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Gamers documentary now available for streaming

Brendan Drain — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Culture, MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous

Back in November of last year, we came across an interesting documentary on gaming and MMORPGs. In the 60-minute film "Gamers," filmmaker Ben Gonyo explores today's online gaming culture in an effort to make it more accessible and understandable to a wider audience. For two years, Gonyo immersed himself in World of Warcraft and the gaming subculture to find out what it's all about. Although it touches on controversial issues like a player's potential obsession with his or her virtual hobby, the documentary's aim is to heave a mostly light-hearted tone. It includes interviews with gamers, game designers, comedians, celebrities and psychologists.

Although the film aired on several TV channels, only a brief trailer for the film was made publicly available online. The full 60-minute documentary has now been made publicly available for streaming via the internet. Head over to the video stream at SnagFilms to watch the film and leave your own comments on the issues covered. International viewers should be advised that the stream may be restricted only to US residents.

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Gamers documentary now available for streaming originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Documentary filmmaker takes on MMORPGs

Jef Reahard — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Opinion

As popular as World of Warcraft has become, we almost take it for granted that everyone on the planet is familiar with (or has at least heard of) MMORPGs. Despite the fact that gaming has become relatively mainstream over the last few years, MMORPGs remain mysteriously inaccessible to portions of the populace, and filmmaker Ben Gonyo aims to change all that with a new documentary called Gamers.

Gamers sees Gonyo immerse himself in MMO subculture for the better part of two years, and features interviews with over 100 gamers, designers, critics, psychologists, comedians, and celebrities -- including Curt Schilling and R.A. Salvatore. The film is currently airing on the Documentary Channel on both DISH and DirectTV, and you can check out various previews and trailers at the film's official website, as well as after the cut. Finally, be on the lookout for a Massively review in the near future.

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Documentary filmmaker takes on MMORPGs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over $40,000 donated to EVE Online "PLEX for Haiti" initiative so far

Brendan Drain — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: EVE Online, Events, real-world, MMO industry

When the Republic of Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on January 12th, groups around the world struggled to give as much aid as possible. Proving that gamers are givers, several MMO companies rushed to provide a way for their players to donate to registered relief aid charities like the Red Cross. Sony Online Entertainment raised over $25,000 in just three days by selling in-game items in Free Realms, EverQuest and EverQuest II. They donated 100% of the proceeds to charity and even added $10 of their own money for each purchase made.

CCP ran their own EVE Online "PLEX Aid for Haiti" initiative where players were encouraged to buy PLEX and then contract them to the "CCP PLEX for Haiti" character in-game. Even PLEX purchased in-game with ISK helped the appeal as every two PLEX contracted to CCP equaled $35 US Dollars of cash that was bought but not converted into game time. CCP could then donate the full $35 without making a loss. It was a clever scheme that allowed players who were short on cash but rich in-game to donate real money to charity.

CCP have just announced that so far the total tally of PLEX donated to the appeal has reached 2,290, which has a real cash value of just over $40,000 US dollars. One player donated a staggering 341 PLEX, which has an in-game value of over 88 billion ISK and makes a real world donation of almost $6,000. Of note is the revelation that only 1.4% of the donated PLEX were bought directly for cash, while players buying the PLEX using their spare ISK contributed the remaining 98.6%. That's a testament both to the generosity of gamers and the innovative system CCP used to collect aid. Hopefully we'll see this strategy used in future when someone is in desperate need of aid as it has proven very successful. For those that still want to donate, CCP are currently still accepting donations of PLEX to help the people of Haiti.

Over $40,000 donated to EVE Online "PLEX for Haiti" initiative so far originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New study reveals insights into gender in MMOs

Seraphina Brennan — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Culture, MMO industry, News items, Academic

A new study has appeared over at the Virtual Worlds Observatory, the home of a team of social scientists interested in researching online games, and it delves into perceptions of gender in online games and the reality behind it.

Utilizing EverQuest II, the study uses a sample size of over 7,000 players to measure player interactions along gender lines and learn more about the gamers behind the keyboards. Surprisingly enough, while males exhibited predicted aggressiveness and achievement-oriented gameplay, it was the female gamers that exhibited more "hardcore" behavior. The top 10% of male gamers only played an average of 48 hours a week, while the top 10% of female gamers played an average of 56 hours a week. Yet, during the study, females under-reported their playing habits more than male gamers, as if unconsciously reacting to a stereotype.

The study is full of interesting details, and the full report is available for your viewing pleasure online.

[Via The Border House]

New study reveals insights into gender in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMOs for gamers or businessmen (part 2)

Brooke Pilley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion

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MMOs for gamers or businessmen (part 2) originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMOs for gamers or businessmen?

Brooke Pilley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion

We ran a column earlier this week by the fantastic Brendan "Nyphur" Drain about the gaming renaissance. One of the key points he made was that there is a new generation of game developers coming out of school who have played MMOs for nearly half their life. This sounds quite promising, doesn't it? I'm here today to play a little devil's advocate and say that while MMO gamers want MMOs made for and by MMO gamers, they get games made for and by businessmen instead. Oh, those businessmen (and women) may have been gamers at one time, but once they formed that studio and sought outside investment, their new priority became making money.

There are of course a number of indie developers working on niche titles and their ambitions might not be so great as their multi-million dollar indebted brothers and sisters, but don't kid yourself; they aren't slaving 16 hours a day over their computers for free. They have families to feed, do they not? So, let's start off by defining these two creatures and then analyzing the concept a bit more.

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MMOs for gamers or businessmen? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The gaming renaissance, part 2

Brendan Drain — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

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The gaming renaissance, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The gaming renaissance

Brendan Drain — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, Academic, Virtual worlds

In the early 70's, some clever chap programmed a pile of circuits to create a primitive game we all know as Pong. Fast-forward some forty years down the line and we're now battling Orcs in Azeroth and flying spaceships in the far-reaches of another galaxy. An entire games industry has erupted from those first simple arcade systems, with people designing and programming games for kids and adults alike. In the 90's, the first generation of kids that grew up with those early game systems became the ones making them and a virtual renaissance in game design ensued. Those kids that grew up wishing they could make their own games started to realise their dreams and the games industry as we know it came forth. More recently, the people that grew up with early MMOs have begun to hit the games industry and we're seeing a rebirth of the genre.

In this article, I look at the games industry explosion and how it relates to the generations growing up with games. I ask whether the MMO genre is headed for its own great gaming renaissance and take a speculative look ahead at the future for MMOs and the games industry as a whole.

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The gaming renaissance originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO documentary "Second Skin" debuts in theaters today

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, MMO industry, Machinima

It's not often that we talk about movies here on Massively, but the new(ish) documentary entitled Second Skin is definitely right up our alley. Today marks the debut of Second Skin in select theaters across the United States, as well as a free showing of the film at various websites.

Is the movie worth seeing if you're heavily into MMOs? Well, we try not to do reviews here (MMO reviews at least), but I would say it's definitely worth checking out if you enjoy MMOs even a tiny bit. The film showcases the lives of several MMO gamers (mostly WoW and EverQuest) to show how these games have affected their lives. There's a fairly good balance of good and bad, showing everything from the marriage of people who met in these games to a tragic suicide that was blamed on an MMO. Check it out all this week online at Fancast or SnagFilms, or at participating theaters across America.

MMO documentary "Second Skin" debuts in theaters today originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: How young is too young for MMOs?

Krystalle Voecks — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Kids

One of the interesting things we're hearing more and more (and as illuminated by yesterday's poll) is that the number of MMO families is on the climb. I personally am part of an MMO family, and know several others who are the same. We've all got children of varying ages, and our involvement ranges from over-the-shoulder to completely hands-off. Most of us would agree that it's a lot of fun to play MMOs with our kids, ranging from raiding alongside them to sitting at the same machine and playing mini-games together. To me, playing MMOs with your kids can reinforce everything from basic typing skills to the intricacies of learning to work with others despite your differences.

With the recent articles on the subject of family gaming, and the rise of more family-oriented gamer sites, we thought we'd ask this morning: How young do you think is too young to get involved in MMOs? Do you think it's a great way to bond with your kids, playing in a common game world together? Do you feel that MMOs and virtual worlds aren't the place for the very young - unless it's in a more controlled environment like FusionFall or Webkinz? Are you part of a gamer family? If so, how early were you/your children playing MMOs? What do you think recommends MMOs as entertainment for kids over regular gaming?

The Daily Grind: How young is too young for MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: How do you justify spending time in an MMO?

Akela Talamasca — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Kids

For every gamer couple, where the duo is composed of two people who both play games, there are at least 5 non-gamer couples, and probably more. Of these, a good portion are likely composed of a gamer and a non-gamer. In stereotypical fashion, the non-gamer might feel resentful of the time the gamer spends 'playing that stupid game'. Or worse, the gamer herself feels guilty for enjoying her hobby, and spends more time not playing, but wishing she were.

Those of us with the great fortune to be professional game bloggers have an easy out: if we don't play, we can't write -- if we don't write, we don't get paid. "Sorry, honey, I have to spend the next couple of hours leveling up; my next feature depends on it, and I'm on a deadline!" But for the rest of you, is it enough to tell your significant other that you work hard, and need your alone time with your favorite MMO? Do you manage to make equal time for your children and spouse? Do you ever suddenly stop to count the days and weeks of game labor, with nothing physically substantial to show for it except for repetitive strain injury? How do you justify your game time?

The Daily Grind: How do you justify spending time in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wanted for Murder: MMORPGs

Eli Shayotovich — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Politics, Academic

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

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

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

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

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Tobold looks back at WoW, wonders what's next

Samuel Axon — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Culture, MMO industry, New titles

Tobold's MMORPG Blog is one of the most popular online gaming blogs in the series of tubes, but Tobold suggesting that he and a lot of other online gamers are in a "gaming slump." World of Warcraft transformed the industry and expanded the market by leaps and bounds, but its appeal might be winding down, Tobold said. He could be right. Blizzard has been reporting active player numbers as high as ever, but a big chunk of the numbers comes from the enormous Asian player base. North American and European players might be ready to move on.

But what's next? Most games these days are WoW clones, and many of them haven't done as well as expected. Does the genre need a Battlestar Galactica-esque total reboot? If so, what will do it? The new Blizzard MMO, as Tobold suggests? The fabled KotoR MMO? The Elder Scrolls Online? What are your thoughts, dear readers?

Tobold looks back at WoW, wonders what's next originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: MMO players play more... and get more

Mike Schramm — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:16:00 EST

Filed under: Dark Age of Camelot, Culture, MMO industry, Leveling

Apparently playing MMOs are worse for your health than regular games, but they're also more fun, too. That's the conclusion of a Syracuse University study that sent groups of students out to play four types of games-- arcade games, a Gaunlet PS2 game, Diablo II, and Dark Age of Camelot. Apparently the DAoC folks reported that their game had a more adverse effect on their health, and that their social and student lives were more affected by their playtime.

But they also had more fun-- the students who played DAoC reported that they enjoyed their playtime more, and had even made more friends ingame than any of the other games. The professor who commissioned the study wisely strayed away from the word "addiction," and says that addiction is completely different than what happens to gamers. Instead, he says, more attention should be paid not to violence in games, but to the "enthrallment" factor. Some games are easy to pick up and put down, and other games, while more rewarding, are more likely to involve you as a player. Online games, says Raph Koster, are "more intense."

So I can't exactly tell what the study solves, but most of the reasoning sounds all right. My only worry is just how old the games are-- seriously, Gauntlet? Dark Age? It would be interesting to see if a more recent MMO (like LotRO or WoW) was able to balance the enthrallment/timesink factor a little better without losing the payoff.

[ via DungeonRun.com ]

Study: MMO players play more... and get more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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