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[One Shots: Fear the hand that wields Frostmourne]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/one-shots-fear-the-hand-that-wields-frostmourne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/one-shots-fear-the-hand-that-wields-frostmourne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/one-shots-fear-the-hand-that-wields-frostmourne/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While we've seen several views of the new Death Knight starting area that came in as part of World of Warcraft's recent expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, we're really quite fond of this one. It gives you something of an idea of just how small players feel in terms of size while standing next to the Lich King and his cursed sword, Frostmourne. Today's One Shots of Arthas and Frostmourne comes to us from Veng, who captured this image when she started her own Death Knight. Chilling!

There's lots of new graphical hotness in several games that we haven't seen yet, so what are you waiting for! Grab some screenshots of those new areas and send them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com with your name and which game they're from. You're welcome to add a description, shout out to your guild, holiday wishes, or what have you. Please remember to turn your UI off (check your keybind options if you're not sure how in your favorite game) and sized at 1024px across or larger. We'll post them up here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit for sending the image in.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Fear the hand that wields Frostmourne originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddeath-knightfrostmourneone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsvengworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingMon, 08 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: The Lich King calls]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/one-shots-the-lich-king-calls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/one-shots-the-lich-king-calls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/one-shots-the-lich-king-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The day many World of Warcraft players have looked forward to has finally arrived. Today marks the launch of Blizzard's newest expansion for World of Warcraft, Wrath of the Lich King. As the darkness of night marched across the globe last night, so too did the midnight release parties. The blackness of Arthas' presence could be felt as players spawned their first Death Knights in a floating necropolis near Light's Hope Chapel, and bent their frozen hearts to do his bidding. Then, of course, there were the folks who rolled DKs named "rofflewaffle" and proceeded to annoy others mercilessly. Too bad you can't kill your own faction, eh?

If you are one of the 11 million worldwide players currently stomping around in Northrend, or Arthas' necropolis, we want to see your screenshots! There's lots of stories to be told, lots to do and see, so send us your tales and images. It's easy - just email them to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name and a description - server, guild and other details welcome too! We'll post your screenshots of this new land up for everyone to see and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: The Lich King calls originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arthas-menethilblizzardexpansionfrostmournelaunchlich-kingone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 13 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


This leads us to the most noble road of all -- simply not putting the sword into the game. If the players kill Arthas, the sword needs to go somewhere that isn't the hands of the player community. Another NPC perhaps, back into the ice, or to simply never leave the corpse of the Lich King.

This seems like it's a poor solution at first glance, but truly this is the best solution of all. Frostmourne is not the Twin Blades of Azzinoth that Illidan carries -- it is something more. Leaving exactly what Frostmourne does in the dark actually gives it more credibility and more power than defining it inside of the game would. What you don't know is spookier and more interesting than what you do know. It's the usual "the grass is greener" concept, except now it's being applied to a blade that has the power to consume your soul.

When you neglect to define exactly how powerful the blade is, you also never truly disappoint the player. Sure, there are those who probably would wish the blade was included in the game. But if you, the player, don't know exactly what the sword does, then the magic that it provides will never die. You can keep thinking and keep speculating to your heart's content.

If the sword is included and everything about it is revealed, then there is a strong possibility that players would not be happy with it. Something about the sword would not please them, something about the stats would be off, or something about the penalty would cause players to cry foul and tug on the skirt of Mother Blizzard until it was changed to be in their favor.

"Adding Frostmourne to the game would shatter the icy sword."
Adding Frostmourne to the game would shatter the icy sword. In truth, it would no longer be Frostmourne. It would be Item ID #103821, or whatever variable is assigned to it. The magic would die, and it would no longer be an infamous symbol of hate and malice -- it would just be another bunch of pixels on the screen, carried around by yet another jerk who wouldn't be worthy of its name.

We all keep telling ourselves we play this game to level, to earn achievements, to make new friends. Certainly, all of that is true and then some. But we would be lying to ourselves if we said there wasn't some magic, some great mysteriousness to the main figures of the story. Something that kept us coming back in the state of suspense, of wanting to know more. So, my question to you is, "Why shatter the magic now?"

If you live in the greater Pittsburgh area and feel like meeting Colin, he'll be attending tomorrow night's Wrath of the Lich King Midnight Launch at the GameStop in the Oakland district on Forbes Avenue at 10 PM, just outside of the University of Pittsburgh campus. If you need directions, here it is on Google Maps!
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who treasures lore as much as he treasures loot. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's over running Epic Loot For All! with his insane roommates. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedarthasarthas-menethilblizzardfrostmournelich-kingworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/anti-aliased-mourning-frostmourne/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The word on everyone's lips this month is "Arthas" as we're approaching the release of the Wrath of the Lich King, the second expansion pack for World of Warcraft. Ok, so now that the boring introductory sentence is out of the way, let's talk about what is on everyone's minds -- Frostmourne.

When you think of Northrend, when you think of Arthas, and when you think of the possible "phat purple lewtz" that could drop off of Arthas's cold, icy corpse, you pretty much automagically think of Frostmourne. But is letting Frostmourne in as a droppable item a good idea? Should its dark legacy continue at the side of a player, or should it be flown away somewhere, never to be mentioned again until it strikes another NPC of the World of Warcraft?

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedarthasarthas-menethilblizzardfeaturedfrostmournejoystiqfeatureslich-kingworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


GamerDNA, the GuildCafe offshoot, has opened up a new contest to World of Warcraft players. Send in a screenshot of your character -- armored, naked, alive, dead, it doesn't matter -- and you stand a chance to win a replica of Frostmourne, Arthas' evil runeblade from Epic Weapons.

The sword itself is a $379 value, but of nearly equal worth to many players is the $20 game card that five players could win by entering a picture they've created themselves, either traditionally or digitally. These hand-done portraits are also eligible for the Frostmourne prize. To enter, simply register for GamerDNA through GuildCafe and send in your favorite character's picture. The deadline is June 30th, so get snapping!

[Thanks, Sam!]

MassivelyGamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arthascontestepic-weaponsfrostmournegame-cardgamerdnaguildcafereplicaworld-of-warcraftTue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lich King set to introduce "Legacy Items" to World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/lich-king-set-to-introduce-legacy-items-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/lich-king-set-to-introduce-legacy-items-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/lich-king-set-to-introduce-legacy-items-to-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last week's explosion of news about Blizzard's in-development Wrath of the Lich King expansion revealed a number of interesting design choices. Overall, the company seems to be refocusing World of Warcraft to a more casual-friendly experience. 5- and 10- man instances will be the main thrust of the endgame, Death Knights offer a viable "leg up" for players wanting to quest with their friends on other servers, and possible plans to offer interesting extensions of the recruit-a-friend service.

In an interview with TenTonHammer, Jeff Kaplan and Tom Chilton have revealed that another element will aid this design direction. Certain high level encounters may provide characters with so-called "Legacy Items". These items (weapons and armor, we assume) will bind to your player account - not to your specific character. The items can then transfer between different characters on your account, via the in-game mail system. Intriguingly, it sounds as if there will be no level restriction on this amazing loot. Said Kaplan, "They're deliberately created as twink items ... so you can be deliberately overpowered for a low level character to help level up or whatever."

Make sure to check out the interview for more on the company's design intentions, hints at a "Kick off to Northrend" world event, and more reassurances that the Death Knight won't break the game.

MassivelyLich King set to introduce "Legacy Items" to World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardfrostmournelegacy-itemslevelingtwinkingworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingMon, 12 May 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard announces new fan art contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/blizzard-announces-new-fan-art-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/blizzard-announces-new-fan-art-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/blizzard-announces-new-fan-art-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Are you that kid who sits in the back of Geometry class, doodling swords and dragons on your 3-subject notebook? Maybe you're a connoisseur of fine replica blades affiliated with a certain wildly-popular MMO? Either way, we've got the contest announcement for you.

Blizzard is looking for the best original artwork depicting Arthas wielding the legendary Frostmourne. The rules for this contest are quite simple, and artistic freedom is granted to a point. The artwork must include Arthas and Frostmourne to be eligible, and normal common-sense rules apply as far as a restriction on obscenity or sexually offensive works, but the setting is completely up to you. As for a grand prize, the winner will receive a 47" Frostmourne replica courtesy of Epic Weapons and guaranteed beta access into Wrath of the Lich King. Please be aware that there are different rules and entry forms for the European and North American entries.

MassivelyBlizzard announces new fan art contest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 May 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-europefan-artfan-art-contestfrostmournefrostmourne-replicaworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 May 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard wins the prank wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/blizzard-wins-the-prank-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/blizzard-wins-the-prank-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/blizzard-wins-the-prank-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Well, what else would you expect from the company that brought you murlocs? April Fool's day is in full effect in Blizzardlandia, and World of Warcraft isn't the only game to get the treatment, but it's a good place to start!

Molten Core: for consoles
Heavily trading on fond gamer memories of Atari's Adventure, Blizzard brings us the console version of its popular 40-player raid dungeon Molten Core. The game's site features screenshots alongside concept art, and a trailer, even, with an 8-bit, pixelated version of the company's logo. We won't spoil the show for you, but the best bullet point for the game has to be 'Has sound'. Check it out and wait for your chance to pre-order!

Continue reading Blizzard wins the prank wars

MassivelyBlizzard wins the prank wars originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitactivisionadventureapril-fools-08ataribardblizzardforsakenfrostmourneghostsguitar-herokorhalmolten-coreprankrock-bandscvstarcraft-2tauren-marineworld-of-starcraftworld-of-warcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingzerglingTue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST