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[Guild Wars 2 gets all social before the beta weekend [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/guild-wars-2-gets-all-social-before-the-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/guild-wars-2-gets-all-social-before-the-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/guild-wars-2-gets-all-social-before-the-beta-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Or you could just hang out by the punch bowl and not talk to anyone. That's also an option.
There's no shortage of players waiting eagerly to jump into Guild Wars 2 beta testing this weekend, but that's still several days away. It's very possible that you really need a steady shot of Tyria a little earlier than that. Fortunately for you, there are options open as the community team pushes interaction in a big way. The game's Facebook page is the center of a rather art-centric promotion: As the page nears half a million Likes, the team is releasing a new piece of art for every 10,000 new fans.

Not your cup of tea? That's all right, as the team has also set up a Pinterest page to show off the best game-related fan projects. There are also boards set up on the same page where you can show off screenshots of each race, whether you're opting for the diminutive Asura or the towering Norn. It's a good chance for everyone to get involved in the Guild Wars 2 community before the weekend gets underway, even if it won't make the test start any faster.

[Updated with clarification regarding the picture forums.]

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 gets all social before the beta weekend [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetabeta-testingbeta-weekendfacebookfantasyforumforumsguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftnewsofficial-forumspinterestsocialsocial-mediatwitterMon, 23 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Back to the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64884.1...

Hello, computer (and players)! Guess what's back? That's right! Hailing frequencies are now reopened -- Captain's Log is no longer on hiatus. Over the past few weeks, there has been some great news released about the Star Trek Online universe: the winner of the Design the Next Enterprise Contest was announced, the May Ask Cryptic was released, the dev team revealed the 500-day veteran rewards, and the Featured Episode reruns began. While everyone has had his or her own opinions on these stories, there is one piece of news that everyone can agree on: the awesomesauceness of the latest Engineering Report.

As first announced earlier this week, Executive Producer Dan Stahl dropped his latest report, which describes the updates to the game coming in Season Four. As usual, aside from the imminent new content, Dan foreshadows the future for us. Captain's Log is no stranger to talking about the future of the game, so I am excited to share some more details about the upcoming updates with you. Since Season Four is right around the corner and I believe it will be the "game changing update this game has needed since launch," let's get on to this week's Log entry.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's talk about Season 4 and beyond...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Back to the future

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Back to the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academycaptains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdan stahldaniel stahlDanielStahlDanStahldpsdstahlduty officerduty officer systemDutyOfficerDutyOfficerSystemfeaturedforum-postsforumsground combatGroundCombatGunsIdeasklingonofficial-forumspostssalami_infernoseason 4season fourSeason4SeasonFourshuttlestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-gameplaystarfleetstarfleet academyStarfleetAcademystosto-gameplaytutorialVivoxvivox-voice-chatwishstonewishyThu, 19 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: MMO forum terms beaten to death]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-forum-terms-beaten-to-death/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-forum-terms-beaten-to-death/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-forum-terms-beaten-to-death/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If there's one aspect of MMO culture that I have difficulty saying anything positive about, it would have to be the official forum. No matter how well-moderated and well-intentioned studio forums may be, they're essentially giant signs broadcasting "COME WHINE HERE!" When you witness a 500-page thread that's responding to a badly spelled rant about a nerf we'll all forget about in a month's time, it's hard not to break down and weep at the time and energy lost to such trivial stupidity.

And with the forums -- and to a lesser extent, comments on blogs, Twitter, and telegraphs -- comes a shocking array of linguistic conformity. You see, when people are upset or eager to prove a point, they have no time to sit down and calmly think of a way to fully communicate their perspectives. No time! Instead, they reach deep into the well of the same overused words and phrases, give them a hearty kick in the direction of their post, and feel as though they've conjured up a masterful work of literature.

So today I'm going to exorcise 10 of the most overused, abused, and tired forum terms seen daily in your local MMO forum. Then I will move on with my life and suggest you do the same.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: MMO forum terms beaten to death

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: MMO forum terms beaten to death originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancedcan-i-have-your-stuffcarebearscharlie-sheendirectx11dyingfailfanboisfeaturedfirstforum-termsforumshatersmmo-forumsmmo-termsofficial-forumsperfect-10perfect-tenridiculous-clamsirslap-in-the-facethe-perfect-tentldrtoo-long-didnt-readtwitterunbalanacedwinningworld-of-warcraftwow-killerThu, 21 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Warp trails through deliberation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/captains-log-warp-trails-through-deliberation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/captains-log-warp-trails-through-deliberation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/captains-log-warp-trails-through-deliberation/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64806.6...

Hello, computer (and players)! It has been said that the development of a MMO and the direction it takes can attributed to those who were not afraid to speak out and gather followers who are in support of abstract ideas. As I have preached about since I took over the helm of the Captain's Log, the community has been at the forefront of the Star Trek Online universe. Bolstered by numerous fan sites and thousands of fleets and cemented by transparent developer posts and interviews, STO wouldn't be where it is today without such a passionate community. A lot of this passion takes its form through posts in Cryptic's official forums.

Whether the residence of your most beloved troll or the dwellings of your favorite developer, a game's official forums are a place to come together to rant, rave, and be that person who stands out and speaks up. The STO forums are no different. While the past few columns of mine have been about what the developers have said are coming in the future, I thought we should set a course this week for the forums and blaze a trail through the vast expanse filled with wants, desires, and demands. Shields up. Red alert.

Ensign, warp 10! What are the players asking for this week?

Continue reading Captain's Log: Warp trails through deliberation

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Warp trails through deliberation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosfeaturedforum-postsforumsGunsIdeasklingonofficial-forumspostspreorder-bonusshuttlest-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-gameplaystosto-gameplaythomasthecattrek-onlineThu, 21 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Pre-launch checklist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/enter-at-your-own-rift-pre-launch-checklist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/enter-at-your-own-rift-pre-launch-checklist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/enter-at-your-own-rift-pre-launch-checklist/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'll just come out and say it: The month or so right before the launch of a highly anticipated MMO is simultaneously ecstasy and agony, full of love and loathing. The waiting sucks, but the anticipation is delicious. The enthusiasm from the community is electric, but the heated emotions can be toxic. The discussion is fascinating, but the know-it-alls are annoying.

Personally, I kind of wish we could be at launch-plus-one month right now, just so that the frenzy of insane opinions will have died down and we can just, y'know, play the game without feeling as though we were in the middle of a verbal rugby match. Like any MMO, RIFT's going to have its positives and negatives, but I feel that this launch is going to be something we haven't seen in a long time: a solid, stable MMO that offers up a complete package. That pleases the Justin.

Since I can't whip out my magic remote control and fast-forward to April, I propose we do the next best thing. Let's open up our imaginary quest logs and run down a checklist of seven "To Dos" and a few "To Don'ts" to help us prepare for RIFT's release. Planning can be fun! Shut up, it can be!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Pre-launch checklist

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Pre-launch checklist originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypebetabeta-eventbuildbuildschecklistdefiantenter-at-your-own-riftexpectationsfeaturedforumsfoundersfounders-subscriptionguardianguildlaunchnvidiaofficial-forumsopen-betapitfallpitfallsplease-the-justinpre-orderpre-releasequest-logreading-rainbowriftrift-planes-of-telarasoulsoul-calculatorsoul-treesoul-tree-calculatortake-a-look-its-in-a-booktelaratriontrion-worldsWed, 16 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Deck the halls with Coralax costumes in City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/deck-the-halls-with-coralax-costumes-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/deck-the-halls-with-coralax-costumes-in-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/deck-the-halls-with-coralax-costumes-in-city-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

At one point in development, the Coralax were going to be the new epic archetype for the villainous crowd in City of Heroes. Now, they're just another low-level villain group with some memorable looks to them. But for the next twelve days, they can be something more -- namely, they can be your new clothing. No, you aren't getting missions to skin the Coralax and wear what's left as a hat. The Paragon Studios team is taking the opportunity to give away the never-before-seen costume code for the aquatic humanoids via social networking through December 23rd, skipping the weekends.

While similar giveaways have happened in the past, they've always been with costume codes from a recent convention. The Coralax costume is totally new and unprecedented, and that means whoever snags one owns a unique part of the game's history. Since the team won't be announcing where the codes will be dropped next, it's up to players to keep a close eye on Twitter, Facebook, and the forums to try and snag a code in time. Good luck to City of Heroes players eager for the new costume, because nothing says the leadup to the holiday season like a mad dash for something everyone wants.

MassivelyDeck the halls with Coralax costumes in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas-2010city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcontestcoralaxcostumecostume-codecostume-contestcovcoxfacebookforumsholiday-eventncsoftnew-costumeofficial-forumsparagonparagon-studiospromotionsocial-networkingspecial-eventtwitterWed, 08 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/waging-war-coming-soon-to-a-theatre-of-war-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/waging-war-coming-soon-to-a-theatre-of-war-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/waging-war-coming-soon-to-a-theatre-of-war-near-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We interrupt this week's scheduled career spotlight on Waging WAR to bring you Greg's impressions of the latest and greatest news from the floors of GamesDay: UK regarding Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the new RvR content coming soon to a theatre of WAR near you.

OK. So. Take everything you know about the Tier 4 RvR Campaign in WAR and press the "Delete" button right now. In fact, press it a few times. Actually, keep going. Keep pressing it until all you're left with is three pairings with three zones each, each zone containing four battlefield objectives and two keeps, and two cities as the capstone for each realm. OK. Now access that part of your brain that stores silly words and euphemisms regarding "the problem with WAR." See that entry for "Waithammer?" Delete it. "PvDoor?" Press the button. Actually, just go wild. Take every criticism you've ever had for WAR's endgame and just throw it out. We're talking total tabula rasa here (and not the ill-fated game). OK, stop. That should do. With an open mind and absolutely no knowledge of in-game mechanics, you're now primed to understand what I'm about to describe regarding the changes that are on their way, and more importantly, why I believe those changes are so critical to the glorious future of WAR.

If your curiosity is even remotely piqued, click the "Read more" button.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you

MassivelyWaging WAR: Coming soon, to a theatre of WAR near you originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerial-bombersbattlefield-objectiveBioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mythicbootaebruglirEAea-mythicEngineerengineersfeaturedgames-day-2010gutter-runnerKeepsmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentofficial-forumspack-masterpatch-1.4producers-letterrat-ogrervrrvr-campaignrvr-city-siegesrvr-packrvr-weaponssiegesiege-warfaresiege-weaponsskaventerrible-terrible-damagewaging-warwarwar-auraWarhammerwarhammer-eawarhammer-fantasyWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eawarlock-engineerSat, 02 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There aren't very many companies that open up planned patch changes to their players and fans for discussion; however, Mythic is one that does. This week, Waging WAR focuses on the suggested career balance changes for the Zealot and Runepriest coming in patch 1.3.6 for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. We'll cover the issue as well as the proposed solution for these careers. We'll also discuss the impact that these changes might have on the affected careers and on the community in general. There's also a part where Greg throws some drama at the fan and rants about "DPS-Healers."

Let's start by clarifying the main issue and the proposed change. Currently, the other healing careers (Archmage, Shaman, Warrior Priest and Disciple of Khaine) have their mastery paths organized by the role which they might play (i.e. damage focus, healing focus, etc.); whereas, the Zealot and Runepriest don't. Their mastery paths are organized by the delivery method of their healing (i.e. over time, direct, or area). The problem is, after deciding whether to specialize offensively or defensively and gearing to that role (a freedom of choice that they should be given), the Zealot and Runepriest are left with only one-half of an effective skill-set -- the other half of their skills being rendered ineffective by role choice and gear itemization. To bring these careers in line with their archetypical cousins, a new mechanism is proposed which gives Zealots and Runepriests a chance to retain some effectiveness in skills that are outside their chosen role.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer

MassivelyWaging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archmagecareersdeveloper-chatdeveloper-forumdevelopersdpsdps-healerdps-stancedpsingEAea-mythicforumshealerhealer-gearhealershealingmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentofficial-forumsofficial-websitepatch-1.3.6pvprunepriestwaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eazealotzealotsSat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An advance peek offered for the next City of Heroes Super Booster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/an-advance-peek-offered-for-the-next-city-of-heroes-super-booste/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/an-advance-peek-offered-for-the-next-city-of-heroes-super-booste/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/an-advance-peek-offered-for-the-next-city-of-heroes-super-booste/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The fifth Super Booster for City of Heroes has been the point of some debate. Players have known for a long time that it was going to be a mutant-themed pack, but that doesn't imply a great deal beyond having something vaguely organic going on. Luckily for players, the Facebook fan page for the game has been posting preview images to help players get a sense of what's going into the pack. And the best part isn't just that it has a set release date of June 24th -- it's that players might get to pick it up for free a day early.

On June 23rd, the City of Heroes team will be giving away two codes per hour via their social networking outlets -- Facebook, Twitter, and the official forums. Where the codes will appear in the five-hour timeframe is a mystery until it happens, encouraging players to stay alert and keep their eyes on all of the above. For US players, the codes will be given away between 1 PM and 5 PM PST, while EU players will see the codes being announced between 5 PM and 10 PM British time. Keep your eyes peeled for your chance to get the newest booster a day early!

MassivelyAn advance peek offered for the next City of Heroes Super Booster originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcontestscovcoxfacebookforumsmutantsofficial-forumsparagonparagon-studiospromotionssuper-boostertwitterThu, 17 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Forum diving]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/the-road-to-mordor-forum-diving/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/the-road-to-mordor-forum-diving/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/04/the-road-to-mordor-forum-diving/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

[Special note: Obviously, the news that LotRO is going free-to-play hit after this article was already written, so stay tuned as we dissect what it means for existing and potential new customers next week!]

Lately, it feels like we're in a holding pattern for Lord of the Rings Online. The last major content patch, Volume III: Book 1, is fading into distant memory, and we're pushing into summer without definite news of the next update -- or better yet, the next expansion. Players are also nervous about any changes or new directions the game may take after the recent acquisition of Turbine by Warner Bros., and the silence certainly doesn't help any.

However, there's always hope in the darkest places of Middle-earth, and the same can be said for the game itself. The Summer Festival should be around the corner, and as for new news, Sapience handed out a bit of vague encouragement on the forums: "You guys know we're preparing an announcement. I can't give you a specific date as to when we'll make it, but I can say I just ran into Adam Mersky coming out of an E3 planning meeting and he was pretty stoked!"

While we continue the wait for the next step forward for LotRO, I thought it'd be a good idea to head over to the official forums and do a little diving for some of the more interesting topics and discussions bouncing around the LotRO community today.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Forum diving

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Forum diving originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>13371337-speekadam-merskyburglarclass-feedbackcodemasterscosmetic-outfitdx-11e3easter-eggseueuropeforumsiconsleet-speaklord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-lotterymicrotransactionsofficial-forumsprofanity-filterrivendellsapiencesummer-festivalturbinevolume-3-book-1volume-iii-book-1warner-brosweathertopFri, 04 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom's Morrison asks for your AoC feedback]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/funcoms-morrison-asks-for-your-aoc-feedback/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/funcoms-morrison-asks-for-your-aoc-feedback/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/funcoms-morrison-asks-for-your-aoc-feedback/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Age of Conan executive producer and game director Craig Morrison is no stranger to the game's official forums, and earlier today he stopped by the boards to solicit feedback from fans. Specifically, he's interested in your thoughts regarding progression in the recently released Rise of the Godslayer expansion.

"What do you consider to be your first priority for progression in the expansion content? As we move forward it's one of the important areas for us to consider at we look at any potential balance changes to the methods and sources of progression, so I am interested to see what you folks think," he writes.

Head on over to the official Age of Conan boards to cast your vote and make your voice heard in the discussion.

MassivelyFuncom's Morrison asks for your AoC feedback originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccraig-morrisonfactionfeedbackfuncomgrindingofficial-forumsprogressionrise-of-the-godslayersurveyThu, 20 May 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's Marie Croall takes on player questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/fallen-earths-marie-croall-takes-on-player-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/fallen-earths-marie-croall-takes-on-player-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/fallen-earths-marie-croall-takes-on-player-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Curious about the folks behind the meticulously-assembled wastelands of Fallen Earth? Despite the recent layoffs, there are still a lot of personalities involved with the game's development, and it's always good to know as much as possible about the team behind your favorite games. This week, Senior Game Designer Marie Croall takes the opportunity to answer player questions on the forums, answering a bevvy of largely personal questions with a few game questions added to the mix.

Although veteran Fallen Earth players might not find a huge amount of information on upcoming patches, there's something to be said for learning things about the designers other than when they'll give you a pony. If you're staunchly part of the "ponies only" crew, however, there's still hope. Questions will be collected and answered from the main thread all week, which means that if you have something more you want to know, you've got the chance to ask it. Head on over to the official forums and get typing!

MassivelyFallen Earth's Marie Croall takes on player questions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdesign-teamfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfan-feedbackfeforumsicarusicarus-studiosmarie-croallofficial-forumsq-and-aMon, 03 May 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online launches new forum section, hints at incoming respecs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/star-trek-online-launches-new-forum-section-hints-at-incoming-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/star-trek-online-launches-new-forum-section-hints-at-incoming-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/star-trek-online-launches-new-forum-section-hints-at-incoming-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever since the implementation of a hard skill cap in the game, Star Trek Online's lack of respecs has been keenly felt by players. With the highly skill-oriented progression arc through the game, it's all too easy to have a few missed points early on translate into big problems further on down the line. Cryptic has hardly been deaf to the player cries for respecs, and it seems that they've (quite wisely) moved them on the priority list ahead of issues such as the game's lack of a death penalty.

The official forums for the game have just launched a new section, dubbed "Engineering Reports," summarizing the development team's focus areas. To no great surprise, the first such report features "respec options" right at the top of the list as a tested feature. According to the mission statement of the reports, features that high on the list are likely just a couple weeks from hitting the live servers... which means that Star Trek Online players likely won't have to wait much longer to fine-tune their character builds. It's a welcome piece of news for the game, and proof that the developers are working hard at shoring up their weaknesses.

MassivelyStar Trek Online launches new forum section, hints at incoming respecs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosengineering-reportsforumsofficial-forumsrespecst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineFri, 05 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The return of 'Ask Cryptic' for Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/the-return-of-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/the-return-of-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/the-return-of-ask-cryptic-for-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ask Cryptic is finally back for the Champions Online community. In the past. the feature regularly allowed a Q&A style of communication between curious or concerned players and the developers at Cryptic working on the game. Unfortunately, once Champions Online launched the feature fell by the wayside, at least until now. If you would like to submit some questions (be they about Vibora Bay or other topics) there's only two simple rules given by Cryptic:

  • Any topic is fair game.
  • Questions must be written in a respectful tone.
Seems pretty reasonable, no? Head over to this thread on the official forums to post your questions -- just remember you'll need an official forum account to gain access. We look forward to seeing the results of your questions, which you can be sure to find right here on Massively.

Continue reading The return of 'Ask Cryptic' for Champions Online

MassivelyThe return of 'Ask Cryptic' for Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticatarichampionschampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosforumsofficial-forumsWed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews All Points Bulletin's Chris Collins and EJ Moreland]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-interviews-all-points-bulletins-chris-collins-and-ej/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-interviews-all-points-bulletins-chris-collins-and-ej/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-interviews-all-points-bulletins-chris-collins-and-ej/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're anywhere as excited as us for All Points Bulletin you'll be happy to know we had the chance to ask Lead Designer EJ Moreland and Community Manager Chris Collins a bevy of questions, which they answered with supreme openness.

We've got the scoop on all sorts of topics, from Realtime Worlds' stance on community interaction, whether or not the game will have official forums, content updates post-launch and plenty more. We hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as we did conducting it!

Continue reading Massively interviews All Points Bulletin's Chris Collins and EJ Moreland

MassivelyMassively interviews All Points Bulletin's Chris Collins and EJ Moreland originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-evolvedcelebritychris-collinscombatcommunitycustomizationej-morelandfeaturedinterviewofficial-forumsrealtime-worldsTue, 26 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Online gearing up for stress test]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mortal-online-gearing-up-for-stress-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mortal-online-gearing-up-for-stress-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mortal-online-gearing-up-for-stress-test/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The last bit of news we heard about the upcoming Mortal Online was the sad news that the launch had been pushed back to early this year. Luckily, today's news is significantly happier for fans of the game, even if you're not currently in the beta. The official word from community manager Maerlyn is that they're beginning a limited open beta early next week: specifically, a stress test of the game's servers. They want to get as many people online as humanly possible, and that means anyone with an account set up can log in -- beta tester or not.

Maerlyn emphasizes that the event is not meant as an "entertainment" event, although it still promises to be fun -- most likely meaning that those of you hoping to run around unrestrained will be slightly curtailed. The stress test will follow the deployment of a brand new patch to the game, although the content and updates of that patch are as of yet undisclosed. Still, any Mortal Online fans looking forward to the open beta -- or to the release of the game -- should be more than a little excited. Keep a close watch on the official forums for the announcement of exact dates and times.

[ Thanks to George for the tip! ]

MassivelyMortal Online gearing up for stress test originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-stress-testlaunchmaerlynmomortal-onlineofficial-forumsopen-betastar-vaultstress-testFri, 15 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earn special character customizations for your Slayer and Choppa]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/earn-special-character-customizations-for-your-slayer-and-choppa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/earn-special-character-customizations-for-your-slayer-and-choppa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/earn-special-character-customizations-for-your-slayer-and-choppa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Remember when Mythic said there would be incentives for being an active contributor on their new official forums for Warhammer Online? Apparently, they're about to give away the first of these in-game incentives we've heard so much about. Say hello to Snorri's Spikes and Chompin' Teef, two new customization options you can earn for your new Slayer and Choppa.

Snorri's Spikes is an especially painful looking mohawk for your dwarf and Chompin' Teef will have you looking like a greenskin version of Jaws from James Bond in no time. You can earn these rewards by logging in to the Public Test Server and playing the heck out of the two new careers (Choppa and Slayer). Report any bugs you find in game or on the forums and provide any useful feedback you can think of. Mythic will reward top contributors with these character customizations. "Top contributor" criteria are unknown, which may promote people trying hard instead of just enough. The Warhammer community is speculating that the 1.2 patch will drop late next week or early the following, so you may want to start soon before you miss out.

MassivelyEarn special character customizations for your Slayer and Choppa originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bitter-rivalscall-to-armschoppamythic-entertainmentofficial-forumspublic-test-serverslayerwarwarhammer-onlineSat, 21 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online official forums are up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/warhammer-online-official-forums-are-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/warhammer-online-official-forums-are-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/17/warhammer-online-official-forums-are-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


These forums haven't even been officially launched yet, however, some observant folks over at the VN Boards unofficial WAR forum noticed them and the word is starting to spread. It's pretty hard to sneak one past people on the Internet! You can log in to Warhammer Online's official forums with your WAR account username and game/account password (some people are reporting issues, so try using a combination of both).

Once logged in, you are prompted to enter a screen name and confirmation email. After setting that, you're good to go. Currently, the forum seems to be set up for the Public Test Server and 1.2 patch with subforums for announcement, general feedback discussion, RvR focus discussions, various combat and careers discussion, and bug reporting. This forum is embedded as a tab within their official WAR website. Mythic announced these forums a couple weeks ago, so it seems they are moving quickly on their word. We had a chance to speak with two unofficial WAR forum administrators from the VN Boards and Warhammer Alliance about how these official forums might impact their businesses. There was even some discussion surrounding things official forums can do that unofficial forums can't and vice versa. It's only a matter of time before we see how these forums will truly develop.

MassivelyWarhammer Online official forums are up originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forumsmythic-entertainmentofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineTue, 17 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Official or unofficial WAR forums?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/11/the-daily-grind-official-or-unofficial-war-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/11/the-daily-grind-official-or-unofficial-war-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/11/the-daily-grind-official-or-unofficial-war-forums/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With the recent announcement that Mythic would be bringing the Warhammer Online forums in-house, the topic of the pros and cons of official and unofficial forums have been brought out again. Ryan Shwayder argued very eloquently that developer interaction, ownership, and support for integrated features, and we've now heard from some of the forum managers who will be affected by Mythic's decision to put out their own forums. There are great points across the board, but this morning we thought we'd ask you - in specific relation to Warhammer Online - do you think that Mythic should (or should not) be opening forums at this (post-launch) stage? Perhaps you think they should limit them to only customer service and developer interaction and leave the more free-form discussions elsewhere? Or do you think that the fully-featured forums they're planning is absolutely the way to go - if only to (hopefully) have a moderated forum to discuss all things WAR on? How about those indie forums; what could they do to keep readers coming there? What balance of official and unofficial forums would you like to see for Warhammer Online?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Official or unofficial WAR forums? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer-servicedeveloper-interactionforumsofficial-forumspaid-stafftdgthe-daily-grindtrollsunofficial-forumsvolunteerWed, 11 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unofficial forums sound off: Part 2 (PhoenixRed)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-part-2-phoenixred/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-part-2-phoenixred/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-part-2-phoenixred/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This is a continuation of our interview with Warhammer Online's unofficial forum administrators. In part 2, we put the same questions to and Frank "PhoenixRed" Sanchez of Warhammer Alliance...

What was your immediate reaction to Mythic's announcement that they will be hosting official WAR forums and why?

PhoenixRed: We actually learned about OFs for WAR back in December. There were some rumblings and some goings on within the company and we have a few connections over there that told us this might be coming down the pipe. My original reaction, one that still persists to this day, is curiosity. Those people that know Mark Jacobs and Mythic from back in the days of DAOC know that they've never had any kind of preference to have official forums for a variety of reasons. They are a huge cost and definitely a huge time sink. The other reaction I had was "Wow!" It's going to be insane. Speaking as someone who has moderated forums over the past decade or so, it's definitely a challenge. I wish the community team and moderators responsible for managing and herding the community nothing but the best. I sure hope the people they bring on board have prior experience with online communities.

Continue reading Unofficial forums sound off: Part 2 (PhoenixRed)

MassivelyUnofficial forums sound off: Part 2 (PhoenixRed) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiqfeaturesmark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentofficial-forumsopinionunofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineTue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unofficial forums sound off on WAR's official forums]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-on-wars-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-on-wars-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/unofficial-forums-sound-off-on-wars-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Caught up in the hubbub of Mythic's Call to Arms announcement for Warhammer Online was the revelation that they would soon be launching an official forum (OF) for the game. Since release, the brunt of these responsibilities has fallen to unofficial forums like Warhammer Alliance (WHA) and IGN's Warhammer Vault. These forums/fansites are currently the place to go if you want to catch the attention of a developer or simply engage the WAR community in a healthy (and sometimes unhealthy) debate on the state of the game or feature X vs. feature Y.

Obviously, there are benefits and drawbacks to having your community spread across several unofficial forums. Ryan Shwayder of Nerfbat recently came up with a list of three things official and unofficial forums can and can't do. One of the biggest questions people have right now is, "What will happen with the unofficial forums once Mythic launches OFs?" Will they remain relevant or fade away into obscurity?

We here at Massively decided to get the official word from the unofficial sources on this matter and had a chance to interview Mithan, head admin for all VN boards and Frank "PhoenixRed" Sanchez, assistant site manager at WHA. Continue reading below the cut where they answer some pressing questions.

Continue reading Unofficial forums sound off on WAR's official forums

MassivelyUnofficial forums sound off on WAR's official forums originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjoystiqfeaturesmark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentofficial-forumsopinionunofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineTue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Three things official/unofficial forums can and can't do]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/three-things-official-unofficial-forums-can-and-cant-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/three-things-official-unofficial-forums-can-and-cant-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/three-things-official-unofficial-forums-can-and-cant-do/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ryan Shwayder, a game designer for 38 Studios, recently put in his two cents on the official vs. unofficial forums argument. He originally called official forums a necessary evil but when prompted by Warhammer Alliance forum administrator, Garthilk, to name three things official forums could do that unofficial forums couldn't, he changed his tune a bit.

In a response post, Blackguard (aka Ryan Shwayder), commented that both forum-types were necessary and neither actually evil. He then listed off three things official forums could do that unofficial forums couldn't. To bring some balance, he also listed three pros of unofficial forums. Ryan believes official forums have a leg up on developer-to-player communication, ownership (the forums won't close if admins lose interest), and integration with official web tools and in-game features. Alternatively, unofficial forums have a leg up with less restrictive codes of conduct, a stronger focus on micro-communities, and feature innovation through creativity. Some of the commenters on his post shared a sentiment that they would like to see official forums focus more on developer-to-player communication and technical support, while the unofficial forums focus more on class forums and creative discussion. What are your thoughts?

We recently had a chance to interview both WHA and IGN regarding Mythic's official forum announcement and we will share that with you early next week.

MassivelyThree things official/unofficial forums can and can't do originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosnerfbatofficial-forumsryan-shwayderunofficial-forumswarhammer-onlineSat, 07 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic announces official forums for WAR (with a twist)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/mythic-announces-official-forums-for-war-with-a-twist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/mythic-announces-official-forums-for-war-with-a-twist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/mythic-announces-official-forums-for-war-with-a-twist/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Having official forums for an MMORPG might not seem like big news to the average gamer, but it sure is when you're talking about Mythic Entertainment finally announcing official forums for Warhammer Online. You see, Mythic GM, Mark Jacobs has been very outspoken about his disdain for OFs. At one point he had this to say when questioned if WAR would ever have OFs. He hated the idea of them that much...

There must have been some pretty good reasons to reverse such a staunch view on OFs and Mark was kind enough to elaborate in an open letter to the community. It simply comes down to being able to better support the players of WAR. Apparently, Mythic is also willing to invest in paid full and part-time moderators and a powerful forum platform to ensure these internal support boards don't become a cesspool of hate and discrimination.

Here's Mythic's official twist. The forums will be very light-weight graphically. They will not run ads of any sort. There will be a strict code of conduct, but it won't hamper constructive negative feedback. Anyone familiar with the Warhammer Online beta boards should feel quite at home. Only active subscribers will be able to post. You can "level up" on these forums by contributing to intelligent discussion. This will give you access to special boards where Mark and the other devs will post frequently. More details on Mythic's official forums will be coming shortly, but you can expect to see them in action during February's public test of the 1.2 patch. I wonder what this will mean for the unofficial forums.

MassivelyMythic announces official forums for WAR (with a twist) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineSat, 31 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you use official forums?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: ,


This morning's rumor about possible new official forums for Warhammer Online made us wonder how you folks see company-run communities. Some developers, like Turbine and SOE, maintain extensive networks of forum sites to support their games and the player organizations inside them. NCsoft's Tabula Rasa, Warhammer, and other more recently released games have eschewed official forums in place of a number of fan-run sites.

We've asked you this once before, almost exactly a year ago ... but a lot has happened this year. So we want to know: which do you prefer? Would you rather chat about your favorite MMO on a site run by players, or in an environment moderated by the company that made it? If you do post to official sites, which forums are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. You know the drill.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you use official forums? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forumsofficial-forumstdgthe-daily-grindSat, 06 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Warhammer Online to open official forums in 2009]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/rumor-warhammer-online-to-open-official-forums-in-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/rumor-warhammer-online-to-open-official-forums-in-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/rumor-warhammer-online-to-open-official-forums-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Somewhere, somehow, William Shatner and Roseanne Barr are singing a duet. That appears to be the implication of a highly unexpected rumor reported on the Warhammer Alliance forum. Apparently, Warhammer Online will soon be launching company-sanctioned official forums. Back in March of this year, Mythic Entertainment's Mark Jacobs went on a ranting rampage about the very concept of official forums. In that whole discussion, he at one point stated he'd rather hear the two above celebrities slam out a duet together than bear the thought of official forums. His statements came during a period were other companies were making similar announcements, and some companies with official forums were even thinking of shutting theirs down.

So this (at this point) rumor as offered by Warhammer Alliance is something of a surprise. Forum admin Garthilk states this comes from "unofficial people in and out of Mythic, as well as inside EA, all tell[ing us] the same thing." He goes on to say that, if true, this will be a boon for the unofficial fan community. It will take pressure off of their taxed volunteer resources and allow them to better serve the community. We'll watch for an official response from Mythic, as well as further developments on this story.
[Via Broken Toys]

MassivelyRumor: Warhammer Online to open official forums in 2009 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcmcommunity-managementforumsmythic-entertainmentofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineSat, 06 Dec 2008 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The good, bad and ugly of official forums and dev blogs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-official-forums-and-dev-blogs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-official-forums-and-dev-blogs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-official-forums-and-dev-blogs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Traditionally, official game forums have been a place for the community members and leaders to get together and discuss their issues with the game, both good and bad. Lately, many game developers have made the decision to skip the forums and let the community sort itself out in that regard. This has allowed players to form their own social groups based on specific aspects of their favorite game, and hence develop forums centered around those shared areas of that game.

However, more and more developers are turning to this new-fangled blogging thing that we've heard so much about. Cuppycake, while being an example of this herself (although she was a blogger long before she was the Community Manager for Metaplace), makes some excellent points regarding the right and wrong way for developers to blog about the game they're involved with. The biggest example of this is with Mark Jacobs' recent blog post regarding the EU WAR beta public outrage. Was Jacobs' post appropriate, or is something like that better handled by a trained PR department?

MassivelyThe good, bad and ugly of official forums and dev blogs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloggingcuppycakedev-blogeaea-mythicforumsmark-jacobsofficial-forumswarwarhammer-onlineTue, 09 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AoC forum fun: know your bows]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/aoc-forum-fun-know-your-bows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/aoc-forum-fun-know-your-bows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/aoc-forum-fun-know-your-bows/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This is my bow. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My bow is my best friend. It is my life. My bow without me is useless. Without my bow, I am useless. Such is the life of a Ranger in Funcom's Age of Conan, at least once you've gotten out of the starter area. While the careful use of abilities plays a larger role in determining the success of any given Ranger, using the right equipment is still paramount maximizing damage. And when you're a straight DPS class, that's why people want you in groups.

That's why we were so delighted to see a guide being built over on the official Age of Conan forums, detailing the locations and stats of the most desirable rare bows, crossbows, and quivers in all level ranges from Tortage to the end-game. With the truly tremendous amount of bitching that goes on over at those forums, we love to see useful information like this floating to the top of the morass. If you've got a Ranger or regularly group with one, make sure to check out the list to see if you've got the best bow for your level.

MassivelyAoC forum fun: know your bows originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbowscrossbowsforumsfuncomofficial-forumsquiversrangerrangersSat, 05 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan tradeskills getting badly needed attention]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/age-of-conan-tradeskills-getting-badly-needed-attention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/age-of-conan-tradeskills-getting-badly-needed-attention/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/age-of-conan-tradeskills-getting-badly-needed-attention/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In a recent forum post, Funcom developer Twicer acknowledges that Age of Conan's crafting professions are completely behind the curve, and are currently the subject of intense scrutiny by the development team. Considering that Alchemy in its current state is completely broken (when we say broken, we mean: it crashes your client when you try and do it), this message is certainly long overdue.

While he was unwilling to commit to a specific time frame, he did go through a fairly comprehensive list of changes. Alchemists will get their most pressing bugs patched later this week, and will also start seeing alchemical ingredients dropping off of caster mobs. Architects will purportedly get new abilities to supplement combat (related to siege combat perhaps?), but no specifics were mentioned. Both Weaponsmiths and Armorsmiths will see some new blue recipes from vendors and world drops. And finally, Resource and Building regions will be fleshed out more to make them full of NPCs and enemies, instead of the relatively barren areas they are currently. Oh, and you'll actually be able to drop crafting professions if you so choose, what novelty!

With no specific timetable set, it's probably too early to get excited about these fixes for AoC, but acknowledging problems is the first step to fixing them.

MassivelyAge of Conan tradeskills getting badly needed attention originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanalchemyaocbreakingcraftingfuncomguild-citiesofficial-forumstwicerTue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's system designer explains combat stats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/age-of-conans-system-designer-explains-combat-stats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/age-of-conans-system-designer-explains-combat-stats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/age-of-conans-system-designer-explains-combat-stats/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the most difficult things about getting up and running in a new MMO world is figuring out what all the stats mean, how they relate to one another, and which ones you should focus on gearing to achieve the greatest return for your character. There's been a distinct lack of clarity with Age of Conan's itemization up to this point, and Funcom System Designer Jayde recently made a post on the official European boards in the hopes of clearing up the confusion.

What's most interesting to us is the way that they've designed their system so that there are separate statistics for PvE and PvP. The goal, according to Jayde, is to provide a reasonable parity between high and low leveled characters so that players of all sorts can compete on the same battlefield. You're still not liable to beat a fully-decked out level 80 when you're fresh out of Tortage, but you'll actually be able to do damage without having all your attacks parried, blocked, or resisted, as happens in many other MMOs. Jayde has promised a more complete guide to Age of Conan's stats in the near future, and we anxiously await seeing what the amateur statisticians make of that.

MassivelyAge of Conan's system designer explains combat stats originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanitemizationjaydeofficial-forumspvepvpstatssystem-builderMon, 23 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall developer sets the record straight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/01/darkfall-developer-sets-the-record-straight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/01/darkfall-developer-sets-the-record-straight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/01/darkfall-developer-sets-the-record-straight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


In a recent post over at Darkfall's official forums, associate producer Tasos Flambouras gives us an unofficial update for the community on the state of the game as it stands. He spends most of the post shooting down rumors created by the community, and letting us know the reasons behind the most recent delay in any official updates.

As for real information though, we get word of the thought behind the universal banking system and how vehemently opposed the devs are to introducing even more NPCs to the game. Their reasoning is that there are already too many games out there with controllable NPCs to add to your party. Flambouras says, "Even if it's all the rage in MMOs lately we want to further the multiplayer real-time aspect with Darkfall rather than go the other direction. There is no progress in having to introduce single player features such as more NPCs to a MMORPG."

MassivelyDarkfall developer sets the record straight originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cursedarkfallofficial-forumstasos-flambourasupdateSun, 01 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Give the LotRO community team a piece of your mind, part IX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/give-the-lotro-community-team-a-piece-of-your-mind-part-ix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/give-the-lotro-community-team-a-piece-of-your-mind-part-ix/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/give-the-lotro-community-team-a-piece-of-your-mind-part-ix/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The community team for Lord of the Rings Online once again wants to ask you (their players) some questions so they can hear your answers. There's an ongoing thread on the official forums where your answers can be posted. Think of this as both a way to give the community team your feedback and any express thanks you may have for them. There isn't a more auspicious community space than this to make writ your words.

Congratulations are due to the Lord of the Rings Online community team for these threads, as they are a wonderful way to speak directly to the entire community team. There's a question in the thread that we felt was worth answering ourselves and that question is, "If you could thank a Turbine representative for something, what would that something be?" Our answer to that is: For being awesome.

MassivelyGive the LotRO community team a piece of your mind, part IX originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-teamlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroofficial-forumstell-the-lotro-community-teamturbineThu, 22 May 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mark Jacobs rails against official forums]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The issue of whether major MMO releases should be accompanied by official forums is a hot topic in the industry these days. While some recent games like Tabula Rasa have opted to without official forums, to mixed results, others like Lord of the Rings Online have shown that they can still be a valued resource. It seems like discussions on the topic are ever-present. We've known for a while now that Warhammer Online was opting out of official forums, but general manager Mark Jacobs chimed in on the Warhammer Alliance forums to reiterate Mythic's position on the subject.

He lays out a mock-schedule for the way player (mis)behavior would develop as the game moved closer to release, poking fun at the schizophrenic nature of official forums - how the community as a whole can be both loving and hateful, cynical and naive, reactionary and... well, usually just reactionary. He also says that he doesn't want to have to put himself or any of his community team through that kind of hell, and that's what informed their decision to stay away from official forums. It's not like it stops people from flaming the game though, and community reps still need to wade through community forums anyway, so why not put it all in one place? I almost wish they'd just admit it was the money...

MassivelyMark Jacobs rails against official forums originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>debateea-mythicforumsmark-jacobsmythicofficial-forumswarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineSat, 15 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CoX costume token, free respec delay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/cox-costume-token-free-respec-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/cox-costume-token-free-respec-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/cox-costume-token-free-respec-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As astute players may remember, the City of Heroes team had promised to offer a free respec and free costume token to coincide with the release of Issue 11, which hit servers yesterday morning. Those expecting the free goodies were probably a bit distraught, and are probably curious just what happened. Counting ourselves among this group, we headed over to the official City of Heroes forums and found the answer from the esteemed community manager, Lighthouse.

Turns out that they couldn't quite fit everything into the patch that they had hoped, and among the things that ended up slipping through the rungs were the aforementioned respec and costume token. But fear not, because they were only delayed, not canceled. The free costume token will be assessed to all active character accounts during the usual morning maintenance period tomorrow, Friday the 30th. As for the free respec, you'll have to wait a bit longer, as that won't be going active until December 7th. The timing seems a little strange, since the respec is supposed to compensate for all the balance challenges put in Issue 11, and letting people respec a full week and a half later is just... curious.

MassivelyCoX costume token, free respec delay originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainsCoXfree-costume-tokenfree-respecissue-11lighthousencsoftofficial-forumspatchThu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's official forums just got more efficient]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotros-official-forums-just-got-more-efficient/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotros-official-forums-just-got-more-efficient/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/lotros-official-forums-just-got-more-efficient/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You asked, they delivered; it's nice when that happens once in a while.

Turbine has opened up server-specific Kinship and Trade forums for The Lord of the Rings Online on their official community site. Up to this point the general topic forums for the different servers have been filled to the brim with posts by people recruiting into or looking for kinships. Many servers attempted to clean up the clutter by sticky-ing threads dedicated to kinship recruiting, but it didn't solve the problem completely.

Now you can advertise your outrageously priced Tolkien-ganja on the forums while also looking for a hobbit-only RP guild dedicated completely to farming and smoking said pipe weed. No, really, that sort of stuff actually exists in LotRO.

MassivelyLotRO's official forums just got more efficient originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economyforumsguildskinshipslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroofficial-forumstradeturbineTue, 06 Nov 2007 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Tabula Rasa to go without official forums, common sense]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/tabula-rasa-to-go-without-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/tabula-rasa-to-go-without-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/tabula-rasa-to-go-without-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: , ,

No, you're not taking crazy pills - that headline says "without official forums." In a moment of inspiration, blogger noisyparker thought to write down Tabula Rasa's community model, as it was described in their now-defunct beta forums. Most of it is fairly standard fare. A blog with an RSS feed to chronicle press releases, community news, the usual.

Conspicuously absent though are official forums. The reason? The TR crew feels that official forums aren't conducive to a community atmosphere, because people's posting habits tend towards the dogmatic when they think there's a developer listening. Most people have had to endure the pain and self-loathing involved in browsing official forums before, so we know the behavior they're talking about. Still, it seems like a questionable decision to eliminate what is typically the primary conduit for communication between developers and players. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it works out.

MassivelyTabula Rasa to go without official forums, common sense originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdevelopersforumsncsoftnoisyparkerofficial-forumsRGTRtabula-rasaTRTue, 30 Oct 2007 10:12:00 EST