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[Craig Morrison talks MMO numbers (or the lack thereof)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/craig-morrison-talks-mmo-numbers-or-the-lack-thereof/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/craig-morrison-talks-mmo-numbers-or-the-lack-thereof/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/craig-morrison-talks-mmo-numbers-or-the-lack-thereof/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ah, the numbers game. It's often quite comical when it comes to MMORPGs and their die-hard fans (or detractors, as the case may be). Aside from Blizzard, very few MMO development houses release real numbers relating to their playerbases, and forum jousters are thus relegated to citing guesstimates and, in most cases, pure supposition sprung from the likes of wildly inaccurate measuring tools such as Xfire or the late MMOGchart.

Funcom executive producer and Age of Conan game director Craig Morrison weighs in on the perplexing state of MMO number-crunching on his personal blog, offering a bit of insight as to why hard data is, well, hard to come by. He cites a lack of context for the near-universal reticence of developers when it comes to publicizing their community sizes. "Without standard definitions everything ends up in that vague, murky and entirely subjective middle ground... and a middle ground that very few could reasonably be expected to accept as being worthwhile exploring in a business sense," he writes.

So what's his solution? In broad terms, he mentions a rating system, citing television's Nielsen metrics as well as cinema box office figures as semi-comparable standards. While such a system probably wouldn't stop the endless fan bickering, it might at least provide an answer to the question of how each individual company defines success.

MassivelyCraig Morrison talks MMO numbers (or the lack thereof) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanblogcraig-morrisonforum-warriorsfuncomnumbersnumbers-gameopinionratingssubscription-numberssubscriptionssuccessxfire-is-not-accurateThu, 23 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

We've talked before about different ways to sniff out if an MMO is a good choice for your kids. What we haven't covered yet are the indicators that a game may not be a good fit for your family. In light of the long hours of freedom stretching before our kids when school's out (and the fact that parental oversight is more likely to be lenient, if not downright indulgent, during the holidays), we decided some yellow-light signals might be in order.

Being a gaming parent sometimes makes it tougher, not simpler, to choose the right games for kids. Constant exposure to gaming news and game names can give us a false sense of familiarity. We build assumptions about games based on what we know about the companies that produce them. What we think we know actually makes it harder to spot what we're not clued into at all.

Continue reading MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game

MassivelyMMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenESRBfamilyfeaturedfree-to-playkidsparentsratingratingsFri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Con your games like a pro]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/#commentsFiled under: ,


MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

When I first started playing MMOs in the very earliest days of EverQuest, I never quite understood my husband's rantings about the con system (i.e. to "consider" a monster's levels in relation to the player's). He can only take on light blues? Say what?! My magician's pet was putting down dark blues and whites while I ran to the kitchen for a drink. What was his problem, anyway?

Unfortunately (for my husband and monks everywhere), no matter what they say, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. And when it comes to choosing MMOs for your family, what's appropriate for one child and one family might be off the rails for another. Like keeping kids safe on the internet, the best strategy for choosing suitable games is a combination of tactics tailored to your family's likes, dislikes and needs. How can you best con the games your kids are begging to bring home?

Continue reading MMO Family: Con your games like a pro

MassivelyMMO Family: Con your games like a pro originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenESRBesrb-ratingfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkidsparentsratingssupervisionFri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth rated M for Mature by ESRB]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/fallen-earth-rated-m-for-mature-by-esrb/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Fallen Earth is the upcoming post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game where players will soon be carving out a living in a world ravaged by viral and nuclear armageddon. Not that we really thought a game where fending off packs of mutated anarchist bikers out in the wasteland Mad Max-style was really going to be "family-oriented entertainment", but Fallen Earth LLC has now made it official.

Circatrix from the Fallen Earth team writes, "Thought you all should be the first to know that we've received our rating from the ESRB board and we're classified as an M (Mature). You'll start to see this in our ads and videos moving forward." We're glad to hear that they're not toning down the game's themes simply to reach a younger audience, and Massively will be keeping an eye on Fallen Earth as it gets closer to launch.

MassivelyFallen Earth rated M for Mature by ESRB originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circatrixentertainment-software-rating-boardesrbfallen-earthfallen-earth-llclegalmad-maxmaturemmo-industrymutantspost-apocalypticratingrating-boardratingssci-fiFri, 10 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Questions for the MMO parents in the house]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/the-daily-grind-questions-for-the-mmo-gamer-parents-in-the-hous/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/the-daily-grind-questions-for-the-mmo-gamer-parents-in-the-hous/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/the-daily-grind-questions-for-the-mmo-gamer-parents-in-the-hous/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ah the joy of kids. Packing lunches, making sure homework is done, an endless round of extra-curricular sports/groups/events, and then there's the ever-present question of what to do for free-time together outside of all of the regular things you already do. Kids love new experiences, so as a parent, you may have considered MMOs as an option of something ever-changing and fun to play with your kids. As there are only a couple of us on staff here at Massively who are parents, our experience is limited to what we and our circles of friends have experienced as gamers with kids. Thus, this morning we thought we'd ask - if you're part of the MMO parenting crowd, do your kids also play MMOs? Are you constantly on the lookout for MMO titles that you and your kids could play together? Or do you keep the kids away from MMOs, preferring to give them console games on the Wii or 360, and instead keep online worlds as your escape? Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Questions for the MMO parents in the house originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familygamer-parentsgaming-togetherkidsmmo-parentsparentparentingparentsratingstdgthe-daily-grindMon, 09 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you on the path?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/are-you-on-the-path/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/are-you-on-the-path/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/are-you-on-the-path/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One factor that keeps MMORPGs running is the desire for progression. Every player who sets foot in any subscription-based game can eventually see the will of the developers creating systems that will make you dedicated time and energy to their game.

Yet, the one thing that no one seems to take notice of is the way we get sucked into keep playing. Sometimes isn't not about the difficulty of the challenge itself, but the path it takes to get to there. Everyone sees the physical difficulty of doing a raid, and everyone knows that the developers make it difficult to complete a raid so you keep playing longer, but very few can see the will of the developers resonating in the path it takes to get to the challenge.

Rohan at Blessing of Kings, however, locked onto that path in his latest post, entitled "Being on the Path".

Continue reading Are you on the path?

MassivelyAre you on the path? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaarena-season-4blessing-of-kingsblizzardpersonal-ratingpvepvppvp-endgamepvp-gearraidsratingratingsrohanworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 02 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan ratings for all territories revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/age-of-conan-ratings-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Today FunCom received word on the ratings for Age of Conan in each territory and what to expect in each version. Of course, we already know about the US version. The rating subject has been heavily speculated about over on the official forums for a while now. So finally getting to let the Barbarian out of the barracks must have felt good for community manager Pharamond. According to Pharamond these are not design issues, but legal requirements for the ability to sell their game in each territory.

[UPDATE] It looks like nipples will be optional in the US version, according to this post.

Continue reading Age of Conan ratings for all territories revealed

MassivelyAge of Conan ratings for all territories revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocaoc-matureesrbesrb-ratingeuropefuncomnipplesnudityratingsunited-statesTue, 05 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan product director, Jorgen Tharaldsen: "You'll see titties"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/age-of-conan-product-director-jorgen-tharaldsen-youll-see-ti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/age-of-conan-product-director-jorgen-tharaldsen-youll-see-ti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/age-of-conan-product-director-jorgen-tharaldsen-youll-see-ti/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Gamesblog.it managed to score a video interview with Jorgen Tharaldsen, product director for Funcom and Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures , and just in case you weren't sure yet, he makes it clear -- this game is not for kids. The interviewer poses a few questions relating to how AoC will be different from other MMO's out there, in particular its more mature and violent approach.

The passionate Tharaldsen does not hold back -- much like the game itself -- with his responses. He places a lot of emphasis on Funcom wanting to be faithful to the Conan story and license, and not having to "dumb it down" or remove elements for a younger audience. Decapitations, prostitutes, and copious amounts of blood are some of the things mentioned that you may not find in your average MMO. Tharaldsen said that it was liberating to not have to worry about including aspects like this -- anything that they wanted to add, they did.

It remains to be seen how the proposed server-side ratings system will pan out, and whether there will be an uncut edition of the game available in every region, but it's nice to know that at least somewhere, the game will exist in a form that is exactly how the developers envisioned.

MassivelyAge of Conan product director, Jorgen Tharaldsen: "You'll see titties" originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aocbloodconandecapitationfuncomhyborian-adventuresjorgen-tharaldsenproduct-directorratingstharaldsenvideo-interviewThu, 15 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST