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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Terror From Beyond experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/hyperspace-beacon-the-terror-from-beyond-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/hyperspace-beacon-the-terror-from-beyond-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/hyperspace-beacon-the-terror-from-beyond-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon The Terror From Beyond experience!
Last week, BioWare launched its fourth major update for Star Wars: The Old Republic, Terror From Beyond. This new game content also happens to be the fourth operation (or raid) for the game. Eight to 16 players battle their way across the planet Asation, hoping to close or destroy a rift in hyperspace that has opened on this ancient Gree world. Along the way, many strange creatures and beings from other worlds attempt to stop the strike force from reaching its goal. Just like the other operations (Karagga's Palace and Explosive Conflict), Terror From Beyond continues the story of the Dread Masters. With each new addition to the story, the goal of these six Sith lords becomes more and more clear.

Mechanically, this operation consists of five boss fights and a fairly linear path to the ultimate goal, a swirling vortex about a kilometer away from the starting point. Thankfully, none of the boss mechanics is a simple tank-and-spank ordeal, and the trash mobs along the way might cause a bump or two as well.

This weekend, my guild ran this brand-new endgame addition to SWTOR in story-mode to get a taste of what it has to offer. I'd like to break down the experience into three major categories: aesthetics, boss mechanics, and overall impressions.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Terror From Beyond experience

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Terror From Beyond experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aestheticsbiowarebugsdungeoneaelectronic-artsfeaturedhyperspace-beaconKephess-the-undyinglucasartsmechanicsopoperationopinionpvesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterror-from-beyondthe-old-republictorvisualsTue, 02 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: What does unbalanced even mean?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/behind-the-mask-what-does-unbalanced-even-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/behind-the-mask-what-does-unbalanced-even-mean/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/behind-the-mask-what-does-unbalanced-even-mean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the major criticisms of Champions Online is a lack of game balance. People claim that the phrase "your own hero, your own story" doesn't cover the fact that your hero might be a gimp compared to someone else's. Although archetypes have their own balance issues (even among themselves), this complaint most commonly leveled at the freeform game where there are millions of possible characters.

However, I think that most armchair game theorists have a terrible understanding of what "balance" even means. Decades of competitive gaming (yeah, I'm that old) have given me a comprehensive understanding of what the term means, and I think it's worth looking at how CO stacks up.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: What does unbalanced even mean?

MassivelyBehind the Mask: What does unbalanced even mean? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceBehind-the-Maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-balanceimbalanceopoverpoweredperfect-world-entertainmentpvp-balancepwestreet-fighter-2-came-out-a-long-time-agosuper-herounbalancedThu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which class is your arch-nemesis?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/the-daily-grind-which-class-is-your-arch-nemesis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/the-daily-grind-which-class-is-your-arch-nemesis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/the-daily-grind-which-class-is-your-arch-nemesis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Admit it: even the nicest amongst us have a deep-rooted grudge against a particular class. Our foe. Our bane. Our arch-nemesis. It's the class we squint at in anger whenever we see them pop up on the battlefield or in our PUGs. It's the class that gives us physical hives whenever we come into close contact with one of their members. It's the class that we gladly devote a nine-page rant against on the official game forums, calling for their extermination, or at the very least, to be neutered.

So what's your arch-nemesis class? Is it a class that repeatedly stamps all over your face in PvP? A class that is -- obviously -- so OP that you can't stand it? Perhaps it's a class that does whatever your class does, but better and with more flair. Maybe your arch-nemesis class seems to attract more mentally unstable and emotionally immature players than usual. So get it off your chest today -- which class is your arch-nemesis?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Which class is your arch-nemesis? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arch-nemesisclassesjoker-penguin-riddlernemesisopopinionoverpoweredpugpvptdgthe-daily-grindFri, 23 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST