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[Warner Bros. invests in Korean publisher to 'co-develop certain online games' [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/korean-developer-secures-rights-to-make-batman-lord-of-the-ring/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/korean-developer-secures-rights-to-make-batman-lord-of-the-ring/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/korean-developer-secures-rights-to-make-batman-lord-of-the-ring/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Batman and Barrow-wight
Unless you live in South Korea or are a massive fan of the F.E.A.R. series, chances are you haven't heard much about Korean studio Inplay Interactive. That's going to change right now, so prepare yourself.

Inplay is a developer that's worked on F.E.A.R.: Origin Online and SNK All Stars Online but is now poised to rapidly expand its portfolio. Today, the studio announced that it has inked a deal with Warner Bros. to develop two of its most significant IPs into MMOs: Batman and Lord of the Rings. In turn, Warner Bros. will be both an investor and a shareholder of the company.

[Update: We've learned that our original source was mistranslated. Warner Bros. has indeed invested in Inplay Interactive with intent to "strengthen the Korean development capability of online games to the world." The partnership "Intend[s] To Co-Develop Certain Other Online Games by utilizing Warner Bros. Properties," but the specific properties have not as yet been disclosed as originally reported. We apologize for the confusion.]

MassivelyWarner Bros. invests in Korean publisher to 'co-develop certain online games' [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fearfear-origin-onlineinplayinplay-interactiveipkorealord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotronew-titlessnk-all-stars-onlinesouth-koreaturbineturbine-entertainmentwarner-broswbFri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The SOPAbox: Defeating online piracy by destroying the internet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/the-sopabox-defeating-online-piracy-by-destroying-the-internet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/the-sopabox-defeating-online-piracy-by-destroying-the-internet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/the-sopabox-defeating-online-piracy-by-destroying-the-internet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Soapbox title image
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.

Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you've heard of SOPA and PIPA. The Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act are two radical pieces of copyright legislation currently being pushed through the US government. Although the stated intent of the new legislation is to provide companies with additional tools with which to combat piracy, the bill's loose wording has raised some serious alarm bells. Opponents to the proposed law say it would give corporations the ability to shut down any almost any website under the guise of protecting copyright infringement.

Gamers will be affected worst of all, as the loose wording of the law makes any website with user-submitted content potentially vulnerable to a shut down order. That could include YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, any blog with a comment section, or even any online game with a chat system. Perhaps the scariest part is that you'll be affected even if you're not in the US, as one of the new law's enforcement mechanisms is to remove a site from the DNS records, a move that assumes the US has jurisdiction over the global Domain Name System. AOL is among many huge companies strongly opposing SOPA, and so naturally Massively opposes it too.

In this week's massive two-page Soapbox, I make the case for why you should be worried about SOPA, and I suggest what can be done to tackle piracy in the games industry. Comments can be left on page two.

Continue reading The SOPAbox: Defeating online piracy by destroying the internet

MassivelyThe SOPAbox: Defeating online piracy by destroying the internet originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan-draincopyrightcopyright-infringementdnsdnssecdomaindomain-namesfeaturedfirst-amendmentfree-speechfreedom-of-speechgovernmenti-dont-want-to-live-on-this-planet-any-moreillegalintellectual-propertyiplawlegalmiscMiscellaneousnyphurpiracypiratesprotect-ipsoapboxsoapbox-brendan-drainsopasopaboxthe-soapboxthe-sopaboxus-governmentvideoTue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefly MMO gets a possible second shot at the stars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/firefly-mmo-gets-a-possible-second-shot-at-the-stars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/firefly-mmo-gets-a-possible-second-shot-at-the-stars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/firefly-mmo-gets-a-possible-second-shot-at-the-stars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Firefly
While Multiverse, the development platform that was supposed to be the driving force for possible Buffy and Firefly MMOs, suffered a studio shutdown, the source code lives -- and has been snatched up by the newly formed Multiverse Foundation. Fortunately for those who were holding out hope for an online version of Joss Whedon's scifi western, it looks as though this new company wants to pick up where the previous team left off.

Massively was contacted by Tristan Bacon, head of communications for Multiverse Foundation. He says that the company has acquired the source code and is "starting work full-time on the actual MMO creation platform." Bacon says that if there is still interest from fans, the team intends to use the platform to make a Firefly MMO.

Don't get overexcited at the prospect of saddling up for the 'verse in your own ship, however, as this might be as long a shot as it ever was. There are substantial obstacles to overcome, including permission to use the IP. Bacon also says that the current team is just a small group of volunteers working on it in their spare time, and would appreciate more developers to sign on to the project.

MassivelyFirefly MMO gets a possible second shot at the stars originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffybuffy-mmobuffy-the-vampire-slayerdevelopment-platformfireflyfirefly-mmoipjoss-whedonmultiversemultiverse-foundationtristan-baconveraverseWed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda vs. Interplay case finally settled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fallout
War. War never changes. And neither, it appeared, would the long-running legal dispute between Bethesda and Interplay over the rights to the Fallout IP. For years, it seems, we've been reporting on this courtroom tug-o-war between the companies which has kept the fate of Fallout Online in limbo.

Well it looks like it is finally over, one way or another. An administrator on the Fallout fan site Duck and Cover says that a settlement has been reached although the details have yet to emerge to the public:
Today, DAC has confirmation that a settlement has, in fact, taken place. It actually took place the day of the trial -- and had I been able to get online and sort through the documents I would have reported as much. We do not yet have the details of the settlement -- they will be announced this month (January 2012) -- but we can report that on the day of trial, the atmosphere in the court room was tense until the judge recessed. This recess was extended, and then they recessed for lunch. After the lunch recess, the court room was locked to everyone except attorneys and clients. When our source asked why this was the case, our source was told it was because they were working out a settlement. The following day, another source called the court reporter to ask what the next hearing schedule for the case was -- this source was told there was no schedule as a settlement had been reached.
We'll be following this story as it develops to see how it affects the potential Fallout Online and what each studio is walking away with from this bitter dispute.

MassivelyBethesda vs. Interplay case finally settled originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworkscourtcourt-caseduck-and-coverfalloutfallout-ipfallout-onlineinterplayIPlegallegal-battlesettlesettlementTue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do other media releases make you revisit MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/the-daily-grind-do-other-media-releases-make-you-revisit-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Still from The Hobbit
This has been quite a week when it comes to geek-related movie trailers. First off, we finally got a proper trailer for the third installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise. Then, Peter Jackson blew us away (again) with a nostalgia-inducing peek at his return to Middle-earth.

What the heck do either of these blessed events have to do with MMORPGs? Well, not a lot, admittedly, unless -- like me -- you're now seriously considering a return to DC Universe Online and Lord of the Rings Online. In any event, the trailers are so collectively awesome that I can't help but make a Daily Grind out of them. The traditional question goes something like this: do big-name IP releases make you want to revisit MMOs?

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 other media releases make you revisit MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batmandc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionhobbitsipip-based-mmoslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindthe-dark-knight-risesthe-hobbitThu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter was 'almost ready to ship' before F2P MMO retooling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/neverwinter-was-almost-ready-to-ship-before-f2p-mmo-retooling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/neverwinter-was-almost-ready-to-ship-before-f2p-mmo-retooling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/neverwinter-was-almost-ready-to-ship-before-f2p-mmo-retooling/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Neverwinter
Last month, we reported that Cryptic Studios and Perfect World Entertainment were changing gears to render the upcoming D&D Neverwinter game more of an MMO than originally planned, complete with action combat and a cash shop to dispense vanity items and perks. Today, MMORPG.com published an interview with Neverwinter Lead Producer Andy Velasquez, in which he notes that the original title was "almost ready to ship," but the revision is nevertheless for the best:
The change from CORPG to a full action RPG F2P MMO is a change that just made sense for us. Perfect World wanted to go big. Expand everything. Do more. Do better. Take your time. Really blow it out. Pushing into 2012 allows us to make these changes. Transitioning into a full-featured action RPG, free-to-play MMO allows us to reach a whole new audience of people. Never underestimate barriers to entry. With a free client, anyone can play. Try it. Where's the harm? It's better for the game, better for us, better for D&D and infinitely better for fans and gamers. With Neverwinter, we're going to prove that F2P does not describe a type of gameplay -- it only describes the fundamentals of a business model.
Velasquez also discusses user-generated content and the challenges of working with a famous IP. "A ton of effort is also being made to make sure that we produce an authentic D&D experience," he says. Head over to MMORPG.com for the full interview.

MassivelyNeverwinter was 'almost ready to ship' before F2P MMO retooling originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-velasquezcrypticcryptic-studiosd-and-dDungeons-and-Dragonsf2pfoundryfree-to-playipmultiplayerneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwethe-foundryuser-generated-contentMon, 14 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Otherland dev talks timelines and Tad Williams' influence]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/otherland-dev-talks-timelines-and-tad-williams-influence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/otherland-dev-talks-timelines-and-tad-williams-influence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/otherland-dev-talks-timelines-and-tad-williams-influence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Otherland - windmill and floating chess piece doohickeys
MMORPGs based on pre-existing intellectual properties are a tricky business, and for every Lord of the Rings Online -- which at least makes an attempt at remaining faithful to its source material -- there's a Star Wars Galaxies or a Star Trek Online that sacrifices canonical authenticity on the altar of gameplay.

Then there's Otherland, gamigo's ambitious MMO based on Tad Williams' famous sci-fi cycle. A new interview with gamigo CEO Patrick Streppel sheds a bit of light on the title's timeline and canon and teases fans with glimpses of what they'll see and do when they plug in to what amounts to a virtual world set in a virtual world.

"Tad [Williams] has been very involved in the project from the beginning and provided lots of input to the development team on top of the source material. He is truly passionate about his vision being turned into a game," Streppel says. How will the game present that vision? It is "essentially a sequel" to the novels, and as a result of the dramatic conclusion at the end of the fourth and final book, it will now "be up to the players to get [Otherland] back online." The interview also delves briefly into gameplay topics, character creation, and more, so head to MPOGD.com to have a look.

MassivelyOtherland dev talks timelines and Tad Williams' influence originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canonf2pfree-to-playgamigointellectual-propertyinterviewipotherlandpatrick-streppelsci-fitad-williamsvirtual-worldThu, 06 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[More talk of an Avatar MMO surfaces from director James Cameron]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/more-talk-of-an-avatar-mmo-surfaces/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/more-talk-of-an-avatar-mmo-surfaces/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/more-talk-of-an-avatar-mmo-surfaces/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

James Cameron and Sam Worthington on the Avatar set
Hollywood IPs don't have the greatest track record when it comes to making the transition to the MMORPG space, but celebrated film director James Cameron recently told IGN that he thinks his Avatar franchise is up to the task.

In an interview that touches on 3-D entertainment, single-player gaming, and real-world themepark rides, Cameron also says that "Avatar is a perfect IP for an MMO." The massively multiplayer portion of the project seems to be in its infancy, as the director notes that the fictional universe established in the 2009 blockbuster needs to be fleshed out and expanded via the upcoming sequels before consumers can fully grasp how big Avatar really is.

"The film is really just a leaping off point," Cameron says, "so we've got to create a rich and diverse world that lives well beyond the films." This isn't the first time that scuttlebutt about an Avatar MMO has hit the intarwebs. Cameron's producing partner Jon Landau floated the topic in early 2010, and UbiSoft originally planned to release an Avatar MMO in conjunction with the film's holiday 2009 debut.

MassivelyMore talk of an Avatar MMO surfaces from director James Cameron originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-mmoavatars-playing-avatarsfilmintellectual-propertyinterviewipjames-cameronkill-ten-navimmo-industrymoviessci-fiscifiWed, 28 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prius Online goes worldwide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/prius-online-goes-worldwide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/prius-online-goes-worldwide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/prius-online-goes-worldwide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

IP restrictions are about as much fun as any sort of restriction -- but they're also a sometimes necessary reality in the world of free-to-play games, where licensing companies frequently only accept players from a limited range of national IPs. But as Prius Online continues its open beta, the development team has decided to go the opposite route and fling the doors wide open, allowing players worldwide to access the game with no restrictions on regions.

While that alone would be cause for celebration in some circles, the game has also added five new dungeons worth of content for beta testers to enjoy. There's no word on an official launch date just yet, so Prius Online's open beta testers will have to console themselves with the fact that the game is still in the testing stage even though the item shop is open. But you can log in from anywhere, and isn't that worth something?

Gallery: Prius Online

MassivelyPrius Online goes worldwide originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaf2pfree-to-playgala-netgallerygpotatoipip-addressip-restrictionsnewsopen-betapriusprius-onlinescreenshotsworldwide-accessThu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Third-party development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/eve-evolved-third-party-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/eve-evolved-third-party-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/eve-evolved-third-party-development/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

When EVE Online was first released in 2003, it was a primitive beast from a small indie studio operating out of a tiny office in Reykjavik, Iceland. Although EVE has been expanded over the years, not all of that development has come from creator CCP Games. EVE players routinely step in to fill gaps in the game's functionality through the development of third-party applications, websites and tools. Early apps like the EVEMon skill planner were very limited in what information they could access about a player's character, but with the introduction of the EVE API system, a huge wealth of information became available.

Since then, we've seen a resurgence of third-party app and tool development, producing impressive apps like Capsuleer and Aura for the iPhone. We've also seen some incredibly useful websites like the ICSC jump planner suite, gambling site SOMER.blink and the Dotlan EVE maps with regularly updating statistics. Most app developers work on the projects in their spare time, and until now they've relied on donations or advertising revenue to keep up with server costs or keep development worth the time invested. As EVE is CCP's intellectual property, it's illegal for anyone to make money from it without the company's permission. This week, CCP released the first draft of a contract that would allow developers to monetise their apps, but the proposal was not received well by the EVE community.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at third-party app development and what's wrong with the proposed deal.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Third-party development

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Third-party development originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappappsauracapsuleerccpccp-atlasccp-eveccp-gamesccp-zuluchribbadevblogdevelopersdevelopmentdierdra-vaaleveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedintellectual-propertyipiphonelegallegalesemonetizationmonetizeopinionplayer-developersplayer-developmentthird-partythird-party-applicationsthird-party-developmentSun, 19 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The idea of a Harry Potter MMO is hardly a new one at this point -- we've even speculated on it around Massively for years now. Rumors and wishful thinking have brought up this hypothetical MMO time and again, and for good reason: It simply makes sense.

In fact, the more you think about it, the more surprising it is that we haven't heard official word of a Harry Potter MMO by now. After doing some poking around, the most likely suspects to take on this project would either be Warner Bros. (which owns the rights to the franchise) or Electronic Arts (which purchased a license from WB to make the movie video games). Both companies have MMO studios at their command -- Turbine, BioWare, Mythic -- and both have the resources to make it happen.

So why does Harry Potter make perfect sense for MMO-adaptation? Hit the jump and I'll run you down the top 10 reasons! And if you post a positive comment after this column, I'll add five points to the house of your choice (go Hufflepuff!).

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassesdeathly-hallowsdefense-against-the-dark-artseaea-biowareea-mythicelectronic-artsfactionsfantasyfeaturedgolden-goosegoose-that-lays-golden-eggsharry-potterharry-potter-mmoherbologyhogwartsholy-trinityhouseshufflepuffipj-k-rowlingjk-rowlingkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlevelinglevelslord-of-the-ringsmagicmythicnarniapotionsquidditchrowlingspeculationturbinetwilightUniversal-Orlando-Resortwarner-broswarner-bros-interactiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwizardwizard101wizardsworld-buildingThu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Respect the IP (or, why MMOs can't)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/the-soapbox-respect-the-ip-or-why-mmos-cant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/the-soapbox-respect-the-ip-or-why-mmos-cant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/the-soapbox-respect-the-ip-or-why-mmos-cant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


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.

Luke: What a piece of junk!

Han: She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. But we're a little rushed, so if you'll just get on board, we'll get out of here.

Luke: Lawlz. You can't pilot that thing. It's a YT-1300 and you're a Rebel-aligned Smuggler!

Han: %&*$ ...

Ah yes, continuity. It might as well be a four-letter word, at least when it comes to MMORPGs based on existing intellectual properties. Sure, producers pay a lot of lip service to faithfully recreating beloved works in an online space, but the reality inevitably ends up looking like the love child of Frankenstein's monster and a duck-billed platypus.

Why then do we keep seeing MMOs riffing on Star Wars, Star Trek, Tolkien, and even Battlestar Galactica? Easy money, of course. A better question, and one I hope to answer at the conclusion of today's Soapbox, is why "MMORPG" automatically equals butchered continuity. In a nutshell, why is it so hard to respect the IP?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Respect the IP (or, why MMOs can't)

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Respect the IP (or, why MMOs can't) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowarecanonconancontinuitycrypticcryptic-studiosfeaturedfuncomintellectual-propertyipip-based-mmosjeffrey-steefellord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelore-nazismmo-prime-directiveopinionrespect-the-ipsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardSOESony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-soapboxtolkienturbineTurbine-EntertainmentTue, 16 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Is SWTOR worth 2 million users]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/anti-aliased-is-swtor-worth-2-million-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/anti-aliased-is-swtor-worth-2-million-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/anti-aliased-is-swtor-worth-2-million-users/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So, some big news out of the Electronic Arts/BioWare camp today -- it's going to take one million subscribers to break even on Star Wars: The Old Republic, and EA is shooting for two million subscribers on the game. Those are some pretty intense numbers for a game, but when you're sinking as much money into a project as they're sinking into SWTOR, those are the numbers you need.

But, are they realistic numbers? This isn't the first time EA poured their heart and soul into a MMO, only to find that the subscriptions weren't to their liking. Then again, when you're dealing with a well known IP and an already successful RPG developer who knows how to handle said IP, you might just have the recipe for a subscriber explosion.

So that's this week's question -- Is SWTOR worth two million users?

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Is SWTOR worth 2 million users

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Is SWTOR worth 2 million users originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-million-playersanti-aliasedbiowarebioware-mmobusinesseafeaturedgameplayintellectual-propertyiplucasartsmarketingopinionstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscribersswtorFri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Games with potential]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/the-daily-grind-games-with-potential/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/the-daily-grind-games-with-potential/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/the-daily-grind-games-with-potential/#commentsFiled under: ,


One of the things people chalk growth in an MMO up to is the strength of the IP - especially when you're talking about an established IP in popular culture like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, etc. Of course, some others will point out that there's something to be said for a completely new experience with an interesting story or idea behind it. City of Heroes, while based on comic books, wasn't based on any one comic in particular. EverQuest was general fantasy. World of Warcraft, while based on the Warcraft RTS wasn't nearly as much of a pop-culture buzzword then as it is now.

Assuming all games have good mechanics - do you think that having a well-known IP can offer more potential in terms of creating an MMO these days, or do you feel that a well-timed new concept with a fresh new IP would do better? What particular games do you think have the most potential - and are they new franchises, or old, established stories already well-known to popular geekdom? Will it take a new spin on an old IP to really make things interesting in terms of upcoming games?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Games with potential originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptsfamiliarityinterestipmmo-developmentpop-cultureMon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More hints of a Fallout MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've alternately consulted both our Magic 8 Ball and a Ouija board for answers to the Fallout MMO question. As in, will there be one? We think we've got a handle on the licensing intricacies of Fallout between ZeniMax Media (parent company of Bethesda Softworks) and Interplay thanks to a stellar article written by Daedren for r1ft Gaming. Briefly stated, Bethesda owns the rights to the Fallout IP, but not a Fallout MMO. Interplay holds the Fallout MMO rights, but only if they could raise $30 million and begin development by April 2009. Interplay has mentioned an MMO project with a tongue-in-cheek codename Project V13 (a nod to Fallout) but we've heard little of this game beyond that 2008 announcement that a dev team was being formed. In addition, we reported just last week that ZeniMax Media is hiring for an MMO division, project(s) unknown. While it hints at the potential to bring Fallout into the MMO space, we're still chalking it up to rumor.

That rumor got a bit juicier today though when we came across something of interest at our sister site Big Download. The original Fallout designer Jason Anderson, formerly the creative director for Project V13, has parted company with Interplay to work for inXile on a new RPG. We're still not certain if the various bits of news we've found in the last few weeks indicates a potential ZeniMax/Bethesda Fallout MMO or if Interplay's Project V13 will chug along just fine without Jason Anderson, so we're still firmly in the realm of "rumor," albeit an interesting one to fans of all things post-apocalytic.

MassivelyMore hints of a Fallout MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesda-softworksbig-downloadfalloutfallout-mmointellectual-propertyinterplayinxileipjason-andersonmmo-industrypost-apocalypticproject-v13rightsrpgrumorrumorssci-fizenimaxzenimax-mediaWed, 18 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is it IP or people? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/the-daily-grind-is-it-ip-or-people/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/the-daily-grind-is-it-ip-or-people/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/the-daily-grind-is-it-ip-or-people/#commentsFiled under: ,


Yesterday after the announcement of the new Marvel MMO, a bit of lively discussion sparked up on Twitter between Shuttler from Limited Edition, Brenda "Tipa" Holloway, West Karana blogmistress and Massively alumni, and me. There was of course, the discussion of Marvel's MMO re-entering the scene, but also the question came up of whether the IP is what draws people in to a particular MMO, or if it's the people? Tipa and I generally felt that, much like World of Warcraft's success, pulling new people in has a lot to do with people suggesting the game to their friends, who then jump in and start playing it. Shuttler suggested that for those who aren't getting in via friends, IP may be the most important thing that brings new players to the table. After all, how likely are you to walk into a store and pick up an MMO in a genre you don't particularly care about - even if it has millions of players - when a genre you like (superheroes, in the original discussion) has an MMO?

So this morning I wanted to open this discussion up to you all, as it was an interesting topic. What do you think pulls in new people to MMOs? For new players, do you think it's more important to have a recognizeable IP like Star Trek, Marvel, DC, Star Wars - or is it more important to have good word of mouth from people you know? When you started out, what got you into the genre? Was it friends telling you about a great MMO they were playing, or did you decide to check out a particular game because of the story/genre behind it? How important do you think IP is in the initial hook? Are there other factors that you feel are more important to bringing new players to the MMO genre? Or is it a combination of all of them, really?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is it IP or people? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genreintellectual-propertyipmmonew-playershuttlerthe-daily-grindtipatwittertwitter-topicWed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


One of the massively multiplayer online titles eagerly awaited by sci-fi fans is Star Trek Online, currently in development at Cryptic Studios. Star Trek Online's executive producer Craig Zinkievich has written a dev blog for MMORPG.com titled "Focusing the Experience." Zinkievich discusses that initial excitement the Cryptic Studios team had when they obtained the license to create Star Trek Online, and the process of deciding what the IP's MMO universe should encompass.

This was no small task. The Star Trek universe spans decades across multiple television incarnations and film, so the challenge wasn't so much about what to include, but what not to include while making sure that the setting is fleshed out. The developers asked themselves how they could make the MMO universe of Star Trek Online a place where there's more to being part of the setting than energizing transporters all day. And how to incorporate the roles of characters seen in Star Trek television and film into the MMO?

Continue reading Star Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development

MassivelyStar Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-zinkievichcryptic-studiosculturedesign-decisionsdev-blogexecutive-producergame-mechanicsiploremmo-industrymmorpg.comprofessionssci-fisettingstar-trek-onlinestoTue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Red Eagle Games is a relative newcomer to video game publishing, but their first MMO will be based off of a well-established IP -- Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series of novels, which are a blend of fantasy and eastern mysticism. Although Jordan passed away in 2007, he left behind 11 novels and a deep imaginative legacy that could prove to be a popular setting in the MMO world. Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon from Red Eagle Entertainment, which has spun off Red Eagle Games, recently spoke with VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi about their plans to bring The Wheel of Time into the realms of film and games.

Film tie-ins with The Wheel of Time IP have already been funded, they're still in the process of raising funds for Red Eagle Games, according to Selvage. "That could prove to be difficult, but he said he has already received an enthusiastic reaction, largely because the rights to the series are considered so valuable," Takahashi writes. Funding issues aside, whether or not Red Eagle Games can break free of the stigma connected with games released in tandem with films isn't clear yet. "Selvage said he is aware of the risks and he believes that most games based on movies fail because they are made in too short a time and there isn't enough cooperation with the movie studio," Takahashi adds.

Are you familiar with The Wheel of Time series of novels, and do you think the setting and lore would lend itself well to a massively multiplayer online title?

MassivelyRed Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdean-takahashieastern-mysticismfantasyfilmfilmsiplarry-mondragonmmo-industrymysticismmythnew-titlesnovelnovelsred-eagle-entertainmentred-eagle-gamesrick-selvagerobert-jordanthe-wheel-of-timeventurebeatventurebeat.comwheel-of-timeWed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hanbitsoft admits their Hellgate rights don't extend to US/EU]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/hanbitsoft-admits-their-hellgate-rights-dont-extend-to-us-eu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/hanbitsoft-admits-their-hellgate-rights-dont-extend-to-us-eu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/hanbitsoft-admits-their-hellgate-rights-dont-extend-to-us-eu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hellgate London's state of flux over the past week has been somewhat infuriating for us to follow. No doubt it must be even moreso for players who just want to know if they'll get their game back after Namco Bandai's servers close in the spring. First it seemed that Hanbitsoft would be rezzing the game worldwide, then it was less clear based on Redbana's development. Now it seems even Hanbitsoft has acknowledged that they don't have rights to the game in the US and EU.

WarCry is reporting based on a press release from Namco specifically stating that they own the IP for publishing here in the states and over in Europe. Gamecyte follows that announcement up with a more detailed look, noting that Hanbitsoft would like to run the game and do some profitsharing with Namco for these two lucrative markets. Namco's position on the matter, though, seems to be that the service is closing and everyone is moving on. So - for the time being - it looks like we'll be bidding farewell to Hellgate London.

MassivelyHanbitsoft admits their Hellgate rights don't extend to US/EU originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hanbitsofthellgate-londonipnamco-bandaipublishingWed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will The Old Republic beat World of Warcraft?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There have been many arguments in the Massively offices -- some bordering on heated (hey, we're passionate people, alright?) -- about today's question. We don't all agree. Some think it's definite, some think it's definitely not, and some folks are on the fence, but here goes: will Star Wars: The Old Republic surpass World of Warcraft by any measure of success -- particularly in subscriber numbers?

Sure, reps from LucasArts and EA said so, but they kind of have to, right? We'd love to hear your opinions, but here are a couple points that have been brought up: WoW opened the door for new MMOs -- people are comfortable with them now. Doesn't that mean the chances are ripe for a huge, established franchise like Star Wars to sweep in and take it to the next level? On the other hand, since Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect sold substantially fewer copies than WoW, does the BioWare / KotOR pedigree really matter for this question?

Star Wars is neither a star nor a war -- discuss!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will The Old Republic beat World of Warcraft? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareblizzarddiscussioneaelectronic-artsfranchiseipknights-of-the-old-republiclucasartsopinionspeculationstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscriptionsswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorworld-of-warcraftThu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


GameZone recently spoke with Dan Elggren, studio head at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, about the upcoming title Stargate Worlds. The interview topics range from the challenges in moving the IP forward while remaining true to its origins, to the fact that sci-fi MMOs generally aren't as well-received as fantasy titles.

Elggren goes on to explain how Cheyenne Mountain has tried to merge the feature set and gameplay expected from an MMO with the more visceral feel of tactical shooter. A key aspect of their business model is that it's predicated on regular content updates. "We'll be adding new story, new levels, new archetypes and, obviously, new worlds about every three months post launch. This will be free content that we're giving away on an aggressive schedule," Elggren says. The interview also touches on Stargate Worlds having opt-in PvP at launch, which he states should later evolve into 'platoon-on-platoon large scale PvP events'. Check out the GameZone interview with Dan Elggren for more info from Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment on what we can expect from Stargate Worlds.

[Via Blue's News]

MassivelyStargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedan-elggrenfireskygame-mechanicsgamezoneinterviewsippvpsci-fisgwstargate-worldstelevisiontvFri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Factors that could make or break WAR's longterm success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/factors-that-could-make-or-break-wars-longterm-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/factors-that-could-make-or-break-wars-longterm-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/factors-that-could-make-or-break-wars-longterm-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Syp over at the Waaagh! Warhammer Online blog looks at the title's 750,000 registered players figure and observes that merely buying the box (or the download) shouldn't necessarily imply that monthly subscription dollars will follow. There are a number of factors involved that will determine how well Warhammer Online does in the long run. There's no doubt that WAR is enjoying its time in the limelight -- even lukewarm reviews of the title still give it decent ratings, not to mention the hardcore contingent of players who are either fans of the IP or simply love that it's not World of Warcraft. But are many of these registered players only in WAR for the time being?

Syp writes about this in his "Future Tense" post, and breaks down the factors that could make or break the title's success in the long run, not limited to the upcoming expansions from other titles, word of mouth, and the longshot of breaking the pop culture barrier, as WoW has.
Warhammer Online Coverage Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out our Warhammer guides: Massively's Character Creation Guide and our WoW Player's Guide to Warhammer. Plus, don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

MassivelyFactors that could make or break WAR's longterm success originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>box-salesdownloadea-mythicfailurefantasyipmythicsuccesssypwaaaghwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 12 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The latest Ask Cryptic focusing on Star Trek Online addresses a number of questions sci-fi fans have about where the IP is heading in the MMO space. Not surprisingly, many of the questions asked of Cryptic deal with how well they'll adhere to Star Trek canon.

The Cryptic Studios devs were asked about how they would handle the iconic story and characters of Star Trek, namely with voiceovers and cut scenes. The devs state that Star Trek Online avoids issues of tampering with Trekkie canon by setting the game in 2409, a good 30 years after Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Voyager. So while some of the locales familiar to Star Trek fans will be present in the game, players shouldn't expect to bump into any (or many) familiar faces.

Continue reading Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon

MassivelyAsk Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbackstorycanoncaptain-janewaycaptain-picardcrypticcryptic-studioscut-scenecut-scenesdefiantforumsfuturegame-mechanicsipjanewaylorenemesisnew-titlespicardpsionicspvpracesroleplayingscalesci-fisettingshipshipsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarshipstrekkietrekkiesvoiceoversFri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spacetime Studios releases fast-paced Blackstar video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/spacetime-studios-releases-fast-paced-blackstar-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/spacetime-studios-releases-fast-paced-blackstar-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/spacetime-studios-releases-fast-paced-blackstar-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Sci-fi MMO fans received some bad news when Spacetime Studios recently announced that their Blackstar IP was in jeopardy, due to needing a publisher for the title. Surprisingly, selling a publisher on the IP -- where action occurs both in space and on the ground -- has been a challenge.

While they may be on the ropes, Spacetime Studios is far from throwing in the towel with Blackstar. They've announced that they will be meeting with people at the Austin Game Developers Conference in September, and are inviting business inquiries about the title. While we wait and hope a publisher will step up and make the title a reality for gamers, Spacetime Studios has given us a new video of pre-production footage of Blackstar. Check out the fast-paced video footage below the cut, for a look at what may yet be.

Continue reading Spacetime Studios releases fast-paced Blackstar video

MassivelySpacetime Studios releases fast-paced Blackstar video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austin-gdcaustin-gdc-2008blackstarconcept-artfootagegdcipmmo-industrypreviewssci-fispacetime-studiosvideoThu, 28 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[From the ashes of Mythos, Runic Games is born]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The fate of the former Flagship Studios staff is something a number of our readers have been wondering about, particularly after the confusion and drama surrounding the Hellgate: London and Mythos IPs. The writers at Massively have been curious about this as well, until now. We've gotten word from Joystiq that former Flagship Studios Seattle staff -- specifically, the Mythos team -- have formed a new company called Runic Games.

Max Schaefer and Travis Baldree are at the helm of Runic Games, and have stated that their forthcoming projects will be announced in the coming days. There are no further details at this time, but Runic Games now has a site where the announcement of their resurrection is posted. Massively extends its congratulations on making a quick comeback, and here's hoping Runic Games will bring some of that Mythos magic to their new projects.

MassivelyFrom the ashes of Mythos, Runic Games is born originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbusiness-modelsflagship-studioshellgate-londonindustryipjoystiqmax-schaefermmo-industrymythosrunic-gamestravis-baldreeSun, 10 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos lives!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/mythos-lives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/mythos-lives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/mythos-lives/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


These have been some turbulent times for both Mythos and Hellgate: London. Following the closing of Flagship Studios, recent news revealed Namco-Bandai Games as Hellgate: London's saviors, while the fate of Mythos remained uncertain, but grim. However just over a week later, the Hellgate: London page at Namco-Bandai has already disappeared.

In another turn of events, Gamasutra reports that Korea's T3 Entertainment, perhaps best-known for their online music game Audition, is seeking programmers for its new development studio in San Francisco: "T3 Entertainment is searching for creative minds to passionately continue development of Hellgate: London and Mythos, along with other new games, which are being published by HanbitSoft Inc." This may put to rest the dispute over IP which HanbitSoft was engaged in with Flagship Studios, as T3 Entertainment is HanbitSoft's largest stockholder. With any luck, the opening of a North American studio signifies a healthier future for both Mythos and Hellgate: London. We'll keep you posted, once more details become available.

MassivelyMythos lives! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditionbetafantasyflagship-studiosgamasutrahanbitsofthellgate-londonhorroripip-disputekoreamythosnamco-bandairumorrumorst3t3-entertainmentSun, 03 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Name your MMO dream team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Almost every big MMO these days is a marriage between an established intellectual property -- such as The Lord of the Rings, or Conan -- and a proven development studio like Mythic or Cryptic. It seems like every setting is getting MMO-ized, from Star Trek to the DC Comics universe. But there are lots of worlds left to explore.

That's why we're asking you today what world you want to explore, and who you want to make it. In other words, which franchise and which developer would you like to see come together?Battlestar Galactica and Funcom? Lost and SOE? No idea is too crazy. After all, it's likely none of them will become reality anyway!

Please keep in mind that Hello Kitty Online has already been done! Sorry to steal your thunder, folks!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Name your MMO dream team originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbattlestar-galacticacryptic-studiosdc-universe-onlinedeveloperdreamdream-teamfantasyfranchisefuncomiplicenselostmythicsoestar-trekstudiotdgthe-daily-grindturbineThu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Optioning IP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/the-daily-grind-optioning-ip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/the-daily-grind-optioning-ip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/the-daily-grind-optioning-ip/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the things we've often discussed behind the scenes here is what movie or comic book universe we thought would make a good setting for an MMO. There's been talk of both DC and Marvel's universe, which (hopefully) we'll see get off the ground. We've seen Star Wars (and hope to see it done again, only better this time), Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and many others. But there are still ideas out there to be optioned, and some that could make for very interesting MMOs. My personal "want" would have to be a world based on Blade Runner. Yeah, yeah, not supposed to be a bunch of replicants on earth, etc. I know the holes in the storyline are a mile wide, but you have to admit it could be gorgeous. Still, there are lots of other movies and books out there to option. If someone put you in control of IP acquisition, what property would you immediately jump on and develop into an MMO?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Optioning IP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booksfeaturedintellectual-propertyipmoviesthe-daily-grindTue, 18 Dec 2007 08:15:00 EST