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 Mog Log: Head of the newer class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-mog-log-head-of-the-newer-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-mog-log-head-of-the-newer-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-mog-log-head-of-the-newer-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
The Final Fantasy series, particularly the online installments, is all about class. This is not entirely surprising, since the series has built up a series of character types that, while sometimes kind of random, are beloved just the same. The jumping spear-wielding Dragoons, dual-wielding and sword-throwing Ninjas, the ubiquitous Summoners... if these concepts don't exist in some form within a game, it raises some eyebrows. It's a symptom of the linking the games by certain broad pseudo-mythological concepts rather than by any actual continuity.

We've gotten our Job system in Final Fantasy XIV, we've got our classes to the point that they're at least somewhat balanced, and we've got a new version on the horizon. The question, then, is what we're getting next. What new classes or jobs can we look forward to? What do we need? What gaps are obvious within the Final Fantasy pantheon, and what is just lacking in terms of a traditional MMO setup?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Head of the newer class

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Head of the newer class originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So, I had planned to go back to my soloing experiment from Final Fantasy XI this week, but two things got in the way. The first is named Final Fantasy XIV's open beta, and I'm not going to start talking about that because I won't stop. The second, however, is the September version update and the fast-approaching end of that timeline we saw back at VanaFest. While I'm not wholly qualified to talk about everything in the version update at the moment, I can certainly talk about what comes after.

And here's why: This is a significant update for the game. It's the last update before the release of Final Fantasy XIV later this month, it's the second stage in the level cap increase, and it's the second-to-last additional content that we know we're getting. And what it's doing for Final Fantasy XI says volumes about what's going to happen in the game in the coming months, as well as what we can hope for.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI and the future

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI and the future originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abysseaadd-onboxed-expansiondecember-version-updateexpansionsfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfuturelooking-to-the-futuremini-expansionnew-jobsnew-zonespatchesseptember-version-updatesquaresquare-enixupdateswalk-of-echoesSat, 11 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: The trial of Chains of Promathia, part one]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/the-mog-log-the-trial-of-chains-of-promathia-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/the-mog-log-the-trial-of-chains-of-promathia-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/the-mog-log-the-trial-of-chains-of-promathia-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When the news first came out about the removal of the level cap in several Chains of Promathia areas, Sera and I had a bit of a disagreement on the news. Or, more accurately, we had a bit of a disagreement regarding the expansion as a whole. Sera was of the opinion that it was quite possibly the best expansion in the game's history. I, as has been stated before, feel somewhat less positive about it -- which is to say that I've usually regarded it as one of the worst.

The comment thread to that news showed that this divide was not unique to the two of us. Comments were sharply divided between those who would happily blacklist Chains of Promathia and forget it existed, and those who were heartbroken at something so wonderful being toned down. So I decided to go ahead and take another look at the expansion as an aggregate, both the good and the bad. Out of all the Final Fantasy XI expansions, this one was the most unique. Was it a good experiment, or was it a failure?

Continue reading The Mog Log: The trial of Chains of Promathia, part one

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The trial of Chains of Promathia, part one originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-promathiachallengecopdifficultydiscussionexpansionsfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilevel-caplevel-capped-areaslevel-syncnew-jobsopinionsquaresquare-enixtrialSat, 05 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom Games Canada hires new CEO and plans to expand]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/funcom-games-canada-hires-new-ceo-and-plans-to-expand/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/funcom-games-canada-hires-new-ceo-and-plans-to-expand/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/funcom-games-canada-hires-new-ceo-and-plans-to-expand/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2009 wasn't the best year to be in the business of making games, to the point where some of us weren't expecting good news like a major publisher hiring new people -- but it's happening. And it's not a small hiring push, either, aiming in the 100-150 range. That's the latest news from Funcom, whose recently opened Canadian studio has appointed a new CEO for the division.

Miguel Caron is going to be in charge of building up the staff of Funcom Games Canada, as well as overseeing the studio during the development of The Secret World -- according to Ragnar Tornquist, the Montreal-based expansion will play a key role in the game's development. Even if you aren't looking forward to The Secret World, however, it's excellent to have news of a company not facing security trouble, layoffs, or shutdowns.

Although the timeframe for the expected hirings is a year and a half, that's still a lot of work being generated by Funcom, which is a boon to both their existing games and their newfound plans of focusing on the casual gaming market. Let's hope this kicks off a trend of more positive news for the industry this year. We certainly need it.

MassivelyFuncom Games Canada hires new CEO and plans to expand originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-expansionfuncomfuncom-games-canadagood-newshiringmigeul-caronmontrealnew-jobsragnar-tornquistthe-secret-worldtswFri, 08 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009: New classes, prestige classes and more coming to Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-new-classes-prestige-classes-and-more-coming-to-free-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-new-classes-prestige-classes-and-more-coming-to-free-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/e3-2009-new-classes-prestige-classes-and-more-coming-to-free-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Are you one of the folks who has leveled your classes all the way to max in Free Realms and are kind of wondering what now? Well, if you're the type who loves progression and really building your character up to be better, you're in luck. The folks at SOE are planning to introduce Prestige classes (much like the aforementioned racing ones) that will allow players to level their jobs to 20, and improve them through further play.

Along with this interesting development, they are adding in some new jobs to the game, like the Pro Racing class - and perhaps a new class to go with the Soccer game (Soccer player? Footballer?) since SOE has let us know that they are finally bringing those fenced-off soccer fields into play. Added to these new tidbits will be further expansion on the backstory of Free Realms, which will explain a bit more about the lands and inhabitants of this crazy fun casual MMO, as well as opening up more story-driven quests for players. Sounds like a bunch of exciting news coming in the next few months! We can't wait.
Massively was on the ground in Los Angeles last week and covering all the latest E3 MMO news coming from the convention. Check out our breaking coverage (or all the Joystiq network E3 reporting) and keep your eye on Massively's front page for the latest developments.

MassivelyE3 2009: New classes, prestige classes and more coming to Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back-storye3-2009frfree-realmsmini-gamesnew-jobsprestige-classessoccersoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 08 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST