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[Blizzard job listing mentions 'product placement' within its next MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/blizzard-job-listing-mentions-product-placement-within-their-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/blizzard-job-listing-mentions-product-placement-within-their-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/blizzard-job-listing-mentions-product-placement-within-their-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Activision Blizzard
When details of Blizzard's upcoming casual MMO, code-named Titan, are incredibly scarce due to the developer's ironclad secrecy, it falls to enterprising fans to ferret out any scraps of information that may exist. One such player on the NeoGAF forums was combing through a Blizzard job posting for a Franchise Development Producer and noted an interesting line that indicated the studio could be mulling over the idea of in-game ads for its next MMO.

The line in question specifies that one of the duties of the position is to "work with major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment's next-gen MMO that enhances the gameplay experience." Whether this is a sign that we'll be seeing billboards for Skittles while we raid or that players will be able to get endorsements and decorate their outfits a la NASCAR cars is anyone's guess.

It's important to note that the rest of this position entails a number of efforts to promote Blizzard's "next-gen MMO" outside of the tight-knit gaming sphere, including comics, action figures, and short movies.

MassivelyBlizzard job listing mentions 'product placement' within its next MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If there's one MMO on the horizon that has everyone excited, it's Rift. Created by Trion Worlds, Rift promises to be the next big AAA launch title and has been drawing its share of attention from players. The game's closed beta begins tomorrow, and Trion has been giving out beta keys in preparation. Some Rift fans were able to grab limited beta keys that give access to several beta events, while others were lucky enough to secure an access-all-areas VIP beta key. Here at Massively, our 500 VIP keys disappeared in record time. For those of you who missed the chance to get in on the Rift beta, you can still sign up at the Rift website for a chance to get in.

Rift is being marketed as a fully complete, next-gen MMO. But those are just marketing buzzwords, right? Guess again! In this new video (after the cut below), the Trion team has taken the bold step of defining what exactly those terms mean in a very practical context. Rift is promised to be a highly polished MMO right from launch, with none of those rough edges we've come to expect from new titles. Rather than follow the standard MMO formula wherein monsters are forever bound to respawn and walk around within a small area, Rift aims to create a truly dynamic game world.

The demonic rifts that open randomly in the world will radically alter not just the look of the land but also the gameplay of nearby areas. Leave a rift unchecked for too long and you'll soon find they've set up camp and organised an invasion of the local area. If this new video doesn't make you excited for Rift and the future potential of the MMO genre, I don't know what will.

Skip past the cut to watch the new Rift beta video in full HD.

Continue reading Epic new Rift video precedes tomorrow's beta test opening

MassivelyEpic new Rift video precedes tomorrow's beta test opening originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betadynamic-eventsnext-gennext-gen-mmopolishpolishedriftrift-planes-of-telarateleporttrailertriontrion-worldsvideoThu, 02 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeff Kaplan leaving World of Warcraft for next-gen Blizzard MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/jeff-kaplan-leaving-world-of-warcraft-for-next-gen-blizzard-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/jeff-kaplan-leaving-world-of-warcraft-for-next-gen-blizzard-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/jeff-kaplan-leaving-world-of-warcraft-for-next-gen-blizzard-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Big news is coming out of Blizzard today as Jeffrey Kaplan, lead designer on World of Warcraft, is moving onto the company's next-gen MMO full-time. His announcement was made via a personal post on the official forums, and included a promise to both play and stay involved with WoW while leaving the day-to-day responsibilities to Tom Chilton and J. Allen Brack.

Kaplan has definitely been involved with the project before now, but we can't stop from wondering whether this is a sign of development ramping up in a big way for Blizzard's sophomore MMO effort, because you don't move over the main dude working on your biggest property unless it's time to kick it up several notches.

And what does this mean for the next expansion in terms of direction and overall design philosophy? Well, knowing Blizzard we won't see a drop in quality, but with a changing of the guard there's always a chance for new directions to be taken.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyJeff Kaplan leaving World of Warcraft for next-gen Blizzard MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardbreakingjeff-kaplannext-gen-mmoworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 12 Feb 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard rejects E3 a second time, Activision going stag]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/blizzard-rejects-e3-a-second-time-activision-going-stag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/blizzard-rejects-e3-a-second-time-activision-going-stag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/blizzard-rejects-e3-a-second-time-activision-going-stag/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Look E3, Blizzard has a lot going on in it's life right now. A big project is being finished up, while some others are just getting started. And then there's that whole World of Warcraft thing keeping them rightly busy as well. So unfortunately -- yet again -- there won't be a E3/Blizzard love-in this year. It's not you, it's them -- really!

Sure, sure. Activision Blizzard is going to be there. You remember them, right? They like to put out all those guitar-y games and hey, there's even a new Call of Duty coming eventually too. Who knows, maybe there'll be an FPSMMO announcement this year and you'll just be the bell of the MMO newsphere ball.

Granted, this is assuming Blizzard doesn't announce a new World of Warcraft expansion or, great Brewmasters forbid, their next-gen MMORPG. Either way, we still love you E3 and that's all that really matters. Right? And as for Blizzard, well... There's always Blizzcon -- if you can manage to get a ticket.

MassivelyBlizzard rejects E3 a second time, Activision going stag originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardcall-of-dutye3esajoystiqnext-gen-mmopandarenworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 06 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: Next MMO won't be WoW 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/blizzard-next-mmo-wont-be-wow-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/blizzard-next-mmo-wont-be-wow-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/blizzard-next-mmo-wont-be-wow-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Go ahead a strike the possibility of a World of Warcraft 2 off your list of possible next-gen Blizzard MMOs because it's officially not happening. In an interview with Wired, Blizzard's recently talkative Mike Morhaime flat out said that their next MMO project isn't a sequel to their first. Of course, he wouldn't divulge exactly what it was either or this would be an entirely different sort of news post.

With this news, the odds for a StarCraft or Diablo MMO go up, but so do the odds for an entirely new IP as well. We're sure the guessing game will continue for quite some time before Blizzard tips their hand to everyone. At least the mystery will offer all of us something to do for the next few years while we wait for other unannounced super-secret games to be revealed in the meantime.

MassivelyBlizzard: Next MMO won't be WoW 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddiabloeaelectronic-artsmike-morhaimenext-gennext-gen-mmostarcraftwiredworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 17 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What could (and should) Blizzard's next-gen MMO be?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/the-daily-grind-what-could-and-should-blizzards-next-gen-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/the-daily-grind-what-could-and-should-blizzards-next-gen-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/the-daily-grind-what-could-and-should-blizzards-next-gen-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blizzard's been talking about new MMOs as of late. Mike Morhaime told gamesindustry.biz about the challenges of launching a new game, and Jeff Kaplan dropped a few hints about the next-gen MMO that the company's been developing for a while now.

Kaplan hinted that the new game will hit consoles, and answered "all of the above" when asked if the genre would be sci-fi, fantasy, or historical. What impression does that give you, readers? Is it a totally new IP? If so, what do you think Blizz will try to do? And just as importantly -- what do you want them to do? What are you looking for in the next Blizzard MMO? World of Starcraft, or something completely different?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What could (and should) Blizzard's next-gen MMO be? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardconsolesdiscussionjeff-kaplanjeffrey-kaplanmike-morhaimenext-gen-mmoopinionspeculationtdgthe-daily-grindWed, 15 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Kaplan drops hints about next-gen MMO's genre and platforms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/blizzards-kaplan-drops-hints-about-next-gen-mmos-genre-and-pla/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/blizzards-kaplan-drops-hints-about-next-gen-mmos-genre-and-pla/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/blizzards-kaplan-drops-hints-about-next-gen-mmos-genre-and-pla/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, World of Warcraft game director Jeffrey Kaplan dropped several vague hints about Blizzard's "next-gen MMO," which is called that because so far the only info we've seen has been in job postings carrying that label. The hints don't count for much, but they're the most we've heard about the game so far.

Kaplan, who revealed he is involved in the project, was asked if the game's genre would be science fiction, post-apocalyptic, or historical, and while laughing he responded: "all of those combined!" We're not sure what to make of that. Citing the console experience of the development team, he also hinted at what we already suspected: Blizzard is at least considering releasing its next MMO on consoles. However, the game is "early in development," which makes us wonder if it might not be for today's consoles, but rather the next generation.

MassivelyBlizzard's Kaplan drops hints about next-gen MMO's genre and platforms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our colleagues over at Big Download have listed several PC games in development that they call "Black Ops" projects. The idea is that these games are operating out of sight, under the radar; nobody knows what's going on. It's all very hush hush and mysterious. The game industry and secrecy go hand in hand, after all.

We're bringing this up because there are a bunch of MMOs in the list. In fact, they pretty much dominate it. Titles mentioned include the KotOR MMO, the Red 5 Studios project, 38 Studios' Copernicus, ZeniMax Online Studios' MMO (which is possibly Elder Scrolls-based), and of course Blizzard's mysterious "Next-Gen MMO." Interesting stuff. Head over to Big Download to find out what's up on the down low.

MassivelyBlack Ops MMOs: Games in development under the radar originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-downloadbiowareblack-opsblizzardcopernicuselder-scrollsknights-of-the-old-republic-onlinekotor-mmokotor-onlinenew-titlesnext-gen-mmored-5red-5-studiossecrecysecretstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republiczenimax-online-studiosSun, 28 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's "Next-Gen MMO" is not the project codenamed "Hydra"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzards-next-gen-mmo-is-not-the-project-codenamed-hydra/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzards-next-gen-mmo-is-not-the-project-codenamed-hydra/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzards-next-gen-mmo-is-not-the-project-codenamed-hydra/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've been speculating about Blizzard's next MMO for quite a long time. We're not just talking about the splash screen from last week (which panned out to be Diablo III, a non-massive game). There have been job postings on the company's website advertising various positions in a team working on a "Next-Gen MMO," which is confirmed as a totally new title, not an expansion for World of Warcraft. There have also been murmurs of a project codenamed "Hydra." We've always wondered -- are Hydra and the Next-Gen MMO one and the same?

Now we have our answer: no. A reader of our sister site WoW Insider noticed a caption that read "Hydra" on an image (above) in Blizzard's Diablo III gallery. Yep, Diablo III is Hydra. So if your sole interest is Galaxy of Starcraft, move along now. Hydra is not the savior you've been waiting for. And as WoW Insider noted, Blizzard is working on three different projects at once. That's a lot on its plate. Now that Diablo III has been announced, we're not expecting any news about the Next-Gen MMO anytime soon.

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyBlizzard's "Next-Gen MMO" is not the project codenamed "Hydra" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that Blizzard's finally announced Diablo 3, ending a feverish period of second guessing and rampant speculation, one thing is clear: Despite how you may feel about the big reveal, the specter of Diablo 3 can finally be laid to rest. Waiting in the wings, however, is ... what?

Starcraft 2 is in process, so it's extremely unlikely that Blizzard would dilute that audience by announcing a Starcraft MMO. Ditto with a Diablo MMO, and we don't even know what its release date might be. World of Warcraft has Wrath of the Lich King coming (probably) next year. Can we assume that the next announcement will concern their "next-gen MMO"? Is that project the oft-mentioned "Hydra"? With two active fantasy titles and one science fiction game, what could the next big thing possibly be?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's Blizzard's next big thing? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddiablo-3hydranext-gen-mmospeculationstarcraft-2tdgthe-daily-grindwrath-of-the-lich-kingSun, 29 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amidst speculation, Blizzard VP implies completely new game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/amidst-speculation-blizzard-vp-implies-completely-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/amidst-speculation-blizzard-vp-implies-completely-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/amidst-speculation-blizzard-vp-implies-completely-new-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blizzard fans all over the internet have worked themselves up into a frenzy over a vague splash screen at the company's website -- a melting wall of ice adorned with rune or sigil-like markings. Everyone's speculating. Is it Diablo 3? Maybe it's just a promo for Wrath of the Lich King. After all, the ice motif seems to fit, right?

Maybe not. During a Q&A session at GDC Paris 08, Blizzard VP Rob Pardo was asked to comment on "the new game." He replied saying, "So you want me to announce the game before the announcement?" That was a classic press conference or Q&A blunder; you're not supposed to accept the premise of an unwanted or hostile question!

Continue reading Amidst speculation, Blizzard VP implies completely new game

MassivelyAmidst speculation, Blizzard VP implies completely new game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementblizzardblizzard.comdiablo-3diablo-mmogdcgdc-parisgdc-paris-08gdc-paris-2008next-gen-mmoparis-gdcparis-gdc-2008qArob-pardorumorspeculationsplash-pagewebsiteworld-of-starcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 25 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST