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[Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Mentor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-mentor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-mentor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-mentor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I keep expecting to run out of ideas for the various archetypes that I've been discussing, but more of them keep coming to me. The past six columns have all highlighted characters who are distinct from one another yet at the same time make compelling centers to their own stories. For roleplaying purposes, they move to the forefront of the ensemble cast when needed and slip to the middle the rest of the time.

But not everyone whose name is in the credits is necessarily going to be The Hero. Today's archetype probably won't be remembered as the one who accomplished any great deeds, unless you look at it by association. But she's still a vital character to any group, someone who provides an emotional and moral center amidst a horde of conflicting personalities -- even if no one might remember it. Today we're taking a look at the Mentor and all of the things that she brings to the table even from a more subtle role.

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Mentor

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion - the Mentor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypearchetype-discussionbackgroundbackstorycharacter-originscolumnexperiencefeaturedlorementormentorsmetagamingopinionroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 11 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Scholar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-scholar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-scholar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-scholar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's time for our third archetype discussion, with the previous two being the Soldier and the Rogue. I've been pleased with the positive response I've seen so far, especially since the archetypes seem to help highlight the difference between a class and the character. There are classes that suggest a more roguelike approach (not a Roguelike approach; that's different), but people play them as soldiers, undertaking missions and killing based on exterior orders rather than any sort of malice or desire.

And that's great -- the power of archetypes is that you can have almost any class or combination of abilities backing them up. Such is the case with today's archetype, one that is often seen as being limited to spellcasters but which can really cover almost any set of skills. James Joyce wrote that when you think about things, you can understand them, and that's the bread and butter of the scholar. Queue up some appropriate music, and let's take a look at someone who just wants to know more.

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion - the Scholar

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion - the Scholar originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaarchetypescolumnexperiencefeaturedknowledgelearningmetagamingroleplayingrpscholarsstoryboardstudystudyingthe-scholarFri, 10 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your MMO fear?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/the-daily-grind-whats-your-mmo-fear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/the-daily-grind-whats-your-mmo-fear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/the-daily-grind-whats-your-mmo-fear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We all have fears in the game. They range from things that squick us despite our best efforts (such as giant spiders) to more personal worries (such as crippling anxiety that you're not the best tank). But some fears are even more primal than that. Some fears get straight to the heart about where the industry is headed, what the fate of your favorite game might be, or whether or not you'll have time for MMOs in the future. And while you can kill squick-worthy enemies, you can't kill anxiety.

So what scares you about MMOs, either in general or in specific cases? Are you worried that your favorite game has passed the peak in terms of popularity or quality of content? Afraid that free-to-play games are going to become the dominant force in the market when you don't like them? Or do you have a deep-seated terror that World of Warcraft will always dominate the MMO sphere and block games you find more interesting?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your MMO fear? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdesign-stylesfearfree-to-playgame-designmetagamingopinionquest-auto-complete-9000sandboxtdgthe-daily-grindthemeparkworriesMon, 16 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The metagame and its importance to MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/the-metagame-and-its-importance-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/the-metagame-and-its-importance-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/the-metagame-and-its-importance-to-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , ,


What is the metagame? It can mean a lot of different things depending on context, but all of the meanings share the sense that the metagame is not the game itself, but something above and affecting the game as a whole. In a casual game of poker, the metagame could be as simple as one of the players having an exceedingly poor poker face which makes betting that much easier. On a more complex scale, you have things such as the entire Band of Brothers incident on EVE Online, which has been called by some as what amounts to a forum war that was fought out over the space of the game.

That's a Terrible Idea recently had a post regarding the problem of MMOs as "serious" games due to how they interact with the entire concept of the metagame. As the post outlines, you're first cut out from the endgame by the leveling game, which is changing the variables of the game itself, and when you finally reach the end of the curve most of the strategy involves memorizing specific character builds and raid strategies. The metagame, in this case defined as "the process of strategizing and conceptualizing out of the game," thrives on the viability of different strategies and the necessity of discussion. While there are certainly sites devoted to this sort of theoretical work, they frequently involve simply boiling everything down to a single optimal setup. Take a look at the article (and, if needed, the supplementary piece on terminology), as it's interesting for anyone with an affection for the genre and its overall development.

MassivelyThe metagame and its importance to MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-curvelevelingmetagamesmetagamingplanningserious-gamesstrategiesstrategizingthats-a-terrible-ideaSun, 13 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's spies and metagamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


EVE Online is one of the few MMOs where players in guilds (corporations and alliances) have some valid concerns about spies from rival groups infiltrating their ranks. The concept of being a spy or saboteur is a profession of sorts that arose in the game. There aren't any game mechanics that necessarily enable spying or make it into a viable profession, nor are there any rules that prohibit most of these activities.

Wes from EVE Tribune recently wrote a piece called "Metagaming", dealing with how espionage can impact rival corporations and alliances in EVE. Wes asks, "Why is everyone so paranoid about spies and metagaming?" then goes on to explain how espionage in EVE works, categorizing spies by their modus operandi:

Continue reading EVE's spies and metagamers

MassivelyEVE's spies and metagamers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancesccpccp-gamescorporationscultureespionageeveeve-onlineeve-tribuneforumsgame-mechanicsguildsintelintelligencemetagamemetagamingmolesparanoiapoliticspvpsabotagesaboteurspiesspyspyingteamspeakwesSun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST