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[EQII producer teases March update info, promises more communication]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/eqii-producer-teases-march-update-info-promises-more-communicat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/eqii-producer-teases-march-update-info-promises-more-communicat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/eqii-producer-teases-march-update-info-promises-more-communicat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest II
New EverQuest II Producer Holly Longdale has completed her maiden voyage around the good ship S.S. SOE, completing her first month of reviews and meetings as future plans are laid out. Now that she's gotten her feet wet, Longdale wrote a short letter to the community about the general activities and focus of the team.

The March update -- centered around the Velious storyline -- is coming along, and the team will be unloading tons of information in the near future. Longdale reports that it's not just new content that the EQII crew is concerned about, as bug fixing and refining features are a major priority for the team's engineers. Players irritated with the quest feather graphic issue will be happy to know that it's high up on the priority list.

Longdale also let players know that she's paying attention to "big hot-button issues" with the game and is trying her best not to overlook anything. She wraps up her post sharing the meaning behind her dev name, Windstalker, and promising that she'll be corresponding with the community frequently from here on out.

MassivelyEQII producer teases March update info, promises more communication originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugdev-diaryeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifixHolly-Longdalelettermarch-updateproducers-lettersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentveliousWindstalkerTue, 28 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cosmetic armor and more promised in Warhammer Online's May producer letter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/cosmetic-armor-and-more-promised-in-warhammer-onlines-may-produ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/cosmetic-armor-and-more-promised-in-warhammer-onlines-may-produ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/cosmetic-armor-and-more-promised-in-warhammer-onlines-may-produ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The recent release of patch 1.3.5 has brought with it the complete death of Warhammer Online, if you equate a more active city siege environment with "complete death." Even though it came late in the month, it's certainly a major point of discussion for executive producer Carrie Gouskos, and it's addressed in the most recent producer letter for May. But that's the least of what needs to be discussed, and the talk starts with a reversal of the prior announcement that 1.3.6 would allow players to create characters of both realms on the same server. Fan reaction was negative enough to change the decision.

Moving along, the producer letter promises the introduction of armor appearance separate from armor stats, similar to how Lord of the Rings Online allows players to wear a purely cosmetic set. There's also the promise of major updates to the Runepriest and Zealot careers, to make both of them more active and engaging to play in either healing or damage. Fans of Warhammer Online should take a look at the full producer's letter to see more discussion about what's coming around the bend for the game.

MassivelyCosmetic armor and more promised in Warhammer Online's May producer letter originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrie-gouskosclass-balanceclassesea-gamesea-mythicea-warhammerea-warhammer-onlineelectronic-artsfuture-updateslettermythicmythic-eamythic-entertainmentpatchesproducer-letterwarwar-eawar-patch-1.3.5war-patch-1.3.6warhammerwarhammer-eawarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-eaWed, 02 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The near-death of caravan escorts in Age of Conan's expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/the-near-death-of-caravan-escorts-in-age-of-conans-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/the-near-death-of-caravan-escorts-in-age-of-conans-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/the-near-death-of-caravan-escorts-in-age-of-conans-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rise of the Godslayer is coming on May 11th, and if you're an Age of Conan fan the day probably seems like it can't come fast enough. While the developer letter for the end of April doesn't help hurry the date forward any, but it does highlight one of the smaller but interesting portions of the development process -- the sort of thing that can get lost between the more major systems. And interestingly enough, it was an element that director Craig Morrison originally looked at and declined to leave in the expansion!

Originally, the design team had included a feature where you could either hand over money and be automatically transported to and from Khitai, or you could volunteer your services as a caravan guard and make the journey for free. The trade was that as a guard, you would be expected to defend the caravan against assaults, resulting in a small instanced encounter. Morrison felt that the encounters weren't really adding anything that wouldn't be better served as a part of Khitai proper. The full story of the process and the change in philosophy can be found in the director's letter, certainly a nice tease for Age of Conan players.

MassivelyThe near-death of caravan escorts in Age of Conan's expansion originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 May 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccraig-morrisondevelopmentdirectordirectors-letterexpansionexpansionsfuncomfuncom-gamesletterrise-of-the-godslayerMon, 03 May 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Craig Morrison's latest AoC letter discusses guild features in Update 6]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/craig-morrisons-latest-aoc-letter-discusses-guild-features-in-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/craig-morrisons-latest-aoc-letter-discusses-guild-features-in-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/craig-morrisons-latest-aoc-letter-discusses-guild-features-in-u/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As July is coming to a close, Age of Conan's game director Craig Morrison has weighed in with his letter to the community for the month. The biggest discussion point this time around is a new 'Guild Renown' system that will be introduced with the next major content patch, Update 6. This system will allow members of a guild to contribute to its reputation on two separate scales. A guild's Renown Level will be increased by members earning Valor points (from PvE activities like questing and killing NPCs), Glory points (PvP) and Artisan points (crafting). Higher Renown Levels will mean access to better guild city vendors and other bonuses -- even a brand new building type that Morrison does not elaborate on in this letter.

Continue reading Craig Morrison's latest AoC letter discusses guild features in Update 6

MassivelyCraig Morrison's latest AoC letter discusses guild features in Update 6 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocartisan-pointsbreakingcraig-morrisonfuncomgame-directorglory-pointsguild-renownguildshouse-of-cromletterletter-from-the-game-directorrenown-levelrenown-rankingthoth-amons-strongholdtower-based-pvpupdate-6valor-pointsFri, 24 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's not everyday that we find a letter addressed to an entire company's audience when it's posted on a specific game site, but that's what NCsoft West's executive producer, Lance Stites has done with his recent letter to the Aion community.

To sum up his letter, it's been a busy series of restructuring the company and preparing for their next big release: Aion. While much of the focusing has been on Aion, the company isn't looking away from Lineage, Lineage II or Exteel. Those are still high on the company's priority list, according to Stites.

But things are going along smoothly for Aion, as more voice overs are currently being recorded, the localization is continuing smoothly, and tutorial videos are in production. It sounds like Aion really is the golden game of the studio, but it's also nice to hear about all of the staffing changes going on with the other games.

For the full letter and all of the nitty gritty of what's going on with the studio, head on over to Aion's website and check out Stites's report.

MassivelyNCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionexecutive-producerexteellance-stitesletterlineagelineage-2ncsoftncsoft-westopen-letterSat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Checking in with Age of Conan's Game Director]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/checking-in-with-age-of-conans-game-director/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/checking-in-with-age-of-conans-game-director/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/checking-in-with-age-of-conans-game-director/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The changes coming to Funcom's Age of Conan have really been picking up steam. While this update is more of a teaser for things to come, the breakdown of the new RPG system does give players a first look at how new stat breakdowns will change things down the road. From what they're saying, you'll want to be sure you stay on top of getting the best armor and gear! Also, they've added a new character sheet to better display all the new armor attributes and how they will impact each character as they progress through the wild lands of Hyborea.

While it's only a bite-sized look at some of the changes coming to Age of Conan, it's definitely welcome. Among the other things players have to look forward to is further changes to feat trees, skills and spells, as well as a new gem system that will be implemented as time goes on. For the full breakdown of how all of these new attributes will affect your characters, be sure to head over to the AoC forums and check this month's Game Director's letter out!

MassivelyChecking in with Age of Conan's Game Director originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocarmorattributesfuncomgame-directorgemshyborealetterstatsSun, 01 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster answers a letter from a 12-year-old]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/raph-kosters-answers-a-letter-from-a-12-year-old/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/raph-kosters-answers-a-letter-from-a-12-year-old/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/raph-kosters-answers-a-letter-from-a-12-year-old/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pretty darn cool of Raph Koster to answer this letter from a 12-year-old kid on his blog. And though we've heard the guy talk before, it's fun to see him boil down exactly what he's doing into language a younger kid would understand. It's one thing to talk about "complex server cluster architectures," but it's another to hear Koster explain what an "Integrated Development Environment" is in simple terms.

And I like his characterization of programming, too -- I've always told someone I'm trying to teach to use a computer that they "don't do what you want them to do, only what you tell them to do." That's the crux of a good programmer -- he or she knows how to tell the computer do to the right things.

Definitely a good read for insight into the mind of an MMO maker, whether you're 12 or 112.

MassivelyRaph Koster answers a letter from a 12-year-old originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Dansweredintegrated-development-environmentlettermmoprogrammingquestionsraph-kosterWed, 12 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom: cool stuff coming for AO in 17.8]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/funcom-cool-stuff-coming-for-ao-in-17-8/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/funcom-cool-stuff-coming-for-ao-in-17-8/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/funcom-cool-stuff-coming-for-ao-in-17-8/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Craig Morrison, the director of Funcom's Anarchy Online, wrote up a letter to the game's player community describing what's to come in the 17.8 update.

17.8 will bring a new team-based instance encounter that continues the Dust Brigade storyline, a complete overhaul of PvP titles, and a separate "social" tab in the inventory system so players can equip items specifically for their appearances without completely replacing the stat bonuses of existing gear. Also, Funcom's focus is shifting back to the pre-Shadlowlands world in terms of new content development.

Morrison said information about upcoming holiday events and the graphics engine upgrades is forthcoming. The updated engine is still in alpha testing but should be ready "mid to late next year." Fans of the game can expect to see some footage of the changes "very shortly."

We don't think a graphics update is likely to incite a surge of new players for this industry dinosaur, but hey, if you're already an AO player, it's still exciting.

[Via WarCry]

MassivelyFuncom: cool stuff coming for AO in 17.8 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>17.717.8anarchy-onlineaocraig-morrisondust-brigadeequipmentgeargraphicsholidaysinstancesletterpvpsocialtitlesFri, 30 Nov 2007 22:30:00 EST