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[Castlot browser game to feature sabotage mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/castlot-browser-game-to-feature-sabotage-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/castlot-browser-game-to-feature-sabotage-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/castlot-browser-game-to-feature-sabotage-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Looking for a unique new browser MMO? If so, you might want to check out Castlot, the latest title to be added to the ClapAlong delivery platform. Castlot is a fantasy MMO set during the sixth century amidst Britain's struggles with Saxon invaders.

The game features two factions as well as mechanics that allow for sabotage, scheming, and all manner of dastardly tricks against your enemies. A new Castlot press release outlines one possible scenario which revolves around releasing a goblin into an enemy player's annexed land. Said goblin will allow you to steal your target's resources, the better to stockpile your own supply of crops and upgrade your castle.

On the other hand, goblin infiltrators may be countered by the placement of traps, so you'll want to think carefully when it comes to strategy and tactics. Castlot features a mix of turn-based and real-time combat, and the game will be hosting a public beta phase later this month.

MassivelyCastlot browser game to feature sabotage mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabritishbrowserbrowser-basedcastlotclap-alongclapalongcombatfantasygoblinspress-releasereal-timeresourcessaxonsscheme-systemstrategyturn-basedThu, 04 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Parents can breathe a bit easier thanks to Crisp Thinking's NetModerator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/parents-can-breathe-a-bit-easier-thanks-to-crisp-thinking-s-netm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Letting your children play MMOs can be a tricky balancing act for gamer parents. On the one hand, you want your children to have fun playing games online while gaining socialization and computer skills. On the other, you're a protective parent who wants to make sure your kids are safe -- without making them live in a bubble. You can teach them about online safety and how to protect themselves, but there's always the possibility that something will take a wrong turn.

Thankfully, it seems that a company called Crisp Thinking have developed a tool to help parents in their fight for online safety. Their system, called NetModerator, has been put into place in kid-friendly MMOs like Free Realms and FusionFall to combat against predators, bullies, and the like. It watches for certain keywords and phrases during online interactions. When detected, the system will step in and moderate the conversations -- allowing for real-time changes in potentially dangerous situations, as opposed to a reactionary method of dealing with abusive or predatory accounts after the conversations have taken place.

The entire concept is fascinating, so we're sure parents will want to pop over to VentureBeat's Games Beat and check out Dean Takahashi's great write up about this new technology. With an accuracy rate of 98.4% in terms of flagging dangerous and harmful conversations, and the ability to learn cloaked phrases, we're sure parents will be glad to hear that there's another layer protecting their kids from online danger. It's no replacement for the first line of defense -- good parenting -- but it certainly doesn't hurt.

[Thanks, Pete!]

MassivelyParents can breathe a bit easier thanks to Crisp Thinking's NetModerator originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartoon-networkcartoon-network-digitalchat-moderationchildrencrisp-thinkingcyber-bullyingfree-realmsfusionfallkidsnetmoderatoronline-safetyparentparentingparentsperv-blockingpredatorreal-timesoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 24 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/gdc09-how-heroengine-revolutionizes-mmorpg-game-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Let's be frank, MMOs are a pain in the rear to design. You have large teams working collaboratively to build huge expanses of terrain, hundreds upon thousands of objects in the world that players can interact with, server architecture to worry about, and even more in-depth things that the standard player may not even notice or consider.

But if you've been on the site recently and have been checking out our coverage of the GDC, then you may have heard us and developers talking excitedly about HeroEngine, the new MMO developing tool from Simutronics. HeroEngine is powering games like The World of Gatheryn and this funny Star Wars game from those BioWare people, as well as other companies that haven't announced their new projects as of yet.

So why is HeroEngine so amazing? Well, we got the inside scoop straight from Simutronics as we visited their booth at the GDC.

Continue reading GDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design

MassivelyGDC09: How HeroEngine revolutionizes MMORPG game design originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-studio-maxcollaborative-developmentdevelopersdevelopmentgame-designgame-developmentgdc-2009gdc09hero-engineheroengineheros-journeyphotoshopreal-timesimutronicsvirtual-worldsTue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST