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[The Daily Grind: Do you prefer historical settings?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

R.I.P., Imperator
This week, Massively's Karen Bryan attended a GDC talk by Charles Cecil, the creator of Broken Sword, on the topic of writing games that employ history and historical themes. Cecil wisely noted that historical themes tap in to the audience's shared mythology to generate a compelling game and to serve as the foundation for accessible puzzles relevant to the storyline. And yet strict historical themes in MMOs, even when not diluted with more fantastic elements, can also betray immersion -- would it really make sense for a game about the American Revolution to allow female characters to become military generals?

Dark Age of Camelot certainly saw its share of success pairing real-world European legend and modern 20th-century fantasy, while its cousin Imperator, set in a futuristic Roman Empire, was canceled in favor of another Mythic game. World of Tanks thrives off historical realism, whereas the upcoming The Secret World is making an art-form of layering myth over mundane. Still, history-flavored games are very much in the minority, perhaps because they allow studios much less freedom of lore design. What do you think -- do historical (or pseudo-historical) MMOs work for you? Do you prefer pure escapism, or would you rather play in a "home-turf" setting whose real-world backstory is your own?

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: Do you prefer historical settings? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgbroken-swordcharles-cecildaocdark-age-of-camelotgdcgdc-austin-2011historical-themeshistoryimperatorlegendmythmythicmythologyopinionreal-worldsettingtdgthe-daily-grindthe-secret-worldtswwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-tankswotThu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Hit or myth?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/wings-over-atreia-hit-or-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/wings-over-atreia-hit-or-myth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/wings-over-atreia-hit-or-myth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You know they are out there. You hear them -- sometimes whispered in reverence, sometimes shouted by a particularly spazzy groupmate. Whether treated as ancient wisdom or snickered at, they cannot be avoided. But how much do you believe in them?

Superstitions.

Superstitions (myths, legends, folklore) are not by definition bad or even incorrect. In fact, superstitions are another way for a community to bond; shared beliefs go a long way towards creating a cohesive group. Every culture has superstitions, and gaming -- a unique culture, but a culture nonetheless -- is no different. And each game has its own unique collection of folklore. Whether they consist of avoiding specific loot, crafting with a full DP bar, or something almost whimsical (such as turning around in a full circle before my second attempt at Miragent's leggings), Aion is full of little snippets specific to the world of Atreia.

What superstitions are prevalent in Aion today and just how much truth do they hold? Knock on wood and cross over the break to check it out.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Hit or myth?

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Hit or myth? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamechancecraftingenchantenchantingfeaturedhot-heart-of-magicluckmanastonesmythmythsnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionrandom-number-generatorrngshugosuperstitionsuperstitionst-labsWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 17 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mytheon screens an early look at the title]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/mytheon-screens-an-early-look-at-the-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/mytheon-screens-an-early-look-at-the-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/mytheon-screens-an-early-look-at-the-title/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


One of the upcoming MMORTS games on the horizon is Mytheon, in development at Petroglyph Games. The new title will offer a twist on the standard fantasy setting. Rather than basing the game on a purely fictional world, they're basing Mytheon off of real world myths, beginning with Greece and Egypt.

Mytheon will be a free-to-play title, with game mechanics that center around power stones which will fuel the various in-game effects players can employ against each other. We don't have any further info about Mytheon's lore or its game mechanics quite yet, but Petroglyph has released some new screenshots for the title. If you're an MMORTS fan and want to see more of this game, have a look through our Mytheon gallery and let us know if it's caught your interest.

Gallery: Mytheon

MassivelyMytheon screens an early look at the title originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfree-to-playgalleriesmmortsmythmytheonnew-titlespetroglyph-gamesscreenshotsFri, 17 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microtransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/microtransactions-way-of-the-future-for-mytheon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the newer titles coming to the massively multiplayer online game market is Mytheon, a game that is based on real-world myth rather than pure fantasy, currently in development at Petroglyph. This fresh angle on lore and setting isn't the only difference between Mytheon and its fantasy MMO competitors -- Petroglyph is banking on the hope that microtransactions will prove more successful for Mytheon than the standard subscription model.

Edge Online recently interviewed Petroglyph's general manager Chuck Kroegel, who's also the producer for Mytheon. Kroegel spoke with Edge Online's Kris Graft, and explained Petroglyph's outlook on this alternative business model: "This is a serious commitment on our part... we find it intriguing because we do feel there is a notion of how this could be the way of the future. And if not, it's certainly going to be part of the future. It may not be the only way things are done in regards to the model, but right now it looks to be viable."

Continue reading Microtransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon

MassivelyMicrotransactions 'way of the future' for Mytheon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelschuck-kroegeledge-onlinefantasyinterviewskris-graftmicrotransactionsmmo-industrymythmytheonmythologynew-titlesopinionpetroglyphsubsubscriptionstrue-gamesWed, 17 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[True Games Interactive interview discusses Mytheon MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/true-games-interactive-interview-discusses-mytheon-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/true-games-interactive-interview-discusses-mytheon-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/true-games-interactive-interview-discusses-mytheon-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The fantasy genre reigns supreme in the MMO industry, but even die-hard fantasy enthusiasts have to admit though... there's a lot of it out there in the MMO space. A new twist on fantasy, in the form of myth, could be a breath of fresh air for gamers looking for a different type of setting. At least, Petroglyph and True Games Interactive are banking on this with Mytheon, their in-development MMO title. Rather than conjuring up a brand new setting, Mytheon looks back to real world mythology and crafts a game around it. The game's introduction makes reference to the Greek Pantheon and Norse mythology, highlighting the core struggle in the game: the time of the Gods is ending, as decreed by the Fates, and it's time for humankind to live on its own terms.

Mytheon will be be a game that will have solo, group, and PvP gameplay modes, with elements of 'real-time combat and extensive customization features', according to John Callaham at Massively's sister site, Big Download. The game will center around Power Stones which fuel or unlock powers and abilities in Mytheon; the title's three character classes will be attuned with certain types of Power Stones, allowing for abilities such as summoning and healing. Callaham recently had a chance to interview the Director of Product Development at True Games Interactive, Peter Cesario, about what we can expect from Mytheon. Cesario discusses the decision to go with the micro-transaction business model, and how combining the elements of action, strategy, and roleplaying in Mytheon creates "a whole new genre unto itself."

MassivelyTrue Games Interactive interview discusses Mytheon MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2pfantasyfatesfree-choicefree-to-playgreek-pantheonmicro-transactionsmmo-industrymythmytheonnew-titlesnorse-mythologypeter-cesariopetroglyphpower-stonepower-stonestrue-gamestrue-games-interactiveTue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-games-to-develop-the-wheel-of-time-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Red Eagle Games is a relative newcomer to video game publishing, but their first MMO will be based off of a well-established IP -- Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series of novels, which are a blend of fantasy and eastern mysticism. Although Jordan passed away in 2007, he left behind 11 novels and a deep imaginative legacy that could prove to be a popular setting in the MMO world. Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon from Red Eagle Entertainment, which has spun off Red Eagle Games, recently spoke with VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi about their plans to bring The Wheel of Time into the realms of film and games.

Film tie-ins with The Wheel of Time IP have already been funded, they're still in the process of raising funds for Red Eagle Games, according to Selvage. "That could prove to be difficult, but he said he has already received an enthusiastic reaction, largely because the rights to the series are considered so valuable," Takahashi writes. Funding issues aside, whether or not Red Eagle Games can break free of the stigma connected with games released in tandem with films isn't clear yet. "Selvage said he is aware of the risks and he believes that most games based on movies fail because they are made in too short a time and there isn't enough cooperation with the movie studio," Takahashi adds.

Are you familiar with The Wheel of Time series of novels, and do you think the setting and lore would lend itself well to a massively multiplayer online title?

MassivelyRed Eagle Games to develop The Wheel of Time MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdean-takahashieastern-mysticismfantasyfilmfilmsiplarry-mondragonmmo-industrymysticismmythnew-titlesnovelnovelsred-eagle-entertainmentred-eagle-gamesrick-selvagerobert-jordanthe-wheel-of-timeventurebeatventurebeat.comwheel-of-timeWed, 12 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: SAGA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/first-impressions-saga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/first-impressions-saga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/first-impressions-saga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


SAGA (not to be confused with Saga, who gave us the immortal "On the Loose") is an MMORTS -- massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game. While there are few enough of these on the market -- making its very existence worthy of approbation -- we thought it would be worth taking a closer look, to offer up an opinion of our first couple of hours into gameplay. Thus, this First Impressions post.

Remember: this is not a guide, nor was this in any way influenced by the development studio. This is an entirely subjective look at SAGA, from an average gamer's point of view. And now, on with the show! Game. Thing. Whatever. Onward!

Gallery: First Impressions: SAGA

The Create Nation screenStronghold, Pigeon Roost, Temple, MarketThe Map and Quests screenA loading screen

Continue reading First Impressions: SAGA

MassivelyFirst Impressions: SAGA originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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