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 Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Repopulation
As The Repopulation is free from conventional MMO leveling and hews to skill-based progression instead, dealing with player gear is substantially more difficult than it would be otherwise. The team posted a five-minute dev video explaining how items, repair, and what it calls "fittings" work in the game.

The long and the short of The Repopulation's gear system is that players will be able to pick the outfit (or "shells") that they like the best visually and then equip the stats they want on it. This is done through fittings, which is similar to socket systems found in other MMOs.

As outfits take damage, the conditions of the fittings can and do degrade, reducing the stats associated with it. If it gets too bad, the fittings will either need to be repaired or replaced.

You can check out The Repopulation's gear system after the break. The team is currently accepting signups for June's alpha testing.

[Thanks to Halldorr and J.C. for the tip!]

Continue reading The Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content

MassivelyThe Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiescustomizable-gearcustomizedev-blogdev-diarydev-videofittingfitting-systemfittingsgeargear-progressionitemitemsoutfitoutfit-systemrepairrepopulationsandboxsci-fishellsocketsocket-systemthe-repopulationvideoWed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
While EVE Online's recent Crucible expansion brought us over a hundred small features, balance tweaks, and graphical updates, its headline feature was undoubtedly the four new tier 3 battlecruisers. It's been several years since a new combat ship was added to EVE, and combat had begun to get a little stale. Most of EVE's ships follow a logical design progression, with larger ships having more tank and higher damage output. CCP turned that concept on its head with the new tier 3 battlecruisers, which deal battleship-class damage but have both the agility and paper-thin tank of a tech 1 cruiser.

The Caldari Naga is the very definition of a glass cannon, able to output more damage than a Megathron or Rokh but at the cost of having practically no tank. It can be sniper-fit to deal around 650 DPS at ranges of 100-130km, blaster-fit to output a raw 1,500 DPS at ranges below 10km, or even set up to fight effectively with blasters outside web range. Its high top speed and cruiser-like agility add new gameplay options to existing sniper and heavy damage-dealer fleet roles, providing battleship-class damage for roaming cruiser gangs. It's a potential game-changer for nullsec alliances engaging in hit-and-run style warfare, but as with all new ships it can be difficult to figure out an effective ship fitting.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore three solid fittings for the Naga designed to fill common PvP roles.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlecruiserblasterblasterscaldariccpccp-eveccp-gamescruisereveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfittingguideguidesmodulenagapvprailgunrailgunssnipersnipingSun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Upgrading to a PvP cruiser: Minmatar and Caldari]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/eve-evolved-upgrading-to-a-pvp-cruiser-minmatar-and-caldari/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/eve-evolved-upgrading-to-a-pvp-cruiser-minmatar-and-caldari/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/eve-evolved-upgrading-to-a-pvp-cruiser-minmatar-and-caldari/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Over the years, I've introduced several friends to EVE Online and tried to give them the best start possible. Offering a financial safety net for ship losses definitely helped a little, as did providing funding to back market experiments and manufacturing or research ventures. What I found helped most of all was to bring new players on quick PvP fleets and discourage them from gravitating toward mining or mission-running as their primary form of gameplay. The adrenaline rush of EVE PvP is something I've yet to find in another MMO, and it's the reason so many of us are hooked to the game. It only makes sense then to introduce new players to it as soon as possible.

Last month, I encouraged new players who might be starting out on their own to grab a few friends and similarly charge into PvP from day one. To follow up, the last two weeks' columns have been dedicated to getting new players into their first PvP frigate and upgrading to a cruiser, with emphasis on staying financially ahead of the inevitable ship losses. Last week we tackled Gallente and Amarr ships, with some cheap battle-tested setups for the Thorax, Vexor, Arbitrator and Omen that new players will be able to fly with only a few weeks of skill training.

In this week's EVE Evolved, we look at Minmatar and Caldari cruisers, with setups for the Stabber, Rupture, Blackbird and Moa and tips on saving your escape pod to minimise the cost of death.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Upgrading to a PvP cruiser: Minmatar and Caldari

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Upgrading to a PvP cruiser: Minmatar and Caldari originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackbirdblastersccpccp-eveccp-gamesecmelectronic-warfareeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfittingmissilesmoanew-playernew-playersnewbiepiracypiratepvpruptureshieldship-fittingspeedstabbertankSun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE dev blog explains new ship fitting screen, saveable configurations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/eve-dev-blog-explains-new-ship-fitting-screen-saveable-configur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/eve-dev-blog-explains-new-ship-fitting-screen-saveable-configur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/eve-dev-blog-explains-new-ship-fitting-screen-saveable-configur/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Among the changes that will come to EVE Online with the March Apocrypha expansion is the user interface for fitting ships, and this is the topic of the latest dev blog from CCP Fendahl. Critics of the game's user interface might be surprised to learn that there is a team that focuses solely on UI, and it seems they've been quite busy with this radical layout change. Ship fitting in Apocrypha will be focused on an iPod-like ring where you array your modules and rigs, as well as subsystems for Tech III ships, while viewing your ship (and how it changes) in the center. This large fitting reticle is flanked by collapsible side panels which are used for item selection and displaying ship stats.

Browsing the hundreds (in some cases thousands) of items in the various division hangars in a given station should be easier, with collapsible sections in the left side item panel. The stats panel to the right actually provides more info about your ship setup than before, by mousing over and bringing up a pop-up box. CCP Fendahl addresses the fact that this is more complex than the previous system: "While this increases the barrier to entry when learning how to fit a ship for the first time, we also think that the fitting screen is a critically important interface that needs to show all the relevant numbers."

Continue reading EVE dev blog explains new ship fitting screen, saveable configurations

MassivelyEVE dev blog explains new ship fitting screen, saveable configurations originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-fendahlccp-gamesdev-blogeveeve-onlineexpansionsfittingfitting-screengame-mechanicsnew-featuressci-fiscrumship-fittingsingularityt3tech-3test-serveruiuser-interfaceSun, 15 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's rumored 'Orca' ship unveiled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/eve-onlines-rumored-orca-ship-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/eve-onlines-rumored-orca-ship-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/eve-onlines-rumored-orca-ship-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Behold, the Orca!

CCP Games developer CCP Chronotis unveiled the much-rumored Orca ship in EVE Online today, something industry-types have been looking forward to for a very long time. Chronotis said, "The development of the Orca has been unusual to say the least. With the introduction of the Rorqual last year Oveur immediately pointed out the remaining glaring gap in the industrial ship line and commanded us to fill it." The end result is a 'sub-capital logistical ship with a mining command focus'.

Read on below for a brief FAQ drawn from CCP Chronotis' dev blog as well as his commentary on the forums, which clarifies more about EVE's newest ship, the Orca.

Continue reading EVE Online's rumored 'Orca' ship unveiled

MassivelyEVE Online's rumored 'Orca' ship unveiled originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusesbreakingcapital-shipsccpccp-chronotisccp-gameseveeve-onlinefittingforumsfreightergame-mechanicsindustrialindustrylogisticsmidasminingorcaoveurquantum-riserorqualsub-capitalsub-capital-shipsThu, 23 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A look at EVE Online's combat basics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/a-look-at-eve-onlines-combat-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/a-look-at-eve-onlines-combat-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/a-look-at-eve-onlines-combat-basics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Jim Rossignol has become well-known in the game journalism scene, more recently as a regular contributor at RockPaperShotgun and the author of This Gaming Life. Along the way, he's become a veteran EVE Online player, and he's passing along some of that combat know-how to readers in a series of articles at Eurogamer. Rossignol is starting out slow with the first installment, easing readers into "the basic principles of killing people," but he'll progress to more advanced aspects of combat and conflict in EVE. Ultimately, he hopes to introduce players to the ambitions and tactics of New Eden's alliances, which can number well into the thousands of players.

In 'combat basics', Rossignol relates the basic principles of combat in EVE Online to the standard groupings of damage, tank, crowd-control, and healer that most MMO gamers are familiar with from other titles. He notes that these combat roles are quite different in EVE, as a given ship's module fittings give players a great deal of flexibility, but of course makes for a more complex PvP system. Rossignol touches on the idea that speed is king in EVE, and he's correct. Just keep in mind that the nano-era's days are numbered, a fact which Rossignol stresses as well. Have a look at Rossignol's combat basics, and his take on the ever-changing state of PvP in EVE Online.

[Via CrazyKinux]

MassivelyA look at EVE Online's combat basics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescombateurogamereveeve-onlinefittinggame-mechanicshow-tojim-rossignolnanonano-fitnerfpvprockpapershotgunsci-fishipship-fittingspeedthis-gaming-lifewiredFri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively takes on EVE Online's learning curve]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/massively-takes-on-eve-onlines-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/massively-takes-on-eve-onlines-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/massively-takes-on-eve-onlines-learning-curve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


EVE Online is a complex game. There's no doubt about that. That complexity is a large part of the draw, but that doesn't mean learning about the game has to be a daunting experience. With that in mind, Massively has EVE Online in its sights. We've brought solid writers on staff who are quite knowledgeable about the game and are here to give some in-depth info on how EVE is played.

CrazyKinux and Crovan of The Drone Bay podcast joined us in April, and since then have provided Massively's readers with some helpful columns. CrazyKinux, aka David Perry, writes the Have Clone, Will Travel column. David's most recent piece, 3 Essential Tools for Capsuleers, provides a great overview of some of the third-party programs and resources available to help you plan your skill progression and your ship fittings. But we're also running two more EVE-centric columns at Massively. Read on after the jump to see what else we're bringing to the EVE community, and how we're easing that learning curve.

Continue reading Massively takes on EVE Online's learning curve

MassivelyMassively takes on EVE Online's learning curve originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationcapsuleerccpccp-gamescomplexcomplexitycrazykinuxcrovandrone-baye-oneconomyempyrean-ageeveeve-onlineexpansionsfactionfactional-warfarefittingfleetgame-mechanicsgangminingnyphurpodcastpvepvpsci-fiterritorial-controlwalking-on-stationsMon, 21 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rogue Signal: Tackling tackling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/rogue-signal-tackling-tackling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/rogue-signal-tackling-tackling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/rogue-signal-tackling-tackling/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In Rogue Signal last month, we discussed some of the raw basics for fitting your ship for PvP in EVE Online. Today, we'll be discussing the most basic role in fleet combat, the tackler. Knowing your job, and the jobs of those around you, can make a big difference in which side ends up scooping the loot at the end of a fight, and Rogue Signal is here to help you understand those roles, starting this week.

Continue reading Rogue Signal: Tackling tackling

MassivelyRogue Signal: Tackling tackling originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eve-onlinefeaturedfittingguideinterceptorinterdictorpvptacklingMon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST