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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SWTOR's Daniel Erickson 'actively looking for new opportunities']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/swtors-daniel-erickson-actively-looking-for-new-opportunities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/swtors-daniel-erickson-actively-looking-for-new-opportunities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/swtors-daniel-erickson-actively-looking-for-new-opportunities/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SWTOR's Daniel Erickson is 'actively looking for new opportunities'
Is Star Wars: The Old Republic's lead designer and creative director looking to move on from the studio? This is the question that comes from reading Daniel Erickson's LinkedIn profile, in which he includes the phrase "actively looking for new opportunities" in his header.

Erickson has been with BioWare for well over seven years at this point.

We're cautious about deducing too much from a single blurb on LinkedIn, but then again, he puts it right up front and center. What do you think: Is Erickson looking to move on from BioWare, and if so, what impact will this have on SWTOR?

[Thanks to Soeren for the tip!]

MassivelySWTOR's Daniel Erickson 'actively looking for new opportunities' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecreative-directordaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artslead-designerlinkedinlucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[John Blakely leaves SOE for Zynga]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/john-blakely-leaves-soe-for-zynga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/john-blakely-leaves-soe-for-zynga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/john-blakely-leaves-soe-for-zynga/#commentsFiled under: , ,

These days fans are hungry for any word from Sony Online Entertainment, which has been mostly quiet following the hacking intrusion that required Sony to take down its MMOs on May 2nd. While we have received some news out of the company, unfortunately today's word is a sad one: John Blakely, SOE's vice president of development, has left the company to join Zynga.

Kotaku reports that Blakely's LinkedIn resumé mentioned that he left SOE in April to become a general manager at Zynga in Austin. SOE has confirmed his departure, thanking Blakely for his "passion and leadership" and stating that he has been replaced by Lorin Jameson. Jameson was the executive director of development at SOE's Austin studio.

In addition to being SOE's VP of development, Blakely filled the role of executive producer for DC Universe Online and senior producer for EverQuest II during his stay at the company.

MassivelyJohn Blakely leaves SOE for Zynga originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austindc-universe-onlinedcuoeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2p-for-rubihackinghacking-intrusionjohn-blakelykotakulinkedinLorin-Jamesonsoesonysony-online-entertainmentzyngaThu, 12 May 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Why are goal structures important to MMOs and VWs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-why-are-goal-structures-important-to-mmos-and-vws/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-why-are-goal-structures-important-to-mmos-and-vws/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-why-are-goal-structures-important-to-mmos-and-vws/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The following is a quite excellent session from the Worlds in Motion GDC track given by Erik Bethke, CEO of GoPets. The takeaway message is about what virtual worlds can learn from MMOs in terms of providing intelligent goal structures.

Erik: How do we apply MMO goal structures to virtual worlds (and to almost everything)? Virtual worlders tend to hate games like WoW because they're not "erudite" enough but look at this screenshot (shows slide of a UI from a raid) and look at how complicated the user interface is. With 10 million people playing, is it hardcore or is it casual? I get really frustrated with arguments about UI: the raid screenshot proves that even this level of complexity can break through to a larger audience.

Shows slide of quest-giver goblin in WoW: "virtual worlds are missing the little guys with exclamation points above their heads." Looking at other examples of goal structures: look at how successful Puzzle Quest got by combining Bejeweled with RPG elements. Look at Chore Wars -- suddenly I get excited about walking the dog (laughter). Even something like the LinkedIn registration process -- I logged in one day and saw that my "progress bar" was only at 40% and how can I live with that?! I had to level up in LinkedIn. I found out I needed to get testimonials from my contacts to get higher -- it was a group quest! I got pissed that I couldn't solo LinkedIn (lots of laughter).

Continue reading GDC08: Why are goal structures important to MMOs and VWs?

MassivelyGDC08: Why are goal structures important to MMOs and VWs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchore-warserik-bethkefeaturedgdc08gdc08fanboygoal-structuresgoalsgopetshardcorejoystiqfeatureslinkedinpuzzle-questuiTue, 19 Feb 2008 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Now you can wear your social networks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/now-you-can-wear-your-social-networks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/now-you-can-wear-your-social-networks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/now-you-can-wear-your-social-networks/#commentsFiled under: ,


In a world of Web 2.0, it can be a little intimidating trying to find others on the social network that you love. Doubly so if you're looking for a real life friend that shares your interests. Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can wear your web presence on your shirt?

Aram Bartholl compiled a list of the best known social networks, including their icons and coloring, and put them on a shirt with checkboxes. There are the obvious ones, such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn, but there's also a box for Second Life! In my vision of a perfect world, I hope to run across at least a few people wearing these shirts with the SL box checked while I'm out and about. Get yours today and help me live my dream!

[Via Gizmodo]

MassivelyNow you can wear your social networks originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aram-barthollfacebookgizmodolinkedinmyspaceshirtslMon, 12 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST