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[Perpetuum dev blog talks intrusion revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-intrusion-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-intrusion-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-intrusion-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Avatar Creations has updated its Perpetuum dev blog, and the latest entry is quite a long read (and also of interest to players concerned about the game's intrusion and outpost conquest systems). As it currently stands, base attack and defense in Perpetuum is a pretty random affair. "One's ability to hold an outpost is largely luck, combined with the number of players one can bring to bear in a specific time zone," Avatar admits.

The blog entry sums up the tentative path forward, and a future intrusion revamp will be deployed "rather than build[ing] upon a broken mechanic and creat[ing] more issues." What will the revamp entail? For starters, outpost ownership will cease to be about raid-and-retreat gameplay and instead will be focused on players who actually live on a particular island for the long term. Avatar is confident its new system will encourage PvP while simultaneously preventing instances where players wake up and are unable to access their assets.

While there's no date for the intrusion revamp as of yet, there is quite a bit of mechanical info to be read on the official Perpetuum dev blog (and don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments and on the forums after you've checked out the details).

MassivelyPerpetuum dev blog talks intrusion revamp originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-creationsbase-attackbase-defensedev-blogdev-diarygame-mechanicsintrusionintrusion-2.0intrusion-revampintrusionsoutpost-controloutpostsperpetuumsandboxsci-fiSat, 30 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV previews upcoming outposts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As patch 1.18 draws close for Final Fantasy XIV, the development team has been stepping up the rate of previews. The latest one highlights a feature discussed previously but not seen for some time: the addition of several outposts across the landscape, hubs for adventurers to explore as they take part in new content. Six outposts are listed in the newest preview, two for each of the major regions in the game and each with a distinct thematic focus.

Each of the outposts listed highlight the environment of the nearby city-state -- the outposts in Gridania are concerned with hunting and maintaining security in the wood, while Ul'dah's settlements focus on more mercantile and mineral concerns. In addition to the stops for adventurers, beastman settlements are said to be on the plate for patch 1.18 later this week. Final Fantasy XIV players who can't wait to see the new hubs can take a look at the preview for a glimpse at the expanding and improving environment.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews upcoming outposts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmentsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivnewsoutpostspatchesregionssquaresquare-enixupdatesTue, 19 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games elaborates on conquest in EVE's Dominion expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/ccp-games-elaborates-on-conquest-in-eves-dominion-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/ccp-games-elaborates-on-conquest-in-eves-dominion-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/ccp-games-elaborates-on-conquest-in-eves-dominion-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"-- Smash the control images -- Smash the control machine --"
William S. Burroughs, The Soft Machine

The Dominion expansion for EVE Online is so-named for its heavy focus on the game mechanics of "Sovereignty" or control of territory in the New Eden galaxy. There's been no small amount of controversy surrounding CCP's proposed system, however, particularly as it's slated to go live on December 1st with the Dominion release. While some of the core game mechanics of control are still undergoing revision, CCP Games recently explained how ownership of solar systems will change hands in a dev blog titled "Storming the Gates."

EVE developer CCP Abathur lays out how new equipment will be used in claiming space and repelling invaders.

Continue reading CCP Games elaborates on conquest in EVE's Dominion expansion

MassivelyCCP Games elaborates on conquest in EVE's Dominion expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancesccpccp-abathurccp-gamesdev-blogdominioneveeve-onlineexpansionsgame-mechanicsguildsi-huboutpostspvpsbusci-fisovereigntytcuterritorial-controlwormholesThu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: Player developers!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/redefining-mmos-player-developers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few weeks ago, we at Massively started the weekly "Redefining MMOs" series, a collection of articles examining how the MMO genre has been redefined during the current generation of games and where it's headed in the next. So far, we've looked at the terminology we use to refer to MMOs, how the art of storytelling has changed over the years, and the rise of the "massively singleplayer" online game. In this week's article, I examine what happens when players are given the reigns of an MMO or have a hand in part of its development. If you have something important to say on the topic, feel free to post a comment on page 3 or even write your own "Redefining MMOs" blog post and leave a comment with the URL.

Traditionally, all content for an MMO is designed by the game's development studio and players have no direct influence on its creation. The idea of handing the reigns of an MMO to its players is considered heresy and we shudder to think of what horrible quests and areas players would construct if given a chance. But is our aversion justified or is it something developers should strive to overcome? Certainly Second Life has successfully capitalised on letting players develop almost every aspect of its virtual world but could successful mainstream MMOs make use of it too? City of Heroes, EVE Online and even World of Warcraft are prime examples which suggest they can. All three of these games have handed at least some part of the game's development over to players, with incredibly promising results.

In this article, I look at these three successful examples of players being allowed to develop aspects of an MMO. I then go on to explain why this works and how the next generation of MMOs could learn from these pioneering feats.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: Player developers!

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: Player developers! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonblizzardcities-xlcity of heroescity-of-heroesCityOfHeroescohcommunitiescommunityeveeve-onlinemissionmission architectmission-architectMissionArchitectoutpostsposRedefining-mmosuiworld of warcraftworld-of-warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowThu, 23 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST