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[Beta and bucks: John Smedley discusses PlanetSide 2's future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/beta-and-bucks-john-smedley-discusses-planetside-2s-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
In an interview with Chinese site 17173.com, SOE's John Smedley shared some revealing details about PlanetSide 2, including the fact that the upcoming MMO shooter will be free.

MMOsite carried the English version of the story early this morning, but there were a few points that were lost in translation. So we contacted Smedley for clarification, and he said that while he had previously mentioned that the game will be "some form of free-to-play," SOE is not prepared to announce specifics just yet, but we should "expect something that will be very player friendly." He mentioned that a Blizzard-style auction house won't be a part of that plan but that he was fond of what League of Legends had done with its system.

It's also his opinion that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the last large-scale MMO with a subscription fee. "The game looks great," Smedley commented, "and I will be playing myself. BioWare is doing an awesome job."

Smedley also made mention of PlanetSide 2's beta schedule. SOE is aiming to begin wider testing of the title later this year or early next year in North America, but the company doesn't know for sure just yet.

PlanetSide 2 is aiming to be bigger and better than the original, with battlefields holding up to 2,000 players at the same time, a flexible skill system that allows players to fine-tune their troops and engage in crafting, and a struggle to control territory between three factions. Interestingly enough, Smedley said that the factions might not always be at each other's throats; the PlanetSide 2 team has plans to launch PvE world events such as alien invasions where all players will put aside their differences to combat a shared threat.

MassivelyBeta and bucks: John Smedley discusses PlanetSide 2's future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>17173.comauction-housebetabuy-to-playdiablo-3diablo-iiif2pfree-to-playjohn-smedleymmosite.complanetsideplanetside-2planetside-nextps2soeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterritory-controlThu, 08 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play me, my lord: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms fires up an interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/play-me-my-lord-might-and-magic-heroes-kingdoms-fires-up-an-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Heroes of Might and Magic franchise has a long and rich history with PC gamers, although the series has somewhat fallen into obscurity as of late. Ubisoft is looking to thrust it back into the spotlight with the upcoming Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms, a Civilization-type title. We've been tracking MMHK since this year's E3, and recently MMOsite.com grabbed some facetime with Ubisoft's Chris Early about the game. (Note that this isn't the Heroes of Might and Magic Online that's also nearing release.)

A browser-based title imported from overseas, Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms encourages players to slowly build up a city (and later, cities) and interact with their neighbors. This can take the form of peaceful resource trading, hostile skirmishes, or large-scale strategy. While MMHK is set in the Might and Magic universe, the game differs from Heroes of Might and Magic's playstyle -- for example, combat is automatically resolved instead of turn-based. One of the most interesting features of the game is that it has a six-month cycle, after which winners are declared and the server resets for another grand struggle.

The interview spends a bit of time prodding Chris Early about the advantages -- and potential imbalance -- between free players and those who drop cash for advantages (such as more cities to control). Early claims that while paying players will have more options available, free players are still a significant force, especially if they specialize. You can read the whole interview over at MMOsite.com.

MassivelyPlay me, my lord: Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms fires up an interview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedchris-earlye3e3-2010f2pfree-to-playHeroes-of-Might-and-Magicheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmoheroes-of-might-and-magic-mmorpgheroes-of-might-and-magic-onlinemight-and-magicmight-and-magic-heroes-kingdommight-and-magic-kingdomsmmhkmmosite.complay-me-my-lordubisoftWed, 21 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Requiem: Bloodymare closed beta officially begins February 29th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/requiem-bloodymare-closed-beta-officially-begins-february-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/requiem-bloodymare-closed-beta-officially-begins-february-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/requiem-bloodymare-closed-beta-officially-begins-february-29th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Despite what we were told at GDC and mentioned in our previous coverage, Requiem: Bloodymare isn't entering closed beta in a month's time -- it does so at the end of this week! I don't mind a little chicanery from time to time, especially if the payoff is an earlier-than-expected gift. Regardless, to play this title you'll need to obtain an access code, which you'll be able to get in the following ways:

Registered users of FilePlanet have access to a limited number of beta codes as of Tuesday, and what's more, these users can access the closed beta immediately, days ahead of schedule. The day of closed beta launch, both MMORPG.com and MMOSITE.com will have codes available. Wednesday, March 26th at 10 AM PST marks the end of the closed beta. FilePlanet users, time to see if there's anything left.

[Thanks, Colin!]

MassivelyRequiem: Bloodymare closed beta officially begins February 29th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>access-codechicaneryclosed-betafileplanetmmorpg.commmosite.comrequiem-bloodymareWed, 27 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST