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[Discussing the design of quests in The Elder Scrolls Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/discussing-the-design-of-quests-in-the-elder-scrolls-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Instead of wiping out these skeletons and the dread necromancer animating them, let's go back to the village and wipe out the villagers. Less complaining.
The Elder Scrolls Online has certain player expectations going in, such as an expectation of the sort of quest structure you usually find in the series. More specifically, it's the sort of structure in which you start off on some simple quest and wind up wandering off into some completely unrelated point of interest. A recent interview with creative director Paul Sage and lead content designer Rich Lambert reveals that the team is aiming for just that sort of model in the game.

As Lambert explains, the team wants to move away from the usual hub design in favor of several points of interest, each of which provides a little snippet of content and story. The points aren't meant to be structured as an A-to-B affair; instead, you have several points of interest in a given region which build into a large overarching story. Take a look at the full interview for more information about how quests will work in the game and how players will be guided through objectives as they play.

MassivelyDiscussing the design of quests in The Elder Scrolls Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinefactionsgame-designgame-mechanicsmorrowindoblivionplease-dont-suckpoints-of-interestpvpquest-mechanicsquestingquestsrvrsandboxskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpvideovideoszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Patrolling the park]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/choose-my-adventure-patrolling-the-park/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/choose-my-adventure-patrolling-the-park/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/choose-my-adventure-patrolling-the-park/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure City of Heroes
Yes, Virginia, there is a game after character creation.

With such extensive customization available, it is quite likely that I would have spent the duration of Choose My Adventure without ever actually logging in to play City of Heroes. For all of the hours I spent in character creation with all the options (enough to completely blow a fuse in your mind), it was easy to lose sight of the fact that there was actually a game to go play once I finally made my character. Now I see the real appeal of the VIP pass with all of those character slots; it has even me thinking wistfully of all the alts that could be.

Luckily I have you folks directing me, forcing me past the costume creator and into my role as defender of truth and justice. If it hadn't been for you, I would have never embarked on my journey of flight and fricasseed evil doers in Atlas Park. Or participated in an impromptu street band performance. Yup, it is all your fault! And I'm looking forward to what we do next as we continue our City of Heroes adventures together.

But first, let's take a look at what mayhem I caused... er, put an end to this past week.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Patrolling the park

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Patrolling the park originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlas-Parkchoose-my-adventurecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscmacohcovcoxf2pfeaturedfirst-impressionsflightflyingfree-to-playfreedomhands-onncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospollpollspowersquestsreaders-choiceroad-tripsuperherosuperheroesvotevotingWed, 09 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Allods Online to add new features, anniversary gifts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/allods-online-to-add-questing-features-new-skirmish-and-raid-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/allods-online-to-add-questing-features-new-skirmish-and-raid-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/allods-online-to-add-questing-features-new-skirmish-and-raid-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Allods Online
Allods Online is barreling down the road toward Patch 3.0.0.02 (the extra decimals denote quality!), with an array of fine features to anticipate. Chief among those is an overall improved questing experience. The patch will give players additional ways to track and find quests, not to mention a new "auto-move" feature that will whisk you away to your desired destination.

Next on the patch's agenda is the game's second PvP skirmish map: Deserted Farm. Deserted Farm will be a 6v6 skirmish where players will struggle to control a central flag. The twist to the map is that a pair of cannon can focus-fire onto this location, so obtaining one or both of these is mandatory for success.

Finally, 3.0.0.02 (the extra decimals are a secret code that tells you gPotato loves you) will add a new raid boss to the Kingdom of Elements. His name is Gen'ul, Lord of the Volcano, and he'll be very pleased to meet and then wipe the floor with you. Multiple raids can attempt to down him at the same time and then squabble over the huge treasure chest that he drops.

The Allods site has also been updated with details on the anniversary celebration and gifts.

MassivelyAllods Online to add new features, anniversary gifts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6v6allodsallods-onlineastrum-nivalf2pfantasyfree-to-playgala-netGenulgpotatopatchPatch-3.0.0.02patch-previewpvpquestquestingquestsraid-bossskirmishFri, 27 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iris Online opens the Lost Temple of Atlantis]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/iris-online-opens-the-lost-temple-of-atlantis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/iris-online-opens-the-lost-temple-of-atlantis/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/iris-online-opens-the-lost-temple-of-atlantis/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Of course, it's not really all that lost any longer when you get right down to it...
Iris Online players are in for a treat today because it's patch day. And not just the small sort of patch with a bunch of bugfixes, either -- this is the big kind, the kind that opens up new areas and expands the level cap. In fact, it's exactly that kind, as today's update opens four new zones and the Lost Temple of Atlantis for player exploration. The temple is meant as the most challenging dungeon in the game and contains a variety of treasures for players braving its depths.

Beyond the temple, the new zones give players new chances to strike back and liberate the land from the Sahar, complete with new quests to enjoy. Those new quests will also help as players head for the new level cap of 75, but if that alone isn't enough, the development team is doubling all EXP and SXP rates until April 29th. Players can also earn special treasure boxes for a limited time, a little extra boost for enjoying the game's new content.

[Source: gPotato press release]

Gallery: Iris Online Screenshots

MassivelyIris Online opens the Lost Temple of Atlantis originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeonsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgala-netgalleriesgallerygpotatogypsyirisiris-onlinelevel-caplevelslost-temple-of-atlantisnew-dungeonsnew-questsnew-zonespatchpatchesquestsscreenshotscreenshotstarotupdateszonesThu, 26 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Quest education]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/flameseeker-chronicles-quest-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/flameseeker-chronicles-quest-education/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/flameseeker-chronicles-quest-education/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GW2
Looking around the Guild Warsy corners of the internet, I've found some confusion about quests and dynamic events. Having this handy platform to stand on, I thought I'd try to clarify things for those who aren't really sure what standard XP-gain looks like in Guild Wars 2. If this is old news to some of you, I apologize, but please remember that not everybody's been leaping on news scraps like a ravenous puppy for the last two or three years.

With the pretty aggressive abandonment of traditional questing in Guild Wars 2's PvE, there seems to be some misinformation about what directed content will look like. It's relatively accurate to say that there are three main types: personal story quests, renown hearts, and dynamic events. Dungeons, another type of PvE content, are kind of a world unto themselves; they're approached by way of the personal storyline but evidently aren't actually necessary for progress along that line (in an effort to not force people to team up in an MMO unless they jolly well feel like it). They contain events but also static objectives. However, since they're cordoned off by way of instances, it seems pretty safe to leave them out of this conversation. Let's dig in, shall we?

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Quest education

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Quest education originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdynamic-eventsfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2hearts-are-not-dynamic-eventsncsoftopinionpersonal-storypersonal-storylineQuestsraviousravious-makes-a-good-pointrenown-heartsTue, 13 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida talks patch 1.21 and the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xivs-naoki-yoshida-talks-patch-1-21-and-the-futur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xivs-naoki-yoshida-talks-patch-1-21-and-the-futur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/final-fantasy-xivs-naoki-yoshida-talks-patch-1-21-and-the-futur/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You'd think a character in a Final Fantasy game would be used to strange glowing stuff by now.
This Friday will see the release of Final Fantasy XIV's latest and greatest patch, 1.21. It's bringing the long-awaited Job system, several updates to the game's consumable items, new quests, new options for mounts, and the usual plethora of other improvements. Fans of the game have been eagerly watching the updates, keeping an eye on what's around the bend, and getting ready to enjoy everything the new patch has to offer.

But even 1.21 isn't the big end goal of the game; that's the 2.0 relaunch happening in November. We had a chance to ask a few questions of the game's producer, Naoki Yoshida, regarding both the updates coming with patch 1.21 and Final Fantasy XIV's ongoing road of improvement as version 2.0 draws nearer. So what can players look forward to when they download the patch? What's coming before the relaunch? And how fashionable will your new armor make your chocobo look?

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida talks patch 1.21 and the future

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida talks patch 1.21 and the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coming-updatesconsoleconsolescontentfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21ffxiv-version-2.0final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivimprovementsinterviewjob-systemjobsnaoki-yoshidanew-updatesquestssquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 08 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II brings a full update of Harmony]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lineage-ii-brings-a-full-update-of-harmony/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not sure if the big dude is Kartia or he just hangs out at the labyrinth. Could go either way.
Harmony is a good thing wherever you can find it. It's true in work, it's true in friendship, and it seems to be true in Lineage II as well. The latest patch, Harmony, will be launching on March 7th and bringing a number of improvements to the upper tiers of leveling: new quests, a new dungeon, and several updates for skills. If you're already near the top of the leveling game, the new dungeon of Kartia's Labyrinth is your primary destination, with the option to enter solo or in a party at level 85, 90, or 95.

There are also a variety of new quests introduced, starting at level 76 and moving up. For lower-level characters, new Campaigns have been added; Campaigns are special zone-wide events that happen on a regular schedule and give everyone a chance at some bonus experience and Marks. New mentoring skills are also available to help low-level characters reach their full potential, the sort of thing that really inspires some harmonious behavior among players.

MassivelyLineage II brings a full update of Harmony originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playharmony-patchl2liilineagelineage-2lineage-iilineage-ii-harmony-patchncsoftpatchpatchesquestingquestsupdatesMon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 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[Choose My Adventure: Quest rhythm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/choose-my-adventure-quest-rhythm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Not pictured: Corlede being tied up by Zorai cavalry and insisting that they call her Dances with Bodoc.
Questing is an essential part of MMOs. You can say that players should be the ones crafting stories in games, not the developers, but quests provide you with structure and guidance. Even if you can create all sorts of stories on your own, it helps to know what the world is supposed to be like and how to set your own objectives. Not to mention the fact that having some sort of pointer is massively useful when you start playing.

So it makes sense to take a good look at the questing in Ryzom, even though the game definitely veers toward the "sandbox" side of the fence. Plus, questing won the poll last week, so even if I thought quests were categorical garbage, that would still be my destination. I can't run you through all of the quests that I've done in the game, but one in particular lent itself to a narrative, albeit in a somewhat disjointed form.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Quest rhythm

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Quest rhythm originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anecdoteschoose-my-adventurecmacolumndesignfeaturedhands-onhumoropinionpollpollsquestquestingquestsreaders-choiceryzomvotevotingwinch-gate-propertyWed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar unveils questing with a Twitter budget]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/wildstar-unveils-questing-with-a-twitter-budget/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

No force in the 'verse can stop me.
Nobody likes reading quest text. Having to sift through five paragraphs of text just to figure out what you're doing isn't anyone's idea of a good time. The latest entry in the WildStar Wednesday series of developer blogs is all about how the team has tried to do away with mind-numbing and ponderous quest text. And the narrative design team does so by paring down quest text to a quick snippet no longer than a Twitter post.

While there are ways to construct smaller entries, of course, the entry discusses how the 140-character limit makes for a good building block to keep players engaged -- it's short enough that you can read it quickly but not so short that it omits important information. In addition to showing a quest get brought down to a quick bite-sized snippet, the entry also talks about keeping control in the hands of the player and letting the story unfold organically, both things that should be of interest to WildStar fans eager for more information.

MassivelyWildStar unveils questing with a Twitter budget originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbinecarbine-studiosimmersionncsoftpost-lengthquest-designquest-textqueststext-lengthtweetstwitterwildstarwsWed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not sure where the judicial branch comes in, but I'm thinking it should be on here.
Pathfinder Online is still too early in the development process to do much more than talk about principles, but said principles are certainly of interest to fans. The most recent development blog about the project discusses that game's PvE arm, which is meant to be an important part of the game without being the sole driving force. Instead of the game being driven by players going, gathering quests, and then going out to kill monsters, the development team hopes to create an environment where players go out to do something and then find themselves in the midst of a quest.

Four basic types of interconnection are outlined, ranging from wandering monsters to potential beasts attracted by overharvesting an area. (Cut down too much wood in an area and wood-dwelling creatures my start attacking lumberjacks... or some nasty flying monsters might decide the cleared area would make for an excellent nest.) It's certainly an interesting set of principles going into design, making the entry well worth a read for sandbox enthusiasts.

MassivelyPathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdevelopmentdevelopment-bloggoblinworksmonster-encounterspaizopaizo-publishingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepreviewpvepve-encountersquestssandboxsystemsWed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: We are (among) the champions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/storyboard-we-are-among-the-champions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wait, there can't be two of them!
The night before I started writing this column, I finally managed to clear Chapter 1 in Star Wars: The Old Republic with one of my characters. I overcame great obstacles, beat back horrible odds, and defeated a great menace to the galaxy. I was hailed as a hero by the authorities in charge, and while it had been at great cost to myself, I was now more than worthy of respect, accolades, and the gratitude of a galaxy unaware of how close it had been to almost insurmountable danger.

But then I finished the quest.

This problem is not unique to Star Wars: The Old Republic at all, though. By the end of my career in World of Warcraft, I had slain several unique individuals dozens of times on multiple characters, including several kills that were noted by NPCs as being once-in-a-lifetime achievements. Final Fantasy XI made me a pivotal figure in historic events that I could then jump right back into any time I had a friend doing the same quest. And let's not even get into the chronological strangeness that can erupt in Lord of the Rings Online. What's to be done when there's an ongoing story that your character is part of and not a part of?

Continue reading Storyboard: We are (among) the champions

MassivelyStoryboard: We are (among) the champions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacterscolumnfeaturedin-game-storyloremissionsopinionquestsroleplayingrpstorystory-progressstoryboardFri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/vindictus-invites-players-to-explore-sewers-and-fight-with-monst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/vindictus-invites-players-to-explore-sewers-and-fight-with-monst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/vindictus-invites-players-to-explore-sewers-and-fight-with-monst/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fighting... LIKE A BOSS.
Nexon Europe is pushing Vindictus forward with the game's newest update, which brings two large content improvements to the game. Players mostly interested in the PvE side of the game can start investigating Rocheste's sewers, braving dangerous beasts in the hopes of obtaining new treasures and three new armor types. Fortunately, the three characters of the game each receive a new skill to go along with all of the dangerous, hopefully making it just a little easier to tear through whatever lies beneath.

If you'd rather go for the PvP route, however, the update is introducing a new combat mode known as M-Match. It's two teams of players pitted against one another, with the added twist that each side has a boss monster under its control. The first team to take out the opposing team's boss is the winner. The new arena also contains a number of chained boss fights for players to pit themselves against, either one at a time or multiple bosses in sequence, just to reward players who decide to hack their way through greater challenges.

[Source: Nexon Europe press release]

Continue reading Vindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update

MassivelyVindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenabossboss-monstersbossescontentm-matchmonstersnexonnexon-europepatchespvppvp-modesquestssewersupdatesvindictusWed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare's Erickson talks about creating MMO story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/biowares-erickson-talks-about-creating-mmo-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/biowares-erickson-talks-about-creating-mmo-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/biowares-erickson-talks-about-creating-mmo-story/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Not as clumsy or random as a blaster
Story is on everyone's mind when it comes to discussing Star Wars: The Old Republic, and who better to talk to than one of the devs primarily responsible for creating it. PC Gamer does just that in a new interview with BioWare writer Daniel Erickson. The development process is quite complex, and it's also one that takes some time given the hundreds of hours of dialogue required, not to mention the interplay between quest NPCs and players.

Erickson says that the world-building team uses "greybox" placeholders to connect story quests together while the technical and narrative details are ironed out, and there's a lot less room for error than there is in a typical single-player RPG.

"You can teleport people around in a normal RPG, you can fake things, you can make it look like you went from one place to another because there's a secret room hidden in the wall - you can do all sorts of chicanery that, if you tried to do in an MMO somebody's gonna find that room, somebody's gonna teleport out. We have to cheat a lot less, and that takes more time," Erickson explains.

MassivelyBioWare's Erickson talks about creating MMO story originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksonea-biowareElectronic-Artsgreyboxinterviewsmmo-designquest-designquestssci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does quest reward realism matter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-daily-grind-does-quest-reward-realism-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-daily-grind-does-quest-reward-realism-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-daily-grind-does-quest-reward-realism-matter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

LotRO screenshot
While playing Star Wars: The Old Republic this week, my quest partner and I ran into something odd: A group of anti-Jedi Twi'lek pilgrims handed over an elite Jedi robe to his Consular. What were these pilgrims doing with expensive gear from their enemies, and if the quest-givers had looted the garb from Jedi corpses, why would they consider such wearables worthy gifts for us? In a game as story-driven as SWTOR, you'd think the quest rewards would match the lore, right?

Of course, BioWare's new epic isn't alone in these weird quirks. Think about how many fantasy games have monsters that drop abnormal numbers of body parts, or worse, money, when you know that ghost couldn't carry a sack of gold and you're pretty darn sure that bat had two eyes, not just one. But does it bother you? Are your immersions disrupted by such inanities, or do you chalk them up to game mechanics and go about your MMO business, happily accepting illogical quest rewards and looting ridiculous items (like furniture!) from any old white-con mob that wanders into your crosshairs?

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: Does quest reward realism matter? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgimmersionimmersionslootlootingloreopinionquestquest-rewardquest-rewardsquestingquestsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtortdgthe-daily-grindSat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The story's the thing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-storys-the-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-storys-the-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-storys-the-thing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
Story is important in the superhero genre. For most people, stories are what originally makes the genre interesting over the more ubiquitous fantasy or science fiction options. And for every superheroic comic with lackluster execution you can point to, there's something else you can point to that provides some fascinating new takes on the archetypes and ideals.

OK, maybe that correlation isn't quite one for one, but the point is made. Stories are a big deal, and as a result, the way story works in City of Heroes is worth examining, especially since another game has recently come out with an emphasis on storylines. So, doubly relevant.

If you're only going to read the introductory blurb here, though, I can bottom-line it for you without the rest of the column -- the approach is pretty schizophrenic. The game has some moments of brilliance and some moments of idiocy, and there are also some near-choked with a general apathetic vibe. It's kind of what you'd expect from a story told by hundreds of people over seven years. The times when it's on, sadly, are somewhat scattershot, which makes it hard to say, "This is worth playing just for the story."

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The story's the thing

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The story's the thing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporterbackstorycity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcolumncovcoxf2pfeaturedfree-to-playloremissionsncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosquestsstoryWed, 21 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you favor random quests?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-favor-random-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-favor-random-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-favor-random-quests/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies
One of Star Wars Galaxies' content quirks, borrowed heavily from Anarchy Online, is the random quest. If you tire of themepark questlines, you can trek over to a mission terminal and ask it to generate a random kill-10-rats quest for you. In SWG's prime, these quests were terribly annoying; no one really wants to spend all of his time leveling up by taking missions to destroy a gubbur lair over and over and over. Thank goodness for this new era of individual, scripted quests brought on by World of Warcraft, right?

Well, not necessarily. More than once, I (and some our our forum-goers) have been irked at hand-written quests in WoW-esque games. They're usually trite and transparent, and the quest-givers rarely have good reason to entrust me with their tasks. We're still getting kill-10-rats quests -- we just have to click through a bunch of lame dialogue first.

What do you think? Do you prefer pre-scripted, one-off, linear quests, or do you long for the simplicity and honesty of random quest generation?

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: Do you favor random quests? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anarchy-Onlineaobrianna-royce-tdgkill-ten-ratsmissionmission-terminalopinionquestquestsstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 10 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: November 27-December 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/global-chat-november-27-december-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/global-chat-november-27-december-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/global-chat-november-27-december-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Global Chat
Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

We're all about communication in this week's Global Chat, and whether that's communication to and from developers or communication with NPCs, it's important to gaming fans who love to know what's happening and why. Our readers had plenty to say on the subject last week, so follow along after the jump to see some of the best of what was said!

Continue reading Global Chat: November 27-December 3

MassivelyGlobal Chat: November 27-December 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communicationfeaturedglobal-chatinterviewpcgneuroticquest-textquestsshipwreckstewart-butterfieldtdgthe-daily-grindtiny-speckunlaunchingyukon-samSun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine teases Rohan content with new LotRO screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - FORTH EORLINGAS! OK, maybe not quite yet
Oh Turbine, how you're teasing us with visions of Rohan, Rohirrim, and desperately suicidal cavalry charges punctuated by raucous shouts of "DEATH!" OK, now that we're all hot and bothered, let's have a look at the latest Lord of the Rings Online screenshots.

The new batch coincides with the continuation of the game's epic storyline, and the shots primarily center around Theodred, prince of Rohan and son of King Theoden. If you've read Tolkien -- or seen Peter Jackson's films -- you're probably familiar with Theodred's fate and thus it might surprise you to learn that you'll be aiding him in Turbine's version of Middle-earth. It all fits, though, and you can find the prince in the game's new Dunland region, preparing his troops for battle and waiting on the timely assistance of heroes like you.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

MassivelyTurbine teases Rohan content with new LotRO screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dunlandf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroquestsrohanrohirrimscreensscreenshotstheodredtolkienturbineWed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you buy from a vendor?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-from-a-vendor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-from-a-vendor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-from-a-vendor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth food merchant
In your average, run-of-the-mill themepark MMO, you'll encounter waves of NPC merchants tucked away in their own little market districts, offering everything from consumable potions to crafting materials to weapons, armor, and more. But often times, what they have to sell is nothing compared to the rewards you get from quest-givers.

With the exception of a few necessary crafting components, I think it's safe to say that NPC vendors can be ignored, as long as you complete the area's quests successfully, which brings it down to a question of playstyle. You can ignore the quests, not craft a thing, and buy everything from a vendor... if you can somehow raise the money without doing quests. That's up to you.

So our question for you on this Black Friday is this: Do you buy your wardrobe and arsenal from the NPC merchants, or if given the chance, would you rather make the items yourself, buy from other players, or earn your keep through quests?

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: Do you buy from a vendor? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economymarketmerchantsnpcopinionquest-giversqueststdgthe-daily-grindvendorsFri, 25 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on impressions of The Secret World]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/hands-on-impressions-of-the-secret-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Scary monster dude in The Secret World
Last month, Funcom held a special hands-on event for The Secret World at its Montreal, Canada offices, where we sent freelancer François Blondin to cover all the exciting details. François also got to play the game for several hours, giving us a fresh perspective on what TSW has to offer MMO gamers.

In Funcom's upcoming The Secret World, the game's three factions -- Templars, Illuminati and Dragons -- face off, compete, and collaborate (all at the same time!) amidst the nightmarish creatures being revealed throughout the world. But choose your allegiance carefully: Your faction determines your path and special bonuses for the whole game, and faction-switching won't be an option. Join me for a hands-on look at the game's current incarnation!

Gallery: The Secret World

Continue reading Hands-on impressions of The Secret World

MassivelyHands-on impressions of The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorcash-shopchakrascollisioncombatcraftingdemodouble-dippingdragonsequipmentexclusivefactionsfeaturedfuncomgearhands-onhiveilluminatiimpressionsjoel-bylosmartin-bruusgaardmontrealpreviewpvepvpquestingquestsRagnar-Tornquistskill-basedskillsstatssubscriptiontemplarsthe-hivethe-secret-worldthree-queststswweaponswheel-of-skillsMon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Anatomy of a failed quest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-anatomy-of-a-failed-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-anatomy-of-a-failed-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-anatomy-of-a-failed-quest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Road to Mordor
After last week's column on the 10 most memorable quests in Lord of the Rings Online, I had a couple of people ask for the polar opposite: the 10 worst quests. While I know that there are many -- stupid Sara Oakheart escort! -- they don't stick in my mind the way the best ones do. However, I think it's worthwhile to examine one such quest to see how game design can fail the player in small but meaningful ways.

The quest in question? Rise of Isengard's Taking a Stand, which, coincidentally, was the only quest I've done this past week, and not because I was super-busy but because every time I'd log in I'd hit my head against it, try it a half-dozen times, and then give up out of frustration. Rinse and repeat. Since it was part of a chain and I am trying to do all the quests in RoI, skipping it wasn't a possibility. It had to be done, and it stood between me and the remainder of the content like a bully that's four times my size and has no compunction against shoving me to the ground.

So what was it about Taking a Stand that failed me so badly? And what could Turbine learn from this quest for future reference? Hit the jump as I break it down, piece by stupid piece.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Anatomy of a failed quest

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Anatomy of a failed quest originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dunlandfailfailed-questfailurefeaturedgap-of-rohankobayashi-marulmlord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterloremasterlotroquestquestsrise-of-isengardtaking-a-standturbineTurbine-EntertainmentSat, 12 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
I honestly have no idea how many quests we're up to in Lord of the Rings Online at this point. Thousands, for sure. And as with many other facets in life, 90% of these quests are fated to be unmemorable tasks that blur together with all the rest. However, I've always felt that LotRO has a decently high cool quest-to-forgettable chore ratio, at least compared to other MMOs.

What makes a memorable quest? Here's my litmus test: When I sat down first thing in the morning, all bleary-eyed, to write this article, these quests bubbled up to the forefront of my mind. They've "stuck," for lack of a more precise term, in my head. They've made an impression, and because of that I feel they're among the cream of the crop in LotRO's repertoire.

For today's Road to Mordor, I'm going to simply list the first 10 most memorable quests that came to me. I actually was going to just do six, but couldn't stop myself there; I could barely halt at 10, if that gives you an indication. These might not be your most favorite quests or even the best in the game, but they've been the ones that have stuck with me through thick and thin.'

Warning: Past this point thar be spoilers! Beware!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ale-associationepic-storylinefeaturedfrodofrostblufffrostbluff-theatregollumhauntinglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaquestquestsrise-of-isengardstoriestookturbinevolume-2volume-iiwatcherwatcher-in-the-waterSat, 05 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Flyff expansion grants players a New Beginning]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/new-flyff-expansion-grants-players-a-new-beginning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/new-flyff-expansion-grants-players-a-new-beginning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/new-flyff-expansion-grants-players-a-new-beginning/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Flyff
The dust only recently settled on the Flyff World Championship, and Gala Networks Europe has announced a new update coming to the game. The expansion, known as New Beginning, brings a load of new content for European Flyff players. Many of the game's mechanics -- such as the loot system, legendary quests, and the upgrade system -- have been entirely revamped.

Meanwhile, three new dungeons are available for players looking to test their mettle, and of course new, powerful rewards for said dungeons will be available. Over 100 new scenario and dungeon quests have been added as well, ensuring that players won't lack things to do. The update will be hitting the French and German servers in December.

[Source: Gala Networks Europe press release]

MassivelyNew Flyff expansion grants players a New Beginning originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeondungeonsexpansionf2pfly-for-funflyfffree-to-playgala-netgala-networks-europegpotatogpotato-europemechanicsnew-beginningquestsrevamprevampedMon, 31 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/wings-over-atreia-snips-and-snails-and-asmo-tales/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header image
That's what this week's column is made of!

Back when I first decided I wanted to venture to the dark side of Aion and compare the leveling experiences of the two realms, I didn't really fathom that there would be so much content added that it would be hard to break away from sampling all of the goodies on my home server. Besides that, with all of the changes, comparing the leveling is just impossible. I knew that it would be easier with the introduction of repeatable quests, but it's just plain stupid-easy to level now as opposed to way back pre-Balaurea.

Even with the leveling comparison effectively nixed, I still can report on the differences in the feel of the two worlds as well as just run through and reflect on my impressions of the Asmodian life to give some screen time to the glowy-eyes. Did I mention I love the glowy eyes? With that in mind, Wings Over Atreia devotes this week to the furbacks (said with love!).

Glide past the cut for a look at Daevic life in Asmodae from Ascension to the Abyss.

Gallery: Aion: La Vida Asmo

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameasmo-lifeAsmodaeasmodianasmodian-lifeasmodiansexperiencesfeaturedgalleriesgalleryHaramellevelingleveling-speedleveling-upnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionquestingquesting-experienceQuestsWings-Over-AtreiaxperiaMon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Halloween is here! OK, technically Halloween has been in Tyria for a week and a half, but Mad King Thorn is here today! By now, everyone's hit Lion's Arch and Kamadan to pick up festival masks, we've mobbed the King in the hopes of getting chosen for Rock Paper Scissors, and we've laughed at his delightfully horrible jokes. (And before you even ask, yes, the pumpkin-on-head joke still cracks me up.)

I've thoroughly enjoyed almost all of Halloween 2011 in Guild Wars. Yep, I said almost. There's a single aspect of this festival that stands out very strongly and unpleasantly to me. Follow along after the jump, and let's talk it over.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdont-fear-the-reapersfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsgwhalloweenhalloween-2011mad-king-thornncsoftopinionquestssolo-questsMon, 31 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Love potion number 1.19]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-mog-log-love-potion-number-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-mog-log-love-potion-number-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-mog-log-love-potion-number-1-19/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
I've had another week to digest the enormous patch that we got last week, and I have to say that... I'm still not done. Really. I'm no longer in the stage of absolute baffled disbelief, but I haven't yet gotten a firm grip on all the changes. Heck, I haven't had time to explore all of them to my satisfaction. I've been questing and riding a chocobo hither and yon and noticing how repairs now cost me essentially pocket change.

But I promised more talk about the patch this time around, and I've got more. I just want to emphasize how enormous this patch really is, bigger than any of its predecessors -- and considering how big several of Final Fantasy XIV's previous updates were, I'd say that's saying something. So let's talk about experience chains and powerleveling, class balance, and of course materia just past the break. Or rather, I'll talk. You know what I mean.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Love potion number 1.19

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Love potion number 1.19 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.19final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesguildleveslevesmateriaopinionpatchesquestssquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 15 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Quest building with SWG's Chronicles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/some-assembly-required-quest-building-with-swgs-chronicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/some-assembly-required-quest-building-with-swgs-chronicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/some-assembly-required-quest-building-with-swgs-chronicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required header
What? A tease you say? No I'm... OK, maybe just a little. But that's really not to be helped. If you wonder why we are seeming to delve into Star Wars Galaxies a bit more than other games right now, it is because we have to cover it before the lights go out, else how would you have a chance to go in and explore it for yourself? And the fact that the suns are going to permanently set over Tatooine in a couple of months does not negate the fact that there are some impressive features in the game worth highlighting! Hopefully, by doing so, not only will players be able to take some time to enjoy them while they can, but other developers will get the hint and start incorporating more into their titles.

What feature is the focal point of this eighth edition of Some Assembly Required? In case you missed it hidden so sneakily in the title, it's SWG's Chronicles system. You can't define player-generated content any better than with sharable quests created by the players themselves. Sure, other games have quest builders (the question is why don't more?!), but Galaxies has some unique elements.

If you have been gone from the game so long that you have no idea what I am talking about, take heart: Today's guide will explore this feature and walk you through exactly how to get started. If you have an active subscription to take advantage of the final months of this epic sandbox, you can hop into game and tinker with Chronicles before it is gone for good. Trust me, it is worth it.

Hop a landrover and zoom past the cut for a look at SWG's version of build-a-quest.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Quest building with SWG's Chronicles

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Quest building with SWG's Chronicles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chronicle-Masterchroniclesfeaturedplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentplayer-generated-missionsprofessionquest-creationquest-makerQuestssandboxsandbox-gamesSARsoesome-assembly-requiredsony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmosubmission-requestFri, 14 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Prius Online's Stronghold of the North expansion coming October 26th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/prius-onlines-stronghold-of-the-north-expansion-coming-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/prius-onlines-stronghold-of-the-north-expansion-coming-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/prius-onlines-stronghold-of-the-north-expansion-coming-october/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Prius Online - girls in a boat
Remember Prius Online? No, it's not the game where you're a corporate lawyer helping Toyota dodge a bunch of brake-related lawsuits. It's the one where you're the hero of a fantasy world, possessed of a Giga pet and a strange companion called an Anima (the latter of which has a dark and mysterious past that you must unravel as you battle your way through the game world).

Yeah, it's that Prius, and gPotato has just issued a new press release for the game's Stronghold of the North expansion content. New dungeons, new quests (500 of them), and a new level cap (70) are on tap, and the company promises more details to follow before the patch's October 26th launch date. Head to the official Prius Online website to learn more.

[Source: gPotato press release]

MassivelyPrius Online's Stronghold of the North expansion coming October 26th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EverQuest II - Beastlord with wolf pet
Sony Online Entertainment pushed a small update to EverQuest II's live servers today. While that's not particularly newsworthy in and of itself, it bears mentioning because the patch brought a hint of the oft-requested Beastlord class to the newest version of Norrath.

EQ2Wire has the details, and also assuages our fears a bit about the necessity of completing the quest prior to the class's official introduction in next months Age of Discovery expansion. As it turns out, today's quest is the second in a series, and it's entirely optional. The quest line provides interested players with some background lore on where the Beastlords have been and why they're now returning to Norrath.

MassivelyEQII patch features Beastlord prelude quest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverybeast-lordbeastlordclassclassesexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playlorenorrathpet-classpetsquestssoeSony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 11 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Patch 1.19]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/the-mog-log-patch-1-19/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
So there was a Final Fantasy XIV patch on Tuesday. Maybe you heard about it. It was only all over the parts of the internet that care about Final Fantasy XIV, and even some that don't. This was not a patch in the traditional sense; it was a huge reworking and revamping of several parts of the game.

It's a big patch, that's what I'm getting at. And I've spent the past several days diving into it with all the time I've had because this is the sort of thing that really changes a lot of core assumptions about the game.

So it's been a time of empirical testing, a time of leveling, a time of dropping a lot of gil on new pieces of equipment and getting ready to tell my readers whether this patch was everything promised or fell flat. And truth be told, there's too much to address even in one column. But I can at least get started.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Patch 1.19

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Patch 1.19 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsexperiencefeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.19final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgrand-companiesguildleveslevelinglevequestslevesmajor-updatesopinionpatchesquestssoloingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online dev diary outlines Epic Story design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-outlines-epic-story-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-outlines-epic-story-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-outlines-epic-story-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard
Lord of the Rings Online fans, we know you've all probably been quite busy adventuring through Isengard, but perhaps it's time you take a break. We've got just the thing for you to read while you relax, too. Light up some pipe-weed and have a seat as Turbine's Jeff Libby takes you on a tour of the design of Rise of Isengard's epic questline.

Libby expounds on the "T-Factor," or the Tolkien Factor, which governs the design of the game and the Epic Story in particular. In essence, the iconic characters and locations from Tolkien lore are said to have a higher T-Factor, and the devs aim for the Epic Story to have a particularly high T-Factor. The devs also introduced phasing with Rise of Isengard, which allows the environment to change based on players' actions. For the full, spiffy details on Rise of Isengard's Epic Story, head on over to the official dev diary.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online dev diary outlines Epic Story design originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryepicepic-storyf2pfree-to-playjeff-libbylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroquestsrise-of-isengardstoryFri, 07 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Age of Camelot quest revamp in the works]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/dark-age-of-camelot-quest-revamp-in-the-works/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/dark-age-of-camelot-quest-revamp-in-the-works/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/dark-age-of-camelot-quest-revamp-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dark Age of Camelot - quest NPCs finger-pointing
Big changes are in the offing for Dark Age of Camelot fans. The latest Mythic dev diary sets the stage for a "return home to the Albion, Midgard and Hibernia of old." While the diary is long on pseudo in-character prose, it's short on specific details. What we've gathered, though, is that extensive revamps are in the works for many of the game's quests and more than a few of its classic adventuring locales.

Mythic's Kai Schober says that new and returning players "may be hard-pressed to find their way at the outset of their journey," and as such the devs have set about revisiting many of the game's famous towns and villages with an eye towards modernizing the progression path.

New types of quests are also in store, and the diary describes them as full of "moral deliberation" that will make for "diverse gameplay experiences as well as provide unique item rewards." Read more at the official DAoC website.

MassivelyDark Age of Camelot quest revamp in the works originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albionchoicedaocdark-age-of-camelotdev-blogdev-diaryfantasykai-schobermidgardmythicMythic-Entertainmentquest-revampquestsrevamptalal-saadThu, 06 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scarlet Legacy prepping mammoth beta update for September 1st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/scarlet-legacy-prepping-mammoth-beta-update-for-september-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/scarlet-legacy-prepping-mammoth-beta-update-for-september-1st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/scarlet-legacy-prepping-mammoth-beta-update-for-september-1st/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Scarlet Legacy
The open beta MMO that's not afraid to bribe players to come give it a try is gearing up for one of its biggest updates yet. Scarlet Legacy is counting down the hours until it uploads an elephant's worth of content onto the servers for testers to enjoy (and, hopefully, thoroughly vet).

This September 1st content update includes, but is not limited to, an increase in level cap to 45, dozens of new skills, 12 additional stances, three more maps, 68 quests, 46 crafting recipes, 154 weapons and pieces of armor, eight pets, high-level events, and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, maybe not the partridge.

It's hard to say which part of the content update is most enticing, although our money is on the three new maps with intriguing names like Hidden Evil Island and Ancient Grave. There's also a virgin dungeon that's ready to be plundered for its goodies: Soul Trapping Matrix. For story lovers, the tale of Princess Scarlet will be extended up through level 45 to match the level cap increase.

GamesCampus vows to release similarly large updates "at least once a month" from here on out.

MassivelyScarlet Legacy prepping mammoth beta update for September 1st originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient-gravearmorbetabribescontent-updatecraftingdungeoneventsf2pfree-to-playhidden-evil-islandlevel-caplevel-cap-increasemapsopen-betapetsprincess-scarletquestsrecipiesscarlet-legacyskillssoul-trapping-matrixstancesweaponsMon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes explores the process of making missions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/city-of-heroes-explores-the-process-of-making-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/city-of-heroes-explores-the-process-of-making-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/city-of-heroes-explores-the-process-of-making-missions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Random City of Heroes screenshot
It's been a little while since the last installment of City of Heroes' developer dispatch newsletter, the Intrepid Informer, due in no small part to the upcoming hybrid business model domination the news sphere. But the second part of the series on designing missions for the games has just recently been posted, giving players a look behind the scenes at the process that goes into crafting compelling arcs for players to enjoy time and again.

Penned by Matt Miller, the installment explains some of the thought processes that go on during mission development. For example, as Miller explains, the main reason that level bands restrict available enemy groups is simply plausibility -- if you're still seeing Hellions at level 50, it implies that the Rikti are essentially equivalent to punks in red jackets. Miller also talks about the importance of finding little quirks to help the mission feel unique and memorable, an important element in a game that allows you to flash back to older missions at almost any time. It's sure to be an interesting read for longtime fans interested in seeing how the team goes about taking a broad concept and turns it into a playable arc.

MassivelyCity of Heroes explores the process of making missions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdesigndeveloper-diaryintrepid-informermatt-millermatt-positron-millermission-designmissionsncsoftparagonparagon-studiospositronquest-designquestsTue, 09 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tinkerfest returns to EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/tinkerfest-returns-to-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/tinkerfest-returns-to-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/tinkerfest-returns-to-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II's annual Tinkerfest has begun, and the gnomish festival runs through August 8th. As always Gnomeland Security in the Steamfront Mountains is your headquarters for all things Tinkerfest including exclusive quests, new (and old) rewards, merchants with hard-to-find buyables and new recipes, and a bit of new functionality in terms of quest-related map markings.

If you can pull yourself away from EQII's double XP weekend, it's well worth running a few of the festival quests if you're into gnomish collectibles and decor. In addition to the news blurb on the official EQII website, several fansites have exhaustive guides and picture galleries available to help you make sense of all your Tinkerfest options.

MassivelyTinkerfest returns to EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The BioWare developers have always talked about polish and immersion when designing Star Wars: The Old Republic. They have described some of the challenges of perfecting the game in their many developer blogs. Everything from art design to combat has been discussed. In the center of it all are the game testing metrics that everyone from Lead Combat Designer Georg Zoeller to Community Manager Stephen Reid have talked about. What do the metrics tell us is the most important part of the SWTOR user interface? Lead Systems Designer Damion Schubert tells us in the latest dev blog:
When Georg told the design team that maps were the most-opened part of the user interface in the game, our map specialists just nodded in understanding. They already knew that being able to find your way around the world was going to be hugely important to our success. Thanks largely to the enduring efforts of those on the map team who believe passionately in the importance of what they are doing, our maps system are a core, essential part of the adventuring experience in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Schubert tells us the details of making a proper map should not only be esthetically pleasing but dynamically help the player move about the complex environments of The Old Republic. Check out everything else Schubert has to say in the blog on the official site.

MassivelyThe Old Republic maps out success originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredamion-schubertdev-blogdeveloper-blogEAElectronic-Artsgeorg-zoellerLucasArtsmapmap-uiquest-mapsquestsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorUIFri, 08 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Sandparks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/the-soapbox-sandparks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/the-soapbox-sandparks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/the-soapbox-sandparks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

The war between sandbox and themepark MMOs is being fought now, not just in the hearts and minds of players but in the simple matter of which project is getting funding for development. It's a war in which adherents to one design philosophy loudly decry the other, where both sides sling insults at one another and mourn how the other side has damaged the promise of MMOs or has no idea how to make a compelling gameplay experience. It's a battle of words and of subscription fees.

It's also really, really stupid.

Setting up the MMO sphere as a battle between two opposing design philosophies probably feels like a great chance to explore a two-faction system in real life, but it's also shortchanging not just MMOs but games on both sides of the nonexistent fence. It sells a number of games short, and it adds nothing useful to the genre as a whole. It's time to stop seeing the onling gaming sphere as a match of opposing forces and start seeing it as a varied and frequently awe-inspiring spectrum.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Sandparks

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Sandparks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>complexitydesignelegancefeaturedgame-designgame-mechanicshousingopen-worldopinionquest-auto-complete-9000questssandboxsandparksimplicitysoapboxthe-soapboxthemeparkvirtual-worldTue, 28 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Elsword Online unlocks the doors to two new dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/elsword-online-unlocks-the-doors-to-two-new-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/elsword-online-unlocks-the-doors-to-two-new-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/elsword-online-unlocks-the-doors-to-two-new-dungeons/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The comic book action-fest Elsword Online got a little bigger today, as Kill3rCombo expanded the newly launched title with additional dungeons, enemies and quests.

The dungeons -- Nasod Foundry and Altera Core -- will offer tougher challenges to the three main characters, while 24 new quests should help to keep the playerbase busy. Since dungeons are run repeatedly, two new locales will be welcome across the board.

When they're not beating up the bad guys, the principal characters can now learn a third cash skill and earn one of two new titles: Hero of Ponggo and Hero of Sonic. No, not the hedgehog or fast-food chain (we checked).

You can get a peek at Nasod Foundry and Altera Core in the gallery below, and don't forget to check out our first impressions of Elsword Online from last month!

Gallery: Elsword Online

MassivelyElsword Online unlocks the doors to two new dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altera-corecash-skilldungeondungeonselswordelsword-onlineenemieshero-of-ponggohero-of-sonickill3r-combokill3rcombomobsnasod-foundrypatchqueststitlesupdateWed, 22 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST