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 Perfect Ten: Reasons to go back to older MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-perfect-ten-reasons-to-go-back-to-older-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-perfect-ten-reasons-to-go-back-to-older-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-perfect-ten-reasons-to-go-back-to-older-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When one MMO dies, it forces us to look at the rest of the bunch through the sunglasses of mortality. Games we didn't think twice about last week suddenly gain new relevance as we try to imagine a post-apocalyptic world where they cease to exist. I've always thought that our hobby is built on a shared illusion, one by which we all just pretend that these games will go on indefinitely, but that's not really the case.

As I try to pull us out of the tailspin depression of the previous paragraph, let me say that the finite nature of MMO lifespans shouldn't deter us from getting involved in them; on the contrary, it should make what they do and what they are that much more precious to us -- precious like a little show dog that we pet obsessively or an all-powerful ring forged in the fires of Mount Doom and given to completely clueless gardeners for safekeeping.

In fact, I think this is the perfect time -- summertime -- to give older MMOs a try, and I'm willing to argue that while wearing my best white suspenders and southern drawl. If it please the gentlemen and ladies of the court, here are 10 reasons why we should go back to the MMOs of yore.

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MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Reasons to go back to older MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacontent-updatedealsexpansionexpansionsf2pfeaturedforce-ghostfree-to-playguild-warsgwlistlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromature-mmosolder-mmospatchpay-to-beta-testperfect-10perfect-tenplaytestingpocketbookpromotionsstar-wars-galaxiesswgtestingthe-game-archaeologistthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenupdateThu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: A talk with Richard Bartle]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-a-talk-with-richard-bart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-a-talk-with-richard-bart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-a-talk-with-richard-bart/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

From talking with Richard Bartle, reading his blog, and looking over several interviews that he's done, I've concluded that the co-creator of the first multi-user dungeon is, in many ways, a card. A smart one, a perceptive one, and an outspoken one, but a card nonetheless. I say this in a good way, of course, because for all of the verbal pussyfooting that often goes on in this industry, it's refreshing to hear the voice of someone who knows what he thinks and isn't afraid to say it, even if it goes against the grain.

Dr. Bartle's name often comes up in discussions of both MUDs and MMORPGs. His designs, work and scholarship have influenced MMOs in substantial ways, and it's possible that if our children end up learning about massively multiplayer RPGs in school some day, Bartle's name will be mentioned once or twice.

While he's sometimes polarizing, it's hard to deny the incredible work he's done, which is why I was excited to get to talk to him about this month's subject on the Game Archaeologist. So hit that pesky jump and let's pick the mind of a guy who really earned the right to post "FIRST!!1!"

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MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: A talk with Richard Bartle originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shards of Destiny is EverQuest II's newest update, and with it will be coming a wash of new changes to the game. One of these new additions, however, will be a brand new raid that will feature the new scaling difficulty feature, also being introduced with Shards of Destiny.

The new zone, Miragul's Planar Shard, is an x4 epic level raid, which means that it will require four groups of six people to complete. The raid is linked to Norrath through Everfrost through the same door that starts the other Miragul instance. The raid will offer a challenge to all players who enter its halls, but skilled groups can choose paths that will increase the difficulty of the instance even further.

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MassivelyTest out the new Shards of Destiny raid in EQ2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-raidseverquest-2everquest-iimiraguls-planar-shardplaytestplaytestingraid-x4raidsshards-of-destinysoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST