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[Drew Karpyshyn set to pen another Star Wars: The Old Republic novel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/drew-karpyshyn-set-to-pen-another-star-wars-the-old-republic-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/drew-karpyshyn-set-to-pen-another-star-wars-the-old-republic-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/drew-karpyshyn-set-to-pen-another-star-wars-the-old-republic-no/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's probably not set on Taris, but doesn't the planet look kind of pretty from this art?
Drew Karpyshyn, a lead writer for Star Wars: The Old Republic and the author of the tie-in novel Revan, is no longer with BioWare. That's old news. What might be somewhat more surprising news is that he is still penning novels for the game, with new information about the second novel having finally surfaced from a Facebook posting by Del Ray Books. If you've been eagerly awaiting more details about the bridge between Knights of the Old Republic and the MMO's setting, it's your lucky day.

Titled Annihilation, the novel will focus on agent Theron Shan and his companion Teff'ith as they investigate an Imperial counterattack spearheaded by an apprentice of Darth Malgus. The posting goes on to confirm that the novel is currently on target for release on November 13th of this year. So if you can't get enough of your story in the game, it looks like it won't be too much longer until you can get even more story out of game as well.

MassivelyDrew Karpyshyn set to pen another Star Wars: The Old Republic novel originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-austinbioware-mythicbooksdel-ray-booksdrew-karpyshyneaea-biowareelectronic-artsfictiongame-fictionsnewsnovelsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictie-in-novelstorWed, 29 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you read MMO novels?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-read-mmo-novels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-read-mmo-novels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-read-mmo-novels/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR: Revan
In the lead up to Star Wars: The Old Republic, I find myself worrying that I'm missing out by not having read any of the BioWare-commissioned, game-centric novels and stories -- Fatal Alliance, Deceived, Revan, and the rest. SWTOR isn't alone, of course, in having its own custom novels. World of Warcraft, Dungeons and Dragons Online, and even unreleased games like Guild Wars 2 and ArcheAge all feature books that fill in the backstory missing from the gameplay. I have to wonder whether books based on a game are as important to the game as, say, books are to games that were spawned by those very books -- I certainly don't think I'd appreciate Lord of the Rings Online quite so much if I hadn't read Tolkien.

So do you read game-related novels? Do you think they help you immerse yourself in the game, or do you just read them for fun?

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 read MMO novels? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archeagebookbooksbrianna-royce-tdgddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineGuild-Wars-2gw2novelnovelsopinionstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 03 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-perfect-ten-ways-to-prepare-for-the-coming-of-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
Welcome to a very special edition of The Perfect Ten, the column that my two toddlers contribute to with their awe-inspiring counting abilities! With last week's dropping of Star Wars: The Old Republic's NDA, the internet has exploded with information, testimonials, and poorly spelled flamewars between the camps of believers and non-believers alike. It's a good time to be alive, eh?

In the spirit of the NDA drop and the upcoming December 20th launch -- less than a month! -- I've put together a list of 10 excellent ways that a SWTOR fan can prepare him or herself for the coming MMOcalypse. I totally understand that it can be frustrating to be waiting for an anticipated game launch, feeling impotent with your inability to speed up time. However, taking action in other ways can help with the wait and make us feel like we're being productive. That's what I'm here for today.

It's OK, there's no need to thank me. I get Light Side points for this.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Ways to prepare for the coming of SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-new-hopebetabiowarecomic-bookcomic-booksfeaturedguildknights-of-the-old-republicKnights-of-the-Old-Republic-2kotorlight-sidelistlistsmoviesndanovelizationsnovelsperfect-tenpre-orderreturn-of-the-jedistar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-art-and-making-of-the-old-republicthe-empire-strikes-backthe-perfect-tenThu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Third Guild Wars 2 novel named: Sea of Sorrows]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/third-guild-wars-2-novel-named-sea-of-sorrows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/third-guild-wars-2-novel-named-sea-of-sorrows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/third-guild-wars-2-novel-named-sea-of-sorrows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 Gamescom panel
During a Gamescom Q&A panel earlier today, ArenaNet writer Ree Soesbee announced that she would be the one penning the highly anticipated third book in the Guild Wars 2 between-game trilogy. The title of the book will be Sea of Sorrows, and that's... kinda all we know about it right now.

If you're not following along at home, the first two books in this series are titled Ghosts of Ascalon and Edge of Destiny, both of which are part of the trilogy that tells the story revolving around the 250 years between Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2. The impending release of this final novel in that trilogy simply brings us closer to an actual launch of Guild Wars 2 itself -- and possibly cures the world's hunger and brings world peace. We're not sure.

Stay tuned to Massively for more on Sea of Sorrows as it's unveiled!

MassivelyThird Guild Wars 2 novel named: Sea of Sorrows originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetedge-of-destinygamescom-2011ghosts-of-ascalonlorenovelsree-soesbeesea-of-sorrowstrilogyFri, 19 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth takes part in NaNoWriMo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/fallen-earth-takes-part-in-nanowrimo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/fallen-earth-takes-part-in-nanowrimo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/fallen-earth-takes-part-in-nanowrimo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

November, for those of you unfamiliar with the concept, is National Novel Writing Month and host to an annual challenge -- write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. It's a tall order that not everyone can manage, but the Fallen Earth development team contains at least one hopeful. Director of Content Development Wes Platt is working on his novel, and he's looking to the game's players to help make it a collaborative effort every step of the way.

With an official thread on the forums, Platt is both posting his progress as he goes and taking suggestions from players as to where the story should head next. He also has posted his NaNoWriMo profile page so that players also taking part in the contest can track his progress and cheer him along. Fallen Earth fans would do well to take part in the crafting of the story -- it's not just the first novel for the game, but a novel written in a month's time.

MassivelyFallen Earth takes part in NaNoWriMo originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-effortsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefictionicarusicarus-studiosnanowriomonational-novel-writing-monthnovelnovelsofficial-novelspromotionstorieswes-plattThu, 28 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios set to expand the world of Amalur into merchandising and a newsletter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kingdoms of Amalur is a familiar name to gamers who are looking forward to Project Copernicus, the mysteriously code-named MMO under development by 38 Studios.

If you're finding it hard to wait for more news on this project, 38 Studios has just the thing to distract you. The world of Amalur, created by R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane, is going to begin showing up in the real world soon in the form of comics, toys, novels, and even a few more games. Not a surprise there, amirite?

Speaking of other games set in Amalur, you'll see more from Reckoning soon. The single-player game is set to launch fall of 2011, and the game's online newsletter will launch in October.

Will all of this activity surrounding Amalur include new information on Copernicus? It seems likely and it's fun to speculate, so here's hoping!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Massively38 Studios set to expand the world of Amalur into merchandising and a newsletter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscomic-bookscopernicuscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmerchandisingnovelsproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorereckoningtodd-mcfarlaneTue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New sci-fi novel features gold farmer protagonists]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/new-sci-fi-novel-features-gold-farmer-protagonists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/new-sci-fi-novel-features-gold-farmer-protagonists/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/new-sci-fi-novel-features-gold-farmer-protagonists/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ever wanted to read about the exploits of young gold farmers toiling away in Asian sweat shops and ruining/enabling your MMORPG experience? Science fiction author and Boing Boing founder Cory Doctorow thinks you might, and has devoted his newest novel to fleshing out the torrid existence of a group of young grinders who decide to organize.

When we say organize, we don't mean making lists or using spreadsheets to farm at the optimum rate, but rather, organizing as in worker's unions. Doctorow has made an audio excerpt of the novel, titled For the Win, available on his web site. He calls the book a spiritual successor to his Anda's Game short story, and has targeted it specifically to a young adult audience. For the Win debuts on May 11 and will be freely available online under the Creative Commons license.

MassivelyNew sci-fi novel features gold farmer protagonists originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cory-doctorowcreative-commonsfor-the-wingold-farmersnovelsonline-novelsweat-shopsyoung-adultWed, 28 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have MMOs prompted you to read books?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/the-daily-grind-have-mmos-prompted-you-to-read-books/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/the-daily-grind-have-mmos-prompted-you-to-read-books/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/the-daily-grind-have-mmos-prompted-you-to-read-books/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's no denying the fact that MMORPGs come with a lot of reading built-in (Exhibit A: the quest text box). But for some folks, they can't get enough of their favorite MMO and look to read about the world elsewhere. Perhaps it's the desire to stay connected with the online world even when you can't be near a computer, or perhaps you want to learn more about the lore and backstory of the places and people you encounter in your daily gaming sessions.

Whatever reason it might be, have MMOs prompted you to pick up and read a book based on the same world? Has an MMO gotten you excited enough about an IP that you've gone back and read novels that the game is based on, such as The Lord of the Rings or Conan the Barbarian? Or did you dive into paperbacks derived from the MMO, like the Warcraft series or the new Star Trek Online novel, The Needs of the Many? Or are you eagerly snatching up books based on upcoming MMOs to tide you over, such as Guild Wars 2's Ghosts of Ascalon and The Old Republic's Fatal Alliance?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Have MMOs prompted you to read books? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbooksfatal-allianceghosts-of-ascalonGuild-Wars-2lord-of-the-rings-onlinelotronovelizationnovelsstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-the-old-republicstotdgthe-needs-of-the-manythe-old-republictorwarcraftThu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For many players, EVE Online is a game where the developers provide the galactic setting of New Eden but it's them, the playerbase, who makes their own stories. They join together or band against their rivals in alliance warfare, drug cartels, pirate organizations, and industrial powerhouses. The complex interplay of involvements that allow the game's players to establish and destroy invariably triggers cascades of drama. This is the point of the sandbox design of the game, what you do in New Eden affects other players on some level.

For some players, EVE is just about their interactions with one another and the fiction underpinning of the game is of marginal concern. While not all players choose to immerse themselves in the game's backstory, the setting is actually quite rich -- built on roughly six years' worth of lore fleshed out in the Chronicles, short stories that provide snapshots of the various levels of activity in New Eden.

Continue reading EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions

MassivelyEVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccp-abraxasdev-blogdev-blogsempyrean-ageeve-onlinefictionhjalti-danielssonlorenew-edennovelizationnovelspirate-factionssandboxsci-fisettingstorylinethe-burning-lifethe-empyrean-agetony-gonzalesTue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" is on the way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There may be big things on the horizon for the lore of EVE Online with the forthcoming release of a second novel for the game, "The Burning Life". The sci-fi novel is written by Hjalti Daníelsson (aka CCP Abraxas) who has written many of the EVE Chronicles -- short, gritty tales that show readers the various facets of life in New Eden.

The Chronicles have been a way of driving the game's lore forward for years, so we're wondering what to expect from The Burning Life. Could it possibly be tied in with the new directions that CCP Games wants to take with EVE's lore?

At this point we don't know have much information about the novel, or whether it will be tied in with an upcoming expansion as the Empyrean Age novel by Tony Gonzales was in 2008.

There are paperback release dates listed for 2009 in North America (Tor) and 2010 in Europe (Gollancz).

[Via Ga'len]

MassivelyNew EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" is on the way originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccp-abraxasccp-gamesempyrean-ageeveeve-onlinegollanczhjalti-danielssonlorenew-edennovelnovelsstorylinethe-burning-lifetony-gonzalestortor-booksThu, 04 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: An MMO of Ice and Fire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/the-daily-grind-an-mmo-of-ice-and-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/the-daily-grind-an-mmo-of-ice-and-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/the-daily-grind-an-mmo-of-ice-and-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Many in the gaming world who are also avid fantasy readers are abuzz over the discussion that A Song of Ice and Fire has been optioned for a video game. Cyanide studio announced their acquisition of the title and the questions began - how will they tell it? Console RPG, or MMO? As we know the book is in development at HBO as a series, so it's likely that Cyanide plans to cash in on that interest as well. We were wondering if you also were interested in a Song of Ice and Fire MMO, or do you think the genre is in fantasy-overload, regardless of how awesome the IP is? Would you play it? Or would it have to be something stunning before you'd go near it?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: An MMO of Ice and Fire originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-song-of-ice-and-firefantasygeorge-r-r-martinhbo-moviehypotheticalmmonovelsWed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 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[Comic Watch: Chocolate Shoes laments 'the real']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/comic-watch-chocolate-shoes-laments-the-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/comic-watch-chocolate-shoes-laments-the-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/comic-watch-chocolate-shoes-laments-the-real/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Christopher Stuck mocks his own entertainment choices in his comic Chocolate Shoes. An updated take on an old classic concept, it questions where the real value in life lies.

Giggles aside, this argument rings more false than ever these days. Videogames are still new enough, anthropologically, to be considered a flash in the pan, and subject to the same skepticism and outright hostility from non-players that rock 'n' roll and the novel were exposed to when they were new. Simply put, value is where you find it, and no one else. It'll be nice when this generation, having grown up with games, comes into its own -- maybe we'll finally stop seeing articles demonizing our entertainment of choice, and move on to the true threat to society: reality tv shows.

MassivelyComic Watch: Chocolate Shoes laments 'the real' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocolate-shoeschristopher-stuckcity-of-heroescomic-watchcomicsdemonizinghumornovelsreality-tv-showsrock-n-rollvaluewebcomicsTue, 19 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST