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[SWTOR is launching in the Middle East and select European countries today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/swtor-launching-in-middle-east-and-select-european-countries-tod/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/swtor-launching-in-middle-east-and-select-european-countries-tod/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/swtor-launching-in-middle-east-and-select-european-countries-tod/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - I have two lightsabers, one for each of you
Star Wars: The Old Republic is finally coming to the Middle East and Europe today. Wait a minute -- hasn't the title been on sale in Europe for some time now? Well, yes, but not in countries like Iceland, Bulgaria, Croatia, and a dozen others.

BioWare is making a standard and deluxe version of its story-based MMO available both online and via select retailers (the former must be purchased through EA's Origin platform). Subscriptions are available in one-, three-, and six-month varieties. Hit up the official SWTOR website for a full list of countries where you can buy the game.

[Thanks to Sgt Barone for the tip!]

MassivelySWTOR is launching in the Middle East and select European countries today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artslucasartsoriginsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-european-launchswtor-middle-eastern-launchthe-old-republictorThu, 26 Apr 2012 09:30:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclass-balanceclassesdealdealseaelectronic-artshealerhealershealingmobile-appoperationsopsoriginq-and-aqasalesalesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT available on EA's Origin today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/rift-available-on-eas-origin-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/rift-available-on-eas-origin-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/rift-available-on-eas-origin-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT - Chloromancer in battle
If you haven't purchased RIFT yet, or you're looking for an additional copy, it might interest you to know that Trion's fantasy MMORPG is now available on Electronic Arts' Origin digital delivery platform.

The game comes bundled with an assortment of limited-edition items including a screechling vanity pet and the Ascended gift pack. The latter contains stat-boosting items that increase dexterity, strength, intelligence, and wisdom, as well as small health and mana boosters. Trion is also throwing in a 10-slot bag in case you need somewhere to put all those newly acquired potions.

RIFT launched to critical acclaim in March of 2011, and Trion is currently working on the title's seventh major content patch.

[Source: Trion press release]

MassivelyRIFT available on EA's Origin today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascended-gift-packdigital-downloadeaelectronic-artsfantasyoriginpetriftscreechling-vanity-pettelaratriontrion-worldsTue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: An interview with Brian Green (part 1)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-an-interview-with-br/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Meridian 59
Last week we began to examine one of the most significant MMOs in history: Meridian 59. While it never rose to the level of fame and subscriber numbers as its successors did, Meridian 59 was a daring pioneer that paved the way for all that followed. Its story is almost like a movie, with the title born from the fruits of two amateur programmers, surviving studio shutdowns and huge competition, and persevering from 1996 through today.

As I'll recount over the next two episodes of The Game Archaeologist, I sat down with Brian Green, a blogger and game developer who oversaw the resurrection of Meridian 59 in the early 2000s and ran it for the better part of a decade. Green graciously agreed to participate, saying that he always loves talking about games -- and this one in particular.

The Game Archaeologist: Hi! Please introduce yourself and your current position and project.

Brian Green: I'm Brian "Psychochild" Green, a long-time MMO designer and programmer. I'm known for my professional blog and my work on Meridian 59. I'm currently working on the Storybricks project as the MMO Wizard. We're a startup, so that means I do whatever needs to be done at the moment.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: An interview with Brian Green (part 1)

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: An interview with Brian Green (part 1) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dobrian-greenc++codingeaelectronic-artsfarsidefeaturedgenocidehighlandsinterviewKerovniameridian-59mudn64near-death-studiosoriginprogrammingpsychochildqrob-ellisrob-ellis-iiStephen-R-Donaldsonthe-game-archaeologistThomas-Covenantultima-onlineTue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does Origin's new EULA make you feel better about playing an EA game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/the-daily-grind-does-origins-new-eula-make-you-feel-better-abo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/the-daily-grind-does-origins-new-eula-make-you-feel-better-abo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/the-daily-grind-does-origins-new-eula-make-you-feel-better-abo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Origin Logo
So Electronic Arts has this digital rights management service called Origin, which was reincarnated from the former EA Store back in July of this year. It basically allows you to download certain purchased EA games straight from the tubes of the internet. It seemed harmless enough to the general MMO community... until fans began to worry that they'd need Origin in order to download and play Star Wars: The Old Republic. BioWare has since reassured the community to the contrary, but that didn't stop the concerns.

A few crafty fans of the upcoming MMO looked more deeply into the service, which sparked an eruption of rage. Origin was denounced as everything from spyware to an elaborate identify theft system. EA recently responded by changing the service's EULA, making it absolutely clear that the company is not out to steal anyone's personal information.

But is that enough for you? Has Origin completely soured you on SWTOR and any other EA game, or do you trust the new Origin EULA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does Origin's new EULA make you feel better about playing an EA game? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredigital-rights-managementdrmeaea-storeelectronic-artsopinionoriginstar-wars-the-old-republicthe-daily-grindSun, 28 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultima Online begins testing Publish 71.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/ultima-online-begins-testing-publish-71-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/ultima-online-begins-testing-publish-71-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/ultima-online-begins-testing-publish-71-0/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You'd think that an MMO well into its golden years like Ultima Online would slow down to take advantage of senior citizen menu options, bingo night, and yelling at youngsters to get off the lawn. But, no, the dev team is instead running like they've never run before, as a new update on the test shard Origin can attest.

Yesterday, the highly anticipated Publish 71.0 was pushed to the test server for players to tinker around and explore. The patch notes tell a tale of many, many balance changes and tweaks, along with plenty of brand-new buff icons. Fishing's also been treated to somewhat of an overhaul with the patch, as additional trophies are being installed and schools of magical fish will begin to move around in order to keep you guessing. There's even a special sea encounter with Charybdis that is only available to dedicated fishermen.

To check out all of the nitty-gritty details and bug fixes that are coming with 71.0, head on over to Ultima Online to read the notes!

MassivelyUltima Online begins testing Publish 71.0 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>71.0buff-iconsbug-fixesCharybdisea-mythicfishingmythicmythic-entertainmentoriginpatchpublishpublish-71.0testtest-shardultima-onlineuoupdateWed, 20 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA quotes '200 hours of gameplay per class' in SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/ea-200-hours-of-gameplay-per-class-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/ea-200-hours-of-gameplay-per-class-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/ea-200-hours-of-gameplay-per-class-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For most single-player video games, eight to 20 hours of gameplay is currently considered "sufficient." For Star Wars: The Old Republic, those numbers are merely a prologue to the main event.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Electronic Arts' Frank Gibeau said that players should expect around 200 hours of core gameplay per class, not including side activities like PvP and raiding. He was responding to a question about the game's allegedly high budget, which Gibeau says is worth the investment: "It's vast. It's a gigantic game. And that costs money. But when you get one of these launched they persist for a long period of time."

Gibeau also commented on the decision to exclusively release the digital version of SWTOR through EA's Origin service: "In the case of Star Wars we're trying to build an audience for Origin. And it's also an opportunity for us to better manage the downloads and how we bring people over from the beta and that sort of thing. For a lot of reasons it made sense for an MMO, which is a highly complex deployment."

MassivelyEA quotes '200 hours of gameplay per class' in SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>200-hoursbiowarebudgetdigital-downloadeaea-biowareea-originelectronic-artsFrank-Gibeaugameplayintervieworiginstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: EA's Origin teases the SWTOR E3 trailer [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/eas-origin-teases-the-swtor-e3-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/eas-origin-teases-the-swtor-e3-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/eas-origin-teases-the-swtor-e3-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Everyone has been anticipating the next trailer from Blur Studio to finish out the Star Wars: The Old Republic's video trilogy. Thanks to Electronic Arts' new online store, Origin, we have a sneak peek into the content of the trailer!

In the first few seconds of the teaser, you see Jedi Satele Shan and an another unnamed Jedi onboard a starship, then a battalion of Sith Star Destoryers (which we assume has Darth Malgus aboard). Then the battle for Korriban begins. Darth Malgus attempts to take back the Sith homeworld as Satele Shan (with the help of a Smuggler) flees the war-torn planet.

Catch this full trailer after the break, and stay tuned for more E3 MMO news right here!

[Thanks to BJ Brains for the tip!]

[Updated: The full Blur trailer now follows the break, too.]

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: EA's Origin teases the SWTOR E3 trailer [Updated]

MassivelyE3 2011: EA's Origin teases the SWTOR E3 trailer [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareblurE3e3-2011EAElectronic-ArtsLucasArtsoriginsatele-shanstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortortrailervideoMon, 06 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to be the sole source for SWTOR downloads [updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ea-to-be-the-sole-source-for-swtor-downloads/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ea-to-be-the-sole-source-for-swtor-downloads/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ea-to-be-the-sole-source-for-swtor-downloads/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Thanks to our friends at Darth Hater, Massively has learned that the highly anticipated MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic will be sold as a direct download only through Electronic Arts itself. In an interview with CEO John Riccitiello, the Wall Street Journal uncovered news of EA's new service, one it's calling Origin. This service will provide customers with a download service for all EA games, including the Battlefield games, the Need For Speed games, and the aforementioned Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Origin is to act as a social network hub as well as a place to track all your EA game purchases, explained Riccitiello to the Wall Street Journal. This functionality will be available to all users even if they did not purchase the game directly from Origin. However, Riccitiello clarified that Star Wars: The Old Republic will still be purchasable in box form via retailers; only the digital download itself will be exclusive to Origin. Presumably, other all-digital services such as Direct2Drive and Steam will not carry the game.

The full article from the Wall Street Journal is available with a subscription to the newspaper's website.

[Update: Stephen Reid posted to the official SWTOR forums: "However, even though you'll only be able to buy and download The Old Republic digitally via Origin, you will still be able to buy a retail, boxed copy of the game from your favorite retailer (and that includes online retailers who'll ship the box to you). BioWare and EA know the value many gamers place on a cool boxed product... and we're producing a cool boxed product. (Or maybe I should say 'boxed products'.)"]

MassivelyEA to be the sole source for SWTOR downloads [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredarth-haterdigital-downloadEAElectronic-Artseric-brownJohn-riccitielloLucasArtsOriginStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwall-street-journalwsjThu, 02 Jun 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/gdco-2010-rich-vogel-and-calvin-crowner-on-13-years-of-ultim/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At this year's GDC Online in Austin, Ultima Online was the first game inducted into the Game Developer's Choice Hall of Fame. Massively had a chance to look back at UO's thirteen years of history with its original senior producer, Richard Vogel, and its current one, Calvin Crowner. Follow along after the jump to read more on their impressions of those 13 years.

Continue reading GDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online

MassivelyGDCO 2010: Rich Vogel and Calvin Crowner on 13 years of Ultima Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventures-on-the-high-seasawardsBoosterboosterscalvin-crownerEAea-mythicEGMevent-moderatorsfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegdc-online-2010gdcogdco-2010high-seashigh-seas-expansioninterviewInterviewsMythic-Entertainmentoriginosire-enlistersrich-vogelSandboxseersUltima-OnlineUOMon, 11 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What if...? Ten canceled MMOs that could've changed history]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/what-if-ten-canceled-mmos-that-couldve-changed-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/what-if-ten-canceled-mmos-that-couldve-changed-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/what-if-ten-canceled-mmos-that-couldve-changed-history/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

What if...? Some of the most intriguing questions known to mankind start with those two words, as well as the most maddening. What if...? An entire genre known as "alternate history" is derived from these questions, with scholars and average blokes alike speculating on what might have happened if things went just a little differently. What if Hitler got the bomb first? What if Microsoft developed the iPod instead of Apple? What if Abraham Lincoln decided to see a different play that night?

When it comes to MMORPGs, what if's can drive one up the wall. In this volatile genre, more projects have started, canceled, launched, struggled, faded and morphed into new creations than most of us know. Today, we want to look at 10 MMOs that were axed before their launch, 10 MMOs that could've changed gaming history as we know it... if only they got the chance to prove themselves.

Let's take a journey, you and I, through history itself, and ponder the greatest of questions: How would the MMO industry be different if these titles had made it to release? Click the first picture on the gallery below to start.

Gallery: What if...? Ten canceled MMOs that could've changed history

1. True Fantasy Live Online2. Ultima Worlds Online: Origin3. Halo Online4. Imperator Online

MassivelyWhat if...? Ten canceled MMOs that could've changed history originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-historycancelledclimaxcrypticeafeaturedgods-and-heroeshaloimperatorjagexlevel-5marvel-universe-onlinemechscapemicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmiddle-earth-onlinemythicMythic-Entertainmentmythicaoriginperpetual-entertainmentRichard-Garriottrunescapestar-trek-onlinesuper-hero-squad-onlinetrue-fantasy-live-onlineultima-onlineultima-online-worlds-originswarhammer-onlinewhat-ifThu, 10 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mark Jacobs says EA wanted to kill UO, but he saved it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/mark-jacobs-says-ea-wanted-to-kill-uo-but-he-saved-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/mark-jacobs-says-ea-wanted-to-kill-uo-but-he-saved-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/mark-jacobs-says-ea-wanted-to-kill-uo-but-he-saved-it/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mythic CEO and Warhammer Online lead designer Mark Jacobs is a man who speaks his mind in the face of opposition and criticism. In truth, it's an admirable trait, even if it might occasionally cause some trouble. In the face of criticism from forum trolls and Blizzard COO Paul Sams, he posted a super-long defense of his game and himself. That's interesting on its own, but there's a gem hidden inside. Jacobs claimed that EA wanted to shut down Ultima Online, but he saved it!

Jacobs was defending himself against the accusation that he has a thin skin to criticism by listing things he's weathered and done over the course of his career. Listing those, he said he was "blamed for the state UO is in," but went on to say that "EA wanted to shut down UO when they gave it to us but I convinced them to spend more money on the game."

While it's not surprising that EA wanted to can UO, we're not sure whether to believe he was solely responsible for UO's rescue -- but if that really did happen, well, uhh... thanks, Mark Jacobs!

[Via Kotaku]

MassivelyMark Jacobs says EA wanted to kill UO, but he saved it originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cannedeaea-mythicelectronic-artsforummark-jacobsmythic-entertainmentoriginshut-downultima-onlineuowarhammer-onlineTue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best of Massively: Our top 5 weirdest news stories]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/the-best-of-massively-our-top-5-weirdest-news-stories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/the-best-of-massively-our-top-5-weirdest-news-stories/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/the-best-of-massively-our-top-5-weirdest-news-stories/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We're still counting down to Massively's first birthday by compiling the best and most entertaining coverage we've done. So far we've listed our most important interviews and our most helpful guides. This time around, we're looking back at the top five strangest, weirdest and sometimes-raciest news stories we've covered since we launched last November.

Whether you missed these stories or you're just ready for a refresher, we hope they'll make you smile and laugh -- or at least make you raise an eyebrow or two!


Gallery: The Best of Massively: Our top 5 weirdest news stories

5 - Richard Garriott's crazy-awesome house4 - Sword of the Nude World3 - The answer to EVE Online's Ultimate Question is 422 - Age of Conan's accidental breast reductions1 - Elf ear plastic surgery

MassivelyThe Best of Massively: Our top 5 weirdest news stories originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>42age-of-conanbest-of-massivelybizarreboobsbreastsbritannia-manorccpdouglas-adamseaearself-earseve-onlinefeaturedfuncomgrenada-espadajoystiqfeaturesncsoftnewsnudityoriginplastic-surgeryrichard-garriottstrangesword-of-the-new-worldtabula-rasathe-best-of-massivelythe-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxytop-5ultima-onlineweirdMon, 06 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are the stakes too low in modern PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/the-daily-grind-are-the-stakes-too-low-in-modern-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/the-daily-grind-are-the-stakes-too-low-in-modern-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/the-daily-grind-are-the-stakes-too-low-in-modern-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Player vs. Player gameplay has undergone a drastic change in recent years. Games like Meridian 59 and Ultima Online didn't pull any punches. Anyone could kill anyone anywhere, and the penalties could be quite severe. When you died In Meridian or UO, you dropped all of your gear. The person who killed you could steal whatever he or she pleased.

Of course, in games like that, gear wasn't quite such a big deal. In Meridian a sword would wear out after a few of hours of use anyway. But combined with stat and skill losses, death in the games of the 90s was comparatively harsh. Now, in World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online, the stakes are lower. You have absolutely nothing to lose by dying in PvP in WoW, and AoC and WAR's designs aren't much more aggressive.

But here's a question from a veteran of the oldschool: with stakes this low, does PvP really matter? Will it really get you sweating? Will you really care that much about winning or losing? Some oldschool folks will argue that PvP is boring and meaningless now that death has been de-clawed. Maybe we should go back to the barbarism of the old days. What do you think?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are the stakes too low in modern PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>90sage-of-conanblizzarddeathdiscussionfuncomm59meridianmeridian-59murdermythicndsnear-death-studiosoldschoolopinionoriginplayer-vs-playerpvptdgthe-daily-grindultima-onlineuowarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftSun, 07 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making/Money: The Origin of the Specie]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/making-money-the-origin-of-the-specie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/making-money-the-origin-of-the-specie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/making-money-the-origin-of-the-specie/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Specie (n) - any type of coined money, usually of metal. Also used to describe commodity metals.

The crafting systems of MMOs have taken their queues from many different sources to find minerals for mining professions. The usual, generally lower-level, metals such as copper, tin, or iron, are seemingly universal. But as you level you may run across some rather odd materials that are difficult or impossible to find in real life.

Today we will be looking at where the metals seen in games came from. Common or rare. Real or created for the sole purpose of sounding like it could be, these are the metals of our games.

Continue reading Making/Money: The Origin of the Specie

MassivelyMaking/Money: The Origin of the Specie originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conaneve-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmetalsoriginspeciesultima-onlineworld-of-warcraftSun, 29 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The origin of Justiciar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/the-origin-of-justiciar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's time for a new superhero spotlight in the Champions Online universe. This time we get to learn about Justiciar, the Canadian cybernetic crime-fighter who leads the Toronto-based super team, StarForce. We always love a good technology-based super hero (and with the box office success of Iron Man there are probably some recent converts) so it's really nice to see the artwork for Justiciar look turn out so well.

Don't miss out on the one-page origin comic, either. It may be short but there's a certain amount of coolness to the presentation. We really would love to see our own characters in Champions Online presented in such a way after creating them, but something like that would probably take quite a bit of development time. Oh well, we're sure there's going to be plenty of super-heroics in our futures to come!

MassivelyThe origin of Justiciar originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanadianchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosjusticiaroriginsuper-herosuperherotorontoTue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 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