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[EVE's Crucible 1.5 patch hits tomorrow, brings new launcher]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/eves-crucible-1-5-patch-hits-tomorrow-brings-new-launcher/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/eves-crucible-1-5-patch-hits-tomorrow-brings-new-launcher/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/eves-crucible-1-5-patch-hits-tomorrow-brings-new-launcher/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
As part of CCP's refocusing on EVE Online, the studio announced that work had begun on a new game launcher last November. Players with an out-of-date client currently receive a patch popup on logging in that requires the client to be restarted, and frequent optional patches to fix non-critical issues can force you to restart the client several times. The new patcher brings EVE up to the industry standard for MMO clients, pre-loading the game in the background and announcing when it's ready to launch.

The new launcher will go live tomorrow with the Crucible 1.5 update, but it's not the only thing getting some much-needed attention in the patch. All of the rookie ships have been visually revamped, three new 2/10 DED complexes have been added for newer highsec explorers, and the overview will now be more responsive. The patch also brings a whole host of user interface changes and bug fixes.

MassivelyEVE's Crucible 1.5 patch hits tomorrow, brings new launcher originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescruciblecrucible-1.5eveeve-onlineexplorationlaunchernewsoverviewpatchpatcherrookie-shipssandboxsci-fiuser-interfaceMon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/choose-my-adventure-atys-refugee-blues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Being able to animate your character during creation is a nice touch.
Last week's polls were enough for me to get started in the world of Ryzom over the weekend, so I took my first steps back into the game that I haven't played for quite some time. I still remembered how some of it worked, thankfully, but there were a lot of elements that I'd almost completely forgotten. And while I'm still knee-deep in the starter area, I've played enough to at least get some starter impressions.

But let's make this a full narrative, yes? When we left off, the group verdict was that I would be starting out as a Zorai with the Magic starter package based off of a female Shakespearean tragic character. And thus, with only a little extra effort, Corlede was born into the world of Ryzom. The character creator offers a variety of features, allowing you to select your character's build in fine detail but offering a strange lack of certain other options. There are also some odd constraints on character types -- you find yourself always locked within a certain general band of height, for instance, so there are no really tall Trykers.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Atys refugee blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmacolumncolumnsculturedirectionfeaturedgame-mechanicshands-onlevelingopinionoverviewpollpollsreaders-choiceryzomstartingstarting-areathe-saga-of-ryzomvotevotingwinch-gatewinch-gate-productions-limitedWed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Origins of Malu video highlights story-based sandbox design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/new-origins-of-malu-video-highlights-story-based-sandbox-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/new-origins-of-malu-video-highlights-story-based-sandbox-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/new-origins-of-malu-video-highlights-story-based-sandbox-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Origins of Malu - San the unhappy guy who wanders around
We've been looking forward to Origins of Malu for a while now, even though the sci-fantasy sandbox from Burning Dog Media has been kept pretty tightly under wraps. That's starting to change as the company ramps up its presence at various gaming outlets in anticipation of an Origins closed beta in the near future.

Electric Playground has what amounts to the first official Origins trailer, and the clip features a good bit of in-game alpha footage as well as brief interview clips and commentary from lead designer Michael Dunham. During the course of the video, you'll get a taste of the world and its backstory, and Dunham describes Malu as a "gigantic network of portals around the universe [that are] linked through inter-dimensions."

Dunham also explains a bit about the mechanical philosophy behind Origins, stating that "we wanted to build a story-based sandbox game where the user is able to do what they want to do from the beginning [...] it can't be just a complete free-for-all, but at the same time we don't want railroad tracks," he says. Journey past the cut for the full video.

Continue reading New Origins of Malu video highlights story-based sandbox design

MassivelyNew Origins of Malu video highlights story-based sandbox design originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burning-dogburning-dog-mediafantasymalumichael-dunhammmo-storyoriginsorigins-of-maluoverviewsandboxsci-fantasysci-fistorystory-based-sandboxtrailervideoMon, 28 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Building a better UI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/eve-evolved-building-a-better-ui/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's no secret that EVE Online has a poor user interface. With its drop-down menus for interacting with objects and text lists to show information like market orders and nearby objects in space, EVE has thoroughly earned the nickname "spreadsheets in space." The UI has changed drastically since I started playing in 2004, but in recent years, it's fallen behind the development curve. In a new devblog this week, CCP Snowlax suggested that the UI developers at CCP have lacked the framework necessary to do what they wanted with it. The existing framework had become bloated with eight years of development, and the underlying rendering engine wasn't even capable of using custom shaders.

With Incursion 1.6, CCP pushed live a completely new UI framework that makes cool features like holographic UI elements possible. With the new Carbon UI framework in place, developers are taking another look at redesigning the EVE user interface. Screenshots of the new features being used in the upcoming Incarna expansion are impressive, but that's all taking place inside stations. I can't help but wonder how these new technologies could be applied to the space-faring portion of EVE and whether there are more fundamental challenges to overcome in UI design than adding flashy graphics.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I give some thoughts on the development of EVE's UI, from the necessary evil of the overview to some things I'd like to see change.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Building a better UI

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Building a better UI originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonsbutterfly-effectccpccp-eveccp-gamesefteveeve-ccpEVE-Evolvedeve-fitting-tooleve-mmorpgeve-onlineevemonfeaturedgraphicsguihologramholographicmission-runningmodmoddingopinionoverviewplayer-developersplayer-developmentthe-butterfly-effectuiuser-interfaceSun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAKFU offers an overview of unique gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/wakfu-offers-an-overview-of-unique-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/wakfu-offers-an-overview-of-unique-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/wakfu-offers-an-overview-of-unique-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

WAKFU, a tactical turn-based sprite-animated free-to-play game from Square-Enix and Ankama, is among the more interesting offerings heading toward launch. It's precisely because of that unique blend of flavor, animation, and stylized design that it's also attracting a fair bit of attention as it approaches release. And while the beta for North American players has been a bit delayed (it's starting elsewhere on April 27th), the new trailer should help salve the pain... or possibly make it even worse.

While it's only a two-minute trailer, this offering gives players a broad overview of how the game will work, from character creation to the customizable battle system and the playstyles of the 14 different character classes. It also talks about the game's ecosystem, a unique feature whereby damaging the landscape will have long-term repercussions. If you're excited to get your hands on WAKFU from what you've seen and heard so far, the trailer is well worth the time it takes to watch.

MassivelyWAKFU offers an overview of unique gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaecosystemf2pfree-to-playgameplay-overviewnewsoverviewpreviewsquaresquare-enixtrailervideowakfuThu, 14 Apr 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2011: GameSamba talks about its upcoming plans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamesamba-talks-about-its-upcoming-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamesamba-talks-about-its-upcoming-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamesamba-talks-about-its-upcoming-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While you may have only heard about GameSamba from our recent beta key giveaway post, the company's intent is to hit the ground running in the free-to-play market this year. How will it accomplish that? The plan is to bring out a bunch of fun games that all kinds of people will enjoy. Currently, the company's site only shows two games -- Remnant Knights and Cocolani Island -- which are both in closed beta. However, we understand from our talk at GDC that the publisher is working on releasing six more titles in the near future so it can give players even more gaming choices.

For now, we wanted to focus on finding out more about the two GameSamba free-to-play titles that players will be able to check out soon: Remnant Knights and Cocolani Island. So if you like the idea of adorable anime girls with obnoxiously enormous guns or tiki-themed minigame madness, join us behind the break for videos and more -- and don't forget the galleries!

Gallery: Remnant Knights

Continue reading GDC 2011: GameSamba talks about its upcoming plans

MassivelyGDC 2011: GameSamba talks about its upcoming plans originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacocolani-islandfeaturedgalleriesgallerygame-developers-conferencegamesambagdcgdc-2011overviewpreviewremnant-knightsscreenshotscreenshotsvideoThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter Ego: Scarred for life edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/26/alter-ego-scarred-for-life-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Earlier this week saw the arrival of the highly anticipated February update in DC Universe Online. Like any other large patch in an MMO, this update not only added quite a bit of great new content and fixed some glaring exploits but introduced several issues that weren't there before. My personal pick for "worst new bug" since the patch? The F9 button no longer takes screenshots. First world problems, I know.

Of course, this means I'll be dedicating this week's column to looking at some aspects of our new patchy overlord. Is it all that we hoped it would be? No. I don't think even Sony Online Entertainment would be boastful enough to make that claim. Still, I do think this first major content patch to DC Universe Online is an equally major step in the right direction. However, the tying together of PC and PS3 patches means that we won't likely see another major game-fixing update until next month since whatever the devs push out has to be able to pass muster on both platforms. That said, there's more than enough to talk about this week (and next, really), so let's get to it!

Continue reading Alter Ego: Scarred for life edition

MassivelyAlter Ego: Scarred for life edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedfebruary-content-updatefixesop-edopinionoverviewpatchsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentupdatevalentines-daySat, 26 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Everything you need to know about Champions F2P]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-champions-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-champions-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-champions-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's no secret that Champions Online is rolling out with its free-to-play update tomorrow. In addition to everything offered for free members, there's just a ton of new stuff. While this patch isn't quite Revelations in terms of content, it is one of the biggest full expansions Champions has seen.

Whether you're a returning player giving CO another shot, a new player checking out all the free stuff, or a current player itching for a rundown of all the added features, we've got you covered. With this full review of all of CO's latest features, you'll be well-equipped to start your new adventures in Millennium City and beyond.

Continue reading Everything you need to know about Champions F2P

MassivelyEverything you need to know about Champions F2P originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-storechampionschampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumlaunchoverviewrelaunchRelaunchesMon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Farewell, Vanguard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/choose-my-adventure-farewell-vanguard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/choose-my-adventure-farewell-vanguard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/choose-my-adventure-farewell-vanguard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been an interesting six weeks in Vanguard, but the time has come to wind down and leave the lands of Telon behind. From massive landscapes to odd bugs, it has been a varied adventure. For the final week I'd wanted to tackle one of the larger in-game dungeons as opposed to the mini-dungeons that Orin and I had been taking on, but sadly that wasn't to be. Despite attempting to look around in the LFG tool and sending requests over continent chat, I wound up spending the remaining time soloing or checking out things like player housing.

Curious about my final thoughts on this MMO? Join me after the break as I look over the last six weeks and give my impressions on the adventure you chose for me!

Gallery: Choose My Adventure: Vanguard

The young diplomatThe Aspect of Zalaz (before the first smackdown)Closing portals, killing imps, freeing villagers.Hobgoblins who want to try to kill me with fire.Apseth, the Raki Disciple

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Farewell, Vanguard

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Farewell, Vanguard originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmafeaturedopinionoverviewsoesony-online-entertainmentvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroeswrap-upWed, 27 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: LEGO Universe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/first-impressions-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/first-impressions-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/first-impressions-lego-universe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Playing. It's one of our earliest lessons from childhood, and one that we as gamers hold on to with gusto. Let's face it -- in just about every gamer out there is a kid who, at least in some small way, refuses to grow up entirely. We love to play. It's that love, coupled with childhood memories of clicking tons of brightly colored LEGO blocks together, that has made the idea of LEGO videogames a huge hit. Now have a new contender to the LEGO gaming play-space: LEGO Universe. It's a game that has the potential to offer all the things we as MMO gamers would love: an open-ended world, a great known IP that reminds us of youthful days, and the social aspects many of us enjoy.

Aside from this, LEGO Universe also offers many things that parents of young gamers will value. As someone I spoke with recently asked: "What's stopping people from building offensive adult-themed content with LEGO bricks that my child might see?" The answer lies in LEGO Universe's moderation team, known as the Mythran (a shadowy group actually written into the lore of the game), which personally reviews personal free-build areas for compliance. The Mythrans also oversee character and pet names. When combined with a speedchat and whitelisted word chat system, it makes for a very workable solution to keeping kids safe online.

Curious about a look into LEGO Universe? Join me behind the break as I take a more detailed look at this colorful game, and be sure to check out the extensive gallery below!

Gallery: First Impressions: LEGO Universe

Continue reading First Impressions: LEGO Universe

MassivelyFirst Impressions: LEGO Universe originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenfamiliesfamilyfamily-gamesfeaturedfirst-impressionsgame-mechanicsgazilliongazillion-entertainmentkidslegolego-universeLUmechanicsMinigamesnetdevilopinionopinion-pieceoverviewparentspreviewThu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: A few thoughts on the Final Fantasy XIV beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/anti-aliased-a-few-thoughts-on-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/anti-aliased-a-few-thoughts-on-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/anti-aliased-a-few-thoughts-on-the-final-fantasy-xiv-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Holy crap. Look at that sweet screenshot. It's a veritable action movie!

There. That's your article. Now, if you could excuse me, I'm going to go explore Eorzea some more.

Oh. You're still here. Damn. I was hoping you'd all be distracted by the pretty. I'm guessing you've all figured out that I've been getting some time in on the Final Fantasy XIV beta, and I've been enjoying myself so far. While I understand that many people have plenty of dislike for the title (and some of that dislike is well-deserved, I do admit), I have to say that something about this game has gripped me in the right way.

While I can't claim a huge amount of time with the title just yet, I do want to devote some time to picking out the good and bad areas of my visit in Eorzea so far. So join me this week as we discuss the ups and downs of Final Fantasy XIV's eclectic design, as well as the starting portions of Gridania and Limisa Lomisa.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: A few thoughts on the Final Fantasy XIV beta

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: A few thoughts on the Final Fantasy XIV beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answersbetafeaturedffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfinal-fantasy-xiv-onlineNobuo-Uematsuopen-betaopinionoverviewplaystation-3playstation3previewps3square-enixFri, 10 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2010: Bigpoint offers more info on Battlestar Galactica Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-bigpoint-offers-more-info-on-battlestar-galactica-onlin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-bigpoint-offers-more-info-on-battlestar-galactica-onlin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/e3-2010-bigpoint-offers-more-info-on-battlestar-galactica-onlin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we saw earlier this year at GDC, Bigpoint has something very big indeed planned for their next game: Battlestar Galactica Online. However, outside of hearing that the game would be a free-to-play, browser-based title, and a handful of other details, there have been only teasers (well, and a tasty trailer earlier this month) for the game.

Thankfully, we got a chance to sit down at E3 with Philip Reisberger, Head of Games for Bigpoint, and learn a bit more about what players can expect from this fan-favorite IP game. Some of the features they mentioned to us are the use of Unity as their primary platform to create a gorgeous 3-D setting; the intent to set the game within the tail-end of the second season of the BSG series without tying it too closely to the series' storyline; and their ambitious goal to launch by the end of this year.

So if you'd like to check out our juicy Q&A, hit the frakkin' break already! Also be sure to check the gallery below for a sweet selection of screenshots we managed to snag, offering a first look at the in-game graphics.

Gallery: E3 2010: Battlestar Galactica Online

Continue reading E3 2010: Bigpoint offers more info on Battlestar Galactica Online

MassivelyE3 2010: Bigpoint offers more info on Battlestar Galactica Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlestar-galactica-mmobigpointbsgbsg-mmoe3e3-2010featuredoverviewPhilip-Reisbergerq-and-aWed, 16 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bubblebumpbumpingccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinegatecamplogisticsmaneuversoverviewtacticaltacticstipstips-and-trickswarpSun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/eve-evolved-five-interesting-combat-tactics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Although EVE Online's combat isn't twitch-based, the outcome is often swayed by strong tactical and strategic influences. Whether you're running missions, battling Sleeper AI in a wormhole site or engaging other players in PvP, chances are you've pulled off a few fancy tactical maneuvers. Over the years, we learn these little tricks and teach them to each other. From mundane ways to avoid damage from NPCs to the cat and mouse games we play with other players, tactical maneuvers are a big part of EVE's gameplay. In this short article, I look at a few of the tips and tactics players use to gain an edge in combat.

Angular velocity:
If you've ever used a turret-based ship and found yourself missing enemies a lot, there are a few tricks you can do to even the score. Open the overview settings menu and under "column" select "Angular Velocity". This shows the transverse velocity of enemy ships relative to your own in radians per second, which is the same measurement your turret tracking score uses. By checking the show-info pane on your guns, you can look up the maximum tracking speed of your guns. Ships with an angular velocity greater than your turret's tracking speed will be practically impossible to hit so having this information on-hand means you can avoid picking targets that will just waste your time and ammo. Another useful trick to do is to match your course and speed as closely as you can with an enemy ship rather than just approaching it. This will decrease their angular velocity relative to your ship, allowing you to hit some fast ships you otherwise wouldn't be able to.

Skip past the cut for four more interesting tactics and tips. Do you have a particularly useful tip or a clever tactical maneuver you use a lot? Leave a comment and let us know what it is.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Five interesting combat tactics originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bubblebumpbumpingccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedgatecamplogisticsmaneuversoverviewtacticaltacticstipstips-and-trickswarpSun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest EVE patch changes how hostiles appear in overview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Massively has pointed out a few highlights of what the Apocrypha 1.2 patch brings to EVE Online, but today's dev blog from CCP Greyscale explains the big changes they've made to the overview. The overview is an essential aspect of the UI which allows players to better understand what's happening around them in three dimensional space, so any major change to how it works or displays threats is something all EVE players really need to be aware of.

When the Apocrypha expansion launched in March, players (finally) gained the ability to freeze the overview by holding down 'control', a useful enhancement which hopefully has led to fewer friendly fire incidents. Today's patch, however, changes how hostiles are displayed in the overview. CCP Greyscale's tl;dr version is "After patch, blinky people on overview = war targets, not outlaws." That said, there's a lot more to this and he details how and why they've made changes to the overview in his dev blog, "Apocrypha 1.2 - Important Overview Indicator Changes". The players are discussing the changes Greyscale outlines in a forum thread connected with the dev blog, so be sure to weigh in there with your views or questions.

MassivelyLatest EVE patch changes how hostiles appear in overview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccp-gamesccp-greyscaledev-blogeveeve-onlinegreyscaleoverviewoverview-settingsoverviewspatchespvpsci-fiuiuser-interfaceThu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MSNBC: Live from Middle-Earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/msnbc-live-from-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/msnbc-live-from-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/msnbc-live-from-middle-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Usually when a major news outlet picks up a story about a video game, it's in relation to how destructive they are, or how unmoral they are, or it will just be a really dry interview with a game designer that everyone's going to forget about in two hours. So when we got word that MSNBC was interested in the Lord of the Rings Online, we weren't expecting this oddly amusing interview.

Todd Kenreck, roving reporter and elven guardian, has taken it upon himself to brave the locales of Middle-Earth and catch up with LotRO's live producer Aaron Campbell. He braves the Misty Mountains, travels through Bree-Land, and gets all of the information from Aaron as the two chat in the scenic Rivendell. The entire interview is done inside of the game in a machinima style, and makes a pretty nice visual case for playing LotRO.

We've embedded the full video after the break, so everyone can enjoy some solid reporting from the lands of Middle-Earth.

Continue reading MSNBC: Live from Middle-Earth

MassivelyMSNBC: Live from Middle-Earth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbellinterviewlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromachinimamsnbcmsnbc.comoverviewrivendelltodd-kenreckvideoWed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: Runes of Magic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/first-impressions-runes-of-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/first-impressions-runes-of-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/first-impressions-runes-of-magic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Welcome to First Impressions, where I play through the first few hours of an MMO, report back to you on some of the things you can expect as a new player - and whether or not I enjoyed the experience of the game. This week, we have Runes of Magic, a game currently launching early tomorrow morning (or late tonight, if you prefer) at 2:00 AM Pacific. Developed by Runewaker Entertainment and distributed by Frogster, this free-to-play MMO may well be the one that gets even the most staunchly anti-f2p player interested enough to give it a whirl. Also, keep in mind these impressions are on the open beta of the game, so some things may change slightly at launch.

I'll start off by saying that I've heard some truly positive things about this game from several MMO fiends I know. That said, a few of them bagged on it for being a World of Warcraft clone - but I'd have to argue that point now that I've played it. There's definitely enough in Runes of Magic to feel eerily familiar to anyone who has played World of Warcraft for any length of time. However, I feel that there's enough different in the two games - aside from the obvious free-to-play versus subscription - to say that each game will ultimately stand (or fall) on it's own merits. I'd also be remiss in noting that as a First Impressions posting, there was no possible way to reach everything there is to get to in this game - PvP arenas, player-killing, pissing off NPC factions, guild castles, high-end crafting, raids and a bunch more - there's a depth and complexity that I am glad to find in a free title. That said, today's overview should give you enough of a taste of the various parts of this easy to pick up but hard to master MMO for you to decide for yourself if it's worth trying.

Now, on with the gallery, and my First Impressions of Runes of Magic!

Gallery: First Impressions: Runes of Magic

Logging inCharacter creationHello pretty ladyI find your lack of pants... disturbingTips and art

MassivelyFirst Impressions: Runes of Magic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyfeaturedfirst-impressionsfree-to-playfrogsterjoystiqfeaturesoverviewromrunes-of-magicrunewaker-entertainmentWed, 18 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online's answer to GPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/eve-onlines-answer-to-gps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/eve-onlines-answer-to-gps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/eve-onlines-answer-to-gps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online is a vast setting where all players interact in one galaxy. While other MMOs are sharded across different servers, some with different locales, EVE places all of its players together. Its implementation ensures that many servers seem to be just one from the perspective of any pilot flying in New Eden. However, given the daunting size of EVE's explorable environment, there have been some players who took it upon themselves to map the known universe and release their findings as a resource for other pilots. Shayne Smart, aka Serenity Steele, is one such player. He's been getting some media attention in recent months as Vice-Chairman of the Council of Stellar Management (CSM). Beyond his duties on the CSM, Smart is also well-known to many players as the creator of EVE Strategic Maps, a spiral bound collection of star charts which some fans of the game find indispensable.

You would think Smart would find mapping out 5000 solar systems (each with its own myriad planets, moons, stations, and other resources) a feat hard to top. But what Smart's done is found a way to use the in-game browser in the EVE client to act as a sort of GPS, tracking your position as you jump from one solar system to the next, and allowing you to better see your relative position in the galaxy as part of your overview. The cartographer's latest 'minimap' effort is presently 2-D only and in beta, though is well worth a look and quite simple to use. Click the gallery below for Shayne Smart's instructions on how to use the free 2D minimap within your in-game browser.


Gallery: Serenity Steele's 2D minimap

Minimap overviewA few tipsThe map will track your locationClick on the minimap to begin a searchSearch maps vs. auto-update maps

MassivelyEVE Online's answer to GPS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartographercartographyccpccp-gamescommunitycouncil-of-stellar-managementcrazykinuxcsmeveeve-mapseve-onlineeve-strategic-mapeve-strategic-mapsgalleriesgame-mechanicsgpsigbin-game-browsermapmapsminimapminimap-addonsnew-edenoverviewresourcessci-fiserenity-steeleshane-smartsolar-systemsstarchartsstarmapsstellar-cartographerstellar-cartographytips-and-tricksFri, 05 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The 10 Commandments of EVE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/the-10-commandments-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/the-10-commandments-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/the-10-commandments-of-eve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


EVE Online tends to appeal to MMO players who like the depth and complexity of a sci-fi game where players have the freedom to act as they wish in a vast galaxy. But that freedom comes with a price; EVE can be a harsh setting, particularly for newer players trying to get a handle on the game.

For the newer player who's recently completed the tutorial, EVE largely remains a mystery... one which only reading, learning from other players, and just 'going for it' can solve. Still, it's always good when someone passes on advice to newer players as many of us learned our lessons the hard way. To that end, we bring you The 10 Commandments of EVE. Truth be told, there are a lot more than ten essential things to know about the game, but this is a good start. Feel free to add your own "commandments" or lessons learned in the comments below.



Gallery: The 10 Commandments of EVE Online

Thou shalt not AFK through lowsec or 0.0Thou shalt clone and insureThou shalt understand the overviewThou shalt not use smartbombs and ECM in highsecThou shalt know thy ship's weaknesses and compensate

MassivelyThe 10 Commandments of EVE originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-commandmentsautopilotbattlecliniccloneecmeveeve-onlineeve-tankingevemonfeaturedgalleriesgame-mechanicsinsurancejoystiqfeatureslocalnew-edenoverviewpvepvpsafespotsci-fisettingsskill-trainingskillssmartbombsmartbombstankingten-commandmentstips-and-tricksThu, 28 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


In part 1 of this guide, I examined the usefulness of the overview system in EVE Online and explained the various customisation options available to players. In this final part of the guide, I look at the best ways to set up your overview for PvP, mission-running and a few other tasks. No matter what you do in EVE, this guide should offer some helpful hints and tips on getting the most out of this useful tool.

Default settings:
The default overview settings that exist when you first log in are less than optimal. They can fill your overview with extraneous information that make it difficult to find what you want. No matter what activity you're undertaking, you'll benefit from creating a new default settings list. With the overview settings menu open, click the "select all" button on the states tab. This will enable everything that can possibly appear on your overview, allowing you to manually deselect those things that are useless in your everyday life in space.

Read on for detailed instructions on setting up your overview for everything from mining to PvP.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefeaturedfleetguidehow toHowTojoystiqfeaturesmissionoverviewpvpMon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/eve-evolved-setting-up-your-overview-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Since it can often be hard to find or click on something in three dimensional space, EVE Online provides a useful tool called the "overview" to make life easier. The overview window lists objects and ships in your general vicinity and is one of EVE's most important tools for providing situational awareness. Whether you're mining, running missions, pirating or engaging an enemy fleet, almost every activity in space relies heavily on using the overview. In this two-part guide, I break down the overview settings and examine the best way to set up your overview for activities ranging from fleet warfare to mission-running.

Why is the overview so important?:
In addition to the convenience of clicking on items in a list rather than having to locate them in space, the overview has some essential functions. Information such as a ship's speed, name and distance from you can be displayed on the overview. Items on the overview can also be differently coloured or filtered out based on a wide range of factors from security status to whether they're in your alliance or not.

With all of these options, setting up your overview can be a confusing affair. In part 1 of this guide, I explore the various overview options and what they all do.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 1

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Setting up your overview, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefeaturedfleetguidehow toHowTojoystiqfeaturesmissionoverviewpvpSun, 17 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST