One of my favorite spots villain-side is the Jackpot area of St. Martial, especially when it gets dark and the building lights are a stark contrast to the gloom of all the other previous zones. Sure, it's still a soulless Las Vegas-style strip wannabe, but I love super-jumping down the street as the music changes. This is my normal view of things when super-jumping. But if you get down to street-level, it's also surprisingly immersive. Notice the Marcone or Family gangster leaning nonchalantly against one building as the cars and pedestrians cruise through.

Continue reading One Shots: Bamboo Kat's

One Shots: Bamboo Kat's originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fallen Earth is my top hard-RP MMO. Ilix, after three decades of isolation, attempted to fit in with a player-run town. But he was too rough-edged, too guarded, and still isolated in his mind, and he could not find joy among others. After several days trying to force himself back into what remains of humanity in the blasted terrain of the apocalypse, he admitted to himself that he could never return because he was too quick to anger, and he wandered off back into the desert. Irradiated scorpions haunt the land he wandered into, so he finds rest on the blade of a ruined helicopter's rotor, just out of reach of stingers. This shot defines the dual beauty and harshness of the life he resigns himself to.

Continue reading One Shots: Lone wolf

One Shots: Lone wolf originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While doing some exploring on my trusty steed in TERA, I found a great view of the capital city Velika.

Continue reading One Shots: Woodland critters

One Shots: Woodland critters originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

My Ranger, Leander Delmanos, overlooks the water beyond Lion's Arch in Guild Wars 2. He's accompanied by Snoots, his faithful bear companion, and two NPCs.

Continue reading One Shots: Sequelizin'

One Shots: Sequelizin' originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here is a shot of Honeynut, my TERA Archer, who was exploring during last weekend's open beta. While flying from one destination to another, she suddenly warped through one of many travel gates, and it was gorgeous. She emerged into a beautiful land just waiting to be explored.

Continue reading One Shots: Warped

One Shots: Warped originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The beta for Issue 23 of CoH has just gone live with a new parallel world of spookiness. While exploring around, I saw a familiar (yet strangely colored) police box. Looks like Paragon called in an expert to help fix those wibbly wobbly timey wimey problems.

Continue reading One Shots: City of who?

One Shots: City of who? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Today I come to you with an amazing screenshot taken during a joint operation with several of Shadow Cartel's friends who happened to have trapped an unsuspecting super capital pilot. The visuals were just... amazing. There are a few more on my site, machine9.net. I hope you'll share this with the world!

Continue reading One Shots: Internet spaceships

One Shots: Internet spaceships originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I wanted to share a picture of Samya, my level 20 Mathosian Mage in RIFT. This particular shot was taken just as she had received her achievement awarded for climbing to the highest mountain in Silverwood. I had to climb quite a few mountains before I hit this spot, and the view made the climb worth it. Just beautiful. She was also quite proud to be riding her newly acquired Nebula mount, which she earned during the current Carnival.

Continue reading One Shots: A new dawn

One Shots: A new dawn originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading One Shots: Bringing it back for realsies

One Shots: Bringing it back for realsies originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One Shots: None shall pass... until the sun comes out originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One Shots: Can you believe they put that in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One Shots: Botanical bliss originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One Shots is back! Long live One Shots! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Unpopular decisions edition

Ask Massively: Unpopular decisions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I wanted to start our daily screenshot feature on Massively off with something, well, massive. A memorable, recognizable, and important scene from MMO history... and while you may all argue with me about what makes this particular shot important, it was the first thing that came to mind. Here we see a group of City of Heroes players gathering at City Hall in Atlas Park to "salute the memory and inspiration that is Christopher Reeve on the 2nd anniversary of his death." It's rare to see an in-game event that brings players together for a cause other than slaying dragons and similar.

Continue reading So long and thanks for all the pics: One Shots favorites

So long and thanks for all the pics: One Shots favorites originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'm pulling this screenshot out of some forgotten folders to commemorate One Shots' passing. This is Ockom, my favorite Star Wars Galaxies character, standing outside of his newly purchased and placed home on Naboo.

Although there were other homes in the vicinity, the neighbors who never failed to show up were wandering fambaas like this one. Thanks for running One Shots as long as you have, guys. It's been a joy.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Final contribution originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Let's party! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in the days of The Burning Crusade, when I still played, I caught myself looking at an amazing scene while flying around to turn in some reputation quests. Aldor Rise looked like a scene from a painting, and my screenshot button agreed.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Come up, enjoy the view! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is my guild, Chaos Factors, buffing up for the Golemagg pull in Molten Core. I can name a dozen people in this pic -- for instance, the raid lead Gnome Mage who obsessed over his "Mage camp," the Night Elf Hunter for whom the Feign Death cooldown was tragically too long, and the Hunter off in the distance who is my roommate!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Readying the troops originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I decided to try out EverQuest II last week (having a great time, by the way), and the other day I was greeted to a server-wide message from GM Euronyma about a racing event that was beginning. I zoned into the Thundering Steppes expecting some good-natured, wholesome competitive sportsmanship and instead received a giant GM Ratonga throwing cows at players. Arguably better.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Watch where you throw that! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This was taken overlooking the Gateway to Khitai just outside The Breach, a solo instance located in the mountains behind me.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Once more into the breach originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a picture of Barradin's Estate in Pre-Searing Guild Wars, aerial-style! I always loved Pre-Searing; it has a peace and calm to it. Yep, I did take this myself -- if you Google around, you can find out how.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: How did you get up there? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is the Kojan archipelago, and the place is Jalen's crossing, not so far from Caia'l Brael, the starting place for Wood Elf and Raki races. Here you can hire a flying pegasus to get yourself to Arks of Harmony (the group of floating islands in the screenshot). Jalen's Crossing is a gigantic bridge that connects Youthgreen island with the eastern islands and was built and protected by Raki. Raki are a foxlike race whose members fled their homeland after it was destroyed by the Ulvari. The Arks of Harmony became their safe haven and a place to store important information on how to protect themselves from future threats.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Flying high originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hi! I saw this landscape in Lord of the Rings Online and thought I would share it. Too bad I couldn't remember the "hide UI key" fast enough because 10 seconds earlier was a much prettier shot!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: High above me originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is not something you see every day, kind of like a tribute within a game. I thought I'd submit this very cool picture from Second Life. It is an aerial view of a player-created sim called Electrobit City. I thought it was just awesome.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Electrobit City originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OK I admit this isn't exactly an aerial shot, but in AoC this is about as close as you can come to one. This is my Ranger Zothan high on top of the Great Wall of Khitai overlooking the valleys and mountains of the beautiful nation. You can actually climb even higher, but the view will be blocked by the windows, so this is the best view in AoC.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Overlooking Khitai originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This screenshot is one of the airships in Dungeons and Dragons Online flying over the Stormreach Marketplace. They act as guild halls for guilds, and you can see them traveling above the world night and day.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Flying high! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the major things that brought me to RIFT was the stunning graphics. This is my favorite view of the starting zone -- what is a screenshot without a death rift?! It is also the background for my Twitter account.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Not exactly peaceful originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's hard to focus on it because Jeets won't stop yelling at you, but the starting area of Dungeons and Dragons Online has a stark beauty, complete with a dragon circling overhead.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Can you talk? Speak to me! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pre-searing in Prophecies is a place I make sure to visit now and then for the sake of nostalgia. It's too bad we can't reach all the places we can see. Hey ArenaNet, can you get someone to unlock this big gate?

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: How do you get in there? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This picture is of Galaxy City. When you first create a hero, you have a choice between Atlas Park and Galaxy City. I always picked Galaxy City for my starter zone because I liked the sort of calmness that the place had compared to Atlas Park's hustle and bustle. It's too bad that come I21 that calmness will be disturbed. I'm gonna miss this little city.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Starting slow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As an Imperial player, your starting experience consists of astral ship battles, fighting off an astral demon, trying to survive in the sewers, and eventually facing the first sunlight as you step outside into Nezebgrad, a gigantic metropolis.

Most likely not just the biggest functional MMO city in existence, it's also a city that welcomes every newbie who steps out on the streets asking for help and directions as they accept the quests that one day lead them to their own ship and astral raids!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Not at all intimidating originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not that the entirety of LotRO isn't beautiful, but I'm really fond of Celondim, the Elf starting area. I was back there recently on my 65 Minstrel to complete deeds, and it's still one of the prettiest places in the game, with its beautiful docks and high cliffs and pink trees, plus the beautiful sky you find all over LotRO.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: A tough call originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a night-time shot of my Seeker in Tellus City, part of the Earthguard starting zone in Perfect World International. I've always thought the moon glow and huge stone faces make for some gorgeous adventuring in the evenings, not to mention the scenery included when you cruise through your home port attached to a kite!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Welcome to starting zone week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Maybe she'll sing! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Aren't you a little warm in that? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I don't really go in for ugly armor, but I will say that Global Agenda offers some truly hideous dyes and garish "flair" head pieces that are always a hit with the silly crowd. Case in point is my minotaur helm here. I can't remember how or when I got it, but I think it might have been during one of those week-long special events that Hi-Rez likes to run.

They've also given out quite a bit of Christmas, New Year's, and other holiday-related headgear that can be mixed and matched with otherwise slick-looking sci-fi armor for some really atrocious fashion faux pas.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Points for originality originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While being able to craft 95% of the armor you'll wear in Fallen Earth is a major attraction of the game, early on you'll have to suffer through outfit pieces that don't quite go well together (although some may argue that's in step with the game's setting). Probably the worst aspect of the armor system is that there's no way to turn off helmet graphics unless you simply take it off.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Function over form originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While Lord of the Rings Online is making great strides toward armor coolness, particularly with its cosmetic wardrobe and new looks coming in Rise of Isengard, the game remains well-known for its buffoonish armor types.

As you can see here, a low-level cloth-wearer can have all manner of noxious fashion inflicted upon him or her, including hats that make you want to kick your own butt.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Would you like fries with that? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Behold Jason Nesmith, the sexiest and manliest Paragon to ever grace the sands of Elona. Bow before his masculine gaze, and stand awestruck at the amazing pink-flavored radiation of awesomeness.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: The face of intimidation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.