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[Why I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/why-i-play-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

vanguard
"How is Vanguard?"

If there's one question that comes up time and time again, it's that one. It experienced a launch disaster, lack of content post 35+, bugs, duping, exploits, performance issues, and the sad "parking lot layoffs," yet Vanguard: Saga of Heroes always seems to generate buzz any time it comes up in conversation.

There's a certain aura surrounding this game, and even though it languished with low subscription numbers for years, it always seems to attract attention when it's covered at Massively. There's something about Vanguard that kept me playing solidly well past launch and still pulls me back from time to time. With a free-to-play launch just around the corner, it seems like the perfect time to explain why I play Vanguard.

Continue reading Why I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes

MassivelyWhy I Play: Vanguard, Saga of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionsandboxsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttelonvanguardvanguard-dungeonsvanguard-flyingVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvanguard-shipsvgwhy-i-playWed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-soapbox-what-it-means-to-be-a-game-journalist/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How we see ourselves. Well, when we're playing Champions Online, anyhow.
The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column. Additionally, this article is written in contrast to Jef Reahard's Soapbox on how video game journalists are not real journalists; Massively's writers' opinions on the subject vary.

People have, on a few occasions, asked me for advice on becoming a game journalist. My usual response, which is only half-joking, is, "Don't."

In just a handful of months, I'll be hitting my three-year anniversary for working Massively. That means I've had one of the longest tenures at the site, which is kind of staggering in my mind. I still fundamentally think of myself as one of the new kids on the block. But for better or worse, I've been doing this for a while and have a pretty good grasp of what the job entails.

Of course, that's still a subject of debate. As with a lot of topics, people as a whole can't even decide on what makes someone a game journalist instead of just an enthusiast with some advertising revenue. To some people, it's not even a real job, just a hobby. I'm one of those people who never like to pin down an exact definition of something that's ambiguous... but I can define what I see as my responsibilities in this job.

Continue reading The Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist

MassivelyThe Soapbox: What it means to be a game journalist originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialfeaturedgame-journalismjobjournalismjournalistsmassively-metametanews-reportingop-edopinionrantrantsresponsibilitiessoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 22 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: RIFT]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT
Is it possible for a top-tier MMO to come out of nowhere and bowl you over? Considering that I follow these games not only for a hobby but as a writer for Massively, I always assumed the answer to that was "no." Until it happened, that is. Until RIFT.

It's not as though RIFT was a big secret or anything, but up until the late hours of 2010, it was very low on my -- and many of my friends' -- radars. I often got it confused with TERA, for Pete's sake! It wasn't until I got my hands on it at PAX that year and then saw how huge the beta got that I realized there was more to this supposedly generic fantasy title than I'd assumed. It truly felt like it came out of nowhere, and before I knew it, I was enjoying what became one of my favorite games of 2011.

So why did I play RIFT, and why do I still log in on occasion today? Trust me, it's not for the Elves.

Continue reading Why I Play: RIFT

MassivelyWhy I Play: RIFT originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaeditorialelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2lucasartsmassively-metametancsoftnostalgiaop-edopinionpaxpax-primepax-prime-2010riftrift-literift-planes-of-telarasci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictortriontrion-worldswarcraftwhy-i-playworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Translating Elder Scrolls Online dev speak]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/the-soapbox-translating-elder-scrolls-online-dev-speak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/the-soapbox-translating-elder-scrolls-online-dev-speak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/the-soapbox-translating-elder-scrolls-online-dev-speak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Elder Scrolls Online - Giant orchid monster thing
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Language is a pretty fascinating thing, and studying a second one is something I've long intended to do. Aside from entertaining thoughts of learning Korean to play ArcheAge, though (seriously, I looked into it), I haven't gotten around to much beyond college-level Deutsch.

But as I watched last week's interview with The Elder Scrolls Online creative director Paul Sage, I realized that I already have some pretty good second-language skills. I'm fluent in both English and MMO dev-speak, so as a public service, I'm going to translate some of what Sage said into the former.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Translating Elder Scrolls Online dev speak

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Translating Elder Scrolls Online dev speak originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfalldev-speakdeveloper-speakeditorialelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinefeaturedmehmorrowindoblivionop-edopinionpaul-sageplease-dont-suckpvprantrantssandboxskyrimsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethe-soapboxthemeparkthree-faction-pvptodd-howardtranslating-dev-speaktranslating-elder-scrolls-online-dev-speakzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Global Agenda screenshot
Among the Massively staff, I'm known as the obsessive competitor who plays every game in a hardcore fashion. It's no surprise that I gravitate toward high-skill, difficult games that test skill instead of the typical MMO grinds. But it should be a bit of a surprise that I don't really like competitive shooters. Shooters take a lot of the elements I really love about competition such as mindgames and positioning and marginalize them in favor of raw aiming and twitch reflexes. I'm fond of saying "You must be this tall to ride this ride" when it comes to shooters that are very twitch-based.

Global Agenda is a different beast than other shooters, though. The competitive shooter market is saturated with class-based shooters whose emphasis is more on teamwork than on aiming, and Global Agenda really takes it to eleven. Aiming is still important, but it's hardly the most important skill in the game, and every class has a way of minimizing the need for aiming skill. In fact, most of the more effective builds in GA don't require aiming. The emphasis in GA is on teamwork, mobility, and good decision-making. Even though it's a shooter, I find it really easy to spend far too much of my time playing it. It's just great fun.

Continue reading Why I Play: Global Agenda

MassivelyWhy I Play: Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncompetitive-gamingcompetitive-shootereditorialf2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgaglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpacksjetpacks-are-awesomemassively-metametammofpsnostalgiaop-edopinionsci-fishooterspy-fithird-person-shootertpswho-doesnt-like-flyingwhy-i-playWed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: There is no gamer community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-soapbox-there-is-no-gamer-community/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Broad similarity is not the same as companionship.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Some of our younger readers may not remember this, but a time existed when video games were not ubiquitous. Having a game console in your house was somewhat unusual, having a computer that could run games was also not a given, and being someone who played games meant you were part of a group. Sure, there were people who just played an occasional video game, but by and large, we were a single community. We were gamers.

That was then, however, a world that existed in the wake of the '83 crash, one that thrived on limited technology and divided groups. I think in the years since then, we've witnessed the very idea dissolve, to the point that we don't currently have a gamer community. And I'd even go so far as to say that part of the bitterness between various groups of gamers is due to the fact that the community no longer exists.

Continue reading The Soapbox: There is no gamer community

MassivelyThe Soapbox: There is no gamer community originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-issueseditorialfeaturedgame-communitygamer-communitymmo-communityop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 08 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Couch potato cat
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

My folks don't really understand my infatuation with video games (and MMORPGs in particular). "How can you sit there and play a game for two or three hours at a time?" my mom is fond of asking. Ironically, this usually happens on a visit that ends where most of our visits do: on the couch in front of the television.

Don't get me wrong; she's no couch potato, and in fact she has the meanest green thumb you'll ever see. When the sun goes down, though, my parents (like most of their generation, I'll wager) park their butts in front of the TV. That I should park my own posterior in front of the computer is exceedingly strange to them even though online gaming is to the 21st century what television was to the 20th.

I wonder, though, if games are starting to become more passive forms of TV-like entertainment.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchallengecomplexitycouch-potatoeditorialeqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgames-vs-tvhardcorehardcore-vs-casualinteractivitylets-playlivestreamlivestreamingmmo-industryop-edopinionpassivepassive-consumptionpassive-gamingpassive-vs-activepassivitypaying-to-skip-contentperils-of-passive-gamingrantrantsskipping-contentsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoesonysony-online-entertainmentthe-perils-of-passive-gamingthe-soapboxTue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - Oatbarton archway
It's confession time, folks. I change MMOs like most people change socks, so while many of my colleagues write about their long-term MMO love and possibly a backup game or two in this column, I'm more inclined to write about four different titles in as many weeks. In fact, by the time you finish reading this, I may well have moved on to something else.

That's OK, though, and that's one of the great things about the modern MMO space: There are just so damn many games that there's really no excuse for ever getting bored. And this week's infatuation is Lord of the Rings Online.

Continue reading Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-inn-leaguelotro-music-systemmassively-metametamiddle-earthmmo-musicmusicmusic-systemnon-combatnon-combat-gameplaynostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentroast-muttontolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playwhy-i-play-lotroWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The grind is good]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-soapbox-the-grind-is-good/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-soapbox-the-grind-is-good/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-soapbox-the-grind-is-good/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tetris
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Like many of you, I have fond memories of several important video games that carried me through my childhood and teenage years. Some were deep, some were obscure, some were landmark moments in the genre, and some were Chrono Trigger. It's weird, then, with all that variety, that I have strong fondness for a game that had so little going on in the story or progression department as to be a step away from playing marbles or jacks in the street.

It was a game that I'd sit down to night after night, not to go on any grand adventures or to raise my level 1 fighter up into the ranks of godhood but to just unwind. It was a game that required such a zen-like concentration that it pushed the thinking portion of my brain out and soothed me with its repetitive gameplay and simplistic motions.

That game was, of course, Tetris, a game that was grind personified. It was minimalistic puzzle-solving repeated over and over again, and some days that's all I needed. When my mind was wiped, or when I just wanted to sit back in my chair instead of forward in it, I turned to these silly blocks. When I needed it and wanted it, the grind was better for me than the most complex and innovative video games of the time.

The grind is good, especially when you have the option to do it or ignore it, and I feel that this has gotten such a bad reputation in MMOs that its positive aspects are overlooked. Time to remedy that!

Continue reading The Soapbox: The grind is good

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The grind is good originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asteroidschrono-triggereditorialfeaturedgrindgrindingop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxtetristhe-grindthe-soapboxTue, 24 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/why-i-play-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

STO
It was a cold, dreary Saturday morning in January 2010 when I told my wife that we had a quest to accomplish. It was absolutely imperative that we drive into unsafe areas of Detroit to locate one of the very few Del Tacos in the area in order to buy cups. On these cups, as I explained to my increasingly incredulous spouse, were codes for shuttle pets in the upcoming Star Trek Online. I had to get some, I insisted; Captain Kirk was depending on me.

An hour later, our mission was accomplished, and my wife had another tale of husband-geekery to share around the office. To her credit, the very next week she happened to be driving by another Del Taco and purchased me six additional cups to give away to fans who otherwise couldn't get one. That's how awesome she is.

I tell you this story because it is indicative of my relationship with Star Trek Online: silly yet passionate, excitable yet frivolous, and flawed yet fascinated. I've played this game off and on for the past couple of years and have become convinced that while it's clunky and lacking in areas, it's an MMO gem that deserves much better than the slander it's endured.

This is why I play it.

Continue reading Why I Play: Star Trek Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studioseditorialf2pfeaturedfree-to-playmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestowhy-i-playWed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-soapbox-the-curious-case-of-vanguard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-soapbox-the-curious-case-of-vanguard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-soapbox-the-curious-case-of-vanguard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Vanguard - magic hour duo
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

"Yaaay!"

"FU-- yeah!"

"Finally."

"WOW! This is the best MMO news I have heard in a long time!"

These are just a few of the comments that greeted our recent announcement of Vanguard's upcoming free-to-play conversion. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, and Sony Online Entertainment's open-world fantasy themepark was lavished with praise by a wide cross-section of Massively readers. This makes me wonder where all these folks have been since the game's launch in early 2007. It's not like Vanguard shut down and is being resurrected, you know? More importantly, I wonder whether free-to-play can actually save the game from the scrap heap of shuttered SOE MMOs.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-mcquaideditorialeqeq-2eq-iieq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttelonthe-soapboxvanguardvanguard-f2pvanguard-free-to-playvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgTue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/why-i-play-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II screenshot
Because.

Remember back when this answer was lobbed at you as the definitive answer (often by moms tired of incessant "why"s or as a precursor to "I said so!")? But since I am not your mom -- and more importantly, the boss isn't about to pay me for a one word article -- let me elaborate, though, I warn you, you may regret it; once I get going I may not be able to stop! Seriously, they had to restrain me from taking over Why I Play. Obviously I broke free mwuahahahaha!

Simply put, I love EverQuest II. I log into it daily. Sometimes I don't leave for more hours than I am willing to admit. I can hum the guild hall music from memory. I have a list of things I want to do so long I can't possibly get it all done. All this after taking a multi-year break. Yes folks, I left the game for a long time -- a move I am still kicking myself for. But certain features pulled me back, and let me just say, I am so glad I came back.

So why do I play EQII? Where to begin...

Continue reading Why I Play: EverQuest II

MassivelyWhy I Play: EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-itemsappearance-slotsCollectionscreativitycustomizationdecoratingdungeon-makereditorialeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedflying-mountsfree-to-playhousingmassively-metamentoringmentoring-systemmetanostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentshinysoesonysony-online-entertainmentwhy-i-playWed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: If you want to sell special items, just do it already]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-soapbox-if-you-want-to-sell-special-items-get-to-it-alread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-soapbox-if-you-want-to-sell-special-items-get-to-it-alread/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/the-soapbox-if-you-want-to-sell-special-items-get-to-it-alread/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Vanguard screenshot
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I've argued before about the merits of being an honest cash-shop salesperson. You have to be upfront, blunt, and willing to take some heat. Bigpoint is one of my favorite examples of a cash-shop dependent developer simply because it says what it means and means what it says. It sells items, sometimes powerful items, in several different titles. Granted, the studio usually offers a way to get those same items through in-game means, but that doesn't make for as good a story.

We reported on Bigpoint a while ago when its reps essentially said that if a developer is going to make an effort to sell in-game items, it should do it the right way by making those items have a significant impact on the game by being either powerful or desirable. I cannot agree more. Bigpoint is a car lot that sells beautiful luxury automobiles. It also sells junkers and even gives out a lot of cars for free, but its charity once again does not make for a good dramatic write-up. I tend to think that if you you are going to make a cash-shop, depending on the style of game, of course, you as a developer have got to consider just what sort of impact you want that cash-shop to have on your players, and you can't be afraid to push your idea from the beginning.

But just get on with it.

Continue reading The Soapbox: If you want to sell special items, just do it already

MassivelyThe Soapbox: If you want to sell special items, just do it already originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlestar-galactica-onlinebeau-hindmanBigpointbsg-onlinecash-shopccpcylonsdark-orbiteditorialeve-onlinefeaturedlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroMicrotransactionsop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxvirtual-goodsTue, 10 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Casual is as casual does]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-soapbox-casual-is-as-casual-does/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just a casual raid. Of roleplayers.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

It's time to put an overused MMO term to bed, and by "put to bed," I of course mean that it should be executed with great prejudice. Actually, there are lots of terms that I'd like to see retired permanently. "Toon" can go, for instance, as can "mob" for single enemies. And people have really worn out "nerf" beyond belief. But those are all issues of personal preference.

No, the term I'm talking about is "casual." As in "casual player," a creature as rare and mythical as the Loch Ness monster. Also like the Loch Ness monster, it doesn't actually exist. In the case of the latter, it exists only through a handful of doctored photos and a lot of people who really want to see a pleisiosaur in Scotland; in the case of the former, it's a strawman concept that no longer has any purpose in our collective lexicon.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Casual is as casual does

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Casual is as casual does originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-playerscultureeditorialfeaturedgaming-stylesmmo-cultureop-edopinionplay-stylesrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 03 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Mechanical buildup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-soapbox-mechanical-buildup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-soapbox-mechanical-buildup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-soapbox-mechanical-buildup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The image is somewhat apt.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I was in high school when I discovered a love for simplified tabletop games. I'd long been fond of the absurdly detailed and baroque structure that you could find in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, going so far as to purchase all of the various little add-ons that allowed you to reinvent the game systems in dizzying density. And I can pinpoint the moment when I decided that all of that was for the birds.

Specifically, it was the moment when I sat there with Skills & Powers open to one page, the Player's Handbook open to another, and the Complete Psionics Handbook open to yet another. It was when I stared at three separate passages and realized that I was on the second hour of making a character that resembled nothing so much as a math project. On that day, I understood intuitively why designers would look at the whole thing and advocate sweeping the mess away altogether -- just like what many, many MMOs do as they grow long in the tooth.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Mechanical buildup

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Mechanical buildup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designeditorialfeaturedgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanical-cruftmechanicsop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxsystemsthe-soapboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - Gallente Iteron hauler warping past a planet
I can't for the life of me convince my friends to sign up for EVE Online. In their defense, the game can feel like a job at first. There are no skinner box particle effects or angelic choirs signifying your latest achievement, nor does anyone shower you with virtual confetti as you graduate from the newbie island.

For these reasons and others like them, CCP seems to have topped out somewhere around half a million active subs at the game's high point. EVE is seen as unfriendly in some ways, but in actuality it's the friendliest MMO around if you're an imaginative sort with the desire to direct your own in-game destiny.

Could the tutorials be better? Sure. Could PvE missions be more engaging? Absolutely. Does either of these failings, or numerous others, detract from what is the genre's premier emergent experience?

Nope.

Continue reading Why I Play: EVE Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescomplexitycraftingeconomyeditorialeveeve-onlinefeaturedinternet-spaceshipsmassively-metametanew-edenop-edopinionplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentroleplayroleplayingsandboxSchadenfreudesci-fiuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playWed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-soapbox-leveling-isnt-bad-its-implementation-is/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leveling picture
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

It's funny how tastes can change. I know mine certainly have, especially when it comes to entertainment. Heck, I used to swear by The Ramones and a bit of Slayer; now I tend to think that this Joni Mitchell song is a work of sheer genius. It seems that as I grow older, the less I care about impressing other people. My gaming tastes have changed, but maybe not as dramatically. I've never been a hardcore player and have never enjoyed spending countless hours repeating the same task. That sort of behavior tends to turn a hobby into a boring job. MMORPGs are notorious for being filled with content that is often ripped off from other games, so it surprised me when I thought about today's topic.

I came to the conclusion that leveling is not a bad thing. When I say leveling, I mean growing a character by performing an activity, getting better at it, gaining experience and hitting a new level. It's not a bad way to represent real-life growth. The problems come when developers use the same boring systems that are based on leveling to facilitate that growth.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Leveling isn't bad -- its implementation is originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbiowaredesigneditorialfeaturedlevellevelingop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-soapboxultima-onlineTue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Nobody's hero]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-soapbox-nobodys-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-soapbox-nobodys-hero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-soapbox-nobodys-hero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Heroes (which would make an awful MMO, btw)
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

We're not heroes, at least in the ubiquitous Hollywood sense. We're teachers and janitors and businessmen, and we may occasionally be heroic in the eyes of our kids or our colleagues, but rarely are we celebrated beyond a tiny circle of family and friends.

Games can meet this emotional need, at least temporarily, and that's a major reason they've become such a booming business over the last couple of decades. We get to be Kratos for a couple of hours, or fem-Shepard or a thousand other pixelized pariahs -- until we set foot in an MMORPG, that is.

Software companies sell pre-packaged heroism in ways that book publishers and filmmakers can only dream of, and it doesn't really matter that it's fake heroism or impersonal heroism crafted on an assembly line and shipped out to millions of consumers. Shouldn't it matter, though, when it comes to MMORPGs?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Nobody's hero

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Nobody's hero originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-heroclassic-mmodesigneditorialeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfake-heroismfakeryfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalaxiesgame-designheroismlucasartsmmo-designmmo-fakerymmo-heroesmmo-industrymmo-narrativemmo-storynancy-mcintyrenobodys-heroop-edopinionpessimistic-soapbox-is-pessimisticrantrantssandboxsci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgothe-soapboxthemeparkFri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/the-soapbox-the-hidden-perils-of-guild-wars-2s-microtransactio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 screenshot
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

The ArenaNet post about microtransactions in Guild Wars 2 reveals that the "gems" currency will be bought with real money and be available for purchase with in-game gold in GW2. But people seem to have forgetten that Runes of Magic's cash shop operated this way three years ago. I've been playing RoM since closed beta, and the cash shop is one of the reasons RoM is so different from other F2P MMOs of its era.

Frogster eventually removed the ability to buy diamonds with gold because of fraud, so I'm curious to see how ArenaNet handles that issue. My time in RoM has shown me that there are other issues involved here, issues of security, players gaming the system, botting, and pay-to-win debates. In other words, there's more at stake here than whether cash shops sell gear or items toward gaining power.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The hidden perils of Guild Wars 2's microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction houseauction-housecash-shopdiamondseditorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegemsguild-wars-2gw2item-shopjeremy-strattonmicro-transactionsmicrotransactionsncsoftop-edopinionpay-to-winrantrantsreal-money-tradingrmtromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentselling-powersoapboxtaboreathe-soapboxWed, 21 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Troopers get all the cool. They have Jennifer Hale. What can you do?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was one of the best games of all time that I very nearly didn't play. But I'm glad I did because it changed the entire way I look at games.

I don't need to extoll the virtues of that game, as people have been doing so pretty much since its release. BioWare had certainly released games in a similar vein before, but KOTOR was the one that finally compelled me to try something. My gaming world would be a far darker place without the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series.

So what does this have to do with Star Wars: The Old Republic? I never would have tried any of that and never would have become a fan of BioWare were it not for KOTOR. And both Star Wars: The Old Republic and its antecedent had to overcome a very big impediment: my profound antipathy toward the Star Wars franchise.

Continue reading Why I Play: Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyWhy I Play: Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaeditorialelectronic-artsfeaturedlucasartsmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorwhy-i-playWed, 21 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-soapbox-voice-chat-is-the-worst-thing-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're not friends, headset.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Part of me thinks that voice chat is a product of the miraculous and wondrous age we live in. I can still remember when the very idea of the internet seemed like a magical idea. I could search an entire world full of knowledge and ideas at once! The fact that video games have evolved into games where I can log in to a shared world and speak to someone in a real-time discussion is nothing short of astonishing.

Most of me, however, really just hates voice chat.

I've used voice chat extensively before, and I didn't like it then. I still don't like it now. And for all of the advantages it offers, I can't say it's something that I consider a positive addition to the MMO landscape any more than I'm happy about the widespread adoption of the colloquial term "toon." It might not be a cultural issue that needs to be addressed, but I really hate voice chat.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Voice chat is the worst thing ever originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureeditorialfeaturedhumormumbleop-edopinionrantrantsskypesoapboxthe-soapboxventvoicevoice-chatTue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: What you loved is still there]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-soapbox-what-you-loved-is-still-there/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, I'm familiar with liking something most of the world doesn't.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

One of my greatest fears as I slouch toward 30 is that my tastes will become immutable in certain fields -- music, especially. The last thing I want to do is be the obnoxious guy listening to music that was popular when I was in high school complaining about how bad modern bands are. So I try to broaden my horizons because I know that everything I already like is still waiting for me. I want to create a broader range, not just stick within the familiar.

It's probably for the best, then, that I don't share that worry about video games in general and MMOs in particular. I don't cry for a return to the MMOs I played in older days because in most cases they're still running. True, in many of them a great deal has changed to the point of unrecognizability, but I never ask what happened to the game I once loved. After all, just because I loved it doesn't mean that anyone else did.

Continue reading The Soapbox: What you loved is still there

MassivelyThe Soapbox: What you loved is still there originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedesigndesign-conventionsdesign-typeseditorialfeaturedgame-developmentgamesold-gamesop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxthe-soapboxFri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/why-i-play-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/why-i-play-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When I first heard that there was going to be a new game revolving around my favorite television franchise, I immediately began to ask my more experienced gaming friends what an MMORPG was. I seriously had no clue!

I started to follow news releases about Star Trek Online from Cryptic Studios the moment I found out the game would not be based on the re-booted franchise of J.J. Abrams' film but would actually be set in what most Trekkies refer to as the "Prime Universe," the timeline in which all of the television series were set.

I'm not going to lie to you -- I'm a huge Trekkie. I support fan-made productions; I own every episode! I own reference books, technical manuals, Klingon Language books, action figures, and posters. I read Trek novels, attend conventions, write fan-fiction, and belong to several Trek community forums. I've written a blog and columns and opinion pieces for numerous Trek-related and general science-fiction sites. So at the beginning, I thought that STO would be just another avenue for me to express my fandom without having to worry too much about having the manual dexterity to wield a console controller.

It ended up being quite a bit more for me, however, and here's why.

Continue reading Why I Play: Star Trek Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studioseditorialf2pfeaturedfree-to-playmassively-metametanostalgiaop-edopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestowhy-i-playWed, 14 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/the-soapbox-the-inevitability-of-a-mass-effect-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mass Effect - The Normandy (SR1)
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I don't know about you, but I've yet to play Mass Effect 3. This is not by choice, mind you, and now that I've returned from the wilds of last week's GDC, it's time to settle in for another 30-hour tour with Shepard and company.

What does this have to do with MMOs? Well, nothing really, except that BioWare hasn't exactly closed the door on a Mass Effect title. On the contrary, the company's dynamic doctor duo have hinted at the fact that this, ahem, theoretical game would need to be somewhat different from the firm's maiden MMO voyage.

At this point I think an ME MMO is inevitable, so join me after the cut to discuss whether BioWare can really break the mold with its second effort as well as what that effort could look like.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The inevitable Mass Effect MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-comfort-zonecomfort-zonecutscenesdesignea-biowareeditorialelectronic-artsfeaturedfourth-pillargreg-zeschukmass-effectmass-effect-mmommo-comfort-zonemmo-industrymmo-storyop-edopinionplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpossibility-spacerantrantsray-muzykasandboxsandparksci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardstorythe-fourth-pillarthe-soapboxthemeparkuser-generated-contentTue, 13 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: That's the way it should be!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-soapbox-thats-the-way-it-should-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-soapbox-thats-the-way-it-should-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-soapbox-thats-the-way-it-should-be/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There have been more than ten other incarnations of this character. None of them have ever committed suicide over losing a video game.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Every fandom has it. In Transformers fandom, it's the segment of the population that insists the franchise peaked with the original G1 cartoon (and its numerous animation errors, bad scripting, and downright ridiculous plots). Star Trek fans will insist that the franchise should be more like the original series, where every plot revolved around Kirk's trying to bone someone or Spock's acting stoic. And then there are the tabletop gamers who miss the days of early Dungeons & Dragons, as if the books stopped working once the line stopped being active.

Some fandoms have terms just for this crowd; some don't. But they're all in the same general group -- they're the One True Way crowd. They're fans who insist that one particular incarnation was the right way to go and everything afterward has been a poor imitation. The camp exists with MMOs, as well, and just as with any other franchise, it's arguably the most harmful portion of the fanbase.

Continue reading The Soapbox: That's the way it should be!

MassivelyThe Soapbox: That's the way it should be! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsdesigneditorialfeaturedgame-designgame-industryinnovationolder-gamesone-true-wayop-edopinionrantrantssandboxsoapboxthe-soapboxthemeparkthrowbacksTue, 06 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter Ego: Scarred for life edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Earlier this week saw the arrival of the highly anticipated February update in DC Universe Online. Like any other large patch in an MMO, this update not only added quite a bit of great new content and fixed some glaring exploits but introduced several issues that weren't there before. My personal pick for "worst new bug" since the patch? The F9 button no longer takes screenshots. First world problems, I know.

Of course, this means I'll be dedicating this week's column to looking at some aspects of our new patchy overlord. Is it all that we hoped it would be? No. I don't think even Sony Online Entertainment would be boastful enough to make that claim. Still, I do think this first major content patch to DC Universe Online is an equally major step in the right direction. However, the tying together of PC and PS3 patches means that we won't likely see another major game-fixing update until next month since whatever the devs push out has to be able to pass muster on both platforms. That said, there's more than enough to talk about this week (and next, really), so let's get to it!

Continue reading Alter Ego: Scarred for life edition

MassivelyAlter Ego: Scarred for life edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedfebruary-content-updatefixesop-edopinionoverviewpatchsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentupdatevalentines-daySat, 26 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Star Wars Galaxies wrap-up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/choose-my-adventure-star-wars-galaxies-wrap-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/choose-my-adventure-star-wars-galaxies-wrap-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/choose-my-adventure-star-wars-galaxies-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of posts and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months are up, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

This week I wrap up my time in Sony Online Entertainment's Star Wars Galaxies here on Choose My Adventure. From the basics of character creation onwards through the first steps in this familiar-yet-strange land and more, you all have had a chance to see some of the many things to do in this world. For those who are joining us late, our readers chose my locale, server, gender, race, tied on profession (class), and gave me great advice along the way. In this week's column I get a chance to sit down and record my overall impressions of what I've seen.

All caught up? Great! Join me behind the break as I look over my weeks spent in Star Wars Galaxies!

Gallery: Choose my Adventure: Star Wars Galaxies

In a strange new place, looking for the scum and villainy.Bantha! Don't try to run them over in your landspeeder. It doesn't work very well.If the terminator was Mon Calamari...Say hello to Bintall. He's very handy with a blaster!Mo'ag and I had to put the Tuskens in their place.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Star Wars Galaxies wrap-up

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Star Wars Galaxies wrap-up originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmafeaturedimpressionsop-edopinionrocky-horror-picture-showsoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgwrap-upwrapupWed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: The massive money of microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/redefining-mmos-the-massive-money-of-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/redefining-mmos-the-massive-money-of-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/redefining-mmos-the-massive-money-of-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Let's face it - microtransactions are big business. Nexon has posted a 35% increase in revenue this last July. Large companies like SOE and Cryptic Studios have added cash shops to their games. It appears that the world has a growing appetite for little bites of gaming content goodness. The market now is turning those bits and bytes into the MMO equivalent of the candy bar - with profits that are starting to climb towards the candy heights as well.

The honest truth is that we've been shifting more and more towards the idea of microtransactions as a culture, not just as a genre. Sure, we've always been about getting more bang for our buck - who isn't! But the fact is that there were no structures to distribute entertainment as effortlessly and cheaply as we can get it now even just a few decades ago. The proliferation of personal computers, the Internet, and other advances in technology have turned us into a society that loves to consume only what it wants, when it wants, from almost wherever we want it. Considering the overall societal shifts, it only makes sense that our favorite type of games are now going where the money is.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: The massive money of microtransactions

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: The massive money of microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmarket-shiftsmicrotransactionmicrotransactionsop-edopinionpricing-plansredefining-mmossubscriptionvalue-for-moneyFri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST