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[Older gamers more likely to drop money in cash shops to save time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/older-gamers-more-likely-to-drop-money-in-cash-shops-to-save-tim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/older-gamers-more-likely-to-drop-money-in-cash-shops-to-save-tim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/older-gamers-more-likely-to-drop-money-in-cash-shops-to-save-tim/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Your rabbit ears aren't getting any younger, and that's a lot of loot for ten bucks.
How long are you willing to wait for your next level in a given game? According to a recent study, the older you are, the less likely you'll wait and the more likely you'll be to just whip out a credit card and buy an experience booster. Flurry Analytics conducted a survey of mobile and social gamers and found that older players are far more likely to just spend some money if it'll save some painful grinding in the long run.

While the study was focused on the social gaming side of the coin, the business model is not dissimilar from that employed by many free-to-play MMOs that frequently offer in-game options to earn items that can also be purchased outright. And the logical conclusion is drawn -- younger players have less disposable income but more time to buckle down and grind, while older players have more responsibilities and more free money to spend. It's an interesting look at the spending patterns, one which looks to be increasingly relevant as free-to-play options continue to multiply.

MassivelyOlder gamers more likely to drop money in cash shops to save time originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelsculturef2pfree-to-playfreemiumpay-habitspay-to-playplay-habitssciencesocial-gamingstudiesstudySat, 10 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Emerging from the cloner
Fallen Earth is going free-to-play on October 12th. That's the plan, anyway. Four different subscriber levels will be available. The free accounts will actually have quite a bit of freedom with in the game (in fact, I'm shocked at how few restrictions they will have). The highest tier is a bit pricey for what you get, but we don't want a pay-to-win system, right? There's a fine line between giving paying customers something worthwhile and upsetting the balance of the entire universe. I'll discuss each subscription level later on in the post.

There are still a few concerns that many in the Fallen Earth community (including me) have about the F2P transition, and not all of them are technical concerns. I'm really not sure what to expect exactly as far as numbers of players, but I'm sure we'll see a huge influx of players both new and returning. How many exactly? I don't have a clue. I'll cover the sub levels first and then discuss my fears about what's to come afterward. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Commandercommander-auraf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosp2ppay-to-playreward-pointsscavengersubscription-modelsurvivalistwastelanderFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Comparing EVE's PLEX and PvP to RoM's]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-eves-plex-and-pvp-to-roms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-eves-plex-and-pvp-to-roms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-eves-plex-and-pvp-to-roms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I was prepping for a Guild Wars 2 comparison with Runes of Magic, but in light of the current buzz in the air, I'm moving my EVE Online comparison up.

A couple of interesting blocks fell into place this week that fit well with a look at how EVE and RoM allow money to circulate through the economies, and how PvP works in conjunction with it. While there's no contest as to which MMO has the more robust economy, there are still similarities that fit the pay-to-progress comment Mr. Simon Ludgate made in a recent Gamasutra article.

Swarming around the above topics is the question of how much it costs to stay competitive in RoM, which I've also been working on. What does Gamasutra's article have to do with RoM, how much does it cost to be competitive and how are economies similar in these two MMOs? You can also read my memorandum to all EVE PvPers. Set your jump-point past the break to see.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Comparing EVE's PLEX and PvP to RoM's

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Comparing EVE's PLEX and PvP to RoM's originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopcomparisondiamondseconomieseconomyeveeve-onlinefrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegame-economiesjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreapay-to-playpay-to-progresspay-to-winplayer-vs-playerplexpvpromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentMon, 11 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Warhammer's new online store]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/06/waging-war-warhammers-new-online-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week's Waging WAR catches a whiff of recent happenings on the internet and with Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Greg dives in face-first, grabs a fist-full of the news, and delivers a fast-ball rant on the issue.

Well, apparently the RMT has hit the fan, and the resulting spackle is starting to plaster the proverbial walls of the blogosphere and beyond. Recently, some information was released about what players can expect to buy at EA-Mythic's new store. Although only a few items are actually available now, there's a pretty extensive FAQ on the server transfer service, and we'll have to wait a little longer for the Progression and Personality packs, as they're set to be released along with patch 1.4. Naturally, the drama is building up some nice momentum, and it will be interesting to see how the whine will affect this particular cheese over at the Mythic official forum.

For now, you can read past the break and enjoy my rant.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Warhammer's new online store

MassivelyWaging WAR: Warhammer's new online store originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-eaBioware-MMObioware-mythiccash-shopEAea-mythicf2pfeatureditem-mallitem-shopmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentopinionopinion-columnpay-to-playpay-to-winrmtwaging-warwar-tractSat, 06 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/massivelys-hands-on-with-rift-planes-of-telaras-dynamic-conte/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementAchievementsaddonsalphaalpha-testbattlegroundsbuildscallingCapture-the-flagcharacter-creationcharge-barclericclunkcollectionCollectionscraftingdefiantDemodynamic-contentEarth-Elementalelementalistepic-mountfeaturedfootholdfootholdsgallerygloamwoodgraphicsgroupgroupinggroupsguardianhealershealinghell-levelsheroes-of-telaraholy-city-of-sanctuminstanceinstancesinterfaceinvasionjumpingjust-say-no-to-hell-levelslootmapmapsminimapmodsp2ppay-to-playpetsphilosophyplaneplanesplanes-of-telarapublic-questspvpquestingrealm-of-the-faerespecresurrectionriftrift-planes-of-telarariftsscott-hartsmanscreenshotsshadowlandssoul-walkSteamPunkstrategerystrategysubscriptionswimmingtalent-treestalentstavril-plazatelaratrailertriontrion-worldsUIvideowarfrontwarfrontsWed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/the-tattered-notebook-f2p-bombs-and-views-from-the-fallout-shel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Well, this week takes the proverbial cake when it comes to the least amount of time spent head-scratching over a column topic. Thanks to Dave Georgeson and the executives at Sony Online Entertainment, I pretty much had this little opus sketched out by dinner-time last Tuesday.

Anywho... a week ago tomorrow the bomb dropped. It wasn't a stink bomb, a 50-yard bomb, or even an F-bomb (though there were no doubt plenty of those uttered in some circles), but rather a Hiroshima/Nagasaki type of bomb that changed the world and effectively ended the war between P2P and F2P, at least as far as Norrath is concerned.

Or did it?

Turn the page to find out.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: F2P bombs and views from the fallout shelter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choicedave-georgesondiversityEQ2eq2xEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iiextendedf2pf2p-do-not-wantfeaturedopinionp2ppay-to-playsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-tattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebook-jef-reahardMon, 02 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Allods Online team defends patch 1.1 changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/allods-online-team-defends-patch-1-1-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/allods-online-team-defends-patch-1-1-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/allods-online-team-defends-patch-1-1-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Typically, a new content patch in an MMO is an exciting time, but for the folks over at Allods Online, it's been a bumpy road, to say the least. With changes to the game, including a death penalty that causes items to become cursed with negative stats, players have been crying foul over the focus on cash shop items to overcome penalties. Specifically, Holy Charms, Incense, and Scrolls of Purification are highly desired by the playerbase, who see them as a necessity to level. Unfortunately, all of these items are cash shop only, forcing players to either fork over money or purchase them on the auction house for very high markups.

Due to the widespread complaints, the Allods Online team posted a response to the latest controversy that's hit this free-to-play title. In the article, the team defends the changes and takes the position that cash shop purchases are not required to experience the full game: "We want to assure you that the game has not become Pay-to-Play or Pay-to-Win. At the core of Allods you can still enjoy the game without ever having to worry about spending money. Yes, Holy Charms, Incense, and Scrolls of Purification are only offered through the Item Shop, but they can be purchased from other players and the auction house."

The response concludes by saying that patch 1.1 is the framework for future patches, and the Allods Online team has a long-term view of the MMO's goals and objectives. Read the full response and let us know what you think!

MassivelyAllods Online team defends patch 1.1 changes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allodsallods-onlinecash-shopcursed-itemsf2pfree-to-playgpotatoholy-charmincenseitem-shoppatchpatch-1.1pay-to-playpay-to-winscroll-of-purificationThu, 15 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you vote with your wallet?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-vote-with-your-wallet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-vote-with-your-wallet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/the-daily-grind-do-you-vote-with-your-wallet/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There are certain changes, usually big ones, that don't exactly produce... positive reactions. In fact, they generally produce screaming rants and huge doses of rage at how they were handled and implemented. You know the sorts we're talking about. Star Wars Galaxies and the Combat Upgrade. Ultima Online and Trammel. Final Fantasy XI and the nerfs to Beastmaster "catch and release" tactics. All loathed changes, many of which led to an exodus of players.

Really, leaving a game can be the best way to express displeasure with a change. It's the surest way to send a company the message that they've done something that will no longer justify your monthly subscription. On the flip side, your individual impact is small, you once loved the game... a lot of players will choose to rough it out, in hopes that things will improve or with the knowledge that the changes can't be all that bad. And for games where you have a lifetime subscription or are experiencing it free-to-play, your absence isn't really a deterrent at all.

So, do you vote with your wallet? When you're fed up with what's been done, do you head off for greener pastures? Or are you of the mind that it's not even worth the bother, that they might well not even tie your departure to the change, even if you say so?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you vote with your wallet? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastmasterscancelingcombat-upgradef2pffxifinal-fantasy-xifree-to-playgame-changeslifetime-subscriptionp2ppay-to-playquittingstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindtrammelultima-onlineunsubscribinguowalletTue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nearly three-fifths of users buy items in free-to-play games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/nearly-three-fifths-of-users-buy-items-in-free-to-play-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/nearly-three-fifths-of-users-buy-items-in-free-to-play-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/13/nearly-three-fifths-of-users-buy-items-in-free-to-play-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


There's a strong sense in most free-to-play games that the playerbase consists of two people: those who refuse to pay any money unless absolutely necessary, and those who will happily part with their income on a voluntary basis. This is largely true. What's apparently less true is the notion which goes hand-in-hand, that there are a decided minority of players forking over cash for in-game perks. As it turns out, according to a recent survey, 58% of users in free-to-play games have bought items through the in-game store. On average, users who did pay apparently dropped around $75 over the period of one year.

Traditional pay-to-play MMOs have a significantly lower amount in terms of both revenue generated by in-game purchases and average amount spent. Of course, the debate that could be brought up is the question of how much of the money in free-to-play games went toward purchasing content that, in a subscription game, would have been included in the price. Those with an inclination toward math might also note that the monthly price for such a game comes out to just over eight dollars a month, versus the larger and more regular distribution of subscriptions. Still, it starts to raise questions about how accurate the image of the paying minority in free-to-play games really is, especially as the business model picks up steam.

[ via Gamasutra ]

MassivelyNearly three-fifths of users buy items in free-to-play games originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2pfree-to-playp2ppay-to-playpaying-minoritystudiessurveysSun, 13 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews Jon Van Caneghem about the SCI FI Channel MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/massively-interviews-jon-van-caneghem-president-of-trion-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/massively-interviews-jon-van-caneghem-president-of-trion-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/massively-interviews-jon-van-caneghem-president-of-trion-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Trion World Network is quite a company -- without releasing a single game, they've put together millions of dollars in venture capital and compiled a staff list that's got team members from across the history of MMO games, from EverQuest and Ultima Online to World of Warcraft and City of Heroes.

This week, they sent waves through the MMO community by announcing that not only were they working on a fantasy MMO to be helmed by Jon Van Caneghem (original creator of the Might and Magic series of RPG strategy games and co-founder of the company along with Lars Buttler), but that they were forming a groundbreaking partnership with the SCI FI Channel to develop and publish and MMO to live alongside a television show. Finally, we had a small glimpse of just what Trion, with all of their money and experience, were up to.

To find out more, Massively sat down with Van Caneghem (a busy man since the news dropped on Monday) to chat about both the fantasy MMO and the SCI FI project, and what Trion's been working on since they formed. Van Caneghem told us why Trion wants to make a different kind of MMO, and how they'll balance an online game with a television series from the network that's running Battlestar Galactica. The interview starts right after you click the link below.

Continue reading Massively interviews Jon Van Caneghem about the SCI FI Channel MMO

MassivelyMassively interviews Jon Van Caneghem about the SCI FI Channel MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the months leading up to the Summer Olympics in Beijing, with world events being what they are, it's not often that foreigners residing in the mainland turn to China Daily's English pages for the news. This little gem is an exception, however. When you picture the man who's fast becoming a leading light in China's expanding online gaming industry, who do you see?

Maybe you picture a slick twenty-something entrepreneur from Hong Kong, decked out in a $5000 suit and shuffling between calls on a few wafer-thin cell phones. Or do you envision a middle-aged bureaucrat turned businessman from Beijing, using his network of connections and riding the tide of interest in online games? Stereotypes aside, no matter how you picture Shi Yuzhu, that aforementioned 'leading light,' you're probably wrong. The 46-year-old CEO of Giant Interactive (NYSE: GA) is more outwardly eccentric than most would guess. Shi, who prefers tracksuits over 3-piece-suits, is reportedly the first CEO ever to ring the NYSE bell in anything but formal attire... much less athletic wear.

Continue reading Hardcore gamer builds Chinese empire

MassivelyHardcore gamer builds Chinese empire originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There is a veritable glut of free-to-play MMOs, both in development and on the market. This much is certain. It especially originates around the Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China. And some of the smart designs of these free-to-play games are gradually working their way into more mainstream, American and European MMOs. But how do these games stay in business? And how do they relate to the traditional design of monthly fees?

Continue reading Under The Hood: Free For Now

MassivelyUnder The Hood: Free For Now originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaofeaturedfree-to-playjoystiqfeaturesmaple-storymechanicsmspay-to-playunder-the-hoodworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 04 Jan 2008 15:05:00 EST