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[Second Wind: World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/second-wind-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
When I originally started playing World of Warcraft, things were different. Priests were still waiting on their first big class patch. Regular mounts required level 40; most players couldn't afford the 100ish gold fee without a loan from their guild. Epic mounts were so prohibitively expensive as to be considered rare. Raids required the dedication and skill of 40 players, and only a couple of guilds per realm actually even bothered to run high-end content. WoW was, as they say, srs bsns.

But that was eight years ago. Since then, World of Warcraft has seen four enormous expansions (Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria) and countless minor content updates. Edges have been softened, skills refined, classes reinvented. Subs have ballooned to a peak of over 12 million, waffled up and down for a few years, then fallen most recently to 9.6 million.

Some would argue that the World of Warcraft of 2013 bears only a passing resemblance to the one we played in 2005. Others would claim it's still the same excellent/terrible game, just gussied up with fresh paint.

As a longtime WoW lover but recently lapsed subscriber, I ventured into Mists of Pandaria to sort it out for myself.

Continue reading Second Wind: World of Warcraft

MassivelySecond Wind: World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionfantasyfeaturedhands-onmistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspost-launchre-reviewreviewroundtablesecond-impressionssecond-looksecond-windtranscriptupdated-impressionswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWrath-of-the-Lich-KingFri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/watch-world-of-warcrafts-thunder-king-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer
Thunder... thunder... Thunder King, HO! That's the sound of millions of slavering World of Warcraft players who are itching to check out the imminent patch 5.2. To calm them down not one whit, Blizzard released the official trailer to The Thunder King. It's all poetical, too.

So whether you're already sold on this next stage of WoW's development or are teasing yourself with the possibility of returning, it can't hurt to check out the following video.

Or can it?

Continue reading Watch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer

MassivelyWatch World of Warcraft's Thunder King trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get a load of World of Warcraft's Isle of the Thunder King
Those of you holding fast to your martial arts ursines in World of Warcraft are probably quite geeked about the upcoming patch 5.2. The second major post-Mists of Pandaria update for the game includes a new quest hub, raid, world bosses, and a farm that you can buy and make your very own.

Our sister site WoW Insider took a closer look at 5.2, which is currently on the public test realm. The focus of the article was the Isle of the Thunder King questing zone, which involves a struggle between the Sunreaver Onslaught and Kirin Tor Offensive factions.

The area has plenty of cool quest elements; it allows players to transform into the lizardy Sauroks, to be a counselor to golems, and use a ritual stone that summons group bosses. The article notes that players will see the return of a couple of familiar faces, such as the Image of Archmage Vargoth.

MassivelyGet a load of World of Warcraft's Isle of the Thunder King originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.2activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspatch-5.2previewptrpublic-test-realmwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowwow-insiderThu, 10 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Parting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/23/parting-the-mists-world-of-warcraft-turns-eight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/23/parting-the-mists-world-of-warcraft-turns-eight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/23/parting-the-mists-world-of-warcraft-turns-eight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Parting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight
World of Warcraft's eighth anniversary arrives after a rough year for the franchise. Cataclysm, the expansion that redesigned much of the old world and trumpeted the return of archvillain Deathwing, also saw subscriber numbers drop from their highest point, reached during the Wrath of the Lich King years. Players expressed discontent over the empty zones and the lack of anything to do save run endless heroic dungeons or chain battlegrounds.

It's said that humans often prepare to fight the next war by devising tactics to deal with the last war, and World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Mists of Pandaria, is definitely a reaction to player complaints about the previous one. The past year saw the game transition from one with two separate, segregated endgames to a game with a great deal more variety for players who've reached max level. Whether you loved or hated Cataclysm, you can't deny that the past year has seen more change than the entire expansion dedicated to changing the game ever provided.

Continue reading Parting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight

MassivelyParting the mists: World of Warcraft turns eight originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanniversarybirthdayBlizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionfantasyfeaturedghostcrawlergreg-streetmistsMists-of-PandariamoppandariapandastrailertrailersvideovideoswarcraftWorld-of-WarcraftWorld-of-Warcraft-AnniversarywowFri, 23 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Investor call reports World of Warcraft subscriptions back above 10 million]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/investor-call-reports-world-of-warcraft-subscriptions-back-above/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Activision, the Blizzard logo's hat.
The results are in for the third quarter of 2012, and despite sluggish numbers the last time around, World of Warcraft appears to be on a rebound. During the most recent Activision Blizzard investor call, subscribers for the game were pegged at around 10 million, back up from the lower figure of 9.1 million reported during the previous investor call. While the number is a bit more vague than usual, it does break a trend of several declining months.

Is it all because of Mists of Pandaria? Not quite; because of the way that the quarters are spaced out, the expansion is still a fresh release, and we won't know until the beginning of 2013 how much of a bump it gave to the game's overall numbers. The company as a whole also saw positive revenue from Diablo III and the Skylanders franchise, while Call of Duty titles have experienced a slight downturn.

MassivelyInvestor call reports World of Warcraft subscriptions back above 10 million originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusinessearnings-callexpansionfantasyinvestor-callmistsmists-of-pandariammo-industrymoppandariapandasrevenuesubscriber-numberssubscriberswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 07 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: Patch 5.1 is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/blizzard-patch-5-1-is-going-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-wo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blizzard is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch'
In an effort to deliver more frequent updates, Blizzard has stated that it's willing to redefine the traditional mega-World of Warcraft patch to include smaller updates. "We're going to change what it means to be a WoW patch," said Production Director J. Allen Brack. "We just had to make a decision about how we're going to do these updates that are quicker."

Brack spoke with Rock, Paper, Shotgun about the upcoming smaller Mists of Pandaria 5.1 patch as well as World of Warcraft's future. He said that the WoW team is "larger than it's ever been," with 165 people working on the project.

Other topics raised by the interview included free-to-play and revamps to older content. Brack said that the team has thought about both, and he made the interesting admission that The Burning Crusade has aged poorly in comparison to the rest of the game. "There was a while where Burning Crusade was the best thing we'd ever done," he said. "Now it's the worst thing we've ever done, because everything else has raised the level with Cataclysm."

MassivelyBlizzard: Patch 5.1 is 'going to change what it means to be a World of Warcraft patch' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.1expansionf2pfantasyfaster-updatesfree-to-playinterviewj-allen-bracklord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspatchpatch-5.1the-burning-crusadeturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateWed, 17 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Beautiful balloon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/07/one-shots-beautiful-balloon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One Shots
Massively logically selects for readers who aren't necessarily playing World of Warcraft -- if you were, you'd probably be reading our sister site WoW Insider, not this column. But I am still a WoW fan, as is this week's One Shots submitter, William. He sent in a freshly snapped pic from Mists of Pandaria with this note:
This screenshot is a little bit of a spoiler, so I won't actually say much about what's in it, but needless to say, this is one of my favourite scenes from the Pandaren starting area. The art design is fantastic in Blizzard's new expansion!
Also, panda in a balloon! William's color image is tucked after the break along with a few more of your One Shots-worthy images.

Continue reading One Shots: Beautiful balloon

MassivelyOne Shots: Beautiful balloon originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetback-to-betabetablizzardblizzard-entertainmentblueholebluehole-studiosbrianna-royce-oneshotsbring-back-one-shotsbrowserbrowser-basedcasualen-masseen-masse-entertainmentexpansionf2pfantasyflashfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryglitchguild-wars-2gw2hipstermistsmists-of-pandariamopncsoftone-shotspandariapandaspics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionssandboxscreenshotscreenshotsteratinyspeckunlauncheninguser-submissionswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 07 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mists of Pandaria cruises toward first big patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/05/mists-of-pandaria-cruises-toward-first-big-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/05/mists-of-pandaria-cruises-toward-first-big-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/05/mists-of-pandaria-cruises-toward-first-big-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mists of Pandaria cruises toward first big patch
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is chugging along quite nicely, and while there are players content in the current journey to the new endgame, there are always those asking, "What's next?" For the latter crowd, Blizzard has announced that the first major post-expansion content update is heading to the test server soon.

Patch 5.1 is slated to advance the storyline, add quest hubs and factions, introduce underground fighting rings in capital cities, improve the pet battle system, and allow players to upgrade gear with valor points.

Blizzard says that the progress toward the patch's deployment is a sign that it is taking its commitment to faster content delivery seriously.

MassivelyMists of Pandaria cruises toward first big patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcontent-updateexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-patch-5.1moppandariapandaspatchpatch-5.1previewptrpublic-test-realmtestingupdatewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hard work, not magic, is key to Blizzard's success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/hard-work-not-magic-is-key-to-blizzards-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blizzard's success isn't magic just hard work and open minds
Should the success of World of Warcraft over the years be accepted as an aberration, encased in glass and set high up on a pedestal, untouchable and impossible to duplicate? Not according to an editorial on GameIndustry.biz, which suggests that other companies could find success by following Blizzard's methods instead of just mimicking the product.

The article discounts the magic secret formula hypothesis and attributes Blizzard's success to hard work, aggressive utilization of player activity data, and a focus on the casual player instead of hardcore endgame types. The piece noted that Blizzard essentially provides players with a whole new game with each expansion by changing systems dramatically. It further stated, "Blizzard... sees its successful game as a moving target, and uses data to allow it to make bigger gambles and more drastic changes."

MassivelyHard work, not magic, is key to Blizzard's success originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandasRob-Faheysecret-to-successwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT saves pandas with expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/rift-saves-pandas-with-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT saves pandas with expansion
In what is most certainly a coincidence, Trion Worlds has announced a special promotion today to support pandas with the help of players who purchase a certain expansion. No, not that expansion.

Starting tomorrow, every copy of RIFT: Storm Legion pre-ordered will prompt Trion to donate a buck to Pandas International. Pandas International is an organization devoted to saving the Giant Panda, who probably would not need saving if they were martial arts monks (just saying). The pre-order has to take place through the game's website, and it ends after October 3rd.

If you're up for a laugh, make sure to read the small print on the official announcement. Maine is always the bane of any good panda party.

MassivelyRIFT saves pandas with expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conquestexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaspandas-internationalpvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrstorm-legionthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsTue, 25 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria launch-day roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-launch-day-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-launch-day-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft - Mists of Pandaria launchday roundup
World of Warcraft's long-awaited fourth expansion is finally here, and whether you're looking to see through the Mists of Pandaria for yourself or poke fun at your panda-playing friends, WoW Insider has everything you need to know.

Our sister site has been busy interviewing Blizzard devs, testing new five-man dungeons, and parsing the class and mechanical changes and adjusting guides accordingly. Join us after the break for the best expansion coverage on the internet.

Continue reading World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria launch-day roundup

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria launch-day roundup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingexpansionfantasymists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-rounduppandariapandasroundupwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowwow-expansionTue, 25 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/new-video-tells-you-what-to-expect-in-mists-of-pandaria/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Yes, you should probably expect Pandaren. If you didn't know that part, there's no hope.
Are you still on the fence about purchasing Mists of Pandaria? Really, the game comes out tomorrow; you should have made up your mind by now. But if you're still conflicted about buying World of Warcraft's fourth expansion, you can take a look at the newest development video that shows off everything players can expect from the update. And it's not just a quick list of updates.

If you have any lingering questions about what the expansion will contain or any features that you've missed hearing about, this video will put all of that to rest. Previews of the new zones, previews of new scenarios, previews of the new Monk class in action -- you can get a full rundown of the expansion's features in seven minutes. So click on past the break to see everything that's in store for players tomorrow, whether or not you've decided to jump in.

[Update: Pandaria is now live in Europe! Check out the parade Blizzard threw for the game in London, and as always, visit WoW Insider for the full scoop on the expansion.]

Continue reading Mists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated]

MassivelyMists of Pandaria is now live in Europe, Blizz posts a new video [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingexpansionexpansion-previewfantasylaunch-previewlaunch-trailermistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandastrailertrailersvideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[London cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Pandaria launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/london-cafe-giving-away-goodies-for-mists-of-pandaria-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

London cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Panderia launch
The wait for the launch of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is almost over; eager players will be lining up at stores and taking part in various launch celebrations awaiting tonight's midnight release in stores. One location, Cafe de Paris in London, is sponsoring a Pandaria-themed loot giveaway through PC Gamer to help celebrate the release with players.

The goodies include a Steel Series World of Warcraft Wireless MMO mouse, Deathwing's Stormwind Assault Mega Blocks, a strategy guide, t-shirts, posters, and a Mists of Pandaria Collector's Edition. For a chance at obtaining some of these collectables, check out the giveaway page for complete instructions. But you have to hurry -- the promotion ends tomorrow.

MassivelyLondon cafe giving away goodies for Mists of Pandaria launch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The look of a man whose guildmates are all resubscribing and has to reactivate his druid? Perhaps.
If you're at all interested in MMOs, it's been nigh-impossible not to learn about the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion through osmosis if nothing else. If you're currently playing the game, of course, buying the expansion and logging in is a no-brainer. But if you're like many people with an old account and some mixed memories about the game, buying the expansion isn't a given. It all comes down to the expansion's features and how satisfied you are with your current games.

Maybe the promise of Pandaren, new levels, new systems, and a new talent system has lured you back into the fold. Or perhaps those same changes have turned you off from Mists of Pandaria. Perhaps it's even deeper than that -- perhaps one of the previous expansions killed your interest in the game to the point that this expansion can't revive it. So today we want to know: Are you returning for Mists of Pandaria, or are you staying on the sidelines?

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: Are you returning to World of Warcraft for the expansion? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentculturedaily-grindexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamopopinionpandariapandasreturning-playerstdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 24 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/world-of-warcraft-continues-mists-of-pandaria-tv-coverage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/world-of-warcraft-continues-mists-of-pandaria-tv-coverage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/world-of-warcraft-continues-mists-of-pandaria-tv-coverage/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

World of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage
"The question isn't why we fight," a wizened voice says, "but what's worth fighting for."

Thus goes the third TV commercial for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. Blizzard continues to storm the airwaves in preparation for Pandaria's September 25th release. The commercial is just cobbled together from the opening cinematic, but it's still cool to see an MMO get airtime on television these days.

Give it your full and undivided attention after the jump.

Continue reading World of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft continues Mists of Pandaria TV coverage originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're still hoping that this was a joke, that's getting increasingly unlikely.
If you're a fan of World of Warcraft, you're buying Mists of Pandaria. We all know that. But are you just going to buy the game, or do you want to be part of an entire event surrounding the launch? If it's the latter, you'll be happy to know that the official launch event for the game's fourth expansion release has been confirmed for the 24th near the Blizzard Entertainment offices in Irvine, California.

The event starts at 9:00 p.m. PDT and will include stage presentations, special guests, and giveaways for fans in attendance. As with previous launches, even if you can't get out to California for the launch event, several retailers are opening at midnight for retail release of the game as soon as it's possible. It's all heady stuff for the new expansion, and fans will definitely want to take a look at what's going on and attend if possible.

MassivelyBlizzard unveils launch events for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft releases preexpansion patch
If palling around with lettuce people and giant Vikings isn't your thing today, may we interest you in the panda express lane? World of Warcraft is paving the way for next month's Mists of Pandaria with today's 5.0.4 patch, an update that includes several new features that are part of the expansion rollout.

While playable Pandaren and Monks aren't available until September 25th, there's plenty to chew on with patch 5.0.4. Players will experience the massive talent revamp that eliminates the old talent trees entirely, a spellbook overhaul, AoE looting, cross-realm zones, UI changes, significant currency conversions, and account-wide achievements, mounts, and pets.

The patch will be up following extended maintenance, and our sister site WoW Insider has been hard at work preparing a massive Mists of Pandaria guide for current and returning Azerothians.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft releases pre-expansion patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.0.4activisionaoe-lootingblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamonkmonksmoppandarenpandariapandaspatchpatch-5.0.4talent-revampupdateupdate-5.0.4warcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 28 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/gamescom-2012-world-of-warcraft-reveals-mists-of-pandaria-openi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic
Ever since Blizzard announced that the opening cinematic for World of Warcraft's next expansion Mists of Pandaria would be revealed at Gamescom 2012, fans have been patiently waiting to watch the introduction of the Pandaren in the popular fantasy MMORPG. Now the wait is over: Watch as the black and white kung-fu master takes on two warring combatants in the video after the break.

Continue reading Gamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic

MassivelyGamescom 2012: World of Warcraft reveals Mists of Pandaria opening cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft schedules big patch on Guild Wars 2's launch day
It's on. Oh, it's so on.

Not one to take a competitor's launch sitting down, Blizzard has scheduled its World of Warcraft 5.0.4 patch release for Tuesday, August 28th. Fans of Guild Wars 2 might have an inkling that the 28th has some significance within their own community as well.

WoW 5.0.4 is the pre-expansion patch for Mists of Pandaria. It weighs a hefty six gigabytes and includes shared mounts, new pets, and the massive talent revamp. North American players will get the patch on August 28th, while European servers will see it on the 29th. Mists of Pandaria is slated for a September 25th release.

Deciding whether this happens to be an innocent coincidence or a shrewd counter-stroke to GW2's launch is up to you. All we know is that August 28th is going to be one very, very busy day.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft schedules big patch for Guild Wars 2's launch day originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.0.4activisionanetarenanetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbreakingexpansionfantasyguild-wars-2gw2mistsmists-of-pandariamopncsoftpandariapandaspatchpatch-5.0.4warcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 14 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/leaderboard-battle-of-the-fall-expansions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Leaderboard Battle of the fall expansions
Thought expansions were a thing of the past for MMOs? Don't tell 2012, which has three major releases lined up this fall!

First up is Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan, which sends players into the titular Rohan region for the first time. Not only will there be epic confrontations with Saruman and Sauron's forces on the plains, but characters will be able to fight from horseback for the first time with the new mounted combat system.

Next is World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Blizzard's fourth expansion for its hit MMO. There's a grab bag of goodies in this release, including a new race, additional continent, pet battle system, talent revamp, and more.

Finally, RIFT: Storm Legion is coming out at an unknown point this fall. Trion's first expansion promises four new souls, two huge continents, player housing, and expanded game systems.

So as you look at the big board (just pretend you have a big board -- it makes your life more exciting), which of these three looks the most promising? Which wins in potential and promise, at least, compared to the other two? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions

MassivelyLeaderboard: Battle of the fall expansions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbattle-royalblizzardblizzard-entertainmentconquestexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playleaderboardlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromistsmists-of-pandariamopone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpandariapandaspollpollspvpriders-of-rohanriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararorrvrstorm-legionthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW adjusts Scroll of Resurrection for Mists of Pandaria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/wow-adjusts-scroll-of-resurrection-for-mists-of-pandaria/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

World of Warcraft upgrades its Scroll of Resurrection
Call it the Scroll of Resurrection 2.0. Blizzard's popular networking recruitment tool is undergoing an upgrade to reflect the changes coming with World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. The scroll is an attempt to encourage players to bring their friends in the game by tempting both parties with faster leveling and free mounts.

The updated scroll adjusts to the new specialization and talent system in Mists of Pandaria by allowing resurrected (returning) players to pick their new specialization. Talents won't be preselected for those players, however.

The scroll won't affect the new Monk class, so those hoping for a quick trip to level 80 on a Monk will need to do it the old fashioned way instead. Pandaren characters also need to pick a faction before the scroll's benefits can kick in.

MassivelyWoW adjusts Scroll of Resurrection for Mists of Pandaria originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentexpansionfantasymistsmists-of-pandariamoppandariapandaswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft has 9.1 million subscribers, down by a million since May]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/02/world-of-warcraft-down-by-a-million-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

That's 10% of the playerbase, if you need that in perspective.
World of Warcraft remains the reigning titan in terms of subscription-based games... but the titan is looking just a little bit leaner at the moment. The most recent subscriptions numbers for the game were released today in the Activision Blizzard earnings report for Q2 2012, and the game has dropped to a total of 9.1 million subscribers as of the end of June. For those keeping track at home, that's a loss of 1.1 million players since the last update on subscriber numbers in May.

Despite the subscriber loss, the overall earning report is positive, citing the announced launch date of Mists of Pandaria and the success of Diablo III (it sold over 10 million copies) as major milestones for the company. According to the report, most of the lost subscriptions are coming from Eastern players rather than US and European players. This is the first time in several years that WoW has been beneath 10 million players, and it's certainly interesting in light of recent discussions about the future of games with a subscription fee.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft has 9.1 million subscribers, down by a million since May originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If someone had brought a Warlock or a Shaman, this could have been prevented.
Jaina Proudmoore is one of the biggest lore figures in World of Warcraft despite the fact that her character history largely consists of trying to make reasonable compromises and being completely ignored. It's no surprise that she's the star of the newest novel based on World of Warcraft considering her prominence in the lore and her relationship to the war between the game's factions. Tides of War is written by Christie Golden and will be released in late August, setting the stage for Mists of Pandaria later this year.

While Jaina has always tried to broker a peace between the Alliance and the Horde, the novel's plot revolves around Warchief Garrosh Hellscream launching an attack against Jaina's home in Theramore, demonstrating the same legendary thinking that's alienated several of the Horde's allies. Whether or not the erstwhile diplomat will be able to retain any hopes of a peaceful resolution remains to be seen, but with Mists of Pandaria promising to focus on the conflict between the two factions, it seems likely that players will be looking at silencing the last and loudest voice for peace.

MassivelyNewest World of Warcraft novel gets a release date and cover preview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind Are black market auction houses a good idea
With World of Warcraft's upcoming Mists of Pandaria comes an interesting addition to the game: a black market auction house. This new type of auction house will allow Blizzard to post rare items from the game for bidding only (no buyouts), and is obviously intended to be a massive gold sink for those who have more money than sense on their hands.

While the intent of the black market auction house is understandable, what it's selling has players hotly debating over whether this is a good idea or the spawn of Evil and Mrs. Evil. Raid gear, ultra-rare pets, and other hard-to-attain goods could become easily available for those with large pocketbooks.

So let's put it to the bright minds at Massively Labs (that's you): Are black market auction houses a good idea? Is Blizzard setting a trend here or cutting its own feet out from under it?

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: Are black market auction houses a good idea? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MMO Report
Morgan Webb dethrones Casey this week on The MMO Report, having made the journey to Anaheim to interview Blizzard's reps about World of Warcraft's upcoming Mists of Pandaria expansion. J. Allen Brack and Tom Chilton focus on the philosophy of this expansion and its shift from previous expansions' ominous tone to a more playful theme of adventure, exploration, and oh yeah, the war between the Alliance and the Horde.

The pair also highlight changes to underdeveloped zones, pet battles, repurposed classic dungeons, phased farms (actual farms!), and solutions to the faction grind problem. Most interestingly, they tell Morgan that Pandaren came first... and the Asian motif followed. After all, they joke, it just wouldn't have made sense to put Pandaren in Aztec ruins.

Get your panda on in the full video behind the break!

Continue reading The MMO Report: Aztec pandas make no sense edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Aztec pandas make no sense edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft - angry panda
Oh, those crazy Blizzard devs! They just can't seem to stay out of the news lately. The latest bit of panda-related madness comes courtesy of tomorrow's dev chat announcement. If you've got questions about the newly revealed Mists of Pandaria expansion pack, you'll want to sign up for a CoverItLive account and prepare to fire away at Blizz's best and brightest.

If you've got complaints, well, it's a moderated dev chat so you're probably out of luck. In any event, the fireworks start at 8:00 p.m. EDT, and you can read all of the details at the official Battle.net website.

MassivelyBlizzard hosting live Mists of Pandaria dev chat on October 27th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. Miss a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week? You've come to the right post.

World of Warcraft subs dipped below their high water mark this week, prompting catcalls and huzzahs from Blizzard detractors and we've-heard-that-before eyerolls from the rest of us. Coincidentally (or maybe not), rumors of a Pandaren-flavored expansion for the fantasy title surfaced alongside the whisperings of discontent.

Lest you think we've turned into WoW Insider, rest assured that lots of other MMO news happened this week as well, and we've got your recap after the cut!

Continue reading Week in Review: Pandas in the mist

MassivelyWeek in Review: Pandas in the mist originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmists-of-pandarianews-recappandarenpandariapandasrecaproundupweek-in-reivewweekly-recapSun, 07 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: World of Warcraft's next expansion has been named]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/has-wows-next-expansion-been-named/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/has-wows-next-expansion-been-named/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/has-wows-next-expansion-been-named/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

First there was The Burning Crusade, then Wrath of the Lich King, and, most recently, Cataclysm. World of Warcraft's expansions have been the lifeblood of literally millions of gamers' playtime, which is why many fans are anxiously awaiting word of the fourth expansion pack to the hit MMO.

Today we may know the name of the expansion: Mists of Pandaria. According to MMO Champion, Blizzard filed a trademark with this title on July 28th, which is exactly in line with how the company has procured titles for the previous expansions. The trademark specifies that this is for "computer game software."

The Pandarens are one of the more light-hearted races in the Warcraft franchise, with kung fu panda bears from a secret empire somewhere in Azeroth. Despite being fan favorites, the Pandarens have been rarely seen in WoW, while Blizzard has used them in a couple different April Fool's jokes in the past.

We'll be keeping our eyes on Blizzard for any official confirmation.

MassivelyRumor: World of Warcraft's next expansion has been named originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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