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[Jumping out an airlock is a legitimate mode of travel in Line of Defense]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/jumping-out-of-an-airlock-is-a-legitimate-mode-of-travel-in-line/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/jumping-out-of-an-airlock-is-a-legitimate-mode-of-travel-in-line/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/jumping-out-of-an-airlock-is-a-legitimate-mode-of-travel-in-line/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Line of Defense
Contrary to many of Derek Smart's previous expansive computer titles, Line of Defense will be "streamlined" to focus on a small corner of the galaxy. In a new dev blog, Smart outlines the scope of the MMO's territory and how it connects to his previously established game universe.

Line of Defense consists of four space regions, each with its own planets and moons. The regions are connected by jump gates in the Sirius/Barnard's Star systems pathway. However, when the game first launches, players will only have access to the planet of Lyrius, with other planets and moons coming afterward.

Players can teleport from base to base on planets using Dynamic Jump Pads or can transfer to a station via a carrier. Jumpgates, however, will allow players in vehicles to traverse entire regions. But probably the most interesting mode of transportation is to let loose with an orbital drop from a space station down to the planet surface below.

The one thing that Line of Defense won't have, however, is the ability to seamlessly transition between planets, bases, and regions without loading screens.

MassivelyJumping out an airlock is a legitimate mode of travel in Line of Defense originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>derek-smartdev-blogdev-diarydr-derek-smartdynamic-jump-padgame-universegame-worldjump-gatejump-gatesjumpgatejumpgatesline-of-defenselodlyriusmoonsplanetssectorstransportationtravelWed, 28 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Line of Defense gets gung-ho in its latest trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/line-of-defense-gets-gung-ho-in-its-latest-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/line-of-defense-gets-gung-ho-in-its-latest-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/line-of-defense-gets-gung-ho-in-its-latest-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Line of Defense
Listen up, maggots, 'cause I'm only going to tell you this once: If any of you bubblegum-chewing, Jersey Shore-watching couch potatoes thinks that space combat is a jolly good time, then... well, yes it is! Quite delightful, really. Lots of thrills, stunts, occasional headshots -- all those sorts of things. Afterward we will convene for scones and group cheers.

I guess that means it's time for your assignment of the day, which is to eyeball Derek Smart's Line of Defense trailer and let us know your professional opinion. It's a high-octane trip through the game's flexible combat locations, from drop ships to jeeps to parachutes to good old-fashioned ground firefights.

You can see how Line of Defense is shaping up after the jump!

Continue reading Line of Defense gets gung-ho in its latest trailer

MassivelyLine of Defense gets gung-ho in its latest trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3000adderek-smartf2pfpsfree-to-playline-of-defenselodmmofpspreviewshootertrailervideoThu, 01 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's exclusive look at Line of Defense, a new MMOFPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/massivelys-exclusive-look-at-line-of-defense-a-new-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/massivelys-exclusive-look-at-line-of-defense-a-new-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/massivelys-exclusive-look-at-line-of-defense-a-new-mmofps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

We all enjoy a good shooter, don't we? It's even more fun if we can play it with dozens (if not hundreds) of our closest friends, so we were excited to hear about the new MMOFPS that 3000AD and Derek Smart are making and will publishing through Quest Online. It sounds like there will be some cool twists and unique innovations in this new title, a game called Line of Defense, so we were happy to ask someone at the source.

Mr. Smart, President of QOL, was kind enough to give us the scoop on this upcoming game. Grab a comfortable seat, because this interview has a lot of information for you to digest. Check it out after the cut!

[Update: We've added some additional exclusive screenshots to the gallery, courtesy of Derek Smart. We also corrected the information about the proper publisher and creator of the game.]

Gallery: Line of Defense screens

Continue reading Massively's exclusive look at Line of Defense, a new MMOFPS

MassivelyMassively's exclusive look at Line of Defense, a new MMOFPS originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanderek-smartf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpline-of-defenselodMicrotransactionsmmofpsplanetsideplanetside-nextqolquest-onlineshootertribestribes-universeTue, 01 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Building MMO landscape scenes, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes-part-2/#commentsContinue reading Building MMO landscape scenes, part 2

MassivelyBuilding MMO landscape scenes, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbillboardengineeverquest-2everquest-iigraphicsheightmaplakelandscapelightinglodlord-of-the-rings-onlineoceanplantsriversceneryscenictechnologyterrainterrain-renderingtexturestreeswaterworld-of-warcraftMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Building MMO landscape scenes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/building-mmo-landscape-scenes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Landscapes have been a staple component of almost every MMO in recent memory. With the exception of some sci-fi titles, most MMOs take place on the land of some imagined island or continent. Some use stylised fantasy landscapes that run smoothly on even low-end computers while others have managed almost photo-realistic visuals at the cost of performance. But have you ever thought about what's going on behind the scenes in your favourite MMO? Most of us don't think about how the computer is actually drawing the terrain we run around on. We don't give much thought to the different ways each MMO renders the water in lakes, rivers and oceans. And just how does your computer render so many trees and plants without grinding to a halt? As part of my masters degree in computer science, I got to grips with a number of these techniques and found it a fascinating thing to learn about. Now when I play a new game or see MMO screenshots, I can't help but think about what the computer is doing in the background and how particular visual effects could have been achieved.

In this technical article, I talk about some of the components of an MMO landscape scene and a few of the techniques used in creating the graphics behind them.

Continue reading Building MMO landscape scenes

MassivelyBuilding MMO landscape scenes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbillboardengineeverquest-2everquest-iigraphicsheightmaplakelandscapelightinglodlord-of-the-rings-onlineoceanplantsriversceneryscenictechnologyterrainterrain-renderingtexturestreeswaterworld-of-warcraftMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST