Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the worst you've ever been griefed?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when griefers come for you?

My grandmother warned me of a time when online hooligans would invade the sanctity of my gaming space and do anything they could to ruin my fun. Some feel that griefing is a legitimate type of play that gives them great satisfaction. I feel that griefers should be carefully rounded up, tagged, and shipped to a small desert island where they can smack each other over the head with coconuts and leave the rest of us in peace.

Just about everybody's been griefed in an MMO at one point or another, whether by an overly antagonistic camper, a con artist who swindled you out of in-game gold, or that node stealer who stalked you and swooped in to grab the ore that was rightfully yours while you tangled with a nearby tiger.

Today we want to hear your testimony of a time when another player actively tried to spoil your fun. What's the worst you've ever been griefed in an MMO?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the worst you've ever been griefed? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campercampersgriefgriefedgriefergriefersgriefingnode-stealingopinionpvptdgthe-daily-grindTue, 26 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Trouble with PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-trouble-with-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-trouble-with-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/lost-pages-of-taborea-trouble-with-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and fun break. For my first article of 2011, I want to talk more about PvP. I've spoken about PvP before, but I want to look specifically at player-killer protection and the ability to instantly change PK status. There was also the slight change to a short-term criminal or hero status since Runes of Magic started.

A lot of time has passed since Runewaker made the changes, but I still remember them. Long gone are the days of a forced 10-minute cooldown on PK status and no protection bubble. I'm not a huge PvPer myself, but I wanted to explain a little more about the changes and the way I felt about the system then vs. now. I think it would also be relevant to bring up how the overall system works -- or claims to work. If you're interested in what PvP was like in the early days of RoM and would like to voice your opinion on it, click past the break.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Trouble with PvP

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Trouble with PvP originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegriefgriefingjeremy-strattonpkplayer-killerplayer-vs-playerpvpreputationromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentspawn-campingMon, 03 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/wings-over-atreia-a-whole-new-world-sorta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/wings-over-atreia-a-whole-new-world-sorta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/wings-over-atreia-a-whole-new-world-sorta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mergers have come and gone in Aion; the fabric of existence was ripped asunder, then rewoven. In North America, five new worlds now sit where once there were fourteen, and eight replace eighteen in Europe. Using the mergers as a springboard for their apocalyptic rants, naysayers cried out that the end of Aion was nigh, fervently waving their assertions and jeering at current players. NCsoft, on the other hand, quietly offered promises of a better world, catering to the desires of players for more conflict. To my knowledge, there were no Daevas flinging themselves from the spires of Pandaemonium or Sanctum, nor did any economy crumble and collapse. Fatalities were nil -- well, not counting any local qooqoo sacrifices made in the name of server harmony and stability.

So, here we are now at "doomsday plus five." How did things fare? Let's glide past the cut and take a look at the aftermath.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: A whole new world, sorta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion 2.0Aion2.0featuredgriefgriefingloading-issuesloading-timesNCsoftpvpriftingsiegesiege-warfaresiegesWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 19 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WTB scammer tears: The end of freeform contract scams in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/wtb-scammer-tears-the-end-of-freeform-contract-scams-in-eve-onl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/wtb-scammer-tears-the-end-of-freeform-contract-scams-in-eve-onl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/wtb-scammer-tears-the-end-of-freeform-contract-scams-in-eve-onl/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The sci-fi game EVE Online changed yesterday, in a rather subtle way. The developers eliminated one of the principal tools used by players to scam their unsuspecting marks: "freeform" contracts. The change was snuck in as single green-texted bullet point in the updated patch notes:

"Freeform contracts can no longer be created. This is due to griefing problems. You will still be able to view your completed freeform contracts for now but in an upcoming expansion older freeform contracts will be removed as well."

[EVE has a contract system which players use to conduct business transactions between different parties for items or services. They're generally used for legitimate purposes like auctions and item exchanges, but the more flexible "freeform" contracts could be structured so that a seller received in-game cash for items never actually given to the buyer.]

This otherwise unannounced elimination of the feature is perhaps a fitting demise for freeform scams. Those who haven't played EVE Online may be wondering why this is significant, if you scam another player you simply get banned, right? Not in EVE... It's one of the few MMOs out there where all manner of player villainy is permitted by the developer CCP Games, provided it happens in-game.

Continue reading WTB scammer tears: The end of freeform contract scams in EVE Online

MassivelyWTB scammer tears: The end of freeform contract scams in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccp-gamescrimeeveeve-onlinefreeform-scamsgame-mechanicsgriefgriefingmiz-cenuijnew-edenopinionscamssci-fiTue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Potential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ah, the MMO griefer. Most of us have encountered them, or been them, at some point. It can be frustrating to deal with but griefing in MMOs is enabled by the very nature of most online interaction -- anonymity -- and there's not much that can be done about that. Or is there? Much has been written on eliminating griefing before, and will continue to be written we're sure, but Allen Varney at The Escapist has a different take on handling griefers.

Varney writes, "The motive to block and frustrate griefers masks what might be a great opportunity. Can we distract would-be griefers? Can we make the game so unpleasant for them they leave voluntarily? Sure. But go further: Could we turn griefers, despite themselves, to productive ends?" His article "Wanted: Ganked or Alive" points out how the behavior of griefers is something that can be predicted and exploited.

Continue reading Potential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers

MassivelyPotential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanallen-varneyeve-onlinegame-mechanicsgriefgriefergriefersmmo-industryopinionthe-escapistTue, 05 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Outlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


How much time will you spend pulling together a confidence scam? And how integral is having a third party to facilitate what you do?

It depends upon how much I am enjoying that particular scam. If I am enjoying it then time is never really an issue. I've spent months on individual scams, developing relationships, spending time on voice comms or the phone, whatever was required at the time. Other scams were instant 5-minute wonders. The difference between what I do and what a real life scam artist does is that in real life they are governed by money, how much time is any particular scam worth investing in? In New Eden I am driven by enjoyment and thus the time spent on any particular scam is what I choose it to be.

Continue reading Outlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2

MassivelyOutlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concon-artisteveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsgriefgriefersgriftermizmiz-cenuijnew-edenopinionscamscam-artistscammersci-fiWed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[With persistent worlds comes persistent racism]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/with-persistent-worlds-comes-persistent-racism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/with-persistent-worlds-comes-persistent-racism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/with-persistent-worlds-comes-persistent-racism/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The promise of what virtual spaces can bring us is significant -- erasing geographic limitations on interaction with others while fostering an exchange of cultures, beliefs, and languages. To this high-minded end, millions of dollars have been spent and many thousands of hours of work have been invested into creating rich graphical settings coupled with immersive environmental soundscapes. Crisp digital communication at its finest, right?

Much like the promise of the the eradication of artificial barriers to meaningful communication through the Internet, virtual worlds and online spaces in general have fallen short of expectations. It's generally not the fault of the companies or the service providers though. The fault lies with us, the users.

Continue reading With persistent worlds comes persistent racism

MassivelyWith persistent worlds comes persistent racism originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicars-technicaarstechnicacultureethnicitygriefgriefingmmo-industryprejudiceraceracismreal-lifereligionsocial-influencestherevirtual-worldsFri, 12 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/eve-alliance-circumvents-factional-warfare-restrictions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/eve-alliance-circumvents-factional-warfare-restrictions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/eve-alliance-circumvents-factional-warfare-restrictions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Factional warfare became a part of EVE Online in the Empyrean Age expansion, which ushered in a time of backstory-driven militia conflict for players aligned with one of the four races of New Eden. What promised to be a new avenue for EVE's roleplaying community ended up being inaccessible to roleplaying alliances. CCP stipulated that alliances cannot enlist with factional militias, as their sheer numbers could streamroll their opposition and create overwhelming odds for the disadvantaged side in the conflict.

The only recourse EVE's alliances have is to form splinter corporations outside of the alliance, for the sole purpose of allying with a given racial faction. That is, until recently. An article from ISD Magnus Balteus, one of EVE Online's in-game reporters, states the Star Fraction alliance "has openly declared war on corporations that have joined the Caldari milita; the State Protectorate. For over a month, Star Fraction has been selectively targeting the corporations of fleet commanders in the Caldari militia."

Continue reading EVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions

MassivelyEVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancescaldariccpccp-gamescombatconflictembedded-reportingempyrean-ageeveeve-onlinefactionfactional-warfaregallentegame-mechanicsgriefgriefingguerilla-warfareinterstellar-correspondentsisdjade-constantinemagnus-balteusmilitiapoliticspvpracesroleplayingvolunteerThu, 14 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Morality and legality in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/morality-and-legality-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/morality-and-legality-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/morality-and-legality-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the strengths of EVE Online is that the game's professions can be freeform. Many players take the standard route of being a miner or a mission runner. However, new and deviant professions have arisen in a kind of symbiosis with the more established trades in the game. This is the focus of an article called 'Morality and Legality', written by ISD Magnus Balteus of CCP Games. 'Morality and Legality' looks at two of the sketchier professions that sprang from EVE's more standard career paths.

Mining has given rise to ore theft, which boils down to theft that has the side benefit of potentially baiting the victim into combat, even in high security space. If the ore thief or 'can flipper' is successful, he or she can make off with the ore that someone else mined plus the modules looted from the miner's ship wreck. The morality of this type of career doesn't even enter into the equation... this is EVE. CCP's unwillingness to change the game mechanics involved in can flipping means that this is not an exploit, it's a valid profession, albeit not in the mind of the miner victim.

Continue reading Morality and legality in EVE Online

MassivelyMorality and legality in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>can-flipcan-flipperccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsgriefgrieferhighsecisdmineminermissionmission-runnermissionsninjaninja-lootninja-lootingninja-salvageninja-salvageroreore-thiefprofessionsvictimSat, 09 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Never just a game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/never-just-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/never-just-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/never-just-a-game/#commentsFiled under:


MMOs (and some virtual worlds) are games we play together. Games are generally fun, educational, diversionary and sometimes escapist pastimes. Humans are natural gamers. Our tastes and inclinations about games and gaming may differ, but we all play games.

If there's no game we like, we make a game - out of anything and everything. It doesn't matter if it involves traffic lights, paperclips in your office drawer, or trying to outshine the neighbor's garden - we make up our own rules, and play our games, even if nobody else knows.

There's no such thing as "just a game", however, and there's a good reason why.

Continue reading Never just a game

MassivelyNever just a game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chessfeaturedgamegame-theorygaminggriefopinionsecond-lifeworld-of-warcraftTue, 30 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST