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[World of Warcraft is the new Match.com]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-the-new-match-com/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Of course, gamers don't wear sunglasses and pinstripe polos while holding controllers, but artistic license.
Are you single? Do you want to be a little bit less single? Are your friends telling you that you should stop spending so much time talking with them online and more time looking for dates? Well, according to a recent infographic, your friends might be completely off-base. Onlineuniversity.net put together a graphic comparing World of Warcraft to the popular dating site Match.com, and the results come out pretty firmly in favor of blood elves.

So how does it look? According to the graphic, World of Warcraft has more than 10 times as many people involved as Match.com, and people sink more time into online gaming than any online dating site. There's also a number of factors that suggest slaughtering virtual trolls as a better way to bond than a cup of coffee. So while it's still probably bad form to hit on your raid leader between pulls, maybe you're not entirely off the mark. Unless she's married.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft is the new Match.com originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedatinggaming-relationshipshuman-interesthumorlovemmosromancewhat-is-this-i-cant-evenThu, 22 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-companions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-companions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-companions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR Guide to Companions
For those of you who have never played a BioWare RPG before (or any single-player RPG, really), the concept of "companions" may initially strike you as strange. After all, in MMOs we're so used to jaunting off into the wilderness solo without some semi-intelligent NPC tagging along for the ride, so for a game to inform us that we not only will have them but will have to use them all the time may feel odd. If so, we're guessing you've never been into pet classes, either.

Companions are one of the long-standing features of BioWare RPGs; they're both useful fighters who help keep you alive and persistent beings whom you get to know, develop relationships with, and affect in significant ways. In the past, BioWare companions have often been cited as the most memorable parts of the studio's games, from Baldur's Gate II's Minsc to Mass Effect 2's Mordin (to name two of my all-time favorites).

Yet in MMOs, companion NPCs aren't that common, and if you're feeling a little bewildered at the thought of having one at your side at all times in Star Wars: The Old Republic, then we're here to lay out for you 10 reasons why companions are as useful as all get out -- and why you're going to love them like crazy before too long.

Continue reading SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions

MassivelySWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baldurs-gate-iibiowarebonusbonus-companionscompanioncompanion-listcompanionscraftingcrew-skillsdroideaea-biowareelectronic-artsfeaturedguideguideshk-47hk-51knights-of-the-old-republiclucasartsmass-effect-2petpetspreviewpreviewsromancesci-fiskillsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstrategy-guideswtorswtor-companionsswtor-gameplay-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidethe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 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[Storyboard: Talk about the passion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/storyboard-talk-about-the-passion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/storyboard-talk-about-the-passion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/storyboard-talk-about-the-passion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of these screenshots was actually taken during a romantic moment. The rest were not. Enjoy guessing!
Two of the earliest columns I did for Storyboard were all about romance in roleplaying. If you've forgotten them, they can be found here and here, but if you don't feel like reading a couple thousand words just to continue with this column, the gist was pretty simple. In short -- don't. But since you're going to anyway, take the usual steps to avoid any sort of spilling drama.

Actually, I should just make a column of usual tips to avoid spilling drama in roleplaying and save myself a lot of time.

It's been more than a year since those were written, and to my great joy they're still relevant and useful. But at the same time, there's more to be said on the topic, albeit in bits and pieces. So (possibly against my better judgment) I'm diving face-first into the sea of love once again to talk about a couple of points that I either didn't discuss the first time around or only briefly touched on.

Continue reading Storyboard: Talk about the passion

MassivelyStoryboard: Talk about the passion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecolumndramafeaturedhumorinteractionsopinionroleplayingromanceromantic-roleplayingrpstoryboardFri, 26 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What do you think of MMO dating?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-think-of-mmo-dating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-think-of-mmo-dating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-think-of-mmo-dating/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When we talk about MMO dating, we're not talking about the creepy guy in your guild who hits on all the female characters until you kick him out. No, we're talking about genuine dating, forming a relationship with someone and eventually asking the other person out on a date, possibly even in-game. Lucent Heart is unique in some ways because it offers a similar function baked in to the client, but nearly every longtime veteran has at least one story of the couple that met via the game and wound up in a happy relationship.

On the one hand, if the key to making a relationship work is a shared interest, dating someone you meet via an MMO certainly seems like a viable approach. On the other hand, virtual relationships face a unique level of challenge even without introducing the possibility of a long argument over who should have rolled need on that last piece of gear. So what do you think about the idea of MMO dating? Is it a good idea with some problems or something that sounds nice but just doesn't work right?

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: What do you think of MMO dating? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedatinglucent-heartmmo-datingonline-datingopinionrelationshipsromancetdgthe-daily-grindSat, 02 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Till death do us part?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-guild-counsel-till-death-do-us-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-guild-counsel-till-death-do-us-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-guild-counsel-till-death-do-us-part/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, sometimes being part of a guild feels like being in a marriage -- there's lots of commitment, lots of responsibility, and all too often, lots of arguing and fighting. But this week, we're actually going to look at the issue of online romance and online relationships in MMOs. As games and communities increase in number, more and more players are developing lasting relationships, and some of those have even led to marriage.

Since the Valentine's Day roses are still fresh and there are still a few chocolates left in the heart-shaped box, this week's Guild Counsel will look at a few dos and don'ts of online romance. Joining me this week is Arithion, host of the Rift Podcast. She met her husband in game, and they've been married for four years. She'll share some valuable advice on what to do if you think you've found that special someone.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Till death do us part?

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Till death do us part? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicearithionfeaturedguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguildsmarriageonline-relationshipsonline-romancerift-podcastromancesocial-tiesventriloThu, 17 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Have you ever gone on a date in an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-gone-on-a-date-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-gone-on-a-date-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-daily-grind-have-you-ever-gone-on-a-date-in-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fight it, avoid it or embrace it, Valentine's Day is almost here, and you know what that means: Well-meaning bloggers are going to pry into your love life! Just giving you the heads-up for the next paragraph.

When our thoughts turn to sweethearts and romance, it's only natural for us gamers to incorporate our hobby into our love lives. Ew, not like that! Never like that! Put that away! I meant that MMOs can be just as much of a venue for flirting, relationships and courting as anywhere else, so it stands to reason that a segment of Massively readers have done just that.

So have you ever gone on a date in an MMO, and if so, what happened? Did you map out an evening of adventurous delights, or simply play together as nature and MMO studios intended? And if you haven't gone on an in-game date, what do you envision being a fun way to spend time with a romantic interest?

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 gone on a date in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datedate-nightdatingfirst-datein-game-datemmo-dateopinionromancetdgthe-daily-grindvalentinesvalentines-daySat, 12 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/massivelys-guide-to-valentines-day-festivities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Ah spring! 'Tis the time when young men and women's thoughts turn to love -- or at least scoring some nifty holiday-themed loot! This year there's quite a bit going on. Some events are old familiar ones that have stood the test of time. Others offer new twists and things to do for those who have been there, done that. If you aren't feeling the love bug biting, there's even the odd anti-Valentine's-type event, perfect for those who would rather rain destruction down on the head of anyone foolish enough to approach him with anything heart-shaped or pink. Curious as to what's going on? Check out our listing below -- and feel free to chime in if you know of a fun event others should check out!

Rip out your Fallen Earth character's heart for Valentine's Day (February 11th-13th)
What's better than surviving a nuclear holocaust and wandering your way across a blasted brown landscape rife with societal collapse? Why, sharing said wanderings with someone you love, of course (or at least, someone you lust after in that we've-got-to-do-this-for-the-future-of-mankind sort of way). In a novel spin on the traditional mid-February holiday, Icarus Studios is presenting Fallen Earth's Valentine's Day Massacre event, and clones everywhere can literally offer their hearts as a sign of affection (and a +3 stamina buff).
Vindictus spreads the love with new update and holiday (February 1st-15th)
Quirky events have quickly become one of Vindictus' staples. Right now players can participate in V-Day events for special rewards. If fishing and chocolate hunting isn't your bag, you can simply purchase a Valentine's Package at the Supply Depot for "sexy Valentine's themed Inner Armor." Cute undies, in other words. Valentine's events will end after the 15th, so players are encouraged to partake sooner rather than regret it later.
Time for love in Final Fantasy XI (February 1st-15th)
Valentine's Day is almost here, that special time of year when you attempt to distill the essence of a romantic relationship into chocolate form. And if you were hoping to escape from the day within Vana'diel, your efforts are rather misdirected -- Valentione's Day coincides nicely with the holiday in the real world, with just as much saccharine summation of liaisons in Final Fantasy XI.

Continue reading Massively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities

MassivelyMassively's guide to Valentine's Day festivities originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionallodsallods-onlinecash-shopChangyouchangyou.comcity-of-heroesCity-of-Villainscomedycostumescovdc-universe-onlinedcuoEQ2eq2xeqiieverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedewok-love-festivalfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefestivalffxifinal-fantasy-xiifrfree-realmsfree-to-playfungpotatoheartholidayholidaysicarus-studiosin-game-eventsncsoftnexonromancesoesony-online-entertainmentsquare-enixsqueenixstar-wars-clone-wars-adventuresstar-wars-galaxiesswgtlbbvalentinevalentines-dayvalentines-day-2011vindictusvirtual-worldFri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Anyone else but you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/storyboard-anyone-else-but-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/storyboard-anyone-else-but-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/storyboard-anyone-else-but-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Welcome back to another installment of Storyboard, and another week of discussing romantic relationships in roleplaying. If you missed last week's column, it's a helpful primer, talking both about why it's a terrible idea and why the odds are high that you're going to do it anyway. And I can't criticize on that front -- I eat at McDonald's even though I know it's bad for me, I buy new Transformers even though I know it's not the best use of my money, and I watch Persons Unknown even though I know it's only going to last one season.

Still, a bad idea is only as bad as you make it. To continue my above analogy, as long as I know the whole time that the show is only going to last one season, I can enjoy the heck out of that season. (It's not Lost, but it's pretty darn good.) And while you can't fix all of the fundamental problems with roleplaying relationships, you can do a lot to make sure that the course of love runs smoothly for the players, if not the characters.

Continue reading Storyboard: Anyone else but you

MassivelyStoryboard: Anyone else but you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecolumnfeaturedguidespointersroleplayingromanceromantic-relationshipsromantic-rprpstoryboardFri, 09 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: I only have eyes for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/storyboard-i-only-have-eyes-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/storyboard-i-only-have-eyes-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/storyboard-i-only-have-eyes-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome back to another edition of Storyboard, wherein I'm going to tackle an issue that is very near and dear to my heart. Matter of fact, it's near and dear to almost everyone's heart, and it's a topic that I'm sure I'm either going to revisit or avoid wholeheartedly in the future, because we're stepping into an emotional minefield. Today, we're going to be talking about romantic relationships in roleplaying.

Okay, now that some of the readers have run screaming from the room (which was kind of unnecessary, they could have just closed the browser), let's clarify that we are talking about romantic relationships, not anything else that could fall under the header of romance. That magical night you shared with a Mithra in Bastok Markets is an entirely different topic that I have no real interest in covering here. So we're at least into the realm of just plain emotional awkwardness, and that's for the best, as there's more than enough material there to cover for years.

Continue reading Storyboard: I only have eyes for you

MassivelyStoryboard: I only have eyes for you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affectionbackstorycautiondramadramatic-storyfeaturedloveroleplayingromancerprp-dramastorystoryboardFri, 02 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Even virtual relationships are hot button issues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/anti-aliased-even-virtual-relationships-are-hot-button-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/anti-aliased-even-virtual-relationships-are-hot-button-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/anti-aliased-even-virtual-relationships-are-hot-button-issues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Before I even begin this column, I need to give a shout out to Interitus. This week's topic was inspired by an e-mail he recently sent me, regarding the ongoing debate on the Star Wars: The Old Republic forums with their "romance" story arcs. So, thanks Interitus for the idea!

So, to recap for everyone before we dive into the discussion for the week, here's the deal -- Star Wars: The Old Republic will let you romance your companion NPCs much like Mass Effect. Using dialogue options, you can form a romantic relationship with your chosen follower. However, BioWare has neglected to state how far this system will extend. All we know is that only you'll be able to see your romance storylines and there won't be any explicit sex. Star Wars is all about understated sexual tension, AKA Han Solo and Princess Leia.

So what about romances between two characters of the same-sex, like Mass Effect? Well, we're not too sure about that at the moment. BioWare has said nothing confirming or denying their existence. And, because gay romance is a huge hot button issue, the SWTOR forums are aflame regarding the addition of same-sex romances.

Should we include same-sex romances? Are they appropriate for the Star Wars universe? Are they appropriate for the target audience? Well come along everyone, and let's discuss.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Even virtual relationships are hot button issues

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Even virtual relationships are hot button issues originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedbiowarebisexualchildrencontentgaykidslesbianmoralsograopinionopposite-gender-romance-arcsoptional-contentromanceromance-arcssame-gender-romance-arcssgrastar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torswtortortransgenderedFri, 02 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teen found safe after running away to meet "WoW Soulmate"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/teen-found-safe-after-running-away-to-meet-wow-soulmate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We all know that online gaming can strike up a romance between players, but sometimes romance can be taken a bit too far.

Over the holidays, 16-year-old Andrew Kane of Barrie in Ontario, Canada, decided that he had to meet his 42-year-old online lover, Lauri Price from Texas.

Price had taken a trip up to Canada to meet Kane, but when Kane had asked for a ride from his parents to a nearby hotel to meet Price, his parents returned with the pretty much expected, "No." This lead Kane to run away from his house at the early morning hour of 2 A.M. on an awkward quest to meet his "World of Warcraft soulmate."

Kane went missing for two days until he and Price were found at a Future Shop in Orilla, Ontario on December 31st via a tip from the public. Kane had apparently lied about his age to Price, saying he was 20. The legal age of consent in Canada is currently 16.

Police have said that Price will not be receiving any criminal charges and is free to travel back to the United States. Kane had been "seeing" Price for over a year via their relationship on World of Warcraft.

[Thanks for the tip, Eric!]

MassivelyTeen found safe after running away to meet "WoW Soulmate" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbreakingcanadafuture-shopnewsrelationshipromancerunawayworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 04 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Runes of Magic introduces Lair of the Demon Dragon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/runes-of-magic-introduces-lair-of-the-demon-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/runes-of-magic-introduces-lair-of-the-demon-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/runes-of-magic-introduces-lair-of-the-demon-dragon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Naga have settled around Aotulia Volcano, and they have a fancy new weapon at their disposal. They've captured Gestaro, a renegade Flame Dragon possessed by demons. Flame dragons are the most powerful of the five ancient dragon races, and the Naga plan to use this one to help suppress the free people.

That's the story in the brand new 12 player raid dungeon from Runes of Magic -- Lair of the Demon Dragon. Your job is to set Gestaro free, by venturing into the Autulia Volcano territory and fighting your way through elite Naga who aren't too keen on losing their new pet. If you can make it through the waves of Naga and break the magical dragon seal, as well as the general that the Naga send in as a last resort, Gestaro will appear and finish off the Naga for you.

This is an elite dungeon, and Runes of Magic warns that "Only the bravest Taborean heroes should choose this encounter," so visit the official for more of the story, and good luck!

MassivelyRunes of Magic introduces Lair of the Demon Dragon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeons-and-dragons-onlinefrogsterlair-of-the-demon-dragonraidingromancerunes-of-magicFri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The distance of romance: Is online romance possible?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-distance-of-romance-is-online-romance-possible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-distance-of-romance-is-online-romance-possible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-distance-of-romance-is-online-romance-possible/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Newsweek's story this week, about two Second Life users who met and fell in love without a nasty breakup, divorce, murder or any other sort of common human drama has sparked a lot of talk among users of virtual environments about love and romance over a distance.

Opinions are divided of course. Some feel that it's impossible to fall in love with someone who is out of range of a slap in the face, while others see it as completely natural. Are human relationships like electro-magnetism, where they cannot exist beyond a certain small physical radius?

Continue reading The distance of romance: Is online romance possible?

MassivelyThe distance of romance: Is online romance possible? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturenewsweekopinionrelationshipsromancesecond-lifevirtual-worldsThu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hunting for love in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/hunting-for-love-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/hunting-for-love-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/hunting-for-love-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For some reason best known to himself, Tom Francis over at computerandvideogames.com decided to set himself the task of finding love in a MMO. While that sort of thing does happen, and more often than is suspected, it probably wasn't a very good idea to expect anything to blossom in a mere week - any more than if he'd been trying to find love in the big blue room with the bright yellow light. Perhaps if mmodating.com was still running he'd have had more luck?

Tom's first foray is into Eve Online, where - as freshly created roguish pilot Cad Dashing - he meets a lady by the name of Kasteen Hawkeye. While he doesn't progress beyond flirting, he does at least congratulate himself that he's found 'a cheerful, friendly girl-gamer who genuinely did want to be a spaceship'. Tom has less luck in City of Heroes, where he opts to play a Defender. Sadly, he makes a mistake here, assuming that Defenders: 'have access to Heal Other: the closest superpowers get to flirting.' All characters have access to Aid Other as a pool power, and as anyone knows who's stood by Ms Liberty while a noobsauce Empath dishes out unneeded heals, healing can be a lot more like spamming than flirting.

The final, and most rewarding, venture is into World of Warcraft. It's probably best to let Tom's experiences here speak for themselves.

MassivelyHunting for love in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesdatingeve-onlinefinding-loveromanceworld-of-warcraftThu, 10 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST