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[BioWare: SWTOR is 'one of the greatest and most ambitious achievements in video game history']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/bioware-swtor-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most-ambitious-achiev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/bioware-swtor-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most-ambitious-achiev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/bioware-swtor-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most-ambitious-achiev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Jedi on Taris
Star Wars: The Old Republic is officially a hit according to the latest BioWare press release. The lengthy blurb trumpets impressive first-week numbers including some 28 million in-game hours logged, as well as over 3.8 million characters created (nearly 1.1 million of which are Jedi Knights or Sith Warriors).

BioWare also highlights the fact that over one million players have registered to play TOR, and the company pats itself on the back by pointing to several glowing games media reviews and comparing the use of MMO voice-acting to the evolution experienced by the film industry with the transition from silent films to "talkies."

"Star Wars: The Old Republic stands as one of the greatest and most ambitious achievements in video game history," BioWare says.

MassivelyBioWare: SWTOR is 'one of the greatest and most ambitious achievements in video game history' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowareelectronic-artshypemmo-industrysci-fiself-promotionstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortoryou-know-sometimes-i-amaze-even-myselfFri, 23 Dec 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you glad to see the end of the SWTOR pre-launch frenzy?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-glad-to-see-the-end-of-the-swtor-pre-la/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-glad-to-see-the-end-of-the-swtor-pre-la/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-daily-grind-are-you-glad-to-see-the-end-of-the-swtor-pre-la/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic
If you feel like all anyone's been able to talk about lately is the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, you're probably not alone. In a year that sometimes seemed to be The Year of the F2P Conversion, big AAA launches were few and far between.

The launch of a game from BioWare with the Star Wars IP attached to it was bound to be a huge deal, and as today approached, both fans and developers pulled out all the stops on the hype-train. Now the big day is here and things will start quieting down a bit over time as players settle in to finally enjoying the game. Sure, there's sure to be ongoing discussion of the game as it develops post-launch, but the pre-launch excitement is wrapped up.

So are you relieved to see this? Were you enjoying the festivities or just wishing they were over and done with already?

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: Are you glad to see the end of the SWTOR pre-launch frenzy? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarehypelaunchlaunchesopinionstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindtorTue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online introduces Star Warsy archetype]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/champions-online-introduces-star-warsy-archetype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/champions-online-introduces-star-warsy-archetype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/champions-online-introduces-star-warsy-archetype/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Champions Online - Sith Lord, er... Unleashed
If it's true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the devs behind Champions Online can safely be called Star Wars fans. Whether they're Star Wars: The Old Republic fans is another matter, but chances are good seeing as how the game's newest archetype would feel right at home in a galaxy far, far away.

The Unleashed is a new brawler role that looks quite a bit like your average Sith lord, right down to the dual red blades and sinister black robes. Cryptic's archetype description features phrases like cosmic knight, dark inquisitor, and militant monk, and the release blurb says that the Unleashed is coming to Champions today, December 19th.

Is it a tongue-in-cheek homage or a shameless attempt to capitalize on the biggest hype-train the MMO space has ever seen? You decide, and be sure to head to the Champions website to learn more.

MassivelyChampions Online introduces Star Warsy archetype originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypebrawlerchampionschampions-onlineclassesf2pflatteryfree-to-playhypestar-wars-the-old-republicsuperheroswtorthe-old-republicthe-unleashedtorunleashedMon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Best of...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hyperspace-beacon-best-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hyperspace-beacon-best-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hyperspace-beacon-best-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Best of...
If you pre-ordered the game early enough, then you should be in Star Wars: The Old Republic's early access by the time you are reading this. I hope you're having a good time. Look me up on the Lord Adraas server. My name there is Shaddoe. Don't be scared -- I may roleplay my character.

Even if you didn't pre-order in time, you'll want your SWTOR fix, and I have the solution for you right here: the Hyperspace Beacon. Each week for the last year and a half, I have written a guide to the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic, covering everything from lore and game mechanics to speculation and community. Ultimately, I hope to better prepare you for the launch of this highly anticipated MMO. However, 67 articles can be tough to sift through, so I've narrowed down the list to the best of the best.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Best of...

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Best of... originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesBioWareclassescraftingEAElectronic-ArtsempirefeaturedGame-MechanicshypeImperialjef-reahardloreLucasArtssmugglerStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTOrthe-old-republicTORTue, 13 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/the-soapbox-the-absurdity-of-the-nda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/the-soapbox-the-absurdity-of-the-nda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/the-soapbox-the-absurdity-of-the-nda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Admiral Ackbar
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.

So Star Wars: The Old Republic's NDA dropped. Now the entire world (officially) knows the skinny on BioWare's new themepark, and I'm hard-pressed to think of a more anti-climactic NDA death. Even if you weren't following the game over the past few months, you knew exactly what to expect -- provided you weren't a Star Wars or a BioWare virgin.

This complete lack of surprise is one reason why the whole MMORPG NDA thing is a joke, and TOR is just the latest in a long series of punchlines.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>absurdityabsurdity-of-the-ndabambig-ass-monsterbig-ass-monstersbiowarebioware-ndaea-biowareen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfeaturedgame-journalismhypemarketingmmo-absurditymmo-industrymmo-ndammo-shootermmofpsndandas-are-stupidnon-disclosure-agreementopinionplanetside-2planetside2prpublic-relationssci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterathe-absurdity-of-the-ndathe-soapboxthemeparktortor-ndaTue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think leaks are publicity stunts?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-leaks-are-publicity-stunts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-leaks-are-publicity-stunts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-leaks-are-publicity-stunts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, not leeks!
Recent information leaks from game studios are becoming more and more frequent these days. That likely mean that either security isn't tight and leaks occur behind the backs of game publishers, or they're intentionally enticing the public under the guise of a super secret "leak."

Either way, these leaks do get our attention. When we're under the impression that information isn't meant to be seen by us, we want to see it even more. Recent examples include CCP's internal memo leak, Diablo III's beta leak, and just about anything to do with World of Warcraft's upcoming content.

So my question to you this morning is this: Are you suspicious of info leaks on upcoming games? Do you see leaks as genuinely secret information, or does your Spidey sense tell you that it's all to build hype for the game? Let us know your opinion below.

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: Do you think leaks are publicity stunts? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypeleaksleekspinopinionpublicitypublicity-stuntsrumorstdgthe-daily-grindFri, 18 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare launches phase three of SWTOR's guild program]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/bioware-launches-phase-three-of-swtors-guild-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/bioware-launches-phase-three-of-swtors-guild-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/bioware-launches-phase-three-of-swtors-guild-program/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic - council chamber art
Those of you looking to get a leg up on guild creation in Star Wars: The Old Republic will want to head to the game's official website this morning and have a look at the latest news blurb. It seems that phase three of the pre-launch guild program has begun, and BioWare says that "any guild that meets the pre-designated criteria [will] be transferred into the game for launch."

You'll also want to make sure that at least four members of your guild have pre-ordered the game (and redeemed the associated code). BioWare notes that it has removed the requirement for the guild leader to log into the website and confirm an active guild.

Finally, each guild page has been given a status indicator that shows the number of member pre-orders as well as whether or not your guild meets the deployment criteria. More info is available via the Guild HQ page and the official site.

MassivelyBioWare launches phase three of SWTOR's guild program originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowareelectronic-artsguildguild-importsguild-registrationguildshypepre-launch-guild-programsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2's scale dwarfs Battlefield, Call of Duty franchises]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/planetside-2s-scale-dwarfs-battlefield-call-of-duty-franchises/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/planetside-2s-scale-dwarfs-battlefield-call-of-duty-franchises/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/planetside-2s-scale-dwarfs-battlefield-call-of-duty-franchises/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - soldiers attacking
Does it strike anyone else as particularly fortuitous that Sony Online Entertainment chose the week of Battlefield 3's release to let a bit more PlanetSide 2 info slip through its tightly clenched marketing fist?

Regardless of the timing, today's article in the new issue of PC Gamer will likely help the three-faction juggernaut gain some more momentum. SOE creative director Matt Higby is featured heavily in the PC Gamer piece, which intimates that PlanetSide 2's battles will dwarf those of the much-loved Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises.

"You're going to be fighting in battles sometimes when it's 200 people fighting against 30 people," Higby explains. "Because there's only 30 people defending that base and then suddenly 200 people log in from the other group and go do it." This is a far cry from the 64-player limit on Battlefield 3's PC version, and PlanetSide 2 will also offer huge maps that measure eight square kilometers as well as weapon ranges up to a full kilometer. Oh, and did we mention the persistent gameplay elements?

[Thanks to PlanetSide Universe for the tip!]

MassivelyPlanetSide 2's scale dwarfs Battlefield, Call of Duty franchises originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpshypematt-higbymatthew-higbymmo-shootermmofpspc-gamerpersistentplanetside-2pvpsandboxscalesci-fishootersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentWed, 26 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom talks The Secret World at NYCC]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/funcom-talks-the-secret-world-at-nycc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/funcom-talks-the-secret-world-at-nycc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/funcom-talks-the-secret-world-at-nycc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Secret World - starring Fox Mulder
MMORPG.com's got the details on Funcom's appearance at last weekend's New York City Comic Con. Ragnar Tornquist and Dag Scheve were on hand to hype The Secret World, and the duo was the main attraction on a panel that fielded fan questions and showed off some new gameplay footage.

Several of the questions from the audience related to The Secret World's progression mechanics, and Tornquist stated that despite the fact that the game has no levels, there will be plenty of activities for grind aficionados. The term horizontal progression was mentioned, as were various skills and gear (the latter of which serves as a gate between different bits of the game's content). Check out the rest of the recap, along with a video embed, at MMORPG.com.

MassivelyFuncom talks The Secret World at NYCC originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comic-conconventionsdag-schevefantasyfuncomgrindhorrorhypemmo-industrynew-titlesnew-york-city-comic-connyccprogressionRagnar-Tornquistreal-world-eventsthe-secret-worldtswMon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online: Three years later]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/warhammer-online-three-years-later/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/warhammer-online-three-years-later/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/18/warhammer-online-three-years-later/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

WAR
To this day, I don't know what quite came over me when I decided to throw my chips into the blogging scene to cover Warhammer Online, eight months before the game launched. Like many of you, I had been a long-time reader of MMO blogs, but I was intimidated at trying my hand at joining in, perhaps elevating these writers to the status of legendary wordsmiths who penned unequaled prose in our lifetimes.

Or I just didn't want to be one of a thousand World of Warcraft bloggers who dominated the scene. Just a thought.

In any case, it was a terrific decision to do so on my part. I found that I had a passion not only for MMOs but for talking about them, and I loved connecting with other writers and readers and players, which happens with blogging. I've been asked from time to time if I regret picking Warhammer Online as the game that I latched onto for a couple of years, and I always say no -- no regrets. The game was fun, but the coverage was an unparalleled rollercoaster of anticipation, hype, fun, speculation, promise, disappointment, and above all, ideas. Wonderful, flawed, captivating ideas.

I haven't touched WAR since 2010, so perhaps I'm not the best source for the latest and greatest in the game. But what I do have to offer is a humble blogger's perspective on what went right, what went wrong, and why I'm ultimately happy that WAR came into being and is chugging along on today, its third anniversary.

Continue reading Warhammer Online: Three years later

MassivelyWarhammer Online: Three years later originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybears-bears-bearsbetablizzardddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinedyefeaturedguild-warshypelaunchliving-citiesliving-guildslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromark-jacobsmythicmythic-entertainmentpaul-barnettpublic-questsserversskavensquig-herdertabula-rasathird-anniversarythree-yearstome-of-knowledgetrinketswarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 18 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare confirms no SWTOR beta this weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/bioware-confirms-no-swtor-beta-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/bioware-confirms-no-swtor-beta-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/bioware-confirms-no-swtor-beta-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic - The Soup Nazi
Those of you hoping for a fun time during BioWare's much-anticipated Star Wars The Old Republic beta weekends might want to look at plan B. In a post on the official boards, community manager Stephen Reid confirms that there is indeed no beta test this time around.

So that's the bad news.

The good news is that future events are coming, and they're likely going to be on a much grander scale (meaning you, yes you, might even get an invite). "We rolled out this previous weekend as a relatively small scale event; from now we will do bigger and bigger events, but that doesn't mean it happens every weekend. When we do resume, we'll be inviting many more people in," Reid explains.

He also hints at a comprehensive beta FAQ in the works, so keep your eyes peeled and your browsers pointed at Massively for the latest details as they become available.

[Thanks Ren54!]

MassivelyBioWare confirms no SWTOR beta this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-testingbeta-weekendsbiowareeaea-biowareelectronic-artsfree-previewhypeno-beta-for-yousci-fiStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWed, 07 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you still watch game trailers?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-watch-game-trailers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-watch-game-trailers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/the-daily-grind-do-you-still-watch-game-trailers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR Eternity Vault screenshot
As the summer convention madness winds down, some of us in the Massively offices came to the realization that many of the upcoming, over-hyped releases aren't necessarily floating our collective boat. Though we're sure to buy all these blockbusters, play them, and love them in the end (we're gamers, after all), it's been hard to summon much enthusiasm in the pre-launch fog. Some games are making us apathetic -- in my case, so apathetic that I skipped over some of the major gameplay videos from Gamescom and PAX, even for MMOs I am planning to purchase or have already preordered. At some point, I know I've already decided to buy it. I don't need the spoilers or details anymore.

How about you, Massively readers? Do you consume all the big gameplay videos and trailers like a feral fan? Or are you so over the hype that you'd rather pass up the footage and wait until you can play the real thing?

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: Do you still watch game trailers? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdghypeopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtrailertrailersSun, 04 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMObility: is mobile at risk?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/mmobility-is-mobile-at-risk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/mmobility-is-mobile-at-risk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/mmobility-is-mobile-at-risk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It doesn't take much effort to see evolving and emerging trends in today's connected world. Memes, popular fashion, even popular methods of becoming inebriated -- basically if we humans hear, read or talk about it we will probably take it on as our own. It's just how we are, we need to fit in with each other a lot of the time in order to feel connected.

I suppose it should be no surprise that we do this with our video games as well. In fact, I would go so far as to say that most of the games I find borrow very heavily from each other, sometimes to the point that I wonder if the developers didn't literally just cover their game with a new title and skin and ship it out to players. This is a time in which the same-old same-old is shrugged off because developers "didn't promise anything revolutionary." That's right, we players have gone on to provide an excuse for shoddy development, so many developers don't even have to.

It happened with "social" gaming...everyone and their Aunt Tilly jumped into making a Farmville ripoff. The few fantastic titles were covered up by a sea of copycats. Now, is it going to happen in the mobile market? Can such a new market already be seeing it?

Click past the cut and let's talk about it.

Continue reading MMObility: is mobile at risk?

MassivelyMMObility: is mobile at risk? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry-birdsbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedcastlecraftf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftphaypi-kingdomhypeIOSipadiphonemafia-warsMMObilitymob-warsmobilepocket-legendsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorTue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-pay-for-a-collectors-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So the year's most inescapable MMORPG has officially made it to the pre-order stage. Not only that, but BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic opus has also pulled the curtain back on its collector's edition treasure hoard (which will dent your wallet for the princely sum of $150.00).

While both the in-game and real world goodies are quite appealing to Star Wars fans, the price tag is one of the most expensive in the history of MMOs. Today's Daily Grind is all about your reaction to said price tag. Are you going to shell out twice what a normal CE costs for SWTOR? If not, what's the most you'd pay for a collector's edition?

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 most you'd pay for a collector's edition? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-temsbonusescecollectors-editionearly-accessgame-discussiongamer-discussiongreed-can-be-a-powerful-allyhypein-game-itemsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicspre-ordersci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorFri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The other day I was talking to some friends about Star Wars: The Old Republic, of course. As of late, it seems to be the only thing I'm talking about. My friend isn't a guy who follows the game that closely, but he is an MMO player and has certain expectations for the game. Specifically, we talked about Crew Skills and space combat. He is an EVE player. EVE Online has one of the most in-depth crafting systems in any MMO to date, not to mention the game is completely set in space, right? On the other side of the fence, I was talking to some roleplayers in Star Wars Galaxies, who also don't follow the game as closely as I do. These MMOers are expecting SWTOR to be filled with the best roleplay tools available in the gaming industry. It's BioWare; after all, that team created Never Winter Nights, the most customizable RPG ever. (Of course, this doesn't take into effect that latest games to come from the developer were pretty linear and not very sandboxy.)

As arm chair developers, we sometimes believe that implementing ideas in an MMO is a lot easier than reality. On the official forums last week, a player made this statement: "I, and 14 other guildmates, really want to plan on rolling on an rp-pvp server. It's such a trivial game feature to confirm for us, I don't understand why they wouldn't just mention it and be done with it." After saying that he would look into it, Community Manager Stephen Reid made the statement that "A good rule of thumb with MMO development is to never assume something is trivial."

What are some other "trivial" expectations players are placing on this game? Which ones can BioWare deliver on? Which ones aren't as trivial as suggested? Why can't Star Wars: The Old Republic give us everything we want? In this week's column, let's talk about setting.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksone3-2011EAElectronic-Artsexpectationsfeaturedhypehyperspace-beaconLucasArtssettingStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtortatooinethe-old-republictorTue, 12 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2 info coming tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/planetside-2-info-coming-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/planetside-2-info-coming-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/planetside-2-info-coming-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Look lively PlanetSide 2 fans. Your long, dark winter is almost over and spring is coming in the form of a major new announcement on July 7th. That's tomorrow if you're counting at home, and Sony Online Entertainment has even provided a helpful countdown timer on the new PlanetSide 2 website to assist in said counting.

There's also a new Facebook page with a cryptic teaser for "classified information incoming," so mark your calendars and set your alarms for 7:00 p.m. PDT tomorrow.

Is SOE getting ready to drop a release date in the laps of eager sci-fi MMOFPS fans? Are there gameplay feature reveals in our immediate future? We're not sure at this point, but we are sure that tomorrow can't come fast enough.

MassivelyPlanetSide 2 info coming tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementbig-announcementcountdowncountdown-annoucementfpshypemmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2revealsci-fishootersoeSony-Computer-Entertainment-JapanWed, 06 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel MMO announcing its writer this Thursday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/marvel-mmo-announcing-its-writer-this-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/marvel-mmo-announcing-its-writer-this-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/marvel-mmo-announcing-its-writer-this-thursday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wakey wakey, Marvel MMO fans: Your favorite company has a big announcement lined up for later this week. It's so big, apparently, that today the legendary comic book publisher released an announcement about its upcoming announcement.

On Thursday, April 28th, Marvel will be unveiling... drumroll please... the writer of its upcoming comic book-flavored MMORPG. Who could it possibly be? Is Marvel going to talk about the actual game at some point? Inquiring minds want to know the answers to these and other burning questions, and a blurb on the company's website promises some dialogue after the big info drop. "We'll be taking your questions via Twitter, Facebook and the liveblog below once the action has begun," says the site. There's also a brief preview video featuring Marvel.com's editorial director, which will be replaced by a live video stream of Thursday's event.

Check in with Massively later this week as our own Bree Royce reports from the Marvel shindig in San Francisco.

MassivelyMarvel MMO announcing its writer this Thursday originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementscomic-book-mmohypemarvelmarvel-mmommo-industryprpress-releasesreal-world-eventssuperheroesMon, 25 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Singing the praises of things edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/ask-massively-singing-the-praises-of-things-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/ask-massively-singing-the-praises-of-things-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/ask-massively-singing-the-praises-of-things-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Holy crap, guys, have you heard about this? The world is full of things. There are big things, small things, some things to set other things on fire -- we've got tons of things. Unfortunately, you can only access most things via various cash shops that cost real money, so that's kind of lackluster, but some things don't cost any money and they're pretty cool. Those green leafy things look fun. I wonder if I can equip one as a weapon or a trinket. Let's hear it for things!

If singing the praises of things isn't the sort of thing you're looking for today, however, you're in luck -- we have a different thing ready for you, an Ask Massively thing. It's the usual discussion of MMO things, in this case what players are actually looking for out of new things and this Star Wars: The Old Republic thing. If you've got a thing to ask about other things, you can leave your question in the comments, or you can mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Singing the praises of things edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Singing the praises of things edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelybiowarebusinesscolumnfeaturedgame-mechanicshypemarketingopinionpromotionquest-modelquestsriftstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthingsThu, 17 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: The Old Republic not launching by July 1st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/ea-the-old-republic-not-launching-by-july-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/ea-the-old-republic-not-launching-by-july-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/ea-the-old-republic-not-launching-by-july-1st/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fan site Darth Hater has a bit of cold water to throw on the fires of Star Wars: The Old Republic fans who thought the highly anticipated MMORPG might actually launch prior to July 1st. It seems as if Eric Brown, CFO of TOR publisher Electronic Arts, quashed that long shot in a speech at today's Lazard Capital Markets Technology and Media Conference. If you think that was a mouthful, Brown's quote is as well, but that isn't stopping it from making the blogsphere rounds this afternoon.

"So we said it's going to launch sometime in calendar, but not within Fiscal 11. So that basically pens down between, you know, April 1st and December 31st of this calendar year. It's also reasonable to infer that it's not in our Q1 guidance. We gave Q1 Fiscal 11, Fiscal 12 non-gap revenue guidance, minus 39 minus 44 cents and I think it's not unreasonable to infer that it's not included in that 90 day period," Brown said.

So, for the three of you who actually expected BioWare's Star Wars opus this summer, we're sorry. For everyone else, it's back to the guessing game regarding release dates.

MassivelyEA: The Old Republic not launching by July 1st originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebreakingeaelectronic-artseric-brownhyperelease-daterelease-windowsci-fisoonstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 15 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2011: Bungie's MMO won't be WoW in space]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gdc-2011-bungies-mmo-wont-be-wow-in-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gdc-2011-bungies-mmo-wont-be-wow-in-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gdc-2011-bungies-mmo-wont-be-wow-in-space/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The top secret MMO project from Bungie continues to raise fan and industry eyebrows despite the absence of any real information about the title. The game, rumored to carry the code name Destiny, will be massively multiplayer, and it will be set against a space/sci-fi backdrop. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess as to what will actually emerge from the Halo-maker's secret laboratory.

Joystiq has unearthed a blurb about the project from this week's GDC, wherein Bungie lead network engineer David Aldridge was overheard referring to the game as "massively multiplayer" as well as the fact that it won't be "WoW in space."

MassivelyGDC 2011: Bungie's MMO won't be WoW in space originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-destinybungie-mmobungie-studiosbungivisiondestinyhalohypemicrosoftmmommo-industryrumorssci-fiscience-fictionspace-mmowow-in-spaceFri, 04 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Phases of pre-launch hysteria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/the-perfect-ten-phases-of-pre-launch-hysteria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/the-perfect-ten-phases-of-pre-launch-hysteria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/the-perfect-ten-phases-of-pre-launch-hysteria/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of my private theories about MMO players -- one I'm now making public -- is that we all have the collective memories of goldfish. It's the only way to explain why we go through the same exact phases each and every time an MMO nears launch, all the while acting as though this has never happened before. In a way, it's kind of cute. You're cute, MMO community!

Really, it's just one of those events during which everyone starts rational yet slowly but surely slides down into the multi-colored stomach of hysteria. It's why MMO communities pre-beta tend to be tight, intelligent and excited, but from beta through launch they lose their cool and become a morass of screeching monkeys, flinging poo every which way in a vain effort to be heard above the noise of the zoo.

Mind you, I've been one of these monkeys, so I'm not excusing myself from this metaphor.

So if you're wondering why the blissful excitement of anticipating a game has fractured under the weight of inconsolable insanity, I'm here to walk you through the 10 phases of how and why this happens for most major MMO launches.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Phases of pre-launch hysteria

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Phases of pre-launch hysteria originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battlestar GalacticaBattlestarGalacticabetachicken-littleclosed-betacommunitydev-teamdevelopmentdevsfeaturedhypehysteriainvader-zimjerry-springermmo-communitymonkeysmonkeys-flinging-pooopen-betaperfect-10perfect-tenpre-launch-hysteriathe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenworld-of-warcraftwowzooWed, 23 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should devs share more info with the community?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/16/the-daily-grind-should-devs-share-more-info-with-the-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/16/the-daily-grind-should-devs-share-more-info-with-the-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/16/the-daily-grind-should-devs-share-more-info-with-the-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A recent thread on The Old Republic forums brought some interesting points to light regarding MMO development teams and how they interact with frothing pre-release communities. It seems the natives are restless on account of BioWare's piecemeal reveal strategy (a strategy that, to date, has shown us a flashpoint, a raid, and little else in terms of actual gameplay). Whether you abhor hype or live for it, you have to admit that BioWare is doing a masterful job of keeping fans at arm's length while simultaneously maintaining an air of excitement and expectancy.

This isn't likely to change either, as community manager Stephen Reid chimed in on the thread with a polite version of STFU. Reid made no bones about the fact that BioWare will continue to parcel out info only "when it's ready," despite the mounting exasperation of some long-time followers.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know where you stand on the issue. Are you OK with BioWare's "release it when it's ready" mantra, or do you feel the company is doing its fans and potential customers a disservice by withholding information?

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: Should devs share more info with the community? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaregame-discussiongamer-discussionhypemmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsstar-wars-the-old-republicstephen-reidswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republicwhen-its-readySun, 16 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think developers promise too much?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-developers-promise-too-much/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-developers-promise-too-much/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-developers-promise-too-much/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's like the circle of life. A developer with an upcoming game makes some comments about how the new game will be so much better than any contemporaries, usually specifically mentioning World of Warcraft. And it will be better because of new styles of quests that are better than what World of Warcraft does, or more character customization, or better story, or playable chupacabras. Then the game is finally released, and more often than not, while the new features are in there, the "revolutionary" aspects turn out to be lackluster at best and functionally identical to the old way of doing things at worst.

Certainly, no one realistically expects a developer to repeatedly state that the upcoming game is boring and not worth playing, but promises of killing the "kill ten rats" style of questing turn out to be rather ill-advised if you just wind up killing nine cats instead. Do you think that developers should have a bit more humility and moderation when talking about upcoming features? Or are you happy with more enthusiastic pre-release talk, even if the revolution may not happen quite on the advertised schedule?

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: Do you think developers promise too much? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>builduphypeleadupmarketingopinionpre-launchpre-launch-hypetdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 09 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Episode II - A New Hype]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/the-soapbox-episode-ii-a-new-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/the-soapbox-episode-ii-a-new-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/the-soapbox-episode-ii-a-new-hype/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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

Well golly, I think it's time for a bit of contrarian opinion regarding The Old Republic. I know, I know, I don't write about TOR aside from the occasional news post, but here is one of the many joys of Massively (and more specifically, the Soapbox). We all play a lot of games and have pretty strong opinions about them regardless of whether or not they're our bread and butter.

So, while my day job consists of covering sword and sorcery titles for our fine website, it's hard to get away from the oncoming repulsorlift hype train that is The Old Republic. Several months back, I wrote a Daily Grind in which I basically said that all the hoopla surrounding the game was getting tiresome. Predictably, crucifixion by comments ensued, all for daring to question the supremacy of both BioWare and Star Wars.

The fact that a minority opinion generated so much rancor (yeah, I went there) got me to thinking about TOR, BioWare, and the unrestrained optimism that often characterizes MMO fandom in general. On a purely personal level, my fire has gone out of the Star Wars universe, the fandom is all but extinct, a couple of posters and a model X-Wing are all that's left of my former religion. Can BioWare rekindle that fire? Do I even want it to?

Make point five past the lightspeed jump for more.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Episode II - A New Hype

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Episode II - A New Hype originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artsfanboysfeaturedhypelucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgopinionsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicthe-soapboxtorTue, 19 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: A year of hype]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/flameseeker-chronicles-a-year-of-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/flameseeker-chronicles-a-year-of-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/flameseeker-chronicles-a-year-of-hype/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This was one of the quietest weeks on the Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 front that I can remember in a long time. Even during convention weeks, the folks at ArenaNet have kept busy churning out new information. It might be something big like a class reveal, or it might be something tiny like a hint at a new hero, but there's always something.

The team seems to have taken a well-deserved breather this week, which might mean nothing or might mean that the devs are about to spring something big on us. Either way, I thought it would be a good time to look back over the past months. It's been just over a year since ArenaNet pushed the start button on the hype machine, so follow along after the jump to see how far the team -- and we as fans -- has come in a year!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: A year of hype

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: A year of hype originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gw2hypencsofttrailersMon, 27 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Gamescom and Mythic's anti-hype]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/14/waging-war-gamescom-and-mythics-anti-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/14/waging-war-gamescom-and-mythics-anti-hype/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/14/waging-war-gamescom-and-mythics-anti-hype/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In light of Gamescom coming next week (August 18th - 22nd), this week WagingWAR looks forward to what could be coming for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. But beware: Since Mythic has been so secretive about the future of WAR, we've been forced to compromise and offer mere conjecture. Unchained by reason or fact, we follow in the wake of that terrible beast known only as "Greg's Imagination."

With less than a week left until Gamescom, I find myself more and more excited by the potential of what Mythic could be set to reveal, regardless of the fact that it's given me nothing to chew on. I am hyped by the anti-hype. What follows is the result of that hype. There are no facts, rumours, hints, or tips to back up what amounts to totally unbarred speculation. I have organized the aftermath of my brainstorm in terms of what would excite me, from most to least, followed by why I believe these additions could make sense, and how they might be implemented. Keep in mind that some of what follows could simply be passed off as madness; it might be totally unfeasible, even by the most adept and well-financed of development teams. I'm fully aware of that. The point here was to just "let it go." And I did.

Crazy, or uncanny -- you decide. Follow along after the break.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Gamescom and Mythic's anti-hype

MassivelyWaging WAR: Gamescom and Mythic's anti-hype originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastmenbioware-mythicEAea-mythicfeaturefeaturedfeaturesgamesCOMgamescom-2010Gamescom2010hypemythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentred-plagueskavenskavenblightspeculationvampire-countswaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eaSat, 14 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Before they were famous]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/the-daily-grind-before-they-were-famous/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/the-daily-grind-before-they-were-famous/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/the-daily-grind-before-they-were-famous/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The path to launch for a major MMO is a heady time, filled with ideas and promises that may or may not be included with the final release. It's understandable -- BioWare wants people excited about Star Wars: The Old Republic, for example, and so the team wants to drum up enthusiasm for the best and brightest portions. But when release day comes, the countless ideas about what might be in a game collapse into a single view of what's actually included.

If you read news sites (such as Massively, for instance) on a regular basis, you usually get plenty of information on your game of choice. The question is, how does that match up with release? What did you think about your current game of choice prior to playing? Did you feel like you knew what was going on from all the pre-release information, or were you somewhat disappointed by the end results? Or did you think you'd never want to play the game based on previews, and then find yourself enjoying it once it was released?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Before they were famous originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticipationculturefirst-impressionshindsighthypeimpressionsinformationopinionpre-releasereleaseretrospectivetdgthe-daily-grindSun, 08 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Expectations vs. surprises]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/the-daily-grind-expectations-vs-surprises/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/the-daily-grind-expectations-vs-surprises/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/the-daily-grind-expectations-vs-surprises/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Part of being an MMORPG fan is a fascination with any and all interesting-looking upcoming titles. Even if we're satisfied and comfortable in our current game of choice, it doesn't stop us from checking out the latest models (the '10 Fantasy Coupe has new trim!). And with games coming down the pike, I have to ask you: would you rather have a much-anticipated MMO live up to expectations and hype, or would you rather be bowled over by a game that comes out of nowhere to rock hard?

On one hand, to have a game live up to expectations is almost a foolish wish in this genre; we are let down too often to really expect that everything will be as glorious and perfect as the press releases -- and our imaginations -- make it out to be. If an MMO managed to hit most or all of those expectations, and perhaps even exceed them, it would be a glorious day indeed.

On the other hand, it's fun being surprised. There are so many MMOs in development that it's fiendishly difficult to track them all, and odds are that a gem will slip past your radar sooner or later, hit release, and make you cry out, "Where have you BEEN all my life?"

So which is it: Would you rather have an upcoming MMO live up to expectations, or be completely surprised by a terrific hit that blind sides you?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Expectations vs. surprises originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010-fantasy-coup-lxexpectationshypeopinionsurprisestdgthe-daily-grindTue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Fallout Online artwork sighted]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems like the Fallout Online hype-machine is slowly grinding into gear, what with the recent FAQ update and now word of some cryptic new artwork being sent to mailing list subscribers late last week. Destructoid has the scoop on the email blast, which kicked off with a brief textual teaser before leading into the imagery.

"There are many stories and many more tall tales about life in the wastelands, this is one of them," read the notice. In addition to artwork like the vista shown above, subscribers were sent images of a letter scrawled by a character named Les, who waxes on about the Menkey Butte Mine and a "Ragskin" named Fast Eddie.

Yeah, we can't make sense of it either, but it's a great way for Interplay to pique our collective interest.

MassivelyNew Fallout Online artwork sighted originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkconcept-artfalloutfallout-onlinefast-eddieFOhypeinterplaymailing-listpost-apocalypticMon, 05 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

In a world where MMOs are now commonplace, it seems as though he who has the hippest hype wins. E3 was all about convincing the media that your game or toy was the latest and greatest thing to hit the electronics industry since Pac-man. The media, being the attention-fiends they are, ate it all up. Even Massively wasn't exempt from basking in the spoils of temporary celebrity. I mean, really, did we do a featured news story on Gaia? Yes -- one. But we did no less than ten articles featuring SWTOR coming out of E3. According to some, we're now "Massively: Your daily news about SWTOR and some of these other games over here."

So with all this hippity-hype everywhere, pouring from all the latest sites popping up and just longing to be the your best source of SWTOR news, how do you determine which is the best? What do you read? What do you ignore? Which is rumor? Which is truth? Who is that masked man? And did you find the Sith Inquisitor in the midriff top as cute as I did? I know, right?! The answers to these questions aren't easy. Sometimes you need a guide to help you through the hype, a hype(rspace) beacon, if you will. This Beacon is here help you calculate the jump. So strap yourself in, kid. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksondarth-haterDarthHaterdeborah-shinEAElectronic-Artsexpectationshope-trailerhypehype-machinehyperspace-beaconKnights-of-the-Old-Republicmass-effectMos-Eisley-RadioPodcastsRed-Bullrich-vogelRockStarsean-dahlbergStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicTOROcasttwitterMon, 28 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Tired of TOR?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/the-daily-grind-tired-of-tor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/the-daily-grind-tired-of-tor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/the-daily-grind-tired-of-tor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How, you might find yourself asking, can one be tired of a game that is still a year away from release? Well, hype works in mysterious ways, and, while I'm probably in the minority around these parts, the constant buzz surrounding BioWare's Star Wars The Old Republic is starting to stick in my craw.

Don't get me wrong, the Canadian RPG deities have churned out a ton of great games, three of them on my short list for best ever (Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic), but I continually boggle at the blind optimism which causes fans to proclaim that TOR will pwn face simply because of its perceived pedigree. I say perceived because I find it more than a little ironic that BioWare Austin employs several refugees from Star Wars Galaxies, a game that is almost universally despised by both Star Wars fans and MMORPG players alike, and represents the polar opposite in design philosophy from BioWare's World of Warcraft competitor wannabe. It's also interesting to note the news out of an EA investor meeting that indicates TOR will not break even unless they manage to conjure up a million subscribers (something only one other MMO has ever done).

If nothing else, BioWare picked the right IP with which to break into the MMO space, as it's been repeatedly proven that Star Wars fans will buy absolutely anything with a lightsaber on it, regardless of quality.

What about you, dear readers? Are you weary of the 800-pound hype wookiee otherwise known as The Old Republic?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Tired of TOR? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-austinbioware-mmoeaelectronic artsElectronicArtshypeopinionstar-warsstar-wars-mmothe-old-republicSat, 24 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game do you watch the most, but don't currently play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-watch-the-most-but-dont-curr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-watch-the-most-but-dont-curr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-watch-the-most-but-dont-curr/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes we all take a break from an MMO, even if we're still enjoying parts of it. Other times, we're deciding on a purchase or wondering whether or not to come back, and it requires a lot of observation and research. It can be hard to know if it's time to come back to an old game or give a new one a chance, and often we've all got that upcoming title to obsess over. The biggest chore can be time management, where that wonderful thing known as life makes you choose just one game from a couple potentials.

So what game are you watching patiently while hoping for a patch or expansion to fix issues preventing you from being able to subscribe to it? Or for that matter, what upcoming game can't you stop reading up on and obsessing over because it looks like the very thing you've been wanting from your MMOs.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What game do you watch the most, but don't currently play? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypeopiniontaking-a-breaktdgthe-daily-grindupcomingWed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


E3 2009 has come and gone, with it came new information on Star Wars: The Old Republic -- and fresh concerns. To call BioWare ambitious would be an understatement of vast proportions. Every NPC receiving full voice acting ratcheted up my curiosity as much as it did my eyebrows. We may need a new word to describe the depths of this game's ambition.

As if the voice acting news wasn't enough, BioWare revealed a cinematic trailer that reminded me how powerful this property can truly be, in the right hands. The excitement was so immediately potent that it caused some people to cry "over-hyped!" in the few short minutes between the trailer's beginning and ending.

I think it's time to asses the current situation, and maybe ponder a few things about Star Wars and BioWare.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbiowarebounty-huntere3-2009eaelectronic-artsfeaturedfuncomhypejedilucas-artsmythicsithsmugglerstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortoboldtrooperwarwarhammer-onlineTue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is SWTOR hype peaking too early?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/is-swtor-hype-peaking-too-early/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/is-swtor-hype-peaking-too-early/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/is-swtor-hype-peaking-too-early/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We were bound to get juicy new details about Star Wars: The Old Republic at E3 2009 and we surely haven't been disappointed thus far. In this week alone we have learned about the new Smuggler class, fan art ownership policy, full in-game voiceovers, and an amazing cinematic trailer. Hype is definitely in full swing, but is it peaking too early?

MMO blogger, Tobold, believes it is. He suggests players have seen very little of SWTOR's in-game substance at this point and BioWare is raising expectations to unrealistic heights by hyping the game so early. He cites Mythic and Funcom as examples of companies that built early hype based on fancy words, design concepts, and trailers and then experienced a fan backlash when players perceived that they did not meet those targets.

Darren of the Common Sense Gamer disagrees and believes that the Star Wars lore is being over-hyped, not the game itself. He also argues that anything Star Wars-related traditionally hypes itself and that a great trailer about the game's history and story should be appreciated for what it is and set apart from the game itself.

MassivelyIs SWTOR hype peaking too early? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebloggingcommon-sense-gamerfuncomhypemythic-entertainmentstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortoboldTue, 02 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life's hype is dead (again)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/second-lifes-hype-is-dead-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/second-lifes-hype-is-dead-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/second-lifes-hype-is-dead-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For now, anyway. Linden Lab's virtual environment Second Life attracts a heck of a lot of hype, which comes and goes in cycles. Hype -- you may recall -- is exaggeration whether positive or negative (not to be mistaken for buzz). Whether it's exaggeration to express unwarranted praise or exaggeration to express unwarranted criticism, it doesn't matter. If it's true, then it cannot (by definition) be hype.

At the moment we seem to be entering an off-cycle, and that can only be a good thing for Second Life. Hype can be used in poetic or artistic ways to reveal underlying truths but that really isn't much done anymore.

Continue reading Second Life's hype is dead (again)

MassivelySecond Life's hype is dead (again) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypeopinionsecond-lifevirtual-worldsTue, 24 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: The Darkfall prophecies pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/anti-aliased-the-darkfall-prophecies-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/anti-aliased-the-darkfall-prophecies-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/anti-aliased-the-darkfall-prophecies-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The double-edged sword to this is that the player is going to require a time investment. It's going to take more than stats and big numbers to win battles in these parts, and those things take time to learn. Knowing the environments, knowing how to gauge enemies, and knowing where to go in case of emergency are going to be things that are learned through use and not by giant pointing arrows or help boxes.

But, when you do learn them, you'll probably find that you'll enjoy this game more than other games on the market. Once again, talk to any EVE player who's ever killed another player or destroyed a player-owned station, or done anything of note. They'll talk excitedly and smile the entire time they tell you the story.

Epic is more than just purple text, it's a philosophy

The number one reason to get your hands on Darkfall seems to be the environment itself. Exploration is finally a viable option, as exploring can lead you to some amazing discoveries and treasures. Cities seem to be well designed and crafted from the limited view we've been presented with. And, of course, some of the scenes are amazingly gorgeous and worthy of a fantasy novel.

All of this is heightened by the tension that an ambush can happen at any moment. Things could go from blissfully calm to deadly in a heartbeat. Player action is the root of the game, and not an incidental item left outside of the menu. The design is set up so that players drive what the game has to offer, a page taken directly from EVE Online's book of plays.

Games should stop telling their players that things are epic, and instead make players feel like things are epic. Darkfall seems to understand this, and incorporates it into as many aspects of their design as possible.

So, what's the final word?

Even with all of these good things in store, even with the looks we have of the game, I'm going to be bluntly honest. Darkfall's hype is bigger than it's bite. We're not looking at the savior of MMOs or anything like that. Players are going to walk away feeling disappointed not because Darkfall is a bad game, but because they may not understand what they're getting into.

Darkfall will be a good, solid game that will follow up on amazing concepts, but those concepts are not made for the general population of players. Let me stress that this is not a bad thing. Darkfall will certainly have a home amongst the well made games of our time. But players who are buying into the hype and not researching what they're getting into may find that this may not be the game for them.

Players with backgrounds in Lineage II, EVE Online, and Ultima Online will find things to love here. But players with more modern MMO experience, like World of Warcraft or Lord of the Rings Online, may find that the game world is too harsh and unforgiving.

But if you can get through that harshness and stick it out, you're going to find experiences in this game that you will be completely unable to find in other games. You will walk away from Darkfall with tales to tell your friends, I guarantee it.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who is interested, yet cautious, about Darkfall Online. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's over running Epic Loot For All! with his insane friends. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: The Darkfall prophecies pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfallepichypeopinionpvprewardriskWed, 21 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wired's vaporware column adds Hero's Journey next to Duke Nukem Forever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wireds-vaporware-column-adds-heros-journey-next-to-duke-nukem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wireds-vaporware-column-adds-heros-journey-next-to-duke-nukem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/wireds-vaporware-column-adds-heros-journey-next-to-duke-nukem/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


And everyone at the Massively offices scratched their heads at the same time and said, "Huh?" All right, so Hero's Journey has been in production for, well, forever, but just because the game isn't coming out anytime soon doesn't exactly warrant it on the vaporware list at position number 8.

Especially as the game's engine, the now well-known HeroEngine, has been licensed by BioWare for this Star Wars game you might have heard about. The HeroEngine development has caught on like wildfire, and even Simutronics's own Neil Harris has said to Massively that the game is on the back burner while the engine development is in the forefront.

But, they still haven't left the game entirely in the dust. They've said that the game still has a long way to come in terms of content and polishing, but they're still letting people log in and play -- even when they're not around. The website even features in-game footage and screenshots, a bit more than Duke blowing some smoke at the camera and uttering a classic Duke-ism.

With all that said, Hero's Journey hasn't been pressing for release or gaining undue hype. It's a game that has been sitting in the corner, lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike. Plus, with most vaporware, we're usually left hanging -- wondering what exactly those developers have been doing with their time when they should have been developing. With Simutronics, we know exactly what they've been doing -- making a great engine. So that leaves the question, is it still vaporware if we know we shouldn't expect it?

MassivelyWired's vaporware column adds Hero's Journey next to Duke Nukem Forever originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-realmsdevelopmentduke-nukem-foreverheroengineheros-journeyhypesimutronicsteaservaporwarewiredTue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does hype turn you away from new games?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-daily-grind-does-hype-turn-you-away-from-new-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-daily-grind-does-hype-turn-you-away-from-new-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-daily-grind-does-hype-turn-you-away-from-new-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


When you hear about a game that promises to be the best thing since World of Warcraft, do you die a little bit inside? When you hear about the newest superpower developer hired by Curt Schilling for his Copernicus project at 38 Studios, do you find yourself screaming at your RSS feed? You may not be alone.

Often times, over-hyping a game can easily become its downfall. Yesterday's The Daily Grind touched on this very subject in regards to one of the most widely-hyped games in recent years: Warhammer Online. While the hype certainly didn't hurt the highly successful launch of WAR, the hype backlash may have come back to sting the game a month after launch, according to some recent polls. So where's that happy medium? Developers need to inform and advertise to get any respectable retail sales figures, but with MMOs it's much more than selling that box. You want to make sure your customers are satisfied with your product for a long time. Tell us some examples of games that you think reached that happy medium between a successful advertising campaign and delivery of promised game features.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does hype turn you away from new games? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosadvertisinghypetdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftThu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metaplace to stress test its platform]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/metaplace-to-stress-test-its-platform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/metaplace-to-stress-test-its-platform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/metaplace-to-stress-test-its-platform/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Raph Koster's Metaplace app is getting closer and closer to workable reality every day. This Friday at 5 PM PST, they'll be stress testing their platform by gathering as many people as they can to play one of their puzzle games called Wheelwright. The idea is to see if the underlying technology can sustain a large number of users at the same time.

It's exciting to see these baby steps happen and feel that one is part of something potentially huge. And if Raph is prescient, Metaplace will be merely the beginning of a revitalization of what the Web can be, the next step in multi-user, multi-site interactivity. I'm eager to see how it all works out, but can anything live up to this level of hype?

[Thanks, Steve!]

MassivelyMetaplace to stress test its platform originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypemetaplacepuzzle-gameraph-kosterstress-testwheelwrightThu, 14 Feb 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why mainstream media hates the Internet, games, MMOs and you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/why-mainstream-media-hates-the-internet-games-mmos-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/why-mainstream-media-hates-the-internet-games-mmos-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/why-mainstream-media-hates-the-internet-games-mmos-and-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

From the Sexbox and Mass Effect to World of Warcraft, Everquest and even face-to-face Dungeons and Dragons, the mainstream media hates your hobbies. They're turning you into suicidal addicts, mass-murderers, inappropriate touchers, criminals and terrorists, right?

Well, seeing that you don't seem to be any of those things, has it occurred to you to wonder just why such FUD keeps turning up over and over. No, it's not Luddism (well, it's mostly not Luddism as it's commonly thought of). For the most part, this is about money.

Continue reading Why mainstream media hates the Internet, games, MMOs and you

MassivelyWhy mainstream media hates the Internet, games, MMOs and you originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessculturefeaturedgaming-industryhypemediammo-industryMMOsopinionvirtual-worldsMon, 11 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST