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[Hyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: 6 things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other
As I'm sure most of you can guess by the title of this piece, I spent a little time in another MMO this weekend. That doesn't mean that I will be trading in my Jawas and Wookiees for Asura and Charr. However, I will admit that Star Wars: The Old Republic does not contain everything I want from an MMO. That's also not say that Guild Wars 2 has all those missing elements. But I believe there are quite a few things that both of these great MMOs can learn from each other to make the overall MMO experience better for everyone.

Before I begin this breakdown, I should state that this is not a comprehensive list of everything that I liked and disliked from either game. At the same time, I want to also state that, besides the 20 or so minutes at trade shows I had with the game, this weekend marked the first time I've spent any serious time in Guild Wars 2. My opinion here is far from complete, and my experience is really based on the first 10 levels of GW2.

Lastly, I'd like to say that Wookiees will always be cooler than Charr!

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANetanimationArenaNetBioWarecutscenesEAElectronic-ArtsfantasyfeaturedGuild-WarsGuild-Wars-2GW2impressionsjumpingliving-worldLucasArtsNCSoftopen-world-pvpopinionpersonal-storypreviewpvepvpsci-fiStar-WarsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicswimmingSWTORThe-Old-RepublicTORTue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seven Souls Online open beta brings open PvP, new zones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/seven-souls-online-open-beta-brings-open-pvp-new-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/seven-souls-online-open-beta-brings-open-pvp-new-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/seven-souls-online-open-beta-brings-open-pvp-new-zones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Seven Souls Online - female avatar
Free-to-play betas are something of a running joke around these parts, and it's not uncommon to see such games undergoing prolonged testing periods for months (or even years). Seven Souls Online might be breaking that mold, though, as the title is heading into open beta tomorrow after the conclusion of its closed beta that began earlier this year.

The NEOWIZ title is heavy on martial arts action, and the new beta will raise the level cap to 40 as well as introduce the new Dragonscale Valley zone, the Inferno dungeon, and open-world PvP combat. Said PvP becomes available at level 31, and you can learn more about Seven Souls -- as well as sign up for beta -- on the game's official website.

[Source: NEOWIZ Games press release]

MassivelySeven Souls Online open beta brings open PvP, new zones originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadungeonsf2pf2p-betafree-to-playgame-mechanicsmartial-artsNeoWizneowiz-gamesopen-betaopen-world-pvppvpseven-soulsseven-souls-onlineWed, 14 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's Craig Morrison talks conquest vs. competition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/age-of-conans-craig-morrison-talks-conquest-vs-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Age of Conan concept art
PvP is a naturally contentious subject, particularly when focused on its various flavors in the MMO space. Everyone thinks they know best, and whether they're arguing for a three-faction system, full loot, or open-world objectives, the discussion often devolves into verbal throw-downs every bit as violent as their in-game counterparts.

Age of Conan game director Craig Morrison recently waded into the fray via his personal blog, and he says that defining PvP in an MMO context involves separating the wish for conquest from the wish for competition.

Morrison touches on several interesting aspects of MMO PvP, including a bit of history relating to the arenas and battlegrounds that are usually reviled by hardcore player types. "The needs of accessibility dictated that designers try and find a way to accommodate the appeal of the conquest style of play while also retaining the fairness of the competitive desires of the players," he explains.

Ultimately, Morrison offers a bit of hope for those who prefer open-world conflict. "It's great to finish a great story and storm the castle and beat the bad guy. It is something else altogether to get to keep his castle, and for you to become the bad guy for the next would-be hero to try and conquer," he says.

MassivelyAge of Conan's Craig Morrison talks conquest vs. competition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocarenasbattlegroundscraig-morrisondesignf2pfantasyfree-to-playfuncomgame-designinstanced-pvpopen-world-pvppvpsilirrionWed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR goes bug hunting with 1.0.2 and prognosticates PvP improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/swtor-goes-bug-hunting-with-1-0-2-and-prognosticates-pvp-improve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/swtor-goes-bug-hunting-with-1-0-2-and-prognosticates-pvp-improve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/swtor-goes-bug-hunting-with-1-0-2-and-prognosticates-pvp-improve/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
With the abundance of bugs and glitches in Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans are looking to James Ohlen's promise of weekly patches to shore up the faults. Yesterday we saw patch 1.0.2 go live with some -- but certainly not all -- of these fixes, as well as an increase in the PvP lockbox rewards and allowing players to emote while mounted.

In addition to yesterday's patch, today BioWare plans to roll out an emergency fix to address a few important issues: players crashing to desktop at character select, a problem with the chat channels in which they would stop functioning for some people, and the now-infamous /getdown bug.

PvP Lead Gabe Amatangelo also emerged from the BioWare fortress to chat about plans for the future of the game's PvP combat. According to Amatangelo, the team is working on level 50 brackets for warzones, vastly improving open world PvP on Ilum, a new same-faction vs. same-faction warzone, team vs. team queuing, ranked warzone matches, and more. He says that to date, over a million warzone matches have been played, with 39% of those matches played being Huttball and the Empire winning 53% of every match fought.

MassivelySWTOR goes bug hunting with 1.0.2 and prognosticates PvP improvements originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebugbug-fixbug-fixesbugsea-biowareemergency-hotfixgabe-amatangelogetdowngetdown-bughotfixhuttballjames-ohlenopen-world-pvppatchpatch-1.0.2pvpstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorwarzonewarzonesThu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan dev update talks open-world PvP, House of Crom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/age-of-conan-dev-update-talks-open-world-pvp-house-of-crom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/age-of-conan-dev-update-talks-open-world-pvp-house-of-crom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/age-of-conan-dev-update-talks-open-world-pvp-house-of-crom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Age of Conan - inside the House of Crom
Funcom game director Craig Morrison has released his monthly Age of Conan development update a couple of weeks early. Morrison usually closes each month with a summary of where the game has been and where it's going, and the December version is no different save for the mid-month release date.

While there's a lot of info, the most interesting bits concern the projected live date of the long-awaited House of Crom dungeon. Morrison says that the new content will most likely debut on January 11th or 12th, and that the dungeon will be playable on AoC's test shard over the Christmas holidays.

Also new this month is a detailed explanation of the game's upcoming open-world PvP content. When the new feature was first announced, the game's hardcore PvP community unleashed an epic tidal wave of tears due to suppositions about "PVE sheep trying to pass in PVP wolf's clothing," not to mention concerns about a possible rehash of the game's disastrous Shrines of Bori mechanic. Morrison spends several paragraphs of this month's update explaining what Funcom has learned since Bori, and how that knowledge is going to translate into a fun system that isn't exploitable via PvE mechanics. You can read the full update at the official AoC website.

MassivelyAge of Conan dev update talks open-world PvP, House of Crom originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedaocaoc-unchainedboricraig-morrisondungeonsfuncomgame-mechanicshouse-of-crommonthly-development-updateopen-world-pvppvppvp-world-bossshrines-of-borisilirriontheres-no-crying-in-pvpTue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PVP anyway?
At E3, Principal Lead Writer Daniel Erickson expressed that he wanted a roleplay player-vs.-player server for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Granted, BioWare's live team originally intended to not launch with any type of open-world PvP roleplay server. Community Coordinator David Bass confirmed this when he explained that the Guild HQ program will not support RP-PvP servers and that those guilds wishing to roll on those types of servers will have to do it the old fashioned way: in game. According to the Daedalus Project, a study on the habits of MMO players, only 7% of all players actually roll a character on an RP-PvP server. However, when you keep in mind that SWTOR has the largest preorder sales of any PC game as of right now (about 802,000, not including digital and European sales), 7% ends up being a significant number. At least, there are enough people interested in RP-PvP to fill a server.

I understand that many people are turned off by the idea of mixing roleplay with PvP. I completely understand that. When the term RP hits people, images of Goldshire and naked Night Elves come to mind immediately. In truth, however, roleplay is really just telling a story through an interactive medium, in this case an MMO. For instance, if in the course of playing SWTOR you find yourself asking, "What would my character do in this situation?", then you have just brushed up against roleplay. In RP-PvP, players enjoy a very similar experience.

Today, let's talk about mixing story and PvP. Players have found diverse ways to integrate the two. Beyond the break, I have examples of how you may find ways to do it yourself, even if hardcore roleplay isn't your thing.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksondavid-bassEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedguild-vs-guildGuild-warLucasArtsopen-world-pvpplayer-versus-playerplayer-vs-playerPvProle-playroleplayRolePlayingRPRP-PVPserver-typesStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarzonesTue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: AA resets, tradeskills, and hardcore PvP stagnation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-anvil-of-crom-aa-resets-tradeskills-and-hardcore-pvp-stag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-anvil-of-crom-aa-resets-tradeskills-and-hardcore-pvp-stag/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/the-anvil-of-crom-aa-resets-tradeskills-and-hardcore-pvp-stag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom banner - angry man with a sword
Welcome back to the Anvil of Crom, dear readers. After the content explosion of the past couple of months, it seems almost strange to be relatively relaxed when it comes to Age of Conan. I'd gotten so used to scrambling around re-writing columns at the last minute -- and polishing up interviews and impression pieces -- that I had almost forgotten what it feels like to settle into a comfortable gameplay groove.

In looking around for interesting topics this week, I realized that it's been quite some time since I turned the column over to the community. So without further ado, join me after the cut to see what's on the minds of Hyborians at home and abroad as we power through the week's hot topics.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: AA resets, tradeskills, and hardcore PvP stagnation

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: AA resets, tradeskills, and hardcore PvP stagnation originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aa-resetaa-resetsage-of-conanage-of-conan-hot-topicsage-of-conan-unchainedalternate-advancementalternate-advancement-resetanvil-of-cromaocaoc-hot-topicsaoc-unchainedcommunity-roundupcommunity-updatecraftingcrafting-revampcraig-morrisondeathwishf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomhot-topicsopen-world-pvpopinionpopulationpvp-objectivespvp-serversragesilirrionthe-anvil-of-cromtradeskill-revampSun, 09 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites
Like just about everyone else watching the PAX coverage, I was expecting something big to come from Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, aside from a release date, I really didn't know what the team could give us that everyone would find important. At this point, you either like what you see or you don't. Nothing short of actually playing the game is going to make a difference. This oversaturation of information is a direct consequence of starting a marketing campaign three years ago. This long campaign results in news being regurgitated a few times over, as if it were new info. Take for instance the same-gender romance arc -- that was a topic we covered two years ago.

As I did in the last nuna bites segment, I'd like to take a moment to discuss some of the smaller bits of news that you may have missed. At the same time, I would also like to weigh in on the same-gender-romance-arc subject because it is important, and I would like others to feel comfortable about expressing their personal viewpoints on the subject too.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artseternity-vaultfeaturedgabe-amatangelogayIlumLucasArtsopen-world-pvpPAXpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011PvPsame-gender-romance-arcsseraphina-brennansolo-gameStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTotally-Rad-ShowTue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The battle-scarred blogger]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-battle-scarred-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-battle-scarred-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-battle-scarred-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Shadowbane
I've long since enjoyed doing this column because, to me, it feels like the next best thing to having been there back in the day, playing these games. No one MMO player can occupy all titles at once, so experiences are bound to pass us by. Fortunately, the gamers who were there have long memories and are often more than willing to share a story or two if given half the chance.

After last week's initial foray into our Shadowbane retrospective, I fished around for a hearty veteran of the minotaur wars who was willing to step up and answer a few questions without succumbing to post-traumatic stress disorder. Within a minute, my good friend Grimnir bit into the topic, and I reeled him in as he flopped and gasped for air. At some point, this metaphor got away from me, but no worries. Hit that jump and let's cast our nets down memory river and see what we can dredge up!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The battle-scarred blogger

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The battle-scarred blogger originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogbloggerdaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkfalldramaeveeve-onlinef2pfactionfeaturedfishing-metaphorfree-to-playgankgankergankinggrimnirgrimnirs-grudgesguild-vs-guildmudmudsopen-world-pvppkpkersplayer-citiespolitical-systempoliticspvpracial-divideracismrebootriftsandboxshadowbanethe-game-archaeologisttrash-talkubisoftwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowwow-cloneTue, 09 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-game-archaeologist-uncovers-shadowbane-the-highlights/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Way back when I used to haunt the corridors of Gamestop and not shun the place due to its stinky evil, I remember being enticed with these fancy-pantsy "MMORPG" boxes when I'd see them on the shelf. I must have picked up Shadowbane a dozen or so times to check out the blurbs on the back, mentally weighing whether or not this would be the one to introduce me to online gaming, but ultimately it was not to be.

It's probably for the best, considering that Shadowbane was primarily PvP and I'm a PvE guy at heart. Plus, the title never really took off the way that publisher Ubisoft had hoped, spending most of its six years of operation lurking in the background of the MMO industry instead of sharing the spotlight.

But still, six years! That's far longer than any of the titles we've been talking about these past couple months, and considering that Shadowbane won last week's poll to become this month's topic, there are obviously strong feelings lurking among you. What did Shadowbane try to do differently, how did it stay alive as long as it did, and what was its downfall? Hit the jump to find out!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineappleapple-versiondaocdark-age-of-camelotdarkfallddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeqeverquestf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgamestopgamezoneguild-citieshistoryLouis-Lamarchemacmac-versionmudopen-world-pvppatch-22player-built-citiesplayer-citiesplayer-citypolitical-systemprimeresetreset-buttonreset-switchrise-of-chaossandboxshadowbaneshadowbane-rebootshadowbane-resetsiege-warfarethe-game-archaeologistthrone-of-oblivionubisoftwolfpackwolfpack-studiosTue, 02 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Is Age of Conan a PvP-focused game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/15/the-anvil-of-crom-is-age-of-conan-a-pvp-focused-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/15/the-anvil-of-crom-is-age-of-conan-a-pvp-focused-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/15/the-anvil-of-crom-is-age-of-conan-a-pvp-focused-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the great things about Massively is the deluge of MMO information and opinion that is spread across the site on a daily basis. Since I'm so closely tied to our Age of Conan coverage, it's interesting to read other writers' perspectives on Hyboria, particularly when they don't match my own.

Take one of our recent early-morning conversation starters in which Funcom's title is described as a PvP-focused game. Despite being a throw-away reference, the wording here struck a strange chord. Age of Conan does feature both open world and instanced PvP, but said PvP is -- in my experience -- a red-headed step-child in terms of content updates, system tweaks, and player preference.

The key here is "in my experience," and it's amazing how a simple turn of phrase like "PvP-focused game" can send the mind drifting on all manner of perceptual tangents. Analytically, though, is Age of Conan a PvP-focused game as of May 2011? Head past the cut to find out.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Is Age of Conan a PvP-focused game?

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Is Age of Conan a PvP-focused game? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conananvil-of-cromaocboricall-of-jhebbal-sagcraig-morrisonfantasyfeaturedfuncomgame-mechanicsminigamesopen-world-pvpopinionpvepve-vs-pvppvppvp-vs-pveshrines-of-borithe-anvil-of-cromSun, 15 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The Nerfpocalypse]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/wasteland-diaries-the-nerfpocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/wasteland-diaries-the-nerfpocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/wasteland-diaries-the-nerfpocalypse/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I don't know about you, but when I think about a post-apocalyptic future, I think about bands of merciless raiders, anarchy and danger along every roadway. Does Fallen Earth have all of these things? Yes, but it is hardly the lawless, danger-ridden place (once you get acclimated to it) that you would expect to find when civilization has collapsed and there are mutants running amok. Fallen Earth is hardly the quintessential post-apocalyptic future. Games like Gamma World (a pen-and-paper RPG from days of yore) and Wasteland captured the bleakness of a destroyed world much more convincingly.

But who knows. Maybe the folks at Icarus got it right. We'll never know until the earth is destroyed. And games won't be such a matter of import when almost everyone is gone. Anyway, what I am getting at is the setting. The setting looks fantastic; the art department has certainly captured a desolate wasteland. The writing is great, and the towns and encounters are well-designed. Fallen Earth has the ambiance nailed. But the wasteland just doesn't have that sense of danger about it. Not for me, at least. After the cut, I'll discuss what I thought FE was going to be like, what it is, and what I think it should be.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The Nerfpocalypse

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The Nerfpocalypse originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypseclan-warfareclansconflict-townsfactional-warfarefactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedicarusicarus-studiosopen-world-pvppvepvppvp-flaggingpvp-zonestownsFri, 04 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


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.

Last week, our own Jef Reahard mounted the Massively Soapbox with an article titled Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP. In it, he argued that open PvP was a natural and necessary part of any solid sandbox MMO. He also made waves by suggesting that FFA PvP is crucial to the roleplaying experience and that roleplayers should really face their "fears" and give it a try.

I'm a sandbox gamer and a PvPer at heart. I played the early years of Ultima Online and lived the adrenaline rush of full and brutal PvP and thievery. Dark Age of Camelot's RvR sucked up another year of my life. Star Wars Galaxies remains my sandbox of choice, and I've braved a World of Warcraft PvP server since launch. I know this territory very well. I'll knock it, because I have more than tried it -- in several tasty flavors.

And even though I'm an unabashed Jef-fangirl, I think there are a few debatable issues with his article. Hit the jump for some good old-fashioned counterpoints!

Continue reading The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchyBlizzardccpCCP-Gamesconsequencesdeath-mechanicea-mythiceveeve-onlinefeaturedffaffa-pvpgankergriefergriefersImmersionopen-pvpopen-world-pvpopinionpve-sandboxpvppvp-sandboxroleplayroleplayerRolePlayersRolePlayingRPSandboxsandbox-mmosandparksoapboxSOESony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgthe-soapboxThemeParktrammelUltima-OnlineUOWorld-of-WarcraftwowTue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you like your PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-like-your-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ah, PvP. Personally I kinda hate it, even on those rare occasions when I manage to emerge victorious. In small doses it's OK, but usually it consists of getting face-rolled by a player who knows the game systems much better than I do. That said, minigame PvP is quite enjoyable, particularly Age of Conan's variety, as well as the scenarios in Warhammer Online.

For a carebear like me, the only way to make PvP even semi-palatable is to grant control over when and if it happens. Sure, we may still lose and provide a good belly-laugh to the seasoned killers who view us as their game content, but at least they're not barging in on an otherwise productive session of questing, crafting, or exploring.

What about you, Massively readers? Do you prefer your PvP in spurts such as minigame instances or battlegrounds, or do you like the open-world FFA option common in games like Darkfall and Mortal Online?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you like your PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocaventurinebattlegroundscarebearsdarkfallffaffa-pvpfuncomminigamesmortal-onlineopen-world-pvpopinionpvpstarvaultthe-daily-grindThu, 05 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 launches into space Taikodom-style!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-launches-into-space-taikodom-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-launches-into-space-taikodom-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/e3-launches-into-space-taikodom-style/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are not many games that truly give the player the feel of what it is like to fly a starship in space. In fact, even some of the MMOs that label themselves as sci-fi are often just fantasy games with a futuristic paint job. And if you're looking for, more specifically, a free-to-play sci fi MMO, you will find but one game, and that game is Taikodom, the Brazilian-born, space-action game. If this game seems familiar, it's because it was recently acquired by GamersFirst, who have really put production of this title into full gear. Massively was lucky enough to to get our hands on the current incarnation of this game -- pre-beta! -- at E3.

Set some 300 years in the future, Taikodom tells us that Earth -- or at least, Earth as we know it -- has completely changed. We are no longer able to set foot on the soothing surface of our blue-green homeworld. Instead, groups of space stations called Nodes are now our homes. Corporations run these nodes, and each has its own distinct faction and personality. Humanity now explores the galaxy in starships, which simulate and repeat familiar sights and sounds back to us. Hyperspace between Nodes is traversed via giant disc-shaped stations called, predictably, jumpgates. Explore this vast and exciting galaxy with us after the break!

Gallery: E3 2010: Taikodom

Continue reading E3 launches into space Taikodom-style!

MassivelyE3 launches into space Taikodom-style! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2010featuredgamersfirstopen-worldopen-world-pvpsci-fispacespaceshipstaikodomtaikodom-betaunityunity-engineThu, 17 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ragnar Tørnquist on what sets The Secret World apart]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ragnar-tornquist-on-what-sets-the-secret-world-apart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ragnar-tornquist-on-what-sets-the-secret-world-apart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ragnar-tornquist-on-what-sets-the-secret-world-apart/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


One of the games we've seen a lot of reader interest in at Massively is The Secret World, in development at Funcom. One of the key people behind the upcoming horror MMO is Ragnar Tørnquist, Producer and Director of The Secret World. Tørnquist recently sat down for an interview with Vladimir "Evoker" Georgiev from UGDB.com to discuss what will set The Secret World apart from other MMOs we've played.

One of the refreshing aspects of the game is there are no levels or classes in TSW. Tørnquist tells UGDB, "Our goal is to make sure that players can sit down and play this game and enjoy themselves from the very beginning. You don't start out fighting rats with a rusty sword. You get cool firearms, black magic, occult weapons from the outset -- and you're fighting demons and the undead, not wild boar or petty criminals."

Continue reading Ragnar Tørnquist on what sets The Secret World apart

MassivelyRagnar Tørnquist on what sets The Secret World apart originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conspiraciescultsdragonfuncomgame-mechanicshorrorilluminatiinterviewsloremysteriesnew-titlesoccultopen-worldopen-world-pvppvpragnar-tornquistsecret-societiestemplarthe-secret-worldFri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR's phase two experience enhancements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/wars-phase-two-experience-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/wars-phase-two-experience-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/wars-phase-two-experience-enhancements/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Man, these guys just keep on rollin' with these updates. After the first phase of Mythic's "experience enhancements" players in their 3 and 4 found themselves with an overall improved experience gain in those zones. Now Mythic has taken the next step in phase two by allowing players to receive not only renown, but experience from capturing a keep -- assuming they're the proper,(non-bolstered) level. The Warhammer Online Herald lays out the tier requirements as such, "In Tier 2, players will begin to earn this bonus when they reach rank 15. In Tier 3, the minimum rank required is 25, and in Tier 4 it is 35. Players will notice a diminishing return from keep captures if their level approaches the top of that tier." All in all, it seems like Mythic has put some serious thought into this decision.

We're happy to see them giving players more reason to participate in open world RvR earlier in the game. Scenarios are fun and all, but there's definitely something to be said about some good old keep capturing.

MassivelyWAR's phase two experience enhancements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsexperience-enhancementkeepsopen-world-pvpscenarioswarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineWed, 15 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ever since World of Warcraft hit the scene back in late 2004, it has experienced enormous success that even its creators hadn't foreseen -- with an estimated 2.5 million active player-base in the United States, 5.5 in Asia and around 2 in Europe. I think we can all agree that World of Warcraft's position as king of the hill isn't going to change anytime soon, because change takes time with all things. There is, however, a change that's been coming to a slow boil. For the past three years players have been leveling up in WoW, but when they get to the end most players have only two choices. They can either choose to focus on battlegrounds/arena PvP or they can partake in endgame raiding of various instances.

These last few months I've been looking closely at the two hyped-up massively games 2008 has to offer; Age of Conan and Warhammer Online. It has become more and more apparent to me that this year is going to be the year of the PvP endgame focus. A lot of people have played or seen the raid game and found it to be something they had no interest in. Ideally, if a developer can make a PvP endgame experience that's easy to get into and fun for everyone involved they will have something different on their hands that could potentially grab tons of subscribers.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocblizzardcall-of-duty-4featuredflying-labfuncomgriefersopen-world-pvppirates-of-the-burning-seapotbssoesony-online-entertainmentwarwarhammer-onlineSat, 26 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST