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[Storyboard: Problem players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hopefully my internet connection is working as you read this.
I don't tend to talk about the players behind the characters in this column because more often than not it doesn't matter. A good roleplayer is a good roleplayer, and if your characters can interact well, you don't really need to be close friends behind the scenes. Sure, I promote communication out of character, but that's to avoid drama, and liking the person involved is more of a bonus than a requisite goal. The majority of roleplayers won't have issues beyond character or story-based ones, and thus I focus on those.

There are exceptions.

Even if most of the troubles you'll encounter are the result of characters that don't quite work for whatever reason (something we're all guilty of), there are certain players who are going to cause problems no matter what. And I'm not talking about the guy who always makes the same character with minor setting adjustments. I'm talking about the players who will make you actively dislike the game you're playing, the cases where you're going to need to address the problem beyond just shaking your head at one character or another. These guys exist, and even though they're not the majority, they have an unpleasant impact.

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem players

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturefeaturedgroupsopinionproblem-playersproblemsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsocial-problemsstorystoryboardFri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Mistakes I know I was making]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/storyboard-mistakes-i-know-i-was-making/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Having a header image I need to whip up fresh every week is probably among those mistakes.
When I write this column, I talk a lot about what works within the context of roleplaying. I make suggestions, declare certain things as being bad ideas, and otherwise make a point of speaking as someone who knows what he is doing. This is not unfounded; I've been playing MMOs for eight years and roleplaying for fifteen, so I at least have some benefit of experience to work with. But a lot of the conclusions I've reached and the ideas that I've formed have been the result of trying something, failing, and learning from the experience.

Today, I'm going to look back to three characters whom I played, characters I was excited about, characters who absolutely failed to work. Beyond just that, however, I want to talk about why they failed to work and what I might have done to overcome their innate problems and make them fun to play after all. These are points I've touched on before, definitely, but it never hurts to fit these things into an actual context.

Continue reading Storyboard: Mistakes I know I was making

MassivelyStoryboard: Mistakes I know I was making originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebackstorycharacter-developmentcharacter-typescharacterscolumnfeaturedloreopinionproblem-charactersproblemsroleplayingstoryboardFri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most creative solution you've ever come up with in an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-creative-solution-youve-ever-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Players are endlessly creative, rebellious beings. While we do play by the rules that are established in MMOs, we're always always looking for other ways to do things and solutions that weren't conceived by developers when they created the game. Sometimes devs call these solutions "exploits," sometimes they're applauded, and sometimes they're even legitimized.

You see, MMOs contain a series of problems that need solving -- usually by decapitation. To aid the player in doing so, they provide a toolbox in the form of skills, abilities, stats, and items. The best MMOs allow us to use this toolbox to explore multiple paths to victory, particularly when there are tricky non-combat puzzles and problems afoot.

So today I'd like to know the most creative solution you ever came up with while playing an MMO. When was a time that you were beating your head against a problem, tried something unconventional -- and it worked? Impress us with your creative genius!

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most creative solution you've ever come up with in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-solutioncreative-solutionscreativityexploitexploitsopinionperma-shadow-formproblem-solvingproblemstdgthe-daily-grindtoolboxSat, 21 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion open beta hits some hiccups, but patches are on the way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/aion-open-beta-hits-some-hiccups-but-patches-are-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/aion-open-beta-hits-some-hiccups-but-patches-are-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/aion-open-beta-hits-some-hiccups-but-patches-are-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


First Champions, and now Aion. It seems that no game can find that smooth stride regarding their beta testing these days, but thankfully that's what beta testing is for -- squashing bugs. (No matter how much marketing we seem to lump atop these tests these days.)

The Aion development team has heard the community's call regarding the lag, authentication server, gameguard anti-cheating program, forum authentication script, and beta key release schedule. They understand that the problems with the lag experienced by North American users, as well as the login server not working, is frustrating. However, they are devoting resources to finding out the cause and will be patching the game ASAP.

Continue reading Aion open beta hits some hiccups, but patches are on the way

MassivelyAion open beta hits some hiccups, but patches are on the way originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-onlineaion-the-tower-of-eternitybetabugsgameguardlaglogin-serverncsoftnorth-americaopen-betaproblemstestingFri, 11 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online experiences open beta troubles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/champions-online-experiences-open-beta-troubles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/champions-online-experiences-open-beta-troubles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/champions-online-experiences-open-beta-troubles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


For many people, today was supposed to be a magical day filled with ponies and superheroes. But what should have been a wonderfully magical experience has left many with a bad taste in their mouth and a patcher that constantly disconnects. We, honestly, blame Foxbat for this. He once tried to steal the Empire State Building, you know.

In all seriousness, many users have been reporting that the official Champions Online patcher has been both downloading slowly and disconnecting from the server after timing out, leading to many people becoming furious over not being able to log in. FilePlanet users have also been affected by this as well, even after pre-loading the Champions Online client to be ready for this day.

Continue reading Champions Online experiences open beta troubles

MassivelyChampions Online experiences open beta troubles originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabill-roperbreakingchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studioserrorsforumsopen-betapatcherproblemsslow-downloadtime-outMon, 17 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WarCry interviews EVE Lead Designer Noah Ward about the CSM]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/warcry-interviews-eve-lead-designer-noah-ward-about-the-csm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/warcry-interviews-eve-lead-designer-noah-ward-about-the-csm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/warcry-interviews-eve-lead-designer-noah-ward-about-the-csm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


EVE Online's Council of Stellar Management (CSM) is the title's first attempt at having elected representatives work with CCP Games on improving the game as well as the company's relations with its player base. The initial idea behind the CSM was that it would act as an oversight committee on behalf of the players, in the wake of the 'T20 incident' when a CCP developer unfairly provided a player corporation with certain resources. But this first CSM is largely tasked with improving the transparency of CCP's inner workings, while shaping the game to better fit the play styles of their constituency. The CSM has met online in recent weeks, and with mixed results, but they've now met in-person in Reykjavik, where they also had face-to-face time with the creators of EVE Online.

Jordan Deam from WarCry interviewed EVE Online dev Noah Ward (aka CCP Hammerhead) about what this experiment in 'democratic community management' has yielded thus far, and what it may yet become. The interview focuses heavily on the dynamic between players wanting features added to the game and the undertaking necessary on CCP's part to make these changes a reality. Factional warfare has only just been realized in the game and was four years in the making. Ambulation, or 'Walking in Stations', is slated for a launch in the coming months, after three years of being in the pipeline, Ward said. Have a look at the WarCry interview, and decide for yourself if the CSM is living up to its potential, and if CCP is recapturing the transparency of a small, independent game company as it grows into a much larger entity.

MassivelyWarCry interviews EVE Lead Designer Noah Ward about the CSM originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationccpccp-gamescommunitycouncilcsmdevdeveloperselectionempyrean-ageeveeve-onlinefactional-warfaregame-designgame-mechanicshammerheadnoah-wardpoliticsproblemsreykjaviksci-fiwalking-in-stationswarcryWed, 25 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Stellar council - one month on]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/eve-evolved-stellar-council-one-month-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/eve-evolved-stellar-council-one-month-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/eve-evolved-stellar-council-one-month-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yesterday marked the one month anniversary of EVE Online's democratically elected Council of Stellar Management. The council was created as a way for the players to democratically decide which game issues are important enough to bring to CCP's attention. Since CCP are unable to sift through the forum for important topics, this gives a way for players to put forward their problems in a constructive manner. The council vote on whether each issue is important or not and compile a list to present to CCP. CCP have the final say in what issues from the list they think need to be addressed and will essentially be using the CSM to focus player feedback into a constructive form they can use.

Since its inception, the CSM has been plagued with problems and disputes. From the beginning, it was clear that a surprisingly small proportion of the playerbase were interested in the whole thing. Only 11% of players voted and of those even fewer actively participate in presenting issues to the council. With such a low voting turnout from the general EVE populace, it was argued that organised alliance voting made up the majority of the votes. Disputes escalated to new heights with the conclusion of the third official CSM meeting but recent meetings have seen vast improvements across the board.

At this one month anniversary, I look back on the problems that have plagued the council of stellar management and how they've been handled.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Stellar council - one month on

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Stellar council - one month on originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpcouncilcsmeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturespoliticsproblemsMon, 23 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Age of Conan in bad shape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/rumor-age-of-conan-in-bad-shape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/rumor-age-of-conan-in-bad-shape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/rumor-age-of-conan-in-bad-shape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



A poster to the boards at IGN has let loose with a lengthy list of problems in the current Beta build of Age of Conan. The beta, as he describes it, sounds like it's in pretty bad shape. Missing elements include:
  • PvP, including the much-vaunted border skirmishes.
  • The option to play as a female character.
  • Most of the zones; estimate for launch was at one point 35 and in the Beta they apparently have only 14 half-finished areas.
  • Most spells/abilities.
  • Any sort of working economy.
He also lambasts the current state of ranged combat, the AI mobs offer, performance, the choice of mounts, and a large number of invisible walls in the game, keeping players away from content. His assessment isn't completely negative: the spot-on melee combat we got to see at CES is apparently as good as it seems.

This is, of course, a rumor as of right now. This is either a beta tester breaking the NDA (and thus is already not to be trusted), or someone out-and-out lying. It's still enough to give you pause. Given the unexpected death of Gods and Heroes last year, the possibility that there are so many problems with the game so close to launch ... We'll attempt to get a comment from the folks at Funcom as soon as possible.

[Via Common Sense Gamer]

MassivelyRumor: Age of Conan in bad shape originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbetabreakingproblemsrumorTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST