Final Fantasy XI's March version update has hit the live servers, and it brings with it a few new bits of content as well as a wealth of updates and adjustments to current systems. The big new feature with this content update is the new Legion battle system, which "is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants."

The Legion system seems to play out like a cross between a survival and a time-attack game mode wherein players are tasked with eliminating as many high-level notorious monsters as they can within a 30-minute time limit. Each notorious monster the team successfully defeats will yield valuable items and Legion points that can be redeemed for a number of rewards. This is only a part of the new additions to the game available with the March update, though, so if you're interested in the complete details, just head on over to the Final Fantasy XI official forums and have a look.

Welcome to Not So Massively, our brand-new weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

It's sometimes hard to believe that MMOs and online gaming in its current form are both relatively new. In a single generation, online gaming has gone from a technical infeasibility to a global industry worth billions. The list of MMOs is constantly growing, and the line between MMOs and other online games blurs more every year. In the past few years, we've seen a massive rise in the popularity of microtransaction-supported and free-to-play MMOs. Other online games like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth have adopted similar strategies, using a cash shop to fund ongoing development.

There are now lots of heavily community-based games out there that for one reason or another aren't quite MMOs. The lack of shared persistent worlds in some online games or the relatively small size of server communities can render the game not-so-"massive," but persistent stats, character progression, cohesive communities, or other qualities make them more than just another online game.

In this first edition of Not So Massively, I look at the generosity of League of Legends players, a new hero on the way for Heroes of Newerth, the Rise of Immortals closed beta, plans for future development in Bloodline Champions, and other big news stories from the previous week.

"What position are you applying for?" The interviewer listens and nods.

"Mmhmm. Thank you. Now, what special skills can you bring to the team?"

"Please list all previous experience and describe your major accomplishments." A pause.

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