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[Massively Exclusive: Age of Wushu's launch trailer flips over the heads of the competition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/massively-exclusive-age-of-wushus-launch-trailer-flips-over-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/massively-exclusive-age-of-wushus-launch-trailer-flips-over-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/massively-exclusive-age-of-wushus-launch-trailer-flips-over-th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Age of Wushu
Tomorrow, Snail Games USA will officially announce its newest title, Age of Wushu -- but we've got an exclusive sneak peek to share with you before that happens!

Sporting heavy Chinese themes and aesthetics, Age of Wushu is designed to allow players to pull off mystical, physics-defying martial arts moves like those you would see in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (or, really, any Kung Fu film).

The official trailer for the title, which you can see after the jump, showcases Age of Wushu's beauty and grace... as well as its lethal underpinnings. Characters attack in slow-motion while performing seemingly impossible Matrix-like jumps through space.

We'll be looking forward to seeing if the allure of fantastic martial arts will be enough to set Age of Wushu apart from the pack, but considering that the devs are promising that we can run up the sides of buildings, we suspect it might be one to check out no matter what. Plus, "wushu" is way fun to say.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Age of Wushu's launch trailer flips over the heads of the competition

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Age of Wushu's launch trailer flips over the heads of the competition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-wushucrouching-tiger-hidden-dragonexclusivef2pfearlessfree-to-playkung-fulaunch-trailermartial-artsmatrixmovieslow-motionsnail-games-usathe-matrixtrailervideowushuThu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Your memories]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-your-memori/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-your-memori/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-your-memori/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What can you trust when your memories are merely the by-product of intelligent machines tinkering with your brain? When you come right down to it, who's to say that our alleged recollections of The Matrix Online weren't just computer viruses uploaded into our cerebral cortexes -- and that the game never existed at all?

Real or not, The Matrix Online is in no danger of being forgotten. Whether it's because of the meta setting, the too-hip-to-stay-on-cows fashion, or the interactive stories, MxO never fails to evoke passionate testimonies. After speaking with developer Ben Chamberlain last week, today we're going to turn the tables on the players themselves to see what they have to say.

Was The Matrix Online really all that and a bag of computer chips? Was it merely a good-looking graphical chat room or something more? And how will it be remembered many years from now when we sit our grandchildren on our laps and tell them about how we took the blue pill? Or was it red... I can never remember!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Your memories

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Your memories originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agentben-chamberlainbluepillcommunityeye-socketsfeaturedfurious-angelshostile-servermachinesmachinistsmatrixMerovingiansmorpheusmxoNiobeplayer-storiespvprarebitredpillroleplayroleplayersrpseraphtestimoniesthe-game-archaeologistthe-matrixthe-matrix-onlinezionTue, 24 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When we started into The Matrix Online month last week on The Game Archaeologist, one of the comments caught my eye. Massively reader stealthrider wrote:
Please, please do a tribute to Rarebit. MxO was his baby, and no one took its death worse than he.

He did everything for that game, much of it single-handedly. Everything from playing the canon characters and co-writing the story to fixing hundreds of bugs and even creating a new zone from scratch. Not to mention developing and implementing the story missions, new items, the RP item vendors, and pretty much everything else in MxO's final couple of years. He even implemented and moderated a player-created minigame as part of the official story.

He retired from game development in the months before MxO's shutdown. He was that dedicated to this game that he couldn't work on anything else afterward.

He's a god among developers, and he is as sorely missed as the game itself.
I think this sums up how many Matrix Online vets feel about Ben "Rarebit" Chamberlain. So instead of a mere tribute, we drove the MassivelyMobile over to Chamberlain's house (read: send a polite email request), and he graciously said he'd be glad to reminisce with us. So hit that jump to find out the last word on MxO from the dev who held it together!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-versus-predator-2architectassassinben-chamberlainben-rarebit-chamberlainbluepillcinematicscommander-lockdevdeveloperfeaturedgrandmasterin-game-eventsinterviewkung-fulittle-nemolive-eventslive-events-teammatrixmatrix-onlinemissionsmonolithMonolith-ProductionsmorpheusmxooraclePaul-Chadwickrarebitredpillsoesony-online-entertainmentspystorystorylinethe-matrixthe-matrix-onlineWachowskiWinsor-McCayzionTue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not every year that a movie comes along that captures the pop culture zeitgeist so powerfully and so quickly as The Matrix did. I recall lugging a few college friends along to see this in 1999 -- having heard only a few sparse details about it beforehand -- and coming out of the theater feeling as if we we'd been electrified. The bold mix of science fiction, martial arts, philosophy, action, and leather ensembles became the smash hit of the year, and a franchise was born.

And while we had great hopes that this would be this generation's Star Wars, The Matrix ultimately proved to be a lightning-in-a-bottle phenomenon, impossible to recapture once unleashed. Sequels, animated shorts, video games, comic books -- none rose to the height of the original film, and eventually the franchise petered out.

During this period, an odd duck of an MMO was born: The Matrix Online. When you think about it, an online virtual world where people log in and fight against programs was a really short hop from the movie series. MxO, as it was abbreviated, was an audacious game with unique features, story-centric gameplay and a sci-fi bent in a field of fantasy competitors, and while it only lasted four years, it was enough to make a huge impression for its community.

So by popular demand, this month we're going to revisit the 1s and 0s of The Matrix Online to see just how deep the rabbit hole (and well-worn cliche) goes -- and what made this game stand out!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben-Chamberlinbluepilldaniel-myersfeaturedfranchisefree-firegamespotinterlockkung-fuleatherlive-events-teammachinesmatrixmatrix-onlinematrix-revolutionsmeleeMerovingianMonolithMonolith-ProductionsmorpheusmxooraclerarebitredpillsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstorylinethe-continuing-storythe-matrix-onlineubisoftWalruswarner-brosWarner-Bros-InteractivewbzionTue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyberpunk MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/cyberpunk-mmo-based-on-tad-williams-otherland-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/cyberpunk-mmo-based-on-tad-williams-otherland-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/cyberpunk-mmo-based-on-tad-williams-otherland-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The German games publisher dtp Entertainment has made the surprising announcement that they'll be transforming sci-fi author Tad Williams' Otherland into a massively multiplayer online game. The title will be a mixture of several different playspaces, riffing on the series concept of competing virtual realities. One area in particular will be geared towards casual gaming and social interaction, a hub area to be called the Lambda Mall. Eurogamer has the story, along with a three-page discussion of dtp's plans and goals for this innovative title.

As you can see from the site's screenshot gallery, plans for the game include several different art styles to exist side by side. At its core the game will make use of an 80s/90s "virtual reality" theme, bringing to mind the Metaverse of Stephenson's Snow Crash or the old-style Matrix of the Shadowrun RPG. dtp plans to make use of the Unreal 3 engine for the project, ensuring that the impressive screenshots are likely to be even more eyebrow-raising in action. The game is currently slated for release to the PC in 2010.

MassivelyCyberpunk MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland announced originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dtp-entertainmentmatrixmetaversemmootherlandtad-williamsunreal-3Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Car offered as prize in CoX machinima contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/car-offered-as-prize-in-cox-machinima-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/car-offered-as-prize-in-cox-machinima-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/car-offered-as-prize-in-cox-machinima-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

After a tense week of mounting expectation, in which we waited for the promised big news to hit the City of Heroes multimedia forums, the Toyota Matrix Machinima Contest has just been announced. Contestants are asked to put together a video using City of Heroes and/or City of Villains, in which the theme is to be getting in touch with your dark side. After all, even heroes have a dark side of some sort, right? Videos have to be 2-4 minutes long and no more than 200 mb in size.

The Grand Prize is spectacular: 'A 2009 Model Year Toyota Matrix S model filled with a year subscription to "City of Heroes" and "City of Villains," an XBox 360, a Playstation 3, a Nintendo DS gaming console, and tons of super hero video games!' We know there's an ocean of talent out there, so we're anticipating some stellar entries from the CoX machinima crowd.

Details of the contest, along with full rules and regulations, are available at the official website.

MassivelyCar offered as prize in CoX machinima contest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cohcompetitioncontestcovcoxmachinimamatrixncsofttoyotavideoTue, 01 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Agent Smith returns to the Matrix]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/agent-smith-returns-to-the-matrix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/agent-smith-returns-to-the-matrix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/agent-smith-returns-to-the-matrix/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In honor of the Matrix Online's third anniversary, the development team has let a genie out of a bottle: the insidious Agent Smith virus. As foretold by the Oracle, he's returned more powerful than ever -- and operatives on both sides of the Machine war are needed to stop him. The old lady has put together a team of virologists all around the gameworld of MxO, all near key city monuments. Seek them out to get access to quests and information about stopping Smith (again).

For a real treat, log into the game on the exact anniversary: this Friday, March 21st. Between 3pm and 5pm PST (6pm and 8pm EST) the familiar faces of the MxO team will be online to chat and have some fun. Seek them out on Syntax server, in the Camon Heights Park area. Anniversary wishes, cookies, and cool in-game t-shirts are in the offing for both questers and party-goers alike. Just make sure to take the red pill in time.

MassivelyAgent Smith returns to the Matrix originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agent-smithanniversarymatrixmxosoesony-online-entertainmentthe-matrix-onlineWed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOs get the movie treament in 'Game']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mmos-get-the-movie-treament-in-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mmos-get-the-movie-treament-in-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mmos-get-the-movie-treament-in-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In an interesting spin on the ever-rising deluge of movies based off of popular game properties (and vice versa), we stumbled on a movie in production that, while it doesn't forcibly sodomize feature any of our favorite franchises directly, it casts the future of the massively multiplayer online genre in less than rose-colored glasses. The movie, titled "Game" and being directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, is set in the not-so-distant future, in a dystopian world where mind-control has become a pervasive aspect of human existence. The latest and greatest MMO has players remote-controlling other humans in their games of sport. The hero is the best and most well-known warrior (played by Gerard Butler) of the game called "Slayers" as he seeks to rebel against the system that has enslaved him. Rapper Ludacris and Zoe Bell (Grindhouse) are part of the resistance group called HUMANZ, seeking to bring down this system. It's also reported that Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia has joined the cast in some capacity. Oh my.

Seemingly combining equal parts Matrix, The Lawn Mower Man, and TRON, we're praying that Game doesn't take itself too seriously and try and lay down any serious social commentary or anything heavy-handed like that. This has B-movie written all over it, and that's way it should be. If they can manage to sneak in a few inside jokes to MMO players without coming off as condescending, they might even have the workings of a cult hit on their hands. Who knows, maybe there'll even be a "Game: The Game!"

MassivelyMMOs get the movie treament in 'Game' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamegerard-butlerlawn-mower-manludacrismatrixmilo-ventimigliamovietronzoe-bellWed, 19 Dec 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: We took the red pill!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/one-shots-we-took-the-red-pill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/one-shots-we-took-the-red-pill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/one-shots-we-took-the-red-pill/#commentsFiled under: , ,


I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole. That's because today we're visiting the distorted world of the Matrix Online. Here we're witnessing a Live Event for the Machinist faction that took place during the game's hey-day. Jared, who shared this shot with us, explains the game's appeal:

The first two-three months where the Live Events team was online almost every other night, making personal connections to players, organizing the troops and generally stalking the roleplay community. The game may have been awful, but the combination of the live events team and roleplay community made it more than worth it.

We're excited to see lots of people sending screenshots to the One Shots mailbox for games other than Guild Wars. Not that we don't like Guild Wars -- but variety is the spice of life and we love to see shots from games we haven't highlighted lately. (Trust me, we'll come back to Guild Wars eventually!) We only post what you send us send your screenshots and stories from games long dead to oneshots@massively.com. You may see it posted here tomorrow!

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: We took the red pill! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmatrixmatrix-onlinemxoroleplayroleplayingsoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 04 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST