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[Splashing through the MUD and the MUSH]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/splashing-through-the-mud-and-the-mush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/splashing-through-the-mud-and-the-mush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/splashing-through-the-mud-and-the-mush/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Before forum trolls complained of bad graphics or crappy voice acting, there was text-based gaming. Progressing from the success of games like Zork and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the multi-user dungeons (MUDs) and multi-user shared hallucinations (MUSHes) were our best methods of roleplaying and interacting with other people from across the globe. Without these original text-based experiences, we would not have any of the MMOs we have today.

To pay homage to this fact, Kaila Hale-Stern at Gawker's io9 writes a telling narrative of the old days in MUDs and MUSHes. PernMUSH, a MUSH based on Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series was (and still is) an extremely popular online hub for roleplayers. This story tells of Kaila's experiences with PernMUSH and how magical they were "for a sixteen year-old with a 36kbps modem and a family phone line." Be sure to check out the pages of comments as well, as they each tell their own memories of the birth of online gaming and roleplaying.

MassivelySplashing through the MUD and the MUSH originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragonriders-of-pernhitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxyio9muckmudmushroleplayingrprpingtext-basedzorkMon, 12 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Futurist Jamais Cascio discusses Superstruct]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/futurist-jamais-cascio-discusses-superstruct/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/futurist-jamais-cascio-discusses-superstruct/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/futurist-jamais-cascio-discusses-superstruct/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Superstruct is the world's first massively multiplayer forecasting game. What does this mean? As a player of this alternate reality game, you envision your life as it would be in 2019 and collaborate with other players to come up with innovative solutions to global 'superthreats'. These superthreats may bring us to a tipping point that determines whether the human race either solves its looming problems and continues existence, or society collapses under the weight of its troubles.

The excellent sci-fi centric io9 has an interview with futurist Jamais Cascio, a member of the Superstruct game design team. Cascio discusses his work on "21st Century Ideas" (essentially a toolkit of solutions to the game's superthreats), the influence of Children of Men on the game and its setting, and some of the innovative creations he's seen from players in the relatively short time since the game launched. It's definitely worth a read if you're interested in a game grounded in futurist speculation. If this piques your interest in Superstruct, don't wait to find out more -- the game will only run for another 5 weeks. Be sure to check out Massively's primer on Superstruct to help you get started, as well as Jane McGonigal's Avant Game blog for more info about the game.

MassivelyFuturist Jamais Cascio discusses Superstruct originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-reality-gamealternate-reality-gamesargcultureeconomyforecastingfuturistiftfinstitute-for-the-futureinterviewsio9jamais-casciojane-mcgonigalpoliticsreal-liferoleplayingsci-fisuperstructsuperthreatsuperthreatsSat, 18 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Writer Annalee Newitz from the sci-fi centric io9 blog recently took a look at some of EVE Online's memorable artwork, by Icelandic concept designer B. Börkur Eiríksson (apparently also known as "Nag" according to The Art of EVE book). Börkur has been the Lead Artist/Illustrator at CCP Games since 2004, imbuing New Eden's futuristic backstory with his very dark, gritty style that really helps set the tone. On Börkur's "Industra" -- a depiction of a gloomy, burn out industrial city -- Newitz writes, "This image of a future city... feels to me like some anachronistic mashup of impressionist art and science fiction. The people in their hats and bonnets look almost nineteenth century..."

io9 has a sampling of Börkur's artwork, but his online gallery -- Björn Börkur Eiríksson: Industrium -- is the prime place to find numerous examples of his work, divided between Concepts/Illustrations and Sketches/Speedpaints. EVE Online fans will recognize much of this artwork, which has been featured alongside fiction appearing in E-ON magazine and the official site's Chronicles over the years. If you're a fan of unidealized depictions of the future -- hell, if you just liked Blade Runner -- you'll probably appreciate the artwork of B. Börkur Eiríksson.

[Via CrazyKinux]

MassivelyEVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annalee-newitzart-of-eveb-borkur-eirikssonbackstoryblade-runnerccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefuturefuturisticillustrationillustratorindustraindustriumio9io9.comlead-artistlead-illustratornew-edensettingthe-art-of-eveWed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST