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[MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Super Hero Squad Online
There's a growing number of great kid-friendly MMOs available, and one that I've been meaning to check out for a while now is Super Hero Squad Online. The game has only been out for eight months, yet in that short time, it's reached over a million registered users and added lots of new content and characters.

I've spent some time in the game, along with my two young testers, to find out what the buzz is all about. We formed up a squad and set off to check out missions, the card game, our headquarters, and the opportunities for exploration out in the world, and our first impressions are found below. If you've ever wanted to know what the little super heroes eat or what holiday treats are available at the Parker household, you'll definitely want to read on!

Continue reading MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online

MassivelyMMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>family-friendlyfamily-friendly-mmofeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentHeadquartershousingkaren-bryankid-friendlykid-friendly-mmomarvelmarvel-super-hero-squadmmommo-familyshsosuper+hero+squadsuper+hero+squad+mmosuper+hero+squad+onlinesuper-herosuper-hero-squadsuper-hero-squad-onlinesuperherosuperhero+games+onlinesuperherogamesonlinesuperherosquadsuperherosquadmmosuperherosquadonlinetcgtrading-card-gameWed, 14 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/hero-up-hands-on-with-marvel-super-hero-squad-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Back in May, I scored Massively's first real look at Super Hero Squad Online, the Marvel-flavored, kid-friendly MMO from Gazillion Entertainment and The Amazing Society. I was smitten with the game at the time, and so when Gazillion offered me the opportunity to take a peek at the newest build earlier this week, I jumped at the chance. Who can resist some hands-on time with such an adorable toy! (Answer to rhetorical question: no one, which is why you should go sign up for beta right now.) Plus, if I learned anything the last time, it was that I have a duty to relentlessly inquire about Squirrel Girl. Am I right?

Gazillion PR Manager Keith Mutzman and The Amazing Society's Director of Games Jay Minn wasted no time bringing me up to speed on the progress of the game as the team heads to PAX this weekend, so I'll pay that forward -- join me after the break and we'll dig in and hero up!

Continue reading Hero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

MassivelyHero up! Hands-on with Marvel Super Hero Squad Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaction-combatamazing-societyAUTOnomybrowser-basedcash-shopcombatcyclopsf2pfamilyfantastic-fourfeaturedfishbowlfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentgiant-manhands-onHeadquartershero-upHQhuman-torchjay-minnjean-greykeith-mutzmankidsMarvelmarvel-super-hero-squadmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsMinigameMinigamesshsosilver-surferspider-mansquirrel-girlsuper-herosuper-hero-squadsuper-hero-squad-onlinesuperherosuperheroesthe-amazing-societythorunity-enginevillainvillewaspThu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with End of Nations' PvE and PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-end-of-nations-pve-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-end-of-nations-pve-and-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-end-of-nations-pve-and-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

You know that scene in Contact in which Jodie Foster is looking out at the cosmos, telling the folks at mission control that they should have sent a poet? All the while I was playing End of Nations at Trion World's Gamer's Day event, I kept thinking, "Massively should have sent a StarCraft guru!" I initially felt very much out of my element. MMOs and RPGs are my shtick; I only rarely dive into turn-based strategy games. And RTS games? Forget it. They don't agree with me. If it doesn't have a pause button, I probably don't have time for it. I'm too easily distractible, too impatient, and too exhausted after a work-day of multi-tasking to spend my playtime multi-tasking even more. There's just no time for cooking meals, browsing lolcats, and chatting with the spouse when you're neck-deep in an RTS. RTS games are serious business; they require my undivided attention and concentration, and I don't like doing things halfway.

And yet maybe that makes me just the right person to try out an MMORTS hybrid like Trion's EoN. Most people who give it a spin when it hits the market will probably have a lot in common with me -- they'll be loyalists to one side or the other, not to both. Maybe an RTS novice is just the sort of person who can test out the game, present it to MMO gamers, and explain just what the heck this game thinks it's doing playing around in our end of the pool.

Or maybe I'll end up sobbing amidst the charred remains of my tank minions. You'll never know if you don't hit the break!

Gallery: End of Nations Gamer's Day

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with End of Nations' PvE and PvP

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with End of Nations' PvE and PvP originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armycandy-apple-red-is-too-a-good-tank-colorCommandercommander-rolecustomizationend-of-nationseonfeaturedgallerygamers-dayHeadquartersmagadanmapmapsmmortsmovieomanorder-of-nationspetroglyphpetroglyph-studiospreviewpvepvpreally-big-nukeRTSscreenshotsstrategytanktankingtankstrailertrailerstriontrion-worldswarWed, 18 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Roper explains teams and SuperGroups in new Champions trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/bill-roper-explains-teams-and-supergroups-in-new-champions-trail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/bill-roper-explains-teams-and-supergroups-in-new-champions-trail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/bill-roper-explains-teams-and-supergroups-in-new-champions-trail/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


While Champions Online is designed to allow players to live out their fantasy of being a lone superhero badass taking on all-comers solo, if that's what they're after, there's also content and features aimed at groups of players. A new video hosted at GameTrailers and featuring Bill Roper is focused on the things that await people who are interested in getting together with others to tackle crime and evil. The title of the video leads you to believe that it is all about SuperGroups (Champions Online's guilds), but most of Roper's comments are related to grouping in general.

The reinforcement system, lairs/headquarters, group events, multiple-group content and different roles in groups all come up during the featurette. Head past the break to see how you can help save the world with a little help from your friends.

Continue reading Bill Roper explains teams and SuperGroups in new Champions trailer

MassivelyBill Roper explains teams and SuperGroups in new Champions trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-roperchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosgroupingguildsheadquarterslairsreinforcement-systemsupergroupteamsMon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Economic crisis may force CCP Games to leave Iceland]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/economic-crisis-may-force-ccp-games-to-leave-iceland/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/economic-crisis-may-force-ccp-games-to-leave-iceland/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/economic-crisis-may-force-ccp-games-to-leave-iceland/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The global financial crisis is hitting many companies and individuals very hard. This is especially prevalent in Iceland, home of CCP Games -- the developers of the sci-fi massively multiplayer online game EVE Online. The collapse of Iceland's banking system and currency has been devastating to the nation. "Icelanders are reeling from the shock of having everything they knew virtually disappear overnight," Valur Gunnarsson reports from Reykjavik for The Guardian.

Despite these economic woes, Hilmar V. Pétursson, the CEO of CCP Games, gave assurances all is well with the company back in October. He's stated that CCP is "well isolated" from the banking crisis, that their holdings and assets were diversified enough (due to partner relationships in different parts of the world) to stave off the ruin that many other Icelandic companies are facing. But there's a potential downside to that diversification: restrictions on access to foreign currencies have gone into effect in Iceland. Specifically -- as it relates to CCP Games -- on foreign investment coming into the country. Are these restrictions enough of a hassle that CCP Games would ever need to leave Iceland?

Continue reading Economic crisis may force CCP Games to leave Iceland

MassivelyEconomic crisis may force CCP Games to leave Iceland originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gameseconomic-crisiseconomic-impacteconomyeveeve-onlineguardianheadquartershqicelandrelocationreykjaviksci-fithe-guardianvalur-gunnarssonMon, 22 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore the halls and amenities of Blizzard HQ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/explore-the-halls-and-amenities-of-blizzard-hq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/explore-the-halls-and-amenities-of-blizzard-hq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/explore-the-halls-and-amenities-of-blizzard-hq/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Blizzcon is this weekend, and journalists and bloggers the world over are descending upon California to report on everything from Diablo 3 classes to -- you guessed it -- World of Warcraft. MTV's Multiplayer blog counts itself a member of that gaming press Horde, and in addition to your usual Blizzcon coverage, it visited Blizzard's headquarters and took lots of photos.

The HQ has a museum, a movie theater, a gymnasium, and a bunch of other amenities, and they're all documented in Multiplayer's gallery. The walls are covered in Warcraft and Starcraft artwork -- basically, it's just as awesome as you would expect it to be. Hit the source link to browse the gallery to your fanboy/fangirl heart's content.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyExplore the halls and amenities of Blizzard HQ originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkblizzardblizzconblizzcon-2008diablogalleryheadquartershqmtv-multiplayermuseumofficesphotographsphotosstarcraftstatuesstudiotheaterwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST