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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[MMO Week in Review: Is it over yet?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/mmo-week-in-review-is-it-over-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/mmo-week-in-review-is-it-over-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/mmo-week-in-review-is-it-over-yet/#commentsFiled under: MMO industry, Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

Week in Review - Copernicus screenshot

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

The MMO industry has had better weeks, and as much as we'd like to put all the layoffs, PR spin, and doom-and-gloom behind us, it wouldn't be much of a Week in Review if we did so.

The big news was, of course, the messy implosion of 38 Studios, which not only put a lot of developers out of work and tarnished Curt Schilling's reputation, but also led to the closure of 38's Big Huge Games subsidiary. Not to be outdone was BioWare, which laid off an undisclosed amount of its Star Wars: The Old Republic workforce and attempted to downplay the cuts as standard operating procedure.

Thankfully the rest of the week's news wasn't so dire. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Is it over yet?

MMO Week in Review: Is it over yet? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 27 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/wrup-kingdoms-of-amalur-was-pretty-cool-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/wrup-kingdoms-of-amalur-was-pretty-cool-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/wrup-kingdoms-of-amalur-was-pretty-cool-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

Not my character, but you know I'm awful at taking screenshots.

By now pretty much everyone has heard the bad news about 38 Studios. This makes me extremely sad for all of the people who have lost their jobs as a result, but it also makes me extremely sad for the future of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Despite having been lackluster about the game before launch, I fell in love with the demo and then fell further in love with the main game. The game has a lot of neat ideas, and it's a franchise that could really benefit from a sequel to polish things up. Sad news all around, really.

This week's WRUP isn't full of bad news -- it's just filled with the facts about what we'll be up to over the weekend. It's also filled with our opinions on judging all MMOs by the same standard instead of more varied criteria. So skip on past the cut to see our weekend plans, and let us know in the comments what you're going to be doing over the long weekend!

Continue reading WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition

WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 26 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, MMO industry, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

The test is coming, it's plane to see.

This week in Betawatch, the biggest news is that the game everyone expected to be in beta isn't around. Guild Wars 2 is not running a beta weekend this weekend, meaning that anyone hoping to spend their long weekend in Tyria is going to have to go with the classic version. We also say farewell to Star Supremacy in wake of its launch.

However, for those who love testing unreleased games, it's not all bad news. World of Warplanes has announced its closed beta kicking off at the end of the month, and MechWarrior Online is heading into its closed beta this week. While you won't have a chance to get your paws on The Secret World just yet, we do have a nice new shiny set of impressions from the beta to help tide you over.

Jump on past the break to see the full list of what's still in testing!

Continue reading Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/ask-massively-artists-i-actually-dislike-edition/#commentsFiled under: MMO industry, Opinion, Humor, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

It got way worse after this.

For whatever reason, Rob Liefeld has become a mini-meme on my more meta columns of the week. He's a bad artist, yes, but as I've mentioned in the past, I don't actively dislike him. There are many people far more deserving of dislike. Case in point: Pat Lee. I'm not going to explain in depth right here, but suffice to say that the man has history of hobbies like not paying his employees and taking credit for the work of others. And he's not a very good artist.

So let's move on from that meme, shall we? Great.

Of course, if I'm talking about mini-memes on Ask Massively, that must mean that it's time for this week's installment, yes? Yes. And this week, we're talking about the now almost ubiquitous case of the Kickstarter project. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of Ask Massively, leave it in the comments below or mail it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition

Ask Massively: Artists I actually dislike edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycaptialfeaturedfundinghumorkickstarterkickstarter-projectsmassively-metametammo-industryopinionventure-capitalThu, 24 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Opinion, Vanguard, Why I Play

vanguard

"How is Vanguard?"

If there's one question that comes up time and time again, it's that one. It experienced a launch disaster, lack of content post 35+, bugs, duping, exploits, performance issues, and the sad "parking lot layoffs," yet Vanguard: Saga of Heroes always seems to generate buzz any time it comes up in conversation.

There's a certain aura surrounding this game, and even though it languished with low subscription numbers for years, it always seems to attract attention when it's covered at Massively. There's something about Vanguard that kept me playing solidly well past launch and still pulls me back from time to time. With a free-to-play launch just around the corner, it seems like the perfect time to explain why I play Vanguard.

Continue reading Why I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes

Why I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionsandboxsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttelonvanguardvanguard-dungeonsvanguard-flyingVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvanguard-shipsvgwhy-i-playWed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/#commentsFiled under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous

How we see ourselves. Well, when we're playing Champions Online, anyhow.

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. Additionally, this article is written in contrast to Jef Reahard's Soapbox on how video game journalists are not real journalists; Massively's writers' opinions on the subject vary.

People have, on a few occasions, asked me for advice on becoming a game journalist. My usual response, which is only half-joking, is, "Don't."

In just a handful of months, I'll be hitting my three-year anniversary for working Massively. That means I've had one of the longest tenures at the site, which is kind of staggering in my mind. I still fundamentally think of myself as one of the new kids on the block. But for better or worse, I've been doing this for a while and have a pretty good grasp of what the job entails.

Of course, that's still a subject of debate. As with a lot of topics, people as a whole can't even decide on what makes someone a game journalist instead of just an enthusiast with some advertising revenue. To some people, it's not even a real job, just a hobby. I'm one of those people who never like to pin down an exact definition of something that's ambiguous... but I can define what I see as my responsibilities in this job.

Continue reading The Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist

The Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialfeaturedgame-journalismjobjournalismjournalistsmassively-metametanews-reportingop-edopinionrantrantsresponsibilitiessoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 22 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/mv-guide-may-21-27-2012/#commentsFiled under: Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

EverQuest II

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively Stream Team logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises each week, so you'll find a variety of titles to watch. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, or simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule, and let us know if there's a specific game you'd like to see streamed next week!

Continue reading MV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012

MV Guide: May 21 - 27, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Sanctuary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/mmo-week-in-review-sanctuary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/mmo-week-in-review-sanctuary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/mmo-week-in-review-sanctuary/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

Diablo III

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

We got you started in Diablo III this week with our best tips, a guide for MMO players, details on the starter edition, videos, warm fuzzies, and friendly rivalries. Hopefully, that gave you plenty to read during all of the downtime. Ouch!

Meanwhile, gamers everywhere looked on as the 38 Studios ship continued to founder. Early in the week, we learned that the studio might default on its state loan, leaving the debt to Rhode Island taxpayers. A few emergency meetings later, 38 Studios' employees' paychecks are going unpaid and the state governor is throwing out release dates for the seemingly doomed MMO Project Copernicus. But hey, flythrough video, right?

More of the week's top MMO stories are prepped for your eyes after the cut.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Sanctuary

MMO Week in Review: Sanctuary originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 20 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: How is this not fully funded edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/wrup-how-is-this-not-fully-funded-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/wrup-how-is-this-not-fully-funded-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/wrup-how-is-this-not-fully-funded-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

I need this game to exist. My past self would never forgive me otherwise.

For various terrible reasons, I only just found out about Panzer Pets (and yes, we did cover the announcement on Massively, but I still occasionally miss news we cover). Like many ambitious projects, it's on Kickstarter, but as of right now it's not even 10% funded, which raises the question of why we live in a world where a game that offers to let you build your own little robots and send them into battle was not funded about eight minutes after the page went live.

I think this should be rectified. My only regret is not having the full sum to just fill up the funding by my lonesome.

What's that? Oh, right, WRUP, in which the Massively staff members discuss what they'll be playing over the next two days. We also discuss our thoughts on open vs. instanced housing. Jump on past the break to see our weekend plans, and let us know what you're going to be doing in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: How is this not fully funded edition

WRUP: How is this not fully funded edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 19 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, MMO industry, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

Betawatch - D3

This week on Betawatch, we say farewell to Diablo III, which (at least nominally) moved on from beta to official launch on Tuesday. Bizarrely enchanting new MOBA SmashMuck Champions takes its place, joining our list with a closed beta planned within the month. We've also added MechWarrior Online to the alpha list, as reader mblakeman2001 rightly pointed out the game is in a friends-and-family beta!

CCP has begun sending out DUST 514 beta keys and opened registration, and we've also learned that Blade & Soul will leave beta and launch in July... but only in Korea. Sadface.

Finally, The Secret World's second beta weekend kicked off earlier today, but if you're not in it, you can content yourself with our hands-on with the game's combat and mission system.

Enjoy the entirety of our Betawatch roundup post-cut!

Continue reading Betawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012

Betawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 18 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/#commentsFiled under: Culture, New titles, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

This would actually have been pretty useful in DS9.

I have to be honest, the Caitian Carrier for Star Trek Online kind of makes me want to give the game a shot again. I liked it when I played it before, but I just had no time to play it on top of everything else. But then I think about all the work I'd need to do just to get caught up to normal, and... yeah, that's about the point when my gumption evaporates. Still, though. Carrier.

In other and far more relevant news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which talks about the cycle of game announcement and subsequent disappointment. (Apropos of the recent beta weekends for The Secret World, naturally.) If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition

Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybeta-eventsbeta-testsbeta-weekendsfeaturedhands-onhumormassively-metametaopinionreleasereleasestestsThu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: RIFT]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Opinion, RIFT, Why I Play

RIFT

Is it possible for a top-tier MMO to come out of nowhere and bowl you over? Considering that I follow these games not only for a hobby but as a writer for Massively, I always assumed the answer to that was "no." Until it happened, that is. Until RIFT.

It's not as though RIFT was a big secret or anything, but up until the late hours of 2010, it was very low on my -- and many of my friends' -- radars. I often got it confused with TERA, for Pete's sake! It wasn't until I got my hands on it at PAX that year and then saw how huge the beta got that I realized there was more to this supposedly generic fantasy title than I'd assumed. It truly felt like it came out of nowhere, and before I knew it, I was enjoying what became one of my favorite games of 2011.

So why did I play RIFT, and why do I still log in on occasion today? Trust me, it's not for the Elves.

Continue reading Why I Play: RIFT

Why I Play: RIFT originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaeditorialelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2lucasartsmassively-metametancsoftnostalgiaop-edopinionpaxpax-primepax-prime-2010riftrift-literift-planes-of-telarasci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictortriontrion-worldswarcraftwhy-i-playworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/mv-guide-may-14-20-2012/#commentsFiled under: Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

Lord of the Rings Online - The Shire

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively Stream Team logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises each week, so you'll find a variety of titles to watch. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, or simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule, and let us know if there's a specific game you'd like to see streamed next week!

Continue reading MV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012

MV Guide: May 14 - 20, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: It's a conspiracy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/mmo-week-in-review-its-a-conspiracy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/mmo-week-in-review-its-a-conspiracy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/mmo-week-in-review-its-a-conspiracy/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

TSW

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

The Secret World is becoming less secret by the week, which is good news for potential players (and the one million beta applicants) who are curious about Funcom's next big thing due out in just over a month. This week, on the eve of the game's first beta weekend, Massively's own conspiracy-debunkers got some hands-on time with the Templars and the Illuminati and logged a few hours trying on tinfoil hats in the character creator. (Tinfoil hats sold separately.)

The rest of this week's top MMO stories are lurking just beyond the cut.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: It's a conspiracy

MMO Week in Review: It's a conspiracy originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 13 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Shopping for furniture edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/wrup-shopping-for-furniture-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/wrup-shopping-for-furniture-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/wrup-shopping-for-furniture-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

Oak and pine, minus a handful of Norsemen.

With Ms. Lady and I solidly moved into our new apartment, we face a new problem. Specifically, we face the problem of having a substantial need for furniture and not nearly enough furniture to meet that need. So we've absconded to the almost adjacent Crate & Barrel, which is a lot like Ikea except made of something sturdier than corrugated cardboard. Maybe not much, but it's a game of degrees.

But you didn't come here to read about my furniture shopping. Well, not just my furniture shopping, anyway. You came here for this week's installment of WRUP, wherein we of the Massively staff discuss our plans for the weekend. We also talk about whether or not we mourn the games that never saw widespread release, if any. So jump on down past the break to see what we're up to over the weekend, and let us know what you've got planned in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Shopping for furniture edition

WRUP: Shopping for furniture edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 12 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, MMO industry, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

PSO2

The Spirit Tales open beta launched this week, bumping that game up a tier on our beta list. In fact, the game proved so popular that an additional beta server was added to accommodate the avalanche of fans of all things cute.

City of Steam has announced an alpha test for July, while Storybricks is accepting alpha signups for its alpha demo right now. Compounding the season's MMO drama is Phantasy Star Online 2, which is aiming to open up its beta early this summer.

The Secret World, with its 1,000,000 beta signups, is is kicking off its first beta weekend starting today. Meanwhile, Glitch's epic beta housing patch is finally upon us, World of Warcraft has unveiled cross-server grouping in the Mists of Pandaria beta, and Guild Wars 2 announced a surprise stress test for pre-purchasers this coming Monday.

Finally, if you're bored this weekend, why not check out Diablo III-rival Path of Exile? Tipsters Don and James report it's holding a public stress test starting right as this post is published at 8 p.m. EDT tonight.

The full Betawatch roundup lies in wait behind the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012

Betawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 11 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/ask-massively-always-on-the-wrong-weekends-edition/#commentsFiled under: Game mechanics, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

Hopefully I'll get some time to play, but I'm not expecting any miracles.

So for those of you wondering, the move went quite well. The expected problems occurred at times of minimal inconvenience, and we almost completely finished unpacking at the new place in one weekend. But we still have to finish up at the old apartment, so of course the first beta for The Secret World is scheduled to be this weekend when we're slotted to head down there. Just like how Guild Wars 2 scheduled a beta weekend for our last pre-move weekend. So that's awesome.

This week's Ask Massively does not discuss this particular state of awesome. Instead, it discusses the deferred awesomeness of switching combat styles on the fly and what games feature something similar. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it in the comments below or send it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition

Ask Massively: Always on the wrong weekends edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyfeaturedfighting-stylegame-mechanicshumormassively-metamechanical-ideasmetaopinionstyleswapping-stylesThu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Global Agenda, Why I Play

Global Agenda screenshot

Among the Massively staff, I'm known as the obsessive competitor who plays every game in a hardcore fashion. It's no surprise that I gravitate toward high-skill, difficult games that test skill instead of the typical MMO grinds. But it should be a bit of a surprise that I don't really like competitive shooters. Shooters take a lot of the elements I really love about competition such as mindgames and positioning and marginalize them in favor of raw aiming and twitch reflexes. I'm fond of saying "You must be this tall to ride this ride" when it comes to shooters that are very twitch-based.

Global Agenda is a different beast than other shooters, though. The competitive shooter market is saturated with class-based shooters whose emphasis is more on teamwork than on aiming, and Global Agenda really takes it to eleven. Aiming is still important, but it's hardly the most important skill in the game, and every class has a way of minimizing the need for aiming skill. In fact, most of the more effective builds in GA don't require aiming. The emphasis in GA is on teamwork, mobility, and good decision-making. Even though it's a shooter, I find it really easy to spend far too much of my time playing it. It's just great fun.

Continue reading Why I Play: Global Agenda

Why I Play: Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncompetitive-gamingcompetitive-shootereditorialf2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgaglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpacksjetpacks-are-awesomemassively-metametammofpsnostalgiaop-edopinionsci-fishooterspy-fithird-person-shootertpswho-doesnt-like-flyingwhy-i-playWed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/mv-guide-may-7-13-2012/#commentsFiled under: Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

EVE Online

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

Continue reading MV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012

MV Guide: May 7 - 13, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Seen any elves?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/mmo-week-in-review-seen-any-elves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/mmo-week-in-review-seen-any-elves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/mmo-week-in-review-seen-any-elves/#commentsFiled under: MMO industry, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

Any excuse for an Oblivion screenshot!

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

This week, all those terrible/wonderful rumors about The Elder Scrolls Online were proved true, thanks to a series of leaks and an official trailer that promises the world of Tamriel will soon be headed to an MMO near you. Even if you're one of those fans whose immediate reaction was terror and dread, you still have to be thinking that the genre could use another three-faction PvP game. Personally, I just feel sorry for the dev who has to design terrains for the province of Morrowind. Hope you like brown, bro!

Follow on for the rest of the week's top MMO stories.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Seen any elves?

MMO Week in Review: Seen any elves? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 06 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Revenge of the boxes edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/wrup-revenge-of-the-boxes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/wrup-revenge-of-the-boxes-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/wrup-revenge-of-the-boxes-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

It's more organized than this.

I was worried, rather legitimately, that when I moved into my new apartment, I would be facing an internet-free existence despite having called to set up a transfer two weeks prior. That worst-case scenario didn't come to pass. However, I am still sitting among a nightmarish pile of boxes that form corridors and alleyways through my space. Somewhere in those boxes is every important item that contributes to comfortable living. But at least I can clean that up while looking at cat videos.

Since I have the internet, I'm also able to type yet another inane introduction to WRUP, in which the Massively staff members discuss what they're up to over the next few days. We also give our impressions of the two most recent betas in five words -- or whatever other MMO-related topic strikes our fancy. So jump on down to see what we're up to for the weekend, and let us know your plans over the weekend in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Revenge of the boxes edition

WRUP: Revenge of the boxes edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 05 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Lore, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

Betawatch (Glitch)

Beta launches numbered few this week, but Betawatchers were amply supplied with beta news. Glitch launched its new imagination system, we logged hands-on time with Firefall, Diablo III unveiled the Wizard and the game's TV spot, Storybricks kickstarted a Kickstarter promotion, The Repopulation promised a sandbox-worthy gear system, and the Guild Wars 2 gem store crept online.

We also say farewell to TERA this week as it's now out of beta and available in the West!

The full Betawatch roundup is tucked behind the break, ready and waiting to take over your weekend.

Continue reading Betawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012

Betawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 04 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Moving shop edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ask-massively-moving-shop-edition/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Events, in-game, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

My new home is in a trackless expanse of desert with a stew pot.

As you read this, I'm making my final preparations to move from my home for the past three years into a new and much nicer home. Of course, this brings with it certain concerns. Will the utility companies reconnect everything correctly? Will the movers drop something I can't easily replace? Will I forget something in the old apartment and have to go back?

So, if my posts next week seem a bit off, assume that the move resulted in fiery death all around and I've been replaced by a crude AI pasted in Visual Basic.

This week's Ask Massively, sadly, does not include anything about AI or my new apartment. Instead, it's about player-run events and why we cover some of them but not all. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Moving shop edition

Ask Massively: Moving shop edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelyeventsfeaturedhumorin-game-eventsmassively-metametaopinionplayer-eventsplayer-run-eventsThu, 03 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/mv-guide-april-30-may-6-2012/#commentsFiled under: Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

Continue reading MV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012

MV Guide: April 30 - May 6, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: Sold out]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/mmo-week-in-review-sold-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/mmo-week-in-review-sold-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/mmo-week-in-review-sold-out/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

GW2

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

Guild Wars 2's first prepurchase beta event ends in just a few short hours, bringing to a close what's probably the most hyped week in ArenaNet history. We were treated to new art, the Asuran starting experience, a tour of the offices, and details on world transfers. As if to taunt us about not-yet-public races, our own Lis Cardy delighted us with a look at the lore of the Sylvari, who swear they are trees and not elves.

Meanwhile, classic Guild Wars is celebrating its seventh year of operation with a big ol' party, which hopefully gave you something to do if you were one of the unlucky procrastinators whose beta dreams were partially dashed when ANet shut down GW2's digital prepurchase options temporarily on Thursday.

Enjoy the rest of our top MMO stories after the cut.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Sold out

MMO Week in Review: Sold out originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 29 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/wrup-yes-its-the-beta-weekend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/wrup-yes-its-the-beta-weekend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/wrup-yes-its-the-beta-weekend-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

I know, it's a WRUP topic that's actually about MMOs. I'm ashamed of myself. Next week, back to personal nattering, I promise.

Yes, it's true, you can finally log in and play Guild Wars 2 for a little while. You still can't play two of the five races, but you can sit down at your computer this evening and emerge two days later, a bleary-eyed shell of a human being. And then when you get the full game, you can get bored within an hour. So maybe this whole beta weekend thing is a double-edged sword after all.

Or maybe not -- this is going to be the first I've played of it.

As you can probably guess, this week's WRUP involves a lot of skirmishes being fought by organizations for the second time, and I'm not talking about Business Fisticuffs II: Fisticuff Harder. It also contains the other Massively staff activities for the weekend as well as our opinions on the definition of pay-to-win. So jump on past the break to let us know what you're doing, and leave your own plans in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition

WRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 28 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, Massively Meta, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

Betawatch - Tamer Saga

Tamer Saga and Grimlands join Betawatch's closed beta list this week, while Pirate101 (arrrr!) and Dragon Crusade have been added to our alpha list. And if you were hoping to jump into Spirit Tales' open beta on Wednesday, you're out of luck: Koramgame has postponed that test until May 10th with a lengthy explanation.

Want in on the Neverwinter beta? Prepurchasing Torchlight 2 through Perfect World Entertainment's portal will guarantee your spot.

You're no doubt keeping a steady eye on both TERA, which has opened up its head start program in advance of launch next week, and Guild Wars 2, whose first beta event for prepurchasers began earlier today. EVE Fanfest attendees can now redeem their voucher codes for DUST 514 as well.

Finally, reader Chet tipped us off to the ~~rumor~~ fact that Salem beta test invites are going out!

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup after the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012

Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betaroundupsalemtamer-sagatestingFri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ask-massively-this-hat-has-ruined-everything-edition/#commentsFiled under: MMO industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, Humor, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

I don't care for hats.

I was having trouble coming up with a topic for this week's header, so I tried writing down a bunch of different topics on pieces of paper and sticking them in a hat. Then I put the hat on. Now I still don't know what to write for this week's header, and I have an ugly hat on my head. Plus, little bits of paper are jammed against my head, and it's itchy. I knew this would be a problem starting with the bowler hat.

This week's Ask Massively will go on despite my itchy scalp and ugly hat. And in this edition, I'm talking about potential Eastern games for a player looking for new games and beta invitations. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition

Ask Massively: This hat has ruined everything edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybeta-invitationseasterneastern-gamesfeaturedhumormassively-metametaopinionThu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, Why I Play

Lord of the Rings Online - Oatbarton archway

It's confession time, folks. I change MMOs like most people change socks, so while many of my colleagues write about their long-term MMO love and possibly a backup game or two in this column, I'm more inclined to write about four different titles in as many weeks. In fact, by the time you finish reading this, I may well have moved on to something else.

That's OK, though, and that's one of the great things about the modern MMO space: There are just so damn many games that there's really no excuse for ever getting bored. And this week's infatuation is Lord of the Rings Online.

Continue reading Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online

Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-inn-leaguelotro-music-systemmassively-metametamiddle-earthmmo-musicmusicmusic-systemnon-combatnon-combat-gameplaynostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentroast-muttontolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playwhy-i-play-lotroWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/mv-guide-april-23-29-2012/#commentsFiled under: Previews, Opinion, Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

Guild Wars 2

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

Continue reading MV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012

MV Guide: April 23 - 29, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: To the pain]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/mmo-week-in-review-to-the-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/mmo-week-in-review-to-the-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/mmo-week-in-review-to-the-pain/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

TERA

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

To everyone but legal scholars and fanboys, the ongoing NCsoft/TERA copyright duel probably seems beyond bizarre, but the latest bout was conducted this week through En Masse's bellicose official statements in response to media and fan concern over recent South Korean court proceedings, which confirmed the convictions of former Lineage 3 developers accused of taking assets and trade secrets to Bluehole Studios. Nevertheless, seemingly unhindered for the moment, TERA's launch marches onward with an open beta weekend, launch trailer, and prologue cinematic.

Read on for this week's other top MMO stories.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: To the pain

MMO Week in Review: To the pain originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 22 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Pangolin edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/wrup-pangolin-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/wrup-pangolin-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/wrup-pangolin-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

This is not a metaphor. This is a pangolin. Metaphors are birds.

There are a few important things that you need to know about pangolins. First of all, they exist. Second, well, that first thing is hard enough to move past. Don't get me wrong; they're beyond adorable, but they have no right existing in the modern era. Look at that thing. It's covered in armor plating with a slow and snurfling gait. It's like a contemporary of mammoths and ground sloths. The fact that it exists in this time and place implies that evolution is very nostalgic on occasion.

This week's WRUP isn't really about nostalgia. Sure, it's always about what the Massively staff is playing over the weekend, but our usual bonus question isn't nostalgic either. Instead, it's about what game mechanic we'd like to see excised for all time. So jump on past the break to see what we'll be up to over this fine weekend, and let us know your own plans down in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Pangolin edition

WRUP: Pangolin edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 21 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, MMO industry, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

Betawatch - Otherland

Three new games join Betawatch this week! The Tad Williams-inspired Otherland is now accepting alpha sign-ups; Aeria Games announced Waren Story with a beta sign-up and a trailer; and Gamania opened up the testing rolls for its newest MMO, Soul Captor.

Meanwhile, heavy-hitters TERA and Guild Wars 2 are focusing on their impending beta weekends. TERA's first open beta weekend starts today, while Guild Wars 2 plans its first beta event for pre-purchasers next weekend.

Finally, Blizzard will be closing down the Diablo III beta come Tuesday in preparation for launch next month. That means that today through Monday is your last chance to get it on the open beta!

Read on for the full Betawatch roundup!

Continue reading Betawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012

Betawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: I approve of more staves edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/ask-massively-i-approve-of-more-staves-edition/#commentsFiled under: Opinion, Free-to-play, Massively Meta, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

There's no better way to beat up enemies and try out for the school's color team at once.

You know what we need more of? Staves used as melee weapons instead of a caster's Set of Stats in a Stick. Usually, what we get is closer to a cane than an actual staff, so it makes sense that a curvy stick with a lawn ornament on one end isn't much for actual combat. But come on, folks. You can do some serious damage with a metal pole and a few witless mooks. City of Heroes is ahead of the curve here.

This week's installment of Ask Massively has nothing to do with staves, however. It has to do with a few more lingering questions about the comment system and some wide-ranging "best of" topics. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, you can leave it in the comments or mail it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: I approve of more staves edition

Ask Massively: I approve of more staves edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycolumnscommentsfeature-ideasfeaturedhumorideasmassively-metametaopinionThu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Why I Play

STO

It was a cold, dreary Saturday morning in January 2010 when I told my wife that we had a quest to accomplish. It was absolutely imperative that we drive into unsafe areas of Detroit to locate one of the very few Del Tacos in the area in order to buy cups. On these cups, as I explained to my increasingly incredulous spouse, were codes for shuttle pets in the upcoming Star Trek Online. I had to get some, I insisted; Captain Kirk was depending on me.

An hour later, our mission was accomplished, and my wife had another tale of husband-geekery to share around the office. To her credit, the very next week she happened to be driving by another Del Taco and purchased me six additional cups to give away to fans who otherwise couldn't get one. That's how awesome she is.

I tell you this story because it is indicative of my relationship with Star Trek Online: silly yet passionate, excitable yet frivolous, and flawed yet fascinated. I've played this game off and on for the past couple of years and have become convinced that while it's clunky and lacking in areas, it's an MMO gem that deserves much better than the slander it's endured.

This is why I play it.

Continue reading Why I Play: Star Trek Online

Why I Play: Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studioseditorialf2pfeaturedfree-to-playmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestowhy-i-playWed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/mv-guide-april-16-22-2012/#commentsFiled under: Previews, Opinion, Livestream, Miscellaneous, MV Guide

Aion

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

Continue reading MV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012

MV Guide: April 16 - 22, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlivestreamlivestreamingmassively-metamassively-tvmetamv-guidemv-tvmvtvstreamstreamersstreamingstreamteamtwitchtwitch-tvMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Week in Review: TORtanic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/mmo-week-in-review-tortanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/mmo-week-in-review-tortanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/mmo-week-in-review-tortanic/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

SWTOR

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

BioWare ought to be basking in the accomplishment of sending the much-touted Legacy update off on its maiden voyage, but instead, Star Wars: The Old Republic has been hindered by obstacles far worse than Titanic jokes. The studio cut ranked PvP from the patch at the last minute, and then a maintenance patch blooper took the servers offline for the better part of Friday. To its credit, BioWare is compensating players for the downtime, and if you're really lucky, you won't even need to be level 50 or grind Legacy points to receive said compensation.

Sail on for an overview of the week's most popular MMO stories.

Continue reading MMO Week in Review: TORtanic

MMO Week in Review: TORtanic originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqmassively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: In recollection of Yuri Gagarin edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/wrup-in-recollection-of-yuri-gagarin-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/wrup-in-recollection-of-yuri-gagarin-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/wrup-in-recollection-of-yuri-gagarin-edition/#commentsFiled under: Massively Meta, Miscellaneous

Not exactly the Starship Enterprise.

Thursday evening was Yuri's Night, an evening celebrating the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first human being in space. Our younger readers may not realize this, but outer space is a dangerous place that people used to dream about, and human beings developed a great deal of technology to explore that dangerous frontier. Then someone realized that it was much easier to develop technology to show videos of cats jumping into boxes on portable phones. But as a big fan of the space program and humanity's efforts to expand beyond our planet, I like to honor Mr. Gagarin for his brave flight into the unknown.

This week's WRUP, however, has nothing to do with the unknown. It does have a bit to do with space, depending on what games the Massively staffers are playing over the weekend. And it also talks about when a game is dying, which really doesn't have any ties to the header once again. Still, bravely venture past the break and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: In recollection of Yuri Gagarin edition

WRUP: In recollection of Yuri Gagarin edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 14 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/#commentsFiled under: Betas, MMO industry, Betawatch, Miscellaneous

Betawatch - Glitch

Betawatch bids farewell to Tribes: Ascend this week; it's officially launched and shiny, and even better, it's F2P, so go get your pew on! If you're that one guy who just doesn't dig jetpacks, maybe try a free beta key for UFO Online, currently still in closed beta.

Meanwhile, fantasy MMO heavyweights Guild Wars 2 and TERA have been ramping up their beta hype with sneak-peeks, open beta plans, and pre-purchase kickoffs. If you're more into vampires, you'll be pleased to learn that Dark Legends has also rolled out to Android phones and Chrome. And finally, we've gotten another update from the Glitch folks about that game's impending housing revamp.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup!

Continue reading Betawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012

Betawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testingglitchlaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 13 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ask-massively-these-are-not-firefall-beta-impressions-edition/#commentsFiled under: News items, Opinion, Massively Meta, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

I do actually like my character in Firefall, though. Aside from the random mangled Spanish.

So near as I can tell from my limited time in the beta thus far, Firefall is a game in which you play a character with remarkably poor conceptions about the function of armor, especially if your character is a girl. I log in, jump around with a pair of rocket boots, and shoot things, and then my computer crashes for some reason after about 20 straight minutes of playing, so I haven't formed many other opinions. The parts I've played have been pretty satisfying, though.

But as this week's headline for Ask Massively explains, these are not actually beta impressions. Instead, this is a column covering a couple of the weird issues with our new comment system, something that I have absolutely no doubt will come up again later. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future installment of the column, send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition

Ask Massively: These are not Firefall beta impressions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelycomment-systemcommentsfeaturedhumormassively-metametanew-systemsoh-great-new-comment-systemopinionThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST