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[Dan Stahl takes back the captain's chair in Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/dan-stahl-takes-back-the-captains-chair-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/dan-stahl-takes-back-the-captains-chair-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/dan-stahl-takes-back-the-captains-chair-in-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Trek
Remember in Star Trek: The Motion Picture how Kirk returns to the Enterprise and shoehorns his way back into the Captain's chair, leaving the previous job-holder to be absorbed by an interstellar entity that was really a relic of NASA's space program? What a hoot that was, and it's in no way relevant to today's story of former Star Trek Online Executive Producer Dan Stahl resuming his duties from Stephen D'Angelo after vacating the position in 2011.

Stahl left Cryptic in September 2011 for a job at Zynga, at which point D'Angelo assumed the producing role. Interestingly enough, Stahl quickly returned to Cryptic last December but was assigned to heading up the Foundry team. The saga has come full-circle as Stahl returns to executive producing and D'Angelo resumes his command as Cryptic's CTO.

Stahl posted a short re-introduction letter to mark his comeback: "After several eventful away team missions and a desk position training cadets in San Francisco, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be back at the helm of this very important title."

MassivelyDan Stahl takes back the captain's chair in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain-kirkcrypticcryptic-studiosctodan-stahldaniel-stahlexecutive-producerf2pfree-to-playkirkperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwestar-trek-onlinestar-trek-the-motion-picturestephen-dangelostoMon, 13 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Game Archaeologist is a lazy adventurer-slash-professor who dons his trademark cap for a weekly expedition through some of the most famous MMOs of the past few decades. Each month, he chooses a different title in order to examine its highlights, talk with its developers, and invite its fans to share their experiences.

Part of the holy mission of the Game Archaeologist is to ferret out the roots of history that ultimately led to MMORPGs as we know them today. Another part of the mission is to root out ferrets, as my claw-scarred arms can attest. Some of that history is fairly recent, but today we're going to travel back -- way back -- to a time before many of you were born. Including me, as a matter of fact.

The year is 1974. The world is hip-deep in the throes of shag carpeting, driftwood furniture and the strains of Grand Funk Railroad. It truly seemed like nothing would ever be cool or non-earth-toned again. At this, the lowest moment in all of history, game designers Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson took the concept of miniature wargaming, merged it with a fantasy motif, and sold it under the name Dungeons & Dragons. Geeks everywhere had a reason to rejoice, and through this roleplaying game the foundations for MMOs were laid.

Let's take a brief survey through D&D, giving special emphasis to how this great-granddaddy of RPGs passed down a legacy that we enjoy in our modern online titles. Also, there will be popcorn.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-editionbandicootcharacter-sheetscs-lewiscyberpunkdave-arnesondndDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinee.t.etfantasygary-gygaxgenregiant-spidersHello-Kittyhello-kitty-onlinehorrorjack-vancejrr-tolkienkirklord-of-the-ringslovecraftmichael-moorcockpen-and-paperrobert-e-howardroleplaying-gamerpgspace-elfspockstar-treksteampunkthe-game-archaeologistwesternxpTue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A new fragrance is out, and it smells exactly like the old one. It's the gentle waft of something I'm quite familiar with: Star Trek fandom. Let me preface this by saying I've been a fan of Star Trek ever since I saw an episode of The Next Generation back when my parents used to tape it every week so we could watch it as a family. So when I declare that people griping about Star Trek Online's emphasis on combat aren't true Trek fans, I know the amount of weight that statement carries.

And you know what? They really aren't true fans.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting'

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariborgcaptain-kirkcaptain-picardcryptic-studioscyrpticfeaturedgene-roddenberryjames-t-kirkjean-luc-picardkirkopinionpicardqroddenberryspockstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestothe-digital-continuumthe-next-generationthe-qtngMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online not getting that quirky Captain Kirk smirk]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/star-trek-online-not-getting-that-quirky-captain-kirk-smirk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/star-trek-online-not-getting-that-quirky-captain-kirk-smirk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/star-trek-online-not-getting-that-quirky-captain-kirk-smirk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Alas, in case any dear readers were holding out hope for some kind of time traveling Captain Kirk appearance in Star Trek Online, we're here to inform you that it probably isn't going to happen. MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John sat down with STO's executive producer Craig Zinkievich last weekend at NYCC and got the goods on both Shatner's absence from the game, as well as some intriguing cross-platform information.

So yes, no Kirk. However, it seems like Cryptic is not against the idea of dropping console and PC players into the same server. While no revelations were given about which (both?) console would see the game, apparently both Sony and Microsoft are excited at the prospect. ZInkievich stressed that ultimately their choice will have a lot to do with how certification for patches is handled.

It's certainly a touchy subject, but Final Fantasy XI seems to have handled itself well on the Xbox 360. If we had to throw down a guess, it would be that we're likely to see the game his Microsoft's console at the very least. But until Cryptic makes an announcement, everyone will just have to assume they'll be boldly clicking, etc, etc.

MassivelyStar Trek Online not getting that quirky Captain Kirk smirk originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricraig-zinkievichcrypticcryptic-studiosjames-t-kirkkirkmicrosoftmtv-multiplayernew-york-comic-connycc-2009sonystar-trekstar-trek-onlinestotracey-johnwilliam-shatnerxbox-360Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[STO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Combat is the main topic this time around in the latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online. The first question pertains to melee combat and just how it'll work. Surprisingly, it looks as though melee combat will actually be more than a simple aside to back-and-forth phaser fire. Cryptic says that Klingons will make use of bat'leth and the Federation will use lirpa -- that historically memorable staff-like weapon Spock and Kirk used to battle it out. It still remains slightly unclear whether or not players from opposite factions will be able to effectively use melee weaponry.

As for question number two -- and probably the second-most important -- a forum poster asked Cryptic whether ship combat would be point-and-click like EVE Online or more tactical like traditional Star Trek battles. Thankfully, the answer was that yes, players can expect to have full control over their ship in order to hide their weaker points while attacking the structurally unsound targets of their enemies' shields and hull.

Continue reading STO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic

MassivelySTO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bat-lethbatlethcrypticcryptic-studiosfederationkirkklingonklingonslirpaspockstar-fleetstar-trekstar-trek-onlineTue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST