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[Some Assembly Required: Issue #4 -- Making music in LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/some-assembly-required-issue-4-making-music-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/some-assembly-required-issue-4-making-music-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/some-assembly-required-issue-4-making-music-in-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required
Music to my ears. The Sound of Music. It ain't over 'til the fat lady (er, Dwarf) sings. Time to face the music. Pay the piper.

There is no way around it -- music is such an integral part of our lives and culture that there is almost no way to take a step without its influence showing in some part of our lives, be it an idiom, a movie, a popular catchphrase, or even just a tune stuck in our heads that we cannot escape. Music is so woven into the thread of our beings that it is surprising that more music cannot be found in the world of MMOs. Luckily for us, one world has embraced this connection to music and made it an involved part of the game.

Unlike any other games, Lord of the Rings Online has moved beyond just adding a background score and a few canned clips of music to the game. In fact, it has introduced an entire system allowing players to not only play a variety of instruments in the game but compose original pieces and play together in bands as well. The musically inclined can either play live or convert popular music into ABC files, and the not-so-inclined can use said files files to play right along with their friends. When it comes to harnessing creativity, the music system in LotRO tops the charts.

Want to see how you too can strike up the band and show off your creative prowess with the lute, the theorbo, the clarinet, or even the cowbell? Tune in past the cut for Some Assembly Required's look at the music industry in LotRO.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Issue #4 -- Making music in LotRO

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Issue #4 -- Making music in LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABCf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguideinstrumentinstrumentslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromusicmusic-guidepgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 19 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New MMOSG: Sociotown]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/new-mmosg-sociotown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/new-mmosg-sociotown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/new-mmosg-sociotown/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

A new MMOSG (that's Massively Multiplayer Online Social Game, which I don't recall seeing before, but sure, why not?) has sprung up, and it's called Sociotown. Now, not to knock something before it's even been released, but when I hear 'socio-' anything, I immediately think sociopath. And that's not the image you want to send across for a virtual world.

Regardless, from looking at the latest footage, there are a few things I need to comment on. Won't you follow along with me?

First of all, point-and-click movement is awkward. I've never liked it, despite the fun to be had in Diablo and Mythos, and prefer WASD movement. Second of all, the look of this world is similar to a lot of other similar social spaces, so no innovation there. Third, there is some interest in not being able to immediately see another person's name, forcing you to introduce yourself to him/her. Fourth, 'Socio dollars' is just more awkwardness -- why not SoBucks?

Continue reading New MMOSG: Sociotown

MassivelyNew MMOSG: Sociotown originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyworlddiablohabbo-hotelinstrumentsmmosgmythosOz-the-gamesecond-lifesobuckssociopathsociotownwasdThu, 20 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST