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[En Masse publishes 4th TERA e-book, Death at Forgeheart]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/en-masse-publishes-4th-tera-e-book-death-at-forgeheart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/en-masse-publishes-4th-tera-e-book-death-at-forgeheart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/en-masse-publishes-4th-tera-e-book-death-at-forgeheart/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA - Death at Forgeheart e-book cover
Looking for another lore fix when it comes to TERA? En Masse has just released the game's fourth e-book tie-in named Death at Forgeheart. It's written by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and it tells the story of two detectives who manage to trust one another despite their racial differences as they team up to solve a murder with federation-altering implications.

The official TERA website has an excerpt from the book, but the full text is available for purchase via Amazon, as are TERA's first three e-books: Fire and Ice, Killer, and The Amaranthine Heart.

MassivelyEn Masse publishes 4th TERA e-book, Death at Forgeheart originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studiosdeath-at-forgehearte-booken-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyloreteraFri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday shows off Eldan technology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/wildstar-wednesday-shows-off-eldan-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This has a name! I call her Vera!
Players might be exploring the world of Nexus in WildStar, but it's not their world. It belonged to the Eldan, and while the race itself might not be present, its technology is still everywhere. The newest installment of WildStar Wednesday takes a look at some of the automated robots left behind by the Eldan. They're not directly malicious, but they're also not particularly friendly, pursuing ancient objectives and antiquated functions with single-minded devotion.

While Probes are primarily meant for gathering information and surveillance, the floating eyes are equipped with shielding and directed-energy weapons to keep themselves safe. Protectors have a more direct combat function; the lumbering humanoid robots found gathered around important scientific sites. Last but not least, the Augmentors are rare but potent machines capable of injecting nanomachines into a subject to start a process of mechanical integration known as augmentation. Take a look at all of the machines on this week's installment of the preview column -- even if you don't necessarily want to blow these gadgets up, they don't have any such compunctions about you.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday shows off Eldan technology originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studioseldanhurry-up-and-launchlorencsoftpreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet talks about naming Guild Wars 2's world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/arenanet-talks-about-naming-guild-wars-2s-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/arenanet-talks-about-naming-guild-wars-2s-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/arenanet-talks-about-naming-guild-wars-2s-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
While it's easy to get caught up in the big picture side of the development process, we risk overlooking the smaller but crucial work that goes into gluing the game together. One of these tasks is the naming of the world and all that lies within it. Content Designer Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda wrote an ArenaNet blog post about the challenges and decisions that went with labeling everything under the sun in Guild Wars 2.

Mitsoda said that the team has established a system for nailing down names. After coming up with the name, the team sends the moniker through a "sanity check" that makes sure it's not too hard to spell or say. The team also tries to weed out the more obscure or overt pop culture references, then passes along the names to the team's "loremasters," who check it against an internal wiki for consistency.

She goes on to share a few anecdotes about the naming process, such as the evolution of Charr names, the difficulty of putting a label on an animal that has no Earth equivalent, and how the creepy rat-dog Murellow got its name. It's an interesting read into a different side of the development process that often goes unnoticed, so check it out!

MassivelyArenaNet talks about naming Guild Wars 2's world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetAnnie-VanderMeerAnnie-VanderMeer-Mitsodaarenanetbetacharrdev-blogdev-diaryfantasyguild-wars-2gw2loremurellownamenamesnamingncsoftWed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative staff discuss the story setting of The Elder Scrolls Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Right now, this pretty much qualifies as concept art.
MMOs in an existing franchise always present certain issues: You need enough conceptual space to advance a game's storyline, but you may not want to be locked in to never doing another title in the franchise. So The Elder Scrolls Online has to be set in just the right time period for the game to work. In a recent video interview, creative director Paul Sage and content designer Rich Lambert sat down to talk about the why behind the when.

Sage and Lambert explain that the real draw to this particular time period was the fact that there's neither a great deal of recorded in-game history nor a lot of huge events that might affect future titles -- it's a time when almost anything can happen without derailing future events in the universe. The duo also discusses keeping the game aligned with existing lore and ensuring that nothing gets thrown off by mistake. Those looking forward to the game will want to watch the full interview, which goes into more details regarding specifics of lore and setting.

MassivelyCreative staff discuss the story setting of The Elder Scrolls Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybethesdainterviewlorelore-detailsnewspaul-sagerich-lambertsettingstorytesothe-elder-scrolls-onlinevideovideo-interviewzenimaxzenimax-online-entertainmentMon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

STO
Lately I've beginning to wonder whether the wait for Star Trek Online's Season Six has been as interminable for other players as it seems to have been for me. Although the past several weeks have been busy in the real-life side of things, those distractions really haven't been all that good at harboring my frustration about the wait for the new stuff as I would have liked.

Season Six is being readied for a move to STO's test server, Tribble, in the next couple of weeks, according to the most recent Ask Cryptic as answered by the game's Executive Producer, Dan Stahl. The new patch will contain fleet starbases and a new fleet advancement system but not much else in the way of story-based content.

That's not unexpected, however, as not one of the previous Season releases really ever contained story-based content; they've merely been game-technology pushes, and I understand that Season Six will be no different.

However a couple of things have come out to the game in the past few weeks that have ruffled some hard-core Trek-fan feathers: Caitian Carriers and Ferasans.

Continue reading Captain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties

MassivelyCaptain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caitiancanoncanonitecaptains-logCBScbs-studioscrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfeaturedferasanfree-to-playian-richardsloreopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweracessci-fishipsstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoMon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo III shows off the wrath of angels]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/diablo-iii-shows-off-the-wrath-of-angels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/diablo-iii-shows-off-the-wrath-of-angels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/diablo-iii-shows-off-the-wrath-of-angels/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wisdom is catching throwing weapons.
Diablo III is fast approaching release in a week, but even now it's important to remember the roots of the series. The game's lore has always been based on the conflict between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells, and rather than simply create a trailer narrating that fact, Blizzard chose a more unique route. The new video available is simply titled Wrath, but it contains some important information about the lore at a pivotal moment in the war between angels and demons.

Animated by Titmouse and directed by Peter Chung (best known for Æon Flux), the six-minute video is brief, but it should leave a last impression regarding the nature of the game's conflict and the stakes involved. Even if you're not planning on grabbing the game on launch in a week, it's well worth watching just for the animation alone, and if you are grabbing the game, it jumps right up to being a must-see.

Continue reading Diablo III shows off the wrath of angels

MassivelyDiablo III shows off the wrath of angels originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbackstorybattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopconflictd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasygothic-fantasyloremultiplayeronline-multiplayerroguelikerpgtrailertrailersvideovideosTue, 08 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation's end-of-April update includes genetic engineering, bug fixes, and lore updates]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-repopulations-end-of-april-update-includes-genetic-engineer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-repopulations-end-of-april-update-includes-genetic-engineer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-repopulations-end-of-april-update-includes-genetic-engineer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- The Repopulation
Last month, we got our first look at the gameplay of Above and Beyond Technologies' upcoming sandbox title, The Repopulation. Today, the studio released its end-of-April 2012 update notes for the game, giving players a look at the ongoing tweaks and changes being made as Above and Beyond slowly ramps up to the beta stage.

For the most part, the notes are your standard patch note fare: bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, some UI tweaks, and so forth. But there are a couple of gems that stand out among the rest. For instance, players with the Genetic Engineering skill can do some gene-splicing to create their own unique pets. Currently there are 40 different hybrid and pure-species pets that can be genetically engineered, so the mad scientists in the crowd should have many options when it comes to playing God. The site's lore and bestiary sections have also been updated for the lore junkies out there. The full, rather expansive April update notes can be found on The Repopulation's official site, so if you're interested in all of the minutiae, just head on over there and check it out.

[Thanks to Halldorr for the tip!]

MassivelyThe Repopulation's end-of-April update includes genetic engineering, bug fixes, and lore updates originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesaprilapril-2012bestiarygenetic-engineeringlorenotespatch-notesrepopulationsandboxsci-fithe-repopulationupdateupdate-notesupdatesTue, 08 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA writer discusses the labor of love behind game writing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/tera-writer-discusses-the-labor-of-love-behind-game-writing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/tera-writer-discusses-the-labor-of-love-behind-game-writing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/tera-writer-discusses-the-labor-of-love-behind-game-writing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You always hurt the ones you love, but it's usually not with a battleaxe.
There's a conception among some gamers that working with video games for a living entails more "video games" than "working." A new development diary by TERA's writing team manager David Noonan is quick to disabuse readers of that notion. He does see the job as a labor of love, but he also freely admits that every day brings the question of how much time will be "love" and how much time will be plain old "labor."

Noonan explains the way that he and his team look at bug reports relating to their department. Sometimes, the only thing that needs to be changed is a simple typo; other times, the dialogue of an entire quest chain will need to be rewritten from the start. But that doesn't negate the joy of filling in a story and creating a world, from the major quests down to the item names. If you have an interest in TERA's writing, game writing in general, or both, Noonan has some interesting insights to share.

[Thanks to Mike for the tip!]

MassivelyTERA writer discusses the labor of love behind game writing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryblueholebluehole-studiosdavid-noonandev-diarydeveloper-diaryen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygame-designgame-writinglorelore-designlore-developmentlore-writingterawritingMon, 07 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/new-preview-available-for-final-fantasy-xivs-garuda-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Many-winged angel.
The primals are among the greatest forces within Eorzea, something that Final Fantasy XIV players are no doubt acutely aware of after the clash with Ifrit. The second primal battle is coming, pitting players against Garuda, deity of the Ixali. That means another pitched battle against a superior foe in the Howling Eye, a battle which the official site has just recently previewed with a video of the fight in hard mode and a video preview of the new weapon rewards.

According to the lore, the Ixali revere Garuda as the Empress of Birds, a soaring deity who maintains an appetite for the flesh of land-dwelling creatures. She is the incarnate strength of the bird-men as well as a source of great terror. But just as with Ifrit, players who defeat her can expect to have a variety of fantastic weapons, as illustrated in the video just past the break. Just be careful -- if you aren't on the ball when you fight her, you could find yourself completely blown away.

[Thanks to Alex for the tip!]

Continue reading New preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight

MassivelyNew preview available for Final Fantasy XIV's Garuda fight originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boss-battlesconsoleconsolesendgamefantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgarudalorenew-contentpreviewprimalprimalssquaresquare-enixvideovideo-previewvideosTue, 24 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/discover-the-origins-of-new-eden-and-the-melding-in-firefalls-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

BOOM!
Last weekend we gave you a look at Red 5 Studios' upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall, and all of its glorious shooter action. What we didn't really take a look at, however, is the lore of the game. After all, why is everyone running around in crazy armor and shooting everyone else? And why is the last bastion of humankind on the planet a Brazilian island resort? The studio intends to answer some of these questions with today's release of the game's introductory cinematic.

And man, is it heavy. From the looks of things, humanity decided it was about time to try its luck with faster-than-light travel and failed miserably, causing a gargantuan starship to come crashing into the Earth... right on top of Brazil. But wait! If the starship crashed on Brazil, then why is it still around? Because the starship's wreckage, and the energy field it generates, is the only thing currently keeping the Melding at bay, leaving the surrounding area as the only currently inhabitable site on Earth. Could have been worse, I say; at least Brazil's pretty even after the apocalypse.

Continue reading Discover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic

MassivelyDiscover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinematicf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playintrointro-cinematicintroductionintroduction-cinematicintroductory-cinematicloremmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterthe-meldingtrailertrailersvideovideoswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss
For some players, deciding which species to play in Star Wars: The Old Republic comes down to which skin tone is the coolest. Wasn't it said when the species were first announced that the choices were human with blue skin, human with green skin, bald human, human with head tails, and human with horns? Although hyperbolic, the sentiment contains an element of truth, especially when judged by aesthetics alone. Then again, no one complains in fantasy games when you have a choice between human, short human, and human with pointy ears. Elves and dwarves are viewed through the lens of pre-existing culture and folk-lore.

The Holocron Files are designed to lay the cultural foundation for some of SWTOR's species. From the horned Zabrak to the red-skinned Sith Pureblood, each Star Wars species has a rich history and backstory. Thankfully, BioWare kept that in mind when considering which species you could play.

In honor of my newest character, it's only fitting that we discuss the Chiss this week.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendancybiowareblue-skinchisscultureeaelectronic-artsEmpirefactionfeaturedholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconImperial-Agentlorelucasartsopinionracessci-fispeciesstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthrawntorTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[En Masse shares new TERA argon lore, screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/en-masse-shares-new-tera-argon-lore-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/en-masse-shares-new-tera-argon-lore-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/en-masse-shares-new-tera-argon-lore-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

TERA - argon
If you've been tooling around in En Masse Entertainment's infrequent TERA closed beta weekends, you might have caught a glimpse of the game's fearsome argons. If you haven't, well, suffice it to say that the argons are Arborea's big nasties, and in terms of lore, all of the world's races are banding together to fight the argon threat.

While we're on the subject of lore, we've got some more of it for you today courtesy of En Masse's latest press dump. You'll find plenty of backstory on the argons after the break, and you can also see some fresh screenshots in our gallery below.

Gallery: TERA screenshots

Continue reading En Masse shares new TERA argon lore, screens

MassivelyEn Masse shares new TERA argon lore, screens originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argonargonsblueholebluehole-studiosen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygallerieslorescreenshotsteraTue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/trion-reveals-laethys-lore-from-forthcoming-infernal-dawn-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/trion-reveals-laethys-lore-from-forthcoming-infernal-dawn-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/trion-reveals-laethys-lore-from-forthcoming-infernal-dawn-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

RIFT - Laethys raid
Last night we showed you some concept art from the Infernal Dawn raid coming with RIFT's 1.8 patch. Today Trion Worlds has released a new lore snippet that gives us a little background on Laethys, a dragon from the Plane of Earth and the primary challenge that players will face when the new content goes live.

As it turns out, Laethys was the power behind the throne of a sprawling Ogre kingdom, and when her charges had bled their lands dry of wealth and riches, Laethys destroyed it and spirited them away to serve as her minions on the Plane of Earth. It's quite a touching story, complete with "child-skin books" and the decline of a great civilization. Click past the cut to read it in full, and look for RIFT's 1.8 patch "later this month."

[Source: Trion press release]

Continue reading Trion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch

MassivelyTrion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyinfernal-dawnlaethysloreriftrift-1.8rift-infernal-dawnrift-literift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsTue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
There are three cities that players can select to call home in Final Fantasy XIV, but there are five cities of importance. Over the past few weeks I've looked at the former group, but that leaves two important places to be covered. At the same time, those cities are by necessity harder to talk about because we haven't set foot in either. Everything we know about them is secondhand, via quests and inference and in one case the ability to longingly gaze over an ornate stone bridge.

Ishgard and Ala Mhigo both cast long shadows over Eorzea, but neither one is accessible to players. There are details about both swimming through the game, but it's always secondhand, always with one or two pieces gleaned from outside sources. In its own way, this makes both cities more alluring -- because one we know to be the heart of darkness and the other could be almost anything when the gates finally swing open. If, in fact, they ever do.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eligium
Maybe you've been following Eligium since it was first announced. Maybe you've been interested after reading our impressions of the title from GDC. Maybe you're only just now hearing about it. Whatever camp you fall into, the game is continuing along with its testing and nearing an official release. And while some players might be interested only in leveling particularly involved mounts and enjoying some wide-open exploration, others want to know a little more about the world the game inhabits.

We've seen snippets of the game's lore from the various racial reveals, but the team at Frogster is putting together a series on the game world's history in more detail. The first installment gives a quick and broad overview of the pre-history of the game's setting; it's just after the cut. If you're interested in the game, enjoy, and keep your eyes peeled for future installments in the history updates.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Eligium's world history, chapter 1

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Eligium's world history, chapter 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryeligiumeligium-the-chosen-onef2pfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-usagame-historyhistorylorelore-historypreviewsshanda-gamesshanda-interactiveSat, 31 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/newest-wildstar-wednesday-talks-about-creatures-like-a-boss/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Spew venom! (like a boss) Consume adventurers! (like a boss) Spawn monsters! (like a boss) Eat a bagel! (like a boss)
When you're out in the wilds of WildStar, you're going to run into some creatures strong enough to throw you to the ground. That's why this week's installment of WildStar Wednesday discusses the minibosses one can expect to find out in the Northern Wilds. Only three of the denizens are given a full writeup, but the triumvirate should be more than enough to give potential players a sense of what dangers lurk in the planet's unexplored regions.

If you like your enemies with a thick carapace, the Xenobite Queen should be right up your alley, complete with vile poison and ravenous young. If you'd prefer to be pounded into the dirt by a mechanical emissary of the Dominion, the Ultrabot should provide you with all the laser-guided missile-flavored death you could want. Or you could face down a Frost Giant and enjoy watching a long-haired beast with poor eyesight hammer you into oblivion. It's all interesting flavor for fans of the game's development thus far, and it includes small factoids about the beasts that should prove completely irrelevant when fighting them. The more you know.

MassivelyNewest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bossescarbinecarbine-studioslike-a-bossloreminibossesmonstersncsoftpreviewsandparksci-fantasysci-fiwildstarwsWed, 28 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Living large in Limsa Lominsa]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/the-mog-log-living-large-in-limsa-lominsa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/the-mog-log-living-large-in-limsa-lominsa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/the-mog-log-living-large-in-limsa-lominsa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
Limsa Lominsa isn't like the other cities in Final Fantasy XIV chiefly because it's not a city. You can argue the definition, but cities are generally places where a group of people decided to settle down and stay for an extended period of time. Limsa Lominsa is more like what would happen if everyone went for a hike, a lot of people wound up double-parked, and then in the aftermath, all of the hikers just threw up their hands and decided to stay where they were instead of going home.

Even if you ignore the city's ridiculous origin, however, you're stuck with a city that's still ridiculous in its own way. The city's government is determined by boat races, the local pirates come standard so long as they adhere to a few fairly simple rules, and pretty much everyone has an eye toward becoming the top dog. The result is a place that's refreshingly open about all of its dangers, but despite that, it's no less threatening. You'll be threatened by brute force rather than subterfuge, but you're still facing down the wrong end of a weapon.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Living large in Limsa Lominsa

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Living large in Limsa Lominsa originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areasbackstorycitiesconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlimsa-lominsaloremog-logopinionregionssquaresquare-enixsquenixstorythe-mog-logSat, 24 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/trion-worlds-takes-you-on-a-tour-of-the-twisted-mind-of-maelforg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/trion-worlds-takes-you-on-a-tour-of-the-twisted-mind-of-maelforg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/trion-worlds-takes-you-on-a-tour-of-the-twisted-mind-of-maelforg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This is what crazy looks like
RIFT players are only a short time away from being able to delve into the depths of the Infernal Dawn raid, where they will be able to confront one of the most destructive of the dragon-gods, Maelforge the Flame Sire. To prepare players to face off against the great fire dragon of the Blood Storm, Trion Worlds has released a new lore snippet that reveals his history, his motivations...

Oh, and the fact that he's absolutely, positively batshit insane. We're talking burn-people-to-death-then-resurrect-them-and-burn-them-again insane. Seriously guys, we can't stress this enough. But hey, if you still wanna go up against a guy who devours worlds and murders gods for funsies, be our guests. Just don't say we didn't warn you. While you attempt to justify the madness of actually trying to kill such a beast, click on past the cut and check out the full lore piece.

Continue reading A tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire

MassivelyA tour of the twisted mind of RIFT's Maelforge the Flame Sire originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood-stormfantasyinfernal-dawnloremaelforgemaelforge-the-flame-sireriftrift-literift-planes-of-telarathe-blood-stormtriontrion-worldsThu, 22 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TSW
If you found your appetite whetted for The Secret World after reading Jef's writeup from GDC, then make room in your life for 35 minutes of Funcom's full presentation from the conference! Senior Producer Ragnar Tørnquist, Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard, and Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos take turns showing off in-game footage and discussing the game mechanics at play.

Topics covered in the presentation include character creation, the creepy/sexy Dragon starter experience, how achievements work, story, crafting, and the lands of Transylvania.

While the video isn't 100% pristine -- Funcom apologized for the less-than-perfect lighting during the presentation -- it's so chock-full of information and footage that you won't even notice. Give it a whirl after the jump!

Continue reading GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation

MassivelyGDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscharacter-creationcraftingdragonfactionfantasyfuncomgdcgdc-2012horrorJoel-Byloslesbian-sexloreMartin-BruusgaardmythologypresentationRagnar-Tørnquistsci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedstorythe-secret-worldtransylvaniatswMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your free TERA beta keys here!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/get-your-free-tera-beta-keys-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/get-your-free-tera-beta-keys-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/get-your-free-tera-beta-keys-here/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

TERA - that's one big-ass monster
So you're not in the TERA beta yet, but you'd like to be, amirite? I mean, come on -- sexy avatars, action combat, gorgeous fantasy graphics -- what's not to like? Well, Massively is your sugar-daddy because today we've got 10,000 keys to give away, each of which will unlock the world of Arborea via TERA's Closed Beta Test 4 for North American players only.

All you have to do is click the link below, claim your key, and then copy/paste it into the appropriate section of your En Masse Entertainment account. What's that? You don't have an En Masse account? What are you waiting for, foo? Head to the firm's official site and make one right now! After you've gone through the email verification song and dance, click the "enter code" button on the right side of your account window and submit your key. Then download the TERA client via the button on the account overview tab.

GET YOUR KEY
En Masse has also brought word of a new video that shows off TERA's high-level Temple of Temerity instance. The dungeon tasks players with holding off hordes of enemies bent on destroying a relic, and the instance made its public debut at last week's GDC demo. Finally, En Masse is releasing an e-book called The Amaranthine Heart which expounds on TERA's lore and backstory. It's available for a palty $.99 on Amazon (and the instance video is free of charge after the cut).

Continue reading Get your free TERA beta keys here!

MassivelyGet your free TERA beta keys here! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amaranthine-heartarboreabackstorybetabeta-giveawaybeta-keysblueholebluehole-studiosclosed-betacontestcontestsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygiveawaygiveawaysloretemple-of-temerityteratera-betatera-beta-giveawaytera-beta-keystera-dungeontera-e-booktera-instancethe-amaranthine-heartvideoThu, 15 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online developer blog on shaping the newest story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/lord-of-the-rings-online-developer-blog-on-shaping-the-newest-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/lord-of-the-rings-online-developer-blog-on-shaping-the-newest-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/lord-of-the-rings-online-developer-blog-on-shaping-the-newest-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Riverfront property is pretty much always like this.
The next part of Lord of the Rings Online's epic story is on the way, another installment with players following behind the Fellowship of the Ring and taking care of all sorts of important tasks on the periphery. That means it's time for players to head down south of Lothlorien toward the banks of the river Anduin. And according to the latest developer diary, if you're interested in the people of Rohan, you'll be happy to learn this installment is packed to the brim with all sorts of interesting moments and landscapes.

Aside from laying out the basics of what players will be doing on the shores of the river, the entry also explains why this installment of the story is sending players via the river rather than the west when the last story put them on the wrong side of the Misty Mountains. The entry explains that it's all about the shape of the story -- sending players ahead to Rohan from the wrong side would lead to all sorts of unpleasantly early victories and make things a lot less interesting. It should be an enlightening look at the upcoming installment of the story, even if it won't ameliorate some grumbles at the amount of travel involved.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online developer blog on shaping the newest story originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-diariesepic-storyf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-storylord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotrlotrolotro-volume-iii-book-6storystory-pathstory-shapeturbineturbine-entertainmentupdatesMon, 12 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Staying off the grid in Gridania]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-mog-log-staying-off-the-grid-in-gridania/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-mog-log-staying-off-the-grid-in-gridania/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-mog-log-staying-off-the-grid-in-gridania/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log
At first glance on a trip through Final Fantasy XIV's cities, Gridania probably seems like the nicest city in Eorzea. Ul'dah always has the smile of a used car salesman, Limsa Lominsa stinks of fish and is full of pirates, Ishgard isn't welcoming even without the dragons, and Ala Mhigo sort of has a bad case of Garlean occupation. But Gridania is built in the middle of rather nice forest territory, and it doesn't seem to suffer from any of the power struggles or unfriendly residents that your other options have. Sure, the forest can be a bit tempermental, but it's a peaceful spot.

But as you may have guessed, it only looks that way until you actually spend some time there. Then you realize that the city is not nearly so welcoming as you initially thought -- it's a hotbed of activity, stuffed to the brim with spirits that do not necessarily have the best interests of adventurers or anyone else at heart. Gridania doesn't suffer the internal conflicts of the other cities, but that's mostly because the place is already being crushed too thoroughly by all of the external threats it has to face just to keep treading water.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Staying off the grid in Gridania

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Staying off the grid in Gridania originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundbackstoryblack-shroudcitiesconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgridanialoremog-logopinionregionssquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 10 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/cutters-cry-previewed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The place is sadly a bit monochrome.
When patch 1.21 goes live for Final Fantasy XIV on Friday, it brings along with it two new instanced raids. The first one, Cutter's Cry, sounds like it won't be a fun time for your character in the first place; after all, it's on the road between Thanalan and Mor Dhona, which isn't going to be a pleasant route. The fact that a powerful chimera was once known to be within the cave only makes things worse. And while a group of adventurers supposedly defeated the beast some 30 years ago, the beast has been heard within the depths again...

The dungeon is meant to be an extremely challenging encounter for players at level 45 and up, and the preview video shows off several characters in full Job regalia tackling its challenges. There are the beasts you'd expect to find within a cave in Thanalan, of course, including the requisite antlings and peistes. And of course, there's something worse waiting at the end -- but you can take a look at the video and see that for yourself.

Continue reading Cutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyCutter's Cry previewed for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryconsoleconsolescutters-crydungeonfantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivinstanced-dungeoninstanced-raidlorepreviewsquaresquare-enixvideovideosWed, 07 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic announces economic adjustments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/star-wars-the-old-republic-announces-economic-adjustments/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Economic upheaval is coming to the galaxy in Star Wars: The Old Republic's patch 1.1.5. A series of rumors and announcements from major organizations across the galaxy have been published on the official site in order to give players some insight into the upcoming changes. From all of the delicious lore tidbits, we find out that the speeder manufacturer Korrealis is retiring its Sovereign, Prince, Baron, and Commander speeders, while the Tirsa Industrial Consortium has quietly removed its Prime model speeders from the market. As a result of this decision, all of the aforementioned models are now steeply discounted, so grab them while they last.

Meanwhile, the Republic Senate's Committee on Transportation and Public Safety has decided to lower the cost of speeder licenses. Speeder purchase taxes, however, are being raised in response to this move. The Imperial Transportation Authority recently passed a similar law. To top it off, the Republic has recently come into possession of some previously Empire-owned purple color crystals, and both Republic and Empire merchants have some into possession of some very rare -- and very expensive -- white color crystals. Market speculators, start your engines; there's money to be made!

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic announces economic adjustments originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecolor-crystalseaeconomicseconomyelectronic-artsgalactic-marketin-game-economylorelucasartspurple-color-crystalssci-fispeederspeeder-licensespeeder-licensesspeedersstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorwhite-color-crystalsThu, 01 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA website updates with Elin lore, video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/tera-website-updates-with-elin-lore-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/tera-website-updates-with-elin-lore-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/tera-website-updates-with-elin-lore-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

TERA - Elin group vs. BAM
Last week TERA's North American website updated with some new information on the game's Castanic race. Today the site examines the Elin, and there's quite a bit of lore-centric text on display in addition to a new video.

Despite their child-like appearance, the Elin are actually quite dour and mysterious. "Their speech is often dark, forthright, and otherworldly, and their sense of humor can border on vicious," the site explains.

The goddess Elinu originally created the Elin in the image of Arun's daughter (Arun is one of two titans who created the world of Arborea, for those of you not up to speed on TERA's backstory). The Elin generally have one goal, and En Masse says that "they repair, protect, and preserve the world they live in and love above all else." Head past the cut to view the video.

Continue reading TERA website updates with Elin lore, video

MassivelyTERA website updates with Elin lore, video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoarboreabetaclosed-betaelinelinuen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyloreteratrailervideoThu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks
Holocrons serve as storage devices for Jedi and Sith lore. These objects store not only information from their creators but also their essence. Every once in a while, I highlight a specific aspect of Star Wars lore and apply it directly to Star Wars: The Old Republic. I want to impart my knowledge of that part of the Star Wars universe as well as what I have learned from roleplaying in games like Star Wars Galaxies and other venues.

Since the first appearance of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, fans have been curious about the Sith with the horns on his head. Some fans also noticed the Jedi council member with horns on his head and wondered if he was related to the previously mentioned Sith. Both are, in fact, Zabraks, a humanoid species originating on the planet Iridonia.

A freighter full of lore has been written about this species, from a fan-fic language to canon medical analysis. There is no way I can dissect it all in this article, but let's talk about the specifics of how you can apply Zabrak lore to your Zabrak character.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedHyperspace-BeaconloreLucasArtsopinionroleplayroleplayingSOESony-Online-EntertainmentStar-WarsStar-Wars-GalaxiesStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORTORzabrakzabraksTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Ul'dah on 15 gil a night]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-mog-log-uldah-on-15-gil-a-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-mog-log-uldah-on-15-gil-a-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-mog-log-uldah-on-15-gil-a-night/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
In a way, each of the cities in Final Fantasy XIV resembles a non-capital city from Final Fantasy XI. Gridania has shades of Kazham; Limsa Lominsa has shades of Norg. But Ul'dah has a clear line to Al Zahbi, center of Aht Urhgan. It's the jewel of the wasted, barren region of Thanalan, a bustling hub of commerce, a place where even the lowliest adventurer might find fortune and fame in the arenas or via careful self-promotion.

Of course, it's also the most dangerous. Sure, there are spirits woven throughout Gridania and pirates in every corner in Limsa Lominsa, but Ul'dah is filled with those who'd smile to your face and then shiv your spine as soon as you turn around. Beneath a glittering facade lies a horrid hive of cruelty, and the journey to the top the city is rife with backstabbing and strife. If you're not a native, you might not realize just how bad the place really is -- or how far the city's powerful members are willing to go to ensure that Ul'dah remains at the center of trade.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Ul'dah on 15 gil a night

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Ul'dah on 15 gil a night originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citiescolumncolumnsfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlocationslorenationsopinionsquare-enixthe-mog-loguldahSat, 25 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Third Origins of Malu race revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/third-origins-of-malu-race-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/third-origins-of-malu-race-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/third-origins-of-malu-race-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Origins of Malu - Qulinta transformation
Origins of Malu has been flying under the radar of late, but the team at Burning Dog Media has just updated its website with the game's third playable race.

On the surface, the Qulinta appear to be rather benign (if not cute and cuddly), but it would be a mistake to underestimate them on the battlefield. Burning Dog says that Qulinta undergo a stark transformation when threatened, one that manifests as an "ethereal ghost-like appearance with dark energy emanating from their bodies."

The Qulinta people are known for their xenophobia, and they are one of the oldest races in the Origins mythos. You can read more about their history at the game's official website, but don't forget to look at the new concept art in the gallery below.

Gallery: Origins of Malu

MassivelyThird Origins of Malu race revealed originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burning-dogburning-dog-mediafantasygalleriesgalleryloreoriginsorigins-of-maluqulintaracessandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsSun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Trebuchets lob death over the battlements of Stonemist Castle, the gigantic central stronghold in the Mists.
Guild Wars 2's competitive 5-player PvP has been getting a lot of love lately. To even the score, ArenaNet has put up a blog post dedicated to the second PvP type in Guild Wars 2: world vs. world, in which three servers compete in a two-week battle for glory.

Each WvW arena is made up of four huge maps. Each map is capable of holding more than 100 players from each of three factions (servers), which means that upwards of 1,200 concurrent players will be able to get in on the large-scale action. The beauty of having three teams duking it out is that things tend to balance themselves out naturally. If one team goes beast-mode and starts making life miserable for everybody, the other two teams can naturally gang up to fight against the first.

Although lore justification might be a little tricky, in a world with as much magitech the Guild Wars universe already plays host to, it's not too hard to imagine that people from alternate versions of the same world get spat into yet another mutually accessible copy of the world, where their first inclination is (naturally) to start beating the crud out of each other.

Continue reading A closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP

MassivelyA closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogGuild-Wars-2guild-wars-2-previewgw2loremechanicsncsoftnewsplayer-vs-playerpvpseigethe-mistsworld-vs-worldwvwThu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Who mourns for Eorzea?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-mog-log-who-mourns-for-eorzea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-mog-log-who-mourns-for-eorzea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/11/the-mog-log-who-mourns-for-eorzea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Final Fantasy XIV takes place in Eorzea, which is one of the continents of Hydaelyn. It's also the smallest continent, and it's generally sort of off in the middle of nowhere. The land is surrounded by tiny islands, it's filled with bickering city-states of varying influence, and it generally seems to be seen as a place that's both wild and not always particularly pleasant. And from the player's perspective... well, we don't even see all of the continent.

So every single player adventure has taken place on a small portion of the smallest continent in the world. And yet despite this, this tiny little land mass has apparently become massively important.

The Garlean Empire is preparing to sweep into the land with all its might, and the land has become a hotbed of activity as the various city-states try to stop stabbing one another long enough to mount a defense. But all of that prompts the question about what, precisely, makes Eorzea noteworthy. Why is this tiny little corner so important?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Who mourns for Eorzea?

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Who mourns for Eorzea? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycolumncolumnseorzeafeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivloreopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2 website features new Terran Republic lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/planetside-2-website-features-new-terran-republic-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/planetside-2-website-features-new-terran-republic-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/planetside-2-website-features-new-terran-republic-lore/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - TR Mosquito
It's been a while since we've featured a PlanetSide 2 lore update, mainly because more interesting gameplay info was on offer from Sony Online Entertainment. In the absence of new vehicle screens and Matt Higby Q&A's, though, we'll happily tell about the latest story-centric update to the official site (hey, some PS2 news is better than no PS2 news, amirite?).

Last night's blurb features one Tom Connery (presumably no relation to Sean, since it's the year 2640). Connery is prone to making holovid records of his life in the Terran Republic, and his latest is a somewhat harrowing account of a collapsing wormhole and the plight of the 40,000 colonists stuck on the wrong side of it. Click over to the official PS2 website for the full report.

MassivelyPlanetSide 2 website features new Terran Republic lore originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryfpsloremmo-shootermmofpsplanetside-2ps2sci-fishootersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstoryterran-republictom-connerytrThu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/wildstar-discusses-the-exotic-and-alien-human-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Try and read the entry out loud without trying to fit in the word 'shiny' or 'verse' a couple times.
Humans are the standard basis for comparison in games that feature non-human races, almost as if said games were being made by humans for other humans. But there's still a distinct flavor to the human race depending on the setting. Case in point, the latest WildStar "interview" with one of the three lore characters from the cinematic trailer gives players a peek at a typical human, and he's a bit different than what you might have been expecting.

While the other major characters identify a specific world as "home," humans are portrayed as being a bit more free-forming, having roamed out in space for so long that they're really not bound to a location. The entry also discusses some of the lore behind being an Explorer and some of the perils associated with intentionally venturing into the unknown (it involves lots of things that try to eat you, if you need the short version). If you've been enjoying the flavor of the world Carbine Studios is slowly building, you'll probably enjoy this latest look as well.

MassivelyWildStar discusses the exotic and alien human race originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycarbine-studioshuman-beingshumanslorelore-charactersnewsnpcsplayer-racesraceswildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Weakness is strength]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
If you think about characters in the online Final Fantasy games compared to the console-based equivalents, you have to come to a kind of demoralizing conclusion: Your character online is pretty weak. In Final Fantasy XI, you can cap out your Black Mage and you'll still never learn Ultima. In Final Fantasy X, by the time you have your Black Mage using Ultima, you've still got most of the endgame ahead of you. Final Fantasy XIV might move the power scale upward, but at this point your character hasn't even actually mastered being a Paladin, much less summoning anything. Final Fantasy VII, by contrast, gave us three different versions of Bahamut to summon just to keep him relevant, and he was still nowhere near the best.

And you know what? It makes the games much more fun to have these barriers in place.

Players have been clamoring for high-end summons in Final Fantasy XI since forever ago, and the fact that it's not even on the visible horizon for Final Fantasy XIV is disheartening to some. But there's something to be said for a play environment where these touchstones of power remain out of reach, certainly for now and possibly forever.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Weakness is strength

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Weakness is strength originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbackstorycolumncolumnsculturefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsloreopinionpower-levelspowersskillssquaresquare-enixsummonsthe-mog-logSat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar invites players to meet the Aurin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Unfortunately, no bunny-men yet. Oh, well.
There's a lot to be learned about the setting of WildStar before the game starts in on testing, but there are also a lot of prospective players eager to learn whatever they can. So they'll probably be happy to take a look at the latest entry on the official blog, a mock-interview with the Aurin character Liara from the game's original cinematic trailer. Aside from providing some character insights, it gives a look at the Aurin as a species beyond the obvious.

The Aurin come from the forested planet of Arboria, where large ears and long tails for balance have some decided evolutionary advantages. Unfortunately for the Aurin, the Dominion invaded the planet and began cutting everything down, leading to the displaced animal-people lending their knowledge to the Exiles. It's an interesting glimpse at the game's lore for both the Aurin and for Scientists, something that several eager WildStar fans will no doubt devour with vigor.

MassivelyWildStar invites players to meet the Aurin originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurinbackstorycarbinecarbine-studiosdevelopmentlorencsoftpreviewssettingwildstarThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: We are (among) the champions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wait, there can't be two of them!
The night before I started writing this column, I finally managed to clear Chapter 1 in Star Wars: The Old Republic with one of my characters. I overcame great obstacles, beat back horrible odds, and defeated a great menace to the galaxy. I was hailed as a hero by the authorities in charge, and while it had been at great cost to myself, I was now more than worthy of respect, accolades, and the gratitude of a galaxy unaware of how close it had been to almost insurmountable danger.

But then I finished the quest.

This problem is not unique to Star Wars: The Old Republic at all, though. By the end of my career in World of Warcraft, I had slain several unique individuals dozens of times on multiple characters, including several kills that were noted by NPCs as being once-in-a-lifetime achievements. Final Fantasy XI made me a pivotal figure in historic events that I could then jump right back into any time I had a friend doing the same quest. And let's not even get into the chronological strangeness that can erupt in Lord of the Rings Online. What's to be done when there's an ongoing story that your character is part of and not a part of?

Continue reading Storyboard: We are (among) the champions

MassivelyStoryboard: We are (among) the champions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacterscolumnfeaturedin-game-storyloremissionsopinionquestsroleplayingrpstorystory-progressstoryboardFri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The world (wide web) of Amalur grows as 38 Studios works on its MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/the-world-wide-web-of-amalur-grows-as-38-studios-works-on-its/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/the-world-wide-web-of-amalur-grows-as-38-studios-works-on-its/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/the-world-wide-web-of-amalur-grows-as-38-studios-works-on-its/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gnomes
With Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning just around the corner and Project Copernicus waiting in the wings, 38 Studios is fattening its golden website for the upcoming feast. The studio has expanded the site devoted to the world that both of these games inhabit, and those looking for hints and portents of the studio's upcoming MMO would do well to seek lore within its pages.

Describing the website expansion as a "treasure trove" of new info, 38 Studios has added new landing pages, navigation features, and information about one of the game's races: the Gnomes. The Gnomes are described as "an enigmatic people. They bestow wondrous gifts of knowledge, medicine, and magic to befriend the other kingdoms, yet seldom reveal their plans or intentions to outsiders." It's interesting to note that the Gnomes are divided up into three casts, which does tempt the mind into thinking the word "classes."

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is the single-player RPG that's meant to fill the role of a prologue -- in both real-world and in-game time -- to the much larger Copernicus MMO.

[Thanks to Sketchit for the tip!]

MassivelyThe world (wide web) of Amalur grows as 38 Studios works on its MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamaluramalur.comclassescopernicuscopernicus-mmognomegnomesKingdoms-of-Amalur-Reckoningloreproject-copernicusreckoningThu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes performs 'Death of a Statesman']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/city-of-heroes-performs-death-of-a-statesman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/city-of-heroes-performs-death-of-a-statesman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/city-of-heroes-performs-death-of-a-statesman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lore nerds may note who's missing among the pallbearers and who's included.
He's been the face on the package, the man on the cover, the big guy above all other big guys. But today, he is no more. Statesman, the most iconic hero in the City of Heroes lore, is going to meet his end, and it's time for everyone to say goodbye. Episode 5 of the signature story arc is live today, and while the titular question "Who Will Die?" has been answered, it's time to see what happens when Statesman does meet his end.

There's more to do than just go play through the arc, however. A new issue of the Intrepid Informer is available in which Matt Miller discusses why the team decided that now is the right time to kill off the game's biggest hero. And if you need a little more help catching up with the story so far, the final vidoc on the arc is embedded just past the cut, giving players a recap of what the Freedom Phalanx is, what is represents, and what this death means for Paragon City.

Continue reading City of Heroes performs 'Death of a Statesman'

MassivelyCity of Heroes performs 'Death of a Statesman' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcovcoxfreedom-phalanxintrepid-informerlorelore-characterslore-figuresmatt-millerncsoftnpcsparagonparagon-studiospatchesplotsignature-story-arcstatesmanupdateswho-will-dieTue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-secret-world-answers-community-questions-about-the-illuminat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I'd love to tell you what you're shooting at, but you don't have the clearance. I also would love to tell you if bullets hurt it or not.
Do you have questions about the Illuminati? Of course you do -- that's sort of their whole method of operation. But when it comes to The Secret World, some of those questions got answered via yesterday's community question-and-answer session on Facebook. While you'll have to Like the page in order to view all of the answers, you're rewarded for doing so with a breadth of facts about the secretive power-mongers and hoarders of secrets.

Among the first questions was the simple one of how the Illuminati aren't in control of everything in the game world if their operatives have infiltrated the highest level of government; as it happens, with the world exploding and lighting up with the supernatural, the Illuminati are too concerned with working overtime to keep things under wraps to try to take total control. The answers also reinforce the idea that the Illuminati crave power and competence above all, up to the organization's willingness to discard lesser members for valuable information. You can take a peek at the full set of answer on Facebook, but keep in mind that you're going to need to Like the page first.

MassivelyThe Secret World answers community questions about the Illuminati originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycommunityfactionsfuncomilluminatilorenewspreviewsq-and-aquestionsquestions-and-answerssecret-societiessocietiesthe-secret-worldtswupdatesMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Quad and Liberator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/soe-shows-off-planetside-2s-quad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/soe-shows-off-planetside-2s-quad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/soe-shows-off-planetside-2s-quad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - Quads
What do giant transport vessels like the Galaxy and tiny ATVs like the Quad have in common? They're both built by Nanite Systems, of course. Who the heck is Nanite Systems? You'll have to brush up on your PlanetSide 2 lore to find out, and luckily the official website is here to help.

Today's reveal showcases the Quad, and Sony Online Entertainment tells us that "it has the highest top speed of any ground vehicle and is easy to acquire." As you would expect, the speed comes at a price, and let's just say that you don't want to be riding on a Quad when it takes a hit. Head to the PS2 website for a couple of screenshots and some backstory.

When you're done reading about the Quad, click on over to SOE's Liberator reveal to get the goods on another Nanite Systems product. The Liberator is a gunship, and while it boasts a ton of firepower and decent armor protection, it pays for its bristling bulk by being quite slow in the air.

MassivelySOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Quad and Liberator originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auraxisfpsloremmo-shootermmofpsnanitenanite-systemsplanetside-2ps2quadsci-fishootersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentvehiclesFri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST