Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The memories]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQOA
It's been a good month looking back at EverQuest Online Adventures, wouldn't you agree? Educational, almost. While this title is just about as far from the mainstream MMO eye as can be these days, it's heartening to know it's still out there, still running, and still capable of evoking fond memories from current and former players.

While we did attempt to contact SOE for an interview to see if we could find out anything new -- or even old -- about EQOA, it failed to materialize. As a wonderful consolation prize, however, this week we'll hear from three players who have extensive experience in the game. So let's hit this column running and equip our +2 Ears of Paying Attention!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The memories

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The memories originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsole-mmoeqoaeverquest-online-adventuresfeaturedfrontiersgriefermoomudmudsmushnorwaypalplaystationplaystation-2ps2soeSony-Online-Entertainmenttraintrain-to-zoneTue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-the-highlight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-the-highlight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-the-highlight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A Tale in the Desert
Readers of the ever-so-humble Game Archaeologist will recall that earlier this year I had the opportunity to exchange informative words with Dr. Richard Bartle, the creator of MUD. Since he was -- and is -- a highly opinionated designer, I asked him what he thought was the most innovative MMO from the last decade. The answer was short and succinct.

"A Tale in the Desert, he replied, then added: "Note that 'innovative' doesn't necessarily mean 'successful.'"

Right there is the crux of ATITD's unique position in the MMO industry. Instead of storming down a path well-traveled, it took a machete and made its own trail -- a trail down which few have followed. As Jef recently noted in Some Assembly Required, it is an "odd duck" of a game, skewing as far away from combat as possible to focus on two often-neglected aspects of MMOs: crafting and politics. Even though its population has pegged it as an eternally niche game, it's proven that constant fighting isn't the only thing that can draw an online community together.

This week we're going to look at some of the more unique features of this innovative yet diminutive MMO, which began telling its tale back in 2003.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-desertandrew-tepperatitdcivilizationcraftingdemi-pharaohegenesisegyptfeaturedgrieferlawlegal-systemmentorpharaohpolitical-systemrichard-bartlesandboxsexismsnide-impact-dirtbagssociologysome-assembly-requiredstrangertellingthe-game-archaeologistTue, 13 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Welcome to the Massively Psychiatric Center for Gamers, Griefers, and Greater Internet F-wads (link NSFW). I'm Dr. Reahard, and while I'm most definitely an armchair psychologist, psychiatrist, and MMOlogist, pay no attention to any of that. I'm more than qualified to help you determine whether or not you're a bleep (sorry, a griefer). So please, have a seat, make yourself comfortable, and let's talk about you.

Tell me about yourself. Do you relish that feeling of power you get when messing with another human being? Is there a certain sense of being alive, a rush if you will, that only comes around when you bleep with another person? Does said bleeping happen exclusively in video games where your actions carry no perceivable repercussions?

Are you secretly frustrated with a banal and disturbingly meaningless white-collar existence? Does releasing your inner bleep in a (theoretically) anonymous online environment scratch the itches made manifest by a minivan, 2.3 kids, and the otherwise inescapable confines of suburbia?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokenccpccp-gamescultureeveeve-onlinefeaturedgame-lifegoonsgoonswarmgriefergriefersgriefingopinionreal-lifesandboxsci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardthe-mittanithe-soapboxyoure-doing-it-wrongTue, 03 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![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[The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Last week, our own Jef Reahard mounted the Massively Soapbox with an article titled Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP. In it, he argued that open PvP was a natural and necessary part of any solid sandbox MMO. He also made waves by suggesting that FFA PvP is crucial to the roleplaying experience and that roleplayers should really face their "fears" and give it a try.

I'm a sandbox gamer and a PvPer at heart. I played the early years of Ultima Online and lived the adrenaline rush of full and brutal PvP and thievery. Dark Age of Camelot's RvR sucked up another year of my life. Star Wars Galaxies remains my sandbox of choice, and I've braved a World of Warcraft PvP server since launch. I know this territory very well. I'll knock it, because I have more than tried it -- in several tasty flavors.

And even though I'm an unabashed Jef-fangirl, I think there are a few debatable issues with his article. Hit the jump for some good old-fashioned counterpoints!

Continue reading The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchyBlizzardccpCCP-Gamesconsequencesdeath-mechanicea-mythiceveeve-onlinefeaturedffaffa-pvpgankergriefergriefersImmersionopen-pvpopen-world-pvpopinionpve-sandboxpvppvp-sandboxroleplayroleplayerRolePlayersRolePlayingRPSandboxsandbox-mmosandparksoapboxSOESony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgthe-soapboxThemeParktrammelUltima-OnlineUOWorld-of-WarcraftwowTue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Escapist: A folk hero for the online age]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Tom Endo over at The Escapist has written an interesting editorial in which he suggests the idea that we all need a villain as a vessel for people's frustration with authority such as Bonnie and Clyde or Robin Hood. In the case of MMOs, that anti-hero is the Griefer, who will push the game mechanics to and past their breaking point or intended use in order get ahead.

Second Life has had more than its fair share of griefers over the years, and it's true that in games such as Eve Online, the actions of the players have had a massive impact on the game. Some might say that with some games they have had more than the developer itself. Such is the case with the various self-styled bad-boy corporations and alliances throughout the years in that game, or the actions leading up to the Felluca/Trammel split in Ultima Online. But Endo puts forward the idea that players need these griefers and the stories that they create, despite the true nature of their actual actions.

Head on over to The Escapist to read the full article and see if you agree with his ideas.

MassivelyThe Escapist: A folk hero for the online age originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escapisteve-onlinegriefergriefersgriefingtom-endoultima-onlineFri, 08 May 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[Griefing as a phenomenon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As new studies and research continues to look into the online aspect of behavior known as griefing (or as cyber-bullying to the mainstream media), it all appears to reinforce the correlation between the online and offline aspects of this all-too-human behavior.

You see, griefing didn't start online. In a sense griefing is like one of many sexual kinks, in that it exists in the physical world -- it just wasn't until it went online that we really noticed that it was such a common thing.

Continue reading Griefing as a phenomenon

MassivelyGriefing as a phenomenon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegriefergriefersgriefingopinionpaul-mcdermottvirtual-worldsMon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 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.

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There are some valuable lessons learned as you progress in EVE Online, lessons which get pounded into you when making mistakes. There are so many things you wish someone had told you before you went out and made a noobish ass of yourself.

Even with the much-improved Aura tutorial that's been implemented in EVE, there are lots of things that still cause players to scream something to the effect of, "Why didn't anyone warn me?!" This is often accompanied by frantically warping away from one's obliterated ship in an escape pod with a liberal amount of cursing. Of course, it doesn't have to be this way.

Continue reading Ten things every new player should know about EVE Online

MassivelyTen things every new player should know about EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auraccpccp-gamescloneconcordcrazykinuxdavid-perrydronebayeveeve-onlinegriefergriefinghighseclowsecnoobpodtipstrickstutorialWed, 23 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Who's got the best support team?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/the-daily-grind-whos-got-the-best-support-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/the-daily-grind-whos-got-the-best-support-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/the-daily-grind-whos-got-the-best-support-team/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We like to think we'll never need help. That everything will run smoothly, your account won't get stolen out from under you, that you won't be the subject of routine griefing. Hope springs eternal, but there are whole fleets of people just waiting to help you when you need assistance. However, that doesn't always mean that you'll get it, or that it will be the kind of help you were expecting.

With that in mind, then, I know that most of our readers are multi-mmo -- you've all got experience with many different games and companies. When the fewmets hit the fan, who's there for you? Which game has the best player support? Which has the worst?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Who's got the best support team? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fewmetsgmgriefergriefinghelpplayer-supportstolen-accounttech-supportthe-daily-grindSat, 15 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST