-the-world-of-warcraft-mov/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Picture unrelated.
If you're of the mindset that a World of Warcraft movie directed by Sam Raimi would be a nice thing, Blizzard Entertainment is the reason you can't have nice things. That's Raimi's story, at least. He discussed his withdrawal from the project in a recent interview regarding other films and several projects he's no longer involved with, but the World of Warcraft departure merits a lengthy aside.

According to Raimi, he had read the script that Blizzard had put forth and wanted to put together something better, so he enlisted the aid of screenwriter Robert Rodat. Rodat wrote the story, but when the story was pitched to Blizzard, the company wasn't terribly enthusiastic. He and Rodat continued to work on refining the script, only to find out later that Blizzard had completely rejected what they had done and wanted to go in an entirely different direction. You can read more details on the story from Raimi in the full interview.

MassivelySam Raimi discusses why he's not doing the World of Warcraft movie originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusinessfantasyfilmsinterviewsmoviemoviespop-culturesam-raimiwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 05 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Four great new EVE videos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/23/eve-evolved-four-great-new-eve-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/23/eve-evolved-four-great-new-eve-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/23/eve-evolved-four-great-new-eve-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
If there's one thing the EVE Online community is well known for (apart from the occasional colossal scam or game-breaking exploit), it's producing great videos. In its nine-year history, EVE has birthed some very talented video editors who have produced everything from political propaganda and instructional videos to amazing cinematic stories and machinima. The official game trailers have always turned heads, but I'd bet a significant number of current players were first introduced to EVE through player-made works of art like Kyoko Sakoda's War Has Come or Mercenary Coalition's Lacrimosa Tortuga.

It's easy to fixate on only the best EVE videos ever made, but in reality, dozens of new videos are released every month. Some are cinematic story pieces or alliance propaganda videos designed to motivate the troops, but most are just compilations of good PvP fights. While PvP videos are unlikely to grab the universal acclaim of incredible films like Clear Skies or Future Proof, they arguably show the very core of EVE at its best: good fights, solid strategy, and pretty explosions.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at four great new EVE Online videos produced just in the past few months.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Four great new EVE videos

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Four great new EVE videos originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capital-shipscarrierccpccp-gamescinematicconsoledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeve-videoeve-video-cornereverlastingfeaturedfilmfilmsfleetfleet-combatfleetsfpsinfernolorelost-obsessionmmofpsnoiropinionplaystationplaystation-3poempoetryps3pvppvp-guidePvP-Videosandboxsci-fishootersolo-pvpstarbaseunderdogvideoyasurSun, 23 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Baggins of Bag End]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bilbo Baggins
It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years to the month since The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring came out in movie theaters. It's even harder to process that Peter Jackson will be bringing us back to Middle-earth with the two Hobbit films starting a year from now. The Jackson trilogy, while beloved by many (including, I assume, gamers), hasn't gotten a lot of space in this column to date. The general consensus from the community is that the films and the MMO are separate interpretations of the same source material, and never the twain shall meet -- nevermind all the other LotR games, like War in the North.

While that may be true, they do meet in the hearts of those who simply love this franchise. I adore the movies, am a huge fan of the game, and like (yes, just "like") the books. But I think that it's worthwhile to go to the films for LotRO players because they do give a different perspective and perhaps clarify a few plot points that shoot over our heads in-game. If nothing else, if the movies can revitalize our excitement about exploring the lands of Lord of the Rings Online, then they've done well by us.

I mention all this because this past week saw the release of the first Hobbit trailer, which I must have watched a good dozen times, and it got me pumped up once more for this game world. In today's column, I want to use this trailer to springboard a discussion of how LotRO and the films share a common bond and how the Hobbit movies use many elements that Turbine's been working on for years now. Plus, a bonus Hobbit Tribute Tour!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Baggins of Bag End

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Baggins of Bag End originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bag-endbilbobilbo-bagginsbilbos-buttonscomedydol-guldurdwarfdwarvesf2pfeaturedfilmfilmsfree-to-playgandalfgoblin-towngollumhumorjokeslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoviemovie-trailermoviesnecromancerone-ringpeter-jacksonsiege-of-mirkwoodthe-hobbitthe-shirethorinthorin-oakenshieldthorins-hallturbineturbine-entertainmentwar-in-the-northSat, 24 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SEE Games confirms Total Recall browser MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/see-games-confirms-total-recall-browser-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/see-games-confirms-total-recall-browser-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/see-games-confirms-total-recall-browser-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What the what
A few months ago, we reported that SEE Virtual Worlds had acquired a number of well-known intellectual properties, including the upcoming Total Recall remake. At the time, however, it was unknown how the company would put those properties to use.

Well, wonder no more. SEE has announced that it is working on a browser-based Total Recall MMO which will tie into the upcoming film remake. The game will be free-to-play and supported by microtransactions. No release date has been announced yet, but the movie itself is tentatively scheduled for August 3rd, 2012, so a similar release date for the game wouldn't be unreasonable.

MassivelySEE Games confirms Total Recall browser MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementbrowserbrowser-basedf2pfilmfilmsfree-to-playget-your-ass-to-marsmoviemoviesnew-titlessee-gamessee-virtual-worldstotal-recalltotal-recall-remakeTue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Can Funcom capitalize on the Conan film reboot?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/08/the-anvil-of-crom-can-funcom-capitalize-on-the-conan-film-reboo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/08/the-anvil-of-crom-can-funcom-capitalize-on-the-conan-film-reboo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/08/the-anvil-of-crom-can-funcom-capitalize-on-the-conan-film-reboo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I don't know about you, Age of Conan-faithful, but I'm a hopeless film trailer junkie. I collect them. I watch (and re-watch) them on my computer, my phone, my television, and of course, at the cinema proper. A lot of the time, trailers are substantially better than the full-length films they're meant to sell, and I've even been known to pay full price for a ticket only to walk out after the preview (particularly when said preview concerned a long-awaited prequel and was inexplicably tacked on to the front of Meet Joe Black).

Given that Conan already plays a significant role in my gaming life, I think deconstructing the recently released trailer for the upcoming film franchise reboot makes a certain sort of sense. Sadly, Massively isn't a haven for film criticism, but I'd like to get around that by doing a bit of theorizing on how the new flick could conceivably affect our favorite MMORPG.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Can Funcom capitalize on the Conan film reboot?

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Can Funcom capitalize on the Conan film reboot? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-moviesage-of-conananvil-of-cromaocconanconan-the-barbarianconan-the-barbarian-filmcraig-morrisonfantasyfantasy-filmsfeaturedfilmfilm-tie-infilm-trailerfilmsfuncomjason-momoaknut-avenstroup-haugenknut-haugenopinionsilirrionthe-anvil-of-cromtraileruwe-bollvideoSun, 08 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does playing an MMO pique your interest about its origins?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/the-daily-grind-does-playing-an-mmo-pique-your-interest-about-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/the-daily-grind-does-playing-an-mmo-pique-your-interest-about-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/the-daily-grind-does-playing-an-mmo-pique-your-interest-about-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


MMOs are rarely stand-alone entities; there are exceptions of course but most are created thanks to a fan base from some other medium. Some, like WoW, are based on older games (often completely different types of games like an RTS or RPG) with a rich mythology that lends themselves perfectly to transcend its original form and become an MMO. Others, like Age of Conan and Star Trek, have their origins in novels, film franchises or even a TV series. I know, I know, I'm still waiting and living in hope of that Firefly MMO just like the rest of you.

So my question for you is this: Do you play an MMO because of where it came from? Are you a Trekkie who is dying to captain your own ship? Did you play Warcraft back in the days of The Frozen Throne and gravitate naturally to the MMO? On the flipside, did the lore of LotRO make you want to read Tolkien's books? For you, what came first, the origins or the game?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does playing an MMO pique your interest about its origins? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-hyborian-adventuresaocbooksfilmslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotrommo-originsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinethe-daily-grindtolkientv-seriesworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Red Eagle Games is a relative newcomer to video game publishing, but their first MMO will be based off of a well-established IP -- Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series of novels, which are a blend of fantasy and eastern mysticism. Although Jordan passed away in 2007, he left behind 11 novels and a deep imaginative legacy that could prove to be a popular setting in the MMO world. Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon from Red Eagle Entertainment, which has spun off Red Eagle Games, recently spoke with VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi about their plans to bring The Wheel of Time into the realms of film and games.

Film tie-ins with The Wheel of Time IP have already been funded, they're still in the process of raising funds for Red Eagle Games, according to Selvage. "That could prove to be difficult, but he said he has already received an enthusiastic reaction, largely because the rights to the series are considered so valuable," Takahashi writes. Funding issues aside, whether or not Red Eagle Games can break free of the stigma connected with games released in tandem with films isn't clear yet. "Selvage said he is aware of the risks and he believes that most games based on movies fail because they are made in too short a time and there isn't enough cooperation with the movie studio," Takahashi adds.

Are you familiar with The Wheel of Time series of novels, and do you think the setting and lore would lend itself well to a massively multiplayer online title?

MassivelyRed Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdean-takahashieastern-mysticismfantasyfilmfilmsiplarry-mondragonmmo-industrymysticismmythnew-titlesnovelnovelsred-eagle-entertainmentred-eagle-gamesrick-selvagerobert-jordanthe-wheel-of-timeventurebeatventurebeat.comwheel-of-timeWed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST