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[The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The History]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-ultima-prize-the-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-ultima-prize-the-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-ultima-prize-the-history/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Welcome to the first madcap adventure of The Game Archaeologist! In this column, we'll be looking back at some of the MMORPGs that may not get the spotlight these days, but deserve our respect and attention due to their place in MMO history. Together, we'll don our explorer gear, jump back in time, dust off forgotten treasures and look at the titles that helped build an online empire.

Each month, we'll embark on a voyage through a particular MMO of yesteryear in a three-part series. The first part will examine the history of the game and its place in the genre, the second part will feature interviews with current and past players of the game, and the third part will witness The Game Archaeologist himself checking out the title as it stands today (if the MMO is still up and running, that is).

For our first column, we'll salute one of the greatest grandfathers of the modern MMO: Ultima Online. Crack your whip and dive into the Stygian Abyss with us!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The History

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The History originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darkfalleafeaturedkingdom-rebornlord-blackthorns-revengelord-britishorigin-systemspvprainzRichard-GarriottTabula-Rasathe-game-archaeologistthe-stygian-abysstodd-mcfarlanetrammelultima-onlineultima-worlds-online-originultima-xworld-of-warcraftTue, 04 May 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How NCsoft should have done their layoffs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/how-ncsoft-should-have-done-their-layoffs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/how-ncsoft-should-have-done-their-layoffs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/how-ncsoft-should-have-done-their-layoffs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Adam Martin is no stranger to NCsoft or the game industry. We've already covered both his look into the failure of Tabula Rasa from his position at NCsoft, as well as his advice on how to approach customer service. His current topic, however, is a bit more edgy than usual.

Adam takes a crack at the NCsoft layoffs, not only saying they were expected but also going further by giving advice on how to properly lay off employees and departments. He makes the point that the company is simultaneously doing two things: both cleaning up the mess of a partial layoff in the development department in the European offices and transitioning the company into the hands of Arena.net veterans rather than Destination Games/Origin Systems veterans.

It may be a harsh situation, but Adam's post brings up many good points on how the whole thing could have been handled more effectively from a business stand-point. Check out his entire article over at his blog, T=Machine.

MassivelyHow NCsoft should have done their layoffs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-martinarena.netdestination-gamesnc-europencsoftncsoft-layoffsncwestorigin-systemsrichard-garriottrobert-garriottt-machineThu, 12 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Visual History of MMORPGs, Part I]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/massivelys-visual-history-of-mmorpgs-part-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/massivelys-visual-history-of-mmorpgs-part-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/massivelys-visual-history-of-mmorpgs-part-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


The MMORPG genre has come so far in these past few decades, it's almost difficult to believe. The journey from text MUDs to America Online-based dungeon crawlers, and all the way up to Age of Conan and Warhammer Online has been a truly impressive one. We here at Massively would like to invite you to step into the time machine with us and take a visual tour of that journey. We're taking a close look at the most important titles in online role-playing game history!

What was the first MUD? Howabout the first 3D MMO? When did these games transition from niche curiosities to global, cultural phenomenons, and who's responsible? In this series, we'll tackle all those questions and more. Plus, we'll see just how far these fancy graphics have come over the years! Sound like fun? Jump into the gallery!

Gallery: Massively's Visual History of MMORPGs, Part I

MUDNeverwinter Nights (1991)The Shadow of Yserbius (1992)Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds (1996)Meridian 59 (1996)

MassivelyMassively's Visual History of MMORPGs, Part I originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3doaolfeaturedgalleryhistoryjoystiqfeatureslineagemeridian-59mmorpgmmorpgsMUDncsoftnear-death-studiosneverwinter-nightsnexonnexusoriginorigin-systemsscreenshotsshadow-of-yserbiussierrasierra-onlinethe-realmultima-onlineMon, 31 Mar 2008 14:40:00 EST