Massively

Party with the Gods & Heroes devs in Austin

Brianna Royce — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, Events, real-world, MMO industry, Livestream, Miscellaneous

Heatwave Interactive aims to seize the day -- Friday, October 14th, that is -- by offering players of Gods & Heroes a unique opportunity to visit the studio in person. Following the final day of GDC Austin, Heatwave's community team will offer 10 attendees the chance to spend an afternoon and evening touring the offices for "sneak previews" and a Q&A with various panels and team members, including CEO Anthony Castoro, the design team, the art team, the support team, and the community team. Guests will then participate with the devs in hosting a live Ustream chat, after which they'll enjoy the fruits of their labors (or more accurately, the meats) with a BBQ worthy of the gods.

Interested parties can RSVP by email on the official site. Have fun!

Party with the Gods & Heroes devs in Austin originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Not So Massively: Diablo III's Inferno mode and million-dollar tournaments

Brendan Drain — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trailers, Video, Culture, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Not So Massively

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Monday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals, Bloodline Champions and more.

It's been a huge week for online gaming, with DotA 2 being shown for the first time at Gamescom and new details being released on Diablo III. In this week's Not So Massively, we give out beta keys for upcoming online action game Brawl Busters and reintroduce MMO-esque online FPS Blacklight: Retribution. Heroes of Newerth makes some controversial changes this week with patch 2.1.5, putting a free courier in every game and reorganising items in the shop.

The biggest news came out of Gamescom this week was the conclusion of Valve's massive $1.6 million US DotA 2 tournament The International. League of Legends retaliated with the announcement of a $5 million US total prize fund for competitive tournaments in season two. Blizzard also attended Gamescom to reveal new details of Diablo III's difficulty settings, which will include a brand-new Inferno endgame mode designed to challenge even the best players.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other online games.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III's Inferno mode and million-dollar tournaments

Not So Massively: Diablo III's Inferno mode and million-dollar tournaments originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Speak live with Gods & Heroes developers on Ustream

Larry Everett — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, real-world, New titles, Livestream

The Telchine gods have returned to enact revenge on their Olympian conquerors with the citizens of Rome caught in the middle. It is your place to take up the mantel of protector of the empire. Battle gods and monsters to gain favor with the Roman gods and test your drive to save the citizens of your country. You may join the fight in upcoming MMO Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising.

We all would like the inside scoop on what's happening in our favorite game, and it's not often that developers have an opportunity to speak directly to the players. Heatwave Interactive would like to change that with a live Ustream event today (November 30th) at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Get your questions ready because developers want to tell you what to expect for launch in 2011. If you like what you hear, you can then sign up for the closed beta by visiting the Gods & Heroes website.

Speak live with Gods & Heroes developers on Ustream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Look into the lore of Forsaken World

Krystalle Voecks — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, New titles, Free-to-play

With the first phase of closed beta in Forsaken World now underway, we're getting more tasty tidbits of information on this new MMO from Perfect World Entertainment. For those who didn't manage to make it into the first batch of beta testers, or those who are simply curious for a bit more information on the lore of Eyrda, we have a shiny new trailer for you!

In this new video, we're introduced to the two gods behind the Forsaken World; Dyos and Nyos, as well as their children and creations. The Advent trailer also gives us a look at the different races that now populate Eyrda, and some great looking in-game footage. So, if you're curious about the story behind this new free-to-play MMO, hit the break and check out the loretastic eyecandy.

Continue reading Look into the lore of Forsaken World

Look into the lore of Forsaken World originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Embark on the age of adventure: Win a copy of Final Fantasy XIV!

Seraphina Brennan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, New titles, Final Fantasy XIV, Giveaways

Final Fantasy XIV. OK, now that the first sentence has stoked the inevitable flame war, let's get to the meat of this post. The nice people over at Square-Enix have sent us a copy of Final Fantasy XIV, and we're excited to give it away to you lovely readers!

We know that the game might not be everybody's cup of tea, but this is a contest you should jump into if you have been considering the title. Our winnable copy is a standard editon of the game, and it comes with the standard 30 days of play before charging you a subscription fee. (I feel like I'm detailing the features on a new car, or something.) And, as an added bonus, the game comes wrapped in cellophane! Oooooh! Shiny!

Interested in how you can win this game? Hit the continue reading button, and you'll soon find out!

Continue reading Embark on the age of adventure: Win a copy of Final Fantasy XIV!

Embark on the age of adventure: Win a copy of Final Fantasy XIV! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Battle of the Immortals closed beta delayed until April

Seraphina Brennan — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play

If you've been waiting to play the closed beta for Battle of the Immortals, it looks like you're going to be waiting a bit longer.

According to a blog post by Perfect World Entertainment, Battle of the Immortals isn't just quite ready for it's debut. Instead of rushing it out the door, the company wishes to take some more time to iron out the finer details of the game, namely native support for Windows 7, 64-bit OS support, revised shop structure, revised AI behavior, and much more.

Because of all of this, the closed beta has been delayed until April, a full two months away from the original CB date, which was today. However, as their blog post says, "A late game is only late once. A bad game is a bad game forever."

Battle of the Immortals closed beta delayed until April originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

Craig Withers — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, EverQuest II, Classes, Culture, Game mechanics, Lore, Opinion, Behind the Curtain, Roleplaying

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

Behind 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 Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic

Craig Withers — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, EverQuest II, Classes, Culture, Game mechanics, Lore, Opinion, Behind the Curtain, Roleplaying

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

Behind 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

The Gaming Iconoclast: Deity not included

Rafe Brox — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Culture, Lore, Opinion, Roleplaying, Humor, The Gaming Iconoclast

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

The 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

Pray your way into the Age of Conan beta

William Dobson — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Age of Conan, Contests, News items

Many of you will have already been praying for access to Age of Conan's exclusive closed beta. Now, Funcom has announced that the Gods are feeling generous enough to grant a select few of these prayers -- provided they're good enough.

Visit this thread to get all the details, and view the terms and conditions. Essentially, you'll need to address a prayer, asking for beta access, to one of the Hyborean deities (examples of which are listed in the post), and the "funniest/best/most creative/outstanding entries" will be given general beta keys for AoC. Only one entry is allowed per user, and the winners will not be published due to the NDA. So what are you waiting for? Slap your palms together and get praying!

Pray your way into the Age of Conan beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten Ton Hammer's guide to EQ2's pantheon of deities

Samuel Axon — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Expansions, Lore, PvE, Roleplaying

Both EverQuest and EverQuest II let players choose deities for their characters. This feature's primary purpose in the first EverQuest was facilitation of role-playing, but in EQ2 a player's choice of deity (a feature added in the Echoes of Faydwer expansion) has gameplay implications as well. It's a really cool idea which was born in the old text MUD days but which finds only rare application in modern games.

For those who play EQ2 and want to explore Norrath's vast pantheon of deities, Ten Ton Hammer has a terrific guide. It lists all the deities with descriptions and lists of their alignments, the quests you can do in their names, and the miracles they'll grant you.

Walk with Mithaniel Marr, my friend.

Ten Ton Hammer's guide to EQ2's pantheon of deities originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Game mechanics: Crafting deities

Akela Talamasca — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Crafting, PvP, Opinion, Roleplaying

Hey, check this out. I was pondering something the other day as I passed a Buddhist temple in San Francisco: virtually every religion that has ever been still exists in some form or another. It's said that a god only dies when its last follower has lost faith. That got me thinking: how could this work as a play mechanic in an MMO?

What if you could craft your own religion, the same way you craft a weapon, complete with the deity of your choice, and receive direct benefit from worshiping at its temple? Say, a hefty buff to carry into your next battle, or an automatic resurrection upon any of your teammates? Further, let's suppose that the only way for your god to grow in strength was for you to build temples to it, at which its adherents would pray for a predetermined duration each game session?

It gets crazier: you could proselytize and convert other players to your religion, or defile the temples of your rivals and weaken their god's strength. With a minimum number of followers needed to create a new god, there would be few instances of novelty and 'throwaway', or 'gag' gods to clutter up the system; this would be a serious tactic for use by the devout! There are many ways to make this sort of thing work. What about roleplay? Would there be PvE applications as well as PvP? Is there already something like this in place for some MMO? Someone send me a sign, show me the light!

Game mechanics: Crafting deities originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments