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[Why I Play: RIFT]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/why-i-play-rift/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT
Is it possible for a top-tier MMO to come out of nowhere and bowl you over? Considering that I follow these games not only for a hobby but as a writer for Massively, I always assumed the answer to that was "no." Until it happened, that is. Until RIFT.

It's not as though RIFT was a big secret or anything, but up until the late hours of 2010, it was very low on my -- and many of my friends' -- radars. I often got it confused with TERA, for Pete's sake! It wasn't until I got my hands on it at PAX that year and then saw how huge the beta got that I realized there was more to this supposedly generic fantasy title than I'd assumed. It truly felt like it came out of nowhere, and before I knew it, I was enjoying what became one of my favorite games of 2011.

So why did I play RIFT, and why do I still log in on occasion today? Trust me, it's not for the Elves.

Continue reading Why I Play: RIFT

MassivelyWhy I Play: RIFT originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaeditorialelectronic-artsfantasyfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2lucasartsmassively-metametancsoftnostalgiaop-edopinionpaxpax-primepax-prime-2010riftrift-literift-planes-of-telarasci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republictortriontrion-worldswarcraftwhy-i-playworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA podcast highlights convention news]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/tera-podcast-highlights-convention-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/tera-podcast-highlights-convention-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/tera-podcast-highlights-convention-news/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA - castanic female
Episode five of the official TERA podcast is in the can, and it's also available for your listening pleasure on the TERA website. The show finds En Masse community manager Evan "Scapes" Berman talking with producer Chris Hager and COO Patrick Wyatt for approximately 20 minutes.

The subject?

Convention season, of course, and the gang talks about everything from the TERA Gamescom demo to the preparation necessary to convey a certain message to members of the gaming media. The trio also mentions the challenges inherent in answering difficult questions on stage at a major convention, and Wyatt even chats briefly about his experiences working on Blizzard's seminal StarCraft RTS.

MassivelyTERA podcast highlights convention news originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arboreabehind-the-sceneschris-hageren-masseen-masse-entertainmentevan-bermanfantasygamescommmo-industryofficial-podcastpatrick-wyattpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011scapesteratera-onlineFri, 02 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: PAXflop]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-paxflop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-paxflop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/a-mild-mannered-reporter-paxflop/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
It's been anything but a quiet weekend in my neck of the woods. I'm currently writing this with no real ETA on when I'm going to have power back, which is a bit of an issue considering that my job sort of requires a functional internet connection and a computer to type and play things on. Also, there was a hurricane that sort of prompted that string of events, which made things all sorts of interesting and has led to a variety of interesting circumstances at home and abroad. In short, thank you, but I could really do without living in these particular interesting times.

You know what was remarkably quiet, however? PAX Prime.

OK, that's not true; there was a lot of interesting information to be seen on display over the course of the event, not the least of which being previews of WildStar, which only increased my enthusiasm for the title. But for me and my fellow City of Heroes fans, despite the game's staff's having a definite presence, there wasn't a whole lot to be said about the proceedings that I saw. (Admittedly, that may have something to do with the fact that, as mentioned, I'm kind of limited in my current ability to correspond with the outside world.) So what happened? When did City of Heroes fall off the radar?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: PAXflop

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: PAXflop originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcovcoxfeaturedfreedomncsoftopinionparagonparagon-cityparagon-studiospaxpax-primepax-prime-2011Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/hyperspace-beacon-more-nuna-bites/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites
Like just about everyone else watching the PAX coverage, I was expecting something big to come from Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, aside from a release date, I really didn't know what the team could give us that everyone would find important. At this point, you either like what you see or you don't. Nothing short of actually playing the game is going to make a difference. This oversaturation of information is a direct consequence of starting a marketing campaign three years ago. This long campaign results in news being regurgitated a few times over, as if it were new info. Take for instance the same-gender romance arc -- that was a topic we covered two years ago.

As I did in the last nuna bites segment, I'd like to take a moment to discuss some of the smaller bits of news that you may have missed. At the same time, I would also like to weigh in on the same-gender-romance-arc subject because it is important, and I would like others to feel comfortable about expressing their personal viewpoints on the subject too.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: More nuna bites originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artseternity-vaultfeaturedgabe-amatangelogayIlumLucasArtsopen-world-pvpPAXpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011PvPsame-gender-romance-arcsseraphina-brennansolo-gameStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTotally-Rad-ShowTue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: RIFT sifts through the Ashes of History]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/pax-2011-rift-sifts-through-the-ashes-of-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/pax-2011-rift-sifts-through-the-ashes-of-history/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/pax-2011-rift-sifts-through-the-ashes-of-history/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rift Junkies interview
PAX has come and gone, but the good news keeps pouring out. Over the weekend, RIFT fan site Rift Junkies got the opportunity to grill Trion's Simon Ffinch and Hal Hanlin about the show itself and the upcoming 1.5 patch.

Generally, the devs were pleased to see the crowds pack around Trion's booth, especially since playable stations were always full. They noted that many current RIFT players came to log into their accounts and show off the game to newcomers.

Patch 1.5 was a major focus of the interview, and Ffinch and Hanlin said that casual players should rejoice at its approach. Tentatively scheduled for September, 1.5 will include the new Chronicles system that has solo or duoing players exploring hand-crafted instances. These instances are designed to be "snapshots" of the larger raids they're associated with, and will give both casuals and raiders a better glimpse into the lore behind the setting. For example, the Hammerknell Chronicle will tell the story of how the king and prince become corrupted.

The patch, which is called Ashes of History, will also include the new planar attunement trees ("It's the players beginning to start taking controls of the powers of the planes," Ffinch explained) and the super-tough "master mode" for dungeons. It's interesting to note that this patch is setting the groundwork for the exploration of a larger Telara, as players will begin to find and renovate items that will eventually allow them to head to new zones.

Hit the jump to watch the full interview!

Continue reading PAX 2011: RIFT sifts through the Ashes of History

MassivelyPAX 2011: RIFT sifts through the Ashes of History originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5ashes-of-historychronicleschronicles-of-telaraeventhal-hanlinhammerknellinstant-adventuresinterviewmaster-dungeonsmaster-modepatch-1.5paxpax-primepax-prime-2011planar-attunementriftrift-junkiesriftjunkiesSimon-FfinchtelaravideoTue, 30 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: PAX 2011 travel diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/flameseeker-chronicles-pax-2011-travel-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/flameseeker-chronicles-pax-2011-travel-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/flameseeker-chronicles-pax-2011-travel-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Is it time for PAX 2012 yet?
Welcome to my own version of post-holiday letdown. Just like last year, PAX is over and I'm a little sad. I'm dead tired, my feet are killing me, and I'm dreading trying to organize and pack the chaos of my hotel room, but I wish it were last Friday morning again. I had meetings that took me all over the show floor during the three days of PAX, but of course my downtime was all about Guild Wars 2: standing in line for demo time, checking out what panels I could, and chatting with the development team. Today's Flameseeker Chronicles is what I can now call my annual PAX travel diary, so hit the jump and I'll catch you all up on PAX, ArenaNet style!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: PAX 2011 travel diary

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: PAX 2011 travel diary originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdiaryfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011sheepsheilatravel-diaryMon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with the Guild Wars 2 Asura]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-the-guild-wars-2-asura/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-the-guild-wars-2-asura/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-massivelys-hands-on-with-the-guild-wars-2-asura/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lookit, I'm an Asura!
The new demo has arrived to the United States! ArenaNet unveiled the newest demo version of Guild Wars 2 last week at Gamescom, and it was filled with new surprises. Orrian undead, one of Zhaitan's underlings, the Charr starter area, playable Asura and Sylvari, and much more captured the attention of fans.

ArenaNet has returned to its home turf and was presenting the demo at PAX this weekend, and I had the privilege of diving into the game's new content. Follow along after the jump for the latest look at the Guild Wars 2 demo!

Continue reading PAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with the Guild Wars 2 Asura

MassivelyPAX 2011: Massively's hands-on with the Guild Wars 2 Asura originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetasuracharacter-creationdynamic-eventsfeaturedGuild-Wars-2gw2hands-onimpressionsncsoftpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011raceracesMon, 29 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: On the (re)starting line with APB: Reloaded]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-on-the-re-starting-line-with-apb-reloaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-on-the-re-starting-line-with-apb-reloaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/pax-2011-on-the-re-starting-line-with-apb-reloaded/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

APB car crash
There's nothing like a car crash to slow down traffic as everyone rubbernecks at someone else's misfortune. Likewise, gamers and media alike were fascinated with the premature demise of last year's All Points Bulletin, craning their heads to see how extensive the damage was.

But out of the wreck a new and improved version of the game was born, and now the crowds are equally taking notice of this resurrection. Not every canceled MMO gets a second chance at life, after all. This is why we were glad to sit down with GamersFirst's Jon-Enee Merriex at PAX to discuss how APB's reloading is going, what the devs have planned between now and launch, and what other projects they're tackling.

Put the pedal to the metal and hit that jump -- this interview can't drive 55!

Continue reading PAX 2011: On the (re)starting line with APB: Reloaded

MassivelyPAX 2011: On the (re)starting line with APB: Reloaded originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5.31.5.41.5.51.6aimbotaimbotsaimbottingall-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetaclan-warfarecontactscriminalsenforcersfeaturedgamersfirstJon-Enee-Merriexlaunchlevel-cappatchpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011relaunchswatupdatewall-hacksMon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite PAX reveal?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-reveal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

PAX Prime 2011 logo - black
PAX Prime 2011 has come and gone, and it's now time to turn our eyes to DragonCon and what is sure to be an eventful final few months of the year. Before we move on, though, it's worth looking back at the events of this past weekend and thinking on a few favorites.

While this year's PAX didn't boast any zomg-that's-awesome reveals, there was a steady stream of new and interesting information flowing out of Seattle over the weekend. Whether your taste runs to PvP and Star Wars The Old Republic, endgame content and Korean imports like TERA, or interesting newcomers like WildStar and its decision to insert the Bartle model firmly into the midst of its game design, there was a bit of something for everyone.

Today's Daily Grind is an easy one: What was your favorite PAX Prime reveal?

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 PAX reveal? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consconventionsgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011star-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgterathe-daily-grindwildstarMon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Review: PAX roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/week-in-review-pax-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/week-in-review-pax-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/week-in-review-pax-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

This week, Massively staffers attended the Penny Arcade Expo in order to bring you the scoop on the swankiest MMOs around. Are you into Star Wars: The Old Republic's Operations? WildStar's bunnygirls? Lord of the Rings Online's inexorable crawl to Isengard? Yep, we wrote about all that and more. So join us after the break for a look at our top PAX stories... and the rest of the goodies from this past week.

Continue reading Week in Review: PAX roundup

MassivelyWeek in Review: PAX roundup originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiqmassively-metametapaxpax-primepax-prime-2011rounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 28 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: SWTOR Alderaan PvP session captured on video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/pax-2011-swtor-alderaan-pvp-session-captured-on-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/pax-2011-swtor-alderaan-pvp-session-captured-on-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/pax-2011-swtor-alderaan-pvp-session-captured-on-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic - Alderaan PvP
Darth Hater has posted a new Star Wars The Old Republic clip direct from this year's Pax Prime. The clip was captured on a hand-held camera, so the quality isn't the greatest, but we do get a good long look at the Alderaan warzone PvP (as well as some dancing Sith Inquisitors, if you're into that sort of silliness).

The video runs for around 10 minutes, and we get to see quite a lot of action as well as a good bit of the layout of the Alderaan warzone. Also of note is TOR's unique take on respawning after death. There's no annoying countdown timer like in your standard online PvP match. Instead, you'll spawn on your ship and have to fly a speederbike back to the battle zone in real time, which gives you a tactical view of what's going on as well as the feeling of still participating in the game as opposed to watching a clock for several seconds. Check out the clip after the cut.

Massively's on the ground in Seattle during the weekend of August 26-28, bringing you all the best news from PAX Prime 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about SWTOR, Guild Wars 2, City of Heroes, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading PAX 2011: SWTOR Alderaan PvP session captured on video

MassivelyPAX 2011: SWTOR Alderaan PvP session captured on video originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaanbiowareeaea-biowareelectronic-artspaxpax-primepax-prime-2011sci-fisithsith-inquisitorstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarzoneSun, 28 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-wildstar-panel-discusses-playing-with-paths-the-bartle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I'm lost at sea, don't bother me, I've lost my way.
Before Gamescom, WildStar was nothing more than a title without a hint of what the game would actually promise. But now that the game is being shown off, the combination of a unique aesthetic with a promise of uniquely focal gameplay has gotten a lot of people interested. The visuals, of course, have already been well-displayed by the trailers and preview shots, so this year's panel at PAX 2011 focused instead on the other half of the equation: the paths.

The panel began with a brief viewing of the game's cinematic trailer to kick things off, followed by an explanation of the game's core design philosophy. As the team from Carbine Studios (Jeremy Gaffney, Eric DeMilt, and Mike Donatelli) put it, most games are built with a basic set of design assumptions that push players in a fixed direction determined by the designers. WildStar was built from the ground up to let players enjoy the game when they want to, with whomever they want, and most importantly however they want. The paths are the key to that system -- multiple overlaid playstyles that ensure you have your own play experience no matter what class or race you pick.

Continue reading PAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way

MassivelyPAX 2011: WildStar panel discusses playing with paths the Bartle way originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartles-typescarbinecarbine-studioseric-demiltexplorerjeremy-gaffneymike-donatellincsoftnewspathspaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011player-typesplaystylespreviewsreal-world-eventsscientistsettlersoldierwildstarwsSat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: TERA producers reveal server vs. server endgame content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/pax-2011-tera-producers-reveal-server-vs-server-endgame-conten/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TERA - Velika cityscape
This year's PAX Prime doesn't feature an En Masse Entertainment booth for TERA, but the company did host an informational shindig for journalists and fans at its offices in downtown Seattle over the weekend. Producers Chris Hager and Stefan Ramirez ran the show, and the presentation focused heavily on the action MMO aspects as well as the game's depth.

The show started with a repeat of the recent Castanic healer video, and from there Hager and Ramirez set about profiling the game's mechanical aspects (including the combat, glyph, and crystal systems). The presentation was geared towards folks who haven't really kept up with TERA, as there wasn't much discussed that we haven't known about for a while. Aside from the action talking points, we also got bits about story, the details on the political and vanarch systems, and some info on the argons.

En Masse also trotted out the first mention of its plans for server vs. server combat. The system is designed to provide additional endgame content via PvE and PvP. "It's going to have players from other servers coming to your territory, on your server, and invading your space," Hager explained. He went on to mention how guilds will need to ally with one another to repel the invaders, and if the alliance proves strong enough, take the fight back to the invaders' home turf. En Masse was very coy about the details on this new system, and we expect more information will be forthcoming as we move toward TERA's spring 2012 release date.

Finally, we managed some quality hands-on time with the game during the event, so check in with us periodically this weekend and we'll bring you a detailed report.

Massively's on the ground in Seattle during the weekend of August 26-28, bringing you all the best news from PAX Prime 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about SWTOR, Guild Wars 2, City of Heroes, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

MassivelyPAX 2011: TERA producers reveal server vs. server endgame content originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-combatarboreaargonschris-hageren-masseen-masse-entertainmentendgamein-game-eventslorepaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011server-vs-serverserver-vs-server-warstefan-ramirezstoryteratera-onlineSat, 27 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: SWTOR video guides us through the Eternity Vault]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-swtor-video-guides-us-through-the-eternity-vault/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-swtor-video-guides-us-through-the-eternity-vault/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-swtor-video-guides-us-through-the-eternity-vault/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PAX 2011: SWOTR Infernal One
Who lies at the bottom of the Eternity Vault? Thanks to the commentary in the latest Star Wars: The Old Republic developer walkthrough, we now know that an ancient Rakata warlord named the Infernal One is held captive in this ancient prison. Director of Production and part-time superhero Dallas Dickinson explains that it took an army to take down this being the last time he arose, yet for some reason a group of eight can do it now. Yes, our characters are really that awesome in TOR.

In the video, Dickinson guides us through the first two encounters: battles against two massive defense turrets and a rocket-launching gigantic droid. The turret encounter employs intense raid mechanics, like dual-tanking and crowd control, whereas the giant droid requires stay-out-of-the-green-stuff maneuvers and line-of-sight avoidance techniques. Beyond those two encounters, the Operation is a mystery. However, we catch glimpses of a couple of giant monsters and the final boss using the Force to toss giant columns around the room!

After the break, check out the 10-minute video walkthrough and let us know what you think in the comments. And of course, you know SWTOR is at PAX, where we have just barely started our coverage of the event. Stay tuned here as we will feature more impressions and interviews in the not-too distant future.

Massively's on the ground in Seattle during the weekend of August 26-28, bringing you all the best news from PAX Prime 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about SWTOR, Guild Wars 2, City of Heroes, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading PAX 2011: SWTOR video guides us through the Eternity Vault

MassivelyPAX 2011: SWTOR video guides us through the Eternity Vault originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredallas-dickinsondev-diarydeveloper-diaryEAElectronic-Artseternity-vaultLucasArtsPAXpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011raidraid-mechanicsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-infernal-onethe-old-republictortrailervideowalkthroughFri, 26 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2011: Turbine lifts Rise of Isengard NDA, shows off LotRO and DDO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-turbine-lifts-rise-of-isengard-nda-shows-off-lotro-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-turbine-lifts-rise-of-isengard-nda-shows-off-lotro-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/pax-2011-turbine-lifts-rise-of-isengard-nda-shows-off-lotro-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dunland map
Turbine's two free-to-play star pupils are battling it out for their mother's attention at PAX this week, but mommy loves both equally. On one hand there's Dungeons and Dragons Online, which is releasing Update 11 on September 12th with the much-anticipated Artificer class; on the other hand there's Lord of the Rings Online, which has its third expansion, Rise of Isengard, coming out on September 27th.

The studio is showing off both titles and their respective new content at PAX, and Turbine has announced that the NDA for Rise of Isengard has lifted as of this morning. So now beta testers can feel free to share their experiences and impressions of the expansion -- and we hope you do so in the comments section!

We have several new screenshots from both Isengard and Update 11 in the galleries below, as well as a LotRO dev diary highlighting Dunland after the jump!

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery


Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 13 Preview

Continue reading PAX 2011: Turbine lifts Rise of Isengard NDA, shows off LotRO and DDO

MassivelyPAX 2011: Turbine lifts Rise of Isengard NDA, shows off LotRO and DDO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artificerbetaddodev-diarydungeons-and-dragons-onlinedunlandf2pfree-to-playgalleryisengardndapaxpax-primepax-prime-2011rise-of-isengardscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11videoFri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are you looking forward to at PAX Prime?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-at-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-at-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-daily-grind-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-at-pax-prime/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Special thanks to our own Larry Everett for the header image. Sorry, no joke in this alt text.
It's something of a tradition here at Massively when there's a major convention just around the corner to ask our readers what they're looking forward to seeing. We like to know what other people are interested in, after all, and while we can certainly attest to our own excitement, that's nothing compared to what you'd like to see. Heck, if you're not quite sure what there is to look forward to, we've even got a handy-dandy guide to all of the stuff promised to be on display.

So what are you looking forward to for this incarnation of PAX Prime? There's a heavy MMO lineup, ranging from current darlings Guild Wars 2 and Star Wars: The Old Republic to the much-discussed newcomer WildStar. Which of the many exhibitors are going to have you watching the news, or possibly traveling all the way out to Seattle? Or are you just not all that interested in all the proceedings?

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 looking forward to at PAX Prime? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conventionscultureopinionpaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011real-life-eventstdgthe-daily-grindupcoming-eventsFri, 26 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to PAX 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/massivelys-guide-to-pax-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PAX 2011: Massively's guide
What can be said about PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington that hasn't been said already? Everyone knows that it is the largest public gaming event in North America. Attendance totaled 67,600 last year, not including press and exhibitors. And this year, even more gamers will descend on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The latest and greatest games -- released and unreleased -- will be available for public consumption. Developers will mill around the showroom floor, answering your questions. Not to mention that no one will look at you funny because you play video games!

This year, MMORPGs really stand out in the crowd. Seattle native NCsoft has a huge presence at the convention, borrowing a theater just to showcase its games. BioWare comes armed with its heavy-hitter, Star Wars: The Old Republic. And free-to-play titles like Firefall, Lord of the Rings Online, and Wakfu promise to strut their stuff at this year's PAX.

Punch past the break as Massively outlines the must-see booths for MMO fans. And don't forget the panels, including a couple of MMO spotlights for PAX Dev, the gathering of fans and developers at Sheraton Seattle Hotel on the 24th and 25th.

Continue reading Massively's guide to PAX 2011

MassivelyMassively's guide to PAX 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienwareAnetantecarenanetBioWarecarbinecarbine-studiosccpCity-ofcity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomCity-of-VillainsCoHcoh-freedomCoVCoXdaniel-ericksondefiancedust-514EAElectronic-Artsend-of-nationsEVE-OnlinefeaturedFinal-FantasyfirefallfreedomFuncomglobal-agendaguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gwgw2hi-rezhi-rez-studiosleague-of-legendslogitechLoLlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelord-of-the-rings-rise-of-isengardlotroLucasArtsncsoftparagonparagon-studiosPAXpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011perfect-world-entertainmentred-5red-5-studiosred5Red5-StudiosRIFTriotriot-gamesrise-of-isengardrusty-heartssecret-worldsmiteSquare-EnixSquareEnixStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtortribes-ascendTriontrion-worldsTSWTurbineTurbine-Entertainmentwakfuwargaming.netWildStarworld-of-tanksworld-of-warplanesThu, 25 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rusty Hearts
It's an exciting time for the hyper-kinetic Rusty Hearts, as the title is not only moving into its second closed beta phase today but ramping up for a blockbuster appearance at this week's PAX.

Perfect World is upping the ante for potential testers, offering a free costume item for those who log into the game in the first 12 hours. This costume piece will persist through open beta, so there's no worry it's going away anytime soon.

Rusty Hearts' closed beta phase 2 is also increasing the amount of content available in the game, including a complete town restructure, a fine-tuning of the PvP system, the ability to compare yourself to other players, a side quest system, a revamp of the skill tree, advanced crafting, and unique cosmetic looks for crafted weapons.

If you don't have the pleasure of attending PAX, the Rusty Hearts dev team has a present for you anyway: the full PAX walkthrough video that will be on display at the convention. You can check it out after the jump!

Continue reading Rusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2

MassivelyRusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaclosed-beta-phase-2costumecostume-itempaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011perfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpromotionpwerevamprusty-heartsside-quest-systemskill-treevideo-walkthroughwalkthroughThu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hi-Rez prepping Global Agenda's largest expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/hi-rez-prepping-global-agendas-largest-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/hi-rez-prepping-global-agendas-largest-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/hi-rez-prepping-global-agendas-largest-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Global Agenda - mercenary PvP
Hi-Rez Studios has big plans for Global Agenda, and the autumn months will see the sci-fi shooter's largest expansion to date made available to everyone for free. The Recursive Colony patch (version 1.5 if you're counting at home) will include a new open zone with instanced missions, quest chains, social spaces, and mid- to high-level content. New enemies, daily repeatable quests, and further avatar customization options are also on the way.

"Players seeking a quest-driven, narrative experience post level 20 can now level up in the new open zone as an alternative to, or in addition to, our instanced missions," said Hi Rez's Todd Harris. "We've also included a new set of instanced PvE and PvP content for players at all levels."

Said PvP content takes the form of a new mercenary map (Push Dust) and a new acquisition map (Colony Caverns). Finally, if you're going to be at PAX Prime this weekend, stop by the Hi-Rez booth (number 252) and be the first to check out the new content.

MassivelyHi-Rez prepping Global Agenda's largest expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5-patchcolony-cavernexpansionf2pfree-to-playglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmmo-shooteropen-zonepaxpax-primepax-prime-2011press releasePressReleasepush-dustpverecursive-colonysci-fishootertodd-harrisThu, 25 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR lead spills the beans about the Eternity Vault raid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/swtor-lead-spills-the-beans-about-the-eternity-vault-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/swtor-lead-spills-the-beans-about-the-eternity-vault-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/swtor-lead-spills-the-beans-about-the-eternity-vault-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR: Eternity Vault
At Gamescom this past week, Star Wars: The Old Republic concentrated on showing off endgame to prove to players that it is indeed an MMO. At the press conference just prior to the convention, Lead Designer Gabe Amatangelo demonstrated the very first part of the Eternity Vault raid content you will find in TOR. The demonstration group wiped on the second encounter, but we were assured that there was more. But how much more?

Thanks to The-Force.eu, we now know. Amatangelo explained the encounters to the German fansite as follows: "The Eternity Vault has five. It has five encounters. 'Bosses' is such a loose term. One of them, you have to hack this puzzle. You've got to split up the group, and you've got to fight back a bunch of different waves while people are trying to solve a puzzle in tandem." This information should comfort some fans of the game; there is more to this dungeon than a simple tank-and-spank.

More SWTOR information is headed our way as we gear up for PAX. Stay tuned this weekend as we give you the latest information from our reporters on the show floor in Seattle.

MassivelySWTOR lead spills the beans about the Eternity Vault raid originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareDarth-HaterEAElectronic-Artseternity-vaultgabe-amatangelogamescomgamescom-2011LucasArtsPAXpax-primepax-prime-2011raidsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThe-Force.euthe-old-republictorWed, 24 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Antec to sell NCsoft-themed PC enclosures]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/antec-to-sell-ncsoft-themed-pc-enclosures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/antec-to-sell-ncsoft-themed-pc-enclosures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/antec-to-sell-ncsoft-themed-pc-enclosures/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Antec - NCsoft cases
So it's official, Antec and NCsoft are going out. OK, maybe it's not quite that creepy, but a new press release does note that the two companies have an "official relationship," which will be publicly consummated at next week's PAX Prime event.

Antec, known primarily for its PC hardware and upgrade components, will be opening an online boutique featuring custom PC cases emblazoned with artwork from NCsoft franchises including Aion, City of Heroes, and Guild Wars. Antec's PAX Prime booth will also be hosting an exclusive City of Heroes Freedom demo for convention attendees, and you can read all the details via the full press release at MarketWire.

[Thanks to Jessie for the tip!]

MassivelyAntec to sell NCsoft-themed PC enclosures originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionantecartworkcity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomconsconventionseventsfantasyguild-wars-2ncsoftpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011pc-partspc-upgradespress-releasereal-world-eventssuperheroTue, 23 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Road to Mordor
These are exciting times for Lord of the Rings Online, for sure. The Fellowship -- and hundreds of thousands of groupies following in its wake -- has moved south, and we are growing ever closer to Mordor and Mt. Doom. In a month, Middle-earth will grow significantly with the addition of Rise of Isengard, and level-capped players will suddenly have a whole new buffet of content to devour.

It's also a good era for exposure for the game, as plenty of people will get to see the expansion at Gamescom and PAX, not to mention those already in the beta proper. While we haven't heard anything about the game's finances or player numbers lately, there's no reason to believe that it's not still going strong.

That said, I want to take a step back today, as I sometimes do, and look at the larger picture. How is LotRO positioned against the current competition and the heavy-hitters yet to come? What does Turbine need to be working on over the next year or two? Are we just wandering aimlessly, or is the path laid out for journey for a long time to come?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanall-who-wander-are-not-lostcharacter-developmentcontent-pathered-luinexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfuture-plansgamescomgamescom-2011guild-wars-2gw2hobbithousinghousing-revampkate-paizmordornon-combat-petspaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011player-housingproducers-lettersophies-choicestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterathe-hobbitthe-road-to-mordorthe-secret-worldtolkientreasure-hunttswturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-3vanity-petsFri, 19 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/new-firefall-hands-on-coming-to-gamescom-and-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/new-firefall-hands-on-coming-to-gamescom-and-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/new-firefall-hands-on-coming-to-gamescom-and-pax/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Firefall
Those heading to Gamescom and PAX Prime later this month have a treat on waiting for them: a hot new demo of Firefall, the free-to-play persistent world shooter. Red 5 Studios is gracing both conventions with a hands-on experience to let players see if it lives up to the growing hype.

The Gamescom crowd can expect to enjoy the full demo and some intense coop events, while PAXers will get to see additional multiplayer maps as Firefall debuts its open-world experience.

Not heading to either convention? Red 5 hopes you don't give up hope, and invites you to sign up for the Firefall beta program, which is currently in the friends and family stage but is set to expand significantly after PAX. Firefall is slated to launch this December, which is not a minute too soon to those anticipating this title.

Enough talk -- it's time for action! Hit the jump to check out the awesome new trailer showcasing Firefall's gorgeous cel-shaded look, crazy action scenarios, and glowy glider wings.

Continue reading New Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX

MassivelyNew Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacel-shadedclosed-betademofirefallfor-the-love-of-god-not-gamesconfriends-and-familygamescomgamescom-2011paxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011red-5red-5-studiostrailervideoMon, 08 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World offers gamers a shot at a trip to PAX Prime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/perfect-world-offers-gamers-a-shot-at-a-trip-to-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/perfect-world-offers-gamers-a-shot-at-a-trip-to-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/perfect-world-offers-gamers-a-shot-at-a-trip-to-pax-prime/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bummed because PAX Prime is sold out -- and your wallet's looking thin, anyway? Well, how would it sound if we told you that you had a chance to go to the mega-convention in Seattle next month for free, including round-trip airfare? Pretty good, huh?

As part of its efforts to promote Rusty Hearts, Perfect World Entertainment is giving away a convention package to one lucky winner (and his or her best friend). If you register for the Rusty Hearts beta by July 27th, you'll automatically be entered to win these two three-day PAX passes. To make a good deal even better, the winners will have the opportunity to have dinner with the producers and developers of the game!

Rusty Hearts Producer Mark Hill is flat-out psyched for the event: "This is a great year for Rusty Hearts to make its debut appearance at Penny Arcade Expo. We cannot wait to interact with Rusty Hearts fans on a personal level and we hope to get everyone as excited as we are by giving away these two passes to the otherwise sold out show. We have really been looking forward to bring Rusty Hearts to a gaming-centric consumer event, and I can't wait to see how the PAX crowd reacts to the game."

Massively still has a number of Rusty Hearts beta keys to give away, and each of these comes with a special Massively Pack(TM) of in-game items!

MassivelyPerfect World offers gamers a shot at a trip to PAX Prime originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keyclosed-betacontestmark-hillmeet-and-greetmeet-n-greetpaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011penny-arcade-expoperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpromotionpwerusty-heartsTue, 19 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet announces summer convention schedule]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/arenanet-announces-summer-convention-schedule/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/arenanet-announces-summer-convention-schedule/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/arenanet-announces-summer-convention-schedule/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 fans, are you trying to decide which conventions you want to make it out to this summer? Well, ArenaNet's latest blog entry may just make your decision a little bit easier, as it outlines which shows the studio will be making appearances at and what to expect from each.

First up on the list (from July 21-24) is "the granddaddy of all pop-cultural conventions," San Diego Comic-Con. ANet will be sending out "an elite team of artists and devs... to meet fans and do signings." The next outing (August 17-21) sends ANet to the magical land of Cologne, Germany for Gamescom, which will include a playable demo of Guild Wars 2 as well as "a bunch of new surprises that [the devs] can't talk about yet." Attendees are also encouraged to deck themselves out in their best Guild Wars-related finery for ANet's costume contest. Then it's back to ANet's home turf of Seattle, Washington (August 26-28), where the "entire studio will descend upon PAX Prime." The studio says to "expect big surprises, cool swag, interesting panels, and a ton of Guild Wars 2 demo stations." And lastly, not letting the cessation of summer stop the runaway train that is ArenaNet, from October 21-25 the studio will be dropping in on gay Paris for Paris Games Week, "where [the devs will] bring [their] hands-on demo for [their] French fans."

Do note that E3 is not included in this smorgasbord of conventions, with ANet citing its desire "to focus on shows that allow [it] to share Guild Wars 2 directly with gamers."

For the full details and any future updates to the schedule, head on over to the official post on the ArenaNet blog.

MassivelyArenaNet announces summer convention schedule originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetconventiongamescongamescon-2011guild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2paris-games-weekparis-games-week-2011paxpax-primepax-prime-2011san-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2011summerFri, 27 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic lists 2011 event appearances]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-lists-2011-event-appearances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-lists-2011-event-appearances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/star-wars-the-old-republic-lists-2011-event-appearances/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Are you ready for the Star Wars: The Old Republic Hyperdrive or Bust World Tour 2011? OK, that might not be an official thing (and seriously, wouldn't you love a t-shirt with that on it?), but BioWare has announced the community events that TOR will be attending this year.

So if you're willing to make the journey and eager to get some face-time with both the game and the developers, here's where you can make it happen:
You can read all of the details of The Old Republic's worldwide journey on the Star Wars: The Old Republic Community Events page.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic lists 2011 event appearances originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommunity-eventsdreamhackdreamhack-2011e3e3-2011electonic-entertainment-expoeurogamereurogamer-expogamescomgamescom-2011new-york-comic-connew-york-comic-con-2011nyccparis-games-weekparis-games-week-2011paxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011san-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2011sdccsdcc-2011star-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 20 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Registration opens for PAX Prime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/registration-opens-for-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/registration-opens-for-pax-prime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/registration-opens-for-pax-prime/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PAX East 2011 was more than a month ago, more than enough time for the event to have faded into memory even if you were lucky enough to attend. But that's only one part of the PAX conventions, with PAX Prime on deck for August 26th through the 28th. Registration for the Seattle convention has just opened to everyone, allowing gamers of all ages a chance to gather for news and events in the northwest.

As per previous events, attendees can register for all three days at a discount rate or for an individual day pass. (Also per previous events, Saturday is likely to be the most active day of the weekend.) It's worth noting that PAX Prime is a very popular convention, so if you're planning on making the trek, registering sooner rather than later is probably a good idea. And going is probably a good idea, if you're able, as the convention traditionally holds a number of demos, events, announcements, and of course, free-range Massively staffers.

MassivelyRegistration opens for PAX Prime originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conventionsculturenewspaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011real-world-eventsregistrationFri, 15 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Creature comforts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/enter-at-your-own-rift-creature-comforts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/enter-at-your-own-rift-creature-comforts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/enter-at-your-own-rift-creature-comforts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ever since RIFT's beta mushroomed in both population and presence, there's been an exponential increase of folks trying to get a handle on how they feel about the game. It's the same song and dance that you see with any new MMO: People come to it with a need to know whether they like it, whether it's worth their money, whether it should be defended or denounced as rubbish. It's extremely disconcerting when you can't match up your gut feeling with logical reasoning, such as when your gut tells you that you really, really like a game, but you have a hard time putting it into words. It's kind of like the "On paper, it should be a perfect MMO, but in practice, it sucks" effect (and vice-versa).

I've been amused by how many bloggers and commenters have echoed my own thoughts about RIFT when they say something to the effect of, "I know it's a lot like other MMOs and has a lot more of the same, but I'm actually enjoying it" -- as if the fact that RIFT shares commonalities with its contemporaries should be dooming it from the start.

Instead, today we're going to take a peek into why "more of the same" isn't necessarily a bad or even disreputable factor for an MMO, and why RIFT has struck the sweet spot of appeasement with so many of us. Except for you, Angry Commenter. We're not ignoring you, promise -- we're just having fun in our game.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Creature comforts

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Creature comforts originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcar-metaphorconventioncreature-comfortsdetroitenter-at-your-own-riftfeaturedfeaturesgame-mechanicsi-didnt-mention-world-of-warcraft-arent-you-proudnorth-american-international-auto-showpaxpax-2010pax-primeriftrift-planes-of-telarateratortured-metaphortriontrion-worldsWed, 02 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What a difference a year makes, eh? One year ago, and you didn't have to put up with me yammering at you every Friday like a hyperactive badger with a personality disorder. One year ago, and we weren't free-to-play-anything, Turbine was its own company, the festivals were nowhere near as cool as they are today, and shrews freely roamed the land without fear of reprisal.

So in my last Road to Mordor (of the year, stop rejoicing over there!), I thought it'd be great to look back at the wild rollercoaster that was 2010 in Lord of the Rings Online. I also thought I'd get an easy column out of all this, but that was before I had to read through 1,337 posts and my eyeballs began to lose pressure.

January

Stuff happened. Let's move on.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybilboclosed-betacodemasterscontestcraftingddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinee3end-of-the-year-2010enedwaithexpansioneyeball-pressuref2pfall-festivalfree-to-playfrostbluff-theatrehaunted-burrowisengardisengard-private-preview-programjeff-jungejeffrey-steefelkate-paizlord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlotrolotterieslotterylua-scriptingmoddingmodsoath-of-the-rangerspaxpax-2010pax-primeqareputation-mountsrise-of-isengardrune-keepersapienceshrew-stompingshrewssiege-of-mirkwoodspring-festivalsteed-of-nightsummer-festivalsyp-is-so-dreamytalk-like-a-pirate-daythe-road-to-mordorthird-anniversaryturbineturbine-entertainmentvaultvolume-iii-book-1wardrobewarner-broswbwinter-homeyule-festivalFri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 awarded Best of Show at PAX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/guild-wars-2-awarded-best-of-show-at-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/guild-wars-2-awarded-best-of-show-at-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/guild-wars-2-awarded-best-of-show-at-pax/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ArenaNet has done it again. Less than one month after carrying off Best Online Game honors at Gamescom, Guild Wars 2 picked up one of two Best of Show awards from Machinima.com.

It may seem a bit odd to be handing awards out to a game that doesn't even have a launch date, but the folks at Machinima.com were just as impressed as those who played it at PAX, declaring that the demo alone "plays better than most games on the market today."

The award is included in the full 11-minute PAX wrapup video, beginning near the 9:30 mark. Follow along after the jump to take a look, and congratulations to the ArenaNet team!

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 awarded Best of Show at PAX

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 awarded Best of Show at PAX originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetawardsbest-of-showguild-wars-2gw2machinima.comncsoftPAXpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet releases images from Guild Wars 2 Designing Dynamic Events panel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/arenanet-releases-images-from-guild-wars-2-designing-dynamic-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/arenanet-releases-images-from-guild-wars-2-designing-dynamic-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/arenanet-releases-images-from-guild-wars-2-designing-dynamic-eve/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New races, new lands, and talk of familiar places with a new look. The Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel at PAX stirred up quite a bit of conversation and even more curiosity.

What are these regions? What events are there? What is a krait obelisk for? What does The Great Oouo look like? Guild Wars 2 fans watched all the video taken by hand held cameras at the panel and viewed snapshots of the screen, trying to get a better look.

If you've been dying for an up-close view of the Regrown Flame, orrian undead, and yes, even The Great Oouo, you're in luck. ArenaNet has generously provided Massively with the images used in the panel, so check out the gallery below for the newest look at Tyria of the future!

Gallery: Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel images

MassivelyArenaNet releases images from Guild Wars 2 Designing Dynamic Events panel originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetconcept-artdynamic-eventsguild-wars-2gw2kraitmapsncsoftorrian-undeadpanelPAXpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010quagganWed, 15 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Why ArenaNet stands out]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/flameseeker-chronicles-why-arenanet-stands-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/flameseeker-chronicles-why-arenanet-stands-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/flameseeker-chronicles-why-arenanet-stands-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I spent an awful lot of time last week doing two things: reveling in PAX memories and checking out the flurry of news stories and reports all over the place, all centered around Guild Wars 2.

It's attracting an incredible amount of attention, even from people who have never heard of Guild Wars before. While we may laugh at funny mistakes made by those who are unfamiliar with the world of Tyria, it's exciting that these people who passed over the original game are interested in this one. The more people become interested, the better it is for all of us.

But what's generating all this attention? What is ArenaNet doing that's so groundbreaking? Any fan of Guild Wars 2 could easily give you 20 reasons why the game is turning out to be so great, but almost all of them will focus on two things: the developers are intensely focused on making this game for the fans, and they don't show anything unless it's polished to a high gloss.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Why ArenaNet stands out

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Why ArenaNet stands out originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdevelopmentfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: Your questions answered by SWTOR's Blaine Christine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-your-questions-answered-by-swtors-blaine-christine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-your-questions-answered-by-swtors-blaine-christine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-your-questions-answered-by-swtors-blaine-christine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A little over a week ago, I asked you all what questions I should ask SWTOR developers at PAX. Well, wait no longer -- the answers are here! Blaine Christine, the Senior Producer for BioWare, took some time specifically to answer some of Massively's readers' questions. There were five main categories I wanted to hit on when approaching BioWare about the content of Star Wars: The Old Republic: playable species, classes, space combat, starting zones, and endgame. I did focus heavily on endgame in the interview -- including crafting -- but I did not neglect the other portions.

Player species are not that complicated at this point. BioWare hasn't really announced anything new regarding species for a couple of weeks. However, if Zabrak is not a playable species for the trooper, then the devs will have to build the species out of the game I played this weekend, because the trooper I played was definitely a Zabrak! I will dig into starting zones a bit more in depth when I do my version of a hands-on for SWTOR. That will probably end up being next week's Hyperspace Beacon.

Lastly, before I begin the interview, I did not ask Blaine Christine anything about space combat because the night before the interview, Daniel Erickson, the Lead Writer for BioWare, brought it up in the official presentation, saying: "You remember that part where Han Solo and Chewbacca are in the Millennium Falcon? Han's like, 'Hey, Chewie, let's go into space, and let's just dick around. Let's go off in that direction and see if there is anything interesting'? Remember how they went off and there was this asteroid, and they mined the asteroid? Yeah, we couldn't find that either. Two things happened when you went to space. One: You took off to space when you wanted to go somewhere. You took off into hyperspace -- BAM! -- and got there. Two: You wanted to go to a battle or you were trying to go somewhere and someone stopped you. Uh oh! Giant exciting combat! ... That is why we did space combat the way we did."

After the break, your other questions are answered by Blaine Christine. What's in there? Only what you take with you.

Continue reading PAX 2010: Your questions answered by SWTOR's Blaine Christine

MassivelyPAX 2010: Your questions answered by SWTOR's Blaine Christine originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorblaine-christineclassescommunitycraftingcrafting-systemdaniel-ericksoneaea-biowareendgamefeaturedgearinterviewLucasArtsnew-player-experiencenew-playerspaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010player-speciesPvPracesspeciesStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorunique-snowflakeFri, 10 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: How to build LEGO Universe, piece by piece]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-how-to-build-lego-universe-piece-by-piece/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-how-to-build-lego-universe-piece-by-piece/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/pax-2010-how-to-build-lego-universe-piece-by-piece/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The world of LEGO is being destroyed by the mighty Maelstrom. Imagination is being sucked into its evil vortex, and only you and your friends can stop it! Customize your minifig to fit your personality, choose your favorite faction, and launch into battle against Maelstrom and its minions. Save imagination!

LEGO Universe Online is the LEGO brand's first leap into the MMO genre. After LEGO's success with single-player games, such as the extremely popular Star Wars and Indiana Jones series, it only seems natural for the company to jump into the massively multiplayer universe. The design team of over 150 people has built a wild and whimsical world, Brick and Knob by Brick and Knob, and the crazy thing is, you can add to this world, too.

At PAX, LEGO was kind enough to give me a personal guided tour through this universe of adventure and creativity. Follow me after the break as I guide you through my hands-on with LEGO Universe Online.

Gallery: PAX 2010: LEGO Universe Online

Continue reading PAX 2010: How to build LEGO Universe, piece by piece

MassivelyPAX 2010: How to build LEGO Universe, piece by piece originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assemblersbrick-and-knobcharacter-creationcharacter-customizationfamilyfeaturedgalleryguided-tourhands-onkidsLEGOLego-Indiana-JonesLego-Star-WarsLEGO-UniversemaelstromparadoxPAXpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010screenshotscreenshotssentinelssubscriptionventureFri, 10 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: You've beaten Sauron. New game? Y/N]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/the-road-to-mordor-youve-beaten-sauron-new-game-y-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/the-road-to-mordor-youve-beaten-sauron-new-game-y-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/the-road-to-mordor-youve-beaten-sauron-new-game-y-n/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Huh... what is there to talk about these days? Really? Such a slow news cycle for LotRO... hm. I guess there's that whole "getting rid of pesky radiance" thing that's going to save me from having to write a column on that convoluted system, so thanks Turbine! Other than that, life in Middle-earth is as quiet as...

As... as a...

GEEKQUAKE! RUN FOR COVER! EMPLOY EXCESSIVE CAPS LOCK STATEMENTS! LOTRO AHOY!

OK, so I might have been a bit facetious there. Shocking all of us, Turbine brought up the servers with the new patch an evening early, granting access to the head start of F2P on Tuesday night. I sort of suspected the devs were up to something when they kept rubbing their hands and cackling maniacally at PAX last weekend, although they claimed it was just a nervous disorder.

So it's here -- the biggest non-expansion update to the game yet and a literal game-changer to boot. F2P, wardrobe, scaled instances, Enedwaith, the LotRO store, and lots and lots of new (and returning) players have existing players giddy and twitchy. So how'd the first couple days go so far? Is LotRO F2P really all that and a bag of Shire Sweet-leaf? Read on, my short and stout brethren!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: You've beaten Sauron. New game? Y/N

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: You've beaten Sauron. New game? Y/N originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breecongregate-not-conjugatecosmetic-outfitdeedsdynamic-layeringdynamic-layersenedwaithf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgeekquakejazzlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-martlotro-storemiddle-earthpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010quest-markersreputation-deedsscaled-instancesshire-sweet-leafstar-wars-scrollstarbuckstpturbineturbine-pointstwenty-first-halluiwardrobeFri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exploring Eberron: One year of DDO free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/exploring-eberron-one-year-of-ddo-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/exploring-eberron-one-year-of-ddo-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/exploring-eberron-one-year-of-ddo-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons Online's switch to free-to-play, a move that worked out extremely well for Turbine.

In the past 12 months, the developers have kept the content coming with six sizable updates, and they're now preparing for Update 7. We got our first peek at Update 7 at PAX last week, and I also got a chance to hang out with Executive Producer Fernando Paiz. We talked all about the past year's ups and downs as well as what he sees coming in the next year.

So follow along after the cut and join me in wishing DDO free-to-play a happy first birthday. (And enjoy these retro screenshots that I couldn't resist including!)

Continue reading Exploring Eberron: One year of DDO free-to-play

MassivelyExploring Eberron: One year of DDO free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-update-7Dungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexploring-eberronf2pfeaturedfernando-paizfree-to-playftpinterviewInterviewspaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010turbineFri, 10 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quaggan sad: A look back at the Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/quaggan-sad-a-look-back-at-the-guild-wars-2-dynamic-events-pane/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/quaggan-sad-a-look-back-at-the-guild-wars-2-dynamic-events-pane/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/quaggan-sad-a-look-back-at-the-guild-wars-2-dynamic-events-pane/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

At the top of my to-do list for Saturday morning at PAX was Designing Dynamic Events, a Guild Wars 2 panel with designers Eric Flannum and Colin Johanson. Talk and video of the panel have been everywhere this week, and I wanted to take a little bit of time to give my thoughts on what they did and how it was received.

The panel was billed as a discussion about "how Guild Wars 2 designers create events in the dynamic, living game world and the many factors to consider when designing any kind of MMO content."

It sounded interesting, but it was a ticketed event with limited attendance, which seemed strange to me. I managed to get a ticket and was even more confused when I walked into the relatively tiny room. Why such a small place for something that would certainly have drawn a huge crowd?

It all became clear very soon, so follow along after the cut to hear more about my take on the new things we learned in Designing Dynamic Events.

Continue reading Quaggan sad: A look back at the Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel

MassivelyQuaggan sad: A look back at the Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcolin-johansoncon-paneldesigning-dynamic-eventsdynamic-eventseric-flannumevent-designfeaturedguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-panelgw2jeff-grubbkraitncsoftopinionpanelpanelsPAXpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010quagganquest-designsharks-with-laser-beamsthe-mighty-ooohThu, 09 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite PAX revelation?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-revelation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-revelation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-pax-revelation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

While many of the Massively staffers weren't able to make it to Seattle for the recently concluded PAX Prime event, all of us followed the coverage smorgasbord in anticipation of learning just a little bit more about all of the new MMORPGs coming down the pipe.

Whether it was Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, TERA, or Rift: Planes of Telara, the convention featured a little something for all of us. The question of the day, dear readers, is all about you. Were there any juicy PAX revelations that tickled your fancy? Did anything change your mind, make you more or less excited, or come completely out of left field?

Inquiring Massively minds want to know.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What was your favorite PAX revelation? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Guild-Wars-2opinionpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010riftrift-planes-of-telaraswtortdgterathe-daily-grindThu, 09 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: It's clobberin' time with SHSO's PvP online card game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-its-clobberin-time-with-shsos-pvp-online-card-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-its-clobberin-time-with-shsos-pvp-online-card-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-its-clobberin-time-with-shsos-pvp-online-card-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively has taken a swing at Marvel's Super Hero Squad Online several times in the last few months, now. So, on our trip to PAX, the boy-in-grown-up-shoes, Jay Minn, could not wait to show us the newly announced PvP portion of this dynamic game. Minn, who is the Director of Games for The Amazing Society, turned in to a giddy imp and directed me to a computer station that had a burning Human Torch on the screen, all prepared to fight some bad guys. Even though PvE wasn't what I was there to cover that day, Minn just had to show me anyway. "Click on a bad guy," he told me, "and good things just happen." I obliged; the Torch lit up and chased some bad guys away! At that point, we were told we had to move on to the PvP portion of the demonstration. Marketing people can be such spoil-sports sometimes.

The giddy grin returned to Minn's face as he gave me instructions on how to get into the online card game. In the lower right-hand corner simply sat an icon that looked like fanned-out cards. As part of the demo I was able to pick my opponent, and since I just love seeing the Ol' Canucklehead Wolverine get beaten down, I picked him for my enemy. And who is the best Marvel superhero? Spider-Man, of course. I had to choose him as my character.

Hero up with me after the break to find out the details of my adventure through this shiny and lively online card game.

Gallery: SHSO PAX 2010 Gallery

Continue reading PAX 2010: It's clobberin' time with SHSO's PvP online card game

MassivelyPAX 2010: It's clobberin' time with SHSO's PvP online card game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazing-societybrowserbrowser-basedfeaturedgallerygazilliongazillion-entertainmenthands-oninterviewjay-minnkeith-mutzmankidsMarvelmarvel-super-hero-squadPAXpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010pvpscreenshotsshsospider-mansuper-herosuper-hero-squadsuper-hero-squad-onlinetcgthe-amazing-societytrading-card-gametrading-card-gamestrading-cardstrailerunity-enginevideoWed, 08 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: TERA's David Noonan talks story, endgame]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-teras-david-noonan-talks-story-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-teras-david-noonan-talks-story-endgame/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-2010-teras-david-noonan-talks-story-endgame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Tera Pax 2010
You might think that BioWare has the market cornered when it comes to story in upcoming MMORPGs. As we found out at PAX Prime 2010, however, TERA is also focusing on delivering an interactive narrative experience to complement its action combat gameplay. Our own Rubi Bayer managed to corner En Masse Entertainment lead writer David Noonan for a little one-on-one time regarding TERA's extensive storyline.

Noonan also dropped an interesting nugget or two regarding the state of the title's endgame. Read the full interview after the cut and be sure to check out our gallery below.

Gallery: TERA Pax Prime 2010

Continue reading PAX 2010: TERA's David Noonan talks story, endgame

MassivelyPAX 2010: TERA's David Noonan talks story, endgame originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argoncult-of-lokcultist-refugedavid-noonanen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfeaturedinterviewlook-no-skimpy-armorpaxpax-2010pax-demopax-primepax-prime-2010teratera-onlineWed, 08 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST