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[Anti-Aliased Special Edition: Net neutrality, the FCC, Comcast, and Glenn Beck]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/anti-aliased-special-edition-net-neutrality-the-fcc-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/anti-aliased-special-edition-net-neutrality-the-fcc-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/anti-aliased-special-edition-net-neutrality-the-fcc-com/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So today's Wednesday and yes, I know, my column usually doesn't run on Wednesday. However, thanks the recent ruling against the Federal Communications Commission in their net neutrality case, it seems that there's a very relevant topic to talk about as soon as possible.

Let me open by saying this -- net neutrality isn't another one of those overblown media stories, or something that we should put off on the backburner. Yet, while everyone's talking about net neutrality, few people are really talking about what it is, why you should care, and why you can't trust everything you're hearing about net neutrality. I've heard more than a few mistruths about the subject recently -- including a whole string of mistruths from everyone's favorite comedy network, Fox News.

So today, let's set some things straight and talk about net neutrality. This is very serious stuff for the avid MMO gamer, the casual online gamer, or, well, anyone who touches the Internet.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased Special Edition: Net neutrality, the FCC, Comcast, and Glenn Beck

MassivelyAnti-Aliased Special Edition: Net neutrality, the FCC, Comcast, and Glenn Beck originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appeals-courtassociated-pressblizzard-downloadercomcastcomcast.netfccfederal-communications-commissionfox-newsglenn-beckinternet-capinternet-usagelegalmsnbcnet-neutralitynetworknetwork-neutralityneutralneutralitypeer-to-peerpeer-to-peer-networkingservice-packageturbine-updaterWed, 07 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: Persephone Milk interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/cinemassively-persephone-milk-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/cinemassively-persephone-milk-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/cinemassively-persephone-milk-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In real life, Tim O'Connor plays his keyboard, hoping to catch a break someday as a musician. In Second Life, however, he is Persephone Milk, a piano crafter. A local Fox station in Florida interviewed Tim to find out why he was in SL and whether it pays off emotionally and financially. While we applaud the news station for highlighting entrepreneurial residents, we do take issue with how easy they make it sound.

Ever since the Anshe Chung press release announcing that she was a millionaire from SL profits, we've faced a barrage of sensational news reports about people making money. Sure, there are some residents who actually make a nice living off of the virtual world, but that's not even one percent of the population right now. The rest just scrape by, if they make anything at all. Of course, I'm sure most have realized that by now and continue to log in for the social interaction. We can only hope!

If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.

MassivelyCinemassively: Persephone Milk interview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anshe-chungcinemassivelyfox-focusfox-newsinterviewlinden-labmachinimapersephone-milkpinellas-countysecond-lifesltim-oconnorTue, 15 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wanted for Murder: MMORPGs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/wanted-for-murder-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/wanted-for-murder-mmorpgs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/wanted-for-murder-mmorpgs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LagORama has a funny spin on the endless cavalcade of "studies" from "trusted sources" as to how and why video games are the debil. It was only a matter of time before these "learned scholars" targeted specific genres within gaming. Guess which type currently has a big ole bulls eye painted on its back? That's right... our beloved MMORPG.

These so-called "studies" somehow always seem to prove beyond a reasonable doubt (at least to the author espousing such wackiness) that video games have a "corrupting influence" on those who play them and are ruining today's youth no matter how you slice it. They're either causing a gamer's brain to shrink, making them insanely violent, obese, or socially inept. Almost like a drooling, thick-browed caveman.

Frankly, this "outcry" is no different then what was going on back when the stodgy, uptight forefathers of today's doom sayers thought Elvis was the Anti-Christ and the Beatles were actually demons bent on defiling anyone who tuned in and danced to their music. Video games are simply this era's excuse for all of society's ills. Whatever. Check out the LogOrama post Your MMORPG Is Going To Kill You for even more ludicrous rants and raves.

MassivelyWanted for Murder: MMORPGs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fox-Newsgamerslagoramammommorpgproblemresearchvideo-gamesWed, 12 Dec 2007 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[FOX cautions meetings between "cyber gaming" friends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/fox-cautions-meetings-between-cyber-gaming-friends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/fox-cautions-meetings-between-cyber-gaming-friends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/fox-cautions-meetings-between-cyber-gaming-friends/#commentsFiled under: ,

Though I'd like to think that I grew callous to the treatment of MMOs in the mainstream media a long time ago, there's this bitter little flame deep inside me that is stoked every time I read a piece in the newspaper or see a bit on TV that's sensationalist, ill-informed, or just plain stupid. In the latest article to raise my ire, Fox reports on how MMOs create a uniquely unsafe environment, that puts online predators and mentally unstable people at an advantage in stalking their prey. Specifically, they claim that while people tend to have their guard up when surfing other online portals like dating sites or MySpace, people let are more at ease and trusting when it comes to bonding with guildmates, and this leaves them open to exploitation.

The article seems to be a reaction to the recent "Baby Grace" case, which really had less to do with the fact that the couple met on World of Warcraft and everything to do with the fact that they were complete sociopaths. While there are some positive stories buried in the article -- including the 40 married couples who made the transition from guildmate to soulmate between Everquest and Anarchy Online, author Catherine Donaldson-Evans just can't rein in the hyperbole, concluding her article by referring to the internet as a modern-day pandora's box. (I can't seem to find the roll-eye emote here...)

[Via MMORPG.com]

MassivelyFOX cautions meetings between "cyber gaming" friends originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby-gracefox-newsinternetmainstream-mediapandora's-boxsociopathstupidweddingswowMon, 10 Dec 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bastard Machine gets a dig in at both Second Life and Fox News]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/the-bastard-machine-gets-a-dig-in-at-both-second-life-and-fox-ne/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tim Goodman, television critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, is one of the few critics of any stripe that I enjoy reading. It's not so much that I agree or disagree with whatever he's saying; it's more that I love his style. On a recent post for sfgate.com, he makes a slight poke at Second Life when talking about CNN's announcement that they'd be opening an island there. Calling residents 'sexless losers who can't cope with reality' first, then retracting it impishly immediately thereafter is enough to win points from me.

And then he makes a joke about Fox news being more influential than CNN which is so true it holds up in SL as well. I'd like Mr. Goodman to do a whole piece on SL, except there's no connection with television there ... oh wait, he must've said something about that CSI: NY episode. Or Law and Order? The Office? No? Anyone? Bueller?

[Via sfgate.com]

MassivelyThe Bastard Machine gets a dig in at both Second Life and Fox News originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnncsi:nyferris-buellerfox-newsgames-in-medialaw-and-ordermassivelymediaMSMsan-francisco-chroniclesecond-lifethe-officetim-goodmanMon, 05 Nov 2007 06:15:00 EST