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[The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: Final memories]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-final-memories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-final-memories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/the-game-archaeologist-goes-to-earth-and-beyond-final-memories/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The question that lurks deep in the recesses of most MMO gamers' minds -- the question that they never really want to ask -- is what will happen when the lights go out? When your favorite game is finally sent to its resting place in that server farm in the sky, will we still care about it, and if so, what will we be able to take away?

While most of us have yet to face this, considering the longevity of most launched MMOs, it does happen, and it will certainly happen to us sooner or later. And while you won't be able to take your max-leveled, uber-geared character out of the game and into another one, you hopefully have the memories, the friendships, the screenshots, and the bragging rights. With many canceled MMOs, the shutdown is fairly abrupt following the official announcement, although some games, like Earth & Beyond, give players enough time to say their goodbyes and get in those final experiences before everything goes dark.

Like many of the games we've been exploring in The Game Archaeologist, Earth & Beyond may not have enjoyed stellar popularity, but it certainly did have a remnant of dedicated fans who have yet to let the flames of their adoration die down. Today we've got a buffet of E&B goodness: the background story from the manual, final memories from a few fans, and a photo album full of concept art and nostalgic screenshots. Sound good? Let's go!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: Final memories

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist goes to Earth & Beyond: Final memories originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-and-beaearth-and-beyondelectronic-artsemulated-serversemulatoreveeve-onlinefeaturedfreelancergalleryinfiniticorpjenquaimanualprogenscience-fictionscifispacestargatesunriseterransthe-game-archaeologistvrixwestwoodwestwood-studiosTue, 22 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV alpha test guide leaked]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/final-fantasy-xiv-alpha-test-guide-leaked/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/final-fantasy-xiv-alpha-test-guide-leaked/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/final-fantasy-xiv-alpha-test-guide-leaked/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Information on the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIV has been coming in great rushes with the testing in full swing, and what we've been hearing only whets the appetite. Robust character customization, diverse character growth, and a unique battle system all offer something at once reminiscent and yet different from Final Fantasy XI. While Square-Enix has stayed fairly tight-lipped even as we've gotten more Japanese news on the game, the first major "leak" from the test has emerged: a full disclosure of the Alpha Tester's Manual, as sent out by Square to all of the game's testers.

Although many elements of the game have already been disclosed from other sources, seeing everything laid out in the manual format helps make things a bit clearer. It also goes into more details about the limitations on the test, implying that several of them (such as the 20-ability limit) are unique to this phase of testing. There are also firmer details on things like Aetheryte, which function much like Final Fantasy XII's Save Crystals. If you're interested in Final Fantasy XIV, you can still glean more information from the newest leak, but like much news on the game it might just whet your appetite.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV alpha test guide leaked originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalpha-leaksffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmanualtester-manualtestingtesting-leaksTue, 13 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions delivers manual labor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/13/champions-delivers-manual-labor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/13/champions-delivers-manual-labor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/13/champions-delivers-manual-labor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When it comes to the manual that we've seen so far for Champions Online, probably the last word that comes to mind is 'super' - neither super-long, nor super-informative, especially since launch day has come and gone. Clearly not a heroic effort.

However, Cryptic's furnished us with an actual manual at long-last! While not what you would call cosmically complete, it does have the honor of being the largest collection of Champions Online information published in a single document, and sheds a bit more light on some of the more obscure mechanics that are frequently debated on zone-chat.

There's a whole lot more it could cover - it is perhaps only half as long as we think it should be, but if you're curious and sifting through forums doesn't appeal, the new PDF manual may just have the answers that you're looking for.

MassivelyChampions delivers manual labor originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosguidesmanualpdfSun, 13 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wrath of the Lich King manual discovered in WoW patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/wrath-of-the-lich-king-manual-discovered-in-wow-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/wrath-of-the-lich-king-manual-discovered-in-wow-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/wrath-of-the-lich-king-manual-discovered-in-wow-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


World of Warcraft forumite Maeglin made an interesting discovery: hidden deep within the files in the WoW game directory, you'll find the manual for the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Presumably it was added in the latest patch. If you want to take a peek, head over to to the folder "World of Warcraft \ Data \ enUS \ Documentation" and open up "Manual_WLK.pdf."

In it you'll find a bit of lore, some nice artwork, a map of Northrend, and basic info on many of Wrath's new features. The best part is probably the "Special Thanks" section of the credits at the end, in which many of the folks who worked on the game were given the opportunity to write in whatever they liked. There are some funny entries -- including the Shoegaze band Asobi Seksu, Mountain Dew, and Han Solo "for shooting first."

WoW Insider notes that not all the info in the manual is up to date, so it stands to reason that the manual coming with the final game at retail will be slightly different.

[Via WoW Insider]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWrath of the Lich King manual discovered in WoW patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddocumentationfilesforumsmanualpatchworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 21 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST