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[Captain's Log: Incoming messages from the devs... again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/captains-log-incoming-messages-from-the-devs-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/captains-log-incoming-messages-from-the-devs-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/captains-log-incoming-messages-from-the-devs-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Photo from the event
Captain's Log, Stardate 65131.6...

Hello, computer (and players)! I seem to mention this all the time, but I believe it to be true: The developers working on Star Trek Online are more transparent with their work than the devs of most other games. Whether or not this transparency has been always been a good thing is debatable, though. Still, no matter what one's thoughts on this are, I think we can all agree we like to be "in the know" when it comes to new things in development. This past weekend, a select group of STO players was able to attend another Dine with the Devs event, hosted by yours truly, where transparency was taken to the next level.

As I let you all know last week, the second-ever Dine with the STO Devs event coincided with some STO devs' visit to the Star Trek Las Vegas convention. Over 50 players gathered at a local Vegas restaurant to eat, drink and bombard Cryptic's developers with their most burning questions. Because 99.99% of the game's players were unable to attend, I captured the entire event on audio and would like to present you with a basic transcript of the evening's events. So make some food, grab a drink, and get ready to fire up the Holodeck for another edition of Captain's Log.

Ensign, warp 10! Auxiliary power to the Holodeck matrices and brace for impact...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Incoming messages from the devs... again

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Incoming messages from the devs... again originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andoriaBorgcrypticcryptic-gozercryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdevelopersdine-with-the-devsdinnerexplorationfeaturedfleetfleet-actionfleetsfoundryfoundry-missionfoundry-missionsgozericonianiconiansinto-the-hivejheiniglas-vegasMeetupnevadapokerpriority-onepvpq-and-ashipshipsst-onlinestastar-trekstar-trek-las-vegasstar-trek-las-vegas-conventionstar-trek-onlinestfstfstargtargstholiantholiansthomasthecrypticcattribbletribblestricorderUIzeroniusrexThu, 18 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Each of us has a different idea of the perfect game, whether it's an existing game with a few tweaks or something completely new. Game designers work tirelessly to make their own vision of the perfect game a reality, but there's no telling what players will think of a feature until it's finished. In the process of transforming a feature from a gleam in the game designer's eye to a finished product, something is unfortunately often lost in translation. Limitations in the technology being used or the manpower available can render the ideal implementation infeasible.

As players, we don't really see that full development process. That doesn't stop us from painting our perfect vision of an upcoming or potential feature and how awesome it could be. In the coming years, the EVE Online developers will be going through the process of making some of their most incredible visions a reality. Ideas like walking in stations and integrating the upcoming MMOFPS Dust 514 with EVE's planetary interaction feature will be put through a potentially brutal development process. We can only hope that as little as possible of those visions we've heard from EVE's developers gets lost in translation.

In this speculative opinion piece, I look at a few areas in which EVE is sure to be expanded in the coming years and discuss what I'd consider to be the ideal way they could be implemented or handled.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-eveccp-gamesdominioneoheoh-pokereveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsfeaturedincarnaiterationmini-gamesMinigamesopinionplanetplanetary-interactionpokersleepersovereigntyspreadsheets-in-spacestationstyranniswormholewormhole-explorationwormholesSun, 05 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Garriott returns to gaming with Portalarium]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/garriott-returns-to-gaming-with-portalarium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/garriott-returns-to-gaming-with-portalarium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/garriott-returns-to-gaming-with-portalarium/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Richard Garriott isn't a man content to rest on his laurels. Just after we hear that the documentary about his space trip is coming out, we now hear that he's found a new niche in the multi-player gaming industry. Only this time, he's not developing a traditional MMO as one might suspect. Instead, Garriott has revealed his involvement in a start-up called Portalarium, which is setting out to get a chunk of that browser-based social game cash floating around on Facebook and other social media networks.

Currently, Portalarium isn't so much a games company as a games engine company. According to a great writeup about this new company by Dean Takahashi over on GamesBeat, their general feeling is that the current crop of Facebook games are "relatively primitive in terms of game play." The Portalarium team plans to make richer, more engaging games that will manage to give players a high-quality game while still remaining in a browser and not needing a separate download. In all, it's a fascinating article -- both in terms of technology, and in terms of what Garriott has been up to (there's a bit about Tabula Rasa in there too) -- so be sure to pop over there and give the full article a read.

MassivelyGarriott returns to gaming with Portalarium originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedfacebookgame-enginelord-britishpokerportalariumrichard-garriottWed, 17 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Q&A with PotCO lead developer Jason Yeung]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/qanda-with-potco-lead-programmer-jason-yeung/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/qanda-with-potco-lead-programmer-jason-yeung/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/qanda-with-potco-lead-programmer-jason-yeung/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Jason Yeung is one of the lead developers for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online. During a recent Q&A he dishes out some very interesting info on what's coming for this free-to-play piratey good time.

Both Davy Jones and the Kraken will eventually be included in the game, but the when remains locked up as tight as Jones' fabled locker however. Adding pets (such as a parrot, which every pirate must have) is something they want to do in future expansions, but they're more focused on creating end-game content for their hardcore players, which is a sign that they do listen to feedback. In fact, their biggest challenge at the moment is rolling out new content fast enough.

If you've never given PotCO a try you really have nothing to lose -- it's free-to-play. If you like what you see, and over the last few months a great deal of new content has been added, a monthly fee will get you unlimited access to all the game's content (like the poker games).

MassivelyQ&A with PotCO lead developer Jason Yeung originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>davy-jonesdisneydisney-onlinejason-yeungkrakenparrotpetspokerThu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW laser etching impresses and inspires]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wow-laser-etching-impresses-and-inspires/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wow-laser-etching-impresses-and-inspires/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wow-laser-etching-impresses-and-inspires/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Here's an example on how to take a really cool concept and make a bad choice. Not that we think the etching itself looks bad, but there are all sorts of other cool WoW designs the owner could have put on this Macbook. We certainly understand the meaning of putting the very image players see when entering World of Warcraft's uh, world, onto your machine. To be honest we were half-expecting to see a Horde or Alliance symbol when we first heard of this homebrewed homage. That being said, the skills of whoever etched this are quite impressive; can we resist saying level 325 etching skill? Nope, we can't.

If it were up to us, there would probably be something ridiculous on there like a bunch of Murlocs playing Poker or maybe some kind of breakdancing Troll.

MassivelyWoW laser etching impresses and inspires originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardallianceblizzardbreakdancinghordemacbookmurlocspokertrollworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 15 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Last chance to win a year of PotC from Disney and Massively]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/reminder-last-chance-to-win-a-year-of-potc-from-disney-and-mass/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/reminder-last-chance-to-win-a-year-of-potc-from-disney-and-mass/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/reminder-last-chance-to-win-a-year-of-potc-from-disney-and-mass/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just in case you missed it earlier this week, let this be your reminder: today is your last chance to leave a comment on our contest post (not this post-- all this post will get you is keelhauled on the mizzenmast) and enter to win not only one of two minature Pirates of the Caribbean Online ships, but also a year ingame with a special account direct from Disney themselves. And if you're not sure you want it or not, our own Robin Torres wrote up a First Impressions a long, long time ago (even before our site went live) about her experiences during the beta. Sure, there were a few drawbacks, but there's poker! Texas Hold 'em!

So yes, don't forget-- before this afternoon, go back to our contest post and leave a comment (just one per person, thanks), and then make sure to check your email this evening to see if you've won. If you do, you'll get an official PotC ship packed in a PotC shipping (get it?) crate, as well as a key to a free year in the game. Good luck!

MassivelyReminder: Last chance to win a year of PotC from Disney and Massively originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestdisneyfeaturedgiveawaypirates-of-the-caribbean-onlinepokerThu, 31 Jan 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirates of the Caribbean Online extends Founders program]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/pirates-of-the-carribbean-online-extends-founders-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/pirates-of-the-carribbean-online-extends-founders-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/pirates-of-the-carribbean-online-extends-founders-program/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Disney has announced that they are extending the Pirates of the Caribbean Online Founders program which was supposed to end the midnight before Halloween. It has been extended for a limited time, presumably to attract more paid players.

The Founders program includes a Founder title which looks like a pretty gold coin with an F on it next to your name as well as some goodies that come in the mail at a later date.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online is a free to play browser game with optional Unlimited access for $9.95 a month. I signed up to be a founding member because I wanted to see the goodies, but I didn't realize that free players don't get access to my favorite part of the game: poker. It's not listed in the Unlimited Access features list -- I only found out from the tips on the loading screens. I'm not sure what other ingame-only documented benefits I'm enjoying that aren't on the list.

If you'd like unlimited access and the Founder's benefits, you can go to their signup site to enter your payment info. The official list of Unlimited Access benefits is after the jump.

Continue reading Pirates of the Caribbean Online extends Founders program

MassivelyPirates of the Caribbean Online extends Founders program originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdisneyfounders-programpiratespirates-onlinepokerpotcoFri, 09 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST