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[BioWare: 'Gray Jedi' playstyle in SWTOR will reap rewards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/bioware-gray-jedi-playstyle-in-swtor-will-reap-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/bioware-gray-jedi-playstyle-in-swtor-will-reap-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/bioware-gray-jedi-playstyle-in-swtor-will-reap-rewards/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR
Do you have aspirations in Star Wars: The Old Republic of becoming a neutral Jedi like Jolee Bindo -- but the light side/dark side alignment system is getting you down? Good news: The BioWare team is hard at work creating rewards for those who toe the line between naughty and nice.

Speaking with PC Gamer, Game Director James Ohlen spilled a few more details about what he calls the "Gray Jedi" playstyle, which will be supported in an unspecified upcoming patch. Gray Jedis (or Gray Smugglers, Gray Inquisitors, etc.) happen when a player creates a balanced mix of light and dark side choices over his or her career and ends up staying in the "neutral" zone on the alignment meter. Because the game currently incentivizes strong light or dark side playstyles with specific rewards, neutral players are left out in the cold.

Fortunately, the system that's coming will cater to these dirty, filthy neutrals. "We don't want to force people," Ohlen said. "Once we get to the next stage of our light side/dark side system, you'll see the rewards. Light side, dark side and the gray items will all get more powerful."

MassivelyBioWare: 'Gray Jedi' playstyle in SWTOR will reap rewards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredark-sideea-biowareforcegraygray-jedigray-jedi-playstylegray-side-of-the-forcejolee-bindolight-sideneutralneutralsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWed, 11 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Find the Force]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/hyperspace-beacon-find-the-force/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/hyperspace-beacon-find-the-force/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/hyperspace-beacon-find-the-force/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With E3 last week, I really considered devoting this article to opinions regarding the latest news for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Then I realized that Massively already published a ton of SWTOR related articles about E3 this week. During the show itself, Dan gave his impressions of playing the game, and all four of our attendees delivered impressions yesterday. It's good to read impressions from people who love MMOs but aren't necessarily die-hard fans of BioWare or Star Wars -- you'll get a different perspective than you would reading this column.

So instead, this week I'll examine the announced abilities for the Jedi Consular class. The majority of this information stems from the advanced class page, but there is a little bit that comes from MMORPG's interview with Georg Zoeller. Hop past the break as we explore the abilities of this powerful Force-user.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Find the Force

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Find the Force originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesBioWareclassclassesdaniel-ericksonEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedforcegeorg-zoellerhealerhyperspace-beaconJedijedi-consularJedi-SageJedi-ShadowLucasArtsmechanicsrogueStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstealthswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: A mystical energy field controls my destiny]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hyperspace-beacon-a-mystical-energy-field-controls-my-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hyperspace-beacon-a-mystical-energy-field-controls-my-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hyperspace-beacon-a-mystical-energy-field-controls-my-destiny/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I find it extremely interesting that the most poignant and memorable lines spoken in the original trilogy are not said by the primary protagonist, Luke Skywalker. Instead, the majority are spoken by Yoda or Ben Kenobi, and in this case, Han Solo quipped this line: "Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny. It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense." When I watch the first in this series of memorable films, I find it extremely fascinating how this bit of exposition was seamlessly woven into the the movie's narrative, especially given that, in the later films, exposition was set aglow with neon lights and explosive fireworks.

Although an earlier scene set up what the Jedi were, this conversation between Han and Obi-Wan while the latter trained Luke really shows what the Force is: a mystical energy field that can control your actions or obey your commands. The premise was the set-up for many hokey religions and ancient weapons to be birthed in the Star Wars universe. I would like to take some time to explore the other religions born from the Force. Granted, this will not be exhaustive, but it should give you a taste of some of the possible "simple tricks and nonsense" (as Han Solo called it) that we may run into in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: A mystical energy field controls my destiny

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: A mystical energy field controls my destiny originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareDathomirDathomiriEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedforceForce-usersjediLucasArtsPotentiumprophetsreligionStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-lore-guidethe-forcethe-old-republictorWitchesTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The development of the Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/the-development-of-the-sith-inquisitor-in-star-wars-the-old-rep/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Sith Inquisitor is not meant as just another Force-using class. That's one of the central themes behind the most recent developer blog from Star Wars: The Old Republic. Saying even that the Inquisitor is meant as a Palpatine to the Sith Warrior's Darth Vader is only a fraction of the whole story. No, the Inquisitor exists as someone whose diet of dark secrets and forbidden knowledge is as much a survival mechanism as anything, the manipulator and scholar, the calm and reason to balance against the Warrior's bravado and power.

Where the Warrior begins as a member of high society, the Inquisitor begins life as a slave, sent to either become a part of the Empire's almost monastic order of Sith or die unknown and unmourned. Inquisitors face the difficulties of choice, not only of morality but of their personal desires weighed against the needs and demands of the Empire. And through it all, they are the keepers of secrets and mystical knowledge of the Force, learning and studying into the otherworldly aspects it posseses. While we're still more than a year out from the expected launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans should still enjoy this look at one of the game's most devious classes.

MassivelyThe development of the Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtordeveloper-blogeaelectronic-artsforcelucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgsithsith-inquisitorstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicFri, 05 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


So I thought I was done with my whole "month long investigation of Darkfall." Best way to end out the series was to include some PvP being lead by Wardragon Drow (*gasp*, a last name, and I'll get to that in a second) and then close it off there.

Well, sadly, Darkfall had one more surprise left for me. Or, should I say, the Blackrock Clan had one more surprise for me. A siege.

A complete accident lead me to logging on during the first contestation of our city, the orc themed Andruk. A siege stone had finally been dropped, sides were quickly formed, and our first war was on. No more drills, no more pathetic defense attempts -- this one was for real. We liked our city and we were not interested in losing it.

But with the siege came a conundrum. If I report the siege, it will be pretty obvious who I've joined up with. It doesn't take a genius to look at all of the sieges and come up with, "Which one was at an orc city?" So, as this is truly the last article in the Daze of Darkfall series -- the one where I get to participate in what many say is the capstone of the Darkfall experience -- I think it's time to drop the worries and be specific. This is my view of the Battle of Andruk that took place between the Blackrock Clan and the Brotherhood of the Spider.

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk

MassivelyThe Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrukaventurineblackblackrock-clanbusiness-casualcadre-quietuscity-siegeclandarkfalldarkfall-onlinediefeaturedforcejoystiqfeatureskoinonein-knightsnecessary-evilpvpsiegesinisterthe-daze-of-darkfallwarfareMon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An update on revealed power sets at the Champions Online site]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/an-update-on-revealed-power-sets-at-the-champions-online-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/an-update-on-revealed-power-sets-at-the-champions-online-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/an-update-on-revealed-power-sets-at-the-champions-online-site/#commentsFiled under: , ,


When the Champions Online official site unveiled the full Electricity power set a week ago, they promised that further sets would be revealed over the coming days. They made true with that promise and we're here to round up what's been shown thus far:

In addition to previewing the abilities for these sets, Cryptic and IGN also put out a trailer that looks at a bunch of melee powers (and as a bonus, Teleporting) in action. There should be more reveals on the way and we'll probably do another round-up when there's a decent swag of new ones. In the meantime, you can see all the outed powers at the new Power Sets section of the Champions Online site.

MassivelyAn update on revealed power sets at the Champions Online site originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosfireforcepower-armorpower-setspowersWed, 05 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Elves of WAR: Meet the Archmage, levels 1-5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/the-elves-of-war-meet-the-archmage-levels-1-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/the-elves-of-war-meet-the-archmage-levels-1-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/the-elves-of-war-meet-the-archmage-levels-1-5/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively's exclusive pre-NDA coverage of the Elves of Warhammer Online continues with this sneak peek at the beginning levels of the High Elf healer class, the Archmage.

The Archmage has an interesting mechanic it shares with the Destruction Goblin Shaman, a ying/yang relationship between his offensive and healing spells. Every time an Archmage casts a healing spell, he gains a point in Force up to 5 points maximum. Every point of Force will reduce the casting time of offensive spells by 20%. That means at maximum Force, your next nuke will be insta-cast. For offensive spells that are already insta-cast, each point of Force will increase that spells potency by 5%. Once an offensive spell is cast, Force resets to zero.

The same holds true in reverse. For every damage spell the Archmage casts, he gains a point of Tranquility, resetting the counter when he finally uses his stored up Tranquility to power a defensive spell. Out of combat, any gained points will quickly fade.

Level one through five spell details after the jump!

Continue reading The Elves of WAR: Meet the Archmage, levels 1-5

MassivelyThe Elves of WAR: Meet the Archmage, levels 1-5 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archmagearchmage-spellsazurewoodelves-of-warfeaturedforcehigh-elfhigh-elvesjoystiqfeaturesmassively-goes-to-warmoonrise-towersmythic-entertainmentorder-healertranquilitywarwarhammer-onlineFri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TurpsterVision: Star Bores Fallacies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/25/turpstervision-star-bores-fallacies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/25/turpstervision-star-bores-fallacies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/25/turpstervision-star-bores-fallacies/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TurpsterVision: Putting stupid words in Alt Tags since 2008
Every Tuesday think "T" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalise it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

Some people are born entertainers, some people are born story tellers, and others are born reviewers. I'd like to think that in this Episode of TurpsterVision that I prove that I am the illegitimate love child in their sexy, secret, and most definitely sordid, love orgies!

Join us after the break to find out if Turpster's heritage is no longer in doubt!

Continue reading TurpsterVision: Star Bores Fallacies

MassivelyTurpsterVision: Star Bores Fallacies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arguably-funnydarth-vaderdarthvaderforceintroductionIts-a-trapstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesturpsterturpster-visionturpstervisionTue, 25 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST