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[The Nexus Telegraph: Still moving in WildStar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-nexus-telegraph-still-moving-in-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-nexus-telegraph-still-moving-in-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-nexus-telegraph-still-moving-in-wildstar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Or just stand there and let it reach you, that's cool too.
The downside to writing about WildStar in this stage of the game's lifecycle is that because of the very nature of beta tests, I'm going to be spending a lot of time speculating instead of talking about certainties. Last week, I speculated. I was wrong on some points, as I found out when I got a letter from Carbine clarifying some things that had previously been ambiguous enough for speculation.

The upside to writing about WildStar in this stage of the game's lifecycle is that sometimes I get letters from development staff letting me in on valuable inside information.

Aside from being able to clarify my previous incorrect speculation, I also have for you a number of other important bits of information regarding the game this week, including a brief discussion of whether or not the game will allow for flight on a regular basis. So since that's well worth discussing, let's go ahead and just make this column another dialogue about movement.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: Still moving in WildStar

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: Still moving in WildStar originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areascarbinecarbine-studiosclimatecolumnfeaturedflightflyingflying-mountsloremovementncsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionregionssandparksci-fantasysci-fithe-nexus-telegraphtransportwildstarzonesMon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stick and Rudder: Why all the love for Roberts and Star Citizen?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/stick-and-rudder-why-all-the-love-for-roberts-and-star-citizen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/stick-and-rudder-why-all-the-love-for-roberts-and-star-citizen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/stick-and-rudder-why-all-the-love-for-roberts-and-star-citizen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stick and Rudder - Why all the love for Roberts and Star Citizen?
I was talking with a gaming buddy recently who missed the whole space sim experience in the 1990s. He's a Star Wars fan and a real-life pilot pushing 40, so it surprised me to learn that he'd never heard of Wing Commander, Freespace, X-Wing, and the like. My jaw really hit the floor as our conversation turned to current games and I began to evangelize about Star Citizen and Chris Roberts.

"Who's Chris Roberts?" he asked, with a straight face.

Continue reading Stick and Rudder: Why all the love for Roberts and Star Citizen?

MassivelyStick and Rudder: Why all the love for Roberts and Star Citizen? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritychris-robertsclaw-markscloud-imperiumcloud-imperium-gamingfeaturedhero-worshipimmersionloreroberts-space-industriesroleplayingrsisandboxsci-fishipspacespace-simspacesimstar-citizenstar-citizen-lorestar-citizen-writers-guidestick-and-ruddertie-fighterwing-commanderx-wingSun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 gives voice to the Consortium]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/guild-wars-2-gives-voice-to-the-consortium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/guild-wars-2-gives-voice-to-the-consortium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/guild-wars-2-gives-voice-to-the-consortium/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 puts a voice to the Consortium
"The Consortium is neither good nor evil. The Consortium is capitalist," ArenaNet Narrative Designer Scott McGough begins as he introduces this faction to gamers in a new video. If you've been playing Guild Wars 2's new living world content in Southsun Cove, then you've undoubtedly bumped into one or two of the representatives from this firm.

McGough explains that the Consortium is angling to be a competitor to the Black Lion Trading Company, and that means selling people all sorts of feel-good products that they want and need. They also appeared to be the savior of the refugees from the previous living story, offering the dispossessed a place to live and work. Unfortunately for the settlers, the Consortium is not prepared to let them go any time soon, and Southsun Cove is a much more dangerous place to live than the Consortium realized.

Check out the backstory video for the Consortium after the jump!

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 gives voice to the Consortium

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 gives voice to the Consortium originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now why can't every class have its own version of this to pilot all the time?
Have you been out of the loop in Guild Wars 2? There's been big stuff going on with the game's narrative, sure, but it's easy to lose the thread if you're not playing the game on a regular basis. The latest developer video from ArenaNet is meant to address this, with narrative designers Angel McCoy and Scott McGough talking about the events of the Flame and Frost storyline and how the game's previous stories are leading into future developments.

The crux of Flame and Frost is the allegiance between the Dredge and the Flame Legion, with the former lacking in magical artillery and the latter being cut off from traditional Charr machinery. That alliance led to the capture of civilians, which in turn led to a push by two young heroes to free former prisoners... which in turn has led to a population move to an unexpected place. Watch the full video for a glimpse at how the story elements lead into one another and to get hints about what's around the bend.

Continue reading Look behind the living world in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyLook behind the living world in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbackgroundbuy-to-playfantasyflame-and-frostguild-wars-2gw2living-worldlorencsoftnewsstoriesstoryvideovideosTue, 07 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2's The Secret of Southsun adds mini-game, WvW traps [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/guild-wars-2s-the-secret-of-southsun-will-end-culling-add-wvw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/guild-wars-2s-the-secret-of-southsun-will-end-culling-add-wvw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/guild-wars-2s-the-secret-of-southsun-will-end-culling-add-wvw/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2's The Secret of Southsun will end culling, add WvW features
May has just gotten started and already ArenaNet has another content update scheduled for Guild Wars 2. Called The Secret of Southsun, this May 14th update comes right on the heels of the final installment of Flame and Frost and extends the episodic content that began with that first series. This time, the adventures focus on troubles brewing on the tropical island of Southsun Cove where players must quell the rising violence and discover the secret that hides there.

The Secret of Southsun also brings an end to culling in the rest of the world (it was previously only disabled in World vs. World) and introduces two an improvement to WvW -- traps and an improved award system. Traps will remove supply from enemies. and players will gain reward for a wider range of activities in the Mists, such as destroying siege weapons, escort missions, and repairing walls. Players can also try their hand at a new crab toss mini-game.

On top of the update announcement, ArenaNet has recently posted additional lore expanding the story of Rox, the Charr. Read on to see where her latest adventures lead.

[Update: It seems ArenaNet let some of this info out before it intended to, as detailed in this forum post. So the WvW award changes won't be in just yet. ArenaNet has also informed us that it will be holding off on the culling as well and has now altered its official announcement to reflect these changes.]

[Source: ArenaNet press release]

MassivelyGuild Wars 2's The Secret of Southsun adds mini-game, WvW traps [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's your lore. There are giant spiders. Kill them. What else is relevant?
We're not kidding about that title. The latest set of answers for The Elder Scrolls Online's Ask Me Anything is full of lore. Spilling over with lore. Its lore cup runneth over. Do you want to know how old an elf has to be before he's actually old? 200-300 years is old. Want to know if there will be any Dragonborn running around a la Skyrim? Nope, and shouts are a thing of legend. It's all the lore you've wanted and were clearly not afraid to ask about.

There are some other answers in the mix as well. Players will have to guess about the abilities of their opponents in PvP to some extent, since the armor system will not allow you to guess at abilities by appearance. Players can also expect to find puzzles in the game rather than pure combat encounters, although no details are given. So while you'll find the most meat if you're looking for lore, even more system-focused players will find some relevant answers in the full set.

MassivelyThe Elder Scrolls Online answers all your questions, assuming they're about lore originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-me-anythingbackgroundbackstorybethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcommunity-q-and-adaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsloremorrowindoblivionpvpq-and-arvrsandboxskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosMon, 06 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Nexus Telegraph: What the Luminai mean for WildStar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-nexus-telegraph-what-the-luminai-mean-for-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-nexus-telegraph-what-the-luminai-mean-for-wildstar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-nexus-telegraph-what-the-luminai-mean-for-wildstar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Looking closer sometimes means the light just becomes more blinding.
I spend a lot of time playing around with theories about lore. I can't do a whole lot more in regard to playing with WildStar at the moment, so that works out well anyway, but I do enjoy throwing out theories and seeing what sticks. Sometimes that invalidates earlier theories I had in the process, but that's the business.

This week I don't want to invalidate something I already speculated upon but build upon a previous column. People seemed to like my musings on what the deal is with Nexus, but even as I was writing that column, I noticed one screaming problem: The Luminai don't fit.

Obviously the Luminai are kind of a big deal, what with their addition marking the creation of the Dominion and all that. These guys are important, and their creation was obviously intentional. But they still prompt some questions because they don't serve an obvious purpose in the larger scheme of things.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: What the Luminai mean for WildStar

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: What the Luminai mean for WildStar originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundbackstorycarbinecarbine-studioscolumnfeaturedlorencsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionsandparksci-fantasysci-fispeculationthe-nexus-telegraphwildstarMon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Nest reveals its newest character, Kali]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/dragon-nest-reveals-its-newest-character-kali/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/dragon-nest-reveals-its-newest-character-kali/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/dragon-nest-reveals-its-newest-character-kali/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You can't be a prophet and wear pants. That's not how it works.
Here's the problem with having a destined hero -- no matter how specific you make the criteria for being the chosen one, there's always the chance you'll wind up with the chosen two or four or whatever. That's the case in Dragon Nest, where the new character Kali is a second prophet in addition to the prophet Rose. While Rose seemed to be the chosen one, Kali wields the same amount of power, albeit in a very different fashion.

As demonstrated in the preview video, Kali revels in dark magic and spirit attacks, mixing up large magical attacks flowing melee strikes. She's advertised as moving quickly between targets, and certainly seems built for speed and multi-target abilities over single hits or durability. But you don't have to take our word for it, as you can check out some of Kali's moves for yourself in the video embedded just past the break.

[Source: Nexon press release]

Continue reading Dragon Nest reveals its newest character, Kali

MassivelyDragon Nest reveals its newest character, Kali originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharactersclassesdragon-nestf2pfantasyfree-to-playkalilorenew-charactersnexonnexon-americanexon-koreapreviewpreviewstrailertrailersvideovideosFri, 03 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SMITE unchains the might of Fenrir]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Who's a good boy? Who? Is it you? Who wants a treat?
After many years, we finally have the answer to a rhetorical question: SMITE let the dogs out. Well, one dog -- Fenrir. But he's enough dog to count for all the others. If you hadn't guess, Fenrir is the newest deity added to the game, coming into the game with a full suite of melee abilities suitable for a wolf feared by the Norse pantheon.

Fenrir's core mechanic is a stacking set of runes, with each of his abilities gaining a major buff when at a full stack of five. Normally, Fenrir can leap to do damage to an area, leap to do damage to a single target, or buff himself with increased damage and lifestealing. With a full stack of runes, his area leap stuns, his single-target leap becomes an AoE, and his buff becomes more efficient. He can also grow to a massive size, increase movement speed, and carry an enemy god around like a chew toy. Take a look at all of Fenrir's trick in the reveal video past the break, and read up on the full list of changes in the official patch notes.

Continue reading SMITE unchains the might of Fenrir

MassivelySMITE unchains the might of Fenrir originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dark secrets, sure, but mostly it looks like a lovely countryside vacation.
Despite the name of the game, Dragon's Prophet does not exclusively feature dragons and prophets thereof. It also has lands for all of that to occupy. The Wynnadia zone even has houses and people living there, providing a rich background for all prophet- and dragon-related antics. It's a pleasant zone filled with rolling hills, farming communities, undead monstrosities clawing their way up from the depths, and charming beaches.

Wait, do we need to go back to that middle one?

Once in game, players will be tasked with exploring the Accursed Tower and the Nameless Keep, full of dark secrets and alluring treasure. But it's not all monster-stomping day, as the zone is also home to the cities of Zarland and Lilia, with the former composed mainly of outcasts and refugees and the latter serving as an impressive naval stronghold. While we're assured that there's danger in the zone, all of the pictures in the gallery below look more inviting than deadly.

[Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

Gallery: Dragon's Prophet

MassivelyDragon's Prophet shows off screenshots of Wynnadia originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, the face of the Romulans is only half-Romulan.
When Star Trek Online launches its first expansion, Legacy of Romulus, players will find themselves facing off against the formidable Empress Sela right from the start. The return of Sela also marks the return of veteran actress Denise Crosby to the game, and the community team behind STO had a chance to speak with Crosby about returning to the franchise and to the same characters she portrayed years ago on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Crosby mentions that while she enjoyed the chance to reprise the role of Tasha Yar (a character she jokingly says simply refuses to die), revisiting Sela is a chance to dive deeper into a character who was not fully realized during her first appearances. Sela's life is the Empire, and she feels that any means necessary to restore the power and prestige of her people is more than justified. Click past the break to see the full video and learn a little bit more about the face of the Romulan Empire in the expansion.

Continue reading Star Trek Online goes behind the scenes with Denise Crosby

MassivelyStar Trek Online goes behind the scenes with Denise Crosby originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actingactorsbackstorycharacterscrypticcryptic-studiosdenise-crosbyempress-selaexpansionf2pfree-to-playlegacy-of-romulusloreperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweremusromulussci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestovideovideosvoice-actingvoice-overWed, 01 May 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: My lore problem]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/the-soapbox-my-lore-problem/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
"In the distant forests of El'quen, a dark evil stirs. Marrowgore the Unhunter, imprisoned for a thousand years in Cauldron Lake by the Eye of Son'drak, has broken free. Now, he and his evil BoneSlurpers stage an all-out war on the United Provinces. You, a freshly christened hero known for valorous acts both on and off the battlefield, must take charge of the Sacred Axeblade of Loqtai, harness the power it contains, and send the Unhunter back to his watery prison.

"But first, can you get me nine wolf pelts?"

Continue reading The Soapbox: My lore problem

MassivelyThe Soapbox: My lore problem originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betacutsceneeditorialfeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesloremassively-metammo-loreop-edopen-betaopinionplotrantrantsroundupsoapboxstorystorytellingtestingthe-soapboxtropesTue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[True stories of EVE Online to become comic book and TV series]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/true-stories-of-eve-online-to-become-comic-book-and-tv-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/true-stories-of-eve-online-to-become-comic-book-and-tv-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/true-stories-of-eve-online-to-become-comic-book-and-tv-series/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

True stories of EVE Online to become comic book and TV series
The CCP Presents Keynote at the annual EVE Online Fanfest is usually a fairly tame retrospective on how CCP has a company has done the past year and where it's going in the future, but for EVE's tenth anniversary, CCP broke out the big guns. In addition to announcing a massive new collector's edition, the studio has also revealed plans to turn real stories of events inside the sandbox into professional comic books and even a TV series.

Industry giant Dark Horse Comics, the company responsible for comics like Hellboy and Sin City, will be publishing the 54-page graphic novel this winter in both a paid-for print form and a free digital download. For the lore buffs among us, Dark Horse will also be producing a colossal 184-page glossy colour hardback book covering all of the NPC backstory and lore behind EVE Online and DUST 514. Titled EVE Source, the book will be an in-character almanac of everything in the EVE setting that isn't player-created and will even include previously unreleased concept art.

Continue reading True stories of EVE Online to become comic book and TV series

MassivelyTrue stories of EVE Online to become comic book and TV series originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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To be fair, any time you see the multi-colored lanterns showing up I think it's a little funny.
A few weeks back, I saw a comment from a reader mentioning that the biggest problem with Champions Online was that it felt goofy. And that's true to a point. Certainly it never gets to the extremes of the Silver Age, but there's a definite feel of larger-than-life heroes battling it out without too much concern for plausibility. I'd peg it at late '70s to early '80s in terms of corresponding comic book eras.

For some people, this is a problem. And it's one that's worth discussing because each of the major titles has approached its overall theme slightly differently. But all of them have hit what I feel is a very important note insofar as all of them are unabashedly games about superheroes.

Superheroes are weirdly inconsistent partly because many of these same heroes have been in stories for nearly a century. It's really hard to reconcile a version of Batman who shoots and kills his foes with the modern incarnation or the modern brooding character with the light-hearted antics of the Silver Age. This is problematic when you have fans of different kinds of Batman all playing DC Universe Online.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Grim and gritty vs. light and funny

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Grim and gritty vs. light and funny originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteratmospherebackstoryfeaturedloremild-mannered-reporteropinionsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroestoneWed, 17 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI's Feast of Swords cuts into another year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/final-fantasy-xis-feast-of-swords-cuts-into-another-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/final-fantasy-xis-feast-of-swords-cuts-into-another-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/final-fantasy-xis-feast-of-swords-cuts-into-another-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sweating moogles probably smell terrible, for the record.
We're just a month away from the 11-year anniversary of Final Fantasy XI, which means that certain events in the game have taken on a certain sense of routine. Every year the Feast of Swords comes around at the same time, and every year a ceremonial armor gets stolen. This year's lore piece isn't about the event, it's about the growing suspicion of an adventurer that there's more behind this annual event and "unexpected" theft than anyone has been told...

But you don't need that as motivation to go beat up armor with a wooden katana, do you? Of course not. The event starts off on April 24th this year and runs until May 8th. The procedure is much the same as in previous years -- characters pick up a wooden katana, get a buff, and run around starter zones tying to beat up enchanted armor. It might be a conspiracy in-game, but out of the game it's just a chance for everyone to be a samurai for a few days.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI's Feast of Swords cuts into another year originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryeventsfantasyfeast-of-swordsffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xihumorin-game-eventsloresettingsquaresquare-enixTue, 16 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's puppetmasters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-nexus-telegraph-wildstars-puppetmasters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-nexus-telegraph-wildstars-puppetmasters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-nexus-telegraph-wildstars-puppetmasters/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You thought we had done all of this for your benefit. You were half right.
What do the Eldan want?

It's a reasonable question. In the backstory of WildStar, the Eldan are the progenitors and the ultimate source of all the conflict that's out there. They hold all the secrets to the planet Nexus, they are the source of the technology our characters will use, and they are the ultimate starting point. The Dominion may maintain its galactic stranglehold, but the Eldan gave them that imperative.

And they are not answering their calls.

WildStar players have been keeping a careful eye on bits of lore, and intrepid fan InnocentCivilian took the opportunity to write up a great compilation on what we know about the Eldan so far. It's enough to get you thinking about what the Eldan are all about, and it led me to ask a few questions, ones that have obvious answers that make me wonder just what we'll find on Planet Nexus.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's puppetmasters

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's puppetmasters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundcarbinecarbine-studioscolumnfeaturedlorencsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionsandparksci-fantasysci-fispeculationthe-nexus-telegraphwildstarMon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's magitek disassembled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-magitek-disassembled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-magitek-disassembled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xivs-magitek-disassembled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Because I will always discuss giant robots. Always.
I've done a couple of articles on reoccurring concepts in Final Fantasy games before, but this is an unusual one because it seems to barely qualify at times. Final Fantasy XIV has magitek, as did Final Fantasy VI, but those are the only games to refer to it as such. Sure, other games flirt with similar concepts (Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy VII most prominently), but none of them is outright called magitek.

Bit there's still some interesting stuff to unpack when it comes to magitek, even if you don't consider the corner cases as you ought to. At a glance it might look like this is a simple manichean split between two factions, but there's a lot more going on and a lot of importance tied up with the term that can hint as to Final Fantasy XIV's future -- beyond the fact that we'll get to ride some magitek armor.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's magitek disassembled

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's magitek disassembled originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Road to Mordor A day in Forochel
The snow crunches angrily beneath my boots. It's a hard snow, beaten down by the winds and the constant sub-arctic temperatures. On top of it is a light powder that stings when it is whipped into my eyes. Fortunately all is calm and quiet at the moment, and I move on.

I'm a pioneer in Forochel, or so my title tells me, but I still feel as if I don't know this untamed land. It's the roof of the world, or so they say, with odd peoples, strange languages, and frozen ruins. I see sights there that I never would anywhere else in Middle-earth, and it almost feels like an alien world removed from all I've known because of that.

I walk toward a distant fire while the snow falls behind me and covers my footprints. Too often I think of how far away I am from the safety and warmth of home, and it frightens me. Am I a fool to forge into this land? To go in the opposite direction of the One Ring? Or is this my destined path?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A day in LotRO's Forochel

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A day in LotRO's Forochel originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfeaturedforochelfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotroopinionroad-to-mordorstorythe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 13 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online offers a crash course on Empress Sela]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/star-trek-online-offers-a-crash-course-on-empress-sela/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/star-trek-online-offers-a-crash-course-on-empress-sela/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/star-trek-online-offers-a-crash-course-on-empress-sela/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Trek Online offers a crash course on Empress Sela
If you plan on playing Star Trek Online, you're going to have to deal with Empress Sela no matter your faction of choice. She is the head and the will of the Romulan Star Empire, mastermind of secret alliances and conspiracies aimed at keeping the Romulans as unapproachable and dangerous as they were before the death of their homeworld. But who is she? If you're not up to date on all the details, the latest lore entry from the official site brings you up to speed on the origins of the Empress and her motivations.

The daughter of a Romulan admiral and a time-traveling Enterprise crew member from an alternate reality, Sela tried many times to take power, only to end up in exile before the nova that destroyed Romulus. Undaunted, the loss of her homeworld gave Sela a new means to seize control, ultimately rising to be the new Empress and a staunch enemy of the Romulan Republic. Get the full rundown in the official entry and start getting ready, because all factions -- Klingon, Federation, and Romulan Republic -- will have to deal with her before long.

MassivelyStar Trek Online offers a crash course on Empress Sela originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycrypticcryptic-studiosexpansionf2pfree-to-playlegacy-of-romuluslorelore-figuremajor-figuremajor-npcnpcperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweremusromulussci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoThu, 11 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Returning to a simpler time
Some days, saving the world from Elder Dragons just feels like such a drag. Every time you put a dragon lieutenant down, you know that another one is, even then, being knit together from crystals or rotting corpses and it won't be all that long before it's time to save the world again.

That sort of knowledge can really take a toll on a girl.

Making full use of the magic of technology, I've started escaping the pressure of dragonfighting by going back into Guild Wars. Because it's the game that most directly relates to the state of affairs in Guild Wars 2, I've been playing the original Prophecies campaign. I've also been streaming the experience for the uninitiated, so if you'd like to catch up and live the adventure vicariously through me, you can check out the first bits on Massively's Twitch channel. If you'd like to quickly familiarize yourself with where Prophecies sits in the grand scheme of things, I recommend acquainting yourself with our brief history of Tyria.

It's been a neat experience so far. I'd like to talk about it with you.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adelbernanetarenanetascalonbuy-to-playcrazypants-adelbernfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-propheciesgwgw1gw2lorencsoftopinionpre-searingpresearingpropheciesthe-searingTue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic looks at Makeb's movers and shakers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In a galaxy far far away, all surveillance is done through very small blinds.
Star Wars: The Old Republic's expansion is sending players into a three-way warzone between the Empire, the Republic, and the Hutt Cartel. Winning that war will require getting the right friends and eliminating the right enemies. Whether you're an early order getting to jump in tomorrow or a player waiting until the official launch, you can benefit from a crash course on some persons of interest on Makeb, courtesy of Imperial Intelligence.

Considering the focus on the Hutt Cartel, it's unsurprising that two of the most prominent figures are Hutts -- Szajin and Toborro. Szajin bucks the usual Hutt trend of self-serving greed, modeling himself as a partisan for his people across the galaxy without concern for profit. Toborro, meanwhile, sits at the top of all operations on Makeb, setting himself as a personal lord for the Hutts to rally behind as the Cartel expands its influence. Check out the full intel rundown for more details on the Hutts as well as other persons of note.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic looks at Makeb's movers and shakers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pflavorfree-to-playhutt-cartelimportant-peoplelorelucasartsnpcsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 08 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Stepping into Fangorn Forest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/the-road-to-mordor-stepping-into-fangorn-forest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/the-road-to-mordor-stepping-into-fangorn-forest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/the-road-to-mordor-stepping-into-fangorn-forest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor Stepping into Fangorn Forest
Without a doubt, Riders of Rohan is one of the best expansions Lord of the Rings Online has delivered to date. True, it's not without its rough spots, but overall I'm impressed. The storytelling is excellent, the landscape is engaging, the mounted combat is pretty fun, the music is incredible, and the amount of stuff to do is mind-boggling.

But it wasn't until a week ago when my slow-but-steady Captain finally encountered my favorite aspect of this expansion: the Eves of Fangorn. I wasn't expecting to be so enchanted and engaged, but LotRO threw me for a loop and there I was -- grinning at the zone design and happy that the game can still produce a sense of wonder and adventure in my soul.

Why is it so good? What won me over? If you're thinking, "He's got a tree fetish, he does," then you might not be too far off base.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Stepping into Fangorn Forest

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Stepping into Fangorn Forest originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eves-of-fangornexpansionf2pfangornfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotroopinionriders-of-rohanroad-to-mordorrorthe-road-to-mordortree-fetishturbineturbine-entertainmentzone-designSat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter shines the light on kobolds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/neverwinter-shines-the-light-on-kobolds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/neverwinter-shines-the-light-on-kobolds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/neverwinter-shines-the-light-on-kobolds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

They're not really concerned about candles.
Kobolds in Neverwinter aren't quite as pathetic as you might think. Sure, they're fairly weak in a stand-up fight, and they tend to run from any engagement unless they've got the advantage of numbers. But they can build up those numbers very quickly when they need to, and they're not as stupid as you might think. The latest Monster Manual entry shines more light on these diminutive reptilian creatures and what players can expect when they hear kobolds in the distance.

Draconic worship is the order of the day for kobold clans, and while the dragons barely deign to notice their minions the kobolds treat their masters as incarnate deities. Their spellcasting Wyrmpriests direct the lesser members of the group to find more treasure for their chosen dragon, and they can also turn a dozen ragtag kobolds from a joke of an encounter into a fighting force to be reckoned with. They're not as intimidating as ogres, but get enough of the kobolds together and you should still be very afraid.

MassivelyNeverwinter shines the light on kobolds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobackstorycrypticcryptic-studiosdndenemiesf2pfantasyflufffree-to-playkoboldsloremonster-manualneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesettingThu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic shows off some of the key parts of Makeb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It looks nice, like Alderaan with fewer insects and feuding nobles.
Players who pre-ordered Rise of the Hutt Cartel early enough are less than a week away from their first taste of Star Wars: The Old Republic's expansion content, and it's only 10 days for everyone else who purchased the expansion. That means it's time to start thinking about what conditions will be like on the surface of Makeb, something addressed in the latest development blog showing off the planet. Narrated by SIS agent Theron Shan, the entry outlines several landmarks and the environments to be expected there.

Several regions of the planet are already under the control of the Hutt Cartel, including a few spots that the Hutts have taken without having much use for at the moment. The capital city is especially fortified, prompting the use of small teams rather than a full strike force. But there are a few spots where the Republic can make an approach, spots players will doubtlessly be exploring as soon as the expansion launches and everyone can rush to the new planet.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic shows off some of the key parts of Makeb originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellorelucasartsmakebmakeb-layoutpreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorThu, 04 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online sets the stage for Romulan expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-trek-online-sets-the-stage-for-romulan-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-trek-online-sets-the-stage-for-romulan-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-trek-online-sets-the-stage-for-romulan-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Trek Online sets the stage for Romulan expansion
A little confused as to how the Romulans fit into Star Trek Online now that their homeworlds have gone kablooey? Cryptic Lead Content Designer Scott Shicoff wrote a new dev blog to explain the setup for this May's Legacy of Romulus and how players fit into the scheme of things.

According to Shicoff, following the supernova that destoyed the Romulan homeworlds, the population split into three factions. The Tal Shiar is a dangerous sect led by Empress Sela that has no problems aligning itself with bad seeds. The Romulan Republic is a more peaceful group that seeks reunification and the end of xenophobia. And the final are survivors -- the players -- who are scattered everywhere and have yet to align with either of the two other factions.

Read up on the three factions over at Star Trek Online!

MassivelyStar Trek Online sets the stage for Romulan expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdev-diaryexpansionf2pfactionfactionsfree-to-playlegacy-of-romulusloreperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweremusromulussci-fiScott-Shicoffstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoWed, 03 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online celebrates First Contact Day on April 5th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/star-trek-online-celebrates-first-contact-day-on-april-5th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/star-trek-online-celebrates-first-contact-day-on-april-5th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/star-trek-online-celebrates-first-contact-day-on-april-5th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No, you may not hijack the Enterprise.
If you believe the Star Trek franchise, April 5th will be a very important day in 50 years as the day that humanity makes its first contact with the Vulcans. It's definitely an important day in Star Trek Online as a result of the lore. To commemorate the in-universe historical event, the game will be hosting a special event from April 5th until April 11th. Players will be able to visit the Utopia Planitia shipyards orbiting Mars and celebrate Starfleet's legacy by meeting its latest and greatest ship.

The latest incarnation of the Enterprise will be docked at the shipyards during this time, allowing players to meet the crew of the NCC-1701-F and pick up a non-combat replica of the Phoenix. Klingon players won't be left out of the celebration, as the Day of Honor will be running concurrently around Qo'Nos and players can pick up a special bat'leth. So whether you're part of the Federation or the Empire, it'll be a week of celebration for days that aren't very special now but will be in the future.

MassivelyStar Trek Online celebrates First Contact Day on April 5th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycrypticcryptic-studioseventsf2pfirst-contact-dayfree-to-playin-game-eventloreperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpetspwesci-fisettingspecial-eventsstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoTue, 02 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2013: Chris Roberts expounds on Star Citizen's crafting, economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/gdc-2013-chris-roberts-expounds-on-star-citizens-crafting-ec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/gdc-2013-chris-roberts-expounds-on-star-citizens-crafting-ec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/gdc-2013-chris-roberts-expounds-on-star-citizens-crafting-ec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GDC 2013 Chris Roberts expounds on Star Citizen's crafting, economy
This week we have a special GDC edition of Some Assembly Required. I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Roberts and talk about his highly anticipated space sim sandbox, Star Citizen. We talked lore, the game's PvP/PvE sliders and living universe concepts, guilds, and when players can expect to get in some dogfighting. Roberts also delved deeply into the crafting and economic aspects of the game.

If you miss the days of carving out a name for yourself and your wares and/or cornering the market and building an economic empire, you'll definitely want to keep an eye on Star Citizen.

Continue reading GDC 2013: Chris Roberts expounds on Star Citizen's crafting, economy

MassivelyGDC 2013: Chris Roberts expounds on Star Citizen's crafting, economy originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-robertschris-roberts-interviewconconferenceconventioncraftingcrowdfundingeconomyeventevent-coverageeventsfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2013game-mechanicsgdcgdc-2013kickstarterloremassively-event-coverageopinionpgcplayer-contentplayer-economyplayer-generated-contentpvpsandboxsarsci-fisome-assembly-requiredspaceshipstar-citizenstar-citizen-craftingstar-citizen-economySat, 30 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2's living story to 'grow in scope and grandeur']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/guild-wars-2s-living-story-to-grow-in-scope-and-grandeur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/guild-wars-2s-living-story-to-grow-in-scope-and-grandeur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/guild-wars-2s-living-story-to-grow-in-scope-and-grandeur/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2's living story to 'grow in scope and grandeur'
Guild Wars 2 Living World Designer Leif Chappelle continues ArenaNet's efforts to educate and sell the concept of gradually unfolding stories to the playerbase. Chapelle says that several storytelling tools are being employed, including open world activities, dungeons, crafting, and instanced episodes.

"What we're creating is an actual chronology of the world," Chappelle says. "The events of Flame and Frost will create repercussions throughout the world, bringing new tales and conflicts to light. Through the course of 2013, the concept of these Living World releases will grow in scope and grandeur as we move ahead and build up the groundwork to make this a key component of the developing and ever-changing world of Guild Wars 2."

While the event is going on, players will have the option to go back in time and see earlier stages of the story, but this will be denied once the arc is complete. Chapelle says that the team has worked hard to make the UI more clear in regards to steering players to the right areas for the story.

ArenaNet is currently selling Guild Wars 2 for 30% off until April 1st.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2's living story to 'grow in scope and grandeur' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playdev-diaryfantasyflame-and-frostguild-wars-2gw2leif-chappelleliving-storylorencsoftpromotionsalestoryWed, 27 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The Battle for Caldari Prime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/eve-evolved-the-battle-for-caldari-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/eve-evolved-the-battle-for-caldari-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/eve-evolved-the-battle-for-caldari-prime/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved The Battle for Caldari Prime
The empires of EVE Online have long and bloody histories that, until now, have been played out largely through fictional chronicles and in-character news posts. This week saw conflict erupt in-game between two NPC empires in the Battle for Caldari Prime live event. The neutral CONCORD faction has managed to maintain order between the four main empires of New Eden for decades, but that doesn't stop the Gallente and Caldari factions occasionally violating the peace.

The Caldari were originally part of the Gallente Federation but gained independence in a war lasting almost a hundred years. Following an attack on a Gallente city, a right-wing faction in the Gallente government seized power and ordered the bombing of the Caldari homeworld. Millions of Caldari citizens were evacuated from the homeworld, a planet that has been under dispute ever since. Caldari Prime resides in the Luminaire system and is officially inside Gallente territory, but recent events have seen the tables turn.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the story behind the recent Battle for Caldari Prime, accusations that the event was staged and scripted, and what the future may hold for live events in EVE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The Battle for Caldari Prime

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The Battle for Caldari Prime originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bottle-lightningcaldaricaldari-primeccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeventeventsevents-in-gamefakefakedfeaturedfpsgallenteground-combathistoryleviathanlive-eventlive-eventslivestreamloreluminaireMercenariesmmofpsnpcnuke-them-from-orbitopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpriggedrole-playrole-playingRolePlayingrpsandboxsci-fishiigerushooterstagedstorystorylinestreamtitanvideowarSun, 24 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bungie considered fantasy, modern settings for Destiny]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/bungie-considered-fantasy-modern-settings-for-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/bungie-considered-fantasy-modern-settings-for-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/bungie-considered-fantasy-modern-settings-for-destiny/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Destiny concept art
You're probably at least semi-interested in Bungie's always-online console shooter called Destiny, yeah? Would you still be interested if it featured a stock fantasy or modern-day setting instead of far-future sci-fi?

That was a distinct possibility, according to a piece at OXM. Bungie writer and design director Joseph Staten said the team ultimately gravitated toward a mix of sci-fi and fantasy "because it gave [them] this freedom."

"Fantasy brings us this texture that we can wrap around sci-fi, which is really appealing, especially if you're an artist who's just been stuck making straight up space armour for ten years," Staten explains. "A bit of cloth is very refreshing." Head to OXM for the full write-up, and have a look past the cut for a four-minute trailer that introduces Destiny's setting and backstory.

Continue reading Bungie considered fantasy, modern settings for Destiny

MassivelyBungie considered fantasy, modern settings for Destiny originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungieconsoledestinydestiny-loredestiny-videojoseph-statenloreshootervideoMon, 18 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV declares open season on lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-declares-open-season-on-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-declares-open-season-on-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-declares-open-season-on-lore/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I love rewrites, really I do.
Every so often, Final Fantasy XIV throws me a curveball. Case in point: the Lore forum. This was one of those things that was mentioned an eternity ago that I (and quite possibly everyone else) assumed would happen around the fifth of never. But it's a real thing, it exists now, and you can go over and get a lovely rundown of all that racial naming conventions, a primer on Roegadyn language, and assorted other threads detailing important lore tidbits.

If you need more proof that things are different at Square-Enix these days, this would serve as exhibit A. This is the sort of thing that I love. But at the same time, it's something I'm not completely happy about.

I should clarify; I'm entirely happy that it exists. But I'm a little perturbed regarding the timing, and I think there are ways in which its release now is kind of awkward. So rather than unmitigated gushing over the new forum, this week saw a lot of gushing and a lot of frustrated squinting.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV declares open season on lore

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV declares open season on lore originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivforumforumsloremog-logofficial-forumsopinionsquaresquare-enixsquenixsurprisethe-mog-logSat, 16 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tracy Hickman tapped for writing duties on Shroud of the Avatar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/tracy-hickman-tapped-for-writing-duties-on-shroud-of-the-avatar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/tracy-hickman-tapped-for-writing-duties-on-shroud-of-the-avatar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/tracy-hickman-tapped-for-writing-duties-on-shroud-of-the-avatar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not saying there are going to be dragons, but there will be dragons.
If you were a fan of fantasy games in the 1980s, you know Richard Garriott from the Ultima series. (Our younger readers are more familiar with him as someone who went to space.) Odds are good that you were also familiar with Tracy Hickman, co-author of the popular Dragonlance novels during the '80s. And if that sounds like two great tastes that taste great together, you'll be happy to know that Tracy Hickman has been announced as the lead story designer for Garriott's upcoming Shroud of the Avatar.

Hickman's writing credits aside from the Dragonlance series include the Death Gate Cycle, the ongoing Dragonships series, and the online serial novel Dragon's Bard. There's no word on whether his frequent co-authors will be joining in on the writing duties as well, but even Hickman alone should make some old-school fantasy fans very happy about the direction of the upcoming game.

MassivelyTracy Hickman tapped for writing duties on Shroud of the Avatar originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingdesign-teamdevelopmentkickstarterloremanagementnewsportalariumrichard-garriottshroud-of-the-avatarsotatracy-hickmanFri, 15 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter offers players excerpts from a manual of monsters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/neverwinter-offers-players-excerpts-from-a-manual-of-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/neverwinter-offers-players-excerpts-from-a-manual-of-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/neverwinter-offers-players-excerpts-from-a-manual-of-monsters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One day we will have a game with smart ogres. No one will see it coming.
Some players of Neverwinter will no doubt be reminded of long nights with the Monster Manual and graph paper as epic dungeons were plotted out. The game is borrowing a bit from that classic format with two Monster Manual entries on the official site. No, the entries don't feature Activity Cycles or Hit Dice, but they do give players an idea of what to expect from the enormous Ogres and the diminutive Goblins.

Of course, familiarity with the tabletop game means that these entries will have few surprises. Ogres are large, dumb, and possessed of enough physical strength to still get their way. Goblins are nuisances individually and murderous hordes collectively. If you're unfamiliar with Dungeons & Dragons, this may count as novel. Either way, it's a look at some of the more mundane threats that adventurers will face as they wander through Neverwinter, and no adventure ever got more boring with the inclusion of Ogres.

MassivelyNeverwinter offers players excerpts from a manual of monsters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobackstorycrypticcryptic-studiosdndenemiesf2pfantasyfree-to-playgoblinesloremonster-manualmonstersneverwinterogresperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweThu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic adds a grab bag of grab bag reputation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-adds-a-grab-bag-of-grab-bag-reputati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-adds-a-grab-bag-of-grab-bag-reputati/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-adds-a-grab-bag-of-grab-bag-reputati/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The ugly crown isn't exactly selling me, but...
Do you love the feel of cracking open a random assortment of items in Star Wars: The Old Republic? Do you wish that the game rewarded avid grab-bag grabbers with their own progression path? Because the latest development blog explains the new Cartel Market reputation track does precisely that; it allows players to gain reputation and earn the right to purchase new items by purchasing several random packs within a given shipment.

Items are divided up into Shipments, which share a thematic name such as "Cartel Packs" or "Contraband Packs." Opening these packs provides reputation tokens that allow players to gain reputation with a different faction for each Shipment. Eventually, the Shipment in question will be temporarily removed from circulation, but players with enough reputation will still be able to buy the items directly from reputation vendors. It sounds a little messy, but in practice it means that people who love some grab bags get a little more motivation to keep buying them.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic adds a grab bag of grab bag reputation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advancementbiowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgrab-bagslorelucasartsprogressionrandom-packsreputationsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorx-in-your-xWed, 13 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar gives a briefing on Deradune, land of the Great Hunt]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/wildstar-gives-a-briefing-on-deradune-land-of-the-great-hunt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/wildstar-gives-a-briefing-on-deradune-land-of-the-great-hunt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/wildstar-gives-a-briefing-on-deradune-land-of-the-great-hunt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

WildStar gives a briefing on Deradune, land of the Great Hunt
Deradune is a zone that's been one of WildStar's most-viewed zones during Carbine's press viewings (heck, we've seen it enough to call it a second home by now!). Today's WildStar Wednesday gives more attention to the area by focusing on the story, key players, and descriptive landmarks that players will encounter.

While striking many as reminiscent of World of Warcraft's Barrens, WildStar's Deradune sets itself apart by populating the region with tribes focused on hunting. Er, hm. Anyway, players will embark upon a "Great Hunt" if they want to join the Drakens of Bloodfire Clan, and oh boy do you want to be a part of this exclusive club! The article references a terrifying creature known as Metal Maw, which may be the end goal of the hunt.

MassivelyWildStar gives a briefing on Deradune, land of the Great Hunt originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacarbinecarbine-studiosderadunelorencsoftsandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywszoneWed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seeing what it takes to be a Defiance Ark Hunter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/seeing-what-it-takes-to-be-a-defiance-ark-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/seeing-what-it-takes-to-be-a-defiance-ark-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/seeing-what-it-takes-to-be-a-defiance-ark-hunter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Seeing what it takes to be a Defiance Ark Hunter
What does it take to be an Ark Hunter in Trion Worlds' upcoming Defiance? If the following lore video is any indication, you have to be really into puking, eating mutant lizards, and having needles shoved into the back of your neck. But then you get weapons, and these are really big weapons that you can shoot things in the face with.

So it's a trade-off.

Check out the latest episode of the Ark Hunter Chronicles after the jump. Then finish your lizard stew because you've got puking to do!

Continue reading Seeing what it takes to be a Defiance Ark Hunter

MassivelySeeing what it takes to be a Defiance Ark Hunter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkark-hunterark-hunter-chroniclesarkfallbetadefiancefpsgiant-needleshumorloremmofpsmutant-lizardpukingpvpsci-fisyfytransmedia-synergytriontrion-worldstvvideovomitvomitingxboxTue, 12 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Lemurian Invasion of Champions Online is going out with a splash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-lemurian-invasion-of-champions-online-is-going-out-with-a-sp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-lemurian-invasion-of-champions-online-is-going-out-with-a-sp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/the-lemurian-invasion-of-champions-online-is-going-out-with-a-sp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Why would you make a hovertank that goes underwater?
Invaders from the deep have threatened Champions Online players for a while now, but it's time to deep-six the Lemurian threat for good. The latest patch to the game is giving players a chance to do just that with a new queued event capping off the multi-week invasion, providing a fight against evil for fabulous new toys. Or you can buy new toys, if that's more your speed.

The Lemurian forces are trying to summon something enormous to overtake Millennium City, and high-level players will be pitted against the bulk of this army and its ominiously named Bleak Harbinger. Fail, and Millennium City falls. Succeed, and you might be able to pick up a Lemurian hovertank. Oh, and the city won't be destroyed. There are also new hoverbikes available from both the Drifter and the C-Store, helping ensure that heroes who want to take on the invasion will have good equipment to do so before it ends on March 27th.

[Thanks to matixzun for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Lemurian Invasion of Champions Online is going out with a splash originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinechampscocrypticcryptic-studiosendgameeventf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventitemsloreperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesuperherosuperheroesvehiclesFri, 08 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Wushu sharpens up informations on edged weapons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/age-of-wushu-sharpens-up-informations-on-edged-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/age-of-wushu-sharpens-up-informations-on-edged-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/age-of-wushu-sharpens-up-informations-on-edged-weapons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We spend an awful lot of time finding creative ways to kill one another.
Many of the combat forms in Age of Wushu are fully capable of inflicting grievous bodily harm without a weapon, but that doesn't mean you can't hack at people with sharp bits of metal. And there are a lot of variants on the core principle of "sharp bit of metal," as displayed in the latest development blog examining three linked types of weapon. While swords, blades, and daggers all have the same core design and function, they're very different just the same.

Blades are the largest and most savage of these one-handed weapons; they are tools, meant to end lives as quickly as possible without any concern for elegance. Swords, meanwhile, are weapons and statements both, associated with grace and elegance in movement. Or you could opt for the short and concealable dagger, favored by duplicitous fighters everywhere. Even within a fairly narrow range of weapon types, variety abounds if you know the details.

MassivelyAge of Wushu sharpens up informations on edged weapons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-wulinage-of-wushuasiabladeschinachinesechinese-mmodaggersgpotatogvgjet-likidnappingloremartial-artsming-dynastypvpsandboxsharp-pieces-of-metalsnail-gamessnail-games-usaswordsweaponswushuwuxiaFri, 08 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic sets the stage for Makeb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's just more of him to shoot.
The war between the Empire and the Republic in Star Wars: The Old Republic has been two-sided thus far. Sure, there have been some minor incursions by other powers, but it's fundamentally been a conflict between those two sides. Makeb in Rise of the Hutt Cartel represents a major departure from that dynamic, and the latest development blog focuses on the changing face of the galactic conflict. And it's more complex than just the addition of the Hutts.

The Hutts certainly play a major role, of course, but part of the reason for their presence is that the ongoing war makes open conflict seem more appealing to groups like the Hutt Cartel. Meanwhile, the Republic is finally in a position where it's not on the back foot compared to the Empire, meaning that the people in charge have to balance fighting the Hutts and maintaining the advantage. And amidst all of that, there's the planet Makeb itself, which is in the throes of severe ecological disaster. There's a lot going on in the expansion planet, enough to turn what seems like a two-sided conflict into a multi-faceted melee.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic sets the stage for Makeb originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareconflictdynamicseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellorelucasartsmakebrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarThu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Nexus Telegraph: The dark side of WildStar's Exiles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/the-nexus-telegraph-the-dark-side-of-wildstars-exiles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/the-nexus-telegraph-the-dark-side-of-wildstars-exiles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/the-nexus-telegraph-the-dark-side-of-wildstars-exiles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In a world without pure villains, there are no pure heroes either.
I feel sort of bad for the Exiles of WildStar. This column kicked off with speculation about the Dominion, and not too long after that we started learning about the Dominion. As a result, those three races that we still haven't gotten to play in this unreleased game are so last month and no one wants to hear about them any more.

Also, the Exiles have been systematically removed from every system they've ever collectively called home. So I also feel bad about that part. But mostly the timing thing.

But it's time for equal treatment, at least insofar as the Exiles deserve more unpacking than they've gotten. On the surface, the Exiles are just a little easier to understand and a lot easier to see as a sympathetic faction. But just as the harsh presentation of the Dominion hides a more positive and benevolent side, the much shinier presentation of the Exiles hides elements that I don't think the faction itself is necessarily all that comfortable with.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: The dark side of WildStar's Exiles

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: The dark side of WildStar's Exiles originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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