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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-soapbox-diablo-iiis-auction-house-ruined-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Soapbox Diablo III's Auction House ruined the game
After his departure from the Diablo III development team, Game Director Jay Wilson released a statement that the introduction of an auction house "really hurt the game." While players predicted doom the moment the Real Money Auction House was announced, Jay argued that the gold auction house was equally to blame for the game's fall from grace following an absolutely stellar launch sales. I don't normally agree with what Jay has to say on Diablo III, but in this case he does have a very valid point.

Diablo II was consistently popular for over a decade thanks to its immense replayability. At its core, D2 was a game about building new characters and gearing them up by any means necessary. Every enemy in the game was a loot pinata just waiting to be popped, and players farmed endlessly for a few sought-after unique items. You almost never found an item that was ideal for your particular class and build, but you could usually trade for what you needed via trade channels and forums.

Blizzard claimed that the auction house was intended just to streamline this process, but when Diablo III launched, it was clear that the entire game had been designed to make the auction house almost necessary for progress. The fault here lies not just with the concept of an auction house but with the game designers.

That's right: I'm here to argue not only that Jay Wilson was right about the auction house ruining Diablo III but also that it was his own damn fault.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Diablo III's auction house ruined the game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgahauctionauction-housebarbarianbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd2d3demon-hunterdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiieconomicseconomyeditorialfantasyfeaturedgame-designgameplaygeargearinggothic-fantasyinfernoitem-levelitem-rarityitem-valuejay-wilsonladderladder-resetlegendarylegendary-itemslegendary-weaponsmonkmultiplayernyphuronline-multiplayerop-edopinionopinion-piecepverantrantsrarerare-itemsreal-money-auction-housereal-money-tradingrmahroguelikerpgruinedsoapboxstatsthe-soapboxvaluewitch-doctorwizardTue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fanfest 2013 video roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/eve-evolved-fanfest-2013-video-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/eve-evolved-fanfest-2013-video-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/eve-evolved-fanfest-2013-video-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved Fanfest 2013 video roundup
Last month saw the huge tenth anniversary EVE Online Fanfest, a three-day convention packed full of exclusive reveals, behind-the-scenes talks, and community events. This year's Fanfest was the biggest one yet, celebrating EVE's tenth anniversary with special guest speakers from the scientific community, the reveal of a new virtual reality dogfighter, DUST 514's launch, and details of the upcoming Odyssey expansion. Massively was there to bring you coverage of the big news as it happened, and CCP streamed some of the key talks and events live to viewers at home.

This year's Fanfest sold out so quickly that many people who wanted to go didn't get a chance to, and only a select few talks were shown on the public livestream. With such a packed event schedule, even players in attendance couldn't be there for every interesting talk. Thankfully, CCP recorded over 30 of the most anticipated events and has now uploaded the videos to YouTube. Highlights include the Make EVE Real videos, the EVE keynote, the CCP Presents Keynote, and the talks on how DUST 514 integrates with the EVE economy.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I round up all of the EVE Fanfest videos in a handy list.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fanfest 2013 video roundup

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fanfest 2013 video roundup originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliance-panelapocalypseasteroidasteroid-miningasteroidsbattleshipccpccp-gameschinaconcept-artconsoleconventioncrimewatchcsm-paneldustdust-514economyeveeve-evolvedeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2013eve-is-realeve-onlineeventeventsfanfestfaster-than-lightfeaturedfpsftlgame-designgearinternet-spaceshipskeynotemake-eve-realminingmmofpsodysseyopinionplanetary-conquestplaystationplaystation-3progressionps3pvpsandboxsci-fishooterspace-elevatorspreadsheets-onlineuprisingSun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was the best random drop you ever got?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-random-drop-you-ever-got/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-random-drop-you-ever-got/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/the-daily-grind-what-was-the-best-random-drop-you-ever-got/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind What was the best random drop you ever got
The Skinner Box design to MMOs and the random nature of loot tables means that an absolutely epic piece of gear could conceivably drop with the next kill. Or the kill after that! Or after that! Or... yeah, you know the drill. The unpredictability of corpse looting is like a little slot machine built into our games, mostly giving us trash while once in a while paying off in incredible dividends.

It's the latter that I'd like us to discuss today. Every once in a while I do a double-take when I see that I just looted an ultra-rare item. I didn't even know text that color existed in the chat window, to be honest! And getting that incredible drop can make my evening (not to mention give me bragging rights to my guild).

So what was the best random drop you ever got in an MMO -- and what did you do when it happened?

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 the best random drop you ever got? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindepicepic-gearepic-lootgearlootopinionrandom-number-generatorrngskinner-boxtdgthe-daily-grindTue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you feel about gear modding?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-feel-about-gear-modding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-feel-about-gear-modding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-feel-about-gear-modding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind How do you feel about gear modding
WildStar's recent dev diary explaining its gear modding system made me realize how we're seeing more and more of this sort of thing recently. Defiance allows you to trick out its guns, RIFT introduced a new type of moddable gear in Storm Legion, SWTOR has custom gear that does the trick, Allods Online just added a similar system, and so on.

I generally like gear modding as long as it doesn't stray too far into the realm of the obtuse and complex. It's fun to tweak that sword or pulse rifle to become the weapon you've always wanted, and there's a thrifty aspect to keeping that good-looking piece of armor up-to-date instead of just pitching it for the latest and greatest.

How do you feel about gear modding? Should it be a staple of all MMOs? How can it be done wrong and how can it be done oh-so-right?

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 feel about gear modding? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allods-onlinedaily-grinddefiancegeargear-modgear-moddinggear-modsmoddingopinionriftstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindwildstarSun, 14 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar explains gear modding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/wildstar-explains-gear-modding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/wildstar-explains-gear-modding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/wildstar-explains-gear-modding/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WildStar goes gear modding in new dev diary
For those who love cracking open a good piece of gear to fiddle and fine-tune the insides, then WildStar is proud to present the so-called Circuit Board Crafting System. A new dev blog over at Carbine Studios explains how gear modding (and later, crafting) will take place on a special CBC interface that breaks down the item into connected components.

Each piece of gear has several slots for microchips and a power budget that is used to limit what can be put into the item. These microchips come in different varieties, from power amplifiers to attribute boosters to special ability chips.

Many, but not all, microchips can be extracted from the gear to put somewhere else or to mod directly. However, the team is preparing a number of random stat and locked microchips that will make creating the perfect item a challenging proposition. The team wants players to have to make "really interesting decisions" in their gear modding, promising more information later on as to how CBC will work with crafting.

MassivelyWildStar explains gear modding originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studioscraftingdev-blogdev-diarygeargear-moddingitem-moddingmodmoddingncsoftprimussandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwsFri, 05 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Art of Wushu: The right stats for each style]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/the-art-of-wushu-the-right-stats-for-each-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/the-art-of-wushu-the-right-stats-for-each-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/the-art-of-wushu-the-right-stats-for-each-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Art of Wushu The right stats for each style
There are a few questions I answer on a very regular basis in Age of Wushu. "How do you make money?" is a pretty common question, but I think we've answered that. "Can you annotate my book?" happens rather frequently, too. However, the most common question I answer is "what stats should I get?"

The answer for this question is anything but simple, and I end up spending hours explaining it to individuals. If I went back through my chat logs, I could probably fill this entire column just by copy-pasting because I've answered this question so many times.

For the first time, this information will be available as a public resource. Instead of spending hours of my time explaining it to people, I can just link it! Even if you think you know what you're doing with your stats, this is a must-read.

Continue reading The Art of Wushu: The right stats for each style

MassivelyThe Art of Wushu: The right stats for each style originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-wulinage-of-wushuart-of-wushuchinachinesechinese-mythologycolumnequipmentfeaturedgeargear-guideguideguideskung-fumartial-artssandboxsnail-gamessnail-games-usastat-guidestatswushuwuxiaWed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Examining the gear of SWTOR 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/hyperspace-beacon-examining-the-gear-of-swtor-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/hyperspace-beacon-examining-the-gear-of-swtor-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/hyperspace-beacon-examining-the-gear-of-swtor-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Examing the gear of SWTOR 20
The developers at BioWare turned a corner when they redesigned the commendation system for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Most players seem to welcome the simplicity and practicality of the new system coming with 2.0. Reducing the number of comms players have to track allows players to focus on playing the game and not on managing currency.

Unfortunately, the gear progression is a bit more like separating M&Ms, making you wonder why there are more yellows than blues and whether there's really a difference between dark brown and light brown. Not to mention that SWTOR proves once again that MMO designers have no idea how to make a decent helmet. PvP gear also has me wondering what returning players are going to think about having to regrind again so soon after a major change with Update 1.6.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Examining the gear of SWTOR 2.0

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Examining the gear of SWTOR 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0armorbiowarechartseaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgearhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionPvEPvPraise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstatsswtortabletablesthe-old-republictorTue, 12 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is loot better with an RNG or token system?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/the-daily-grind-is-loot-better-with-a-rng-or-token-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/the-daily-grind-is-loot-better-with-a-rng-or-token-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/the-daily-grind-is-loot-better-with-a-rng-or-token-system/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind Is loot better with a RNG or token system
Oh the random number generator, how we love to hate thee. And yet you're so very addictive; with the roll of some virtual dice, we could win big-time on any given kill. Sure, you're often very stingy, but that makes the payoff so much more sweet. With MMOs, the house doesn't win if you play long enough -- you do.

Then again, there's the "sure bet" of tokens. Maybe we won't have a shot at uber-loot for every kill, but slowly and surely we can collect enough currency to barter for what we do want. Token systems are the assurance of eventual payouts.

Which do you prefer when it comes to acquiring gear in MMOs -- the random number generator or tokens?

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: Is loot better with an RNG or token system? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindgearlootopinionrandom-number-generatorrngtdgthe-daily-grindtokentoken-systemtokensWed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR consolidates comms
Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel hit the public test server last week, prompting a lot of players to rush to see the latest changes to this Star Wars MMORPG. Unfortunately, the majority of content slated to come out with this expansion has not been released publicly -- namely, the new planet of Makeb. Fortunately, we did get a sneak peek into the new gear progression as well as the Scum and Villainy operation.

Gear progression is a common subject for this column and with good reason. Although there is skill involved when playing SWTOR, gear is the great equalizer. As in many themepark MMOs, a player's gear greatly determines whether or not he can defeat specific instances or bosses. Because of this, how a player earns gear and which gear happens to be the best at any given moment becomes top priority when new content comes out. With an additional five levels being added with Rise of the Hutt Cartel, gear becomes especially important. Let's examine how everything breaks down.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0biowarecommendationsdailieseaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedflashpointsfree-to-playgearguidehyperspace-beaconlucasartsoperationsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorSWTOR-2.0the-old-republictorTue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare tweaking SWTOR commendations in new expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR commendations window
Does your Star Wars: The Old Republic avatar have a bunch of unused Coruscant commendations in his currency window? The upcoming Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion seeks to rectify that by introducing a new commendation system which will bundle all of the previously planet-specific commendations into a single unit.

Darth Hater has some new details on this and other Game Update 2.0 currency tweaks, including new classic commendations which will replace the current Black Hole variant as the default entry-level gear currency.

MassivelyBioWare tweaking SWTOR commendations in new expansion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommendationscurrencyeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playgeargrindlucasartsplanetary-commendationsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-commendationsswtor-gearthe-old-republictorFri, 22 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic opens up test servers for patch 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-test-servers-for-patch-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-test-servers-for-patch-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-opens-up-test-servers-for-patch-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Every time you see someone frothing in the comments, take a shot. Oh, dear, now you have alcohol poisoning.
We've known for a while that the first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be releasing in the spring. Those waiting eagerly for Rise of the Hutt Cartel won't have too much longer to wait, it seems, as the expansion has been put up for testing on the game's public test server. This build includes gear, operations, and flashpoints for characters at the new level cap of 55, as well as the extra abilities and skills you'd expect from an extra five levels.

Notably not included is all of the content from Makeb that would allow players to actually reach level 55, which necessitates the addition of a special NPC to boost player levels and allow corresponding equipment unlocks. Still, if you're looking to take your main characters for a test drive in the post-expansion world, head over to the public test server and start seeing what changes with five more levels under your belt. And even if you'd rather wait for the release, this round of testing means the expansion can't be too far off.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic opens up test servers for patch 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendgame-contentexpansionf2pfree-to-playgearhutt-cartellevel-caplevel-testinglucasartsnew-endgamenewspreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortest-phasetest-servertestingthe-old-republictorWed, 20 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LOTRO's Update 10 revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

LOTRO revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses
Lord of the Rings Online is getting some pretty major itemization updates with Update 10. Specifically, the patch will be affecting the loot in scaling instances and the way set bonuses work.

Bosses in three- and six-player spaces will have a chance to drop equipment, and raids will have equipment hooked up to each boss chest. Challenge modes will now come with a complimentary challenge chest. Moreover, the types of gear you'll find have been massaged a bit: Instance clusters will focus on a handful of gear types, so a DPS character will likely be running different instances than a tank in order to grab the appropriate gear.

Players will be able to mix and match their set bonuses more after the update. Sets will have either stat bonuses or skill modifying effects, in contrast to the recent trend to have sets that do both. Additionally, skill-modifying effects will on the two- and four-set bonuses, giving players more customization options. As a final treat, each class will have access to two new Erebor sets for all three of their trait lines.

MassivelyLOTRO's Update 10 revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgearitemizationlootlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropatchpatchesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-10Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Steam shows player collaborations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/city-of-steam-shows-player-collaborations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/city-of-steam-shows-player-collaborations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/city-of-steam-shows-player-collaborations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

City of Steam shows player collaborations
As part of its pre-launch fundraising efforts, Mechanist Games continues to offer players the chance to design their own in-game item for City of Steam if they kick in $500. It turns out at least four players have done so, and the devs whipped up a new blog post to show the journey from concept to completion for each of these items.

The items include a Darth Vader-style mask with cool steampunk goggles, a "Swiss Army Knife" of one-handed swords, a skull-adorned sword with an engine powering it, and a pair of sleek firearms.

Mechanist Games says that there are plenty of additional player items being designed and implemented. If you're thinking about making a mark on this upcoming game, you might want to move fast: donors will only have access to the design-an-item perk until December 5th.

If you're curious about City of Steam, check out Massively's recent hands-on with the title!

MassivelyCity of Steam shows player collaborations originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacity-of-steamdev-blogdev-diarydev-journalfantasyfundraisergeargoblinitemsmechanistmechanist-gamesplayer-created-itemsplayer-itemssci-fisteampunkweaponsMon, 26 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Gearing up for SWTOR Update 1.5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/hyperspace-beacon-gearing-up-for-swtor-update-1-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/hyperspace-beacon-gearing-up-for-swtor-update-1-5/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/hyperspace-beacon-gearing-up-for-swtor-update-1-5/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Gearing up for SWTOR Update 15
Star Wars: The Old Republic fans have been anticipating this week since the middle of the summer, and many players who dropped the game shortly after launch are looking forward to trying it out again. Veteran players are most likely familiar with how gear progression works in this game, but those returning will probably need a refresher course. After all, BioWare has made some significant changes, especially to PvP, since the game launched. It's quite understandable if you return to the game and are completely lost when considering how viable your current gear is.

Today, I'm going to speak to the returning players and help them put their gear to rights once Update 1.5 launches. If you are a solo PvEer who hasn't looked too hard at endgame gear progression, a PvPer who hasn't looked at the PvE side much, or a raider who wants to dabble in PvP, this mini-guide will help you get started and will give you the gear-progression goals you should shoot for.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Gearing up for SWTOR Update 1.5

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Gearing up for SWTOR Update 1.5 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassic-mmoeaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgalaxiesgame-updategeargear-progressionhyperspace-beaconlucasartsNGEnovember-15opinionpatchPvEPvPsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.5Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you sick of gear resets?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/the-daily-grind-are-you-sick-of-gear-resets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/the-daily-grind-are-you-sick-of-gear-resets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/the-daily-grind-are-you-sick-of-gear-resets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

RIFT
Earlier this week, Massively RIFT columnist Karen Bryan expressed frustration over the seemingly inevitable MMO expansion problem: gear resets. We expect new gear along with our new content, but a complete gear reset, she argued, "renders all previous raid content irrelevant." Everything you earned before an expansion may as well never have happened because you can top that gear with a new crop of easymode quests. And the realization that a gear-grind is mostly for naught can have a ripple effect on a game as disillusioned players give up on acquiring it (or bail out of the game completely).

The Daily Grind crew has discussed gear resets in relation to raid progression before, but even games without raiding face this problem. If a game has any kind of scaling gear or levels, then the addition of new content, like an expansion, is bound to generate growing pains. So where do you stand? Are you sick of gear resets, of having to effectively start over at the dawn of every expansion? Or do you see gear resets as a good thing, as a way to bridge the gear divide between players and re-experience what you loved about the game originally?

And since you're going to tell us anyway, here's a bonus question: Which MMOs have successfully avoided this problem and how?

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 sick of gear resets? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindexpansionexpansionsgeargear-resetgear-resetskaren-bryanopinionprogressiontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 12 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT is breaking down faction walls and normalizing PvP in 1.10]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/rift-breaking-down-faction-walls-and-normalizing-pvp-in-1-10/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/rift-breaking-down-faction-walls-and-normalizing-pvp-in-1-10/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/15/rift-breaking-down-faction-walls-and-normalizing-pvp-in-1-10/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT breaking down faction walls in 110, normalizing PvP
"In 1.10, change is happening in a big way," RIFT CM James Nichols proclaimed on the forums. He then went on to announce that RIFT's two competing factions, the Guardians and the Defiant, will start to make steps toward unification in the final pre-expansion update. According to Nichols, while the two factions will remain philosophically opposed, they recognize the greater threat to the world and are coming together.

For players, this means that there will be a lot more inter-faction communication and interaction. To start with, both factions will be able to join together for public groups, trading, the dungeon finder, raids, instant adventure, and weddings. The team also has plans to open up chat channels, quest sharing, guilds, friends list, and more between the two sides. There will be exceptions to some of these features on PvP servers, however.

RIFT is also preparing to implement PvP normalization, which means that all players competing in PvP will do so with the same stats and no benefits from gear. Trion Worlds promises that there will still be "meaningful PvP progression" but that this should put the emphasis on skill rather than gear.

[Thanks to Warbs and Marc for the tip!]

MassivelyRIFT is breaking down faction walls and normalizing PvP in 1.10 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.10conquestcross-factioncross-faction-communicationcross-faction-dungeon-runscross-faction-raidingcross-faction-raidscross-faction-weddingsdefiantelrarfactionfaction-unificationfactionsfantasygearguardianguardiansjames-nicholspatch-1.10pvppvp-normalizationriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrstatsthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsunificationunifying-factionsWed, 15 Aug 2012 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR devs answer community's PvP-related questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/swtor-devs-answer-community-pvp-related-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/swtor-devs-answer-community-pvp-related-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/swtor-devs-answer-community-pvp-related-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR devs answer community PvPrelated questions
The Star Wars: The Old Republic community team was understandably late getting to the Community Q&A last Friday, but it certainly delivered today.

As usual for the SWTOR players, PvP topped the list of concerns. For one, why don't cooldowns reset after death in a warzone? BioWare's new favorite son, Senior Designer Austin Peckenpaugh, explained, "The decision of 'going all out' should be a strategic and tactical one rather than a no-brainer that you squeeze in before each death." To a seasoned player, that makes sense; you don't want what we old-school PvPers call "suicide bombers."

Number-crunching theorycrafters deduced that some classes are better off carrying PvP relics than PvE relics. A new voice spoke up to answer this concern. "In the long run our intent is to make sure PvP gear is never competitive in end-game PvE situations," replied Senior Game Balance Designer Jason Attard. But for now, he explained that, "in theory the active abilities on the PvE relics do not provide quite as much sustained damage-per-second as a passive relic at the same item level." Take that as you will.

The BioWare community team has consistently been able to snag the appropriate designers to answer the top player questions. If you have a burning question that you'd like to have answered this week, stop by the official SWTOR forums.

MassivelySWTOR devs answer community's PvP-related questions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Austin-PeckenpaughBioWarecommunity-q-and-aEAElectronic-ArtsGame-MechanicsgearJason-AttardLucasArtsPvEPvPStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republictheorycraftingTORMon, 23 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/the-repopulation-lets-players-customize-outfits-to-their-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Repopulation
As The Repopulation is free from conventional MMO leveling and hews to skill-based progression instead, dealing with player gear is substantially more difficult than it would be otherwise. The team posted a five-minute dev video explaining how items, repair, and what it calls "fittings" work in the game.

The long and the short of The Repopulation's gear system is that players will be able to pick the outfit (or "shells") that they like the best visually and then equip the stats they want on it. This is done through fittings, which is similar to socket systems found in other MMOs.

As outfits take damage, the conditions of the fittings can and do degrade, reducing the stats associated with it. If it gets too bad, the fittings will either need to be repaired or replaced.

You can check out The Repopulation's gear system after the break. The team is currently accepting signups for June's alpha testing.

[Thanks to Halldorr and J.C. for the tip!]

Continue reading The Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content

MassivelyThe Repopulation lets players customize outfits to their hearts' content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiescustomizable-gearcustomizedev-blogdev-diarydev-videofittingfitting-systemfittingsgeargear-progressionitemitemsoutfitoutfit-systemrepairrepopulationsandboxsci-fishellsocketsocket-systemthe-repopulationvideoWed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: To say nothing of cute shoes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

During PAX East, I roleplayed a drunk man. It's a role I'm apparently quite good at.
Just as in real life, player characters in MMOs have more than one set of clothing for different situations. Sure, I don't divide my actual clothes up in usual MMO categories ("well, those are my PvP pants"), but I have things I wear around the house that I wouldn't wear out in public or when attending a funeral, for instance. But even that doesn't compare to a high-level roleplaying character, who has not only PvP gear and PvE gear and solo gear tand the like but also funeral gear and casual gear and so forth. It's all the joy of assembling a real wardrobe alongside the joy of stat comparisons.

Roleplaying outfits are universally important. Even if your character is in a game without visible gear (such as City of Heroes), you probably have different outfits for different circumstances (civilian clothes, for instance). But there's an art to putting together a good roleplaying ensemble, and it's not just as simple as equipping the same equipment you wore 10 levels ago and calling it a day. You want to create a distinct impression, and that takes a little more doing. So how do you assemble a good roleplaying outfit?

Continue reading Storyboard: To say nothing of cute shoes

MassivelyStoryboard: To say nothing of cute shoes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearanceequipmentfeaturedgearopinionoutfitsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT details upcoming Expert Mode dungeon changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- RIFT
RIFT's patch 1.7: Carnival of the Ascended is bringing with it some pretty neat things, such as in-game marriage, PvP improvements, and the eponymous Carnival of the Ascended. But long-time, high-level players are probably most curious about the changes coming to Expert Mode dungeons. Tier 1 and tier 2 Expert Mode dungeons are merging into a single Expert tier.

What this means is that all players with tier 1 gear will keep that gear (which will be improved by item changes being introduced in the patch), but it will never drop again. The upgraded versions of tier 1 gear will drop in its stead. Previous tier 1 dungeons have had their difficulty increased to be more on par with tier 2 dungeons, and Trion Worlds has also "turned the dials up a bit higher on some encounters to keep things interesting with your flashy new gear."

For the full details on all of the changes coming to the Expert Mode system and the endgame gear system, just click on through the link below to the RIFT official site.

MassivelyRIFT details upcoming Expert Mode dungeon changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7Carnival-of-the-Ascendedexpert-modeexpert-mode-dungeonsgeargear-overhaulitemizationlootoverhaulpatchpatch-1.7patchesplanes-of-telarariftrift-planes-of-telaratier-1tier-2triontrion-worldsFri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
They're big! They're bad! They're da boss(es)! And they've got your loot!

That's right: Lurking about all corners of Aion, powerful monsters beckon (lure?) Daevas with promises of tantalizing loot and illustrious glory. Who doesn't like the rush of downing a powerful foe or nabbing a coveted item?

Previous tours of Heiron and Inggison scouted out said monsters and offered some tips as to who was worth fighting and who should be avoided when hunting alone. Those lands focused on higher-level players. However, with double XP weekends throughout January, there will undoubtedly be an influx of players in the lower levels. What better time to take stock of the bosses available to this crowd?

This week, Wings Over Atreia takes a tour of Eltnen to expose the available bosses to treasure-hungry Daevas. Be warned, though: The opportunity to take on these behemoths may be short-lived during a time of double XP, especially when combined with mentoring. So before you move on to bigger, brighter lands, take a moment to stop and smell the roses -- or kill the bosses, as it were.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamebossesdropsErucas-TemplefeaturedgearguideKaiden-Headquarterskaiden-mineKHQLepharist-Citadellootnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionWings-Over-Atreiaworld-bossworld-bossesWorldBossesMon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE tweaking EQII's dungeon finder mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/soe-tweaking-eqiis-dungeon-finder-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/soe-tweaking-eqiis-dungeon-finder-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/soe-tweaking-eqiis-dungeon-finder-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Barren Sky dungeon
Once upon a time, EverQuest II's dungeon finder was a hot-button issue. Some players wanted it, others predicted the doom of grouping, the game, and life as we know it if the feature got implemented. Fast forward a few months and now the dungeon finder is hardly used aside from guildless mid-level players looking for a quick PUG crawl.

Sony Online Entertainment has announced a couple of tweaks designed to incentivize the mechanic, and EQ2Wire has the relevant developer quotes as well as a bit of commentary on the process. In a nutshell, SOE is adding contested dungeons and daily rewards into the mix. While this may result in a temporary upswing in dungeon finder interest, it doesn't address the primary reason veteran and high-level players shun the mechanic. The system still won't take player gear into account when forming parties, so it is therefore quite useless when gear-dependent content -- like any of the dungeons from the Destiny of Velious expansion -- is the goal.

MassivelySOE tweaking EQII's dungeon finder mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destiny-of-veliousdungeondungeon-finderdungeonseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playgated-contentgeargear-grindpuggingpugssoeSony-Online-EntertainmentMon, 02 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on impressions of The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Scary monster dude in The Secret World
Last month, Funcom held a special hands-on event for The Secret World at its Montreal, Canada offices, where we sent freelancer François Blondin to cover all the exciting details. François also got to play the game for several hours, giving us a fresh perspective on what TSW has to offer MMO gamers.

In Funcom's upcoming The Secret World, the game's three factions -- Templars, Illuminati and Dragons -- face off, compete, and collaborate (all at the same time!) amidst the nightmarish creatures being revealed throughout the world. But choose your allegiance carefully: Your faction determines your path and special bonuses for the whole game, and faction-switching won't be an option. Join me for a hands-on look at the game's current incarnation!

Gallery: The Secret World

Continue reading Hands-on impressions of The Secret World

MassivelyHands-on impressions of The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorcash-shopchakrascollisioncombatcraftingdemodouble-dippingdragonsequipmentexclusivefactionsfeaturedfuncomgearhands-onhiveilluminatiimpressionsjoel-bylosmartin-bruusgaardmontrealpreviewpvepvpquestingquestsRagnar-Tornquistskill-basedskillsstatssubscriptiontemplarsthe-hivethe-secret-worldthree-queststswweaponswheel-of-skillsMon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Angels Online gets new expansion, new equipment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/angels-online-gets-new-expansion-new-equipment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/angels-online-gets-new-expansion-new-equipment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/angels-online-gets-new-expansion-new-equipment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Angels Online - 2D anime gameplay screenshot
Angels Online's newest expansion is trading the dangerous jungles of primordial paradise for the heat of an Egyptian-style desert. Pharaoh's Lost Treasure is set in and around the city of Basil, and the expansion features new weapons and armor with "some of the best stats the game has to offer."

According to a new IGG press release, Angels Online's dev team spent a lot of time getting the look of the new expansion armor sets just right. For Mages, new purple robes offer both offensive and defensive bonuses. Light armor wearers will appreciate new bone designs that offer protection without restricting movement. Plate wearers aren't left out either, as they can acquire new sets that combine "rich culture, style, and durability." Head to the Angels Online website to learn more and to download the game.

[Source: IGG press release]

MassivelyAngels Online gets new expansion, new equipment originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angels-onlinearmorexpansionexpansionsf2pfree-to-playgeariggnew-gearpharaohs-lost-treasurepress-releaseweaponsMon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/captains-log-every-day-i-m-tribbleing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot - Star Trek Online
Captain's Log, Stardate 65322.9...

Hello, computer (and players)! For the past several weeks, Star Trek Online players have been checking out the latest F2P beta builds on the Tribble test server. While there have been a few patches on other days, more for stability fixes and minor tweaking, Thursdays seem to be the designated day for us to receive the largest pushes of new content. The latest round of updates has brought further economy changes, new events and ships, and even more heated debates. Since we seem to be a ways out from the seeing the updates ported to the Holodeck live server, there is still plenty of time to check it all out and provide your feedback to the devs.

I would like to dedicate this entry to those who are helping test the changes. This week's Captain's Log serves as a checklist of sorts on what new content you can test and where you can provide feedback about it. As you read through, I suggest that you read a particular section, jump into game to check out the particular change, formulate an opinion, and head to the linked forum where you can leave your feedback. No matter what you think, it's important to let the devs know -- they will make changes based upon a collective opinion.

Ensign, warp 10! It's time to create our own party rock anthem...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Every day I'm tribbleing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilityc-storeconsolecraftingcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdaily-eventdevdev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarydevsdilithiumdoffduty-officerduty-officer-systemevent-calendarf2pfeature-testingfeaturedfeedbackforumforumsfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsgeargozerhereticklingon-academylivestreamloglore-missionspatchespath-to-f2pperfect-world-entertainmentpowerpwesci-fishipsspecial-task-forcespecial-task-force-missionsspecial-testingstst-onlinestar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestarfleet-academystephen-dangelostfstf-updatesstostormshadetest-servertrek-onlineuiui-tweakupdatesThu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Age of Camelot gears up its newbies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dark-age-of-camelot-gears-up-its-newbies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dark-age-of-camelot-gears-up-its-newbies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/dark-age-of-camelot-gears-up-its-newbies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

DAoC
As part of Mythic's continued efforts to introduce a "New User Journey" experience that's friendly to Dark Age of Camelot beginners, the studio has turned its attention to the ever-crucial subject of gear. In a new dev diary by DJ Frazier, the dev spells out the problem: "For a new player who wanders into battlegrounds, especially ones like Thidranki or Molvik, they will often find themselves losing almost every fight they encounter, simply because they are playing against people who have had a chance to outfit themselves out in the best equipment they can find for their level range."

Because the team fears that this armor disparity proves to be a dealbreaker for many newbies, the devs are retuning the gear that players get during their leveling up process to be more durable and competitive on the battlefield.

The two main paths of leveling -- PvE questing and RvR battlegrounds -- will both offer solid picks of gear when patch 1.110 hits. Players who risk the battlegrounds will find themselves in possession of top-notch weapons and armor, whereas those who choose to quest will find themselves "90% of the way there" with their gear. Hopefully, these changes will create an environment that's much more welcoming to newcomers to DAoC.

MassivelyDark Age of Camelot gears up its newbies originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorbattlegroundsbeginnersdaocdark-age-of-camelotdev-diaryDJ-Frazierea-mythicgearmythicnew-user-journeynewbiesnoobspvepvprvrweaponsThu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GodsWar Online takes the battle to a whole new level]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/godswar-online-takes-the-battle-to-a-whole-new-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/godswar-online-takes-the-battle-to-a-whole-new-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/godswar-online-takes-the-battle-to-a-whole-new-level/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GodsWar Online
GodsWar Online is on the verge of another major content update, and it's never our wish at Massively that players be caught unaware, just in case you want to plan ahead and move laundry night to a different day or something.

The Grecian title will be throwing a gob -- which is made up of 10 goblets -- of additional features and content our way, including a level cap increase and a new storyline for players to enjoy. As the conflict between the three factions rises to an even higher level, elite warriors will be glad to get their hands on Class Suit III gear, not to mention to be able to upgrade said gear with collected medals.

GodsWar will be tweaking Wonderland somewhat, particularly in regard to tougher BOSS fights (although there will be new weaknesses that players can exploit). The update will also allow you to swap out your character's gender for a modest fee, just in case you choose poorly in the beginning or are discontented with your current anatomical features.

[Source: IGG press release]

MassivelyGodsWar Online takes the battle to a whole new level originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bossclass-suit-iiicontentcontent-patchcontent-updatef2pfree-to-playgeargendergender-swapgenderbendergodswargodswar-onlineigglevel-caplevel-cap-increasepatchswitch-genderwonderlandFri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic: Wrath of Heroes gets rid of 'all the boring crap' of WAR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/mythic-wrath-of-heroes-gets-rid-of-all-the-boring-crap-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/mythic-wrath-of-heroes-gets-rid-of-all-the-boring-crap-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/mythic-wrath-of-heroes-gets-rid-of-all-the-boring-crap-of-war/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wrath of Heroes
Mythic is taking an interesting approach in promoting its new MOBA, Warhammer Online Wrath of Heroes -- it's throwing Warhammer Online under the bus. At the Wrath of Heroes reveal panel at PAX, the Mythic team talked up its new project as something that Heroes' parent game is not.

The team found that people liked WAR but couldn't justify investing in it, so Mythic wanted to create an experience for them. The team took what it saw as one the more popular aspects of WAR -- the scenarios -- and modified them to pit three teams (six on each) against each other for quick, 15-minute gameplay sessions. On death, you can choose any hero in your arsenal so you can adjust to whatever your team needs.

This game format allowed the team to strip away the parts of the game it saw as unnecessary. "We went, you know what? If you play the MMO, we give you all this cool equipment on your adventure, and it's a neat thing to do, but let's just get rid of the boring crap and give people cool [stuff] to wear," Paul Barnett said.

Citing the accumulation of multiple -- and sometimes quite situational -- skills over the course of "748,000 hours of grinding," Barnett said that his team got rid of this approach by focusing on only five skills per hero in Wrath of Heroes. He thinks that the small incremental progress of skills and skill effects in Warhammer Online is "dull" and instead extolls Wrath of Heroes for picking the best skills, effects and armor so that players don't have to worry about getting all of them.

You can watch the full reveal panel of Wrath of Heroes after the jump.

[Thanks to Joris for the tip!]

Continue reading Mythic: Wrath of Heroes gets rid of 'all the boring crap' of WAR

MassivelyMythic: Wrath of Heroes gets rid of 'all the boring crap' of WAR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6v6v6bioware-mythiccarrie-gouskosdark-age-of-camelotdeveloper-panelea-mythicf2pfree-to-playgamespotgearmobamythicmythic-entertainmentpaul-barnettpaxpax-prime-2011reveal-panelthrow-under-the-buswarwarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-wrath-of-heroeswrath-of-heroesTue, 06 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Finally 50]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/enter-at-your-own-rift-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/enter-at-your-own-rift-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/enter-at-your-own-rift-finally-50/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT statue
As an MMO player, I'm generally behind the curve when it comes to leveling and cutting-edge content exploration. Pushing myself to level quickly is far less fun to me than taking my time and exploring all the nooks and crannies, and my available playtime is far less than it used to be. Ergo, while many of have been at the level cap for months and are either elite PvPers or Raiders of the Lost Hammerknell, I've just hit 50 this past week for the first time in RIFT.

In a way, being behind the curve is a blessing because others have gone before you and forged a path so that coming from behind is much easier. That said, I still felt overwhelmed when the final ding happened because my previously clear goals evaporated in a second. What do I do now? How do I gear up? What does one do at level 50, anyway?

Fortunately, I'm part of a guild that's full of seasoned 50s, not to mention that I'm friends with plenty of bloggers who were 50 when I was still in diapers. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Ahem. So for this week's Enter at Your Own Rift, I posited them this question: What do you and should you do when you hit 50 in the game? They came back to me with excellent responses that I'm now going to share with you.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR IMMINENT KNOWLEDGE!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Finally 50

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Finally 50 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-tzronkowskicraftingdrowned-hallsenter-at-your-wn-riftepic-slantexpert-dungeonsexpert-riftfactionfeaturedferrelgeargearing-upgreenscales-blightlfglfg-toolmmo-reporternikaylaraid-riftreputationriftrunecrafterthe-fluff-factorthe-mmo-reportertier-1tier-2triontrion-worldswarfrontwarfrontsWed, 31 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online enchants, crafts, enhances and reshapes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-enchants-crafts-enhances-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-enchants-crafts-enhances-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-enchants-crafts-enhances-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Luvinia Online
On the last exciting episode of Luvinia Online Exposé, Outspark shared with us some of the design plans and interesting mechanics behind its gear system for this upcoming title. Today, it's all about enchanting -- the interesting art of taking something and pimping the heck out of it -- and other cool ways to customize the items in your inventory.

So what does Luvinia's system for gear upgrades look like, and how can players best utilize these features to fine-tune their characters' potential? We'll let the devs at Outspark answer this for themselves:

You gotta have options

Last time we talked a little bit about some ways to make what you've got even better with energy stones. While the energy stones are temporary and add quite a bit of personalized bang for the buck, there are also a few ways to permanently update your gear to better suit your role. The two big ones we'll cover are enchanting and card placement, but there are a few other tricks in game to help you too.

Continue reading Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online enchants, crafts, enhances and reshapes

MassivelyMassively exclusive: Luvinia Online enchants, crafts, enhances and reshapes originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingdev-diaryenchantenchantingenhanceenhancementexclusivegatheringgearluvinialuvinia-onlineoutsparkprofessionsreshapereshaping-systemSat, 27 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape spices up minigames with better rewards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/runescape-spices-up-minigames-with-better-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/runescape-spices-up-minigames-with-better-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/runescape-spices-up-minigames-with-better-rewards/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RuneScape
RuneScape, the under-the-radar MMO that keeps drawing in the crowds in mind-boggling numbers, wants everyone to enjoy the title's many minigames. While they're fun for their own sake, we're not going to sneeze at the prospect of getting a shiny trinket or two while we play -- and RuneScape has quite a few new shinies on tap for dedicated minigamers.

Jagex has added a "veritable bounty" of top-notch rewards for minigames, although these are only attainable by high-level players. These include five new sets of gear that can help boost one's skill focus (such as Runecrafting or Thieving), a cute and not-so-cuddly TzRek-Jad pet, new lunar spells, gear customization items, and more. For an infernal doggy, there's very little we wouldn't do, so we'll bet these rewards will be popular motivators.

RuneScape boasts an impressive 10 minigames, including Castle Wars, Pest Control, and the TzHaar Fight Pits.

MassivelyRuneScape spices up minigames with better rewards originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-warsf2pfree-to-playgearjagexlunar-magiclunar-spellsminigameminigamespatchpest-controlpetrewardsrunecraftingrunescapethievingTzHaar-Fight-PitsTzRek-JadFri, 26 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What is player skill, anyway?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/the-daily-grind-what-is-player-skill-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/the-daily-grind-what-is-player-skill-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/the-daily-grind-what-is-player-skill-anyway/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Guild Wars 2
Today it's time to tackle the somewhat touchy subject of player skill in MMORPGs. With Guild Wars 2 touting its active dodging system and TERA just on the horizon with its action-based combat, many games seem to be attempting to force individual player skill to weigh more heavily in overall gameplay. Guild Wars 2's PvP takes it a step further, putting all players on an even playing field with equal gear and equal stats, leaving the only undecided factor to be the skill of each individual player.

But what is player skill? Some people argue that twitch-based gameplay (such as GW2's dodging or TERA's movement and aiming system) isn't skill but rather is a matter of reflexes. Some argue that regardless of gear or character stats, a truly skilled player will always come out on top. Some argue that skill is a matter of knowledge -- knowing your class and the class of your opponent.

So today we ask you, what is player skill? Is it the ability to aim a shot in such a way that you lead a player across the map and nail him in the head? Is it knowing to save your cooldowns for when a particular class lands a nasty CC ability on you? Does gear play a part, or does it simply impede a truly balanced experience? Perhaps it's some combination of the above. What does player skill mean to you?

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 is player skill, anyway? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-combatdodginggeargw2player-skillskilltdgterathe-daily-grindtwitchtwitch-basedtwitch-based-gameplaytwitch-combatwhat-is-skillWed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/massively-exclusive-luvinia-online-equipment-education/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Luvinia Online
Gear in MMOs isn't just about making a fashion statement; it's often the difference between life and death, success and failure, envy and pity. So it is with Luvinia Online, as gear will be a primary focus of any adventurer who doesn't want his lifespan to be measured in minutes.

Outspark has been gracious enough to treat us to a comprehensive introduction to how gear works in Luvinia. On top of the expected stats and rarity values, Luvinia has a few interesting ideas about how to modify gear and trade it between characters.

Luvinia Online finished closed beta last month, but is heading for open beta fairly soon. Hit the jump to start your edumacation in the fine art of equipment, courtesy of the development team at Outspark.

Continue reading Massively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education

MassivelyMassively exclusive: Luvinia Online equipment education originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabound-to-characterbuffsclosed-betaenergy-stonesequipmentfreezinggearluvinialuvinia-onlineopen-betaoutsparkplayer-trade-systempvpraritystatstradingunbinding-stonesFri, 12 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Universe update adds progression system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/lego-universe-update-adds-progression-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

LEGO Universe has the creative aspects of MMOs and online gaming down pat. After all, we're talking LEGOs (edit: LEGO BRICKS OMG, LEGO BRICKS) here, and if there's one word that's synonymous with the long-running Danish toy line, that word is build.

What's there to do in LEGO Universe when your creativity runs dry, though? Thanks to the game's latest content update, traditional MMO character-building is now a viable option. Player minifigures may progress through 40 levels of content, unlocking points, achievements, and equipment along the way.

That's not all, as the latest LEGO Universe patch also features four new faction kits (Specialized Adventurer, Shinobi, Inventor, and Space Ranger), each of them aligned with one of the game's four Nexus Force factions and each offering players the opportunity to rank up and explore "new gear, powers, and abilities." Last but not least, the new LEGO Universe update brings a new instance challenge in the form of the Avant Gardens, and a big nasty known as the Spider Queen awaits players who are creative enough to make it through to the final battle.

MassivelyLEGO Universe update adds progression system originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avant-gardensbuildingcreativityequipmentf2pfamilyfree-to-playgame-updategeargrindinventorkidslegolego-universelegoslevel-upleveling-systemlevelsminifigure-levelspatchpress-releaseprogressionshinobispace-rangerspecialized-adventurerspider-queenMon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New LotRO dev diary outlines future itemization improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/new-lotro-dev-diary-outlines-future-itemization-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/new-lotro-dev-diary-outlines-future-itemization-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/new-lotro-dev-diary-outlines-future-itemization-improvements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Some days we feel like Paul Revere, riding our 120% mounts through towns and shouting announcements like "Rise of Isengard is coming! Rise of Isengard is coming!" It's OK, people probably prefer to get their news shouted at them by cyber equestrian newsies than any other method, right? And in the case of Lord of the Rings Online's latest expansion, it's good we do so, because a whole host of itemization improvements is coming to the game.

In a new dev diary, the LotRO systems team lays out the path for itemization improvements, including where we've been in the game and where we're going with gear. Two of the biggest concerns that the team identified to fix were minute increments between gear upgrades and the inability to predict what combination of equipment players would use to hit the stat caps. Therefore, the caps will be removed and players should see more substantial gear upgrades with the expansion.

The diary goes on to share how different segments of the player community will be able to access top-of-the-line gear in the future, including solo players, crafters, casual groupers, and raiders. Other interesting tidbits include desirable yellow gear, gear dropping in instance chests, and the addition of a non-gating stat called Finesse.

MassivelyNew LotRO dev diary outlines future itemization improvements originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyber-equestrian-newsiesdev-diarydropfinessegearisengarditemizationlootlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-systems-teamrise-of-isengardroisystems-teamturbineturbine-entertainmentyellow-itemsThu, 28 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Anything worth having is worth a little pain]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/one-shots-anything-worth-having-is-worth-a-little-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/one-shots-anything-worth-having-is-worth-a-little-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/one-shots-anything-worth-having-is-worth-a-little-pain/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today's One Shots submission comes from Ryan, who picked up some new armor in Guild Wars recently. It took a little more than just running to the nearest armor vendor to acquire it, though:
Here's my Guild Wars Necromancer in her Elite Canthan armor set and facial scar pattern. Any experienced GW player can tell you there is but one way to have this armor crafted: You have to go through Shiro to get it! And pay a pretty penny, of course, but it is totally worth it. Oh, and if any of you were wondering, yes, that is a Gorgon head in her left hand!
We're approaching the end of gear week, so if you've got some great armor or weapons to show off, send them in soon! We're also preparing for next week, which is pet week on One Shots. Have you got a great pet companion in your MMO of choice? Send it to oneshots@massively.com, tell us a little about what the game is, the pet, and how you acquired it, and we'll feature it here on One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Anything worth having is worth a little pain originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetgalleriesgallerygeargear-weekguild-warsgwncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsThu, 30 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Welcome to gear week!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/one-shots-welcome-to-gear-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/one-shots-welcome-to-gear-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/one-shots-welcome-to-gear-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week's theme on One Shots is gear. If you can wear it or wield it, we're showing it off this week. Adam kicks off the theme with an image from Aion:
This is my Spiritmaster showing off one of Aion's PvP armor sets. The amount of detail in the game's equipment is staggering, even moreso after the graphical upgrades in 2.5! Besides, how many games let you wear a Vega/Jack-of-Blades-style mask? I plan to reskin this set onto subsequent PvP outfits for a long, long time.
Ready to show off your gear? Send a screenshot of your favorite items to oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a paragraph or two telling us what your items are and how you got them!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Welcome to gear week! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiongalleriesgallerygearncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsMon, 27 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Empires Online dev diary is all about the goods]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/age-of-empires-online-dev-diary-is-all-about-the-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/age-of-empires-online-dev-diary-is-all-about-the-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/age-of-empires-online-dev-diary-is-all-about-the-goods/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Using tongue-in-cheek stick puppets, the folks at Age of Empires Online have emerged to give us a quick overview of the gear system in a new dev diary. Yes, even empire-building titles rely on good ol' fashioned MMO gear to equip armies.

Once attached to an army, gear changes the appearance and stats of your troops. The more rare the gear, the tougher they become. Gear can be found, purchased, and crafted as you may expect. You have to purchase the civilization with real-world money in order to be able to equip the very best items, however.

And if you're curious about Age of Empires Online's pricing structure, ShackNews has the full skinny. Some of the purchases are merely cosmetic, although it looks like there's bad news for those looking to avoid a "pay to win" scenario: "Unfortunately, Microsoft's approach to monetising Age of Empires Online seems to be one of placing non-paying players at a significant disadvantage."

Age of Empires Online is slated for an August 16th launch. You can watch the dev diary on gear for a chuckle or two after the jump!

Continue reading Age of Empires Online dev diary is all about the goods

MassivelyAge of Empires Online dev diary is all about the goods originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game Update 60: The Children of War went live last week, and with it came a plethora of new content and some big changes to the game. Rallos Zek has begun preparations for his march on the Western Wastes, and Drunder is the new front line for the impending war. There are new heroic instances, new raid content, and even a new battleground scenario. In addition, there were some itemization changes, new battleground gear, and adjustments to the adornment interface.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at a few of the highlights from EverQuest II's latest update.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundsChildren-of-wardestiny-of-veliousdrundereq2eqiiEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedgearratongatattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookveliouszekMon, 06 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST