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[Free Realms buys the farm, offers it to players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/free-realms-buys-the-farm-offers-it-to-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/free-realms-buys-the-farm-offers-it-to-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/free-realms-buys-the-farm-offers-it-to-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Farming is kind of a hot-button issue for a lot of gamers these days, bringing forth mumblings about Facebook and clicking on cows. Fortunately for players who like farming in a colorful environment but don't feel like supporting aggressive non-gameplay, Free Realms has just introduced the option to work on your very own farm, clickable cows not included. All players will receive their own Wilds Farm to start cultivating, decorating, and harvesting as they see fit.

As is par for the course for the game, the new farming system introduces a number of minigames for farmers to convert crops into coins. Farming will also provide a surfeit of new items available to expert harvesters. If you're particularly taken by the farming mechanics, you can also purchase additional spots of land and items for planting for Station Cash. Free Realms players on the Mac and PC can begin enjoying the little joys of working on a farm, albeit without the backbreaking labor that accompanies a real farm.

Gallery: Free Realms

Player Housing - ExteriorPlayer Housing - InteriorPet PonyPet Spiked Dragon

MassivelyFree Realms buys the farm, offers it to players originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>farmingfarmsfrfree-2-playfree-mmorpgfree-realmsfree-realms-soefree-realms-sonyfree-to-playgallerygrowingharvestingminigamessoesony-onlinesony-online-entertainmentMon, 11 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Here's an offbeat idea for the kids on one of those endless hot summer days: Track down -- or better yet, try your hand at creating -- a podcast for their favorite MMO. Kids love to hear what other kids are playing, yet there aren't many kid-friendly gaming podcasts out there. "The thing about podcasts for kid's MMOs is that most kids don't really know much about what a podcast is," says Leesha Darkheart of Ravenwood Radio, a podcast about Wizard101.

Do we smell a hero's title for the mom or dad who comes up with an idea for creating some of the coolest summer fun on the block? We just might -- plus a seal of approval for discovering yet another way to enjoy gaming as a family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids

MassivelyMMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childchildrenfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfree-realmsfree-realms-soehello-kitty-onlinekid-fridaykid-friendlylego-universepodcastravenwood-radiospiralcastvideo-games-for-kidswebcastwebkinz-webcastwizard101Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Empty lots available for decoration in Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/empty-lots-available-for-decoration-in-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/empty-lots-available-for-decoration-in-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/empty-lots-available-for-decoration-in-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What would you do with an empty lot that you could build almost anything on? Free Realms is interested to see what your answer might be, because they've removed the biggest impediment to building whatever you want: that big, inconvenient house in the middle. Well, to be fair, houses aren't inconvenient when you want one there, but they do sort of get in the way of a giant hedge maze, or obstacle course, or tribute to yourself in real estate form.

There are two types of lot currently available, a Briarwood lot and a Snowhill lot. Each one can hold a grand total of 1,500 items, which gives players more than enough freedom to build almost anything. The one catch is that the lots do cost Station Cash, but that's the nature of the free-to-play beast. Free Realms has always had an interesting mix of elements, both sandbox-oriented and quest-oriented, and this one skews toward the side of a sandbox -- which is what you can literally build, if you so desire.

MassivelyEmpty lots available for decoration in Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>empty-lotsf2pfrfree-2-playfree-mmorpgfree-realmsfree-realms-soefree-realms-sonyfree-to-playhousinglotsplayer-housingsoesony-onlinesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashSat, 15 May 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

It's no secret how rich the world of family-friendly MMOs has become -- or then again, considering the general lack of regard and awareness for them even among gamers like us, perhaps it is. Certainly, there's no denying the sheer quantity of kids' games on the market. Even an entire year ago, there were already more than 200 youth-oriented virtual worlds and MMOs either in development or on the market. A year later, as we recently reported, "... Blizzard's World of Warcraft has the most number of players in the U.S. out of all the MMOs it tracked, just in front of NeoPets and Club Penguin. Other MMOs in the top five include Disney ToonTown and RuneScape." From where this writer sits, eyeballing the list of possibilities for our ongoing Parents Guide series about family-friendly games ... It's going to be a long, long run, folks.

Continue reading MMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet

MassivelyMMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-2-playfree-mmorpgfree-realmsfree-realms-soefree-realms-sonyfree-to-playKing-Fu-Panda-WorldPixie-Hollowsoesony-onlinesony-online-entertainmentFri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Registration opens for SOE's Fan Faire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/registration-opens-for-soes-fan-faire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/registration-opens-for-soes-fan-faire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/registration-opens-for-soes-fan-faire/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Fans of EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, and Free Realms have a big reason to get excited -- the seventh annual SOE Fan Faire opened up registration Tuesday. Just as a reminder to everyone who missed our previous announcement, the event will run on the weekend of August 5-8 at Bally's Las Vegas. Fan Faire will take place right in the center of the Vegas Strip, in the same venue as last year. That means even if you find a spare moment away from the events, there will be plenty of nearby attractions to go see.

The events already announced at Fan Faire include:
  • Developer panels
  • Contests
  • Live gaming tournaments
  • Tons of prize giveaways
  • A vendors area for all your memorabilia needs
In addition, SOE is giving away a whole mess of bonus items to people who register for the whole weekend, including free digital copies of the upcoming EverQuest and EverQuest II expansions.

Enough to get you excited? The hopes of breaking news for DC Universe Online is enough to get us hyped up. If you're a big fan of SOE's various titles and have a little vacation time, now might be a good time to start planning!

MassivelyRegistration opens for SOE's Fan Faire originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pirates these days are, not to put too fine a point on it, considered head-explodingly awesome. They get their own day of the month, they've been the lynchpin of several films, and they're generally pop culture gold. The new producer on Sony's popular Free Realms, David Georgeson, has recently announced that the longstanding absence of pirates in the game will soon be addressed. After a few early leaks, it's now official that the game will be releasing the nautical "Pirate's Plunder" mini-game to let everyone enjoy sailing the high seas and keeping a parrot on your shoulder.

Continue reading Free Realms takes to the seas

MassivelyFree Realms takes to the seas originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david-georgesonfree-2-playfree-mmorpgfree-realmsfree-realms-soefree-realms-sonyfree-to-playmini-gamespiratespirates-plundersoesony-onlinesony-online-entertainmentupdatesThu, 18 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST