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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[GDC09: Best of show (to me)]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/at-a-glance/" rel="tag">At a glance</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/hands-on/" rel="tag">Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/humor/" rel="tag">Humor</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-hands-on/" rel="tag">Massively Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-event-coverage/" rel="tag">Massively Event Coverage</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/1454178/full/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-004-sms-0309-thumb.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
This year's <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/index.html">Game Developers Conference</a> has come to a close, and I just wanted to take a second here to reflect on what I got out of the show. I literally can't count the number of times I've been asked, "So what was the best thing you saw so far?". I was even asked this by a random guy in the Men's restroom at one point. Dude, I'm trying to pee, seriously. <br /><br />So these questions inspired me to write up my thoughts on what I enjoyed the most. This isn't meant to be a complete review of every single panel and every single game company present at the convention. It's an opinionated, slightly biased rundown of the best and brightest from an old jaded gamer who doesn't pay any attention to anything but MMO news. So ... there's that.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>GDC09: Best of show (to me)</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/">GDC09: Best of show (to me)</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1500358/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-best-of-show-to-me/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>featured</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>gdc09</category><category>joystiqfeatures</category><category>wrapup</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[GDC09: Catching up with Global Agenda]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/screenshots/" rel="tag">Screenshots</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/hands-on/" rel="tag">Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/spy/" rel="tag">Spy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/global-agenda/" rel="tag">Global Agenda</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-interviews/" rel="tag">Massively Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-hands-on/" rel="tag">Massively Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-event-coverage/" rel="tag">Massively Event Coverage</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/global-agenda"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-019-booth-sms-0309.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Last year, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/27/massivelys-exclusive-tour-of-hi-rez-studios-and-global-agenda/">we had the opportunity to visit Hi-Rez Studios</a> to get one of the first press hands-on looks at <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.globalagendagame.com">Global Agenda</a>. While the game is still in the alpha test now, closed beta is about to begin soon. In order to gear up for these next stages of development, <a href="http://www.hirezstudios.com">Hi-Rez</a> brought <span style="font-style: italic;">Global Agenda</span> to the <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gdc-2009">GDC</a> audience to try it out for themselves. This is actually the first public hands-on of the game at GDC, so it was a key moment for the team.<br /><br />So what has changed since our tour in October? Well, quite a bit, actually. This public showing brings out some exciting new developments from the Hi-Rez team, including brand new upgraded face customization and an improved tutorial. In addition, the AI, UI and graphics have all experienced quite a bit of tightening and polishing. With Hi-Rez implementing their own in-house motion capture studio, the character animation is among some of the best you'll see in an MMO. What hasn't changed? Well, I still get my butt kicked in the game quite frequently. But I love a good challenge.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>GDC09: Catching up with Global Agenda</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/">GDC09: Catching up with Global Agenda</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1500786/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-catching-up-with-global-agenda/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>featured</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>gdc09</category><category>global-agenda</category><category>hands-on</category><category>hi-rez-studios</category><category>joystiqfeatures</category><category>spy-fi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Checking in on PlayStation Home]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/virtual-worlds/" rel="tag">Virtual worlds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/home/" rel="tag">Home</a></p><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-3-spaces-a-month-for-home"><img hspace="4" height="162" width="225" vspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/playstation-home.jpg"  alt="" /></a>Eurogamer attended Jack Buser's GDC talk "Developer opportunities in <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/PlayStationHome/">PlayStation Home</a></em>" and came back with some <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-3-spaces-a-month-for-home">pretty interesting stats on Sony's virtual world</a>. While early reviews of the service were negative, Home seems to be enjoying a pretty large user base, if only due to its ubiquity.<br /><br />Buser, Director of <em>PlayStation Home</em> in the U.S., claims that over 5 million people are using the service worldwide, with 2.2 million in North America. Additionally, visitors spend over 40 minutes per session in the world. He went on to say Sony plans to create, at minimum, three new "spaces" - Sony-built areas often used for promotional purposes - for inhabitants to explore each month. <br /><br />Whether or not critics like the service, it appears Sony is invested in <em>Home</em>, at least for the medium term.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/">Checking in on PlayStation Home</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-3-spaces-a-month-for-home>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1499649/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>gdc-09</category><category>jack-buser</category><category>playstation-3</category><category>playstation-home</category><category>sony</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Blancato]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[GDC09: The rise of the MMOs]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/galleries/" rel="tag">Galleries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/hands-on/" rel="tag">Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/virtual-worlds/" rel="tag">Virtual worlds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-interviews/" rel="tag">Massively Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-hands-on/" rel="tag">Massively Hands-on</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-event-coverage/" rel="tag">Massively Event Coverage</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/1454182/full/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-009-sms-0309-thumb.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Here we are in the midst of another epic <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/">Games Developers Conference</a> and we can't help but reflect on how much importance MMOs and Virtual Worlds have in the gaming industry these days. Everywhere we look, there are new ways to integrate the online experience with having fun and meeting new people. Throughout the week and beyond (as embargoes get lifted), we're bringing you more MMO panels and interviews than ever before. This is promising for those of us who happen to love MMOs.<br /><br />So even though the convention isn't over until tomorrow, we wanted to take this opportunity to fill you in on what we've already seen, and what is yet to come later in the week. You can check out <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gdc-2009">our GDC09 tag page</a> for the ongoing panels and exclusive interviews we've already conducted, plus look forward to more goodies from <em>Runes of Magic</em>, Hero Engine, Funcom, Mythic, <em>Earthrise</em>, CCP, <em>Global Agenda, Aion</em> [catch breath] and much more!<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/">GDC09: Around the show floor</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/#1454203"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-060-sms-0309_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/#1454202"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-059-sms-0309_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/#1454200"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-052-sms-0309_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/#1454198"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-050-sms-0309_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/gdc09-around-the-show-floor/#1454197"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2009/03/gdc09-wed-046-sms-0309_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/">GDC09: The rise of the MMOs</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1499174/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>aion</category><category>ccp</category><category>earthrise</category><category>fallen-earth</category><category>funcom</category><category>game-developers-conference</category><category>gatheryn</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>gdc09</category><category>global-agenda</category><category>hero-engine</category><category>mythic</category><category>runes-of-magic</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[GDC 09: Eskil Steenberg on bringing the Love]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pve/" rel="tag">PvE</a></p><div align="center"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/lovegdc_425kv.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<div align="left">We're always on the lookout for innovation in the MMO genre, so that's why <a href="http://www.quelsolaar.com/love/index.html"><em>Love</em></a> has caught our eye. Developed by one man, Eskil Steenberg, <em>Love</em> is a procedurally-generated game, which essentially means that the entire world - including almost watercolor-looking graphics, different locations, etc. - are created randomly as you adventure through the world. Currently set to support 200 people per shard, <em>Love</em> is an interesting take on the massive genre. <br /><br />Within the world of <em>Love</em>, users will be treated to a completely free-form adventure that will involve complex chains of missions. According to Steenberg, "<em>You want to have cool adventures with cool things, but part of the fun is just to adventure; to just explore it. [Love] is the ultimate in player-versus-environment. The idea is that there are ways to control and manipulate things in the world - cities are like networks of interesting stuff rather than just static cities - which makes it more of a puzzle than a regular MMO. You can figure out your own ways to hack your environment, if you will; find your own way of doing different things to make it your own story.</em>" <br /><br />Steenberg's talk at GDC about creating a game like <em>Love</em>, and the tools involved will be held later today at 4:45 Pacific, which promises to be a very interesting discussion. Of course, if you're not able to make it to the <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gdc09">Game Developer's Conference</a>, but are curious about <em>Love</em> and just how the project has proceeded with just one person working on it, Steenberg has been so kind as to post <a href="http://iloapp.quelsolaar.com/blog/news?Home&amp;post=41">the long version of his presentation on his blog</a> for us to enjoy. So if <em>Love</em> seems like an interesting game to you, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.quelsolaar.com/love/index.html">the main site</a> for more information and procedurally-generated graphics from the current alpha. We'll definitely be keeping an eye on this one as it progresses. <br /></div>
</div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/">GDC 09: Eskil Steenberg on bringing the Love</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1496872/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-eskil-steenberg-on-bringing-the-love/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>discussion</category><category>Eskil-Steenberg</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc09</category><category>panel</category><category>player-versus-environment</category><category>procedurally-generated</category><category>puzzle</category><category>pve</category><category>replayability</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Krystalle Voecks]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What announcements do you expect at GDC this week?]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-daily-grind/" rel="tag">The Daily Grind</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/hands-on/" rel="tag">Hands-on</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.psu.com/GDC-2009--e000035-p0.php"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/gdc-09-banner-sms-0309.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /></div>
The <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/index.html">Game Developers Conference</a> is all this week and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gdc-09">we'll be there to report</a> the latest MMO news on your favorite games, old and new. Last year's conference revealed some exciting news on fresh projects like <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-when-love-came-to-town/"><em>Love</em></a>, as well as unexpected hits like the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-realtime-worlds-shows-off-all-points-bulletin/">reveal of APB</a>. <br /><br />As we gear up for a week of interviews, panels and hands-on play time, we can't help but wonder what the big announcements will be for this year. We already know about <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/funcom-to-reveal-the-secret-world-at-gdc-09/">Funcom's unveiling of <em>The Secret World</em></a>, as well as goodies from <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/">Blizzard, Mythic</a> and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/eves-council-of-stellar-management-to-be-discussed-at-gdc-09/">CCP</a>, but what secrets lie in store for us hungry MMO news junkies? Let us know what you think will be the biggest surprises of GDC 2009.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/">The Daily Grind: What announcements do you expect at GDC this week?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1494406/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/the-daily-grind-what-announcements-do-you-expect-at-gdc-this-we/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>announcements</category><category>game-developers-conference</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>gdc09</category><category>reveal</category><category>surprise</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[All Points Bulletin developer hiring 40 at GDC]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/real-life/" rel="tag">Real life</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/all-points-bulletin/" rel="tag">All Points Bulletin</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crime/" rel="tag">Crime</a></p><a href="http://www.realtimeworlds.com/2009/03/20/realtime-worlds-offers-lifeline-in-credit-crunch/"><img width="250" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="304" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/apb-chars.jpg" />Realtime Worlds</a>, the folks behind <em>GTA</em>-inspired <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/AllPointsBulletin/">All Points Bulletin</a></em>, have announced their intention to add 40 people to their team at this year's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/GDC/">GDC</a> in San Francisco. The Dundee, Scotland, based company is offering unique, year-long contracts to anyone they hire, so it's not technically a permanent gig, but in this economy, what is?<br /><br />The contract package isn't all that shabby, either. According to a press release, new employees receive: "a competitive package, 12 month contract, Visa costs paid, return flights paid, free quality accommodation, free healthcare, paid overtime, and paid holiday." <br /><br />Realtime sees this as a good time to scoop up talent on the outs. "<em>Many companies have laid off large numbers of talented staff in recent months</em>," said John Duthie, head of Realtime's HR department, "<em>and we see GDC as a great chance to tap into that talent pool. With the economy the way it is, many people don't want to think about committing to a permanent move, so what we're offering is a number of contract positions for folk to come to Scotland, help us to a successful launch of APB, and then reassess their options when the economy is hopefully in better shape.</em>"<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/">All Points Bulletin developer hiring 40 at GDC</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1494270/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/all-points-bulletin-developer-hiring-40-at-gdc/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>all-points-bulletin</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>hiring</category><category>jobs</category><category>john-duthie</category><category>realtime-worlds</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Blancato]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[CCP Games to present at Game Developers Conference 2009]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/eve-online/" rel="tag">EVE Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/education/" rel="tag">Education</a></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/eve-online"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/02/iteronnewgraphicsat425.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ccp-games">CCP Games</a>, the developer of <a href="http://www.eve-online.com"><em>EVE Online</em></a>, has announced that they'll have a presence at the <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/">Game Developers Conference</a> (GDC) next month. The company's CMO, Ryan Scott Dancey (aka CCP RyanD), is slated to speak about how <a href="http://www.ccpgames.com">CCP</a> uses social network engineering to reach out to more subscribers. Specifically, he'll describe how the company puts <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tipping_Point">Tipping Point theory</a> (about how information spreads) into action. That session is titled: "<a href="https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=G&amp;V=3&amp;id=604745">Network Marketing: Leveraging Social Networks to Grow an MMO</a>".<br /><br />On the technology front, CCP's CTO <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/halldor-fannar">Halldor Fannar</a> will speak at GDC 2009 in a session geared more towards programmers and technical artists, "<a href="https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=G&amp;V=3&amp;id=451210">From Evolution to Revolution: Upgrading the Graphics Engine of EVE Online</a>". Fannar will lay out the issues CCP has faced with upgrading <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/eve-online"><em>EVE</em></a>'s graphics engine, and explain how their ideas went from being on paper to a shipping game. His presentation will show the tools in action that allowed them to <em>"take the required generational leap in art production." <br /></em><br /><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gdc">Game Developers Conference</a> 2009 runs from March 23-27 at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, and as we've mentioned previously, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/">will have a lot to offer MMO fans</a> of all genres.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/">CCP Games to present at Game Developers Conference 2009</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=G&amp;V=3&amp;id=604745>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1458947/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/ccp-games-to-present-at-game-developers-conference-2009/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ccp</category><category>ccp-games</category><category>chief-marketing-officer</category><category>chief-technology-officer</category><category>cmo</category><category>cto</category><category>eve</category><category>eve-online</category><category>game-developers-conference</category><category>gdc</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>gdc-2009</category><category>graphics</category><category>graphics-engine</category><category>halldor-fannar</category><category>marketing</category><category>moscone-center</category><category>premium-graphics</category><category>ryan-scott-dancey</category><category>san-francisco</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>sessions</category><category>tipping-point</category><category>trinity</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[James Egan]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[This year's GDC offers a lot for MMO fans]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events, real-world</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/academic/" rel="tag">Academic</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gdconf.com/index.html"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/gdccolorsheader.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
A fan of MMOs? This year's <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/index.html">Game Developer's Conference</a> in San Francisco will have a lot to offer you. Every year GDC offers game developers and (by proxy) the gaming public an inside look at the way the industry as a whole is swinging. The Game Design track is, in this blogger's opinion, always the most interesting. 2009, above and beyond the average, is going to appeal to those of us with a love of online gaming. <a href="http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/01/previewing_gdc_2009_inside_the_2.php">Two well-known MMO industry leaders will be speaking at the event</a>. Those aside, there are numerous talks that fall well within the interests of folks who like open world environments and roleplaying combined.<br /><br />Whether you're going or just reading coverage, you're definitely not going to want to miss <a href="https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=C&amp;V=11&amp;SessID=8919">Cruise Director of Azeroth: Directed Gameplay within <em>World of Warcraft</em></a>. Jeff Kaplan will talk about the guidelines and philosophies behind making the uber-popular game, and (tantalizingly) will be going into the evolution of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/blizzard">Blizzard</a>'s quest design leading up to <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/wrath-of-the-lich-king">Wrath of the Lich King</a></em>. The other big draw is going to be <a href="https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=C&amp;V=11&amp;SessID=8860">Making an MMO Based on a Beloved IP (Without Pissing Everyone Off)</a>, done by none other than <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/mythic-entertainment">Mythic Entertainment</a>'s Paul Barnett. Barnett will be speaking to the challenges of working with an established IP, as well as sharing humorous anecdotes from the years-long dev process. There are plenty more tantalizing events on the docket; be sure to <a href="http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/01/previewing_gdc_2009_inside_the_2.php ">check out the Cliff's notes at GameSetWatch</a>.<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/">This year's GDC offers a lot for MMO fans</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/01/previewing_gdc_2009_inside_the_2.php>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/1439466/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/this-years-gdc-offers-a-lot-for-mmo-fans/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>design</category><category>design-track</category><category>gdc</category><category>gdc-09</category><category>jeff-kaplan</category><category>mmo-industry</category><category>paul-barnett</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael Zenke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
