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[Storyboard: Why I rejected your guild application]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/storyboard-why-i-rejected-your-guild-application/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/storyboard-why-i-rejected-your-guild-application/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/storyboard-why-i-rejected-your-guild-application/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not pictured: Phillip J. Fry as an N7 operative. Yeah, that's life in this neck of the woods lately.
Explaining guilds to people who don't play MMOs is always odd. You have to explain the process of applying, getting interviewed, and generally being brought on some trial runs in a way that doesn't make the whole thing sound like an unpleasant second job. This is even worse when it comes to explaining roleplaying guilds, which often level all the same restrictions as endgame-focused guilds with the added benefit that you're being examined based on your character rather than your play ability.

So it feels like a real kick in the teeth to do all that and then get rejected.

At face value, this feels outright ridiculous. The only criteria for a roleplaying guild should be roleplaying, and if you're applying for one, you almost by definition pass. But there's actually a lot of valid reasons to say that someone just isn't right for your roleplaying guild. So you might not have been rejected because the guild is made up of judgmental pricks -- it might be for the best.

Continue reading Storyboard: Why I rejected your guild application

MassivelyStoryboard: Why I rejected your guild application originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguildguild-applicationguild-interactionguildsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR
A few weeks back, I wrote an article about why I played Star Wars: The Old Republic. I drew on references from my childhood and how much Star Wars influenced my life. Although I did mention the impact of the roleplay community, I didn't talk about the roleplaying side of my MMO gameplay and how that influences my enjoyment of the game.

When the quests dry up and PvP becomes stale, RP and the RP community hold me to this game. Multiple readers of the Hyperspace Beacon and fans of The Republic have asked how they can get involved in the roleplay in SWTOR. I usually point them to one place: SWTOR-RP.com.

I could go on and on about this site and what it has done for the roleplay community, but nothing stands out more than the metagame that it's created with in-character articles. These news reports and editorials have been a launchpad for many in-character conversations. So let me draw you in and show you what I'm talking about.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfeaturedguild-eventsguildshyperspace-beaconin-characterin-character-eventsin-character-reportinglive-eventslucasartsopinionroleplayroleplayerroleplayingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-rpthe-old-republictorTue, 22 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, I plan to have something bizarre for this every anniversary.
Last year, I had planned to change up the focus of Storyboard a little. The "high and wide" format had been working, but I was worried that the column just wouldn't have legs if I didn't start going for more focused and narrow applications. So I spent several months working on just the right way to do more game-specific columns in here.

You don't remember them, of course, because none of them was ever posted. Those several months of work did not produce a single viable column.

At the capstone of the second year of Storyboard, I'm forced to basically eat crow about one of my major plans for the last year because it turns out that not only did it not work but it didn't need to work in the first place. I managed to fill up another year of columns just fine without going into great detail about one game over another, and as it turns out, I'm a lot happier with this year as a whole anyway.

Continue reading Storyboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard

MassivelyStoryboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycolumncolumnsfeaturedlooking-backopinionretrospectiveroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 18 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Why roleplaying is worth the trouble]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/storyboard-reasons-its-worth-roleplaying/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/storyboard-reasons-its-worth-roleplaying/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/storyboard-reasons-its-worth-roleplaying/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I need more stock images for these headers. Time to start digging.
Why bother roleplaying?

I've covered a lot of topics in this column that circle around that topic. I've talked about why roleplaying is important and how you can roleplay without tears, but I've never touched the central question, something that was brought to mind recently by a fellow Massively writer. Why even bother with roleplaying?

The usual answer is a shrug and a self-evident "because it's fun," but that's more a dismissal of the question than a functional response. That's not a good thing because there's a case to be made against roleplaying. Your character doesn't have an impact on the game world. Your roleplaying is, in the context of the game itself, irrelevant. The game doesn't care why your character wears weaker gear than normal; it just downgrades your stats and makes your life harder. You derive no benefit and wind up losing a lot of time for social interactions that are prone to drama and arguments. So why bother?

Continue reading Storyboard: Why roleplaying is worth the trouble

MassivelyStoryboard: Why roleplaying is worth the trouble originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeaturedmotivationopinionplayer-motivationreasonsreasons-to-roleplayroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka
As I mentioned in my Why I Play Star Wars: The Old Republic piece, Dark Forces and Jedi Knight were two of the Star Wars video games I enjoyed most. Obviously, this was before Knights of the Old Republic. In Jedi Knight, the main antagonist was Jerec. Although it's never mentioned where Jerec comes from or even what species he was, his most distinguishing feature is the cover over his eyes. At the time, players thought it was a type of cybernetic implant similar to that worn by Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It wasn't until the Tales of the Jedi comic book series that we learned that Jerec and others are a part of the Force-seeing humanoid species known as the Miraluka.

If you choose to play a Jedi Knight or a Jedi Consular (or if you have 1.5 million credits to unlock it through the Legacy system), you can play as a Miraluka. I have been fascinated by this species since Jerec of Jedi Knight and Shoaneb Culu in the Tales of the Jedi after that. So this week, let's talk about this captivating species, its culture, its connection to the Force, and what its role is during the time of The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alpheridiesbiowareclassic-mmocultureeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxiesholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconjedi-consularJedi-KnightJerecKatarrlucasartsmiralukaopinionroleplayroleplayingsandboxsci-fiShoaneb-Culusoesony-online-entertainmentspeciesstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorVisas-MarrTue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How far would you go for cosmetic gear?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-daily-grind-how-far-would-you-go-for-cosmetic-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

WoW
Massively's got so many cosmetic-gear gurus and sandbox aficionados on staff that sometimes I suspect no amount of character customization and housing and achievements and titles would ever be enough for us. We'd do just about anything for more ways to distinguish our characters in an MMO.

But what about raiding for cosmetic gear? Enter OpenRaid, a World of Warcraft website that helps players organize cross-server PvE dungeon raids and premade PvP teams for the express purpose of acquiring achievements and gear to transmogrify (i.e., map the skin of something cool onto something with good stats). While I'd hope that needing to run large-scale endgame content for gorgeous weapon skins isn't going to become commonplace in future MMOs, it's still fascinating to see roleplay-oriented players playing content they wouldn't normally touch, just to collect a dress.

So how far would you go -- or have you gone -- to get your hands on a sweet piece of cosmetic gear, title, or achievement?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How far would you go for cosmetic gear? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcosmetic-gearcosmetic-itemsdaily-grindfantasyopenraidopinionraidraidingroleplayroleplayingtdgthe-daily-grindwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
More than any other MMO I've played, Lord of the Rings Online seems to draw out player events like crazy. Maybe it's the setting, Tolkien's world-building, the renaissance fair outfits, or the disproportionately large RP crowd, but LotRO seems to be graced with far more of these kinds of player-driven initiatives than elsewhere.

As such, today I wanted to scout around the forums and official calendar to highlight a few of the many, many events that festoon this great game of ours. These are great to check out, particularly when you're a little bored with the same-old, same-old of questing, raiding, skirmishing, or PvMPing. The ingenuity and spirit of these events is often quite infectious, and I never regret going to one once I make the effort.

So check out seven great player events in LotRO, coming to a server near you!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ales-and-talesf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionplayer-driven-eventplayer-eventplayer-musicroad-to-mordorroleplayroleplayingrpthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentweatherstockweatherstock-2012weatherstock-ivSat, 05 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Problem players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/storyboard-problem-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hopefully my internet connection is working as you read this.
I don't tend to talk about the players behind the characters in this column because more often than not it doesn't matter. A good roleplayer is a good roleplayer, and if your characters can interact well, you don't really need to be close friends behind the scenes. Sure, I promote communication out of character, but that's to avoid drama, and liking the person involved is more of a bonus than a requisite goal. The majority of roleplayers won't have issues beyond character or story-based ones, and thus I focus on those.

There are exceptions.

Even if most of the troubles you'll encounter are the result of characters that don't quite work for whatever reason (something we're all guilty of), there are certain players who are going to cause problems no matter what. And I'm not talking about the guy who always makes the same character with minor setting adjustments. I'm talking about the players who will make you actively dislike the game you're playing, the cases where you're going to need to address the problem beyond just shaking your head at one character or another. These guys exist, and even though they're not the majority, they have an unpleasant impact.

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem players

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturefeaturedgroupsopinionproblem-playersproblemsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsocial-problemsstorystoryboardFri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/storyboard-the-growth-of-a-plot-tumor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/storyboard-the-growth-of-a-plot-tumor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/storyboard-the-growth-of-a-plot-tumor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As I approach two years of this, I'm still waiting to run out of headers to assemble.
Everyone has had that friend. Heck, almost everyone has been that friend at one point or another. It's the guy who just found himself in a relationship, and suddenly every single topic of conversation jerks right back to that relationship. It starts out subtle, but eventually your friend will turn everything back to the topic of his relationship, up to and including a car crash. And while said friend isn't a bad guy, you start enjoying your time with him less and less because he's down to a single droning note that's no longer interesting.

The exact same thing happens in roleplaying. It's not usually about a girlfriend, although it can be. It's any aspect of a character's plot that grows until it's all-encompassing and grows into the plots of other characters as well. It's a plot tumor. It's a growth bigger than it has any right to be, and it's the sort of thing that can really drive you away from roleplaying whether or not you liked the plot in the beginning.

Continue reading Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor

MassivelyStoryboard: The growth of a plot tumor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredopinionplot-tumorsplotsproblem-plotsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardtroubleFri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: One hundred moments and done]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/storyboard-one-hundred-moments-and-done/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, I'm not ending the column, but now people will read the whole thing because they'll suspect I am. Unless, of course, you read the alt text.
All good things must come to an end.

Roleplaying is all about creating a shared space for your character to inhabit with other characters. It's about crafting trials and challenges that can be overcome through narrative means; it's about building a set of experiences together. And all of the columns I've written up to this point have been entirely about making that work well and creating a shared environment that's fun for everyone.

But it can end. One day, you may log in to find that the people you've been roleplaying alongside are no longer there -- that the friends you once had have left, the allies you once charished have moved on, and your universe has narrowed by degrees until it's just you. After all of the roleplaying you've done, it tuns out that your group of fellow roleplayers has slowly drifted away until the only person who remembers these stories is you. And it seems fitting, for the 100th column, to talk about what happens when you're left remembering a universe that never was.

Continue reading Storyboard: One hundred moments and done

MassivelyStoryboard: One hundred moments and done originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityconclusionsdepartureendingfeaturedleavingopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 20 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: To say nothing of cute shoes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/storyboard-to-say-nothing-of-cute-shoes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

During PAX East, I roleplayed a drunk man. It's a role I'm apparently quite good at.
Just as in real life, player characters in MMOs have more than one set of clothing for different situations. Sure, I don't divide my actual clothes up in usual MMO categories ("well, those are my PvP pants"), but I have things I wear around the house that I wouldn't wear out in public or when attending a funeral, for instance. But even that doesn't compare to a high-level roleplaying character, who has not only PvP gear and PvE gear and solo gear tand the like but also funeral gear and casual gear and so forth. It's all the joy of assembling a real wardrobe alongside the joy of stat comparisons.

Roleplaying outfits are universally important. Even if your character is in a game without visible gear (such as City of Heroes), you probably have different outfits for different circumstances (civilian clothes, for instance). But there's an art to putting together a good roleplaying ensemble, and it's not just as simple as equipping the same equipment you wore 10 levels ago and calling it a day. You want to create a distinct impression, and that takes a little more doing. So how do you assemble a good roleplaying outfit?

Continue reading Storyboard: To say nothing of cute shoes

MassivelyStoryboard: To say nothing of cute shoes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearanceequipmentfeaturedgearopinionoutfitsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Police state]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/storyboard-police-state/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/storyboard-police-state/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/storyboard-police-state/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, I don't know exactly why Saren's here.
Sometimes, column topics get away from you. When I sat down to write last week's Storyboard, I realized at the halfway mark that I had spent a lot of time not really hitting the core of the issue, and the overall article wound up being much weaker as a result. So I went back, started fresh, and instead delivered a column aimed squarely at the central question of whether or not it's important to have a flagged roleplaying server.

But there is an issue that I didn't really address in that column but still remains relevant. If you're going to talk about having an RP server exist even if it's not policed, you do need to address what policing a roleplaying server actually entails. A lot of it is just plain speculative at the moment, given the overall track record of the industry, but that doesn't mean it's not worth discussing.

Continue reading Storyboard: Police state

MassivelyStoryboard: Police state originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredopinionpoliciespolicingroleplayroleplay-serversroleplayersroleplayingrprp-serversserver-policestorystoryboardFri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Flag a server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/storyboard-flag-a-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/storyboard-flag-a-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/storyboard-flag-a-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I need to spend either more time or less time getting irritated by the people of the Internet from now on. Depends on how this article is received, I guess.
A couple of weeks ago, Matt Daniel, Elisabeth Cardy, and I were talking amongst ourselves about the dearth of official roleplaying servers in Guild Wars 2. Lis was contending that the primary defense from ArenaNet was the idea that the GMs wouldn't be able to properly police these servers, so as a result the, studio didn't want to designate them that way in the first place. As she put it, she'd rather see them not do the servers at all than do them in a slipshod fashion, and she believed an unpoliced roleplaying server was worse than no roleplaying server at all.

This prompted me to ask whether anyone actually expected roleplaying servers to be policed, but honestly, that's a tangent to the real issue. I can convincingly argue that there are ways that the servers should be policed, but regardless of whether or not roleplayers expect this to happen, I think it's pretty absolute that not having a roleplaying server is much more slipshod than having one with inadequate support. The alternative suggests you really don't care whether your game has roleplayers or not.

Continue reading Storyboard: Flag a server

MassivelyStoryboard: Flag a server originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredopinionrantroleplayroleplayersroleplayingroleplaying-serversrpserver-flaggingserversstorystoryboardFri, 30 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/why-i-play-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - Gallente Iteron hauler warping past a planet
I can't for the life of me convince my friends to sign up for EVE Online. In their defense, the game can feel like a job at first. There are no skinner box particle effects or angelic choirs signifying your latest achievement, nor does anyone shower you with virtual confetti as you graduate from the newbie island.

For these reasons and others like them, CCP seems to have topped out somewhere around half a million active subs at the game's high point. EVE is seen as unfriendly in some ways, but in actuality it's the friendliest MMO around if you're an imaginative sort with the desire to direct your own in-game destiny.

Could the tutorials be better? Sure. Could PvE missions be more engaging? Absolutely. Does either of these failings, or numerous others, detract from what is the genre's premier emergent experience?

Nope.

Continue reading Why I Play: EVE Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescomplexitycraftingeconomyeditorialeveeve-onlinefeaturedinternet-spaceshipsmassively-metametanew-edenop-edopinionplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentroleplayroleplayingsandboxSchadenfreudesci-fiuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playWed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you roleplay betas?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Diablo III
This may be a little to esoteric of a way to start your Wednesday morning, but you can't spell "Massively" in several foreign languages without "eso" and "teric." Anyway, this past week I posed a tongue-in-cheek question to RP-leaning friends on Twitter about how they roleplay betas. How did they take into account the fact that this world was to end? Was their character aware of the theory of multiple universes? Or did they simply put off roleplaying until the actual launch?

What surprised me were the thoughtful and interesting responses I received. I had just assumed nobody actually bothered with RP in betas, but that's not the truth; on the contrary, many of my friends used the time to experiment with characters, to begin to fashion stories, or even to play their character as an ancestor of their soon-to-come main.

So what about you? How do you -- or would you -- roleplay betas with their unstable, transitory worlds?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you roleplay betas? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasclosed-betadaily-grindopen-betaopinionroleplayroleplay-in-betasroleplayingrptdgthe-daily-grindWed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Talk this way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/storyboard-talk-this-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/storyboard-talk-this-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/storyboard-talk-this-way/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nobody is talking in this picture. Ironic?
One of the great problems presented to roleplayers is the challenge of presenting audio via text.

We don't think about it all the time because most of the time it's easy to construct the sound of something from context. Sure, simply saying that your character sighs could mean any number of things, but contextually it's usually obvious whether it's meant as a gesture of exasperation or a sign of relaxed contentment. "Yes, I'm sure your new weapon will make a huge difference in the war" could be sarcastic or serious, but there are generally enough clues in the situation to make the difference obvious.

But there's one obvious case in which that breaks down, and that's in the matter of accents. After all, people from two different regions shouldn't quite sound the same... but there's also no effective way to communicate how one voice or another sounds different. And the most common solution is essentially a matter of making your character's words borderline unreadable in the hopes that you convey a sliver of your intention.

Continue reading Storyboard: Talk this way

MassivelyStoryboard: Talk this way originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accentsdialoguediscussionfeaturedopinionrantsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsoundsstorystoryboardvoicewhat-is-this-I-cant-evenFri, 23 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Sadface]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/storyboard-sadface/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/storyboard-sadface/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/storyboard-sadface/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For those of you who identify the middle picture, yes, I've beaten the game, and yes, I liked the ending. If you want to talk about it, do so via mail, not in the comments.
I have, on occasion, joked that all of my roleplaying characters are either looking for a tragedy or recovering from one. It's not an intentional thing, but for whatever reason, an awful lot of my characters tend to have a whole lot of pain and sorrow wrapped up in their heads. My attempts at making a joke character usually derail to the point that said character is even more depressing, like the mage I played who was supposed to be eccentric and wound up being desperately lonely due to her horrendous inability to focus on any one thing for too long.

While it's very easy to go into the depressingly morbid side with a tragic character, we're not going into that this week. (Another week -- you know how I roll by now.) No, this week's problem is much simpler. If you're playing a character who's beset on all sides by misfortune, eventually you're just going to wind up with sadness-induced apathy. You're going to get tired of the fact that your character always fails and never wins and that things get worse every time he or she tries to fix problems. In short, you're going to not want to play the character because said character is just plain depressing.

Continue reading Storyboard: Sadface

MassivelyStoryboard: Sadface originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>depressingdepressiondownersfeaturedopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsadsadnesssorrowstorystoryboardFri, 16 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Out of the rut]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/storyboard-out-of-the-rut/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/storyboard-out-of-the-rut/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/storyboard-out-of-the-rut/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yes, it's a Claire Shepard week. Can you blame me? Yes? Well, shut up.
Every day it's the same thing. You wake up, you go to work, you convince your boss that you're actually working for eight hours or so, you go home, and then you log into your game of choice for some roleplaying. Except lately, that's been feeling like just as much of a routine. If your characters are supposed to be like people, it's not surprising that sometimes they'll wind up in the middle of a boring routine just like anyone else.

Granted, depending on your roleplaying, that boring routine might involve several betrayals, affairs, and potential murders, but a routine is a routine.

The point is that your character can get stuck in a rut. No matter how much you might like a character, it's no fun to keep running through the same basic stories again and again. You need to kick your character out of that rut, preferrably without destroying the elements you like about the character in the first place. So how do you get out of stagnant waters and start churning things up again?

Continue reading Storyboard: Out of the rut

MassivelyStoryboard: Out of the rut originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredopinionplayer-rutroleplayroleplayersroleplayingroutinerprutsame-old-same-oldstorystory-rutstoryboardFri, 09 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[En Masse details TERA's roleplay server ruleset]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/en-masse-details-teras-roleplay-server-ruleset/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/en-masse-details-teras-roleplay-server-ruleset/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/en-masse-details-teras-roleplay-server-ruleset/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

TERA - Aman Sorcerer (who's probably not roleplaying)
En Masse Entertainment has spilled the beans about TERA's roleplay server ruleset (yes, people still RP in MMORPGs!). A new server FAQ has all the details, and the short version is that there will initially be one "official" ruleset server.

Celestial Hills is where you'll want to roll if you're partial to player-generated stories, but be aware that En Masse is taking a laissez-faire stance to its RP ruleset. The company says it will implement naming conventions to discourage leetspeak and real-world references, but it also says that the subjective nature of such a policy makes it difficult to enforce.

En Masse also says it won't monitor out-of-character chat, but it will boot those who "continually harass others." Finally, the FAQ addresses player requests for RP tools like the ability to walk and create custom emotes. "We are working on a list of game features to enhance your roleplay experience," En Masse explains. "[As with] all game feedback, we are evaluating and prioritizing getting it in the game."

[Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]

MassivelyEn Masse details TERA's roleplay server ruleset originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arboreablueholebluehole-studioscelestial-hillsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyleetspeakroleplayroleplay-rulesetroleplay-serverrprp-namesrp-policyteraSat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/some-assembly-required-six-must-haves-for-creative-expression/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required header
Creativity. It is expressed in so many ways in so many mediums. Art, literature, architecture, music, performance... I love it all, conventional and unconventional. Heck, I revel in it! Why do you think my work and recreation include gaming?

Wait, gaming?! You betcha!

Beyond the artistry of the developers, MMORPGs offer outlets for player creativity in a variety of ways. I am not ashamed to admit that the primary reason I delve into MMORPGs is not for the gameplay but to explore and experience the creative expression of others (and to express some of my own as well). In fact, finding and sharing that very creativity by championing and highlighting player-generated content is precisely what Some Assembly Required is about.

Between (or in lieu of) the hacking, the slashing, and the plundering, players seize proffered tools in myriad virtual realms to build works of art, pen masterpieces, construct edifices, compose melodies, and take the stage, all within the pixeled confines of a virtual world. Unfortunately, not all games have adequate tools for such creative expression. While inspired players can make do if they must, having supporting features exponentially enhances a game (and positively affects retention). Thankfully, some games provide a few standard-setting features that -- in my opinion -- should be included in every game on the market. Here are six of those must-have features.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Six must-haves for creative expression originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-slotsbookbookscreativitydecoratingdungeon-makeremotesEQ2EverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedgame-mechanicshousingopinionperformancepgcplayer-booksplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentplayer-housingplayer-written-booksquest-builderroleplayRolePlayingrpsandboxsarSOEsome-assembly-requiredSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-galaxiesswgterraformingvanguardwritingxsyonxsyon-preludeFri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks
Holocrons serve as storage devices for Jedi and Sith lore. These objects store not only information from their creators but also their essence. Every once in a while, I highlight a specific aspect of Star Wars lore and apply it directly to Star Wars: The Old Republic. I want to impart my knowledge of that part of the Star Wars universe as well as what I have learned from roleplaying in games like Star Wars Galaxies and other venues.

Since the first appearance of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, fans have been curious about the Sith with the horns on his head. Some fans also noticed the Jedi council member with horns on his head and wondered if he was related to the previously mentioned Sith. Both are, in fact, Zabraks, a humanoid species originating on the planet Iridonia.

A freighter full of lore has been written about this species, from a fan-fic language to canon medical analysis. There is no way I can dissect it all in this article, but let's talk about the specifics of how you can apply Zabrak lore to your Zabrak character.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedHyperspace-BeaconloreLucasArtsopinionroleplayroleplayingSOESony-Online-EntertainmentStar-WarsStar-Wars-GalaxiesStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORTORzabrakzabraksTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/wings-over-atreia-ode-to-3-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/wings-over-atreia-ode-to-3-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/wings-over-atreia-ode-to-3-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
*cue pitch pipe*

Twinkle, twinkle, little patch,
How I wonder where you're at?
In the East they play with ease,
In the West you're just a tease!
Twinkle, twinkle, three point oh,
Hurry please I want you so!

I've tried to be patient. I really have. I even avoided any wayward glances at Aion's Korean patch notes (translated, of course) for 3.0. That way, I could contain my excitement a little better. I mean, we already know I am dying for housing, and I also know mounts are involved. But there is always so much more, and I was trying to make the wait more bearable. I stood firm in my resolve.

Then I broke down. I peeked. And oh how the many-tendriled beast of anticipation took hold of me once again! Of course there is always the requisite "fixed this bug" and "changed that appearance" filler, but when mining deeper, you also find some definite valuable nuggets. Aion's next patch has some "how cool," some "oh wow, that's really unexpected," and some "about time!" thrown in as well. From new zones to new instances to new features, there is plenty coming our way. Don't want to tax your scroll wheel and sift through the entire patch notes yourself? Wings Over Atreia delves in to uncover some of the most tantalizing treasures for you.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.0-patchaion-3.0aion-ascensionAturam-Sky-Fortressbeshbeshmundir-templeDorgal-Manordungeondungeon-crawldungeon-crawlingdungeonsexpansionfeaturedincreased-level-capLandis-Forestlevel-caplevel-cap-increasenew-contentnew-landsnew-zonespatch-3.0patchesRentus-Baserole-playrole-playingroleplayroleplayerroleplayersSand-Lords-LairSarpanskill-changesSRSteel-RakeTahmesTiamarantaWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 20 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant
I don't like to rant. Really! Usually, ranting is full of emotionally charged rhetoric, and oftentimes it's riddled with inaccurate statements. I especially don't like to rant about something that I like a lot. For instance, Star Wars: The Old Republic has, by far, exceeded my personal expectations for any MMO; however, some missteps in production have tainted its perfection. (No, I'm not going to talk about Ilum again.) Of course, we are all looking for our version of perfection in an MMO, right? Unfortunately, no MMO will live up to that expectation. In fact, if I did find my version of MMO perfection, I would probably be the only one playing it. But I do believe I have ideas that those in my community could latch on to. They are also relatively simple. Yes, yes, I know nothing is ever as simple as it seems, but indulge me for a few moments.

As many of you know, I enjoy roleplaying in my MMOs -- character creation, really. I'm not one of those roleplayers who hang out in a pub all day never experiencing any gameplay. Although there's nothing wrong with that, I find it a be a waste of $15 a month.

I have complied what I believe will make the experience of SWTOR more enjoyable for those who enjoy playing the game like I do, and I think that those of you who don't necessarily like to roleplay per se but do like to create unique characters in the MMO space will agree that these are a must. I did set some personal criteria when compiling the list. For instance, I didn't want to break BioWare's general vision for the game. I also wanted to use existing items in the game so that my expectations were realistic -- no guild capital ships or image design system. And all of these items have been mentioned in print someplace before, so I'm not the only one who believes these should be implemented.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorBaraslanBioWarechatchat-bubblesclothingcompanionscustomizationEAElectronic-Artsemoteemotesemotingfeaturedgeorg-zoellerLucasArtsroleplayRolePlayingsitting-in-chairsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/some-assembly-required-a-look-at-eqiis-dungeon-maker/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/some-assembly-required-a-look-at-eqiis-dungeon-maker/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/some-assembly-required-a-look-at-eqiis-dungeon-maker/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - architectural banner
So you're an armchair game designer, eh? Well, EverQuest II invites you to put your money where your mouth is -- at least as it relates to dungeon creation.

While Sony Online Entertainment's venerable fantasy title is no stranger to player-generated content given its spectacular player- and guild-housing mechanics, this winter's Age of Discovery expansion upped the ante a little bit in the form of the new dungeon maker toolset. The system is a bit rough around the edges, but it's nonetheless a fantastic first iteration that adds a lot of fun and replay value to an MMO that was already chock-full of both.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker

MassivelySome Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoveryarmchair-designarmchair-developerdesigndungeon-makerdungeonseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgrindnon-combat-gameplaynorrathopinionpgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentroleplayroleplayingsandboxsandparksome-assembly-requiredxp-grindFri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster: Immersion is not a core game virtue]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/raph-koster-immersion-is-not-a-core-game-virtue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/raph-koster-immersion-is-not-a-core-game-virtue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/raph-koster-immersion-is-not-a-core-game-virtue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies - Cantina gambling
Yeah, you read that right, virtual world fans. One of the more celebrated sandbox MMORPG developers is apparently throwing in the towel when it comes to immersion. Raph Koster wrote what can only be termed a lament on his personal blog today, saying that "immersion does not make a lot of sense in a mobile, interruptable world."

Koster characterizes immersion as a style whose time has come and gone, and he concludes that games are no longer for dreamers due to their far-reaching popularity. "I mourn the gradual loss of deep immersion and the trappings of geekery that I love," Koster writes. "I see the ways in which the worlds I once dove into headlong have become incredibly expensive endeavors, movies-with-button-presses far more invested in telling me their story, rather than letting me tell my own."

Whether you agree with him or not, it's a sobering read coming from one of the chief creative forces behind Star Wars Galaxies and Ultima Online.

MassivelyRaph Koster: Immersion is not a core game virtue originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>at-least-it-has-a-karateka-screenshotcasualdepressingdesignhardcoreimmersionkosterMiscellaneousopinionraph-kosterroleplaysandboxstar-wars-galaxiesswgultima-onlinevirtual-worldsFri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Happy Newb Year!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/wing-over-atreia-happy-newb-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/wing-over-atreia-happy-newb-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/wing-over-atreia-happy-newb-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
Oh, that feeling when a game is new and everything is an adventure! Say what you will, but I cherish those moments of still being a newb and getting to experience things for the first time while exploring a new world (mind you, that is newb as in "new person," not n00b meaning "hopelessly moronic"). The problem is, once you have been in a game for a while, that whole aura dissipates and you lose that feeling of wonder. I envy those just now coming to Aion, as those of us who have been here for the past two plus years have lost that initial excitement. And when you've lost that newbie feeling, then it's gone, gone, gone, whoa whoa whoa...

Or is it?

When you have played the game for a long period of time, you tend to settle into a rut that is hard to break out of. Log in, do dailies, do arenas, do dredge. Toss in a siege. Rinse and repeat. In the past, Wings Over Atreia has delved into some of the reasons to stay in game when things become a bit monotonous and we sludge through some of the more difficult times. But why should we sludge? Why not find ways to make Aion more interesting when you hit that plateau?

Some players have done just that. A little creativity (and sometimes some really insane friends) can really make a difference and bring back that newbie feeling -- or at least make things interesting while adding some variety to gaming.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Happy Newb Year!

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Happy Newb Year! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamealternate-rule-setaltsbeating-boredomboredomcomfort-zonefeaturedmonotonync-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionnewbienewbie-experiencepermadeathroleplayroleplayersroleplayingMon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: A surprising evening of roleplay in RuneScape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/free-for-all-a-surprising-evening-of-roleplay-in-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/free-for-all-a-surprising-evening-of-roleplay-in-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/free-for-all-a-surprising-evening-of-roleplay-in-runescape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

RuneScape screenshot
Roleplay is often treated as the odd cousin of the MMO family. You know the kid I am talking about... your Aunt comes to visit and your mother tells you to hang out with him, and he ends up vomiting in your room. (Did it only happen to me?) The truth is that the odd cousin is often just misunderstood and generally a lot of fun. It might take a small leap of faith and perhaps some time, but roleplay can be a very rewarding experience.

RuneScape might not seem like a prime spot for roleplay. I hardly even heard of roleplay in the community, but I knew that the playerbase was made up of individuals from all age ranges. I thought of trying to find a good roleplay clan or trying to attend a roleplay event or two, but I didn't find the time to investigate. It began to look like roleplay was not something that happened in the game.

That was until last night. I stumbled upon some sort of spontaneous roleplay session, and it was mostly thrilling. I even interviewed a few players to see how the whole thing worked. Click past the cut and I'll tell you what I found out!

Continue reading Free for All: A surprising evening of roleplay in RuneScape

MassivelyFree for All: A surprising evening of roleplay in RuneScape originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedcasualEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playftpjagexLARPlarpingroleplayRolePlayingrunescapeSOESONYSony-Online-EntertainmentWed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Top 10 of '11]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/wings-over-atreia-top-10-of-11/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/wings-over-atreia-top-10-of-11/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/wings-over-atreia-top-10-of-11/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
Where in the Seraphim Lords did the year go? Daevas aren't the only ones who fly; time certainly has one powerful set of wings (though I haven't quite determined whether they are light or dark)! It's a bit hard for me to believe that a full year has come and gone. Yet even as I doubt, a cursory glance back over the past 12 months shows me I didn't Rip Van Winkle the time away.

In fact, much has transpired in Aion since 2011 rolled in. Between pining away for things to come and dreaming of things that may never be, chronicling the life and social scene of Atreia, offering guides and hints, and reporting on (sometimes surprise) announcements, Wings Over Atreia has covered a variety of topics over the past year. While each column is but one glimpse, together they show the evolution of our game.

Traipse past the break and down memory lane with me as we reminisce about Aion in the time-honored Massively tradition of top-10 lists.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Top 10 of '11

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Top 10 of '11 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamealter-egodaevas-of-our-livesdramafeaturedhousingmusicnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionrantrantsreal-liferoleplayroleplayersroleplayingtop-tentop-ten-listtrolltrollsWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: In defense of player-driven story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/some-assembly-required-in-defense-of-player-driven-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/some-assembly-required-in-defense-of-player-driven-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/some-assembly-required-in-defense-of-player-driven-story/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - architectural banner
To say that I feel strongly about player-created stories and the MMOs that support them is an understatement of epic proportions, and as such I was disheartened after reading one of Eliot's recent Storyboard columns that pooh-poohed player creativity in favor of dev-driven narrative.

I feel that a dissenting viewpoint needs equal time in the Massively spotlight, so join me after the cut for a few reasons why there's no substitute for player-driven stories.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: In defense of player-driven story

MassivelySome Assembly Required: In defense of player-driven story originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-driven-narrativedev-driven-storyfeaturedmmo-storyopinionplayer-contentplayer-driven-storyplayer-generated-contentplayer-storyroleplayroleplayingsandboxsandparksome-assembly-requiredstorythemeparkFri, 30 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/hyperspace-beacon-what-is-this-rp-pvp-anyway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PVP anyway?
At E3, Principal Lead Writer Daniel Erickson expressed that he wanted a roleplay player-vs.-player server for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Granted, BioWare's live team originally intended to not launch with any type of open-world PvP roleplay server. Community Coordinator David Bass confirmed this when he explained that the Guild HQ program will not support RP-PvP servers and that those guilds wishing to roll on those types of servers will have to do it the old fashioned way: in game. According to the Daedalus Project, a study on the habits of MMO players, only 7% of all players actually roll a character on an RP-PvP server. However, when you keep in mind that SWTOR has the largest preorder sales of any PC game as of right now (about 802,000, not including digital and European sales), 7% ends up being a significant number. At least, there are enough people interested in RP-PvP to fill a server.

I understand that many people are turned off by the idea of mixing roleplay with PvP. I completely understand that. When the term RP hits people, images of Goldshire and naked Night Elves come to mind immediately. In truth, however, roleplay is really just telling a story through an interactive medium, in this case an MMO. For instance, if in the course of playing SWTOR you find yourself asking, "What would my character do in this situation?", then you have just brushed up against roleplay. In RP-PvP, players enjoy a very similar experience.

Today, let's talk about mixing story and PvP. Players have found diverse ways to integrate the two. Beyond the break, I have examples of how you may find ways to do it yourself, even if hardcore roleplay isn't your thing.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksondavid-bassEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedguild-vs-guildGuild-warLucasArtsopen-world-pvpplayer-versus-playerplayer-vs-playerPvProle-playroleplayRolePlayingRPRP-PVPserver-typesStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarzonesTue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have you ever attended an in-game funeral?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-attended-an-in-game-funeral/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-attended-an-in-game-funeral/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-attended-an-in-game-funeral/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Padme's Funeral from Revenge of the Sith
During the roleplaying heyday of Star Wars Galaxies, I attended a funeral for another character. His player was calling it quits and wanted to send off the toon in the most dramatic way possible: by asking his friends to eulogize his avatar in a Coronet park. (Of course, when he returned under the same name a few months later, the effect was somewhat diminished.)

Other players hold funerals for players who have passed away in the real world. In some games -- Ultima Online comes to mind -- players are deeply respectful, and devs sometimes get involved too, inserting permanent shrines of remembrance in the game. In other games (we're looking at you, World of Warcraft), funeral-crashers and social miscreants have infamously ruined more than one somber occasion.

How about you? Have you ever attended (or held) an in-game funeral, RP or otherwise?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Have you ever attended an in-game funeral? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgfuneralfuneral-crashersfuneralsopinionroleplayroleplayingserenity-nowstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindUltima-OnlineuoWorld-of-WarcraftwowSat, 12 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Face of Mankind looking for storyline gamemasters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/face-of-mankind-looking-for-storyline-gamemasters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/face-of-mankind-looking-for-storyline-gamemasters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/face-of-mankind-looking-for-storyline-gamemasters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Face of Mankind - soldiers with large firearms
Nexeon Technologies is looking for a few good storytellers, according to a post on the Face of Mankind forums. The sci-fi sandbox has long been a theoretically rich roleplaying environment, and the devs are looking to put that theory into practice.

"We are currently looking to bring back an official storyline to Face of Mankind in a manner whereby it will play a significant part [in] the roleplay environment [of] the game, and where we will see players from all factions and backgrounds taking part in one way or another," writes Arthurius, Nexeon's community manager.

To that end, Nexeon is looking to bring in several storyline gamemasters, and applications are now being accepted. The requirements are nothing to sneeze at, particularly when it comes to game knowledge, perfect grammar, and the willingness to sacrifice your own game time for the greater good. If you think you've got what it takes (or you're just curious), you can read more on the official Face of Mankind forums.

MassivelyFace of Mankind looking for storyline gamemasters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>face-of-mankindgamemaster-applicationsgamemastersgmmmo-storynexeonnexeon-technologiesplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentroleplayroleplayingsandboxsci-fistoryThu, 06 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ten-things-to-do-in-star-wars-galaxies-before-its-gone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies - Butterflies included especially for Jef
When SOE announced that Star Wars Galaxies would be sunsetted by the end of the year, many players despaired. They gave up. They saw their long years (eight years!) of play turn to dust. But others looked on the impending closure as incentive to do all those things they'd been putting off, all the activities they just hadn't gotten around to. There hadn't been time. The game is too big for anyone to do it all.

And that's precisely why Star Wars Galaxies is a legend among sandbox fans despite the NGE disaster. It's a living museum of great MMO ideas from the past, of player-driven economies, of open-world housing, of high-end, game-supported roleplay, of roaming in a game that lets you dictate the terms of your play. It's a rare relic you should see in the flesh, today, right now, before it's gone. You can pick up a weapon and fight in any MMO (excepting A Tale in the Desert, that is), but there are so many things you can do in Star Wars Galaxies that you can't do anywhere else with the same level of immersion. And I'm going to tell you which 10 you should do first... before it's too late.

Continue reading Ten things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone

MassivelyTen things to do in Star Wars Galaxies before it's gone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tabappearance-tabarmoratabatmospheric-flightcantinachat-bubbleschronicleschronicles-systemcityclothingcosmetic-outfitcraftingdanceremoteentertainerfeaturedhistoryhousehousingimage-designerinstrumentithorianjtljump-to-lightspeedmayormoodsmusicianngeopen-world-housingpilotplayer-cityplayer-run-cityroleplayroleplayingsandboxsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-warsy-and-iconicstarshipsunsetswgswtorthe-old-republictortradervendorWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: RIFT sealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/choose-my-adventure-rift-sealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Choose My Adventure:RIFT sealed
Here we are: the last hurrah, the final hour, the closing curtain, the rift sealed. Although it would be unfair to say that I have done everything in RIFT, I believe my experience has been well-rounded. I have done PvP, invasions, solo content, and group content -- even a little bit of resource gathering and crafting. One thing I can say with all certainty is that RIFT has a lot to offer, and the developers at Trion have put a lot of good work into the game.

Beyond the cut, I would like to break down my general experiences in game. Some were good; some were bad. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a straightforward review, then you're not going to find that here. RIFT is a complex game, and depending on what you're looking for, your experience will vary. Most of what you obtain from this game will be proportionate to how much you personally put into it. But instead of rambling on here, I'll explain what I'm talking about beyond the break. Follow me there.

Gallery: CMA: RIFT

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: RIFT sealed

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: RIFT sealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurefeaturedGaiscíochgaisciochgaiscioch-familygalleriesgallerygroup-rolesimpressionslevelingloreopinionplanes-of-telaraPvEPvPRIFTrift-planes-of-telararoleplayscreenshotsstorytriontrion-worldsWed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: The Telara Saga]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/choose-my-adventure-the-telara-saga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/choose-my-adventure-the-telara-saga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/choose-my-adventure-the-telara-saga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure: The Telara Saga
This past week was exciting. Seriia joined the Gaiscíoch Clan for a bit of rift-running and light roleplay across all of Freemarch. Originally, I had intended to livestream the Telara Saga event for an hour, then sign off feeling good that I helped promote roleplay in RIFT. However, we reached the hour mark before I even realized it. I gave a quick goodbye to the people who were watching so that they did not feel obligated to continue to watch, then continued to stream for another two hours. To my surprise, I ended up having more people watch the last two hours of the stream than the first hour. Apparently, not only was it fun for me to play, but there is an audience interested in the roleplay events in RIFT.

As you can imagine, it was difficult to snap screenshots while trying to livestream, but I did get 10 pretty good ones, which I added to the gallery below. After the break, I have snippet of Seriia's story, as usual. Then I have a very important question to ask you as my time in this column draws closer to its end.

Gallery: CMA: RIFT

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: The Telara Saga

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: The Telara Saga originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmafaceless-manfeaturedFoghladhaGaiscíochgaisciochgaiscioch-familyplanes-of-telaraRIFTrift-planes-of-telararoleplayroleplay-eventtelara-sagaTriontrion-worldsWed, 14 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR companions will have same-sex romance options... eventually]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/swtor-companions-will-have-same-sex-romance-options-eventuall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/swtor-companions-will-have-same-sex-romance-options-eventuall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/swtor-companions-will-have-same-sex-romance-options-eventuall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR screenshot
It's been debated across the MMO blogosphere and casually confirmed in interviews, but today it's been announced formally (and you know it's official because it's in yellow ink): Star Wars: The Old Republic's companion characters will not offer same-sex romance options -- at launch. But such relationships will be making an appearance sometime after launch.

In a statement on the forums, SWTOR Senior Online Community Manager Stephen Reid posted the following:
Due to the design constraints of a fully voiced MMO of this scale and size, many choices had to be made as to the launch and post-launch feature set. Same gender romances with companion characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be a post-launch feature. Because The Old Republic is an MMO, the game will live on through content expansions which allow us to include content and features that could not be included at launch, including the addition of more companion characters who will have additional romance options. (Emphasis ours.)
This plan is certainly in line with other BioWare titles while setting it apart from other MMOs. Hopefully this option won't end up in the "never got around to it" bin like housing in a certain other MMO.

MassivelySWTOR companions will have same-sex romance options... eventually originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecompanioncompanionseaElectronic-Artsroleplayromanceromancesrpsame-sex-romancestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstephen-reidswtortestingthe-old-republictorTue, 13 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Invasion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/choose-my-adventure-invasion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/choose-my-adventure-invasion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/choose-my-adventure-invasion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

My time was short this week in the world of Telara because of work and other obligations. However, I did several hours of RIFT-streaming this week; I hope you check out the stream at the end of this article. Although the video is kind of laggy, the inspiration for this article was captured in one of the streams. I die a lot, but thankfully, I'm an Ascended, right? So death means very little to me. I can be brought back many times over. I have a tendency, as you may see in that video, to get in over my head -- a lot.

This being my second week in the game, I'm getting used to what it's all about. I've been able to close multiple rifts, and I've leveled up to 13. (I told you I didn't get to play as much as I wanted.) There is much I love about the game, and there are many things that turn me off.

Most importantly, however, this week I encountered my first invasion of Freemarch. It took a bit for me to catch on to what was happening. I had thought it was just another rift opening up, but with a glance at my map, I quickly realized that this wasn't your everyday planar tear.

Gallery: CMA: RIFT

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Invasion

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Invasion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alsbethalsbeth-the-discordantchoose-my-adventurecmadynamic-eventsFaeblightfeaturedinvasionIron-fortressJakubplane-of-deathplanes-of-telarapollpollsRIFTrift-planes-of-telararoleplaySeriiatriontrion-worldsWed, 31 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Face of Mankind under new management, adding new features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/face-of-mankind-under-new-management-adding-new-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/face-of-mankind-under-new-management-adding-new-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/face-of-mankind-under-new-management-adding-new-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Face of Mankind - shooting
If you've ever played Face of Mankind, you may have gotten something of a blast from the past in your inbox this morning. The sci-fi sandbox MMORPG is under new management, and the team at Nexeon Technologies sent out an email blurb advertising the fact that the game has undergone significant changes (and has a new website and forum to boot).

Nexeon provides a list of all the tweaks that have occurred in recent months, including frequent patches and bug fixes, account portal integration, a new tutorial, and the implementation of famous New York City locales including Brooklyn and Ground Zero.

The press release also hints at major updates still in the planning stages, including an item shop, additional colonies, customizable apartments, and more. Face of Mankind is notable for being one of a very few MMORPGs to emphasize roleplay, community, and player-driven politics as primary gameplay systems, and you can read more about the title at its official website.

MassivelyFace of Mankind under new management, adding new features originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brooklynface-of-mankindgame-mechanicsgame-updatesground-zeronew-york-citynexeonnexeon-technologiesnycpress-releaseroleplayroleplayingsandboxsci-fishooterMon, 22 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Post-launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/hyperspace-beacon-post-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/hyperspace-beacon-post-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/hyperspace-beacon-post-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Post-launch
Readers of this column have a lot of questions for me, and I do my best to answer all of them. However, the most frequent question I get is "what class are you playing?" followed by "which guild are you going to join?" Thankfully, I work from an office at home, and my time can be very dedicated to playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Many of the websites and podcasts fall off after a game is launched because, hey, the producers of these bits of entertainment have a game to play now. Fortunately for you, I really want to give my readers something to look forward to once TOR actually launches. Unlike others who lack either the time or dedication to their fans, I am going to be stepping up my game after launch -- literally.

I have teased my post-launch plans a few times before, but I figured I should put it all down in writing. This way I have something to reference when the time comes, and I'm sure the readers here will hold me to my word. Most of all, Star Wars: The Old Republic will be an extraordinary experience for anyone who follows me. Hop past the break for the full details.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Post-launch

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Post-launch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareclassesEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgunslingerhyperspace-beaconjennifer-halejosh-allenjuggernautjustin-loweloreLucasArtspost-launchpower-levelingroleplaysadosith-warriorsmugglerStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Original gangsters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/one-shots-original-gangsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/one-shots-original-gangsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/one-shots-original-gangsters/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Wars Galaxies may be going away at the end of the year, but for many of us it will resonate for far longer. One of a thousand seminal moments is captured above courtesy of an action shot inside a Naboo cantina. Naboo was a roleplaying hotspot circa 2004, particularly on the Starsider server where regular events and spontaneous fun could be found at the player cities in Vagabond's Rest, Rauha, Thornhaven, and all points in between. These particular gents are demonstrating their displeasure at a spice deal gone wrong, as well as sporting some old-school weaponry in the form of a laser rifle and two early pistol favorites (the FWG-5 and DX-2).

All this week, Massively writers are spotlighting some of our personal favorite One Shots. What exciting stories revolve around our screenshots? Stay tuned to find out. Next week, after staff picks week, will be free-for-all week for you, our readers. Send any eye-catching, beautiful, scary, or generally epic screenshot to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll pick the best of the best for next week's One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Original gangsters originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dx-2fwg-5gallerygangstersin-game-eventslasersone-shotsroleplayrpsandboxsci-fiscreenshotsstar-wars-galaxiesswgthornhavenvagabonds-restvenjaSat, 23 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST