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[Rise and Shiny recap: Anarchy Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/rise-and-shiny-recap-anarchy-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/rise-and-shiny-recap-anarchy-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/rise-and-shiny-recap-anarchy-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Older MMOs are interesting creatures. If they are subscription-based, they tend to lose players until they get down to a hardcore number, and then they are eventually shut down. World of Warcraft will eventually lose most of its numbers, too. In 20 years or so I fully expect to see players still playing it, though, talking about how the controls and game mechanics are still a lot of fun. If the game is from SOE, it might go on for ever and ever, albeit without much of a development team.

Anarchy Online is a great example of how a game can age very, very gracefully. Perhaps newer games should look at AO to see how to keep both their dignity and their core players as the games approach their golden years. I tried to put my finger on exactly why AO seems to have held up so well, how it can still suck in "new" players like yours truly, and how it can still thrill with its lore and setting. How do you even get away with graphics like that in an age of players who literally think that upgrading their PCs every two years is a mark of pride?

Click past the cut and I'll tell you.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Anarchy Online

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Anarchy Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anarchy-OnlineAObeau-hindmancommunityf2pfree-to-playfreemiumftpFuncomfuncom-gamesfuturisticrise-and-shinySandboxsci-fiscience-fictionskill-basedWorld-of-WarcraftSun, 23 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Among the upcoming sci-fi MMO releases we're curious about is Black Prophecy, a title in development at Reakktor Media in Germany. Black Prophecy's backdrop is a far future setting where conflict rages between humanity's two evolutionary offshoots; the biologically-superior Genides wage war against the technologically-superior Tyi. Each opposed faction threatens to wipe out the existence of their rival, but both the Genides and Tyi now face a greater common threat, the ancient Restorer alien race.

Reakktor released a cinematic trailer for Black Prophecy today that shows off aggressive fleet battles and new ship designs, while giving us a closer look at the Restorers. We've got a YouTube embed of the Black Prophecy cinematic trailer for you below, best viewed in fullscreen HD:

Gallery: Black Prophecy

Continue reading Black Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race

MassivelyBlack Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-prophecyfuturefuturisticgenidesgermanyhannoverlorenew-titlesracesreakktor-mediarestorersci-fispacetrailerstyivideoyoutubeMon, 30 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Writer Annalee Newitz from the sci-fi centric io9 blog recently took a look at some of EVE Online's memorable artwork, by Icelandic concept designer B. Börkur Eiríksson (apparently also known as "Nag" according to The Art of EVE book). Börkur has been the Lead Artist/Illustrator at CCP Games since 2004, imbuing New Eden's futuristic backstory with his very dark, gritty style that really helps set the tone. On Börkur's "Industra" -- a depiction of a gloomy, burn out industrial city -- Newitz writes, "This image of a future city... feels to me like some anachronistic mashup of impressionist art and science fiction. The people in their hats and bonnets look almost nineteenth century..."

io9 has a sampling of Börkur's artwork, but his online gallery -- Björn Börkur Eiríksson: Industrium -- is the prime place to find numerous examples of his work, divided between Concepts/Illustrations and Sketches/Speedpaints. EVE Online fans will recognize much of this artwork, which has been featured alongside fiction appearing in E-ON magazine and the official site's Chronicles over the years. If you're a fan of unidealized depictions of the future -- hell, if you just liked Blade Runner -- you'll probably appreciate the artwork of B. Börkur Eiríksson.

[Via CrazyKinux]

MassivelyEVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annalee-newitzart-of-eveb-borkur-eirikssonbackstoryblade-runnerccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefuturefuturisticillustrationillustratorindustraindustriumio9io9.comlead-artistlead-illustratornew-edensettingthe-art-of-eveWed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST