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[City of Heroes lets low-level players go Drowning in Blood]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/city-of-heroes-lets-low-level-players-go-drowning-in-blood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/city-of-heroes-lets-low-level-players-go-drowning-in-blood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/city-of-heroes-lets-low-level-players-go-drowning-in-blood/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Okay, it's more like drowning in vines and gelatin, but that isn't as evocative.
Designing a low-level instance is a challenge that's rarely discussed. High-level challenges are of course the marquee elements of any game, but the low-level content needs love. How do you introduce the concepts to players? How do you make the rewards meaningful while still making room for later improvement? City of Heroes is tackling precisely those problems with the new Drowning in Blood trial, a level 15-30 trial in Bloody Bay coming with Issue 22.

In a recent developer diary, world designer Cord Carney explains how the team tried to balance both storytelling aspects and gameplay elements, keeping the second lower-level trial as engaging for new and returning players as the recent introductory trial Death From Below. Carney also explains how the trial will offer players a chance at obtaining a buff that lasts up to level 30, giving everyone a reason to participate with lower characters without unbalancing the endgame. It's an interesting look at making lower-level content engaging, epic, and fun.

MassivelyCity of Heroes lets low-level players go Drowning in Blood originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-issue-22covcoxf2pfree-to-playissue-22low-level-contentlow-level-triallow-levelsncsoftparagonparagon-studiospatchestrialsupcoming-patchesupdatesTue, 28 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Hunting Haramel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/wings-over-atreia-hunting-haramel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/wings-over-atreia-hunting-haramel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/wings-over-atreia-hunting-haramel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Aion WoA image
Your hands/claws -- untested by war -- yearn to prove themselves. You have faced neither wings of foes nor patrolled the Abyss. You are too young, unskilled, as yet unblooded by the true conflict that rages beyond the safety of the lands you roam.

Some would have you believe that life in Aion begins at level 55. Others say endgame is at 50 (to dominate in Dredgion) or at 35 (to maximize the rifting experience). Content may even seem geared only toward these higher levels; this can leave Daevalings little but to hope they acquire levels and power at a break-neck pace in order to participate, a concept that may not be appetizing to newer players just starting the game.

Well hogwash and poppycock! Don't listen to those nattering old naysayers -- NCsoft has not left the lowest-level players out in the cold when it comes it content. In fact, of the three solo instances introduced in Assault on Balaurea, one was designed specifically for the freshly ascended crowd. Catering to levels 18-22, Haramel offers the same benefits of the other instances -- namely, loot and XP sans group -- with the added bonuses of small time commitment and helping new Daevas become more comfortable with the game.

Zone in past the cut for Wings Over Atreia's guide to a Daeva's first instance: Haramel.

Gallery: Aion: Haramel

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Hunting Haramel

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Hunting Haramel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamefeaturedgalleriesgalleryHaramellow-levellow-level-contentlow-levelsnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionscreenshotscreenshotssolo-instancesolo-instancesWings-Over-AtreiaXPMon, 29 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Tripping the XP fantastic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-tripping-the-xp-fantastic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-tripping-the-xp-fantastic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/a-mild-mannered-reporter-tripping-the-xp-fantastic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

City of Heroes has the best pseudo-seasonal event anywhere: the double XP weekend. Forget holidays that you're usually sick to death of in which you can get some arbitrary gimmick powers, it's cold hard character boosting that really gets everyone excited. And if those of us that play the game weren't swimming with enough alts, we also had our chance to scream up with dual pistols. In summary, it was poised to be the best Christmas ever, except for the minor detail of not being Christmas.

Going into the weekend on Friday. I had three major priorities. I wanted to level one of my two "mains" which had been suffering from some neglect, I wanted to bring a villain to 20 or as close as I could manage, and I wanted someone with paired handguns. A tall order, even for a doubled-up weekend, but I live for challenges. Or I'm a glutton for punishment, one or the other. Read on past the break for the path of events and some observations about the leveling game, and perhaps even a bit of enlightenment.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Tripping the XP fantastic

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Tripping the XP fantastic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anecdotescity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdouble-experiencedouble-xp-weekenddual-pistolsfeaturedlow-levelsparagonparagon-cityparagon-cohparagon-studioesrogue-islesWed, 10 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Too late to start playing Lord of the Rings Online?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/too-late-to-start-playing-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/too-late-to-start-playing-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/too-late-to-start-playing-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The trouble with any long-running game is that it gets top-heavy. This is especially a problem in games such as Final Fantasy XI, where you simply have to group to accomplish most things in the game, but it's really a problem even in the most solo-friendly game with an expansion or two. After all, more often than not there's an ever-raising level cap, gear curve, and expected knowledge about the game, not to mention stretches of previously endgame content that's no longer relevant. When A Casual Stroll to Mordor asks if it's too late to start playing Lord of the Rings Online, the question could be extended to many other games.

Of course, it's probably not exceptionally surprising that the conclusion is "no," duly pointing out that the only time it's technically too late is when the game is shutting down soon. There are also tips about making the areas at lower levels less of a ghost town, which largely boil down to being proactive. People will almost always have alts or restarted characters, and actively trying to get your foot in the door can make up for a lot of inexperience. It's as true in Lord of the Rings Online as it is everywhere: putting forth the effort makes a lot of difference, even if it won't close the expanded level gap by itself.

MassivelyToo late to start playing Lord of the Rings Online? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordoralternate-charactersaltsearly-gamegrindinglevel-caplevelinglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolow-levelssocial-gametoo-late-to-playWed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST