Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gen Con 2010: Massively's interview with Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/gen-con-2010-massivelys-interview-with-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/gen-con-2010-massivelys-interview-with-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/gen-con-2010-massivelys-interview-with-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wizard101, the free-to-play game from Kingsisle, has been gaining a bit more attention lately. The announcement of the upcoming Celestia expansion turned a few heads with its promise of a new level cap, a pet system, and new content, and as the release date approaches, the Kingsisle team has plenty to say about the game.

We had the opportunity to chat with the developers last week at Gen Con, and if you're curious as to what the fuss is all about, you're in luck. We discussed the the game's past, present and future, and gained a great overview of what Kingsisle hopes to accomplish in the coming months.

Follow along after the jump to see what we discussed!

Continue reading Gen Con 2010: Massively's interview with Wizard101

MassivelyGen Con 2010: Massively's interview with Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively was at Gen Con 2009 yesterday in Indianapolis, Indiana, and while most of the (gigantic) convention was involved with more traditional types of gaming, from dice and board games to collectible card games and RPGs, MMOs made their own splash in the "e-gaming" area. Sony Online Entertainment probably had the biggest presence -- in among huge posters of Free Realms and Star Wars Galaxies, they had demos running of all of their current games (though we didn't see any previews of DCUO or The Agency running). A costumed model posed for pictures in front of a large Legends of Norrath poster, while over in the CCG area, SOE held tournaments of the game for players.

Gallery: MMOs at Gen Con 2009

Continue reading Gen Con 2009: MMOs in the E-gaming area

MassivelyGen Con 2009: MMOs in the E-gaming area originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlineconventionsdcuoeventsfansfree-realmsfungalleriesgamesgaminggen-congen-con-2009gen-con-indygen-con-indy-2009legends-of-norrathpen-and-paperrpgsoestar-wars-galaxiesthe-agencySun, 16 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Legends of Norrath championship qualifiers start 16th of May]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/legends-of-norrath-championship-qualifiers-start-16th-of-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/legends-of-norrath-championship-qualifiers-start-16th-of-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/legends-of-norrath-championship-qualifiers-start-16th-of-may/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you're a hotshot Legends of Norrath player and want to get into the 2009 World Championship Tournament at Gen Con Indy in August, clear your schedule for this coming weekend. The first of the Championship Qualifiers will begin on Saturday the 16th of May, and if you're in the top 16 players of the day, you'll be playing on Sunday as well. Both first and second place will take home some cash, and travel and accommodation for Gen Con Indy so that they can compete in the World Championship.

Of course, if the cards don't line up for you this weekend, there will be other opportunities to win your championship spot over the next few months:

Legends of Norrath 2009 World Championship Qualifier Tournaments

Dates:

  • Scheduled for May 16-17, 2009
  • Scheduled for June 6-7, 2009
  • Scheduled for June 20-21, 2009
  • Scheduled for August 1-2, 2009
There will even be a few spots to be won at the actual Gen Con Indy event for a handful of lucky late entrants. The eventual World Championship tournament boasts US$10,000 and US$5,000 first and second prizes, and the winners' likenesses will be put on new cards. Full entry details for this weekend's contest can be found here. We'll keep you posted on further qualifier news as it comes up.

MassivelyLegends of Norrath championship qualifiers start 16th of May originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championship-qualifierchampionship-tournamenteqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iigen-congen-con-indygen-con-indy-2009legends-of-norrathlonsoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 12 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Star Trek Online interview about time travel and travel time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/a-star-trek-online-interview-about-time-travel-and-travel-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/a-star-trek-online-interview-about-time-travel-and-travel-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/a-star-trek-online-interview-about-time-travel-and-travel-time/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've said before that the main source of information on Star Trek Online at this point is hints and implications peppered through interviews with Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert. The latest of those interviews is lighter on details than were previous conversations, but it's still worth a read.

Speaking to Ten Ton Hammer at Gen Con, Emmert started out vaguely answering questions about character customization. Nothing new there. But it got a bit more interesting when he used time travel as an example of something pivotal to the franchise, but that's made difficult to implement by technological and budgetary limitations. He spoke as if he'd already given a great deal of thought to it; perhaps that's a clue that despite the problems, time travel is something Cryptic intends to put in the game.

Other topics included the uniqueness of Star Trek ship design, instancing, procedurally-generated areas for exploration, and travel time.

MassivelyA Star Trek Online interview about time travel and travel time originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryptic-studiosexplorationgen-congen-con-08gen-con-2008gen-con-indygencongencon-2008instancinginterviewjack-emmertshipsstar-trekstar-trek-onlineten-ton-hammertime-traveltravel-timeWed, 27 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for AC, Part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-ac-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-ac-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-ac-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Given that the game has been around for so long, do you see this addition of modern MMO features as something that the player base is really clamoring for, or are you sort of scaling that against what other games have right now?

Really, it's what the players are asking for. That's one of the things we pride ourselves on: listening to the players. Feedback and player concerns are very important to us.

Continue reading Gen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for AC, Part 2

MassivelyGen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for AC, Part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100th-patch100th-updateacaiandy-cataldoartificial-intelligenceasherons-callcommunity-managerexpansionfactionsgen-congen-con-2008gen-con-indygencongencon-2008gencon-indyindianapolisinterviewpatchpvpquest-trackingquestssocietiesturbineupdateTue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for Asheron's Call]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-asherons-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-asherons-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/gen-con-08-turbine-tells-us-whats-in-store-for-asherons-call/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At Gen Con, we spoke with Turbine's Andy Cataldo, the Community Manager for Asheron's Call, about the future of this historic game. Cataldo told us a lot about AC's epic 100th update. The update is coming within the next few weeks, and it's a doozy. According to Cataldo, AC players will get a whole new faction system, three land areas to battle over, tons of new loot and spells, and various other improvements to the game, particularly to enemy AI.

In addition to working its regular monthly event and patch schedule, Turbine is attempting to respond to player demand for a variety of new features in the 100th and all future updates. Particular emphasis is being placed on adding features common in modern MMOs, such as a quest tracking menu. AC has been around for almost ten years, so it has some catching up to do!

Learn more about Turbine's big push to modernize the game, add lots of new content, and more in the interview after the break.

Continue reading Gen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for Asheron's Call

MassivelyGen Con 08: Turbine tells us what's in store for Asheron's Call originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100100th-updateacaiandy-cataldoartificial-intelligenceasherons-callcommunity-managerexpansionfactionsfeaturedgen-congen-con-2008gen-con-indygencongencon-2008gencon-indyindianapolisinterviewjoystiq-featuresmassively-featurespatchpvpquest-trackingquestssocietiesturbineupdateTue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Flying Lab Software team at Gen Con Indy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/meet-the-flying-lab-software-team-at-gen-con-indy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/meet-the-flying-lab-software-team-at-gen-con-indy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/meet-the-flying-lab-software-team-at-gen-con-indy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Any Pirates of the Burning Sea fans heading to Gen Con Indy this year will be able to catch up with the folks from Flying Lab Software. They will be there representing their game in the Exhibitor Hall at Booth #1033, but if you really want to get to know the team, then you'll want to go along to their meet-up at the pub!

On August the 14th, wear your PotBS shirt if you have one and head on over to Loughmiller's Pub. From 6pm to 9pm -- and probably later -- you'll find yourself in good (albeit pirate) company, with members of the FLS team and your fellow fans. There will even be some prizes up for grabs, so if you're going to be in the area, register for the meet-up and treat yourself to a night of PotBS fun.

MassivelyMeet the Flying Lab Software team at Gen Con Indy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings Online, and you're still undecided about attending Gen Con Indy this year, let us make your decision a bit easier. During this wildly-popular gaming convention, you will have the opportunity to challenge the original lore-masters at their own game. Not only will there be prizes to be won, but you will get to meet some of the story and content designers on the game, such as Jonathan "Berephon" Rudder, Paul "Rhidden" Simon and Chris Pierson. This event will not be based on LotRO trivia or from the movies, but actual Tolkien-based lore, taken from the Fantasy Flight Games' Lord of the Rings Trivia Game.

In addition to this contest, a few of the developers will also be participating in several Writer's Symposium panels at the convention, as well as doing book-signing in the Author's Avenue. The convention itself will be held from August 14th through the 17th in Indianapolis, IN, so don't miss it!

MassivelyChallenge the original LotRO Lore-Masters at Gen Con Indy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestconventiongen-congen-con-indylord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelore-masterlotroturbineFri, 23 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LoN Championship Qualifier for May takes place this weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/lon-championship-qualifier-for-may-takes-place-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/lon-championship-qualifier-for-may-takes-place-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/lon-championship-qualifier-for-may-takes-place-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The full details for the Legends of Norrath May Championship Qualifier have been spilled at EQ2Players. While there are regular tournaments for LoN all the time, these championship qualifiers are the ones you really want to win -- tasty cash prizes, and of course a place in the championship at Gen Con Indy, are up for grabs for those that can prove their skill.

The event will begin at 10:00AM PDT on Saturday the 17th, and spans both days of the weekend. This tournament doesn't have an entry fee, but you must be a U.S. resident to be eligible. The eventual winners of the championship at Gen Con will be showered with riches, so if you fancy your chances, it would be worth getting involved on Saturday and Sunday. More information on the prizes and tournament structure can be found after the break.


Continue reading LoN Championship Qualifier for May takes place this weekend

MassivelyLoN Championship Qualifier for May takes place this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championship-qualifiersgen-congen-con-indylegends-of-norrathlonmay-championship-qualifierWed, 14 May 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online tours America, unites people]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/warhammer-online-makes-like-jack-kerouac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/warhammer-online-makes-like-jack-kerouac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/warhammer-online-makes-like-jack-kerouac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's not stating the situation too excessively to remark that people are excited about this game. Many are anticipating it with the same fervor mustered by religious zealots. Some use the phrase 'WoW Killer'. And all of this without even having played the thing at all.

Well, there's news that might mitigate that last little bit: If you can't wait for the eventual open beta download, you can play WAR at a few events across the country! The list of events, with locations and dates, after the jump!

Continue reading Warhammer Online tours America, unites people

MassivelyWarhammer Online tours America, unites people originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsgames-daysgames-workshopgen-con-indynew-york-comic-conoriginsPAXpenny-arcade-exporealm-vs-realmwarhammer-onlineFri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[January LoN championship qualifier to take place this weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/january-lon-championship-qualifier-to-take-place-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/january-lon-championship-qualifier-to-take-place-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/january-lon-championship-qualifier-to-take-place-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Last month the first qualifying round for the Legends of Norrath championships took place, and we're now staring down the barrel of round two. Beginning at 10AM PST on January 26th, the January LoN Championship Qualifier will commence. As with last round, there's about USD$5000 in prizes up for grabs, with the overall winner getting cash, a trip to Gen Con Indy, entry into the LoN championship and their likeness on a new card.

There is no entry fee to get involved, but only US citizens may participate. Aside from the main prize, players up to 16th place will be rewarded in cash. The first day will be a series of heats, and the top 16 from day one will advance to day two where final placing will be determined with more battles. Get the full details of the qualifier after the break.

Continue reading January LoN championship qualifier to take place this weekend

MassivelyJanuary LoN championship qualifier to take place this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championship-qualifiereqeq2eqiieverquest-2gen-congen-con-indylegends-of-norrathlonqualifiersoesony-online-entertainmenttournamentFri, 25 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LoN championship qualifiers begin this weekend -- $5000 prize pool and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/lon-championship-qualifiers-begin-this-weekend-5000-prize-po/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/lon-championship-qualifiers-begin-this-weekend-5000-prize-po/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/lon-championship-qualifiers-begin-this-weekend-5000-prize-po/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The first in a series of qualifers for the 2008 Legends of Norrath Championship will take place this weekend. On Saturday the 15th of December, from 10:00AM PST, players of LoN can participate in tournaments to win a spot in the Championship that will take place at Gen Con Indy.

But there's a lot more at stake than just the Championship entry -- the total prize pool is worth around USD$5000 and is spread among the top 16 players from the weekend's contests. Aside from the Championship spot, first place will get $500, paid air travel to Gen Con Indy, a 4-day Gen Con Indy badge, and -- brace yourself for this one -- their likeness on a new LoN card!

The rest of the players ranked up to 16th will get a share in the remaining cash, with second place taking a sizeable $750. Unlike some of the recent LoN tournaments, this one will not have an entry fee, so if you fancy your chances then keep this weekend open. The full event details, and a list of the prizes, are posted after the break.

Continue reading LoN championship qualifiers begin this weekend -- $5000 prize pool and more

MassivelyLoN championship qualifiers begin this weekend -- $5000 prize pool and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championshipeqeq2gen-congen-con-indylegends-of-norrathlonqualifiersoesony-online-entertainmenttournamentTue, 11 Dec 2007 07:30:00 EST