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[GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/gdc-2012-watch-funcoms-full-the-secret-world-presentation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TSW
If you found your appetite whetted for The Secret World after reading Jef's writeup from GDC, then make room in your life for 35 minutes of Funcom's full presentation from the conference! Senior Producer Ragnar Tørnquist, Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard, and Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos take turns showing off in-game footage and discussing the game mechanics at play.

Topics covered in the presentation include character creation, the creepy/sexy Dragon starter experience, how achievements work, story, crafting, and the lands of Transylvania.

While the video isn't 100% pristine -- Funcom apologized for the less-than-perfect lighting during the presentation -- it's so chock-full of information and footage that you won't even notice. Give it a whirl after the jump!

Continue reading GDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation

MassivelyGDC 2012: Watch Funcom's full The Secret World presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscharacter-creationcraftingdragonfactionfantasyfuncomgdcgdc-2012horrorJoel-Byloslesbian-sexloreMartin-BruusgaardmythologypresentationRagnar-Tørnquistsci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedstorythe-secret-worldtransylvaniatswMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar Wednesday examines redundancies in quest text]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/wildstar-wednesday-examines-redundancies-in-quest-text/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've been in a firefight before... well, in a fire. Actually, I got fired.
Can you really produce a meaningful set of quests while keeping each snippet of text down to 140 characters? The team developing WildStar certainly thinks so. In a previous installment of the regular WildStar Wednesday feature, fans were introduced to the concept, but this week's developer diary is all about explaining how you keep all of the flavor of a quest while trimming it down to the bare minimum necessary. It's not about stripping out flavor -- it's about exactly the opposite.

Senior narrative designer Cory Herndon explains by example that a lot of quest text winds up repeating unnecessary facts or stating something that should be immediately clear. Herndon starts with a longer example of quest text and steadily pares it down to the most important bits of information, keeping all of the flavor while posting each bit of communication in quick and comprehensible bursts. Combined with the discussion of adding further bits of quest dialogue after important objectives are completed, the diary shows just how you can get a lot of flavor into the quests without quite as many fancy words.

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday examines redundancies in quest text originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosdeveloper-diaryncsoftpresentationpreviewsquestquest-textquestsstorytwitterwildstarwildstar-wednesdaywsWed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midwestern Conference on Health Games to feature MMO presentation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/midwestern-conference-on-health-games-to-feature-mmo-presentatio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/midwestern-conference-on-health-games-to-feature-mmo-presentatio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/midwestern-conference-on-health-games-to-feature-mmo-presentatio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Midwestern Conference on Health Games logo
Academic conferences aren't normally hotspots for MMO players, but you may find a few at this year's Midwestern Conference on Health Games in Indianapolis. One of the talks scheduled for October 28th is called Benefits of Massive[ly] Multiplayer Online Games for Gifted Students, and Steven Moore, husband of presenter Dr. Beth Moore, wrote in to give us the skinny on his wife's research.

"Benefits of MMO games will be presented with a focus on the social/emotional health of gifted students. Gifted students need opportunities to build social skills and collaborate with others, enhance leadership abilities, roleplay, and problem solve --all of which MMOs provide the framework [for]," Moore says.

MassivelyMidwestern Conference on Health Games to feature MMO presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaacademic-presentationgifted-kidsgifted-studentshealth-gamesmidwestern-conference-on-health-gamesMiscellaneousmmo-industrypresentationresearchMon, 17 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Planning for the EVE Fanfest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/eve-evolved-planning-for-the-eve-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/eve-evolved-planning-for-the-eve-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/eve-evolved-planning-for-the-eve-fanfest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Every year, the developers at CCP Games host the truly massive EVE Online Fanfest. Players from all walks of life and countries will soon gather in Iceland for the world's biggest event dedicated entirely to internet spaceships. Fanfest originally started as a small gathering for the game's most dedicated fans, but over the years, it has grown both in size and in its importance to players. CCP often uses Fanfest to give EVE players a sneak peek of what's to come and to showcase what the company has been working on. We look forward each year to CEO Hilmar's keynote speech, in which the year's big reveals typically take place.

Over time, the EVE Fanfest has become an integral part of CCP's feedback-gathering mechanisms. Developers run a series of presentations on game design, work being done at CCP, and the lessons learned from previous projects or expansions. Round-table discussions give players the opportunity to raise questions directly to developers, and Fanfest in general gives players a way to mingle with developers in a very informal way.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at how to prepare for the EVE Fanfest and how you can get involved even if you won't be in attendance.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Planning for the EVE Fanfest

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Planning for the EVE Fanfest originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdust-514eveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2011eve-fanfest-coverageeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefanfestfanfest-2011fanfest-pvp-tournamentfeaturedincarnaincursionincursionsinterviewslive-streampresentationpvppvp-tournamentSun, 20 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Rise of the Godslayer preview today at 3 PM ET]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/reminder-rise-of-the-godslayer-preview-today-at-3-pm-et/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/reminder-rise-of-the-godslayer-preview-today-at-3-pm-et/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/reminder-rise-of-the-godslayer-preview-today-at-3-pm-et/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been a few days since we announced it, so we thought we'd be a kind website and drop you a friendly reminder that you can catch a preview of Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer today on Xfire at 3 PM.

Today's streaming preview will be composed entirely of features and areas from the new expansion, played by the developers themselves. The presentation will last about an hour and will be streamed entirely from the Xfire site, so no need to rapidly re-install Xfire if you're looking to watch. Just go to the page at a little before 3 PM, watch the video, and chat live with other viewers.

If you can't make it, don't feel like you're missing out! We'll be putting up a synopsis of what went on in the presentation after it ends to keep you in the loop. So don't fear, we've got your backs!

MassivelyReminder: Rise of the Godslayer preview today at 3 PM ET originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocdeveloper-previewfuncomlivepresentationpreviewrise-of-the-godslayerstreaming-videoxfireMon, 07 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jack Emmert discusses the Champions IP in fresh new video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/video-jack-emmert-discusses-the-champions-ip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/video-jack-emmert-discusses-the-champions-ip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/video-jack-emmert-discusses-the-champions-ip/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


During a recent media event at Cryptic Studios, Jack Emmert gave a presentation on what the Champions IP was all about, including the history of the Champions universe and its super-powered beings. He also took some time to answer a few questions, and delineated how the Champions Online MMO will distinguish itself from City of Heroes.

Although the video misses a few minutes of the beginning of the presentation, it does cover the major figures such as Defender, Doctor Destroyer, and Foxbat (pictured above); the various organizations the world harbors; and the Nemesis system. There's a lot of great content in Emmert's words, and if you're like us, it all just makes you hungry for more. The full 14:50 video is all yours after the break!

Continue reading Jack Emmert discusses the Champions IP in fresh new video

MassivelyJack Emmert discusses the Champions IP in fresh new video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchampions-ipchampions-onlinecryptic-studiosdefenderdoctor-destroyerfeaturedfoxbatjack-emmertjoystiqfeaturesnemesispresentationvideoFri, 11 Jul 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Video of CCP artist's Ambulation presentation available]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/video-of-ccp-artists-ambulation-presentation-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/video-of-ccp-artists-ambulation-presentation-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/video-of-ccp-artists-ambulation-presentation-available/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CCP character artist Ben Mathis gave a 30 minute presentation at the New York Comic Con last month. He talked mostly about the forthcoming Ambulation expansion, which will allow EVE Online players to leave their cockpits and walk around the interiors of space stations with customizable, 3D avatars. Ten Ton Hammer has a Flash video of the entire session.

We saw some of the presented content at GDC earlier this year, but there's some new stuff in this video, too. As we've noted before, CCP isn't holding back; Ambulation is very technically impressive. It's ironic that EVE -- a game focused almost entirely on spaceships instead of face-to-face interactions -- might soon carry the most advanced avatar creation tools on the market.

Players will be able to customize every thing from body fat to the materials from which their clothes are made. Female avatars will have makeup customization options so powerful that the differentiation between lip gloss and lip stick will be noticeable. New animation blending technology will enable realistic transitions between disparate facial expressions. Infinite morph points will be available when faces are molded, thanks to creative use of shaders. CCP's ambition is astonishing -- let's hope the reality lives up to the promise in the end.

MassivelyVideo of CCP artist's Ambulation presentation available originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 May 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationanimationavatarben-mathisccpcharacter-artistcharacter-creationcharacterseveeve-onlineexpansiongraphicsnew-york-comic-connyccpresentationshadersstationten-ton-hammervideoThu, 15 May 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the first gameplay video of The Agency]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/watch-the-first-gameplay-video-of-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/watch-the-first-gameplay-video-of-the-agency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/watch-the-first-gameplay-video-of-the-agency/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Yesterday we handed out some new The Agency screenshots from SOE's CES presentation. That was cool enough, but in case you still weren't satisfied, there's a video of the presentation up on GameTrailers. Oh, and it's embedded above, obviously.

The presenter calls The Agency "24 meets Alias meets Counterstike," and that seems appropriate enough. The game can be played either in first person mode, or in a Mass Effect-esque over-the-shoulder perspective. It looks like you'll be able to run through instanced encounters with other players and/or NPCs, and there are scripted heroic moments in addition to the usual shoot-'em-up stuff. Our favorite moment occurs when the player revives a fallen ally with defibrillators.

It looks like the game borrows a lot from single-player game conventions, so it's not super innovative, but it's still refreshing to see an MMO that's not an action-bar-based, numeric-stat-grinding, sword & sorcery, D&D-style DikuMUD clone.

MassivelyWatch the first gameplay video of The Agency originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces2008counterstrikedefibdefibrillatorsplaystation-3presentationps3shootersoespytacticalthe-agencyvideoTue, 08 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[More evidence: MMOs are good for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/more-evidence-mmos-are-good-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/more-evidence-mmos-are-good-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/more-evidence-mmos-are-good-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Some believe video games dumb us down. Dr. Constance Steinkuehler isn't one of them. She's an assistant professor of Educational Communication & Technology, and she spoke at Future Play 2007, a conference on future trends in the gaming industry. In her presentation she suggested that MMOs actually improve our mental performance for both verbal and scientific tasks.

Fan fiction, forum arguments about which class does more l33t DPS, and complex social groups all keep our minds active, and these things could be educational tools for children. Even the oft-criticized MMO shorthand was shown in her talk to be more complex than one might first assume.

Steinkuehler also talked a bit about the roles that friendships in MMOs play in peoples' lives. She runs a gaming club for at-risk kids and hopes to use video games and teamwork to help them overcome their academic troubles. Sadly, we couldn't find a transcript of the presentation, but Gamasutra wrote up a good summary.

MassivelyMore evidence: MMOs are good for you originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenconstance-steinkuehlereducationfuture-playfuture-play-2007gamasutrakidslecturepresentationtalkThu, 15 Nov 2007 18:05:00 EST