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[Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-learning-from-the-38-studios-disaster/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Curt Schilling getting tattooed
The closure of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games yesterday sparked a series of interesting events that make me both sad and proud to be a part of the greater gamer community. Job offers were overflowing from current game companies looking to snatch up some of 38's talented designers and a Twitter hash tag was even created to spread the word and get new jobs for those affected by the layoffs. I am proud of the outreach and camaraderie of the game development community, but the hate being thrown at Curt Schilling isn't going to solve anything.

The most important thing we can do at this point is to tape off the crime scene, look at the evidence, and figure out what went wrong.

Continue reading Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

MassivelyEditorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamescurt-schillingeditorialopinionr-a-salvatoretodd-mcFarlanetravis-mcgeathyFri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-contenders/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
While I'm on board the Star Wars: The Old Republic train (at least until SOE's Star Wars: The New Republic comes out in 2014 and forces SWTOR to shut down), I can certainly sympathize with the frustration that non-fans are feeling right about now. There are few things more annoying than not being into the latest craze -- or hating it outright -- and yet being unable to escape it.

So I'm here to say to you today that, like World of Warcraft, SWTOR isn't the be-all, end-all of the MMO field. It's a part of it, but just one part, and there are many, many others in the works as we speak. Mama always told me never to put all your eggs in one basket anyway, so I'm spreading my eggcitement across many cyber-nests.

This is the bone I'm throwing to all of you this week: a list of 10 Midichlorian-free MMOs that have me -- and should have you -- extremely buzzed about their development. In putting together this list, I realized that there are so many promising prospects that I divided them into two groups. This week I'm presenting the strongest contenders that should make it to launch with a solid product, while next time I'll list promising prospects that may be more of a long shot. I'm 47% confident that I will not forget your most-anticipated title.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The upcoming contenders originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosarcheagearenanetbetacarbine-studiosccpchampions-onlinecopernicuscurt-schillingdark-millennium-onlinedc-universe-onlinedust-514eve-onlineeverquest-nextfeaturedfuncomgamescom-2011guild-wars-2gw2jake-songlistmarvelmarvel-universe-onlinencsoftperfect-10perfect-tenproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorera-salvatoreRagnar-Tørnquistragnar-tornquistsandboxsandparkterathe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthe-secret-worldthqtodd-mcFarlanetswultima-onlineupcoming-mmoswarhammer-40kwildstarxl-gamesxlgamesThu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios opens a website portal to Project Copernicus' world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/38-studios-opens-a-website-portal-to-project-copernicus-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/38-studios-opens-a-website-portal-to-project-copernicus-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/38-studios-opens-a-website-portal-to-project-copernicus-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Amalur
While 38 Studios' top-secret Project Copernicus MMO lacks a proper title or most of its details, at least we can now visit the world that it and its single-player RPG brother, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, inhabits.

The studio launched a pair of websites devoted to the game world and its first game today. Over on Amalur, 38 Studios has unleashed its loremasters to share with you the stories, features, histories, and settings of this fantasy landscape. And while Reckoning is just a prequel to the eventual MMO, its website contains quite a few lore snippets as well as a world map to pour over while you're planning your future conquests.

As part of the twin projects, R.A. Salvatore has created over 10,000 years of fictional history for the world of Amalur, stretching from The Deep Gloam to the Age of Heroes. Reckoning takes place during the Age of Arcana, with Copernicus happening some time thereafter.

Massively38 Studios opens a website portal to Project Copernicus' world originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamalurcopernicushistorykingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningloremapmapsproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorer.a.-salvatorera-salvatorereckoningsalvatorestorywebsitewebsite-launchwebsitesTue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios is looking for a few good men -- and women, too, of course!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/38-studios-is-looking-for-a-few-good-men-and-women-too-of-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/38-studios-is-looking-for-a-few-good-men-and-women-too-of-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/38-studios-is-looking-for-a-few-good-men-and-women-too-of-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,

38 Studios has kept its Project Copernicus MMO under tight security for a while now; however, we do know that the studio has some big names in its pocket. Comic book giant Todd McFarlane, award-winning author R.A. Salvatore, and baseball great Curt Schilling have already added their talents to the roster. Even the government of the state of Rhode Island is excited about what this team is doing, given the guaranteed loans 38 Studios was offered if it moved to the state.

Today, Lead Community Manager Charles Dane tweeted that the team is LFM. He posted, "38 Studios is looking for top tier talent. This is a great opportunity to join an awesome team!" A buzz over to the jobs page for the studio shows that it is looking for an abundance of people. QA, engineering, art, and even finance are on the list of departments needing minions. Who knows? Maybe you are the top-tier talent the studio is looking for.

Massively38 Studios is looking for a few good men -- and women, too, of course! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscharles-danecopernicuscurt-schillingindustryjobsproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorerhode-islandtodd-mcFarlanetwitterTue, 15 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios set to expand the world of Amalur into merchandising and a newsletter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/38-studios-set-to-expand-the-world-of-amalur-into-merchandising/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kingdoms of Amalur is a familiar name to gamers who are looking forward to Project Copernicus, the mysteriously code-named MMO under development by 38 Studios.

If you're finding it hard to wait for more news on this project, 38 Studios has just the thing to distract you. The world of Amalur, created by R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane, is going to begin showing up in the real world soon in the form of comics, toys, novels, and even a few more games. Not a surprise there, amirite?

Speaking of other games set in Amalur, you'll see more from Reckoning soon. The single-player game is set to launch fall of 2011, and the game's online newsletter will launch in October.

Will all of this activity surrounding Amalur include new information on Copernicus? It seems likely and it's fun to speculate, so here's hoping!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Massively38 Studios set to expand the world of Amalur into merchandising and a newsletter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscomic-bookscopernicuscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmerchandisingnovelsproject-copernicusr-a-salvatorereckoningtodd-mcfarlaneTue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic and Atari announce Neverwinter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/cryptic-and-atari-announce-neverwinter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The speculation has been going on for quite a while, and it's finally been confirmed: The Neverwinter Nights MMO is coming.

Well, sort of. Neverwinter will be developed by Cryptic, and Gamespot was lucky enough to get a little one-on-one time with COO Jack Emmert. Something that he was careful to point out was that this is not a full-blown, persistent MMO: "I wouldn't say MMORPG at all -- Neverwinter is a cooperative RPG."

The Neverwinter site is up and running, with plenty of interesting details about the game. It's based on 4th edition D&D, set for launch in 2011, and is inspired by R.A. Salvatore's upcoming trilogy. The first book in that series arrives in October, so by the time Neverwinter launches, the world should be fully established.

For the time being, Cryptic and Atari have provided a fair amount of resources for hopeful (and skeptical) fans to keep up with development. The official site contains a newsletter signup page, some brief backstory, and the full press release. You can also follow game news on Twitter and Facebook.

MassivelyCryptic and Atari announce Neverwinter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-editionataribreakingco-opcorpgcrypticcryptic-studiosdndDungeons-and-Dragonsfaerunforgotten-realmsjack-emmertneverwinterNeverwinter-Nightsneverwinter-nights-mmonwnnwn-mmoplayneverwinterr-a-salvatorer.a.-salvatoreMon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[R.A. Salvatore talks Copernicus, building believable worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/r-a-salvatore-talks-copernicus-building-believable-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/r-a-salvatore-talks-copernicus-building-believable-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/r-a-salvatore-talks-copernicus-building-believable-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When it comes to stories of engaging fantasy worlds, one of the premier names that comes to the minds of many gamers is R.A. Salvatore. His Forgotten Realms books chronicling the adventures of Drizzt Do'Urden are fan favorites, and many are curious as to just what he's doing on 38 Studios' upcoming MMO, codenamed Copernicus. Thankfully, Salvatore took some time to sit down with Gamasutra and discuss plans for the MMO, as well as their lore-related single-player game, codenamed Mercury.

In this interview, Salvatore talks both on his gaming past, and whether or not his varied experiences in gaming have affected his writing on this project. He also touches on how important he feels immersion is in terms of getting people engaged -- suspending their disbelief, and jumping into the fantastic worlds he weaves. Another interesting tidbit is how he feels that characters are most important in terms of telling a story -- a tenet that has served him extremely well, if sales of his books are any indication!

If you're looking for more illumination into the mind of the man shaping the overall stories for 38 Studios, then you'll definitely want to pop over to Gamasutra and check out this latest interview. Of course, we also happen to have a pretty sweet interview of our own with Salvatore about Copernicus that you'll want to check out if you missed it the first time around.

MassivelyR.A. Salvatore talks Copernicus, building believable worlds originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscopernicuscopernicus-mmogamingimmersioninterviewmercuryr-a-salvatorestory-writingMon, 26 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios estimates it will take 50 to 100 million to finish Copernicus, Schilling looking for investors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Curt Schilling is out on the field again -- the investing field, that is. The former baseball star turned game developer is looking for more investors to back 38 Studios and their first game, the title codenamed Copernicus. The company's estimates for their game requires 50 to 100 million more in funding for the staff, all with their tentative December 2010 launch in mind.

Keep in mind, of course, that 38 Studios has acquired Maryland developer Big Huge Games, the company known for Rise of Nations, Rise of Legends, and Xbox Arcade's version of Catan. That acquisition doubled the company's headcount and has possibly driven operating costs into the 15 to 20 million a year range, according to the Boston Globe.

So far Schilling hasn't had any luck with potential investors. However, as he said to the Boston Globe, "I'm not going to complain about the economy. It's like pitching on a rainy day. The other guy has to pitch in it, too."

[Via Cuppycake]

Massively38 Studios estimates it will take 50 to 100 million to finish Copernicus, Schilling looking for investors originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosacquisitionbig-huge-gamesboston-globebreakingbudgetcatancopernicuscopernicus-mmofundinginvestorskurt-schillingr-a-salvatorerise-of-legendsrise-of-nationsTue, 28 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST