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[Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/free-for-all-from-realistic-dragons-to-a-dragon-icon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/free-for-all-from-realistic-dragons-to-a-dragon-icon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/free-for-all-from-realistic-dragons-to-a-dragon-icon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Remanum screenshot
Ah, graphics. If ever there was a deciding factor for most gamers, it would be graphics. How does a game look? How do the graphics make you feel as a player? I'm as guilty as anyone else who might consider himself to be a graphics snob of sorts, but I lean more in the opposite direction. For whatever reason, I am not as easily impressed as I once was and tend to go for more representational graphics. I'm not quite at the stage where my MMO gaming has been reduced to a blob of text on my screen, but I definitely enjoy simplicity.

The problem is that many MMOs do not provide that precise formula to hit my graphics sweet spot, or as in the more common scenario, there are parts of certain titles that I would adore if only they hadn't been packaged with the rest of the game. Ryzom, for example, is one of my favorite freemium titles. To this day, it packs more graphical punch and originality than games a quarter of its age.

Now I find myself leaning more toward very basic graphics delivered smartly through my browser. I've even gone through an Anime obsession! Yes, it's been one of those years.

Continue reading Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon

MassivelyFree for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumgraphicsguild-wars-2mudsnadirimopinionparallel-kingdomperblueremanumryzomtraviantravian-gamesvelvet-ropeWed, 28 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall polishes content until it shines]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work Darkfall's development team goes (and now that tune is stuck in your head. You're welcome.)! And as the game's 2.0 edition slowly takes shape, we're given yet another dev blog about the massive undertaking of this project.

Improved visuals are one of the priorities for the team, and players will be pleased to hear that SMAA -- uber-anti-aliasing -- should make the game's graphics shine. Weapons are being modified to have distinctive looks based on which rank they are, and the team reports that there are six weapons styles with nine ranks apiece, each requiring a unique design.

Also on the table for examination is the improved crafting process. Aventurine is introducing two new professions dedicated to converting one material into a more refined product. Tanning will take on skinning's former duty of taking hides and turning them into leather, and weaving will be the primary avenue to create cloth from cotton. On top of these new professions is the expansion of the crafting system to allow professions to "infuse" rare materials into common ones, resulting in special crafting mats for high-quality gear.

MassivelyDarkfall polishes content until it shines originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0agonanti-aliasingaventurinecraftingdarkfalldarkfall-2.0dffantasygraphicsopen-pvppvpsandboxskinningsmaatanningweapon-ranksweavingFri, 23 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Development on EVE in 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/eve-evolved-development-on-eve-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/eve-evolved-development-on-eve-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/eve-evolved-development-on-eve-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Following the summer drama that came to be known as monoclegate, the past six months have been challenging for EVE Online's players and developers alike. When players learned that cash-shop clothing was priced higher than its real-life equivalent, the quirky story of the $80 monocle swept across gaming blogs like wildfire. The story's tone soon turned a great deal more sinister with the leak of an internal company newsletter titled Greed is Good, and a second leaked memo from CCP's CEO added more fuel to the flames. Ultimately, players spoke with their wallets; subscriptions fell by at least 8%, and with no financial backup plan, CCP was forced to lay off 20% of its staff worldwide.

The staff members who remained were faced with the task of turning things around, and with the feature-packed Crucible expansion, they did so spectacularly. In just a few short months, hundreds of high-profile features, graphical overhauls, and quality of life improvements breathed new life into a neglected universe. I think most players recognise that this has been a genuine turn-around from within CCP, but some are still skeptical that the company has really reformed. The question on everyone's mind is whether CCP can really keep up this quality of development in the coming year as it delivers two full expansions and integrates EVE with DUST 514.

Perhaps nobody is better qualified to assess that than CSM delegate and former CCP game designer Mark "Seleene" Heard, who recently attended the December CSM summit and witnessed first-hand the aftermath of monoclegate and Crucible's development.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I delve into Mark's CSM Summit report to find out how development at CCP has changed, what we can expect in 2012, and how monocle-gate has affected CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Development on EVE in 2012

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Development on EVE in 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20122012-predictionsccpccp-abathurccp-eveccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmcsm-delegatecsm-summitdecemberdevelopmentDominiondust-514eveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsfeaturedgame-developmentgraphicshilmarhilmar-peturssonhilmar-v-peturssonhilmar-veigar-peturssonmark-heardmmofpsmonoclegatesandboxsci-fiseleeneSun, 08 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/eve-evolved-touring-a-galaxy-reborn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/eve-evolved-touring-a-galaxy-reborn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/eve-evolved-touring-a-galaxy-reborn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title
EVE Online recently celebrated the release of its incredible Crucible expansion, noted as one of the most feature-heavy expansions in the game's history despite the majority of its features being produced in a period of just a few weeks. Two years' worth of graphical upgrades, features, balance upgrades and quality-of-life fixes hit Tranquility all at once, and the response from players has been incredibly positive.

Last week I rounded up all the information there is to know about the Crucible expansion, but reading articles and news posts is no substitute for hands-on experience. This week I took a tour around parts of New Eden to explore the incredible new graphics Crucible delivered. As I have a background in graphics programming, the graphical upgrades are obviously the most exciting change for me. The astounding background nebulae are even more impressive when you know just how difficult it would be to build a nebula system that looks this incredible from any location.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore a reborn galaxy and catalogue my adventures in a massive HD gallery.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarrcaldariccpccp-eveccp-gamescrucibleengine-trailseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsexplorationexplorerfeaturedgalaxygallentegallerygraphicsgraphics-enginegraphics-programminggraphics-updatehands-onhighseclowsecminmatarnebulanebulaenebulasnew-edennullsecscreenshotscreenshotsspacewarpwarp-drivewarpingSun, 11 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Everything there is to know about Crucible]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/eve-evolved-everything-there-is-to-know-about-crucible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/eve-evolved-everything-there-is-to-know-about-crucible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/eve-evolved-everything-there-is-to-know-about-crucible/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
This summer's lackluster Incarna expansion and the ensuing microtransaction drama took a massive toll on EVE Online's player community and development staff. Players were quitting in droves, and CCP eventually had to lay off 20% of its staff worldwide. Two years of half-implemented expansions, broken features, and "first steps" that were never iterated on left players begging for a content-heavy expansion like Apocrypha or those released in EVE's early years. EVE is known for being practically a new game every six months, but since the blockbuster Apocrypha expansion, daily life in New Eden hasn't changed much at all.

To pull things back from the brink, CCP refocused development on EVE Online and gave developers a free pass to work on hundreds of small features and improvements. The company began flooding us with details on new ships, graphical updates, new gameplay mechanics, and desperately needed balance tweaks, and we loved every bit of it. Although it's mostly small features and gameplay tweaks, the Crucible expansion feels like a genuine rebirth for EVE Online. The types of changes made show that CCP knows exactly what players want from EVE and that the company is now willing to deliver it. With CCP's renewed focus on internet spaceships, the Crucible expansion feels like the start of a new era in the sandbox.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I pull together everything there is to know about the Crucible expansion that went live this week, from its turbulent origins to the awesome features and PvP updates it contains.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Everything there is to know about Crucible

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Everything there is to know about Crucible originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebattlecruiserbattleshipblasterscapital-shipcapital-shipsccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-pannceocruciblecustoms-officedev-diarydevblogdubstepengine-trailseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedgdc-2011graphicshilmarhybridhybrid-weaponslayoffsnaganebulanebulaenerfnewsoracleplayer-owned-starbaseplayer-owned-stationpvproundupship-spinningstarbasesupercapital-nerfsupercapitalstalostime-dilationtornadotrailervideowubwubwubwubpewpewpewSun, 04 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/20/eve-evolved-returning-eve-to-the-crucible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/20/eve-evolved-returning-eve-to-the-crucible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/20/eve-evolved-returning-eve-to-the-crucible/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
When EVE Online launched in 2003, it was a barren game without many of the comforts we enjoy today. The user interface was abysmally worse than today's (if you can imagine such a thing), players with cruisers were top dog, and practically the only activities were mining or blowing up miners. The culmination of years of hard work by a small indie studio, EVE Online sold almost entirely on its future potential. When I was introduced to the game by an excited friend in early 2004 during the Castor expansion, he encouraged me to get in on the ground floor because he believed the game was going to be huge. Years later, I find myself introducing the game to thousands of readers on the same premise.

EVE's continual success over the years transformed a fresh-faced CCP Games into a multinational game development giant. And yet, for all that growth and all the updates to EVE over the years, the fact that the game sells largely on future potential is still firmly embedded in both players and developers. Players subscribe not only because they like the game but because they want to support development to reach EVE's true potential. Two years with very little iteration on existing features sent the message that developers weren't trying to reach that potential, but it seems that trend is soon to be completely reversed. With the newly announced Crucible expansion, CCP will be adding countless small features, graphical updates and iterations that put EVE firmly back on the path to reaching its full potential.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at CCP's plans to return EVE to the crucible and reforge it into something awesome. Those waiting for the third part of my look at the new player experience can catch that in next week's column, as Kajatta is enjoying his final week in EVE before delivering his verdict.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Returning EVE to the Crucible originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebomb-launcher-iibubbleccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-soundwavecommand-shipcrucibledreadnoughteveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedfleetfleet-warfarefuel-blocksgraphicsmothershipnebulanebulaenewsnyphurpatchpvpsiegesiege-modulesiege-module-iistarbasestarbasesstealth-bomberssupercapitalsupercapital-nerfsupercapitalssupercarriersupercarrierstech-2tech-3tech-iitech-iiititantriagetriage-module-iiwarfarewarfare-linkswarp-disruption-field-generator-iiwinterSun, 20 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online to use the CryEngine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/mechwarrior-online-to-use-the-cryengine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/mechwarrior-online-to-use-the-cryengine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/mechwarrior-online-to-use-the-cryengine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Forget the iconic 'Mechs, where are all the bizarre one-off variants, right? Firestarter, anyone? Black Hawk-KU?
A game like MechWarrior Online positively screams for a good graphical engine. You want something that can show you every single scorch mark you leave on your enemy's chassis, after all. So if you're one of the many players looking forward to getting into the cockpit, you'll be happy to know that the game has just such an engine for its graphics. Piranha Games officially announced today that the game will be using the CryEngine 3 by Crytek.

According to the company's president, Russ Bullock, the engine perfectly delivers the functionality that the team was looking for, especially in the realm of physics-based modeling. It's all but an assurance that whatever else might be right or wrong with the game, a salvo of LRMs will still produce an appropriately satisfying fireball and falling debris. Unfortunately, players will still have to wait some time to see the graphics in action -- but with any luck, they'll be worth the wait.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online to use the CryEngine originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryenginecryengine-3crytekgraphicsgraphics-enginemechwarrior-onlinemwopiranha-gamesruss-bullockvisualsThu, 17 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online introducing new nebulae]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/eve-online-introducing-new-nebulae/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/eve-online-introducing-new-nebulae/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/eve-online-introducing-new-nebulae/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- EVE Online Nebula
The final frontier is about to get a whole lot prettier, as CCP has announced in a dev diary today that it's working on introducing a smattering of new nebulae to EVE Online. The team hopes that doing so will make the game more immersive and realistic to players.

On top of that, the new nebulae will also help to give players a sense of location. Lowsec and nullsec space will be darker, with cooler color palettes. Meanwhile, hisec space will be more colorful and saturated with warmer color palettes. And "by stellar coincidence," as the team puts it, "the dominant stellar phenomenon of each race happens to be in the same color palette as the ships of that race."

For more information on the new nebulae and the reasons for their introduction, head on over to the official EVE Online dev blog.

MassivelyEVE Online introducing new nebulae originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundsccpccp-gamesdev-blogdev-diaryeveeve-onlinegraphicshiseclowsecnebulanebulaenullsecspaceThu, 03 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE video devblog series shows off revamped nebulae]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/new-eve-video-devblog-series-shows-off-revamped-nebulae/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/new-eve-video-devblog-series-shows-off-revamped-nebulae/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/new-eve-video-devblog-series-shows-off-revamped-nebulae/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE gets new nebula effects
With CCP Games' recent refocusing on in-space content for EVE Online, developers on the floor have been working harder than ever to bring us shiny new toys for the winter expansion. We've already heard that the player-designed Tornado would be released as part of a new tier of gun-heavy battlecruisers, and CCP has gone on to show off the Gallente design also hand-picked from contest submissions.

This week's absolute flood of good news for EVE Online players continues with the first of a new video devblog series shot at CCP's Reykjavik headquarters -- the development hub for EVE. Part 1 of this look at the art department shows off the incredible new nebula graphics we'll be getting as part of the expansion, and hints at the development of a new model for the popular Caldari Raven. The Raven update is part of what Art Manager Benjamin Bohn calls the V3 project, a project that has brought us the new Scorpion model and will continue to deliver revamps of old ships.

Skip past the cut to watch the first in this new video devblog series. Note to viewers: The presenter is in fact carrying a microphone and not a live hand grenade.

Continue reading New EVE video devblog series shows off revamped nebulae

MassivelyNew EVE video devblog series shows off revamped nebulae originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdev-diarydevelopersdevelopmenteveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegraphicsmmo-industrynebulanebulaenebulasnewsravensci-fishiptornadov3-projectvideoSat, 29 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What games go overboard with effects?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/the-daily-grind-what-games-go-overboard-with-effects/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/the-daily-grind-what-games-go-overboard-with-effects/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/the-daily-grind-what-games-go-overboard-with-effects/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Still not as bad as the Praetorian Invasion event.
It's not that I don't love City of Heroes, don't get me wrong. And it's not that I don't love the flashy and unique animations that every powerset gets to show off. But when you get in a full group of people exploding with various powers, the whole screen turns into a sustained burst of white light grouped around a red box that's probably your target. It's kind of overkill at best, and it makes it near impossible to see what's going on at worst.

Maybe you don't mind the effects in the game. Maybe you find Final Fantasy XIV's dramatic spotlight for weaponskills or the constant beams crossing in Star Trek Online more obnoxious. Whatever the context, there are doubtlessly games in which you feel there's a bit too much going on in the midst of a battle. So what game do you feel goes overboard with effects when you want something just a bit more straightforward?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What games go overboard with effects? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegraphicsinformation-overloadlens-flaresopinionoverloadparticle-effectstdgthe-daily-grindvisual-effectsvisualsSun, 23 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which environments tend to drain your interest?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-daily-grind-which-environments-tend-to-drain-your-interest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-daily-grind-which-environments-tend-to-drain-your-interest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-daily-grind-which-environments-tend-to-drain-your-interest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You can fill it with huts, with giants, with goblins, with anything you want - it's still another cave.
The problem with fantasy settings is that the imagery is pretty well played out. You know there will be an area with a lot of trees, probably a desert, probably a set of rolling plains, and of course there will be caves. And the odds are good that at least one of those environments won't make you feel like you're off on an epic adventure; it will make you feel as if you're traipsing through the same environments you've traipsed through hundred of times. Until you just log off, that is.

Maybe it's another promise of brown or gray caves winding about interminably. Maybe it's the thought of another forest, or another plain, or another rocky mountainous area. Or perhaps it's the more surreal and fanciful environments that make you roll your eyes and want to just stop playing. Which environments tend to drain your interest in the game? No matter how interesting any other part of the zone might be, what sort of regions just make you feel burnt out and bored?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Which environments tend to drain your interest? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areasculturedesignenvironmentsfeaturedgraphicsopinionregionstdgthe-daily-grindvisual-themesvisualszonezonesSun, 09 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anarchy Online 'heads' into the future with new screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/anarchy-online-heads-into-the-future-with-new-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/anarchy-online-heads-into-the-future-with-new-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/anarchy-online-heads-into-the-future-with-new-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Anarchy Online
Is Anarchy Online's visual makeover project picking up steam? Considering that Funcom's posted two batches of improved screenshots within a month, we think so!

Today Brad "Kintaii" McAtee posted four new pictures of Anarchy Online's upgraded looks. Two are high-definition renders of the city of Tir, one shows off the remodeled character heads, and one is a complete mystery for players to decipher. "Any guesses on what it could be?" McAtee taunts.

The visual overhaul is "coming along swimmingly," according to McAtee. Last week Anarchy Online's Colin Cragg reported that the team is 90% done with remodeling over 390 heads for the game. "This has been a very long haul, but it is amazing to see the strides made every week now," Cragg wrote. "I am 'cautiously optimistic'...let's leave it at that."

You can view all of the new screenshots in the gallery below.

Gallery: Anarchy Online

MassivelyAnarchy Online 'heads' into the future with new screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlinebrad-l-mcateebrad-mcateecolin-craggfuncomgallerygraphicsgraphics-engineheadsmysteryscreenshotstirvisual-overhaulvisualsFri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ASTA showing off its CryEngine3 visuals at Gamescom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/asta-showing-off-its-cryengine3-visuals-at-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/asta-showing-off-its-cryengine3-visuals-at-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/asta-showing-off-its-cryengine3-visuals-at-gamescom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you were fortunate enough to attend this year's GDC, it's possible you caught a glimpse of ASTA, the new fantasy MMO from NHN. The title, formerly known as Project E:st, is powered by the CryEngine3 and boasts some of the more impressive visuals in the MMO space.

Assuming you can make it to Cologne, Germany, for this year's Gamescom (August 17th through the 21st), you'll get another opportunity to see ASTA in action since NHN will be offering visitors "a first look at the captivating world [...] as well as the opportunity to chat with the developers and learn more about character development, guild evolution, competitive play, and many other features," according to a new press release.

ASTA is being developed by Polygon Games (which includes a core group of designers who previously worked on Rohan: Blood Feud), and it takes place in a world inspired by Asian myth. Gameplay elements include realm vs. realm, PvE questing, raids, and crafting.

MassivelyASTA showing off its CryEngine3 visuals at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astacraftingcryengine-3cryengine3fantasygamescomgamescom-2011graphicsnhnnhn-corppress-releaseproject-e:stpverealm-vs-realmrvrvisualsThu, 07 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Building a better UI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's no secret that EVE Online has a poor user interface. With its drop-down menus for interacting with objects and text lists to show information like market orders and nearby objects in space, EVE has thoroughly earned the nickname "spreadsheets in space." The UI has changed drastically since I started playing in 2004, but in recent years, it's fallen behind the development curve. In a new devblog this week, CCP Snowlax suggested that the UI developers at CCP have lacked the framework necessary to do what they wanted with it. The existing framework had become bloated with eight years of development, and the underlying rendering engine wasn't even capable of using custom shaders.

With Incursion 1.6, CCP pushed live a completely new UI framework that makes cool features like holographic UI elements possible. With the new Carbon UI framework in place, developers are taking another look at redesigning the EVE user interface. Screenshots of the new features being used in the upcoming Incarna expansion are impressive, but that's all taking place inside stations. I can't help but wonder how these new technologies could be applied to the space-faring portion of EVE and whether there are more fundamental challenges to overcome in UI design than adding flashy graphics.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I give some thoughts on the development of EVE's UI, from the necessary evil of the overview to some things I'd like to see change.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Building a better UI

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Building a better UI originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonsbutterfly-effectccpccp-eveccp-gamesefteveeve-ccpEVE-Evolvedeve-fitting-tooleve-mmorpgeve-onlineevemonfeaturedgraphicsguihologramholographicmission-runningmodmoddingopinionoverviewplayer-developersplayer-developmentthe-butterfly-effectuiuser-interfaceSun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite use of heavily stylized graphics?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-use-of-heavily-stylized-gr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the earliest days of gaming, games were by their very nature pretty much abstract in graphics. The Atari 2600 couldn't really handle photorealistic human faces, after all. But even though we're now in the era when realism is not that far off, many games still employ intentionally stylized looks. LEGO Universe people look nothing like actual human beings, after all -- but they're not supposed to, representing instead the ubiquitous minifigures given motion and character.

Some players really don't like stylized appearances, feeling that they look cartoony or artificial. Others prefer them to realistic graphics out of a sense that the style makes the game stand out more. MMOs have run the gamut from the detailed and realistic humans of All Points Bulletin to the intentionally unreal graphics of Super Hero Squad Online. So what game has stylized graphics that you think really work? Whether or not you like the style overall, where do you feel they add to the game's atmosphere?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite use of heavily stylized graphics? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-stylecartoony-graphicsdetailsgraphicsopinionstylestylized-graphicstdgthe-daily-grindvisual-effectsvisualsTue, 24 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Eight years of EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/eve-evolved-eight-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/eve-evolved-eight-years-of-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/eve-evolved-eight-years-of-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In last week's EVE Evolved column, I celebrated the third anniversary of the column with a competition to win one of three prizes worth over 500 million ISK. Congratulations go to Uniqdragon, mdubs28 and Thorium88, who will be contacted via email to arrange receipt of their prizes. In a bizarre twist that I can't believe I haven't noticed for three years, it turns out that the anniversary of my column occurs just over a week before EVE Online's own birthday on May 6th. With that in mind, this week's column is dedicated to the game's anniversary and to looking back at another successful year.

The past eight years have been a wild ride for EVE Online and its developer CCP Games. EVE has grown from a fledgling niche game with under 40,000 launch subscriptions to a global melting pot of over 360,000 actively subscribed accounts. The company itself has seem similar expansion, starting from humble beginnings as a small independent studio in Iceland and growing into a multinational monster with offices in China, Iceland, North America and the United Kingdom.

In this huge two-page anniversary edition of EVE Evolved, I look at how EVE Online has kept up with the industry over the years and then go on to examine this past year in detail, from the highs and lows to all the scams and awesome events.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Eight years of EVE Online

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Eight years of EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-yearsanniversarybirthdayccpccp-eveccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmdominioneveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfanfestfeaturedgameplaygraphicsgraphics-updateincarnaincursioniterationiterative-designlagmmo-industryopinionrmtserverserver-upgradestrinitytyranniswar-on-lagSun, 01 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are graphical upgrades a waste of dev resources?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-daily-grind-are-graphical-upgrades-a-waste-of-dev-resources/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-daily-grind-are-graphical-upgrades-a-waste-of-dev-resources/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-daily-grind-are-graphical-upgrades-a-waste-of-dev-resources/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You all know the adage, so say it with me: gameplay > graphics. While most of us appreciate pretty pixels, high resolutions, and slickly mo-capped animations, many of us would also point out that these bells and whistles pale in comparison to fun game mechanics and the staying power of a well-designed MMORPG.

Recently, both Aion and Age of Conan decided to tweak their visual engines, despite the fact that both games are less than three years out of the gate and easily the cream of the current MMO graphical crop. Funcom's proprietary Dreamworld platform already provided realistic character renders and animations (and AoC's terrain graphics are no slouch, either), while Aion's ethereal aesthetic was augmented by a peerless character creation system that allows players to create life-like approximations of actual people in exacting detail.

While we'll stop short of complaining about progress, we do have to wonder why dev time and resources were diverted from content production (or grind reduction) and devoted to overhauling what were already some of the best-looking MMOs on the market. For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to get your take on the upgrades -- are they welcome, or do you feel that dev resources could've been better spent elsewhere?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are graphical upgrades a waste of dev resources? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaionaoccharacter-creationdreamworldfuncomgame-discussiongameplay-is-greater-than-graphicsgamer-discussiongraphical-upgradesgraphicsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindvisualsFri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft aiming for Aion 2.5 test at the end of April]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/ncsoft-aiming-for-aion-2-5-test-at-the-end-of-april/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/ncsoft-aiming-for-aion-2-5-test-at-the-end-of-april/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/ncsoft-aiming-for-aion-2-5-test-at-the-end-of-april/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aion's 2.5 update has been a long time coming. We first heard tell of the patch in early January and are happy to report that NCsoft is looking to take the wraps off the new content via the game's test servers in the next few weeks.

In a new interview at the official UK Aion website, producer Sean Neil and brand manager Dominic Wai take turns answering player-generated questions relating to the new patch, which Neil says should be "on our player test servers (PTS) at the end of April or beginning of May."

What, exactly, does 2.5 bring to the world of Atreia? Quite a lot, actually, and whether you're talking about the extensive graphical overhaul or the new Empyrean Crucible and Esoterrace dungeon instances, chances are there will be something interesting in the update for every daeva. Getting to endgame should be less of a chore as well, and while Aion still possesses one of the more daunting gear grinds in the genre, NCsoft is introducing a mentoring system in 2.5 that allows "new players [to] level up quicker with the help of a friend."

MassivelyNCsoft aiming for Aion 2.5 test at the end of April originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.5aionaion-2.5ap-grinddominic-waiempyrean-crucibleesoterracefantasygear-grindgraphical-updategraphicsgrindgrindyinterviewslevel-grindmentoring-systemncsoftpatchptssean-neiltest-serverupdatevision-trailerWed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/archeage-upgrading-to-cryengine-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/archeage-upgrading-to-cryengine-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/archeage-upgrading-to-cryengine-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Development on XL Games' ArcheAge continues apace, and several fan sites are reporting that the fantasy sandbox MMORPG will be adding a spiffy new graphics engine to its lengthy list of features. Prior to this year's GDC, ArcheAge was being marketed as a CryEngine 2 title -- and was already somewhat renowned for its lush visuals and hyper-detailed environments.

Apparently XL and lead developer Jake Song saw room for improvement, though, since ArcheAge will be transitioning to CryEngine 3 according to a reputable South Korean gaming news website. There is also some fan speculation regarding when the new engine will see the light of day. ArcheAge will be kicking off its third Korean closed beta phase in April (still using CryEngine 2), with deployment on the newer technology coming later this year (and possibly coinciding with open beta).

Head past the cut for a CryEngine 3 demo video from this year's GDC (the ArcheAge footage begins at the two-minute mark).

Continue reading ArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3

MassivelyArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arche-agearcheageclosed-betacryengine-2cryengine-3enginefantasygraphicsjake-songkorean-betasandboxspeculationtrailervideoxlxl-gamesWed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape: Sixth anniversary retrospective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/runescape-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/runescape-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/runescape-anniversary-retrospective/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When it first launched back in 2001, RuneScape was a primitive beast. Its blocky three-dimensional world was littered with hand-drawn two-dimensional sprites, and most of its sound effects could have been created by whacking random objects with a hammer. Only a handful of quests and skills existed, and there wasn't much land to explore. After over a decade of development, the RuneScape we have today bears little semblance to its primitive ancestor. The map is an order of magnitude larger, the list of quests has grown immensely, and there are countless things to do in the world.

With several million actively playing free accounts and over a million paid subscribers, RuneScape has risen from its humble beginnings to be one of the world's most popular free-to-play MMOs. It's been a long road, with a few important milestones along the way. Today marks the sixth anniversary of the date that the RuneScape 2 beta was officially completed and the game's first major overhaul was launched live to players. Anyone who played back then will remember the beta fondly as the rebirth of a game they loved. Since then, regular game updates have added a huge amount of depth and content every year.

In this retrospective article, I look back at RuneScape's past to see how it got to where it is today and what's new to the game over this past year.

Continue reading RuneScape: Sixth anniversary retrospective

MassivelyRuneScape: Sixth anniversary retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdaybrowserDaemonheimdungeoneeringelemental-workshopfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfree-tradegraphicsHatihati-wolfiterationjagexjavammo-industrypvpquestquestsrmtrunescaperunescape-classicsixth-anniversarytradewildernessTue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wakfu's beta delayed in North America, potentially for Rogue activity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/wakfus-beta-delayed-in-north-america-potentially-for-rogue-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/wakfus-beta-delayed-in-north-america-potentially-for-rogue-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/wakfus-beta-delayed-in-north-america-potentially-for-rogue-act/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Wakfu has captured more than a few eyes of late, and for understandable reason. The game features distinctive and detailed sprite graphics, a tactical battle system, and a world that reacts to your actions. Details have just been released on the game's explosive and underhanded Rogue class, specializing in disrupting enemies with a variety of elemental bomb spells while avoiding damage with quick movement.

Unfortunately for players looking forward to the game's beta, it might be a bit further away than it seemed, at least in North America. The international open beta was previously announced to be starting on April 27th, but word has been released that details on open beta in North America will be announced on a later date. While the game is set for a worldwide simultaneous release, if you're here in the US, you might have to wait just a little longer to get your Wakfu on. Fortunately, some brand-new screenshots -- including a couple of roguish ones -- should help ease the pain a little.

Gallery: Wakfu beta screens

MassivelyWakfu's beta delayed in North America, potentially for Rogue activity originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamabetabeta-previewbeta-screenshotsbeta-testingclassesgallerygraphicsmmonew-classesopen-betaroguerogue-classscreenshotscreenshotsspritessquaresquare-enixtesting-windowwakfuThu, 10 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are your favorite emotes?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-favorite-emotes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Emotes are one of the most ubiquitous features in MMOs and usually one of the most intuitive. It can be a little difficult for your first few games to grasp that "/cast "Fire Crash" !antiscript rand[0-20]" will provide a useful function, but typing "/dance" to do a little jig makes perfect sense. As time has gone by, emotes have gone beyond simply being tools for improved communication, with several games featuring emotes that have no other purposes except showing off and being neat to watch.

Final Fantasy XI has job-specific emotes, City of Heroes has costume-change emotes, and Star Trek Online lets you recreate a particularly Shatnertastic moment of acting. So what's your personal favorite emote? Is it a showy emote, something designed to look pretty? Or is it a more functional emote that's particularly well-handled, like a /point emote that actually points at your target intelligently?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What are your favorite emotes? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxculturedisplayemotesff11ffxifinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigraphicsopinionstar-trek-onlinestotdgthe-daily-grindvisualsMon, 21 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Out with the old, in with the new]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/wings-over-atreia-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/wings-over-atreia-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/wings-over-atreia-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

New year, new rig.

Yup, you got it folks. I had the lucky chance to start the new year in Aion with a spiffylicious new gaming computer. As a disclaimer, it is very possible to play and enjoy Aion on lower-end machines; I know, because I have friends who play on laptops (although most do not participate in sieges) and I myself enjoyed the game using my less-than-stellar rig with the graphics set to just one notch below max.

However, in order to participate in large-scale PvP and sieges, I was forced to lower all settings to rock-bottom and use shift+F12 to remove all enemy and ally rendering (remember folks, when you do this always have enemy names turned on!). Even with these measures, I would often still have difficulty moving -- not the best situation for an assassin who depends on quick strikes and even quicker evasions. I could still sorta do my job (scouting was best) and enjoy the fights, although I would often find myself dead before I even knew I was being hit. I have experienced Atreia this way for the past year, but there just comes a time in a Daeva's life when you want to participate more fully in sieges -- to see the battles as well as fight.

After saving, I came to the conclusion last fall that I was able to go ahead and put together a new gaming rig (and yes folks, a girl can build her own machine!). While not top-of-the-line, it was a still a decent upgrade and would provide a new gaming experience. In true gamer's style, I sat down New Year's Eve and assembled my new toy.

So, what difference does the new rig make while playing? Jump past the cut to see what I have pulsing in my case and just how much of a difference it has made.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Out with the old, in with the new

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Out with the old, in with the new originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamecpuCpuCoolerfeaturedgaming-riggaming-rigsGamingPcGamingRiggraphicsGraphicsCardnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionnew-buildpcpc-upgradespecsWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 10 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Well, here we are folks, smack dab in the middle of our Darkfall run for Choose My Adventure. With three weeks down and three weeks to go, I have to be honest: I feel pressed for time. There's so much to see and do in this game that six weeks simply isn't enough to really do it justice (to say nothing of the fact that it's not nearly enough time to build a competitive character in terms of the skill grind).

In any event, I'll do what I can to give you an accurate read on the game, and as my first couple of columns have admittedly erred on the side of fresh-faced enjoyment, today's entry will touch on a few of the game's less than savory aspects. In addition to that, I'll recap a few of my gameplay highlights from the past week.

Join me after the cut for a look at my Darkfall present and future as well as a video diary of my adventures thus far.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfalldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgraphicsgrindhammerdalelord-zannulNEWopinionpolishpvepvpshadowsskill-gainskillingswiftsnoutvideovisualszealotWed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should trailers use only in-game footage?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/the-daily-grind-should-trailers-use-only-in-game-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/the-daily-grind-should-trailers-use-only-in-game-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/the-daily-grind-should-trailers-use-only-in-game-footage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The purpose of a game trailer is undoubtedly to showcase the game and generate some excitement for it. Many companies opt to release trailers using in-game footage, making a big selling point of their game's graphics. This strategy has been used to successfully promote games from World of Warcraft to TERA. With a trailer containing actual game footage, players can get a good impression of what the game will look like before giving it a try. On the other end of the spectrum, some companies choose to create vivid cinematics to showcase the game's story and get fans excited. These tend to show some key point in the game's lore, which fans of that IP are likely to respond well to. We've seen some pretty epic cinematics for World of Warcraft's Cataclysm expansion, DC Universe Online's in-depth story, Lego Universe's unique gameplay ideas and Star Wars: The Old Republic's epic backstory.

With the latest few EVE Online trailers, there has been a strange merging of those two ideas. EVE's trailers were once filmed using only in-game footage, but over the past several expansions, CCP has begun moving into a more cinematic style. The trailers still depict the in-game environment but are rendered in an external scene-composition suite using higher resolution versions of all the models and textures in-game. The latest trailer for EVE's upcoming Incursion expansion certainly looks good and tells the story of what's to come, but is it missing something fundamental by using out-of-game graphics?

Where do you stand on this issue? Should game trailers use only in-game footage or do you find well-done cinematics more enticing? And is there a middle ground where the two can meet?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should trailers use only in-game footage? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cataclysmccpccp-eveccp-gamescinematicseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansiongraphicsincursionlegoLEGO-Universeteratera-onlinethe-daily-grindtrailerWorld-of-WarcraftwowSun, 21 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: When have reused graphics bothered you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-daily-grind-when-have-reused-graphics-bothered-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-daily-grind-when-have-reused-graphics-bothered-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-daily-grind-when-have-reused-graphics-bothered-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Reusing art assets in MMOs isn't done for style but for the continued sanity of the art team. Asking for 50 different variants on a sword design alone is pushing the boundaries of what can be done; asking for 500 different variants will have modeling artists throw their keyboards through a wall. I don't complain about that, but I'm really sad to see that the next latest and greatest armor for Final Fantasy XI's Dragoons is another reskin of the artifact armor, which looks blander and less interesting every time the artists slightly change which parts are purple and which parts are brown.

Of course, for the most part we really do accept the slight reskinning and retexturing of game models as a matter of necessity. But there's always a point at which something makes you narrow your eyes in disappointment, one set of armor or another that you wish the art team had put together as an original graphic instead of yet another reuse of an old texture. So when have re-used art assets bothered you? Was it with a certain type of enemy appearing far too often? Armor or weapons that you seemed to be using for eternity? Or just a popular piece of equipment that everyone wanted reskinned ad infinitum?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: When have reused graphics bothered you? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorart-assetscostumecostumesequipmentgraphicshumormodel-recyclingopinionrecyclereskinsretexturingreusetdgthe-daily-grindvisualsweaponsFri, 19 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Priston Tale 2 adds a new region and a mentoring system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/priston-tale-2-adds-a-new-region-and-a-mentoring-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/priston-tale-2-adds-a-new-region-and-a-mentoring-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/priston-tale-2-adds-a-new-region-and-a-mentoring-system/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're one of the souls inspired to step into Priston Tale 2 thanks to Beau's recent foray into the game, you picked a fine time to start playing. A large update has just hit the servers, featuring a brand-new area for players to explore. The Damned Burial Ground may be just a bit late for the Halloween season, but it would have fit in just fine as a haven for the restless bones of fallen soldiers and demons.

The game has also launched the brand-new Master and Apprentice system, a setup by which experienced players can get rewards for mentoring newer players about the fine points of the game. Experienced players get to earn previously unavailable in-game items, and new players get rewarded with the full knowledge and experience of a game veteran. The newest update has come with a small selection of new screens as well, available in the gallery below and showing off what Priston Tale 2's engine is capable of producing.

Gallery: Priston Tale 2 Demon Burial Grounds

MassivelyPriston Tale 2 adds a new region and a mentoring system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playgallerygamerkraftgraphicsmaster-and-apprenticementornew-regionspriston-tale-2pt2regionsscreenshotscreenshotsWed, 17 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[An animated video diary from the team behind Super Hero Squad Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/an-animated-video-diary-from-the-team-behind-super-hero-squad-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/an-animated-video-diary-from-the-team-behind-super-hero-squad-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/an-animated-video-diary-from-the-team-behind-super-hero-squad-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Animation is responsible for a lot in an MMO. A lot of the visual personality of the game is conveyed through animations, both the mechanically important ones for special abilities and the ubiquitous flavor emotes such as dancing. So Super Hero Squad Online has both an advantage and disadvantage for the development team -- they're working with characters who have a lot of established personality, but that means there's even more emphasis on getting everything just right. A new video development diary from the team shows off the process of bringing a character to life in the game, with Wolverine getting the starring role.

The video moves step-by-step from the initial modeling and texturing process through the skeleton modeling and manipulation, while also showing off several of the animations that Wolverine will (presumably) be sporting in the final game. There's a great deal of attention to detail and the fine points of what makes each character tick, so if you're looking forward to Super Hero Squad Online, click on past the break to see how the team is putting a lot of expression into little movements.

Continue reading An animated video diary from the team behind Super Hero Squad Online

MassivelyAn animated video diary from the team behind Super Hero Squad Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationanimationsdev-diarydeveloper-diarydiarygazilliongazillion-entertainmentgraphicsmarvelmarvel-comicsmarvel-super-hero-squadshsosuper-hero-squad-onlinethe-amazing-societyupcoming-gamesvideovideo-diaryvideosvisualswolverineMon, 15 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/archeage-beta-video-highlights-naval-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/archeage-beta-video-highlights-naval-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/archeage-beta-video-highlights-naval-battles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ArcheAge is something of a mysterious title here in the west. We know it's being developed by XL Games, and is the brainchild of NCSoft veteran Jake Song (who also created Lineage). We've also heard tell of destructible architecture in the gameworld as well as the fact that the developers are powering the game with the CryENGINE 2 (a more advanced variant of the graphics powerplant behind Aion).

Beyond that, we didn't know much else about ArcheAge before we stumbled on a new beta video recently posted to YouTube. The brief clip features some rather jaw-dropping footage of player ships and an in-game naval battle. While player ships have been done before (notably in Vanguard and Darkfall), you've never seen them like this. Aside from the impressive visuals, the video shows player characters in different crew positions (including the crow's nest) as well as recoiling cannons and a host of other interesting details.

Stay with Massively for the latest ArcheAge news as it develops, and check out the footage after the jump.

Continue reading ArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles

MassivelyArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionarche-agearcheageclosed-betacryenginecryengine-2graphicsjake-songnaval-battleplayer-shipsxl-gamesFri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/rise-and-shiny-recap-neverdaunt-8bit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have a buddy who creates all types of music, and recently he decided to experiment with 8-bit. We've talked about it, and at first I think he was worried about how I would feel about it. After all, I've been playing in heavy rock bands since I was around 13 years old, so my disdain for most things electronica or artificial is pretty well-known. For the record, I do not hate all sounds that are created by a computer -- I just haven't found much that I like.

So, as I watched 8-bit become a slightly hipper and hipper form of music, my tolerance has had time to adjust. True 8-bit art and design is about reduction, if you ask me -- it's about breaking down everything into single blocks of color or sound, and then rearranging those bits in an attempt to recreate something beautiful.

When done well, 8-bit can be fun and exciting. Neverdaunt:8Bit is done well, for sure. While it is still only in "early" testing, it shows a ton of promise -- even if it is only made up of a few basic blocks of noise and color.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: Neverdaunt:8Bit originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8bit8BitMusicbeau-hindmandigitalf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgraphicsminecraftmusicneverdauntneverdaunt-8bitpvprise-and-shinyscott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldsecond-lifesimlishSun, 03 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you like more sprite graphics?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-sprite-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-sprite-graphics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-sprite-graphics/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Back in the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, nearly all video game graphics were produced as a series of animated pixels, or "sprites" as they're more frequently known. Sprites have evolved from the basic pixel-block format seen in old Atari games to being complex collections of fluid animation, producing graceful and evocative art. Of course since each and every frame of a sprite's animation has to be hand-drawn and can often be quite involved, vector-based three-dimensional graphics have become the standard for games both online and offline.

World of Warcraft and other triple-A titles are never likely to be dominated by sprite graphics, since the result is usually less character customization, more work for the art team, and only a negligible actual benefit. But what about you, the player? Do you like seeing games where the landscapes and avatars are rendered with sprites instead of polygons? Does it give you a sense of nostalgia and familiarity? Or do you dislike the style and want to see a move away from what was once the predominant graphical style?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's The Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you like more sprite graphics? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearanceartgraphical-stylegraphicsopinionopinionsspritestdgthe-daily-grindvisual-impactvisualsSun, 03 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: DDO Update 7 bringing half-elves, half-orcs, more [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/ddo-update-7-bringing-half-elves-half-orcs-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DDO's Update 7 is coming sometime in October, and we spent some time at PAX this morning chatting with members of the Turbine crew. They had some extremely exciting things to tell about Update 7 and sprung more than a few surprises on us. First up were the new races. Yes, that was plural. Half-orcs, the resident tough guys of Stormreach, are the coming race that players have been looking forward to, but Update 7 will also bring half-elves. Half-elves will be a very versatile race, with some special feats that make them ideal for solo builds.

Update 7 is bringing much more in addition to the two new races. There will be a 12-man raid at level 6, the first large raid suitable for players below level 10. It will be added to the Devil Assault Adventure Pack, so if you already own that one, you'll find it within that arc. Devil Assault will also gain epic mode with this update. The raid isn't the end of new content, of course. There's a new adventure pack coming, and this one's free! This level 12 quest arc will send you to solve the long-running mystery of Nat Gann's fate, and it may or may not involve time travel.

There are some updates coming to the UI and basic game that players will definitely enjoy. You'll find a slight change to the UI color, but that's not the best part. The inventory UI has an upgrade that will allow you to sort your items by type, making it much easier to keep things organized. You'll find tabs for each gear type, ingredients, potions, and more. And finally, the auction house got an update that should have DDO fans jumping for joy: search. That's right, Update 7 will bring string search to the auction house. You'll be able to search across categories, choose exact phrases, or be a little more general.

Engine upgrades to enable DX11 graphics, reactive water, hireling AI upgrades, bug fixes, and a few more special surprises round out this exciting update. Want to know more? Keep your eye on Massively -- we'll be taking an in-depth tour of Update 7 later this month!

[Update: To clarify, both of the new races will be available for purchase in the DDO Store.]

MassivelyPAX 2010: DDO Update 7 bringing half-elves, half-orcs, more [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packauction-housebreakingddoddo-update-7devil-assaultdevil-assault-adventure-packdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedx11graphicshalf-elfhalf-orcpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010racesRAIDraidingraidsuiFri, 03 Sep 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Final Fantasy XI weaponskill trailer released]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/new-final-fantasy-xi-weaponskill-trailer-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/new-final-fantasy-xi-weaponskill-trailer-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/new-final-fantasy-xi-weaponskill-trailer-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Prior to the June version update for Final Fantasy XI, Square-Enix helpfully gave players a trailer showing off all of the exciting new weaponskills that could be used with the increased level cap. The September version update will raise the cap once again, and to carry on in the tradition a new trailer has been released showing off the newest batch of skills that players may unleash. Once again, there are a variety of techniques on display for every weapon, complete with the requisite ornate visual effects.

Aside from the obvious fact that your sword-wielding characters may now impersonate Zorro, several of the skills feature even more elaborate particle effects than normal, including the complicated crosshair brought into play on the new gun skill. Take a look past the break to see the trailer in all its goodness, and keep your eyes peeled for further previews as Final Fantasy XI approaches its next major milestone.

Continue reading New Final Fantasy XI weaponskill trailer released

MassivelyNew Final Fantasy XI weaponskill trailer released originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigraphicslevel-caplevel-cap-increaselevel-cap-updatepreviewsseptember-version-updatesquaresquare-enixtrailersvisualsweaponskillsMon, 30 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementAchievementsaddonsalphaalpha-testbattlegroundsbuildscallingCapture-the-flagcharacter-creationcharge-barclericclunkcollectionCollectionscraftingdefiantDemodynamic-contentEarth-Elementalelementalistepic-mountfeaturedfootholdfootholdsgallerygloamwoodgraphicsgroupgroupinggroupsguardianhealershealinghell-levelsheroes-of-telaraholy-city-of-sanctuminstanceinstancesinterfaceinvasionjumpingjust-say-no-to-hell-levelslootmapmapsminimapmodsp2ppay-to-playpetsphilosophyplaneplanesplanes-of-telarapublic-questspvpquestingrealm-of-the-faerespecresurrectionriftrift-planes-of-telarariftsscott-hartsmanscreenshotsshadowlandssoul-walkSteamPunkstrategerystrategysubscriptionswimmingtalent-treestalentstavril-plazatelaratrailertriontrion-worldsUIvideowarfrontwarfrontsWed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Journey through the Grasslands]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/15/the-anvil-of-crom-journey-through-the-grasslands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/15/the-anvil-of-crom-journey-through-the-grasslands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/15/the-anvil-of-crom-journey-through-the-grasslands/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The assassin moved forward, slowly, the soles of his padded boots gliding soundlessly over the dense packing of leaves and mulch that formed the forest floor. His eyes darted this way and that, scarred hands never far from the ivory-inlaid hilts of the blades hanging loosely at his waist. Quickening his pace, he ducked and dodged around the endless stalks of greenish bamboo that reached for the canopy high above.

Thin sunbeams bathed portions of the glade in an otherworldly light. They also cast parts of the dense bamboo thicket into semi-darkness, and it was from one of these dim pockets that the bear emerged. A towering, snarling monstrosity, it leered at the assassin, then charged. Stalks of bamboo snapped and splintered in its path as the assassin whirled and fled. The ground shook as the beast gained; he felt its breath on his neck as he emerged from the forest into blinding sunlight. A rock wall loomed ahead of him and he leaped for it, his feet finding purchase on the tiny ledges as he scrambled up the sheer side of the cliff. Panting, he finally reached the summit and turned to watch the stalks of bamboo swaying far below him like a sea of grass that parted as the beast rumbled back into the undergrowth.

Sneak past the cut for more.

Gallery: Age of Conan - Khitai Northern Grasslands

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Journey through the Grasslands

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Journey through the Grasslands originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conananvil-of-cromaoc-zone-impressionsfeaturedfuncomgraphicshyborian-traveloguekhitainorthern-grasslandsopinionthe-anvil-of-cromzone-guidezone-impressionszonesSun, 15 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Graphics don't matter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-daily-grind-graphics-dont-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-daily-grind-graphics-dont-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/the-daily-grind-graphics-dont-matter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Spend any time around gamers and you'll likely hear the phrase "graphics don't matter." It's one of the pillars of gaming wisdom, if you will, that has probably existed as long as there have been graphics and nerds arguing about them. I've got friends who swear up and down that "gameplay" is all that matters, and a soft spot for high-definition eye-candy is the mark of a shallow gamer. Perhaps this is one reason why critical darlings like LittleBigPlanet, anything with Mario in the title, and World of Warcraft gobble up the superlatives despite visual aesthetics that might have been state-of-the-art in 1995.

Graphics are also quite subjective (if you don't believe me, look for the inevitable "WoW has a consistent art style" comments below), calling into question the validity of the "graphics don't matter" hypothesis. Clearly they matter to some folks, and In some games, like Age of Conan, high levels of world detail not only look beautiful but can also can obscure mobs and add to the challenge and/or immersion.

What about you, dear readers? Do you care about graphics, subscribe to conventional gamer wisdom, or both?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Graphics don't matter? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanblizzardfuncomgraphicsgraphics-dont-matterlittlebigplanetmarioopiniontdgthe-daily-grindWorld-of-WarcraftwowTue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: She has a great personality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-daily-grind-she-has-a-great-personality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-daily-grind-she-has-a-great-personality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-daily-grind-she-has-a-great-personality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Graphics are an intensely subjective thing, but sometimes things just look plain bad. We can admit it. No one was raving about the graphics in EverQuest when the game was first released, and that was eleven years ago now. The art style of some games will always rub people the wrong way, and it's easy to look at some free-to-play games and be painfully underwhelmed by the graphics. And as much as people like to say that the visuals don't matter, high-end rewards look snazzy for a reason. We like looking at pretty things.

Of course, fans of EverQuest will be quick to point out that whatever the game lacks in graphics it retains in gameplay. Between age, budget, and style, games might not look like much at a glance, but what's behind the art means a lot more in the long run. What game do you find yourself defending as a good game underneath bad graphics? Is it an excellent engine, or just a fun game full of fond memories where you can look past the visuals?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: She has a great personality originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artdesigneqeverquestgraphicsopinionstyletdgthe-daily-grindvisualsSat, 17 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like seeing concept art?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-seeing-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-seeing-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-seeing-concept-art/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Concept art is a tricky thing. Players love seeing it, naturally, because it's designed to make everything in the game look as cool as possible. The problem is that concept art is under none of the restrictions operating within the actual game, so you can wind up with amazingly cool art that's coupled with a somewhat underwhelming final product. In the most severe case, the concept art actually makes the game look worse in the long run, which is far from the goal.

Naturally, getting conceptual sketches down is a big part of the development stage for any game or expansion. You can't start working on finished models without a picture of the end result, after all. But do you like seeing it made publicly available? Do you think it makes the finished art look less impressive? Can you think of any game whose art looked better in the concept stage than the final execution?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like seeing concept art? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artconceptconcept-artconcept-sketchesdevelopmentgraphicsopinionsketchestdgthe-daily-grindvisualsMon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video highlights the differences in Final Fantasy XIV test versions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/27/video-highlights-the-differences-in-final-fantasy-xiv-test-versi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/27/video-highlights-the-differences-in-final-fantasy-xiv-test-versi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/27/video-highlights-the-differences-in-final-fantasy-xiv-test-versi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We're not done with the love for Final Fantasy XIV around here by a long shot, especially not as the game moves into the next phase of testing. Amidst secondhand reports, allegations, rumors, and the general wall of non-information Square-Enix surrounds the game with, it can be difficult to know whether the new phase of testing has actually changed anything, or we're just looking at the same build with a few names changed. There's a new video making the rounds, however, demonstrating exactly what has changed.

It's easier to understand the changes by watching the video, but in brief: they've improved light sourcing, distance rendering, and a vastly different combat system. The latter is perhaps the most surprising, as the two systems sound similar but have significant differences when compared side by side. Any fan of Final Fantasy XIV is encouraged to watch the video not just to see the version comparisons, but to get a good sense of what the game will look like in action.

MassivelyVideo highlights the differences in Final Fantasy XIV test versions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalterationsbetaclient-changescombatcombat-systemsffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgraphicslightingmovementsquaresquare-enixupdatesvideosSun, 27 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive WWII Online: Battleground Europe team interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/exclusive-wwii-online-battleground-europe-team-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/exclusive-wwii-online-battleground-europe-team-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/exclusive-wwii-online-battleground-europe-team-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


As we mentioned last week, WWII Online: Battleground Europe is still going strong. In fact, Playnet and Cornered Rat Software are on the verge of a massive update for the game. Update 1.31, currently in open beta, has been in the works for many months and is set to overhaul the graphics of this old-school MMOFPS. It might even give newer games a run for their money! We were lucky enough to sit down with several members of the Battleground Europe development team -- Amy-Lynn Engelbrecht, Dana Baldwin, and Geof Evans -- and fire off some questions about the visual overhaul, as well as a few questions about the weather -- that is, the game's new weather system, which will actually affect land and air conditions in PvP!

Click past the break for our exclusive interview with the team!

Continue reading Exclusive WWII Online: Battleground Europe team interview

MassivelyExclusive WWII Online: Battleground Europe team interview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amy-lynn-engelbrechtbattleground-europecornered-ratcornered-rat-softwaredana-baldwinexclusivegeof-evansgraphicsinterviewmechanicsmmofpspatchpvpweatherworld-war-2world-war-2-online-battleground-europeWorld-War-IIworld-war-ii-onlineww2wwIIWed, 02 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST