Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online never closes a door without opening a PvP window]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/pathfinder-online-never-closes-a-door-without-opening-a-pvp-wind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/pathfinder-online-never-closes-a-door-without-opening-a-pvp-wind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/pathfinder-online-never-closes-a-door-without-opening-a-pvp-wind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm sure he just wants to show off his new knife.
Having a settlement you worked hard to build be under constant attack just isn't fun. Pathfinder Online realizes this, which is why settlements are normally defended by large numbers of respawning NPC guards. Not too many to prevent players from scouting a town or stealing a few things, but enough to make a frontal assault fruitless unless you want your corpses to litter the outskirts of town.

If that were always the case, though, attacking a settlement would be pointless. So during a brief window every day, the guard respawn rate decreases, numbers thin, and suddenly the town looks much more vulnerable to attack. A well-developed settlement will still have guards, but a coordinated force will be able to eliminate them... unless players step in to defend the settlement. This also solves the problem of having massive attacks come when no one is awake to know what's happening. Read the full details in the latest development blog on the official site.

MassivelyPathfinder Online never closes a door without opening a PvP window originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-settlementsplayer-structurespnppvppvp-windowsandboxsandparkterritory-controlFri, 10 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online dev blog talks dynamic PvE, escalation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-talks-dynamic-pve-escalation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-talks-dynamic-pve-escalation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-talks-dynamic-pve-escalation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pathfinder Online dev blog talks dynamic PvE, escalationPathfinder Online's website has updated with a two-pronged dev blog attack. The first salvo concerns Kickstarter updates and more importantly, when backers will start receiving some of their rewards. The game's pledge management system is coming next week, so be sure you have a Paizo.com account set up and ready to receive rewards like the PDF superpack.

The second portion of the update concerns escalation cycles and escalation mechanics which tie into Pathfinder's version of PvE content. "An escalation is a dynamic story event such as a Bonedancer goblin invasion, an outbreak of widespread banditry from the League of the Wood, or a raid of dark elf slavers," the blog explains.

Goblinworks says that its escalation mechanics are such that players will encounter a wide variety of content and story scenarios. "The combination of different types of strength-based advances, expansion preference, stage advances, and quests associated with stages provides us with a wide variety of tools for creating very different experiences from escalation to escalation," the company says. "Some escalations like the barbarian raid will effectively march across the map; some will reach a defensible limit and fort up; some will keep trying to expand indefinitely and attempt to overrun the entire map."

[Thanks to all who sent this one in!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online dev blog talks dynamic PvE, escalation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escalationfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-escalationpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkThu, 25 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder producer talks player-generated content, archetypes, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/pathfinder-producer-talks-player-generated-content-archetypes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/pathfinder-producer-talks-player-generated-content-archetypes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/pathfinder-producer-talks-player-generated-content-archetypes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Pathfinder producer talks player-generated content, archetypes, and more
Goblinworks' CEO Ryan Dancy recently guested on the DM Fiat podcast. The Pathfinder Online producer had plenty to say about the tabletop RPG that's invading the MMO space, including nuggets about Pathfinder's extensive guild/settlement system, the River Kingdoms and expanding beyond them, and player-generated content.

Dancey says that Goblinworks would like for players to create their own PvE content modules and sell them to others, likely via some sort of app store format. He also mentions Pathfinder's archetype system and its numerous advantages over traditional class mechanics. Head to DM Fiat to listen to the podcast.

[Thanks Mark!]

MassivelyPathfinder producer talks player-generated content, archetypes, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-archetypespathfinder-classespathfinder-onlineplayer-generated-contentpnpryan-danceysandboxsandparkuser-generated-contentTue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online discusses the creed of assassination]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/pathfinder-online-discusses-the-creed-of-assassination/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/pathfinder-online-discusses-the-creed-of-assassination/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/pathfinder-online-discusses-the-creed-of-assassination/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

For more information on assassins, look this up, because it's one of the many stories that shows off how history is often cooler than fiction.
Not everything in Pathfinder Online is meant to be sweetness and light. Your player-run settlement might have all of the people it needs to be built into a great city, but all it takes is an assassin accosting one of those people and suddenly everything can fall apart. And that's not just conjecture -- the latest development blog shows how the assassination system is meant to facilitate precisely that sort of outcome under the right circumstances.

Assassination is a system allowing players to put out contracts on other players, whether for long-term gain or just spite. Successful assassins will slowly become better and better at stealth and can prevent targets from resurrecting nearby. They also get access to Disguises, special outfits that change your display name and hide your actual abilities from other players. If you're looking to be the blade in the night that puts down your target, take a look at the official blog for all the details.

MassivelyPathfinder Online discusses the creed of assassination originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassinationassassinsdevelopment-blogfantasygame-mechanicsgankinggoblinworkskillingmechanical-previewpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnppreviewpvpsandboxsandparkWed, 10 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goblinworks illuminates Pathfinder's spellcasting system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/goblinworks-illuminates-pathfinders-spellcasting-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/goblinworks-illuminates-pathfinders-spellcasting-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/goblinworks-illuminates-pathfinders-spellcasting-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pathfinder's approach to spellcasting is quite daunting
Thinking about becoming a Wizard or Sorcerer in Pathfinder Online? It's not going to be like rolling a mage in another MMO, where you'll instantly have access to infinite firebolt and ice shard spells that are conveniently located on your hotbar. No, it's going to be complex and deep because this is Pathfinder and that is what Pathfinder does.

In a new dev blog, Designer Stephen Cheney spells out (har) the approach the team is currently taking with arcane casters (i.e., Wizards and Sorcerers). While these classes will get a huge reservoir of basic cantrips to fling out during normal combat, their actual spells will be difficult to acquire, powerful to perform, and limited in number of uses.

Cheney talks about how wizards will put together spellbooks, why it's important to have a pouch full of spell components, and what keywords you're going to want to collect in order to build the type of caster you envision. It's a lengthy read, but as a wizard apprentice, you're already used to that, aren't you?

[Thanks to Matixzun for the tip!]

MassivelyGoblinworks illuminates Pathfinder's spellcasting system originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkspellspellcastersspellcastingspellsStephen-CheneyThu, 04 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online dev blog explains territory and the hex map]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-explains-territory-and-the-hex-map/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-explains-territory-and-the-hex-map/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/pathfinder-online-dev-blog-explains-territory-and-the-hex-map/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pathfinder Online dev blog explains territory and the hex map
You wouldn't normally think that something like hex size would be such a big deal in a video game, but Pathfinder Online's Lee Hammock explains in today's most recent blog post that it can make a huge difference.

First off, the type of hex matters. Whether it's a settlement hex, a wilderness hex, a monster hex, or an NPC hex, each version determines control capabilities, building laws, resources, and so on. This basically means that no two settlements will be alike.

If you'd like to read up on how much territory and the hex map actually matters in Pathfinder Online, head on over to the dev blog to read more.

[Thanks matixzun for the tip!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online dev blog explains territory and the hex map originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diaryfantasygoblinworkshexhex-maplee-hammockpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkterritoryWed, 20 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder dev blog details the building of Fort Inevitable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/pathfinder-dev-blog-details-the-building-of-fort-inevitable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/pathfinder-dev-blog-details-the-building-of-fort-inevitable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/pathfinder-dev-blog-details-the-building-of-fort-inevitable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Pathfinder characters
If you're looking for a little insight into the creative process behind Goblinworks' crowdfunded Pathfinder MMO, look no further than the latest dev blog by designer Rich Baker. After a brief intro by producer Ryan Dancey, Baker delves into the nuts and bolts of building Fort Inevitable, which will likely be "one of the major NPC towns and a potential starting area for new characters in the Pathfinder Online game."

The blog post is pretty long, so bring your own caffeinated beverage. It's an interesting peek behind the development curtain, though, and you can find it at the Goblinworks website.

[Thanks Matixzun!]

MassivelyPathfinder dev blog details the building of Fort Inevitable originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryfantasyfort-inevitablegoblinworkspaizopathfinderpathfinder-onlinerich-bakerryan-danceysandboxFri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online shows off early development art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/pathfinder-online-shows-off-early-development-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/pathfinder-online-shows-off-early-development-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/pathfinder-online-shows-off-early-development-art/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

They're mannequins for posing, yes, but they look more lifelike than some character models.
You might have been looking forward to Pathfinder Online for a while, but it's been hard to really look at the game. That's starting to change with the latest blog entry on the official site in which art director Mike Hines discusses the process of making art for Pathfinder Online and shows off some early renders that should demonstrate what the game will look like once players finally get to enjoy it.

Hines discusses the fact that the game has the advantage of drawing upon a great deal of established artwork for the Pathfinder tabletop game, but it also has the challenge of adapting those visuals to the online space. He also shows off several early concept renders and sketches, stressing with each that these are still works in progress that might change before the final release. If you're anxious to look at the game instead of just forward to it, look through the full blog entry on the official site.

[Thanks to matixuzn for the tip!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online shows off early development art originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-directioncharacter-equipmentcharacter-modelsdesigndevelopment-blogfantasygoblinworkskickstartermodelspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkWed, 06 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Bringing the 'craft' back to crafting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/some-assembly-required-bringing-the-craft-back-to-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/some-assembly-required-bringing-the-craft-back-to-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/some-assembly-required-bringing-the-craft-back-to-crafting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required Bringing the 'craft' back to crafting
A recent comment made in regard to crafting in an upcoming game gave me pause. It went something like this: If the gameplay fails, the crafting system won't matter. My first thought was that this person must have accidentally tripped over his tongue and mistakenly substituted words, meaning to insert pwnzer PvP or some such instead of gameplay. Why? Because we all understand that as a part of playing the game, crafting is inherently gameplay.

But then another explanation for this wildly inaccurate statement came to me; perhaps the speaker had actually never seen -- let alone experienced -- real, meaningful crafting in a game! After all, there has been a serious dearth of deep, involved crafting systems where skill and dedication are valued for quite some time in MMOs. Crafting, if it exists at all, is often relegated to some mechanic that can be slept through that results in uniform, standardized products. It's no wonder that some folks might not realize that crafting is gameplay.

But change is a-comin'! Some upcoming games are returning to the idea that robust crafting systems are a deep and engaging part of games. Heck, the whole premise behind one is crafting! Two titles, The Repopulation and Pathfinder Online, seem to have really hit the nail on the head when it comes to developing sophisticated crafting systems that have purpose and meaning. Today in Some Assembly Required, we'll take a closer look at how both are putting the "craft" back into crafting.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Bringing the 'craft' back to crafting

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Bringing the 'craft' back to crafting originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesartisanscraftingfeaturedgame-mechanicsGoblinworksopinionPathfinderpathfinder-Onlinepgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsarsci-fisome-assembly-requiredThe-Repopulationthe-repopulation-craftingFri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Murder by numbers: A closer look at Pathfinder Online's combat mathematics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/murder-by-numbers-a-closer-look-at-pathfinder-onlines-combat-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/murder-by-numbers-a-closer-look-at-pathfinder-onlines-combat-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/murder-by-numbers-a-closer-look-at-pathfinder-onlines-combat-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

goblinworks dev blog
If you like granular detail on still-in-progress systems for a game that hasn't been released yet, boy are you in luck! A new dev post from the Goblinworks team turns a microscope on the hows and whys of combat in Pathfinder Online. This is obviously an important thing, as Pathfinder itself has a well-established combat system that's awesome for pen-and-paper gameplay but probably significantly less awesome for online combat. The system is being modified so that there will be fewer chances for epic failures and so that epic successes won't completely imbalance the game.

Combat is being built to make even small numerical differences important (it'll be way cooler to have +10 against Immobilize than nothing), to emphasize the importance of different weapon types, and to keep luck from being a more important factor than player skill. Read the whole blog post for the nitty-gritties of how the numbers work out.

MassivelyMurder by numbers: A closer look at Pathfinder Online's combat mathematics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combatdev-diariesfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkWed, 27 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder dev blog rolls up its sleeves and digs into crafting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/pathfinder-dev-blog-rolls-up-sleeves-and-digs-into-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/pathfinder-dev-blog-rolls-up-sleeves-and-digs-into-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/pathfinder-dev-blog-rolls-up-sleeves-and-digs-into-crafting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Pathfinder dev blog rolls up sleeves and digs into crafting
If you've been looking forward to an involved crafting system, Pathfinder Online is happy to oblige. In the most recent dev blog, the game's proposed system is laid out in great detail, from gathering the resources to the final product.

In a nutshell, gear (the majority of which will be player-crafted) will be the final result of many steps involving different skill sets, with the creator's skill rating at each step contributing to the final quality rating. Each step -- harvesting or salvaging, refining, crafting, and enchanting -- can only achieve a quality rating equal to the level of either the starting materials or the creator's skill, whichever is lower.

The blog also gives players an update on how Kickstarter rewards will be disseminated. For full details on both this and the entire crafting process, check out the the full blog.

MassivelyPathfinder dev blog rolls up its sleeves and digs into crafting originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrafting-systemdev-blogdev-diaryfantasygoblinworksharvestingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpresourcessandboxsandparkThu, 21 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder's Hammock talks PvP behavioral incentives]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/pathfinders-hammock-dev-blog-talks-pvp-behavioral-incentives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/pathfinders-hammock-dev-blog-talks-pvp-behavioral-incentives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/pathfinders-hammock-dev-blog-talks-pvp-behavioral-incentives/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pathfinder PnP cover
Curious about how PvP is going to work in Pathfinder Online? You're not alone, as it's something of a hot topic in the game's community according to the latest Goblinworks blog post. Lead designer Lee Hammock walks us through the team's current thought process which includes player identification through alignment, nods to the Pathfinder pen-and-paper roleplaying game, and behavioral incentives.

It's this last bit that's most informative in terms of sussing out what sort of game Pathfinder Online wants to be. Hammock lists large PvP wars, attacker flags, and discouraging mechanics like bounties, death curses, and reputation loss as desirable behaviors.

MassivelyPathfinder's Hammock talks PvP behavioral incentives originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behavioral-incentivefantasygoblinworkslee-hammockpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnppvpsandboxsandparkThu, 07 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Kick(start)ing the sandbox genre]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/some-assembly-required-kick-start-ing-the-sandbox-genre-into-hi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/some-assembly-required-kick-start-ing-the-sandbox-genre-into-hi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/some-assembly-required-kick-start-ing-the-sandbox-genre-into-hi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some Assembly Required Kickstarting the sandbox genre into higher gear
Sandbox aficionados are known to reminisce about the "good old days." You know, that time long lost in the past when the greats of open-world play like Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies (pre-NGE of course) enjoyed their heyday. Many a lamentation has also been heard about how things have never been the same, or how nothing has filled that void.

Of course, the sandbox never died. In 2012 we started the year off with a guide to games sporting sandbox features to scratch a variety of virtual world itches and we ended with a look at some promising upcoming titles for 2013. With plenty of choices abounding, why are sandbox fans still decrying the lack of a home? It could be because they want one home for everyone to settle in together, basically one game to rule them all. But how realistic is that?

Even with the plethora of offerings now, many folks want to play their ideal sandbox, and everyone has their own idea of what the perfect one would be (and conversely, what would kill it). Perhaps the answer, then, is to forget about a single universal home that accommodates the masses and actually create a number of niche games where people find exactly what they are looking for. Wait, that's already happening? Enter Kickstarter.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Kick(start)ing the sandbox genre

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Kick(start)ing the sandbox genre originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologieschris-robertscitadel-of-sorceryclassic-mmocrowd-fundingcrowdfundingeaelectronic-artsembers-of-caerusfantasyfeaturedgalaxiesgame-mechanicsgoblinworksGreed-MongerKickstarterkickstarter-campaignKickstarter.comlord-britishmichael-dunhammythicmythic-entertainmentnotoriousnotorious-gamesopinionorigins-of-malupathfinderpathfinder-onlinepgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpnppost-apocpost-apocalypticPrison-Worldpvprepopulationsandboxsandparksarsci-fantasysci-fishowing-supportsoesome-assembly-requiredsony-online-entertainmentspaceshipstar-citizenstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgothe-repopulationultimaultima onlineuoVendetta-OnlinexsyonFri, 01 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goblinworks answers post-Kickstarter questions in latest Pathfinder livestream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/goblinworks-answers-post-kickstarter-questions-in-latest-pathfin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/goblinworks-answers-post-kickstarter-questions-in-latest-pathfin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/goblinworks-answers-post-kickstarter-questions-in-latest-pathfin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pathfinder concept art
So yesterday was a big day in the life of Pathfinder Online, what with the project meeting its Kickstarter goals and all. To celebrate, a gaggle of Goblinworks devs sat down for an impromptu livestream last night that gave fans and backers the opportunity to put some faces with forum names and ask a few questions of the newly funded project.

The livestream is now archived on YouTube, and you can watch the entire 47 minutes after the cut. The team answered several community generated questions during the vidcast, among them a confirmed list of beginning playable races (elves, dwarves, humans, and gnomes), clarification on the game's "pet" system, and more.

[Thanks to Don for the tip!]

Continue reading Goblinworks answers post-Kickstarter questions in latest Pathfinder livestream

MassivelyGoblinworks answers post-Kickstarter questions in latest Pathfinder livestream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-livestreampathfinder-onlinepnpryan-danceysandboxsandparkvideoTue, 15 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online Kickstarter now successfully funded [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/pathfinder-online-95-funded-as-end-of-kickstarter-campaign-draw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/pathfinder-online-95-funded-as-end-of-kickstarter-campaign-draw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/pathfinder-online-95-funded-as-end-of-kickstarter-campaign-draw/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I HATE LUTES.
Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter campaign is coming right down to the wire, and it's anyone's guess whether the game will achieve its funding goal of a million bucks before the campaign ends in six hours. As this is being written, the campaign has amassed $972,177, meaning that the campaign needs to pick up an additional 30 grand or so within the next six hours.

So far, the campaign has been raking in a steady flow of contributions, and $30,000 in six hours isn't a terribly farfetched goal. Unless there's a sudden drought of pledges, it looks like Pathfinder Online is going to achieve its goal with (admittedly very little) time to spare. If you're trying to decide whether or not to pledge and would like to know more about the game, Goblinworks CEO Ryan Dancey has started an impromptu ask-me-anything thread on Reddit, so feel free to pop by and ask some questions.

[Update: The Kickstarter just passed $1,000,000. Pathfinder Online incoming!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online Kickstarter now successfully funded [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpryan-danceysandboxsandparkMon, 14 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online unveils 'Environment Experience']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/pathfinder-online-unveils-environment-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/pathfinder-online-unveils-environment-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/pathfinder-online-unveils-environment-experience/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pathfinder Online unveils 'Environment Experience'
Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter campaign continues ever onward, but it will soon be drawing to a close. The Goblinworks title has received pledges totaling $671,765 of its whopping $1,000,000 goal. If you're on the fence trying to decide whether or not to pledge to the campaign, Goblinworks' latest treat might be enough to knock you off of it (one way or another).

Fans can now access a nifty tool that will allow them to traipse about the environment from the game's tech demo. It runs right in your browser courtesy of Unity, so it's definitely worth at least a quick look. There is, as you may have guessed, no actual gameplay in this little demo-land; it's just you, the movement keys, and a small chunk of the Pathfinder Online world. If you wanna poke around for yourself, you can find the demo at the source link below.

MassivelyPathfinder Online unveils 'Environment Experience' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoenvironment-experiencefantasygoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparktech-demoWed, 09 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2012: The year of the MMO Kickstarter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/2012-the-year-of-the-mmo-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/2012-the-year-of-the-mmo-kickstarter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/2012-the-year-of-the-mmo-kickstarter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Kickstarters
Kickstarter is perhaps the biggest story in the world of gaming since the birth of the home video console or the integration of online components into consumer entertainment. No new product, innovation, or invention has carried with it such immense potential for shifting the way the industry plans, builds, and delivers its products. And with projects covering everything from hardware to companion apps, it's almost impossible now to imagine a gaming world without Kickstarter, even though it was our reality just a few short months ago.

The legacy of Kickstarter is one that we're witnessing in real-time. Most of the major successful projects are slated for late 2013/early 2014 releases, giving us plenty of time to speculate on what may or may not go wrong with the crowd-funding model and the products it bears. Over the next year, games will either make it to market or they won't. Developers will squander their budgets or release on time. It's all up in the air.

With that in mind, we thought now would be a good time to look back on some of the biggest MMO Kickstarter projects of 2012. The fate of some of these titles is inexorably tied to the fate of Kickstarter as a viable game-creating platform -- and maybe even crowd-sourcing as a whole.

Continue reading 2012: The year of the MMO Kickstarter

Massively2012: The year of the MMO Kickstarter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012argarg-zombiesastronautastronaut-moon-mars-and-beyondchris-robertscrowdfundingdangerousdark-valedavid-brabeneconomyeliteelite-dangerousfantasyfeaturedforgefree-to-playfrontierfrontier-developmentsfurcadiagoblinworksgreed-mongergreed-monger-partnersguns-of-icarusguns-of-icarus-onlineinternet-spaceshipisland-forgekickstartermobilepathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-driven-economyplayer-economypvprecapsandboxsci-fispacespaceshipspaceshipsstar-citizenthe-repopulationTue, 08 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online will be released for Windows and Mac]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/pathfinder-online-will-be-released-for-windows-and-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/pathfinder-online-will-be-released-for-windows-and-mac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/pathfinder-online-will-be-released-for-windows-and-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pathfinder Online will be released for Mac
Goblinworks, the development team behind the upcoming Pathfinder Online MMO, has just announced that Pathfinder will be available for both Windows and Mac users. Because the team has decided to work in UNITY, there will be a minimal amount of platform-specific development. Think this is a wonderful/horrible idea that will be industry-changing/a sure sign of failure and that more people need to embrace it/scorn the very notion of it? The team is inviting feedback and questions on the Paizo forums.

This announcement is timely, as the game has almost $400,000 left to raise in the final week of its Kickstarter campaign. Perhaps a flood support from all eight Mac-only gamers will clinch the deal.

MassivelyPathfinder Online will be released for Windows and Mac originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkskickstartermacpathfinderpathfinder-onlineplatformpnpsandboxsandparkMon, 07 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online hits $600,000 with nine days to go]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/pathfinder-online-hits-600-000-with-nine-days-to-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/pathfinder-online-hits-600-000-with-nine-days-to-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/pathfinder-online-hits-600-000-with-nine-days-to-go/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pathfinder Online hits $600,000 with nine days to go
Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter campaign is entering the home stretch. With a little over a week left for the project to hit full funding, it's currently sitting pretty at just over $600,000 already raised out of its $1,000,000 goal. In honor of the momentum that's building, the team revealed the Bugbear Sniper battle miniature, a howling deathbringer available at "Crowdforger level $700,000."

Pathfinder Online is being described by its developers as a grindless, classless system that allows for limitless character progression, large-scale battles, player-built structures, player-driven content, and useful trade and crafting.

MassivelyPathfinder Online hits $600,000 with nine days to go originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingfantasygoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkSat, 05 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online addresses the Escalation mechanic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/pathfinder-online-addresses-the-escalation-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/pathfinder-online-addresses-the-escalation-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/pathfinder-online-addresses-the-escalation-mechanic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pathfinder Online addresses the escalation mechanic
We know that many of you are passionate about Pathfinder Online and its current Kickstarter campaign, so today we're happy to point you towards a new developer video and links to a series of dev blogs that tell more about the game's creative process.

Lead designer Lee Hammock and game designer Stephen Cheney address the topic of Escalations in this latest video, explaining that each area of the map will have creatures that need to be dealt with or their power will escalate over time. These unchecked monsters will eventually burden the zone's resources and make it more difficult for a settlement to thrive in that area. But if the threat is dealt with completely, you will earn bonuses for your settlement.

Be sure to watch the entire video after the cut for more on Escalation cycles and how they work.

[Source: Pathfinder Online Kickstarter update email]

Continue reading Pathfinder Online addresses the Escalation mechanic

MassivelyPathfinder Online addresses the Escalation mechanic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escalationsgoblinworkskickstarterlee-hammockpathfinder-onlinestephen-cheneyvideoThu, 27 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An interview with Pathfinder Online's Ryan Scott Dancey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/an-interview-with-pathfinder-onlines-ryan-scott-dancey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/an-interview-with-pathfinder-onlines-ryan-scott-dancey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/an-interview-with-pathfinder-onlines-ryan-scott-dancey/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

An interview with Pathfinder Online's Ryan Dansey
Pathfinder Online is an ambitious new sandbox MMO that is making quite a stir lately. The development team at Goblinworks began its spotlight rampage with an initial Kickstarter project raising money for a tech demo and is currently running a new Kickstarter project to raise enough money to make the game bigger and better with a faster release date.

Of course, it helps that the Pathfinder IP has enjoyed wild success through its Pathfinder RPG, but a massively multiplayer online version is an interesting concept. Add to that the fact that Goblinworks is made up of a few industry vets like Ryan Scott Dancey, Mark Kalmes, and Lee Hammock, and you've got yourself a winner.

We sat down with Goblinworks CEO Ryan Scott Dancey to discuss the project, the game, the IP, and more.

[Update: Clarified that the second Kickstarter project isn't to complete the game. Wowza, people.]

Continue reading An interview with Pathfinder Online's Ryan Scott Dancey

MassivelyAn interview with Pathfinder Online's Ryan Scott Dancey originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfeaturedgoblinworksinterviewinterviewskickstarterlee-hammockmark-kalmespaizopaizo-publishingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpryan-scott-danceysandboxsandparkThu, 13 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online begins second Kickstarter project]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/pathfinder-online-begins-second-kickstarter-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/pathfinder-online-begins-second-kickstarter-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/pathfinder-online-begins-second-kickstarter-project/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pathfinder Online begins second Kickstarter project
Earlier this year, the folks at Goblinworks created a Kickstarter project for the tech demo version of their fantasy sandbox MMO Pathfinder Online. Not only did the team crush their initial goal of $50,000, but they went on to raise over $300,000 to create the demo. The Kickstarter bug seems to still be biting because the studio has announced another Kickstarter project for the completion of the game.

With a new goal of one meeeellion dollars, Goblinworks hopes to expand from their tech demo and utilize the new team to make the very best Pathfinder Online possible. The new design crew consists of former developers from CCP, Cryptic, Zenimax, Turbine, and more, so you can see why this is an exciting project for MMO fans.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online begins second Kickstarter project originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundinggoblinworkskickstarterpathfinder-onlineprojectTue, 27 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online blog on designing in the game and on the table]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/pathfinder-online-blog-on-designing-in-the-game-and-on-the-table/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/pathfinder-online-blog-on-designing-in-the-game-and-on-the-table/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/pathfinder-online-blog-on-designing-in-the-game-and-on-the-table/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hex maps are joy.
Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter project hits its goal this Friday, and that means the staff has been hard at work designing the game. That design includes both the world for players to explore and the module being released to Kickstarter backers. A new developer blog discusses designing the city of Thornkeep, both in the eponymous book and as a starting point for characters coming into the world of Pathfinder Online.

According to writer Rich Baker, the first problem encountered during design was the fact that the book is written with Thornkeep as a somewhat lawless place, while Thornkeep in the MMO will be a starting point for new players. As a result, Thornkeep has a strong central leader with a capricious streak, enough to convey the sense of lawless air while still keeping things sufficiently safe for new entrants. The blog also discusses dungeon design for the book and the tech demo. If either one sounds interesting to you, you've still got a couple of days to jump on the Kickstarter wagon to help fund the development team.

MassivelyPathfinder Online blog on designing in the game and on the table originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>area-designcity-designdesigndonation-goalsfantasygoalsgoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnprich-bakersandboxsandparkstretch-goalstabletoptabletop-gamingthornkeepWed, 06 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Pathfinder dev blog talks contract, questing mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-talks-contract-questing-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-talks-contract-questing-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-talks-contract-questing-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Pathfinder Online - This guy broke his contract
The latest Pathfinder Online dev blog is all about contracts. It's also about 20,000 pages long, so reading it starts to feel like reading a real contract after about the 10,000 page mark. OK, it's not all that bad. Heck it's actually pretty interesting stuff, since most MMOs these days go out of their way to segregate players from each other and from decisions that have lasting gameplay implications.

Not so in Pathfinder, thanks to its contract mechanics, which Ryan Dancey says are like "a questing system hidden in plain sight." While some of what you'll read in this particular blog is theoretical (and as such, it carries the standard subject-to-change disclaimers), the system as it stands right now is broken down into four in-game tools: escrow, reputation, alignment, and the law.

Contracts themselves are sub-divided into assassination, auction, bounty, guard, loan, purchase, sale, and transportation flavors. It sounds somewhat complex, but there's definitely a method to Goblinworks' madness. "Ideally, most of the commercial, diplomatic, and adventuring activities in the game will develop through player-to-player contracting," Dancey writes. "If somebody offers you a reward for bringing them 10 rat tails, it will be because another player needs 10 rat tails for some reason, not just because an NPC has an exclamation point bobbing over his head."

MassivelyNew Pathfinder dev blog talks contract, questing mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contractsfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-contractspathfinder-onlinepnpquestingryan-danceysandboxsandparkWed, 23 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online kicks off a Kickstarter video series]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/pathfinder-online-kicks-off-a-kickstarter-video-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/pathfinder-online-kicks-off-a-kickstarter-video-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/pathfinder-online-kicks-off-a-kickstarter-video-series/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pathfinder Online Technology Demo
Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter page got a video update today: the start of a promised "behind the scenes" glimpse of the goings-on at Goblinworks. The video is all about Mark Kalmes, Goblinworks' Chief Technology Officer. Kalmes is introduced as something of an industry veteran, having his hands in the City of Heroes, Champions Online, and World of Darkness pots as he progressed through his career. It was during the WoD years that he met Goblinworks CEO Ryan Dancey, and... well, you can hear the story for yourself in the video.

Along with talking a little bit about himself and how he became part of the Pathfinder Online team, Kalmes says a bit about the company's goal (to "go into beta as quickly as possible, start getting a few people in the game, and then start building the game that they enjoy") as well as his hopes for the game and its development.

This video is the first in a series of introductions to team members and their roles within Goblinworks. Keep tabs on the project's Kickstarter page (where if you're especially passionate, you can still donate even though the team has reached its goal and then some) for further updates!

MassivelyPathfinder Online kicks off a Kickstarter video series originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygoblinworkskickstarterkickstarter-videomark-kalmespathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpryan-danceysandboxsandparktechnology-demoWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online's technology demo gets soundly kickstarted]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/pathfinder-onlines-technology-demo-gets-soundly-kickstarted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/pathfinder-onlines-technology-demo-gets-soundly-kickstarted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/pathfinder-onlines-technology-demo-gets-soundly-kickstarted/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Well, it's certainly a funding demo.
Two days ago, we announced that Pathfinder Online was starting a Kickstarter project to fund a technology demo for the game. Yesterday, the project went live. Today, the project has already hit its $50,000 goal and exceeded it, meaning that the game's demo will most definitely be funded when June 8th rolls around. There are still another 29 days left in the project, so if you're interested in the game, there's still more time for you to throw in your support.

But maybe you're one of the backers already. If you're still eager for more information on the game, the weekly developer blog has gone live, discussing the rationale behind the Kickstarter project and some of the future steps of the game's production. You can also take a peek at details behind the upcoming tabletop book available for backers, which might help motivate you to donate if you haven't already.

[Thanks to Nick for the tip!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online's technology demo gets soundly kickstarted originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfundingfunding-projectgoblinworkskickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparktech-demotechnology-demoThu, 10 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online puts together a Kickstarter project [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pathfinder-online-puts-together-a-kickstarter-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pathfinder-online-puts-together-a-kickstarter-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pathfinder-online-puts-together-a-kickstarter-project/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The posing is a bit Liefeldian, but it's a fantasy woman wearing reasonable clothes and flat boots. I'm calling this a win.
Kickstarter has been getting a lot of attention from the gaming industry of late after a number of high-profile successes. It's even gained the attention of the team behind Pathfinder Online, the upcoming sandbox MMORPG based on the eponymous tabletop system. So instead of trying to secure venture capitalist funding for the project, the development team is reaching out directly to the fans via a new Kickstarter project to assemble a tech demo for the game.

It's important to note that the project is only for funding a demo of the game, enough to show bigger investors that the interest in the game does exist. However, the development team has still assembled a number of bonuses for prospective players, including special forum membership, specialized tabletop game products, and promotional posters. If you're interested in seeing the game continue in development, it's well worth dropping by the Kickstarter page and dropping in some money when it goes live soon.

[Update: The Kickstarter page is now live!]

MassivelyPathfinder Online puts together a Kickstarter project [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodevelopmentdevelopment-costsfantasygame-developmentgoblinworksinvestmentkickstarterpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparktech-demoTue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online goes diving into dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/pathfinder-online-goes-diving-into-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/pathfinder-online-goes-diving-into-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/pathfinder-online-goes-diving-into-dungeons/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Now, if it were based off of Tunnels & Trolls, life would be much easier. Or Bunnies & Burrows.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Pathfinder game system, what you need to know is that it's based on the core rules of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition. Needless to say, dungeons feature pretty heavily in the tabletop game. So Pathfinder Online has presented itself with a bit of a conundrum: How can it combine the traditionally instanced format of MMO dungeons with the open-world approach of the game? As detailed in the latest development blog, the team is aiming at something between the normal instancing methodology and more sandbox-style open regions.

In short, while dungeons themselves won't be instanced, the entrances will be hidden in various locations. When a dungeon is generated, a player who finds the entrance will have that dungeon locked to him or her until the dungeon is cleared, at which point it will despawn and be replaced by another dungeon. It's an interesting idea, and it's well worth reading the full blog for a look at how this system might work in practice.

MassivelyPathfinder Online goes diving into dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentcontent-generationdevelopment-blogdungeondungeonsfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepen-and-paper-gamespnpsandboxsandparkFri, 27 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online developer blog outlines the path of production]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/pathfinder-online-developer-blog-outlines-the-path-of-production/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/pathfinder-online-developer-blog-outlines-the-path-of-production/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/pathfinder-online-developer-blog-outlines-the-path-of-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Someone made the small jagged sword being stabbed into my gut! Wait, this is less cool than I had envisioned.
Everything comes from somewhere. That's one of the axioms underpinning Pathfinder Online -- almost every single object that players see will have been produced by a player. In the most recent development blog, the process for gathering and producing items is outlined, and it bears all of the detailed hallmarks of the game's other systems. This isn't a game in which players grab a pickaxe and swing at the nearest rock face for ore; instead, you construct a camp and start up an entire mining operation.

The game has a basic three-tiered structure to its non-combat operation, starting with harvesting the resource, moving on to processing and refining the items in question, and finishing with crafting a usable item. And as an outgrowth of the game's open systems, these elements work in multiple directions. Starting a camp to harvest resources, for example, can generate a lot of commotion and attract hostile monsters, necessitating that players deal with the fallout or find someone else willing to do so. No one can accuse the designers of making crafting activities a secondary goal with this degree of detail involved.

MassivelyPathfinder Online developer blog outlines the path of production originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildingcraftingfantasygatheringgoblinworksitemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpproductionresourcessandboxsandparkThu, 12 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hey, pretend money is pretend money.
The latest in the series of Pathfinder Online developer diaries has just recently gone live, and this time it's covering something near and dear to the heart of many gamers: money. Even if you don't play an MMO specifically for the size of your bankroll, everyone likes having cash to spend and money in the bank. The diary explains that the heart of the game's economic system will be a currency known simply as coin, which is meant to be the driving force behind the virtual economy in-place.

Beyond the basics of the game's economic theory, however, the entry also reveals something of the game's business model, explaining that players will also be able to spend real money to purchase Skymetal Bits. These Bits work as microtransaction currency, running the gamut of the usual microtransaction services (skill training, cosmetic items, special content, and so forth). If you've been following the game along thus far, you'll probably want to see what information the latest entry is providing.

MassivelyCash rules everything around Pathfinder Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscasheconomieseconomyfantasygoblinworksmicrotransactionsmoneypathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkvirtual-economiesWed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online goes time-traveling in latest dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/pathfinder-online-goes-time-traveling-in-latest-dev-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Artwork -- Pathfinder
According to the venerable Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, time is an illusion, and lunchtime doubly so. MMO time is perhaps even more illusory, and that's the exact topic of today's Pathfinder Online dev diary. It's always tricky deciding on the ratio of real-world to in-game time. On the one hand, if time moves too quickly, it can be immersion-breaking; on the other hand, if time moves too slowly, it can lend a sense of stagnance, especially if other gameplay mechanics rely on the day/night cycle (such as mobs that only come out at night).

In light of this, Goblinworks has decided on a 4:1 game-to-earth-time ratio. This means that four in-game minutes will pass in the span of one real-world minute, one in-game day will pass in the span of six real-world hours, and so forth. This will also influence the rate of travel within the game. The team is operating under the assumption that the average human moves at three miles per hour. In-game hexes are about three-quarters of a mile from edge-to-edge, which means that it would take a real person about 15 minutes to traverse one hex. When you take into account the game's chronological dilation, though, the same journey will take an in-game character less than four minutes (assuming he can travel in a straight line), which the team says passes a basic "sanity test when considering the travel times required to cross the zones in other MMOs."

The full dev blog is chock-full of even more information than we can cram into this article, including details on how different variables (such as mounts, magic, and difficult terrain) will affect travel time and the perceived scale of the world, so if you're in the mood to have your brain addled by MMO chronomancy, head on over and give it a read.

MassivelyPathfinder Online goes time-traveling in latest dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryfantasyfast-travelgoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkscaletimetime-scaletravelWed, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online measures up player housing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/pathfinder-online-measures-up-player-housing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pathfinder RPG
To live up to the claim of being an extensively player-built game world is a significant challenge for the Pathfinder Online team, but to the devs' credit, it seems as if they have a few elegant ideas to make it work. In the latest developer blog post, CEO Ryan Dancey discusses how the team is approaching player-built structures in the game world.

While there will be three NPC settlements, player structures will be a significant presence in Pathfinder Online, Dancey says. Not only will a player be given the ability to create a persistent structure, but that structure will be vulnerable to destruction as well if not protected. Dancey says that the idea right now is for the world to have special spots that signify a suitable building location; this is to keep the density from growing out of control and also to put buildings near desirable sites or resources. Once a structure is built by a group of players, it can be transferred to new ownership, built up, or attacked.

Some of the structures that the team is kicking around include hideouts, inns, watchtowers, forts, and settlements. Dancey also mentioned that players may be able to improve roads and docks in order to facilitate faster travel.

The one downside to the logistics of this feature is that players might not be able to go inside these structures; instead, they'll to access housing abilities via menus. This could be changed after launch, Dancey says, but the demand on system resources would make it a difficult task.

MassivelyPathfinder Online measures up player housing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildingconstructiongoblinworkshousingnon-instanced-housingpathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-created-housingplayer-housingplayer-structuressandboxThu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online will let players run the kingdom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The game itself has no real art yet, but the pen-and-paper game has quite a few nice pieces.
If you've played the Pathfinder tabletop game that Pathfinder Online is based upon, you know that you need to have grouping. After all, the former is all about bands of adventurers exploring the wilds. So it's fitting that the most recent developer blog is all about the game's methods of managing groups and playing in different numbers. And this isn't just a matter of parties or solo play -- at the high end, players can be running entire kingdoms as a social unit.

Solo play is meant to be somewhat discouraged, as the blog notes it will be a much more difficult road for a dedicated lone wolf. Parties will be the next step up, holding an undetermined number of players (the working target has about 24 players at the high end). Above those are chartered companies, settlements, and as mentioned, entire new player-run kingdoms. It's going to produce some interesting dynamics to have player organizations in such abundance, but the developers seem to have some confidence in their initial designs.

MassivelyPathfinder Online will let players run the kingdom originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogdesigndeveloper-blogsearly-designgoblinworksgroupinggroupspaizopaizo-publishingpartiespartypathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-housingplayer-nationsplayer-settlementspreviewssolosolo-playerWed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not sure where the judicial branch comes in, but I'm thinking it should be on here.
Pathfinder Online is still too early in the development process to do much more than talk about principles, but said principles are certainly of interest to fans. The most recent development blog about the project discusses that game's PvE arm, which is meant to be an important part of the game without being the sole driving force. Instead of the game being driven by players going, gathering quests, and then going out to kill monsters, the development team hopes to create an environment where players go out to do something and then find themselves in the midst of a quest.

Four basic types of interconnection are outlined, ranging from wandering monsters to potential beasts attracted by overharvesting an area. (Cut down too much wood in an area and wood-dwelling creatures my start attacking lumberjacks... or some nasty flying monsters might decide the cleared area would make for an excellent nest.) It's certainly an interesting set of principles going into design, making the entry well worth a read for sandbox enthusiasts.

MassivelyPathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdevelopmentdevelopment-bloggoblinworksmonster-encounterspaizopaizo-publishingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepreviewpvepve-encountersquestssandboxsystemsWed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online takes a look at death]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/pathfinder-online-takes-a-look-at-death/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/pathfinder-online-takes-a-look-at-death/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/pathfinder-online-takes-a-look-at-death/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Death is frequently preceded by sneering disdain at the concept of dying to lizardmen.
No matter what happens, sooner or later you're going to die in an MMO. It's pretty much a given. So it's probably for the best that the fourth developer blog on Pathfinder Online is all about death -- what happens when you die, what happens when another player kills you, and what you can do about it.

The death system is reminiscent in some ways of what would happen on death in EverQuest. You respawn at a predetermined location, and while you keep any equipment you were wearing, the rest of your inventory is on your soulless husk of a body. Retrieve it first and you get everything back. If someone else loots your body first, though, he or she gest a random assortment of items from your inventory and the rest are destroyed.

The blog entry also covers the issue of bounties, player-killing, and attempting to dissuade others from killing players in lawful regions. Players can set bounties on their killers, potentially refreshing the bounty each time said killer is successfully killed in retaliation, making a bounty hunter or group of same very rich indeed. Those interested in Pathfinder Online should check out all the details and keep watching as the game moves through development.

MassivelyPathfinder Online takes a look at death originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathdeath-penaltydeath-systemdevelopmentdyinggame-mechanicsgoblinworkspaizopaizo-publishingpathfinderpathfinder-onlineWed, 18 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online looks to Crusader Road]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/pathfinder-online-looks-to-crusader-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/pathfinder-online-looks-to-crusader-road/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/pathfinder-online-looks-to-crusader-road/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yep. That's the whole game.
Goblinworks' upcoming Pathfinder Online was only just announced last month, but already the team is giving fans a look at what to expect from the online iteration of the popular pen-and-paper title. In a new post on Goblinworks' official site, players are given a glimpse of where their adventures will be taking place within the world of Pathfinder Online.

According to the post, the entirety of Pathfinder Online at launch will take place in a 133-square-mile region known as the Crusader Road area. To get an idea of how absurd this is, look at this post's header image. See that little red box? That's the Crusader Road area. And the remainder of the map that it's shown on is only a small fraction of the entire Pathfinder world (as an image on the blog post shows), so players should likely expect a lot of exploration in a massive-scale world. For the full details on Crusader Road, head on over to the Goblinworks official site and take a look.

MassivelyPathfinder Online looks to Crusader Road originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areaarea-previewcrusader-roadgame-areagoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepreviewthe-riverlandsWed, 21 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In coming up with a follow-up list to my previous Upcoming MMO Contenders list, I found myself almost paralyzed by more choices than I could shake a wireless mouse at. Pointing at the sure bets is one thing, but narrowing down a field of dozens and dozens of interesting -- yet more far-flung -- prospects is far more difficult. It's one thing to have a good idea; it's another to say whether or not this game will actually make it to launch, and if it does, that it'll pull the idea off well.

That said, I've lost some hair and two pounds sweating out this list, and I feel sleeker for it. Today's Perfect Ten is all about the long-shots, the titles that may not have the huge budget, big name studios, or anything solid to show for it, but could still become contenders in their own right if everything is played just right.

Deep breath -- let's give it a go!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbethesdaBethesda-Softworksccpccp-gamesclass3class4crypticcryptic-studiosd-n-dddodefiancednddominusdungeons-and-dragonseve-onlinefallout-onlinefeaturedgoblinworksguild-warsinterplayjeff-strainmechwarrior-onlineneverwinterotherlandpathfinder-onlinepenny-arcadepermadeathprimeprime-battle-for-dominusriftsyfytad-williamstransformers-universetrion-worldsundead-labswizardrywizardry-onlineworld-of-darknessThu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goblinworks CEO: 'There's a whole new way to make MMOs affordably']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/goblinworks-ceo-theres-a-whole-new-way-to-make-mmos-affordabl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/goblinworks-ceo-theres-a-whole-new-way-to-make-mmos-affordabl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/goblinworks-ceo-theres-a-whole-new-way-to-make-mmos-affordabl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pathfinder Online - concept art montage
Pull up a chair, sandpark fans, and while you're at it you might want to grab a large cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage. Goblinworks has published the first in a series of dev blogs designed to give starving sandbox fans a peek into the world of Pathfinder Online, and it's quite a lengthy read.

Goblinworks CEO Ryan Dancey introduces key members of the Pathfinder team (including industry veterans who have worked on titles including City of Heroes and World of Darkness) before moving on to a high-level view of Pathfinder's business plan. Three main strategies emerge from the wall o' text, and Dancey cites the use of field-tested middleware, sandbox design elements, and most interestingly, a hard cap on the number of new players allowed into the game each month as the factors that will make Pathfinder stand apart from the gaggle of themepark clones currently blotting out the sun.

"Making a game that starts with 4,500 players and grows to 16,500 players [after seven months] is much, much easier and vastly less expensive than making a game designed to accommodate a million players on day one," Dancey explains. He goes on to say that Pathfinder aims to emulate EVE Online's model of starting small and gradually building a larger playerbase over time while avoiding "a huge themepark mortgage" in terms of development and infrastructure costs.

MassivelyGoblinworks CEO: 'There's a whole new way to make MMOs affordably' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-planeconomyfantasygoblinworksmmo-industrypathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-contentplayer-economyplayer-generated-contentplease-dont-suckryan-danceysandboxsandparkThu, 08 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goblinworks announces Pathfinder Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/goblinworks-announces-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/goblinworks-announces-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/goblinworks-announces-pathfinder-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pathfinder logo
For pen-and-paper RPG players, Pathfinder remains a perennial favorite game setting. Those players may find themselves excited to know, then, that Goblinworks has announced Pathfinder Online. This MMORPG adaptation of the extremely popular system will be a "hybrid sandbox/theme park-style MMO roleplaying game." The title will feature a "robust trading system [that] puts players in control of the world's economy," which should be wonderful for players who like to work the market. Characters can also establish settlements and expand them into full kingdoms while raising an army to help defend their turf.

The announcement boasts randomly generated events, as well, stating that "as settlements develop, the surrounding wilderness develops more complex and challenging features." The goal appears to be not just to create a game, but in fact to bring to life a real, evolving world. Pathfinder fans should keep their eyes on Goblinworks' official site, where further development updates will be posted.

MassivelyGoblinworks announces Pathfinder Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementgoblinworkshybridnew-gamenew-gamesnew-titlenew-titlespathfinderpathfinder-onlinepen-and-paperpnpsandbox-theme-park-hybridTue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST