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[Aeria Games announces Golden Age]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/aeria-games-announces-golden-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/aeria-games-announces-golden-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/aeria-games-announces-golden-age/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A new contender in the field of MMO real-time strategy titles has appeared: Golden Age. If you're all about constructing castles, building up armies, and clashing in epic battles, Aeria Games is hoping that this title will sate your bloodlust.

As players commit warfare against each other and computer-controlled enemies, Golden Age allows bystanders to participate as well. Players can vote for their favorite army when a battle convenes, and the army with the most votes gets bonus soldiers for the fight.

When not fighting, players will build up their fortresses using over 20 types of structures and also talk to inhabitants of the town to see whether any of them has a quest for you to do. Aeria Games promises that the browser-based Golden Age will be free-to-play and will be released with both English and Spanish translations. You can check out the teaser site and register for the beta now. We give you permission -- just finish your vegetables first.

MassivelyAeria Games announces Golden Age originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesbetaenglishf2pfree-to-playgolden-agemedievalmmortsplayer-votingreal-time-strategyregisterrtsspanishvotingMon, 02 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A conspiracy of hats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-a-conspiracy-of-hats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-a-conspiracy-of-hats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-a-conspiracy-of-hats/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The hat, as they say, makes the man. Or the woman. Or the Dwarf.

Unfortunately, in Lord of the Rings Online, the hat often makes the man completely silly. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but the hats in LotRO have garnered the reputation as being goofy as all get out. Sure, this is hardly a fresh observation, but I've wanted to address it in this column for a while now, so it might as well be today!

Rumor has it that Turbine's artists drew upon actual medieval outfits to lend an authentic, renaissance faire vibe to the game. This is perhaps why there is such a distinct fashion style in LotRO that you don't see in other MMOs. Our modern sensibilities, with such fashion achievements as tank tops and crocs, make hauberks and codpieces seem quaint and ridiculous. Truly, we are seeing the height of human civilization in 2010.

So while it's laudable that Turbine tried to give us the real deal, that doesn't quite excuse the fact that many of the hats -- especially the light armor versions -- are unbearably weird. It's as if, as The Pix'led Life speculated, there's a conspiracy of hats afoot: "Let's see what we can make them swallow!" one artist cackles. "Ooh, I know -- how about 16 varieties of dunce hats?" laughs another.

I kid, I kid. There are 17.

Hit the jump and let's take a terrifying journey through headgear that seeks to conquer Sauron by making the Enemy laugh himself to death.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A conspiracy of hats

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A conspiracy of hats originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordoramidalabig-birdbumpkinbunnyburger-kingcaptain-panakachickencodpiececosmeticcrocsdevildunce-hatdwarffall-festivalfashionfeathersfeaturedgoatgu-comicshatshauberkhave-it-your-wayheadwearhobbitlampshadelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromedievalsauronsaw-xiistar-warsthe-man-in-the-iron-maskthe-pixled-lifetriple-dog-dareturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 10 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Fantasy's upcoming vacation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-digital-continuum-fantasys-upcoming-vacation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-digital-continuum-fantasys-upcoming-vacation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/15/the-digital-continuum-fantasys-upcoming-vacation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Is the MMO fantasy genre finally ready to relax and take its long overdue vacation? It does seem to be the case, as nearly all of the highly anticipated titles in the coming years are exceptionally not high fantasy or even really general fantasy. So while the sun is setting on the age of fantasy, a new dawn appears to be rising elsewhere. With it comes a tidal wave of new genres into the industry, some new and others a bit more familiar. Don't believe or agree with me? Keep reading and maybe you'll change your mind.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Fantasy's upcoming vacation

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Fantasy's upcoming vacation originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbarenanetbiowareccpchampionschampions-onlinecodemasterscrypticcryptic-studiosdc-universe-onlinedcuoeaelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedgothicgothic-punkguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjumpgate-evolutionkotor-mmomacabremedievalmodernnetdevilsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsteampunksuperheroswtorthe-agencythe-digital-continuumworld-of-darknessSat, 15 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is combat necessary?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/the-daily-grind-is-combat-necessary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/the-daily-grind-is-combat-necessary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/the-daily-grind-is-combat-necessary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For most of us the term 'MMO' conjures up images of combat, whether within a medieval fantasy setting, or a science fiction milieu. Other images are mixed in there, too, of course, but I'd wager that fighting is the one that pops up most often. It's so common, in fact, that when a game deviates from this norm, attention is called to it. Take Mabinogi, for instance -- many of its features are non-combat-based, like the aging system, or the ability to create MIDI-based music, or the creation and management of a household with a spouse.

I didn't realize how refreshing the thought of not having to constantly battle creatures to progress in a game was until Mabinogi offered me these alternatives. This makes me ask the question: is combat really an integral element of an MMO? Would you play a game that lacked it completely?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is combat necessary? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agingbattlecombatdark-age-of-camelotfantasyhuxleymedievalmidinon-combatscience-fictionthe-daily-grindSat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore Richard Garriott's secret dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/explore-richard-garriotts-secret-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/explore-richard-garriotts-secret-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/explore-richard-garriotts-secret-dungeons/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever wanted to own a medieval-esque castle with secret passages and a dungeon? Produce one of the most significant gaming franchises in history and that dream could become a reality.

The HGTV show Secret Spaces was guided by gaming industry eccentric Richard Garriott, aka Lord/General British, through Garriott's Austin home. Garriott became extravagantly wealthy through his Ultima series of computer games, and has spent some of his money building a house/castle hybrid called "Britannia Manor." The manor is full of secret passageways, hidden rooms, and strange artifacts.

We have the YouTube video here for you. Unfortunately, they didn't show where he keeps his Sputnik satellite.

[Via Joystiq]

MassivelyExplore Richard Garriott's secret dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britannia-manorcastledungeonhousemansionmedievalrichard-garriottsecretsecret-spacestabula-rasatourTVultimaultima-onlinevideoyoutubeWed, 21 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST