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[MMO Family: Why games are good for family]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/mmo-family-why-games-are-good-for-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/mmo-family-why-games-are-good-for-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/mmo-family-why-games-are-good-for-family/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Free Realms
A couple of years ago, Massively readers engaged in a great discussion that doesn't get covered nearly as much as it should. Thanks to former Massively columnist Lisa Poisso, the column MMO Family was born, and she and the readers looked at how MMOs affect the family, both the positives and the potential dangers.

I'm excited to have the opportunity to start the column up again because I think a lot has changed in the short time since the column went on hiatus. We'll revisit a few issues that Lisa brought up and some of the more recently released MMO titles to see which ones are the best for family-centered gaming. To kick things off, I'd like to explore why MMOs are good for kids and for the family unit as a whole. When it comes to talk about kids and gaming, the discussion tends to revolve around the negatives, like violence, antisocial behavior, or lack of physical activity. No one will argue that MMOs, as with most anything, can have detrimental effects when played to excess. But to focus on the negatives is to ignore the vast amount of benefits that gaming can provide. Read on for a few examples.

Continue reading MMO Family: Why games are good for family

MassivelyMMO Family: Why games are good for family originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>club-penguindestructoidfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedGDC-Online-2011hamza-azizkaren-bryankidsmegan-bellmind-candymmo-familymoshi-monsterspax-east-2011wizard101Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights the PAX East experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-the-pax-east-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-the-pax-east-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-the-pax-east-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The number of people who stood in line for hours just for the chance to play Star Wars: The Old Republic at PAX East is incredible. We have heard reports of people going through the hours-long wait two and three times just because they enjoyed the game so much, which just goes to show the dedication these fans have not only for the game but for the Star Wars brand.

To commemorate that experience, the community team for SWTOR has put together a video of the drama that was this year's PAX East. The crowds, the lines, and the fans really brought the experience together. The video runs just over three minutes, and it takes you through the crowds rushing to the booth, fans experiencing the game, and exhibitors showing off one of the most anticipated MMOs of the year.

Pop past the break to see the video and taste the a little bit of the SWTOR PAX experience for yourself.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights the PAX East experience

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic highlights the PAX East experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecrowdseaElectronic-ArtsfanshighlightsLucasArtsPaxpax-eastpax-east-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorvideoTue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The best souvenir from PAX East]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/flameseeker-chronicles-the-best-souvenir-from-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/flameseeker-chronicles-the-best-souvenir-from-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/flameseeker-chronicles-the-best-souvenir-from-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

When Massively staffer Larry Everett was writing about a PAX East panel he attended, he asked me to help him find a picture of Colin Johanson. I begged him to use the one above, created by GuildWars2Guru member Rolin, but my pleas were unheeded. Since today's Flameseeker Chronicles is in part about Colin, I finally got my way -- albeit indirectly.

Since I didn't get the pleasure of attending PAX East, Larry sent me a wonderful souvenir: recordings of a couple of casual chats he had with Colin and Mike Zadorojny all about the MMO industry and Guild Wars 2's place in it. They were such fun to listen to that I decided to share some of them with you guys in today's column. Follow along after the jump for the best bits of Larry's discussion with these two!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The best souvenir from PAX East

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The best souvenir from PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcolin-johansonfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2interviewinterviewsMike-Zadorojnyncsoftpaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official video available for the Guild Wars 2 PAX East panel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/official-video-available-for-the-guild-wars-2-pax-east-panel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/official-video-available-for-the-guild-wars-2-pax-east-panel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/official-video-available-for-the-guild-wars-2-pax-east-panel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you were attending PAX East a couple of weeks ago, the odds are you wanted a chance to get in on ArenaNet's panel. Unfortunately, Guild Wars 2 fans were lined up outside the panel long before it started, filling the room to capacity and dashing the dreams of several hopeful attendees. Luckily, the fine team behind the games took the time time to record the panel in its entirety and has just made the full video available on the official blog.

Posted in two parts and comprising just under an hour of total footage, the panel covers a variety of topics related to the development of Guild Wars 2 and includes a lengthy question-and-answer session from the audience. While it's not quite a substitute for being at the convention itself, the full video should prove interesting whether you weren't able to make it to Boston or just couldn't get inside the jam-packed panel session.

MassivelyOfficial video available for the Guild Wars 2 PAX East panel originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At PAX East a week or so ago, I had the opportunity to talk with Adam "Ferrel" Trzonkowski, who is a guild leader, blogger, and newly crowned author. After managing his guild Iniquity for the better part of a decade, he decided to write a book about the lesson's he's learned regarding guild management. It's titled The Guild Leader's Companion and is available both in print and as an ebook through Amazon. In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll hear a bit about his background as a guild leader, his motivation to write a book, and his thoughts on why guild management offers important lessons even to those who don't run a guild.

Massively: First off, can you give the readers a little background on your gaming experience and how you got into leading a guild?

Adam Trzonkowski: I started playing MMORPGs when they weren't even graphical. That means I played in the old chat rooms and MUDs! Those were dark times, but we had guilds back then, and I actually was an officer in one for a few years. That role didn't entail nearly the work that it does these days, but that is how I got into leading people and learning how they interact with each other.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: An interview with author Adam "Ferrel" Trzonkowski

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: An interview with author Adam "Ferrel" Trzonkowski originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So I was originally going to dive into the matter of the next archetype on the list when it hit me that there were two big issues I didn't talk about in my last column, issues that were brought up on or around the PAX panel but weren't directly addressed. And if there's one thing that I'd like to think I'm known for in the City of Heroes community, it's darting off like a hyperactive badger whenever something catches my eye, regardless of what that means for the overall flow or pacing of a column.

Being known as a good writer would be nice, too, but I like to keep a broader perspective.

So we're going to take a second to talk about two matters that have stuck with us as an overall community -- the low-level game revamp and the mysterious Issue 20 NDA. The latter is especially mysterious because we now know what's in Issue 20, and it's certainly nothing that will rock City of Heroes to its foundations. Far from it -- the issue, while shaping up nicely, is pretty much standard stuff. Why the obfuscation?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Linger

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Linger originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As I mentioned in the last edition of the Hyperspace Beacon, the Star Wars: The Old Republic community played a large part in what made PAX East so great this time around. It would also be silly of me to believe that I could catch every single tidbit at PAX personally or even that Massively could nab every granular morsel of the SWTOR pie. However, unlike some MMORPG communities, our TOR community isn't limited to just one site for all of its information. In fact, PAX East 2011 was probably the biggest showing of SWTOR fansites of any convention.

This week, I'm going to take a break from reporting news myself and instead give you a taste of some of the news that was released this week from other sites. As I've said before, I don't expect you to have read or to follow every site that is reporting on The Old Republic. In fact, I think that would burn most people out. However, there are great reporters on other sites, and I think it would be a mistake if I didn't let the Massively audience in on some of their great work.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Community news round-up

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Community news round-up originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AskAJediBioWarecorellian-run-radiocory-butlerDaniel-Ericksondarth-haterdavid-bassEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedHall-Hoodjames-ohlenLucasArtsMos-Eisley-Radiopaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorTOROcastTue, 22 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: One Massive roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/pax-east-2011-one-massive-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/pax-east-2011-one-massive-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/pax-east-2011-one-massive-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PAX East has already begun fading into memory, but there was a lot to see and do over the three days of the convention. Even if we disregard the numerous fan gatherings and community events taking place, there were an awful lot of games on the floor, with showings from MMOs that dwarfed last year's offerings. If you were lucky enough to be there, we can only hope that you had fun and got to see all of the impressive displays.

Of course, you may very well have missed one or two things, what with all of the sound and lines and people walking around with a pixel costume. Even if you were sitting at home, you might have missed some of our coverage of this event. Just jump on past the break for a full recap of Massively's coverage of the con, covering everything from the venerable City of Heroes to the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: One Massive roundup

MassivelyPAX East 2011: One Massive roundup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PAX East panel that almost made me late for the Star Wars: The Old Republic Meet 'n' Greet was a panel hosted by MMORPG.com and featuring some of the heavy hitters in MMO development for this year. I am certainly glad I did not skip this one. This was the chance for the fans to hear what the future of MMOs will bring from the people who are making them.

Let me give you a rundown of the panel members -- and tell me you don't just stand in awe of these guys: (from left to right) Curt Schilling, the founder of 38 Studios; Craig Alexander, the VP of Product Development for Turbine; Jeremy Gaffney, Executive Producer at Carbine Studios; Scott Hartsman, Executive Producer for Trion Worlds; Brian Knox, Senior Producer for En Masse Entertainment; James Ohlen, Creative Director for BioWare; and Colin Johanson, Lead Content Designer for ArenaNet.

The opening question really set the stage for the panel. It let us know where the minds of these producers and executives are. The question was simple: Where do you see online games going in the next 10 years? Follow after the cut to find out their thought provoking answers.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: The future of MMOs from the mouths of the developers

MassivelyPAX East 2011: The future of MMOs from the mouths of the developers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-StudiosArenaNetBioWareBrian-KnoxCarbine-StudiosColin-JohansonCraig-AlexanderCurt-Schillingdungeons-and-dragons-onlineEn-Masse-Entertainmentfeaturedfuture-of-mmosGuild-Wars-2James-OhlenJeremy-Gaffneylord-of-the-rings-onlinePaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011RIFTScott-Hartsmanstar-wars-the-old-republicTERATrion-WorldsTurbineThu, 17 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/the-guild-counsel-pax-east-panel-explores-online-communities/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There were two things that really stood out for me at PAX East: the ridiculously long lines and the throngs of fans who happily sat down together to play games face to face. On the surface, PAX East might seem to be about who has the best card deck or who has the quickest twitch reflexes, but it's actually much more than that.

We've looked at the growing importance of online communities and the relationships that have been created by them, so it's little surprise that PAX was full of players who were there to meet and play with friends they met through gaming. And among the many panels this weekend, there was one that explored this very issue. The speakers were all experienced managers of online communities, and they shared their stories of how they got started and why these communities are so important. Read on to hear their stories.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: PAX East panel explores online communities originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2old2playastro-gamingclanscommunitiescommunityDerek-nolandestructoidfeaturedfrag-dollsfriendshipguild-counselguild-managementguildshamza-azizmorgan-romineonline-communitiesonline-friendshipsonline-relationshipspaxpax-2011pax-eastPAX-East-2011real-lifeross-furmansfx360stan-pressThu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Firefall, the non-MMO MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/pax-east-2011-firefall-the-non-mmo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/pax-east-2011-firefall-the-non-mmo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/pax-east-2011-firefall-the-non-mmo-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Last weekend, one of the biggest booths to dominate the PAX East showroom floor was a game called Firefall by Red 5 Studios. This shooter game has gained a lot of attention in the past because it pulls elements from different games such as Borderlands, Team Fortress 2, and even Halo. However, none of the comparable games is an MMO. Thus, Firefall really stands out among its peers. There are mechanics of this game that really scream "MMO" to the average observer, yet there are very non-MMO designs as well.

At PAX, I had a chance to sit down with Red 5's CEO, Mark Kern, to discuss many of the design philosophies behind Firefall -- in particular, I wanted to know why Red 5 doesn't label the game an MMO when it clearly features many of the hallmarks of the genre. "The potential of MMOs is so much broader than the tag would indicate. We are broadening that definition and taking a crowbar to it. If people want to call us an MMO, that's great. We aren't going to call ourselves an MMO, because we want you to think fresh thoughts along with us," Kern explained.

I also had a chance to play this unique game, so follow me after the cut as I give my impressions of the game along with some key quotes from my talk with Mark Kern.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Firefall, the non-MMO MMO

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Firefall, the non-MMO MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defining-mmosfeaturedfirefallGame-Mechanicsinterviewinterviewsis-firefall-an-mmoloremark-kernmmo-shootermmofpspaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011Red-5red-5-studiosshooterThu, 17 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Between the lines of PAX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-between-the-lines-of-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-between-the-lines-of-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-between-the-lines-of-pax/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I think that the first year of PAX East spoiled me for any and all future City of Heroes panels. At the time Paragon Studios held that panel, there was a new expansion due out in that marvelous sweet spot when it's just far enough away that a lot of questions are unanswered but not so far away that we can't be told all of the cool parts. Every panel since then has had a bit less to share, but really, that's kind of the nature of the beast. Until we get expansion number three on deck, we aren't going to have another panel with that much information and that many surprises unloaded all at once.

Still, another part of my brain can't help but feel as if the most interesting part of this year's presence for City of Heroes wasn't the panel itself but the other elements surrounding the panel. (Considering that I already wrote up what happened there, this may also serve a stunningly convenient purpose for writing a column about the convention.) There's certainly no hints of a big revelation around the corner, but there were little elements hither and yon that piqued my interest for various reasons.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Between the lines of PAX

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Between the lines of PAX originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Speaking Episode 141 is back this week with a special PAX East wrap-up episode. Eliot Lefebvre, Larry Everett, and Karen Bryan join Shawn to talk about their experiences at the event, including panels, interviews, and an exciting hands-on demo of SWTOR.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to shawn@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Massively Speaking is the official podcast of Massively.com. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster and Community Manager Rubi Bayer, Massively Speaking takes on the week's biggest news and dev interviews with plenty of opinion, rants, and laughs thrown in for good measure. Join us every Wednesday afternoon to listen in and see what we'll say next!

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 141: PAX East wrap-up

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 141: PAX East wrap-up originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hands-onimpressionsopinionpaxpax-east-2011podcastingpodcastsWed, 16 Mar 2011 17:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 141Massively.com Staff49:54podcasts<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Taral V]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-hands-on-with-swtors-taral-v/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-hands-on-with-swtors-taral-v/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-hands-on-with-swtors-taral-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic was an obvious hit at PAX East. Fans stood in line for hours just to get a chance to touch one of the most anticipated games of this year and to catch a glimpse of Taral V, the first publicly shown Flashpoint. The excitement to be one of the first to get hands on SWTOR group content was palpable. Our contributing editors Larry Everett and Eliot Lefebvre scored that opportunity to play the game last Saturday. Read on as our intrepid reporters showcase their experiences in the Star Wars universe. Draw your blaster and ignite your lightsaber as we head to a galaxy far, far away...

Larry Everett: There are many things that can distract you from actually playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Who wouldn't be distracted by the incredible layered scenery? I'd think the spot-on animations would make you want to attack more, although it is possible that you could attack the wrong target. Perhaps it was the vivid facial expressions that would cause someone to not make a dialogue choice. These have to be the reasons behind the fact that the Jedi Knight on our team completely failed to do his job in one of the most incredibly polished games and easy-to-slide-into games I have have ever played.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Taral V

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Taral V originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredungeonEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedFlashpointhands-oninstancejedi-knightlearn-to-tankLucasArtspaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011smugglerStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-hands-onthe-old-republictorWed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-wizard101s-fred-howard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-wizard101s-fred-howard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-wizard101s-fred-howard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

There was a lot of game news to come out of PAX East this past weekend, and KingsIsle definitely arrived with some very big announcements. Wizard101 fans can look forward to a brand-new world called Wintertusk, which completes the epic storyline of Grizzleheim. Both high- and low-level players will have new places to explore and quests to complete. Highlights include brand-new areas for high-level Wizards to discover and explore, new spells, level 58 class pets for each primary school, a revamped underwater introduction zone for lower-level characters (continuing the story of the Crab King), and the ephemeral "more."

Massively had the chance to talk with KingsIsle Vice President Fred Howard about Wizard101 and the rapid growth of MMOs aimed at younger players. Read on for his thoughts on player security, the importance of story, and a curious Crab King with a penchant for rock.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celestiafamily-entertainmentfamily-friendlyfeaturedfred-howardgrizzleheiminterviewinterviewsjosef-hallkidskingsislekingsisle-entertainmentmerle-ambrosepaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011shadowbanetodd-colemanwintertuskwizard101Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes posts updates to the global server change]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/city-of-heroes-posts-updates-to-the-global-server-change/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/city-of-heroes-posts-updates-to-the-global-server-change/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/city-of-heroes-posts-updates-to-the-global-server-change/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While nothing quite compares to a new expansion pack, Paragon Studios still surprised City of Heroes fans when it announced at PAX East that both the American and European servers were going to be merged into a single list. The team is looking to head off most further questions with a recently released FAQ regarding the changeover, which will also see European account holders rolled into the existing database. It also enumerates the benefits to the community as a whole, allowing both regions equal access to testing and special events while expanding the total number of servers available for each player.

In the case of name conflicts for the global chat channel, a player originally from the European servers will be given a temporary handle based on his character's name and a free change to said handle. According to the official statement, the number of affected players is expected to be fairly small, and actual character names will not be affected as the servers aren't merging in any way. Expected to be fully rolled out by the end of the summer, this latest change to City of Heroes won't help any content slumps but will help foster more international community efforts for the game.

MassivelyCity of Heroes posts updates to the global server change originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxinternational-communityinternational-serversncsoftnewsparagonparagon-studiospaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011region-changesregionsserver-changesserver-listserversupcoming-changesTue, 15 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Massively interviews RIFT's Scott Hartsman]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-rifts-scott-hartsman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-rifts-scott-hartsman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-massively-interviews-rifts-scott-hartsman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

With the launch of RIFT still fresh, members of the Trion team packed their bags and flew to Boston to attend PAX East. Even though they didn't have a booth, their "We're not in Azeroth anymore" banner made their presence known. In addition, Community Manager Cindy "Abigale" Bowens hosted a party in Boston to celebrate the launch with players and fans. Massively had a chance to sit down and talk with Trion CCO and RIFT Executive Producer Scott Hartsman about launch day, security, plans for the future, and a whole lot more. Read on for the full interview!

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Massively interviews RIFT's Scott Hartsman

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Massively interviews RIFT's Scott Hartsman originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abigaleadd-onsaddonsappappscindy-bowensdungeon-finderfeaturedguild-warsinterviewinterviewslaunchlaunch-daypaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011riftrift-planes-of-telarascott-hartsmanserver-populationserver-populationsserver-queuesshardssocial-gaming-nightsuccesstriontrion-worldsTue, 15 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A vision of Lord of the Rings Online's new instances]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/a-vision-of-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-new-instances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/a-vision-of-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-new-instances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/a-vision-of-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-new-instances/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While we relayed to you several details of the five new dungeons coming with Lord of the Rings Online's Echoes of the Dead update, it's still great to be able to see them as well. Today, Turbine released screens for three of the instances for our visual consumption.

Stoneheight is a town under siege in North Downs as Ivar the Gaunt-lord makes a general mess of things as he searches for a very special helm. Meanwhile at Northcotton Farm, Thadúr the Ravager is attempting to poison the poor Hobbits by turning their love of food against them. Finally, the Lost Temple in the Trollshaws is a plague explosion waiting to happen, as Ferndúr the Virulent uses his dark power to modify and kill all who encounter him.

Check out the gallery below for five illuminating screens, and don't forget to read our PAX East overview of these instances!

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online free-to-play

MassivelyA vision of Lord of the Rings Online's new instances originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>echoes-of-the-deadFerndúrgallerygaunt-lordivarlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotronorth-downsnorthcotton-farmspaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011stoneheightThadúrthe-lost-templetrollshawsturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Delving LotRO dungeons deeply]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-delving-lotro-dungeons-deeply/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-delving-lotro-dungeons-deeply/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/pax-east-2011-delving-lotro-dungeons-deeply/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Right now, Lord of the Rings Online is in a brief respite between the insanity of PAX East and the upcoming March 21st release date for its next big update, Echoes of the Dead. To say that there's a lot coming with this update is a vast understatement, so it was great to get a sneak peek at the five new instances before they went live.

Earlier this year, players started to get rumblings about a major upcoming event as five mysterious relics popped up all over Middle-earth in Evendim, Forochel, Enedwaith, North Downs and the Trollshaws. By finding all five, players completed a special deed and got the title "Calm Before the Storm," foreshadowing dire events to follow. All anyone could do after that was prepare for an uncertain future.

It turns out that LotRO's players had good reason to prepare, because as of next week, five new dungeons will open their doors for business -- the business of eating adventurers alive and spitting out their bones, that is. Spurned Gaunt-lords have returned to make life for the Free Peoples of Middle-earth harder by transforming the very landscape into their hellish domain, and it's up to you to thwart their schemes.

Hit the jump as we traveled to these new instances at PAX East with LotRO Executive Producer Kate Paiz!

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Delving LotRO dungeons deeply

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Delving LotRO dungeons deeply originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the scariest games I ever played has to be the original Silent Hill. A nearly empty town shrouded with fog and featuring one of the most terrifying elementary schools ever devised? Yes, this is why I didn't sleep much in 1999. So when I started to get flashbacks as Fernando Paiz took me through the creepy alleyways of Dungeon and Dragons Online's upcoming update, I had to excuse myself and run around the PAX East show floor for a few minutes while shrieking like a tormented cat.

OK, it wasn't that frightening, but I definitely was getting a Silent Hill vibe from the latest adventure pack that Turbine has crafted for the game. Coming "soon" (TM, all rights reserved, void in Utah and the Yukon Territories), DDO's Update 9 promises to bring a wide assortment of lavish treats to a hungry populace. At the center of it is a level 15 quest chain that centers around mysterious abductions, a skittish population, and nightmares made flesh.

Hit the jump as I recall my brush with certain death in these adventures and relate the other jewels of Update 9!

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Stalking through DDO's Update 9

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Stalking through DDO's Update 9 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beholderchallengeschaos-beholdercraftingddoddo-update-9disassembledivine-avengerdungeons-and-dragons-onlineelemental-savantfavored-soulfeaturedfernando-paizhorrorhorror-comedykoboldsmindflayermr-smytheno-disassemble-johnny-fivepaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011prestige-classprestige-enhancementqasilent-hillsorcererstormreachsundertakenthe-takentripturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11update-9utahwhamyukon-territoriesMon, 14 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Shipping up to Boston with City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/pax-east-2011-shipping-up-to-boston-with-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/pax-east-2011-shipping-up-to-boston-with-city-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/pax-east-2011-shipping-up-to-boston-with-city-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's only fitting that PAX East 2011 would see another panel for City of Heroes, as last year's convention was the first time the team from Paragon Studios had been to the east coast. While this year's panel didn't see the many announcements and surprising new reveals of last year, it's good to see the team making the trek out to Boston once again in what fans can only hope will be a regular event.

As always, the line to get into the panel was gargantuan, with players lining up an hour before the panel doors opened for a seat in the relatively small theater. Once players had filed in and the room had settled down, it was time for a look at the past year or so for City of Heroes and at what players could expect for the near future, as well as the usual lively question-and-answer session.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Shipping up to Boston with City of Heroes

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Shipping up to Boston with City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcontent-patchescovcoxcustomizationendgameendgame-systemfeaturedincarnateincarnate-systemissue-19issue-20nate-birkholzncsoftparagonparagon-studiospatchespaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011ryan-rothstrike-forcetask-forcetia-parahuiupcoming-patchesupcoming-updatesupdatesMon, 14 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: This is not PAX East edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/global-chat-this-is-not-pax-east-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/global-chat-this-is-not-pax-east-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/global-chat-this-is-not-pax-east-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

Are you sensing a trend? During weeks when the majority of gaming eyes are turned toward a convention, it's good to spotlight stories and discussions that aren't coming directly from the show floor. With that in mind, hit the jump and let's see what's going on outside of PAX East!

Continue reading Global Chat: This is not PAX East edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: This is not PAX East edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcommentorscommentscommunityddodevilseidungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinefeaturedglobal-chatguild-wars-2gw2idesncsoftopinionpaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011riftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsturbineTurbine-EntertainmentvaldamarSun, 13 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Turbine makes the case for the free-to-play model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-turbine-makes-the-case-for-the-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-turbine-makes-the-case-for-the-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-turbine-makes-the-case-for-the-free-to-play-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"Pioneers get the gold!" Turbine's Fernando Paiz is fond of saying. "And they get the arrows too..."

Instead of the wild, wild west, Paiz was referring to the frontier of MMORPG business models, companies that have diverged from traditional subscriptions over the past 10 years. In a presentation at PAX East titled "The Game Monetization Revolution," he shared how this movement has come about, ways that it can fail, and how pioneers have grabbed the gold by getting it right.

Of course, Paiz has a great perspective on this revolution, having helmed Dungeons & Dragons Online as it made the transition from a pure subscription game to a hybrid free-to-play/subscription title. Both DDO and Lord of the Rings Online have done tremendously well since moving to this business model, proving that AAA titles can thrive outside of the subscription-only checkout lane.

Hit the jump as Fernando Paiz takes us down memory lane and addresses the biggest fear players have with F2P.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Turbine makes the case for the free-to-play model

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Turbine makes the case for the free-to-play model originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asian-mmosbusiness-modelsconsumablescosmeticsddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfeaturedfernando-paizfree-to-playguild-warshybrid-modellord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromicrotransactionspaizpaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011paxeastpenny-arcade-exporunescapesubscription-modelturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 12 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/pax-east-hands-on-with-nexons-dragon-nest-and-vindictus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/pax-east-hands-on-with-nexons-dragon-nest-and-vindictus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/pax-east-hands-on-with-nexons-dragon-nest-and-vindictus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Nexon spread its wings over much of PAX East's exhibit hall this year, with booths scattered about dedicated to it and its partners' various titles. At the center of the storm lay one of Nexon's hottest new properties, Dragon Nest, which was available for all manner of pokings and proddings.

I sat down to play through a couple of Dragon Nest's dungeons with Dee Lee and Moon Kim, who provided commentary on the various game features we were seeing. At its core, Dragon Nest is a fast-paced dungeon crawler, a mash-up between Dungeon Runners, Diablo and Final Fantasy. Instead of spending time roaming around the world, players will primarily be jumping into multi-stage instances over and over again.

Each dungeon, such as the Forest Sanctuary and the Valley of Mourning, can accommodate between one to four players (or up to eight for raids) as they try to battle their way to the end boss. It's colorful, heavy on clicking, and definitely arcade-like through and through.

Hit the jump to hear the rest of our Dragon Nest impressions as well as a sneak peek at Vindictus' big update coming later this month!

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-updatedark-paladindee-leediablodragon-nestdungeon-runnersepisode-sixexpert-craftingfinal-fantasyforest-sanctuarygalleryjaeho-hwangmoon-kimnexonpaladinpaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011paxeastpvprochestetrailertrailersupdatevalley-of-mourningvideovideosvindictusFri, 11 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/free-realms-coming-to-the-ps3-on-march-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/free-realms-coming-to-the-ps3-on-march-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/free-realms-coming-to-the-ps3-on-march-29th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Apparently 17 million registered PC and Mac users are the tip of the iceberg for Sony Online Entertainment. The company's family-friendly Free Realms MMORPG is heading to the Playstation 3 on March 29th in an attempt to bring massively multiplayer enlightenment to the unwashed console masses (and reel in a few million new users in the process).

Free Realms originally took a bow in 2009 on Windows PCs and has since seen its pirates, ninjas, pets, and genre-bending gameplay appear on Apple's OS X operating system as well. The title is initially free-to-play, with premium account options available to gamers who want to access an additional 400 quests and level all their jobs up to 20. Free Realms also features a cash shop that will be available via the Playstation Store.

"Free Realms continues to break new ground in the gaming industry -- it will be the first free-to-play MMO to hit any console, the first family-friendly MMO to hit any console, and the second MMO, after our recent release of DC Universe Online, to hit the PlayStation3 to date," says SOE president John Smedley. Head past the break for an exclusive interview with Free Realms lead designer Stephen Bokkes and producer Nick Parkinson.

Gallery: Free Realms PS3 Gallery

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopconsolesf2pfamily-friendlyfarmingfarming-systemfeaturedfree-realmsfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryitem-shopjohn-smedleynick-parkinsonpaxpax-2011pax-east-2011pet-trainerplaystation-3ps3soeSony-Online-Entertainmentstephen-bokkesFri, 11 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East: Hi-Rez Studios unveils new Tribes: Ascend title]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/hi-rez-studios-unveils-new-tribes-ascend-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/hi-rez-studios-unveils-new-tribes-ascend-title/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/hi-rez-studios-unveils-new-tribes-ascend-title/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Way back in October of 2010, we broke the news that Atlanta-based Hi-Rez Studios would be revisiting the Tribes franchise in an upcoming online persistent-world shooter. At the time, Hi-Rez was focused on Tribes: Universe, and our interview with CEO and lead designer Erez Goren shed a bit of light on the company's followup to Global Agenda.

Today at PAX East, Hi-Rez officially took the wraps off a second Tribes game, and Tribes: Ascend is set to re-introduce the venerable franchise to gamers all over the world. "Before Halo, before Modern Warfare, and before Battlefield, there was Tribes," says Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios COO, before going on to reveal that the new game will be available in late 2011. Hi-Rez will distribute Tribes: Ascend as a digital download and is targeting Windows PCs as well as the Xbox 360 for the initial release.

Why a second Tribes title? "We've had tremendous fun play-testing and realized the potential of a multiplayer-focused title ahead of Tribes Universe. The community has been waiting for a multiplayer shooter that is the modern successor to T2. Tribes: Ascend is that game," Harris said.

Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of March 11-13, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about SWTOR or Guild Wars 2 or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

MassivelyPAX East: Hi-Rez Studios unveils new Tribes: Ascend title originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erez-gorenfpshi-rezhi-rez-studiosmmofpspaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011persistent-world-shootersci-fishootert2todd-harristribestribes-ascendtribes-universeFri, 11 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East: BioWare reveals new Old Republic trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioware-reveals-new-old-republic-trailer-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioware-reveals-new-old-republic-trailer-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioware-reveals-new-old-republic-trailer-at-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fans were expecting a big showing out of Star Wars: The Old Republic at this weekend's PAX East. BioWare didn't disappoint, as the renowned RPG maker released the newest (and best) trailer for its upcoming Star Wars MMORPG opus.

The two-minute short consists entirely of in-game footage and is titled Fate of the Galaxy, an appropriate moniker given that the video is crammed full of epic Star Wars moments from start to finish. Whether you're into space combat, Jedi combat, or pleasingly retro sound effects from the Lucasfilm library (we dare you not to crack a smile at the signature sound of a tauntaun or the squeal of a Jawa as he's shown the business end of a Sith lightsaber), there's something here for just about every fan.

Check out all the pyrotechnics after the cut and let us know what you think in the comments.

Continue reading PAX East: BioWare reveals new Old Republic trailer

MassivelyPAX East: BioWare reveals new Old Republic trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebreakingfate-of-the-galaxyjedinew-titlespaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011sci-fispace-combatstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictrailervideoFri, 11 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are you hoping to hear at PAX East?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-hoping-to-hear-at-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're just barely out of GDC coverage, but this week kicks off another big convention for the gaming community. PAX has become an event on both coasts, and this year's PAX East promises to be a notable event for all in attendance within the gaming community. With Guild Wars 2 and Star Wars: The Old Republic both promising new playable content, it might seem like the newer games will steal the show, but older games such as City of Heroes and Lord of the Rings Online are on deck with new content and new announcements for fans.

Of course, we've got some of our staff on-hand to cover all of the news coming out of Boston this weekend, but the real question is what you're hoping to hear. Do you want to see more of the new Guild Wars 2 demo? Hoping to hear more on Turbine's free-to-play games? Or are you hoping for something unexpected to emerge from the convention, perhaps even (gasp) non-MMO news?

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 are you hoping to hear at PAX East? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you haven't been paying attention, then you wouldn't know that Star Wars: The Old Republic is going to make a huge appearance at PAX East this year. However, unlike past appearances, this presentation is all about giving the fans a first-hand experience with the game. The SWTOR community team has promised Flashpoints, Jedi classes, and origin worlds that the fans can see, hear, touch, and feel. For a fan who has been following the game since before October of 2008, this is far more exciting than any on-stage performance.

With all of the hoopla, it may be difficult to know every single thing that is going on. And as your guide through the vastness of hyperspace, I should give you a guideline so you do not miss a vital piece of the event. Follow me after the cut for a breakdown of the planned events and some suggestions for things to do while attending PAX.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Sithing up for PAX East

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Sithing up for PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that the cat is out of the bag regarding the Guild Wars 2 Thief, ArenaNet is opening the information doors starting with a new video and blog post today.

The video is brief -- 34 seconds total -- but packed with information. There are glimpses of at least two races of Thief characters as well as booth information for those who are eager to try the class for themselves at PAX East.

The teaser video is accompanied by a short blog post telling fans all about the great information planned for next week: "We've already told you that the guardian profession and norn race will be playable, but next week we're going to get into detail about three other major features in the new demo - crafting, our revamped attribute system, and our new profession, the thief!"

Check out the new information on ArenaNet's blog, and keep your eye on Massively all next week for the latest Guild Wars 2 news.

MassivelyNew Guild Wars 2 video gives info on PAX East demo, more glimpses of the Thief originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big news exploded from the Star Wars: The Old Republic camp today. We knew BioWare was going to be at PAX East this year, but we knew nothing of the team's specific plans. In today's updates, the SWTOR devs not only revealed more about the Bounty Hunter profession as we predicted from yesterday's IGN video reveal but also told us that visitors to their PAX booth would be the first of the general public to play the Taral V flashpoint.

The Bounty Hunter page has been overhauled to reflect the advanced classes of Powertech and Mercenary. On the starships page, catch the detailed specs of the Kuat Drive Yards D5-Mantis Patrol Craft -- or the D5-Mantis, for those who think KDYD5MPC is a silly acronym. Mako, the Nar Shaddaa slicer, was officially revealed as a companion for the Bounty Hunter. Also, don't forget the Rattataki species on the inhabitants page.

SWTOR fans who were waiting on endgame reveals will hopefully be going to PAX East this year. You will be able to play a Trooper, Smuggler, Jedi Knight, or Jedi Consular in the Republic Taral V flashpoint, with Lead Designer James Ohlen and Lead Writer Daniel Erickson in the booth to answer all your questions. While you're at booth 912, don't forget to ask for your invitation to the Community Meet and Greet, which starts directly after the booth closes Saturday night -- the event's at the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel right next to the convention center.

Gallery: SWTOR Bounty Hunter reveal

MassivelySWTOR says BAM! is the word for today's update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesBioWarebounty-hunterclassclassescompanionsdaniel-ericksonEAElectronic-ArtsFlashpointjames-ohlenLucasArtsPAXPAX-EastPAX-East-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstarshipstarshipsswtorTaral-Vthe-old-republictorFri, 04 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes offers an Issue 20 overview and development journal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/city-of-heroes-offers-an-issue-20-overview-and-development-journ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PAX East is just around the corner, and it marks the second east coast appearance of the Paragon Studios team. Last year the developers had an upcoming expansion to preview, but this year nevertheless promises to still have plenty of revelations for the City of Heroes fans, starting with the new Issue 20 overview page available today. Aside from the two known Incarnate Trials, the page also previews two new task forces for characters in the 20-40 range as well as more respec trials available for heroes or villains who change alignment.

If the overview alone isn't enough to get you fired up for the upcoming Issue 20, the latest installment of the Intrepid Informer previews one of the new areas designed for the patch: a fortress made of lashed-together ships. Gilbert Martinez, one of the game's art leads, explains the process that led to creating an evocative new piece of scenery. City of Heroes players have plenty to look forward to in the near future, not the least of which being an upcoming patch with some pretty interesting content.

MassivelyCity of Heroes offers an Issue 20 overview and development journal originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-issue-20covcoxdesigngilbert-martinezgroup-contenti20issue-20ncsoftnewsparagonparagon-studiospatch-previewpatchespaxpax-eastpax-east-2011raidsstrike-forcetask-forceTue, 01 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR fans gather in droves for PAX East]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/swtor-fans-gather-in-droves-for-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Although I doubt it has Blue Milk, the Times Irish Bar does have a nice cold beer, or at least the Star Wars: The Old Republic fans hope so when they visit during PAX East. The event hasn't even started, but you can almost hear Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes tuning up now for the SWTOR Community Cantina.

What is the SWTOR Community Cantina, you ask? I'm surprised you don't know. Fansites, Massively, and just plain-old SWTOR fans have decided that one gathering just wasn't enough for a game as epic as SWTOR. Do any of these names seems familiar to you -- Pete, Dover, Orionark, Musco, Samm, Brooks, Zach, Lordhammer, Vall, Lethality, Kathy, and Roxanne? Maybe you're more familiar with the fansites they represent: Darth Hater, TOROcast, Mos Eisley Radio, TORSyndicate, AskAJedi, and Corellian Run Radio. If you're just dying to meet any of these people or are a fan of Star Wars: The Old Republic, come to Boston's Times Irish Bar during PAX East on March 11th at 7:00 p.m. EST for the SWTOR Community Cantina.

While you're there, you can give me a high-five, too. We can party like it's 4,000 BBY!

MassivelySWTOR fans gather in droves for PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AskAJediBioWarecommunity-eventscorellian-run-radiodarth-haterEAElectronic-Artseventsfansitesirl-eventLucasArtsMos-Eisley-Radiopax-east-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicTimes-Irish-BartorTOROcastTORSyndicateFri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine's Fernando Paiz to keynote PAX East IGDA conference]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/turbines-fernando-paiz-to-keynote-pax-east-igda-conference/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/turbines-fernando-paiz-to-keynote-pax-east-igda-conference/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/turbines-fernando-paiz-to-keynote-pax-east-igda-conference/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PAX East is less than half a month away, promising to be a good time for fans and developers alike. Considering that it's one of the only major gaming conventions in the northeast, we're not surprised that the International Game Developer's Association would have a presence, hosting both a series of panels on breaking into game design and a developer summit. It's the latter that's of the greatest interest to MMO fans, as the summit's keynote speaker is Fernando Paiz of Dungeons and Dragons Online fame.

Taking place on Saturday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. EST, Paiz's keynote speech is titled "The Game Monetization Revolution: Embracing new business models that are good for both players and developers." While the content of the speech is not known, odds are good that it will cover the successful Dungeons and Dragons Online free-to-play switch as well as what it means for the future of games in general. It's an interesting kickoff to the summit, and it shows just how much impact MMOs are having on the larger game industry.

MassivelyTurbine's Fernando Paiz to keynote PAX East IGDA conference originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsd-n-d-onlineddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfernando-paizfree-to-playigdaindustryinternational-game-developers-associationkeynote-speechmmo-industrypax-eastpax-east-2011speechturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 22 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP hides valuable information within QR code]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/ccp-hides-valuable-information-within-qr-code/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/ccp-hides-valuable-information-within-qr-code/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/ccp-hides-valuable-information-within-qr-code/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Being a bit devious and underhanded in EVE Online is pretty much the basic standard of interaction. CCP's flagship game has built itself a reputation of rewarding the clever and the analytical, but the developers themselves have only occasionally taken part in the antics themselves. The development team has gone a step further this time, however, posting a bit of valuable information for fans... in the form of a QR code, with no further hints for players.

Players with smartphones and other QR readers have already deciphered the meaning of the square, which promises a fan gathering at PAX East in Boston. There will be developers, drinks, and an event exclusive, but players will be required to mail their first and last names as well as their character names to paxeast2011@ccpgames.com in order to attend. It promises to be a fun time for EVE Online fans -- and while it's a bit of a sneaky way of making the announcement, really, it's par for the course.

[Thanks to Prime Synergy for the tip!]

MassivelyCCP hides valuable information within QR code originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdeveloper-gatheringeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefan-gatheringgatheringhiddenhidingpax-eastpax-east-2011qrqr-codereal-world-eventtwitterSat, 19 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Producer's letter for City of Heroes hints at the future and promises big improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/producers-letter-for-city-of-heroes-hints-at-the-future-and-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/producers-letter-for-city-of-heroes-hints-at-the-future-and-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/producers-letter-for-city-of-heroes-hints-at-the-future-and-pro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's the start of a new year, one that already promises to be an exciting one for fans of superheroic MMOs. DC Universe Online is launching tomorrow, Champions Online will be going free-to-play early this year, and City of Heroes is not sitting down either. In what we hope might be a new monthly tradition, fans have been treated to a brand-new producer's letter that looks back at the year before and begins peering ahead to the next 12 months while also hinting at some of the more interesting new additions to the game.

Among the more interesting revelations are the promise of a double XP weekend this month, as well as more information regarding Praetoria's Hamidon when PAX East rolls around. The development team is also hoping to step up its communication this year, both from well-known members of the team and from some of the newer talent with less public exposure. While another expansion might not be in the works for City of Heroes in the near future, fans can take a look at the full letter on the site and rest easy -- it promises to be a very interesting year.

MassivelyProducer's letter for City of Heroes hints at the future and promises big improvements originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdouble-xpdouble-xp-weekendin-game-eventncsoftnewsparagonparagon-studiospaxpax-eastpax-east-2011praetoriaproducerproducer-letterupcoming-eventsupcoming-patchesMon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East organizers sign on for three more years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/pax-east-organizers-sign-on-for-three-more-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/pax-east-organizers-sign-on-for-three-more-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/pax-east-organizers-sign-on-for-three-more-years/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Did things feel a little crowded at PAX East this year? Organizers chose the Hynes Convention Center over the larger Boston Convention Center due to its superior location (and possibly because they were testing the waters for the first year), and the roughly 60,000 attendees were left with not much elbow room.

That won't be an issue next year. Or the next one, or the one after that. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has signed an agreement with the PAX organizers to bring PAX East back for three years. Even better, they'll be setting up shop at the roomier Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

"We're thrilled to host PAX through 2013, and we can't wait to welcome the show to the BCEC in 2011," said Convention Center Authority Executive Director James E. Rooney. You can check out the full story in the Boston Globe.

MassivelyPAX East organizers sign on for three more years originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boston-convention-and-exhibition-centerPAXpax-eastpax-east-2011Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST