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 Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Mythica]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-mythica/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-mythica/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-mythica/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While Microsoft may be the big cheese when it comes to operating systems and worldwide domination, for whatever reason the company has the absolute worst of luck (or worst of decision-makers) when it comes to MMOs. Microsoft Game Studios has proven remarkably skittish when it approached the swimming pool of online RPGs, choosing to dip a toe into the water, give a girlie scream, and run away without taking the dive.

True Fantasy Live Online had a bumpy ride with the studio, Marvel Universe Online circled the drain faster than my morning shower, and the less said about its relationship with Vanguard's development, the better. But there was yet another aborted project that Microsoft jumped into -- and then back out of -- between 2003 and 2004, and in my opinion, it was the one the company should've stuck out to completion.

I remember when Microsoft first announced Mythica, because I thought "This is gonna be cool." Vikings, Norse mythology, gods made flesh, and a big-name studio funding limitless adventures. In the pre-World of Warcraft era, the field was wide open for a company to come up and rival Sony Online Entertainment for the crown, so why not this one? But... cold water, skittish toes, and another MMO kicked the bucket before it saw the light of its first day.

Take my hand (don't worry, I washed today) and we shall travel back to Ragnarök and beyond!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Mythica

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Mythica originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-waalkesbears-bears-bearsdemi-godfeaturedfourth-pillarghostbustersgodgodhoodmatt-wilsonmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmythicmythic-entertainmentmythicamythologynorsenorse-mythologyragnaroksoesony-online-entertainmenttrailertrue-fantasy-live-onlinevanguardvideovikingsworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 19 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

If developers chose to extend similar mechanics to affect players, you might find yourself being penalised for being in possession of 'forbidden' materials, whatever they may be. Mechanics might be in place to reflect how devout your character was, meaning you were actively prevented from taking certain actions at a certain time, reflecting any holidays or religious observations your character made. Imagine a Paladin who was actually prevented from ganking lowbies because it was contrary to his faith? Shocker.

More blue-sky thinking, I know. Putting aside for now the idea of fake religions, what about allowing real-life religions into games?

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtaindivine-humanismdivine-magiceq-2everquest-2faithforgotten-shadowforsakengodgodsholy-lightpaladinpriestreligionreligion-in-mmosthe-lighttheocracyworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Should we have more religion in MMOs?

I'm not talking about the Priests and Paladins we see in World of Warcraft, Everquest 2 and probably lots of other games I haven't played. Religion for character classes like these is more often than not a game mechanic, something which is used to explain the source of their powers.

Divine Magic is a term which is frequently used to explain a player or character's ability to cast spells. It's a catch-all term, attributing magical and mystical abilities to ill-defined deities and otherwordly beings watching over the game-world. Usually benevolent, these beings empower their followers, enabling them to carry out miraculous feats.

Probably deliberately, religion has remained generally fuzzy and ill-defined in MMOs. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Religious debate in the real world is a sure-fire way to incite some flames, and it's no wonder that games developers have been keen to shy away from it thus far.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtaindivine-humanismdivine-magiceq-2everquest-2faithfeaturedforgotten-shadowforsakengodgodsholy-lightpaladinpriestreligionreligion-in-mmosthe-lighttheocracyworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Interview reveals name of new AoC dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-interview-reveals-name-of-new-aoc-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-interview-reveals-name-of-new-aoc-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-interview-reveals-name-of-new-aoc-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

At E3, MMO bloggers Keen and Graev caught up with Funcom Product Manager and all-around Age of Conan-spinster Erling Ellingsen. The Vault Network-hosted interview covers a lot of the same ground that we went over in our own talk with Ellingson, but there was one extra bit that we thought was worth mentioning. We know you don't want to miss a thing, so here it is!

Ellingsen mentioned that a new dungeon instance called "House of Crom." He didn't give any information about it apart from the name, although Keen's prose suggested that he was unusually excited about it. We'd like to think that this House of Crom is, in fact, the actual house of the deity Crom, atop a monstrous mountain.

We also find it fun to imagine that the name of that dungeon is basically a curse phrase. Crom's name is rarely invoked except in cursing and swearing in Howard's Conan novels. You don't want to attract Crom's attention, you know. He might kick your pathetic mortal ass.

MassivelyE308: Interview reveals name of new AoC dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccimmeriacimmeriancromdeityerling-ellingsenfuncomgodhouse-of-crominstanceinterviewkeen-and-graevvault-networkWed, 16 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Gaming Iconoclast: Deity not included]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/the-gaming-iconoclast-deity-not-included/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/the-gaming-iconoclast-deity-not-included/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/the-gaming-iconoclast-deity-not-included/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.
- Judy Bloom

(Hey, just be glad you didn't get another Neitzsche quote*)

The fantasy-based worlds our characters inhabit are, almost without exception, richly steeped in legend and brimming with lore. This is doubly true for those that have come to parturition after having existed outside of the digital realm. Frequently, the book or books upon which they are based feature the prominent (occasionally bordering on overwhelming) presence, if not direct and outright influence, of the God or Gods the characters worship... or at least call upon to save their bacon once in a while.

Having been so much a part of the lives of the inhabitants of these universes, at least before they found themselves to be at our command, the relegation of these heretofore great cosmic forces to the essential position of role-playing wallpaper at best is puzzling, the occasional trimming of an Elder God's Toenail notwithstanding. In all these worlds full of powerful wizards channeling arcane energies and hurling bolts of numinous fire at their enemies, or healers using their connection to the divine to aid their allies -- some of whom are called Priests outright -- where are the Gods themselves? And, more to the point, where is the role of religion in the characters' lives?

Continue reading The Gaming Iconoclast: Deity not included

MassivelyThe Gaming Iconoclast: Deity not included originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddeitiesdeityfactionfactionsfeaturedgodgodsmassively-featuresreligionroleplayingrpthe-gaming-iconoclastworld-buildingworld-of-warcraftworldbuildingwowWed, 11 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST