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[WildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Try and read the entry out loud without trying to fit in the word 'shiny' or 'verse' a couple times.
Humans are the standard basis for comparison in games that feature non-human races, almost as if said games were being made by humans for other humans. But there's still a distinct flavor to the human race depending on the setting. Case in point, the latest WildStar "interview" with one of the three lore characters from the cinematic trailer gives players a peek at a typical human, and he's a bit different than what you might have been expecting.

While the other major characters identify a specific world as "home," humans are portrayed as being a bit more free-forming, having roamed out in space for so long that they're really not bound to a location. The entry also discusses some of the lore behind being an Explorer and some of the perils associated with intentionally venturing into the unknown (it involves lots of things that try to eat you, if you need the short version). If you've been enjoying the flavor of the world Carbine Studios is slowly building, you'll probably enjoy this latest look as well.

MassivelyWildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycarbine-studioshuman-beingshumanslorelore-charactersnewsnpcsplayer-racesraceswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Dawn of Fantasy screenshots and information on races]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-dawn-of-fantasy-screenshots-and-information-on-races/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-dawn-of-fantasy-screenshots-and-information-on-races/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-dawn-of-fantasy-screenshots-and-information-on-races/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dawn of Fantasy seems like it's been in development for an awfully long time, but with a release coming in June, MMORTS fans should be getting excited. The team behind the game has sent along some new screenshots as well as more information on the three most influential races in the game -- Men, Orcs, and Elves.

Elves, as most fantasy fans will likely expect, are split between Wood Elves and High Elves, with the former excelling at natural magic and the latter focusing on city building and alchemy. Orcs count a number of savage tribes among their numbers, with Desert Orcs and Swamp Orcs both focusing heavily upon offensive measures. Last but not least, the race of Men encompasses the cities of Rollingplain and Menthorn -- both are united under a single ruler, but Menthorn is filled with unrest and talk of rebellion.

MMORTS fans will want to keep their eyes on Dawn of Fantasy as the game approaches release on June 17th.

Gallery: Dawn of Fantasy Screenshot Gallery

MassivelyNew Dawn of Fantasy screenshots and information on races originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>505-gamesdawn-of-fantasydofelveshumanskingomsmmortsorcsracesreal-time-strategyreverie-worldreverie-world-studiosscreenshotscreenshotsstrategyFri, 13 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Webzen announces a trio of new titles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/webzen-announces-a-trio-of-new-titles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/webzen-announces-a-trio-of-new-titles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/webzen-announces-a-trio-of-new-titles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Korean publisher Webzen is preparing to blitz MMO players with a slew of new titles in 2011. First up is Archlord X: The Chronicles, a sequel of sorts to the company's popular Archlord. Set 100 years after the first game, Archlord X revolves around a feud between Orcs and Humans. Webzen plans to push the MMO into closed beta in South Korea in the first half of this year.

Webzen also announced that it has several brand-new titles that the company is planning to reveal fairly soon, perhaps at G-star. These MMOs include an expansion to MU Online, MU2, and the mysteriously titled Project A.

MU2 is being developed using the Unreal Engine 3 and takes place before the events of MU Online. Project A, on the other hand, is all about large-scale battles in the Middle Ages -- perhaps somewhat like Medieval: Total War.

We'll be keeping an eye on Webzen as it expands its lineup in the coming months!

MassivelyWebzen announces a trio of new titles originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archlordarchlord-xarchlord-x-the-chroniclesexpansionhumansmedieval-total-warmumu-onlinemu2orcsprequelproject-asequesequelwebzenThu, 17 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: We're only human]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Last week was an exciting one for Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 fans, myself included. GW2 might be bringing us five playable races, but ArenaNet spent the past week delving into the original Tyrian playable race: the humans.

This was especially exciting to those of us who are longtime residents of Tyria, because we've got lots of new details set on a foundation of familiar history and lore. Here at Massively, we touched on each new piece of information with the promise of an overall analysis today, so here we go! Follow along after the jump and we'll take a look at the human race of Guild Wars 2.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: We're only human

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: We're only human originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2humanhuman-racehumansi-bet-thats-a-mesmerncsoftracesMon, 14 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet declassifies Guild Wars 2's Human military files]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/arenanet-declassifies-guild-wars-2s-human-military-files/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/arenanet-declassifies-guild-wars-2s-human-military-files/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/arenanet-declassifies-guild-wars-2s-human-military-files/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Humans in Guild Wars 2 may be down on their luck (and population) but they're certainly not out. As ArenaNet continues Human Week, a new blog entry titled The Line of Duty introduces us to the three main military forces representing our spunky cousins -- and why they don't necessarily get along.

First and foremost are the Seraph, who act as both the backbone of the military and the police force for the Human settlements. While the Seraph are widespread in Kryta, the Ministry Guard -- the protectors of the Human government and nobility -- mainly focus their efforts in the capital of Divinity's Reach. However, watching over the Royal Family is the responsibility of the Shining Blade, an elite force of warriors and spies. The Shining Blade should be familiar to those who fought in Guild Wars' War in Kryta campaign.

Each of these military branches vies for influence and authority over the others, although the Shining Blade tends to be at the top of the pecking order while the Seraph take up position as the whipping boys (and girls). As ArenaNet writes, this causes "a tug-of-war for influence and control" amongst the beleaguered armed forces.

You can read about the clash of politics, position and power between these forces on the ArenaNet blog -- and stay tuned for this coming Monday, when Flameseeker Chronicles will give a colorful commentary on the whole of Human Week.

MassivelyArenaNet declassifies Guild Wars 2's Human military files originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdivinitys-reachguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2humanhuman-weekhumansloremilitary-guardseraphshining-bladewar-in-krytawhipping-boyFri, 11 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bigpoint launches Battlestar Galactica Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/bigpoint-launches-battlestar-galactica-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/bigpoint-launches-battlestar-galactica-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/bigpoint-launches-battlestar-galactica-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SyFy's Battlestar Galactica odyssey may have ended, but Bigpoint's MMO adaptation of the beloved reboot has just begun. The free-to-play game maker has announced the official launch of Battlestar Galactica Online, a browser-based title set during the latter half of the TV show's second season.

Players can choose to fight for either the Cylons or the Colonials, as both fleets are stranded in uncharted space and in need of repairs and critical supplies. This leads into a contest for nearby resources that involves space combat, exploration, and mission-based play as well as ship unlocks, customization, and market features.

Bigpoint has also made use of assets from the television series including the seminal Bear McCreary musical score and the instantly recognizable ship models. How does all this hold up in a browser game? Pretty well, according to Bigpoint. "We are confident that a new standard has been achieved -- no longer should browser games be considered sub-par to their console or PC-installed counterparts," says CEO Heiko Hubertz.

MassivelyBigpoint launches Battlestar Galactica Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlestar-galacticabattlestar-galactica-onlinebigpointbrowser-basedbsoby-your-commandcylonsf2pfree-to-playheiko-hubertzhumanslaunchessci-fiviperTue, 08 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A week of humanity for Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/a-week-of-humanity-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/a-week-of-humanity-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/a-week-of-humanity-for-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Even though they've been the only playable race for all of Guild Wars, humans have never had an easy run of things. Beset by enemies that destroyed the nations of Ascalon and Orr, manipulated by otherworldly beings, and thrown into conflict again and again, human beings have always triumphed in the end. And while the 250 years between the original game and Guild Wars 2 have only served to heap more indignities on the race, the nation of Kryta has withstood the onslaughts and endured. That's why humans are the first race to be featured with a full week of discussion.

Human Week is kicking off today for Guild Wars 2 with three pieces of concept art and plans for the next several days. Tuesday will see a reveal on the human story and crafting the proper tone, Wednesday will be reserved for discussing human style and clothing, and Thursday will see more background detail and a homeland video tour. Then Friday will unveil the balance between Kryta's three armed factions, no doubt one of the main flashpoints for conflict in the game's story. GW2 might be starting with the most familiar race of all, but as always, the lore and design reveals promise to be anything but pedestrian.

MassivelyA week of humanity for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbreakingbreaking-newsclassic-racesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2humanhuman-weekhumanskrytalorelore-updatesncsoftrace-discussionrace-lorerace-revealsracesracial-backgroundracial-storystarting-racesMon, 07 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The art direction of Black Prophecy's humans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/the-art-direction-of-black-prophecys-humans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/the-art-direction-of-black-prophecys-humans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/the-art-direction-of-black-prophecys-humans/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Some of the best art has a purposeful visual direction and that seems to be the case with Black Prophecy's Human faction. It also helps when your game has an incredibly beautiful rendering engine and a cockpit view to show every glorious detail off up close and personal.

For those of us into the art design of a game, this recent developer diary on the Human art direction will most certainly interest you -- especially since it gets pretty in-depth on the reasoning behind every line and curve. The three page write-up goes into detail on the faction logo's origins, ship and station structural design. A lot of time is spent describing the real world parallels of the Humans in Black Prophecy to, well, us.

MassivelyThe art direction of Black Prophecy's humans originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artblack-prophecydesigndeveloper-diaryhumanhumansreakktor-mediasci-fispacevisualTue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space is filled with violence in three new Black Prophecy screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/space-is-filled-with-violence-in-three-new-black-prophecy-screen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/space-is-filled-with-violence-in-three-new-black-prophecy-screen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/space-is-filled-with-violence-in-three-new-black-prophecy-screen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Reakktor Media have released three new Black Prophecy screenshots featuring Tyi fighters blasting about space and a human shuttle exploding rather... violently. We really wouldn't want to be in that shuttle, but what self-respecting space pilot jumps into a shuttle anyhow? No, you can expect to find us in a heavy fighter blowing up other shuttles.

In all seriousness, Black Prophecy really does incite a kind of awe for sci-fi and space fans alike. The completionists out there who've sampled EVE Online's visual delicacies and plan to delve into Jumpgate Evolution like a duck through gold coins, are probably -- much like ourselves -- excited to see what precious jewels are to be discovered in the latest space shooter MMO to tempt out better senses.

Gallery: Black Prophecy

MassivelySpace is filled with violence in three new Black Prophecy screens originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-prophecyhumansreakktor-mediascreensscreenshotscreenshotsshuttlespacetyityi-fighterTue, 09 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms interview explains character customization options]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/free-realms-interview-explains-character-customization-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/free-realms-interview-explains-character-customization-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/free-realms-interview-explains-character-customization-options/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Free Realms is a pretty hot topic in the MMO world right now, and with good reason. If the game can live up to expectations, Free Realms may just be a game that both adults and young kids can enjoy. The art style of Free Realms is distinctive and this carries over to the look of the characters themselves. Carolyn Koh from MMORPG.com recently caught up with Free Realms art director Rosie Rappaport and associate art director Sebastian Strzalkowski to talk about some of the game's character customization options.

The interview kicks off with a discussion of the inspiration for the art style we'll soon see in Free Realms, but the discussion focuses heavily on the potential for customization. The game will launch with Humans and Pixies as the playable races, with some customization options unique to each race. The title will not have slider bars to scroll through the various character creation options as with some other MMOs, but will have more 'playful' icons that open up the various options for skin tone, face paint, hairstyles, and wings (in the case of Pixies). According to the SOE artists, "In the case of the Pixies, the wings can be customized to look very elegant and floral or they can be bat-like and scaly."

If you're interested in the customization options available to Free Realms characters, have a look at the MMORPG.com interview with the title's artists.

MassivelyFree Realms interview explains character customization options originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carolyn-kohcasualcharacter-creationcustomizationfantasyfree-realmshumansinterviewskidsmmorpg.compixiesracesrosia-rappaportsebastian-strzalkowskisoesony-online-entertainmentThu, 26 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First impressions: I Am Legend in Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/first-impressions-i-am-legend-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/first-impressions-i-am-legend-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/first-impressions-i-am-legend-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I Am Legend (for those of you that have been living under a rock) is the third film adaptation of the 1954 Richard Matheson novel of the same name. Quite the popular property, it has spawned film versions in 1964 (with Vincent Price - now in the public domain and available for viewing or download) and 1971 (with Charlton Heston - I saw that one when it came out); A Rob Zombie song; the upcoming Warner Brothers film with Will Smith; a DC Comics tie-in; planned online, animated featurettes;

And the Second Life game, of course. Whew. The game is doing very well in Second Life indeed. Last week I wandered around and took a look at it.

Continue reading First impressions: I Am Legend in Second Life

MassivelyFirst impressions: I Am Legend in Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cory-edodarkstalkersdogselectric-sheep-companyfeaturedhumansi-am-legendinfected-dogssecond-lifesecond-life-placesWed, 07 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST