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[Not So Massively: Serious internet business]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/not-so-massively-serious-internet-business/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/not-so-massively-serious-internet-business/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/not-so-massively-serious-internet-business/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

With the undeniable popularity of MMOs and microtransaction-based payment models becoming a widely accepted industry standard, the online space has seen a virtual revolution in multiplayer games. The past few years have seen the release of countless MOBAs and other multiplayer games that aren't quite MMOs. Some focus on primarily co-operative gameplay, while others cater to more traditional competitive multiplayer roots. Many feature persistent characters who level up, items carried forward between games, or stat-tracking systems to record performance. Developers have been blurring the line between MMOs and traditional online games, and we're here to explore the difference.

Last week, we discussed HoN's new hero Silhouette, LoL's 24th summoner showcase and cutesy Cottontail Teemo skin, Bloodline Champions' Easter updates, Darkspore's new hero Skar and Hi-Rez Studios' new MOBA, Smite. In this week's edition of Not So Massively, we look at Bloodline Champions' $5,000 U.S. tournament, Darkspore's final release, LoL's new champion Rumble, and updates to Defense of the Ancients. We also take a first look at Metal Assault, a new online game by Aeria Games.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Serious internet business

MassivelyNot So Massively: Serious internet business originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesbloodline-championschampionchampion-spotlightdarksporedefense-of-the-ancientsdotafeaturedleague-of-legendslolmaxismetal-assaultmobanewsnot-so-massivelyOnline-Gamingpatchreleaserumblesummoner-showcasevideoSat, 30 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/not-so-massively-what-are-all-these-games-doing-on-my-internets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

In the past few years, we've seen a virtual revolution in online gaming. MMOs have taken off in a big way, but the latest online games to really capture our attention have been a little less than "massively." Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas and other session-based online games feature regular development updates and offer a form of persistence by tracking stats and characters, making them a lot closer to MMOs than traditional online games.

Last week we looked at the updated Engineer in Heroes of Newerth (who I can confirm is now hilariously broken and fun to play), League of Legends' new champion Brand, and the first details of Rise of Immortals character Ichorr. In this week's bumper edition of Not So Massively, we look at upcoming HoN hero Silhouette, the adorable LoL Cottontail Teemo, LoL's 24th summoner showcase, Easter updates for Bloodline Champions, Darkspore's new hero Skar, Hi-Rez Studios' new MOBA Smite, and much more.

Continue reading Not So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets?

MassivelyNot So Massively: What are all these games doing on my internets? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-spotlightbattleborn-kayleconcept-artcottontail-teemodarksporeeggniterfeaturedgameplayherohero-spotlightheroes-of-newerthhi-rez-studiosHoNKatersonesevenleague-of-legendsLoLmaxismobanikasaurninjanot-so-massivelyorigamipatchpetroglyphriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroirounduprumbleS2-Gamessilhouetteskarsmitesummoner-spotlightteemotrailervideovlogSat, 23 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: Darkspore reveals the Viper]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/massively-exclusive-darkspore-reveals-the-viper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/massively-exclusive-darkspore-reveals-the-viper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/massively-exclusive-darkspore-reveals-the-viper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Unless you're relatively new to gaming, you've undoubtedly heard of Maxis -- the developer behind the The Sims. Maxis and Electronic Arts have decided to use concepts from Spore to create a brand-new dungeon-crawling isometric online RPG called Darkspore -- and we've secured an exclusive first look at the Viper hero that gamers will be able to play in this upcoming title. With venomous damage-over-time attacks, enormous blades built into its muscular body, and the ability to add even more spines covered in poison, this beast is deservedly subtitled the "toxic ravager." It's got lots of damage, lots of carnage, and by the looks of it, lots of fun!

While this is one of those borderline-in-the-MMOeque-neighborhood type of games, we understand the world is persistent, and players will be able to gather gear and customize their characters as they level up within the powerful Spore engine. Darkspore will feature both a single-player mode and groups of four players in the basic co-op multiplayer modes. We haven't heard concrete numbers on PvP battles, so perhaps the game will cross into the truly massive at that point. For now, you can check out the exclusive video for Darkspore's newest hero, Viper, behind the break.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Darkspore reveals the Viper

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Darkspore reveals the Viper originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlinedamage-over-timedarksporedoteaElectronic-Artsexclusiveexclusivesheavy-dps-classhero-spotlightisometricMaxisSporevideoViperWed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA and GLAAD to host a panel against homophobia in online games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/ea-and-glaad-to-host-a-panel-against-homophobia-in-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/ea-and-glaad-to-host-a-panel-against-homophobia-in-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/ea-and-glaad-to-host-a-panel-against-homophobia-in-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tomorrow marks an interesting event in Redwood City, CA as Electronic Arts teams up with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD) to host a panel regarding homophobia in online games.

The panel will be featuring some major industry players, including GayGamer founder Flynn DeMarco (AKA Fruit Brute), senior director of communications and industry affairs for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Dan Hewitt, senior producer Caryl Shaw from Maxis Studio, Linden Lab's vice president of customer relations Cyn Skyberg, and Xbox Live's program manager Stephen Toulouse (Gamertag: Stepto.)

Stephen Toulouse's presence at the panel is especially interesting, as Microsoft has come under fire for some rather inflammatory anti-gay policies.

The panel will be moderated by GLAAD's Justin Cole, their director of digital and online media. The panel will take place tomorrow, July 18th, from 11 AM to 1 PM Pacific time.

MassivelyEA and GLAAD to host a panel against homophobia in online games originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discussionelectronic-artsflynn-demarcogaygaygamerglaadhomophobialesbianlinden-labmaxisonline-gamespanelstephen-toulousexbox-360xbox-liveFri, 17 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Robin Harper to leave Linden Lab]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/robin-harper-to-leave-linden-lab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/robin-harper-to-leave-linden-lab/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/robin-harper-to-leave-linden-lab/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After almost seven years at Linden Lab Robin Harper, the Lab's Vice President of Marketing and Community Development, has given notice of her impending departure from the company.

Harper, who arrived at Linden Lab from game company Maxis, was nominated as one of Edge's 100 Most Influential Women in Gaming in 2006, and in 2007 we considered her the one person Linden Lab and Second Life could least afford to lose. While we still believe that was a correct call at the time, times obviously change.

The Lab has been undergoing significant shake-up at the executive level, particularly in the last six months, as new Lab CEO Mark Kingdon has been completely overhauling management of the company, and given the rate at which Kingdon has been restructuring the executive, this doesn't come as much of a surprise.

Continue reading Robin Harper to leave Linden Lab

MassivelyRobin Harper to leave Linden Lab originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinglinden-labmark-kingdonmaxismmo-industryrobin-harperrobin-lindensecond-lifevirtual-worldsMon, 02 Feb 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raptr tracks you and your friends' WoW progress, plus more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/raptr-tracks-you-and-your-friends-wow-progress-plus-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/raptr-tracks-you-and-your-friends-wow-progress-plus-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/raptr-tracks-you-and-your-friends-wow-progress-plus-more/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you're the type of person who loves to watch (re: stalk) their friends and Twitter just isn't doing it for you, then check out the Raptr beta. This nifty social networking site focuses on gaming and will track your activity over a plethora of platforms and games such as Steam, Xbox Live, Spore and of course World of Warcraft. Now you can gloat about your blue "Pants of Sundering Sauce" even when you're out of the game! If you decide to install the Raptr client it will check on all your PC games and download new updates for them, which is wonderful as we love anything that makes updating our games easier.

With the recent addition of Spore updates to the service, we're hoping that Warhammer Online will get some love from the folks at Raptr as well. How cool would it be if Raptr updated your page as you won Scenarios or captured an enemy stronghold?

MassivelyRaptr tracks you and your friends' WoW progress, plus more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaelectronic-artsmaxismythicmythic-entertainmentpants-of-sundering-sauceraptrsporesteamwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowxbox-liveMon, 22 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Academic: games and virtual worlds teach better than teachers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/academic-games-and-virtual-worlds-teach-better-than-teachers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/academic-games-and-virtual-worlds-teach-better-than-teachers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/academic-games-and-virtual-worlds-teach-better-than-teachers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

An academic named James Gee told lecture attendees at the Games, Learning, and Society Conference in Wisconsin that game and virtual world developers have a better handle on how to foster "passionate communities for learning" than most teachers do. He used World of Warcraft as an example of excellent game design that creates communities that share information and solve problems together.

He also referenced Second Life, telling the story of a girl who started using Photoshop to make clothes for her Sims in The Sims. She went on to start a business selling her fashions in Linden Labs' virtual economy. "Education isn't about telling people stuff," said Gee. "It's about giving them tools that enable them to see the world in a new and useful way." Gee argued that game developers know how to do that, and that educators should learn from their example.

Gamasutra has some more quotes and analysis, but the sum of it all is that Gee believes that since delivering raw information to students' brains isn't going to work in a rapidly changing, postmodern world, they should be trained to come up with their own unique ideas in response to all the data that makes up the complex system that is our society. So, think emergent gameplay, but real!

MassivelyAcademic: games and virtual worlds teach better than teachers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicsblizzardeaeducationgames-learning-and-society-conferencejames-geelearninglecturelinden-labmaxisschoolssecond-lifeteachersthe-simsworld-of-warcraftTue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST