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[Anti-Aliased: Socially awkward]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/anti-aliased-socially-awkward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/anti-aliased-socially-awkward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/anti-aliased-socially-awkward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


So, ok, we've been talking about Champions Online recently here in the column. Been talking about it a lot, as a matter of fact. I don't feel like risking having this column turn into a Champions love fest (as much fun as I'm having with the game), so we're going to change gears significantly this time and get onto a completely new train of thought.

This week's topic: social gameplay. No, I don't mean those games you play obsessively/compulsively on Facebook or your social network of choice. I'm talking about how some aspects of gameplay completely rely on human interaction, for better or for worse. It's present in all of our games, but are we really taking advantage of it? We're going to take a look at some games that do take advantage of human-powered conflict, and why, perhaps, it might be a wave of the future for online games.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Socially awkward

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Socially awkward originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedclassdynamic-contentemergenceeve-onlineface-of-mankindfeaturedguildjoystiqfeaturesrolesshootersocialsocial-gamingsocial-networkingMon, 31 Aug 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: One account is good enough]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/eve-evolved-one-account-is-good-enough/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


In a typical MMO, players will have one main character that they dedicate most of their time and effort to. They may also have alternate characters on the same account that they use to try out different classes or starting areas. EVE Online is different in that it's not really feasible to play multiple characters on the same account. While each EVE account has three character slots, only one can be actively training skills at one time. Taking a break to train up another character means losing training time on your main one. And since any character can learn any skill, it's often better to just train those skills on your main character rather than making a dedicated alt for it. Many players suggest getting a second account but is that really necessary? And what do you do with those two extra character shots on your account?

In this article, I look at some nifty things you can do with your main account's two extra character slots without paying for a second account.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: One account is good enough

MassivelyEVE Evolved: One account is good enough originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountaltaltitisccpccp-gamescharactercynoeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedhaulerjoystiqfeaturesmarketopinionprobesuicideSun, 30 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively goes toe to toe with Jade Dynasty's Andrew Brown]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/massively-goes-toe-to-toe-with-jade-dynastys-andrew-brown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/massively-goes-toe-to-toe-with-jade-dynastys-andrew-brown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/massively-goes-toe-to-toe-with-jade-dynastys-andrew-brown/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Jade Dynasty. The game that plays itself. We ran an op-ed on it a while back and even got some impressions on the game from E3, looking into the game that offers all players the special ability to run a bot to play the game and lets players gain experience while offline.

Needless to say, we were interested in the game thanks to, what some would say, are odd choices in game design. However, we were recently lucky enough to sit down with Andrew Brown, the project manager for Jade Dynasty, and put him to the test. Why should MMOers try out Jade Dynasty?

Well, Andrew took our hard questions and sent us back some awesome answers. He didn't shy away from our question barrage. If you were looking for some answers for why Jade Dynasty took the game design path it did, or why they believe their decisions will ultimately help the many players of their game, then look no further than this interview. And what's this new immortality ability and "hardcore PvP" server that Andrew has mentioned? You're just going to have to follow after the break and find out!

Continue reading Massively goes toe to toe with Jade Dynasty's Andrew Brown

MassivelyMassively goes toe to toe with Jade Dynasty's Andrew Brown originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afkingandrew-brownbattlegroundbottingesperfeaturedfree-to-playgrindinvigoratejade-dynastyjoystiqfeaturesmassively-interviewperfect-worldpvpzhu-xianzhuxian-onlineWed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you-part-deux/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Taking one article to talk about a game in a pre-release state isn't so hot. As commenters pointed out last week, things changed in Champions Online as some of the problems I had with the game were rectified by Cryptic. But, here at Anti-Aliased, we understand this and have planned ahead of time. Voila! I present to you, part two of my journey through Champions Online!

This week's activities include looking over some of the changes Cryptic has made to the game (as well as a hearty appreciation for how fast these guys iterate versions of this game), checking out areas past the crisis zones, and one final overview of the entire game at large. Will you agree with me? Will you disagree with me? Will I be paid by Cryptic? Will Sera keep smiling? These questions and more will be answered within this dramatic issue! If you wish to comment, please do so on the second page of Anti-Aliased.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux)

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you! (part deux) originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbetacanadacanadian-wildernesschampions-onlinechangescontrollercontrolscryptic-studiosfeaturedinstancesjoystiqfeatureslaunchesopen-betaopinionpatcheszonesMon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: DUST in the wind]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/eve-evolved-dust-in-the-wind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/eve-evolved-dust-in-the-wind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/eve-evolved-dust-in-the-wind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


A few weeks ago, we here at Massively were speculating on what the big announcement CCP Games were planning was. After they filed a trademark on a logo for something called "DUST 514", we could only guess that it was the promised EVE Online themed first person shooter. In an email with one of my regular column readers before the announcement, I suggested off-hand that it would be awesome if it were a new EVE FPS that linked in with 0.0 sovereignty. I didn't seriously think that's what they had planned. In fact, I only suggested it as a sort of idealised wish -- a hint at what heights I thought EVE could reach a decade from now.

When the announcement finally went out and I was right, my jaw hit the floor. Reception of the news has virtually polarised the EVE community, with only a small few viewing the idea with a calm, cautious optimism. Most seem either in firm support of the idea or dead set against it, with many arguments erupting around the claim that Dust will let console gamers decide the fate of EVE alliances. And yet despite all the talk of DUST 514 since the announcement, few people have speculated on what the game-play might actually be like and how it might integrate with EVE Online.

In this wish-filled article, I lay out the facts we know so far about DUST 514 and then go on to speculate on what the game-play might be like.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: DUST in the wind

MassivelyEVE Evolved: DUST in the wind originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlandeve-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturesopinionpoliticspospvpsoverigntyspeculationwarfareSun, 23 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/anti-aliased-im-a-champion-and-so-can-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


So last time we had an Anti-Aliased, we had a bit of a tussle. I talked about microtransactions and how I felt about Champions Online's model, and I heard from people who agreed with me, disagreed with me, and who thought I was getting fat bribes from Cryptic Studios. I had people picking apart my thoughts, people saying I was Bill Roper's puppet, and people who really couldn't care less. It was insane.

Through all of this though, I want to thank everyone who put in their thoughts onto the article. Even if you disagreed with me, I love seeing that type of discussion going through a topic, and I really appreciate everyone taking the time to make their voices heard, even if it was to tell me that I've sold my integrity. (Which I haven't, by the way.)

This week however, we're changing gears but not changing them entirely. It's Champions Online NDA lift time, and boy do I have a preview for you! The rest of their staff got their turn earlier this morning, but now it's my turn to be horribly opinionated with all the words I can fit in my article.

Is it good? Is it bad? Is it kind of eh? Well, I'm not saying anything -- I'm just going to relate my initial experiences to you, with snark!

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I'm a champion, and so can you originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbetachampionschampions-onlinefeaturedgameplayhands-onjoystiqfeaturesnda-liftopen-betapreviewsuper-herouiuser-interfaceTue, 18 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Wormhole piracy 101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/eve-evolved-wormhole-piracy-101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/eve-evolved-wormhole-piracy-101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/eve-evolved-wormhole-piracy-101/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


If it seems like I've gone wormhole crazy lately, that's because I have. The wormholes that arrived with the Apocrypha expansion have infiltrated and enriched many different aspects of EVE Online, from exploration and corporate goals to small gang PvP and piracy. In previous articles, I looked at preparing for an expedition, untangled the mystery of the Sleepers and told the story of a tense week for Total Comfort alliance in the Sleeper's den. After a week spent hunting wormhole-dwellers for fun and profit, this week's EVE Evolved is dedicated to the fine art of being an interstellar cut-throat as I delve into the world of wormhole piracy.

Wormhole piracy is one of the few professions where small gang warfare is most prevalent. While many pirates have already begun including wormhole systems in their roaming gangs, our corporation (and I'm sure others) have come across a much more effective method. By setting up your own pirate staging base inside a wormhole system, your corp can use its regular outgoing wormholes to wreak havoc in systems all across EVE. Using this method, it's possible to spring attacks on people without anyone even seeing you coming. Whether you're planning surprise attacks on 0.0 systems or hunting in the 2500 new unknown sleeper systems, wouldn't you like to run your own pirate way-station?

Read on for an informative guide on using wormholes to wreak havoc around EVE and make a profit in the process.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Wormhole piracy 101

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Wormhole piracy 101 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesemergentemergent gameplayengineereveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfourth circleFourthCirclegangsguidejoystiqfeaturesminersnyphurpillowsoftpiracypiratePOSpvpsleepersleeperstipstotal comfortTotalComfortwormholeSun, 16 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: Pesky Persistence]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/redefining-mmos-pesky-persistence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/redefining-mmos-pesky-persistence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/redefining-mmos-pesky-persistence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Here in Redefining MMOs we've been over terminology, working with lore, the place of soloing in our online games, players acting as developers, and attempting to get away from the carbon copy feel of the genre. With all of that in mind, where could we possibly head to next? Well, how about dealing with persistence?

One persistent world holding thousands of players simultaneously, a world that continues even when you log off. That was the dream, wasn't it? Having an insane number of players all occupying the same game space? Having you and 100 of your closest friends (or perhaps enemies) battling it out over loot, bosses, pvp, and anything else the game had to offer? Persistence has long been one of the central aspects of the MMO genre, where "one continuous world" rules over all. So is persistence what defines an MMO or is it not that clear cut? Perhaps persistence is nothing more than a pesky piece of unpleasant pie and maybe we shouldn't define our genre by it as we do now.

In this issue of Redefining MMOs, I'm going to tackle the thorny issue of persistence, from its definition down to what we perceive the word to mean. I'm also going to include a discussion on two very different games -- 1 vs. 100 and Chromehounds -- and put both to the MMO persistence test. Then, as the article all comes together, I'm going to tackle the biggest question of them all: "Does persistence matter?" If you have an opinion on this week's subject, feel free to leave a comment on page 3 or even write your own "Redefining MMOs" blog post and leave a comment with the URL.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: Pesky Persistence

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: Pesky Persistence originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-vs-1001-vs-100-betaaventurineccpchromehoundsdarkfalldarkfall-onlineeve-onlinefeaturedgame-designguild-warsjoystiqfeaturesmicrosoftpersistenceredefining-mmossegashadowbaneultima-onlinexbox-360xbox-liveFri, 14 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Snafzg returns to WAR (week one): An introduction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-one-an-introduction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-one-an-introduction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-one-an-introduction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Rank 40/44 Squig Herder of Phoenix Throne / ex-dedicated Warhammer Online blogger looking for group!

Hey folks; my name is Snafzg. You might remember me from such internet adventures as "Author of TheGreenskin.com," the now-defunct but first dedicated WAR blog, and "A somewhat elusive gobbo of Phoenix Throne!" Welcome to my little experiment: Snafzg returns to WAR. You see, I haven't played the game for quite some time, so I'm going back in for one month (with an open mind) to give it another shot.

Some history

Warhammer Online and I have a history dating back to October 2007. I hadn't played an MMO for over six months and was starting to feel the itch again. A long-time gaming friend told me to check out WAR because he was currently in beta and the game was slated to be coming out soon. I started doing research and got so engrossed that I started a blog about it.

The game was delayed one month later. Bah! I thought, but I at least I have the first dedicated WAR blog. Let's make it grow while we wait. And wait I did. The game was delayed again from Q2 to Q3 2008. At this point though, I was in beta, so I could wait. To be honest, I felt the game needed a lot more time in the testing facilities anyway. Delaying was a good thing.

Continue reading Snafzg returns to WAR (week one): An introduction

MassivelySnafzg returns to WAR (week one): An introduction originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhands-onjoystiqfeaturesmythic-entertainmentphoenix-thronereplaysnafzgsnafzg-returns-to-warthe-greenskinwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 13 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/the-daze-of-darkfall-epilogue-the-siege-of-andruk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


So I thought I was done with my whole "month long investigation of Darkfall." Best way to end out the series was to include some PvP being lead by Wardragon Drow (*gasp*, a last name, and I'll get to that in a second) and then close it off there.

Well, sadly, Darkfall had one more surprise left for me. Or, should I say, the Blackrock Clan had one more surprise for me. A siege.

A complete accident lead me to logging on during the first contestation of our city, the orc themed Andruk. A siege stone had finally been dropped, sides were quickly formed, and our first war was on. No more drills, no more pathetic defense attempts -- this one was for real. We liked our city and we were not interested in losing it.

But with the siege came a conundrum. If I report the siege, it will be pretty obvious who I've joined up with. It doesn't take a genius to look at all of the sieges and come up with, "Which one was at an orc city?" So, as this is truly the last article in the Daze of Darkfall series -- the one where I get to participate in what many say is the capstone of the Darkfall experience -- I think it's time to drop the worries and be specific. This is my view of the Battle of Andruk that took place between the Blackrock Clan and the Brotherhood of the Spider.

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk

MassivelyThe Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrukaventurineblackblackrock-clanbusiness-casualcadre-quietuscity-siegeclandarkfalldarkfall-onlinediefeaturedforcejoystiqfeatureskoinonein-knightsnecessary-evilpvpsiegesinisterthe-daze-of-darkfallwarfareMon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Top five EVE Online apps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/eve-evolved-top-five-eve-online-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/eve-evolved-top-five-eve-online-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/eve-evolved-top-five-eve-online-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Back in 2004, a friend introduced me to a relatively new space MMO called EVE Online, where the markets were run by the players and there were undiscovered frontiers to chart. A short time after, I became obsessed with pre-calculating everything in the game. I thought that if the game server can calculate everything we do, I must be able to replicate the process and come up with some interesting results. I wasn't alone, many other pilots had previously created simple spreadsheets and web-databases of EVE's items. Rather than the game's developers hoarding the information required for such an undertaking, they took an unusual stance and released large portions of their main database for player-study. Websites began popping up listing information from the data dumps and it wasn't long before the first pioneering apps came about in the form of handy spreadsheets and interactive web-pages, my own fairly popular tanking spreadsheet among them.

In this article, I look at how player-developed apps came about in EVE and give details on my top five EVE apps. Once you've tried these programs, you won't know how you lived without them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Top five EVE Online apps

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Top five EVE Online apps originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apiappapplicationcapsuleercapsuleer-2.0ccpccp-gamesdevelopmentefteveeve commandereve fitting tooleve-evolvedeve-onlineEveFittingToolEVEMonfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesnyphurplayer-developmentplayer-drivenPOSskillsspreadsheettankingSun, 09 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - Incumbent versus Reform]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/massively-webcomic-grinders-incumbent-versus-reform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/massively-webcomic-grinders-incumbent-versus-reform/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/massively-webcomic-grinders-incumbent-versus-reform/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The superhero MMO debate is upon us, with hot button topics like PvP and Character Customization being thrown around as if we were trying to reform health care. Grinders has not picked a side, but in a year or two when the fresh car smell is gone from Champions Online and City of Heroes has either sank or swam, we'll have a clear idea of what we really actually want out of these games. Still, the competition is healthy for the market, and I say pile it on.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be allowed to hack into your brain. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and inventing a paint-drying MMO, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - Incumbent versus Reform originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeaturessuperherosuperheroeswebcomicFri, 07 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daze of Darkfall Week 4: The terror of Agon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-4-the-terror-of-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-4-the-terror-of-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-4-the-terror-of-agon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It's the last week already? Well that went fast! It seems like only yesterday when I woke up in a daze to find my computer had "Thank you for purchasing Darkfall, n00bcakes!" splashed across its screen. Yet, here we are, four weeks later! My clan's city now looks like a real place of habitation instead of a pile of smashed rubble, combat is starting to become more commonplace than one attack every week, and I'm actually wearing armor instead of being naked most of the time. Amazing how things change over time.

This week's events seem to all come down to one sentence: "Are you concerned about the security of your stuff?" (NSFW) You should be concerned, as my clan's warbands were taking what they wanted from cities and hamlets, all with me in tow. What happens when I get exposed to "hardcore PvP?" Well I guess you'll just have to read and find out.

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall Week 4: The terror of Agon

MassivelyThe Daze of Darkfall Week 4: The terror of Agon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-nadarkfall-onlinefeaturedgankhamletjoystiqfeaturesna1north-american-serverpvpresourcesstealingthe-daze-of-darkfalltheftwarbandFri, 07 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What you missed in The Matrix Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yes, The Matrix Online sucked. Its gameplay was an abhorrent pile of repetitive garbage that offered no real direction other than doing storyline-less missions until you hit 50, in which there was no endgame. The combat was interesting, as it offered scripted camera shots for insane kung-fu flips and hits, but it wasn't enough to "save" the game. I hear you.

But if you think the above paragraph is all The Matrix Online had to offer, then you are sadly mistaken. You missed out on storyline events, PvPvE, amazing roleplayers, writers, and graphic artists. You missed out on philosophy, politics, memorable characters, and puzzles. You actually missed out on the bulk of what The Matrix Online had to offer, all of which makes the game's passing more painful.

MxO wasn't World of Warcraft, and it certainly had enough dark spots in the game design. But the game and its developers brought a very different style of play to the MMO scene -- one that should be commemorated with a few looks back on some of the best events the game had to offer.

Continue reading What you missed in The Matrix Online

MassivelyWhat you missed in The Matrix Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterseventfeaturedin-game-eventjoystiqfeaturesmonolith-entertainmentmorpheusmxopuzzlessoesony-online-entertainmentstorylinethe-matrix-onlineMon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Finding the perfect corporation in five easy steps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/eve-evolved-finding-the-perfect-corporation-in-five-easy-steps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/eve-evolved-finding-the-perfect-corporation-in-five-easy-steps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/eve-evolved-finding-the-perfect-corporation-in-five-easy-steps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

It's said that sandbox MMO EVE Online doesn't really begin to shine until you join a good player-run corporation. There's only so much a lone pilot can accomplish and a lot of the game's most rewarding experiences are based around groups and collaboration. Wormhole expeditions, PvP, territorial wars, politics and much of EVE's other emergent gameplay routes rely heavily on forming groups and friendships in-game. In fact, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an MMO which doesn't have its game experience improved by group activities and forming friendships. But just as choosing the right corporation for your play style can make the game a lot better, choosing the wrong one or not joining one at all can ruin a new player's experience of the game.

Over the past few weeks, I've had several emails from readers looking for advice on how to find a good corporation. In this article aimed at new and prospective EVE players, I introduce a simple five-step approach for finding that perfect corporation who can turn playing EVE from a potentially boring experience into a very rewarding one.
(UPDATE: I had accidentally disabled comments, comments are now enabled on page 2)

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Finding the perfect corporation in five easy steps

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Finding the perfect corporation in five easy steps originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescorpcorporationeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedgroupguidejoystiqfeaturesminingmissionspiracypiratepvepvprecruitingrecruitmentSun, 02 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Microtransaction mayhem]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/anti-aliased-microtransaction-mayhem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/anti-aliased-microtransaction-mayhem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/anti-aliased-microtransaction-mayhem/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


You know, I would be quite amiss if I didn't take the time to weigh in on the microtransaction and subscription argument that has been going around town lately. It seems to be the buzz on everybody's lips.

For those of you not in the know as to what I'm talking about, here's the deal. With the upcoming release of Champions Online, Cryptic is taking a double-edged approach to generating revenue. The game is going to run on a standard subscription package, but it will also let players have the option of buying extra "account options" and costume pieces via Cryptic Points.

Now, some people feel as if this is a perfectly fine way to conduct business, while others find this system to be nothing more than price gouging and unnecessary. How do I feel? Well, jump the break and I'll give you my feelings on both sides of the argument.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Microtransaction mayhem

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Microtransaction mayhem originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedchampionschampions-onlinecontentcryptic-storecryptic-studiosfeaturedflexibilityitem-shopjoystiqfeaturesmicrotransactionsopinionsubscriptionFri, 31 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - A Backup Plan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/massively-webcomic-grinders-a-backup-plan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/massively-webcomic-grinders-a-backup-plan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/massively-webcomic-grinders-a-backup-plan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Looks like the Matrix Online is taking it's last breath today, which is just the way these things go sometimes. It was a niche game, but the idea of playing a video game inside a computer world is still a nifty hall of mirrors. Personally I hope the new TRON movie revitalizes the franchise and puts an MMO on the table. I sure would like to take on the Master Control Program myself someday.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be allowed to hack into your brain. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and inventing a paint-drying MMO, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - A Backup Plan originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeatureswebcomicFri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daze of Darkfall Week 3: Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', yeah]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-3-keep-rollin-rollin-rollin-yea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-3-keep-rollin-rollin-rollin-yea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-3-keep-rollin-rollin-rollin-yea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Hey there avid Darkfall readers! It's week three of The Daze of Darkfall, and that means we only have one week left in our feature! Time sure does fly when you're getting your butt kicked in defense of your city!

And that is totally what I did this week! Yes, that's right, it's time for a real look into "hardcore" PvP and raiding! I was out in the PvE sections killing skeletons, I was defending our city against enemy invaders, and I was working with others in harvesting camps.

So this is it. This is the cream of the Darkfall crop. This is what people say is the most amazing part of this game. Is it? Will it live up to the hype? Skip along with me after the break, and we'll go through week three, step by step.

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall Week 3: Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', yeah

MassivelyThe Daze of Darkfall Week 3: Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', yeah originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afkaventurinecity-defensecombatdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgankgearharvestingjoystiqfeaturesna1north-americanpvpraidingthe-daze-of-darkfallWed, 29 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/26/eve-evolved-just-another-week-in-the-sleepers-den/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/26/eve-evolved-just-another-week-in-the-sleepers-den/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/26/eve-evolved-just-another-week-in-the-sleepers-den/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Following last week's reassuringly popular article "Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers", our little expeditionary alliance has had an extremely action-packed week. In addition to several PvP encounters with roaming gangs, there's been a POS siege, a system invasion and a lot of drama. At the end of it all, I'm left with a renewed sense of awe for the unique experiences EVE Online can deliver if you're just willing to seek them out and actively involve yourself. At times I can truly immerse myself in EVE and feel like I'm taking an actor's part in a kind of intergalactic play scene, an experience I've never come close to in any other MMO. Taking part in these events is almost like being painted into an illustrative chapter of some historic record. In this article, I hope to solidify that record and share a glimpse of what it's like to immerse yourself in this part of EVE.

What follows is a storytold account of Total Comfort alliance's deadly week in the Sleeper's den.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Just another week in the Sleeper's den originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrierccpccp-gamescollapseeveeve-onlinefeaturedfourth circleGreater Avaricejoystiqfeaturesnyphuroperation bastardpillowsoftpospvprevengesiegesleeperstorytotal comfortwormhole-explorationwormholesSun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Things that make you go kweh]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/anti-aliased-things-that-make-you-go-kweh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/anti-aliased-things-that-make-you-go-kweh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/anti-aliased-things-that-make-you-go-kweh/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


So this week wasn't an easy week for me. Darkfall seems to be slowly consuming all of my free time, because I sure as heck don't want to have Tasos Flambouras kicking down my door with his server logs and curses of inappropriate reporting. (Although at this point I'd love to see my server logs because they're probably long enough to trip him when he carries them down hallways.)

Anyway, that's not my point. My point is that I just couldn't think of anything to write about. Nothing would come into my head no matter how hard I tried. Then, last night, when I was munching on some Milano cookies, it finally hit me. (I'm totally being paid for that Milano cookies reference, by the way. The truth is coming out -- I'm rolling in Pepperidge Farm bribe money and I don't care who knows how corrupt I am!)

I should write a column on things that drive me batty about MMOs! Things that just, well, never quite made sense to me, yet we do them. There are lots of examples of this, of course, but let me show you some of the things that make it to the top of my list.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Things that make you go kweh

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Things that make you go kweh originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedevilfeaturedhumori-take-bribes-from-pepperidge-farmillidan-stormragejoystiqfeaturesmagical-itemsmagical-weaponsmilano-cookies-are-ungodly-goodraid-bossestabula-rasathey-pay-me-in-cookiesvillainsworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 24 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - See, It's a Metaphor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/massively-webcomic-grinders-see-its-a-metaphor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/massively-webcomic-grinders-see-its-a-metaphor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/massively-webcomic-grinders-see-its-a-metaphor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Especially during press and publicity events like San Diego's Comic Con, we are teased with what future games are to come, and lament the games that we cling to yet so desperately yearn to abandon. Grinders understands your pain. We're also pretty entertained by all the silly acronyms.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be allowed to ripen on the vine. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and inventing a paint-drying MMO, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - See, It's a Metaphor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeatureswebcomicFri, 24 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Sparkplay Media team: Part One]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/meet-the-sparkplay-media-team-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/meet-the-sparkplay-media-team-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/meet-the-sparkplay-media-team-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Here at Massively we recently got the chance to sit down with a couple members of the Sparkplay Media team and pick their brains about their upcoming MMO, Earth Eternal. However, these guys had a lot to say to us! So much so that we couldn't fit it into one of our standard interviews!

So that's why we're bringing you "Meet the Sparkplay Media Team," a two part feature article with all of the info and answers that we've been exposed to. Today and tomorrow you're going to get to know the lead designer, a concept artist, lead writer (and moonlighting CEO), and one of the programmers behind Earth Eternal.

Today we're sitting down with Greg Chapman, the lead designer, and Alex Madrigal, one of the concept artists. If you wish to comment on today's interviews, please do so on page two of our interviews. Otherwise, hit that continue reading button and come on in!

Continue reading Meet the Sparkplay Media team: Part One

MassivelyMeet the Sparkplay Media team: Part One originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daemondungeonsearth-eternalfeaturedgreg-chapmangroupinterviewjoystiqfeatureslead-designermonsterssparkplay-mediaThu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daze of Darkfall week 2: AFK your way to fame and fortune]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-2-afk-your-way-to-fame-and-fortune/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-2-afk-your-way-to-fame-and-fortune/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/the-daze-of-darkfall-week-2-afk-your-way-to-fame-and-fortune/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Confused as to why this isn't in Anti-Aliased? Well, "The Daze of Darkfall" month long feature has moved to a new home as a standalone feature! Isn't that grand? Now I can talk about my adventures in Darkfall while still unleashing my biased opinions upon you in Anti-Aliased. It's a win/win situation, if you ask me.

So what's in the picture above? Well that's me AFKing my way to hardcore status in Darkfall. All you need is an old college textbook and a comb cleverly placed on your left arrow key and you too can get to max run skill with just a few nights of AFKing! Forget running into walls, this is the future! I like to call it "hardware macroing."

But this isn't all, dear readers! I have lots more fun inside of this week's Darkfall report! Come, continue reading and enjoy the insanity of Agon, where AFKing is better than playing and naked is the new armored!

Continue reading The Daze of Darkfall week 2: AFK your way to fame and fortune

MassivelyThe Daze of Darkfall week 2: AFK your way to fame and fortune originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afkafk-heroaventurinebloodwalldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedharvestingjoystiqfeaturesmacromacroingna1opinionpvepvpraidskillsthe-daze-of-darkfallTue, 21 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


When EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion was released, details on how wormholes and the 2500 new systems that came with them worked were sketchy. The advanced Sleeper AI found protecting these systems were a force to be feared, unknown and mysterious. There were no guides, no stories of encounters on the forums and anyone that had mounted a successful expedition was keeping their closely guarded secrets to themselves and raking in the ISK.

My corporation (Pillowsoft) were among the first to launch their expedition, having previously prepared an Orca with a medium POS, fuel, equipment and everything else we thought we'd need. We set up in an unknown system and explored this new frontier with a cautious optimism. Over the months that followed, we learned a great deal about EVE's new wormhole systems and the Sleepers that lived in them. After striking gold many times and making each of our expedition members over a billion ISK richer, we began telling our story and giving up those secrets we had been so careful to protect. Today, a great deal is now known about the "unknown" wormhole systems and with ever more corporations launching their own expeditions, it's now more important than ever to research the Sleeper menace before venturing into the abyss.

Join me for this extensive three-page article where I dole out the fruits of my research on wormholes and begin to untangle the mystery of the Sleepers.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-gamescolonisationeveeve-onlineexplorationfeaturedgravimetricISKjoystiqfeaturesladarlootmagnetometricmapmysteryPOSradarsecretsleepersleepersspacewormholewormholesSun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - Cronyism Cronies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/massively-webcomic-grinders-cronyism-cronies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/massively-webcomic-grinders-cronyism-cronies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/massively-webcomic-grinders-cronyism-cronies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Grinders gag today is from our own James Egan, who made a critical typo while working on an All Points Bulletin article. Swapping words in the title gave us a whole different game concept, the gritty underground world of white collar crime. Which reminds me, time to check my Swiss bank account, I'm sure Realtime Worlds' check has cleared by now.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be held over the shredder until they talk. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and inventing a paint-drying MMO, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - Cronyism Cronies originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeatureswebcomicFri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: The Daze of Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/anti-aliased-the-daze-of-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/anti-aliased-the-daze-of-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/anti-aliased-the-daze-of-darkfall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


I'm still not exactly sure what I've done. I remember pressing a few buttons on the Darkfall website, a really long download, and then a very large splash screen appearing on my desktop with the Darkfall logo emblazoned across it.

I think I downloaded and installed Darkfall. The North American version, in fact. I thought it was just going to be a one night stand between the two of us, but I guess I was wrong. Looks like I'm back in with the game and I'm going in-depth. This time around though, I'm going to do some things differently. There's going to be no reviewing and less critiquing. It's just going to be a straight up re-telling of my experience in the "PvP experience of a lifetime" with a little snark added in, of course. You guys be the judges of Darkfall this time.

This week's events include jumping in with a brand new clan, getting the newbie experience all over again, and the capturing of a city. Exciting stuff, right? Come with me, I'll tell ya all about it.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: The Daze of Darkfall

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: The Daze of Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedclancrossing-streamsdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedimprovementsjoystiqfeaturesmapna1newbienorth-americanpvpqueststhe-daze-of-darkfallThu, 16 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mission-running top five tips]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/12/eve-evolved-mission-running-top-five-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/12/eve-evolved-mission-running-top-five-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/12/eve-evolved-mission-running-top-five-tips/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

In the first two parts of this guide on mission-running in EVE Online, I explained the basics of mission-running and went on to give a race-by-race breakdown of the most popular mission-running ships. In this final instalment of the EVE Evolved mission-running guide, I dig up my top five tips and tricks for improving your standings, mission-running speed and general mission income in EVE.

Tip #1 - Gaining faction standing
As high faction standing unlocks the agents of every corp in an entire faction rather than just from one corp, faction standing gains are very desirable and often the ultimate goal of early mission-running. In addition to a few other methods discussed later in this article, faction standing gains can be had from COSMOS missions. These are special once-only missions, like quests in the standard MMO paradigm. They are given out by special agents-in-space located within EVE's COSMOS constellations, some at designated agent sites and some hidden away at moons or sites only able to be found with probes. Each of these missions counts as an important mission for the purposes of faction standing gains and their rewards can be extremely good. Using COSMOS missions, it's possible to boost your faction standings from around 4 to up to 6 or 8 in some of these areas.

Read on as I give my top five mission-running tips to maximise your income from mission-running.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mission-running top five tips

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mission-running top five tips originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesCOSMOSeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturesgrindiskjoystiqfeatureslootmissionmissionsprofessionssalvagesalvagingskillsstandingsSun, 12 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - Leave the Vase, Take the Cannoli]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/massively-webcomic-grinders-leave-the-vase-take-the-cannoli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/massively-webcomic-grinders-leave-the-vase-take-the-cannoli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/massively-webcomic-grinders-leave-the-vase-take-the-cannoli/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Every MMO with a floating economy seems to have problems with gold farming, but Final Fantasy XI makes the issue even more peculiar by having actual plant cultivation involved in the process. With Grinders I'd prefer to imagine some angry moogle mafioso running an underground botanical operation for money and power.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be ruthlessly sold by moogles for fun an profit. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and inventing a paint-drying MMO, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - Leave the Vase, Take the Cannoli originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeatureswebcomicFri, 10 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies Dev Diary: Let the PvP battles begin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-let-the-pvp-battles-begin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-let-the-pvp-battles-begin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-let-the-pvp-battles-begin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Even while the Star Wars Galaxies team is plugging away on their newest game update, the staff still has some time to give us some of their thought process behind their work on the game.

Today on Massively we're happy to have Thomas 'Hanse' Eidson, one of SWG's system designers, dropping by to give us his thoughts on creating the brand new PvP battlefields for Update 10. The new battlefields are areas for team based PvP, where teams accomplish objectives in addition to annhilating one another to win the map. Think of it like Battlefield 2, where both teams have a set reinforcement count and will lose should that number ever drop to zero.

Thomas has much to say on their efforts to make sure teams were always balanced, to the creation of new rewards for the battefields, to finding plots of land to even make these new areas! Hit the continue reading button below, and grab yourself an insider's view of the development of Star Wars Galaxies.

Continue reading Star Wars Galaxies Dev Diary: Let the PvP battles begin

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies Dev Diary: Let the PvP battles begin originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldsdev-diaryfeaturedgame-update-10gu10joystiqfeaturesmassassi-islerewardssoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgupdate-10Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: The reason why you hate Second Life and a few ways to fix that]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/anti-aliased-the-reason-why-you-hate-second-life-and-a-few-ways/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/anti-aliased-the-reason-why-you-hate-second-life-and-a-few-ways/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/anti-aliased-the-reason-why-you-hate-second-life-and-a-few-ways/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Second Life gets a really bad rap from the MMO community that's largely undeserved. I get to hear all of these slams like it's a usless waste of data, there's nothing to do, it's a bunch of sex sims, and how I should work on my "first life" before my Second Life. Har, har, har.

But, like I said at the opening of this column, Second Life doesn't deserve those punches to the gut. The world of SL is pretty vast and has much to offer any gamer, regardless of what they like. It's important to remember that this system is not a game. It has no objectives and no overt goals, but it does have an unlimited supply of imagination and creative possibilities. It's not a place of "serious business," because something that's fun shouldn't be taken quite that harshly. Sure, you can make money, but you guys want to have fun, right?

So let's talk about Second Life, the reason the masses hate the system, and how you can find something enjoyable inside of "the grid" even if you've tried it before and got some negative first impressions.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: The reason why you hate Second Life and a few ways to fix that

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: The reason why you hate Second Life and a few ways to fix that originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedchatclubsfeaturedfungridgroupshaving-funjoystiqfeatureslightsabersnew-citizens-incorporatednova-albionroleplayingsearchsecond-lifesltips-and-tricksvirtual-worldsThu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/eve-evolved-mission-running-ship-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/eve-evolved-mission-running-ship-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/eve-evolved-mission-running-ship-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In last week's first instalment of this guide, I explained the basics of mission-running in EVE Online and how to find your best agent. In this second part of the guide, I get into the nitty gritty details of essential ship designs for mission-runners. Choosing an appropriate ship and fitting it adequately are arguably the two most important factors in mission-running. While having a weak mission strategy and poor support skills can cause a lot of bother, a poorly designed ship is almost guaranteed death on some of the tougher missions. With the advice in this guide, a little research and a good deal of practice, you'll be well on your way to becoming a mission guru.

Read after the cut for a race-by-race break-down of EVE's most popular and effective mission-running ships, complete with links to some further reading and popular mission fittings.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarrcaldariccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedgallentejoystiqfeaturesminmatarmissionshiptankSun, 05 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: Grinders - Gender Equality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/massively-webcomic-grinders-gender-eqality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/massively-webcomic-grinders-gender-eqality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/massively-webcomic-grinders-gender-eqality/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

City of Heroes continues to fulfill items on the long list of player requests, next up being the option to change your height and gender, the only to pieces to the costume editor left static. While I think it's neat you'll finally be able to make that Mr. Hyde knockoff you've been waiting to build, Grinders today reflects other possible gameplay options.

On a side note, I wonder what this'll do to the character gender debate. Now in CoH, your character doesn't need to have a gender, just a costume slot does. You could make a character that is in fact five distinct characters. Food for thought.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will also probably involve boobies in some form or another. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and making glib social commentary, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: Grinders - Gender Equality originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeaturessuperherosuperheroeswebcomicFri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster speaks on Metaplace's new functionality and the state of virtual worlds pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-pt2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-pt2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-pt2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Metaplace is quite large now, with well over 30,000 worlds created. How does Metaplace avoid spreading the population out too thinly, as, after all, these are social worlds? Is that a challenge for you guys?

It is. It is a challenge. Many of our worlds are empty at any given time. Many of them are people's "apartments" or "personal spaces." Everyone gets a world when they start out in Metaplace, and a large majority of them are unimproved.

What we've found out is that people really congregate in the well done worlds. Because of that, we've spent a lot of time on searching algorithms to find the worlds that people consider to be the best and the worlds that are the most populated at that point in time and then bring them up top to the user. We're also working on expanding our support for events, so when something interesting is going on in Metaplace all users will get a notification. This way they can click the link and go and check it out quickly. Yet, sometimes great worlds get lost for a time, but then they get rediscovered as people re-find them.

"Virtual worlds need to make that jump to become "ordinary," in a way"
We've also included a new feature, called the golden egg. This allows veteran users to market their worlds to others by purchasing this new item. The egg, which is 25,000 coins, can be placed in your virtual world for others to find. Once they find it and click on it, they get 500 coins as a present and are also given the location of another world that has a golden egg. Every world that has a golden egg in it is also listed in the golden egg world list. There's also a golden egg in Metaplace Central that "kicks off" the quest, so to speak.

Where do you see virtual worlds going in the future?

One of the big questions at the last convention I attended was, "What's next?" In some ways, we've already accomplished a lot of the dream. A lot of the things that people expected out of virtual worlds have come true.

We have mass marketed virtual worlds that aren't extremely popular, but, you know, popular enough. We've reached a level of penetration in entertainment that's quite high. But they haven't jumped to total mainstream acceptance yet.

I think that's the next step. Virtual worlds need to make that jump to become "ordinary," in a way. Having them become a key part of the web would be a key part of that. It's always been a mistake for us to think that virtual worlds will swallow the web. I don't think that's the way things are going. But I do think we'll be seeing a much tighter integration between virtual worlds and the rest of the Internet. I really think Metaplace is kicking the ball forward, in regards to that.

So what's the future for Metaplace, specifically?

We're always focusing on making it easier for users, in addition to hosting building classes so people can learn how to build new worlds. We also have a roadmap on our forums that contains a list of proposed features that anyone can check out, all of which is scheduled to come out in the next few months. We're still in the early days -- second month of open beta with a very soft launch -- and we're gonna keep building on what we got and make it easier for everyone to have a virtual world of their own!

Thanks for your time, Raph!

MassivelyRaph Koster speaks on Metaplace's new functionality and the state of virtual worlds pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>embeddedinterviewjoystiqfeaturesmassively-interviewmetaplaceraph-kostersecond-lifevirtual-worldsweb-3.0Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster speaks on Metaplace's new functionality and the state of virtual worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-chan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-chan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/raph-koster-speaks-on-metaplaces-new-functionality-and-the-chan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Metaplace introduced the world to a brand new technology two days ago -- the ability to embed a fully functional virtual world into any website or forum, anything that can handle HTML.

This upgrade allows Metaplace to act like a more enhanced version of Google's old Lively service. All you need to do is make a world, take the embeddable HTML code from it, drop it into your website, and you now have a full virtual world running in flash right inside of your blog post or forum thread. The world can be edited to your whims through the Metaplace builder, letting you create whatever you want to create inside of your space. Think of it like Second Life Lite.

We had more than a few questions for Raph Koster, the founder and creator of Metaplace, about this new upgrade for his virtual platform, so we caught up with him to pick his mind on Metaplace and virtual worlds at large.

Continue reading Raph Koster speaks on Metaplace's new functionality and the state of virtual worlds

MassivelyRaph Koster speaks on Metaplace's new functionality and the state of virtual worlds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>embeddedfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmassively-interviewmetaplaceraph-kostersecond-lifevirtual-worldsweb-3.0Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: Terminology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/redefining-mmos-terminology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/redefining-mmos-terminology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/redefining-mmos-terminology/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


As we look back at the past several years of the MMO scene, we see a genre that has gone through significant evolutionary leaps. With those pioneering days of text MUDs and blocky graphics behind us, today we enjoy professionally developed games with impressive development teams and massive budgets behind them. The genre's depths have been thoroughly explored and we've even categorised the features we've come to love and expect from our favourite online retreats. Every part of the genre, from the types of gameplay available to the terminology we use, has been routinely evolving and redefining itself over time.

With professional MMO development soaring and a whole new generation of promising titles on the way, we stand on the cusp of what could be the next big evolutionary leap for online gaming. In the coming weeks and months, Massively will be examining how the MMO genre has been redefined during the current generation of games and where it's headed in the next. If you have something important to say on the topic, feel free to post a comment on page 2 or even write your own "Redefining MMOs" blog post and leave a comment with the URL.

In this introductory article, I ask why we use the terminology we do when talking about MMOs and if perhaps it's starting to change.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: Terminology

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: Terminology originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfeaturedgenrejoystiqfeaturesmmommofpsmmorpgmmortsnext-genredefining MMOsRedefiningMmossci-fispacesuper-heroterminologyThu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/what-audiences-should-mythic-have-targeted-with-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/what-audiences-should-mythic-have-targeted-with-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/what-audiences-should-mythic-have-targeted-with-warhammer-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This is an original opinion piece written by someone who has been following Warhammer Online since November 2007. Comments are open on page three.

Many people claim WAR is a total fail-whale of an MMO. I can see sides of their argument, but I don't believe it's completely true. The "fail" perception mostly comes down to the expectations that were set by Mythic and EA and then never fully delivered upon. It's no secret they were aiming for 500k+ subs and then missed the mark (by about 200k), but it got me wondering... Who is/was WAR's target audience? Was their potential audience actually big enough to support their aspirations?

Let's go back. Waaaaaaaaaaay back. Let's pretend we were a fly on the wall in a Mythic/EA/Games Workshop boardroom as they were discussing the original vision and design direction for WAR. One of the first steps you take before developing any product is to define your target audience or demographic. Knowing your audience gives you better direction and allows you to focus your efforts and design decisions more clearly.

Continue reading What audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online?

MassivelyWhat audiences should Mythic have targeted with Warhammer Online? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-age-of-camelotdemographicseafeaturedgames-workshopjoystiqfeaturesmark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentPvERvRtarget-audiencewarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftWed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively speaks with Sparkplay Media's CEO on Earth Eternal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-speaks-with-sparkplay-medias-ceo-on-earth-eternal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-speaks-with-sparkplay-medias-ceo-on-earth-eternal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-speaks-with-sparkplay-medias-ceo-on-earth-eternal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


With Sparkplay Media's first game, Earth Eternal, going into beta, we got the chance to sit down with the CEO of the company, Matt Mihaly, and pick his mind on a variety of things related to setting up shop in the free to play genre.

Matt's no stranger to the massively multiplayer space, holding a strong background as the CEO and founder of Iron Realms Entertainment, a company dedicated to creating multi-user dungeons (MUDs) including Imperian, Aetola, Achaea, and Lusternia. If that wasn't enough, Achaea was one of the first games to introduce the sales of virtual goods, making him one of the pioneers of the base that free-to-play games now stand on.

So what's his thought process behind Earth Eternal? What are some of the things we can expect from the MMO that's sporting over 22 races? Hit the continue reading link, and find out!

Continue reading Massively speaks with Sparkplay Media's CEO on Earth Eternal

MassivelyMassively speaks with Sparkplay Media's CEO on Earth Eternal originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceoearth-eternaleefeaturedfree-realmsfree-to-playfusion-fallhabbo-hotelinterviewiron-realms-entertainmentjoystiqfeaturesmassively-interviewsmatt-mihalymudsrunescapesparkplay-mediaTue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mission-running - the basics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/28/eve-evolved-mission-running-the-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/28/eve-evolved-mission-running-the-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/28/eve-evolved-mission-running-the-basics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Agent missions are one of EVE Online's most popular pastimes. While EVE is most often lauded for its open-ended gameplay, player-determined markets and PvP action, a significant portion of the game's players use missions as their primary income source. There is something comforting about missions that seems to draw players in. For many, running missions and upgrading their ship with the ISK becomes the focus of their achievements and their primary measure of progress. The ability of mission-running to provide a direct translation of effort into a stable ISK income offers us a reassuringly linear work-to-reward scheme in a relatively risk-free environment. Missions and exploration are EVE's primary PvE experiences and new missions are released with each major expansion to help keep the game fresh for casual players. There are even several epic mission arcs planned for the future, long sequences of storyboarded missions much like the quest chains you might find in other MMOs.

In this multi-part guide, I will thoroughly examine the profession of mission-running, from the basics to ship fittings and finally some tips and tricks for maximising your performance. In this first part of the guide, I look at the basics of mission-running from mission types and rewards to agent standings and how to find the best agent for you.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mission-running - the basics

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mission-running - the basics originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agentccpccp-gamescourierdeadspaceencountereveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguideiskjoystiqfeatureskillmissionmissionsnewbieSun, 28 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively webcomic: The Haves and the Have-Nots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/massively-webcomic-the-haves-and-the-have-nots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/massively-webcomic-the-haves-and-the-have-nots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/massively-webcomic-the-haves-and-the-have-nots/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I suppose I should legally declare that Grinders is not paid by Sony to do comics about Free Realms, but on a completely unrelated note, I do so enjoy flossing my teeth with hundred dollar bills.

Have a funny story of your own? Submit your tale complete with a screenshot to lemuel@massively.com. The best will be put under a microscope and checked for the latest strain of Murloc Flu. Or just put in the comic.

Gallery: Grinders Webcomic


Lemuel PewLemuel Pew is a webcomic artist and MMO player with the attention span of a guppy. Between sketching gamers in cartoon form and sporting a fancy tophat and monocle, he draws an online comic called Blank It. Feel free to watch his Twitter at your own risk.

MassivelyMassively webcomic: The Haves and the Have-Nots originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicfeaturedgrindershumorjoystiqfeatureswebcomicSat, 27 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More reactions to BioWAAAGH!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/more-reactions-to-biowaaagh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/more-reactions-to-biowaaagh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/more-reactions-to-biowaaagh/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've been keeping our eyes on various blogs and forums discussing yesterday's big news that Mythic and BioWare are being restructured under EA's new MMO/RPG gaming division and that Mark Jacobs is no longer working for EA. Here's a summary of what we've found so far.

Many people are under the false impression that Mythic and BioWare have merged. One of Mythic's developers made this clarification: "We're still Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts Studio, as we have been. I've posted this elsewhere, but we're not 'merging.' We are still a completely separate entity within EA, just as Bioware is, simply now grouped under the same MMO/RPG grouping and reporting to one person, collectively."

Continue reading More reactions to BioWAAAGH!

MassivelyMore reactions to BioWAAAGH! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaaaghbiowareblizzardbrad-mcquaidfeaturedjeff-hickmanjoystiqfeatureskeenmark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentrichard-garriottrob-dentonswtorwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftThu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST