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[Frogster releases more information on Runes of Magic Chapter III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/frogster-releases-more-information-on-runes-of-magic-chapter-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/frogster-releases-more-information-on-runes-of-magic-chapter-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/frogster-releases-more-information-on-runes-of-magic-chapter-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Frogster has been giving fans previews of the Runes of Magic Chapter III since GDC way back in March. Our latest view of the expansion comes to us courtesy of IncGamers, who looked at details and images from the Southern Janost Forest.

The landscape itself is marshy and damp, making travel and any sort of farming difficult. You'll find more hunters and fishermen here than farmers, although a marsh-friendly plant called Malanga grows wild and forms the foundation of the citizens' diets.

The architecture of the area is very attractive, all soaring spires and graceful design, but don't be entirely fooled by this book's pretty cover -- one of those buildings is Warnorken Castle, inhabited by Baron Reuen von Jura, the main villain in the zone. The strife doesn't begin and end with the Baron and his persecution of those living in the forest. The principality of Shador is home to some of the most skilled archers in the land. The citizens of Shador are ready and willing to defend their city from attackers, and there are even rumors of a mysterious alliance with those in the neighboring Milasso Forest -- they're not a people you want to make an enemy of.

Take a look at the entire preview at IncGamers.

MassivelyFrogster releases more information on Runes of Magic Chapter III originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chapter-iiif2pfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactiveincgamersrunes-of-magicWed, 12 May 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free to play an option for Age of Conan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/free-to-play-an-option-for-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/free-to-play-an-option-for-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/free-to-play-an-option-for-age-of-conan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It would appear that for Funcom, going the way of free-to-play with Age of Conan isn't entirely off the table. At least so says Erling Ellingson in a recent interview with IncGamers. There's certainly a precedent with Anarchy Online having gone that route long ago and its director -- at that time -- was also Craig Morrison. So really, all bets are off on this one.

Still, for the time being subscription remains the primary method of play. Our guess? Funcom is probably waiting for the first expansion or two before opening the original game for free to play access, much like they did with Anarchy Online. So if anything, this probably won't be happening for a couple more years. That is, unless things rapidly go south for the Norwegian games developer. But with The Secret World looking quite interesting. they've got a good chance at making a comeback.

[via MMORPG]

MassivelyFree to play an option for Age of Conan originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conananarchy-onlineaoccraig-morrisonerling-ellingsenf2pfree-to-playfuncomincgamersthe-secret-worldTue, 14 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyzing Mortal Online: Is it for you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/analyzing-mortal-online-is-it-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/analyzing-mortal-online-is-it-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/analyzing-mortal-online-is-it-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Mortal Online is a game that has piqued the interest of many bored or jaded MMO gamers lately, as it has a few features that promise to be different. What's that? You've heard it all before, dozens of times? Yes, but this time it's different! Seriously though, don't take our word for it (because none of us have actually played the game...), but as we get closer to the game's launch, we're still getting a lot of info on the game to possibly even excite us. Yes, even the jaded among us.

In a recent feature article at IncGamers, they take an in-depth look at what the game has to offer, thanks to a recent presentation by Star Vault, Mortal Online's developer. "We would like you to please forget your preconceptions of MMORPGs." Star Vault begins the presentation by saying. "Mortal Online deviates from most modern fantasy MMO's, and although it contains a lot of elements from let's say World of Warcraft or Age of Conan, the playing experience is very, very different from those games." Check out the complete 3-page article to learn more about what Mortal Online has to offer. You might find it's just the game for you, if released with everything they claim.

MassivelyAnalyzing Mortal Online: Is it for you? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyincgamersmortal-onlinestar-vaultMon, 18 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The possibility of a Terminator MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-possibility-of-a-terminator-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-possibility-of-a-terminator-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/the-possibility-of-a-terminator-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Let's start this post off with a bit of a warning: a Terminator MMO has not been announced, and this has nothing to do with the Terminator iPhone "MMO" announced last year. This is merely playing off of some speculation over at Ten Ton Hammer regarding a story at IncGamers. Apparently, when IncGamers interviewed Halcyon Games production executive Mic Rogers, the Terminator MMO topic came up. "You know what, it's something we've looked at," Rogers said, in regards to any MMO plans using the franchise, "and it's an interesting space for sure."

The Halcyon Company recently purchased the rights to the Terminator IP, and are working on a game to coincide with the release of Terminator Salvation. While he confirmed that an MMO version has been considered, he said that there are no concrete plans.

MassivelyThe possibility of a Terminator MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halcyon-gamesincgamersten-ton-hammerterminatorthe-halcyon-companyMon, 26 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR lead designer discusses combat and world design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/swtor-lead-designer-discusses-combat-and-world-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/swtor-lead-designer-discusses-combat-and-world-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/swtor-lead-designer-discusses-combat-and-world-design/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In the the second part of their two-part interview with Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen, IncGamers extracted a little more information about combat and world design. While Ohlen remains cheekily ambiguous about how the combat system works, he does mention that he thinks it's not entirely comparable to anything else out there. We're interested to see if that remains to be true once BioWare has revealed the system in the future.

As for world design, one of the big aspects of the Star Wars universe is that it has tons of planets covered by one geological feature -- you've got desert planets, water planets, city planets and so on. Ohlen wouldn't provide an answer on whether or not BioWare was going to break this tradition, but he did say to expect a mix of old and new, which isn't exactly a no or a yes. In the end it probably doesn't matter, as places like Tatooine or Coruscant can be turned into a singlular zone.
Star Wars: The Old Republic BioWare has finally unveiled Star Wars: The Old Republic, their new MMO! Massively's got you covered on all the details -- from liveblogging the announcement to screenshot galleries and more. Join us in the Galaxy far, far away!

MassivelySWTOR lead designer discusses combat and world design originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredesignincgamersjames-ohlenlead-designerstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic interview reveals shiny new information bits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/star-wars-the-old-repulic-interview-reveals-shiny-new-informati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/star-wars-the-old-repulic-interview-reveals-shiny-new-informati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/star-wars-the-old-repulic-interview-reveals-shiny-new-informati/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


IncGamers had the opportunity to ask Star Wars: The Old Republic's lead designer James Ohlen some questions regarding the newly announced title. The most interesting of responses from Ohlen have him making very strong hints that while 300 years have passed since the first two titles, everyone's favorite assassin droid will make a return -- among other possibly alien species. We also learn that even though certain characters obviously won't have lived that long, quest will make plenty of allusions and references to legacies of past characters.

Another interesting reveal is that more than 100 people are currently working on Star Wars: The Old Republic. That's a fairly reasonable number for an MMO, but it gives us a good idea for how much effort is being put into a game that's apparently in a pre-alpha stage.
Star Wars: The Old Republic BioWare has finally unveiled Star Wars: The Old Republic, their new MMO! Massively's got you covered on all the details -- from liveblogging the announcement to screenshot galleries and more. Join us in the Galaxy far, far away!

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic interview reveals shiny new information bits originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassin-droidbiowaredroideaelectronic-artshk-47incgamersjames-ohlenkotorstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThu, 27 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bartle calls Blizzard out on torture quest in Wrath of the Lich King]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/bartle-calls-blizzard-out-on-torture-quest-in-wrath-of-the-lich/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/bartle-calls-blizzard-out-on-torture-quest-in-wrath-of-the-lich/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/bartle-calls-blizzard-out-on-torture-quest-in-wrath-of-the-lich/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Richard Bartle, co-creator of the first multi-user dungeon MUD, has expressed his displeasure with Blizzard over a Wrath of the Lich King quest -- titled, "The Art of Persuasion" -- that involves the torture of a character for information. "I'm not at all happy with this. I was expecting for there to be some way to tell the guy who gave you the quest that no, actually I don't want to torture a prisoner, but there didn't seem to be any way to do that." said Bartle on his feelings about the quest. He also said that a player must complete this quest in order to proceed into an instance called Nexus, but those we've spoken to have told us the quest is merely part of a chain that can be completed in the instance.

We mostly feel disappointed in Blizzard, because they've missed an opportunity to make something thought provoking. Players are simply given one option with no real consequence instead of pointing out the cruelty of torture or letting a player decide whether or not to do it and find another way to complete the quest. Beyond even that, this quest does kind of break the lore aspect of being a good guy (Alliance) or a misunderstood good guy (Horde) when you're doing exceptionally evil things.

[via IncGamers]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyBartle calls Blizzard out on torture quest in Wrath of the Lich King originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcontroversyincgamersrichard-bartlethe-art-of-persuasiontortureworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST