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 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[More Black Desert beta vids, this time with parkour]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/19/more-black-desert-beta-vids-this-time-with-parkour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/19/more-black-desert-beta-vids-this-time-with-parkour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/19/more-black-desert-beta-vids-this-time-with-parkour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

More Black Desert beta vids, this time with parkour
As we reported earlier this week, Korean fantasy sandbox Black Desert has gone into beta. Steparu has published part one of an extensive preview including both a hands-on article and a series of lengthy high definition gameplay videos.

The clips show everything from combat and group play to exploration and dungeoneering. There's also an extensive look at the game's climbing and movement system. Steparu says that "it's not exactly Assassin's Creed style, but it does come close to it." See for yourself via the embeds after the break.

Continue reading More Black Desert beta vids, this time with parkour

MassivelyMore Black Desert beta vids, this time with parkour originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Oct 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-desertblack-desert-betablack-desert-parkourblack-desert-videofantasyhousingkoreakorean-mmoparkourpearl-abysssandboxvideoSat, 19 Oct 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime 2013: The strange case for EverQuest Next Landmark]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/pax-prime-2013-the-strange-case-for-everquest-next-landmark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/pax-prime-2013-the-strange-case-for-everquest-next-landmark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/31/pax-prime-2013-the-strange-case-for-everquest-next-landmark/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PAX Prime 2013 EverQuest Next Landmark
It's early on the first day of PAX Prime and I haven't had my coffee yet. The coffee is necessary to catch me up to the boundless enthusiasm of the ponytailed dev who sits across from me gesticulating wildly. With each wave of the hand a new image pops on the large monitor to the right of us, showing off another captivating snapshot of a fantasy world and its potential inhabitants.

It's one thing to watch Dave Georgeson be giddy about EverQuest Next and its slightly-more-sandbox-than-thou EverQuest Next Landmark from afar. It's another thing to be close enough that his hand gestures threaten my full cup of joe. And either near or far, it's hard not to ride the wave of enthusiasm to the shores of hype, hopes, and dreams.

Georgeson and company are strongly pushing EverQuest Next Landmark these days, possibly because it's coming out in a couple of months and possibly because it's a strange game to explain to players. Just what is it? Sandbox? MMO? Real estate simulator? Parkour paradise? Capitalistic haven for up-and-coming designers? According to him, it's all of the above and then some.

Continue reading PAX Prime 2013: The strange case for EverQuest Next Landmark

MassivelyPAX Prime 2013: The strange case for EverQuest Next Landmark originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Aug 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conconventiondave-georgesoneqeq-nexteqneventevent-coverageeventseverquesteverquest-nexteverquest-next-landmarkexpofantasyfeaturedinterviewinterviewslandmarkmassively-event-coverageparkourpaxpax-2013pax-primepax-prime-2013penny-arcade-expopreviewpreviewssoesony-online-entertainmentSat, 31 Aug 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE Live 2013: EverQuest Next explained]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/soe-live-2013-everquest-next-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/soe-live-2013-everquest-next-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/soe-live-2013-everquest-next-explained/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

SOE Live 2013 EverQuest Next explained
With that pesky SOE Live embargo out of the way, we can finally stop speculating and start talking about EverQuest Next! And if you're a sandbox fan, you're going to love it because when SOE declared last year that it was doing something really, truly different with EQ Next, it wasn't kidding. EQ Next is set in the realm of Norrath, but this is a rebooted version of those lands. Veteran players will find familiar places and names in the lore and setting, but they won't have a monopoly on the knowledge of this world; players new to the franchise can be equally comfortable because everyone is discovering this new world at the same time.

On two separate occasions over the last few weeks, I got to sit down with Franchise Director Dave Georgeson to learn even more details about the game in preparation for today's SOE Live reveal. Want to see what all the fuss is about? Then join me for a tour through some of the key aspects and features of the upcoming sandbox.

Gallery: EverQuest Next

Continue reading SOE Live 2013: EverQuest Next explained

MassivelySOE Live 2013: EverQuest Next explained originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Aug 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choice-and-consequenceschoice-matterschoicescombatconconventiondave-georgesonDestructable-worldeqeq-2eq-iieq-nexteq2eqiieqneventeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-nextf2pfan-fairefantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryinterviewinterviewslas-vegasopinionParkourpreviewpreviewsrevealscreenshotscreenshotssoesoe-fan-fairesoe-livesoe-live-2013sonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebooktrailertrailersvideovideosFri, 02 Aug 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Art of Wushu: Exploring China with true parkour]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/07/03/the-art-of-wushu-exploring-china-with-true-parkour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/07/03/the-art-of-wushu-exploring-china-with-true-parkour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/07/03/the-art-of-wushu-exploring-china-with-true-parkour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Art of Wushu Exploring China with true parkour
I'm a bit spoiled by Age of Wushu's flying skills. Parkour in Wushu is one of the most satisfying things in any game, as heroes can truly go anywhere and do anything. When I was first playing the game in beta and was unsure about everything else, I said with certainty, "Any game with airdashes can't be bad." As it turns out, the parkour in Age of Wushu stands head and shoulders above the travel in any other game.

Other games have jumping puzzles that are awkward, and some games have flight or other Z-axis travel that allows players to freely go wherever they like. In Wushu, it takes effort to get to hard-to-reach places, but the feeling you get when you climb the highest heights and explore places no one else might ever see is truly satisfying.

Continue reading The Art of Wushu: Exploring China with true parkour

MassivelyThe Art of Wushu: Exploring China with true parkour originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Jul 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-wulinage-of-wushuairdashairdashingart-of-wushuchinachinesechinese-mythologycolumnfeaturedflyingflying-skillsgo-anywhere-do-anythingkung-fumartial-artsparkourrunning-on-wallsrunning-on-watersandboxsnail-gamessnail-games-usawushuwuxiaWed, 03 Jul 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Desert Facebook page hints at parkour system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/black-desert-facebook-page-hints-at-parkour-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/black-desert-facebook-page-hints-at-parkour-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/black-desert-facebook-page-hints-at-parkour-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Black Desert Facebook page hints at parkour system
Black Desert is rapidly approaching too-good-to-be-true territory, at least for this sandbox-starved gamer. While there are still a ton of unanswered questions regarding the newly announced Korean import, we have seen some spectacular visuals and an interesting twist on player housing.

Today the Pearl Abyss Facebook page has updated with a look at the game's parkour system. Steparu.com reports that players will be able to "run up on walls, jump on obstacles, climb balconies, and stuff."

There's no video as of yet, but there is a screenshot montage that shows a free-runner vaulting over ground-based obstructions and climbing onto a balcony.

MassivelyBlack Desert Facebook page hints at parkour system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-desertdo-wantfantasyfree-runningparkourpearl-abysspvesandboxWed, 26 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArcheAge parkour video shows off city architecture]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/archeage-parkour-video-shows-off-city-architecture/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/archeage-parkour-video-shows-off-city-architecture/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/archeage-parkour-video-shows-off-city-architecture/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been a while since we've seen an ArcheAge video, and AAportal has come through with an interesting clip that was recorded during the closed beta test at the end of May. The three-minute jaunt is heavy on urban exploration -- or what passes for urban in a fantasy context -- and the protagonist engages in a bit of free-running to see the sights in and around one of the fantasy title's huge cities.

There's a bit of lag on display, as well as a lack of real danger given that the player character walks away from several high falls, but the clip is worth watching due to ArcheAge's gorgeous architecture. Check it out after the cut, then head to AAportal to join the discussion.

Continue reading ArcheAge parkour video shows off city architecture

MassivelyArcheAge parkour video shows off city architecture originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arche-agearcheagearchitecturefantasyfree-runninglagparkoursandboxsandparksceneryvideoxlxl-gamesMon, 11 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny recap: FreeJack]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-freejack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-freejack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-freejack/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FreeJack is a new MMORPG brought to us by Gamerkraft. It's based on parkour, a sport that pits human against pavement -- a ballet performed upon rooftops and railways. Well, that's the theory, at least. In reality, parkour is sometimes very cumbersome to watch. If you are ever fortunate enough to catch a televised parkour competition, you'll see that there is almost no fluidity involved at all. Instead, players perform flips and spins on a perfectly laid-out track. It feels clunky, especially when the runner pauses to set up a killer move.

FreeJack, I had hoped, would give back some of that fluid movement to the sport. After all, a fall in a video game does not end your life -- greater risks can be taken. When we picture parkour in our heads, we see superhero-like movements, leaping between buildings, or balancing on wires. In most ways, FreeJack delivers this experience. It also features some really cool graphics, fantastic customization and great social systems.

But in the middle of all that fun, the game can just stop you and make you feel more human than ever.

Gallery: Freejack screenshots

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: FreeJack

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: FreeJack originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balletbeau-hindmanbetae-sportsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreejackfreejack-mmoftpgamerkraftmultiplayer-demoParkourRacingrise-and-shinysportsSun, 19 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Urban exploration in Hyboria (part two)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-hyboria-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-hyboria-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-hyboria-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Continue reading Urban exploration in Hyboria (part two)

MassivelyUrban exploration in Hyboria (part two) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age of conanAgeOfConanaocexplorationfoucanfree runningFreeRunninggraphicsparkourscreenshottortageurban explorationUrbanExplorationTue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Urban exploration in Age of Conan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/urban-exploration-in-age-of-conan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Free running and urban exploration in virtual worlds have both taken off significantly in recent years. Players can be seen clambering around buildings and jumping between the rooftops in games from World of Warcraft to Everquest 2 and Funcom's Age of Conan is no different. Like a lot of players, I found myself eventually having to make my own fun after a while. For me, that meant finding my way onto the rooftops and jumping between them like a maniac. In this visual article, I find myself on the rooftops and back alleys of two cities in Age of Conan and see things from a perspective that most players will never see first hand.


Gallery: Age of Conan Free Running

City wallRoute to tortage rooftopsRoute to tortage rooftops #2Inner cityEntranceway

Age of Conan Coverage Having fun in Conan's homeland? Make sure to check out all of our previous Age of Conan coverage, and stick with Massively for more news from the Hyborian Age!

Continue reading Urban exploration in Age of Conan

MassivelyUrban exploration in Age of Conan originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age of conanAgeOfConanaocexplorationfeaturedfoucanfree runningFreeRunningfuncomgraphicsjoystiqfeatureskhemiparkourscreenshottortageurban explorationUrbanExplorationTue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Urban exploration in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/urban-exploration-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/urban-exploration-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/urban-exploration-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Urban exploration and free running are activities normally associated with the real world. In recent years, however, MMOs such as Everquest 2, Age of Conan and World of Warcraft have become a digital stage for the arts. With entire new virtual worlds to explore, no risk of injury and no physical fitness required, it's understandable that many would-be free runners are going digital.

In this article, I take a visual tour of the world of urban exploration and rooftop running in MMOs and explain how you can learn to clamber onto the rooftops in your favourite game.

Gallery: Urban Exploration

Obstacle courseAction shotHow it all beganThe Baubelshire

Continue reading Urban exploration in MMOs

MassivelyUrban exploration in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age of conanAgeOfConanaocblizzardeq2everquest-2explorationfeaturedfoucanfree runningFreeRunningfuncomjoystiqfeaturesparkoursoesony-online-entertainmenturban explorationUrbanExplorationworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowMon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST