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 Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mass Effect - The Normandy (SR1)
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I don't know about you, but I've yet to play Mass Effect 3. This is not by choice, mind you, and now that I've returned from the wilds of last week's GDC, it's time to settle in for another 30-hour tour with Shepard and company.

What does this have to do with MMOs? Well, nothing really, except that BioWare hasn't exactly closed the door on a Mass Effect title. On the contrary, the company's dynamic doctor duo have hinted at the fact that this, ahem, theoretical game would need to be somewhat different from the firm's maiden MMO voyage.

At this point I think an ME MMO is inevitable, so join me after the cut to discuss whether BioWare can really break the mold with its second effort as well as what that effort could look like.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-comfort-zonecomfort-zonecutscenesdesignea-biowareeditorialelectronic-artsfeaturedfourth-pillargreg-zeschukmass-effectmass-effect-mmommo-comfort-zonemmo-industrymmo-storyop-edopinionplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpossibility-spacerantrantsray-muzykasandboxsandparksci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardstorythe-fourth-pillarthe-soapboxthemeparkuser-generated-contentTue, 13 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare doctors discuss Mass Effect MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/bioware-doctors-discuss-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/bioware-doctors-discuss-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/bioware-doctors-discuss-mass-effect-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mass Effect - Commander Shephard
The fast-approaching Mass Effect 3 hype bomb doesn't have much to do with MMOs, except maybe it does. Gamespot cornered BioWare doctors Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka and asked the duo point-blank about a Mass Effect MMO, and the answer might surprise you.

"It's daunting, but the neat thing is it would lend itself to a different type of gameplay. It's fun to think about," Zeschuk told the website. Does that mean that the so-called fourth pillar of MMO story won't factor as heavily into the theoretical title as it does in Star Wars: The Old Republic?

It's anyone guess at this point, but Muzyka offers a further fanboy nugget that hints at the possibility of a new direction for BioWare MMOs. "When you deliver a game, and you deliver it for a player, you have to capture what they think is the possibility space," he explains. "You need to let them do everything they think they should do, and you can't block them from doing anything they think they should be able to do. You have to nail all the features and content that should be in that possibility space."

MassivelyBioWare doctors discuss Mass Effect MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowareElectronic-Artsgreg-zeschukinterviewmass-effectmass-effect-mmoray-muzykasci-fiMon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week In MMO: Night at the movies edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-week-in-mmo-night-at-the-movies-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-week-in-mmo-night-at-the-movies-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-week-in-mmo-night-at-the-movies-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This Week In MMO: Episode 63
This Week In MMO is all about movies: how some games compare to movies and which movies will be made into games. The BioWare doctors hinted at a Mass Effect MMO once again, but what does our panel of hosts think? Mike B, aka Fony of ZAM, believes that the Mass Effect intellectual property is very similar to the movie industry, such that Mass Effect can take a few years of downtime, then just like some movie remakes, bounce back even stronger as an MMO.

What about movies becoming MMOs? Jasmine Hruschak, of Gamebreaker's The Sanctum, is scared of any movie becoming a game. Traditionally, these platform conversions are disastrous, according to IRLJasmine. However, Gary Gannon agrees with Avatar director James Cameron's sentiments and believes that the world of the Nav'i could one day be comparable to the world of World of Warcraft.

Catch all this and more movie-to-MMO comparisons after the break on Gamebreaker.TV's This Week In MMO!

Continue reading This Week In MMO: Night at the movies edition

MassivelyThis Week In MMO: Night at the movies edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AvatarAvatar-MMOBioWareEAElectronic-Artsfirefallgary-gannonjames-cameronJasmine-Hruschakmark-kernmass-effectMass-Effect-mmoMike-Bred-5red-5-studiosRed5This-Week-In-MMOTWIMMOwebzenFri, 07 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare open to the possibility of a Mass Effect MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/bioware-open-to-the-possibility-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/bioware-open-to-the-possibility-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/bioware-open-to-the-possibility-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mass Effect 2
If you've been among the vocal crowds demanding that BioWare stop fiddling around with that "Star Wars thing" and get on a Mass Effect MMO as soon as possible, today might be your day of vindication. It turns out that BioWare's co-founders are very much open to the possibility of an online edition of its popular Mass Effect franchise.

Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk recently fielded the ever-popular question in a much more upbeat tone than ever before. Zeschuk says the studio will evaluate a potential Mass Effect MMO in the near future: "You never know. I think once The Old Republic is done, we'll take a fresh look at the market."

"We're focused very much on The Old Republic, Mass Effect 3 and Wrath of Heroes, and all the other things we've announced, and haven't announced, but we also have the opportunity to look at our franchises in a way we haven't ever before. There are lots of new platforms and lots of new business models," Muzyka added.

Mass Effect: The MMO is one of those speculative rumors that seems to never die. Analysts have predicted that such an MMO could top Star Wars: The Old Republic's numbers.

MassivelyBioWare open to the possibility of a Mass Effect MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowaregreg-zeschukinterviewmass-effectmass-effect-3mass-effect-mmoRay-Muzykarumorstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorwrath-of-heroesFri, 30 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Before I begin this little rant about Star Wars: The Old Republic, there are a couple things I want to make clear: This edition of the Hyperspace Beacon will have a lot of spoilers, and I really like SWTOR as a whole.

First off, the spoilers mentioned here will be about the DragonAge and Mass Effect series of games. If you have not played through either one of those games and do not want to know how some of that story turns out, then you may not want to read this article. Secondly, SWTOR is a wonderful game. I have played it on a couple of occasions, and I believe it exhibits some of the qualities that have been missing from many of the current MMOs -- specifically, story. By no means do I want to discourage anyone from playing or pre-ordering this game, so if you're on the fence about this game, you may not want to read on because this article is not for you.

Surely, fans of BioWare have played games like Mass Effect and DragonAge, and I hope you have played Knights of the Old Republic. These games really define what BioWare is and the types of games it can make. However, given some of the most recent announcements, I have to wonder if some of the staples that made these BioWare games great are going to be missing in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Have BioWare games gone from having choice to just the illusion of choice?

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarechoicedaniel-ericksonDragon-AgeDragon-Age-2EAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedGame-Mechanicshyperspace-beaconIllusion-of-choicejames-ohlenKnights-of-the-Old-RepublicLucasArtsMass-EffectMass-Effect-2opinionStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst predicts a Mass Effect MMO could top The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/analyst-predicts-a-mass-effect-mmo-could-top-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/analyst-predicts-a-mass-effect-mmo-could-top-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/analyst-predicts-a-mass-effect-mmo-could-top-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Still having geek dreams about a Mass Effect MMO? Your flights of fancy have another advocate today, as an analyst thinks it could be not only feasible but extremely profitable to boot. In a recent investor's note, Janco Partners' Mike Hickey predicted that a hypothetical Mass Effect MMO could make more money for Electronic Arts than Star Wars: The Old Republic will.

Hickey made this claim based on the strength of BioWare's science-fiction series and the historical weakness of Star Wars games: "Looking forward, we believe BioWare could develop an MMO based on their highly successful Mass Effect franchise, which should have a considerably better (relative Star Wars MMO) margin profile, given the dilutive nature of the LucasArts royalty."

So far, BioWare's been fairly coy on the subject of a possible Mass Effect online game, although it hasn't ruled out the possibility.

MassivelyAnalyst predicts a Mass Effect MMO could top The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaea-biowareelectronic-artsjancojanco-partnerslucasartsmass-effectmass-effect-mmomike-hickeystar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 06 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/the-mmo-report-assuming-direct-control-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/the-mmo-report-assuming-direct-control-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/the-mmo-report-assuming-direct-control-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Why is G4's Casey Schreiner hiding behind his notes in this week's MMO Report? Maybe it's that his insurance won't cover the liability of his stunning smile -- or that he simply forgot his contacts.

Casey jumps on top of two of the most sensationalistic stories from the past week. The first is the saga of the World of Warcraft player who made it to max level without killing anything or completing any quests. Casey salutes her by saying, "If there was a Nobel Peace Prize for pointless dedication toward arbitrary obsessive-compulsive goals, you'd be a shoo-in. Grats."

He's also intrigued about the possibility -- not probability -- of a Mass Effect MMO. "But you guys haven't still put out your first over-hyped MMO based an incredibly popular intellectual property. One disappointment at a time, gentlemen."

The MMO Report also covers The Secret World's seven-year plan, The Old Republic's advanced class preview, Global Agenda's F2P move, and another dip into Uncle Casey's mailbag. You can watch Casey's mind unravel during six captivating minutes after the jump!

Continue reading The MMO Report: ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casey-shreinerf2pfree-to-playg4global-agendamass-effectmass-effect-mmonobel-peace-prizestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-mmo-reportthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtswvideoworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 14 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect the MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/mass-effect-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/mass-effect-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/mass-effect-the-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Could Mass Effect be an MMO? In a recent interview with Game Informer, Executive Producer Casey Hudson of BioWare says that the intellectual property makes sense for an MMO. We know that many Massively readers would absolutely pick up a multiplayer version of the series. Do the producers of the game think it is possible to transport the Mass Effect universe to the MMO space? Hudson told Game Informer, "We've been trying to think of a way that makes sense for people to experience Mass Effect with their friends. We haven't yet come up with a way to do that, so we don't have anything to announce at this time. But, obviously, multiplayer is something we want to do more of in the future as a company."

We have to assume that Commander Shepard saves the galaxy once and for all at the end of Mass Effect 3, which comes out later this year. Is that world going to be interesting enough to continue? Hudson thinks so: "I think Mass Effect has that quality to it. If you get rid of the Reapers and win that, wouldn't it be amazing to just live on the Citadel or just take a ship to Omega? That makes sense."

Whatever the case, we will have to wait for Mass Effect 3 to come out before any sort of official announcement, but that doesn't mean we can't hold out hope.

MassivelyMass Effect the MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecasey-hudsonEAElectronic-Artsmass-effectmass-effect-3Mass-Effect-mmoMon, 11 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: RvR packs, the "wait and see" edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/waging-war-rvr-packs-the-wait-and-see-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/waging-war-rvr-packs-the-wait-and-see-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/waging-war-rvr-packs-the-wait-and-see-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This week Waging WAR rides the double rainbow of gameplay customization via downloadable content and takes a cursory glance at the RvR packs being teased by the folks behind the development of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Let's follow along and see what Greg can unleash this time.

It is difficult to talk about the future of WAR right now. Not because it doesn't have a future, but because the availability of information regarding it is not exactly easy to find. Actually, information on the future of WAR is all but non-existent, surrounded by controversy on all sides, and steeped in rumor, speculation, assumption and misinformation. The best I can put together is that we, as players, can look forward to some sort of set of three different "RvR Packs" allowing us to "customize" our gameplay experience moving forward. The packs have been called "Power," "Progression," and "Personality." What exactly each contains is a mystery, although the few talking points I was able to find regarding these RvR packs are speculatively disappointing at best. Although Carrie, Andy, and anyone else involved with the Mythic development team have said time and time again that they are not discussing moving toward the free-to-play business model, what they're proposing with these customization packs looks suspiciously like the item shop established by Turbine, implemented in Dungeons & Dragons Online and soon in Lord of the Rings Online as well. V.I.P. membership, anyone?

Although concrete information is scarce and difficult to find, let's take a look at the most commonly referenced points of interest after the break.

Continue reading Waging WAR: RvR packs, the "wait and see" edition

MassivelyWaging WAR: RvR packs, the "wait and see" edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Forced species
The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

This week I was excited about the new species introduced to Star Wars: The Old Republic, and the lore-lover in me is still extremely elated despite what some of the commenters said on the announcement article. However, I've had time to think about a few things, and the seed of internal conflict sowed itself in my fanboy psyche. It did not break me, but I do question some of the decisions BioWare has made regarding species-to-class choices.

I do not like to draw attention to negative posts because I believe arguments can be made without berating other people and defiling the English language. But one of the posts in the recent space-combat-on-rails article reflected some of the fans' sentiment towards the game when the poster said this about BioWare's developers: "They have their formula and every new game is just fresh paint." Although I don't think it is exactly that simple, there is a bit of truth in that statement. But that does not, by any means, destine this game for failure (right, Final Fantasy?). BioWare does have a formula, but when it sticks to this formula, it usually produces something very successful.

BioWare's mantra is "story." The company has chanted this from the first day SWTOR was announced, yet for me something still seems a bit amiss. Upon examining past BioWare games, I am not quite sure the reasons for tying species to a specific class actually make sense -- at least not for the reasons the company offers. Perhaps when you follow me through the rest of this article you can help me resolve this inner conflict.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Forced species

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Forced species originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarechissclasseseaea-biowareElectronic-ArtseverquestfeaturedKnights-of-the-Old-Republiclord-of-the-rings-onlineLucasArtsmass-effectMirialanoptionsprofessionsracesroleplayRolePlayingspeciesStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstorystorytellingswtorthe-old-republictorunique-snowflakeTue, 10 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GenCon 2010: Fantasy fencing with 38 Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/gencon-2010-fantasy-fencing-with-38-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/gencon-2010-fantasy-fencing-with-38-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/gencon-2010-fantasy-fencing-with-38-studios/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One thing is for certain: When you are sitting in the crosshairs of Curt Schilling and R.A. Salvatore during an interview, it's easy to become bowled over by their collective intensity and passion, especially when it comes to their interest in games and fantasy worlds.

While GenCon Indy lacked its usual MMORPG presence this year, Massively was able to grab a few minutes of face time with 38 Studios' founder and lead writer as they passed through the convention. It was a bit of an odd interview, however, as two of the biggest topics -- 38 Studios' move to Rhode Island and any solid details about their top-secret MMO -- were off the table for discussion. Do not fret, as that certainly didn't stop us from trying to pry for a few hints along the way. Schilling and Salvatore were obviously eager to spill the beans about Copernicus, but they are still biding their time until the right moment.

Happily, the duo didn't mind us fencing with them for facts, and were quite open about their single-player RPG lead-up to Copernicus, their general philosophy of designing the MMO, and why they've waited so long to unveil it to the public. Read on, gentle gamers, for a few ripostes, parries and lunges with two of the biggest figures in the industry right now.

Continue reading GenCon 2010: Fantasy fencing with 38 Studios

MassivelyGenCon 2010: Fantasy fencing with 38 Studios originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamalurart-stylecopernicuscurt-schillingeqeq2everquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedforgotten-realmsgencongencon-10gencon-2010gencon-indygencon-indy-10guildsiconsjustin-is-a-hobbitjuttenken-rolstonkingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmass-effectmother-earthoblivionr.a.-salvatorera-salvatorereckoningscopethe-elder-scrolls-iv-obliviontodd-mcFarlaneuiultima-onlinewarcraft-3world-buildingworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 09 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-hype-in-hyperspace/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

In a world where MMOs are now commonplace, it seems as though he who has the hippest hype wins. E3 was all about convincing the media that your game or toy was the latest and greatest thing to hit the electronics industry since Pac-man. The media, being the attention-fiends they are, ate it all up. Even Massively wasn't exempt from basking in the spoils of temporary celebrity. I mean, really, did we do a featured news story on Gaia? Yes -- one. But we did no less than ten articles featuring SWTOR coming out of E3. According to some, we're now "Massively: Your daily news about SWTOR and some of these other games over here."

So with all this hippity-hype everywhere, pouring from all the latest sites popping up and just longing to be the your best source of SWTOR news, how do you determine which is the best? What do you read? What do you ignore? Which is rumor? Which is truth? Who is that masked man? And did you find the Sith Inquisitor in the midriff top as cute as I did? I know, right?! The answers to these questions aren't easy. Sometimes you need a guide to help you through the hype, a hype(rspace) beacon, if you will. This Beacon is here help you calculate the jump. So strap yourself in, kid. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR hype in hyperspace originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksondarth-haterDarthHaterdeborah-shinEAElectronic-Artsexpectationshope-trailerhypehype-machinehyperspace-beaconKnights-of-the-Old-Republicmass-effectMos-Eisley-RadioPodcastsRed-Bullrich-vogelRockStarsean-dahlbergStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicTOROcasttwitterMon, 28 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TOR's conversation system rebuilt to be like Mass Effect's]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/tors-conversation-system-rebuilt-to-be-like-mass-effect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/tors-conversation-system-rebuilt-to-be-like-mass-effect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/tors-conversation-system-rebuilt-to-be-like-mass-effect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BioWare lead designer and storywriter Daniel Erickson drops a few interesting nuggets about Star Wars: The Old Republic's well-publicized voice system. In an interview with CVG, he gives credit to Mass Effect, BioWare's celebrated single-player RPG, for inspiring a complete change in The Old Republic's voiceover content.

"Originally the game was built far more like Dragon Age as far as [the] Conversation System went," he said. "Our player characters were not going to be voiced because it's a massively insane expenditure and hugely complicated to do. You have to cast 16 of the best actors ever and then hold them for eternity," Erickson says.

He goes on to illustrate how the original Mass Effect caused the TOR team to adjust their thinking, as it debuted very early in the latter's development cycle. You can read the full article at CVG.

MassivelyTOR's conversation system rebuilt to be like Mass Effect's originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareconversation-systemdaniel-ericksonDragon-AgeDragon-Age-OriginsEAmass-effectstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicMon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2010: Hands on with The Old Republic's smuggler class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/e3-2010-hands-on-with-the-old-republics-smuggler-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/e3-2010-hands-on-with-the-old-republics-smuggler-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/18/e3-2010-hands-on-with-the-old-republics-smuggler-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

What's the oldest profession? If you answered smuggling, then you're wrong, but you're totally on track for what we're going to cover in today's hands-on!

At this year's E3, I had the pleasure of smuggling for fun and profit as I found my ship stolen out from underneath me in Star Wars: The Old Republic. I spent a decent amount of time learning about the game's world, the game's combat and quest system, and how cover works for the smuggler. I also got to witness a bit of multiplayer combat, to get a feel for how the game works in a party.

Was it revolutionary? Was it solid? Was it a piece of junk that could do the Kessel Run in an odd measure of distance instead of time? Follow after the break for all of this and more!

Continue reading E3 2010: Hands on with The Old Republic's smuggler class

MassivelyE3 2010: Hands on with The Old Republic's smuggler class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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En Masse Entertainment isn't messing around, judging by today's announcement regarding several game industry heavyweights joining forces with the publisher of the forthcoming TERA MMORPG. "We want En Masse Entertainment to serve as a magnet for creative talent. As we build toward the launch of TERA, we are adding veteran strength to all facets of the company to ensure a topnotch action MMO experience for our customers," said CEO Dr. Jae-Heon Yang.

New TERA team members include Aaron LeMay, a veteran of major action franchises including Halo and Saint's Row. Also signing on are Matt Atwood, former Global Public Relations Lead at BioWare and responsible for overseeing both Dragon Age and Mass Effect. David Noonan, a former Dungeons and Dragons game designer and Aion writer also joins the TERA crew, as does Microsoft Xbox Live Operations Center veteran Markus Schweig.

Head on over to the official TERA forums for the full press release.

MassivelyTERA adds veteran industry talent originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-lemayaionbiowaredavid-noonandragon-ageen-masse-entertainmenthaloindustry-veteransmarkus-schweigmass-effectmatt-atwoodmicrosoftsaints-rowTERAxbox-liveMon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: 'Meh' to MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-digital-continuum-meh-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-digital-continuum-meh-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-digital-continuum-meh-to-mmos/#commentsFiled under: ,

irrezolut
While the MMO genre appears to be growing at a decent pace (at least for Blizzard) there's still plenty of room for growth. World of Warcraft clones can attract only so many interested players and turning to classic niche designs such as the sandbox MMO ala Fallen Earth won't do anything to pique the interest of people who otherwise have no interest in the genre.

So what will appeal to someone who has never felt a desire to play a game both massively and multiplayer?

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: 'Meh' to MMOs?

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: 'Meh' to MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-gameapb-eaapb-gamearenanetarenanet-guild-warsarenanet-guild-wars2biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcall-of-dutyeaea-all-points-bulletinea-apbea-gameselectronic-artselectronic-arts-all-points-bulletinfeaturedfuncomguild-warsguild-wars2guildwarsguildwars2gwgw2lucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmass-effectmodern-warefareopinionstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-digital-continuumthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtswworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 16 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What IP do you want to see as an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-ip-do-you-want-to-see-as-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-ip-do-you-want-to-see-as-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-ip-do-you-want-to-see-as-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There are certainly a lot of intellectual properties out there that would make for an excellent MMO. Running down the list of major games currently running shows no shortage of games based on popular franchises -- Star Trek Online, Warhammer Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Age of Conan, Champions Online -- and the trend shows no sign of slowing. But there are other franchises that could conceivably make a number of people happy -- Transformers, The Dark Tower, Doctor Who, Mass Effect, Babylon 5, and so on ad infinitum.

Of course, there are licenses that are unlikely to ever be adapted for MMOs, either because their heyday of popularity has passed or because they're just not in quite the right market. Still, we can dream, and in our heads we might have an idea for the world's best MMO based off of Macross. What intellectual property would you love to have a chance to play as an MMO? Do you think there's a chance it might happen, or are you fairly certain that it's just going to remain an idle fantasy?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What IP do you want to see as an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbabylon-5champions-onlinecodoctor-whointellectual-propertylicensed-gameslicensed-propertiesmass-effectstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-galaxiesstoswgthe-dark-towertransformerswarwarhammer-onlineSat, 06 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: The Old Republic to have player housing?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/rumor-the-old-republic-to-have-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/rumor-the-old-republic-to-have-player-housing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/rumor-the-old-republic-to-have-player-housing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Player housing seems to be an oft requested feature for generally any MMO, but the last place we expected to hear rumors about it was for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Granted, this rumor stems from a BioWare employee at Gamescom being a little too tired and letting "housing" slip as one of the many features of the game. Of course, it's also just as likely that said person was so tired they simply misspoke.

Rumors have a way of digging into the brain, though, and this one is no different. If you think back to KOTOR and Mass Effect, both games had a kind of home base for the game's main characters. Wouldn't housing be pretty much the same thing? Yeah, we just went there.

MassivelyRumor: The Old Republic to have player housing? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsknights-of-the-old-republickotorlucasartsmass-effectstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicThu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/the-digital-continuum-swtor-turns-up-the-heat-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat, part 2

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: SWTOR turns up the heat, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Blizzard's mysterious MMO Part 2

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Blizzard's mysterious MMO Part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've got a good reason to believe that Blizzard's next MMO is in actuality a new IP, which means it's the perfect time to discuss the potential of this newly crafted world. Assuming that Games Workshop isn't the inspiring factor for yet another Blizzard game, I'll lay out five settings that I hope will catch a few of you off guard.

Here's the thing about Blizzard, they rarely stick to vanilla settings. Diablo is the only real exception, but even it had the addition of the Japanese inspired Assassin class and Celtic inspired Druid class. StarCraft's races range over a several influences and Warcraft pulls stuff from all over the place, chief among them being some steampunk.

Will it be the same for this new IP?

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Blizzard's mysterious MMO

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Blizzard's mysterious MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareblizzardcyberpunkcygnarfeaturediron-kingdomsjade-empiremass-effectpandarenshadowrunstarcraftsteampunkswtorthe-digital-continuumwarcraftwarmachineworld-of-warcraftwowwuxiaTue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic's timeline as voiced by Lance Henriksen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If there's one thing a self indulging Star Wars fan knows, it's that lore is bountiful in our favorite science fiction pastime. So it comes as little surprised that a series high quality weekly webcomics just isn't enough for Star Wars: The Old Republic. BioWare has gone the distance and begun to put forth an audio timeline leading up to the current peace between the Galatic Republic and Sith Empire.

The historical record will be spoken by Master Gnost-Dural, Keeper of the Jedi Archives, who is in turn voiced by actor Lance Henriksen. BioWare fans will recognize him as the voice of Mass Effect's Admiral Hackett of the Human Systems Alliance. As for how many of these we should plan for, looking at the timeline reveals several more historical points (we counted 18) that took place before this inaugural first.

We'll try to feign a little surprise when "history" from the Knights of the Old Republic RPGs crops up somewhere in here, although hopefully it'll be more than a recap of those game's storylines.

MassivelyThe Old Republic's timeline as voiced by Lance Henriksen originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer Online pulled off some impressive sales figures in the European market this past week. The Swedish sales chart shows WAR at the #1 and #4 (for the Collector's Edition) spots in that country, beating out the highly anticipated Will Wright project Spore. WAR also topped the charts in Spain. In Germany it came in second behind the heavily marketed console game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

Of course an MMO dominating sales charts is nothing new. World of Warcraft has done so on and off since its launch four years ago, and Age of Conan debuted at #1 in many regions, even defeating the critically acclaimed BioWare tactical RPG Mass Effect which launched in the same month. It's also worth noting that the Warhammer IP is very popular in Europe, perhaps more so than in North America.

This news jives well with the report that half a million users have registered for the game. On the other hand, similar numbers were thrown out around AoC shortly after its launch. It's doing okay, but it didn't turn out to be a landscape-altering success that some folks projected, and that some are expecting from WAR as well

MassivelyWAR battles Spore, The Force Unleashed for top of EU sales charts originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The NPD Group's sales figures for the week ending May 31 feature Age of Conan in first place. Funcom's MMO tribute to barbarism defeated Mass Effect, the highly anticipated single-player RPG from legendary studio BioWare. Most of the top 10 list is populated by various World of Warcraft and The Sims 2 retail packages, as per usual. The exceptions are Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Sins of a Solar Empire in the 8th and 9th spots, respectively.

Go ahead and express all the criticisms about the game that you want (we know there are plenty to go around), but regardless of where you personally stand on AoC, it's impossible to deny that it's been a blockbuster hit when it comes to sales.

MassivelyNonsurprise: AoC top selling PC game last week of May originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inspired by a few days of dedicated holiday gaming, veteran MMO designer Raph Koster offered up an opinion on the state of modern game development. Playing titles like Call of Duty 4, Halo 3, and BioShock, he notes the 'intense' nature of most of the best-selling titles this year. He then ties this in to a recent Rolling Stone article about the modern face of music. That article discusses the pervasive role of music in America today, and the resulting requirement to 'amp up' the volume to be heard in public places.

He directly relates this to the loss of nuanced sound this results in, making a sly dig at the quality of these single-player experiences. IE: by being 'bold and brassy', these titles pale in the realm of quality compared to quieter, more thoughtful titles (like, say, Portal). Steve Danuser, better known as Moorgard, concurs with his assessment. He notes that Massive games in particular are arguments for broader, more varied experiences.

While I'm obviously a fan of Massive titles - and very much agree that the breadth of content you can cram into them is one of their strengths - I can't help but think they're missing the point here a bit. I'm willing to agree, generally, with Raph's argument that truly single-player games will eventually be extinct. There's absolutely no reason that BioShock or Mass Effect couldn't have some sort of shared-world or co-op component (CoD4 and Halo 3 already do).

That said, I bristle a bit at the notion that the big releases of 2007 have no nuance. Several of these titles, as with MMOs, have enough breadth to allow for more than just one activity. While 'shoot things' is the marquee entertainment in Mass Effect and 'stab people' is the main draw for Assassin's Creed, both have other activities in them; certainly Raph isn't going to sit there with a straight face and say the storytelling in Mass Effect is completely without nuance? Even BioShock, which is fundamentally a shooter, offers moments of quieter contemplation. I found the storytelling-via-voice-logs extremely effective, and made it a point to search out and listen to as many as I could.

Where do you fall here? Are console-oriented single-player titles too much flash for you, or do you see possibilities in Rapture's destroyed beauty?

MassivelyThe 'high fidelity' nature of MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameInformer published an interview with BioWare President Greg Zeschuk and CEO Ray Muzyka in its December 2007 issue. Most of the questions in the interview focused on the EA acquisition, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, but one did probe for information on the (KotOR?) MMO in development at BioWare's Austin studio.

Both Zeschuk and Muzyka admitted to being players and fans of World of Warcraft, but expressed dissatisfaction with the way that making progress in the game is so time-consuming that "it's almost like having another job." They said they are thinking about ways to make the genre more accessible and easier to "pick up and play and have fun."

"We certainly like the games," said Muzyka, "but the staying power hasn't been as strong. They totally enthrall a certain set of people, but we thought about how to make it an experience where you don't have to have a massive investment of itme."

Blizzard had similar aspirations with World of Warcraft, and it succeeded in its goal; WoW is far more accessible than previous entries in the genre. Can BioWare expand the appeal of MMOs even further?

MassivelyBioWare likes WoW but thinks it can do better originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinbiowarebioware-mmoblizzarddragon-ageeagameinformergreg-zeschukinterviewkotorkotor-mmomass-effectray-muzykaworld-of-warcraftTue, 27 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Voodoo Extreme's MMO of the year poll]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/voodoo-extremes-mmo-of-the-year-poll/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/voodoo-extremes-mmo-of-the-year-poll/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/voodoo-extremes-mmo-of-the-year-poll/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Trevor quickly grew upset when he realized he'd lost his daggerIt's about the right time of year for it, and with perfect timing Voodoo Extreme has a poll up for (MMO)RPG Game of the Year.

Being in the same category as The Witcher & Mass Effect seems harsh for the MMOs listed, as some great titles went retail in 2007. Was Lord of the Rings Online really just this year? We've also had the first expansion to one of the biggest games of all time, and a minor explosion of Free-to-Play MMOs -- which of course won't feature in a commercial games poll, but they're still surging through the market even so.

Overall, 2007 has been a solid year for MMO fans. It may end up being remembered as the year of Halo 3, Assassin's Creed, and Bioshock -- but then 2008 may redress the balance somewhat.

Is there an MMO of the year for you, so far?

MassivelyVoodoo Extreme's MMO of the year poll originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20072008assassin's-creedbioshockfree-to-playhalo-3lord-of-the-rings-onlinemass-effectthe-burning-crusadethe-witchervoodoo-extremeTue, 27 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: So many games, not much time - What are you playing?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/the-daily-grind-many-games-little-time-what-are-you-playing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/the-daily-grind-many-games-little-time-what-are-you-playing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/the-daily-grind-many-games-little-time-what-are-you-playing/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's a good week to have a habit -- a gaming habit. *twitches* Over a bazillion games launched last week on various gaming devices and contraptions. Button mashers everywhere basked in a new shiny flickering game glow, getting a jump start on that lustrous pale skin reflection. I'm already transparent. This Gamingpalooza most likely prevented thousands from functioning in work society at some point during the week -- at least some of you admitted it!

Is it a strange coincidence that so many games and patches released on November the 13th? Normally, I would chalk-up World of Warcraft's patch dropping on the same day as two EverQuest expansions as cruel and evil; albeit, one hell of a marketing maneuver to get players that were possibly thinking about flipping to EverQuest II to check out the tasty patch changes instead. But, so many games launched this week, so I'll crumple up my tin-foil hat until my next crack-pot theory emerges.

I'm still piecing my head back together over all this MMOG craziness, patches, expansions, console goodness. Maybe, you aren't interested in any MMOGs right now, and you are dabbling in those nefarious console titles like Mario Galaxy or Mass Effect. Maybe you aren't interested in anything at all and waiting patiently for AoC or WAR! So, what's up with you? Go ahead and tell us what games you are playing and perhaps what you are focusing on, that alt, beating the game, crafting? Maybe you are like me and one MMOG is never enough, I'll be busy doing some pew-pew space joobie off angels in EVE (piloting a brand-spanking new ship today), and I'll do some plundering in PotBS. I might hit up some EQ2, but I doubt there will be enough time -- never is.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: So many games, not much time - What are you playing? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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