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[Flyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/flyff-getting-revamped-with-flyff-gold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/flyff-getting-revamped-with-flyff-gold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/flyff-getting-revamped-with-flyff-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Flyff
The world of gPotato's long-running free-to-play MMO Flyff is about to change in a big way. In a press release today, the studio announced the upcoming July launch of Flyff Gold, which will add a whole slew of features and revamps, many of which have been requested by the community. According to the press release, players can look forward to "a fresh new look and dynamic interface," as well as features such as "achievements redeemable for item shop goodies" and a "set-and-forget consignment marketplace for easy trading," plus much more.

To celebrate the update's imminent release, gPotato is beginning "game-wide log-in and level-up events" that will reward players for, as the name would imply, logging in and leveling up. These events make for the perfect time for new players to jump into the game and get some shiny loot in preparation for the Flyff Gold release. For more details on the game's upcoming additions, you can go check out Flyff Gold's teaser site.

[Source: gPotato press release]

MassivelyFlyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consignment-shopconsignment-shopsf2pfly-for-funflyffflyff-goldfree-to-playgpotatoredeemable-achievementsrevampui-revampupdateupdatesFri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
You would think that growth and expansion is nothing but a good thing for MMOs -- after all, those are the hallmarks of the genre. But as these games get bigger, issues emerge as the developers add new zones, features, and systems. In short, maturing MMOs gravitate toward complexity, and this can have an adverse effect on the game as a whole.

The problem is that there is eventually too much a brand-new player has to absorb and master, not to mention the hassle of rolling alts and having to navigate all of that content once more. If developers don't stay on top of the situation, then the game starts to lose overall cohesion and becomes a befuddling mess.

With three expansions and numerous updates under its belt, Lord of the Rings Online is venturing deep into this territory. I have friends who are leveling up for the first time and finding themselves overwhelmed with everything that needs doing as well as all the systems that are not clearly explained. So today I want to play backseat developer and talk about five ways that LotRO should be streamlined for the good of all players, old and new.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgactivisionbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd3deed-logsdeedsdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiievendimf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgothic-fantasylegendary-itemslegendary-traitlegendary-traitslilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorebooklotromoriamultiplayeronline-multiplayeropinionrevampreworkroad-to-mordorroguelikerpgstatsstreamlinethe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtue-systemvirtueswarcraftwikiworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[German studio SilentFuture resurrecting Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Earthrise
Fans of Masthead Studios' late sandbox MMO, Earthrise, have cause to rejoice today. The Wuppertal, Germany-based studio SilentFuture announced in a press release today that it will be taking over development and operation of the title, which was shut down in February earlier this year.

According to the press release, the studio is currently working on a complete overhaul of the game, from backstory to gameplay to technology. SilentFuture plans to have the game up and running again sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Earthrise will return as a free-to-play title in which players "no longer find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world" but rather are "part of the apocalypse itself." Sounds promising! Hopefully we can look forward to more details in the coming weeks, but at least we know one thing for sure: Earthrise is back!

[Source: SilentFuture press release]

MassivelyGerman studio SilentFuture resurrecting Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthrisef2pfantasyfree-to-playmastheadmasthead-studiosoverhaulrebootrelaunchrevampsci-fantasysci-fisilentfutureThu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Even a good anniversary celebration can't delay Turbine from delivering the content through snow, rain, and volcanic ash from Mount Doom. The team has posted an outline of Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Update 7, with word that it will go to the test server soon.

Update 7: Shades of the Past promises to add a new endgame skirmish called Storm on Methedras. The skirmish will be free for VIP players and tasks groups of one to 12 players with taking on Saruman's ally, Gwyllion, in the Misty Mountains.

The update will also contain two huge renovations to existing content. Turbine will be divvying up the massive Fornost dungeon into four scalable instances accessible from levels 30 on up. More importantly, the team is renovating great parts of Moria with better graphics and a smoother quest flow.

MassivelyLotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-patchcontent-updatef2pfantasyfornostfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriarevampshades-of-the-pastskirmishStorm-on-Methedrasturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV previews its revamp to food and medicine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-its-revamp-to-food-and-medicine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Kicking it up approximately 14% of a notch.
Final Fantasy XIV's foods and medicines have always been a major part of the game -- after all, both Culinarians and Alchemists focus on producing precisely those items. Unfortunately, the items have been awkward to make, unwieldy to use, and frequently unclear in their effects. That's why the game's next major patch is bringing along a major overhaul to the system, giving the two categories of item clear roles and more transparent effects.

While the full list of item changes is not unveiled in the preview, the general philosophy is laid out in detail. Food items provide long-term buffs (including a small experience gain) with lesser overall values and a very short cooldown between uses. Medicines, on the other hand, provide a short-term buff with a long cooldown, but the buff is significantly larger. These changes will also tie into a revamp of several recipes to account for ingredient locations and overall synthesis difficulty. It's something to look forward to in the game's next major patch, and it promises to make your character's eating habits much easier to manage.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews its revamp to food and medicine originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buff-systemsbuffsconsumablesffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.21final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfoodmedicinepatchpatchesrevampsquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine 'sprinting' toward Darkfall 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/adventurine-sprinting-toward-darkfall-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/adventurine-sprinting-toward-darkfall-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/adventurine-sprinting-toward-darkfall-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall
As Darkfall "sprints" down the road toward its second incarnation, bloodthirsty PvPers are looking to Aventurine for more information about how their favorite game world is being remolded. Tasos Flambouras came forth today with word that not only is the project still powering forward, but the development team is growing as new hires are brought on to assist in the efforts.

Flambouras uses the post as a progress report and To Do list all in one. Perhaps the most exciting teases that he mentions are new methods of progression in the game. "These are significant and exciting changes to the way the game is played because they add more purpose to player freedom," he writes.

Currently the art team is adding and revamping many of the game's objects and animations, while the world builders are hammering away at Mahirim. As part of Darkfall 2.0, introductory dungeons will be integrated into the game to help newbies get a foothold in the cutthroat MMO.

The team is also experimenting with "alternatives" to player respawn time after deaths, as well as a brand-new market system and improved trading experience.

MassivelyAventurine 'sprinting' toward Darkfall 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0adventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0dev-blogdev-diarydev-postmarketmarket-systempreviewprogression-pathsrespawnrevamptasosTasos-FlambourastradingFri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Resurrecting faction warfare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/eve-evolved-resurrecting-faction-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/eve-evolved-resurrecting-faction-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/eve-evolved-resurrecting-faction-warfare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
I think it's safe to say that most EVE Online players have never tried their hands at faction warfare, the state-sponsored bloodbath that pits Minmatar and Gallente pilots against their Amarr and Caldari rivals. When the system launched almost four years ago during 2008's Empyrean Age expansion, it was an immediate and colossal success. CCP ran news stories leading up to the expansion to show the growing tensions between the four nations, with several videos highlighting major flashpoints like the Malkalen incident. The stage was set for the war to end all wars, and players were brought to the front lines to die for their nations.

Faction warfare was originally designed to be a stepping stone for empire-dwellers who wanted to get into nullsec and to give fleet-based PvP to pilots without nullsec contacts. The first few months saw some spectacular action, with fleets of over a hundred rookie pilots happily smashing each other to bits. For over a year, faction warfare provided practically instant-action PvP on any scale you could want, from solo roaming and small gang warfare to full-on fleet battles with several capital ships. Unfortunately, CCP didn't iterate on the feature, so after a year with broken capture mechanics and no real purpose or reward for fighting, faction warfare began to grind to a halt.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I speculate on how faction warfare could possibly be resurrected.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Resurrecting faction warfare

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Resurrecting faction warfare originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdust-514eveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfactionfaction-warfarefactional-warfarefeaturedfleetfleet-commandfleet-warfaregame-designgang-warfareopinionpvpresurrectresurrectionrevampterritorial-warfareSun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dawntide temporarily closes beta server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dawntide-temporarily-closes-beta-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dawntide-temporarily-closes-beta-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dawntide-temporarily-closes-beta-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dawntide - lonely boat
Dawntide's beta server is officially closed for business. As we told you earlier this month, indie studio Working as Intended has decided to suspend the fantasy sandbox's open beta phase in order to focus on a large-scale gameworld revamp.

WAI says that the servers will be offline "for a period of one to two months," and the company intends to keep players posted via weekly news updates and screenshots of the work in progress.

Dawntide is a non-linear open-world title featuring skill-based advancement and a deep crafting system. You can check out our first impressions of the beta client via Some Assembly Required.

MassivelyDawntide temporarily closes beta server originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadawntidedowntimefantasyopen-betarevampsandboxworking-as-intendedworld-revampTue, 20 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dawntide closing beta server for massive world revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/dawntide-closing-beta-server-for-massive-world-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/dawntide-closing-beta-server-for-massive-world-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/dawntide-closing-beta-server-for-massive-world-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dawntide - world graphics
The curious saga of Dawntide continues, and the next chapter includes a wipe, a world revamp, and two weeks of sheer unadulterated mayhem.

The fantasy sandbox has had a rough go of it in 2011, first with funding issues and then with all of the trials and gameplay tribulations that come with bringing an indie MMO project to fruition. Due to the large-scale world re-design, the title will be going dark for a couple of months beginning on December 19th. The game's open beta server will be wiped, and the devs at Working as Intended will be constructing and populating "a new, more interesting, detailed and visually appealing world."

Prior to the wipe, players will enjoy skill gains at five times the normal rate as well as no-holds barred PvP in every corner of the game world save for the starting towns. WAI is also allowing players to keep their equipment upon death until wipe day, but the official website notes that these changes are only temporary and will not be returning when the server reopens in January or February.

MassivelyDawntide closing beta server for massive world revamp originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-wipecharacter-wipedawntidefantasyopen-betarevampsandboxserver-wipewaiwipeworking-as-intendedworld-redesignworld-revampxp-bonusTue, 06 Dec 2011 18:00:00 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[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[Anarchy Online shows a glimpse of its future makeover]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/anarchy-online-shows-a-glimpse-of-its-future-makeover/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/anarchy-online-shows-a-glimpse-of-its-future-makeover/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/anarchy-online-shows-a-glimpse-of-its-future-makeover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Anarchy Online Tir
News of the much-anticipated Anarchy Online graphics revamp has been sparse, to say the least, so to see six brand-new screens of the updated engine is like a cold drink of water after an endless trek through IKEA. Seriously, it takes like two hours just to navigate through that store!

Director/Producer Colin Cragg posted the six updated screenshots showing off the city of Tir on the Anarchy Online forums today. The screenies don't just have fans of the long-running MMO pumped, but the Anarchy Online team as well. "I have to keep shooing the rest of the team away from Parsed's desk...this is probably a good sign," Cragg writes.

AO players have been waiting for the promised new graphic engine at least since 2009, so this is a good sign that Funcom is on track to update its oldest MMO with a 2011 veneer. You can check out all six screens in the gallery below.

[Thanks to Kane Hart for the tip!]

Gallery: Anarchy Online

MassivelyAnarchy Online shows a glimpse of its future makeover originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaocolin-craggfuncomgraphical-revampgraphical-updategraphics-engineikeaParsedrevampscreencapsscreenshotstirvisual-revampSat, 03 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/rusty-hearts-closed-beta-swings-into-phase-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rusty Hearts
It's an exciting time for the hyper-kinetic Rusty Hearts, as the title is not only moving into its second closed beta phase today but ramping up for a blockbuster appearance at this week's PAX.

Perfect World is upping the ante for potential testers, offering a free costume item for those who log into the game in the first 12 hours. This costume piece will persist through open beta, so there's no worry it's going away anytime soon.

Rusty Hearts' closed beta phase 2 is also increasing the amount of content available in the game, including a complete town restructure, a fine-tuning of the PvP system, the ability to compare yourself to other players, a side quest system, a revamp of the skill tree, advanced crafting, and unique cosmetic looks for crafted weapons.

If you don't have the pleasure of attending PAX, the Rusty Hearts dev team has a present for you anyway: the full PAX walkthrough video that will be on display at the convention. You can check it out after the jump!

Continue reading Rusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2

MassivelyRusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaclosed-beta-phase-2costumecostume-itempaxpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011perfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpromotionpwerevamprusty-heartsside-quest-systemskill-treevideo-walkthroughwalkthroughThu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Playstation Home
PlayStation Home was a hugely anticipated feature for console fans, one that ultimately garnered mixed reviews and apathetic affection. Due to the reception, Sony has decided to reinvent the game lobby-slash-virtual-world to incorporate the best of themeparks, MMOs, and social networks.

When it relaunches this fall, PlayStation Home will look radically different, resembling a sleek mall with plenty to do and faster functionality for those who want to get right to their games. But between playing commercial titles, gamers are encouraged to hang out for a while, which is where MMO elements come into play.

The new Home has a number of districts, as an amusement park would, and in them players can pick up quests, go on treasure hunts, and explore these video game-themed zones to find hidden mysteries. Sony also promises that it will incorporate persistent, ongoing stories, similar to those you'd find in MMOs, such as an alien invasion that affects all of the areas.

Sony is hoping that the 23 million Home users will embrace this new experience and form stronger social connections through it.

MassivelySony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureamusement-parksconsolehomehorrorplaystationplaystation-3playstation-homeps3rebootreimaginerevampsocial-networksocial-networkingsonysportstheme-parktheme-parksTue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jade Dynasty unveiling the Path of Glory]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/jade-dynasty-unveiling-the-path-of-glory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/jade-dynasty-unveiling-the-path-of-glory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/jade-dynasty-unveiling-the-path-of-glory/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's okay, guys, she's in snow but she's not sad.
Whether you're an old hand in Jade Dynasty or you've been playing for as long as the game has been around, Perfect World Entertainment wants you to start back from the beginning. But not out of malice -- no, it's because the game's new expansion, Path of Glory, is just around the corner. And when one of the centerpieces of the expansion is a completely revamped main storyline, wouldn't you want to give that revamp all of your attention?

Maybe not? Well, there are going to be more features in the expansion, too -- features such as gems to socket into equipment for improved stats and a new clan instance to fight for glory. But maybe all you need to see is an impressive trailer for the update -- and look, we've got just that right past the cut here. So jump on past that break and take a look at some of the images associated with the upcoming expansion.

Continue reading Jade Dynasty unveiling the Path of Glory

MassivelyJade Dynasty unveiling the Path of Glory originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-revampexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playjade-dynastyjdpath-of-gloryperfect-world-entertainmentpwerevampstoryline-revamptrailertrailersupdatesvideovideosTue, 16 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth Eternal pushes the do-over button as it goes into open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/earth-eternal-pushes-the-do-over-button-as-it-goes-into-open-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/earth-eternal-pushes-the-do-over-button-as-it-goes-into-open-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/earth-eternal-pushes-the-do-over-button-as-it-goes-into-open-bet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Earth Eternal
Clinging to the last vestiges of life, Earth Eternal has been brought back from the brink of destruction for another try at glory, as Outblaze announced that the game has gone into open beta mode as of today.

Players interested in seeing what the new and revised version of Earth Eternal looks like are encouraged to sign up for the beta on the website and jump into the game post-haste. Testers will not only get to see the newest features in the game, but will receive a nice in-game goody bag with a banner, helmet and XP boost. There's also a special reward for those who hit level 30 or higher during the beta period.

This unique MMO combines a hodge-podge of seemingly contradicting flavors -- including a post-apocalyptic setting, sentient animals, and magic across Europe -- and melded it together into a delightful concoction. If you're interested in what we think about Earth Eternal, you'd do well to check out Beau's Rise and Shiny impressions of the title!

MassivelyEarth Eternal pushes the do-over button as it goes into open beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypsebetabeta-contestbeta-rewardscontestearth-eternalfurriesfurryopen-betaoutblazepost-apocalypticpromotionrevamprewardsxp-boostTue, 09 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Legend of Edda going dark until 2012 due to revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Legend of Edda, the free-to-play title from GamesCampus, is temporarily closing its doors to the gaming public on August 26th until early next year. This isn't because of a dying population or financial difficulty, but rather to overhaul and relaunch the game with a much-improved version.

According to a letter left on the website, EU's EYASoft developed a superior version of the game that went into open beta in Europe. Apparently this version was both so good and so incompatible with the North American version that GamesCampus decided to halt progress on the current edition of Legend of Edda in favor for the new and improved one. "Unfortunately," the letter says, "because of the extreme differences between the US version and the new version, it is impossible to update the US servers to the new game."

To compensate Legend of Edda fans, GamesCampus is creating compensation packages to refund in-game currency and encourage players to try out on of the studio's other titles. We covered Legend of Edda earlier this year in our Rise and Shiny column.

MassivelyLegend of Edda going dark until 2012 due to revamp originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eddaeueuropeeyasoftgames-campusgamescampuslegend-of-eddananorth-americaoverhaulrelaunchrevamprise-and-shinyusMon, 01 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If there's one thing that came out of Fan Faire about EQ Next, it's that no one will talk about EQ Next. No matter who you talked to, any time the subject came up, the answer was always, "I can't talk about that." However, Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson sat down with Massively during Fan Faire to talk more about EverQuest II, and during that interview, he did give a tiny glimpse into what that game would be like.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, Massively gets the scoop on Beastlords, the dungeon builder, Freeport's revamp, and much more.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akil-hooperaltsbeastlordbeastlordscitadelcrushbonedave-georgesondesign-your-own-dungeondungeon-builderdungeon-finderemily-tayloreqeq-nexteq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2EverQuest-iieverquest-nextfan-fairefan-faire-2011freeportgame-of-thronesitemizationnasa-moon-shotorcpetpet-classplanetside-2ps2revamprich-waterstattered-notebookveliouswarderwarlockMon, 18 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev update beats around the free-to-play bush]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's Friday and that usually means an update of some sort from the folks at Aventurine. True to form, Tasos Flambouras has checked in with his weekly Darkfall blog post. This time around we're treated to a round of Q&A with a couple of Aventurine devs, and reader-submitted questions are the order of the day.

The discussion meanders from Darkfall 2.0's crafting changes, which are described as "a complete overhaul," to mechanical concerns like AoE melee damage as well as surges and fizzles.

Flambouras also drops an interesting comment regarding Darkfall free-to-play rumors. "We also read around the internet about Darkfall going free-to-play. Rumor has it that if you start a sentence with 'rumor has it' you can say pretty much anything you want. Not true," he writes. Whether the "not true" was a reference to Darkfall's alleged F2P conversion or a reference to the latter portion of the sentence isn't completely clear, and we'll be interested to hear a definitive answer as it relates to business models.

MassivelyDarkfall dev update beats around the free-to-play bush originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebusiness-modelscraftingdarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-revampdev-blogdev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playrevampsalvagingsandboxtasostasos-flambourasFri, 15 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How does a fresh start in the world of Agon grab you? The devs at Aventurine have been making noises about relaunching Darkfall for a while now, but in a new dev blog released earlier today, producer Tasos Flambouras gives us a hint at just how significant the changes are going to be.

"This relaunch is not an expansion. It's a new game we've been developing in parallel with the current version of Darkfall. The scope is massive, and it has been difficult to stay on schedule after several unexpected issues," Flambouras writes.

So, yeah. Whoa. In our best Keanu Reeves voice.

The blog features some further discussion about a new siege system and a political map for the current version of Darkfall, but frankly we're still recovering from the previous paragraph and unsure as to how it all fits together. Is this Darkfall II? Is the current version going away when the relaunch hits? Inquiring minds want to know, and we'll bring you the latest on this story as we learn more.

MassivelyUpcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diaryfantasygame-revampnew-darkfall-gamepolitical-maprevampsandboxsiegesiege-systemsiegessiegingtasostasos-flambouraswhoaFri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Due to the new partnership between Fallen Earth and GamersFirst, there are some huge changes coming in the very near future and massive changes headed our way before the end of the year. Sector 4 is going to be released soon along with a major re-write of the skills and abilities system. There are still a great many questions that remain unanswered, but the developers on both sides have dropped some subtle and not-so-subtle hints here and there.

There are still many players asking questions in global chat and on the forums that have been answered already. A few of the answers given have left me scratching my head, but I'm still optimistic at this point. But there's still a lot of confusion within the community about what is coming and when. I've dug up many of the responses to the toughest questions by Marie Croall of Fallen Earth and Joe Willmon of GamersFirst, who are holding their cards close to their chests but have nevertheless given up some good info. After the cut, I'll try to clarify what's going on in the short and long term, but it may result in some speculation on both our parts.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countydynamic-contentf2pfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsthousingicarusicarus-studiosjoe-willmonmarie-croallpatchplayer-housingrespecrevampsector-4subscriptionsubscription-modelwasteland-diariesFri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Through Turbine's palantír: Developers outline LotRO's future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/through-turbines-palantir-developers-outline-lotros-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/through-turbines-palantir-developers-outline-lotros-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/through-turbines-palantir-developers-outline-lotros-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, characters would use magical orbs known as palantírs to see and communicate with far away places. While Massively's own palantír is at the shop, we had access to the next best thing -- a one-on-two chat about Lord of the Rings Online's future with Turbine's Aaron Campbell and Adam Mersky.

A lot's been happening since LotRO's free-to-play version went online last fall -- the closest thing to a relaunch that this game is likely to ever see -- and both Campbell and Mersky have one important message for fans: We're just getting started. Even as the Turbine team gears up for LotRO's third expansion, Rise of Isengard, the devs want you to know that they're also dedicated to bringing a good amount of content between now and then.

Everything was on the table during this discussion, from this weekend's anniversary celebration to next month's update to the new expansion. Join us after the jump for a look through the palantír to see what information we can pry from the future!

Continue reading Through Turbine's palantír: Developers outline LotRO's future

MassivelyThrough Turbine's palantír: Developers outline LotRO's future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-man-raidaaron-campbelladam-merskyanniversaryattack-at-dawnbarrow-downsbeer-brawlbeer-fightcharacter-modelsdunlande3e3-2011echoes-of-the-deadentsered-luinevendimf2pfeaturedfourth-anniversaryfree-to-playgap-of-rohangiant-dragongolfgoonieshall-of-nighthalls-of-nighthousingicy-crevasseinn-of-the-forsakenisengardlevel-caplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromay-updatemirkwoodmounted-combatraidrevamprise-of-isengardRohirrimsarumanskirmishesthe-hobbitthe-riftthe-two-towerstreasure-huntturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-2update-3yule-festivalzone-revampThu, 21 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ether Saga Odyssey relaunching on April 27th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/ether-saga-odyssey-relaunching-on-april-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/ether-saga-odyssey-relaunching-on-april-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/ether-saga-odyssey-relaunching-on-april-27th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Big changes are coming to the world of Ether Saga Online -- so big, in fact, that Perfect World Entertainment is relaunching the title as Ether Saga Odyssey. The free-to-play MMO will re-open its doors on April 27th sporting a new graphics engine, a new UI, additional races and starting locales, and new pets.

Ether Saga's pet system is one of the more complex in the massive genre, and the revamp looks to add to the fun with hundreds of tamable creatures that may be combined to create stronger breeds with new abilities. ESO provides "an atmosphere to enjoy free-form wrestle and play; players get to create different looking pets that even transform into the monster that they defeat," says Perfect World's Aaron Potter.

Head to the game's official website for more, and be sure to have a look at the new trailer after the cut.

Continue reading Ether Saga Odyssey relaunching on April 27th

MassivelyEther Saga Odyssey relaunching on April 27th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ether-sagaether-saga-odysseyether-saga-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentpet-combospet-systempetspwerelaunchrevamptrailervideoTue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall activity report highlights game-changing revamps, recent patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/darkfall-activity-report-highlights-game-changing-revamps-recen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/darkfall-activity-report-highlights-game-changing-revamps-recen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/darkfall-activity-report-highlights-game-changing-revamps-recen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The March 31st patch was a big step for Darkfall, with everything from skill gain rates to the meditation system to the alignment and crafting systems on the receiving end of some developer love. Aventurine is just warming up, though, and the latest activity report illustrates what's next for sandbox PvP fans all over the world.

Work continues on racial area revamps; the Mirdain and Alfar sections of Agon are nearly complete. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras also hints at some exciting PvE updates, including trap doors and various gameplay physics tweaks designed to delight Agonian dungeoneers. There's also a good bit of info on NPC and monster AI revamps and re-population, new player character and armor models, and a mention of new sound, lighting, and GUI systems, all of which are building toward the game-changing revamp that Aventurine has mentioned previously. Check out all the details on the Darkfall epic blog.

MassivelyDarkfall activity report highlights game-changing revamps, recent patch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aialfaraventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-relaunchdev-blogdev-diaryfantasymirdainmobsnpcpatchespvepvpre-populationrelaunchrevampsandboxtasostasos-flambourasupdatesMon, 04 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Linger]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-linger/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-linger/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/a-mild-mannered-reporter-linger/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So I was originally going to dive into the matter of the next archetype on the list when it hit me that there were two big issues I didn't talk about in my last column, issues that were brought up on or around the PAX panel but weren't directly addressed. And if there's one thing that I'd like to think I'm known for in the City of Heroes community, it's darting off like a hyperactive badger whenever something catches my eye, regardless of what that means for the overall flow or pacing of a column.

Being known as a good writer would be nice, too, but I like to keep a broader perspective.

So we're going to take a second to talk about two matters that have stuck with us as an overall community -- the low-level game revamp and the mysterious Issue 20 NDA. The latter is especially mysterious because we now know what's in Issue 20, and it's certainly nothing that will rock City of Heroes to its foundations. Far from it -- the issue, while shaping up nicely, is pretty much standard stuff. Why the obfuscation?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Linger

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Linger originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcolumncovcoxfeaturedissue-19issue-20low-level-contentncsoftopinionpanelsparagonparagon-studiospax-eastpax-east-2011revampWed, 23 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reshaping a zone: LotRO dev diary covers Evendim revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/reshaping-a-zone-lotro-dev-diary-covers-evendim-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/reshaping-a-zone-lotro-dev-diary-covers-evendim-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/reshaping-a-zone-lotro-dev-diary-covers-evendim-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ask any Lord of the Rings Online player about Evendim and you'll get back one of two responses: "Evendim? More like EVERswim!" and "Nice place but too spread out for my tastes." LotRO's lakefront-themed zone was identified as one of the sticking spots in the leveling track, which is why the dev team went back to overhaul Evendim and bring it up to code.

In a new dev diary, Joe Barry explains the purpose and execution of this revamp. Previously, Evendim attempted to cover too much territory as a level 29-50 zone, and as a result it was more of a hindrance than a help to players looking to get over the 30s hump. With next week's Echoes of the Dead update, Evendim will be transformed to a lean, mean leveling machine, tightened up to serve levels 30-40 exclusively.

The team added over 100 quests and two new quest hubs in its attempt to streamline the experience. Additionally, Turbine's experimenting with different ways to deliver quests to you, such as having a journal unfold new quests as you complete previous ones. Finally, quest rewards are designed in a way to deliver class-specific gear, which can be augmented by a bartering system put in for this patch.

You can read the full dev diary over at Lord of the Rings Online!

MassivelyReshaping a zone: LotRO dev diary covers Evendim revamp originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-updatedev-diarydeveloper-diaryechoes-of-the-deadevendimeverswimjoe-barrylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropatchrevampturbineturbine-entertainmentupdatezone-revampWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Top secret: Cryptic revamps website, hints at new project]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/top-secret-cryptic-revamps-website-hints-at-new-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/top-secret-cryptic-revamps-website-hints-at-new-project/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/top-secret-cryptic-revamps-website-hints-at-new-project/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon of spun 1s and 0s, Cryptic Studios' website has transformed into a sleek animal. More than just a new look, Crypticstudios.com sports a few interesting surprises.

It seems as though the company is deep into "a least one" additional project on top of Star Trek Online, Champions Online and Neverwinter. This unnamed "top secret" project for Atari sparks our imagination. The studio's In Development page has this to say: "We're very excited about what we're working on. Like Neverwinter, our Top Secret work represents our continued commitment to diversify and reach beyond the boundaries of traditional MMORPG gaming. We can't wait to show you more!"

Continuing our tour of the site, Cryptic has posted a number of job openings on its Careers page. It looks as though the company is looking for several artists, a content game designer, a senior producer and several other positions.

Head on over to the company's website to check out Cryptic's new digs.

MassivelyTop secret: Cryptic revamps website, hints at new project originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricareerchampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosin-developmentneverwinternew-positionspositionsrevampstar-trek-onlinestotop-secretwebsiteWed, 12 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Coming back for the Cataclysm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/coming-back-for-the-cataclysm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/coming-back-for-the-cataclysm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/coming-back-for-the-cataclysm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Tomorrow sees the launch of the third expansion to World of Warcraft... but odds are you already knew that. It's been hard to miss the lead-up, even if you weren't playing the game and thereby missed out on seeing the entire planet get blown apart. And it's probably been equally difficult to fight back the siren song of the game, taunting you to come back and play again... or play for the first time if you've never tried it.

If you've been proud of yourself for resisting, you might want to look away, because there are many reasons to start playing again or start up for the first time. The expansion has brought with it a number of improvements and boosts to the game, some obvious and some not. If you've been considering coming back or trying the game out, there's never been a better occasion than right this moment -- whatever your reason for leaving might have been.

Continue reading Coming back for the Cataclysm

MassivelyComing back for the Cataclysm originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmcataclysm-launchcataclysm-revampclassclass-changesclassesexpansionexpansion-launchfeaturedguild-levelinglaunchlevelingleveling-pathnew-contentnew-expansionold-world-revampopinionrevamprevamped-contentrevised-contenttalent-changestalentsworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwowwow-cataclysmMon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB to overhaul driving and combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/apb-to-overhaul-driving-and-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/apb-to-overhaul-driving-and-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/apb-to-overhaul-driving-and-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"We're looking at almost every aspect of combat - how it looks, feels and sounds, as well as weapon characteristics and tactics," proclaims Realtime Worlds spokesman Neil Castle in a refreshingly frank post on All Points Bulletin's official website.

The post certainly says all the right things regarding upcoming tweaks to the newly released urban crime MMOFPS. Whether Realtime Worlds can make good on the lengthy list of updates and reverse some of the negative buzz generated by less than favorable launch reviews will bear watching over the next few months.

Castle's post touches on a number of complaints that various reviewers and gamers have had with the new title, from sloppy vehicle handling, to catching and punishing cheaters, to the addition of new rulesets and matchmaking functionality. "It's our goal to involve the community as much as is practical when tackling most of these areas - as we''ve said all along, and hopefully demonstrated throughout beta, RTW's goal is to grow APB into the game that its players want it to be," Castle says.

MassivelyAPB to overhaul driving and combat originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbcontrol-tweaksdrivingneil-castlepatchRealtime-WorldsrevampshootingTue, 13 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies outlines the road ahead]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/star-wars-galaxies-outlines-the-road-ahead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/star-wars-galaxies-outlines-the-road-ahead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/star-wars-galaxies-outlines-the-road-ahead/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Amidst all the fuss about the new kid in town (or due to arrive in town in a year or so), it's easy to forget sometimes that Star Wars Galaxies has been running for seven years, even with its ups and downs. The game's most recent update brought the Galactic Civil War to the forefront, the ongoing conflict between the Empire and the Rebels forming the centerpiece for large-scale PvP. A recent producer's letter goes into further detail as to what the game can expect for its next major patch, Update 16, which promises to expand the Civil War mechanics as well as adding new tweaks besides.

Region Defense is the next major change to the PvP side of things, allowing guilds and cities to hold regions of space for the Imperials or the Rebels, earning rewards and titles for successful defense of the territory. For players looking for something in a PvE vein, Nym's Theme Park is being revamped and expanded, both for players still leveling up and those at the top of their game. There are also a number of incoming bugfixes and balance tweaks, showing part of why Star Wars Galaxies has endured for so long and shows no sign of dropping.

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies outlines the road ahead originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugfixesbugscontentpreviewsrevampsoesony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-mmoswgswg-update-15swg-update-16Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PoxNora's big revamp tentatively scheduled for this week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/poxnoras-big-revamp-tentatively-scheduled-for-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/poxnoras-big-revamp-tentatively-scheduled-for-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/poxnoras-big-revamp-tentatively-scheduled-for-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The big revamp is almost here! RadarX -- you know, that friendly community guy -- recently made a post on the official forums announcing that the big revamp/update will be tentatively landing this Wednesday, Feb. 24th. Assuming nothing explodes, in just two more days PoxNora will have a newly streamlined stat system and shiny new user interface as well. There is a downside to this news, however, and that's an extended downtime on patch day. Expect the servers to be unavailable for about eight hours.

If you're wondering what all this talk of PoxNora and its big revamp is all about, check out our recent interview with Tony "RadarX" Jones about all the changes and improvements coming for current players and newcomers alike.

MassivelyPoxNora's big revamp tentatively scheduled for this week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccgpoxnoraradarxrevampsoesony-online-entertainmentstrategytony-jonesturn-basedupdateMon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interviews PoxNora: Major updates and a website revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/massively-interviews-poxnora-major-updates-and-a-website-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/massively-interviews-poxnora-major-updates-and-a-website-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/massively-interviews-poxnora-major-updates-and-a-website-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been far too long since we first had the pleasure of introducing readers to PoxNora. So long, in fact, that we contacted SOE to see about speaking with the good people in Tucson, AZ about their strategy game that incorporates card collecting, online persistence and progression mechanics into a delightful cocktail of an online game.

There's a lot of changes coming to PoxNora, changes that for the first time will be revealed in this interview with SOE Community Manger Tony "RadarX" Jones. A new website, a new Rune Manager, a new Champions stat system, new maps and hints at the future of PoxNora are just a few of the topics covered beyond the break.

Did we mention all these updates are coming within the next few weeks? Oh, we've also got shiny imagery.

Continue reading Massively interviews PoxNora: Major updates and a website revamp

MassivelyMassively interviews PoxNora: Major updates and a website revamp originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-managerfeaturedinterviewmassively-interviewspoxnoraradarxrevampsoetony-jonesupdateuser-interfacewebsiteWed, 03 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The road ahead for 0.0 alliances]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/20/eve-evolved-the-road-ahead-for-0-0-alliances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/20/eve-evolved-the-road-ahead-for-0-0-alliances/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/20/eve-evolved-the-road-ahead-for-0-0-alliances/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


A lot of MMOs rarely (if ever) revisit old gameplay mechanics or areas, focusing instead on new expansions. EVE Online is different in that the developers go back and re-visit old aspects of gameplay rather than just focusing on new mechanics and content. Even Blizzard have seen the wisdom in redevelopment of old content, and in their next planned World of Warcraft expansion "Cataclysm", the entire game world is being given a revamp to bring everything up to their most recent development standards.

CCP Games have been using this development strategy for years and coupled with player-based development in the community, EVE Online is truly a game that evolves over time. Player-managed political states shift allegiances, entire empires can rise, span the galaxy and fall within a year and the emergent gameplay that typifies EVE's sandbox style is constantly being expanding on by players. The game we know now is very different to the one we had a year ago and if recent devblogs are any indication, EVE is about to undergo a major evolutionary leap. The entire sovereignty system and the state of capital warfare is about to undergo a complete revamp.

In this article, I take a more in-depth look ahead at the changes that are coming to 0.0, capital ships and the sovereignty system and how I think they could turn out, given my experiences in EVE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The road ahead for 0.0 alliances

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The road ahead for 0.0 alliances originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0.0alliancecapitalccpccp-gamesdominioneveeve-evolvedeve-onlineevolutionexpansionfeaturedinfrastructuremothershipopinionpoliticsrevampsandboxsovsovereigntytitanSun, 20 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Monster Play class enhancements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/lotro-monster-play-class-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/lotro-monster-play-class-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/lotro-monster-play-class-enhancements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As promised, Turbine has delivered yet another informative dev diary regarding the changes coming to Monster Play with the Mines of Moria expansion to Lord of the Rings Online. Yet, this one isn't a simple report on tweaks and adjustments here and there; this dev diary explains the dozens of new skills and traits that will be introduced for your favorite Monster classes come November 18th.

Plus, in the second part of the Ettenmoors dev diary we showed you last week, Turbine discusses the mechanics of capturing flags and artifacts, as promised. Why so much information regarding Monster Play lately? As we can see from these dev diaries, the changes to Monster Play will be substantial for several reasons. This includes providing more direct PvMP gameplay, providing greater incentive for players and monster players alike and providing a greater level of advancement for monster players. Be sure to read the entire series if you're a diehard PvMP fan, or even if you're considering getting into LotRO's Monster Play system for the first time.

MassivelyLotRO Monster Play class enhancements originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryettenmoorslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamonster-playpvmppvprevampskillstraitsFri, 31 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PotBS towns to receive attractive makeovers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/potbs-towns-to-receive-attractive-makeovers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/potbs-towns-to-receive-attractive-makeovers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/potbs-towns-to-receive-attractive-makeovers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The folks in the Environment team at Flying Lab Software have decided that some of the towns in Pirates of the Burning Sea look a little bit sad and outdated, and so they will be giving them graphical overhauls in an upcoming patch. The team has been kind enough to provide us with an early look at how these towns will be brought back to life in some before-and-after shots, and we have put these pictures in a gallery for you to check out.

According to the patch notes for the Testbed server, many towns have already received their updates and will probably move over to the live servers shortly. We are promised that the magic wand will be pointed at other towns in the Caribbean soon, making your on-land shenanigans a lot prettier to look at.

Gallery: Pirates of the Burning Sea town revamp preview

BeforeAfterBeforeAfterBefore

MassivelyPotBS towns to receive attractive makeovers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environment-teamflsflying-lab-softwaregraphicspirates-of-the-burning-seapotbpotbsrevampsoesony-online-entertainmenttownsTue, 17 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anarchy Online team releases teaser for revamped graphics engine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/anarchy-online-team-releases-teaser-for-revamped-graphics-engine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/anarchy-online-team-releases-teaser-for-revamped-graphics-engine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/anarchy-online-team-releases-teaser-for-revamped-graphics-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Anarchy Online was released in 2001, and as such, the current graphics don't quite hold up when compared to games of this generation. Since the game has been receiving a lot of new players from their free-to-play offer, the team at Funcom decided to do something about the lackluster environments by developing a new rendering engine for their graphics system. They have also made a teaser trailer available to show off their hard work, and it can be seen in two different resolutions here. With this, and the changes to allow people on the free-to-play option the chance to get more of the game for less, it seems Funcom is working hard to jump-start the aging title.

The game director for AO, Craig Morrison, was interviewed by MMORPG.com about the new engine and was able to tell us a bit more about the upgrades. Apparently they have been working on the engine for close to a year, and it will allow for much greater optimization from GPU's. Once the new engine is in place, it will not be possible to run under the old engine, but the team is going to make many of the graphical bells and whistles optional, to prevent those with older systems being blocked from a game they're already able to play right now. They are aiming to release this revamped engine later in the year.

[Thanks, Collin]


MassivelyAnarchy Online team releases teaser for revamped graphics engine originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aof2pfree-to-playfuncomgraphicsgraphics-enginerendering-enginerevampWed, 23 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest Patch: Steamfont revamp; Halloween; and new hot zones.]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/everquest-patch-steamfont-revamp-halloween-and-new-hot-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/everquest-patch-steamfont-revamp-halloween-and-new-hot-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/everquest-patch-steamfont-revamp-halloween-and-new-hot-zones/#commentsFiled under: , ,

On October 30, 2007 EverQuest got its annual Halloween patch. Also included were the Steamfont revamp we previously talked about and new Hot Zones. The new Hot Zones (zones where you get extra XP in) are:

Level 20 The Castle of Mistmoore
Level 25 The Permafrost Caverns
Level 30 Trakanon's Teeth
Level 35 The Warsliks Woods
Level 40 The Dawnshroud Peaks
Level 45 Velketor's Labyrinth
Level 50 The Deep
Level 55 The Temple of Droga
Level 60 Nobles' Causeway
Level 65 The Halls of Honor

I'm excited about the Steamfont revamp for nostalgia reasons -- it's my old newbie grounds so that's where my early experiences were. Before I got out into the cruel, harsh world of hell levels. I've been stuck in my mid-50s for years, and, since Droga pretty requires a group, there's little chance I'll be able to take advantage of the Hot Zones.

It's routine, maintenance-level patches like these that really make me long for the patches of EverQuest old. You know, the patches where classes got nerfed, Whineplay lit up with complainers, and Abashi tried to convince us Alchemy was working?

Ah, EverQuest, I how I miss what you once were.

MassivelyEverQuest Patch: Steamfont revamp; Halloween; and new hot zones. originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EverQuesthalloweenpatchesrevampWed, 31 Oct 2007 22:00:00 EST