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 Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is the end, my only friend, the end. Of our elaborate plans, the end. Of everything that MOOs, the end. No safety or aggro radius, the end.

Man, listening to The Doors early in the morning does not put you in a happy state of writing, let me tell you!

In any case, we've extended our MUD/MU* month here on the Game Archaeologist Channel to include a few more first-hand testimonies of Massively readers' favorite text-based MMOs. As much as anything else we've talked about in this column, it's vital that we not forget the roots from which our current MMOs were born nor neglect to take the opportunity to expose a whole new generation to a graphically simpler but textually richer experience.

So let's kick the tires and light the fires of nostalgia as we talk with five of the baddest MUDders you'll ever know!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 2

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aalynors-Nexusamerica-on-lineamerica-onlineaolatariavpbig-bang-theorydnddunedungeons-and-dragonsfeaturedhernes-notesimaginationintellivisionlost-soulslpmudmetacrawlermoomumudmud-connectormudsmulti-user-dungeonsmushnew-worlds-ateraannintendopredatorpueblorealms-of-despairrichard-bartlesheldonsierrasmaugstar-blazerstelnetultima-vwheel-of-timewolf-brotherworld-of-warcraftwowzmudTue, 03 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR40K throws down the gauntlet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/war40k-throws-down-the-gauntlet-to-the-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/war40k-throws-down-the-gauntlet-to-the-competition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/war40k-throws-down-the-gauntlet-to-the-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Other MMOs are predictable, lazy and lack the real "feel" of combat -- or so says Vigil Games' founder Dave Adams. In a recent PC Gamer article, Adams and Creative Director Mike Maza share their vision for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online -- and it's all about bucking the industry standard.

Adams had a few strong words for Vigil's competition: "A lot of developers see that as an opportunity to cut that corner because there's so much to do on an MMO. They think people care about X, Y and Z. They don't really care about the feeling of the combat... Our goal is when some guy's walking past DMO they won't instantly know it's an MMO. That depends on a minimal interface: it's not a full FPS but it looks more 'actiony'."

The devs confirmed that there would be a wide range of combat features in this action-based title, including fierce melee brawls, intense ranged firefights -- and no action bar icons of which to speak. The team is working hard to recreate the tabletop's iconic world into a virtual one, designing guns (stubber and bolter firearms) and player-controlled vehicles (Titan mechs and Predator tanks) to look deadly, used and WAR40Kish.

The game will kick players into the fight almost immediately. "There's scenarios that introduce you to your character class. We'll throw you into your very first instance, to get a feel for a very player directed experience. Then you'll go to your trainers and merchants, then drop down onto the over-world from orbit," Maza said.

You can read the full article at PC Gamer.

MassivelyWAR40K throws down the gauntlet originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-adamsdmomike-mazapc-gamerplayer-controlled-vehiclespredatortabletoptitanvigil-gameswar40kwar40k-dark-millenium-onlinewarhammerwarhammer-40000-dark-millennium-onlineWarhammer-40KMon, 06 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Parents can breathe a bit easier thanks to Crisp Thinking's NetModerator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Letting your children play MMOs can be a tricky balancing act for gamer parents. On the one hand, you want your children to have fun playing games online while gaining socialization and computer skills. On the other, you're a protective parent who wants to make sure your kids are safe -- without making them live in a bubble. You can teach them about online safety and how to protect themselves, but there's always the possibility that something will take a wrong turn.

Thankfully, it seems that a company called Crisp Thinking have developed a tool to help parents in their fight for online safety. Their system, called NetModerator, has been put into place in kid-friendly MMOs like Free Realms and FusionFall to combat against predators, bullies, and the like. It watches for certain keywords and phrases during online interactions. When detected, the system will step in and moderate the conversations -- allowing for real-time changes in potentially dangerous situations, as opposed to a reactionary method of dealing with abusive or predatory accounts after the conversations have taken place.

The entire concept is fascinating, so we're sure parents will want to pop over to VentureBeat's Games Beat and check out Dean Takahashi's great write up about this new technology. With an accuracy rate of 98.4% in terms of flagging dangerous and harmful conversations, and the ability to learn cloaked phrases, we're sure parents will be glad to hear that there's another layer protecting their kids from online danger. It's no replacement for the first line of defense -- good parenting -- but it certainly doesn't hurt.

[Thanks, Pete!]

MassivelyParents can breathe a bit easier thanks to Crisp Thinking's NetModerator originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartoon-networkcartoon-network-digitalchat-moderationchildrencrisp-thinkingcyber-bullyingfree-realmsfusionfallkidsnetmoderatoronline-safetyparentparentingparentsperv-blockingpredatorreal-timesoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 24 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic prank hints at Orc Choppa career coming to WAR next week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/mythic-prank-hints-at-orc-choppa-career-coming-to-war-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/mythic-prank-hints-at-orc-choppa-career-coming-to-war-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/mythic-prank-hints-at-orc-choppa-career-coming-to-war-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The folks at Mythic Entertainment recently gave a pretty big hint about a new Warhammer Online career to be introduced, through a creative gag. They sent hair dye and a trimmer to WAR bloggers Keen and Graev, a nod to the upcoming Dwarf Slayer career. Lightning has struck twice now though, with what The Greenskin posted yesterday.

Mythic Entertainment sent The Greenskin a DVD of Predator, with instructions to go to the meme Schwarzenegger shouts at 1:16:06... "Get to da choppa!" With this hint, it seems a given that the Orc Choppa career is coming to Warhammer Online. The DVD also came with the hint that there would be "more to come" on January 29th.

[Thanks Brooke]
Warhammer Online Coverage WAR has gone 1.1! Check out our full coverage of the 1.1a patch, along with our interviews exploring upcoming content and the open RvR changes. Plus, don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!


MassivelyMythic prank hints at Orc Choppa career coming to WAR next week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>careerschoppaclassesdwarf-slayerfantasygagmythicmythic-entertainmentorc-choppaprankpredatorracesslayerthe-greenskinwarwarhammer-onlineFri, 23 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST