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[Cryptic Studios clarifies microtransactions in Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/cryptic-studios-clarifies-microtransactions-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/cryptic-studios-clarifies-microtransactions-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/cryptic-studios-clarifies-microtransactions-in-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We noticed quite a stir in our last post about microtransactions in an upcoming Cryptic Studios game. The post in question was about Champions Online, which explained how Cryptic plans to keep the microtransaction system balanced. Quite a number of commenters at Massively expressed the view that the game should either be subscription or microtransaction-based, one or the other, and not a hybrid of the two.

That debate isn't confined to Cryptic's superhero MMO, however. The company's approach to microtransactions with Champions Online will be applied to Star Trek Online as well, according to a recent forum post by Jackalope (Jack Emmert) from the Cryptic Studios dev team.

Continue reading Cryptic Studios clarifies microtransactions in Star Trek Online

MassivelyCryptic Studios clarifies microtransactions in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-roperbusiness-modelschampions-onlinecryptic-studiosforumsgame-mechanicsjack-emmertjackalopemicrotransactionsmmo-industrynew-titlessci-fistar-trek-onlinestate-of-the-gamestosuper-heroMon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jack Emmert named as GenCon industry guest of honor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/jack-emmert-named-as-gencon-industry-guest-of-honor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/jack-emmert-named-as-gencon-industry-guest-of-honor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/jack-emmert-named-as-gencon-industry-guest-of-honor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jack 'Statesman Jackalope' Emmert is to be one of the Industry Guests of Honor at GenCon, to be held Aug. 14-17 in Indianapolis. Best known for his work on City of Heroes, in which he took over from original lead designer Rick Dakan, Jack is now the chief creative officer in the Cryptic team working on Champions Online.

Jack Emmert is definitely qualified to speak about iterative game design, as the City of Heroes design process featured no small number of clinkers that were identified as such by the player base, despite looking good at the design stage. Jack's self-deprecatingly frank about his early mistakes, and explains how he's learned from them: 'We assumed a player would get the mission, go into the instance, realize that he was facing a "boss," leave the mission, find a friend, and then tackle the "boss" together. I was pretty darn naïve back then.' Jack's willingness to engage with the player base had the unfortunate secondary effect of giving dissatisfied players an articulate target for their frustration. Even now, Jack is still remembered in some quarters as a sort of uber-bogeyman armed with a colossal nerf bat.

Continue reading Jack Emmert named as GenCon industry guest of honor

MassivelyJack Emmert named as GenCon industry guest of honor originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlinecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcrypticgencongencon-2008jack-emmertjackalopestatesmanTue, 24 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST