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 Perfect Ten: Unusual MMO weapons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-perfect-ten-unusual-mmo-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-perfect-ten-unusual-mmo-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-perfect-ten-unusual-mmo-weapons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Swords. Staffs. Maces. Spears. Wands. Bows. Crossbows. Double-crossbows. Hammers. Wolverine claws. Daggers. Axes.

Deadly? Yes. Fashionable? Not so much. I mean, really. A two-handed sword is so 1299. Now, a deep dish Chicago-style pizza with the works flung into an enemy's gullet -- that's progressive thinking!

Because I'm deeply bored with the usual suspects in most MMO armories, I wanted to spend a day praising devs who said, "Screw it. We're going weird, and we're not going to regret it, even when our bosses call us into their offices demanding why such lunacy ended up in a professional game."

So forget everything you think you know about weapons because your pitiful armament has yet to scratch the surface of the wild, wild universe of things that can be used to kill you in game. This Perfect Ten column is sponsored by Grizzly Bear Rocket Launchers, Ltd. after the jump.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Unusual MMO weapons

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Unusual MMO weapons originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionbagpipebanana-scythebfg-9000Breezeboots-Frigid-Gnashercasey-joneschicago-style-pizzacity-of-heroescohdandeliondandelionsdervishdiablo-2diablo-iiengineereqeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifallen-earthfeaturedfishfluffy-pillowgnomish-pirategolf-clubgolf-clubsgorillasgrim-reaperGrizzly-Bear-Rocket-Launchersguild-warslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromanhole-coverminstrelperfect-10perfect-tenpillow-fightpillow-fightspirateroguescytheshieldsoespannerthe-perfect-tentmntwarhammer-onlinewirtwirts-legworld-of-warcraftwowwrenchThu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Angling coming to Pirates of the Burning Sea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/angling-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/angling-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/angling-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Teach an avatar to fish," the saying goes, "and he'll flood the auction house with smelly seafood." These words were never so true nor relevant than they are today, as Flying Lab announced that the ancient art of angling is making its way into Pirates of the Burning Sea with patch 2.6.

Scallywags, landlubbers, and buccaneers will be invited to take up a rod and pull slimy gold out of the sea when this hobby hits the game. Designed as a fun way to pass the time, fishing will add a new challenge to PotBS. It makes sense, too, considering just how much, y'know, water is present in the Caribbean.

Expert anglers will need to know and master the different types of fishing lines and lures while criss-crossing the ocean in pursuit of rare and unique species. Haul up a good catch and the local fishmonger will be happy to exchange your chickens of the sea for practical goods. The studio even hinted at a grand prize -- the region-exclusive trophy fish -- but did not elaborate.

Players are welcome to give this time-treasured sport a try on the test server once 2.5 hits.

MassivelyAngling coming to Pirates of the Burning Sea originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.52.6anglingchicken-of-the-seafishfishingflying-labflying-lab-softwarepiratesPirates-of-the-Burning-Seapotbssoesony-online-entertainmenttrophy-fishWed, 13 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Planet Calypso debuts their new mission system with a bang]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/planet-calypso-debuts-their-new-mission-system-with-a-bang/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A literal bang, actually. Not only has Planet Calypso updated to version 2010|01 (their new system uses the year and update number, rather than version number) but they've also had a small volcanic eruption that's changed part of the map. Blizzard, eat your cataclysmic heart out.

While the newly re-terraformed area of Cyclops has been visually improved by the team and patched in under the 'guise of a volcanic explosion, the version update also brings the anticipated mission system to Calypso.

The mission system, which is in a public beta, more or less, is only currently offering 5 tutorial missions to newbies landing on Calypso for the first time. Once you complete those five missions, be sure to offer your feedback in the survey that pops up at the end. That information will be used to make more missions for higher level players, so don't be stingy!

Also, there's fish. Remember those fish we showed last time? Yeah, those fish. If you value your ankles, you'll watch where you swim.

MassivelyPlanet Calypso debuts their new mission system with a bang originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryenginecyclopsfirst-planet-companyfishfishingmission-systemmissionsperformanceplanet-calypsopublic-betare-designterraformingtutorialversion2010-01Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Planet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/planet-calypso-welcomes-their-new-community-manager-while-lookin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/planet-calypso-welcomes-their-new-community-manager-while-lookin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/planet-calypso-welcomes-their-new-community-manager-while-lookin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The team over at First Planet Company, the minds behind the MMO/Second Life hybrid Planet Calypso, have recently welcomed a brand new community manager onto their staff -- Hanne Einan Gulbrandsen. Gulbrandsen is the game's first dedicated community manager, bringing the virtual world in line with the company practices of other MMO companies.

But, while Gulbrandsen settles into his new office and title, First Planet Company has also detailed their development roadmap for this year -- going over future additions such as vehicles, a new questing/mission system, and the addition of fish to the world (as shown above.) The mission system will finally give Calypso MMO style storyline quests, offering players a new way to play the game and experience the planet's lore. How these new quests will impact the game's real money-based economy will be interesting, especially if doing them offers in-game rewards.

Continue reading Planet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future

MassivelyPlanet Calypso welcomes their new community manager while looking to the future originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-managerentropia-universefirst-planet-companyfishhanne-gulbrandsenloremindarkmissionsplanet-calypsoquestsvehiclesvu10Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Gone fishing?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-daily-grind-gone-fishing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-daily-grind-gone-fishing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-daily-grind-gone-fishing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you came from an alien world and had to evaluate our culture based solely on our MMOs... well, you'd probably conclude unpleasant things about our culture, but that's not the point. You would certainly come away with the impression that one of the most important hobbies we possess is fishing, considering how many games it shows up in. Nearly any fantasy game (and several others) will give you the opportunity to stand next to a body of water with a rod, cast your line, and wait for a while until a fish bites.

Or until you realize that you're paying $15 a month to play a game that accurately simulates how mind-numbingly tedious fishing can actually be.

Do you like fishing in MMOs? For some of us, yes, it's the sort of thing we look at once or twice and swiftly conclude isn't what we'd like to spend our time doing. For others, however, the calm and tranquility of just standing by the water, taking a look at the virtual landscape, and relaxing a bit is a welcome change from the pace of the game as a whole. Do you prefer when it's there, do you miss it if it's not, or are you completely uninterested in fishing?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Gone fishing? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boringcalmdowntimefishfishingharvestingleisure-activitytdgtediousthe-daily-grindtranquilityWed, 13 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your barrel on with these Champions Online screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/get-your-barrel-on-with-these-champions-online-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/get-your-barrel-on-with-these-champions-online-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/get-your-barrel-on-with-these-champions-online-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


What do fish-men, giant fish gods, zombies and barrels all have to do with one another? They're each a part of the newest screenshots for Champions Online released by Cryptic! Well, that and we actually have several tomes and errata concerning each of these subjects here at Massively HQ. If fish people and their evil giant fish god every send zombies wielding barrels after you, we've got you covered.

What we'd really like to point out about the image above, is that the man (Manotaurfishlizard?) has quite the elegant tail-horns-flipper ears we've seen in uh... well ever! That and the enemy he's about to introduce to his barrel with extreme forcefulness has some wicked cool claw weapons. We're not really sure what purple pantsuit woman is getting up to in the air, but it looks heroic.

Feel free to take a closer look in our gallery if you doubt us!

Gallery: Champions Online Main Gallery

MassivelyGet your barrel on with these Champions Online screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribarrelchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosfishlizardscreenshotsSat, 11 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/anti-aliased-sometimes-its-the-little-things-in-virtual-lif/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


After playing so many games, there are moments that stick out in my mind that make me smile. Some of them are these really epic stories about boss battles, or hard fought PvP moments, or personal notes of glory and triumph. Yet others are drastically different. They're calm, touching moments, where the game either really affected me on an emotional level or wowed me with some attention to detail.

In the frantic picture of game design, balancing, art direction, content, and bug squashing of making a highly complex MMO, development teams begin to miss things. Who cares about how a daisy moves when there's serious issues at hand, like item drop rates not working out the way they should be? Yet some development teams do see these little issues and they do take the time to program them in. Not every user may notice them, but some users will, and appreciate them.

This column is dedicated to the little things in our virtual lives. Come with me as we look through some popular and some unpopular MMOs, and highlight some of the things that development teams have done to really hook us into their world.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Sometimes, it's the little things in (virtual) life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbearsbirdsblizzardbreebree-landfeaturedfishgrizzly-hillsjoystiqfeatureslotrothe-lord-of-the-rings-onlineturbineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST