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[Prime World charges women less to play, 'protects' them in mixed groups [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/prime-world-charges-women-less-to-play-protects-them-in-mixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/prime-world-charges-women-less-to-play-protects-them-in-mixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/prime-world-charges-women-less-to-play-protects-them-in-mixed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Prime World
It's ladies night at Prime World, and drinks are on the house. The upcoming MOBA is offering unique incentives to rope in real-world women to play, including discounted heroes and special buffs if girls team up with guys. The game is connected to players' Facebook accounts, so women looking for special treatment need to actually be a member of that gender.

Nival's Creative Producer Larisa Nuretdinova hopes this will expand Prime World's potential audience: "The idea is to introduce the MOBA genre not only to hardcore players who already love it, but to their friends who might be more casual, and of course to their sisters and girlfriends who may not be as hardcore."

To encourage both sexes to group up together, Nival has devised a special defensive buff that is only activated when a woman playing a female character is part of the team. According to Prime World's About page, "this bonus helps encourage beginning female players, who feel more helpful when fighting in a mixed group."

Prime World offers six heroes for free, three of each gender; additional heroes can be purchased with actual money. It's here, too, that real-world women have an advantage, as Nival is offering a discount for the ladies who go shopping in the game.

[Update: Kotaku reports that Nival later clarified that it is offering discounts for both genders purchasing the same gendered character.]

MassivelyPrime World charges women less to play, 'protects' them in mixed groups [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfemalefemalesfree-to-playgendergender-biasLarisa-Nuretdinovamobanivalprime-worldsexismwhat-is-this-i-cant-evenwomenTue, 03 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are MMO players tired of beefcake?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-grind-are-mmo-players-tired-of-beefcake/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In CoH, there's actually a character model called huge, but only for men, of course. A large or fat female superhero might offend male sensibilities.
A few months ago, The Mary Sue published an intriguing article about why men play female characters in MMOs, and the answer might surprise you. While some men surveyed wanted to play lady toons for immersion reasons or eyecandy reasons, many of them had a much simpler motive: They were sick of beefcake. They were willing to play men, but they just couldn't relate to big hulking dudes with huge muscles and tiny heads, and those are often the types of male characters offered in video games. MMOs like Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars and City of Heroes offer "huge" male characters as options, while World of Warcraft is a serial offender.

We usually focus on gender issues as they pertain to the portrayal of women in MMOs, so today I want to turn the tables and ask you about the portrayal of men. Are you annoyed when male characters MMOs look like they're hitting the steroids a bit too hard, and do you find such characters relatable or offensive? In other words, are you tired of beefcake in MMOs?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are MMO players tired of beefcake? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beefcakebrianna-royce-tdgcharactercharacterscity-of-heroescohdaily-grindgenderguild-warshugemenopinionsexismstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-mary-sueWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 26 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Playing same gender vs. opposite gender]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/leaderboard-playing-same-gender-vs-opposite-gender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/leaderboard-playing-same-gender-vs-opposite-gender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/leaderboard-playing-same-gender-vs-opposite-gender/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard
It amazes me that I still get weird looks/comments in 2012 whenever I mention that I typically play a female character even though I live and breathe pure testosterone. My wife used to rib me about it, but then she rolled a male Sith Warrior in SWTOR, decked him out with tattoos, and said, "This? Here? Is a REAL MAN. And now I'm going to spend 300 hours with him." This will probably come up in our marriage counseling sessions at some point in the future.

In any case, I thought we were past the era when rolling a character of the opposite gender was an oddity, but these discussions over whether or not this is appropriate or weird roll through the community more regularly than the tide. Some people simply identify more with an avatar of the same gender, but some enjoy roleplaying into a different sex entirely.

So today's Leaderboard is real simple-like, see? Are you compelled to roll your gender in (almost) every game, or do you more often than not take walks on the wild side of the bathroom stalls? Let's hear it for the boys! Or girls!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Playing same gender vs. opposite gender

MassivelyLeaderboard: Playing same gender vs. opposite gender originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-royalgenderleaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionopposite-genderpollpollssame-genderversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 05 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/choose-my-adventure-lineage-ii-by-a-landslide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2
It was no contest from the get-go. Lineage II took an early lead in last week's poll and firmly held on to it. Color me shocked. I really thought that a few of the entries would be closely tied. Some contestants recently added some juicy content releases, but Lineage II crushed them, and all the others, by getting 1,320 votes. The runner-up, Black Prophecy, only managed to secure 299 votes.

All its servers going F2P and the release of Age of Discovery weren't enough to put EverQuest II in the running. The F2P population boom in DC Universe Online's and its recent Lightning Strikes update weren't enough to create competition. Nope. The allure of Lineage II's F2P mode and the launch of the Goddess of Destruction expansion were just too much for voters to pass up.

Now it's your turn to start steering my course in the lands of Lineage II. Race, class, gender and my first class-transfer are all on the table.

I've tried to make voting as easy and clear as possible, but given how each race, and gender determine which classes you can choose from, you should make an effort to understand how all the choices work. Here's one example: Voting Dwarf and then Mystic is wasting a vote because Dwarves can only be Fighters, and it skews the results for those who are voting for a race that can be Mystics. You'll see what I mean.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventureclassclassescmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgendergoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonkamaellineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftopinionpollpollsraceracesreaders-choicetruly-freevotevotingWed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 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[Choose My Adventure: RIFTastic!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/choose-my-adventure-riftastic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/choose-my-adventure-riftastic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/choose-my-adventure-riftastic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure: RIFTastic
Frenzy engulfed this last week's poll, which is one of the reasons I tweeted about it so often. EverQuest II and RIFT battled to the death over which would hold the attention of this writer for the next five weeks. Ultimately, the power of Regulos overpowered the Norrathians, but not without a fight.

Usually the first community manager or game developer who catches wind of his or her game's appearance on Choose My Adventure wins. And just like past devs, Community Manager for EverQuest II Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence tweeted and posted in the EQII forums to encourage fans to vote for her game. However, Lindsay Lockhart, Lead Defiant Lore Writer for RIFT, would not have Telara beaten by Norrath, so she tweeted about it and passed the information off to Community Manager Erick "Zann" Adams, who posted it on RIFT's Facebook page. Immediately, RIFT's votes doubled then grew quickly after that.

Congratulations to the RIFT fans. I hope I do your game justice, but I do want to give a shout out to all the EQII fans. I hope you stick around for this. You put up an awesome fight and certainly made the poll interesting to watch.

As for this week, we step into RIFT's character creator. All the decisions are up to you! Should I roll Defiant or Guardian -- Warrior or Mage? Just cruise past the break for all the details!

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: RIFTastic!

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: RIFTastic! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amneryschoose-my-adventureclassescmadefiantEQ2EQIIerick-adamsEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedgamebreakergamebreaker-tvgendergroup-roleGuardianirljasmineJasmine-HruschakLindsay-LockhartloreMatt-Danielplanes-of-telararacesRIFTrift-planes-of-telaraSOESonySony-Online-Entertainmenttiffany-spenceTriontrion-worldszannWed, 17 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos Europe attracts 250,000 players in two weeks, throws double XP weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/mythos-europe-attracts-250-000-players-in-two-weeks-throws-doub/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/mythos-europe-attracts-250-000-players-in-two-weeks-throws-doub/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/mythos-europe-attracts-250-000-players-in-two-weeks-throws-doub/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's only been 15 days since Mythos Europe launched, but the resurrected action MMO is already seeing impressive results. According to Frogster, over 250,000 players have jumped into the game for some hectic hack-n-slash fun.

The company also provided some revealing statistics as it monitored its quarter-million playerbase. Apparently, the most popular class is the Bloodletter (40% of players), followed by the Pyromancer (32%) and Gadgeteer (28%). A full third of the playerbase chose the human race, with 28% going over to the Gremlins, 27% to the Satyrs, and 15% to the Cyclops. Finally, 66% of the characters created are male. So if you want to be a rarity, rolling a female Cyclops Gadgeteer is the way to go!

To celebrate this auspicious milestone, Frogster is rewarding its enthusiastic players with double XP for quests and monster kills this weekend. You can catch all of Mythos' double XP action from now until Monday at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

MassivelyMythos Europe attracts 250,000 players in two weeks, throws double XP weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysisbloodletterbreakdownclassescyclopsdouble-xpdouble-xp-weekendeventfrogstergadgeteergendergremlinhanbitsofthumanin-game-eventmythosmythos-eumythos-europeplayerbasepyromancerracessatyrstatisticsFri, 13 May 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Why inclusion matters in games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-soapbox-why-inclusion-matters-in-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-soapbox-why-inclusion-matters-in-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-soapbox-why-inclusion-matters-in-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

You know what's awesome? Feeling cool. And at the best of times, we get that feeling in our day-to-day life anyway. But that's one of the great things about video games, MMOs especially -- they give us a chance to feel cool. They give us a chance to look at ourselves standing over a pile of fallen enemies, wielding a weapon of unimaginable power, and getting that rush in the back of our head from being totally awesome.

Especially if you're a straight white male.

I wrote a column up a while back about the issue of gender as it affects MMOs, and it garnered a lot of positive comments from readers. It also garnered a lot of comments that proved some players didn't get why it mattered in the first place, and a lot of comments pointing out that women weren't the only group in need of some better representation. The funny part is that I think the former ties directly in to the latter -- and the former is also missing the point. Because it does matter, and even if you are a straight white male, it should matter to you.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Why inclusion matters in games

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Why inclusion matters in games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecolumnfeaturedgendergender-in-gaminginclusionopinionracerace-in-gamingreal-life-issuessoapboxsocial-issuesthe-soapboxTue, 10 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The unfairer sex]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-soapbox-the-unfairer-sex/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Talking about the representation of women in video games is usually an exercise in depression. You don't have to search very hard for negative examples; consider The Witcher, in which sleeping with women is treated essentially as some sort of ersatz Pokémon variant. Or take a look at Grand Theft Auto III, hailed as a groundbreaking game, which featured a grand total of three female characters in the story, all of whom were painted as some combination of promiscuous, stupid, or untrustworthy.

Comparatively speaking, MMOs deserve a medal for being remarkably open to both players and characters of both genders. And yet that's damning with faint praise in the worst way. MMOs still leave a lot to be desired when it comes to how they handle women, in ways both subtle and searingly obvious. Female characters are generally expected to be in a state of perpetual undress, more often than not without a significant role in the storyline -- and precisely because the genre is so far ahead of its contemporaries, complaints are often met with eye-rolling and derision.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The unfairer sex

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The unfairer sex originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classyclothingcolumndressfeaturedgendergender-balancegender-issuesmaturityobjectifyingopinionsexismsexysoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: When does in-game armor go from sexy to stripperific?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-daily-grind-when-does-in-game-armor-go-from-sexy-to-strippe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-daily-grind-when-does-in-game-armor-go-from-sexy-to-strippe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-daily-grind-when-does-in-game-armor-go-from-sexy-to-strippe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

So a discussion popped up around the Massively offices the other day regarding MMORPG armor (or the distinct lack thereof when it comes to some titles). A question was raised as to why some games get away with sexualizing female gear while others are raked over the coals for demeaning women, pandering to men's baser instincts, and generally setting the cause of feminism back by decades.

Take today's header image for example. Guild Wars (and its upcoming sequel) are rarely bashed by the skimpy armor police, yet the game does accentuate the female form more often than not. Aion contains some of the racier outfits in the history of the genre, but you rarely see people complaining about it (especially the considerable number of real-life female players who deck out their Daevas in said gear). TERA, on the other hand, is the current whipping boy when it comes to sexy armor in MMOs, as numerous comment threads (likely to include this one) illustrate.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know what causes some revealing armor sets (or the games that feature them) to be deemed A-OK while others are decried as offensive. In a nutshell, what line does armor have to cross before it goes from sexy to stripperific?

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: When does in-game armor go from sexy to stripperific? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionfeminismgame-discussiongamer-discussiongenderguild-warsguild-wars-2mmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsexysexy-armorstripperificstripperstdgterathe-daily-grindtitillateFri, 11 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you upset with how MMOs handle women?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-upset-with-how-mmos-handle-women/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-upset-with-how-mmos-handle-women/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-upset-with-how-mmos-handle-women/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While this year's BlizzCon didn't feature any shocking revelations about World of Warcraft, it still contained some shocking revelations for a few people during one of the question-and-answer panels. A question about the game's treatment of female characters wasn't just brushed off, it was mocked by the development team. This has been picked up in a couple of places, with the uniform opinion not just being that it was a bad way to respond to the question, it was a bad sign that developers can essentially brush off the question altogether.

It's not an unfamiliar debate, one that runs through every media in one form or another. Whether you're a man or a woman, you might be of the mind that there's a serious problem with how the genre treats a substantial portion of its audience... or you might be of the mind that people get way too bent out of shape over a bit of extra skin on female characters. So where do you stand? Are you unhappy with the way that women are represented in MMOs, or do you think that it's much ado about nothing?
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 upset with how MMOs handle women? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzconblizzcon-2010controversyfeminismgendergender-relationsmaturityopiniontdgthe-daily-grindwomenwomen-in-gamingworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Say yes to the dress]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/storyboard-say-yes-to-the-dress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/storyboard-say-yes-to-the-dress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/storyboard-say-yes-to-the-dress/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You all know her as soon as you see her, and no matter what your gender, you're inherently terrified of her. She looks like a woman on screen, and everyone roleplaying with her needs to treat her as such, or the whole idea of working in a shared universe gets shot to pieces. But you also know that she's not acting like any woman you've ever met -- and that's not a good thing. You know full well that behind that catgirl with the "waist" slider turned to minimum and the "chest" slider turned to max, there is a bearded man of frightening girth.

I don't understand, for the life of me, what makes playing a technically female character so appealing to certain men. Note the use of the word "technically" there -- the character's presumed genetic makeup might be oriented toward the fairer sex, but the character's not acting like a woman. And after having seen this same thing over and over again, in a fit of pique, I've decided that it's worth examining. How do you play a female character well if you're a man, or vice versa for women playing guys?

Continue reading Storyboard: Say yes to the dress

MassivelyStoryboard: Say yes to the dress originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-gendercharacter-traitscolumnfeaturedgendergender-bendinggender-differencesopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 20 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Still more Japanese leaks for Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/still-more-japanese-leaks-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/still-more-japanese-leaks-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/still-more-japanese-leaks-for-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There are male mito'qe and female roegadyn in Final Fantasy XIV. There's no word currently on whether or not they'll be playable, but the latest information put out via Famitsu indicates that they are there, at least.

For some players, simply knowing that the somewhat awkwardly monogendered races from Final Fantasy XI will be reaching the wild shores of sexual dimorphism will make the latest bits of news palatable. Others would rather hear about the actual mechanics of playing the game -- and luckily for everyone, that's included with the information as well. It's confirmed that zone transitions are seamless, as is the background music (most likely with careful crossfades). There are stat differences between the much-discussed clans, but they're not a huge deal -- a far bigger difference is every class getting early access to teleportation and warp spells to make transportation less problematic.

We even get a bit of meta-information telling us that testing on the Playstation 3 should be coming in another couple phases. While there's nothing world-shattering, the picture being paiinted is increasingly alluring, and it's hard to argue Final Fantasy XIV isn't learning a lot from its predecessor. The full list of leaked facts can be found here.

MassivelyStill more Japanese leaks for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famitsuffffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgenderleaked-informationleaksplaystation-3squaresquare-enixtransportationWed, 07 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's time to kick off one of the features that we're hoping will become a regular standby on The Mog Log -- community questions and answers. It's a chance for you to all ask the questions about the game that you'd like answered, and a chance for me to shuffle awkwardly and stare at my feet. Kidding aside, if you have a Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV question that you'd like answered, send them to me, and I'll happily answer them to the best of my ability. It's all the edification of research without the actual research part.

We'll start with a question from Simon:
"Are we sure about when the beta for FFXIV is going to start?"

Nothing is certain, least of all what Square-Enix decides to do. Right now, they're content with not filling us in on the start date of beta, but they might very well share that tomorrow at VanaFest. On the flip side, they might hold on to that tidbit until after the stateside launch of Final Fantasy XIII, just to keep excitement up for the title. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow, we should know then.

Continue reading The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections

MassivelyThe Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterexpansionsfeaturedff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgendergrindmitoqeroedegyansoloingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logwings-of-the-goddessxbox-360Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Outlaws of EVE Online: Mynxee]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/outlaws-of-eve-online-mynxee/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/outlaws-of-eve-online-mynxee/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/outlaws-of-eve-online-mynxee/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


EVE Online is as much a setting as it is a massively multiplayer online game. EVE's galaxy of New Eden spans thousands of charted solar systems, with thousands more waiting to be discovered in the uncharted frontiers reachable only through wormholes. For all the myriad opportunities New Eden offers players to explore and create, there are just as many risks. The dangers that other pilots can pose also provide memorable stories that few other MMOs can match. The outlaws of EVE Online halt the calming lull of mining lasers, inject some thrills into otherwise routine trade runs, and disrupt the rote completion of mission objectives. More often than not, encounters with New Eden's pirates will leave you with a pounding heart and surge of adrenaline to go along with the flaming wreckage of your ship, if not a one-way trip back to the cloning facility. They create that fear of what threats lie on the other side of the next star gate and ultimately set the tone for New Eden. But even among these criminals there are a few whose accomplishments truly stand out.

The capsuleer called Mynxee is a well-known pirate in New Eden's underworld. Hers is a name remembered well by the many victims who've met their end under rapid fire from her autocannons. She is the founder and CEO of Hellcats, an all-women pirate corporation in EVE Online, and a central figure in EVE's criminal society. Outside of New Eden, Mynxee has built up quite a following through her Life in Low Sec blog and is one of EVE's more active pilots on Twitter as well. If there is such an individual in New Eden that can be viewed as its pirate king, Mynxee is undoubtedly its queen. She first caught Massively's attention years ago with her flashy red dress (size -10), but she's since become a pivotal figure in New Eden, popular with players from all walks of life in EVE.

Massively recently spoke with Mynxee about the allure of being an outlaw, and how she has expanded the scope of her piracy -- bringing it out of the shadows of low security space and into the light, where players feel they are safest.



Continue reading Outlaws of EVE Online: Mynxee

MassivelyOutlaws of EVE Online: Mynxee originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescrimeeveeve-onlinefeaturedgenderhellcatshellfleetinterviewsmynxeenew-edenoutlawspiracypiratespvpshae-tiannvenom-orchidWed, 10 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New study reveals insights into gender in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/new-study-reveals-insights-into-gender-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

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

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

[Via The Border House]

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

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicculturedimitri-williamseverquest-2everquest-iigamersgendermennick-yeesoesony-online-entertainmentstudyvirtual-worlds-observatorywomenSat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Boobs and you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/anti-aliased-boobs-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/anti-aliased-boobs-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/anti-aliased-boobs-and-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Well Happy Turkey Day everyone! It's Thanksgiving Thursday, but it's also that time of the week again -- the time where Sera gets to rant in her opinion column to her heart's content. Yes, that's right, it's time for Anti-Aliased.

This week's topic is one that's near and dear to my heart. Well, it's near to my heart, at least, and I mean that quite literally. It's also a perfect topic for today's holiday! I mean, who doesn't like to talk about large breasts on Thanksgiving? (Score one for the terrible synonym.)

During last week's column on Blade & Soul, the main topic that came up time and time again in the comments wasn't the game's combat, or the game's engine, or anything really related to the game at large. No, it seems that many of you were turned off of the game by the fact that the screenshot I used had a woman with huge boobs. That was the deal breaker for the game.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Boobs and you

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Boobs and you originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedblade-and-soulboobsfeaturedfemalegendermaleopinionperceptionswomenworld-of-warcraftThu, 26 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese company bans gender-bending]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/chinese-company-bans-gender-bending/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/chinese-company-bans-gender-bending/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/chinese-company-bans-gender-bending/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You can frequently get asked to prove an awful lot in MMOs -- that you actually know how to beat this boss, that you really have insider access to the game developers, or perhaps most commonly that you are who you say you are. Aurora Technology over in China has apparently decided to cut out the middleman in the equation -- they're banning any male players who play female characters, requiring players to confirm their gender via webcam in order to enforce the ruling.

The ruling currently only affects the Aurora-developed game King of the World, but there's always the possibility that this action could have further-reaching consequences. After all, Aurora is a subsidiary of Shanda, a company responsible for publishing Aion and Dungeons and Dragons Online in the region, which are names slightly more familiar to players on this side of the pond. China is a fair bit more litigious than the US when it comes to its online games, and the country as a whole has taken some surprising moves already. While this ordeal has been going on for over two years now, we can't help but wonder if this will herald the start of some rather restrictive policies. We're assuming that you'll need to provide pictures or it didn't happen.

MassivelyChinese company bans gender-bending originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaurora-technologychinachina-gamingchinese-gamingcultureddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinegenderlegalmmo-industryshandaTue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: The mailbag edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Well hello there intrepid Massively readers! This week, instead of my usual selection of complaints crammed into the tight space of a single column, I've decided to do something different. This Monday, I opened up a call for questions on anything MMO related on the Massively Facebook fan page, the Massively Twitter, and my own personal Twitter. You guys didn't disappoint, and you certainly sent me more than a few intriguing e-mails.

So, for the past three days, I've been preparing responses to some of the questions that landed in my inbox. What did intrepid readers ask me to answer? Whose e-mails did I select from the pile of text I received? What is the airspeed of an African Swallow? These and many other questions (except that swallow one, that one's been done to death, go Google it or something) shall be answered after the break! Thundercats, hoooooooooo!

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: The mailbag edition

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: The mailbag edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedcharacter-genderfeaturedgendergender-roleslumielmailmailbagopinionroleplayingrprp-eventrpgskill-based-mmosThu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's females get a more feminine facelift]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/fallen-earths-females-get-a-more-feminine-facelift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/fallen-earths-females-get-a-more-feminine-facelift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/fallen-earths-females-get-a-more-feminine-facelift/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Women of the post-apocalypse should look more feminine -- at least that's what Fallen Earth players think.

According to developer Fallen Earth LLC, players thought that the female characters in the post-apocalyptic MMO, which just launched yesterday, should have physiological qualities typically associated with women.

"Fallen Earth has never been about the sexiness of its females," said product manager Jessica Orr, "but after some comments from fans and a hard look at the female faces, we decided some changes were in order."

That meant having the game's artist, Chris Allen, make adjustments to the facial models in order to differentiate the females more from the male character models. The changes, implemented in a recent patch, included removing "excess skin" from under the chins, raising the cheekbones, softening the jawline, thinning the bridge of the noses and tweaking the shape and placement of the eyebrows.

Allen also raised the corners of the mouth to make the women have "less of a scowl and more of a neutral expression," Orr said. The result is what Fallen Earth LLC sees as "more feminine models that steer clear of the characteristic 'babes,'" allowing players to focus more on the game itself.

Orr also answered a few more questions regarding the look of the female models and provided us with more comparison shots below. What do you think of the changes?

Continue reading Fallen Earth's females get a more feminine facelift

MassivelyFallen Earth's females get a more feminine facelift originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfemale-charactersgendergender-differencesWed, 23 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Virtual worlds as the great equalizer pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Social situations shattered

How many times do we have a young player in our guild who act more like a 30-year-old than the 30-year-olds do? How often do we cross cultural boundaries and forget that we're speaking with someone who might be across the world, in a completely different time zone? To us, they're simply standing in the same room as us, and that puts them in the same place we are.

I know that I don't consciously think about where someone lives or who they really are when I meet them in Second Life or Metaplace. I'm too busy chatting with them about shared interests, because obviously if we're meeting one another while standing inside of a fantasy roleplaying simulation, then we both enjoy fantasy roleplaying.

This is doubly true when I'm playing something like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XI. Not only do we now have something in common, but we can be united with our goals as well. You're here to run Nexus? So am I! Let's work together to get through this dungeon. I don't question where you come from, who you are, or how old you are. I may question you if you're not pulling your weight or bringing down the party, but even then I'm going to help you so we can get through the task together.

"In a weird sort of way, virtual worlds humanize us more than the real world is able to.

In a weird sort of way, virtual worlds humanize us more than the real world is able to. While the condition of anonymity can lead to some really destructive individuals, it can also lead to being able to connect to one another without the hangups of social barriers that exist in real life. We can meet individuals who are very different from ourselves, find common ground quickly, and then learn from one another, rather than avoiding those who are different because it scares us.

Beyond that, the experiences we gain from being in virtual worlds do not exist in a vacuum. We take what we learn and we apply it to what we do in everyday life. With enough time, I have no doubt that this too will help melt some of the social stigmas that we carry in real life, simply because we can come in contact with others in a more controlled online environment.

If you want evidence, look at the decreasing age barrier. We let younger kids and teenagers into positions of power and responsibility in our guilds and online activities, and that in turn has slowly lead to more adults listening to kids when they have something to say. We use to completely bar kids from offering advice to us "more knowledgeable, older adults" but it's been slowly changing. While it may not be the only factor that has lead to this, it certainly is one of them.

So I think it's time to give credit where credit is due. Virtual worlds, online games, and the Internet are bringing us together, and many of us are slowly finding out that we're really not so different from one another after all. We're learning about culture, gender, age, and sexuality, and it's certainly about damn time.
Colin Seraphina Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased isn't that different from anyone else and is darn proud of it. When she's not writing here for Massively, she's rambling on her personal blog, The Experience Curve. If you want to message her, send her an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com. You can also follow her on Twitter through Massively, or through her personal feed, @sera_brennan.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Virtual worlds as the great equalizer pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ageage-barriercommunitydiscriminationgendergender-barriermetaplaceonlinesecond-lifesexualityvirtual-worldsWed, 24 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Virtual worlds as the great equalizer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/anti-aliased-virtual-worlds-as-the-great-equalizer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


So apparently it's gay pride week. I, pretty literally, had absolutely no clue that gay pride week was this week, even though I was lucky enough to speak at Metaplace's Metapride diversity event. Yes, I'm just that oblivious to my surroundings, even when I'm directly participating in them.

I know I don't hide the fact that I'm transgender, but I'm certain that not many people click on my author link here at Massively or really ponder the significance of my @sera_brennan Twitter username. That last sentence is probably the first time many of you long term readers even heard that I was transgender. (Although I remember someone wrote the site once and told them to correct all of the times in my author profile that I was referred to as "she" because it was obviously a typo.)

I owe much to my online escapes, as they aid me in more ways than just providing a fun distraction. They give me the opportunity to appear as I truly feel inside, and let me interact with others without the stigma of being or appearing to be transgendered attached. Beyond just me, however, are hundreds of thousands, or perhaps even millions of individuals who have gained an advantage or some sort of insight thanks to virtual worlds.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Virtual worlds as the great equalizer

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Virtual worlds as the great equalizer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-barrieranti-aliasedcommunitycuppycakediversityfeaturedgay-pride-weekgbltgendergender-barrierjoystiqfeatureslgbtmetaplacemetaprideonlinetransgendertranssexualvirtual-worldsWed, 24 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Online gamers are logging more hours, but spending less money]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/online-gamers-are-logging-more-hours-but-spending-less-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/online-gamers-are-logging-more-hours-but-spending-less-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/online-gamers-are-logging-more-hours-but-spending-less-money/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Interactive marketing firm Future Ads revealed a very telling survey from Gamevance today, showing that casual gamers were playing games for longer, yet were spending less money on them overall. Other notable sections of the survey showed a declining gender gap in the gaming population, a melding of the "casual" and "hardcore" gamer markets, and a decline in purchases made for video game consoles.

Gamevance's survey revealed that 61% of the 8,000 "casual" gamers who responded said they were playing games for longer periods of time than they were a year ago. However, 80% of those same gamers reported that they were cutting back on console game purchases while 77% of the 8,000 stated that the biggest drawback to console gaming was that it was too expensive.

Pair this with the rising Free Realms, Wizard 101, and FusionFall populations, as well as the proliferation of free online gaming sites, and you have a very noticable switch to cheaper gaming alternatives. Will this recession be the rise of the free to play gaming model in America, or will this die off once the economy stabilizes?

[Via GigaOm]

MassivelyOnline gamers are logging more hours, but spending less money originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartoon-networkcasualfree-realmsfree-to-playfusionfallgamevancegendergender-gaphardcorekingsisle-entertainmentmarketingmicrotransactionsonline-gamingsoesony-online-entertainmentsubscriptionsubscription-modelsurveywizard-101Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Academic research into EverQuest II already proving fruitful]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/academic-research-into-everquest-ii-already-proving-fruitful/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/academic-research-into-everquest-ii-already-proving-fruitful/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/academic-research-into-everquest-ii-already-proving-fruitful/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Massively recently mentioned that Sony Online Entertainment and academia are teaming up to plumb the depths of EverQuest II's server logs, with benefits for both the researchers and SOE. (For the record, private subscriber info hasn't been made available to the academic community, according to an SOE statement on the matter.) The data logs and opt-in survey results are already proving fruitful, according to a piece run today on MSNBC by Games editor Kristin Kalning. Her piece raises the point that EverQuest II's gamers, despite being a global community, spend far more time socializing with friends, family, and acquaintances than with the wider playerbase.

This isn't to say that EQII players are insular, but it does emphasize the fact that games aren't simply a hobby or an escape for those surveyed, and are very much a way to keep in touch with family and friends. In other words, they tend to take their offline relationships online, Kalning writes.

Continue reading Academic research into EverQuest II already proving fruitful

MassivelyAcademic research into EverQuest II already proving fruitful originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaacademiccultureeverquest-2everquest-iifantasygendergender-disparitykristin-kalningmmo-industrymsnbcmsnbc.comon-the-levelresearchroleplayingsoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 23 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's second Council of Stellar Management applicants announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eves-second-council-of-stellar-management-applicants-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eves-second-council-of-stellar-management-applicants-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eves-second-council-of-stellar-management-applicants-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


EVE Online differs from other MMOs in a number of ways. Differences in game mechanics and setting aside, even the dynamics among the players is different than with your standard sharded MMO. The single server approach puts all of the players in one world, sometimes creating a tense social dynamic between the players, and especially between CCP Games and the EVE subscribers.

The player-elected Council of Stellar Management (CSM) is an attempt to have a group of players bridge this gap, and represent the interests of the playerbase as a whole by advising CCP on how to keep the game in step with what the players want. Although the first CSM is still in office, the next election process is well underway. EVE dev CCP Diagoras posted a breakdown of the applications for the second Council of Stellar Management, listing statistics and information about those who have their eyes set on a place among the CSM, and plenty to read about each of the individuals in the running.

Continue reading EVE's second Council of Stellar Management applicants announced

MassivelyEVE's second Council of Stellar Management applicants announced originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingccpccp-diagorasccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmcultureelectionelectionseulaeveeve-onlineforumsgendermmo-industrypoliticsvotevotingFri, 24 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[How your Bartle Type influences your class choice: WoW style]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-class-choice-wow-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-class-choice-wow-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-class-choice-wow-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Last week we showed the Massively readers a research report done at gamerDNA regarding MMO players' Bartle Type and how it influences their Warhammer Online class choices. In the comments at their site, and at ours, many asked if this could be done for other games as well, namely World of Warcraft. Well this week they treat us to just that, and the results might surprise you.

While not as clearly-defined as the WAR/Bartle results, this report shows some interesting statistics relating to WoW players and their gender, personality, class type and more. Keep in mind though that these results are based on around 45k+ members at gamerDNA who play WoW, not every single player out there. Even so, it's always enlightening to see these things in solid numbers. I mean, who knew there were more Hunters than any other class? /cough
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyHow your Bartle Type influences your class choice: WoW style originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartle-typesblizzardgamerdnagenderpersonalitysanya-weathersworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 20 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How your Bartle Type influences your WAR class choice]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-war-class-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-war-class-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/how-your-bartle-type-influences-your-war-class-choice/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A few weeks ago, gamerDNA made a push to get 500k gamers to take the Bartle test located on their site. Not only did they crush that number, but they've put the statistics to good use. In an interesting research article by Sanya Weathers (who was just recently on the Massively speaking podcast), you'll notice some fascinating results combining the Bartle Type of gamers as it pertains to their Warhammer Online class choice.

First off, this article shows the interesting distribution of class choices in WAR (from the people with that information in their gamerDNA profiles). Then that information is broken down to show gender preference per class and ultimately the Bartle Type in relation to each class. The entire article is certainly a worthwhile read, and says a lot about the balance of the game's classes and how the game can appeal to as many people as it has. Hopefully, as hinted in the article, gamerDNA will do research like this for other popular MMOs in the future.
Warhammer Online Coverage Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out our Warhammer guides: Massively's Character Creation Guide and our WoW Player's Guide to Warhammer. Plus, don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

MassivelyHow your Bartle Type influences your WAR class choice originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartle-testbartle-typesclassesgamerdnagendermythicpreferencessanya-weatherswarwarhammer-onlineSun, 12 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AGDC 08: The Importance of Learning Style and Gender in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/agdc-08-the-importance-of-learning-style-and-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/agdc-08-the-importance-of-learning-style-and-gender-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/agdc-08-the-importance-of-learning-style-and-gender-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We spent a little time at the Austin Game Developers Conference this year and walked away with our heads full of game-related knowledge. Not least of this came from a panel held by Sheri Graner Ray, the computer game industry's leading expert on the subject of gender and computer games.

She began by dividing learning styles into types, and explaining how closely gender relates to the different styles. She then went on to discuss how important it is for game tutorials to include the different styles of learning at the risk of losing potential players. We've compiled a breakdown of Sheri's panel here, condensing her hour-long talk into what we think are her most salient points. Remember, most of these statements are not actual quotes unless specifically pulled out as such. Read on to learn more about "The Importance of Learning Style and Gender in MMOs".

Continue reading AGDC 08: The Importance of Learning Style and Gender in MMOs

MassivelyAGDC 08: The Importance of Learning Style and Gender in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agdc-2008austin-game-developers-conferenceevent-coveragefeaturedgenderjoystiqfeatureslearning-stylepanelsheri-graner-rayFri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 5 real life lessons we've learned from MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/top-5-real-life-lesson-weve-learned-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/top-5-real-life-lesson-weve-learned-from-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/top-5-real-life-lesson-weve-learned-from-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Game designer Steve Danuser, AKA Moorgard, recently posted a musing on his blog where he speculated on the greatest lessons he's learned in all his time playing World of Warcraft. After all, after investing dozens, if not hundreds, of real days into the game, surely he had to have learned something from the experience that was applicable to real life? For Steve, the lesson was, if they look different than you, and speak differently than you, kill them before they get the chance to kill you. While we know hope Steve is kidding, it did get the old gears turning.

We've taken up Steve's line of discussion and mulled it over a little bit. What follows is our (mostly) sincere look at the top 5 real life lessons that we've learned from MMOs.

Continue reading Top 5 real life lessons we've learned from MMOs

MassivelyTop 5 real life lessons we've learned from MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caffeinechairfeaturedgenderleadershiplessonsmoorgardreal-lifescott-danusertop-5world-of-warcraftwowMon, 31 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Those men aren't *all* chicks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/those-men-arent-all-chicks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/those-men-arent-all-chicks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/those-men-arent-all-chicks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The recent announcement of research results into cross-gender play in Massive games has prompted some criticism from MMO industry heavyweights. We mentioned in our original post on the study that there was a disparity between the research done and the coverage of that research in the resulting Inquirer article. Veteran designer Richard Bartle has the best analysis of the journalism surrounding the article; his disassembly of the Guardian article about the report is extremely thorough.

Jeff Freeman (of the Mythical blog) follows up with further discussion of the original paper - noting that it can barely be described as research. Sarah Jensen Schubert, in a comment on Raph Koster's blog, summarizes Freeman's frustration well: "They surveyed 119 self-selected participants, largely recruited from the Allakhazam off-topic forums. I think it's crap." As a closing thought, Ryan Shwayder's 'rant' on this subject is worth reading as well. He takes a humorous look at some of the suppositions made by hand-wringing journalists and his own playstyle.

What do you make of all this? We've previously explored cross gender play among the readers of this site, but it's worth revisiting in the face of all this misinformation. How prevalently do you see this behavior in your gaming - and why do you do it?

MassivelyThose men aren't *all* chicks originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-gendergenderjeff-freemanjournalismrichard-bartleroleplayingryan-shwaydersarah-jensen-schubertSun, 09 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NTU study on MMO gender selection to be published]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/ntu-study-on-mmo-gender-selection-to-be-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/ntu-study-on-mmo-gender-selection-to-be-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/ntu-study-on-mmo-gender-selection-to-be-published/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Inquirer is carrying news of a soon-to-be-published study by Nottingham Trent University called Gender Swapping and Socialising in Cyberspace, which is expected to be published in the US Journal Cyberpsychology and Behavior.

The study shows that women were more likely than men to select a male avatar, with half of men (54%) choosing female avatars, and 70% of women crossing the gender divide as male avatars.

The study explores the reasons given by participants for selecting avatars/characters across genders, and the differences between male and female motivations for selecting alternate genders.

[Thanks to Megatonik for catching this one as "Study says MMO players are gender-confused" - even though it actually never says anything like that. Thanks also to the Plywood Webcomic archives for the image.]

MassivelyNTU study on MMO gender selection to be published originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccomicsculturecyberpsychology-and-behaviorgendergendermanmegatoniknottingham-trent-universityplywood-webcomicroleplayingthe-inquirervirtual-worldsTue, 04 Mar 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE announces G.I.R.L. scholarship program]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/soe-announces-g-i-r-l-scholarship-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/soe-announces-g-i-r-l-scholarship-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/soe-announces-g-i-r-l-scholarship-program/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We had the chance to hit up Sony Online Entertainment's soiree at GDC and were privy to their announcement about a scholarship program designed to educate and recruit women into the video game industry: the Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L. -- see what they did thar?) scholarship program offers a $10,000 tuition scholarship towards an education at any Art Institutes school where currently enrolled, plus a paid internship at one of SOE's studios in Austin, Denver, San Diego or Seattle. Applications will be accepted beginning April 1, 2008 and ending May 31, 2008, with winners announced on or about June 30, 2008. Entries will be judged by a panel of industry professionals at SOE.

The event featured a Q&A session with some of SOE's female production and executive staff including Torrie Dorrell (SVP Global Sales and Marketing), Courtney Simmons (Director of Corporate Communications and PR), Sherry Floyd (Producer, SOE Seattle), Laura Naviaux (Director, Global Brand Marketing), Taina Rodriguez (Publicist), Tracey Seamster (Game Designer), and Heather Sowards (Media Producer). Hit up the gallery for pics of the event and some gratuitous screens from The Agency.

Gallery: GDC08: SOE and GIRL party

MassivelySOE announces G.I.R.L. scholarship program originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgamers-in-real-lifegdc08gdc08fanboygenderGIRLscholarshipSOEthe-agencywomen-in-gamingWed, 20 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do gender addresses matter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/the-daily-grind-do-gender-addresses-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/the-daily-grind-do-gender-addresses-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/the-daily-grind-do-gender-addresses-matter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As a very basic rule of thumb, it seems to be the case that in MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, it's safe to call a person by their real life gender. Males who play MMOs sometimes play them as female avatars, and vice versa. In a virtual world like Second Life, however, the gender of importance belongs to the avatar. The distinction seems to rest on the concept of roleplay.

Obviously it boils down to the player's choice; they decide what they want to be, and how they prefer to be addressed. When they do, if you know the person behind the avatar, do you address them as their avatar's gender, or as their real life gender?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do gender addresses matter? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgenderjoystiqfeaturesroleplaysecond-lifethe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftThu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[So, why DO you play opposite your gender?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/so-why-do-you-play-opposite-your-gender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/so-why-do-you-play-opposite-your-gender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/so-why-do-you-play-opposite-your-gender/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's a tired cliché at this point: asking a man why he plays his favorite MMO as a female character, and getting the response 'I'd rather look at a chick than a dude'. But there's both so much more to this question and so much less that it bears a glance.

First of all, where is it written that one must play their own gender? Is anyone asking 'Why don't you play as a human instead of an Orc/Night Elf/Undead/Hottentot?' MMOs (and many videogames in general) have the distinct attribute of genderless play; there is no specific, inherent strength to either sex. Why not take advantage of that?

Continue reading So, why DO you play opposite your gender?

MassivelySo, why DO you play opposite your gender? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genderhottentotmassivelynight-elforcundeadThu, 29 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Women who love to play men who love women]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/women-who-love-to-play-men-who-love-women/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/women-who-love-to-play-men-who-love-women/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/women-who-love-to-play-men-who-love-women/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Don't let the flippancy of my title fool you; this is a serious request. It's a well-known MMO-ism that a great many female avatars are driven by males. Why? The reasons are varied, but the most often-heard one is 'I'd rather look at a hot chick than a dude'. Well, if you've ever wondered if the reverse is true as well, now's your chance to find out!

Metaverse development company (or 'MDC' for short, a term that refers to a real life company whose focus is virtual worlds) Metaversatility is asking real life females who play as males in Second Life to share their experiences and reasons for the purpose of a public discussion on identity and cross-gender avatars. If interested, please contact Haver Cole ( haver@metaversatility.com) or Adri Saarinen (adri@metaversatility.com). I'm more than a little curious about this myself; can't wait to see how this develops!

MassivelyWomen who love to play men who love women originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adri-saarinengenderhaver-colemassivelymdcmetaversatilitysecond-lifeSat, 03 Nov 2007 09:45:00 EST