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 expect a roleplaying server to be policed?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-expect-a-roleplaying-server-to-be-police/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-expect-a-roleplaying-server-to-be-police/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-expect-a-roleplaying-server-to-be-police/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You're in violation of roleplaying statute 352! Stop or we'll pretend to be vampires at you!
I roleplay a lot. This probably does not come as much of a surprise. As a result, I've spent time on a lot of different roleplaying servers and have long since given up any hope that I'll ever see any enforcement of rules by the community service staff. It would be really nice if GMs politely kicked people who didn't come to roleplay, but the fact of the matter is that it's just not going to happen.

But even though I don't expect it, I might be in the minority. What about you? Do you expect that on a server officially designated for roleplaying, the customer service staff will be monitoring the game and taking steps to improve the environment? Do you just expect that the staff will take complaints about inappropriate names just a bit more seriously? Or are you happy enough that there is a clear, reserved place to start building a roleplaying community without worrying about the police element?

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: Do you expect a roleplaying server to be policed? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer-servicedaily-grindgmsopinionroleplayingroleplaying-serversrprp-serversserver-policiesserver-typesserverstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 18 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Proof that GMs have a sense of humor discovered in WoW]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/proof-that-gms-have-a-sense-of-humor-discovered-in-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/proof-that-gms-have-a-sense-of-humor-discovered-in-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/proof-that-gms-have-a-sense-of-humor-discovered-in-wow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We all know that in-game GMs work hard to process a heavy ticket load and often use standard scripts and cut-n-paste replies as a result. However, there are real people behind these names, and some of them even have a sense of humor.

GameFront shared a story of a World of Warcraft player named Dougie who asked to be knighted with the "Fresh," title, a GM responded tongue-in-cheek by saying that another already held it:
Sit well Dougie, and listen to this tale.

This is a tale of events which hath inverted a young ones life, and led to his eventual appointment as heir to the throne of the Bel Air Township.

Begat and reared in western Philadelphia spending many a day becoming frigid whilst filling baskets adjacent to the academy. Ruffians ran rampant through the village; a scuffle ensued prompting his fearful mother to change his domicile to that with over kin, in Bel Air.

He summoned a cart, which appeared most gaudy, nonetheless he beseeched the driver to take him to Bel Air. Arriving barely after nightfall, he bid the knave goodbye, as he relished his arrival at his new place of residence, where he was awarded the title of 'The Fresh Prince.'
So there you have it: Proof that GMs can and do have a sense of humor -- and also a comprehensive knowledge of 90s sitcoms.

MassivelyProof that GMs have a sense of humor discovered in WoW originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bel-airfreshfresh-princefresh-prince-of-bel-airfunnygamefrontgmgmshumorin-game-gmtickettitleworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 02 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the best service you've received from a GM?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-daily-grind-whats-the-best-service-youve-received-from-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-daily-grind-whats-the-best-service-youve-received-from-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-daily-grind-whats-the-best-service-youve-received-from-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are players for whom the GMs of a given game are nothing but antagonists, killjoys who want to ban people for shouting just a few obscene slurs in a public chat channel. For many other players, they're a silent presence, something you're sure is there but never make any use of. And sometimes, they're the only people who can help you fix a serious problem with your character, a bug that crept in somewhere along the line.

There are games where you virtually never see a GM in person, such as World of Warcraft, and then there are games such as Final Fantasy XI where the GMs have a very different image among players. But today, we're not going to talk about times when GMs randomly teleported you to jail and fed you to a dragon for amusement. We're talking about the best incidents you've had, the times where you've called for help and received it without a problem. So what's the best service you've received from a GM in the game?

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's the best service you've received from a GM? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturecustomer-servicegm-callsgmshelp-functionhumoropinionservicetdgthe-daily-grindThu, 19 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Champions Online lead GM team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/meet-the-champions-online-lead-gm-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/meet-the-champions-online-lead-gm-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/meet-the-champions-online-lead-gm-team/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Very infrequently do we get to see the people who are diligently working behind the customer service counter in our online games. They listen to all our requests (frivolous or not,) they free us from the shackles of bad environmental clipping, and they make sure we're having a fun time in our game of choice. They are the game masters, and Champions Online is taking the time to give them a whole interview on their website.

The interview focuses on the three lead GMs of Champions Online (and soon to be Star Trek Online): Jim "Jaydeegee" Garner, Markus "Villarigor" Kraus, and Noel "Destra" Holmes. The three of them tackle some of the questions of customer service, including their day-to-day jobs, dealing with customers, reporting bugs, and how they take their time to enjoy the game. If you want the full story on their answers, check out the interview on the Champions Online main site.

MassivelyMeet the Champions Online lead GM team originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studioscustomer-servicegame-mastergmgmsjim-garnermarkus-krausnoel-holmesWed, 09 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you wish there was more player-GM interaction?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-wish-there-was-more-player-gm-interactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-wish-there-was-more-player-gm-interactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-wish-there-was-more-player-gm-interactio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There's something about gamesmasters which seems to fascinate us players. They are near mythical creatures with awesome powers and this is probably because, whatever game you play or official forum you explore, they are fleeting creatures. Often heard but seldom seen, you might spend ten minutes chatting to one after submitting a ticket but they rarely materialize. Sometimes though, they let their hair down and have some fun - usually on PTRs or as part of anniversary celebrations.

I'm curious, readers, do you wish GMs would step down from their lofty seats and interact with us more? I mean on a day-to-day basis rather than once in a blue moon and not just for special occasions. Would you like to talk to one in the flesh rather than conversing with a disembodied chat box? Do you think they need a bigger presence in forums?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you wish there was more player-GM interaction? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesmastergamesmastersgmgmsin-game-eventsspecial-eventsthe-daily-grindTue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You wouldn't like Aventurine when they're angry...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/you-wouldnt-like-aventurine-when-theyre-angry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/you-wouldnt-like-aventurine-when-theyre-angry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/you-wouldnt-like-aventurine-when-theyre-angry/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Aventurine smash! Well, they smash people who attempt to impersonate GMs and cheat in their game, at least.

Over at Hardcore Casual, Syncaine has put up a post discussing Aventurine's hardline attitude to players in their game, Darkfall. The company has already said, straight out, that they will ban players for an offense like attempting to impersonate a GM or cheating in their game. No warnings, no temporary boots, we're talking a full ban on the first offense.

What is unclear, from the perspective of a player, is how well Aventurine is implementing their own policies. From one player's perspective, it seems that the GMs are certainly on the ball and are dealing with people who attempt to use joke names. But as to how many people may have been banned by Aventurine's staff? Well, that's an unknown number that most likely will never be released outside of the company.

Even so, a hardline stance like the one Aventurine is taking isn't seen very often in MMOs. Companies worry about alienating their player base with moves such as those.

Interested in the full post? Check it out over at Hardcore Casual.

MassivelyYou wouldn't like Aventurine when they're angry... originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebanningcheatingdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefake-character-namesgmshackinghardcore-casualmoderationsyncaineTue, 14 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST