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: SWTOR consolidates comms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR consolidates comms
Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel hit the public test server last week, prompting a lot of players to rush to see the latest changes to this Star Wars MMORPG. Unfortunately, the majority of content slated to come out with this expansion has not been released publicly -- namely, the new planet of Makeb. Fortunately, we did get a sneak peek into the new gear progression as well as the Scum and Villainy operation.

Gear progression is a common subject for this column and with good reason. Although there is skill involved when playing SWTOR, gear is the great equalizer. As in many themepark MMOs, a player's gear greatly determines whether or not he can defeat specific instances or bosses. Because of this, how a player earns gear and which gear happens to be the best at any given moment becomes top priority when new content comes out. With an additional five levels being added with Rise of the Hutt Cartel, gear becomes especially important. Let's examine how everything breaks down.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0biowarecommendationsdailieseaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedflashpointsfree-to-playgearguidehyperspace-beaconlucasartsoperationsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorSWTOR-2.0the-old-republictorTue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR awards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon the SWTOR awards
The Oscars were given out two nights ago. Celebrities, actors, and film crews dressed in their red-carpet best to be handed a 13.5-inch golden statue of a naked bald man. As I heard these writers and directors give thanks to various loved-ones and talent agencies, I thought about Star Wars: The Old Republic. (Sad. I know.) SWTOR contains some of the best writing and storytelling in all of MMOs. In my opinion, it's better than some of movies represented on that stage. Sure, it didn't impact the world like Zero Dark Thirty, but it did impact my world, and I'd like to recognize some of the best parts of this MMORPG.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR awards

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR awards originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexander-freedawardsbest-ofbest-of-swtorbiowarecharles-boyddungeonseaelectronic-artsesselesf2pfeaturedflashpointsfree-to-playhall-hoodhyperspace-beaconimperial-agentinstanceskaraggas-palacelucasartsoperationsOperator-IXopinionpuzzle-bossraidsRishasci-fismugglerstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwritingTue, 26 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic kicks off meeting the developers with Jesse Sky]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/star-wars-the-old-republic-kicks-off-meeting-the-developers-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/star-wars-the-old-republic-kicks-off-meeting-the-developers-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/star-wars-the-old-republic-kicks-off-meeting-the-developers-wit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There's a pun to made here about Venom and comment sections, but I'll let you piece that one together.
Like every MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic is not a game produced by a single person. The community team behind the game has kicked off what promises to be a series of articles introducing the developers, starting with the lead Flashpoint and Operations designer Jesse Sky. Like BioWare's similar articles for other franchises, the interview is a mix of questions about Star Wars: The Old Republic and questions about who Sky is as a person.

Sky goes on record as mentioning that he sees designing Flashpoints as similar to designing an adventure for a tabletop game, with the story choices having a major impact on how the instance is paced out. There's also a science to making sure that the encounters are designed to be challenging while at the same time not insurmountable. If you'd like to know more about one of the minds behind the game's content, check out the full interview, and perhaps throw a few more questions into the official discussion thread.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic kicks off meeting the developers with Jesse Sky originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsencounter-designflashpointsinstance-designinternal-interviewsinterviewsjesse-skylucasartsnewsoperationssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 09 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's tools of the raid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-tools-of-the-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-tools-of-the-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-tools-of-the-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR's tools of the raid
I've mentioned that I don't like the idea of judging other players by arbitrary numbers. It annoys me when a person is included or excluded from an event or guild simply based on something like gearscore or pure DPS numbers. However, the importance of these numbers shouldn't be undervalued in a game like Star Wars: The Old Republic.

A couple of weeks back, I wrote an article about how the gear grind is "unfun." I don't like the grind, but I do like building good gear. I hate to admit it, but there is a little bit of min-maxer in me (just a little!).

With SWTOR turning nine months old, many news and guide sites have settled into a routine. Surprisingly, the sites that I visited pre-launch are not the sites that I visit now. Now I am interested in the more granular sites that help me with very specific tasks of the game. Granted, I still visit Darth Hater and TORWars when I'm looking for news, but I have a completely different set of sites and tools for character building. These are the three sites I use almost daily.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's tools of the raid

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's tools of the raid originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armor-databasearmoryask-mr-robotBioWarecombat-logEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedhyperspace-beaconlogsLucasArtsMOX-desktop-parseroperationsopinionparsing-logsraidraid-toolsraidingStar-Warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictoolstorTue, 09 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Gear grinding is unfun
If you have been following me for the last few years on this column and some of the podcasts that I've done, then you are aware that hardcore progression raiding and PvP are not my thing. You will also know that I don't fault players for having their own fun, but the MMO industry often assumes raiders and PvPers are the ones game developers need to target and pursue. It could be that they are the loudest, the fastest, or maybe just the most competitive. I appreciate the players who blast through content. They are usually ones who make the guides that the slower players use to fight the "unbeatable boss." Unfortunately for developers, these are not the players who stick to the game.

BioWare made a lot of naive mistakes with Star Wars: The Old Republic, but one of the biggest is that it listened too much to the vocal minority instead of attempting to make a game that caters to the long-term player. I consider myself and my guild long-term players. We play SWTOR for a multitude of reasons, ranging from basic Star Wars fanboyism to exploring new content to engaging in intense PvP battles. But one thing that is consistent among all of us is that we don't like to gear grind.

Don't get me wrong; I understand that there need be a carrot for the players who complete high-level content, but I believe that SWTOR, along with other MMOs, is doing it wrong, and frankly, it's not fun.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareDaedalus-Projecteaelectronic-artsfeaturedflashpointflashpointshyperspace-beaconlucasartsmmo-cultureoperationoperationsopinionprogressionPvEraidingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic previews Terror From Beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-previews-terror-from-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-previews-terror-from-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/star-wars-the-old-republic-previews-terror-from-beyond/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Maybe... maybe he just wants a hug.
If you can't wait for the next tier of Operations in Star Wars: The Old Republic, you'll be happy to know that the newest tier is being added in update 1.4. You may be slightly less happy to know that the new operation, Terror From Beyond, is not meant to be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. A new developer diary explains the lore behind the operation and some of the threats that players will be facing on the swamp planet of Asation.

Colonized and largely abandoned by the Gree, Asation is a swamp planet that houses a massive hyperspace gate. The Dread Masters, a group of Sith not known for sunny dispositions, have opened the gate and started filling the planet with all manner of horrible creatures. The operation promises to offer new encounters and mechanics beyond what's been seen in previous raids, something for dedicated endgame players to look forward to in the next major content update.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic previews Terror From Beyond originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendgamelorelucasartsoperationoperationspreviewraidraidssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-update-1.4terror-from-beyondthe-old-republictorThu, 30 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE alters ProSiebenSat.1 deal to include EQ, Vanguard, and Wizardry Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/soe-alters-prosiebensat-1-deal-to-include-eq-vanguard-and-wiza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/soe-alters-prosiebensat-1-deal-to-include-eq-vanguard-and-wiza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/soe-alters-prosiebensat-1-deal-to-include-eq-vanguard-and-wiza/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SOE alters ProSiebenSat1 deal to include more titles
After months of insisting that the deal with ProSiebenSat.1 was locked in, SOE announced that it is expanding the library of titles that the European operator will take over and run for the region.

In addition to the MMOs and other titles included with this past February's announcement, ProSiebenSat.1 looks to take over EverQuest, Vanguard, and Wizardry Online as well. All in all, it gives ProSiebenSat.1 the exclusive license to operate these titles in 40 European nations.

SOE President John Smedley said that this is nothing but good news for European gamers: "ProSiebenSat.1 is the ideal partner for us to reach an even broader audience in Europe. We are confident that the combination of the media power provided by ProSiebenSat.1 and our expertise in developing high-quality online games will appeal to players in a new and captivating way, creating the perfect prerequisite for achieving great success with our games in Europe."

MassivelySOE alters ProSiebenSat.1 deal to include EQ, Vanguard, and Wizardry Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealeqeq1europeeuropeaneverquestf2pfantasyfree-to-playgamepothardcorejohn-smedleyopen-pvpoperationsoperatorpermadeathpkplayer-killingpray-they-dont-alter-it-any-furtherprosiebensat.1pvpsandboxsir-techsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttelonvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgwizardryFri, 17 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Raid vs. small group content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/leaderboard-raid-vs-small-group-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/leaderboard-raid-vs-small-group-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/leaderboard-raid-vs-small-group-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard Raid vs small group content
When it comes to partying up in MMOs, it seems like everyone has his or her own preference for what size is ideal. While I've dipped my toes into the waters of raiding, I found it far too chilly and impersonal for my temperament. Yet while I prefer small group instance runs, I'm not blind to the fact that raiding remains immensely popular among part of the population.

Small group content offers a more intimate setting for you and a few friends (or strangers with potty mouths) to tackle an instance. Because there are so few of you, each player needs to pull his or her own weight and become a hero. These runs tend to be less stressful and far more accessible to the game's population.

On the other hand, raids offer the most challenging content in the game. A raid requires all involved to be geared up, skilled, and knowledgeable in the ways of fight patterns. Participating in one can feel downright epic, especially when you consider that you can see content that many players will never witness.

So let's put it to a vote! Which do you prefer: raid or small group content?

Continue reading Leaderboard: Raid vs. small group content

MassivelyLeaderboard: Raid vs. small group content originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-man5-man-parties5-man-runs5-mansbattle-royaldungeondungeonsleaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneoperationsopinionpartypollpollspugraidraid-contentraidssmall-groupsmall-group-contentversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 06 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic's guide to the group finder]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/a-guide-to-questions-about-star-wars-the-old-republics-group-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/a-guide-to-questions-about-star-wars-the-old-republics-group-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/a-guide-to-questions-about-star-wars-the-old-republics-group-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Not included, a guide to getting all of your DPS to focus fire appropriately. Which is sometimes more difficult.
In a perfect world, all Star Wars: The Old Republic groups would be composed of several friends working together. But sometimes your friends aren't online or just have other things to do, and for those times, there's the Group Finder tool. But why is it that you can select a role you can't perform? Why do you queue up as healing or damage but always get picked for healing? How does the whole daily reward work? For answers to these questions and more, production team member Toni Phillips has put together a rundown of some of the Finder's more esoteric features.

Phillips explains that daily rewards require you to complete the final step of the Flashpoint mission rather than simply clear the last boss, which usually involves clicking on an object at the end. Role selection, meanwhile, is determined by what your advanced class can do rather than what you're currently able to do, and if you select multiple roles, the finder will tend to pull from the rarer roles first. For more information and a more thorough breakdown, take a look at the full guide.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic's guide to the group finder originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaily-rewardsdungeonseaelectronic-artsflashpointsgame-featuresgroup-contentgroup-findergroupingguideslucasartsofficial-guidesoperationssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictoni-phillipstorThu, 12 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR podcast discusses operations design philosophy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/swtor-podcast-discusses-operations-design-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/swtor-podcast-discusses-operations-design-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/swtor-podcast-discusses-operations-design-philosophy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR podcast discusses operations design philosophy
Switch on the old Victrola because the BioWare DJs are back with the second episode of the official Star Wars: The Old Republic podcast. The podcasters chat with the devs about their daily routine, operations design philosophy, nightmare mode, and legacy perks.

Lead Flashpoints and Operations Designer Jesse Sky says that the design process of operations is organic and flows from a central idea: "Yeah we often just start with the theme, develop from there. One of the big things we try to do is differentiate the combat from the rest of the game. You're dealing with eight or 16 players at once; it's got a very different feel from most of the Star Wars-type combat in the game. You often fight humanoids in the rest of the game; we're often fighting big creatures and droids. And so a lot of the development centers around making that fun."

It's a meaty podcast that can be enjoyed in several different ways, from reading the transcript to listening to it on YouTube. Give it a listen and see if you don't hear a few teasers for upcoming content!

MassivelySWTOR podcast discusses operations design philosophy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareBrooks-Guthrieeaelectronic-artsEric-Muscogeorge-smithjessy-skylucasartsnightmarenightmare-modeoperationspodcastsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-podcastthe-old-republictorwilliam-wallaceFri, 06 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/star-wars-the-old-republic-community-qanda-addresses-mobile-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
It's time once again for another riveting episode of Star Wars: The Old Republic's community Q&A. This time around, the BioWare team covers a variety of concerns from SWTOR players ranging from the addition of a /roll command to the possibility of a mobile app. SWTOR's lead combat designer Damion Schubert had a bit to say regarding the latter, teasing that "it's almost as if this [crew skills] design was created specifically with [a mobile app] in mind, doesn't it?" Unfortunately the studio isn't prepared to give an ETA on the feature, "as [it] is a significant technical endeavour."

Non-Force-using healers also have plenty to look forward to as well, as the Q&A reveals that they'll be getting some love in patch 1.2, while Consulars and Inquisitors will have their heals brought back into line so that all healing classes and specs are (theoretically) viable. To get the full details on these subjects and more, just click on through the link below to the community Q&A at SWTOR's official site. Oh, and while we're at it, the game is on sale for $49.99 US on Origin, so if you want to get in the game and see what all the hubbub's about, now's your opportunity to do so while keeping a cool Hamilton to yourself. The sale is only happening for a limited time, though, so be sure to act quickly.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50
I see you there -- you've made a name for yourself in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but where do you really fit within these wars? I know what you're thinking: What is this guy trying to sell? Stick with me for a moment; I'm not just a used-speeder salesman (speeders are way over-priced, by the way -- it's 570 thousand creds just for licensing, and the Empire's making a killing on that). I wanna talk to you about what you do after you conquer the galaxy

Of course, you've taken a bit of time to explore this wondrous universe. If you're a space explorer extraordinaire like I am, then you've danced with your share of Twi'leks on Nar Shaddaa. It's a good thing they have enough Twi'leks to balance out the Hutts, amirite? Hoth was cold, of course, but there's nothing like a war and a couple of Wampa battles to warm the blood. And what's up with the Voss? People who wear such funky make-up shouldn't be that stuffy. Still, it does make me think: How many Voss can fit in a speeder?

The galaxy is yours, and you're now a Darth or a Moff or something. Do you sit back and twiddle your thumbs? Of course not! A new game begins. It's a vastly different adventure than the one you just finished, but the features are still shiny.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Finally 50 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A month after Star Wars: The Old Republic began its official journey in the public eye, the developers of this game-changing MMO are ready to extend the story, which they call the fourth pillar of the MMO genre. In patch 1.1, which also brings the usual round of bug fixes, players will be introduced to a brand-new level 50 flashpoint as well as a completed version of the Karagga's Palace 8-to-16-man operation.

In the official press release for 1.1, BioWare founder Greg Zeschuk notes, "A month ago when we launched the Early Game Access program for Star Wars: The Old Republic, we promised our fans that this would just be the beginning of our journey together." That's all well and good, but we want details. So we rang up BioWare's Gabe Amatangelo to discuss the new flashpoint, Karagga's palace, Ilum, and the future of SWTOR PvP.

Be aware that there will be some minor spoilers, but we'll warn you in advance!

Continue reading Rakghouls and raging Hutts with SWTOR's Gabe Amatangelo

MassivelyRakghouls and raging Hutts with SWTOR's Gabe Amatangelo originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsemmanuel-lusinchifeaturedflashpointgabe-amatangelogame-update-1.1greg-zeschukiluminterviewkaraggas-palaceLucasArtsoperationsoutlaws-denPatch-1.1PvEPvPraidsRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fiStar-WaStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORvideovideosThu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection
"Always in motion is the future," Yoda reflected to Luke Skywalker in the greatest of all Star Wars movies, The Empire Strikes Back. Even for a Jedi master, the future is unpredictable and always fluid. Likewise, I made predictions about Star Wars: The Old Republic that were completely off base and some that were spot on. Of course, the ones I got wrong were part of the BioWare plot to subvert everything I do. That's right, I'm looking at you, Georg Zoeller.

This week, I'm going to borrow a phrase from the SWTOR-RP website: Force Reflection. Every weekday, these roleplayers pose a question about SWTOR, Star Wars, or some sort of roleplay trope to get you to think about how you play you character. However, I'm going to use the phrase to think back on the predictions I made in this column, specifically the first article of this year. Which ideas did I get correct? Which ideas did I get totally wrong? I can't be one hundred percent correct all the time. I have to leave room for some errors or else I'd lose my secret job as a psychic-hotline operator.

Jump past the break to judge for yourself.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Force reflection originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecustomizable-shipsdelayEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgeorg-zoellerHK-47james-ohlenlaunch-delayLucasArtsoperationsopinionplanetplanetsraidRevanshipsshutdownspeculationStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsunsettingSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic to receive combat log parsing, other analysis features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-receive-combat-log-parsing-other/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-receive-combat-log-parsing-other/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-receive-combat-log-parsing-other/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Were you wondering whether DPS meters are en route to your favorite galaxy far, far away? Players on the Star Wars: The Old Republic official forums have dug up a Fansite Summit Q&A session with the game's lead combat designer Georg Zoeller in which he suggested that some new features will be coming to the game post-launch for those who want to ensure they're getting the most out of their character builds. During the talk, Zoeller claimed that combat log parsing and other such performance analysis features were "very high on [BioWare's] priority list." For the full details, and to listen to the full session yourself, head on over to the SWTOR official forums.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic to receive combat log parsing, other analysis features originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The original Republic flashpoint of Jedi Meditation and Posing has sadly been sent back to the drawing board.
Last weekend's big convention, New York Comic Con, hosted another panel on Star Wars: The Old Republic. And perhaps to the surprise of the fans, this panel was all about numbers. Specifically, it was all about the numbers for upcoming content in the game, such as Flashpoints, Operations, and Warzones. Stephen Reid took his time to lay out what players can expect from this content and how many different areas players can expect, starting with 15 different Flashpoints at launch.

The Flashpoints will not all be story-focused, according to Reid, with some focused more heavily on the puzzle or gameplay aspects. All of them, however, can be replayed at higher difficulties in the endgame. In addition, Reid showed off the upcoming fleet hubs for the game, the central gathering areas for players that feature vendors, auction systems, and a special "VIP Lounge" for people who purchased the Collector's Edition. With only a little over two months remaining until the game's launch, there's not much more time before these promised features become a reality.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic talks instanced regions and hubs at NYCC originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtoreaelectronic-artsflashpointshubsinstanced-areaslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgnew-york-comic-connew-york-comic-con-2011nyccnycc-2011operationsplayer-hubsspecial-featuresstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicupdateswarzonesMon, 17 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR opens the Operations holonet page]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/swtor-opens-the-operations-holonet-page/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR Operations
Star Wars: The Old Republic does everything slightly different from other MMOs on the market. Of course, the principle difference is personal story, which is woven into every bit of gameplay. Even the traditional raids are slightly different. In SWTOR, these highly dangerous group encounters are called Operations -- large, story-driven encounters for either faction. Today, the BioWare development team released a new page on the official website highlighting this endgame content.

The Eternity Vault Operation is presented through images of the opening cutscene, part of the first encounter, and the end boss, the Infernal One. The videos included had been presented previously during E3 and PAX East as the Eternity Vault trailer and walkthrough video. However, at the bottom of the page sits an image that does not fit the Eternity Vault encounter, followed by these cryptic words: "Even though the Eternity Vault is featured prominently here, it is not the only high-level Operation for you to experience in Star Wars: The Old Republic. More will be revealed..."

As soon as we know exactly what those words mean, we will let you know in our continued coverage of this highly anticipated title.

MassivelySWTOR opens the Operations holonet page originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you curious about endgame in Star Wars: The Old Republic? GameTrailers has a couple of E3-related videos that you'll want to check out, both of them focused on raiding content in a galaxy far, far away.

First up is a 10-minute clip featuring an interview with BioWare's Gabe Amatangelo as well as various bits of new footage. Amatangelo tells us about a raid that takes place on the outer rim planet of Belsavis. The clip centers on a prison facility in an icy environment, and we get a good look at the approach as well as some combat inside the complex. Amatangelo also talks a bit about raid difficulty levels before reiterating that SWTOR will release in 2011 (though no firm date is given).

The second video expands on some of the snippets in the interview clip, and BioWare shows us a minute and 20 seconds of action from the Belsavis raid. Check out both trailers after the cut and let us know what you think in the comments!

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid

MassivelyE3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belsavisbiowarebioware-mmocg-trailerscgie3e3-2011eaelectronic-artsgabe-amatangelooperationsraidsstar-warsstar-wars-mmostar-wars-the-old-republicswtortortrailertundravideoWed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon acquires NDOORS Interactive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's not quite as stunning as the earlier announcement regarding Turbine and Warner Bros, but for the free-to-play world a big shakeup has taken place. Nexon, known for MapleStory, Mabinogi, and the upcoming Vindictus among others, has acquired a controlling share of NDOORS Interactive, known principally for Atlantica Online. The deal was announced in Korea late Monday evening, with Nexon explaining that they had acquired 67% of the company's shares including those of the former chairman, Seung-Mun Kwon.

Nexon CEO Su-Min was quite pleased about the acquisition, stating that the addition of the technical expertise and experience of the NDOORS team would help with the company's long-term plans and global expansion. There's no word yet on what this will mean for the operation of Atlantica Online in the US and elsewhere, although it's reasonable to assume that Nexon would likely consolidate their operations. We'll have more for you on this story as it develops and as further details come to light.

MassivelyNexon acquires NDOORS Interactive originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionatlantica-onlinebreakingbusinessf2pfree-to-playlegalmabinogimaplestorymergermergersnexonoperationsvindictusTue, 04 May 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming blog Imaginary Cogs focuses on MMO operations and server technology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/gaming-blog-imaginary-cogs-focuses-on-mmo-operations-and-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/gaming-blog-imaginary-cogs-focuses-on-mmo-operations-and-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/gaming-blog-imaginary-cogs-focuses-on-mmo-operations-and-server/#commentsFiled under: ,


There's a fair number of people out there blogging about their preferred massively multiplayer online games as well as the industry itself, and more all the time it seems. One area that isn't covered very often, however, is MMO operations, largely because it's something many bloggers have little direct experience with. However Bryant Durrell from Imaginary Cogs certainly does.

In the month since Durrell first started writing Imaginary Cogs he's offered up an industry insider's perspective on topics ranging from server technology to the ops that keep our games running, tapping his past work experience with Vivox and Turbine. Durrell's blog is a peek behind the curtain into how massively multiplayer online games operate. If you've ever been curious about the tech that powers massively multiplayer online games and how it's used, you might want to check out Imaginary Cogs.

[Via Zen of Design]

MassivelyGaming blog Imaginary Cogs focuses on MMO operations and server technology originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogsbryant-durrelldatabaseimaginary-cogsmmo-industryoperationsopspatchesserver-downtimeserver-technologyserversturbinevivoxzen-of-designTue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST