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[The Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: A talk with Teppy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-a-talk-with-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-a-talk-with-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/the-game-archaeologist-spins-a-tale-in-the-desert-a-talk-with-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A Tale in the Desert
I have to say, I have nothing but admiration for lone wolf-style developers who decide to pish-posh giant studio teams and massive budgets and jump into the game-making mosh pit anyway. Andrew "Teppy" Tepper is one of these visionaries who had an idea for a unique MMO and took it to fruition. I mean, most of us come up with "totally tubular" notions for online games, but how many of us make it happen? Outside of a couple of doodles on a Post-It, that is.

In our second week covering the fascinating sandbox world of A Tale in the Desert, The Game Archaeologist had the pleasure of sitting down with Teppy to get his perspective on how one man bootstrapped his way into the MMO world. He also dishes on the team's next MMO project, which we'll be talking more about on Massively later this week.

So what's it like to create the ultimate sandbox in Egypt of all places? Teppy, take it away!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: A talk with Teppy

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist spins A Tale in the Desert: A talk with Teppy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-deserta-tale-in-the-desert-5a-tale-in-the-desert-6andrew-teppercodecraftingdemi-pharaohdragons-taleegenesisegyptfeaturedinterviewlaissez-fairelawlawsminecraftpharaohsandboxsociologicalsociologytellingteppywurm-onlineTue, 20 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Tale in the Desert to launch new player driven server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/a-tale-in-the-desert-to-launch-new-player-driven-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/a-tale-in-the-desert-to-launch-new-player-driven-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/a-tale-in-the-desert-to-launch-new-player-driven-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


A Tale in the Desert may not be the first game that comes to mind when you think of MMOs, but the title from independent developer eGenesis is something quite unique in this market. A Tale in the Desert isn't a combat-focused game at all, rather it's more about social, economic, and even legal systems in an ancient Egyptian setting. Players involved in a "telling" (a game arc) can even vote to determine the game's laws, which sets this title apart from most others.

eGenesis announced this week that they're launching a new server on February 20th, stating that it will give even greater control to players by allowing them to "completely control the timing of the telling." The new server will offer players an ancient Egypt that has yet to be built. In other words, it's an open environment where the players can have some degree of control over how that setting takes shape.

If the notion of a player-driven setting where the game's subscribers shape the play experience and surroundings appeals to you, have a look at what's coming soon to A Tale in the Desert.

MassivelyA Tale in the Desert to launch new player driven server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-desertancient-egyptancient-worldatitdcultureeconomyegenesisegyptlawslegalmmo-industryplayer-governancepoliticstellingWed, 27 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should game bloggers disclose gifts?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/the-daily-grind-should-game-bloggers-disclose-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/the-daily-grind-should-game-bloggers-disclose-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/the-daily-grind-should-game-bloggers-disclose-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Yesterday, the US Federal Trade Commission unanimously ruled that all press outlets be held to disclose any "material connections" to the products they review. This basically means that if you review a product that was given to you for free by the company, you must now disclose that fact in your review. Interestingly enough, this ruling also dictates bloggers as well.

As part of the Joystiq network of blogs, Massively is actually held to an integrity policy that prevents us from accepting gifts valued over $20. This includes everything from airfare for studio visits to the games themselves -- we must turn them down. And while this new FTC ruling is not actually a law, we are excited to see that our long-standing policies safeguard us from any integrity issues. Plus, we simply don't review MMOs.

So now we're curious to hear what you think of this decision by the FTC. Do you think this will bring about a drastic change to all MMO reviewers out there? Can you trust a reviewer, knowing they were given a free game or travel expenses to visit a studio? Let us know what you think about this entire issue in the comments below!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should game bloggers disclose gifts? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>giftsintegrityjoystiqlawsopinionthe-daily-grindTue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game revenue taxation begins spread to Sweden and South Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/game-revenue-taxation-begins-spread/#commentsFiled under: , ,

They always say the two things you can't avoid in life are death and taxes. Yet, being an MMO player, death always just seems to be a part of life. And now, governments around the world are beginning to become interested in putting in the other unavoidable part of life in our gaming experience -- as if we had enough of death.

As in-game transactions and RMT are beginning to become major boons to business the government is getting interested. And, of course, like any good government, they want their share. China was only the first, now Sweden and South Korea are interested in getting their tax laws straight as well.

Taxing game transactions, however, isn't as easy as making laws that tax a physical currency. There's the issues of relative value, constantly diminishing returns as more money flows into virtual economies without enough monetary sinks in the game, and the whole issue if the game goes out of business.

We tend to believe that worlds like this should avoid colliding, but it seems that as we begin to mesh our virtual currencies and begin to value them as much as our real world ones, paths like these seem inevitable.

MassivelyGame revenue taxation begins spread to Sweden and South Korea originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadeatheconomicseconomygovernmentkorealawsreal-money-tradereal-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreaswedentaxesFri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What rights should we have to our virtual goods?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/what-rights-should-we-have-to-our-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/what-rights-should-we-have-to-our-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/what-rights-should-we-have-to-our-virtual-goods/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Are you aware of your property rights as they pertain to the virtual goods in your favorite MMO? Are you aware of the laws in your country as they pertain to virtual goods? Heck, do you even read the EULA?

It seems like these lawyer-speak agreements are becoming more prevalent lately, as we impatiently click the 'agree' button in anticipation of playing the latest MMO. In fact, even older games are reinstating their EULA on the loading screens, forcing players to click through before entering their world. The reason for this basically boils down to inevitable litigation as gaming grows in popularity.

Continue reading What rights should we have to our virtual goods?

MassivelyWhat rights should we have to our virtual goods? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementchinaeulain-gamelawsrightsvirtual-goodsSun, 12 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST