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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Second Wind: World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
When I originally started playing World of Warcraft, things were different. Priests were still waiting on their first big class patch. Regular mounts required level 40; most players couldn't afford the 100ish gold fee without a loan from their guild. Epic mounts were so prohibitively expensive as to be considered rare. Raids required the dedication and skill of 40 players, and only a couple of guilds per realm actually even bothered to run high-end content. WoW was, as they say, srs bsns.

But that was eight years ago. Since then, World of Warcraft has seen four enormous expansions (Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria) and countless minor content updates. Edges have been softened, skills refined, classes reinvented. Subs have ballooned to a peak of over 12 million, waffled up and down for a few years, then fallen most recently to 9.6 million.

Some would argue that the World of Warcraft of 2013 bears only a passing resemblance to the one we played in 2005. Others would claim it's still the same excellent/terrible game, just gussied up with fresh paint.

As a longtime WoW lover but recently lapsed subscriber, I ventured into Mists of Pandaria to sort it out for myself.

Continue reading Second Wind: World of Warcraft

MassivelySecond Wind: World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionfantasyfeaturedhands-onmistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspost-launchre-reviewreviewroundtablesecond-impressionssecond-looksecond-windtranscriptupdated-impressionswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWrath-of-the-Lich-KingFri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer
Thunder... thunder... Thunder King, HO! That's the sound of millions of slavering World of Warcraft players who are itching to check out the imminent patch 5.2. To calm them down not one whit, Blizzard released the official trailer to The Thunder King. It's all poetical, too.

So whether you're already sold on this next stage of WoW's development or are teasing yourself with the possibility of returning, it can't hurt to check out the following video.

Or can it?

Continue reading Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer

MassivelyWatch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspatch-5.2the-thunder-kingthunder-kingtrailervideowarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Check out the D.I.C.E. awards finalists]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/check-out-the-d-i-c-e-awards-finalists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/check-out-the-d-i-c-e-awards-finalists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/check-out-the-d-i-c-e-awards-finalists/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

DICEThe nominees for the 16th annual D.I.C.E. (hint: It's spelled out right in the image) awards have been listed! While Journey is (deservedly) leading the list with 11 nominations, MMOs and not-quite-MMOs have done their genre proud. Diablo III, Torchlight II, and Guild Wars 2 are all in the running for Role-Playing / Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year. Diablo III also got tapped for a shot at Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design, and Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition. World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria expansion is also in the running for the original music composition award.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday, February 7th. There are oodles of other games in the running for oodles of other titles, so be sure to check out the complete listing of nominees.

MassivelyCheck out the D.I.C.E. awards finalists originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academy-of-interactive-arts-and-sciencesaiasawardsd-i-c-edicedice-awardsguild-wars-2gw2mists-of-pandariamoptl2tliitorchlight-iiwowwow-mopMon, 14 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get a load of World of Warcraft's Isle of the Thunder King]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/get-a-load-of-world-of-warcrafts-isle-of-the-thunder-king/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/get-a-load-of-world-of-warcrafts-isle-of-the-thunder-king/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/get-a-load-of-world-of-warcrafts-isle-of-the-thunder-king/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Get a load of World of Warcraft's Isle of the Thunder King
Those of you holding fast to your martial arts ursines in World of Warcraft are probably quite geeked about the upcoming patch 5.2. The second major post-Mists of Pandaria update for the game includes a new quest hub, raid, world bosses, and a farm that you can buy and make your very own.

Our sister site WoW Insider took a closer look at 5.2, which is currently on the public test realm. The focus of the article was the Isle of the Thunder King questing zone, which involves a struggle between the Sunreaver Onslaught and Kirin Tor Offensive factions.

The area has plenty of cool quest elements; it allows players to transform into the lizardy Sauroks, to be a counselor to golems, and use a ritual stone that summons group bosses. The article notes that players will see the return of a couple of familiar faces, such as the Image of Archmage Vargoth.

MassivelyGet a load of World of Warcraft's Isle of the Thunder King originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.2activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspatch-5.2previewptrpublic-test-realmwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowwow-insiderThu, 10 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mists of Pandaria gets in on the Cyber Monday action]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/mists-of-pandaria-gets-in-on-the-cyber-monday-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/mists-of-pandaria-gets-in-on-the-cyber-monday-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/mists-of-pandaria-gets-in-on-the-cyber-monday-action/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MOPS FOR SALE
Sure, you could be blowing all your cash on any number of delectable offerings on Steam's ridiculously tempting Autumn Sale, but why would you want to do that when there's a whole world of pandas waiting to be explored? That's right: Pandas. Ain't a game yet made that can compete with pandas, and you know it.

Blizzard is offering Mists of Pandaria at a 50% discount in honor of Cyber Monday. Not wanting the rest of the weekdays to feel left out, however, Blizzard is making this deal available until 2:59 a.m. EST on Friday the 30th.

MassivelyMists of Pandaria gets in on the Cyber Monday action originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight
World of Warcraft's eighth anniversary arrives after a rough year for the franchise. Cataclysm, the expansion that redesigned much of the old world and trumpeted the return of archvillain Deathwing, also saw subscriber numbers drop from their highest point, reached during the Wrath of the Lich King years. Players expressed discontent over the empty zones and the lack of anything to do save run endless heroic dungeons or chain battlegrounds.

It's said that humans often prepare to fight the next war by devising tactics to deal with the last war, and World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Mists of Pandaria, is definitely a reaction to player complaints about the previous one. The past year saw the game transition from one with two separate, segregated endgames to a game with a great deal more variety for players who've reached max level. Whether you loved or hated Cataclysm, you can't deny that the past year has seen more change than the entire expansion dedicated to changing the game ever provided.

Continue reading Parting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight

MassivelyParting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanniversarybirthdayBlizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionfantasyfeaturedghostcrawlergreg-streetmistsMists-of-PandariamoppandariapandastrailertrailersvideovideoswarcraftWorld-of-WarcraftWorld-of-Warcraft-AnniversarywowFri, 23 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Investor call reports World of Warcraft subscriptions back above 10 million]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Activision, the Blizzard logo's hat.
The results are in for the third quarter of 2012, and despite sluggish numbers the last time around, World of Warcraft appears to be on a rebound. During the most recent Activision Blizzard investor call, subscribers for the game were pegged at around 10 million, back up from the lower figure of 9.1 million reported during the previous investor call. While the number is a bit more vague than usual, it does break a trend of several declining months.

Is it all because of Mists of Pandaria? Not quite; because of the way that the quarters are spaced out, the expansion is still a fresh release, and we won't know until the beginning of 2013 how much of a bump it gave to the game's overall numbers. The company as a whole also saw positive revenue from Diablo III and the Skylanders franchise, while Call of Duty titles have experienced a slight downturn.

MassivelyInvestor call reports World of Warcraft subscriptions back above 10 million originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusinessearnings-callexpansionfantasyinvestor-callmistsmists-of-pandariammo-industrymoppandariapandasrevenuesubscriber-numberssubscriberswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: Patch 5.1 is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blizzard is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch'
In an effort to deliver more frequent updates, Blizzard has stated that it's willing to redefine the traditional mega-World of Warcraft patch to include smaller updates. "We're going to change what it means to be a WoW patch," said Production Director J. Allen Brack. "We just had to make a decision about how we're going to do these updates that are quicker."

Brack spoke with Rock, Paper, Shotgun about the upcoming smaller Mists of Pandaria 5.1 patch as well as World of Warcraft's future. He said that the WoW team is "larger than it's ever been," with 165 people working on the project.

Other topics raised by the interview included free-to-play and revamps to older content. Brack said that the team has thought about both, and he made the interesting admission that The Burning Crusade has aged poorly in comparison to the rest of the game. "There was a while where Burning Crusade was the best thing we'd ever done," he said. "Now it's the worst thing we've ever done, because everything else has raised the level with Cataclysm."

MassivelyBlizzard: Patch 5.1 is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.1expansionf2pfantasyfaster-updatesfree-to-playinterviewj-allen-bracklord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspatchpatch-5.1the-burning-crusadeturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateWed, 17 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Beautiful balloon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One Shots
Massively logically selects for readers who aren't necessarily playing World of Warcraft -- if you were, you'd probably be reading our sister site WoW Insider, not this column. But I am still a WoW fan, as is this week's One Shots submitter, William. He sent in a freshly snapped pic from Mists of Pandaria with this note:
This screenshot is a little bit of a spoiler, so I won't actually say much about what's in it, but needless to say, this is one of my favourite scenes from the Pandaren starting area. The art design is fantastic in Blizzard's new expansion!
Also, panda in a balloon! William's color image is tucked after the break along with a few more of your One Shots-worthy images.

Continue reading One Shots: Beautiful balloon

MassivelyOne Shots: Beautiful balloon originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mists of Pandaria cruises toward first big patch
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is chugging along quite nicely, and while there are players content in the current journey to the new endgame, there are always those asking, "What's next?" For the latter crowd, Blizzard has announced that the first major post-expansion content update is heading to the test server soon.

Patch 5.1 is slated to advance the storyline, add quest hubs and factions, introduce underground fighting rings in capital cities, improve the pet battle system, and allow players to upgrade gear with valor points.

Blizzard says that the progress toward the patch's deployment is a sign that it is taking its commitment to faster content delivery seriously.

MassivelyMists of Pandaria cruises toward first big patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcontent-updateexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-patch-5.1moppandariapandaspatchpatch-5.1previewptrpublic-test-realmtestingupdatewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hard work, not magic, is key to Blizzard's success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blizzard's success isn't magic just hard work and open minds
Should the success of World of Warcraft over the years be accepted as an aberration, encased in glass and set high up on a pedestal, untouchable and impossible to duplicate? Not according to an editorial on GameIndustry.biz, which suggests that other companies could find success by following Blizzard's methods instead of just mimicking the product.

The article discounts the magic secret formula hypothesis and attributes Blizzard's success to hard work, aggressive utilization of player activity data, and a focus on the casual player instead of hardcore endgame types. The piece noted that Blizzard essentially provides players with a whole new game with each expansion by changing systems dramatically. It further stated, "Blizzard... sees its successful game as a moving target, and uses data to allow it to make bigger gambles and more drastic changes."

MassivelyHard work, not magic, is key to Blizzard's success originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandasRob-Faheysecret-to-successwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT saves pandas with expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT saves pandas with expansion
In what is most certainly a coincidence, Trion Worlds has announced a special promotion today to support pandas with the help of players who purchase a certain expansion. No, not that expansion.

Starting tomorrow, every copy of RIFT: Storm Legion pre-ordered will prompt Trion to donate a buck to Pandas International. Pandas International is an organization devoted to saving the Giant Panda, who probably would not need saving if they were martial arts monks (just saying). The pre-order has to take place through the game's website, and it ends after October 3rd.

If you're up for a laugh, make sure to read the small print on the official announcement. Maine is always the bane of any good panda party.

MassivelyRIFT saves pandas with expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conquestexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspandas-internationalpvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrstorm-legionthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsTue, 25 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Yes, you should probably expect Pandaren. If you didn't know that part, there's no hope.
Are you still on the fence about purchasing Mists of Pandaria? Really, the game comes out tomorrow; you should have made up your mind by now. But if you're still conflicted about buying World of Warcraft's fourth expansion, you can take a look at the newest development video that shows off everything players can expect from the update. And it's not just a quick list of updates.

If you have any lingering questions about what the expansion will contain or any features that you've missed hearing about, this video will put all of that to rest. Previews of the new zones, previews of new scenarios, previews of the new Monk class in action -- you can get a full rundown of the expansion's features in seven minutes. So click on past the break to see everything that's in store for players tomorrow, whether or not you've decided to jump in.

[Update: Pandaria is now live in Europe! Check out the parade Blizzard threw for the game in London, and as always, visit WoW Insider for the full scoop on the expansion.]

Continue reading Mists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated]

MassivelyMists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingexpansionexpansion-previewfantasylaunch-previewlaunch-trailermistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandastrailertrailersvideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[London cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Pandaria launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

London cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Panderia launch
The wait for the launch of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is almost over; eager players will be lining up at stores and taking part in various launch celebrations awaiting tonight's midnight release in stores. One location, Cafe de Paris in London, is sponsoring a Pandaria-themed loot giveaway through PC Gamer to help celebrate the release with players.

The goodies include a Steel Series World of Warcraft Wireless MMO mouse, Deathwing's Stormwind Assault Mega Blocks, a strategy guide, t-shirts, posters, and a Mists of Pandaria Collector's Edition. For a chance at obtaining some of these collectables, check out the giveaway page for complete instructions. But you have to hurry -- the promotion ends tomorrow.

MassivelyLondon cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Pandaria launch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasygiveawayslaunch-daylaunch-day-giveawaymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 24 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you returning to World of Warcraft for the expansion?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/the-daily-grind-are-you-returning-to-world-of-warcraft-for-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/the-daily-grind-are-you-returning-to-world-of-warcraft-for-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/the-daily-grind-are-you-returning-to-world-of-warcraft-for-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The look of a man whose guildmates are all resubscribing and has to reactivate his druid? Perhaps.
If you're at all interested in MMOs, it's been nigh-impossible not to learn about the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion through osmosis if nothing else. If you're currently playing the game, of course, buying the expansion and logging in is a no-brainer. But if you're like many people with an old account and some mixed memories about the game, buying the expansion isn't a given. It all comes down to the expansion's features and how satisfied you are with your current games.

Maybe the promise of Pandaren, new levels, new systems, and a new talent system has lured you back into the fold. Or perhaps those same changes have turned you off from Mists of Pandaria. Perhaps it's even deeper than that -- perhaps one of the previous expansions killed your interest in the game to the point that this expansion can't revive it. So today we want to know: Are you returning for Mists of Pandaria, or are you staying on the sidelines?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you returning to World of Warcraft for the expansion? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage
"The question isn't why we fight," a wizened voice says, "but what's worth fighting for."

Thus goes the third TV commercial for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. Blizzard continues to storm the airwaves in preparation for Pandaria's September 25th release. The commercial is just cobbled together from the opening cinematic, but it's still cool to see an MMO get airtime on television these days.

Give it your full and undivided attention after the jump.

Continue reading World of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommercialexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandastvtv-spotwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 13 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mists of Pandaria approved for operation in China]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mists-of-pandaria-approved-for-operation-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mists-of-pandaria-approved-for-operation-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mists-of-pandaria-approved-for-operation-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
We're sure you're all familiar with the rumors that Blizzard's latest World of Warcraft expansion, Mists of Pandaria, had been seeing some trouble in China due to its depictions of pandas having the stuffing beaten out of them. Well, it looks like we can finally put those rumors to rest because the Chinese Ministry of Culture has approved Chinese web operator NetEase to operate the game (humorously Google-translated as World of Warcraft: Panda Man of Mystery; can we get a title change?) in the territory.

This is a stark contrast to previous expansions Wrath of the Lich King, which was delayed in China for two years, and Cataclysm, which didn't hit the People's Republic until July of this year. The game's Chinese approval is good news for Blizzard considering the recent loss of around a million WoW subscribers. There doesn't seem to be an official Chinese release date for Panda Man of Mystery yet, but North American and European players will get their hands on it later this month on September 25th.

MassivelyMists of Pandaria approved for operation in China originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchinafantasymists-of-pandariamoppanda-man-of-mysterywarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 05 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard unveils launch events for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/blizzard-unveils-launch-events-for-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/blizzard-unveils-launch-events-for-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/blizzard-unveils-launch-events-for-world-of-warcraft-mists-of-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you're still hoping that this was a joke, that's getting increasingly unlikely.
If you're a fan of World of Warcraft, you're buying Mists of Pandaria. We all know that. But are you just going to buy the game, or do you want to be part of an entire event surrounding the launch? If it's the latter, you'll be happy to know that the official launch event for the game's fourth expansion release has been confirmed for the 24th near the Blizzard Entertainment offices in Irvine, California.

The event starts at 9:00 p.m. PDT and will include stage presentations, special guests, and giveaways for fans in attendance. As with previous launches, even if you can't get out to California for the launch event, several retailers are opening at midnight for retail release of the game as soon as it's possible. It's all heady stuff for the new expansion, and fans will definitely want to take a look at what's going on and attend if possible.

MassivelyBlizzard unveils launch events for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft releases preexpansion patch
If palling around with lettuce people and giant Vikings isn't your thing today, may we interest you in the panda express lane? World of Warcraft is paving the way for next month's Mists of Pandaria with today's 5.0.4 patch, an update that includes several new features that are part of the expansion rollout.

While playable Pandaren and Monks aren't available until September 25th, there's plenty to chew on with patch 5.0.4. Players will experience the massive talent revamp that eliminates the old talent trees entirely, a spellbook overhaul, AoE looting, cross-realm zones, UI changes, significant currency conversions, and account-wide achievements, mounts, and pets.

The patch will be up following extended maintenance, and our sister site WoW Insider has been hard at work preparing a massive Mists of Pandaria guide for current and returning Azerothians.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft releases pre-expansion patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.0.4activisionaoe-lootingblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamonkmonksmoppandarenpandariapandaspatchpatch-5.0.4talent-revampupdateupdate-5.0.4warcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 28 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft series 75% off until August 27th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/world-of-warcraft-series-75-off-until-august-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/world-of-warcraft-series-75-off-until-august-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/world-of-warcraft-series-75-off-until-august-27th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

World of Warcraft sale banner
Blizzard, in a move that we're certain has nothing to do with an upcoming high-profile game launch, has decided to cut, slash, and otherwise mutilate the prices for World of Warcraft and its many expansions. The World of Warcraft Battle Chest, which includes the original game and the Burning Crusade expansion, is on sale for a paltry $5 US, while the Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm expansions are reduced to $5 and $10, respectively.

If you have somehow managed to resist playing WoW for the past however-many years, now's the perfect time to succumb to the temptation and give the game a go, especially considering that patch 5.0 goes live in a week, and Mists of Pandaria soon after that. Surely you don't have any other plans for the 28th, right? If you wanna capitalize on the savings, though, just head on over to the Blizzard store, but do so quickly! The sale ends on August 27th.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft series 75% off until August 27th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdealdealsfantasymists-of-pandariamopsalesalestbcthe-burning-crusadewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 21 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic
Ever since Blizzard announced that the opening cinematic for World of Warcraft's next expansion Mists of Pandaria would be revealed at Gamescom 2012, fans have been patiently waiting to watch the introduction of the Pandaren in the popular fantasy MMORPG. Now the wait is over: Watch as the black and white kung-fu master takes on two warring combatants in the video after the break.

Continue reading Gamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic

MassivelyGamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcinematiccologneconconventionexpansionfantasygamescomgamescom-2012germanymistsmists-of-pandariamopopening-cinematicpandarenpandariapandastrailerwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 16 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft schedules big patch for Guild Wars 2's launch day]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/world-of-warcraft-schedules-big-patch-for-guild-wars-2s-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/world-of-warcraft-schedules-big-patch-for-guild-wars-2s-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/world-of-warcraft-schedules-big-patch-for-guild-wars-2s-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

World of Warcraft schedules big patch on Guild Wars 2's launch day
It's on. Oh, it's so on.

Not one to take a competitor's launch sitting down, Blizzard has scheduled its World of Warcraft 5.0.4 patch release for Tuesday, August 28th. Fans of Guild Wars 2 might have an inkling that the 28th has some significance within their own community as well.

WoW 5.0.4 is the pre-expansion patch for Mists of Pandaria. It weighs a hefty six gigabytes and includes shared mounts, new pets, and the massive talent revamp. North American players will get the patch on August 28th, while European servers will see it on the 29th. Mists of Pandaria is slated for a September 25th release.

Deciding whether this happens to be an innocent coincidence or a shrewd counter-stroke to GW2's launch is up to you. All we know is that August 28th is going to be one very, very busy day.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft schedules big patch for Guild Wars 2's launch day originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.0.4activisionanetarenanetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingexpansionfantasyguild-wars-2gw2mistsmists-of-pandariamopncsoftpandariapandaspatchpatch-5.0.4warcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 14 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Leaderboard Battle of the fall expansions
Thought expansions were a thing of the past for MMOs? Don't tell 2012, which has three major releases lined up this fall!

First up is Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan, which sends players into the titular Rohan region for the first time. Not only will there be epic confrontations with Saruman and Sauron's forces on the plains, but characters will be able to fight from horseback for the first time with the new mounted combat system.

Next is World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Blizzard's fourth expansion for its hit MMO. There's a grab bag of goodies in this release, including a new race, additional continent, pet battle system, talent revamp, and more.

Finally, RIFT: Storm Legion is coming out at an unknown point this fall. Trion's first expansion promises four new souls, two huge continents, player housing, and expanded game systems.

So as you look at the big board (just pretend you have a big board -- it makes your life more exciting), which of these three looks the most promising? Which wins in potential and promise, at least, compared to the other two? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions

MassivelyLeaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbattle-royalblizzardblizzard-entertainmentconquestexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playleaderboardlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromistsmists-of-pandariamopone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpandariapandaspollpollspvpriders-of-rohanriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararorrvrstorm-legionthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW adjusts Scroll of Resurrection for Mists of Pandaria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

World of Warcraft upgrades its Scroll of Resurrection
Call it the Scroll of Resurrection 2.0. Blizzard's popular networking recruitment tool is undergoing an upgrade to reflect the changes coming with World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. The scroll is an attempt to encourage players to bring their friends in the game by tempting both parties with faster leveling and free mounts.

The updated scroll adjusts to the new specialization and talent system in Mists of Pandaria by allowing resurrected (returning) players to pick their new specialization. Talents won't be preselected for those players, however.

The scroll won't affect the new Monk class, so those hoping for a quick trip to level 80 on a Monk will need to do it the old fashioned way instead. Pandaren characters also need to pick a faction before the scroll's benefits can kick in.

MassivelyWoW adjusts Scroll of Resurrection for Mists of Pandaria originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is it lazy to retool classic dungeons for endgame?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/the-daily-grind-is-it-lazy-to-retool-classic-dungeons-for-endga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/the-daily-grind-is-it-lazy-to-retool-classic-dungeons-for-endga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/the-daily-grind-is-it-lazy-to-retool-classic-dungeons-for-endga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mr Smite, Deadmines, World of Warcraft, courtesy of WoW Insider
Over the last few expansions, Blizzard has been attempting to transform antique World of Warcraft dungeons into modern, heroic experiences, from Cataclysm's reimagined Deadmines to Mists of Pandaria's level-cap Scholomance. But most of WoW's dungeons -- and most dungeons in ever-changing MMOs period -- languish in the past with outdated mechanics and loot surpassed by overland quest drops. You might go there as a tourist occasionally, but no one takes those places seriously.

I like a chance to go back to reworked older zones to get my nostalgia fix on boosted, endgame content. But I can see why players might object to the practice. After all, a fresh coat of paint doesn't really make it a new room. It can feel as if the devs cheaped out and just pasted some new textures and mechanics into an already-built zone instead of implementing something truly new.

What do you think -- is it lazy to retool classic dungeons for a new endgame?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is it lazy to retool classic dungeons for endgame? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcataclysmclassic-dungeondaily-grinddeadminesdungeonendgamefantasyinstancemists-of-pandariamopopinionscholomancetdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 06 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft has 9.1 million subscribers, down by a million since May]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

That's 10% of the playerbase, if you need that in perspective.
World of Warcraft remains the reigning titan in terms of subscription-based games... but the titan is looking just a little bit leaner at the moment. The most recent subscriptions numbers for the game were released today in the Activision Blizzard earnings report for Q2 2012, and the game has dropped to a total of 9.1 million subscribers as of the end of June. For those keeping track at home, that's a loss of 1.1 million players since the last update on subscriber numbers in May.

Despite the subscriber loss, the overall earning report is positive, citing the announced launch date of Mists of Pandaria and the success of Diablo III (it sold over 10 million copies) as major milestones for the company. According to the report, most of the lost subscriptions are coming from Eastern players rather than US and European players. This is the first time in several years that WoW has been beneath 10 million players, and it's certainly interesting in light of recent discussions about the future of games with a subscription fee.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft has 9.1 million subscribers, down by a million since May originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingbusinessexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariammo-industrymopnewspandariapandassubscriber-numberssubscriberssubscription-feesupdateswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 02 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Where's the line between expansion and patch?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/the-daily-grind-wheres-the-line-between-expansion-and-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/the-daily-grind-wheres-the-line-between-expansion-and-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/the-daily-grind-wheres-the-line-between-expansion-and-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mists of Pandaria. For the record, I am not suggesting Mists of Pandaria is a patch.
Back when boxed games were king, it wouldn't have occurred to anyone to ponder the difference between an expansion and a patch. Duh, right? An expansion came in a box and cost money, whereas a patch was something a game developer delivered via download much later at no cost to the players.

But with the rise of the eternally changing MMO, free-to-play models, and digital distribution, the line between expansion and patch has become blurred. We joke that freemium games call their patches "expansions" just to get more coverage and attention. We're impressed when a big-budget MMO like RIFT or Lord of the Rings Online bothers to launch an old-school expansion. And games like EVE Online compound the confusion by calling their reasonably large updates "expansions" while delivering them gratis.

So what does it take before you'd call a patch a true expansion? A fee? New lands? Quests? Races? A spot on a shelf in a brick-and-mortar store? Where do you draw the line?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Where's the line between expansion and patch? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgdaily-grindeveeve-onlineexpansionlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromists-of-pandariamopopinionpatchrifttdgthe-daily-grindWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 28 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest World of Warcraft novel gets a release date and cover preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/newest-world-of-warcraft-novel-gets-a-release-date-and-cover-pre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/newest-world-of-warcraft-novel-gets-a-release-date-and-cover-pre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/newest-world-of-warcraft-novel-gets-a-release-date-and-cover-pre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If someone had brought a Warlock or a Shaman, this could have been prevented.
Jaina Proudmoore is one of the biggest lore figures in World of Warcraft despite the fact that her character history largely consists of trying to make reasonable compromises and being completely ignored. It's no surprise that she's the star of the newest novel based on World of Warcraft considering her prominence in the lore and her relationship to the war between the game's factions. Tides of War is written by Christie Golden and will be released in late August, setting the stage for Mists of Pandaria later this year.

While Jaina has always tried to broker a peace between the Alliance and the Horde, the novel's plot revolves around Warchief Garrosh Hellscream launching an attack against Jaina's home in Theramore, demonstrating the same legendary thinking that's alienated several of the Horde's allies. Whether or not the erstwhile diplomat will be able to retain any hopes of a peaceful resolution remains to be seen, but with Mists of Pandaria promising to focus on the conflict between the two factions, it seems likely that players will be looking at silencing the last and loudest voice for peace.

MassivelyNewest World of Warcraft novel gets a release date and cover preview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbackstoryblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionexpansionsfantasyjainajaina-proudmoorelorelore-characterslore-figuresmistsmists-of-pandariamopnovelnovelspandariapandastides-of-warwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are black market auction houses a good idea?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/the-daily-grind-are-black-market-auction-houses-a-good-idea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/the-daily-grind-are-black-market-auction-houses-a-good-idea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/the-daily-grind-are-black-market-auction-houses-a-good-idea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Daily Grind Are black market auction houses a good idea
With World of Warcraft's upcoming Mists of Pandaria comes an interesting addition to the game: a black market auction house. This new type of auction house will allow Blizzard to post rare items from the game for bidding only (no buyouts), and is obviously intended to be a massive gold sink for those who have more money than sense on their hands.

While the intent of the black market auction house is understandable, what it's selling has players hotly debating over whether this is a good idea or the spawn of Evil and Mrs. Evil. Raid gear, ultra-rare pets, and other hard-to-attain goods could become easily available for those with large pocketbooks.

So let's put it to the bright minds at Massively Labs (that's you): Are black market auction houses a good idea? Is Blizzard setting a trend here or cutting its own feet out from under it?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are black market auction houses a good idea? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionauction-houseblack-market-auction-houseblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdaily-grindeconomyexpansionfantasygold-sinkinflationmistsmists-of-pandariamoney-sinkmopopinionpandariapandastdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Bamboo Kat's]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/one-shots-bamboo-kats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/one-shots-bamboo-kats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/one-shots-bamboo-kats/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One Shots
If you followed MJ's Choose My Adventure in City of Heroes throughout the month of May, you know that veterans constantly recommended that she do one thing: roll blueside. More people play superheroes than villains, and if you want to group, Paragon City is the place. But I say the villains of the Rogue Isles surely have the best scenery. Massively reader Jeromai chipped in two gorgeous shots of the grimy skyscrapers of redside with this note:
One of my favorite spots villain-side is the Jackpot area of St. Martial, especially when it gets dark and the building lights are a stark contrast to the gloom of all the other previous zones. Sure, it's still a soulless Las Vegas-style strip wannabe, but I love super-jumping down the street as the music changes. This is my normal view of things when super-jumping. But if you get down to street-level, it's also surprisingly immersive. Notice the Marcone or Family gangster leaning nonchalantly against one building as the cars and pedestrians cruise through.
Both shots (and a few others) are tucked behind the break!

Continue reading One Shots: Bamboo Kat's

MassivelyOne Shots: Bamboo Kat's originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoactivisionbamboo-katsbetablizzardblizzard-entertainmentbluesidebrianna-royce-oneshotsbring-back-one-shotscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxf2pfantasyfree-to-playfreedomgalleriesgallerymists-of-pandariamopmop-betancsoftnexonnexon-americanexon-entertainmentone-shotspandarenparagonparagon-studiosreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsredsidescreenshotscreenshotssuperherosuperheroesuser-submissionsvindictuswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 27 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft unveils cross-realm zones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- World of Warcraft
One common issue with MMOs is that certain zones become sparsely populated as the playerbase outlevels them or skips them in favor of newer, more exciting zones, which can lead to frustration for players who want or need to complete group content in those zones. Blizzard is aiming to nip that problem in the bud with a new feature coming to the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria beta: cross-realm zones.

The feature does exactly what it says on the tin: When a zone is underpopulated, the players in that zone will be given the option to form a group with players from a select pool of realms (presumably the server's battlegroup) with whom they can run about and quest as usual. In addition to treating underpopulation, the new feature will allow overpopulated zones -- such as new race starting zones -- to be split into multiple instances to prevent overcrowding. It will also allow players to group with their RealID friends just as they would for a cross-realm dungeon, so players who want to level up with friends on other realms should be quite pleased with the addition. Between this new feature and Guild Wars 2's guesting, the days of being separated from your cross-server friends might just be numbered. The full details on the new feature can be found at the official World of Warcraft site, so if you're wondering how this newfangled technology is going to work, just head on over and check out the handy FAQ.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft unveils cross-realm zones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcross-realmcross-realm-zonecross-realm-zonesfantasymists-of-pandariamopwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard opens the Mists of Pandaria floodgates for 100,000 annual passholders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/blizzard-opens-the-mists-of-pandaria-floodgates-for-100-000-annu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/blizzard-opens-the-mists-of-pandaria-floodgates-for-100-000-annu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/blizzard-opens-the-mists-of-pandaria-floodgates-for-100-000-annu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Kick, punch, it's all in the mind. If you wanna test me, I'm sure you'll find that the things I'll teach ya are sure to beat ya, but nevertheless you'll get a lesson from teacher.
As everyone who isn't willfully ignoring recent news is aware, World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria expansion is currently undergoing beta testing, and we know that many of you can't wait to get your hands on all the new content for yourselves. Well, if you're a World of Warcraft annual passholder, today might just be your lucky day.

Bashiok stopped by the official forums to let players know that Blizzard is in the process of sending out a whopping 100,000 MoP beta invites to annual passholders. Bashiok closes the announcement by reminding players that all annual passholders will be invited to the beta before any opt-ins, though there's no telling how many of them are still awaiting invites or how long it will take before the poor/cheap among us get a crack at Pandaria, but hopefully it will be soon rather than soon[TM].

MassivelyBlizzard opens the Mists of Pandaria floodgates for 100,000 annual passholders originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionannual-passbetabeta-invitationbeta-invitationsbeta-invitebeta-invitesbeta-testblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionexpansionsfantasymists-of-pandariamopwarcraftworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warcraft-annual-passwowwow-annual-passFri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft - Mists of Pandaria install screen
Kung-fu panda fever is gripping the World of Warcraft community, and the latest tremor comes courtesy of the Mists of Pandaria beta page that showed up on Battle.net last night. Our sister site WoW Insider reported that some players jumped at the chance to begin downloading the expansion's beta client, but the early birds were subsequently stopped by an error page stating that the download server was, well, down.

WoW Insider continued updating its news post as the night wore on, and interestingly enough, Mac users were indeed able to download the patch (no such luck for PC folks, though). Blizzard also published a beta character copy page on Battle.net, where players got a good look at all the test servers ready and waiting for a slew of avatar imports.

Thus far Blizz hasn't commented on an official start date, but the company has said that it's sending out MoP beta invites in waves.

[Update: MoP beta is now live!]

Pandas, pagodas, and pet battles are en route in World of Warcraft's upcoming Mists of Pandaria expansion! Stay tuned to Massively and WoW Insider as we bring you FAQs, previews, analysis, and impressions in the lead-up to launch.

MassivelyWoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbattle.netbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentfantasymists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-betamopwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard seems to think that Cataclysm was too linear]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/blizzard-seems-to-think-that-cataclysm-was-too-linear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yeah, that guy seems to have the right idea, let's go that way.
Designing MMOs is often the art of shepherding players in a given direction while at the same time giving them a sense of freedom. Even in a themepark environment, players want to be invested in areas, to have reasons to come back and explore and go off of the rails should they want to. World of Warcraft's most recent expansion, Cataclysm, has frequently been accused of giving players nowhere to go but a series of rails, and according to a recent response from a community manager, Blizzard agrees.

A very long thread on the official forums has spawned some interesting discussions about the game's overall endgame philosophy, with community manager Draxxari stating that Cataclysm's tightly linear design was an "error" on the design level. He goes on to state that Mists of Pandaria is meant to give players more reason to venture out and explore the world, although players will have to wait to see whether that promise holds true or not.

[Thanks to SgtBaker for the tip!]

MassivelyBlizzard seems to think that Cataclysm was too linear originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmcommunityculturedesigndraxxarifreeformlinearmists-of-pandariamopopinionthemeparkworld-of-warcraftwowwow-cataclysmzone-designSat, 14 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft is going down in Europe... in price, that is]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/world-of-warcraft-is-going-down-in-europe-in-price-that-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/world-of-warcraft-is-going-down-in-europe-in-price-that-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/world-of-warcraft-is-going-down-in-europe-in-price-that-is/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Of course, if you're playing WoW and don't have the expansions, something seriously weird is going on, but whatever.
Reports of the demise of World of Warcraft have been greatly exaggerated, but the price of the game is falling. This isn't entirely unexpected, but the game's two more recent expansions have just seen a significant drop in their EU prices, with Wrath of the Lich King dropping to €19.99 and Cataclysm dropping to €29.99. If you've been playing the game in Europe but have yet to pick up the later expansions, this might be your incentive.

While some retailers have instituted their own price cuts in the time since the release of these expansions, these latest price drops come from the upper management at the company rather than being a limited-time sale or a reduction of overstock. The price move seems to be a result of the newly free-to-play nature of the early game and the upcoming Mists of Pandaria. No word yet on whether or not a similar official price drop will be mirrored in the US.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft is going down in Europe... in price, that is originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionsmists-of-pandariamopnewspriceprice-dropsprice-reductionpricesworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: December 25-31, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/global-chat-december-25-31-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/global-chat-december-25-31-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/global-chat-december-25-31-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Predictions
We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

Welcome to the first Global Chat of 2012! This week is all about some of your responses to our MMO predictions for 2012. You all chipped in plenty of great thoughts, so follow along after the break for the best of what our readers had to say last week!

Continue reading Global Chat: December 25-31, 2011

MassivelyGlobal Chat: December 25-31, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedcommenterscommentsfeaturedglobal-chatlilkittenmassivelys-mmo-predictions-for-2012mists-of-pandariamopopinionopinionsseffridsolitudezeroworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Year of the Dragon Who Perches On Stuff While Dripping Lava.
It's been a big year for World of Warcraft, especially considering that the MMO behemoth is currently hitting its seventh year of operation. Considering its nigh-ubiquitous nature in the MMO sphere, it's hard to imagine that there was a time without it. And this past year of the game almost perfectly synchronizes with the latest expansion, Cataclysm, an expansion that was bound and determined to head back to the old and re-work everything up to new standards.

So how did that work out? What's been happening with the game over the past year? Let's pick up in December because that's when the story really begins, a story that involves a dragon smashing huge chunks of both continents to pieces. The result was a complete revamp of the game's lower-level areas, the addition of several new high-level areas, and a redesign of the way the game handled progression. It kicked off a war against primal forces and Old Gods for players, and that's without even getting in to the mechanical shifts.

Continue reading A look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft

MassivelyA look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardanniversaryblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionsfeaturedmists-of-pandariamopopinionretrospectivetbcthe-burning-crusadeworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwow-cataclysmwrathWrath-of-the-Lich-KingWed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will Pandaren lure you back to WoW?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/the-daily-grind-will-pandaren-lure-you-back-to-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/the-daily-grind-will-pandaren-lure-you-back-to-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/the-daily-grind-will-pandaren-lure-you-back-to-wow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

WoW character creation pic NOW WITH MORE PANDA
Blizzard Entertainment is taking a gamble on its next expansion, Mists of Pandaria. World of Warcraft is still on top, but since Cataclysm it's nevertheless taken a beating. Some players attribute recent subscriber losses to games like RIFT; others blame it on natural gamer fatigue. Still others point to blunders in Blizzard's game development decisions. Wherever the blame lies, there's little question that MoP must deliver, especially with a few other likely blockbusters just beyond the horizon.

But on WoW's official forums, existing players aren't exactly united in praise for BlizzCon's reveals. While some fans are happy for the new race, class, and zones, others complain of cute-overload and yet another massive do-over for talents. And on non-WoW sites like Massively, gamers are already suggesting that the expansion is jumping the shark. What do you think -- are Pandaren Monks, a new Asian-inspired setting, and new dungeons enough to lure you back to WoW? Or is there nothing Blizzard can do to win you over?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will Pandaren lure you back to WoW? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcataclysmjumping-the-sharkmists-of-pandariamonkmopopinionpandarenpandaren-monkraceracestdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST