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[The Daily Grind: Do you like getting lost?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-getting-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-getting-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-getting-lost/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In everything from fantasy to science fiction, maps are important. Frequently, navigation comes down to a character picking up a compass, or a sextant, or activating the cross-subspace differential beacon scanner, picking a direction and then heading that way with all the certainty of an indecisive ferret. But that isn't usually a problem in most MMOs. Hitting the "m" key is frequently pre-bound to bring up your map, and you usually have a minimap as well, in addition to a dot on your map representing exactly where you are and arrows pointing you out where to go. In games that support modifications, you usually have several of them devoted to making navigation even easier for players.

Every so often, however, you wind up underground or in an area where your map doesn't work for whatever reason. And there's something to be said for that sense of adventure, that lack of a map and a clear picture where you're going, to have to just strike off in what you think is the right direction. Today, we ask: do you like being lost and having to find your own way? Does it make the game more invigorating for you? Or is it an obnoxious gimmick designed to frustrate players and force them to take more time for simple objectives?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like getting lost? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegimmicksimmersionirritationlostmapsnavigationtdgthe-daily-grindMon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Spending time with the cruise director of Azeroth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/gdc09-spending-time-with-the-cruise-director-of-azeroth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/gdc09-spending-time-with-the-cruise-director-of-azeroth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/gdc09-spending-time-with-the-cruise-director-of-azeroth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


At GDC09, we got to talk with many people and listened to a variety of panels on all aspects of game design. But there was little doubt as to which panel attracted loads of attention -- the Jeff Kaplan panel on quest design in World of Warcraft.

Warcraft has come extremely far in terms of their UI design and quest implementation since the game launched back in 2004. Just between 2007 and 2009, Kaplan revealed that over 8,570,222,436 quests have been completed, while the daily average was 16,641,409. With those numbers in place, it's safe to say that World of Warcraft players are driven by their questing.

Kaplan's panel revealed a few tricks of the trade, as well as his beliefs regarding questing, so without further adieu let's get into the meat of his panel.

Gallery: GDC09: Spending time with the cruise director of Azeroth

Continue reading GDC09: Spending time with the cruise director of Azeroth

MassivelyGDC09: Spending time with the cruise director of Azeroth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azerothblizzardcollection-questscruise-director-of-azerothdirected-gameplayexclamation-pointsfeaturedgame-designgame-developers-conferencegdc-2009gimmicksgreen-hills-of-stranglethorninterface-designjeff-kaplanjoystiqfeatureslead-game-designerpanelquest-designquest-helperquestingquestsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 01 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST