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: Would you buy a system for one game?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-buy-a-system-for-one-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-buy-a-system-for-one-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-buy-a-system-for-one-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - I ain't got time to bleed
At noon EDT I'll be logging into PlayStation Home to see what CCP has in store for its DUST 514 faithful. I'm not expecting much beyond the free t-shirt for my Home avatar, since game devs are a notoriously tight-lipped lot when it comes to pre-release info that we actually want to hear.

Nonetheless, a couple of my EVE Online bros will be joining me, one of whom is a long-time PlayStation connoisseur and the other of whom went out and bought a PS3 this week specifically for DUST.

And that brings us to today's early-morning question. Would you buy (or have you bought) a console or a PC system primarily for one game? Which one?

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: Would you buy a system for one game? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledaily-grinddustdust-514eveeve-onlinefeaturedfpsmmofpsopinionplaystationplaystation-3playstation-homeps3sandboxshootertdgthe-daily-grindThu, 22 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Playstation Home
PlayStation Home was a hugely anticipated feature for console fans, one that ultimately garnered mixed reviews and apathetic affection. Due to the reception, Sony has decided to reinvent the game lobby-slash-virtual-world to incorporate the best of themeparks, MMOs, and social networks.

When it relaunches this fall, PlayStation Home will look radically different, resembling a sleek mall with plenty to do and faster functionality for those who want to get right to their games. But between playing commercial titles, gamers are encouraged to hang out for a while, which is where MMO elements come into play.

The new Home has a number of districts, as an amusement park would, and in them players can pick up quests, go on treasure hunts, and explore these video game-themed zones to find hidden mysteries. Sony also promises that it will incorporate persistent, ongoing stories, similar to those you'd find in MMOs, such as an alien invasion that affects all of the areas.

Sony is hoping that the 23 million Home users will embrace this new experience and form stronger social connections through it.

MassivelySony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureamusement-parksconsolehomehorrorplaystationplaystation-3playstation-homeps3rebootreimaginerevampsocial-networksocial-networkingsonysportstheme-parktheme-parksTue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take aim at big prizes in MAG tournament]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-aim-at-big-prizes-in-mag-tournament/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-aim-at-big-prizes-in-mag-tournament/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-aim-at-big-prizes-in-mag-tournament/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Amidst all the debate about whether or not MAG qualifies as an MMO, not to mention the recent Playstation Network brouhaha, it might be easy to lose sight of the actual game underneath everything. And it'd be a shame if you did, because you'd be missing out on a tournament centering around MAG run by Major League Gaming's Gamebattles site. The prizes? Straight-up cash money. Well, straight-up Sony Style gift cards and Playstation Home items, which is just about as good. (Although you can't rifle through a $1500 gift card like a pack of twenties.)

Here are the details: the tournament will have three phases, with each lasting one full month. Each phase is a contest to earn the highest score in a different area -- MAG XP for March, headshots for April, and total kills for May. There will be leaderboards available on the site, as well, to help track how well you're doing compared to all the entrants. If you think you've got what it takes to make the top of the charts, head on over and take a look at the official entry rules. And no matter what, it couldn't hurt to give it a shot.

MassivelyTake aim at big prizes in MAG tournament originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncontestgamebattlesgift-cardsheadshotskillsmagmajor-league-gamingmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3playstation-homeplaystation-networkps3sony-stylezipperzipper-interactiveWed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What could the PS3 bug mean for console MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/what-could-the-ps3-bug-mean-for-console-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/what-could-the-ps3-bug-mean-for-console-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/what-could-the-ps3-bug-mean-for-console-mmos/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you're a PS3 owner, you probably already know about the difficulties surrounding the PS3 Phat consoles as of late. You're probably also wondering why we are talking about this here at Massively. Well, the problems that began this weekend left many players unable to log into the Playstation Network, rendering certain games unplayable. Games like MAG. We're betting the MAG population is looking a bit sparse right now.

Earlier today, Sony warned owners of the affected consoles to shut them down and leave them alone for the next 24 hours, while they work to repair the bug with the internal clock that's causing the problem. While it's great that Sony has isolated the problem and is working to repair it, it leaves us with some food for thought.

MMO developers are beginning to turn an eye to the console market, and this incident highlights a potential significant weakness. PCs rely almost entirely on software and individual hardware when it comes to gaming. It's the rare MMO gamer who doesn't know how to open his or her tower and create a custom machine. Consoles don't work like that. If a bad update comes down or there is some sort of internal glitch (with the internal clock, for example), everyone who owns that particular console is going to get it because everyone has the same hardware. That, in turn, will affect everyone trying to play an MMO from their console.

While this doesn't mean mass hysteria and the doom of the console MMO market, hopefully it will serve to alert MMO developers to a problem that they can address before it moves from "potential" to "actual".

In the meantime, here's a little something to look at while you wait for your PS3 to come back to the land of the living.

MassivelyWhat could the PS3 bug mean for console MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingconsole-mmohomeinternal-clock-bugmagmassive-action-gameplaystation-3playstation-homePlaystation3ps3ps3-fatps3-phatsodium-oneSONYMon, 01 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Home no longer a priority for Sony?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/playstation-home-no-longer-a-priority-for-sony/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Opinions on PlayStation Home seem to differ -- it doesn't have the kind of flexibility and user created content that's made Second Life successful, but it does provide social spaces and content linked to the games and other media we enjoy. For others, like writers at our parent site Joystiq, it's a brave new virtual world where the fine art of Quincying can thrive.

Now that PlayStation Home has gained some traction with its install base and users are making microtransaction purchases, does Sony intend to develop the marketplace further? Not immediately, according to PlayStation Home's Pete Edwards. Edge Online quotes Edwards, speaking at the London Games Conference this week: "It's been a long road. We've proved there is a market out there and we've got a lot of people that spend a lot of time in [Home]. It's not a priority right now but there is a business model there."

[Via G4tv's The Feed]

MassivelyPlayStation Home no longer a priority for Sony? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsedge-onlinehomelondon-games-conferencemicrotransactionsmmo-industrypete-edwardsplaystation-homevirtual-worldsFri, 30 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you use PlayStation Home?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-playstation-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Now here's an odd question that could only be thought up at 8 in the morning. If you own a PS3, are you an avid user of PlayStation Home, or do you avoid the console's virtual world like the plague?

We ask because the world seems to present two very different versions of itself. On one hand, some of the mini-games are kinda interesting, the virtual environment does take full advantage of the PS3's graphical capabilities, and the virtual spaces for the different PS3 games are kinda cool.

However, on the flip side, you get to deal with the worst of the PlayStation Network community while you can't completely remove them from your screen. If you make a female avatar, get ready to get swamped by every guy in a 30 virtual mile radius no matter how you're dressed.

So tell us why or why not you use Home, and don't be afraid to give us all of the gritty details. Go readers, go!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you use PlayStation Home? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-discussiongamer-discussionhomeopinionplaystation-homeplaystation-networkplaystation3ps3psnsonythe-daily-grindvirtual-worldFri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blue Mars: An interview with Avatar Reality's CEO, Jim Sink]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/blue-mars-an-interview-with-avatar-realitys-ceo-jim-sink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/blue-mars-an-interview-with-avatar-realitys-ceo-jim-sink/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/blue-mars-an-interview-with-avatar-realitys-ceo-jim-sink/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As Blue Mars goes into a scaled, open beta, interest has been rising in Avatar Reality's virtual environment. Inevitably, it's compared to Linden Lab's Second Life and - rightly or wrongly - will probably be wearing that comparison for some years to come. Certainly, Second Life users have found the environment intriguing so far.

It seemed only proper that we sit down with Jim Sink, Avatar Reality's CEO and find out a little bit more about Blue Mars.

Continue reading Blue Mars: An interview with Avatar Reality's CEO, Jim Sink

MassivelyBlue Mars: An interview with Avatar Reality's CEO, Jim Sink originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-realitybetasblue-marsfeaturedinterviewsjim-sinkplanet-calypsoplaystation-homesecond-lifevirtual-worldsThu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009: Massively's day 1 roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/e3-2009-massivelys-day-1-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/e3-2009-massivelys-day-1-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/e3-2009-massivelys-day-1-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


E3 2009 is turning out to be quite a show this year and Massively is right in the middle of it all to report on the MMO news. We got a head start on E3 and reported a bit on what's happening before the Expo officially kicked off and it looks like we'll have plenty more to share with you before E3 is over. Here's our recap of day 1 in MMO news from Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009, and be sure to click through to the E3 galleries we've got after the jump.

Boatloads of screenshots after the jump!

Continue reading E3 2009: Massively's day 1 roundup

MassivelyE3 2009: Massively's day 1 roundup originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbbiowaree3-2009eaelectronic-artseventsfinal-fantasy-xivheroes-of-telarahomemassively-event-coveragemassively-metaplaystation-homerealtime-worldsroundupsquare-enixstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortrion-world-networkWed, 03 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009: Sony says Playstation Home holds 6.5 million accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-sony-says-playstation-home-holds-6-5-million-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-sony-says-playstation-home-holds-6-5-million-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-sony-says-playstation-home-holds-6-5-million-accounts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


In addition to all of the games Sony has been showing at their press conference today, Sony released some impressive numbers for their Playstation Home service, revealing they now hold 6.5 million accounts and the Home service sports an 85% return rate for users. The 6.5 million accounts is impressive, but the 85% return rate is a vague, empty number that we're not quite sure what it means.

To further expand their plans for Home, Sony will be introducing over 100 new virtual items each month, as over 100,000 items related to Capcom and Resident Evil were sold two months after their introduction. Future game spaces will include areas for inFAMOUS, Buzz! and Socom, with EA, Ubisoft, Activision, Namco, and Eidos jumping on the game space bandwagon with their support.

MassivelyE3 2009: Sony says Playstation Home holds 6.5 million accounts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buzzcapcomdownloadse3e3-2009infamousplaystation-3playstation-homeps3psnpsn-homesocomTue, 02 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Checking in on PlayStation Home]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/checking-in-on-playstation-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Eurogamer attended Jack Buser's GDC talk "Developer opportunities in PlayStation Home" and came back with some pretty interesting stats on Sony's virtual world. While early reviews of the service were negative, Home seems to be enjoying a pretty large user base, if only due to its ubiquity.

Buser, Director of PlayStation Home in the U.S., claims that over 5 million people are using the service worldwide, with 2.2 million in North America. Additionally, visitors spend over 40 minutes per session in the world. He went on to say Sony plans to create, at minimum, three new "spaces" - Sony-built areas often used for promotional purposes - for inhabitants to explore each month.

Whether or not critics like the service, it appears Sony is invested in Home, at least for the medium term.

MassivelyChecking in on PlayStation Home originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-09jack-buserplaystation-3playstation-homesonyThu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you watch the Watchmen?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/the-daily-grind-who-watches-the-watchmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/the-daily-grind-who-watches-the-watchmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/the-daily-grind-who-watches-the-watchmen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Okay, so we know we're nowhere nearly the only folks in the MMO universe who also happen to be enormous comic book geeks. (If we were, City of Heroes and Champions Online would have a wee teeny population.) So you can imagine what the general level of Watchmen nerditry is like today in the virtual Massively offices as we all wait for the opening tonight at midnight. This morning, we thought we'd see how many fellow Watchmen geeks are out there, so we wanted to ask - how many of you are headed to catch the movie? Will you be checking it out at midnight, or later this weekend? Are you as excited as we are? Also, to make this a somewhat MMO related question - will you be checking out the Watchmen iPhone MMO or snagging the Watchmen goodies on PlayStation Home when they come out? Or are you sticking to blowing your extra cash on seeing the movie again?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will you watch the Watchmen? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comic-bookcomic-book-geekshomeiphonemmomovieplaystation-homewatchmenwatchmen-iphone-mmoThu, 05 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Watchmen gear and upcoming interactive spaces for PlayStation Home]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/new-watchmen-gear-and-upcoming-interactive-spaces-for-playstaion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Still wondering where those interactive spaces are for Warhawk and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune? Don't worry, we are too, but apparently there's a bright light on the horizon.

TedTheDog, the community manager of PlayStation Home, has shed some light on the upcoming additions to Sony's online virtual space in his recent news update. What has officially been added are some brand new clothing in the Threads store, including a few free outfits and t-shirts featuring the Watchmen.

Past those additions, Ted has added more news regarding the eagerly awaited interactive spaces, including information about the SOCOM 2 space, Uncharted space, Warhawk space, Resident Evil 5 space, and Siren: Blood Curse space. It appears that all of these spaces are being worked on and will be delivered shortly, the first ones being Warhawk and Uncharted space.

The bad news to all of this is that no dates are given on any of it. Looks like we'll still be waiting, but perhaps not as long this time.

[Via Eurogamer]

MassivelyNew Watchmen gear and upcoming interactive spaces for PlayStation Home originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothinghomeinteractive-spaceplaystation-homeplaystation3ps3resident-evil-5siren-blood-cursesocom-2unchartedupdatewarhawkwatchmenTue, 03 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports sets up shop on PS Home]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/ea-sports-sets-up-shop-on-ps-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/ea-sports-sets-up-shop-on-ps-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/ea-sports-sets-up-shop-on-ps-home/#commentsEA Sports will be the first Electronic Arts property on PlayStation Home, according to a statement from EA Sports President, Stephen Moore, earlier this month. The Home space will feature online poker and a racing game alongside EA content.

The real-time sports information that dedicated fans crave will be available via in-game video walls. There will also be the inevitable ads and trailers. Does anyone else think it's a little "we're at 'now' now" to watch ads for video games on virtual televisions from our televisions using a video game console?

MassivelyEA Sports sets up shop on PS Home originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsplaystation-3playstation-homeps-homeps3Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: See the griefing, taste the griefing pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Problem number two is Sony's lack of action. Moderators are few and far between, the automated system in place doesn't work too well, and people feel that they can get away with whatever they want. There's no sense of authority or control in Home, and that's a detriment. Now, I'm not pushing for everyone to be horribly oppressed, but there needs to be some sense of order and control that's apparent to the players. When word spreads that you can't get away with certain behaviors, the behavior begins to diminish over time.

And, finally, problem number three -- there are avatars involved. Even if your turn off their voice chat and visual text chat, you still have a crazy annoying avatar chasing after you, clipping your torso when you go to bowl that next frame. The answer to this problem is to simply ignore him, as he will probably go away, but this phenomenon is still annoying and not fun for any user. You just want to play your game sans problems, right?

Xbox Live seems to have have found the solution to these problems by sheer accident. Then answer is simply to avoid these problems by not doing them. It doesn't over-promise content, it does provide control for the users, and it avoids visual avatars in most games. (Except in the case of the Xbox Live vision camera; we're just going to temporarily forget about that. Especially as it only works with a few games.)

The success comes from the fact that if you mute someone and report them for harassment, Xbox Live makes sure you avoid that player in your online play. If the automatic matchmaking has a choice between game A and game B, and game A has a person you hate in it, you'll be placed in game B without noticing it. Home does not have that luxury because the entire world is linked together. You mute someone and there's no guarantee that you'll never see him again.

So what can Home do? I say introduce the ultimate ban -- avatar removal. You mute someone and it removes their avatar from on screen for you. You don't see them, you don't hear them, you don't worry about them. Sure, you might end up banning half of the Home community, but now you have control over what you see and do in Home.

In the end, that's what it all comes down to -- user control. Let the user determine their own experience; don't force it on them.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who really likes all of the controls that Xbox Live provides, even if he can't buy a virtual couch for his Xbox Dashboard. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's over running Epic Loot For All! with his insane friends. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: See the griefing, taste the griefing pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsbanscensorshipmatchmakingmoderatorsplaystation-homeplaystation3user-controlsvirtual-worldsxbox-liveWed, 14 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: See the griefing, taste the griefing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/anti-aliased-see-the-griefing-taste-the-griefing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


If home is where the heart is, then PlayStation 3 users have some pretty cold, racist, and sexually demeaning hearts. Hearts that make Halo 3 players look like cute puppies in comparison. Now I'm not saying that PlayStation Home is not a great idea -- in theory it's a brilliant idea. Play in a world like Second Life, meet other users, play mini games, launch into full PS3 games, what's not to love about any of that?

Well, it seems Sony forgot about the precedents of other virtual worlds. Second Life, while nice, can have the uncanny ability to resemble slums in certain areas thanks to the scary nature of some of the creators. Xbox Live sports some of the most offensive users (NSFW) around. So how exactly was Home suppose to avoid the travesties that affect other worlds?

Sony has already stated that "user behavior and feedback" will shape where they go with the Home beta. If that's the case, where are they going to go? Totalitarian state, anyone?

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: See the griefing, taste the griefing

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: See the griefing, taste the griefing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbanningscensorshipchat-filteringcommunitycontentfeaturedhomejoystiqfeaturesplaystation-homeplaystation3quincyracistsecond-lifesexistvirtual-worldxbox-livexbox360Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you online with PlayStation Home?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/the-daily-grind-are-you-online-with-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/the-daily-grind-are-you-online-with-playstation-home/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/the-daily-grind-are-you-online-with-playstation-home/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


PlayStation Home. Never will you find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Well, that's what we're told, anyway. Especially when other parts of our blog network are running around and causing havoc themselves. But this isn't a story about the other parts of our blog network, it's a story about you. Today's grind wishes to ask you if you're enjoying the virtual world of PlayStation Home. Or, perhaps not enjoying it, as the case could be.

We want to hear your experiences with the software -- good, bad, and even the ugly Quincys. Is the world living up to all of the hype that surrounded it, or was it indeed released too early and in need of more work in order to live up to its potential? Let the comment box ring with your opinions!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you online with PlayStation Home? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betahomejoystiqopinionplaystation-homequincyreleasethe-daily-grindvirtual-worldsSun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kotaku outlines differences between PlayStation Home and Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/kotaku-outlines-differences-between-playstation-home-and-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/kotaku-outlines-differences-between-playstation-home-and-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/kotaku-outlines-differences-between-playstation-home-and-second/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


There has been plenty of speculation on PlayStation Home and how it compares and contrasts with Second Life as a virtual world. Heck, the creative director spoke about it months ago stating that Second Life players would probably not find much of interest in PS Home. Well, Kotaku has stepped in to explore just that subject.

For those not wanting to get too down and dirty with the full tale, Second Life has much more personal customization. Everything from outfits to dance moves to land masses can be user-generated and added to the world. On the other hand, PlayStation Home allows for minimal add-ons, focusing on creating rich, stable environments - even if that means sacrificing little things like avatar diversity. But with much more content promised, PS Home may well become a better contender for virtual world time.

MassivelyKotaku outlines differences between PlayStation Home and Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatarscomparisonkotakuplaystation-homeps-homesecond-lifevirtual-worldvirtual-worldsSat, 03 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab doubles-back on approved skins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/linden-lab-doubles-back-on-approved-skins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/linden-lab-doubles-back-on-approved-skins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/linden-lab-doubles-back-on-approved-skins/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Linden Lab's governance team has started removing vendors for Second Life skins (that is, avatar textures) that are intended to portray teens and juveniles. It is not exactly clear why the action is suddenly being taken, as Linden Lab themselves approved the skins which have underwear 'baked in' to avoid any licentiousness. All in all, the affected skins are less lewd than a K-Mart kidswear catalog.

However, since the vendors depicted the skins 'as is' (that is not completely clothed, so that you would be unable to see what you were trying to purchase), Linden Lab has unexpectedly reneged on previously granted approval and is now acting to remove them. The removals that we are aware of have been appealed, and those appeals have been rejected.

Continue reading Linden Lab doubles-back on approved skins

MassivelyLinden Lab doubles-back on approved skins originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ai-spaceculturelinden-labplaystation-homesecond-lifesl-kidsvirtual-worldsTue, 02 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/expanding-choices-in-social-gaming-and-flash-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There seems be an endless tide of online games and virtual worlds being made available to us, with more always on the way. Some of them are well-known and need little introduction, such as Second Life, Playstation Home, and Facebook games, to name just a few. But there's plenty more out there, some of which falls into the standard 'MMO' category, although it's a label that we find is steadily blurring as time goes on.

Darren Gladstone, Senior Writer at PC World, has put together "The Social Gaming Guide" for his Casual Friday column. In it he explores some of the mainstays of social gaming like the options found within Second Life and Facebook, but also sheds light on some lesser known alternatives. Gladstone discusses some of the choices gamers have with The Casual Collective, which he describes as "a cool casual-gaming waterhole created by the minds behind DTD," or Desktop Tower Defense. He looks at Whirled, an open-source gaming community which is home to Flash MMOs. "For players, Whirled is an awesome collection of hundreds of games, broken out by category and just waiting for you to jump in," Gladstone writes. Forthcoming Facebook integration will also add more dimensions to gameplay at Whirled.

Continue reading Expanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs

MassivelyExpanding choices in social gaming and Flash MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activexbrowsercasualcasual-gamesdarren-gladstonef2pfacebookfree-to-playhomeinstantactionmoondopc-worldplaystation-homesocial-gamessocial-gamingthe-casual-collectivewhirledSun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony claims PlayStation Home will connect gamers like arcades did in the 80s]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/sony-claims-playstation-home-will-connect-gamers-like-arcades-di/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/sony-claims-playstation-home-will-connect-gamers-like-arcades-di/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/sony-claims-playstation-home-will-connect-gamers-like-arcades-di/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MTV Multiplayer blog contributor Stephen Totilo took a second look at Sony's Home -- a virtual world community for PlayStation 3 users. He had previously previewed the service at Kotaku and given it low marks. This time, though, he seemed a little more impressed. We're not really sure why he flipped, though. He wasn't very clear about it.

Home features several instanced locations where PS3 users may converse and play minigames such as bowling. There are game specific rooms, like, say, for Warhawk, where users can get tips and such. It's a virtual world, not an MMORPG, but there's something interesting stuff in that preview. Obviously, it's most pertinent if you're a PS3 owner.

During the demo, director Jack Buser suggested that the developers might eventually add non-human character models if the community demands it (but it's not part of the plan at the moment). Most of the preview is about how Home differs from its non-virtual-world competitor: Xbox Live. Buser said he hopes that Home will give users a place to meet other gamers in an environment that's more social than the games themselves. According to him, there hasn't been a good way to do that since the arcades of the 80s.

MassivelySony claims PlayStation Home will connect gamers like arcades did in the 80s originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcadeshomeimpressionsjack-buserplaystation-3playstation-homepreviewps3sonywarhawkxbox-liveTue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdon feels the fear]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/kingdon-feels-the-fear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/kingdon-feels-the-fear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/kingdon-feels-the-fear/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Linden Lab's newly-minted CEO, Mark Kingdon, has posted another communique to Second Life users, and it isn't hard to see a certain fear in the phrasing and timing.

'The possibilities of Virtual Worlds have attracted a slew of entrepreneurs and even some Internet giants,' writes Kingdon in his second paragraph, 'Some are offering a simple, visually appealing chat solution. Others are more ambitious. Second Life offers something no ones else does - an astoundingly rich array of user-created content and a large, diverse and ever-expanding virtual economy.'

And it isn't hard to see which Internet giant and what visually appealing chat solution he might be referring to, especially considering the timing of the statement.

Continue reading Kingdon feels the fear

MassivelyKingdon feels the fear originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlelinden-lablivelym-lindenmark-kingdonopinionplaystation-homesecond-lifeWed, 09 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The war of words for Sony's PlayStation Home and Second Life users begins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/the-war-of-words-for-sonys-home-and-second-life-users-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/the-war-of-words-for-sonys-home-and-second-life-users-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/the-war-of-words-for-sonys-home-and-second-life-users-begins/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ron FestejoRon Festejo is hardly an unbiased observer, being the creative director of the Sony project that is bringing PlayStation Home out next week, but in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz he explains that, in his opinion Home is the best looking and most user-friendly multiplayer experience he's seen so far.

Apparently Second Life is "too garish" and the rest of the MMOs are "too hardcore." Second Life users (we're not players after all) are also too geeky, and Mr. Festejo doesn't think there will be much to interest Second Lifers. Of course I'm happy to be called a geek, and not owning a playstation I won't be checking out PlayStation Home, but what do you think? Do you need to be a geek to cope with Second Life, or is he just aiming at a "cool kids" market? He probably does need to go and read the minimum specs for Second Life page mind: whilst Second Life runs on a much greater range of engines than just PlayStations, he is exaggerating saying it has to support people on Pentium II's.

MassivelyThe war of words for Sony's PlayStation Home and Second Life users begins originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamesindustry.bizHomeplaystationplaystation-homePS3Ron-FestejoSecond-LifeSonysony-homeFri, 22 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square-Enix's creatively-named Virtual World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/square-enixs-creatively-named-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/square-enixs-creatively-named-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/square-enixs-creatively-named-virtual-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The acerbic lads at Kotaku bring the snark once again with their announcement of an announcement over Square-Enix's upcoming virtual world called Virtual World ... virtual world. There, I couldn't resist.

The post's comparison to Second Life, however, is slightly off-the-mark, as SL doesn't run on ad revenues, while Sony's Home certainly will. Similarly, Virtual World will feature ads for Square-Enix games, and given that Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon will be a Wii title, there could be other Wii titles on display as well.

Besides the ability to have tea with a Chocobo, will there be any reason for people to want to enter Virtual World? And besides, everybody knows Chocobos like Gysahl Greens anyway -- I mean, duh.

MassivelySquare-Enix's creatively-named Virtual World originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobos-mysterious-dungeongysahl greenskotakumassivelyplaystation-homesonysquare-enixvirtual-worldwiiFri, 07 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST