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[Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio Part 2
Last week, I introduced to you again to the crew at Mos Eisley Radio. This podcast and web site launched itself to the Star Wars: The Old Republic community in 2009 and has been growing strong ever since. In fact, it's hard not to be shocked at the growth in viewers and content since SWTOR launched. Some of the other fan sites have actually streamlined their content to compensate for the fact that their crews are busy playing the game. But Mos Eisley Radio's producers have actually expanded its reach -- so much that I had to talk with them about what they are doing.

Executive producer Zach Brown, host Evan Lewis, and guild leader Alan Nauman joined me in a chat about the site, the guild, and the future of the community they are building. If you missed the first part of the conversation, be sure to read that first, then jump past the cut for the rest.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Naumanbiowarecommunityeaelectronic-artsEvan-Lewisfeaturedguildshyperspace-beaconlucasartsMERCMos-Eisley-Radioopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorZach-brownTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - header with various shooter avatars
OK, so you've heard about this whole Global Agenda thing, and you've talked yourself into giving it a shot. It's completely free-to-play from start to finish these days, and the Unreal graphics, sci-fi setting, and strange mixture of hyper-competitive PvP and ultra-accessible PvE have always held a certain appeal.

You're not sure, but you think it's kind of an MMO, given that it has persistent territory control, lots of quests, and plenty of progression-based gameplay. Maybe you're a pro skillz baller, or maybe the extent of your shooter knowledge is which end of the gun gets pointed at the bad guys.

Either way, you'll likely have a good time in Hi-Rez's spy-fi action title, and you'll have an even better time if you understand a few key points about the game prior to diving in.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classescombat-ratingfeaturedfiring-lineglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmercmerc-pvpmicrosoft-trueskillmmo-shootermmotpsopinionplayer-skillpvpsci-fishooterskillskill-basedskillsspy-fithe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstrueskilltutorialsFri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Is the guild lock-out good or bad?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-the-guild-lock-out-good-or-bad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-the-guild-lock-out-good-or-bad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/lost-pages-of-taborea-is-the-guild-lock-out-good-or-bad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I want to talk about Runes of Magic's lock-out that prevents anyone from forming a guild or inviting players to a guild between set hours each night. The lock-out takes place between the hours of 7 and 11 p.m. EDT every night. That's a four-hour window each evening that is within the only hours some people can play. It prevents players from forming or getting into guilds, which are standard features expected of MMOs these days. Forming communities and playing with others is one of the biggest reasons to play an MMO. This week on Lost Pages of Taborea, I want to discuss the allure of this feature, why I think it's bad that players have to work around it, the pros and cons of why it's in RoM, and why it's not being discussed.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Is the guild lock-out good or bad?

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Is the guild lock-out good or bad? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cant-form-guildfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactiveguild-invitesguild-lockguild-lock-outguild-lockoutguild-membersguild-vs-guildguildsjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamercmercingrecruitingromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsiege-warsiege-warsMon, 13 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Mercenaries, the hired goons of EVE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/eve-evolved-mercenaries-the-hired-goons-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/eve-evolved-mercenaries-the-hired-goons-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/eve-evolved-mercenaries-the-hired-goons-of-eve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


In the harsh, hyper-capitalistic world of EVE Online, everything is for sale and everyone has a price. If you've had the misfortune of making some enemies with deep pockets that really like to hold a grudge, you might find yourself staring down the gun barrel of one of EVE's oldest professionals - The mercenary. In this article, I examine some of the main types of mercenary contracts and take a talk about the two most impressive mercenary groups to date.

What is a mercenary in EVE?
The mercenary is another of those professions in EVE that just plain wouldn't work in other MMOs. In a society where everything has a price, you can always pay someone else to do your dirty work and execute your evil plans. Good mercenaries are more than just guns for hire, they're a tight-knit unit of professionals with the skills and experience required to achieve literally any objective.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mercenaries, the hired goons of EVE

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Mercenaries, the hired goons of EVE originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allianceassassinationbdciccpccp-gamescorporationeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfrickghscguiding-hand-social-clubharassmentjoystiqfeaturesmercmercenarymercenary-coalitionprofessionpvpvetowarMon, 16 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look at hiring mercenaries in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/a-look-at-hiring-mercenaries-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/a-look-at-hiring-mercenaries-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/a-look-at-hiring-mercenaries-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The galactic setting of EVE Online is always buzzing with conflict, somewhere. The game is very PvP-centric, although not all players have an interest in the violent side of EVE. That's all fine and good, even those who concentrate on industry (EVE's take on the crafting system) have a powerful weapon at their disposal to fend off, or spark, hostilities from other players -- their in-game currrency. The power of the Inter Stellar Kredit (ISK) makes many things possible in EVE, and there are a number of mercenary corporations active in the game that are willing to kill or die for you, for the right price.

While many players are aware that mercs can be contracted for industrial warfare, to force retractions of war declarations from aggressors, to secure territory, and complete a wide range of objectives for their clients, the protocols involved with making this happen are less transparent. That's where the Guide to Hiring Mercenaries comes in, written by Alekseyev Karrde, founder and CEO of the mercenary corp Noir.

Continue reading A look at hiring mercenaries in EVE Online

MassivelyA look at hiring mercenaries in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicealekseyev-karrdecombateveeve-onlineguidesiskmercmercenariesmercenarynoirpvpsci-fiwar-declarationwardecMon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercs and their role in EVE's industrial warfare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Much of what's written about EVE Online focuses on the darker aspects of the game. It's not surprising, as those topics are often the ones most interesting to players and non-players alike, but EVE has a very deep industrial side to it as well. It's a side that gets much less fanfare; R&D (invention), manufacturing, trading, and investment are all possible within the game and occur in tandem with EVE's more violent pursuits. Most every ship, after all, has been manufactured and sold (or re-sold) by another player. Those who engage in EVE's industry on a serious level often come into conflict with rival corporations and alliances in wars played out on the market, which sometimes spill into formal war declarations and combat. But if you're not interested in or inept at PvP, what are EVE's industrialists to do?

While an industrialist may not be well-versed in the art of war, he or she can play to their own strength: financial influence. EVE has a number of merc corps who are willing to solve problems, be it through armed escorts in hostile space or simply obliterating your opposition... assuming you can meet their price. Benilopax, of Warp Drive Active: Industry podcast fame and an E-ON contributor, relates his experience with contracting mercenaries to solve such problems, in what he refers to as 'the dark side of industrialism'. "There is a growing use of mercenaries by industrial entities to either take out the competition or keep them from easily making a profit," Benilopax writes for EVE Tribune. If you're interested in knowing a bit more about this side of the game, start with Benilopax's article (and A-Team reference) to see what it's like to deal with mercenaries in EVE Online.

MassivelyMercs and their role in EVE's industrial warfare originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-teamalliancesbenilopaxccpccp-gamescorporationse-oneveeve-onlineeve-tribunefinanceindustrial-warfareindustrialistindustrymarketmarket-pvpmarket-warfaremercmercenaryprofitresearch-and-developmentthe-a-teamwarwardecwarp-drive-activewdawda-industryThu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Proximity alerts controversial in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/proximity-alerts-controversial-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/proximity-alerts-controversial-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/proximity-alerts-controversial-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online is a brutal game. There should be no question in a player's mind about this, regardless of whether or not they believe themselves to be completely safe in Empire space. The first podding or two pounds that lesson into your head. Still, for most, life in Empire is relatively safe.

But there are two main threats that loom large for carebears these days, particularly for industrial-types. One is JihadSwarm, the GoonSwarm effort to suicide bomb as many Empire miners as possible, which they've drenched in zealotry. The other threat is receiving a wardec from another corp. Once war is declared upon a corporation or alliance, they are fair game to all aggressors and Concord will not intervene to protect the war targets. In effect, nowhere outside of a station can be 100% safe to a war target.

But, what if you could run a program that gives a proximity alert when hostiles enter your system?

Continue reading Proximity alerts controversial in EVE Online

MassivelyProximity alerts controversial in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baconccpcloakeve-onlineisk-farminglocalmercmercspiratepiratespodpoddedpvprattingwarwar-targetwardecMon, 21 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST