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[SG Interactive launching GameRage portal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/sg-interactive-launching-gamerage-portal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pangya
SG Interactive is in the news today thanks to its new GameRage online portal. Who the heck is SG Interactive? Well, the company was originally called Ntreev USA and is headquartered in southern California. Its portfolio includes Trickster Online, Grand Chase, and Pangya, as well as several other free-to-play titles.

GameRage will provide centralized contests and events, giving players a sort of one-stop shop for all of the happenings across SG's catalog. There's also a mission zone which allows achievement comparisons across titles, and a reward zone where in-game event winners will be immortalized. GameRage is currently live, and you can sign up at the service's official website.

[Source: SG Interactive press release]

MassivelySG Interactive launching GameRage portal originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscrossfire-europef2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-portalgame-ragegameragegrand-chasemmo-industryntreevntreev-usaportalpress-releasereward-zonesgsg-interactivesg-portaltrickstertrickster-onlineThu, 29 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Homage to we hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/hyperspace-beacon-homage-to-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-sw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/hyperspace-beacon-homage-to-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-sw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/hyperspace-beacon-homage-to-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-sw/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the best compliments you can give a creator is to make an homage to his work. The title of one of the Hyperspace Beacons was an homage to TOROCast articles. It's a way to tell the creator, "You're doing a good job. Keep up the good work." Not to mention, homages are a lot of fun. In fact, my first published work was an homage to the work of Charles Dickens. I wrote a story about what happened to the Cratchit children. But what happens when an homage goes too far?

Every once in a while, the Hyperspace Beacon takes a side track and asks about ideas that should end up on the cutting room floor. We all know games have concepts that just don't work. Star Wars: The Old Republic will be no exception. This little humorous segment is called We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will -- or WHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPW, for short.

Follow me after the break to see what "homageneous" ideas should never make it into the release of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, they will anyway.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Homage to we hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Homage to we hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-christmas-carolaperture-scienceBioWareCastlevaniacastlevania-lords-of-shadowCharles-DickensDavid-BowieeaElectronic-Artsfallout-new-vegasfeaturedGLaDOShoward-the-duckhyperspace-beaconILMIndiana-JonesIndustrial-light-and-magicJennifer-Connellyjim-hensonLabyrinthLucasFilmportalraiders-of-the-lost-arkron-howardStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthe-orange-boxtorTOROcastvalvevalve-softwareWHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPWWorld-of-WarcraftWoWYoung-Indiana-Jones-ChroniclesTue, 30 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Can a space colonization MMO work? (part two)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/the-digital-continuum-can-a-space-colonization-mmo-work-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/the-digital-continuum-can-a-space-colonization-mmo-work-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/the-digital-continuum-can-a-space-colonization-mmo-work-part/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Can a space colonization MMO work? (part two)

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Can a space colonization MMO work? (part two) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejeweledcolonizationearthfree-realmsmarsmirrors edgeMirrorsEdgepeggleportalpuzzle-piratesseedsoespacestark-trekterraformingthe-digital-continuumSat, 27 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aeria adds Diablo-like Cronous to its library]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/aeria-adds-diablo-like-cronous-to-its-library/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/aeria-adds-diablo-like-cronous-to-its-library/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/aeria-adds-diablo-like-cronous-to-its-library/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMO portal Aeria Games has acquired a new game called Cronous, which was originally developed by Lizard Interactive. Cronous' gameplay is similar to that of Diablo, Mythos, or Dungeon Runners. That makes it somewhat unique in Aeria's library, which is otherwise made up mostly of games of a different character such as Dream of Mirror Online and Shaiya.

The game's info page lists most of the usual action-RPG features, plus "nonlinear storytelling" with regards to quests, guild castle building and management, and siege warfare. We don't fully understand the nonlinear storytelling bit, although it's included in the press release as one of the major selling points of the game. It sounds cool up front though.

Sign-ups are already underway for a closed beta test, so if you want to give the game a try, that's probably your best bet.

[Via Ten Ton Hammer]

MassivelyAeria adds Diablo-like Cronous to its library originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgaeriaaeria-gamescronousdiablodomodream-of-mirror-onlinedungeon-runnerslizard-interactivemythosnonlinear-storytellingportalshaiyaFri, 18 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Spector believes 100-hour games are on the way out]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/warren-spector-believes-100-hour-games-are-on-the-way-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/warren-spector-believes-100-hour-games-are-on-the-way-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/warren-spector-believes-100-hour-games-are-on-the-way-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Making blanket statements is never really a good idea, because then things like this happen. Warren Spector recently made the statement that 100-hour games are on the way out. If that's true then somebody better tell the millions of online gamers who've spent (and will probably continue to spend) anywhere between 100-500 hours on various MMOs that they're not supposed to be doing that!

All right let's remove our tongue from the inside of our cheek. We all know that some games take more time from our lives than others. While World of Warcraft and Age of Conan may absorb upwards of a hundred hours of play, other games like Portal and Bioshock clock in around seven-to-twelve hours at best. So does that mean Warren is right? No, because we're pretty sure that Warhammer Online -- a game that isn't even out yet, mind you -- will be a fairly immense timesink for tens of thousands of players at the very least. Between the free-to-plays, the subscriptions and the coming hybrids -- 100-hour games probably aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

MassivelyWarren Spector believes 100-hour games are on the way out originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-bostonage-of-conanbioshockblizzardea-mythicfuncomportalvalvewarwarhammer-onlinewarren-spectorworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 18 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[G4 re-airs MMO show "Portal"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/g4-re-airs-mmo-show-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/g4-re-airs-mmo-show-portal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/g4-re-airs-mmo-show-portal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As part of a thank you note to its fans, videogame-themed television brand G4 has announced that it will bring back a host of favorite past shows for the Summer. Among these shows are the classics Arena, Judgement Day, and Portal. For those who missed it the first time around, Portal is the story of a guy named Dave, who was responsible for managing the Hub, an entrance to the various online MMO worlds of the day.

The shows will re-air beginning June 2nd as the G4 Rewind series, and will run until August 29th. Given that there are considerably more MMOs available these days, it's possible that Portal could enjoy a second chance, depending on its reception with the viewing audience. If this happens, we'd bet the show will have to rename itself to avoid confusion with the Valve game of the same name. Sure, the show came first, but walk into any geek gathering and see which property gets the recognition when mentioned.

MassivelyG4 re-airs MMO show "Portal" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenacalceg4g4-rewindhubjudgement-dayportalTue, 20 May 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A late April Fools' entry: EQII's Weighted Companion Chest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/a-late-april-fools-entry-eqiis-weighted-companion-chest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/a-late-april-fools-entry-eqiis-weighted-companion-chest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/a-late-april-fools-entry-eqiis-weighted-companion-chest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We nearly missed this one, but thankfully one of our readers didn't, and sent us this screenshot of a chest in EverQuest II. Looks just a little bit different doesn't it? Another nod to the gaming world's beloved Portal, it seems that players were treated to Weighted Companion Chests in EQII for April Fools' Day. Hopefully you looted that quest starter before tossing the chest in the Emergency Intelligence Incinerator, Rollins!

[Thanks, Rollins]

MassivelyA late April Fools' entry: EQII's Weighted Companion Chest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-08eq2eqiieverquest-2portalweighted-companion-chestweighted-companion-cubeWed, 02 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weighted Companion Cube is "still alive" in WoW]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/weighted-companion-cube-is-still-alive-in-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/weighted-companion-cube-is-still-alive-in-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/weighted-companion-cube-is-still-alive-in-wow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Aikiwoce sent us this pic over on the WoW Insider tipline (here's ours, if you have a tip for us), but it was just too good not to share with you Massively-ers, too (Massives? Massivliers?). Love is in the Air has started up for Valentine's Day in the World of Warcraft, and there is a familiar-looking heart-adorned cube sitting outside of the major cities. Yes, anyone who's played Portal (not an MMO, but my choice for GotY last year-- it was a triumph, and a huge success) will immediately recognize this as a tribute from Blizzard to another terrific PC game.

No wonder Wrath of the Lich King is taking longer than expected-- all the developers at Blizzard must have been spending all their time looking for cake.

MassivelyWeighted Companion Cube is "still alive" in WoW originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakefunnyhumorlove-is-in-the-airmassively-ersportalstormwindtributeweighted-companion-cubeworld-of-warcraftMon, 11 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[K2 Network launches free MMO portal powered by microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/k2-network-launches-free-mmo-portal-powered-by-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/k2-network-launches-free-mmo-portal-powered-by-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/k2-network-launches-free-mmo-portal-powered-by-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


K2 Network, the folks behind the localization of titles like Sword of the New World, Red Stone, MU Online and others, has announced a new MMO portal called GamersFirst (or G1) that will give players access to all of their free to play titles using one centralized account. Sounding remarkably like the plans we've been hearing from NCsoft all of last year, you'll be able to purchase G1 Credits that are usable in all the titles in their portfolio. This is welcome news for those brave enough to dive into the world of the free MMO with any regularity, as managing a myriad of accounts across multiple games (and let's be honest, you can burn out on free MMOs pretty quickly) can be hazardous to one's mental health and the safety of one's credit information. The site is also considerably less obnoxious looking than we expected, which is an added bonus.

As a cherry on the proverbial sundae, they're running a myriad of giveaways over the next twelve weeks to bribe you into virtual submission. At stake are Creative Headphones, an Alienware PC, an 8gb iPod touch, a 19" Samsung monitor, and more. They never really elaborate on the more, but we're sure it's fancy. From poking around on the contest page a bit, it seems that you can enhance your odds of winning these goodies by buying G1 credits, inviting friends to join the network, and playing a flash version of that boardwalk game where you throw darts at balloons. The registration process is a bit of a pain, but hey, free stuff, right?

MassivelyK2 Network launches free MMO portal powered by microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestsfree-stuffg1gamersfirstk2-networkmicrotransactionsportalWed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game length in MMOs and elsewhere]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/game-length-in-mmos-and-elsewhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/game-length-in-mmos-and-elsewhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/game-length-in-mmos-and-elsewhere/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Back when I was in college, when we asked a professor how long our papers should be, he answered thusly: "Like a skirt-- short enough to keep it interesting, but long enough to cover the subject." More and more, it seems that you could say the same thing about videogames. In days past, the length of a game was a selling point-- the more gameplay you could get out of it, the more the game was worth. And so MMOs especially ask for a lot of investment, and were asked to give a lot of gameplay in return. I used to beat old NES and Game Boy games in minutes, and now, like Fullbright, I've got days and weeks logged in the MMOs I play.

But is that a good thing? I hate to keep harping on it, but Fullbright brings up Portal for me (a game that seems destined to redefine what we think of as games this year)-- there's a game that only takes a few hours but delivers an experience that lasts much longer than that. In terms of MMOs the current trend seems to be both towards shorter gameplay and less investment for that gameplay.

MMOs may be the exception here-- you sit down to create one character, and heading into a persistent world should make you want to be there. But with many MMOs on the market than before (and an older, busier audience than ever), the trend seems to be headed towards shorter games, not longer. That's not to say that a great game shouldn't cover the subject (no game should end before its time), but designers are feeling more and more pressure to make things short enough to keep it interesting, rather than throwing in random FedEx quests to brag about a few more hours of gameplay.

[Via GSW]

MassivelyGame length in MMOs and elsewhere originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fedex-questfullbrightgame-boygame-lengthgamesetwatchlengthmmosnesportalTue, 27 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lore and storytelling in the MMO genre]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/lore-and-storytelling-in-the-mmo-genre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/lore-and-storytelling-in-the-mmo-genre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/lore-and-storytelling-in-the-mmo-genre/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

KillTenRats has a good commentary up on lore and its role in MMO games. Story in videogames is a tough thing to get right, and it's even tougher in a world where you don't just have one hero-- you have hundreds or thousands of them. (Sidenote: while it's not an MMO, Portal-- my vote for Game of the Year this year-- deals excellently with story, and you should read this long but insightful debate between N'Gai Croal and Stephen Totilo about it). How do you describe a changing narrative in a place where the world itself is designed to be persistent?

The common answer is world events, but those are still so complicated that even their little brothers, instanced events, are still in the stages of infancy. We may be able to clear out a castle in an instance, but can we destroy one? And the very fact that it's instanced means that we can leave, walk back inside the door, and nothing has changed. We chalk it all up to coding right now that the prisoner we just rescued a few minutes ago still remains in his cell, and we simply sigh, resigned to the fact that we're not really changing the world, just leaving it reset for the next group of players.

Still, there have to be some ideas floating around that could work to bring around a great story in a persistent world.

Continue reading Lore and storytelling in the MMO genre

MassivelyLore and storytelling in the MMO genre originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacter-advancementgame-designloreportalstorytheoryTue, 27 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST