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[The Daily Grind: What do you hope to hear from GDC 2012?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-hope-to-hear-from-gdc-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GDC 12 logo
Well it's almost time for game convention silly season. First up is the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco next week, followed by PAX East in April and E3 in June.

A gaggle of Massively scribes are heading west in a few days to bring you the best (and the most grammatically correct) coverage of all the happenings at GDC. From preview sessions with The Secret World, DUST 514, and PlanetSide 2, to interviews with dev luminaries and glimpses of all that's new and shiny in the world of MMOs, there looks to be a lot of industry news coming your way next week.

Today's Daily Grind is an easy one. Are you looking forward to GDC, and is there anything in particular that you hope to learn from this year's conference?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What do you hope to hear from GDC 2012? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convention-coverageconventionsculturedaily-grindeventsfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegame-discussiongamer-discussiongdcgdc-2012mmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsreal-world-eventstdgthe-daily-grindThu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you playing GW in anticipation of GW2?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-daily-grind-are-you-playing-gw-in-anticipation-of-gw2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-daily-grind-are-you-playing-gw-in-anticipation-of-gw2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-daily-grind-are-you-playing-gw-in-anticipation-of-gw2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars - Ranger pre-Searing
So last week was basically Guild Wars 2 week around these parts. There were the press beta reveals, ArenaNet's 48-hour beta signup blitz, and a general we-can't-wait-for-this-game vibe in the air.

All of that conspired to drive me back into the world of Tyria for the first time in six years, and after I patched the original Guild Wars client, I spent a few hours poking around the pre-Searing bits of the Prophecies campaign.

What about you, Massively crew? Assuming you're not in the Guild Wars 2 beta, are you getting ready by playing (or replaying) the original game?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you playing GW in anticipation of GW2? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbetadaily-grindfantasyfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionguild-warsguild-wars-2mmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicspre-searingpropheciestdgthe-daily-grindtyriaTue, 28 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you take time off work to play games?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-take-time-off-work-to-play-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-take-time-off-work-to-play-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-daily-grind-do-you-take-time-off-work-to-play-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The Secret World - Zombies incoming
Holy shitaki mushrooms! There are a lot of cool MMOs coming out this year! If 2011 was kind of a downer for new AAA titles, 2012 is more than making up for it with the likes of Guild Wars 2, The Secret World, and TERA (at least two of which will release within a month of one another).

The only problem is finding enough time in the day to play all these gems (not to mention making time to keep up with old favorites). Heck, I'm even contemplating a brief vacation of sorts, the better to have some uninterrupted sessions with all these new games.

What about you, dear readers? Have you ever taken time off from work for an MMO?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you take time off work to play games? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionguild-wars-2launch-daylaunchesmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-launchesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsecret-worldterathe-daily-grindthe-secret-worldThu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have media impressions affected your excitement level for Guild Wars 2?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-daily-grind-have-media-impressions-affected-your-excitement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-daily-grind-have-media-impressions-affected-your-excitement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-daily-grind-have-media-impressions-affected-your-excitement/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 - Elementalist concept art
So our first official Guild Wars 2 impression pieces are in the books, and boy was there a lot to digest after ArenaNet's press preview weekend.

Whether you're anxious to discover more about the game's combat, intrigued by an MMO that lacks dedicated healers, or looking forward to a transformed Tyria some 250 years after the original Guild Wars, there is plenty to chew on.

Even those of us on the periphery of a game's fan community can get caught up in the pre-release groundswell, and though I've barely played the original game, I find myself quite intrigued by the reports coming from my colleagues. What about you, Massively readers? If you weren't already on board the fan train (or even if you were), has the recent media coverage upped your excitement level for Guild Wars 2?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Have media impressions affected your excitement level for Guild Wars 2? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarenanetbetadaily-grindfantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionguild-wars-2guildwars2impressionsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicstdgthe-daily-grindtyriaTue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What MMO do you regret leaving?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-do-you-regret-leaving/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-do-you-regret-leaving/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-mmo-do-you-regret-leaving/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - mutt following a chopper
I've played more MMOs than I can remember over the years, and nearly all of them have failed to capture my long-term interest. Most of the games in my also-ran box got a first look because of some quirky feature. Most of them didn't get a second look because -- aside from said feature -- they sucked.

Every once in a while I'll regret leaving an MMO, though, and none moreso than Fallen Earth. Though I played extensively at launch and for a month or so after, I inexplicably forsook the wastelands for the world of Atreia. Upon returning to the game a few weeks ago and reconnecting with some old friends, I had to stop and take a moment to wonder what the heck I was thinking back in 2009. What about you, Massively crew? Have you had any similar head-scratching moments after rediscovering a previous title, and do you regret leaving it?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What MMO do you regret leaving? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindf2pfallen-earthfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpost-apocalypticregretsci-fitdgthe-daily-grindwastelandFri, 17 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you fund an MMO via Kickstarter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-daily-grind-would-you-fund-an-mmo-via-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-daily-grind-would-you-fund-an-mmo-via-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-daily-grind-would-you-fund-an-mmo-via-kickstarter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Grim Fandango
So the gaming world is abuzz with news of DoubleFine's huge Kickstarter payday. While it's true that there are only a handful of gaming studios with the resume necessary to make such a splash, it's also true that little-guy dev outfits around the globe are now aware of the funding potential inherent in connecting with your fans.

RPG maker Obsidian has begun exploring its options, Brian Fargo is interested in creating a sequel to Wasteland via crowdfunding, and it's only a matter of time before a fledgling MMORPG designer follows suit. For this edition of the Daily Grind, let us know how you feel about a brave new publisher-free world. Would you enjoy cutting out the proverbial middleman when it comes to your gaming dollars, and more specifically, would you contribute to an MMO via Kickstarter?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you fund an MMO via Kickstarter? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grinddouble-finedoublefinefeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionkickstartermmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsprivate-fundingpublisher-freetdgthe-daily-grindThu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Did you participate in TERA's first beta weekend?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-teras-first-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-teras-first-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-daily-grind-did-you-participate-in-teras-first-beta-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TERA centaur vs. Baraka Sorceror
I guess you could say that TERA is one of the most highly anticipated MMOs of 2012. We love the game every time we get our hands on it, but some recent legal and technical problems have cast some doubt in the minds of many potential fans.

This last weekend was the first of five closed beta tests for pre-order customers. While our requests for beta keys went ignored, those on the Massively team who did pre-order were plagued by technical problems in the patcher, making the beta weekend unplayable.

So as we sit here cursing the fact that we're not able to write about this particular weekend, we're curious about your thoughts. Did you enjoy yourself? Was it more or less than what you expected? There's no NDA, so spill the beans!

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Did you participate in TERA's first beta weekend? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-eventbeta-weekendclosed-betaen-massefrogstergame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgterathe-daily-grindMon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Where does gaming fall on your priority list?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/the-daily-grind-where-does-gaming-fall-on-your-priority-list/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/the-daily-grind-where-does-gaming-fall-on-your-priority-list/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/the-daily-grind-where-does-gaming-fall-on-your-priority-list/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Priorities Shmiorities
Back before I had a family, it wasn't unusual for me to play a video game for eight-hour stretches at a time every day. But now that I'm a father of three, I don't even want to think about playing a game unless I'm playing with my family or it's after their bedtime. On the other side of that coin, there are plenty of people who put gaming before just about everything else in their lives. When you're "too busy" to work or spend time with your family, but not too busy to raid every night, that's a problem in my opinion.

This might sound odd coming from a guy who has made gaming his career, but I respect balance and moderation. I could go on and on about how so many people are losing their perspective on having fun by being "hardcore," but I'll save that for a Soapbox article one day. In the meantime, I want to know how you feel about gaming on your priority list. Is it numero uno, towards the end, or somewhere in between?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Where does gaming fall on your priority list? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familygame-discussiongamer-discussionhardcoremmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionprioritiestdgthe-daily-grindFri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How many chat channels do you use?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-daily-grind-how-many-chat-channels-do-you-use/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-daily-grind-how-many-chat-channels-do-you-use/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-daily-grind-how-many-chat-channels-do-you-use/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II - chat boxes
MMO global chat is a funny thing. I've met friends in it, I've ignored half the server because of it, and I'm amused (and appalled) by it on a daily basis. One thing I normally don't do is turn it off completely, unless I'm gunning for an immersive solo or small-group session that's heavy on roleplay.

My EverQuest II Sage has 19 (19!) channels on his UI, and though I rarely see any activity in the ratonga or evil chat rooms, I keep tabs on them anyway in case a useful nugget happens by.

What about you, dear readers? Does your MMO of choice have multiple global chat channels, and if so, how many do you monitor at once?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How many chat channels do you use? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatchat-channelseq-iieq2everquest-2everquest-iifeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionglobal-chatmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you have too many alts?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-too-many-alts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-too-many-alts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-too-many-alts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Qeynos flyby
I've been playing a lot of EverQuest II lately, and one thing that the game has in abundance is choice. Whether we're talking about combat vs. non-combat activities, group vs. solo content, or a huge class roster, Sony Online Entertainment's fantasy sequel is pretty ridiculous when it comes to play options.

There's so much choice, in fact, that it's occasionally difficult to decide what to do next. Take the aforementioned classes as an example. Thanks to the introduction of the Beastlord in last December's Age of Discovery expansion, the game now has a whopping 25 classes to choose from, and I have 13 of them sitting in various stages of advancement on my character select screen.

Which one should I play? Should I make one of the other 12? These are the times that try men's souls! OK, not really, but it can be a tough call. What about you, Massively readers? Do you have too many alts?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you have too many alts? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classeseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindTue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you currently on hiatus from MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-currently-on-hiatus-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-currently-on-hiatus-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-currently-on-hiatus-from-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

National Lampoon's Vacation
Something fascinates me about many of the more vocal commenters on Massively. No matter what game is launching, re-launching, closing, expanding, or going free-to-play, someone usually has to make it known that he doesn't play MMOs at all anymore. The fact that he's still reading about MMOs on Massively is a compliment to us, but I'm always curious about what drove him away from actually playing.

So if you're a former MMO player and you still like to keep up with the news, let us know why. What drove you away? What makes you still read about it? Are you holding out for the next big MMO, or is it something more?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you currently on hiatus from MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnoutgame-discussiongamer-discussionhiatusmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Could you make your own MMO for $30 million?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/the-daily-grind-could-you-make-your-own-mmo-for-30-million/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/the-daily-grind-could-you-make-your-own-mmo-for-30-million/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/the-daily-grind-could-you-make-your-own-mmo-for-30-million/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Richard Garriott in space
Massively gets a certain amount of grief for writing news stories about Richard Garriott. While it's true that he hasn't made a major contribution to the MMO industry since the 1990s, it's also true that he's something of a touchstone when it comes to geekery and ambition. If a guy can go from being a young astronaut hopeful to having a spare $30 million to burn on a spaceflight, that's got to count for something, doesn't it?

While we're on the subject of a spare $30 million, yesterday's Garriott piece got me to thinking about what I would do if I had that kind of pocket change. While spaceflight and a lifetime supply of Hershey's kisses are certainly high on the list, I'd use a good chunk of the money to make my own MMO. What about you, Massively crew? Would you self-finance an MMO if you could, and what would it be like? Would $30 million be enough?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Could you make your own MMO for $30 million? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-millionfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussiongarriottmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsrichard-garriottself-financed-mmotdgthe-daily-grindThu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you want a 'fair' fight?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-want-a-fair-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-want-a-fair-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-want-a-fair-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Johnny Depp is a Cry Baby
Fair is a four-letter word. I mean, literally it is; you can count them if you like. It's a figurative four-letter word too, especially when it comes to MMO design and PvP. What's unfair to some is smart tactics to others, and the subjectivity here is responsible for a large part of the rancor that underlies PvP discourse.

Funcom's Craig Morrison recently expounded on the subject via his personal blog, and among the interesting nuggets up for discussion was the notion of a fair fight (and more specifically, whether MMO players actually want one). Some do and some don't, of course, but the more important question seems to be what is a "fair" fight? Can it even be defined, let alone coded?

Morrison writes that "most people simply don't like being fodder for a dominating force. They don't like to be bullied or out-muscled by a force that the game mechanics have allowed to have a clear position of dominance." He's right, but what's left unsaid is that everyone has the same opportunity to take advantage of those game mechanics.

What say you, Massively readers? Do you want a "fair" fight? If so, how do you define the word in this particular context?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you want a 'fair' fight? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-morrisonfairfair-fightfairnessfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionits-not-fairmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpvpsilirriontdgthe-daily-grindunfairThu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite zone redesign?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-zone-redesign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-zone-redesign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-zone-redesign/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Freeport final approach
Revamps, redesigns, and restructuring are facts of life when it comes to MMORPG fandom, and if you play these games long enough, sooner or later you'll encounter a portion of your favorite game that has been altered significantly.

Often these alterations take the form of class, skill, or ability changes, but occasionally a dev team will up and decide to remake part of the game world itself. Such was the case last month with EverQuest II's famed Freeport locale, and the sprawling capital city now features new textures, new quests, and seamless transitions between its various quarters (i.e., no more loading screens).

The lengthy list of Freeport changes comprise one of the best revamps I've experienced in many years of playing MMOs, and I can't wait to see what the EQII devs have in store for Qeynos. What about you, Massively folk? What's your favorite zone revamp?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite zone redesign? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedfreeportfreeport-rebornfreeport-revampgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-daily-grindFri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do developers troll their fans?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-daily-grind-do-developers-troll-their-fans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-daily-grind-do-developers-troll-their-fans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-daily-grind-do-developers-troll-their-fans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Player wings
Sometimes I honestly wonder what goes on in the minds of the decision-makers at Sony Online Entertainment.

Case in point is the recent decision to add wings to EverQuest II's cash shop. I'm not opposed to cash shops per se, and I'm not opposed to flying mounts or the formerly nifty race-specific quest that allowed Arasai players to earn a pair of functional wings at high level.

Now, though, any old ratonga, iksar, or troll can fork over 20 bucks and take to the skies with angel's wings on his back, and while the EverQuest universe has fairly inconsistent lore on occasion, I can only conclude that someone at SOE thought it would be funny to mess with franchise fans a little bit. If not, surely there are more fan-friendly ways to go about designing cash shop items or new means of transportation.

This isn't the first time SOE has indulged its baser shark-jumping instincts, either. Ask a Star Wars Galaxies vet about the infamous Ewok-themed Valentine's Day if you need another example. And therein lies today's Daily Grind. Do you think that developers troll their fans?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do developers troll their fans? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-trollseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedflying-trollsfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionidiocyjumping-the-sharkmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionshark-jumpingsoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindtrollingtrollswingswtfThu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should max-level characters give account XP bonuses?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Tier'dal in Lavastorm
I recently hit EverQuest II's adventuring cap for the first time (yay!), and aside from being surprised that it finally happened, I was also in for a bit of a shock when I logged into the character select screen the following day.

You see, EQII gives each character on your account a 20% XP bonus per max-level character. So all my subsequent toons will enjoy an extra 20% XP across the board, and if I were to get another guy to 90, all my toons would then have a 40% bonus (up to a maximum of 200%). While this is fantastic for players like yours truly who despise the leveling process, it seems like an odd design decision given that a lot of people like to grind. Also, EQII has more leveling content than most MMOs put together, and it's crazy to think how much of it you'll miss if you get even more bonus XP.

Sure, you can chronomage down a few levels and do zones that you blew by, or you can adjust your XP/AA ratio (or turn off XP altogether if you want), but the bonuses still speed up the curve significantly. What about you, Massively folk? Do you think max-level characters should grant bonuses to the rest of your toons?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should max-level characters give account XP bonuses? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-xpeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussiongrindlevelingmax-level-bonus-xpmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsnorrathopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the fastest you've ever burned out on an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-ever-burned-out-on-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-ever-burned-out-on-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-ever-burned-out-on-an/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Jedi Council chambers
Well, I'm taking what is probably the first of many breaks from The Old Republic. I played heavily over the last week and I managed to get two classes to 20 (and do a good bit of warzone PvP and roleplaying).

While I love the class stories, the rest of the game is pretty bare-bones, and I'm returning to greener and more feature-rich pastures. I'm a notorious game-hopper, though, and this isn't so much an indictment of TOR as it is an inevitability. That said, I did tire of BioWare's Star Wars opus sooner than expected, and that leads into today's Daily Grind question. What's the fastest you've ever burned out on an MMO?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the fastest you've ever burned out on an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareburnoutea-biowareelectronic-artfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionmissing-featuresmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republicthemeparktorThu, 29 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do other media releases make you revisit MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Still from The Hobbit
This has been quite a week when it comes to geek-related movie trailers. First off, we finally got a proper trailer for the third installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise. Then, Peter Jackson blew us away (again) with a nostalgia-inducing peek at his return to Middle-earth.

What the heck do either of these blessed events have to do with MMORPGs? Well, not a lot, admittedly, unless -- like me -- you're now seriously considering a return to DC Universe Online and Lord of the Rings Online. In any event, the trailers are so collectively awesome that I can't help but make a Daily Grind out of them. The traditional question goes something like this: do big-name IP releases make you want to revisit MMOs?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do other media releases make you revisit MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batmandc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionhobbitsipip-based-mmoslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindthe-dark-knight-risesthe-hobbitThu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will SWTOR succeed in Asia?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/the-daily-grind-will-swtor-succeed-in-asia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/the-daily-grind-will-swtor-succeed-in-asia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/the-daily-grind-will-swtor-succeed-in-asia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars manga
Gamers (and game executives) are fond of comparing Star Wars: The Old Republic to World of Warcraft. Forums are rife both with discussions on how TOR will (or will not) dethrone the reigning MMO subscription champ and with arguments regarding similar game mechanics.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is a prediction on whether or not SWTOR will succeed in the Asian market. We know, for example, that a huge portion of WoW's 12 million users came from the Far East, and sales suggest that Eastern gaming audiences are very different from their Western counterparts (see the ongoing popularity and profitability of games like Aion and Lineage II, which draw contemptuous sneers from American audiences -- if they notice them at all).

When you compare BioWare's focus on narrative with Blizzard's focus on progression, it's very possible to see TOR falling short of WoW's Asian success. What do you think, Massively readers? Will TOR conquer the Asian MMO market?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will SWTOR succeed in Asia? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaasian-marketbiowareblizzardgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionspeculationstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game do you wish you had time for?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - dude looking at zombies
There's no shortage of MMOs, and whether your tastes include big budget titles like The Secret World or EverQuest II or small-scale niche products like Glitch or Darkfall, these are the salad days in terms of choice.

While you probably won't find many folks complaining about the genre explosion we've witnessed over the past few years, it is becoming harder to see it all, even though the free-to-play movement has removed many of the financial obstacles inherent in the game-hopping lifestyle. There's always one game (or two, or seven) that you never seem to have time for, despite the fact that it looks really cool and dammit you're going to make time for that starting... sometime.

For me, that game is Fallen Earth, and I'm bummed out by the fact that I'm still saying that two years after its launch. What about you, Massively folk? Is there a game (or games) that you keep meaning to play?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What game do you wish you had time for? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussiongamers-firstgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpost-apocalypticsci-fitdgthe-daily-grindThu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you giving the gift of games this year?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-daily-grind-are-you-giving-the-gift-of-games-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Christmas presents
If you've got a gamer on your Christmas list, congratulations. With the proliferation of digital download titles and services like Steam and Good Old Games, it's never been easier to put a smile on the face of your favorite geek.

Digital gifting does have a dark side, though, or at least a hmm-that's-kind-of-impersonal side. While most of us would never turn down a virtual copy of Skyrim or a few funny bucks to spend in an MMO cash shop, it is nice to get (and give) an actual present that someone's taken the time to wrap and deliver.

What about you, Massively crew? Are you giving the gift of digital gaming this year?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you giving the gift of games this year? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopchristmaschristmas-giftsdigital-distributiondigital-downloadsfeaturedfunny-bucksfunny-moneygame-discussiongamer-discussiongiftsgoggood-old-gamesholiday-giftsholidaysitem-shopmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpresentstdgthe-daily-grindFri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you engage in forum PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-engage-in-forum-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-engage-in-forum-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-engage-in-forum-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chalmun's cantina with lots of scum and villainy
Ahh, gaming forums. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. OK, that's not terribly nice, but it's also not terribly inaccurate in many cases. While you can find lots of worthwhile discussion, handy gameplay tips, and archived patch notes and dev posts, you normally have to wade through a lot of invective to get at the good stuff. The happy gamers are busy playing, conventional wisdom says, while the malcontents are busy making threads and threats, amirite?

For today's Daily Grind, we're curious about where you stand and whether or not you feel strongly enough about your MMOs of choice to brave the turbulent waters of their out-of-game communities. Do you engage in forum PvP?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you engage in forum PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredforum-pvpforumsgame-discussiongamer-discussiongaming-forumsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsonline-forumsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindThu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd spend on a virtual item?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Big pile of money
So Bigpoint is apparently rolling around in piles of money these days, in no small part because of virtual item windfalls like the one resulting from its €1000 DarkOrbit space drone. Expensive cash shop items are nothing new, of course, and whether we're talking about World of Warcraft's $25 sparkle pony or EverQuest II's propensity for making you buy items for each character on your account, companies have figured out that there's a certain segment of the MMO-playing population with a good amount of disposable income.

For today's Daily Grind, we're curious about your cash shop spending limits. In a nutshell, what's the most you've ever spent -- or that you'd be willing to spend -- on a virtual item?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most you'd spend on a virtual item? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigpointbusiness-modelsdaily-grinddarkorbiteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionspace-dronetdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-itemsworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you a sucker for MMO collectibles?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-sucker-for-mmo-collectibles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-sucker-for-mmo-collectibles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-sucker-for-mmo-collectibles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic: Lost Suns - Twi'lek girl
So the other day I was browsing the local comic shop and catching up on a two-year absence from the hobby. There was a lot of backlog, naturally, but there were also some curious new game-related tie-ins that caught my eye. In addition to Arkham City and DC Universe Online: Legends titles, I also picked up installments one and two of Star Wars: The Old Republic - Lost Suns, which is apparently a five-issue special that offers a bit of backstory for BioWare's upcoming opus.

Multimedia crossovers are nothing new, of course, but this was the first time I'd seen MMO comic book products outside of a collector's edition box. What about you, Massively folk? Are you a sucker for MMO novels, comics, figurines, or other extra-game collectibles?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you a sucker for MMO collectibles? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecomic-bookscomicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedc-universe-online-legendsdcuogame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-the-old-republic-lost-sunssuperheroswtortdgthe-daily-grindtorThu, 17 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you pass the time in a login queue?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-pass-the-time-in-a-login-queue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-pass-the-time-in-a-login-queue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-pass-the-time-in-a-login-queue/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DC Universe Online - login queue
So I'd been trying to log in to DC Universe Online (with a legendary account, mind you) for the better part of a week, and I finally managed it at around midnight on Sunday after a 20 minute wait. That may sound annoying, but it's nothing compared to the waits last week after the title went F2P. Afternoon and prime time queues placed me somewhere around the 4,000th spot in line, and I eventually stopped waiting after routinely encountering 45-minute delays and never-ending login screens.

It's been quite some time since I had to wait like that for an MMO, and I alternated between reading a book, making dinner, and playing another title to pass the time. What about you, Massively folk? Do you have the patience for MMO login queues and if so, what do you do while you're waiting?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you pass the time in a login queue? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionlogin-queuesmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpatiencequeuessuperherotdgthe-daily-grindwaitThu, 10 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you tempted by Lineage II's 'truly free' model?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-daily-grind-are-you-tempted-by-lineage-iis-truly-free-mo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lineage II - Shilien elder in Blue Wolf armor
NCsoft recently announced its new "truly free" free-to-play model for Lineage II. This is interesting for two reasons. One, the title insinuates that all those other free-to-play games aren't actually free. And two, well, I just ran out of excuses for not returning to the world of Aden.

The new press materials highlighted some 400 hours worth of content, and as a former player, I'd say this estimate is probably a bit on the conservative side. L2 is truly a massive title, and getting to endgame is really the halfway point since you've still got all kinds of EVE-like territorial PvP and metagaming shenanigans waiting for you after you've maxed out a character.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know if the recent announcement piqued your interest. Will you be checking out Lineage II when it goes free-to-play?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you tempted by Lineage II's 'truly free' model? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionl2lineage-2lineage-iimmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtruly-freeThu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do single-player games influence your MMO choices?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-daily-grind-do-single-player-games-influence-your-mmo-choic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-daily-grind-do-single-player-games-influence-your-mmo-choic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-daily-grind-do-single-player-games-influence-your-mmo-choic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

No, no, I... am... Batman!
OK, I admit it. I'm not playing many MMOs this week (Heresy! Burn the infidel! Etc.). I'll log a couple of merc matches in Global Agenda and maybe complete a faction quest or two in Age of Conan, but almost all of my gaming time is going toward Rocksteady's glorious Batman sequel.

Arkham City is so good, in fact, that it's made me patch my long-neglected DC Universe Online client just in case I feel like soaking up some more Gotham City atmospherics while I'm away from my Xbox 360. And how sad is that, seriously?

Anyway, since this is the Daily Grind and not the daily-random-game-related-rambling, I'll cut to the chase in favor of the traditional question: Do single-player games influence your MMO playing?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do single-player games influence your MMO choices? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkham-citybatmanbatman-arkham-citydc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuogame-discussiongamer-discussiongd-batmangotham-cityim-batmanmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite PAX reveal?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

PAX Prime 2011 logo - black
PAX Prime 2011 has come and gone, and it's now time to turn our eyes to DragonCon and what is sure to be an eventful final few months of the year. Before we move on, though, it's worth looking back at the events of this past weekend and thinking on a few favorites.

While this year's PAX didn't boast any zomg-that's-awesome reveals, there was a steady stream of new and interesting information flowing out of Seattle over the weekend. Whether your taste runs to PvP and Star Wars The Old Republic, endgame content and Korean imports like TERA, or interesting newcomers like WildStar and its decision to insert the Bartle model firmly into the midst of its game design, there was a bit of something for everyone.

Today's Daily Grind is an easy one: What was your favorite PAX Prime reveal?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What was your favorite PAX reveal? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consconventionsgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011star-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgterathe-daily-grindwildstarMon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are appearance tabs essential?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/the-daily-grind-are-appearance-tabs-essential/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/the-daily-grind-are-appearance-tabs-essential/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/the-daily-grind-are-appearance-tabs-essential/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft - appearance tabs
Appearance tabs in MMOs are a funny thing. When you think about it, the implementation of an appearance tab is a signal that, on some level, the initial game design has failed to deliver. It's an admission that the best gear often looks like crap -- or is too prevalent -- and many players wouldn't be caught dead wearing it if there were any alternative.

Along with housing, crafting, and other MMO gameplay staples that have fallen by the wayside in recent years, appearance tabs are often scoffed at by the combat-only crowd and consequently treated as low-priority by devs and publishers. Clearly a lot of players want to be able to customize their characters, though, as even the mighty Blizzard has finally caved in to fan requests (although it did take World of Warcraft designers a good seven years to wrap their heads around the concept). What about you, Massively readers? Do you feel that appearance tabs are essential to your MMO enjoyment?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are appearance tabs essential? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-designblizzardcharacter-customizationcustomizationdaily-grinddesignfantasygame-discussiongame-mechanicsgamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionplayer-choicetdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 23 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you mix up game mechanics?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-mix-up-game-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-mix-up-game-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/the-daily-grind-do-you-mix-up-game-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - sage at a chemistry table
The other day I was chatting with an EverQuest II guildmate who was looking to mail some resources to my crafting character. Save your coin, I told her, and I'll just come pick up the stacks of mats since they numbered close to 200.

She raised a quizzical eyebrow and asked me in no uncertain terms what the heck I was talking about, as EQII charges a flat 50 copper per mail no matter how many items are attached. I've played so many fantasy games over the years -- a fair few of which up the postal charges depending on the quantity and rarity of your attachments -- that I had forgotten how user-friendly EQII's implementation really was.

