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 Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-using-heroengine-as-a-whiteboard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Elder Scrolls Online - using HeroEngine as a whiteboard
Fan outcry over the announcement of The Elder Scrolls Online was long and loud, not just for the presumed MMOification of a beloved single-player franchise, but for the toolset chosen by ZeniMax Online Studios to bring the world of Tamriel to its new audience.

Game Informer confirms that ZeniMax is using the HeroEngine -- which also powers Star Wars: The Old Republic, and which has come under fire from some in the MMO fan community. Game director Matt Firor says that the firm isn't using the engine like you may expect, though.

"Think of HeroEngine as a whiteboard for us -- a great tool to get some ideas in the game and start looking at them while the production engine was in development," he explains.

[Thanks to Austin for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinefactionshero-engineheroenginematt-firormorrowindoblivionplease-dont-suckpvprvrsandboxskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSat, 26 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 191: GDC Thursday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/massively-speaking-episode-191-gdc-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/massively-speaking-episode-191-gdc-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/massively-speaking-episode-191-gdc-thursday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Tribes Ascend
Massively Speaking Episode 191 is the last stand of the Massively GDC crew as they bravely recall their final experiences at the convention for you and their loved ones to cherish. It's been a whirlwind of a week, but many of the studios saved the best for last -- and we've got the scoop!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 191: GDC Thursday

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 191: GDC Thursday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aikaallods-onlineauto-club-revolutionblueholebluehole-studiosbrantbrianna-royceconconferenceconventionen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyfeaturedfighters-clubfighters-club-onlinegame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012gpotatohero-enginehi-rezhi-rez-studioshumorjustin-olivettimassively-speakingopinionpodcastpodcastingpodcaststerathe-repopulationtribes-ascendFri, 09 Mar 2012 15:30:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 191Massively.com Staff44:42podcasts<![CDATA[HeroEngine licensing takes off thanks to SWTOR's success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/heroengine-licensing-takes-off-thanks-to-swtors-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/heroengine-licensing-takes-off-thanks-to-swtors-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/heroengine-licensing-takes-off-thanks-to-swtors-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,

HeroEngine logo
The HeroEngine is making waves in MMO development circles these days, primarily as a result of BioWare's having used it to build Star Wars: The Old Republic. Idea Fabrik says thousands of would-be developers have licensed the tool suite in recent weeks.

The firm has also seen a sharp increase in subscribers for its HeroCloud service offering, which is basically a hosted system for making online RPGs, FPS titles, and social/casual games. Idea Fabrik COO Neil Harris says the technology is now a proven commodity thanks to its widespread adoption. "We crossed a major milestone once large games built on HeroEngine proved that our server technology can handle a hugely successful game. This lowers the perceived risk of developers in adopting the HeroEngine platform," he said.

The HeroEngine is also powering several indie sandbox titles, including Origins of Malu, The Repopulation, and Dominus. The engine was initially developed by Simutronics for a now-defunct MMO called Hero's Journey.

[Source: Idea Fabrik press release]

MassivelyHeroEngine licensing takes off thanks to SWTOR's success originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentdevelopment-platformdominusgame-developmenthero-cloudhero-engineherocloudheroengineIdea-Fabrikmmo-industryorigins-of-malusandboxstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthe-repopulationtorThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation gets a graphical upgrade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Repopulation - environment graphics upgrade
The Repopulation is getting a graphics makeover according to the latest developer update. Above & Beyond Technologies has updated its website with a look at what happened during the month of November, and at the top of the list is a "major revamp to the character models" as well as new building and environment models.

Other milestones include the implementation of the game's weather system (including rain, snow, dust storms, sand storms, and meteor showers) and various combat and crafting abilities. Work also continues on the game's "awakening" sequence and starter/tutorial areas, with the goal being a more polished newbie experience than that of your typical non-linear title.

The Repopulation is a three-faction sci-fi sandbox with toggle-enabled action combat and a substantial crafting system. The game is scheduled to begin beta testing in 2012.

MassivelyThe Repopulation gets a graphical upgrade originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesabove-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiescraftinggame-mechanicsgraphics-upgradehero-enginemonthly-development-updaterepopulationsandboxsci-fistarter-areathe-repopulationtutorialsweatherweather-systemMon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Sandbox interviews Repopulation developer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-sandbox-interviews-repopulation-developer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-sandbox-interviews-repopulation-developer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/the-sandbox-interviews-repopulation-developer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Repopulation - screenshot of a dude on a hill
The latest episode of The Sandbox podcast is worth a listen if you're curious about The Repopulation. Developer Josh Halls is the guest of honor and he sits down with host Coolit for a lengthy chat about Above & Beyond Technologies' upcoming sci-fi title. "It's not a full-blown sandbox game where you're dumped in a barrel and have to figure out what to do. There are both elements of sandbox gameplay as well as the more rollercoaster-type designs that you're used to that are more structured," Hall explains.

The themepark bells and whistles are front-loaded into the game in order to provide players with adequate tutorials. After that, Hall says, you're free to build your own nation, explore, and do whatever it is that tickles your creative fancy.

Hall also gives a bit of detail on the size of the dev team ("four or five guys" at the moment) as well as some commentary on the Hero engine and various aspects of The Repopulation's gameplay. Head to the The Sandbox for the full show.

MassivelyThe Sandbox interviews Repopulation developer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyond-technologiesdevelopmentgame-mechanicshero-engineinterviewjosh-hallnew-titlessandboxsci-fithe-repopulationFri, 21 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchblack Games seeking testers for new HeroEngine MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/pitchblack-games-seeking-testers-for-new-heroengine-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/pitchblack-games-seeking-testers-for-new-heroengine-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/pitchblack-games-seeking-testers-for-new-heroengine-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Want to get in on the ground floor with a new HeroEngine sci-fi MMORPG? No, we're not talking about Star Wars: The Old Republic beta access but rather the opportunity to test an as-yet unnamed title from Pitchblack Games.

The company's website has a suitably dystopian far future feel to it, but there's not a whole lot of info on the game itself beyond a piece of concept art. Pitchblack has informed Massively that anyone and everyone can sign up for testing, though, so jump in and see for yourself.

The HeroEngine originally powered Simutronics' Hero's Journey MMORPG before being licensed by BioWare for its upcoming Star Wars opus. Head to the official Pitchblack website for more.

MassivelyPitchblack Games seeking testers for new HeroEngine MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementsbetahero-engineheros-journeymmo-industrypitchblackpitchblack-gamespress-releasesci-fisimutronicstestingFri, 29 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview with Simutronics CEO David Whatley]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/interview-with-simutronics-ceo-david-whatley/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/interview-with-simutronics-ceo-david-whatley/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/interview-with-simutronics-ceo-david-whatley/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The MMO Gamer have interviewed David Whatley, the President and CEO of Simutronics, who are making HeroEngine and their upcoming MMO called Hero's Journey. HeroEngine is billed as a streamlined engine for creating MMOs with development taking place inside the games themselves so that all of the development team can work together in a live environment with changes being seen by the entire team immediately. So far the highest profile game to use HeroEngine is Star Wars: The Old Republic.

The interview covers their design philosophy of bring their experience with MUDs into MMO development, how they became a middleware company after people started to want to use their engine and how they're hoping that their technology will reduce development times and costs for any games that use it. Whatley also points out that until a AAA game, he suggests Star Wars: The Old Republic, released there won't be any empirical data on how much time using their engine will save a developer but he believes that it will mean games can be developed in about half the time. This saving can either be used to produce a game twice as quickly, or to develop twice the game that you would normally be able to produce.

You can check out the full interview over at The MMO Gamer.

MassivelyInterview with Simutronics CEO David Whatley originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-engineheroengineheroes-journeysimutronicsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorMon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Let's be frank, MMOs are a pain in the rear to design. You have large teams working collaboratively to build huge expanses of terrain, hundreds upon thousands of objects in the world that players can interact with, server architecture to worry about, and even more in-depth things that the standard player may not even notice or consider.

But if you've been on the site recently and have been checking out our coverage of the GDC, then you may have heard us and developers talking excitedly about HeroEngine, the new MMO developing tool from Simutronics. HeroEngine is powering games like The World of Gatheryn and this funny Star Wars game from those BioWare people, as well as other companies that haven't announced their new projects as of yet.

So why is HeroEngine so amazing? Well, we got the inside scoop straight from Simutronics as we visited their booth at the GDC.

Continue reading GDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design

MassivelyGDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-studio-maxcollaborative-developmentdevelopersdevelopmentgame-designgame-developmentgdc-2009gdc09hero-engineheroengineheros-journeyphotoshopreal-timesimutronicsvirtual-worldsTue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: The rise of the MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-rise-of-the-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Here we are in the midst of another epic Games Developers Conference and we can't help but reflect on how much importance MMOs and Virtual Worlds have in the gaming industry these days. Everywhere we look, there are new ways to integrate the online experience with having fun and meeting new people. Throughout the week and beyond (as embargoes get lifted), we're bringing you more MMO panels and interviews than ever before. This is promising for those of us who happen to love MMOs.

So even though the convention isn't over until tomorrow, we wanted to take this opportunity to fill you in on what we've already seen, and what is yet to come later in the week. You can check out our GDC09 tag page for the ongoing panels and exclusive interviews we've already conducted, plus look forward to more goodies from Runes of Magic, Hero Engine, Funcom, Mythic, Earthrise, CCP, Global Agenda, Aion [catch breath] and much more!

Gallery: GDC09: Around the show floor

MassivelyGDC09: The rise of the MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionccpearthrisefallen-earthfuncomgame-developers-conferencegatheryngdc-09gdc-2009gdc09global-agendahero-enginemythicrunes-of-magicThu, 26 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: What if WoW sold its code base?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/player-vs-everything-what-if-wow-sold-its-code-base/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/player-vs-everything-what-if-wow-sold-its-code-base/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/player-vs-everything-what-if-wow-sold-its-code-base/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


I could bore you all today by starting my article with a lengthy story about the pre-history of your beloved MMORPGs, but I'll cut to the important part: Once upon a time there was a little game called DikuMUD. Similar in nature to the popular Dungeons and Dragons tabletop roleplaying game, it quickly took off with the geek crowd and became something of a phenomenon. In 1991, the source code for the game was made public and it grew into the most popular code base out there for the creation of multi-user dungeons, largely attributed to the ease with which the code could be set up and run. This led to an explosion of rather similar games that eventually gave rise to the more modern virtual fantasy worlds like Ultima Online, EverQuest, and World of Warcraft (each of these have been compared to DikuMUDs at various times). What's the point of rehashing all of this?

Simply this: While many people would probably disagree with me, the proliferation of a popular, established code base that was proven to attract players and was easy to set up "out of the box" allowed enormous innovation and creativity to flourish. At one point, there were so many MUDs available on the web that you could go to a website designed specifically to sort out what features you wanted in yours (and play it free of charge, most of the time). Given the wild popularity of World of Warcraft today, I can't help but wonder what would happen to the online gaming industry if Blizzard decided to start selling their source code to people interested in starting up their own game.

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: What if WoW sold its code base?

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: What if WoW sold its code base? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achaeabig-world-technologiesblizzardbusinessbusiness-modelbusiness-modelsd20dikudikumudeverquestfeaturedhero-engineiron-realms-entertainmentmetaversemudmudsultima-onlinevirtual-worldswizards-of-the-coastworld-of-warcraftSun, 27 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST