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[Blizzard buffs the bejeezus out of WoW's Scroll of Resurrection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/blizzard-buffs-the-bejeezus-out-of-scroll-of-resurrection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/blizzard-buffs-the-bejeezus-out-of-scroll-of-resurrection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/blizzard-buffs-the-bejeezus-out-of-scroll-of-resurrection/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft's Scroll of Resurrection has received a rather considerable buff. The feature previously allowed currently subscribed players to invite a retired friend to come back to Azeroth for a time. Now, however, the resurrected player will be provided a treasure trove of freebies to further entice retired players back to the game.

The returning player will be able to boost one character directly to level 80, which seems pretty amazing in and of itself, but there's more. Scroll of Resurrection will also supply its target with a free upgrade to Cataclysm, seven days of free game time, and free realm and faction transfers so that returning players can join their friend right away. So, retirees and recovering addicts, if you need a little more Azeroth in your life, now's the perfect time to jump back in.

MassivelyBlizzard buffs the bejeezus out of WoW's Scroll of Resurrection originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Da Choppa
As of October 12th, Fallen Earth will be the latest title to join the hybrid free-to-play business model. This also means that Wednesday marks the end of the road for players who want to be subscribed before that transition in order to be eligible for special veteran rewards. Returning and existing players will find waiting for them upon login a Spiked Chopper, a vehicle that will allow them to get from place to place while still looking as stylish as possible. Existing subscribers will be eligible for the veteran rewards package, which include monthly gifts, wardrobe spots, and a discount on the top subscription tier.

But even if you're not subscribed when the change takes place, you can still benefit from the new world events being brought to the game with this update. Taking place randomly in any part of the wasteland, these spontaneous special quests will allow players to dynamically jump in and take part in the struggle to preserve the wasteland and society from the forces that threaten it. Special rewards are also available for players who take part, giving all the more reason for both free and paid players to jump back into the sandbox environment of the wasteland.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyFallen Earth launching free-to-play conversion with a last chance at veteran rewards originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelbusiness-modelsf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirstmajor-updatespatchesreturning-playersrewardsupdatesveteran-playersveteran-rewardsMon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Recessions, appearance tabs, and PvP for the returning player]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/the-anvil-of-crom-recessions-appearance-tabs-and-pvp-for-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/the-anvil-of-crom-recessions-appearance-tabs-and-pvp-for-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/the-anvil-of-crom-recessions-appearance-tabs-and-pvp-for-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Welcome to the Anvil of Crom, Conan fans. It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and all of the announcements, new content, business model changes, and general gameplay shenanigans are only going to generate more Age of Conan discussion as the summer wears on.

This week I'd like to take a brief time out to highlight some worthwhile (and ongoing) community discussions. Every so often it's good to take a bit of a break from my rantings and ravings and hand the microphone to you guys, and what better way to do that than by examining a few of the more interesting forum discussions to be found on both the U.S. and EU boards.

Without further ado, join me after the cut and add your two copper to the comment section.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Recessions, appearance tabs, and PvP for the returning player

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Recessions, appearance tabs, and PvP for the returning player originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unratedanvil-of-cromaoc-unratedappearance-slotsappearance-tabcommunity-updatecraftingdeflationeconomyfantasyfeaturedfuncominflationopinionplayer-economypvprecessionreturning-playerssocial-armorSun, 12 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard: RIFT players will come back to WoW]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/activision-blizzard-rift-players-will-come-back-to-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/activision-blizzard-rift-players-will-come-back-to-wow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/activision-blizzard-rift-players-will-come-back-to-wow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

During yesterday's Activision Blizzard conference call announcing the company's first quarter results, the massive publisher announced record profits. This was achieved despite a small decline in World of Warcraft subscriptions from the previous record of 12 million to March's 11.4 million players, a number that has barely changed since 2008. The call included not only discussions on the financial state of Activision Blizzard but also plans for Blizzard's ongoing MMO development. During the call, president and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment Michael Morhaime confidently answered questions from participants on what the future holds for its industry-dominating title.

As the financial details and subscription numbers presented in the call were collected in March, the question of how RIFT's launch in early March had affected WoW's playerbase inevitably came up. Morhaime was quick to point out that while a percentage of players have historically left WoW to try out each new game released in the MMO market, a healthy proportion of them tend to return. Blizzard expects the same to occur with RIFT, pushing players to take a break from WoW but ultimately keeping them as long-term customers.

"We knew that this year was going to be a year where we faced new competitors; this isn't the first time, though, that we've had strong competitors enter the MMO market. What we have seen in the past is we tend to see our players leave for some period of time, try out the new MMOs, and then a good percentage of them historically have come back to World of Warcraft. So far, I haven't seen anything to indicate this will be different."

MassivelyActivision Blizzard: RIFT players will come back to WoW originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionActivision-BlizzardblizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentironhammersmichael-morhaimemmo-burnoutmmo-industrymorhaimequitreturning-playersriftrift-planes-of-telaraworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 10 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes gives players a grace period for anniversary rewards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/city-of-heroes-gives-players-a-grace-period-for-anniversary-rewa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/city-of-heroes-gives-players-a-grace-period-for-anniversary-rewa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/city-of-heroes-gives-players-a-grace-period-for-anniversary-rewa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Some time ago, City of Heroes announced the Vanguard Pack, a reward for players who maintained an unbroken subscription from the beginning of February until the anniversary in April. It's a fine offer and a chance for players to get some rewards without having to do anything extra. But if you meant to return and didn't quite get around to it, you probably assumed your chance had passed. Not so, as the team at Paragon Studios has extended the eligible time period until February 14th.

All players maintaining an active subscription from February 14th until April 18th will receive the anniversary rewards for free, including the Vanguard Pack, a new emote, a special badge, and a new chest emblem. The rewards don't actually unlock until the 18th, but the 18th is the last day you have to maintain the subscription to be eligible. Former City of Heroes players who don't want to miss out or players enticed to try the game for the first time should be happy to know that there are still seven more days to meet the revised eligibility standards for the rewards -- after that, you're all out of grace.

MassivelyCity of Heroes gives players a grace period for anniversary rewards originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-promotioncity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxfree-packsfree-rewardsncsoftnewspacksparagonparagon-studiospromotion-extensionpromotionsreturning-playersrewardssubscriptionvanguard-packMon, 07 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you keep old account information?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-keep-old-account-information/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-keep-old-account-information/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/the-daily-grind-do-you-keep-old-account-information/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Odds are good that you've played a fair number of MMOs over the years. Every single one comes with a code telling you that it's very important you hold on to that code, that you need to keep a log of all your account information so that nothing gets lost. And if you ever lose it, you know that's an excellent reminder, since if you'd paid attention then you wouldn't be sifting through your desk now desperately searching for the notebook paper where you'd written your password.

Most players are fairly good about holding on to the important information for games that they're currently playing, but we can all get sloppier about former games. Have you ever wound up losing important information for your older games that forced you to buy a new copy or made resubscribing harder than it could have been? Or do you make sure to hold on to all of your information in a safe place, so that you can sign back up for any game at a moment's notice?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you keep old account information? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountaccount-informationaccount-registrationcd-keygame-registrationopinionproduct-keyregistrationresubscriberesubscribingreturning-playerstdgthe-daily-grindWed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you play Rise of the Godslayer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/the-daily-grind-will-you-check-out-rise-of-the-godslayer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/the-daily-grind-will-you-check-out-rise-of-the-godslayer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/the-daily-grind-will-you-check-out-rise-of-the-godslayer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's a time honored tradition with MMORPGs. First, you get all excited when a game based on your favorite franchise, or a game that just sounds really appealing, is announced. You sign up on the forums, you apply to beta test, and you're generally riding a wave of optimism and feel-good anticipation right on through release.

Then reality sets in, maybe the game isn't all you hoped it would be, or the launch was extremely buggy, or real life just got in the way. So you hang up the greatsword, stow the spellbooks, and quest on for the ever elusive greener pastures until.....an expansion! Omg, maybe this will fix the game! Maybe it will be fun! Maybe there's just nothing else out there even remotely entertaining so I'm totally reaching in attempt to find a game I enjoy! Er, yeah, maybe that last bit is only for jaded old-timers like me.

Whatever your reasons, now that Rise of the Godslayer has been announced and dated, will any of you Hyborian ex-patriots be returning to see what all the fuss is about?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will you play Rise of the Godslayer? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocexpansionfuncomhyborianew-contentopinionpatchreturning-playersrise-of-the-godslayerthe-daily-grindupdateMon, 26 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you be heading back to WAR?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-heading-back-to-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-heading-back-to-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-heading-back-to-war/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The call went out yesterday to all previous subscribers to come back and give Warhammer Online another try. As part of the offer, everyone who had an account in good standing that had been inactive for over 30 days was welcomed back for a 10-day free trial. If you decide it's not for you, just cancel within the 10 days. Of course, if you decide you like it, we're pretty sure they'll happily welcome you back. With the server merges that have happened, and the introduction of the Choppa and Slayer classes, there's certainly more to enjoy this time around - and a better chance of finding people to actually play with.

All that said, this morning we wondered if this 10-day free trial might entice you into trying out Warhammer Online again? Are you going to wait a bit more for them to add in more content instead? Or is there pretty much nothing in the world that would entice you to come back to Warhammer Online, short of a pretty major overhaul of the game altogether?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will you be heading back to WAR? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-day-free-trialeamythicreturning-playerssubscriptiontdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineFri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Numbers support players returning to World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/numbers-support-players-returning-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/numbers-support-players-returning-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/numbers-support-players-returning-to-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


With the recent launch of World of Warcraft's second expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, industry watchers have been poring over the numbers, trying to see what can be gleaned from the data. With 2.8 million copies sold in the first 24 hours, Blizzard's 800-pound-gorilla continues to break records. Following the flood of numbers, our friends over at GamerDNA have just come out with their own Wrath reports, based on their member data from anywhere between a few days to a few months before Wrath's launch.

As expected, there was an increase in the number of returning players, out to experience all that Wrath has to offer. We admit we're curious about potential skewing of the numbers, though. On the surface, it would be largely what one would expect - Wrath launches, the numbers went up. However, we'd note that they started running a World of Warcraft-themed contest for Razer gear on the 12th, and a SwagDog guild promotion on the 19th that may account for at least a small portion of the metric increase; how much of a difference remains to be seen. Also noted is the number of WoW pages created on their service after the launch of Warhammer Online, which is by itself, a fairly interesting point.

Overall, if you're a numbers fan, they've certainly served up some interesting observations based on their member statistics. Definitely worth checking out if you're curious about how things are trending for Blizzard's MMO behemoth.

MassivelyNumbers support players returning to World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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