Today's Daily Grind is all about similar senior moments. Do you or have you played a lot of similar MMORPGs, and do you occasionally mix up their mechanics?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you mix up game mechanics? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attachmentscraftingeq2eqiieverquest-2f2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussiongold-sinksmailmailingmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsmoney-sinksopinionpostal-servicetdgthe-daily-grindMon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have you met your online friends offline?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-met-your-online-friends-offline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-met-your-online-friends-offline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-met-your-online-friends-offline/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQII cosplayers
MMORPGs make for some mighty strange bedfellows. We all approach these games for different reasons and from many different backgrounds. For some players, MMORPGs are firmly in the fantasy-not-reality section of their daily planners, while others form lasting "real-world" friendships with their MMO compatriots -- and some folks even make the effort to hang out with their online buddies offline.

Whether you've traveled to a guild get-together, attended a gaming convention, or happen to live in the same town as your groupmates, today's Daily Grind is all about real-world meetups. Have you ever hooked up with your MMO pals in person (and if not, would you want to)?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Have you met your online friends offline? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityconsconventionconventionsdaily-grindgame-discussiongamer-discussionmeetupsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsreal-world-eventstdgthe-daily-grindFri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-diablo-iiis-rmt-policy-will-affec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A pile of money
Blizzard made something of a stink in fan circles last week with its announcement of Diablo III's RMT-enabled auction house as well as the lack of offline play (and mod support) in the highly anticipated fantasy action sequel.

While hardcore fan- and forum-outrage was palpable, it's likely that the title will shatter sales records anyway, and we'll be that much closer to a gaming world devoid of offline play and festooned with microtransactions. What does all of this have to do with MMOs and Massively? That's where you come in, dear readers. Do you think Diablo III's real-money auction house will affect MMOs? How so (or why not)?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you think Diablo III's RMT policy will affect MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseblizzarddaily-grinddiablo-3diablo-3-auction-housediablo-iiifantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionmicrotransactionsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionrmttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which MMO are you sorry you missed?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-are-you-sorry-you-missed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-are-you-sorry-you-missed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-are-you-sorry-you-missed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Matrix Online screenshot
Time is always against us, a wise man once said, and truer words were never spoken regarding the MMORPG genre. The glut of titles released over the last few years means that fans have some hard choices to make, and when those choices are coupled with the inevitable game closures, it's rare that even folks with huge amounts of free time have time enough to play everything.

And since we're speaking of time: If you spend enough of it reading and talking about our favorite genre, you'll inevitably come across a game that sounds right up your alley. If you're lucky, said game will still be available to you. If not, well, you might have the answer to this morning's Daily Grind question. Which MMO(s) are you sorry you missed?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Which MMO are you sorry you missed? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegame-discussiongamer-discussionmaking-timematrix-onlineMiscellaneousmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsmxoopinionstar-wars-galaxiesswgtabula-rasatdgthe-daily-grindthe-matrixthe-matrix-onlinetimeWed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the hardest learning curve?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-hardest-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-hardest-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-has-the-hardest-learning-curve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Chalkboard demonstrating mathematical complexity
MMOs come in all shapes and sizes, and with new titles launching every other day, there's bound to be one out there that caters to just about every skill level imaginable. While many of these games boast similar mechanics, occasionally a dev team will stray from the norm and create a head-scratchingly complex title (or in some cases, a title that is deliberately user-unfriendly).

Games like EVE Online and Second Life are renowned for their learning curve and the amount of research necessary to play at a high level, and we're curious to hear about others you may have experienced.

For this edition of The Daily Grind, share your thoughts on MMO complexity, and whether the term entails mechanics, the UI, gameplay options, or some combination of all three. While you've got your thinking cap on, which MMO has the hardest learning curve?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Which MMO has the hardest learning curve? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>complexitydifficultyeveeve-onlinegame-discussiongame-mechanicsgamer-discussionmechanicsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicssandboxsecond-lifespreadsheets-in-spacetdgthe-daily-grinduiuser-interfaceTue, 09 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are MMO players angrier than other types of gamers?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-angrier-than-other-types-of-gam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-angrier-than-other-types-of-gam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-angrier-than-other-types-of-gam/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Massively watercooler discussions are usually pretty fun, and while a good number of them aren't printable, occasionally they provide food for thought when it comes to our favorite genre and the gristmill that is The Daily Grind.

Case in point is a recent discussion that touched on the anger management issues that some MMO gamers exhibit. We basically agreed that -- generally speaking of course -- MMO players are a perpetually angry lot in comparison to their console, casual, and even PC brethren. We batted around a few possible reasons for this including the fact that MMOs usually require more of a time investment as opposed to the one-off experiences common to single-player games. Along the same lines, MMO communities are often personal and may even transcend the game. Both of these factors (and many others) conspire to build emotional attachments not commonly found in more disposable gaming genres.

Today it's your turn to weigh in on this debate. Do you think MMO players are angrier than their non-MMO counterparts? Why or why not?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are MMO players angrier than other types of gamers? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anger-managementangrycommunityculturegame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-culturemmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindyou-wouldnt-like-me-when-im-angryFri, 05 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have you ever dressed up as a game character?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-dressed-up-as-a-game-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-dressed-up-as-a-game-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-dressed-up-as-a-game-character/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What to wear... what to wear....

With various conventions like SOE's Fan Faire and DragonCon offering contests with prizes and at least a few minutes of fame, it's no wonder some people harness their creativity and pull out all the stops to create a costume. After all, you love your game, so why not be a part of it? From Ratonga to superheroes, player avatars to mobs, there seems to be no shortage of costume ideas and cosplayers strutting their stuff. Some ideas are elaborate and some are a bit less involved.

But really, who needs a reason?! Whether for an actual event, just for your office party, or just in the safety of your own home (with friends carefully sneaking YouTube videos), have you ever dressed up as a character in a game? Which one? Fess up!

If you haven't yet, have you considered it? And who/what would you be?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Have you ever dressed up as a game character? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cosplaycostumescostumingdragoncon-2011fan-faire-2011game-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsSOEsoe-fan-faireFri, 29 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What classic console game would you like to see made into an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-daily-grind-what-classic-console-game-would-you-like-to-see/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-daily-grind-what-classic-console-game-would-you-like-to-see/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-daily-grind-what-classic-console-game-would-you-like-to-see/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I recently came across an old 8-bit Nintendo on an excursion to the deep, dark recesses of my attic. Soon after, I stumbled upon a Super NES as well as a treasure trove of old game cartridges. After a few minutes of fumbling around with RCA cables, RF adapters, and finally a trip to the local Radio Shack, I managed to get both systems up and running.

A weekend of classic gaming ensued, and as is typical, I set about imagining which old console favorites might make for worthwhile transitions into the realm of the MMORPG. Thus far the Final Fantasy franchise is the most noteworthy console property to make the jump, but there are others -- from multiple platforms -- that would likely make for appealing massively multiplayer settings as well as trigger the nostalgia meter in many an older gamer. Today's Daily Grind is all about your favorite classic console titles. Specifically, which game(s) would you like to see made into an MMO?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What classic console game would you like to see made into an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrono-triggerconsole-mmosculturefinal-fantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-industrymmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsnintendoopinionsuper-nintendotdgthe-daily-grindzeldaTue, 26 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Did BioWare make the right call?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/the-daily-grind-did-bioware-make-the-right-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/the-daily-grind-did-bioware-make-the-right-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/the-daily-grind-did-bioware-make-the-right-call/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BioWare made something of a stink last week with its decision to limit Star Wars: The Old Republic pre-orders (both in terms of total numbers and in certain regions around the world). Here at Massively, we received dozens of angry emails entreating us to take up the cause of the common gamer.

While limits on digital goods do seem a bit artificial, it's also worth noting that recent popular MMO releases were beset with server overcrowding and lengthy login queues (we're thinking of both Aion and RIFT here).

BioWare ruffled quite a few fan feathers with its actions, but from the outside looking in, it's difficult to determine what the company could have done differently. That's where you come in, and this edition of The Daily Grind is all about your reaction to Star Wars: The Old Republic pre-orders, load limits, and regional publishing. Do you think BioWare made the right call?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Did BioWare make the right call? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowareelectronic-artsgame-discussiongamer-discussionload-limitsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpre-ordersregionsserver-queuesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindMon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So the year's most inescapable MMORPG has officially made it to the pre-order stage. Not only that, but BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic opus has also pulled the curtain back on its collector's edition treasure hoard (which will dent your wallet for the princely sum of $150.00).

While both the in-game and real world goodies are quite appealing to Star Wars fans, the price tag is one of the most expensive in the history of MMOs. Today's Daily Grind is all about your reaction to said price tag. Are you going to shell out twice what a normal CE costs for SWTOR? If not, what's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-temsbonusescecollectors-editionearly-accessgame-discussiongamer-discussiongreed-can-be-a-powerful-allyhypein-game-itemsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicspre-ordersci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorFri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Why do you like internet drama?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-daily-grind-why-do-you-like-internet-drama/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-daily-grind-why-do-you-like-internet-drama/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-daily-grind-why-do-you-like-internet-drama/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier this week we asked how you felt about character wipes and whether you'd continue playing in light of one. Among the interesting responses was one that opined that the drama resulting from character wipes would be quite enjoyable to experience even if said wipes would not.

As the comment was upvoted a number of times, it's fair to surmise that many folks agreed with the sentiment. It's also no secret that large portions of the internet are built on drama, and some MMORPGs thrive on it -- we're looking at you EVE Online -- as do many smaller in- and out-of-game communities. The more interesting question, and the subject of today's Daily Grind, is why.

Why does the distress of another individual (or several thousand individuals, in the case of theoretical character wipes) make for desirable entertainment? In short, why do you like internet drama?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Why do you like internet drama? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dramafeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionmeannessmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindMon, 18 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST