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[Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Diablo III title image
Diablo III officially launched at midnight last night, opening the floodgates on what is possibly the most pre-ordered PC game in history. It's been almost 12 years since the previous game in the series launched, and it's still going to this day. Whether you've played previous games, have taken part in the Diablo III beta or are taking your first steps into Sanctuary today, everyone starts with a clean slate. In this article, I give my top five tips for spending your first few days wisely in Diablo III.

#5 - Spend most of your time on one character

It seems like a bit of a no-brainer to initially focus on one character, but in Diablo III's case, there's a special reason to do it. You'll likely finish normal mode around level 20-30, and until then, you'll get a new skill almost every level. It's only when you've completed normal mode and moved on to nightmare that the challenge really starts and you will have picked out an effective set of skills. Your last active skill unlocks at level 30, and from then on you'll gain a combination of two to three runes or passive skills every level until you hit the level cap at 60.

Read on for four more tips you should keep in mind as you start playing Diablo III.

Continue reading Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III

MassivelyFive top tips for your first few days of Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgauction-housebarrelsbattlenetblacksmithblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchartd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfeaturedgothic-fantasygraphguideguideslaunch-daylevellevel-chartlevelinglevelsmultiplayeronline-multiplayerpartypassivesphysicsrpgrunessanctuaryskill-chartskillstipstop-fivetop-tipsweaponsTue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week four]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-four/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DAoC
By participating in Choose My Adventure, I'm starting to realize that this column is perhaps one of the most meta projects that we do here on Massively. It's not just a popularity contest between games (although it begins that way) nor a mere hands-on play-through of a title. Instead, it's a bizarre combination of one person led by hundreds of puppet masters with the added layer of forging a path as a complete newbie so that others who follow in my wake may learn from my mistakes.

But with all of you as my puppet masters, I have the added pressure of not wanting to let any of you down. I know that last week some of you were disappointed with my progress (or lack thereof) and could identify dozens of things I was just doing flat-out wrong. That's another layer to this experience, I think: It gives experienced vets the chance to see the game through virgin eyes and to pass down sage advice that they themselves wish they had gotten right out of the gate.

So this past week was all about taking in your advice and attempting to execute it to the best of my ability. Some of it worked, and some did not, but the end result was a series of Dark Age of Camelot play sessions that were far less frustrating -- and even, dare I say, intriguing?

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week four

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week four originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebiowarecamelotchoose-my-adventureclassic-mmocmadaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedhands-onlevelingmacrosmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionpollpollspvpreaders-choicervrskaldvotevotingWed, 04 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leveling picture
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

It's funny how tastes can change. I know mine certainly have, especially when it comes to entertainment. Heck, I used to swear by The Ramones and a bit of Slayer; now I tend to think that this Joni Mitchell song is a work of sheer genius. It seems that as I grow older, the less I care about impressing other people. My gaming tastes have changed, but maybe not as dramatically. I've never been a hardcore player and have never enjoyed spending countless hours repeating the same task. That sort of behavior tends to turn a hobby into a boring job. MMORPGs are notorious for being filled with content that is often ripped off from other games, so it surprised me when I thought about today's topic.

I came to the conclusion that leveling is not a bad thing. When I say leveling, I mean growing a character by performing an activity, getting better at it, gaining experience and hitting a new level. It's not a bad way to represent real-life growth. The problems come when developers use the same boring systems that are based on leveling to facilitate that growth.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbiowaredesigneditorialfeaturedlevellevelingop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-soapboxultima-onlineTue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much grouping should be required in a game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/the-daily-grind-how-much-grouping-should-be-required-in-a-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

However much grouping a game requires, there will always be a camp arguing a game has too much and another arguing it has not enough. This is inevitable.
A good group arguably makes any game more fun. No matter how much fun you're having in any game, be it Star Wars: The Old Republic or Global Agenda or whatever else, there are players who believe it's better when you're running with other people, telling jokes or roleplaying or even just working in unison. Of course, others would point out that's all if you have a good group. A bad group can turn even something fun into a real misery, which sort of defeats the purpose of playing a game. And that's not getting into the time it takes to form a group or coordinate several people... or the fact that some players just prefer not to group.

So how much grouping should an MMO require out of its players? Should pretty much all content require a group, forcing players to work together and build a real sense of community at the expense of any solitary play? Or should pretty much all content not require a group, letting everyone group with players as they wish without hard restrictions -- and making large chunks of the game single-player for all intents and purposes?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How much grouping should be required in a game? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentdaily-grindendgamegame-contentgame-mechanicsgroup-playgroupinggroupslevelingopinionsolosolo-playsoloingtdgthe-daily-grindSun, 11 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV unveils the full scope of patch 1.21]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xiv-unveils-the-full-scope-of-patch-1-21/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No, it's not Vivi.
The time is now -- Final Fantasy XIV's sweeping patch 1.21 is going live. That means players can experience the new Job system, do battle in two new instanced dungeons, and relax in their new private rooms. The patch notes make it clear that as with most of the game's patches, there's a lot going on even beyond the headlining features for the update, including intra-city teleportation services, new achievement categories to explore, and new ways for players to spend guild marks.

Patch 1.21 also brings along a revision to the food and medicine of the game, with food serving universally as a small long-term buff and medicines working as short effects or buffs with a big impact. The team has also revised accessories, doing away with the previous mechanic of slot costs. And that's not even touching upon new missions for provisioning from the Grand Companies, the introduction of chocobo barding, or any number of other smaller features added with the list. It's a lot of stuff to absorb, and it should keep adventurers happy for quite some time.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV unveils the full scope of patch 1.21 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsconsoleconsolesdungeonsexperiencefantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfoodgame-mechanicsgame-updatesinstanced-dungeonsinstanced-raidsjob-systemjobslevelingmedicinenewspatchpatchesrestsquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/leaderboard-leveling-vs-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard
It's the eternal debate that's occupied our attention on so many episodes of Massively Speaking that we had to bring it to you, the impartial judges and juries of the MMO world. What is better and more enjoyable: the leveling journey or the endgame activities?

In my opinion, it's all about the journey up through the levels. You're constantly traveling through new regions and vistas, watching your character increase in power and abilities. It's almost like a movie, in which the young inexperienced hero heads out for a life-changing quest.

But others claim that the endgame is where the true MMO experience lies. It's here that your character finally has a full range of his/her/its abilities and is able to tackle the toughest challenges and most epic confrontations in the game.

So let's see how this pans out in the public arena. Which aspect of MMOs gets your motor running? Which is where the true spirit of gaming rests? Vote, and live a life free of regrets!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame

MassivelyLeaderboard: Leveling vs. endgame originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>end-gameendgamefeaturedleaderboardlevelingleveling-journeyleveling-processmassively-speakingopinionpollpollingpollsquigleyvotevotervotingMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Get together]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-mog-log-get-together/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Grouping with other players is inconvenient. It can also be a lot of fun, but it takes more work to get a half-dozen people running in the same direction compared to just operating on your lonesome. But you're a lot more likely to stick with a game if you can find other people to play with, and thus both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV have offered different approaches to grouping and encouraging parties.

When I started playing MMOs back when Final Fantasy XI launched, I wound up being soured by the game's insistence on grouping for a long while. These days, I can take a much more objective view of both sides because for all the hiccups that the system brings, Final Fantasy XIV's much more open environment has its own pitfalls -- some a result of basic game design, some a result of the less demanding approach. But why just look at this from the top down?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Get together

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Get together originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsdesignfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroupinggroupslevelingopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online discusses the fine details of advancement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/mechwarrior-online-discusses-the-fine-details-of-advancement/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Centurions have never looked quite so impressive.
MechWarrior Online continues its march along in development, but that's no reason for fans to just wait and see what happens. A new installment in the developer blog that answers community questions has just been unveiled, tackling a variety of different topics. The primary focus is on customizing your 'Mech and advancing your character skills, building off of the recent discussion regarding the means of advancement and how players can upgrade their skills.

As outlined by the questions, the experience system will in some ways be reminiscent of EVE Online's -- players won't be able to respec, but there will be no limitations on starting to put points in a new tree while retaining the benefits of previously spent points. It's also confirmed that your experience with a given chassis remains even if you move on from the 'Mech in question should you later choose to return. If you're worried about the fine details of self-improvement in the upcoming game, the latest answer should put most of your questions to rest.

MassivelyMechWarrior Online discusses the fine details of advancement originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>improvementslevelingmechwarrior-onlinemwopilot-skillspirahnapirahna-gamespreviwesq-and-aquestions-and-answersskillsupdatesupgradesWed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Know your path with this handy SWTOR infographic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/know-your-path-with-this-handy-swtor-infographic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/know-your-path-with-this-handy-swtor-infographic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/know-your-path-with-this-handy-swtor-infographic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic leveling chart
Are you playing Star Wars: The Old Republic? Are you a completionist who wants to ensure that you don't miss a thing? Well, thanks to this handy chart from the folks over at OldRepublic.net, you don't have to worry about that again. The flowchart gives the planetary leveling path for both Empire and Republic players and includes all of the flashpoints currently in-game and at which point in the game they should be tackled. Now you'll never accidentally skip over another flashpoint again (but that won't make Balmorra any less harrowing, unfortunately). For the full chart, just click on through the link below to OldRepublic.net

MassivelyKnow your path with this handy SWTOR infographic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechartdungeonseaelectronic-artsflashpointsinfographiclevelingleveling-chartplayer-vs-environmentpvestar-chartstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Being able to animate your character during creation is a nice touch.
Last week's polls were enough for me to get started in the world of Ryzom over the weekend, so I took my first steps back into the game that I haven't played for quite some time. I still remembered how some of it worked, thankfully, but there were a lot of elements that I'd almost completely forgotten. And while I'm still knee-deep in the starter area, I've played enough to at least get some starter impressions.

But let's make this a full narrative, yes? When we left off, the group verdict was that I would be starting out as a Zorai with the Magic starter package based off of a female Shakespearean tragic character. And thus, with only a little extra effort, Corlede was born into the world of Ryzom. The character creator offers a variety of features, allowing you to select your character's build in fine detail but offering a strange lack of certain other options. There are also some odd constraints on character types -- you find yourself always locked within a certain general band of height, for instance, so there are no really tall Trykers.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmacolumncolumnsculturedirectionfeaturedgame-mechanicshands-onlevelingopinionoverviewpollpollsreaders-choiceryzomstartingstarting-areathe-saga-of-ryzomvotevotingwinch-gatewinch-gate-productions-limitedWed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should max-level characters give account XP bonuses?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-daily-grind-should-max-level-characters-give-account-xp-bon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Tier'dal in Lavastorm
I recently hit EverQuest II's adventuring cap for the first time (yay!), and aside from being surprised that it finally happened, I was also in for a bit of a shock when I logged into the character select screen the following day.

You see, EQII gives each character on your account a 20% XP bonus per max-level character. So all my subsequent toons will enjoy an extra 20% XP across the board, and if I were to get another guy to 90, all my toons would then have a 40% bonus (up to a maximum of 200%). While this is fantastic for players like yours truly who despise the leveling process, it seems like an odd design decision given that a lot of people like to grind. Also, EQII has more leveling content than most MMOs put together, and it's crazy to think how much of it you'll miss if you get even more bonus XP.

Sure, you can chronomage down a few levels and do zones that you blew by, or you can adjust your XP/AA ratio (or turn off XP altogether if you want), but the bonuses still speed up the curve significantly. What about you, Massively folk? Do you think max-level characters should grant bonuses to the rest of your toons?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should max-level characters give account XP bonuses? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-xpeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussiongrindlevelingmax-level-bonus-xpmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsnorrathopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you rush to endgame?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-daily-grind-do-you-rush-to-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR screenshot
Welcome to the endgame... the endgame of 2011! We gamers love to say that MMOs are about the journey, not the destination, but that doesn't seem to stop us from zipping up the levels the instant a game or expansion launches. Hardcore players had hit level 50 in Star Wars: The Old Republic within just a few days of the pre-order early access, before the game had even landed on store shelves. In a game designed to be about telling and participating in a story, players have to be the firstest with the mostest -- the first to cap, the first to get achievements, the first to beat bosses, even the first to master tradeskills. The game doesn't reward you for stopping to smell the flowers, after all.

Of course, hardcore achiever players are often the first to start moping when they realize they've burned through months of content in a week -- and all their friends are still busy catching up anyway. What about you, Massively folks? Do you take your time, savoring all the sights and really drinking in the game on your first playthrough -- or do you rush to the lonely endgame?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you rush to endgame? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcappedendgamehardcorelaunchlauncheslevel-50levelinglevelsmax-levelopinionpowerlevelPowerLevelingrushstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindSat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/choose-my-adventure-a-male-dark-elf-fighter-in-aden/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Lineage II screenshot
Last week in Choose My Adventure, you voted for what kind of character I should make. I dutifully rolled him up and set off for fantastical adventures in Lineage II. Today, I bring you a dungeon video, many screenshots, first impressions, and even a livestream. It's a multi-media extravaganza! And we're also on to the next round of voting for what direction my character takes.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. I had to start out at the bottom of the barrel. For the first 20 levels, I called Talking Island Village home, until I was transported to the mainland and a little town called Gludio. I discovered, among other things, that there are many tantalizing spots to see in the game -- if you are willing to travel off the beaten path. These spots are well worth the layover, especially if you have a powerful-enough machine. As old as Lineage II is, it's strikingly gorgeous. I didn't dawdle for too long, as I had some leveling to do, and I made a few discoveries along the way.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: A male Dark Elf Fighter in Aden originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmadark-elfdungeonf2pfantasyfeaturedfighterfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygold-sellersjeremy-strattonl2l2trulyfreelevelinglineage-2Lineage-iilineage2lineageIIlivestreamlivestreamsncsoftpetpetspollpollsvideovideosWed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/ask-massively-mind-tricks-are-the-lazy-way-of-doing-things-edit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As has been demonstrated.
Recently, I've become enamored of the Bavarian Fire Drill. For those who don't want to click on that link (it's work-safe in the sense that it contains no cursing and not work-safe in the sense that you'll be clicking for hours), it's the art of infiltrating a building by carrying a clipboard and acting like you're supposed to be there. Sure, you could just wave your hand and tell people that these aren't the droids they're looking for, but wouldn't you rather have the chutzpah to just walk around like it wasn't a thing?

That leads very naturally to this week's installment of Ask Massively, in which we discuss whether or not leveling mechanics have worn our their collective welcomes in MMOs. As always, if you've got an urgent question for a future week, feel free to leave it in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelycultureexperiencegame-mechanicsgame-systemsgatinglevelinglevelsmechanicsopinionprogressionturkeyThu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/hyperspace-beacon-freedom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom
I was taken aback by BioWare's lifting of the NDA on Star Wars: The Old Republic last Friday. Few of us saw that coming. I highly suspect that wasn't when the devs originally intended to drop the NDA. I mean, really, when media sites were allowed to produce videos and livestream, there was bound to be some confusion. Perhaps BioWare couldn't contain all of it. Even on my end it was very confusing; there were weird stipulations on the embargo because BioWare didn't want parts of the story completely ruined. That's one of the reasons I kept my stream as simple as I could.

However, now the gloves are off. SWTOR enthusiasts can write about anything they want. Unfortunately, unlike other people who can talk about the game now, I have only been back in beta for two weeks, and the characters I played previously have been wiped. I am happy to tell you that I have a Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor on Dromund Kaas and Smuggler on Nar Shaddaa with a peppering of other characters on various other planets. I have PvPed alongside one of the best PvPers I've ever met, and I have plenty to talk about in the coming weeks until launch.

Beyond the break, I want to share with you my plan for the next three weeks until launch, and then when I'm done, I'd like to take your suggestions. As a teaser, I've added a few screenshots into the gallery below, pics of places my Smuggler has been over the last couple of weeks. I haven't labeled them, so maybe you can guess where he's been.

Gallery: Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR Adventures in Beta

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Freedom

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Freedom originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-liftBioWareEAElectronic-ArtsEndgamefeaturedgalleryhyperspace-beaconlaunchlevelingLucasArtsPvPray-muzykascreenshotsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWorld-of-WarcraftWoWTue, 22 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pocket Legends launches the Mount Fang expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/pocket-legends-launches-the-mount-fang-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/pocket-legends-launches-the-mount-fang-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/pocket-legends-launches-the-mount-fang-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Who knows, you might even see this guy.
It's time for another update for one of the first MMOs on the go, Pocket Legends. Mount Fang, the latest expansion, brings with it an increase in the level cap to 66 as well as a reduction in the experience curve across the board. If you're at the level cap, you can shoot for the next tier, but the reduction in the curve ensures that players at any level can benefit from the update.

There's more to the update than just leveling, however; players will be given access to a new free campaign, Mount Fang, that starts at level 59 and provides new monsters, quests, and rewards. And of course, there are new vanity items in the cash shop as well as a special set of cosmetic armor for players who hit 66 before the next cap adjustment. If you've been enjoying the game on your mobile device of choice, download the expansion and get into the mix.

MassivelyPocket Legends launches the Mount Fang expansion originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playlevel-capslevelinglevelsmobilemobile-mmosmount-fangpatchespocket-legendspocket-legends-mount-fangspacetime-studiosupdatesMon, 14 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are beta weekends a good timeframe for testing?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/the-daily-grind-are-beta-weekends-a-good-timeframe-for-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/the-daily-grind-are-beta-weekends-a-good-timeframe-for-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/the-daily-grind-are-beta-weekends-a-good-timeframe-for-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Every endgame event is Schroedinger's Raid during test weekends.
The big problem of betas, of course, is that they aren't launched games. That means that every quest you complete, every enemy you kill, and every level you gain is just going to have to be re-done at launch. For some people, however, the testing environment before launch is something they want to take part in, even knowing that they won't be able to take it with them once the game goes live.

Prior to launch, RIFT used a series of beta weekends to give players a chance to test, and Star Wars: The Old Republic has been following the same footsteps. On the one hand, this is enough time to get a feel for the game and test it out without letting you get too invested in your accomplishments. On the other hand, it also means that it's hard for players to really level past a certain point, thus leaving the higher levels more difficult to test -- if not impossible. So what do you think? Are beta weekends a good trend, or is it too little time?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are beta weekends a good timeframe for testing? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-eventsbeta-weekendsbetaslevelingopiniontdgtesting-eventsthe-daily-grindtimeframesweekend-eventsSun, 13 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Five zero]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-mog-log-five-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-mog-log-five-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-mog-log-five-zero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
The march to the level cap in Final Fantasy XIV is nothing like that of its predecessor, but it's still an undertaking. The fact of the matter is that leveling shouldn't have taken me nearly as long as it did. The game has been out for over a year, after all. But between my usual inability to pick a class and stick with it, natural disasters, and various other circumstances, it was only a couple of weeks ago that I finally hit level 50 on my Gladiator.

Receiving the full red cobalt set a level earlier did mean that the level was a bit anticlimactic at the end, but it all balances out.

But now that I'm here at max level, I can look back on the path as a whole and have a different perspective on several parts of the game's structure, both the good and the bad. Especially since it's the first time around that really matters.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Five zero

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Five zero originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivlevel-caplevelinglevelsopinionthe-mog-logSat, 05 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header image
That's what this week's column is made of!

Back when I first decided I wanted to venture to the dark side of Aion and compare the leveling experiences of the two realms, I didn't really fathom that there would be so much content added that it would be hard to break away from sampling all of the goodies on my home server. Besides that, with all of the changes, comparing the leveling is just impossible. I knew that it would be easier with the introduction of repeatable quests, but it's just plain stupid-easy to level now as opposed to way back pre-Balaurea.

Even with the leveling comparison effectively nixed, I still can report on the differences in the feel of the two worlds as well as just run through and reflect on my impressions of the Asmodian life to give some screen time to the glowy-eyes. Did I mention I love the glowy eyes? With that in mind, Wings Over Atreia devotes this week to the furbacks (said with love!).

Glide past the cut for a look at Daevic life in Asmodae from Ascension to the Abyss.

Gallery: Aion: La Vida Asmo

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameasmo-lifeAsmodaeasmodianasmodian-lifeasmodiansexperiencesfeaturedgalleriesgalleryHaramellevelingleveling-speedleveling-upnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionquestingquesting-experienceQuestsWings-Over-AtreiaxperiaMon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like to level in parties?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shortly after this picture, that bird was dead.
Back in the old days of MMOs -- and feel free to insert your own jokes about dinosaurs roaming the earth -- leveling was something that was done in groups. Soloing was for farming or running from place to place, but for the most part, you leveled with several other people, meaning that you knew from a very early level what you needed to do when in a group. It also meant, unfortunately, that it was really difficult to just play on your own schedule instead of the times when everyone else was on and available.

To some players who grew up on games like EverQuest, the idea that almost every game can be soloed to max level is a bit jarring. But there are lots of reasons to level in parties anyway, ranging from working with others when you play a group-centric build to just wanting other people around when you level.

So do you like to try and level up in groups? Or do you group up for special events and level on your own for the most part?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like to level in parties? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureexperienceexperience-partiesgame-mechanicsgroup-levelinggroupslevelingopinionpartiespartytdgthe-daily-grindSun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Patch 1.19]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
So there was a Final Fantasy XIV patch on Tuesday. Maybe you heard about it. It was only all over the parts of the internet that care about Final Fantasy XIV, and even some that don't. This was not a patch in the traditional sense; it was a huge reworking and revamping of several parts of the game.

It's a big patch, that's what I'm getting at. And I've spent the past several days diving into it with all the time I've had because this is the sort of thing that really changes a lot of core assumptions about the game.

So it's been a time of empirical testing, a time of leveling, a time of dropping a lot of gil on new pieces of equipment and getting ready to tell my readers whether this patch was everything promised or fell flat. And truth be told, there's too much to address even in one column. But I can at least get started.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Patch 1.19

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Patch 1.19 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsexperiencefeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.19final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgrand-companiesguildleveslevelinglevequestslevesmajor-updatesopinionpatchesquestssoloingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Ten up, ten down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-ten-up-ten-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-ten-up-ten-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-ten-up-ten-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Road to Mordor
Levels in MMOs are best when accepted as a traditional aspect of the game that blends into the background. It's weird when you hold them up to scrutiny because it's very hard to mesh these arbitrary numbers with the pretend "reality" of the game world. I've always thought it was weird that I could get high enough in levels to return to old fortresses of evil and be basically invincible. Plus, how can there be bats and goats that are both level 5 and level 75? Is there an animal commando school somewhere I haven't seen?

In any case, while I enjoy the ding as much as anyone else, levels have lost their luster to me. The fact that Rise of Isengard added 10 new ones versus, say, five or none, doesn't really mean much in the long run. There isn't a lot tied to these new levels other than a small handful of mostly recycled skills and the typical increase in stats, so for me there's really no rush to climb through them. However, as with any first week or two out of release, leveling seems to be a huge area of focus for many players as they seek to hit that end cap once again and re-establish the status quo.

Still, it's important to some, and our kinship has spent a good amount of time chewing over these new levels, how to get them, and whether or not they're worth a hill of beans in this crazy, messed-up world. Today in our laser-focused Lord of the Rings Online column, I'm going to sort those beans. I may even eat one or two; beans are great for protein and fiber.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Ten up, ten down

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Ten up, ten down originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>75alternate-advancementalternative-advancementdunlandeverquest-iif2pfeaturedfree-to-playhill-of-beanslevellevel-75levelinglevelslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroplanar-attunementriftrise-of-isengardsiege-of-mirkwoodskirmishesturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 08 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: RIFT sealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Choose My Adventure:RIFT sealed
Here we are: the last hurrah, the final hour, the closing curtain, the rift sealed. Although it would be unfair to say that I have done everything in RIFT, I believe my experience has been well-rounded. I have done PvP, invasions, solo content, and group content -- even a little bit of resource gathering and crafting. One thing I can say with all certainty is that RIFT has a lot to offer, and the developers at Trion have put a lot of good work into the game.

Beyond the cut, I would like to break down my general experiences in game. Some were good; some were bad. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a straightforward review, then you're not going to find that here. RIFT is a complex game, and depending on what you're looking for, your experience will vary. Most of what you obtain from this game will be proportionate to how much you personally put into it. But instead of rambling on here, I'll explain what I'm talking about beyond the break. Follow me there.

Gallery: CMA: RIFT

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: RIFT sealed

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: RIFT sealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurefeaturedGaiscíochgaisciochgaiscioch-familygalleriesgallerygroup-rolesimpressionslevelingloreopinionplanes-of-telaraPvEPvPRIFTrift-planes-of-telararoleplayscreenshotsstorytriontrion-worldsWed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
If you're starting Final Fantasy XI fresh right now, you'll have the most fun if you have absolutely no idea how much stuff you have to do -- not just because it's intimidating, although that's certainly an element, but because it's a huge pile of things that you can't do by yourself in any meaningful fashion. You have to rely on charity or making friendships based solely on your charming personality because you've got pretty much nothing else to offer when you start off, and no one at level 85 really wants to go farming for subjob items yet again (to say nothing of gysahl greens).

These sentiments are not new. This is not something that I have never said before or a thought that had remained unexpressed for ages until just this moment. I've long talked about the fact that there's a huge barrier to entry for the game, one that essentially locks the game in for the people who are playing right now and no one else. But for all that talk, I can also see some very good reasons to keep those barriers in place because they're providing some useful functions -- or at the very least, they're not actively harmful.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barriersbarriers-to-entrycolumnfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilevelingnew-player-experiencenew-playersopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 17 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Power to the levelers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-road-to-mordor-power-to-the-levelers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-road-to-mordor-power-to-the-levelers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/the-road-to-mordor-power-to-the-levelers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LOTRO: Lothlorien
With Rise of Isengard creeping up on us, I've seen an increasing number of people begin to freak out about it, not because they're upset it's coming but because they're not prepared to partake in the expansion on day one. Now, this might not be important to you, but I assure you it's quite important to many -- lots of people like to be in on the excitement from the very beginning, and it's a special kind of torture to contemplate having to sit there and listen to your friends oohing and ahhing over the new zones and content while you're still poking your way through Moria.

So because of this, some players really, really want to get a character up to level 65, prepared to do a dive roll right into Dunland when September 27th hits. It's understandable. Even I, a normally laid-back type of guy, am pushing hard to finish up Enedwaith with my Lore-master so that I'll have one character good to go on I-Day (that's Isengard Day).

But what about those who don't have a level 65 in their pockets? Is it too late to get your act in gear and get up there before it's too late? Of course it isn't. I'm pretty convinced that you could even roll a fresh toon today and get him or her up to the endgame by I-Day, depending on how much time you can dedicate to it.

Today we're going to look at a few leveling tips I've picked up over the years to aid those of you who want to kick in the afterburners of the leveling process so that you can make sure you're where you want to be. It's not even that hard!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Power to the levelers

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Power to the levelers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dunlandenedwaithenhanced-xpeulafeaturedguidei-dayisengard-daylegendary-traitslevelingleveling-guidelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-reporterlotro-storemoriapower-levelingrested-xprise-of-isengardroisarumantptraitsturbineturbine-pointsvirtuesvolume-1volume-2xpxp-bonusFri, 12 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Duo feature]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/the-mog-log-duo-feature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/the-mog-log-duo-feature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/the-mog-log-duo-feature/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A few weeks back, I got an email from a reader talking asking about getting back into Final Fantasy XI after a long absence. As he put it, he and his girlfriend were thinking of going back to the game together, duoing their way through Vana'diel. Which is a great idea, as it's a game very well suited toward duoing, now more than ever with the existence of varied regimes and training manuals.

Of course, there's more to the equation than just throwing two classes together and hoping for the best. There are a lot of things that you can do to make your experience harder than it needs to be, something that I'm unfortunately familiar with from my own experience. So this week, I'm going to take a look at what you can do to make your life easier when running as a team, no matter what resources are available to you in terms of jobs, gil, and fellow players.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Duo feature

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Duo feature originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecolumnduoduoingfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicslevelingopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's last major update wasn't so long ago, but another patch is set to go live on Monday. 1.18a contains nothing as large as the mechanical revisions found it its predecessor, but there are still some pretty big improvements, starting with an improvement to skill point rewards for levequests across the board. The biggest improvements will come for the rank 20-30 leves, but all players leveling Disciplines of War and Magic should notice an improvement. The leves will also reward points for shield skill when players have a shield equipped, something that has thus far been lacking.

In quality of life improvements, the visibility of several frames has been adjusted, a supplementary log window is being added for players to use, and the process of setting a crystal as the destination for Return has been changed. There's also a new emote being added to the system and the beginnings of the new tool-hiding functionality that will be finished in 1.19. 1.18a won't be the game-changer that 1.18 proved to be, but it looks to still be a solid update in its own right.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18ffxiv-patch-1.18afinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivimprovementslevelingleveling-speedpatchesquality-of-lifesquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Level the playing field]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-soapbox-level-the-playing-field/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-soapbox-level-the-playing-field/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/the-soapbox-level-the-playing-field/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Levels exist in every single MMORPG on the market today. There are games that eschew the class-level format popularized from EverQuest onward, but even those games still feature levels of one variety or another -- your character in EVE Online might not be a Level Seven Warship Pilot, but she still has certain skill levels at the right levels to make her effective. Levels are a great way of marking character progress, of showing a character growing in power and competence over time.

They're also a great way to cause all sorts of problems, from PvP to PvE, from disparities in high-end play to the infinite frustration of having to gain twenty levels just so you can play with your friends. And unfortunately, the obvious solution of just removing the blasted numbers doesn't actually fix things. Levels are a great advantage to MMOs, even as they're also a big hindrance.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Level the playing field

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Level the playing field originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative-advancementcharacter-advancementcharacter-growthcolumnequivalentfeaturedlevel-balancinglevel-matchinglevel-playing-fieldlevel-uplevelingleveling-mechanicsleveling-rateopinionsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 26 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Proof of concept]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's last major patch was back in March, when 1.16 brought out the first iteration of the game's quests. Sure, we've had updates since then, but even 1.17 didn't really have the appeal and the energy that you'd expect from a major patch. And 1.16 was something of a disappointment at the time -- not bad, but not nearly what the game needed. There was an awful lot missing there, stuff that seemed basic. I wasn't happy, in other words.

Well, here we are now, at 1.18. Any better?

In a word, yes. A lot of the stuff that needed to be fixed has been, and a lot of the improvements the game has needed have come through. I've unfortunately only had a little time to play around with the update, but what I've played has been pretty uniformly positive. Positive except for the notable issues that the game was having with the login server right after the patch, but who actually expects patch day to go smoothly? (Other than me, I mean.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: Proof of concept

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Proof of concept originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-attackbattle-mechanicscolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesimprovementsinterfacelevelinglevelsloreopinionpatchpatchesskill-pointsskillssquaresquare-enixstorylinethe-mog-logupdatesSat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV removing old penalties and adding a couple new ones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/final-fantasy-xiv-removing-old-penalties-and-adding-a-couple-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/final-fantasy-xiv-removing-old-penalties-and-adding-a-couple-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/final-fantasy-xiv-removing-old-penalties-and-adding-a-couple-new/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Fatigue system was one of the most hated features of Final Fantasy XIV before the game had even hit release. Even though it was almost impossible to hit the mythical point where you started getting less experience, nobody liked the idea of having your gains cut when you were having fun. So there will be few tears shed when the entire system is removed in patch 1.18, which has already promised a number of sweeping changes to the game's functionality.

Of course, it's not all about making life easier for players, as both the death penalty and Return option are seeing their functionality tweaked. Previously, players would sometimes die and use Return to avoid an anima cost while still making a fast trip somewhere. As of the newest patch, using Return to revive will incur a small durability penalty, offset slightly by the improvement of the Raise spell. Final Fantasy XIV players can check the official release for details on the slight rearrangement of penalties, aimed at keeping gameplay more dynamic and active.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV removing old penalties and adding a couple new ones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathdeath-penaltyexperiencefatigueffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlevelingnewspenaltiessquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 14 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Oath offering real-world prizes for virtual contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/dragon-oath-offering-real-world-prizes-for-virtual-contest/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The folks at ChangYou are introducing a new contest for their Dragon Oath players, and it's one that virtual pet fans are going to love. The contest is called "Pump up Your Pet," and it gives every entrant a free white fox pet along with a chance to win a Nintendo 3DS, a Tt eSports prize package, or one of three Amazon gift cards.

To enter, you'll need to have a Dragon Oath character of level 10 or above, and "like" the Dragon Oath Facebook page. Click the "promotions" tab on the Facebook page to receive a code to add the pet to your account, and then the real fun begins!

Your task is to level your new pet as much as you can by 1:00 p.m. EST on July 28th. When the deadline arrives, take a screenshot of your character and pet and send it to contests.dragonoath@gmail.com along with your character, account name, and the entry code you received to get your white fox pet. The top 10 players with the highest leveled White Foxes will be put in a raffle to win one of the prizes, and ChangYou will announce the winners on August 26th.

Best of luck to all who enter!

MassivelyDragon Oath offering real-world prizes for virtual contest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changyoucontestdragon-oathf2pfeaturedfree-to-playlevelingminipetspetswhite-fox-petThu, 14 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Level Y]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/the-mog-log-level-y/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/the-mog-log-level-y/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/the-mog-log-level-y/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Why are you leveling?

It's a fair question in Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV and really pretty much any MMO, especially because it's one of those questions you don't really ask while you're knee-deep in the game. You're just playing, you see that your level isn't at the level it could be, and you start doing what you have to do in order to make that number go just a little bit higher. By the classic model in Final Fantasy XI, you find a party, and in Final Fantasy XIV, you get some leves and head out to the races.

But that doesn't address the question. You know what you're doing, and I know what you're doing -- the question is why you're doing it in the first place. Even in a game without levels, you shouldn't be leveling. The answer to that question should always be confusion not over the reason but over the very concept.

So I'll ask again -- why are you leveling?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Level Y

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Level Y originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncontentfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivlevelingleveling-upopinionphilosophysquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 25 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Grounded]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/the-mog-log-grounded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/the-mog-log-grounded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/the-mog-log-grounded/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

After last week's column, I mentioned that I was pretty energized to give some of Final Fantasy XI's other additions a try. Chief among them, naturally, was the addition of Grounds of Valor, which is essentially Fields of Valor with special sauce. Said special sauce is a stacking buff for each successful regime completed, meaning that staying in one zone and working your way through training regimes is even more rewarding than it was before.

Well... in theory, anyhow.

Rather than just subsisting on the basis of theory, I decided it was high time for Rhio to continue in the experimental process she had engaged in long ago. So after donning a Destrier Beret and making sure she had her fair supply of grotesquely powerful anniversary rings, I set out into the wilds to try my hands at the new grounds system. The results were... well, I'd like to say they were surprising, but mostly they were just a reminder of a universal truth about Final Fantasy XI.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Grounded

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Grounded originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilevelingmay-version-updateopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 11 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: This is only a test...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/wings-over-atreia-this-is-only-a-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/wings-over-atreia-this-is-only-a-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/wings-over-atreia-this-is-only-a-test/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BEEEEP! The message you are about to hear is from your local public test server. This is only a test. Had this been an actual server, your XP would have been sliced, your loot drops diced, and your AP slashed. In the event of an actual server, the message you would receive would assure you that your characters would be safe from wipes and safer from bugs and glitches. This is the Aion PTS. Remember, this is only a test... server. BEEEEP!

Public test servers. Just three small words. What thoughts and feelings do these words invoke in MMO gamers? Much like the words "open beta," PTS seems to represent more of a sneak-peek playground for upcoming gaming goodness instead of a place to test and tweak said upcoming features before they go live. Come on, let's admit it: In an age when the philosophy of instant gratification seduces new acolytes by the hour, who can truly deny that desire to see all that is new and shiny? Who doesn't want to take a stroll through new instances, test out new weapons, and try on new gear? New equals exciting. And we test-drive cars, so why not games? And if we test-drive games, then why not game patches?

With this in mind, I think it would not be far-fetched to believe that Daevas flocked to New Atreia (as I have dubbed it, seeing as this world certainly could not be confused with the Atreia I already know) when NCsoft opened Aion's test server to the public on May 12th. After all, many players are eagerly anticipating the features offered in the 2.5 patch. So in order to bring you a taste of what's to come, yours truly ventured forth onto the realm of the PTS. What I found was exciting, fun... and a bit surprising.

Vicariously live the crazy whirlwind life of a PTSian after the break.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: This is only a test...

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: This is only a test... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamecharacter-creationcharacter-customizationdrop-ratesfeaturedinstanceslevelinglootlootingnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionptspublic-test-servertest-driveWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 23 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI launches May version update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-launches-may-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-launches-may-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-launches-may-version-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The version updates for Final Fantasy XI have always packed a great deal of content, and this month's patch is no exception. The May version update is now live, and it carries with it new battle styles, new content, and more updates for the venerable game. Centerpieces for this particular update include the new Voidwatch battles, new Grounds of Valor for players inside dungeons such as Garlaige Citadel, and new improvements to make Dynamis more relevant once again.

Aside from those updates, players are seeing several new battlefields added for battles with notorious monsters. There are also new synergy recipes to add augments to existing equipment, revised experience penalties for low-level characters, and a variety of job improvements. Not to mention a significant improvement to quality of life for storage, mailing, and general transportation. Final Fantasy XI players will have to wait through the usual download time, but given the content awaiting the patient, we think it should be well worth the wait.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI launches May version update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldscontentffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicslevelingmay-version-updatenewsnotorious-monsterspatchesquality-of-lifesquaresquare-enixupdatesversion-updateTue, 10 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: A story of perspective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/the-mog-log-a-story-of-perspective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/the-mog-log-a-story-of-perspective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/the-mog-log-a-story-of-perspective/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

He could still hear the sounds that should have gone with the wooden walls, even though they were nigh-deserted: the swishing sounds of arrows in flight, the hard chopping of blades hacking apart mandragoras, even the faint humming of curative magics. It had been years since he had last set foot in Yuhtunga, but in some ways it felt like he had never left.

Lost in his momentary reverie, Kerensky breathed deep, savoring the earthy scent of the jungle before glancing over his shoulder toward his young companion. "Can you see it?" he asked, shifting his weight slightly and wrapping his fingers around the hilt of his sword.

"See what?" she shouted, trudging up the path in her dun-colored shirt and loose slacks, a look of exasperation playing across her features. "There's nothing here! How, exactly, is this supposed to be training?"

He checked the response that sprang to mind. Of course she couldn't see what he did; she hadn't been here before. "This is where one trains at your level of knowledge," Kerensky replied calmly. "Now we sit, and we wait."

Continue reading The Mog Log: A story of perspective

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A story of perspective originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnsexperimentsfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilevelingleveling-areasopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logtraditionsSat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The idea of a Harry Potter MMO is hardly a new one at this point -- we've even speculated on it around Massively for years now. Rumors and wishful thinking have brought up this hypothetical MMO time and again, and for good reason: It simply makes sense.

In fact, the more you think about it, the more surprising it is that we haven't heard official word of a Harry Potter MMO by now. After doing some poking around, the most likely suspects to take on this project would either be Warner Bros. (which owns the rights to the franchise) or Electronic Arts (which purchased a license from WB to make the movie video games). Both companies have MMO studios at their command -- Turbine, BioWare, Mythic -- and both have the resources to make it happen.

So why does Harry Potter make perfect sense for MMO-adaptation? Hit the jump and I'll run you down the top 10 reasons! And if you post a positive comment after this column, I'll add five points to the house of your choice (go Hufflepuff!).

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassesdeathly-hallowsdefense-against-the-dark-artseaea-biowareea-mythicelectronic-artsfactionsfantasyfeaturedgolden-goosegoose-that-lays-golden-eggsharry-potterharry-potter-mmoherbologyhogwartsholy-trinityhouseshufflepuffipj-k-rowlingjk-rowlingkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlevelinglevelslord-of-the-ringsmagicmythicnarniapotionsquidditchrowlingspeculationturbinetwilightUniversal-Orlando-Resortwarner-broswarner-bros-interactiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwizardwizard101wizardsworld-buildingThu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: So how DO they make their money?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/free-for-all-so-how-do-they-make-their-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/free-for-all-so-how-do-they-make-their-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/free-for-all-so-how-do-they-make-their-money/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Each and every article I write will have at least a few comments from different points of view on the subject of free-to-play profits and cash-shop uses. Once again my wonderfully unique position as a writer for a large gaming website gives me some general insight into the mind of today's modern MMO gamer -- at least the type of gamer who comes to Massively for his information. As with any group, there are a lot of myths that are passed around, as well as many truths. Figuring out which is which takes time.

I decided to continue with this fascinating look at payment models by gathering even more information. Already I have collected some of my favorite comments from many of you for possible future use in a column, but I love asking questions for you to answer. This week I thought it would be fun to examine some of the different "truths" about free-to-play that get passed around.

For example: How do free-to-play publishers make their money? Do most free-to-play players really pay more than a typical subscription price? Do free-to-play games sell power?

Click past the cut and let's look into some of these items.

Continue reading Free for All: So how DO they make their money?

MassivelyFree for All: So how DO they make their money? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanBigpointcash-shopeverquestf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playftplevelingmabinogiNexonnexon-americaSOESony-Online-EntertainmentvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesWed, 04 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Power-leveling alts in an honor party]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-power-leveling-alts-in-an-honor-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-power-leveling-alts-in-an-honor-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/lost-pages-of-taborea-power-leveling-alts-in-an-honor-party/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Over the course of two years, Runes of Magic has had many patches. It has also had many changes and additions that never made it into the patch notes. They're usually nothing major -- maybe a minor graphical tweak or some other incidental improvements. Then there are items, quests, and features that seem to change, but I can never be sure based on my imperfect memory alone. Something seems to be new or different, but because it never made a lasting impression, I can't be sure whether I'm remembering it correctly. That's how I felt about the honor party.

The newbie tutor system seemed to quietly crawl under a rug, but over time it has proven to be operational. Even though the NPC in Varanas does a fair job of informing you what the honor party is and does, I'll give you a quick run-down of how it operates. One of the advantages of knowing about and using the honor party is having a very quick way of leveling alts through the first 20 levels. I wouldn't recommend it for first-time players, but let's take a look at using the honor party to give your alt a huge jump in levels on day one.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Power-leveling alts in an honor party

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Power-leveling alts in an honor party originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltsfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehonor-partyjeremy-strattonlevelinglost-pages-of-taboreanecropolis-of-mirrorsnompower-levelpower-levelingromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentspeed-levelingMon, 04 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atlantica Online removes Stamina, allows unlimited play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/atlantica-online-removes-stamina-allows-unlimited-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/atlantica-online-removes-stamina-allows-unlimited-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/atlantica-online-removes-stamina-allows-unlimited-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nobody likes to be told how to play. Even if you have a good reason to try to limit player activities, players want to have the freedom to play an MMO however they want and whenever they want. It's a lesson that Atlantica Online has taken to heart with its latest mechanical change overhauling the Stamina system. Specifically, the overhaul consists of removing the system in its entirety as of today, allowing players unfettered access to the game's content.

Previously, the system was in place to prevent players from taking too many actions during a given period of time, which fatigued characters and locked down further progress. The removal allows players to continue playing for as long as they wish. Atlantica Online's players will no doubt be happy to hear that there's no clock in the background any longer, which is undeniably good unless you needed to be reminded to get up from the computer once in a while.

MassivelyAtlantica Online removes Stamina, allows unlimited play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanticaatlantica-onlinef2pfatiguefree-to-playlevelinglimitationsndoorsndoors-interactiveplay-limitationsremovalstaminastamina-systemsystem-removalWed, 23 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST