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[Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Diablo III title image
Diablo III officially launched at midnight last night, opening the floodgates on what is possibly the most pre-ordered PC game in history. It's been almost 12 years since the previous game in the series launched, and it's still going to this day. Whether you've played previous games, have taken part in the Diablo III beta or are taking your first steps into Sanctuary today, everyone starts with a clean slate. In this article, I give my top five tips for spending your first few days wisely in Diablo III.

#5 - Spend most of your time on one character

It seems like a bit of a no-brainer to initially focus on one character, but in Diablo III's case, there's a special reason to do it. You'll likely finish normal mode around level 20-30, and until then, you'll get a new skill almost every level. It's only when you've completed normal mode and moved on to nightmare that the challenge really starts and you will have picked out an effective set of skills. Your last active skill unlocks at level 30, and from then on you'll gain a combination of two to three runes or passive skills every level until you hit the level cap at 60.

Read on for four more tips you should keep in mind as you start playing Diablo III.

Continue reading Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III

MassivelyFive top tips for your first few days of Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgauction-housebarrelsbattlenetblacksmithblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchartd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfeaturedgothic-fantasygraphguideguideslaunch-daylevellevel-chartlevelinglevelsmultiplayeronline-multiplayerpartypassivesphysicsrpgrunessanctuaryskill-chartskillstipstop-fivetop-tipsweaponsTue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online will let players run the kingdom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pathfinder-online-will-let-players-run-the-kingdom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The game itself has no real art yet, but the pen-and-paper game has quite a few nice pieces.
If you've played the Pathfinder tabletop game that Pathfinder Online is based upon, you know that you need to have grouping. After all, the former is all about bands of adventurers exploring the wilds. So it's fitting that the most recent developer blog is all about the game's methods of managing groups and playing in different numbers. And this isn't just a matter of parties or solo play -- at the high end, players can be running entire kingdoms as a social unit.

Solo play is meant to be somewhat discouraged, as the blog notes it will be a much more difficult road for a dedicated lone wolf. Parties will be the next step up, holding an undetermined number of players (the working target has about 24 players at the high end). Above those are chartered companies, settlements, and as mentioned, entire new player-run kingdoms. It's going to produce some interesting dynamics to have player organizations in such abundance, but the developers seem to have some confidence in their initial designs.

MassivelyPathfinder Online will let players run the kingdom originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogdesigndeveloper-blogsearly-designgoblinworksgroupinggroupspaizopaizo-publishingpartiespartypathfinderpathfinder-onlineplayer-housingplayer-nationsplayer-settlementspreviewssolosolo-playerWed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Party planning committee, assemble!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-road-to-mordor-party-planning-committee-assemble/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-road-to-mordor-party-planning-committee-assemble/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-road-to-mordor-party-planning-committee-assemble/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor
Considering that Fellowship of the Ring begins with a huge party -- thrown in honor of Bilbo Baggins' eleventy-first birthday -- I think it's appropriate that Lord of the Rings Online is conducive to parties. I'm not just talking about dev-designed festivals, although those are great; I'm referring to parties that the community whips up from time to time.

Part of the appeal of LotRO to me is that it isn't just all about killing and leveling; it's also about exploring and living in this virtual Middle-earth. Life for the Free Peoples means celebrating even in the midst of oppressive evil, and it's in keeping with the spirit of the enterprise to throw a shindig now and then.

Turbine's given us quite a few tools and resources to use when assembling a party, and I thought that today we'd take an unusual detour from the Road to Mordor and go through the steps of throwing a memorable and enjoyable soirée. Ready to cut loose? Footloose? Good! Let's tear up the dance floor!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Party planning committee, assemble!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Party planning committee, assemble! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alebeerdancingdrinkingdrunkexplosionsfeaturedfireworksfreeze-taglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromusicpartiespartyparty-planningplayer-housingplayer-musicroad-to-mordorshindigsoireetagthe-road-to-mordorturbine-entertainmentweatherstockSat, 29 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like to level in parties?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-to-level-in-parties/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shortly after this picture, that bird was dead.
Back in the old days of MMOs -- and feel free to insert your own jokes about dinosaurs roaming the earth -- leveling was something that was done in groups. Soloing was for farming or running from place to place, but for the most part, you leveled with several other people, meaning that you knew from a very early level what you needed to do when in a group. It also meant, unfortunately, that it was really difficult to just play on your own schedule instead of the times when everyone else was on and available.

To some players who grew up on games like EverQuest, the idea that almost every game can be soloed to max level is a bit jarring. But there are lots of reasons to level in parties anyway, ranging from working with others when you play a group-centric build to just wanting other people around when you level.

So do you like to try and level up in groups? Or do you group up for special events and level on your own for the most part?

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: Do you like to level in parties? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureexperienceexperience-partiesgame-mechanicsgroup-levelinggroupslevelingopinionpartiespartytdgthe-daily-grindSun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Party with the Gods & Heroes devs in Austin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/party-with-the-gods-and-heroes-devs-in-austin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/party-with-the-gods-and-heroes-devs-in-austin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/party-with-the-gods-and-heroes-devs-in-austin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gods & Heroes art
Heatwave Interactive aims to seize the day -- Friday, October 14th, that is -- by offering players of Gods & Heroes a unique opportunity to visit the studio in person. Following the final day of GDC Austin, Heatwave's community team will offer 10 attendees the chance to spend an afternoon and evening touring the offices for "sneak previews" and a Q&A with various panels and team members, including CEO Anthony Castoro, the design team, the art team, the support team, and the community team. Guests will then participate with the devs in hosting a live Ustream chat, after which they'll enjoy the fruits of their labors (or more accurately, the meats) with a BBQ worthy of the gods.

Interested parties can RSVP by email on the official site. Have fun!

MassivelyParty with the Gods & Heroes devs in Austin originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anthony-Castorobbqcommunity-eventeventgdcgodsgods-and-heroesheatwaveheatwave-interactiveheroesmmm-bbqmythologypartyTue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Groupthink]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/the-soapbox-groupthink/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

More cats make everything better. True story.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I can pinpoint exactly the moment that the luster of World of Warcraft's big old-game-changing expansion wore off for me. And it didn't take very long, just long enough for me to pick up a quest named It's Raid Night Every Night for my Dwarf. It was an unremarkable quest in every way, with the only really clever-ish bit being the title that slyly winks at players about one of the game's criticisms.

Except that it's not exactly an unfair criticism. If you were at the level cap and wanted to keep playing the game with anything approaching forward motion, it was raid night every night. The joke left a bad taste in my mouth.

Of course, this isn't an article about WoW except in passing and by association. It's about the temptation and tendency to have group content as the panacea, as the overwhelming focus of any new content. It's about why we get so much content that focuses on large group efforts, and why that isn't necessarily such a good thing -- for the players or even the developers.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Groupthink

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Groupthink originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentcontent-designcultureendgameendgame-contentfeaturedgroup-contentgroupinggroupsopinionpartiespartyparty-contentscaling-contentsoapboxthe-soapboxTue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online celebrates two years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/champions-online-celebrates-two-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/champions-online-celebrates-two-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/champions-online-celebrates-two-years/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Champions Online: DJ Madbot
It's hard to believe that Champions Online is about to celebrate its second anniversary, but it's true: Cryptic Studios just sent out the invitations to the game's anniversary party!

On Thursday, September 1st, our favorite super-heroine Sapphire takes center stage at the Renaissance Center at 1 p.m. EDT to start the festivities. She'll perform her musical set once every hour until Monday, September 5th at 2:59 a.m. EDT. Between sets, the audio automaton DJ Madbot thumps his funky beats all night long. Look for party hosts all about the center for party favors, unlocks, and missions. The party doesn't end at the Ren Center, however: Each of the zone bosses drop anniversary gives as well.

What are these party gifts you ask? Developers at Cyptic tell us that favors consist of the standard gift boxes, party bombs, and boosters, but new this year is the Noise Visualizer Device. This device sparks visual effects like "Pow!" and "Bam!" Plus, Cryptic continues giving gifts with DJ Madbot costume and Glitter Heroic Wear unlocks.

The event is open to the whole Free-For-All community, so why not stop by? At least you can find out why it looks like that robot has a box for head and maybe get one for yourself.

MassivelyChampions Online celebrates two years originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryCelebrationchampionschampions-onlineCOcrypticcryptic-studiosDJ-Madboteventf2pfree-for-allfree-to-playftpin-game-eventpartysapphireWed, 31 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a tank?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maybe you have a sword and shield, maybe you have a really high Dodge rating, maybe you have durable force fields. Whatever your qualifications for the role, you take up the mantle of the tank to keep the rest of your party safe against your enemies, whether they're gang members in DC Universe Online, vicious beasts in Final Fantasy XIV, or enemy starships in Star Trek Online. Whatever your game of choice, if you've played MMOs for a long enough stretch, you've had opportunity to tank.

Of course, part of tanking is that you wind up with stories, in no small part just because it's such a vital job. You can't fake the experience -- you have to get in close and take the blows for the party members who can't survive them. So what was your favorite experience as the party's meat shield? Was it a specific run, a specific group, or was there an entire game that made tanking feel like the most enjoyable thing in the world?

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: What was your favorite experience as a tank? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anecdotesculturegame-mechanicsholy-trinityopinionpartyparty-mechanicsrolesstoriesstorysurvivaltankingtdgthe-daily-grindTue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a damage dealer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Out of the three roles of the holy trinity, damage dealers (or DPS, depending on personal preference) are usually seen as the most superfluous. After all, you just have to pound something into the ground, right? But that's neglecting all of the work that damage dealers actually do, and it's neglecting the fact that you notice when your resident monster-pounder isn't up to snuff. Just because there are an awful lot of damage-dealing players in certain games (World of Warcraft springs to mind) doesn't mean there aren't some noteworthy members of the role.

From EverQuest to RIFT, pretty much every game has some way of allowing players to just rack up huge numbers and lay waste to the opposition. So what has your favorite experience been when piling on the damage? Was there a time that you broke numbers you didn't even think you were capable of hitting? A time when you showed your entire party just how good you were at what you did? Or was it a game where you got to combine your love of breaking things with a more party-oriented utility approach?

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: What was your favorite experience as a damage dealer? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdamage-dealerdpsgame-mechanicsgroup-playholy-trinitymechanicsopinionpartyparty-contentrolestdgthe-daily-grindMon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: What could have been]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/lost-pages-of-taborea-what-could-have-been/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/lost-pages-of-taborea-what-could-have-been/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/lost-pages-of-taborea-what-could-have-been/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We always face changes in our favorite MMOs. A new patch comes along and changes multi-click gathering to single-click, a cool pet system gets added or our main class gets nerfed. Sometimes changes happen before the game ever sees them, though.

Runes of Magic had some different features planned that were never implemented. Tile-dungeons, a streaming client and party-spells are a few of these features left on the cutting-room floor. In this week's Lost Pages of Taborea, I want to insert a titular line and look at what could have been.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: What could have been

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: What could have been originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bitraiderbitstreambitstreamingconjunctionsdungeonsdynamic-contentdynamic-dungeonsfellowship-maneuversflyingfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactiveinstancesjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamonster-cardsmonster-petspartyparty-attack-spellspet-systempetsromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentstreamingstreaming-clienttile-dungeonsMon, 25 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anarchy Online celebrates 10 years this weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/anarchy-online-celebrates-10-years-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/anarchy-online-celebrates-10-years-this-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/anarchy-online-celebrates-10-years-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It seems like there's an MMO anniversary happening every other day around these parts. While it's indeed commendable for some of these games to last a year or three, Funcom's Anarchy Online has just reached the lofty summit reserved for the likes of EverQuest and Ultima Online: Yep, Rubi-Ka is 10 years old and still going strong.

Funcom has issued a press release that's heavy on the innovative aspects of the world's first sci-fi MMORPG. "Instancing, massive player vs. player combat, digital download of games, in-game advertisement, virtual world radio, concerts, virtual items, and freemium business models" are just a few of the initiatives that showed up early in Anarchy Online. The release also serves to accentuate how much has changed since the game's genesis, as it notes that AO's original 1995 design document questioned the future viability of the internet and hoped for 2,500 subscribers.

No 10-year anniversary would be complete without a respectable bash, and Funcom's release also outlines the festivities coming your way in the form of events and new content. The party (jointly produced by Funcom and Gridstream Productions) starts tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. EDT and will continue into the weekend. Even if you're not up for virtual dancing, you'll want to check it out for a new birthday raid, new vehicles, clothing, gear, action figures, and pets. Head to the official website to learn more.

MassivelyAnarchy Online celebrates 10 years this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-year-anniversaryanarchy-onlineanniversaryaobirthday-raidf2pfree-to-playfreemiumfuncomin-game-eventinstancinglongevitymmo-industrynew-contentnew-gearnew-petspartyrubi-kasci-fiThu, 23 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MapleStory invites you to a Jubilation!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/maplestory-invites-you-to-a-jubilation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/maplestory-invites-you-to-a-jubilation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/maplestory-invites-you-to-a-jubilation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a stupendous month for MapleStory as the obscenely popular MMO not only dinged its sixth year in operation but also racked up over eight million accounts and 24 million characters created. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Nexon is throwing a joyful celebration for the game code-named Jubilation.

As the name suggests, Jubilation is all about partying, and party the players shall. For starters, there's a dual-raid for two teams of three competing to down a balloon first. Those looking for more relaxing activities may want to help grow a small maple sapling into a mighty tree by collecting sunshine, assembling an anniversary jigsaw puzzle by collecting all the trees, or simply logging in every day to earn enough stamps for a loyalty medal with spiffy stats attached.

MapleStory's sixth anniversary events are going on now through June 14th, so there's plenty of time to check it all out! You can read the full details of the game's Jubilation at the official site.

MassivelyMapleStory invites you to a Jubilation! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6th-anniversaryanniversaryballoon-raidbirthdaycelebrationdual-raideventf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventjigsaw-puzzlejubilationjubileeloyalty-medalmaple-saplingmaple-treemaplestorynexonpartysixth-anniversarywiggity-wiggity-whackFri, 06 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV explains the ins and outs of party play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/final-fantasy-xiv-explains-the-ins-and-outs-of-party-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/final-fantasy-xiv-explains-the-ins-and-outs-of-party-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/final-fantasy-xiv-explains-the-ins-and-outs-of-party-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Final Fantasy XI's development team was notorious for being silent on every aspect of the game, no matter how much players begged for an explanation of systems. It's a tradition that has most certainly not been carried over to Final Fantasy XIV, where the developers have taken the time to answer a number of questions and explain several parts of game systems left unclear elsewhere. The most recent development team dispatch covers the MMO staples of parties and quests, explaining everything from the exchanging of guildleves to the effects of scaled difficulty.

Party bonuses are among the bigger elements in this particular dispatch, with an explanation of the necessary level range to receive bonus skill points and experience. The short version is that while players are not penalized in any fashion while solo, as long as all the class ranks of the party are within a five-level band, all members will gain the party bonus. Since linking leves also increases the chance of a gil-laden treasure chest appearing, it's another step in the game rewarding party play without punishing solo players. Final Fantasy XIV players should take a look at the full dispatch, as well as glancing at the patch notes for the most recent version update.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV explains the ins and outs of party play originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivguildlevesleve-linkinglevelingleveling-bonusesleveling-speedpartiespartyparty-bonusparty-rewardsquestssquaresquare-enixFri, 22 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Clone Wars Adventures uses the force to hit one million mark]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/clone-wars-adventures-uses-the-force-to-hit-one-million-mark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/clone-wars-adventures-uses-the-force-to-hit-one-million-mark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/clone-wars-adventures-uses-the-force-to-hit-one-million-mark/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The force is strong with Clone Wars Adventures! This colorful little virtual world is barely a week out of launch, and Sony Online Entertainment has announced it has managed to pass one million accounts registered in that time. When one considers that SOE's other kid-friendly property, Free Realms, took 18 days to hit the same number of accounts, this is impressive news indeed. To celebrate hitting this first million, all Clone Wars Adventures denizens will be given a special limited-edition in-game Golden Mouse Droid to enjoy. Additionally, the company is throwing a huge party today at 3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT), which will kick off a week of in-game events.

We'd like to send our congrats out to the entire SOE team on its success with CWA. Hopefully we'll see even more added to this fun little world in the months to come as the television series progresses and the storyline in-game changes to follow it.

MassivelyClone Wars Adventures uses the force to hit one million mark originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-million-accountsclone-warsclone-wars-adventurescwain-game-eventlaunchone-million-accountspartysoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsvirtual-worldFri, 24 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What do you do when things turn south?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-when-things-turn-south/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-when-things-turn-south/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-when-things-turn-south/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a crucial tipping point in any sort of party scenario when it becomes obvious that the situation is going badly. More to the point, there's a moment when you realize that every single person in the party is likely to die in short order. In some games such as Final Fantasy XI, death is a fairly major penalty; in other games, such as World of Warcraft, death is not much more than a slight inconvenience.

But even if death results in nothing more than respawning a few seconds later in Star Trek Online, when the group is together, people can act differently. So what do you do? Do you try to take enemy attention so that your fellow party members can get away? Do you make a run for it, figuring that whatever's coming for you will eat someone else first? Or do you try to go down with guns blazing and make as much of a dent as you can?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What do you do when things turn south? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathdeath-penaltydyingff11ffxifinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigroupingopinionpartyparty-mechanicspenaltiesrespawnsstar-trek-onlinestotdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Mob Meetups: Dragon*Con 2010 & PAX 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/massively-mob-meetups-dragon-con-2010-and-pax-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/massively-mob-meetups-dragon-con-2010-and-pax-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/massively-mob-meetups-dragon-con-2010-and-pax-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Labor Day weekend is coming up and you know what that means: Dragon*Con 2010 and PAX 2010 are here! The two dueling conventions are back to capture the hearts of nerds across America, and Massively.com is going to be in full force at both conventions this year -- a first for us!

To celebrate, we're having not one, but two MMO fan gatherings, so our fans from both sides of the country can attend!

If you're a PAX person, then come visit us at 8:00 p.m. PDT at The Night Kitchen in Seattle! The Night Kitchen is equipped with a lovely lounge and free wi-fi, so bring your laptop and show off your l33t epics to the mob and the staff! Rubi Bayer, Larry Everett, and Justin Olivetti will be hosting the party, so be sure to drop by, say hi, pick up some late night snacks, and tell us all about your favorite games!

If you're a Dragon*Conite, then be sure to drop by the Sheraton's Capitol Ballroom at 10:00 p.m. EDT for the MMO Gathering of Heroes! This is the Dragon*Con MMO track's official dance party, and it's also being hosted by Massively's own Krystalle Voecks and former Massively.com columnist Rafe Brox. Rafe and Krystalle will be laying down the beats for the party, but Grand Poobah Shawn Schuster and I, Seraphina Brennan, will be in attendance as well. (Most likely in costume!) Plus, we can't forget about Kevin Stallard, the leader of the MMO track and former Ask Massively man! So if you want to come meet some fellow MMO-lovers, dance, or meet some of the Massively.com staffers, then this is your party. (P.S. -- A Dragon*Con 2010 pass is required to get into this party.)

So, to recap: Saturday, September 4th at 8:00 p.m. PDT at Seattle's Night Kitchen, or Saturday, September 4th, at 10:00 p.m. EDT at Dragon*Con's MMO Gathering of Heroes, located in the Capitol Ballroom of the Sheraton hotel.

If you need help, or reminders, join our Steam Community group, The Massively Mob! We hope to see you at one of our events!

MassivelyMassively Mob Meetups: Dragon*Con 2010 & PAX 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convention-partiesconventionsdc-meetupdragon-con-2010dragoncondragoncon-2010eventlabor-day-weekendmassively-mob-eventmmo-gatheringmmo-gathering-of-heroesmob-meetuppartypax-2010pax-meetuppenny-arcade-expopenny-arcade-expo-2010reader-meetupreal-world-eventthe-night-kitchenMon, 30 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Grouping basics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/lost-pages-of-taborea-grouping-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/lost-pages-of-taborea-grouping-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/lost-pages-of-taborea-grouping-basics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week, I've been thinking a lot about Runes of Magic's ability to cater to players with different MMO backgrounds. Many players may never have played a subscription game from the West, while others may never have experienced the different mechanics found in Eastern F2P MMOs. What you get is a banquet of food and all the guests aren't sure of the proper etiquette or rules or when it's time to eat. If we stick with a food analogy, the group feature would be a main dish.

Lots of F2P MMOs have been imported from the East, and they don't handle grouping in quite the same way as Western subscription-based games. In fact, the ideas of raiding, pick-up-groups, and instances that can be found in almost any Western MMO, don't exist in most F2P games. This article takes a look at some specifics of grouping in RoM, including the recruitment board, experience debt, looking for a group, and etiquette.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Grouping basics

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Grouping basics originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etiquettefeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegroupinggroupslfglooking-for-grouplootloot-rollingloot-rollspartypick-up-grouppugpuggingraidraidingrecruitment-boardromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentteleportteleport-runeworld-chatzone-chatMon, 02 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's a lot coming down the pipeline for fans of both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI. And there are a lot of questions to be asked, even though not all of them quite mirror those of your beloved author. (Those questions are generally shouted at the sky, insinuating it can hear me and that it needs to give me a beta key.) But while I'm not busy staring at a harsh, uncaring sky, I can certainly offer you a fair number of answers.

hatri1181 asks:
"I scored really low on the benchmark, but my system beats the living hell out of the min specs. Does that make any sense to anyone else?"

Yes. The benchmark isn't totally accurate, as many people were screaming as soon as it was released, and it features several odd points. Points such as being sponsored by one of two major GPU manufacturers, and highlighting the most congested areas of gameplay with no options to turn settings down, only up -- the sort of things that have resulted in people being fully capable of running the benchmark and having scores telling them they could not.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benchmarkbenchmark-applicationconsolesfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfree-trialfree-trialsopinionpartyparty-formingparty-mechanicspcquest-auto-complete-9000squaresquare-enixsystem-requirementssystemstrialsverisimilitudeSat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Party like a rock star in Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/party-like-a-rock-star-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/party-like-a-rock-star-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/party-like-a-rock-star-in-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There are players out there who might be dreading parties in Final Fantasy XIV. Well, not precisely; they might well be dreading that the mechanics will be similar to the parties from Final Fantasy XI, where some classes could seemingly wait for ages without a trace of a group. Mercifully, the fine bilingual team at FFXIVCore has continued its apparent tradition of translating information to coincide with the new beta testing, with the newest translation being a guide to getting a working group in the game.

Guildleves are the game's core leveling mechanics, but new ones can only be accepted every so often, and they can be hard to complete on higher settings alone. By grouping up, players gain access to more guildleves from other players and more support in tackling the game's bigger challenges. The full translation has information on everything from the interface to form a party to the game's battle regiments, the equivalent of Final Fantasy XI's skillchains. (We're guessing they meant regimens, but that's the challenge of translation.) Final Fantasy XIV fans are advised to take a look at the article to start gearing up for the game's release in two months.

MassivelyParty like a rock star in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-mechanicsbetachallengedifficultyexperienceffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroup-mechanicsgroupingguildlevespartiespartypartyingquestsskillchainssquaresquare-enixtestingtranslationsFri, 30 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Answers (and disclaimers)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/the-mog-log-answers-and-disclaimers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/the-mog-log-answers-and-disclaimers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/the-mog-log-answers-and-disclaimers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In this edition of the Mog Log, every question you have ever had will be answered completely accurately. (Disclaimer: these questions must pertain to either Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV. And they must have been asked via e-mail or comments. And it must be noted that "I don't know" is an accurate answer to a question. Also, this aside is now longer then the introductory sentence.) Aren't you excited as possible? I know I am.

We'll start off with a question from Dormer:
"Why aren't we getting more information from the beta?"

We're not sure, but we can certainly speculate. The most logical reason is that the testing is closer to an alpha than anything and they're not letting people in that they can't trust implicitly. Square-Enix has a pretty good track record at keeping things quiet when they want to, and they're likely making sure that nothing leaks out from this phase. How much of an NDA further phases of Final Fantasy XIV's testing will have is a mystery. But there's another reason for the possible dearth of information. (Which we've intentionally put behind the cut to inspire you to keep reading.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: Answers (and disclaimers)

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Answers (and disclaimers) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abysseaaddonsanswersfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroupingpartyparty-versus-partyq-and-aquestion-and-answerquestionssolosquare-enixuixbox-360Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE is sending you a streaming video of love]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/soe-is-sending-you-a-streaming-video-of-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/soe-is-sending-you-a-streaming-video-of-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/soe-is-sending-you-a-streaming-video-of-love/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The holiday of love is rapidly approaching, and SOE is doing something a little different this year. In addition to your standard Valentine's Day events, like EverQuest II's Erollisi Day, they're also putting together a streaming video Valentine's Day party.

The party will commence on Friday, February 12th, at 1 PM PT (4 PM ET) on SOE's Ustream channel. The community team will be gathered to make paper hearts and answer your questions live in the Ustream chat room while they deliver player submitted Valentine's Day greetings and announcements. SOE developers will also be dropping by the party to talk with players, so you never know what will happen!

Today, however, is the last day to submit your own personal greetings to the party! The full instructions are available at the official announcement on any of the SOE sites, but you can be lazy and click this link to go straight to them on the EverQuest II site.

MassivelySOE is sending you a streaming video of love originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-teampartyq-and-aSOEsony-online-entertainmentstreaming-videovalentines-dayvideoWed, 10 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy with the best: Join Massively for Global Agenda's launch! [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/spy-with-the-best-join-massively-for-global-agendas-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/spy-with-the-best-join-massively-for-global-agendas-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/spy-with-the-best-join-massively-for-global-agendas-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Readers, we're contacting you through an encrypted channel right now to deliver some very important information. Agent Schuster and Agent Brennan will be on deck for the launch of Global Agenda, ready to fight the Commonwealth at your side.

Come Monday, log into Global Agenda and team up with Sera and Shawn to fight the good fight in both PvP and PvE strike teams. The dossier is still sealed on this mission, but keep an eye on this post and the encrypted T-Feed (@massively on Twitter) for the full information on how to link up with Apoc and Archangel on the day of the launch.

We'll announce our play times and character names come Monday by updating this post, so just place a bookmark here and get your game all patched up. Take advantage of the early start while you're at it and get your characters leveled up for launch. This way our enemies will never know what hit them.

Continue reading Spy with the best: Join Massively for Global Agenda's launch! [Updated]

MassivelySpy with the best: Join Massively for Global Agenda's launch! [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredglobal-agendahi-rez-studioslaunch-daylaunch-day-partymeet-and-greetmeet-massivelypartypvepvpstrike-forceFri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: I, suck]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/anti-aliased-i-suck/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/anti-aliased-i-suck/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/anti-aliased-i-suck/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So my last column was one heck of a surprising column. Anti-Aliased got steamrolled with your opinions, thanks to the linking from N4G, Kotaku, Reddit, WoW.com, and Joystiq and everyone spreading the word and telling their friends. Without a doubt, that was the most productive column I've written in a long time, and while some people may have written it off as a rant, the more important thing is that it started some great discussion amongst the community. Everyone who gave their view on things, from the people who agreed to the people who wish I would crawl into a ditch and die, thanks for giving your view!

So this week when I went out with a few friends to get a drink, one of them mentioned Darkfall. Of course when an MMO comes up in conversation, all of my friends turn and give me this long, dead stare. I sighed and recounted my time in Darkfall, but as I thought of it, I began to notice something.

I really sucked at Darkfall. Not just kind of sucked -- really sucked. The combat in that wasn't my thing, as I never really deal with pressure in PvP when something big is on the light. FPS games where I go to my save point when I die is one thing, but dying and losing everything? That's something different. I think I killed like 3 people in my entire month there. Although, when it came to crafting, I was a arrow machine.

But that got me thinking about sucking in general and how we as a community aren't very supportive when it comes to players who may not be the best at the games they play.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: I, suck

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: I, suck originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedcooperationdarkfallfeaturedfriendshelpingleadershipopinionpartyparty-leadersuckFri, 11 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms hosts Pirate Party and doubles the dubloons, mateys]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Yarr, mateys! If ye be not knowin' what tomorrow is, then ye obviously must be a bunch o' scalawags. Fer, ye see, tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day, don'chaknow? In order to celebrate th' day o' piracy properly in Free Realms, ye need to be haulin' yer keel to the Pirate Invasion Party this evenin' in the cove just south of th' Seaside warpstone. Th' pirate booty-shakin' fun will begin today (Friday, Sept. 18) at 4PM Pacific, with th' timber-shiverin' goin' on until 6pm Pacific. There be dancin', trivia, an' other merriment planned at th' party, too, for those brave souls willing to wander near Davey Jones' locker!

As if that weren`t enough for ye, this weekend be also th' time when Sony Online Entertainment be offerin' double th' value fer any Station Cash cards ye redeem. So that means if ye pop by an' pick up one o' th' 1000 Station Cash cards fer $10 (which will also net ye a pretty nifty red buccanneer dog hat in th' mix) ye`ll land $20 worth o' Station Cash fer use in Free Realms, EverQuest, or EverQuest II. Pirate fun and double yer dubloons in the Station store? Now that's enough to make any freebootin' privateer dance a jig - without a noose 'round their necks, even.

MassivelyFree Realms hosts Pirate Party and doubles the dubloons, mateys originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifrfree-realmsin-game-eventpartypiratesoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashtalk-like-a-pirate-dayyarrFri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Your favorite end of beta event?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/the-daily-grind-your-favorite-end-of-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/the-daily-grind-your-favorite-end-of-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/the-daily-grind-your-favorite-end-of-beta-event/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Beta tests. It seems like no sooner do you turn around these days than you trip over a beta. With so many games coming out in the second half of this year, it also means we get to check out the various end of beta events! Fallen Earth's Apocalypse Parties were lower-key, involving groups like the above pictured mix of folks getting their groove on. The actual end, however, involved getting everyone to join in on a free-for-all PvP fest where the GMs made themselves and a few other people enormous. Champions Online had a huge invasion of Destroids - robotic bad guys - bent on destroying everyone and everything. We can only guess what might be coming with some of the other games set to close down their betas soon.

While those are only a couple of examples, we know there have been some truly stupendous end of beta events. From huge scripted events like The Matrix Online's end of beta to smaller, more informal events held with friends, there are great memories to be had. So tell us, dear readers - what was your favorite ever end of beta event?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Your favorite end of beta event? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypse-partybetachampions-onlinedestroidend-of-beta-eventfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcpartytdgthe-daily-grindWed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth to hold Apocalypse Party for end of open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/fallen-earth-to-hold-apocalypse-party-for-end-of-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/fallen-earth-to-hold-apocalypse-party-for-end-of-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/fallen-earth-to-hold-apocalypse-party-for-end-of-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The end is nigh, my friends. The end of Fallen Earth open beta, at least. This Saturday, August 29th, the Fallen Earth team will be celebrating the end of their stress testing with an Apocalypse Party from 3pm to 6pm EDT. There will be in-game food, drinks, entertainment and even special tokens that will provide an XP bonus. These tokens, called Beta Clone Psychoactive Shots, will grant a +15% XP bonus per hour. One token can be earned per half hour mark during the event (for a total of 7), and can be carried over to the live servers after launch.

Despite this event occurring on Saturday, the open beta won't properly shut its doors until Tuesday, September 1st at midnight EDT. Then we'll all have to wait 15 days (9 days for pre-orders) to see the wasteland again. Have more questions? Check out the Fallen Earth Open Beta FAQ for complete details.

MassivelyFallen Earth to hold Apocalypse Party for end of open beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>end-of-beta-eventfallen-earthopen-betapartyxp-bonusWed, 26 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why you should be playing Final Fantasy XI: Level sync]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/why-you-should-be-playing-final-fantasy-xi-level-sync/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/why-you-should-be-playing-final-fantasy-xi-level-sync/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/why-you-should-be-playing-final-fantasy-xi-level-sync/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


"Why you should be playing ..." is a free form column from Massively.com intended to inform you about our favorite parts of our favorite games. We want you to know why we play what we do!

This should be a story that any MMO player is intimately acquainted with. You've just picked up an awesome new MMO and have been flying through the levels. It's gripping you and you really want to share it with your friends. Then you realize the fatal problem that occurs with most MMOs -- you're too high level and you don't want to wait for your friends to catch up.

With Final Fantasy XI, this was the brutal nature of the game. Being one or two levels away from your party resulted in decreased exp for everyone involved. Being three levels or more meant the party just didn't work at all and experience was ruined for everyone. It was unbearably hard to get parties, because everyone had to be within 2 levels of one another. With the recent advent of level sync, however, those days are long gone.

Continue reading Why you should be playing Final Fantasy XI: Level sync

MassivelyWhy you should be playing Final Fantasy XI: Level sync originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enhancementfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xigroupgroupinglevel-syncpartypartyingsquare-enixupdateTue, 30 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II anniversary celebrations much larger than SOE had planned]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/everquest-ii-anniversary-celebrations-much-larger-than-soe-had-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/everquest-ii-anniversary-celebrations-much-larger-than-soe-had-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/everquest-ii-anniversary-celebrations-much-larger-than-soe-had-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


When are overcrowded servers and multiple crashes a good thing? Probably when you work for SOE and your game's fourth anniversary party has more people in attendance than you'd ever imagined.

EverQuest II had its fourth anniversary last month, and the parties were a bit more epic than SOE had imagined, or planned. According to Kiara, SOE's EverQuest II Community Relations Manager, the parties were so large that she was crashed multiple times herself, and the EQ2 devs had to actually come in and create hotfixes for mixed parties on the PvP servers and a way to distribute presents to an entire room at one time. This story by Kiara seems to mostly be a light-hearted look back at how much fun those anniversary parties were, but it also goes to show just how strong the EQ2 community remains four years after the game's launch.

MassivelyEverQuest II anniversary celebrations much larger than SOE had planned originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycommunityeq2everquest-2everquest-iifourth-anniversarykiarapartiespartysoeMon, 08 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Final Fantasy XI leveling changes detailed, scrutinized]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/new-final-fantasy-xi-leveling-changes-detailed-scrutinized/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/new-final-fantasy-xi-leveling-changes-detailed-scrutinized/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/new-final-fantasy-xi-leveling-changes-detailed-scrutinized/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For those of us at Massively that own Final Fantasy XI it's been a little while since we sat down and played the game. This newest version update, however, is causing us to consider a return. Our biggest gripe with Final Fantasy XI was that while grouping was a lot of fun, it was also ridiculously hard to find one. So with that in mind, the three biggest pieces of this update are Level Sync, removal of level restrictions for gear and reduction of the experience curve. Level Sync allows a party leader to bring any higher-level players within the party down to their level. It will essentially allow any low-level players to group with high levels, which is a big win for everyone, unless you really don't want to play lower-level content again -- even with your friends.

Square-Enix is making it easier to not only find groups but also to level up into the end-game content, of which there is a ton. Our only worry is whether or not higher level players will really feel like playing in the lowbie zones again, even if it does mean they get to play with friends. Regardless of our worries, this is really a change that should have come a couple years ago, but we're happy to finally see it regardless. We've posted the all-important leveling tweaks after the break.

Continue reading New Final Fantasy XI leveling changes detailed, scrutinized

MassivelyNew Final Fantasy XI leveling changes detailed, scrutinized originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experienceffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xilevel-syncpartysquare-enixsquareenixTue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom announces its Dragon*Con plans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/funcom-announces-its-dragon-con-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/funcom-announces-its-dragon-con-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/funcom-announces-its-dragon-con-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


American readers: are you going to Dragon*Con this Labor Day weekend? Funcom (developer of Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, and The Secret World) is! Its specific plans have been laid out at the Age of Conan website.

The company will have its own booth, of course, which will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday through Sunday, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday. More interestingly, though, Funcom will be hosting what it calls the "FunCon Event" in the Sheraton Capital Ballroom on Friday at 10:00 PM. The party will feature music by DJ Tarryk and visitors from the teams of all three Funcom projects.

The following day, Funcom will present its two currently-released games -- Anarchy Online at 10:00 AM and Age of Conan at 7:00 PM. Somewhere amidst all these proceedings, fans will have the opportunity to win posters, inflatable swords, t-shirts, lanyards, custom PC cases, and "one special customized Anarchy Online PC." That's cool. It's probably not cool enough to go out of your way to go to Dragon*Con for, but if you're already gonna be there you might as well stop by. Check out Massively's complete Dragon*Con schedule for other events and booths to hit up, too.

MassivelyFuncom announces its Dragon*Con plans originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conananarchy-onlineboothdj-tarrykdragon-condragon-con-2008dragoncondragoncon-2008eventfuncomfunconlabor-daypartypresentationsprizesthe-secret-worldWed, 27 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft is throwing a free party in Leipzig, and you're invited!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/ncsoft-is-throwing-a-free-party-in-leipzig-and-youre-invited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/ncsoft-is-throwing-a-free-party-in-leipzig-and-youre-invited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/ncsoft-is-throwing-a-free-party-in-leipzig-and-youre-invited/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


At the Leipzig Games Convention this year, NCsoft plans on doing more than just showing up and being awesome. They have quite a party planned for any fans of their products, and the best part is it's all free! There will be music with your chance to be a DJ playing the tunes of your choice for 20 minutes, and there will also be karaoke at the first ever NCsoft Fansites Karaoke Battle.

The party will be held at Leipzig's Nachtcafe on the 22nd of August at 22:00 local time. In order to get in free, you will need to bring along the party flyer, grab one from the show floor or wear a t-shirt from any NCsoft game. Be sure to read the official announcement for more information.

MassivelyNCsoft is throwing a free party in Leipzig, and you're invited! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djkaraokeleipzigleipzig-games-conventionncsoftncsoft-europepartyTue, 22 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Matt Wilson briefs us on the state of The Agency]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-matt-wilson-briefs-us-on-the-state-of-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-matt-wilson-briefs-us-on-the-state-of-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-matt-wilson-briefs-us-on-the-state-of-the-agency/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


We had a fantastic chance to talk with Matt Wilson about The Agency during E3. While a great deal of the footage they showed was largely identical to the footage we'd previously seen, many of Matt's insights about the direction they're taking The Agency in were quite illuminating. From PvP to operatives to vehicular combat and the eventual beta, Matt was generous enough with both his time and knowledge, and let us in on lots of great news and background.

If you've been hungry for more information on some of the different aspects of this upcoming game, be sure to join us after the break for a great overview on this hot upcoming SOE property.

Continue reading E308: Matt Wilson briefs us on the state of The Agency

MassivelyE308: Matt Wilson briefs us on the state of The Agency originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barclubdeath-penaltye3-2008e308featuredfinancial-modeljoystiqfeaturesmatt-wilsonmicrotransactionmmofpsnew-titlesnpcpartyps3shootersoesoe-seattlesubscriptionthe-agencyvehicle-combatMon, 21 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft en espaņol hits retail July 25th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/world-of-warcraft-en-espanol-hits-retail-july-25th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/world-of-warcraft-en-espanol-hits-retail-july-25th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/world-of-warcraft-en-espanol-hits-retail-july-25th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Latin American-localized version of World of Warcraft, which was first announced in March, will finally reach store shelves on the 25th of this month. Initially, it will be available in México, Argentina, and Chile; no word yet on when other countries will get it too. Both the original game and its expansion, The Burning Crusade, will be on sale, along with 60-day prepaid gametime cards.

Spanish language servers will be provided for new Latin America subscribers, but those already playing on the North American servers can download a Latin American Spanish "language pack," and even transfer to the new servers if they want to. Check out the FAQ for more info.

Oh, and Blizzard will be hosting a midnight launch party on the 25th at the Blockbuster at Av. Universidad #697 en México, D.F., followed by another event at Plaza Satelite in Estado de México. ¡Diviértase!

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft en espaņol hits retail July 25th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>america-latinaargentinablizzardblockbusterchileespanollatin-americalatinoamericalaunch-partylocalizationmexicopartyspanishworld-of-warcraftFri, 18 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online wants to add you as a friend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/dc-universe-online-wants-to-add-you-as-a-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/dc-universe-online-wants-to-add-you-as-a-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/dc-universe-online-wants-to-add-you-as-a-friend/#commentsFiled under: ,

Stop the presses! Those of you just itching for information about DC Universe Online can now check out its profile on MySpace. That's right, well before there's an official webpage, you can get access to screenshots, wallpapers, icons, and concept art. There's also a dev blog, with interviews and video diaries to come.

What's even more exciting for fans is the chance to attend the DCUO party at this year's ComicCon by making the profile your top friend, and printing the page out to show DC as proof. The party will be held July 25th at the Sweetwater Saloon in San Diego. Wow, who knew the Internet was such a great connective service?

Gallery: DC Universe Online


[Via Big Download]

MassivelyDC Universe Online wants to add you as a friend originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcomicconconcept-artconsoledc-universe-onlinedcuodev-blogiconsinterviewsmyspacepartyprofilescreenshotssoesony-online-entertainmentvideo-diarieswallpapersWed, 02 Jul 2008 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does your guild like to party down?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/the-daily-grind-does-your-guild-like-to-party-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/the-daily-grind-does-your-guild-like-to-party-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/the-daily-grind-does-your-guild-like-to-party-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As has become tradition for this blogger, every year on Memorial Day (aka 'the birthday') weekend, lots of people from our guild like to get together and party down. There are friendships in our guild that span many years and almost as many games. Of course, beyond just discussing whatever is going on in MMOGspace, there's lots of good food, beer, and geekery to be had for everyone!

Since this is the perfect weekend for getting together with friends and family here in the States, we thought that we'd ask you -- do you ever have guild parties in meatspace? Are there any particular times of the year that you and your guild-mates like to get together, like at a convention or fan faire? Or is your guild a strictly online-only guild?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does your guild like to party down? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guild-meetingguildsmeatspacememorial-daypartyreal-lifeRLtdgthe-daily-grindSun, 25 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GW weekend event: Gaile's farewell party]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/gw-weekend-event-gailes-farewell-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/gw-weekend-event-gailes-farewell-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/gw-weekend-event-gailes-farewell-party/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As we reported last week, ArenaNet's Community Relations Manager, Gaile Gray will be switching roles at the company. So this weekend was her final farewell. She appeared in-game in Guild Wars to celebrate her last days with the players, as did the infamous Frog on his farewell tour as well. Every 3 hours, The Frog appeared in each district of Kamadan, Lion's Arch and Shing Jea Monastery, granting special party buffs for players who attended and performed certain emotes at his request. It was very reminiscent of the Mad King's appearances during the Halloween events, complete with that unique humor we can only find at these events. I'm sure the Sugar Hill Gang would be proud of The Frog's rendition of Rapper's Delight.

While this special buff was active, players would earn double the points for using party items towards their Party Animal title. This led to an overall heightened festive mood for the entire weekend with bottle rockets, sparklers and champagne poppers flooding our screens. We wish Gaile and The Frog all the best in the future.

MassivelyGW weekend event: Gaile's farewell party originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetcommunityeventsguild-warsguildwarsin-game-eventpartyMon, 07 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST