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[The Daily Grind: What's your preferred camera distance?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preferred-camera-distance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preferred-camera-distance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-daily-grind-whats-your-preferred-camera-distance/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest II - tiny ratonga in the Commonlands
While optional first-person perspectives are pretty common in MMORPGs, I'd be willing to bet that most of us spend our game time looking at the arse-end of our avatars.

Some games limit you to intimate over-the-shoulder shots, while others give you such a huge range on your camera that you can pull it waaaay back and effectively grant yourself the equivalent of a top-down strategy-game view.

For today's Daily Grind, we want to know where you fall on the camera placement spectrum. Do you zoom way out, way in, or are you one of those odd first-person ducks? In a nutshell, what's your preferred camera distance?

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's your preferred camera distance? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camera-distancecamera-perspectivedaily-grindmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsopinionperspectivetdgthe-daily-grindwhats-your-preferred-camera-distanceThu, 10 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The reflection lies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/storyboard-the-reflection-lies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/storyboard-the-reflection-lies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/storyboard-the-reflection-lies/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maybe at some point I should try to do a mosaic of all my various characters. That would be kind of crazy.
When I was younger, I got very excited at the thought that therapists would ask people to roleplay. In my mind, this was a great idea. After all, if Joe and Jane go to see a marriage counselor, they could walk out of the session realizing that each of them always has the other's back, especially when facing down an ancient red dragon as a cleric and a fighter. Plus, it's something for the couple to do together. It wasn't until I was older that I found out that the roleplaying under discussion was something different.

At least, it's theoretically different.

I've talked many times about how roleplaying is many things to many different people, but one of the big potential pitfalls comes when you're roleplaying with people you know because some people play characters that are still, fundamentally, part of the player. And if you're plaing alongside someone whose characters are more personal than yours, it can cause some very odd disconnects that you might not even recognize until after the fact.

Continue reading Storyboard: The reflection lies

MassivelyStoryboard: The reflection lies originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndramadramasfeaturedopinionperspectiveroleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 04 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: It doesn't have to be for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-soapbox-it-doesnt-have-to-be-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-soapbox-it-doesnt-have-to-be-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-soapbox-it-doesnt-have-to-be-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Look, all I'm saying is that melee classes are always better than ranged classes and you're awful for thinking otherwise.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

It's a natural problem: MMOs are all about making you feel invested in your character and your playstyle. The best games let you choose your style, your preferred content, the way you want to level, the times you want to play, and so forth. And so it's only natural that you'll gradually start to think of the way you like to play as the one part of the game that actually matters.

Sure, you aren't going to say it out loud, but you still think in your heart that PvP or raiding or small-group content or roleplaying or dancing naked on a mailbox is the real core of the game. Or you think that free-for-all PvP or crafting sandboxes or directed themeparks or whatever are the real kind of MMOs and everything else is a pale imitation. And that's a shame because even if you like those sorts of things, not everyone does.

Continue reading The Soapbox: It doesn't have to be for you

MassivelyThe Soapbox: It doesn't have to be for you originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncriticismculturedesigndesign-targetsfeaturedgameplayopinionpenny-arcade-defenseperspectivethe-soapboxTue, 04 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Don't hate the game, hate the copy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-soapbox-dont-hate-the-game-hate-the-copy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-soapbox-dont-hate-the-game-hate-the-copy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-soapbox-dont-hate-the-game-hate-the-copy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: This editorial column is 100% the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect that of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

If you ask a remarkably high number of players, World of Warcraft is a negative influence on the face of MMOs. Not necessarily for the reasons that many players, current and former, will claim; the complaints of this group have nothing to do with content or overarching design philosophy. No, World of Warcraft has ruined things just by virtue of its very existence.

It's WoW's fault that we've seen a flood of games that are, essentially, the same game with a slight twist (WoW in space, WoW with more PvP, WoW in the mind of Derek Smart, and so forth). It's WoW's fault that these games have failed, and it's even more WoW's fault when other games fail. And despite everything, these claims aren't seen as ridiculous. They're often taken very seriously. But really, WoW isn't to blame for its clones or the failures of other games. The fault for those lies exactly where logic would imply.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Don't hate the game, hate the copy

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Don't hate the game, hate the copy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceBlizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentbusinessbusiness-modelsderek-smartfailurefeaturedgame-designlarge-numbersopinionperspectivesoapboxsubscriber-numberssuccesssurprise-hitsworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 12 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Is the dark side stronger?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/wings-over-atreia-is-the-dark-side-stronger/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/wings-over-atreia-is-the-dark-side-stronger/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/wings-over-atreia-is-the-dark-side-stronger/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive."
"But how am I to know the good side from the bad?"
"You will know...when you are calm, at peace, passive."

- Luke Skywalker and Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back, 1980

While diminutive Jedi Masters seem pretty sure that the dark side isn't any stronger than the light, I on the other hand, am unconvinced. People have always been obsessed with the dark, whether its gothic architecture, horror films, death metal, or any number of other subcultures that glorify life in the shadows. Hell, even the old cliche about women preferring bad boys is a cliche for a reason.

Looking at online gaming, you can find more evidence of this, whether it's the fact that Warhammer Online's population skewed heavily in favor of the Destruction faction on many servers, or that the scuttlebutt around many The Old Republic fan forums centers on how frakking awesome it will be to dress in black and brandish a red Sith-flavored lightsaber.

Join me after the jump, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Is the dark side stronger?

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Is the dark side stronger? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionasmodiansbad-guyselyosfeaturedloreperspectivepoint-of-viewWings-Over-Atreiawings-over-atreia-jef-reahardMon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you play in third or first person?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-third-or-first-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-third-or-first-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-in-third-or-first-person/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMOs are great when it comes to flexibility; you can play whatever classes you want and however you want as the situation demands. A friend of mine has just tempted -- nay ordered -- me back into the terrifying world of Second Life (via Virtual Ability Island). So I rerolled an avatar (with the somewhat hippyish name of Asha Serenity) and ducked in. I remembered enough from my last half an hour in-world to teleport to the island while my friend, in her best tour guide mode, took me round. Midway through the tutorial, the issue of perspective came up and I had to figure out how much of my avatar's rather shapely butt I wanted to see. I quickly discovered first person is a must for reading signs but the rest of the time, I prefer having the camera positioned a metre or so behind my avatars head. Even in other games, I seldom use first person unless I have to shoot a bow or look at something close up.

However I know quite a lot of people who play MMOs in first person -- many of them seem to be seriously into RP and want to literally 'become' their avatars. So, constant readers, I ask you do you prefer first or third person when you play? Do you change perspective depending on when you raid or how much of the screen you need to see?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you play in third or first person? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-personperspectivesecond-lifethe-daily-grindthird-personvirtual-ability-islandFri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: First or third person?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/the-daily-grind-first-or-third-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/the-daily-grind-first-or-third-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/the-daily-grind-first-or-third-person/#commentsFiled under: ,


It may simply be due to having different gaming roots; it may be down to a simple question of taste. Whatever way you slice it, most gamers have a preference one way or the other. Those who love FPS games tend to veer towards staying in the first-person in MMOs, and third-person seems to be an eclectic game-type mix from those we've spoken to. Since many MMOs are set up to do both points of view, it's obvious the designers intended for the option to be there. That said, which way do you tend to prefer running in - first or third? Is there any particular reason you run your game that way? Or do you switch back and forth, with no real preference for either?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: First or third person? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-personperspectivetdgthe-daily-grindthird-personFri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion: The Tower of Eternity lore moves forward in a world divided]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/aion-the-tower-of-eternity-lore-moves-forward-in-a-world-divide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/aion-the-tower-of-eternity-lore-moves-forward-in-a-world-divide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/aion-the-tower-of-eternity-lore-moves-forward-in-a-world-divide/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The fantasy setting of NCsoft's Aion: The Tower of Eternity, known as Atreia, is a world largely divided between the upper world dwellers called Asmodians and the lower world denizens, the Elyos. Once a single united people, the game's lore has been expanding, telling the story of how the rifts between Atreia's people formed.

In the wake of the Epic Cataclysm, the Elyos and Asmodians have their own tales to tell. This is the focus of Chapter VII of the Atreia story. The Elyos tale continues with "The Abyss and The Storm Legion" while the Asmodian story is told through "Retribution". Both tales are accounts of the same event, told from opposed perspectives. Check out how Aion's lore is advancing through the dual perspectives of the Elyos and Asmodians in Chapter VII.

MassivelyAion: The Tower of Eternity lore moves forward in a world divided originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionasmodianatreiaelyosepic-cataclysmfantasyloreperspectiveperspectivesracesthe-tower-of-eternitySun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinions flare from ex-NCsoft employees about TR's closing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/opinions-flair-from-ex-ncsoft-employees-about-trs-closing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/opinions-flair-from-ex-ncsoft-employees-about-trs-closing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/opinions-flair-from-ex-ncsoft-employees-about-trs-closing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Tabula Rasa approaches its end days, the anger, sadness and I-told-you-so sentiments are rising up more than ever. This week marks an interesting occasion where two former NCsoft employees each wrote detailed stories on their own perspectives regarding the sci-fi MMO's downward spiral.

First we have this post by Adam Martin, former CTO of NCsoft Europe, where he explains his views on why the game failed. Granted, he admits he wasn't actually on the TR team, but he was privy to the internal mailing lists and information about the game from Alpha to launch. As a response, we have a post from Scott Jennings, who sums it all up fairly well with this statement: "The biggest failing, though, was that it was in development about twice as long and spent twice as much as it had any right to. And that's what promotes it, in this snarky outside blogger's view, from understandable failure to extinction-level company-slaying train wreck."

Update: Although Adam Martin's post states that he was the European CTO at the time, we get word from NCsoft that he was never the CTO for NCsoft Europe. He was the Lead Programmer.

MassivelyOpinions flare from ex-NCsoft employees about TR's closing originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closuredestination-gameslum-the-madncsoftncsoft-europeopinionsperspectivescott-jenningstabula-rasatrFri, 16 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST