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[Choose your abilities with ArcheAge's custom class creator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/choose-your-abilities-with-archeages-custom-class-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/choose-your-abilities-with-archeages-custom-class-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/choose-your-abilities-with-archeages-custom-class-creator/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

ArcheAge - character creator
ArcheAge's skill and class system is still something of a mystery to most folks in the West, due to both the language barrier and the fact that XL Games hasn't outlined all the particulars in detail. The company has updated its English-language website, though, and the ability-combination page gives a bit more insight into what players can expect when building characters in the upcoming sandpark title.

The page features a charted list of abilities that, when combined in groups of three, result in a particular class name being displayed. We're assuming that the resulting class will then get to select specific skills from each ability tree. For example, selecting the artistry, calling, and wild abilities results in a class called a Plainsrunner, and reading between the lines on each ability description indicates a Ranger-like class with a pet, stealth, support buffs, and ranged attacks.

If you're looking for a traditional fantasy class, XL provides premade Warrior, Priest, and Wizard templates just above the chart (as well as something called a Chaser), and you can also view brief videos of 10 of the listed abilities via the link in the left margin.

MassivelyChoose your abilities with ArcheAge's custom class creator originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesability-combosarche-agearcheagechaserclass-builderclassesfantasygame-mechanicsmechanicsplainsrunnerpriestsandboxsandparkskillswarriorwizardxlxl-gamesSun, 14 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/wings-over-atreia-class-builds-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/wings-over-atreia-class-builds-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/wings-over-atreia-class-builds-cleric/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Last week we discussed how personality influences class choice, so after some deep reflection, you have decided that it is time to reveal your true nature and be reborn as a cleric in Aion! Either that, or maybe you just wanted to solo some dungeons to horde all the loot. *cha-ching* Perhaps you already became one to impress that really cute voice in vent who is always looking for a healer. Whatever your reason, the life of servitude is for you. Now what?

Welcome to Build-a-Cleric. While some Daevas are content to just play with what they get from drops or quests, a number actually want to outfit their characters the best they can. Even if leveling too quickly to worry about uber gear thanks to mentoring and an easier grind, it is never a bad idea to keep an eye on endgame. And with the plethora of manastones, armor sets, weapons, and stigmas available -- not to mention advice, both solicited and unsolicited -- it can be a daunting task to maximize your potential. So to help you wade through the possibilities, Wings Over Atreia will be exploring each class individually and highlighting popular and effective builds. With any luck, some advance knowledge will help you make informed decisions and avoid the catastrophes of expending all of your energies in obtaining the wrong gear for your needs. Nothing shouts broke like having to re-socket entire sets or enchant new ones!

Roll up your sleeves and explore various builds for Aion's Cleric class after the cut.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamearmorarmor-setarmor-set-bonusesarmor-setsblockclass-buildsclericfeaturedhealerhealer-dpshealersHPmagic-boostMagic-ResistanceMBMRnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionpriestweapon-set-bonusesweapon-setsweaponsWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: You are what you play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/wings-over-atreia-you-are-what-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/wings-over-atreia-you-are-what-you-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/wings-over-atreia-you-are-what-you-play/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Have you ever noticed how some people just gravitate toward certain archetypes when it comes to choosing a class to play in-game? That some players just seem to really fit their role? It doesn't matter if it is the first class they dive into the moment that character selection screen pops up or the one they always end up with no matter how many times they try something different. Not only have I seen this play out repeatedly in Aion, but I have experienced it firsthand.

It's quite fascinating, really -- certain personality traits are simply drawn to certain classes. More so than any other aspect of gaming, character class is a reflection of some of our core traits and beliefs; character creation is rarely just random but rather is guided by conscious and unconscious desires. Don't believe me? Take a look around Atreia -- it is demonstrated time and time again. Warriors, scouts, mages, priests... each has idiosyncrasies that are unique to the archetype and are fitting for the gamers who play them. And don't think others' opinions aren't colored by your class; each also subtly alludes to these specific traits.

So what does your class say about you (or your legionmates)? Step past the cut into my office and we can delve into these personality profiles within Aion.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: You are what you play

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: You are what you play originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameclassclassesfeaturedmagenc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionpersonalitypersonality-traitsPersonalityTraitspriestscoutwarriorWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 04 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/gamersfirst-revamps-knight-onlines-capital-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/gamersfirst-revamps-knight-onlines-capital-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/gamersfirst-revamps-knight-onlines-capital-city/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GamersFirst is getting a lot of press lately due to its resurrection project on APB: Reloaded, but it bears mentioning that San Paro isn't the only city receiving some love from the free-to-play company.

Knight Online's capital city of Moradon "has risen from the ashes to be completely redesigned," according to a new GamersFirst press blurb. Moradon's architecture has been permanently redone, and the questing hub boasts a graphical revamp that reflects the city's rebuilding efforts following the destructive machinations of the god Pathos in Knight Online's chapter eight update.

Knight Online is a PvP- and story-centric MMO that allows players to fight for lands and castles in the kingdom of Carnac. Four character classes are available, and you can learn more about the Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage at the game's official web destination.

MassivelyGamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlescity-revampf2pfantasyfree-to-playgamers-firstgamersfirstknightknight-onlineknight-online-forevermagemoradonpathospress-releasepriestroguesiegesiegessiegingwarriorTue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Holier than thou: Divine Souls adds the Priest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/holier-than-thou-divine-souls-adds-the-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/holier-than-thou-divine-souls-adds-the-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/holier-than-thou-divine-souls-adds-the-priest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It figures that in a game called Divine Souls, sooner or later the team would include clergy. Outspark's action RPG has expanded its class roster to include the Priest, who's an interesting mix of lethal intent and compassionate healing.

The Priest is equipped with a deadly Soul Scythe, with which he culls the heathens as he works his way through the land. That's not all he brings to battle; the Priest is also well-versed in healing, lightning and poison magics.

Outspark's Philip Yun hopes that the Priest will be embraced by the playerbase: "We've designed Divine Souls from the beginning to offer the most action-­packed and exciting combat gameplay available online. We're constantly working to improve our games and offer players more exciting characters, weapons and other premium content. The Priest class will be especially compelling for players who want to try a different edge to our PvP battles."

Hit the jump to see Divine Souls' Priest in action!

Continue reading Holier than thou: Divine Souls adds the Priest

MassivelyHolier than thou: Divine Souls adds the Priest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgclassclassesclergydivine-soulsf2pfree-to-playoutsparkphilip-yunpriestscythesoul-scytheThu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Tinkering with standard classes and my Priest/Rogue]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/lost-pages-of-taborea-tinkering-with-standard-classes-and-my-pr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/lost-pages-of-taborea-tinkering-with-standard-classes-and-my-pr/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/lost-pages-of-taborea-tinkering-with-standard-classes-and-my-pr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aside from some ancillary problems, one of the things I love so much about Runes of Magic is that it gives me ability to augment weapons and equipment via the arcane transmutor. When that is coupled with a dual-class system, players are given a lot of room to bend traditional classes to their wills.

I've been running a Priest/Rogue for a while now and loving it. The selection of offensive spells, the Rogue's skills, and the weapons I can wield have me wanting to push the boundaries of typical class specifications. I'm building a hammer-wielding Priest that's specced much like I'd spec a Mage, but the class can also pump out adequate melee damage. In this week's Lost Pages of Taborea, I want to give you a run-down of the gear, weapons, and stats I'm choosing. It should serve as a good guide to some unique possibilities for classes in RoM.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Tinkering with standard classes and my Priest/Rogue

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Tinkering with standard classes and my Priest/Rogue originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcane transmutorArcaneTransmutorarmorbending-class-rolesbreaking-class-rulesbreaking-the-moldclass-combosclass-rolesdual-classfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivefun-with-classesgearhybridhybrid-classesjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamodifyingnon-standard-classesplaying-with-classespriestpriest-rogueroguerolesromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentupgradingweaponsMon, 30 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: Outspark previews new Priest class in Divine Souls video teaser]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/massively-exclusive-outspark-previews-new-priest-class-in-divin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/massively-exclusive-outspark-previews-new-priest-class-in-divin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/massively-exclusive-outspark-previews-new-priest-class-in-divin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There's a new class on the way to Divine Souls, the action combat MMO from Outspark. Next week will see the introduction of the Priest, and this ain't your daddy's healbot. No sir, this Priest is all about offense, and Outspark has given Massively an exclusive look at the whirling dervish as he swings, slashes, and chops his way through hordes of bad guys courtesy of his deadly soul scythe.

Priests make use of lightning and poison elements in addition to melee attacks and traditional restorative powers. Divine Souls is also getting some avatar outfit updates, and you can get a few glimpses of the new digs, as well as the new class, in the Priest trailer after the cut.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Outspark previews new Priest class in Divine Souls video teaser

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Outspark previews new Priest class in Divine Souls video teaser originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdivine-souldivine-soulsexclusivef2pfantasyfree-to-playmeleenew-outfitsoutfitspriestsoul-scythetrailersvideoSat, 30 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: The pursuit of magic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/behind-the-mask-the-pursuit-of-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/behind-the-mask-the-pursuit-of-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/behind-the-mask-the-pursuit-of-magic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When it comes to roleplaying, I'm a huge fan of wizards and spell casters, and it has nothing to do with gameplay roles. Magic is generally unlimited in its potential; it has the power to do anything the imagination can perceive, and the freedom to choose different roles for my characters is very attractive.

In the Champions universe, arcane practice is very different than its typical portrayals elsewhere. In most universes with a fantasy element, magic involves some chanting and spending some magic points or some other consumable resource (or possibly forgetting the spell in question) before the magic effect wills itself into existence.

For roleplayers, this magical difference is very important. Magical spells and creatures don't follow the same rules as those present in other fiction. Champions mystics follow real-life mythology and lore -- and strangely, this makes them unique among mages in other roleplaying settings.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: The pursuit of magic

MassivelyBehind the Mask: The pursuit of magic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-maskchampions-onlinechampions-universecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhadoukenhero-gamesjesus-was-a-wizardmagemagicmystic-worldpriestroleplayingwizardThu, 31 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/the-anvil-of-crom-its-the-bear-shaman-barely/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/the-anvil-of-crom-its-the-bear-shaman-barely/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/the-anvil-of-crom-its-the-bear-shaman-barely/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Well, the people have spoken, and it seems like I've got some new marching orders when it comes to Age of Conan. If you've been following the column for the last little while, you'll know that I'm running a miniseries that borrows heavily from Massively's Choose My Adventure pieces.

Every so often I'll offer up some polls relating to various gameplay choices, giving you the reader the opportunity to vicariously explore aspects of Funcom's fantasy title that may have lacked previous coverage. I'll report on my character's adventures on a regular basis, with the long-term goal being a pretty comprehensive record of what it's like to play AoC from 1 to 80, as well as a deep look at endgame.

In addition, it's a public character, so anyone who wants to group for dungeons, PvP, or general shenanigans can hit me up in game. Preambles aside, head past the cut to see the results of last week's polling and a glimpse into the future.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely)

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely) originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-choose-my-adventureanvil-of-cromaocaoc-1-to-80aoc-choose-my-adventurebear-shamancommunitycommunity-pollingfantasyfeaturedfuncomhealeroakarmopinionpollingpollspriestthe-anvil-of-cromtortageSun, 20 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[En Masse releases new TERA Community Play Diary entry]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/en-masse-releases-new-tera-community-play-diary-entry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/en-masse-releases-new-tera-community-play-diary-entry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/en-masse-releases-new-tera-community-play-diary-entry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

TERA may have had a relatively laid-back showing at this year's GDC, but development continues apace for the folks at En Masse Entertainment. Community director Jason "BrotherMagneto" Mical and community manager Evan "Scapes" Berman have returned to give anxious fans another peek behind the curtain, courtesy of the latest installment in the ongoing Community Play Diary series.

This week's episode, dubbed Learning the Ropes, sees our intrepid hosts showing off a few of TERA's more unique tutorial aspects. Activities include bomb-throwing and climbing along with more traditional NPC interaction and UI familiarization fare that takes the form of story-based quests from the perspective of a raw Valkyon Federation recruit.

Read all about it on the official TERA website, and check out this handy forum thread if you've missed any of the previous series installments.

MassivelyEn Masse releases new TERA Community Play Diary entry originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amaniberserkerbrothermagnetocommunity-play-diaryen-masseen-masse-entertainmentevan-bermanfantasyhigh-elfjason-micalpriestscapesteratera-onlineThu, 10 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gods & Heroes dev blog talks class balance, lifts NDA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gods-and-heroes-dev-blog-talks-class-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gods-and-heroes-dev-blog-talks-class-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gods-and-heroes-dev-blog-talks-class-balance/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hot on the heels of its GDC updates, Heatwave Interactive has released a new dev blog detailing further aspects of Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising. The mythological MMORPG boasts four unique character classes (the Priest, the Soldier, the Gladiator, and the Mystic), and today's dev blog offers a look at a few class-specific issues through the eyes of senior content designer Todd Bailey.

Bailey discusses how the Soldier and Gladiator differ despite the fact that both focus on close-range melee combat. He also talks about why the Scout and Nomad classes won't be available at launch. "The honest answer is that the Nomad was completely overpowered as a class and just felt like it was the catch-all for abilities that didn't go anywhere else," Bailey explains. He also says that combat tuning and balancing is an ongoing process, noting that the overall combat feel is much improved even though a few new wrinkles have been introduced during the tweaking process. Head to the official Gods & Heroes website for the full dev diary.

In still other G&H news, Heatwave has officially dropped the game's NDA, so beta players can now freely talk about the title here and elsewhere!

MassivelyGods & Heroes dev blog talks class balance, lifts NDA originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdev-blogdev-diaryfantasygladiatorgods-and-heroesgods-and-heroes-rome-risingheatwaveheatwave-interactivemysticmythologyndanda-droppriestsoldiertodd-bailyFri, 04 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gods & Heroes details classes and releases new screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/gods-and-heroes-details-classes-and-releases-new-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/gods-and-heroes-details-classes-and-releases-new-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/gods-and-heroes-details-classes-and-releases-new-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The devs at Heatwave Interactive have given Gods & Heroes fans a bit more information to mull over as they wait anxiously for the title's debut. In a press release dated earlier this morning, Heatwave detailed the game's four character classes and released an accompanying batch of screenshots.

While the classes don't stray too far from MMORPG norms, it's nonetheless instructive to see exactly what the game has in store. First up is the Gladiator, who, as you might surmise, exists to do massive melee damage at close range. The Soldier is your basic tank archetype, responsible for juggling aggro and taking a beating for his friends. The Mystic is Gods & Heroes' answer to ranged DPS, while the Priest is, crazily enough, the main healer.

You can get a full rundown on Gladiators, Soldiers, Priests, and Mystics at the game's main website, and don't forget to check out the new screens below.

Gallery: Gods and Heroes

MassivelyGods & Heroes details classes and releases new screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesfantasygallerygladiatorgods-and-heroesheatwaveheatwave-interactivemysticmythologypress-releasepriestscreenshotssoldierThu, 17 Feb 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA unveils new class information and its plans for GDC]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-unveils-new-class-information-and-its-plans-for-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-unveils-new-class-information-and-its-plans-for-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tera-unveils-new-class-information-and-its-plans-for-gdc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

For a hack-and-slash-type MMO, TERA doesn't skirt around with the lore. Each of the player races has its own distinct personality traits. This week, En Masse Entertainment is talking about the High Elves. As a player race, the High Elves reward ambition and intellectual prowess yet frown on emotional outbursts. Despite being the last members to join the Valkyon Federation, these accomplished Sorcerers, Mystics, and Slayers will probably be running things for a while.

Speaking of classes, En Masse revealed more information about the Berserker and Priest classes. The team claims that, although a Berserker rages through his enemies, it is still a very tactical class to play. And despite the Priest's adept healing abilities, this class is still a terror on the battlefield, dishing damage one second then turning around the next to help keep his friends alive. Nine new images of these classes were added to the gallery below.

If this lore or these classes interest you, then you will be pleased to know that key members of En Masse Entertainment, along with a brand new demo of TERA, will be available at GDC in San Fransisco on March 2nd - 4th. If you are attending, you can be one of the first in North America to get your hands on this action-MMO.

Gallery: TERA Race and Class series

MassivelyTERA unveils new class information and its plans for GDC originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berserkerclassclassesen-masseen-masse-entertainmentgalleryGDC-2011high-elvespriestracesscreenshotsTERATue, 15 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA class videos explode from Frogster!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/tera-class-videos-explode-from-frogster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/tera-class-videos-explode-from-frogster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/tera-class-videos-explode-from-frogster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Bluehole Studio has been a bit silent as of late regarding its action MMORPG, TERA. But today, European publisher Frogster treated us with not one, not two, not even three, but eight trailers from the lands of TERA. These stunning videos give us a taste of each player class: Warrior, Lancer, Slayer, Sorcerer, Archer, Priest, Mystic, and Berserker. Despite what it may look like, each teaser is shot using TERA's in-game engine and textures -- there's no outside studio work here. Never-before-seen class features are showcased, and Frogster hopes to whet your appetite with these action-packed videos.

Follow after the break to judge each class video for yourself. So, truthfully, do these videos make you more excited about TERA?

Continue reading TERA class videos explode from Frogster!

MassivelyTERA class videos explode from Frogster! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archerberserkerBlueHolebluehole-studioclassclassesFrosterlancermysticpriestslayersorcererTERAtrailertrailersvideowarriorTue, 25 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Spam heal is the enemy of strategy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/lost-pages-of-taborea-spam-heal-is-the-enemy-of-strategy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/lost-pages-of-taborea-spam-heal-is-the-enemy-of-strategy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/lost-pages-of-taborea-spam-heal-is-the-enemy-of-strategy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last week, I spoke a bit about whether Runes of Magic was too easy or not. In that article I harken back to the mana strike that players held to remove part of a patch that added a percentage-to-cost modifier on all spells for all classes. This week I wanted to flit around the same subjects, but from the viewpoint of healing and strategy.

I want my readers to be well-versed in RoM 101. Just like I set out to do with my community guide for new and old players, I want to educate players today on the fine art of button-mashing. Let's start by covering what spam healing -- or spamming any skill -- is, and why it's not always fun. I'll put this into the context of dungeon-running, cover some fun strategy that results from not being able to spam heal, and give my opinion on how well (or not-so-well) all this works in RoM.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Spam heal is the enemy of strategy

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Spam heal is the enemy of strategy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boss-fightsbossesbutton-mashingdungeondungeonsfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehealinghealsinstanceinstancesmanamana-poolmana-regenpriestpriest-spellspriest-strateyromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentskill-spammingspamspam-healspammingstrategyMon, 08 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/wings-over-atreia-living-la-vida-asmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/wings-over-atreia-living-la-vida-asmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/wings-over-atreia-living-la-vida-asmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now, it is oft heard that "Asmos don't get no lovin'!" Perusing threads, or even listening to faction-hoppers in game, you hear many complaints that Asmodians have it just that much harder than their fair-winged counterparts -- that Asmodae is harder to level in than Elysea, the Elyos have better mobs, easier quests, better loot, more press time, and so on. Basically, that the Elyos race is the "favorite child." In the interest of representing both factions in Aion, I gave readers the chance to choose my class as I ventured into Asmodae as a black-winged beauty (sorry folks, I just can't bring myself to create a male character).

And the votes are in! Your choice for my new persona is --drum roll -- priest! While I was excited to delve into the class, a part of me wondered if there was an ulterior motive to this choice... a cry for more healers among the Asmodians, perhaps? Regardless of the reasoning behind it, yours truly slipped out of Elysea and into Asmodae. While it will take me a while (since I am not a power-grinder), I am going to take you along with me as we journey through life on the dark side, comparing the leveling on each side of the planet. In this installment, we are looking at Asmodian life from creation to ascension.

Follow across the cut to join me in my very first clawed footsteps, as well as a hint to maximize your experience at beginning levels.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionAsmodaeasmodianchantercharacter-creationexperiencefeaturedhelpful-hintHelpfulTipshintishalgenlevelingopinionpriestQuestsWings-Over-AtreiaXPMon, 26 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Building a rogue/priest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-building-a-rogue-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-building-a-rogue-priest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-building-a-rogue-priest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


One thing I've been slacking on is looking deeper into all the class combinations that Runes of Magic offers. I've tried rolling other characters before, but I've barely dinged 20/20 on any of them. They have been left collecting dust for too long. So, I've been rummaging through all the guides, asking questions in-game, visiting the forums, and playing alts to write on a specific class combo. As I'm always attracted to the weird and unusual, I had to start with a lesser-used pairing.

I think the rogue/priest combination is one of the most intriguing classes in RoM. At first glance, it's a super-squishy pairing that runs out of energy fast. Looking a little deeper will show it to be a deadly mix of DPS, healing, and group support that allows a lot of freedom to how you prefer to play. It's a fun, funky combo with a lot of versatility for soloing through the game and partying in high-level instances.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Building a rogue/priest

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Building a rogue/priest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildclassesfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-interactiveplayer-vs-environmentplayer-vs-playerpriestpvepvprogueromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentskillsMon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A roundup of World of Warcraft's major class changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-roundup-of-world-of-warcrafts-major-class-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-roundup-of-world-of-warcrafts-major-class-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-roundup-of-world-of-warcrafts-major-class-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Love it or hate it, World of Warcraft is the 900-pound gorilla of the MMO market at the moment. Nearly everyone who games online has at least tried it, and even those of us who play other games very possibly still play it as an old standby. So it's hard to miss the news about the newest expansion, Cataclysm, which is poised to remake the world in many ways. It's also home to an ambitious series of overhauls to classes and their talent structure, with far-reaching changes for every class in the game.

Our sister site, WoW.com, has been keeping abreast of the development team's slow roll of new information about each class, with every class but Paladins having their upcoming changes previewed. (Paladins are due out on the 16th, due to being "deep in development.") They've also gone through an in-depth analysis of each different set of changes, from the good to the bad. So if you've played the game at all -- and the odds are you have -- take a look past the break for a quick version of everything coming when World of Warcraft brings down the end of the world.

Continue reading A roundup of World of Warcraft's major class changes

MassivelyA roundup of World of Warcraft's major class changes originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmclass-changesclassesdeath-knightdruidexpansionshuntermagepriestrogueshamanwarlockwarriorworld-of-warcraftwowwow-cataclysmSat, 10 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Fighter Online trailer shows classes and gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/dungeon-fighter-online-trailer-shows-classes-and-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/dungeon-fighter-online-trailer-shows-classes-and-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/dungeon-fighter-online-trailer-shows-classes-and-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Not going to be at Comic-Con to see the Dungeon Fighter Online preview that will be on show? Fear not, as Nexon has provided us with a new trailer for the game that gives a short introduction to its story and its five classes, as well as showing a tiny bit of gameplay at the end -- it's pretty much the perfect way to get acquainted with the game if you haven't looked into it yet.

Head past the break to meet the Slayer, the Fighter, the Gunner, the Mage, and the Priest (each with their own incredibly cheesy catch phrase), all while getting worked up listening to the adrenaline-filled arcade-style tune pumping in the background.

Continue reading Dungeon Fighter Online trailer shows classes and gameplay

MassivelyDungeon Fighter Online trailer shows classes and gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-fighter-onlinefighterfree-to-playgunnermagenexonpriestslayertrailervideoTue, 21 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Delving into the archetypes and specialty classes of Aion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/delving-into-the-archetypes-and-specialty-classes-of-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/delving-into-the-archetypes-and-specialty-classes-of-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/delving-into-the-archetypes-and-specialty-classes-of-aion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The folks over at Ten Ton Hammer have been cranking out a number of features that examine the various class archetypes and specialty classes of Aion. So far, they've produced two game guides showcasing the Priest and Mage archetypes and had four interviews with NCsoft discussing the Gladiator, Templar, Ranger, and Assassin specialty classes.

When creating a character in Aion, you must initially choose one of four available archetypes. Anyone who has played a fantasy MMO or RPG in the past decade or so will find them quite familiar. They are the Warrior, Scout, Priest, and Mage.

Once you reach level 9, you're sent on a quest to discover your true identity and ascend to daevahood. The quest is like Red Bull - it gives you wings. At this point you must choose a specialty class defined by your original archetype. Warriors become Gladiators or Templars. Scouts become Rangers or Assassins. Priests become Clerics or Chanters. Mages become Sorcerers(esses) or Spiritmasters.

By our count, TTH has covered half the archetypes and specialty classes so far, so keep your eyes peeled for the second half coming soon. We'll also bring you our own impressions of these classes when beta permits. So far, we've been limited to testing some pretty low level characters.

MassivelyDelving into the archetypes and specialty classes of Aion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionassassinchanterclass-guideclericgladiatormagencsoftpriestrangerscoutsorcererspiritmastertemplarten-ton-hammerwarriorSat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft Molten Core raid for ATARI becomes reality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/world-of-warcraft-molten-core-raid-for-atari-becomes-reality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/world-of-warcraft-molten-core-raid-for-atari-becomes-reality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/world-of-warcraft-molten-core-raid-for-atari-becomes-reality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Earlier this year, Blizzard won the prank wars with Molten Core, a faux ATARI game based on World of Warcraft's Molten Core raid complete with eight directions of movement, glorious 2D graphics and, yes, sound. We bet you thought that was just a joke, and that everyone would have forgotten about it after a week had gone by, but guess what? It's back, and this time it's real!

Gamer's University made a "port" of the ATARI game for WIndows PCs, and it includes all that was promised in Blizzard's trailer. One player plays as a priest, the other as a warrior, and each has eight movement directions and one action button (heal for the priest, attack for the warrior) with which to defeat the ten bosses. Hard to believe people used to pay big bucks for these sorts of games, isn't it?

[Via Eurogamer]

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft Molten Core raid for ATARI becomes reality originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsatariblizzardbossesgamers-universityjoystickmolten-coreportprankpriestwarriorworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 02 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nymh, Human Warlock of the EU server Drek'thar (and the real-world country of France) became the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 by working with an out-of-group Priest to spam area-of-effect attacks against rapidly-spawning mid-70s mobs, inspired by the technique of another World of Warcraft Warlock player named Jynxx, who eloquently explained the concept in a video (Note: probably won't make much sense if you're not a WoW addict already).

Time from 70 to 80: 27 hours.

Nymh did a lot of research and trial-and-error exploration of options in the Wrath of the Lich King beta test in order to be ready for the gauntlet after the EU launch, which of course came a little bit before the North American one. We'll note that the first-to-level-70-after-launch trophy went to another French player last year. Vive la France, no?

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyAnd the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is... originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80blizzarddrekthareufirstfrancefrenchjynxxlevel-80nymhpriestwarlockworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

If developers chose to extend similar mechanics to affect players, you might find yourself being penalised for being in possession of 'forbidden' materials, whatever they may be. Mechanics might be in place to reflect how devout your character was, meaning you were actively prevented from taking certain actions at a certain time, reflecting any holidays or religious observations your character made. Imagine a Paladin who was actually prevented from ganking lowbies because it was contrary to his faith? Shocker.

More blue-sky thinking, I know. Putting aside for now the idea of fake religions, what about allowing real-life religions into games?

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtaindivine-humanismdivine-magiceq-2everquest-2faithforgotten-shadowforsakengodgodsholy-lightpaladinpriestreligionreligion-in-mmosthe-lighttheocracyworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/behind-the-curtain-religion-as-a-game-mechanic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Should we have more religion in MMOs?

I'm not talking about the Priests and Paladins we see in World of Warcraft, Everquest 2 and probably lots of other games I haven't played. Religion for character classes like these is more often than not a game mechanic, something which is used to explain the source of their powers.

Divine Magic is a term which is frequently used to explain a player or character's ability to cast spells. It's a catch-all term, attributing magical and mystical abilities to ill-defined deities and otherwordly beings watching over the game-world. Usually benevolent, these beings empower their followers, enabling them to carry out miraculous feats.

Probably deliberately, religion has remained generally fuzzy and ill-defined in MMOs. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Religious debate in the real world is a sure-fire way to incite some flames, and it's no wonder that games developers have been keen to shy away from it thus far.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Religion as a game mechanic originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtaindivine-humanismdivine-magiceq-2everquest-2faithfeaturedforgotten-shadowforsakengodgodsholy-lightpaladinpriestreligionreligion-in-mmosthe-lighttheocracyworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with Age of Conan's priests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/hands-on-with-age-of-conans-priests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/hands-on-with-age-of-conans-priests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/hands-on-with-age-of-conans-priests/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A lot of things about Age of Conan are different from your average MMO, but some things are also similar. The healing classes in the game are a prime example of this, as each of the three classes rely on the whack-a-mole gameplay style while adding in some new choices. In other words, they all heal, but they all deal damage in different ways. I didn't realize how different each of AoC's healers truly were until I was able to sit down with them for a couple of days last weekend.

Over the course of the recent PvP weekend I did just that: fiddled around with the healing classes in Age of Conan. While I normally don't play the healer class in MMOs, I've dabbled in the selfless class archetype known as the healer. Because of this, I know how the healing gig typically goes in MMOs, but when I started playing the healers in AoC I found myself a bit surprised.

Gallery: Age of Conan Priests

Continue reading Hands-on with Age of Conan's priests

MassivelyHands-on with Age of Conan's priests originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbear-shamanfeaturedfuncomherald-of-xotlijoystiqfeaturespriestpriest-of-mitrapriestspvp-weekendtempest-of-setFri, 25 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview profiles Age of Conan's Priest of Mitra class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/interview-profiles-age-of-conans-priest-of-mitra-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/interview-profiles-age-of-conans-priest-of-mitra-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/interview-profiles-age-of-conans-priest-of-mitra-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Imagine if Snow White's wicked queen gazed into her magic mirror and asked, "Who's the most badass priest class of them all?" Judging from the info Funcom provided in a recent interview with Ten Ton Hammer, the answer would be "Age of Conan's Priest of Mitra."

Healers in AoC don't select a target and heal just that target, nor do they automatically heal everyone in their group. Rather, they heal all friendly targets standing in a 120 degree cone of effect in front of them. We'll call those spells "CoE heals." The Priest of Mitra will get bonuses to his or her damage output based on how many friendlies he or she has healed recently. He or she will have an ability called "Reciprocal Healing" that will allow him or her to AoE heal friendlies when affected by a CoE heal from another healer -- making groups with multiple priest-types particularly potent.

Perhaps most impressively, the Priest of Mitra will have access to a wide and dynamic range of crowd control spells by level 80 -- including "stun, fear, knockback, snare, and blind abilities." All that and more in the interview. Check it out.

MassivelyInterview profiles Age of Conan's Priest of Mitra class originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanclasscoecone-of-effectfuncomhealinginterviewpriestpriest-of-mitraten-ton-hammerTue, 11 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan loses two classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/age-of-conan-loses-two-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/age-of-conan-loses-two-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/age-of-conan-loses-two-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TTH has word that Funcom has dropped two more classes from Age of Conan, bringing the total down to twelve instead of fourteen. If you were really hoping to play a Scion of Set (upgraded from the Priest archetype-- you choose an archetype at level 5, and a class from that set at level 20) or a Lich (upgraded from the Mage archetype) in the upcoming MMO, then let your hopes fall away like so much dust into the wind, because those classes are no more.

Can't say yet whether this is a good thing or a bad thing-- on the one hand, it could be because Funcom couldn't make them work, which doesn't say much for the game we all want to play. But on the other hand, it could be good news-- Funcom may have more time to work on the other classes and get them up to speed. And maybe it's just our optimism for this game, but the fact that Funcom plans to spread the abilities of these classes back around to the other ones should mean that they're just cutting the fat, not bailing out a sinking ship.

[Thanks, Boltar!]

MassivelyAge of Conan loses two classes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanarchetypebreakingclasseslichmagepriestscion-of-setFri, 18 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[I am healer: breaking healing's spell]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/i-am-healer-breaking-healings-spell/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/i-am-healer-breaking-healings-spell/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/i-am-healer-breaking-healings-spell/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Imagine a fantasy MMO that completely shirked the idea of healers, healing potions, and healing in general. Instead of dedicating hundreds of player hours to perfecting these combat crutches, why don't game designers finally throw aside the long-cliche notion of healing, and design their games more like real life? This is the question at the heart of a recent blog post by Kendricke over at Clockwork Gamer. If you follow Kendricke's line of reasoning - the heroes in most major forms of media survive not by having one of their cohorts plant themselves in the back of the room and lob magic spells that regenerate cleaved flesh, they simply avoid damage. Wouldn't this make a more exciting product for players in the long-run, and free developers from the "tank/healing/dps" trap that has held them for so long?

The answer, naturally, is that of course it would be an improvement, but only if the developer gave the idea due diligence. EVE Online is an example of a game that doesn't rely on the healing crutch, but it was something that was really built into the foundation of its gameplay mechanics and lore. Warhammer Online's approach to having combat healers is slightly more suspect, because it seems like they're trying to have their cake and eat it too; how long will it really be before these healing/damage hybrids become completely co-opted for healing? Kendricke's take on the subject is definitely worth checking out, even if you're not typically the guy who gets suckered into healing as some of us do.

MassivelyI am healer: breaking healing's spell originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesclockwork-gamereve-onlinehealerhealingi-am-healerpriestwarhammer-onlineWed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Adventures from the Back Row: World of Warcraft priestly resources]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/adventures-from-the-back-row-world-of-warcraft-back-row-resourc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/adventures-from-the-back-row-world-of-warcraft-back-row-resourc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/adventures-from-the-back-row-world-of-warcraft-back-row-resourc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It would be a shame for December to end with just one chance to talk about what it's like to put your heal down. My technical problems have put a temporary hold on my series on healing in Tabula Rasa, but there's no reason we can't turn to the web for succor.

I'm guessing a lot of you play World of Warcraft, right? Well, healing in WoW is just as hard as it is anywhere else. At the high end, the hoops you have to jump through ... well, you'd almost think that you'd need some sort of advanced strategy. Perhaps people could even make a hobby out of commenting on what it's like to play a priest?

What do you know, both of those things are out there? Today's Adventures from the Back Row will try to offer up a few reliable resources for channeling the Light (or Shadow) in Azeroth. I'm also going to point out some bloggers who make it their business to channel the divine. Whether they're professional or kwai, upbeat or uber-cynical, everyone who wears the halo in World of Warcraft has one thing in common: idiot groupmates delusions of grandeur not enough mana.

Continue reading Adventures from the Back Row: World of Warcraft priestly resources

MassivelyAdventures from the Back Row: World of Warcraft priestly resources originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventures-from-the-back-rowblizzardfeaturedforumshealinghow-tomichael-zenkenewbie-guidespriestresourcesworld-of-warcraftMon, 31 Dec 2007 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan Product Developer interview, with gameplay video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/age-of-conan-product-developer-interview-with-gameplay-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/age-of-conan-product-developer-interview-with-gameplay-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/age-of-conan-product-developer-interview-with-gameplay-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

On December 5th, I was invited to the Eidos/Funcom Age of Conan press event, where I was privileged enough to be granted access to both the game itself and the development team. I was able to play the opening area, leading into the first town. I sussed out the combat and the conversation interface. I spoke with Jørgen Tharaldsen, the Product Developer, and he let drop a metric ton of knowledge upon my fevered noggin. I reprint here our conversation, interspersed with my handheld-shot video pieces, the first of which is shown above, which is where the game starts, with you as a survivor of a shipwrecked slaver ship. I'd like to thank Jørgen and the entire Eidos/Funcom team, all of whom I found to be gracious, witty, and enthusiastic about their game, which is refreshing to see. My take? The game looks incredible, and it's extremely immersive from the get-go. They say they're on schedule for an early 2008 release, so this is something to anticipate indeed.


More videos and the interview after the jump!

Continue reading Age of Conan Product Developer interview, with gameplay video

MassivelyAge of Conan Product Developer interview, with gameplay video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.1-surroundage-of-conananarchy-onlineaquiloniaarcherarchitectarnold-schwarzeneggerbarbarianbreakingcimmeriacommandercromdark-templardidrik-tollefseneidosfeaturedfuncomgameplay-videogermanyguardianhour-of-the-dragonhyboriainterviewjorgen-tharaldsenjoystiqfeatureskushitesmagemammothmarvel-comcsmassivelymitramtvnorwaypictsprestigepriestrobert-e-howardshadowlandssiegestygiathe-longest-journeythoth-amonvanirFri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST